Unreported – The Crime That Didn’t Happen

Posted on 2014-01-21 by MamaLiberty

By MamaLiberty

The evening was advancing much too quickly for me and I regretted staying in the city so long, then was dismayed to find that I was running low on fuel. I pulled into an old station in a small town just east of Custer, South Dakota, ran my credit card and started the pump. There were no other cars in the lot, and only a single clerk in the mini-mart.

Scanning the area, as always, I noticed a man come from behind the building and start to walk toward me. Continuing the scan, I saw another man coming toward me from the opposite direction. He seemed to be trying hard not to look at me, but failed badly. I was immediately on full alert and turned my head to see the other person. He was now within my 20 foot “danger zone” and maintaining eye contact as well. I put up my hand flat out with a command to stop. He just laughed and said, “Give me some money, lady.”

I turned my body at that point, backed up against the car, and swept the coat away from my holstered gun, gripped it firmly and flipped off the retention strap. His eyes had followed the motion of my hand and he stopped suddenly, then waved his hands over his head and ran toward the street past another pump. I turned my head instantly to look for the other man, and saw him running away in the opposite direction.

Nobody but those men will ever know what their intentions were, from simple begging to carjacking or murder, and it doesn’t matter. I had zero obligation to read their minds or establish their motives before I took a defensive posture. Either one of the men could have overpowered a woman my age easily, but since I had a gun and was obviously ready to use it, they ran away instead.

Smart move… Even stupid criminals don’t want to get hurt themselves, and even hardened felons with years of crime behind them will say they fear the armed citizen far more than the police. That doesn’t mean they would never attack a potential victim who is armed, just that it is far less likely. Those who carry concealed have to consider that the criminal doesn’t usually have the opportunity to disengage early, and that the defender might well be forced to shoot in a situation where it would not have been necessary if the mugger understood the danger to him/herself before the attack began. But that’s a discussion for another time.

I was shaken and very angry after that, mostly for being forced to even contemplate drawing the gun. I walked into the mini-mart to warn the clerk about possible robbers at the pumps, and was sad to learn that she had not even noticed the men “bothering” me. She was upset at that point and asked if I wanted to call the sheriff, but I declined. There was nothing the police could have done about it, even if they wanted to – and I had no desire to be detained and hassled about it myself.

One of the things discussed often by those of us who carry a gun is the possibility of needing to come to the rescue of another person, sometimes a stranger. This can be very dangerous, and great care must be taken not to make a bad situation worse.

I had just come out of the grocery store in Rapid City, South Dakota one late afternoon, and discovered a young man and a woman in a heated argument right next to my car. He began to hit her in the face and she was crying. I yelled at him to STOP, and he turned with a snarl, taking one step toward me. I gripped the gun and flipped off the retention strap. He saw what I was doing and immediately ran around the front of his car and got into the driver’s seat. I asked the woman if she needed help, but she snarled at me as well saying, “mind your own business.” Opening the car door, she got in and they drove away.

What if he had continued to come toward me? I could have turned and run away, of course, but I hate to think what would have happened if he’d grabbed me and I had to draw and fire the gun. His woman would not likely have been a friendly witness, and there were no other people around close just then. It was a very frightening experience.

I didn’t call the police that time either. No proof, no license number for the car, and no real interest in being further involved. If that woman didn’t mind being beaten, it wasn’t my job to prevent it.

About six years ago, I happened to go to the general merchandise store in my rural Wyoming town about five miles away. It was an early winter evening with snow on the ground. It takes much longer to tell the story than it took to live it, so remember that all the action described here happened within a matter of seconds.

I got to the rear of my car and turned toward the store, scanning in all directions. Coming toward me was a young man in a long coat. He made eye contact, and came straight ahead, raising my level of awareness as he got within 20 feet or so. I brushed the coat away from the gun, hooking the material behind the grip. His eyes followed the motion of my hand, and then grew very wide. Immediately, he turned and ran between parked cars and out into a snowy field where I lost sight of him. Did he plan to attack me? Who can tell? All I know is that nothing happened that night. I did my shopping and then went home safe, the perfect outcome of any trip to town.

There have been a few other incidents where the intent of the other person was not quite that clear, but it has been very obvious a number of times that the sight of my holstered gun altered another person’s demeanor significantly and prevented an approach when such would have been unwelcome. I’m sorry if some of them were simply fearful of the gun itself, and even sorrier for their ignorance. I have no responsibility for that ignorance, and no obligation to make them feel better. My responsibility is my own safety.

Many people have read the story of the time I actually had to shoot a man to save my life.  Most people will never experience that, depending on where they live, but an unknown number of people may well have a serious close call whether they carry or not, and there are no statistics for those because most of them are never reported to police. Think of that the next time someone tells you there is no need for anyone but police to carry a gun.

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Libertarian Commentary on the News, #14-04B: Congress and senility

Posted on 2014-01-21 by TPOL Nathan

By Nathan Barton

Nice to have a day off yesterday from the chattering of Congress and politicians in general, while getting some real, paying work done.  At least that was my situation: hope it was yours, also.  Still, there are a lot of interesting things going on, and here are a few of the stories that crossed my desk, good and bad, so far this week.  I know that neither Congress nor senility are things to laugh about, but when they seem to match together, it is just plain sad.

