Bill Starr's Blog

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

"a state of freedom and justice leads to excellence all around. Those with good behavior enjoy reward and those who behave badly must languish in their low status and incompetence. They must suffer as those with good behavior excel in all ways."

Good kids, Bad kids - Mises Economics Blog

Scalia Cites False Information in Habeas Corpus Dissent -- MWC News - A Site Without Borders

To bolster his argument that the Guantánamo detainees should be denied the right to prove their innocence in federal courts, Justice Antonin Scalia wrote in his dissent in Boumediene v. Bush: "At least 30 of those prisoners hitherto released from Guantánamo have returned to the battlefield." It turns out that statement is false.

MWC News - A Site Without Borders - - Scalia Cites False Information in Habeas Corpus Dissent

why the gun is civilization -- the munchkin wrangler

Hat tip to Wilton D. Alston at "The New American".

Coming Soon to a Neighborhood Near You: Prison | The New American

"When I carry a gun, I don't do so because I am looking for a fight, but because I'm looking to be left alone. The gun at my side means that I cannot be forced, only persuaded. I don't carry it because I'm afraid, but because it enables me to be unafraid. It doesn't limit the actions of those who would interact with me through reason, only the actions of those who would do so by force. It removes force from the equation...and that's why carrying a gun is a civilized act."

the munchkin wrangler.: why the gun is civilization.

Monday, June 23, 2008

The cops came, searched and left a mess for puzzled homeowner | War On You

Philadelphia tax dollars at "work". What an outrage.

The cops came, searched and left a mess for puzzled homeowner | War On You

A Totally Lawless Regime by Paul Craig Roberts

"If a Democratic House of Representatives will pass a retroactive law in order to legalize the criminal violations of a Republican regime, the same House will pass a retroactive law making illegal what you did legally yesterday. No one is any longer safe in America. By abandoning the US Constitution, Republicans and Democrats have made America as potentially unsafe as Zimbabwe for anyone who takes exception to the government."

A Totally Lawless Regime by Paul Craig Roberts

Fear Pols, Don't Let Them Scare You by Steven Greenhut

Steven Greenhut writes:

America's big problem is the rapid, unstoppable expansion of government at every level. This isn't just a problem of affordability – as in making sure there are sufficient tax dollars to sustain the growth. It's a problem of liberty. The bigger government gets, the more it extinguishes the choices made by individuals. We all enjoy fewer freedoms as regulation grows, the number of government agents expands, taxes increase, programs grow, wars continue and laws proliferate. It's as simple as that...

For those of us still more concerned about being free rather than coddled, the best advice is to resist all the fear-mongering, regardless of whether it is Republican fear-mongering or Democratic fear-mongering. Both parties are toxic these days, and neither one values liberty as an end in and of itself...

A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have...

Be scared – but of your own government, not of whatever it is officials are selling. Be leery of officials at every level, whether it's a local redevelopment director telling you that it's OK to take someone's property to wipe out "blight" (based on whatever broad and debatable definition the director offers), or a secretary of state telling you that the government needs to suspend habeas corpus to battle terrorists, real or not.

But perhaps H.L. Mencken said it best: "The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary."...

Just remember that government always is about coercion – whether the promises are uttered by a likable and uplifting candidate who offers change or by a crusty old war hero who promises whatever it is he is promising this week. Fear them, but don't let them scare you.

Fear Pols, Don't Let Them Scare You by Steven Greenhut

TIME for Socialism - Thomas J. DiLorenzo - Mises Institute

What Time's "fix" involves is essentially the Sweden-ization of America, where the average working family would be handing over 65–70 percent of its earnings to government bureaucrats, with regulation-induced price increases eating up perhaps another ten percentage points. This all needs to be done at the very beginning of the next administration, moreover, for "putting off change won't be an option much longer." It is a perfect recipe for impoverishing America.

TIME for Socialism - Thomas J. DiLorenzo - Mises Institute

Great live bluegrass at Bean Blossom

Well, I got my fill of great live bluegrass music at at Bean Blossom, Indiana this week.

My wife and youngest daughter and I attended the last three days of the 8-day Bill Monroe Memorial Festival Thursday through Saturday.

Some of the highlights for me were hearing Matt Leadbetter (Phil's son) on dobro with Marty Raybon, Daily & Vincent, Cherryholmes, Alecia Nugent (with Steve Huber on banjo and Thomas Whyrot on guitar), Tim Graves on dobro with Bobby Osborne, and The Seldom Scene band.

This was my first time to see Daily & Vincent, Alecia Nugent, and The Seldom Scene live.

In other news, it was also my first time to see the legendary Ralph Stanley live. It's kind of heretical to say this in bluegrass circles, but there are a lot of bluegrass artists I like better than Dr. Stanley.

As a musical bonus Thursday evening, I attended the flood benefit at the Indigo hotel in Columbus and got to hear Barney Quick on jazz guitar with my neighbor Robert Haysmith on bass and also Tim Grimm with his wife and son. Tim did some great singing and guitar picking.

This was my first time to hear both Barney and Tim and I look forward to hearing more of both in the future.

Bill Starr
Mon, 23 Jun 2008, 12:23 am EDT

Sunday, June 22, 2008

End Of A (Very Bad) Chapter -- The Other Side of Kim du Toit

Just came across this site. Sounds like a very interesting family.

The Other Side of Kim du Toit

Let African Sink

Interesting perspective on the African culture.

The Other Side of Kim du Toit - Essays

Friday, June 20, 2008

Federal Aid - Indiana

I like it. I think my grandfather's brother, Monroe Starr, served as a state representative from Connersville in this session.

