The Irish saga: stolen land and the blame game

Posted on 2026-03-17 by TPOL Nathan

And a tip o’ the hat to all for St. Patrick’s day 2026.

Padraig (Patrick) is, of course, the patron saint of Ireland. And an official saint of the Roman Catholic Church, which claims him for Rome as the first bishop of Ireland. That is, of course, one of the many legends about Irish history that we know today to be wrong. (No, that isn’t him in the picture!)

Irish history is lost in the infamous mists of time (so Irish) and buried under the bright green of the island’s sod (again, so Irish). Popular history speaks of Celts as being the “indigenous” people of an Eire (Ireland) who were colonized and disinherited by evil Norman and English invaders (aided by their minion warriors and settlers of Scotland).

It is much more complicated, of course. The history of Eire is indeed very much like that of North America (Turtle Island): a constant series of invasions, occupation, colonization, and war. The first known humans to occupy the island, probably still connected to Britain and the continent at the time are called “mesolithic” (middle stone age) hunters and gatherers. These people, and perhaps those who settled among them later and called megalithic builders and farmers, are perhaps remembered as the Fir Bolg, a face of giants defeated by the invading Tuatha Dé Danann of Irish mythology.

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History, immigration and the blame game

Posted on 2026-03-16 by TPOL Nathan

Today, we are bombarded with claims that the lands of the Fifty States (i.e., the United States) are “stolen lands.” And demands that the only option is to give the “LandBack.” (An organization based in South Dakota, demanding that the Black Hills be returned to the “Great Sioux Nation” (a/k/a the Seven Council Fires, consisting of the Dakota, Nakota, and Lakota people.) Which would, of course, mean that millions of people who now own and live on that land must go somewhere. For example, “go back where they came from.”

Obviously, as lovers of liberty, we understand that going around stealing people’s land is a heinous act: an act of aggression that is immoral and therefore should be punished by government and not committed by government. Even by government “of, for, and by the people.”

But we detect just a few problems with the proposed solution of returning hundreds of millions of acres of land to the descendants (and presumably heirs) of millions of people who owned that land from 400 to 150 or so years ago. And forcing more millions of people who live on that land (and think they own it) to go someplace else – where back where they came from or somewhere else.

That is no doubt too big a subject to do more than touch on. But we can point out a few things.

Start with this cartoon online:

Now, the cartoon clearly is oriented towards “old Southerners” who want the carpetbaggers (well, the descendants of carpetbaggers) and the snowbirds, yuppies, Gex-Xers, etc. who have migrated from the Northeast and the Rust Belt to the South to “go back.” And of course, therefore give the land they currently own in the Southern States back. To someone. But who?

What a can of worms!

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Theft by government – continues today

Posted on 2026-03-13 by TPOL Nathan

It is well known, and even taught in government-run, tax-funded schools, that European nobility and royalty made and maintained their wealth by stealing. Land, labor, the products of the land, and more. But those in government-ruined, theft-funded schools are told that today, governments no longer do that. After all, they are “of the people, for the people, and by the people.” We worship democracy.

But all governments, at least those which are mandatory and instituted by fallible men, are kleptocracies to some (generally large) degree. Taxes, licenses and fees, and regulatory demands are just a part of it. Stealing land is perhaps far bigger.

Consider this recent article courtesy of the Mountain States Legal Foundation, and the Baker family of Nevada, pictured below.

NPS threatens ranchers and farmers ·

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The broken logic of tyranny

Posted on 2026-03-12 by TPOL Nathan

As The Donald ups the ante on The SAVE Act in Congress, it is worth a few minutes to look at the logic used (or abused) by the opposing sides.

Our friends over at the Christian Libertarian Institute offer this graphic as just one of the arguments that need to be addressed.

This is, of course, just one situation in which there is significant tension between liberty and law. It is, we submit, not really as much a conflict as is often portrayed among circles of lovers of liberty. (And even more often ignored by most politicians and political pundits.)

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Stupid? Or just memory-impaired? Or more sinister?

Posted on 2026-03-10 by TPOL Nathan

The war on Iran, and in nine countries of the Middle East, continues. DC and Jerusalem (the FedGov and Israelis) continue to increase the “intensity” of the attacks on the Islamic Republic of Iran. Including widening the target list.

And we see more and more people and institutions panicking! One includes one of the world’s biggest banks, JPMorganChase.

One of their analysts recently wrote in the Wall Street Journal about the closure of the Straits of Hormuz. She tells us that this closure is “unthinkable.” Actually, using a silly buzzword, “an unthinkable scenario.”

This is, of course, silly. And just plain wrong. For many decades, indeed going back to pre-1979 (pre-IRI, when there was a Shah), this “scenario” was so thinkable that it was used to train junior US Army officers, including Engineers. Not as a “wargame” scenario or idea for a movie, but as in “how many ways can this stretch of water be closed, and what can Army Engineers do to prevent that, and reopen it if it happens?”

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500 American military personnel dead in Iran war?

Posted on 2026-03-08 by TPOL Nathan

The Russian news agency Tass (as we write this on 6 March 2026) is one of many worldwide media publishing the following in the past 48 hours.

Though we find it hard to feel truly sad about the death of Khamenei (other than the grief we share when any sinner dies without salvation), we understand why Larijani is upset and vows vengeance upon the evil Great and Lesser Satans ™ of the US and Israel. We suspect that the Creator (even or perhaps especially if He exhibited any of what is claimed for Allah’s character) will give short shrift to the Ayatollah at Judgment Day. And we do believe that Khamenei, like his predecessor and his designated successor (who did not survive the committee meeting at which he was to be anointed), will be disappointed by the lack of 72 virgins waiting for him in paradise: 72 Virginians, perhaps (as one person joked).