Diane Feinstein is in the news a lot this week, because she is (gasp) supporting the NSA, and betraying her liberal/Tranzi creds, or so it is claimed.  The WaPo told me: Feinstein: ‘We don’t know’ whether Russia helped Snowden and then the liberal bloggers are upset because she is supporting the NSA: she is so horrified about being blamed for another Bloody Tuesday if she doesn’t let NSA snoop everywhere, including our underwear drawer and inside our underpants.  Or so she says.  She’s 80 (yes, really) and I wonder if she can even get a drivers license renewed?  She loves the NSA for what it can and does do to political enemies, especially when you team them up with the FBI and IRS.

Mama’s Note: Senile would be good, very good… and soon very apparent, and then she
could be locked away to drool on her chest while leaving the rest of us alone. Unfortunately, she was born a statist. I’ve seen no change in her since the beginning. If anything, she just gets more shrill, just like H Clinton.

Did I ever tell you about the time my sister went to some hearing in Sacramento when she was a city councilman for Simi Valley? Fienswine was giving a press conference, or at least making some sort of public statement on the steps, as she left, and my dear sister lost it… flipped her the bird and walked away. A news photographer caught that flip on film, and it made the statewide news. Sandi won the next city council election with a landslide. There are a lot of people in CA who have no use for Feinstein or her ilk. Or at least there were…

Fortunately, not everyone loves the NSA or spying on our own people. Someone named Tavis Smiley says Snowden ‘might be on a Postage Stamp’ one day, and he would deserve it, for what he did.  Of course, if Feinstein and her ilk get their way, he will continue to show up in Post Offices, but on “Wanted” posters.  (Oh, apparently this Smiley guy (not a gal, as I first thought) is some big PBS star: that is like being a big snowplow operator in Miami.  Apparently, there aren’t any Post Office wanted posters for Mr. Edward right now, but he IS on a “I want you” poster encouraging people to protect liberty.  Folks, the NSA can claim all they want about how they’ve kept terrorist attacks away, but the truth is, the White House is using the NSA to spy on Americans, on you and me: people who are patriotic and religious and don’t like taxes and believe in minding our own business, and that is both wrong and stupid.

Well, on to other things.

Here is a great “stupid cop” story: an Oklahoma cop stole another cop’s gun and sold it to a felon.  His own department wouldn’t do anything about it, but the County Sheriff stepped in.  I have been told more than once that many police departments (and sheriff’s offices) try very hard NOT to hire people that are “too smart,” and I guess this is one of those.  Of course, we can also talk about morals, corruption, and all the other things that “law enforcement” (or is that “law evasion”) officers do and are (or lack).

The Mercatus Center has a neat article on Fiscal Condition of the 50 States.  Funny how the best states are all us hicks in flyover country that cling to God, guns, religion, and wanting to have something in our wallet except a bunch of plastic.  The states in the best fiscal condition are Alaska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska and Wyoming.  No fooling: Old West Country, here we are.  And look at the bottom of the list: California, Massachusetts, Illinois, Connecticut and New Jersey.  Tranzi and liberal and so trendy and cool – except when it comes to paying their debts.  Not saying the Old West states are GOOD, but they are relatively on opposite sides of the compass from the spendthrifts.

The Examiner on-line columnists have proven to generally be accurate and willing to call a spade a spade. The Washington Examiner tells us that the  British Experience Shows Problems with Government-Run Health Care.  I guess I put this into the “no-fooling” category, but then I have friends in the UK and have been over there, and seen what a MESS that the National Health Service is in, and how many Brits suffer and die prematurely as a result.  And how much it drags down the economy.  Apparently, now even the Tranzi European Commission has decided that the NHS and UK have poblems.  A recent EC found that Britain has fewer doctors per person than nearly every other European country (that’s only 2.71 doctors for every 1,000 people). That is supposed to be SHOCKING because Germany has 3.7 and France has 3.4 (Switzerland has 4.1), but the US only has 2.4!  And with ObummerCare, that number is already dropping. (World Bank data here)

Mama’s Note: And the ratio per 1,000 population only tells a small part of the story. The technical quality and integrity of those doctors is not measured much at all. Obummercare is giving all doctors and other health professionals in the US a whole new set of incentives, mandates and opportunities. Many will choose not to practice any more, at least not in official or mainstream channels.

According to the Washington Post, Chris Christie’s 1994 ad was too tough (and inaccurate) for New Jersey.  Okay, I’d believe it: he is a “moderate” scumbag politician who is typical of Jersey.  But the real story here is why the WaPo is going back 20 years to dig up dirt.  I don’t know any real christians who are running for office in NJ; and no one considers Libertarians to be serious candidates, but other than that, THEY ALL LIE.  So?  Where were the stories like this about the “messiah” in 2006 and 2007, questioning where he went to school and what he promised to get into the Illinois legislature and then the Senate?

Mama’s Note: I, for one, could not care less where they come from or what they did. The problem is that most people accept the idea that non-voluntary governmen has legitimate authority over their lives and property.

Well, here we have the thoughts (spoken out loud, that is) from the “messiah” on pot: ‘I don’t think it is more dangerous than alcohol’.  Really?  Try “less dangerous” except for the fact that cops don’t beat you up or kill you for buying and selling beer, wine, and spirits anymore.  (Remember, they used to, and there still are some “dry” counties where they will.)  What a hypocrite this man at 1600 PA is.

Meanwhile, the “messiah’s” minions are chiming in on the subject: HHS: 8,300 Words About the Dangers of Tobacco Smoking, But Not a Single Word About Pot Smoking nor about alcohol, for that matter. But that is only because the Feds consider pot to be illegal and so won’t address it.  And because alcohol brings in billions in government revenue (as does tobacco, I admit) BUT it isn’t on the Tranzi’s agenda.  Yet.