INDIANA needs no guardian and intends to have none. We Hoosiers -- like the people of our sister states -- were fooled for quite a spell with the magician's trick that a dollar taxed out of our pockets and sent to Washington, will be bigger when it comes back to us. We have taken a good look at said dollar. We find that it lost weight in its journey to Washington and back. The political brokerage of the bureaucrats has been deducted. We have decided that there is no such thing as "federal" aid. We know that there is no wealth to tax that is not already within the boundaries of the 48 states...

Federal Aid - Indiana

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Townhall.com::Legalize All Drugs::By John Stossel

Excellent arguments for drug legalization by John Stossel.

"in a free country, adults should have the right to harm themselves."

Townhall.com::Legalize All Drugs::By John Stossel

So-Called, Quote, Candidate McCain

"Sounds like what people have said about his meanness is true. He can’t seem to oppose a policy or a person without denigrating them using of language of ridicule."

The Liberty Papers »Blog Archive » So-Called, Quote, Candidate McCain

FBI & Homeland Security behind martial law exercises in Indianapolis | Daily Newscaster

D.H. Williams writes regarding the U.S. Marines / FBI / Homeland Security martial law exercises in Indianapolis:

The preponderance of the evidence strongly suggest that the Marines in Indianapolis are being prepared for civilian law enforcement functions in direct violation of Posse Comitatus which prohibits federal troops from exercising state law enforcement police or peace officer powers to maintain “law and order” on non-federal property. I suspect most of the Marines in the 26th are not even aware of their role in this joint law enforcement exercises. Neither the Marines nor Indiana police have been briefed on the significance of the Posse Comitatus Act...

[I]t is the military veterans of this nation who are sounding the alarm as rogue elements within our government have decided to Cross the Rubicon misusing the relationship between the public and U. S. Armed Forces to desensitize military and law enforcement personnel and encourage them to accept what was once considered unacceptable...

The ultimate mission of the Marine Corps is to protect and defend The Constitution, not to practice waging war against America.

FBI & Homeland Security behind martial law exercises in Indianapolis | Daily Newscaster: "The ultimate mission of the Marine Corps is to protect and defend The Constitution, not to practice waging war against America."

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Gov. Napolitano Approves Prohibition on Real ID (ARIZONA) | War On You

Good for Arizona! Are you watching, Hoosier legislators?

Gov. Napolitano Approves Prohibition on Real ID (ARIZONA) | War On You

Waterboarding in American History: Using the “Water Cure” in the Philippines 1898

Sad history.

Psyche, Science, and Society » The “Water Cure” as a cure for unruly “natives” in the Philippines

Regulating Us to Death | The New American

Selwyn Duke writes:

Simply put, when you don’t believe in an afterlife — in a spiritual world — you often become obsessed with staying in this world as long as possible. I believe this breeds a deep-seated fear of injury and death and at least partially explains our safety-freak mentality. Jesus said, "And fear ye not them that kill the body, and are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him that can destroy both soul and body in hell." Without a belief in the soul, the body is all there is. And then the sins against it — smoking, drinking, etc. — become mortal.

Regulating Us to Death | The New American

Ordinance could ban guns on all South Bend city property

Here's some folly.

Ordinance could ban guns on all South Bend city property

Hat tip to Hoosier Access.

HoosierAccess » Blog Archive » South Bend Seeks to Ban Guns on City Owned Property

My Government, Never Wrong

Jacob Hornberger writes:

Pointing out the relationship between U.S. foreign policy and terrorist blowback implies that the federal government has done wrongful things to foreigners. That’s considered blasphemy among conservatives because their federal deity is incapable of doing bad things to anyone...

Libertarians, who would never consider deifying the federal government, take the view that what matters, first and foremost, is the exercise of conscience, which means that sometimes a person has to take a firm stand against the wrongdoing committed by his own government. Conservatives rail against the libertarian view because it suggests that their deity is capable of wrongdoing. Thus, the conservative mindset steadfastly maintains, “My government, never wrong.”

MWC News - A Site Without Borders - - My Government, Never Wrong

FEMA - The Secret Government

Scary information of which I was unaware. I had no idea FEMA had been around since at least 1979 and had such a broad charter beyond disaster relief.

Seems like a pretty severe violation of the authority granted to the national government by the Constitution.

I would have thought by a reading of the U.S. Constitution that all disaster relief would rightly be handled by the states and charitable and volunteer efforts, following the precedent laid down by U.S. Congressman Davy Crockett.

Not Yours to Give

FEMA - The Secret Government

The Media Versus the State

Good words for 2008 too.

"On March 9, 1954, in a broadcast that has been called television’s finest hour, Murrow stated,"

The line between investigating and persecuting is a very fine one... We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. We must remember always that accusation is not proof and that conviction depends upon evidence and due process of law.

We will not walk in fear, one of another.... We are not descended from fearful men — not from men who feared to write, to speak, to associate, and to defend causes that were, for the moment, unpopular.... We cannot defend freedom abroad by deserting it at home.

The Media Versus the State

How to be a better daughter to your father

Some good advice to daughters, especially in Christian families.

VisionaryDaughters.com

Masson’s Blog - A Citizen’s Guide to Indiana » Evansville Courier Press on The Great Writ

Good commentary by Doug Masson and the Evansville Courier Press on the SCOTUS ruling on habeas corpus (Procedure for obtaining a judicial determination of the legality of an individual's custody).

Masson’s Blog - A Citizen’s Guide to Indiana » Evansville Courier Press on The Great Writ

Monday, June 16, 2008

Afloat on an Ocean of Oil

The next time you hear a politician say we need to be “energy independent,” ask him or her why Americans cannot have access to the oil reserves known to exist in California, in Alaska, and in many of our other States or off the coastlines of Florida and elsewhere.