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Nuclear war – fear, hype or something else?

Posted on 2026-03-07 by TPOL Nathan

In the last week or so, following the massive (and continuing) American-Israeli assault on Iran, we have seen a major uptick online of articles about nuclear weapons and war.

Most of these seem to be panic-driven prophesies of pending doom.

Some are actually so contradictory as to be laughable. Consider an article about “7 States most likely to survive nuclear fallout.” That article lists Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, North and South Dakota, Utah, and New Mexico. Just 7 out of 50! Shocking! And States with fairly low populations and in flyover country! But then another article posted just a few days ago includes this map, labeled “The most dangerous US states if WW3 breaks out.” This includes Montana, Wyoming, and the Dakotas: 4 of the 7! So much for expert scientists and talking heads!

The very same outlet has since published another article about the nine safest States to be in when a nuclear attack heralds World War III. Oddly enough, two of the States in that article are North Dakota and Montana! Utah and Idaho, listed in the first article as “safer,” are also part of the 9.

Other magazines and online sources have their own lists, of course. Again, so much for the experts! Admittedly, all are based on different factors, assumptions, and biases.

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Tilting at windmills – what are the results?

Posted on 2026-03-06 by TPOL Nathan

Don Quixote, hero of Miguel de Cervantes’ novel and the much more recent musical, is famed for tilting at windmills, believing them to be (in his senility) monsters with four arms intent on conquest and domination.

Of course, his efforts availed nothing, except to demonstrate his concern for others. But no one was rescued from tyranny or destruction by his efforts against windmills.

Today, we suggest a similar mental problem in many lovers of liberty: in many of those who try to defend freedom. We waste our effort, our resources tilting at windmills and not fighting true evil.

Consider FirstLiberty.org. They tell us: “First Liberty has proven that we can fight and win for religious freedom at the highest court in the land. Through multiple landmark Supreme Court cases, we have set historic legal precedent that protect all people of faith. And the opportunities for impacting our nation’s future are bigger now than ever before. Learn more about the victories that are restoring religious liberty for generations to come!“

The organization recently sent out an email, proclaiming their “Victory!” in one particular case in Tennessee. “We secured a victory for our client Eric Rivera, a first-grade teacher at Antioch College Prep Elementary School who was facing termination over his faith. The school cleared Eric’s record after previously issuing a “final warning letter” and removing him from the classroom after he declined to read materials promoting same-sex marriage. Eric had asked a colleague to read the material as an accommodation of his religious beliefs. The school also agreed to accommodate all teachers and allow them to “ask another employee to read materials objectionable to their faith.””

Now, as far as Mr. Rivera is concerned, yes, there was a victory. Of sorts. He didn’t lose his job. He didn’t have to sully his voice with stating things that (a) violated his conscience, and (b) weren’t true: indeed were propaganda.

But a victory for liberty? For freedom of conscience? For truth? (Remember: “You shall know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”) Please. In essence, we submit Mr. Rivera sold out his faith and truth for personal gain: keeping his job.

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Iran, war, and the FedGov (anyone remember the Constitution?)

Posted on 2026-03-05 by TPOL Nathan

Who is right? What did Trump actually do? Whatever he did, TPOL’s bottom line is “A POX ON BOTH THEIR HOUSES!”

Many Democrats, and many libertarian (and Libertarians) have declared that The Donald ordering the attack on Iran last weekend was “unconstitutional” and/or “illegal” or just plain “wrong.” So let us here at TPOL throw some more wood on the fire.

For everyone saying the Limited Military Operation in Iran is “Unconstitutional,” we agree.

The problem is the 1973 War Powers Act. It was designed to curb Nixon’s “Imperial Presidency.” (Look it up.) That act of Congress allows an Executive to (a) commit troops/military action without either (i) a Declaration of War from Congress, or (b) any other sort of “Authority” from Congress; (b) provided the President informs Congress within 48 hours of taking the action, and (b) provided the actions are limited to 60 days without Congressional approval. (Up to 90 days if American troops need more time to ensure their own (relative) safety.)

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Growing fractures in the American population

Posted on 2026-03-04 by TPOL Nathan

The varied reactions in the last 96 hours (as we write this) to the massive attack on Iran by the FedGov and the State of Israel have again revealed the growing divides in American society. Not just but especially in civic and political matters.

This fragmentation is not just growing. The yawning gap in Americans’ opinions and positions also demonstrates the sources of the varying (and opposing) worldviews of our people. Including outright lies, twisted truth, crazy assumptions, and more. We can see it not just in the old parties, with the difference between blue and red States and politics. We see it too in libertarians. We are all over the place.

Even a quick and shallow review of the reactions to the situation published by a wide range of libertarian and mainstream political and media outlets shows this. We have hardened in our positions and in our opinions. And all too often it is misinformation or misunderstanding that separates and hardens our stances on all too many issues. Americans have formed tight cliches based on very specific views and positions, in direct conflict with other groups, and often as an immediate and long-term reactions (and over-reactions) to some perceived belief or attitude. The result? There is less and less cooperation, or even dialogue, between the various groups. Communication fails, and adds to the division. We gang up: “my people” and “you monsters.” And this ganging up reveals both the growing fractures and the realization that we that we are becoming more irrational, more emotional, more condemning of any deviation or differences.

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