Mama’s Note: The government ALSO rakes in billions related to cannabis and other drugs. Asset forfeiture being one of the most lucrative, of course. But then there are the ever increasing police and other LEO numbers, the vast array of new toys they enjoy, and the expanding prison system with their kickbacks and back scratching. The new, seemingly relaxed attitude toward cannabis in some quarters is truly hypocritical and dangerous. It is giving the illusion that the old prohibitions are easing, but just as with alcohol, the CONTROL isn’t going away. Tax and regulate may sound like a better and safer alternative to Elliot Ness, but it is not. And yes, those who flaunt the tax and regulation will be treated every bit as badly as the casual black user is now.

I read that ObummerCare is at ‘Significant’ Risk of ‘Death Spiral,’ according to an economist, who obviously isn’t paying attention to the data and the costs.  It IS on a death spiral; the only question is how fast, and how much of the economy and how many people it will suck down with it.

Mama’s Note: A death spiral indeed. Who’s death, and the ultimate cost in both lives and the damaged economy, is yet to be seen. And, don’t forget, there is good reason to suspect that the “death” of this monstrosity will simply be used as an excuse to introduce something even worse.

Did you know that the “messiah” is taking action to protect ‘People Overseas’ from U.S. surveillance?  If true, this shows just who he is taking care of, and whom he considers potential enemies of the state – makes me feel proud that I am of greater concern to have surveillance conducted against me than some Deutscher or Frenchman or Brit, eh?

Mama’s Note: As if he really cares about any of us. It’s all a show, smoke and mirrors. There is nothing that man says one could accept as true. If he said the sun rose in the east, I’d want to look to verify it for myself.

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Libertarian Commentary on the News, #14-04A: MLKJr Day?

Posted on 2014-01-20 by TPOL Nathan

By Nathan Barton

Good morning.  Today is officially “Martin Luther King Jr. Day” in most of the United States, a holiday intended to “balance” official holidays so that “African Americans” (except those who are not dark in skin color, of course) or “Black Americans” (except those who don’t trace their ancestry to Africa, of course) have a holiday to counter the influence of President’s Day, Columbus Day, and Christmas Day, all of which “celebrate” white people (even if of Semitic or Mediterranean origin).  In our civic religion, the dead Baptist preacher and Communist leader has been recreated as a demigod of peace and justice and brotherly love, because he was “martyred.”  And as a result, the taxpayers are saddled with paying for yet another three day weekend for government employees.  Such a deal!

I (like most private sector businesses and workers) don’t get this day off.  You probably do not, either.  So here is to a good day.  And here are some stories to share, together with my comments.

So, the “messiah” made a speech, intended to “solve” the problem of a “rogue” National Security Agency.  Right.  The BBC has a blog summarizing the media responses which is fill with the garbage that the media puts out now, but much of the media is upset; one even compared the “messiah” to the much hated Bush II.   I didn’t listen to this self-serving, pandering, zero-calorie speech: I have better things to do, like work to make a living, sleep, and enjoy the beauty of the Black Hills.  Anyone who did, unless they are getting paid to do so, wasted precious minutes of their lives hearing what they already knew.  And John Q. Public does seem, as the BBC said, to be about half apathetic.  It isn’t that so many people are afraid of another Bloody Tuesday (9-11), as they are afraid that they will be the next to have the NSA copy down their credit card numbers and expiration dates and three-digit “secret numbers” and their text messages to their bosom buddies!  I admit I got a kick out of Freedom Outpost’s thoughts on this piece of conmanship:  they translated his speech as “If you like your freedom, you can keep it.  If you like your personal liberties, you can keep those too.  Trust me!”

A Michigan police officer’s response to a man walking down the sidewalk legally openly wearing his handgun, following a single phone call from a Mrs. Grundy, is yet another example of how it is clear that a good many states (and local jurisdictions) left the Union before it was ever really dissolved, because they didn’t agree with the few fundamental liberties specifically protected in the Constitution.  This has apparently triggered a federal lawsuit (hopefully under RICO and conspiracy to violate the rights of Americans; the article doesn’t say) but don’t expect anything to come out of it.  Perhaps a hundred or two hundred people – not in groups, but individually, going about their business in this town openly carrying a pistol might make people wake up.  But I doubt it.

A gunman threatened to kill everyone in an Alabama Dollar General store but a man carrying concealed shot and killed him before he could take the employees to a back room (traditionally the place in American stores where madmen kill their victims with or without robbery in mind).  So now the man who saved other people’s lives is being investigated to make sure he didn’t commit a felony by carrying concealed without a permission slip from the state or the local sheriff.  Or violated some other law since the DG store had a sign “forbidding” open carry.  (Guess the dead nutcase missed that, or was carrying concealed until he whipped it out on the manager and the store clerk.)  I guess the attitude is that SOMEone has to be investigated and prosecuted: why not the man that not only saved lives but saved the taxpayers a big bill for incarceration, trial, and probably life imprisonment? (Thanks to JPFO for this story.)

American politicians are so fond of fighting “wars” on this and that.  The latest is the “messiah’s” and the Dems in Congress’s “war against income inequality.”  This will join all the other failures in the past.  We have had the war against poverty for fifty years now, and it seems, indeed, that poverty won – we have more of it than ever before.  We’ve had the “war on terrorism” for fifteen or so years now, and we have more terrorism than ever before, even if we have to keep redefining it.  (Terrorism today includes six-year-old boys kissing six-year-old girls in school, and old folks standing on street corners waving Gadsden Flats.)  We had “WIN” – Whip Inflation Now, from Gerald Ford, a war on inflation:  sheesh: back then gas was a shocking $1.25 a gallon and milk was 50 cents a gallon and a 12-ounce Pepsi and a McD’s hamburger both 10 or 15 cents!  The one thing you can be sure of today, and for the past half-century, is that when the FedGov declares war on something, you know who is going to win – and it ain’t the people.  Of course, the FedGov DOES win because they have an excuse for more and more power and influence and campaign contributions and theft from the taxpayers.