Ask them why the fate of the condors and little known species is more important than the family budget of Americans forced to make choices between more food and more gasoline.

Ask them why they continue to claim that global warming is a threat when the entire Earth is now in a decade-old cooling cycle.

Ask them why they insist on blaming investor-owned oil companies whose own reserves are barely four percent of the world’s known oil reserves? Ask them how they expect these oil companies to compete in the global marketplace when they threaten to seize their profits.

Energy is the master resource. It determines which nations thrive and which lag behind. For now, America is being ill-served by a Congress that refuses to permit access to our own energy resources.

Ask yourself how we have arrived at a point in time when both candidates for President believe in a non-existent global warming and whose proposals offer no practical solution to our current and future energy needs.

Intellectual Conservative Politics and Philosophy

Drill Offshore – For a Seafood Bonanza by Humberto Fontova

"The panorama of marine life around an offshore oil platform staggers anyone who puts on goggles and takes a peek, even (especially!) the most worldly scuba divers."

Drill Offshore – For a Seafood Bonanza by Humberto Fontova

Albert Jay Nock: Forgotten Man of the Old Right - Jeffrey A. Tucker - Mises Institute

"Pass the Memoirs on to a twenty-year-old student and you stand a good chance of arming him against a lifetime of nonsense, whether it comes from the tedious Left that loves redistribution and collectivism or the fraudulent Right that is completely blind to the impossibility of reconciling war and nationalism with the true American spirit of freedom."

Albert Jay Nock: Forgotten Man of the Old Right - Jeffrey A. Tucker - Mises Institute

Edwin Vieira, Jr. -- "Homeland Security" -- For What and For Whom?

Edwin Vieira, Jr. wrote, 8 March 2005:

Make no mistake about it: To maintain its own economic and political positions, the Establishment will sacrifice the economic welfare and the constitutional rights of everyone else. And to succeed it will be compelled to crack down: first, on people's resistance to its propaganda, agitation, disinformation, and other techniques of psycho-political manipulation; then on refractory dissent; then on rebellion at the polls; then on mass refusals to obey its oppressive "statutes", "regulations", and "judicial decisions"; and, at length, on revolt against every aspect of its misrule. The Establishment is building a domestic police state today for the purpose of deterring, cowing, and if necessary smashing this opposition tomorrow. So, even if the supposed threat from Islamic terrorists were to disappear today, the Department of Homeland Security would continue to grow tomorrow. Also, the breakneck speed at which the Department of Homeland Security is being constructed should warn America how much the Establishment fears that monetary and banking crises of serious proportions cannot be long delayed.

The danger will continue to exist as long as this country's Ponzified monetary and banking systems remain in place, increasingly shaky and prone to collapse. Americans need to begin working now to replace these systems with sound money and honest banking.

Edwin Vieira, Jr. -- "Homeland Security" -- For What and For Whom?

McCain: Habeas Corpus a Privilege not a Right | War On You

Hat tip to the Ron Paul War Room for this one.

McCain: Habeas Corpus a Privilege not a Right | Ron Paul War Room

Excellent commentary from Scott Ritsema. He writes:

By now, it is widely known that the Supreme Court has weighed in on the debate over the rights of the prisoners at Gitmo. The court has stated that the detainees’ habeas corpus rights (the protection against an indefinite detention without charges and a trial) ought to be respected.

Referring to the human beings who are still being detained at Guantanamo Bay, McCain stated, “These are people who are not citizens. They do not and never have been given the rights that citizens in this country have” (emphasis added).

So our rights are given to us? Interesting.

I might ask McCain at the out-set, since you apparently believe that only citizens have rights (presumably “given” to them in the Constitution) where exactly in text of the Constitution does the Constitution give this right the right of habeas corpus?

You won’t find it. The Constitution only puts limits on the removal of habeas corpus, which implies that human beings possess this right naturally, and that habeas corpus is not some peculiar civil privilege, such as welfare, or some right that only citizens have, such as voting in our elections.

Similarly, human beings possess the rights in the Bill of Rights naturally, and as such, government is prevented from infringing upon them in the first ten amendments to the Constitution. But the rights are not granted by the government or the Constitution; we already had the rights as human beings!

I recommend that McCain read the Declaration of Independence. He has admitted that he is ignorant of economics, so perhaps he needs to brush up on his political theory and History, as well.

The Declaration of Independence declares the self-evident truth that God gave us our rights and that we are “endowed by our creator” with “unalienable rights,” such as, “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Unalienable. Can’t be taken away. God-given natural rights. This is extremely important. Pay attention.

You see, if governments have “given” you “rights,” well then guess who can take them away at their will. Governments! McCain’s dangerous philosophy of rights as privileges is a recipe for tyranny. Government gives us our liberty? Is he serious? Well then that makes the state our god.

In reality, when something is granted, it is not a right at all. Something that is granted is, by nature, a mere privilege that can be revoked upon the whim of the entity which granted it–in this case, government... a scary notion, indeed.

A right, on the other hand, is unalienably possessed by somebody because he is the rightful owner of his life, liberty, and property. His own body, his thoughts, his decisions to move about, his money and possessions, etc.

These rights are his naturally. They are his property.

Rights are rooted in ownership of the property in question, and this very concept is God-ordained, thus we say that our rights are “God-given.”

They are NOT granted by government. They are NOT merely a privilege of citizenship.

