Police forces: a force for evil (was Libertarian Commentary on the News, #14-45A)

Posted on 2014-11-13 by TPOL Nathan

By Nathan Barton

Good morning. Due to work and travel, I was essentially not on-line for about 48 hours.

I am starting out today (and this week) with some truly disgusting examples of how cops are terrorizing and injuring and killing people.  One of my great frustrations with many talk-show people today is that they are willing to admit the evil done by police but still try to stand up for the institution, instead of standing up for the fewer and fewer peace officers who (even if in error) try to treat people kindly and honestly and helpfully, and berate those of us who report and comment on the vicious and deadly behavior of more and more police forces and police officers. Continue reading →

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Libertarian Commentary on the News, #14-45B: Winter is come!

Posted on 2014-11-12 by TPOL Nathan

by Nathan Barton

Good morning.

I just came through this: the Arctic chill which has settled across the “Upper Midwest” and Rockies has made it clear that Fall is over and Winter is here.  Monday morning was beautiful on the Front Range, while the Black Hills (at least the eastern part) got four inches of snow by sunrise and another six inches by sunset.  And blizzards in Denver Monday afternoon accompanied a plunge from the 50s to the teens.  And Tuesday, temperatures all down the front of the Rockies in Colorado were mid-teens, while the usually bitter cold San Luis Valley was in the upper 20s!  People are, I hope, prepared for a colder than usual November and December.  And, as the power grid becomes increasingly unstable and vulnerable, for power outages and shortages of supplies.  Are YOU ready? Continue reading →

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Stupidity Epidemic: Fresh Outbreaks (was: Libertarian Commentary on the News, #14-44F)

Posted on 2014-11-08 by TPOL Nathan

By Nathan Barton

Today, for the weekend, we will look at how stupidity is epidemic in these Fifty States, while we worry about silly things like Ebola and B85 and flu epidemics and elections.

In New Hampshire, it is now a fire-able offense in certain circumstances to say “God bless you,” even in response to a sneeze, because you are therefore “discussing faith.”  At least at an election polling place.  Although there are disputes over the facts, it seems that freedom of speech is being limited by bizarre interpretations of the very First Amendment that supposedly protects both religion and speech.  What next?  This smells like NYC where groups claim that saying good morning to someone is “harassment.”  But it is more sinister, as it seems to be intentionally meant to drive religion (“faith”) out of public life. Continue reading →

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Libertarian Commentary on the News, #14-44E: End of the work week, this and that

Posted on 2014-11-07 by TPOL Nathan

By Nathan Barton

Well, good morning again!  Friday is here, maybe… Lots of things to talk about.

Next up: The zombie Congress! Former Republican Sen. Jim DeMint, who heads the conservative Heritage Foundation, is among those worried about House and Senate members who were defeated Tuesday or are retiring from office voting on critical budgetary and national security matters when Congress returns for a lame-duck session next week.  Yes, though he is a pretty worthless politician, I agree with him in this case:  the departing legislators (of either party) and their staffers are NOT adults: they will play the same game the Clintons and crew did when they had to flee the White House for the arrival of W.  I suspect that some would try and do a Gotterdammerung style system, not just with furnishings and offices but with laws and appointments and all the rest.  And unfortunately, McConnell is probably going to let them get away with it. Continue reading →

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Libertarian Commentary on the News, #14-44D: This and that

Posted on 2014-11-06 by TPOL Nathan

By Nathan Barton

Good morning!

The latest abuse by cops comes when a two men (driver and passenger) caught in a DUI checkpoint (and found to be sober) have had their computers and other possessions searched (with a warrant, thanks to a clueless Nazgul) after they refused (in accordance with court decisions) to show their identification to the jack-booted thugs manning the checkpoint.  I guess they should consider themselves “lucky” that the thugs didn’t just pull out their pistols and gun the driver and passenger down. If available in your area, find and install an app on your phone that tells you about such things so that you can avoid them.  They are no good for real people. Continue reading →

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Libertarian Commentary on the News, #14-44C: Life and Death

Posted on 2014-11-05 by TPOL Nathan

By Nathan Barton

Good morning!  Whew.  That stuff is over for at least, what, a couple of months before the 2016 election campaigns start? Getting a dozen e-mails a day from campaigns that somehow mined our e-mail addresses, probably from years ago. All the special editions of the various blogs and newsletters and on-line magazines I subscribe to.  Getting 4-5 robocalls a day to “conduct a survey” or “remind me to mail my ballot” or “what a nasty evil monster so and so is” (as if you have to tell me that!). And the junk mail: slick and colorful and full of lies: four or five a day.  We joked about setting up a special “campaign mail” recycling bin near the cluster of mail boxes at the end of our street, and whether we could use the Ram 3500 1-ton to haul it or would have to use the trailer. It is ALMOST enough to make me sympathetic to the mail carriers. Continue reading →

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Getting The Lead Out

Posted on 2014-11-04 by MamaLiberty

By MamaLiberty

I was always aware of the dangers of lead poisoning, but had not investigated how serious it can be related to shooting, and how really simple it is to prevent contamination. A recent article inspired me to do much more investigation of the potential problem, and I must say the new information has reinforced the need for the nominal precautions I’ve been taking – and spurred me to much greater efforts. I asked Nathan Barton, a specialist in hazardous waste disposal, to give his take on this topic as well. Continue reading →

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Libertarian Commentary on the News, #14-44B: Election day… Drones and more

Posted on 2014-11-04 by TPOL Nathan

By Nathan Barton

Good morning!  Today IS election day 2014.  There is nothing better to say about election day but the old quote:  “… an advance sale of stolen goods.”  I have little to say about it, but will note two election-related items.  First, clearly the Dems are panicked, or want to appear panicked, about the vote today. Look at their spokespeople!

Is it any wonder that Charlie Rangel is a favorite image of satire on Saturday Night Live?  He says that Republicans think that slavery is still legal. Well, I suppose he is right, but then, so do Democrats, and the rest of the statists, and even “libertarians” who believe in taxes (a bad idea) instead of truly voluntary support of governments. Continue reading →

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Libertarian Commentary on the News, #14-44A: Freaking-out government

Posted on 2014-11-03 by TPOL Nathan

By Nathan Barton

Good morning! A few items from over the weekend to start this week’s commentary.  The insanity that IS government grows more obvious, as does the abusive nature of too many in government. With the election tomorrow and a couple of these stories (like the EPA one), one of the quotes for today is worth sharing: ““The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter.” — Sir Winston Churchill

Mama’s Note: A “democratic republic” is the delusion that people are too stupid and evil to manage their own lives, but somehow wise and good enough to choose others from among them to do it for them. Don’t vote… The only person you can rightfully control is yourself. Continue reading →

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Libertarian Commentary on the News, #14-43F: Federal Government Incompetence on Parade.

Posted on 2014-11-02 by TPOL Nathan

By Nathan Barton

Good morning.  A very short final commentary for the week, following 24 hours and 800 miles of driving broken up with meetings and traffic.  Today, lets look at examples of how the FedGov demonstrates incompetence and hurts people.  This week has been “exciting” for many reasons: I notice that fuel, oil, and metals are all down in price, while the stock markets seem to be floating up and up, while wearing rose-colored glasses! Continue reading →

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