Letter to Wal-Mart regarding employee firing for medical marijuana use

I just submitted the following message to Wal-Mart via their corporate website (Walmartstores.com: Feedback).

Hello.

My family and I are very regular customers of your store at 735 Whitfield Drive in Columbus, Indiana.

I was disappointed to read the following stories of your firing of Joseph Casias, 2008 Associate of the Year at your store in Battle Creek, Michigan, because he used medical marijuana for the relief of pain from his sinus cancer and brain tumor.

Wal-Mart Fires Associate Of Year, Cancer Patient For Medical Marijuana

Let’s Teach Wal-Mart A Lesson About Medical Marijuana

It would not surprise me if there is more to this situation than was reported in those stories, but the following points nevertheless apply.

I have never used marijuana in my life, but it bothers me no more to hear that one of your associates uses marijuana for pain relief than it would to hear that they were on any other form of prescription pain medicine.

As long as they serve me safely, courteously, and efficiently while at work, I care about as little whether Wal-Mart associates use marijuana in the privacy of their own home as I do about whether they have a glass of wine with their dinner or smoke a cigarette on their break.

I urge you to consider re-evaluating your corporate policies on this matter.

Sincerely,
Bill Starr
Sat, 27 Mar 2010, 4:04 pm EDT

Letter to the editor: Time to consider central time again

I just submitted the following letter to the editor of "The Republic" in Columbus, Indiana.

Exclusive extra online example at the end.

By the way, I see that this is my 1,800th blog post.

Published Tuesday, 16 March 2010.

Solar transit reveals DST problems (bottom of page; subscription may be required to view)

---

To: Bob Gustin
Sent: Sun, March 14, 2010 3:07:34 PM
Subject: Letter to the editor: Time to consider central time again

It would be interesting to have the solar transit listed with the daily sun/moon times in the daily paper.

The transit occurs at midday, when the sun is most directly overhead. Half the daylight for the day is behind and half remains.

This time also represents the amount of additional evening daylight that day due to the combined effect of daylight saving time and observing eastern time.

For example, on the first day of eastern DST (Sunday, 14 March 2010), the solar transit [ for Columbus, Indiana ] is at 1:53 pm. That's one hour and 53 minutes daylight shifted from morning to evening. 60 minutes is the nominal amount of daylight shifted by DST from morning to evening.

If we were back on central time with DST (which Indiana observed till the early 1960s), we'd still have 53 minutes of daylight shifted from morning to evening today. I'm among those who feel that 53 minutes of extra evening daylight is quite close enough to 60, without having to give up almost a second hour of daylight in the mornings.

If you feel likewise, I encourage you to join me in urging Indiana's legislators and governor to petition the USDOT to put Indiana back on central time.

If the paper decides not to add the midday time to its daily stats, here is a link to the U.S. Naval Observatory page where you can check the transit time for yourself.

http://bit.ly/bII26u
OR
Complete Sun and Moon Data for One Day: U.S. Cities and Towns — Naval Oceanography Portal

Sincerely,
Bill Starr
Columbus, Indiana

---

Extra example for the online edition.

There are 11 hours 52 minutes from sunrise to sunset in Indianapolis today (Sun, 14 Mar 2010).

Dividing that in half would give 5 hours 56 minutes before midday and the same after.

If midday were at noon, that would give a sunrise time of 6:04 am and a sunset time of 5:56 pm.

If one hour of sun were shifted from morning to evening, that would give Indy a sunrise time of 7:04 am, transit (sun overhead) at 1:00 pm and sunset at 6:56 pm.

Now let's see which time zone puts us closer to these figures.

On central daylight time, the sun would rise and set at 6:58 am and 6:50 pm, only 6 minutes short of the nominal shift of 60 minutes of daylight from morning to evening.

On eastern daylight time, the sun rises and sets at 7:58 am and 7:50 pm. This is nearly two hours of daylight shifted from morning to evening. No wonder our grandparents called EDT "double-fast time".

Perspective on the RNC and MA Ron Paul Delegation | Ron Paul 2012 | Campaign for Liberty at the Daily Paul

"For virtually every Congressman, there is not even a pause before he plunges into the trough." Lew Rockwell

"After seeing the tremendous pressure put on people in real politics, live and in person, it puts me in flat out awe that Dr. Paul ever made it this far. He talks a tough game but he walks it courageously and unwaveringly." Michael Nystrom

Perspective on the RNC and MA Ron Paul Delegation | Ron Paul 2012 | Campaign for Liberty at the Daily Paul

As Congress sleeps health insurance profits skyrocket –coverage plummets - Rick Ungar - The Policy Page - True/Slant

Rick Ungar and I are having a good dialog in the comments on the relative merits of free market versus governmental solutions to America's health care challenges.

As Congress sleeps health insurance profits skyrocket –coverage plummets - Rick Ungar - The Policy Page - True/Slant

Are the Polar Ice Caps Melting?

Good rebuttal to the polar ice melting hysteria.

Are the Polar Ice Caps Melting?

Paramilitary Thugs Steal Private Arms Collection « LewRockwell.com Blog

Since it is unacceptable for people to believe that government agents will carry out paramilitary raids to confiscate firearms, a paramilitary force was sent to Girard’s home to confiscate his firearms. William Grigg

Paramilitary Thugs Steal Private Arms Collection « LewRockwell.com Blog

Is blogging a slog? Some young people think so - Yahoo! News

Seems to be true for me.

Social networking & the quick status update have "kind of sucked the life out of long-form blogging" says Amanda Lenhart, a Pew senior researcher.

Is blogging a slog? Some young people think so - Yahoo! News

NO on ban of cell phone use while driving -- good article

I just sent the following message to my state legislators.

---

From: Bill Starr
To: Senator Greg Walker; Representative Sean Eberhart
Cc: Representative Eric Allan Koch; Representative Milo Smith
Sent: Sat, 6 Feb 2010, 8:39 am EST
Subject: NO on ban of cell phone use while driving -- good article

Thank you for your service to the citizens of Indiana.