Under the American philosophy of government where our rights are natural, or God-given, we have the power of free action that is limited only by the equal rights of others. And only when we impede upon the rights of others can government legitimately intervene to punish the criminal aggressor…and it can only do that through due process (they have to prove your guilt in a fair, speedy, jury trial).

The right of habeas corpus has been recognized as a basic right since the Magna Carta.

McCain is reversing the progress of human rights 800 years.

It doesn’t take the great mind of an ACLU liberal to figure this out.

As Ronald Reagan said, “The very heart and soul of conservatism is libertarianism.” McCain, once again, betrays conservative values of limited government and God-given property rights. His is the view that the state is supreme.

Liberty and justice for all. But for McCain... just the privileged few. Just pray that you stay in the good graces of an arbitrary McCain government, because where the government grants “rights,” it can take them away. So watch yourself dissenters... especially because McCain has a “volcanic temper.” Will the American people let this man be the next ‘decider’?

[Scott Ritsema teaches Economics, Government, and Advanced Placement U.S. History at a Christian high school, and possesses a master's degree in those three disciplines. Visit his new site CIVICS NEWS.com ...news with a conscience.]

McCain: Habeas Corpus a Privilege not a Right | War On You

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Speculation and the Housing Bailout - Mark A. Pribonic - Mises Institute

"But speculation is inherent in any transaction involving debt. When debt is assumed, we speculate that we will be able to meet the terms and the eventual retirement of the loan. We therefore speculate as to the future status of our income, which consists of factors such as health, employment, and marital status. Without speculation, money would never be lent, and few houses would be built."

"Yet this or any other government-guarantee plan relies exactly on the economic forces that posturing politicians publicly abhor. It forces all of us to put our faith in those who failed with their own money to honor the commitments made with the money of strangers. If Congress wants to end speculation, then I would suggest beginning with the deal makers at the Federal Reserve."

Speculation and the Housing Bailout - Mark A. Pribonic - Mises Institute

The Absent Father: A surprising lesson from history « Doug Wead The Blog

"If a father only spends his life serving his sons, reducing himself to the role of a taxi driver, running them to little league and soccer practice and math camp, all to show that they are a loving father willing to sacrifice their own advancement to give their sons an opportunity they never had, don’t expect the sons to grow up to be major league ball players or brilliant engineers. They will likely grow up to be taxi drivers just like their fathers, driving their sons all over suburbia as well."

"On the other hand, if a father does something great with his life, achieves something significant or heroic, then, even if he is absent, his son will likely follow and may even do better, just to rub it in."

The Absent Father: A surprising lesson from history « Doug Wead The Blog

Telling the Truth by Charley Reese

Charley Reese gives us some great reminders.

The Constitution does not give the president power over any of the topics the candidates like to talk about. The president can't raise or lower taxes; can't legislate on any matter, including Social Security and health care; can't declare war; and can't make treaties or appoint Supreme Court justices without the advice and consent of the Senate.

The authors of the Constitution had just finished a long and bitter war with Great Britain, whose king they saw as a tyrant. The last thing they were going to do is give kingly powers to their own chief executive.

The duties of the president are simple to state: He can require reports from department heads; he may grant pardons and reprieves; with the advice and consent of the Senate, he can make treaties and appoint ambassadors, consuls, ministers and judges; he can receive ambassadors and other public ministers; he must take care to faithfully execute the laws; and he commissions all U.S. officers. He is the commander in chief of the armed forces. From "time to time," he is to report to Congress on the state of the union.

The last duty to be listed says he may "recommend certain measures" to Congress. Congress, of course, is under no obligation, legal or otherwise, to accept his recommendations or, in fact, to do anything he asks Congress to do. The one exception is that under extraordinary circumstances, he can order Congress to convene.

Thus, in the case of presidential candidates, honesty really would be the best policy. Whatever the candidate hopes to accomplish, he will need the people to pressure Congress. Otherwise, Congress will listen to the lobbyists, who represent the selfish interests of their clients.

Even presidential candidates, however, seem to get a sniff of what they suppose is the power of the presidency and thus go around saying, "I will do this" and "I will do that." They should be saying, "I need your help, first to get elected, and second to pressure Congress to adopt my recommendations. Otherwise it will be business as usual in Washington."

Clearly, the framers of the Constitution intended for Congress to be the most powerful part of the government. The only influence, other than persuasion, the president has is to veto legislation, but here again Congress has the power to override a presidential veto.

Moreover, the president does not have the power to veto only a part of a bill (commonly referred to as the line-item veto). This was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

The concept of an imperial president took root in the post-Eisenhower years. Before that, Harry Truman was fond of taking walks in downtown Washington. Franklin Roosevelt, when he was in Warm Springs, Ga., would drive up into the Pine Mountains, pull over to the side and have a picnic on the ground with a few friends.

The Bush presidents, when they traveled, took an entourage that included at least 16 limousines and greatly inconvenienced whomever they were visiting.

Our president is not a king or an emperor. He's a hired public servant working on a temporary basis. It was no accident when the Founding Fathers decided that the only title a president could claim or deserve was "Mr. President." He is a citizen just like you or me, he puts his pants on just as we do, and he answers the call of nature in the usual manner. As the French essayist Montaigne observed, "No matter how high the throne, the king still sits on his arse." So do all presidents.

Telling the Truth by Charley Reese

Sic Semper Tyrannis by Becky Akers

Enjoyable and scary commentary on our government at work in the airports.

Sic Semper Tyrannis by Becky Akers

SchansBlog: Ron Paul vs. (some) Libertarians

Some interesting libertarian history I had not seen before.

