Peace and Lies

Posted on 2016-02-24 by TPOL Nathan

Libertarian Commentary #16-08C  by Nathan Barton

Peace in our time? The Epoch Times tells us, “The United States and Russia have agreed on a new ceasefire for Syria that will take effect Saturday, even as major questions over enforcing and responding to violations of the truce were left unresolved. Syria’s warring government and rebels still need to accept the deal.” But according to some reports, the Russians are reinforcing combat aviation assets in Syria, close to the Turkish border (not that ANYplace in Syrian isn’t far from Turkey by US and Russian standards), and the implication is that Turkey and Russia may soon engage in a shooting war, not just bumping off an aircraft here and there. That would mean NATO intervention on the side of Turkey (unless the Turks were stupid enough to make it obvious that THEY are the aggressors. Of course, no matter what Amis and Ruskies agree on, the other six or eight sides in the Syrian Front of the Islamic Wars may not: we are also still told that Saudi forces are massing in a position to be able to strike Syria, but on whose side? Physically-militant religious-political conflicts are nasty family fights much of the time, especially in the Muslim and Arab worlds.

Mama’s Note: We are told to “follow the money” to discover the reason for things, but so far I can’t see anything but loss for everyone in this. The ordinary people are definitely losing big time, as always in war. Such utter insanity. And utter insanity for Americans to become involved, of course. Continue reading →

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Personal Liberty and Security, a rant

Posted on 2016-02-23 by TPOL Nathan

Libertarian Commentary #16-08B by Nathan Barton

While we understand (as too few do) that liberty is a greater good and priority than security, the two ARE connected. Overall, in the long term, security for individuals and families is ONLY possible in the context of liberty. Otherwise, it is a false sense of security for all but a few powerful people. News this week points that out.

The Freedom-Busting Idiots continue to try to force Apple to surrender and give them the backdoor they lust after so badly. From Freedom Outpost comes this report. “Earlier this week, Apple CEO Tim Cook wrote an open letter to the American public about the FBI’s attempts to compel the company to crack the iPhone of the San Bernadino Jihad attackers, saying that such a tool for the government is too dangerous to create, as reported elsewhere. Google, Facebook and Twitter have now joined Apple in the phone encryption battle.” Continue reading →

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Liberty? Liberty is missing: government and economies

Posted on 2016-02-22 by TPOL Nathan

Libertarian Commentary #16-08A  by Nathan Barton

Liberty?  Fat chance. US News reports from Denver that a large roadside sign marks the entrance of longtime strip club Shotgun Willie’s, and Smoking Gun Apothecary, the new marijuana dispensary in Glendale, Colo. Smokin Gun Apothecary is on a site formerly occupied by the Denver area’s best known strip club, Shotgun Willie’s. The strip club hasn’t gone away, it’s moved just across the parking lot. Both businesses have the same owner, Deborah Dunafon, who envisions pot shoppers getting discounted drinks at the strip club and is outfitting the roof of the pot shop for a future lounge in case Colorado changes its law banning on-site marijuana consumption.

Deborah Dunafon’s husband, Mike Dunafon, is mayor of this tiny enclave of 4,500 surrounded on all sides by Denver. This story is in contrast to this week’s Anarchapolco where, somehow, a relatively peaceful society seems to exist without the sort of nonsense that businesses AND their customers have to put up with in Glendale, Colorado.  This is an area I’m very familiar with; Glendale was originally established (as I recall from long ago history classes) as a wet town in otherwise dry Denver, filled with saloons and bars.  It is no surprise that both strip bars and cannabis shops would find a place here, and that the nannies and the controllers would want it to be done away with. Continue reading →

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I Love My Guns

Posted on 2016-02-21 by MamaLiberty

By MamaLiberty

Some recent comments on various message boards frequented by shooters indicate that a few people are either changing their minds or are bowing to the politically correct pressure of the day. They have begun to assert that they do NOT “love their guns” and only view them as necessary tools.

While I couldn’t agree more that guns are simply tools, pretty much like any others, I don’t know why that would make them unlovable. Most men love their tools, all different kinds, and men have always loved their guns. I’m certainly not ashamed to join those men.

But, you might ask, just what is it that we (who still profess it anyway) actually love about guns? Aren’t they killing machines, good only for harming others? We hear that a lot.

So, why do I love my guns? Let me count the ways. Continue reading →

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Reality is overrated.

Posted on 2016-02-18 by TPOL Nathan

Libertarian Commentary #16-07C By Nathan Barton

Reality is “malleable,” at least if you are a politician (or a con-man. there’s really not much difference at the root of it). If they say it long enough and loud enough, they figure that we will believe it. And they themselves might believe it, too. (And they certainly pretend to, right now.) Here are some examples.

“I continue to believe Mr. Trump will not be president,” Obama said while speaking at a press conference in Rancho Mirage, California, according to ABC News. “And the reason is because I have a lot of faith in the American people.”(Sure!  A lot of faith that we will continue to be have like a bunch of suckers!} Obama told reporters he believed Americans still see the presidency as “a serious job.”{Yup!  A really serious con-job.) “It’s not hosting a talk show, (Nope, just always being a GUEST on a talk show.) or a reality show. (Hmmm.  The scripts may be a bit better written, but that is a matter of difference in degree and not kind.) It’s not promotion, it’s not marketing,” (That is EXACTLY what it is, not just running for President, but sitting in the Oval Office and vacationing around the world.) Obama said. “It’s hard and a lot of people count on us getting it right.”