As I wrote you on January 27, I still urge you to vote NO on any measure to criminalize the use of cell phones or other electronic devices while driving.

I recently came across a good article on this subject by Caleb Allen, a student at Rose-Hulman from Fort Wayne. Caleb does a very good job of explaining my objections to this sort of bill.

Caleb's iBlogger: Why There Should Be No Ban On Texting-and-driving

I encourage you to read the whole article, but here are a few of Caleb's thoughts that I liked and agree with, and that help to explain my objections as well.

"Law enforcement officers (LEOs) have no legal way of determining if you are texting.... There are legal reasons to be looking at your phone and pressing buttons (or touching the screen) while driving.... If the officer asks you if you were texting, the Constitution protects you from answering. If the officer asks (or even "orders") you to produce your phone for inspection, the same Constitution protects you from unreasonable search and seizure without 1) a warrant or 2) probable cause."

"The exercise of your Fifth Amendment right is not an admission of guilt and cannot be used as such.... Since there are legal reasons to be pushing buttons (or touching the screen) of a phone, the fact that you were doing so does not provide probable cause for a search or seizure of your phone, and neither does refusing to tell the LEO if you were texting develop probable cause.... So, without probable cause or a warrant to search your wireless phone (or a subpoena for your phone records), there is no legal way for an officer of the law to determine if a driver was to be in violation of the "Texting While Driving Law"."

"The real cause of accidents is not texting or even using a wireless phone; it is driver negligence.... No matter what causes that distraction, it is the responsibility of the driver to make sure that his vehicle does not hit anything. Most accidents result from driver negligence -- neglecting to fulfill his responsibility to keep his vehicle from hitting something."

"Regulating distractions doesn't work. Regulating driving will.... The percentage of car accidents attributed to dialing a cell phone is nearly identical to the number associated with talking or listening on a cell phone or bluetooth headset."

"Let us create a "Distracted Driving Law" that is based on your driving, not what you're doing.... Behavior that is generally indicative of being an impaired driver should be banned rather than each and every single little thing which could possibly contribute to impaired driving.... The LEO can clearly observe if the vehicle is being operated in a reckless manner. This is much easier to enforce..."

"Finally, this approach lets us stop writing laws about it!"

"Don't let your legislature enact another "feel good" law with demonstrably little effect on stemming the real problem. Instead, let us encourage them to use some common sense and write a better law.... Tell your Indiana legislators you oppose this bill, and all others like it, not because you think texting and driving is safe, but because it is a foolhardy approach to establishing roadway safety."

Sincerely,
Bill Starr
Columbus, Indiana

I urge NO on any ban on cell phone use while driving

I just sent the following message to my state legislators.

---

To: Senator Greg Walker; Representative Sean Eberhart
Cc: Representative Eric Allan Koch; Representative Milo Smith
Sent: Wed, 27 Jan 2010, 1:32 pm EST
Subject: I urge NO on any ban on cell phone use while driving

Thank you for your service to the citizens of Indiana.

I urge you to vote NO on any measure to criminalize the use of cell phones or other electronic devices while driving.

I am all for holding each driver in Indiana accountable for controlling his vehicle in as safe a manner as possible, and punishing any who carelessly or recklessly cause personal or property damage while operating a motor vehicle.

I am opposed to trying to micromanage the Indiana driver by criminalizing, before the fact, specific types of potentially-risky driving behavior.

I know this is a somewhat trendy and politically-popular form of legislation, but I urge you to resist it.

As the following link points out, distracted drivers are a leading cause of motor vehicle accidents.

Distracted Drivers Cause Motor Vehicle Accidents - Smart Motorist

Many of the factors contributing to driver distraction and accidents which are listed in this article have been around a lot longer than the cell phone.

To be consistent in micromanaging our state's drivers, the legislature would need to start working their way through the list of risky behaviors. E.g., drinking, eating, adjusting the radio, picking up something that has fallen on the floor, having an argument with a passenger, driving with too little rest, checking the map, looking at the GPS screen, using a laptop computer (i.e., police officers), adjusting the climate control, reading, shaving, applying make-up, combing hair, anger at other drivers or traffic conditions.

It would be inconsistent to skip any of these that are as risky as responsible cell phone use, but a number of items on this list would be politically quite a bit less popular to be prohibited than cell phone use.

I urge you to stay away from this slippery slope.

Just hold drivers accountable for their results and leave it to each driver to determine the most practical means of arriving safely at his destination.

Sincerely,
Bill Starr
Columbus, Indiana

Marilyn vos Savant Reforms Health Care

Excellent, common sense health care reform proposals from Marilyn vos Savant (1996).

Repeal the 17th Amendment: Marilyn vos Savant Reforms Health Care

Man uses stun gun during downtown Columbus fight

The local paper reports today that a local man was arrested for using a stun gun during a fight.

He was charged with battery with a deadly weapon, a Class C felony.

Funny how it's a "deadly weapon" in "civilian" hands, but law enforcement and the manufacturer promote the stun gun as being in the "less than lethal" category.

Man uses stun gun during downtown Columbus fight

Why Indiana children wait for the school bus in the dark

After reading a couple of recent letters to the editor from fellow Hoosiers, I remembered that I wanted to do an update corresponding to my "earliest sunset of the year" post on December 7.

In the South Bend Tribune on January 12 (When will Indiana students see the light?), Angela Warren-Manns wrote:

"I am concerned for my son who has to be out in the dark to go to school in the morning. This is bizarre for us because where we are from in New Jersey, it is light outside around 7 a.m. We have also lived in Texas, California and Maryland and they are also the same as New Jersey: light around 7 a.m. It just doesn't make sense to me that Indiana is on Eastern time. The sun certainly does not agree with it."