SchansBlog: Ron Paul vs. (some) Libertarians

Digital Journal - McCain Condemns Guantanamo Verdict

I hope to see more analysis, but my first impression is that I am glad to see the court uphold the right of habeas corpus.

This seems to be in line with the intent of H.R. 3835, to restore the Constitution's checks and balances.

H.R. 3835: To restore the Constitution's checks and balances and protections against government abuses as envisioned by the Founding Fathers (GovTrack.us)

"10/15/2007--Introduced.

American Freedom Agenda Act of 2007 - Repeals the Military Commissions Act of 2006.

Prohibits the President from detaining any individual indefinitely as an unlawful enemy combatant absent proof by substantial evidence that the individual has directly engaged in active hostilities against the United States. Prohibits the detention of any U.S. citizen as an unlawful enemy combatant.

Entitles any individual detained as an enemy combatant by the United States to petition for a writ of habeas corpus.

Prohibits any civilian or military tribunal of the United States from admitting as evidence statements extracted from the defendant by torture or coercion.

Prohibits any federal agency from gathering foreign intelligence in contravention of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Subordinates the President's constitutional power to gather foreign intelligence to such prohibition.

Gives the House of Representatives and Senate standing to file a declatory judgment action in an appropriate federal district court to challenge the constitutionality of a presidential signing statement that declares the president's intent to disregard provisions of a bill he has signed into law because he believes they are unconstitutional.

Prohibits any U.S. officer or agent from kidnapping, imprisoning, or torturing any person abroad based soley on the president's belief that the subject of the action is a criminal or enemy combatant. Allows kidnapping if undertaken with the intent of bringing the kidnapped person for prosecution or interrogation to gather intelligence before a tribunal that meets international standards of fairness and due process.

Provides that nothing in the Espionage Act of 1917 shall prohibit a journalist from publishing information received from the executive branch or Congress unless the publication would cause direct, immediate, and irreparable harm to U.S. national security.

Prohibits the use of secret evidence by the President or any other member of the executive branch to designate an individual or organization with a U.S. presence as a foreign terrorist or foreign terrorist organization for purposes of the criminal law or civil sanctions."

Digital Journal - McCain Condemns Guantanamo Verdict

I, Pencil | The Foundation for Economic Education: The Freeman, Ideas on Liberty

"The lesson I have to teach is this: Leave all creative energies uninhibited. Merely organize society to act in harmony with this lesson. Let society's legal apparatus remove all obstacles the best it can. Permit these creative know-hows freely to flow. Have faith that free men and women will respond to the Invisible Hand. This faith will be confirmed."

A classic by Leonard Read.

Hat tip to Eric Schansberg.

SchansBlog: the mystery and miracle of markets

I, Pencil | The Foundation for Economic Education: The Freeman, Ideas on Liberty

SchansBlog: Iran's progressive approach to the War on Drugs

I favor our government treating addicts as people who need help rather than as criminals too.

SchansBlog: Iran's progressive approach to the War on Drugs

SchansBlog: now that's how you take care of smoking in public!

I agree with Eric -- voluntary smoking bans are much better than giving government yet a bigger reach into our lives.

Let the restaurants compete with each other on the basis of their smoking policy.

SchansBlog: now that's how you take care of smoking in public!

The Government Wrecks the Economy - Llewellyn H. Rockwell, Jr. - Mises Institute

Another good prescription from this page.

"What is the right response to a recession? The first rule must be to do no harm. When it comes to government, that is asking a lot and enough. Beyond that, in an ideal world, we would shut down the Fed, reduce the cost of employment, reduce taxes, zap environmental controls on exploring for and refining oil — this would be a good beginning. We could expect the recession to last less than a year under these policies. As it is, we could be in for a very long and deep recession."

The Government Wrecks the Economy - Llewellyn H. Rockwell, Jr. - Mises Institute

The Government Wrecks the Economy - Llewellyn H. Rockwell, Jr. - Mises Institute

"In an act of incredible stupidity, Congress has passed an extension of unemployment benefits. The old rule remains true: if you subsidize something, you get more of it. So this will give us more unemployment. No question about that. It will thereby worsen and prolong the problem."

The Government Wrecks the Economy - Llewellyn H. Rockwell, Jr. - Mises Institute

Revolution liberating an idea -- Albert Jay Nock, 1943

I am reading Memoirs of a Superfluous Man" by Albert Jay Nock, written 1943.

I really like the following quotation (page 86 of 326) in the 1964 Henry Regnery printing.

"If a revolution liberates an idea, that idea will emerge and take hold of the public mind for good or ill, thus making the revolution successful, whether its immediate object be attained. If it does not liberate an idea, it amounts only to a riot which fizzles out with the gain or loss of its immediate object, and leaves no mark."

This quotation seems relevant for those, like me, who support the concepts of liberty so well articulated by Congressman Ron Paul, now that he has formally ended his campaign for the presidency and converted it to the new Campaign for Liberty to "promote and defend the great American principles of individual liberty, constitutional government, sound money, free markets, and a noninterventionist foreign policy, by means of educational and political activity.".

Ron Paul's Campaign For Liberty | The Revolution Continues

Friday, June 13, 2008

Paul out of the presidential race but just beginning to alter the face of GOP politics | Daily Newscaster

"Ron Paul is certainly out of the race but his position as a leader in Republican Party politics is just beginning."

Paul out of the presidential race but just beginning to alter the face of GOP politics | Daily Newscaster

SchansBlog: Reagan vs. Huckabee on "conservative" and libertarian

Mike Huckabee says:

"The greatest threat to classic Republicanism is not liberalism; it's this new brand of libertarianism, which is social liberalism and economic conservatism. But it's a heartless, callous, soulless type of economic conservatism because it says 'look, we want to cut taxes and eliminate government. If it means that elderly people don't get their Medicare drugs, so be it. If it means little kids go without education and healthcare, so be it.' . . . That's not historic Republicanism. Historic Republicanism does not hate government."