Quote of the day:  Charles J Chaput (Roman Catholic Archbishop of Philadelphia, formerly Bishop of Rapid City and Archbishop of Denver; AmerInd):  “Evil preaches tolerance until it is dominant and then it seeks to silence good.”  Certainly not a new concept, but one echoed from the Bible (which is pretty good for an RC Archbishop, even today!).  And true in both spiritual and temporal matters.  The quote is in an opinion piece about Cuomo’s recent statement that “extreme conservatives… have no place in the State of New York.” Of course, the “extreme conservatives” include many libertarians and free-market anarchists, like me.  Then, I’ve known I didn’t belong in NY the first time I visited that dump, way back in 1964.  And again when I had to be there in 1974, and in 1981.  The place is sick, and most of the people have the personalities of caged rats, because that is what they are.  But they figure 1 in 20 New Yorkers (state as a whole NOT NYC) are “extreme conservatives” and I have met a few libertarian and christian New Yorkers who at least are able to simulate sanity.  But as far as I’m concerned, the US would be better off WITHOUT New York, or at least NYC and probably Long Island and vicinity.  The majority gave up being free people a long time ago.

David Eckert of New Mexico has settled out of court with two police departments, including one in Deming, New Mexico, for $1.6 million for his anal probing to search for drugs in his body: the hospital that DID this (which billed him $5,000 for the pleasure) has not settled yet. Along with the guy at Last Resistance, I agree that I’d have much rather this gone to court, to expose this evil even more.  But I hope that we and others can do this.  This is important to me because (a) I often live and work just a few miles from New Mexico, that most Iberian of American states (Deming is only 300 or so miles away) and sometimes even work and drive and shop IN New Mexico.  It is too much of a nice place to be infested with the kind of tyranny that it has – a relic of both Spanish AND AmerInd AND Anglo perversions.  And because this sort of evil is happening over and over and over.  The cops and hospital personnel who did this awful thing will pay NOTHING except perhaps a tiny cut in their department expenses and maybe a slightly smaller pay raise:  it is taxpayers and insurance companies that will be hurt.

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Libertarian Commentary on the News, #14-03F: Pollution and Government

Posted on 2014-01-19 by TPOL Nathan

Pollution and Stupid Government (2 stories)
Ready to Blow? Explosive Natural Gas Found Leaking From Thousands of D.C. Pipes
(The Blaze)  What’s even more stunning is that the researchers informed city officials about these more dangerous methane leaks and followed up only to find that three were fixed.

Mama’s Note: Boston too? Didn’t mention any others, but I’ll bet the leaks in places like Chicago or other major cities would be similar. Will make the eventual fate of those cities a bit more exciting…  Very rapid slum clearance.
Debby: May solve a lot of problems?

Nathan: We could only hope.  I wonder if the constant exposure to low levels of CH4 (and contaminants) has affects on their mental and emotional condition?  It could very well explain a lot.  But look at that map – and then notice the real problem:  VIRTUALLY NOTHING was done by the city or other government. Almost NOTHING.  They have the manpower to hound someone incessantly because they found a bullet in his pocket, they have the manpower to raid a guy growing a single marijuana plant, they have the manpower to gun down a poor frightened woman in her car in front of her baby, but no, not this…

Meanwhile in England, in Yorkshire, a 15,000-tonne tyre fire is visible from space (Waste Management News) and they are having a hard time putting it out.  My wife and I have both fought tire (British “tyre”) fires and landfill fires.  One in Kansas burned for more than a DECADE.  Most fire departments have not the foggiest idea how to do it, and most governments pretend it won’t happen in THEIR neck of the woods.  This is particularly ironic because this was supposedly a recycling center.  See, most environists do not think that burning tires as fuel (for power plants and making Portland cement and the like) is real recycling: they call it “sham recycling” and claim it is environmentally harmful and dangerous.  But these 15,000 tons (probably about 30,000 cubic yards: a pile 100 yards by 100 yards by about 10 feet tall) are being wasted – all the energy and potentially reusable materials in them is going to waste – and contaminating ground water and the air the way a controlled burn as fuel would never do.

Government-run, Theft-funded (higher education) schools
Fla. Unveils Rating System for Its Universities Based on Cost, Number of Pell Grants, Graduates’ Earnings
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: IF these were in actual competition in a real market place, this might make sense.  But when there is a near monopoly on higher education, this is nonsense.  It is just an excuse for the fat cat academic bureaucrats to play games.