Ms. Warren-Manns is quite correct. The average sunrise time for places due east and west of South Bend on January 12 is 7:25 am. Civil twilight (when there is sufficient natural light for terrestrial objects to be clearly distinguished) is about 7 am this time of year for places in the geographically correct time zone.

In the Montgomery County (Crawfordsville) newspaper (Who makes decision on delays, closing?), Buddy Posthauer writes:

"My daughter has not had very much experience driving under these conditions... She could have taken the bus which picks her up about one hour earlier than when she drives, which it is pitch dark, and although this is not the schools fault, thanks to the time change, no child should be standing along side a busy and dangerous highway in the dark, even if the weather is good. It was just a few years ago I could not leave for work on time because a gentleman lost his life after a head on collision right where the kids have to stand in the dark to wait on the bus, which is much more dangerous in bad weather."

What both of these letters have in common is that they highlight the increased risk to Indiana children on their way to school this time of year because of observing eastern time.

Except for a few counties in the northwest and southwest corners, all of Indiana has been in the geographically incorrect eastern time zone since the 1960s.

January 4 marks the latest sunrise of the year.

The natural clock time (aka Local Mean Time) for sunrise in Indianapolis on January 4 is 7:22 am. This would be the sunrise time on January 4 if Indianapolis had ended up at the middle of a time zone like Philadelphia or Peoria did.

The table below compares the sunrise time on January 4 in Indianapolis with other United States cities located in their geographically-correct time zone.

On eastern time, Indy sticks out from the pack like a sore thumb. It will be back in the normal range again whenever Indiana goes back to central time.

Sunrise times on Monday, 4 January 2010

8:06, Indianapolis (eastern time)

7:23, Philadelphia (middle of eastern time zone)
7:23, Peoria (middle of central time zone)
7:21, Denver (middle of mountain time zone)
7:20, Reno (middle of Pacific time zone)
7:20, New York City
7:18, Chicago
7:14, Boston
7:06, Indianapolis (if returned back to central time)
6:59, Nashville TN (nearly due south of Indy)
6:52, Las Vegas

Ref: http://www.usno.navy.mil/USNO/astronomical-applications/data-services/rs-one-year-us/

Vote NO on a constitutional convention

I just wrote the following message to my state legislators urging them to oppose any call for a constitutional convention.

---

To: Senator Greg Walker; Representative Sean Eberhart
Cc: Representative Eric Allan Koch; Representative Milo Smith
Subject: I urge NO on a constitutional convention

Thank you for your service to the citizens of Indiana.

Please vote NO on any resolution in the Indiana general assembly that petitions Congress to call a constitutional convention (as provided for by Article V of the U.S. Constitution).

I also urge you to vote YES on any resolution to rescind the 1979 resolution of the Indiana general assembly that favored a national constitutional convention.

I've become aware that several organizations are contacting state legislators to promote resolutions petitioning Congress to convene a constitutional convention, so this issue appears likely to come up in our general assembly, if it hasn't already.

Since leading constitutional scholars say a constitutional convention could not be restricted as to the amendments it could consider and propose, I am very concerned that such a convention could lead to proposing one or more amendments that could have a very harmful effect on our freedoms under the U.S. Constitution.

One need look no further than our own country's history to see that a convention called for the purpose of updating the Articles of Confederation ended up leading to an entirely new form of government instead.

With the current state of citizen knowledge of the precepts of liberty in the United States, the odds are not in favor of getting a better government than we have now if this situation should arise in our lifetime.

Although it would take three-quarters of the 50 states to ratify any proposed amendments, the biased news media and other opinion-molding institutions could easily help enable the ratification of undesirable amendments.

I understand that conservatives are split on this issue, but I am among those who feels that the risks posed by a constitutional convention far outweigh the possible benefits.

For more background information on this issue, I highly recommend the following items:

(1) "Beware of Article V," a 36-minute video free to view at
http://www.jbs.org/news-center/birchtube/69

This video was created specifically for helping state legislators understand the negative aspects of convening a constitutional convention.

(2) "Dangers of a Constitutional Convention," an article free to view at
http://www.thenewamerican.com/index.php/usnews/constitution/1241

(3) "Another Endorsement of a Constitutional Convention on Glenn Beck," an article free to view at
http://www.jbs.org/us-constitution-blog/5638

Please be sure to vote NO on any resolution calling for a national constitutional convention for the purpose of amending the U.S. Constitution.

Sincerely,
Bill Starr
Columbus, Indiana
Wed, 30 Dec 2009, 1:16 pm EST

Moral Criticisms of the Market

Ken Ewert does a great job of addressing moral criticisms often leveled against the free market by Christians.

Moral Criticisms of the Market

Postal Employees Live It Up | Cato @ Liberty

"Of course, private companies spend money on conferences, meetings, and events. But they don’t force people to buy their products or use their services. The USPS has a government-granted monopoly over first-class mail. It’s time to put an end to the government mail monopoly, and this audit is one more reason why." -- Tad DeHaven

Postal Employees Live It Up | Cato @ Liberty

Your Neighbor’s Contract You Can’t Refuse

A modern-day parable.

"A contract forced on someone else is not a contract. It is force. Every day, we pay for services we never requested, for prices never agreed to, from people we never met."

Your Neighbor’s Contract You Can’t Refuse

Chuck Baldwin: ‘Anger With Federal Government Not Enough’ | Independent Political Report

If conservatives/constitutionalists/libertarians would spend as much time and energy influencing elections and policies at the State and local levels as they attempt to do at the national level, we could turn this floundering ship of state around. -- Chuck Baldwin

For a fictional version of Mr. Baldwin's proposal, I recommend reading "Molôn Labé!".

Molon Labe! - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Chuck Baldwin: ‘Anger With Federal Government Not Enough’ | Independent Political Report

Which Comes First: Interventionism or Terrorism? by Jacob G. Hornberger

"The intervention comes first. The anger, hatred, resentment, and retaliation come second, followed by cockamamie explanations from the U.S. Empire and its chorus of interventionist supporters as to what has motivated the terrorists to strike." -- Jacob Hornberger

Which Comes First: Interventionism or Terrorism? by Jacob G. Hornberger

Sustainability: An Assault on Economics - Tyler A. Watts - Mises Institute

Excellent explanation of how prices trump "sustainability" in conserving scarce resources.