Ronald Reagan said:

"If you analyze it I believe the very heart and soul of conservatism is libertarianism. . . . The basis of conservatism is a desire for less government interference or less centralized authority or more individual freedom and this is a pretty general description also of what libertarianism is."

"Mike Huckabee, you're no Ronald Reagan."

SchansBlog: Reagan vs. Huckabee on "conservative" and libertarian

Thoughts for your weekend -- Justice and Fortitude

Some good quotations here.

Justice and Fortitude » Blog Archive » Thoughts for your weekend

Bob Barr, the Libertarian Choice -- Justice and Fortitude

Good review of presidential candidate Bob Barr -- his background and position on some of the issues.

Justice and Fortitude » Blog Archive » Bob Barr, the Libertarian Choice

Ron Paul's Campaign For Liberty | The Revolution Continues

"The mission of the Campaign for Liberty is to promote and defend the great American principles of individual liberty, constitutional government, sound money, free markets, and a noninterventionist foreign policy, by means of educational and political activity."

Ron Paul's Campaign For Liberty | The Revolution Continues

Libertarian Quotes

What If Public Schools Were Abolished? - Llewellyn H. Rockwell, Jr. - Mises Institute

Llewellyn H. Rockwell, Jr. throws out some very thought-provoking ideas. He writes:

[T]he true origin and purpose of public education is not so much education as we think of it, but indoctrination in the civic religion. This explains why the civic elite is so suspicious of homeschooling and private schooling: it's not fear of low test scores that is driving this, but the worry that these kids aren't learning the values that the state considers important...

All studies have shown that average cost per pupil for public schools is twice that of private schools...

This runs contrary to intuition, since people think of public schools as free and private schools as expensive. But once you consider the source of funding (tax dollars vs. market tuition or donation), the private alternative is much cheaper. In fact, the public schools cost as much as the most expensive and elite private schools in the country. The difference is that the cost of public schooling is spread out over the entire population, whereas the private school cost is borne only by the families with students who attend them.

In short, if we could abolish public schools and compulsory schooling laws, and replace it all with market-provided education, we would have better schools at half the price, and be freer too. We would also be a more just society, with only the customers of education bearing the costs...

But let's pretend. Let's say that a single town decided that the costs of public schooling are too vast relative to private schooling, and the city council decided to abolish public schools outright...

If we can somehow make it to phase two, something completely different will emerge. The existing private schools will be filled to capacity and there will be a crying need for new ones. Entrepreneurs will quickly flood into the area to provide schools on a competitive basis. Churches and other civic institutions will gather the money to provide education...

After this phase two, this town would emerge as one of the most desirable in the country. Educational alternatives would be unlimited. It would be the source of enormous progress, and a model for the nation. It could cause the entire country to rethink education. And then those who moved away would move back to enjoy the best schools in the country at half the price of the public schools, and those without children in the house wouldn't have to pay a dime for education. Talk about attractive!

So which town will be the first to try it and show us all the way?

What If Public Schools Were Abolished? - Llewellyn H. Rockwell, Jr. - Mises Institute

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Ron Paul's Campaign For Liberty | The Revolution Continues

I like liberty. I think I'll sign up. Care to join me?

Ron Paul's Campaign For Liberty | The Revolution Continues

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

We Live in Our Heads by Charley Reese

Interesting philosophical thesis. It reminds me a little of "The Matrix".

We Live in Our Heads by Charley Reese

Economic News That You Should Know -- HoosierAccess » Blog Archive

"One major component of the increase in the unemployment rate is that teens who are on summer break are not being employed very well this year. Why? Bad economy? No. The minimum wage was increased."

HoosierAccess » Blog Archive » Economic News That You Should Know

HPI Exclusive: Waterman-Jehl Ticket into Gov Race | Howey Politics Indiana

An independent candidate for Indiana governor.

HPI Exclusive: Waterman-Jehl Ticket into Gov Race | Howey Politics Indiana

Monday, June 09, 2008

Prosper Group Think: Welcome to 2008: Time for Indiana candidates to pay attention

"It's about time Indiana candidates pay attention to the Indiana blogosphere. What more evidence after The Republican Convention do we need that the blogosphere is driving news coverage?"

Prosper Group Think: Welcome to 2008: Time for Indiana candidates to pay attention

Notes From a Convention [ Minnesota ] by Butler Shaffer

What a powerful indictment of politics as usual.

Notes From a Convention by Butler Shaffer

Saturday, June 07, 2008

Paul makes bestseller list - 2008 Presidential Campaign Blog - Political Intelligence - Boston.com

"The GOP (with lots of help from the media) may have stopped the man Ron Paul in this go-round, but the message of Ron Paul will never be stopped. The genie is out of the bottle. The Revolution will move forward with its agenda of personal liberty, freedom, responsibility, sound money, an end to illegal wars, and strict adherence to the Constitution."

"This book will be around for years to come, influencing the thoughts and decisions of the next generation of political movers and shakers, not to mention voters."

Paul makes bestseller list - 2008 Presidential Campaign Blog - Political Intelligence - Boston.com

Ron Paul Revolution? | The Next Right

"Paul is a little out there for me, but I think it's fair to say that Ron Paul Republicanism is just about the only kind of Republicanism that's thriving at the moment. Has Ron Paul reshaped the party? Will Ron Paul-lite candidates succeed in 2008 and beyond? Does the GOP only borrow a few thoughts from the Paul crowd and discard the rest, or return to its pre-internationalist past? The world wonders..."