Congress in action (3 stories) – Theft and Waste by Government
Who Read 1,582-Page $1.1T Spending Bill? Congressman: ‘Nobody Did’
Did Rep. Connolly Read 1,582-Pg. $1.1T Bill: ‘I’m Not Going to Dignify That Question With an Answer’
Meadows: Didn’t ‘Personally’ Read All 1,582 Pg. Spending Bill — Voted No

Nathan: Have you seen one of these things?  It is mind numbing, which is why the budget system HAS to be reformed.  Micromanagement never works, even in surgery.  Congress micromanages things it should NOT, while failing to supervise what is constitutionally supposed to be done.  Although the overall federal budgeting system (programming, etc.) is a work of art and (for its kind) very efficient, where it breaks down is in Congress.  It is like the owner/manager of a 50-employee  business dictating each year the number of paperclips and sheets of paper to be bought, except on an insanely grand scale.  The solution? (Besides getting rid of the FedGov?)  First, cut the size about 80-90%.  Then establish guidelines and deadlines that require a 90% majority to override, with PENALTIES (paying fines or even being forced to resign) for failure to meet those.  Slice the pie based on LAST YEAR’s revenues, into big chunks.  Pass that.  Then slice the big chunks  up into smaller bites, leave the intimate details to the executive branch departments, and cut off their feet if they are stupid.

Mama’s Note: The only problem with that is still the theft. None of that could be funded without theft and violence… since the threat of violence and death is the only way they can steal it.  Set it up with truly voluntary funding from the public, and see how long the whole house of cards stands.

Nathan: Here are a couple of old-style stories and comments.  Please let me know which format you prefer as a reader!

Stupid government tricks – Economic disaster
De Blasio to Expand Paid Sick Days Law in NYC
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: We speak of Chinese “water torture” -a drop and another and another… That is what government is doing to business and employees/workers, and owners these days:  One drop at a time, productivity is driven downward and costs are driven upward.  Expanded sick leave, parental leave, family care leave, increased minimum wages, the 30-hour ObummerCare week, and on and on and on.

The “messiah’s” consort – Government-ruined, tax-funded (higher) schools)
Michelle Obama Says Colleges Must Serve the Under-Served: ‘Just Look at Me’
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: Yeah, look at her: an America-hater, a Tranzi, a member of the 1% who had her education given to her on a golden spoon by other Tranzis.  Who is the ultimate nanny in the nanny state.  As for being “under-served,” well, it wasn’t in the lunch line or the fitting room, that is for sure.

Mama’s Note: I couldn’t care less about the size of her body. It’s the evil in her mind that is the problem. Still wonder just why both she and the Obummer lost their law licenses. You’d think that would count for something, even in the environment of toxic privilege they live in now.

Technology and independence
Micro-windmills can recharge cell phones
(Computer World) “Researchers at the University of Texas at Arlington have designed a miniscule windmill with a micro-generator that can be used to recharge mobile devices. Smitha Rao, a university research associate, and J.-C. Chiao, an electrical engineering professor, designed the micro-windmills. The two have filed for a patent for the devices, which are about 1.8 mm at their widest point. A single grain of rice could hold about 10 of the tiny devices, and the researchers believe hundreds of them could be embedded in a cell phone sleeve for recharging purposes.” (01/15/14)

Nathan: Now, if they could power the cellular phone towers the same way!  Seriously, I could live with this, or even with a nice little desk or porch ornament like an old-fashioned windmill, with that USB connector in the bottom to recharge our devices.  More and more ideas to do things better, cheaper, and easier – if government would let us.

Mama’s Note: Indeed! One of the things that has hampered quite a bit of useful technology is the lack of really effective batteries. If these little windmills were used with some of the new mini solar cells, and they kept a small battery charged, just imagine the things we could have and do.  I get really sad when I read about people who are frightened or disdainful of technology, but I think most of that is due to the threat of government snooping. Get rid of that, and we could see some really exciting new and useful products very quickly.

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Libertarian Commentary on the News, #14-03E: New format

Posted on 2014-01-18 by TPOL Nathan

By Nathan Barton

Welcome to The Price of Liberty. Part of this web-magazine is my frequent column of commentary on the news stories of the week: I usually publish three to five separate commentaries, each about 1,000 words more or less, and providing extracts of five to fifteen news stories (and a few commentaries) and my thoughts on them from a free-market anarchist point of view, based solidly on my christian faith and my responsibilities as an Army officer and engineer.

I am a private businessman, and operate mostly in the Central Rockies and Western Great Plains, working for private (and a few public) clients in the fields of environmental, civil, and mineral engineering. I have been involved in electoral politics, the “first responder” community and emergency planning, and a variety of religious, military, and engineering activities over the years, on three continents in a dozen states and nearly a dozen countries. I am married with two sons, all of us free-market anarchists and rabblerousers.

I do hope that you are having a great day, wherever you are. I hope that the commentary on the news that I and my correspondents (including my family) dig up during the week will make you think, give you ideas about how to live free and gain/regain the liberty that is God’s gift to us, and incite you to action that leads in those directions.

Often, I use this commentary and the associated “Nathan’s Rants” to point out where I believe people have gone wrong, whether it is believing some of the garbage out there and passing it on, or much more lengthy dissections of commentaries that are about subjects related to liberty, that interest me.

So without further ado, here’s what I am looking at this week (12-18 January 2014) on a nice, if cool, Friday in the Black Hills.

For us who do texting, be careful! Those are NOT all that private. In particular be sure to keep your texts NSA friendly from now on because they are watching. People, PGP and other ways of protecting yourself are out there. Of course, most people who tweet and text and Facebook are stupid enough to put their full names, pictures (often of them doing stupid things), address, and birthdate on-line. Why not just put your credit card numbers and SSN on? (Of course, NSA already has all that stuff; they want to gather the dirty metadata: who are you talking to/meeting/conspiring/sleeping with, how much do you gamble, when do you say bad things about politicos, and so forth.)

The “messiah’s” (my moniker for the guy squatting at 1600 PA in DC) approval rating has dropped down in the 30’s again. No, really? There are still that many people in this country that agree with what he is doing? At least mostly? Of course, this poll, like most, has to be taken with a grain of salt.