Sustainability: An Assault on Economics - Tyler A. Watts - Mises Institute

Earliest sunset of the year December 7

December 7 marks the earliest sunset of the year. (December 21 is the shortest day and January 4, 2010 is the latest sunrise, but that oddness is another story).

The natural clock time (aka Local Mean Time) for sunset in Indianapolis is 4:35 pm. This would be our sunset time today if Indianapolis had happened to end up at the middle of a time zone like Philadelphia or Peoria did.

The table below compares sunrise time today in Indianapolis with other United States cities located in their geographically-correct time zone.

You can see that Indy sticks out like a sore thumb on eastern time, but will be back in with the rest of the pack again if or when Indiana goes back to central time.

Sunset times on Monday, 7 December 2009

5:20, Indianapolis (eastern time)


4:35, Philadelphia (middle of eastern time zone)
4:35, Denver (middle of mountain time zone)
4:35, Reno (middle of Pacific time zone)
4:32, Nashville TN (nearly due south of Indy)
4:31, Peoria (middle of central time zone)
4:28, New York City
4:26, Las Vegas
4:20, Indianapolis (if returned back to central time)
4:20, Chicago
4:12, Boston
3:54, Bangor, Maine

Ref: http://www.usno.navy.mil/USNO/astronomical-applications/data-services/rs-one-year-us/

Congressman Ron Paul - Who Wants War? - Texas Straight Talk

Great arguments from Ron Paul against escalating the undeclared war in Afghanistan.

Congressman Ron Paul - Who Wants War? - Texas Straight Talk

Let’s Not Make a Federal Case Out of It! « J. Neil Schulman

Schulman helps put a few "outrages" back in perspective.

Let’s Not Make a Federal Case Out of It! « J. Neil Schulman

Does High Cholesterol REALLY Cause Heart Disease?

Some arguments against the conventional wisdom on cholesterol and statin treatment.

Does High Cholesterol REALLY Cause Heart Disease?

Letter to Congressmen: Support our troops; bring them home

Following is the message I just sent to my congressmen.


I urge you to vote NO to any funding for increasing U.S. troop presence anywhere overseas, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, or Iran.

I think it is time to really support our troops by bringing them home, out of harm's way, from the far-flung overseas reaches of the U.S. empire, and getting them back to work producing goods and services that the American people want and will pay for voluntarily.

I am all for maintaining a sufficient, constitution-sized, armed service to defend U.S. borders, but as far as overseas occupations and operations, I favor the defense policy of John Quincy Adams, and urge you to do likewise.

"Wherever the standard of freedom and Independence has been or shall be unfurled, there will America's heart, her benedictions and her prayers be. But she goes not abroad, in search of monsters to destroy. She is the well-wisher to the freedom and independence of all. She is the champion and vindicator only of her own." (U.S. House of Representatives, 4 July 1821)

John Quincy Adams on U.S. Foreign Policy (1821)

Thank you for your service to our state and country.

Sincerely,
Bill Starr
Columbus, Indiana


Contact U.S. Congressman Mike Pence : 6th District Of Indiana
- Fri, 4 Dec 2009, 1:24 pm EST

Contact Richard G. Lugar, United States Senator for Indiana
- Fri, 4 Dec 2009, 1:27 pm EST

Contact Indiana Senator Evan Bayh
- Fri, 4 Dec 2009, 1:29 pm EST

Can the County Sheriff Save the Constitution?

A practical decentralized approach to begin to shake off unconstitutional United States federal government usurpations.

Can the County Sheriff Save the Constitution?

A Penchant for Controlling Others - Llewellyn H. Rockwell Jr. - Mises Institute

Good arguments from Lew Rockwell against banning texting while driving.

A Penchant for Controlling Others - Llewellyn H. Rockwell Jr. - Mises Institute

The Economics of Recycling by Floy Lilley

Informed voluntary recycling conserves resources and raises our wealth. However, forcing people to recycle routinely makes society worse off. Floy Lilley

The Economics of Recycling by Floy Lilley

Mugwumps: public moralists of the ... - Google Books

I just finished reading this book.

Not too long of a read, and sheds some interesting light on the public debates of the late 1800s over the issues of sound money, tariffs, civil service reform, and imperialism.

I find myself in sympathy with the Mugwumps on their political views on these issues, but I find it a somewhat sad book.

The Mugwumps come across to me as men who urged the adoption of Christian morality in public life, but without basing it on the power of a Christian foundation.

Mugwumps: public moralists of the ... - Google Books

What to Be Thankful For | David Boaz | Cato Institute: Daily Commentary

"A Kenyan boy who managed to get to the United States told a reporter for Woman's World magazine that America is "heaven." Compared to countries that lack the rule of law, equality, property rights, free markets, and freedom of speech and worship, it certainly is. A good point to keep in mind this Thanksgiving Day." David Boaz

What to Be Thankful For | David Boaz | Cato Institute: Daily Commentary

Employer Parking Lots and Firearms - A Poll -- A Keyboard and a .45

Important debate.

Let's start by pointing out that the responsible, law-abiding employees are the only ones who comply with company policies against having firearms locked in their vehicles in the company parking lot in the first place.

I hate to see government get involved in this.

It is unfortunate that there are employers who would penalize their law-abiding employees who wish to assume full responsibility provide for their own self-protection while in transit between home and work, and at all stops in between.

The companies certainly don't provide any protection for these employees during the commuting phase of each workday, and yet they think it's moral to deny the employee to provide for it himself.

If this is to be resolved legislatively, it must include the component that absolves the employer of any responsibility for any criminal incident which might involve one of these firearms locked in a vehicle in their parking lot.

