A Prophetic Vision of Wall Street on a Dollar Collapse?
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Government VS. The People
Government tends toward centralizing decision making farthest from those affected, for the benefit of the central authority and its connected interests. Completely asymmetrical. Freedom, on the other hand, fosters granular decision making. That is, under freedom, decisions are made closest to those affected, by those affected most. Perfectly symmetrical.
On that Chick-Fill-A Thing...
Most people are 'big talkers'. They swagger and rank on people when they think they aren't around that they would never say to their faces, and moreover most of them would be HORRIFIED if the person being insulted ever found out. 99.9999% of 'racists' would never harm a person of another race in any way, and the same is true for people who say shit about teh gays. I don't know how that translates into a 300-odd-million homophobic lynch mob, maybe I'm missing something...","wysiwyg":{"engine":"code","isSource":false,"mode":"htmlmixed","source":""}}" data-block-type="2" id="block-507cb5d3e4b0ea4e44459770">
Most people are 'big talkers'. They swagger and rank on people when they think they aren't around that they would never say to their faces, and moreover most of them would be HORRIFIED if the person being insulted ever found out. 99.9999% of 'racists' would never harm a person of another race in any way, and the same is true for people who say shit about teh gays. I don't know how that translates into a 300-odd-million homophobic lynch mob, maybe I'm missing something...
Grinding a Personal Axe - Whirlpool Appliances
I purchased a Whirlpool Cabrio washing machine on 5/13/11 (delivered on 5/15), and it failed utterly on 5/31/12, with the estimated cost of repair exceeding the cost of replacement. The supervisor I talked to at the "Whirlpool Customer Experience Center" told me in no uncertain terms that they would not honor the warranty, despite the machine being loosely within the terms of their "12-month warranty". I will NEVER purchase a washing machine, or any other appliance from Whirlpool, ever again.
Welcome To Our Blog!
(5/10/2004)\n
This is a blog devoted to liberty-minded individuals that want to make a difference. Feel free to read up on what's going on and to comment on any article by clicking its title and using the form at the bottom of the article's detail page. We feel a need for a site like this to ask the relevant questions that aren't being asked by today's conservative media. And since there also seems to be a disconnect between current events, history, economic and logic, we hope to tie them all together.
","wysiwyg":{"engine":"code","isSource":false,"mode":"htmlmixed","source":""}}" data-block-type="2" id="block-507cb5d0e4b0ea4e44459732">(5/10/2004)
This is a blog devoted to liberty-minded individuals that want to make a difference. Feel free to read up on what's going on and to comment on any article by clicking its title and using the form at the bottom of the article's detail page. We feel a need for a site like this to ask the relevant questions that aren't being asked by today's conservative media. And since there also seems to be a disconnect between current events, history, economic and logic, we hope to tie them all together.
Ron Paul: The Only One We Can Trust - YouTube
Ron Paul: The Only One We Can Trust - YouTube
Forbes: Is Thorium the Biggest Energy Breakthrough Since Fire?
Is it, really? Then let them try it, with no subsidies.
No monopoly distribution model.
No State PUC, NRC, or Department of Energy protection from competition.
No Price-Anderson Indemnification.
No carbon taxes.
No disposal subsidy.
No lawsuit protection or "tort reform".
No EPA pollution "permits".
No favorable tax treatment.
Build it on the market, or not at all.
Is Thorium the Biggest Energy Breakthrough Since Fire? Possibly. - Forbes.
Giving Up on the Economic Recovery
Geithner appeared on Meet the Press over the weekend and surrendered. He told the world that Americans faced a tough economy and that it would “feel very hard, harder than anything they’ve experienced in their lifetime.” He’s probably right about that. But we can’t help but wonder: how does he know? Until now, he has not had a clue. What happened? Did he see a burning bush on the road to Damascus? Did he get hit in the head by a rock?
Do Psychopaths Misrule Our World? | Truthout
Just because we tend to be ruled by psychopaths, there is no salvation in somehow, if it were possible, hiring more sane, moral men into government. As Lord Acton famously said, \"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely\". This is simple logic. The only ECONOMIC rule, the only MORAL rule, the only PEACEFUL rule, the only SANE rule is SELF-RULE.\nDo Psychopaths Misrule Our World? | Truthout.","wysiwyg":{"engine":"code","isSource":false,"mode":"htmlmixed","source":""}}" data-block-type="2" id="block-507cb5c9e4b0ea4e444596b2">
Just because we tend to be ruled by psychopaths, there is no salvation in somehow, if it were possible, hiring more sane, moral men into government. As Lord Acton famously said, "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely". This is simple logic. The only ECONOMIC rule, the only MORAL rule, the only PEACEFUL rule, the only SANE rule is SELF-RULE. Do Psychopaths Misrule Our World? | Truthout.