“Gilligan’s Island” star Russell Johnson, aka The Professor, passed away early this morning. He flew 44 combat missions in WWII and was awarded the Purple Heart. Today’s professors don’t compare. I grew up with Gilligan’s Island on first-run, my sons with video recordings of it. Fun and even for the day, pretty clean.  Lots of us are going to miss him.

Who is responsible for the gridlock in DC these days? It sticks in my craw to have to thank them for anything, but according to a Democrat think tank which just did a study, it is Harry Reid and the Senate Democrats who are responsible for all the gridlock! For once, good for them! Gridlock, frustrating though it may be, is good for the nation.

Now, more and more Republicans have joined Democrats in pushing to “reform” immigration, apparently thinking that they must jump on the bandwagon if they want to win in the elections this year and in 2016. Which is odd, because some recent polls say most Americans don’t care. Per the poll, only 3% of Americans rank immigration reform as a “top” priority. Of course this ignores the fact that Congress is clueless and can do nothing that will really fix problems with immigration and welfare. Indeed, they will just mess it up even more. Of course, the “messiah” will just write his own decrees to “solve” the mess.

NBC has some bad news which I am amazed that they even report: biting the hand that feeds them: The ObummerCare web site is a mess.  In essence, everything that has been done for the last couple of months is eyewash. And yes, the prices are still insanely high. And the subsidies are even MORE insane.

I have not touched much on the nationwide, state-driven (but federally promoted and enable) “Common Core” school “reform” plan, adopted by South Dakota and other states years ago, but now suddenly discovered by conservatives and branded an evil. Well, it seems that they’ve identified LOTS of problems – and they probably can’t be fixed. To me, that is a no-brainer. These were developed by educrats, for educrats, and are trying to fix the unfixable: government-ruined, theft-fund (“public”) schools. The biggest problem I see is that poorly informed parents and poorly trained teachers and administrators, even in private schools, will try to apply these to private and even home schooling. Bad idea. Very bad idea.

Readers know my professional opinion of “man-made global warming” and all its permutations. It is political science and propaganda at its worst. So, cheers for some encouraging news. More than ever, people in the US now disbelieve in man-made climate change! Algor must be livid!

Imagine! A friend told me that a British defense advisor says that the “messiah” Obama is “Clueless.” True. And he STILL doesn’t like the Queen, either (the “messiah,” not the Brit). Excuse me, can someone explain how an elected monarch is really any better than a hereditary one?

The FBI isn’t going to pursue criminal charges over the IRS targeting religious and political groups. “Nothing that was criminal happened here.” So say the Praetorians about their beloved emperor, the “messiah” and his handpicked goons. Besides, they are too busy investigating all the political and religious groups that filed bogus reports with the IRS (in the opinion of the IRS).

“Out with Hollande and the entire political class” was painted on the side of the truck of the man who deposited tons of horse manure in front of the Bourbon Palace, home to France’s lower house of parliament. Hmm. I never knew that the French parliament was in a building named for Bourbon tyrants that ruled France before the Revolution (and after it, for a while, too). Does that explain the arrogance of French government and politicians? I think that this man’s traditional gesture is wonderful, and hope that there are LOTS of copycats around the world. Far more fun than throwing shoes at politicians!

I will do a few more commentaries in the old style, but want to hear from readers about this new version.  Let Mama Liberty and me know!

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Libertarian Commentary on the News, #14-03D: This and that

Posted on 2014-01-17 by TPOL Nathan

Theft by government – Congress in action
McClintock: $1.1 Trillion Spending Bill ‘Moves Our Country in the Wrong Direction’
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: In other words, no change in the situation from the last couple dozen budgets and spending bills.  The nation continues to go to perdition in a pushcart.  But probably at a faster rate, of course.

Government-ruined, Theft-funded schools – The “messiah’s” minions
Prediction: Racial Quota for School Discipline Will Aggravate Zero Tolerance
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: Clearly Holder and his bosses and thugs don’t think that the FedGov had ENOUGH control over the “public” schools and is going to push more.  And clearly, he is hoping for a backlash to give and EXCUSE for even more control.  Presumably, this will allow the DoJ to flush out the few remaining non-liberals in the school systems, and to create databases that will track students from pre-school on – for life.

Congress in action – No more liberty
Sen. Rand Paul: ‘You Name It, Your Freedom of Choice Is Gone’
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: Yes, he is right.  But he still seems to be willing to make compromises to give up a little more here, a little more there, and of course, the other 99 members of the Senate also seem happy to do so.  I admit, Paul is pushing more than most, but he will be even more ineffective with the loss of Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, who is resigning two years early, perhaps in the hope that a new Senator elected from Oklahoma in 2014 will be a firebrand willing to push for a decade plus of quasi-libertarian actions in the Senate.  But I wouldn’t count on it.

The “messiah” – Rule by imperial edit
Obama Says He Won’t Wait for Legislation: ‘I’ve Got a Pen and I’ve Got a Phone’
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: Yes, and a whole lot of guns and panzers and drones…  We (supposedly) elect a man who has severe personality and security and power issues, give him what seems like unlimited power, and then we wonder why he turns into another Nero or Caligula, and treats even other members of government like trailer trash.