A Keyboard and a .45: Employer Parking Lots and Firearms - A Poll

Triggers for Civil Disobedience | Political Class Dismissed

Where would you draw the line?

Triggers for Civil Disobedience | Political Class Dismissed

Repeal Day Serves as Reminder of the Folly of Our Drug Laws - Opinion - FOXNews.com

"The prestige of government has undoubtedly been lowered considerably by the prohibition law ... For nothing is more destructive of respect for the government and the law of the land than passing laws which cannot be enforced." -- Einstein on U.S. alcohol Prohibition.

Repeal Day Serves as Reminder of the Folly of Our Drug Laws - Opinion - FOXNews.com

EDITORIAL: End Clinton-era military base gun ban - Washington Times

Great article on the foolishness of gun-free victim-disarmament zones, especially on military bases.

EDITORIAL: End Clinton-era military base gun ban - Washington Times

- Flu Shots and Freedom

Lots of good information here more general than just the question of whether people should be forced to accept flu shots.

Flu Shots and Freedom

The Winds of Change Die Down by Justin Raimondo -- Antiwar.com

We can have an empire, or we can have our old republic back. We cannot have both. -- Justin Raimondo

The Winds of Change Die Down by Justin Raimondo -- Antiwar.com

A few quotes to ponder this Friday | The Real Revo

Some great quotations on government, liberty, and tyranny.

A few quotes to ponder this Friday | The Real Revo

The GOP, a Revolutionary Party Once Again -- Sultan Knish

Good commentary on the state of the GOP.

"We have had enough of responsible Republican leaders carefully maintaining the prison walls that the Democrats have erected and continue to erect around us. What we need are leaders who will tear them down."

Sultan Knish

Why FIJA Activism is Important » no third solution » Blog Archive

Good argument for fully-informed jurors.

no third solution » Blog Archive » Why FIJA Activism is Important

Can the Rampaging Leviathan Be Stopped or Slowed? | The Beacon

Sobering commentary for lovers of liberty on the realities of the U.S. political landscape.

Can the Rampaging Leviathan Be Stopped or Slowed? | The Beacon

Texan police officer Kim Munley who shot Fort Hood gunman hailed as a heroine - Times Online

Just heard on Twitter about the woman who stopped the Fort Hood shooter.

Texan police officer Kim Munley who shot Fort Hood gunman hailed as a heroine - Times Online

Campaign For Liberty — Marriage License & Registration, Please | by Steve Bierfeldt

Thoughtful arguments for separation of marriage and state.

Campaign For Liberty — Marriage License & Registration, Please   | by Steve Bierfeldt

A Gun-Free Zone at Ft. Hood by Jacob G. Hornberger

"Why do shooters select gun-free zones to commit their massacres rather than, say, gun shows? No doubt that question continues to befuddle the gun-control crowd."

A Gun-Free Zone at Ft. Hood by Jacob G. Hornberger

On Getting Mugged -- The Arizona Rifleman » Blog Archive

One more example of a gun defusing an ugly situation without needing to be fired (usually the case).

The Arizona Rifleman » Blog Archive » On Getting Mugged

Concealed carry and property rights are compatible

"You are also assuming responsibility for the safety of your guests or customers if you forbid self-defense. If you fail, you are almost as guilty as the attacker."

Concealed carry and property rights are compatible

Book Review - Isabel Paterson and the Idea of America

Nice review of a book I am reading and enjoying.

Book Review - Isabel Paterson and the Idea of America

Halfway back to normal sunrise time in Indiana

The end of 7.8 months of DST today gets Indiana halfway back to a normal sunrise time.

Asking our state legislators and governor to petition the United States Department of Transportation to put Indiana back in the central time zone again would finish the job.

The table below compares sunrise time today in Indianapolis with other United States cities located in their geographically-correct time zone.

Sunrise times on 1 November 2009

7:14, Indianapolis (eastern time)
6:30, Philadelphia (middle of eastern time zone)
6:28, St. Louis (middle of central time zone)
6:26, New York City
6:23, Chicago
6:18, Boston
6:14, Indianapolis (if returned back to central time)
6:14, Bangor, Maine
6:10, Nashville TN
6:04, Las Vegas

Ref: http://www.usno.navy.mil/USNO/astronomical-applications/data-services/rs-one-year-us/

How much extra evening daylight per year?

Some in Indiana who favor staying on eastern time are concerned that there would be no benefit from daylight saving time if Indiana were on central time instead.

This is not the case at all.

Currently, in Indianapolis, during the 238 days (7.8 months) per year of DST, there are about 105 minutes per day of daylight shifted from the morning to the evening. During the remaining 127 days (4.2 months) of "standard" time, there are still 45 minutes per day of daylight shifted from morning to evening.

Over the course of a year, Indianapolis "enjoys" an average of 84 minutes per day of daylight shifted from morning to evening.

How does this stack up with other locations around the country?

[Compared with other United States cities located in their geographically-correct time zone], there are virtually no other locations in the country that have as much morning daylight shifted to the evening as Indianapolis on eastern time.

Average minutes per day shifted from morning to evening

84, Indianapolis (eastern time)
40, Philadelphia (middle of eastern time zone)
40, St. Louis (middle of central time zone)
35, New York City
30, Chicago
26, Nashville TN
24, Indianapolis (if returned to central time)
23, Boston
20, Las Vegas
14, Bangor, Maine

{ Fri, 6 Nov 2009, 12:30 pm EST, slight addition for accuracy, see "[]" above }

Time to rethink Daylight Saving Time?

Is it time to rethink the wisdom of Daylight Saving Time -- especially observing it for 7.8 months as we do now in the United States?

I think so.

The following 2008 study at University of California, Santa Barbara found:

"Our main finding is that — contrary to the policy's intent — DST increases residential electricity demand."

Back during World War II, when the main residential usage for electricity was lighting, there may have been a bit of an argument for DST.

