By Gordon E. Finley, Ph.D.
With now literally hundreds of editorials and op-eds taking positions both pro and con on California’s SB 967 – as well as the broader issue of “affirmative consent” for sexual relations — it is virtually certain that the California legislature will pass and send to Governor Brown’s desk SB 967 in the coming week. The bill is titled: “Student safety: sexual assault.” Continue reading
by Nathan Barton
Good morning. As things seem to spiral downward both at home and abroad, it never hurts to realize that we have many blessings. So (at risk of ticking off people who do not believe) join me in being thankful (to God) for the prosperity and liberty we still do have. And all the other blessings, not the least of which is that most who call themselves libertarian are willing to tolerate those who believe in the Creator (or not). Continue reading
by Nathan Barton
Daily I read of more obvious, more common tyranny and oppression around the world, and of how people agonize over how to end it: how to respond. Many offer answers. Will they work? They have not, so far, at least in recent memory.
Let me restate the problem in the time-honored and effective “task training outline:” Continue reading
by Nathan Barton
One of our better known libertarian authors has been asked this question often, starting with her 1996 book (my oh my, 18 years ago now!): “America is at that awkward stage; it’s too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the b*******s.” Continue reading
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
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
Libertarian commentary on the news, #14-34A: More Missouri Misery
By Nathan Barton
Good morning! Some news items from last week to start the week off, so enjoy!
This story is troubling on several fronts. Police raided a church building in relation to the protests at Ferguson. Their reason (or excuse) was that people were living (actually, sleeping) in the building and that the building was the site of meetings to plan the protests. A heavily armed squad arrived, without a warrant, apparently and demanded entry to search, and a rector let them in and promised to evict anyone found. Then the cops came back later, rinse, repeat. This is truly evil and insane. No warrant , and a reason that indicates as far as the state of Missouri is concerned, there is NO religious liberty. If churches have their building subject to any petty little zoning regulation the local thus, elected and appointed, can dream up, then every activity a religious organization does is subject to prohibition. Continue reading →