Culture wars: killing babies
Study: Contraceptive Use, Multiple Partners Linked to Higher Rate of Abortion
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: This study seems to be linking things that aren’t necessarily connected in the way they are trying to claim.  And making statements that are obvious.  I see it as a moral issue: people who have the morals of an alley cat are likely to demonstrate in various ways:  multiple partners and “eating” their own children.  And since many religious groups shun contraceptive use as it is immoral, even that can be seen as related.  And we also have a factor of intelligence:  if anyone is stupid enough to kill their own child, is it a surprise that they are probably too stupid to TAKE the contraceptives properly, as well?

Politics 2014
Gov. Christie: ‘I Am Ultimately Responsible’
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: A surprising admission – and one which obviously makes him unsuited and unqualified for either the elective office he now holds, or any other office.  Seriously, this guy had already proved himself to be a politician that we want in higher office almost as little as the current squatter.  But people are asking the obvious:  why did the media suddenly turn on a liberal that they had been grooming for several years?  What is there about him that set off their alarm bells?  And how much further is this going to go?

Cop thuggery – Self-defense
Florida Man in Maryland: How did Cops Knew he had a CCW?
(Tampa Tribute via Personal Freedom) – A Florida man was traveling South with his family on the way home from a wedding in New Jersey when the Maryland Transportation Authority Police (MTAP) began tailing his Ford Expedition. After about 10 minutes, the police pulled him over and told him they knew he owned a gun. They demanded he produce it for them on the spot — even though the firearm was locked away in a safe 1,000 miles away.

Nathan: Welcome to the Police State, Mr. Filippidias.  Yes, the big question here is HOW did the Maryland state thugs in their unmarked car know he had a concealed carry weapons permit from Florida?  But there are other issues, especially with the man’s wife, who was stupid enough to blab nonsense to the cops, and so won the family two hours of misery that SHOULD result in a hefty settlement in a court. And why is the MTA so panicked about a CCW that they pull this kind of stupidity?  And about THIS family?  What twisted pattern of “logic” went through this cop’s mind?

It is this sort of thing that compels me to stay out of the Northeast as much as possible.  For someone from Florida, he probably needed the weapon to protect him and his family MORE in Jersey and Maryland and vicinity than he does in Florida.  But he disarms himself and still gets in trouble for it.  Still, one of the main points to remember is that families need to talk.  Often.

Congress in action
Congress Wants More Potatoes in WIC Program
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: Because lobbyists and voters want more?  Or because the parasites (not saying that some people on WIC are NOT really in need) want more?  Why put a food item in the program?  Usually, because you can sell more of it, increase demand, and thereby raise (or maintain) prices.  The same reason that so many other foods are commodities to be issued or purchased with SNAP and the like: cheese, powdered milk, and raisins all come to mind.

Mama’s Note: If this is limited to fresh, whole potatoes, I doubt they’ll move many of them. Many people, especially the “poor,” have little or no idea how to cook common, whole foods and rely on instant, packaged, prepared and frozen things – or fast food “takeout” almost exclusively.

Congress in action
Women are wielding notable influence in Congress
(Washington Post) After decades of trying to amass power, several women have vaulted to the top of influential congressional committees, putting them in charge of some of the most consequential legislation being considered on Capitol Hill.

Nathan: Leave it to the WaPo to publish an article that presents the likes of Nancy Pelosi, Diane Feinstein, Barbara Boxer, and Olympia Snow as part of a downtrodden minority desperately struggling for recognition and a seat at the table, instead of the powerful, corrupt, lying, thuggish powermongers that they are.

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Charter Forests?

Posted on 2014-01-17 by TPOL Nathan

The Federal Government “owns,” without Constitutional authority, much of the Fifty States – and oddly enough, far more of many of those states than it claims in the District of Columbia, the ONLY place it is authorized to own anything beyond military installations and postal and customs offices.  One of the agencies which administers probably the largest part of that government land is the United States Forest Service, which controls 10 percent of the land in the Fifty States.  And does a VERY bad job of administering (caring for) that land.

Independence Institute published an interesting article this week.
Taking an Ax to Traditional Forest Management

It talks at length about the problems with the USFS, and a little about WHY there are the problems, and then suggests creating “Charter Forests” the way “Charter Schools” have been established in many school districts in recent years.

That was very close to a concept I first offered to the voters of South Dakota when I ran for governor in 1994 (when I was young and REALLY stupid).  South Dakota (unlike most of the West) only has parts of TWO national forests (and parts of three National Grasslands), but they take up a sizable chunk of the state, and the economy is impacted for both good and bad for the 130 years we’ve had them here.

My proposal was to “commercialize” these.  (Not “privatize” because that has come to mean do things the government (stupid) way, just have a contractor do that instead of having government employees be stupid.  The worst of two worlds.)  I modified the proposal somewhat by specifying that it had to be non-profits and not for-profit companies, and that the companies be cooperatives so that there was a LOT of public participation.  But the concept was simple:  let the land remain in “federal” or “state” ownership, but operating them: managing and caring for them, would be in the hands of this non-profit cooperative association that would break-even and provide the materials and services to its members and to the general public.

The contract or agreement between the USFS (or USDA, its parent) and the State of South Dakota and the cooperative association would specify the objectives, goals, and limits – BUT NOT THE METHODS OF ACHIEVING THOSE things – and some form of insurance or surety would be maintained (just like mining companies and landfills do) to protect against negligence and gross (that is, governmental-level) stupidity.  The association would be freed from the six or eight levels of “supervision” that the current Forest/Grassland Supervisors in Custer and Fort Pierre and Bison and such “enjoy.”  (Think about the heirarchy: makes the Roman Catholic Church look flat: District Ranger, Forest Supervisor, Regional Supervisor, Chief of the USFS, Deputy Undersecretary, Undersecretary, Secretary of Agriculture, and of course, the MAN in 1600 PA.)