Ron Paul Revolution? | The Next Right

Machiavelli Was Right by Charley Reese

"If the gun controllers' claim that the mere presence of arms leads to mayhem were true, the Swiss would have wiped themselves out years ago. There are guns and gun ranges all over the place. You would be hard-pressed to find a Swiss home without a firearm and ammunition. Yet, the Swiss have a very low crime rate."

Machiavelli Was Right by Charley Reese

Legislating Tyranny by Paul Craig Roberts and Lawrence M. Stratton

"... the Bush administration’s assault on the Bill of Rights is a greater threat to Americans than are terrorists."

Legislating Tyranny by Paul Craig Roberts and Lawrence M. Stratton

Jon's Political Ramblings: Ron Paul Interview on CNN

... unity might be secondary to principle...if you can unify a party and reject your principles, what is unity worth?

Jon's Political Ramblings: Ron Paul Interview on CNN

The Cause That Won't Go Away - Llewellyn H. Rockwell, Jr. - Mises Institute

"People suspect that the gold standard would disempower the nation-state as we know it, including its ability to wage endless wars. To me, this is the strongest case for reform. If we want freedom and peace, the gold standard is the topic that cannot and will not die."

The Cause That Won't Go Away - Llewellyn H. Rockwell, Jr. - Mises Institute

HoosierAccess » Blog Archive » Post Convention Thoughts

"And one final note on the Paulistians. Daulton’s Briefs made a good observation by noting that these people cared about the process probably even more than those of us who were elected as a delegate. Sure, some (maybe most) ran to cause disruption and to prove a point. Did they? I’m not sure, but even though their tactics annoyed me at times, they showed they cared. They came to fight for their values, and more often than not, I share their values on a limited conservative government. So I applaud them and the fact they were there. Maybe we can learn a thing or two from them in the long term."

HoosierAccess » Blog Archive » Post Convention Thoughts

The Hoosierpundit: Anatomy of a Thumpin'

Good analysis of Indiana GOP Attorney General race.

The Hoosierpundit: Anatomy of a Thumpin'

Don't Buy Political Bulbs by John R. Lott, Jr.

The hidden costs of compact fluorescent bulbs.

Don't Buy Political Bulbs by John R. Lott, Jr.

Friday, June 06, 2008

The real public service

Thomas Sowell wrote:

Those who have helped the poor the most have not been those who have gone around loudly expressing "compassion" for the poor, but those who found ways to make industry more productive and distribution more efficient, so that the poor of today can afford things that the affluent of yesterday could only dream about.

If you really want to be of service to others, then let them decide what is a service by whether they choose to spend their hard-earned money for it.

Thomas Sowell

Indiana GOP Convention Ups & Downs -- Hoosier Access

Excellent commentary on winners and losers at the Indiana Republican Convention Monday by Hoosier Access, including the following "sound bites":

But what blogs have done is provided unprecedented transparency to a process that would have otherwise happened entirely in the shadows. Never again will a state party in Indiana hold a convention where delegates will be strong-armed. No candidate will want to risk the backlash that would come with being exposed... No contested convention campaign in Indiana is going to be able to ignore blogs in the future...

The Governor’s peeps... were utterly unable to deliver a victory for the man their boss had endorsed. Not only did they fail to deliver a victory to Jon Costas, but word of their apparent use of antiquated strong-arm tactics spread via the internet and caused a backlash that contributed to the impressive margin of Zoeller’s victory...

Hopefully, the Governor will learn from the bungling of his underlings before they ruin something else that can’t be so easily undone...

These are arrogant, bullying people who have yet to realize that they will get much further with the base of the party with friendship, respect, and persuasion...

The chairman of the Marion County GOP worked hard to deliver his county for the Governor’s man. He packed his delegate appointments with dependable votes... He also reportedly demanded loyalty oaths... In the end, however, his packing scheme failed to help Jon Costas carry the day and it caused a popular backlash on the internet and out in the rest of the state that probably more than offset the gains such tactics provided...

Indy Establishment... support seems to be the kiss of death in Indiana politics these days...

HoosierAccess » Blog Archive » Convention Ups & Downs

Senate Panel Says Bush Administration Based Iraq Invasion on Exaggerations | The New American

"Had the Bush administration been able to wrap up business in Iraq neatly and quickly, the American public would probably be as disinterested in the behind-the-scenes intrigue leading up to it as it has typically been regarding previous wars. But the botched-up and prolonged way that this war has been playing out has given too many people too much time to ask too many questions... The time for the American people to demand credible answers is long overdue."

Senate Panel Says Bush Administration Based Iraq Invasion on Exaggerations | The New American

How the GOP kept the Pauliacs Quiet on Monday

Excellent report on the Indiana GOP Convention from fellow delegate Eric Rowe.

The Facts Were These… » Blog Archive » How the GOP kept the Pauliacs Quiet on Monday

The Hoosierpundit: Ignorance Is Bliss, I Suppose

Becky Skillman the most underestimated politician in Indiana

I am impressed with Lieutenant Governor Skillman as well.

Too bad they saved her speech for last at the convention when the crowd was dribbling away, after the AG results had been announced.

Prosper Group Think: Becky Skillman the most underestimated politician in Indiana

Ron Paul revolution at the Indiana GOP Convention?

Interesting comments here too.

Prosper Group Think: Ron Paul revolution at the Indiana GOP Convention?

