Archive for June 2004
Of Ignorance and Fraud
First, the ignorance. In my post on Fahrenheit 9/11, I remarked that the essential difference I see between the left and the right is in an ability (or desire) to grasp the complexity of economic reality, i.e., the way things work. Notice that I did not make any distinction whatsoever between the principles held by the right and the left. That’s because there is none. Observe; here’s a perfectly laid out exchange between a righty…Read More
Digital Brown Shirts
Kim du Toit puts Al Gore in a quite proper perspective. I believe this would be the first time I’ve linked to one of Kim’s articles, not that I haven’t been reading him fairly regularly for a while now. I’ll probably be doing more of it from now on. He writes an entertaining blog, with a lot of it being about guns (cool). The guy has guns all over the place, which means, your kids…Read More
Fahrenheit 9/11
I was in the theater on the opening night of Fahrenheit 9/11; only it wasn’t to see that film. And just as I thought I might be safe, after braving the gauntlet of lefties queued up to find out what 9/11 “was really all about,” I walked past a Borders Books just in time to take note of a display showcasing The Liar’s new book, as well as another display with his book and that…Read More
Meeting Billy Beck
Since first jumping into the whole internet thing in 1992, I’ve encountered thousands of different people on various political/philosophical mediums of exchange, like Usenet. I’ve lightly corresponded with perhaps a few dozen of those at one time or another. Then there’s the small handful whose historical depth of knowledge and uncompromising commitment to freedom as a general principle--rather than a pragmatic convenience--make one like me sit up and take notice. That was in about 1994,…Read More
Who Said That?
Can you guess? [He] condemned conscription, saying ... that it “rests on the assumption that your kids belong to the state…. That assumption isn't a new one. The Nazis thought it was a great idea.” Do you know? I think he should have rather said: 'The Soviets think it's a great idea;' but why quibble over that? I guess what bothers me the most is that I just never, ever, hear proclamations of principles that…Read More
The Era of Big Government is Alive and Well
Thanks, primarily, to Republicans. And I'm not the only one who sees this. Oh, well. I, like others, are simply becoming resigned to the fact. I think P. J. O'Rourke gets it just about right. I used to be naive enough to think that talk radio would serve to educate people because I believed, and still do believe that our predicament, vis-à-vis Big Government, is a problem of the general ignorance of the people. But,…Read More
Carnage at the Worlds
Well, the world cross-country hang-gliding championship for the women’s flex wing class, rigid wing class, and ultra-light sailplane class is on. It's taking place in Bern, Austria and I can tell you--because I follow hang-gliding competitions all over the world--that this year is quite a bit different. A little history is in order. Back in the early days of the 70s and 80s, most hang-gliders were launched by foot, from mountain tops. So, most flying…Read More
The Highway to Hell
Reason Online has put together a few articles on Ronald Reagan since the weekend. One of the more interesting is a fairly substantial interview done in 1975, prior even to his first bid for the nomination against President Gerald Ford. Now, before I get to what I find most interesting about the interview, here’s an excerpt on political philosophy: Well, government’s only weapons are force and coercion and that’s why we shouldn’t let it get…Read More
Dumbfounded
We, and previous generations, have built up a productive capacity that is more than sufficient to feed, clothe, shelter, educate and amuse everyone on the planet. The only barrier to its use for that purpose is that it exists as capital. The only basis for its continuing existence as capital is our continuing acceptance of capitalist and state property rights. … Neither 'socialist' governments nor 'communist' regimes have ever brought society a day nearer socialism…Read More
The Evil Empire
…So, in your discussions of the nuclear freeze proposals, I urge you to beware the temptation of pride -- the temptation of blithely declaring yourselves above it all and label both sides equally at fault, to ignore the facts of history and the aggressive impulses of an evil empire, to simply call the arms race a giant misunderstanding and thereby remove yourself from the struggle between right and wrong and good and evil. That was…Read More
We’re Stupid. It’s Our Policy.
“Can I see your ID?” “I’m sure I’m flattered, but surely you can see by the grey in my beard that I’ve passed the tender age of 21.” “Well, I know, but we have to card everyone.” “But you’re wasting my time, and the time of those standing in line, right there (shooting a glance).” “It’s the store policy, and I could be fired. “Well, better stupid than fired…I guess.” (An exchange between me and…Read More
Here, Secure This
Now listen up. I don’t give fuck-all about your “security concerns,” got it? Most particularly, I could give a shit that you’re concerned for my security. If I want a goddamned 3-character password, or no fucking password, and I’m paying you to provide me a service, then just give me a damned release to sign, or whatever makes you happy, and let me worry about my own security. Failing all that, could not all you…Read More
Get High, Go Far
It's hard to put into words how much your world view changes as you climb out from 6,000' to 11,000' here over a narrow valley. How stunning it is to look out along the course line from 11,000' and see nothing but snow covered peaks for as far as you can see. To have the valleys disappear in front of you. ...There are two worlds here, the world of the valley floor and the world…Read More