Double Take 'Toons: Jobless Numbers Climb : NPR
Oh NPR, we LOVE it when you take both sides of an issue, especially when both sides are fundamentally WRONG;\nDouble Take 'Toons: Jobless Numbers Climb : NPR.","wysiwyg":{"engine":"code","isSource":false,"mode":"htmlmixed","source":""}}" data-block-type="2" id="block-507cb5c9e4b0ea4e444596af">
Oh NPR, we LOVE it when you take both sides of an issue, especially when both sides are fundamentally WRONG; Double Take 'Toons: Jobless Numbers Climb : NPR.
Friday Music - The Acorn "Brokered Heart"
The Acorn, \\"Brokered Hear\\" acoustic, in the van\nWOW. WHAT a KICK-ASS song! The harmonies and rhythm are as tight as the studio version, ignore the compression and listen;\n","wysiwyg":{"engine":"code","isSource":false,"mode":"htmlmixed","source":""}}" data-block-type="2" id="block-507cb5c5e4b0ea4e44459642">
The Acorn, \"Brokered Hear\" acoustic, in the van WOW. WHAT a KICK-ASS song! The harmonies and rhythm are as tight as the studio version, ignore the compression and listen;
Ron Paul versus Michael Gerson on Drugs
Gerson, neocon that he is, uses Ron's principled stand for liberty and against putting people in prison against him, as though rabid criminalization were somehow evidence of \"compassion\". I politely argued otherwise;\n\"Congressman Paul was speaking of principles, not of policy. He has stated, clearly and repeatedly that the states can and should be the locus for any (slight) conditions under which adults can consume certain (or any) substances. And he makes the point within a framework where the choice to abuse drugs, being no longer supported within a welfare state, carries high personal and economic costs, high enough to be a deterrent to most people, even if his exposition was a tad too facile. The problem with Gerson's allegedly more \"complex\" conservative response to drug use, prostitution, etc is it fails to consider any of these issues other than in a sterile vacuum. For most of our history drugs were legal, widely recognized for their dangers, and their use self-limiting. The medicalization of everything in our culture and the concurrent criminalization of certain substances has effectively subsidized irresponsible, widespread, and growing use of illicit drugs, while at the same time greatly increasing overall societal costs from their use. The current course is financially unsustainable, and deadly to personal and political freedom. Kudos to Dr. Paul for having the courage to finally declare it.\"","wysiwyg":{"engine":"code","isSource":false,"mode":"htmlmixed","source":""}}" data-block-type="2" id="block-507cb5c4e4b0ea4e44459617">
Gerson, neocon that he is, uses Ron's principled stand for liberty and against putting people in prison against him, as though rabid criminalization were somehow evidence of "compassion". I politely argued otherwise; "Congressman Paul was speaking of principles, not of policy. He has stated, clearly and repeatedly that the states can and should be the locus for any (slight) conditions under which adults can consume certain (or any) substances. And he makes the point within a framework where the choice to abuse drugs, being no longer supported within a welfare state, carries high personal and economic costs, high enough to be a deterrent to most people, even if his exposition was a tad too facile. The problem with Gerson's allegedly more "complex" conservative response to drug use, prostitution, etc is it fails to consider any of these issues other than in a sterile vacuum. For most of our history drugs were legal, widely recognized for their dangers, and their use self-limiting. The medicalization of everything in our culture and the concurrent criminalization of certain substances has effectively subsidized irresponsible, widespread, and growing use of illicit drugs, while at the same time greatly increasing overall societal costs from their use. The current course is financially unsustainable, and deadly to personal and political freedom. Kudos to Dr. Paul for having the courage to finally declare it."
YouTube - George Carlin on Education
Arguing With Communists Can Be Hazardous To Your Health!