Now that the use of electricity for heating and air conditioning outweighs that for lighting in the typical U.S. residence, DST has become more of a two-times-per-year annoyance, and is actually more likely "anti-green" (for those who care about such things).

Adding insult to injury, the typical home in 2009 is likely to have a few more timekeeping devices that need attention than did the typical home of the 1940s. E.g., PDA, answering machine, stove, microwave, vehicles, water softener.

NBER WORKING PAPER SERIES DOES DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME SAVE ENERGY? EVIDENCE FROM A NATURAL EXPERIMENT IN INDIANA

Congressman Ron Paul - Anything Less Than Full Disclosure is Unacceptable - Texas Straight Talk

Any select group of people, no matter how wise and educated, simply cannot replace the wisdom of the market. We need to know who the Fed deals with, what they buy, how much they spend, and who benefits. -- Ron Paul

Congressman Ron Paul - Anything Less Than Full Disclosure is Unacceptable - Texas Straight Talk

- Obama Seeks to Silence Free Speech Through Blasphemy Laws

Freedom of thought and freedom of expression are fundamental human rights — and a key element of this freedom is the ability to say that you believe that someone else’s position is wrong. The advocates of blasphemy laws wish to restrict this freedom to themselves alone: they would sit above all of us, dictating what may be said and thought on the most fundamental questions which confront us as human beings. No greater tyranny is imaginable than to seek to compel another man’s conscience through coercion of law. -- Rt. Rev. James Heiser

- Obama Seeks to Silence Free Speech Through Blasphemy Laws

CEO of ING Insurance to Woods: Who Cares about Austria's economy? - Stephan Kinsella - Mises Economics Blog

Funny story for anyone else like me who is into Austrian economics.

CEO of ING Insurance to Woods: Who Cares about Austria's economy? - Stephan Kinsella - Mises Economics Blog

The Edwards Threat -- The Weekly Standard -- Nov 2007

Some prescient thoughts on presidential power and health care, just as applicable to Obama as they were to Edwards.

The Weekly Standard

Dangerous Censorship From the Left - FOXNews.com

In the end, if the left has its way, and all criticism of Obama is boycotted, forbidden, or categorized as racist, America will have indeed become exactly what the Tea Party attendees and town hall protesters have been cautioning: a socialist nation with a totalitarian dictator whose policies can’t be questioned in public. -- Noel Sheppard

Dangerous Censorship From the Left - FOXNews.com

Gun Control: Schemed by Tyrants, Supported by Fools by Michael Gaddy

Those who advocate gun control as a means of enslaving the people will never be influenced by an intellectual argument, presentation of facts and figures, or a simple plea to do that which is right... Don’t waste your time, money or efforts on "educating" those who believe in gun control. This criminal government is doing it much better than we ever could. -- Michael Gaddy

Gun Control: Schemed by Tyrants, Supported by Fools by Michael Gaddy

OUR VIEW: A score for medical pot | federal, marijuana, medical - Opinion - Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

"Imagine how free some states would become if federal authorities respected all state laws, including those protecting gun and property rights." (Interesting that my newspaper decided to omit this paragraph.)

"The administration’s memo is a step in the direction of ending prohibition. It’s a small step, but first steps are milestones."

OUR VIEW: A score for medical pot | federal, marijuana, medical - Opinion - Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

He's high on U.S. pot-policy reversal

A voice of common sense on unwarranted intrusion by government into the private lives of the citizens whose rights this very government was instituted to help secure.

He's high on U.S. pot-policy reversal

Lecturing the New York Times on Libertarianism by Jacob G. Hornberger

Excellent little tutorial on libertarianism.

"Libertarians simply believe people shouldn’t be punished by the state for making what some consider is the wrong choice. Libertarians might disagree with the peaceful choices you make in life, but we will defend your right to make them."

Lecturing the New York Times on Libertarianism by Jacob G. Hornberger

Professional Anti-Anti-Semitism And Anti-Racism

"Wielding the fearsome brand of "Anti-Semite" as a powerful weapon, the professional Anti-Anti-Semite is able, in this day and age, to wound and destroy anyone he disagrees with by implanting this label indelibly in the public mind." Rothbard, 1990

Rothbard's words might just as well be applied to the professional Anti-Racists of 2009.

PAT BUCHANAN AND THE MENACE ANTI-ANTI-SEMITISM

Words Speak Louder Than Actions

"If people can be rewarded merely for what they plan to do, then maybe they should just give all presidents a Nobel Peace Prize."

Words Speak Louder Than Actions

Congressman Ron Paul - Bombs and Bribes - Texas Straight Talk

Foreign policy wisdom from Ron Paul.

"Without much humility or regard for human life, our foreign policy has been reduced to alternately bribing and bombing other nations, all with the stated goal of “promoting democracy”. This policy of endless intervention in the affairs of others is very damaging to American liberty and security. If our government really wanted to promote freedom, Americans would be free to travel and trade with whoever they wished. It is our bombs and sanctions and condescending aid packages that isolate us."

Congressman Ron Paul - Bombs and Bribes - Texas Straight Talk

Plymouth, PA Cops Assault Me and Terrorize My Toddler Son Right Outside My Home | George Donnelly

"A citizen’s alarm or concern does not alone negatively impact the rights of a person lawfully carrying a firearm."

Plymouth, PA Cops Assault Me and Terrorize My Toddler Son Right Outside My Home | George Donnelly

Central time makes sense for Indiana » Evansville Courier & Press

I agree. Central time makes sense for all of Indiana.

Central time makes sense for Indiana » Evansville Courier & Press

What the politicians promise, HSAs deliver :: Liberty Maven

"This doctor was willing to order the test when he thought someone other than the patient would pay for it."

What the politicians promise, HSAs deliver :: Liberty Maven

CARPE DIEM: Profit Margin: Health Insurance Industry Ranks #86

Profit margins for health insurance industry rank 86th among American business sectors.