Yup. Lying is always harder than telling the truth. Con-men work really hard.  Just not for very long at a time.  And all those Tranzis and puppet masters are counting on the giggles continuing. Continue reading →

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Irrational actions and reactions

Posted on 2016-02-18 by TPOL Nathan

Libertarian Commentary #16-07B by Nathan A Barton

Irrational actions: Grocery store chains (Krogers, Safeway/Albertsons, etc.) have long been some of the most ardent of supporters of the USDA’s welfare program for families (“food stamps,” now called SNAP. Will this change? CNS News reports that grocery stores must now expand their “healthy food choices” by having a minimum of 168 items per store, which would be required to offer “seven varieties of qualifying foods in four staple food groups for sale on a continuous basis, along with perishable foods in at least three of the four staple food groups.” The staple foods groups are dairy products; breads and cereals; meats, poultry and fish; and fruits and vegetables.

In addition, the proposal calls for retailers to stock at least six units within each variety, leading to a total of at least 168 required food items per store. Stores which do not do this (provided the proposed rule is put in place, which is highly likely) will not be able to participate, giving up vast revenues. But can they? 168 food items is a LOT in a small convenience-store setting; this very well may see many stores in rural and AmerInd communities being dropped, and even in urban areas, for example the micro-stores that you have at Safeway or King Soopers fuel outlets. Or will the stores buckle under and replace items that people want to buy (and pay their OWN money for), with these mandated items? Government money ALWAYS comes with strings, as we see once again. Continue reading →

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Is It Spring Yet?

Posted on 2016-02-17 by MamaLiberty

By MamaLiberty

I know, I know… it’s only the middle of February and spring is at least six weeks away from reality. But it got to 60 degrees here today, I can see tiny tips of green grass starting to poke out of the brown weeds in the front yard, and the first mule deer fawns should be coming into the horse pasture any day now.

Lots and lots of terrible things going on in the world. I wish I could do something about them, but I can’t think of anything. So I’d rather enjoy the first signs of an early spring here in rural Wyoming…

I spread all my seeds out on the dining room table this morning, putting some packets into a plastic bag so they’d be handy when it is time to plant. I enjoyed thinking about which of my house plants I would put out on the deck, as soon as it is warm enough, yet knowing I might have to endure another snowstorm or two before I can do much besides dream and plan. But that day will come, soon enough – and I’ll be ready.

Here’s hoping that peace and liberty in the world can come quickly too.

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Patriarchs, Popes, and Politics

Posted on 2016-02-13 by TPOL Nathan

By Nathan Barton

Too little, too late “The Roman Catholic Pope and Russian orthodox leader bridge 1,000-year rift in Christianity,” so says the WaPo. The Wapo claims this is the first such meeting since a split formed in the 11th century. And claims the meeting could “open greater channels with Moscow” over the humanitarian fallout from Middle East conflicts, including the flood of refugees into Europe and ravages against ancient Christian communities by ISIS.

As usual, the MSM gets this all wrong. Not just the history, but the significance of this public relations event. This will NOT lead to peace, but to more war. And more loss of liberty. Continue reading →

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No Limits on Government?

Posted on 2016-02-13 by TPOL Nathan

Libertarian commentary on News, #06-16E by Nathan Barton

Limits on government? Executive power? Don’t make me laugh. Clearly, the leading Democratic presidential candidates, as well as the guy now in DC, don’t think that there are any limits. Consider…

Socialist Bernie: tyrant on steroids? The Democratic debates to see who gets to run for Massa in November are quite revealing. It seems that the tyrannical rule of the current squatter at 1600 PA would be just the opening act for the REAL tyrant. CNS News reports that Sanders doesn’t like the current guy’s “deportation” practices – which seems to be “deporting” about 1 in a thousand, and will rule without Congress unless Congress does exactly what he wants regarding immigration and naturalization. Both Clinton and Sanders would use rule by decree as the default setting.

Mama’s Note: And if the congress wasn’t actually fully on board with that, when it suits them, they could stop it in a day. Not happening because they like it this way. Continue reading →

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Is American Liberty Toast?

Posted on 2016-02-12 by TPOL Nathan

Libertarian Commentary #16-06D By Nathan Barton

IT’S OVER. TOAST. Townhall reports that the last four people at the Malhour National Wildlife Refuge standoff have surrendered, apparently without bloodshed and with no promises of no arrests and no prosecution (not that such promises by the FedGov OR the State of Oregon would have been kept). Despite some final drama by one of the four, the 41-day standoff ended without gunfire. [Except the murder at the roadblock, of course. ML]

I still believe that it was too little, too early, and in the wrong location and setting. There will be another one, and another one. There are many lessons to be learned from this, and sadly, most people (on any and all sides) will NOT learn them. Finally one of these WILL spin out of control, and the killing will eclipse Ruby Ridge and Branch Davidian/Waco and Kent State and similar recent examples. Indeed, it may be the scale of violence as not seen since the Ludlow Massacre (striking miners in Colorado, killed by company police and National Guardsmen) or even Wounded Knee (Oglala Lakota (Sioux) Ghost Dancers and families killed by the 7th US Cavalry (which also took a fair number of casualties, possibly from friendly fire). The chickens WILL come home to roost. Continue reading →

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