By Nathan Barton
While there is a lot going on in Missouri, California, and of course Ukraine, Syria, Mesopotamia, Nigeria, Liberia, and Canaan (Gaza), we should not forget that bad things are continuing to happen other places, and some good things too. Continue reading
by Nathan Barton
Good morning: thoughts on the situation in Missouri. During and before the War between the States, 150 years ago, the State of Missouri had its own civil war (together with and spilling over into Bleeding Kansas). In many ways, even more than Harper’s Ferry, Virginia, the events in Missouri led directly to the all-out conflict which ripped apart the States. Today, just as many see the events in Ukraine as eerily similar to those in the Balkans which triggered the Great War 100 years ago, we can see signs that the tiny conflagration in Ferguson may be lighting the fuse of a vast wave of rebellion and repression in our modern police state that is too similar to events of 150 years ago. Continue reading
By Nathan Barton
Good afternoon. The news this week is almost a repeat of last week, or so it seems. But here goes on a few things of interest. This will be a short commentary today, but hopefully a lot more will come later today or tomorrow. As always, though I don’t say it often, I appreciate those reading this and all feedback. Continue reading
By Nathan Barton
Good morning, except that it is not in Missouri or Mesopotamia or Nigeria or Ukraine.
Ferguson, Missouri: the beginning of the end? In a situation reminiscent of a speeded-up Vietnam war or some kind of Mesopotamian or Afghani “surge,” the troubled city of 21,000 is becoming a poster child for the American police state, as more and more people get involved and meddle with the situation. Continue reading
by Nathan Barton
Good afternoon! We all agree that politicians and bureaucrats are a VERY bad mix. So, for that matter, is a situation where we mix politicians and educators. Of course, educators are often just a sub-species (emphasis on “sub”) of bureaucrats – especially the educrats (can’t get much lower, subterranean, than that). All of this points (as do many other things) to the evil concept of “crony government.” Continue reading
By Susan Callaway (AKA MamaLiberty)
Those who hate and fear guns, wanting to disarm everyone, seem to ignore the fact that most people who own and use guns are seriously committed to the basic safety rules outlined below. All of these, and more, are diligently taught in every sort of firearms training and reinforced through peer pressure in every situation where responsible gun owners meet. Even though no clear statistics are available to point to, it would appear that the greatest number of “accidental” discharges of a gun occur at the hands of Police and a few others who violate these basic rules. In both cases it is a matter of negligence, arrogance and stupidity, not lack of information. With something like 100 million gun owners, and possibly 400 million guns in circulation, the vanishingly small number of such “accidents” is further proof that gun owners in general do care very much about safety. Continue reading
by Nathan Barton
Government is, we agree, stupid. People are often stupid, especially en mass. All this factors into politics, where politicians, bureaucrats, and voters all vie for the title of “most stupid.” It makes life miserable for most of us. Continue reading
By Nathan Barton
Good morning! Sometimes the sheer stupidity of government and its actions hits me right between the eyes: this weekend is a great example. Ignoring impacts on me, my family, my clients, and friends and associates, we see a bunch of absolutely stupid examples in the news. Here are a few: Continue reading
Libertarian Commentary on the News, #14-33E: Economics, the depressing science
by Nathan Barton
Good morning. Economics can be fun, if you enjoy getting depressed. Too many downers for me. Of course, those who are not blind can see the constant drum of bad news for most sectors of our economy, triggered in large part by the booming nature of government sector growth. Continue reading →