CARPE DIEM: Profit Margin: Health Insurance Industry Ranks #86

The Federal Pledge | 10-4: The Tenth Amendment Center Pledge

This looks great. Will be asking legislators and candidates in my area if they will take this pledge.

The Federal Pledge  | 10-4: The Tenth Amendment Center Pledge

A Tale of Two Shortages - Doug French - Mises Institute

Venezuelan coffee and United States health care -- unfortunate parallels.

A Tale of Two Shortages - Doug French - Mises Institute

What ‘right’ to health care? - The Boston Globe

"Happily, there is no better system for achieving the widest possible access to health care - or any other good or service - than the one that requires the least degree of political interference: the normal interplay of supply, demand, and competition. Health care is too important to be left to the market? No, it is too important not to be."

What ‘right’ to health care? - The Boston Globe

ObamaCare: Status Quo on Steroids | Foundation for Economic Education

Excellent explanation of how companies and governments got involved in health care and insurance, and why it would be better for the consumer (but worse for the insurance companies) to get them out.

ObamaCare: Status Quo on Steroids | Foundation for Economic Education

Obama Attacks Tire Buyers « LewRockwell.com Blog

Silly government. Tariffs steal from the consumer to shelter the protected domestic industry from competition.

Obama Attacks Tire Buyers « LewRockwell.com Blog

Municipalized Trash: It's Uncivilized - Jeffrey A. Tucker - Mises Institute

Excellent arguments for separation of trash pickup and State.

Columbus, Indiana: Anybody listening?

Municipalized Trash: It's Uncivilized - Jeffrey A. Tucker - Mises Institute

Scratching By: How Government Creates Poverty as We Know It | The Freeman | Ideas On Liberty

Excellent analysis of the ways supposed well-meaning government policies lock people into poverty.

Scratching By: How Government Creates Poverty as We Know It | The Freeman | Ideas On Liberty

The Worst Economics Article Ever? - Robert P. Murphy - Mises Institute

Some common-sense arguments from Robert Murphy against the "eating local" hype.

The Worst Economics Article Ever? - Robert P. Murphy - Mises Institute

Anti-Big-Government DC Demonstration Draws Huge Crowd: “Don’t Tread on Me” | The Beacon

People are getting fed-up with out-of-control big government.

Anti-Big-Government DC Demonstration Draws Huge Crowd: “Don’t Tread on Me” | The Beacon

Is Obama's Speech Indoctrination? by Jacob G. Hornberger

I like Jacob Hornberger's take on the president's speech to children in government schools.

"Is counter-indoctrination the solution? No. The solution is a separation of school and state, an end to all governmental involvement in education. Don’t count on President Obama to share that idea in his speech to the public-school children of America."

Is Obama's Speech Indoctrination? by Jacob G. HornbergerI

The Intellectual Paralysis of Statists by Jacob G. Hornberger

Hornberger nails it. "Having grown accustomed to “debating” which form of statism Americans should embrace, the statists simply lack the competence and expertise to defend their statism against the free-market arguments presented by libertarians, both at the moral level and the practical level."

The Intellectual Paralysis of Statists by Jacob G. Hornberger

The Intellectual Paralysis of Statists by Jacob G. Hornberger

I agree.

"The problem we face in our day is not only economic and political in nature but also psychological in nature. To get our nation back on the right track, we libertarians have the task of not only showing people that economic liberty and free markets are moral and that they work, we must also inspire people to restore their faith in themselves, in others, in freedom, in free markets, and in God."

The Intellectual Paralysis of Statists by Jacob G. Hornberger

Daniel Griswold: Main Street should embrace globalization | Washington Examiner

Imposing steep tariffs on imports would punish millions of American consumers through higher prices.

Daniel Griswold: Main Street should embrace globalization | Washington Examiner

Whose children are they? | Christine Smith's Blog

"The controversies will come and go… until the real problem, government provided education, is widely exposed, challenged and abolished."

Whose children are they? | Christine Smith's Blog

How 9/11 Should Be Remembered by Tom Engelhardt -- Antiwar.com

Good perspective on 11 September 2001.

How 9/11 Should Be Remembered by Tom Engelhardt -- Antiwar.com

Six Theses of Libertarian Rhetoric

Good food for thought for libertarians, liberals, and conservatives.

Six Theses of Libertarian Rhetoric

74 Years Ago, Henry Ford Predicted Hemp Cars Powered by Biofuels « HempNews

Too bad our economy is hamstrung by the prejudice against hemp products.

74 Years Ago, Henry Ford Predicted Hemp Cars Powered by Biofuels « HempNews

A Politically Incorrect Guide to Antitrust Policy - D.T. Armentano - Mises Institute

Dr. Dominick T. Armentano hits the nail on the head. "Antitrust theory and history are both a myth and a hoax. The laws were never intended to help consumers... and their long historical track record is that they have not helped consumers. They have, instead, punished innovative and efficient business organizations while protecting less efficient competitors and every state-sanctioned monopoly. They have tended to make consumers poorer and the overall economy less efficient and they deserve to be repealed, not reformed."

A Politically Incorrect Guide to Antitrust Policy - D.T. Armentano - Mises Institute

Watch Out Google, Obama’s Antitrust Chief Is Looking To Make An Example Out Of You

Erick Schonfeld gets it right. The market will always do a better job undermining monopolies than the Justice Dept will.

Watch Out Google, Obama’s Antitrust Chief Is Looking To Make An Example Out Of You

The only kind of monopoly to be feared is one imposed with the help of government favoritism and other sorts of interference in the free market, or operated by the government itself (e.g., U.S. Postal Service).

A Politically Incorrect Guide to Antitrust Policy - D.T. Armentano - Mises Institute

The war on drugs has failed. Now we need a more humane strategy | Comment is free | The Observer

Ex-president of Brazil, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, writes, "Repressive policies towards drug users are firmly rooted in prejudice, fear and ideological visions, rather than in cold and hard assessment of the realities of drug abuse."