I made the rash decision to \"friend\" Cindy Sheehan on Facebook. We have been aware of the redoubtable Ms. Sheehan since she came to prominence for demanding an answer from G.W. Bush for why her son Casey was killed in the useless, illegal war in Iraq. Of course we sympathize with her loss, and her outspoken opposition to the wars. And Cindy can be personally quite charming, though prickly, as Lew Rockwell's rather abrupt break with her after running several of her columns seemed to indicate. Like many in the anti-war movement, Cindy is a sort of soft-socialist that we are all familiar with - opposed to \"capitalism\", and favoring but blissfully unaware of the history and legacy of socialism / communism. Easy enough to stay cordial with though.\nNot so some of her other \"friends\" however. On two occasions, I had the misfortune to draw the attention of Lawrence Rockwood, a doctrinaire socialist / communist college professor and former soldier, who replied to my posts not with debate or engagement, but personal, vicious, ad-hominem attacks, both direct and insinuated. He made veiled claims of having \"killed for me\", despite my protestations of never having asked him to. I fought back bravely, and I made TONS of good points, as my notifications filled up with \"likes\" for my posts. But he persisted, mocking my \"innocence\" (his words) and insinuating that by simply existing I was guilty, by some twisted chain of reasoning, of murder. And I gave as good as I got, without making it personal. But the obviously guilt-ridden Rockwood would not stop\u00A0vilifying\u00A0me, my stand for liberty, and my very existence. I enjoy a spirited debate as much as the next guy, but this was getting tedious.\n
Then I noticed the effects his one-man Soviet re-education sessions were having on me. I was short with my wife and children, I was having trouble focusing on work, and I started having intense headaches. After one particularly slimy bit of insinuation, I signed off, wishing him good luck with his communist project, and promptly \"defriended\" Ms. Sheehan. For my health!
","wysiwyg":{"engine":"code","isSource":false,"mode":"htmlmixed","source":""}}" data-block-type="2" id="block-507cb5c3e4b0ea4e444595f8">I made the rash decision to "friend" Cindy Sheehan on Facebook. We have been aware of the redoubtable Ms. Sheehan since she came to prominence for demanding an answer from G.W. Bush for why her son Casey was killed in the useless, illegal war in Iraq. Of course we sympathize with her loss, and her outspoken opposition to the wars. And Cindy can be personally quite charming, though prickly, as Lew Rockwell's rather abrupt break with her after running several of her columns seemed to indicate. Like many in the anti-war movement, Cindy is a sort of soft-socialist that we are all familiar with - opposed to "capitalism", and favoring but blissfully unaware of the history and legacy of socialism / communism. Easy enough to stay cordial with though. Not so some of her other "friends" however. On two occasions, I had the misfortune to draw the attention of Lawrence Rockwood, a doctrinaire socialist / communist college professor and former soldier, who replied to my posts not with debate or engagement, but personal, vicious, ad-hominem attacks, both direct and insinuated. He made veiled claims of having "killed for me", despite my protestations of never having asked him to. I fought back bravely, and I made TONS of good points, as my notifications filled up with "likes" for my posts. But he persisted, mocking my "innocence" (his words) and insinuating that by simply existing I was guilty, by some twisted chain of reasoning, of murder. And I gave as good as I got, without making it personal. But the obviously guilt-ridden Rockwood would not stop vilifying me, my stand for liberty, and my very existence. I enjoy a spirited debate as much as the next guy, but this was getting tedious.
Then I noticed the effects his one-man Soviet re-education sessions were having on me. I was short with my wife and children, I was having trouble focusing on work, and I started having intense headaches. After one particularly slimy bit of insinuation, I signed off, wishing him good luck with his communist project, and promptly "defriended" Ms. Sheehan. For my health!
Anarchism and Property
I am trying to engage the owner (GOD is THAT irony) of "Anarchism" on Facebook to try to get him to define his terms regarding property and his implacable opposition thereto. I THINK I got him to tacitly admit that my wish to keep my underwear and my toothbrush is tolerable.
GBV At Maxwell's, 12/30/10
"Shocker in Gloomtown / Tractor Rape Chain" - http://vimeo.com/18334357
YouTube - HELIUM starring Mary Timony - PATS TRICK promo video
The Unemployment Problem
The unemployment problem is really three problems; 1) The Fed, (and the government in collusion with it) CREATES unemployment.
2)Unemployment compensation, in aggregate, is a disincentive to work, and;
3)People who are unemployed need help because of #1.
How to fix things without hurting the people in #3?
1)Kill #1,
2)#2 will be utterly unneccessary, and;
3)#3 will become #1!