Random Indiana GOP Convention Thoughts

Some interesting thoughts on the GOP convention I also attended as an elected delegate.

HoosierAccess » Blog Archive » Random Convention Thoughts

Thursday, June 05, 2008

McCain Staffer Supports Dictatorship | The New American

Salon's Glenn Greenwald has reported that Michael Goldfarb, a Weekly Standard staff member, has been named Deputy Communications Director of John McCain’s campaign. Goldfarb believes, or so he says, that a president of the United States has near dictatorial powers.

McCain Staffer Supports Dictatorship | The New American

The Hoosierpundit: The Zoeller Convention Video

The Revolution: A Manifesto

Good review.

"Ron Paul's outstanding book is must reading for everyone who values liberty."

The Revolution: A Manifesto

Wednesday, June 04, 2008

WI GOP Convention: Party Rejects Founding Principles

Entertaining, but sad, account.

WI GOP Convention: Party Rejects Founding Principles

Paul has best showing yet, in Idaho, 24%, 27 May 2008

Paul has best showing yet, in Idaho - 2008 Presidential Campaign Blog - Political Intelligence - Boston.com

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Sowing More Big Government with the Farm Bill

Ron Paul writes, "Subsidies for agribusiness should be stopped and the free market should be allowed to work. With commodity and food prices on the rise, Congress had an opportunity to scale down government controls and taxpayer funding of agriculture. Instead, despite the warning sent by an 18% approval rating, Congress stubbornly opted for more of the same."

Farm Bill

Saturday, May 31, 2008

The Gun Thing by Tricia Shore

Tricia Shore writes, "What will happen when federally-trained police officers, many of whom have been trained to kill in the unconstitutionally declared Iraq war, come to your door demanding your children, as officers did recently in Texas? Do guns look so terrible, so ominous, when these things occur?"

The Gun Thing by Tricia Shore

Can You Really Love Your Country?

Sheldon Richman writes, "Insisting on the alleged virtue of loving one’s country mainly serves to give those in power a blank check."

Can You Really Love Your Country?

The State Punishes Mom/Wife/Peaceful Individual for Escaping Government's Dungeon-- KarenDeCoster.com Web Log

Thus it's not about being peaceful and not committing crimes, for that's not what the state actually desires in the end, though its propaganda will tell us otherwise. It's all about falling into line with the rest of the herd and setting a good example for acquiescence to the state and its collective prescriptions for determining how you will live your life.

KarenDeCoster.com Web Log: The State Punishes Mom/Wife/Peaceful Individual for Escaping Government's Dungeon Archives

Friday, May 30, 2008

Socialism and the Chinese Earthquake - Llewellyn H. Rockwell, Jr. - Mises Institute

McCain and Able: How the GOP lost the evangelicals in 2008 and put Obama in the White House « Doug Wead The Blog

Doug Wead, Special Assistant to former U.S. President George H. W. Bush, writes:

Like it or not, unless something happens to change things, something beyond the control of the media and John McCain, his campaign is now cooked. Obama only has to avoid public attacks on Christians. And when he does so privately, he better make sure that this time, all telephone cameras are turned off.

McCain and Able: How the GOP lost the evangelicals in 2008 and put Obama in the White House « Doug Wead The Blog

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Global Warming Petition Project

Scientists rebutting the human-caused global warming myth.

Global Warming Petition Project

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

The Enemy Is Always the State - Llewellyn H. Rockwell, Jr. - Mises Institute

"Let me state this as plainly as possible. The enemy is the state. There are other enemies too, but none so fearsome, destructive, dangerous, or culturally and economically debilitating... none are as horrible as the hydra known as the leviathan state."

The Enemy Is Always the State - Llewellyn H. Rockwell, Jr. - Mises Institute

Monday, May 26, 2008

"The Revolution: A Manifesto": We Americans have a Tradition of Rebellion

Good review. I really liked Congressman Paul's book too.

The RogueNation: "The Revolution: A Manifesto": We Americans have a Tradition of Rebellion

Nothing New by Charley Reese

Charley Reese gets it right (although he overlooks presidential candidate Ron Paul).

The only thing that delaying our departure from Vietnam accomplished was more casualties on all sides. The only thing that delaying our departure from Iraq will accomplish is more casualties on all sides.

Why would it be a stain on our honor to end the occupation of Iraq and hand the country back to the Iraqi people to govern as they please? It is, after all, their country, not ours; the oil is their oil, not ours. Not one candidate has the guts to say, "As soon as I'm president, I will order American troops to begin withdrawal." What happens after we leave is an Iraqi problem, not ours.

Americans had better get shut of their imperial delusions and fast, because we are following the path of every empire that has ever existed toward bankruptcy. Do you really want high gas prices, food rationing, health-care rationing and unbearable debt? What kind of standard of living do you think we can maintain with a collapsed education system, a broken infrastructure, a debilitated manufacturing sector and a debt-imploded failed economy?

One reason we are so in debt is that the brainless in our country have been paying for the defense of Europe and Japan ever since the end of World War II.

That allowed Europe and Japan to modernize their factories while ours deteriorated...

For a republic to survive, it needs a well-educated people with self-discipline and high morals, healthy agricultural and manufacturing bases, sound money and a frugal but wise government. I don't see much of that around these days.

April 26, 2008

Nothing New by Charley Reese

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Ron Paul: The Little Engine That Could « Doug Wead The Blog

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Hawaii Republican Convention report

"They are looking for sheep to hand in the ballots they want."

Hawaii Reporter: Hawaii Reporter

Hawaii Republican Convention

Pretty sad story here from the Hawaii Republican Convention.

Hawaii Reporter: Hawaii Reporter