The war on drugs has failed. Now we need a more humane strategy | Comment is free | The Observer

Prohibition's failed. Time for a new drugs policy | Editorial | Comment is free | The Observer

Good recommendation.

"The entire framework of the debate must change. In Britain, we operate with laws that start from the premise that drug use is inherently morally wrong, and then seek ways to stop it. Instead we must start by evaluating the harm that drug use does, and then look for the best ways to alleviate it; and we must have the courage to follow that logic wherever it leads."

Prohibition's failed. Time for a new drugs policy | Editorial | Comment is free | The Observer

Unfair, unbalanced, but free - Washington Times

Jacob Sullum writes, "The government cannot create a pure, balanced, undistorted political debate; all it can do is introduce new distortions. And as bad as distortions caused by wealth (or visibility or good looks or charisma) might seem, distortions imposed by force are worse, which is why the Constitution forbids them."

Unfair, unbalanced, but free - Washington Times

U.S. health care costs too high? Compared to what?

I just got an e-mail from Indiana's junior U.S. senator, Evan Bayh. He was replying to an e-mail I sent him recommending that we return to more of a free-market in health care to reduce cost and increase quality and availability.

Senator Bayh wrote me, "A growing threat to our economy is the skyrocketing cost of health care. The U.S. system is the world's costliest; the country spends some $2.4 trillion a year on health care."

That is a hard number to put in perspective, so I did a little math on it. A Google search tells me that the U.S. population is about 304,059,724 (as of July 2008). Dividing this figure into $2.4 trillion, it works out that the average annual health care cost per person is just under $8,000. Of course a lot of that is hidden in the money that employers pay to provide health care insurance for their employees.

Meanwhile, I see here that the average annual cost to send one student per year to Washington DC government (i.e., public) schools is $24,600.

The Real Cost of Public Schools | Cato @ Liberty

Why is $8,000 per person for health care such a national emergency, but exorbitant costs for public / government schools are apparently not so much?

This article also points out that the cost for the government option in education is about 68 percent higher than the cost of private education.

Is the same sort of surcharge the politicians are proposing that we pay for a "public" health care option?

Group making push for Ind. switch to Central time -- chicagotribune.com

I'd like to see Indiana all back on central time. The natural boundary between eastern and central runs north-south through the middle of Ohio. Wonder who ever thought it was a good idea to split Indiana into two zones in the first place. Indiana was entirely in the central zone until early 1960s.

Group making push for Ind. switch to Central time -- chicagotribune.com

Who Won World War II? by Jacob G. Hornberger

"Being saved from Hitler and the Nazis only to be turned over to Stalin and the communists was no victory, at least insofar as the Poles were concerned."

Who Won World War II? by Jacob G. Hornberger

Arizona dust-up demonstrates why campaign finance rules threaten free speech

I agree with J.D. Tuccille.

Regulating speech to guarantee "clean elections" is nothing more than censorship to muzzle non-politicians. No matter the supposed risks of respecting free speech, regulating political speech is enormously dangerous.

Arizona dust-up demonstrates why campaign finance rules threaten free speech

EDITORIAL: False reports about guns - Washington Times

"MSNBC misrepresented a black man carrying a gun as a white man to invent a racial dynamic that didn't exist."

EDITORIAL: False reports about guns - Washington Times

Generation Sloth - Jeffrey A. Tucker - Mises Institute

Good article on the unintended consequences of government interference with the free-market pricing for labor.

Generation Sloth - Jeffrey A. Tucker - Mises Institute

John Stossel : Clunker Legislation - Townhall.com

Stossel is right.

"Finally, there is something revolting about the government subsidizing the destruction of useful things. It reminds me of the New Deal policy of killing piglets and pouring milk down sewers to keep food prices from falling. Leave it to politicians to think we can prosper by obliterating wealth."

John Stossel : Clunker Legislation - Townhall.com

Campaign For Liberty — Publik Edumacation Яefermation | by Jerry Salcido

Excellent and thought-provoking article on the moral problem with government-run education that is based on force and coercive funding.

Campaign For Liberty — Publik Edumacation Яefermation   | by Jerry Salcido

Campaign For Liberty — The Fed on the Defensive | by Gary North

"The FED has never had to play defense. It has had a free ride. The free ride is over. The general public has still not heard of the FED. The FED still has the advantage of invisibility. But it is losing that invisibility."

Campaign For Liberty — The Fed on the Defensive   | by Gary North

‘Baron’ is merely your *name*, Rep. Hill (D, IN-09). - Moe_Lane’s blog - RedState

Great reminder to another politician of who works for who.

‘Baron’ is merely your *name*, Rep. Hill (D, IN-09). - Moe_Lane’s blog - RedState

The Post & Mail - Group pushes for Central Time Zone

I'd certainly be in favor of Central Time for Indiana.

Shifting 45 minutes of daylight from morning to evening in the DST months, as Central Daylight Time would do, has always seemed a whole lot more reasonable to me than the 1 hour 45 minutes we get from Eastern Daylight Time in Indiana.

The Post & Mail - Group pushes for Central Time Zone

Circumcision for All; Free Choice for None by Stephanie R. Murphy

"To be perfectly blunt, I do not see any justification for removing a part of a baby boy’s body without his consent."

I agree.

Circumcision for All; Free Choice for None by Stephanie R. Murphy

A Need for Some Soul-Searching by Jacob G. Hornberger

Great article by Jacob Hornberger. He reminds us:

"The political and economic solution to America’s woes lies in abandoning socialism and imperialism and restoring a free-market, limited-government republic to our land. More fundamentally, however, the solution involves a restoration within the American people of faith in themselves, in others, in freedom, and in God."

A Need for Some Soul-Searching by Jacob G. Hornberger

Selling Short the Short-Seller by Gregory Bresiger

Good little lesson on short-selling.

He does not point out explicitly that short-selling helps to warn would-be investors of risky companies. Short-selling provides non-governmental regulation of the investment market.

Selling Short the Short-Seller by Gregory Bresiger