Archive for September 2007
Fascism
I've often wondered about the eye rolls I must get from readers who come along and land on one of my posts asserting that America is a fascist country and has been for a very long time. Well. Roosevelt himself called Mussolini “admirable” and professed that he was “deeply impressed by what he has accomplished.” The admiration was mutual. In a laudatory review of Roosevelt’s 1933 book Looking Forward, Mussolini wrote, “Reminiscent of Fascism is…Read More
Outta Left Field
Interesting to read lefties observe Ron Paul's campaign (via Rockwell). Interesting comments, too. One points to this video I'd not seen. Turns out the guy who made it, 'aravoth,' has made quite a number of impressive compilations, including this. Here's his YouTube page.Read More
Utopian Fantasyland
I've been having a bit of discussion here, that turned into a bit of discussion on "utopia" and "fantasyland" vis-a-vis anarchy. The standard set of arguments -- my interlocutors being unaware of how poor they are -- for the "necessity" of the state issue forth. Amongst other non-arguments, it is apparently "utopian" and "fantasyland" to imagine and argue for an eventual end to the monopoly of the state. But as I point out, it is…Read More
What’s Going On?
It's going to be hard for the 2008 election industry to ignore what happened in Ron Paul's campaign this last week. Some are going to to report it, so others won't want to be seen as missing a real story. Maybe you recall the press he got at the end of last quarter, when it was learned he had more cash on hand than McCain. Once that got out, news outlets were compelled to deal…Read More
Closing Bell YouTubing
Not a bad week. The market went essentially nowhere, but because of some of the trades I made at the lows for the week I'm up pretty good overall in spite of today's down day. My guess: pretty big up across the board next week, and if so, I'm positioned for a serious killing. We'll see. You know that Crocs (CROX) trade I told you about? I'm still riding that one, now at a gain…Read More
Another Long Day in the Land of the Free
This was already all over the blogs by the time I got up this morning, and Greg Freeman (that's what you think) comments on another post about this bit of news. For 11 years, Pedro Zapeta, an illegal immigrant from Guatemala, lived his version of the American dream in Stuart, Florida: washing dishes and living frugally to bring money back to his home country. Two years ago, Zapeta was ready to return to Guatemala, so…Read More
It’s Nice to be King(s)
Here's the Texas Legislature, which, among other things, is voting to limit voter fraud. (Balko)Read More
The Death Penalty for Traffic Infractions
Thanks to commenter Matt who came up with this example of a cop who murdered a motorcycle rider because he refused to stop. I could quote from that article, but it's better to read the whole thing, because you must understand the underlying logic; how the decision is essentially mandatory by the court and perfectly logical. It made exactly the correct decision, given the premise and logic of the state and police forces. You see,…Read More
Relax
News headline: GALLUP: Trust in Federal Government, On Nearly All Issues, Hits New Low -- Even Less Than in Watergate Era Relax. I'm sure things will be right back up to the normal level of foolishness right on schedule for the primary season and on into the general election. (McQ)Read More
To Protect and Serve
Looks like Brett Darrow (and more) is getting plenty of "protection" and "service" these days. I'm sure those officers are just making sure none in their ranks go and do something stupid. I'm just sure of it. (Balko)Read More
Awsome People
Have you seen the billboards? Isn't is amazing how much value Google delivers for free? I don't think "awesome" is an overstatement. All the while, focus will be turned over the next year to who you want next to dictate to everyone else some set of values closest to your own (unless you support Ron Paul). For such "great value," you'll be happy to hand over (under threat of force) upwards of half the values…Read More
What’s Stopping You?
Swedish anarchist Per Bylund opines: “Lawlessness” is sometimes used to define anarchism. Even though it is true, at least in the sense that anarchism does not allow for government-enforced laws, there is nothing in the concept of lawlessness that without a doubt makes it chaotic, destructive, and war-like. Why would the lack of rules set and enforced by a centralized power entity mean chaos and destruction? To draw such a conclusion one will have to…Read More
Debt, Finance & Money
Yesterday, the dollar traded at an "all time low." Everyone drops context when they claim, as you can find in all sorts of places, that since the creation of the Fed in 1913, the dollar has "lost 90% of its purchasing power." Oh really? Now, the only thing that can possibly mean in practical relevant terms is that average people in 1913 had the power to purchase goods and services to sustain and improve their…Read More
Hubris
Well this is getting the rounds today, so I don't even know where I saw it first. Cops Writing Cops. It's a site dedicated to exposing the horror of some police not extending "professional courtesy" (euphemism alert) to other cops. As I am driving, I'm really not paying attention to where I am at or how fast I was going. I was pretty much keeping up with the cars in front of me and next…Read More
Go Stupid Looking Shoes
I think Crocs are a crock. It's amazing. Make a variety of injection molds, mix up various bright colors of foam rubber, gets the kids interested, and whamo! You've got a hit. They look ridiculous, but who am I to judge? (click to enlarge) Not a bad run over the last year, eh? 400%. Anyway, in one of my rare individual equity trades (mostly I trade index derivatives) I bought just over $16,000 worth of…Read More
Torture Pigs
Don't you dare have a few drinks at a wedding (watch the video). Do you understand how this single mom's life has been irrevocably harmed for the rest of it? Listen to her. How many times will she have to relive that dread and horror over the space of her life? And for what? Who did she hurt? It's not even worth using expletives anymore. CBS claims that up to 200 people have been killed…Read More
Money
Gordon Haave, blogging at Daily Speculations raises a point I've been thinking about a lot, lately. Prior to the Federal Reserve, there were private bank notes. They traded freely, such that if a bank was deemed to have too few reserves, the notes traded at a discount. In the late 1800s there was a big information problem, not only on the quality of the banks, but also authenticity of notes, because of distance. Does someone…Read More
Competing Narratives
While there are nonetheless moral distinctions to make, Murray Sabrin's argument is worth taking a minute to ponder. President Ahmadinejad has made provocative statements, to say the least, about the Holocaust and the State of Israel. As a savvy politician Ahmadinejad knows how to push the international community’s buttons. But if he is a Holocaust denier, someone who has called it a “myth,” then his understanding of European history is shallow, at best. However, there…Read More
Thomas Jefferson on Liberty
Of liberty I would say that, in the whole plenitude of its extent, it is unobstructed action according to our will. But rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add “within the limits of the law,” because law is often but the tyrant’s will, and always so when it violates the right of an individual. [added emphasis mine] I'd…Read More