This is indeed similar to the proposal for charter forests now launched by Independence Institute, and they will no doubt be listened to much better than I was two decades ago.  Both of us point out that something HAS to be done.  The continued federal ownership of land that SHOULD have remained in ownership of tribes or gone into private ownership, and the government mismanagement of that for 120 years, has damaged the forests severely: more so than the so-called ravages done before the forest reserves were created except in a VERY few locations.  But worse, the current conditions of the forests of America, especially those of the West, means that much of the destruction we’ve seen is only a pale shadow of what will happen with the economy and federal government collapse, and there will be only enough “federal management” to keep anyone from doing anything about the longterm decay in ecosystems, and the massive fires sure to sweep so much of the forests.

Local, private management is the only alternative which is both able to accomplish the objective of managing the forests to support humans (and wildlife and everything else), that is both sustainable and affordable.  The same system could be applied to the National Park lands, and to the vast lands controlled by another of the great failed bureaucracies, Interior’s Bureau of Land Management.

By the way, this is NOT a totally outlandish or new idea by any means.  Forests both in the United Kingdom and the Fifty States nave been privately owned and operated for centuries, and can be visited today.  They are not utopias, but they are sustainable and thriving.  In the US, look at much of the Eastern Seaboard, especially Maine and Pennsylvania, but in the West, look at the land owned by Union Pacific, BNSF, and other railroads, as well as millions of acres of “inholdings” inside national forests.  It DOES work.

Mama’s Note: Might be a “step in the right direction, as so many like to say. The real answer, of course, rests on reverting all this land to private property, controlled by individuals with the rational incentives, rewards and punishment of the free market. The “non-profit” works fine as long as it is administered by saints and watched closely by everyone involved – which doesn’t happen much in the real world, and certainly not on the logistic and economic scale of that much land and it’s resources.

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Libertarian Commentary on the News, #14-03C: Government Panic/Permission

Posted on 2014-01-16 by TPOL Nathan

Government permission, or liberty in food
Virginia Bill Would Expand Farm and Food Freedom
(Reason)

Nathan: Sure, it sounds catchy, but aren’t they doing this all wrong?  Maybe I’m just being too simple-minded, but rather than listing all the foods that it is okay to make and sell without five or ten different permits and inspections and nanny-state nonsense, Reason and the other interested parties should pass a very simple law:  Anyone eighteen or older who is not under the care of someone else, and anyone responsible for anyone, has the natural right to buy and consume whatever they are voluntarily willing to do so, based on information they and the grower/preparer/seller of the food agree to share as far as its source, origins, contents, and methods of preparation and preservation.  Period.  Virginians survived for hundreds of years without the nanny-state and thousands of bureaucrats to protect them, and without refrigeration, high-tech sterilization and sealed packaging, and without detailed “nutritional reports.”  We can have all these things and DO NOT need government to provide or demand them for us.  THEY are the ones that need to do something to panic every time a potential voter gets a tummy ache from something that they are sure is in the food.

Mama’s Note: Who needs all that verbiage, and why in heck should there be an arbitrary age limit? I have the perfect law for this: No human being has the right, under any circumstances, to initiate force against another human being, nor to delegate such initiation of force. Every human being has the absolute right to self defense.

What more could we need?

Islamic wars: Afghan front
Pentagon Map: Afghanistan an Eldorado of Mineral Wealth and Natural Resources
(Blacklisted News)

Nathan: Thanks to Scott for this: his comments:
Scott: 95% of the world’s poppies are grown in Afghanistan. How many of the drugs come to the U.S.?  Remember the “Opium Wars” [UK versus China, to force China to allow opium to be imported], as the same thing still goes on…if you only knew. The U.S. will never totally pull out as, it’s business and business is good. The former China U.S. Ambassador said the day after the U.S. military moved into Afghanistan, China moved in to mine. Make you wonder, it should. He said it during 1 of the first presidential debates. If we could talk…

So, grow the poppies in the Great Basin, already! (But totally decriminalized, so the Great Basin don’t become a huge, military restricted zone.)

Nathan: Afghanistan is probably an Eldorado, but SO is North America – and the folks here are friendlier and don’t submit to Allah.  But because of NIMBY and BANANA and all the other environist head-space timing problems, we literally go around the world to find this stuff.  Because the politicians panic every time someone screams about damaging the earth or showing disrespect to a tree.  And too many of us don’t think of Afghanis as real people, or that beautiful land as real world.

Home front – Stupid media/politicians
Cities Fear Railroads Carrying Crude Oil
(Wall Street Journal)

Nathan: Do newspaper “reporters” ever bother to investigate and learn the truth and the details about something any more?  This sort of “panic journalism” does no one any good, except the fanatics who want to return us all to XIth Dynasty Egypt.  Bakken crude oil is lighter and sweeter than most other oil from the north and east – like Permian Basin (better known as West Texas Intermediate) and therefore is more flammable and flows more easily than other crude oils.  Which means that you have to be prepared to handle it differently.  Just like you have to treat cotton seed differently from sunflower oil and differently from corn or wheat or many other ag products.  We KNOW that politicians are not going to do anything to prepare for any disaster that does not reap handsome benefits.  Can’t ANYone prepare for problems?  Nope, they just panic, and the news media feeds on their panic.

Home front – Economy & Liberty
America’s Dwindling Economic Freedom
(WALL STREET JOURNAL/HERITAGE FOUNDATION ) After seven straight years of decline, the United States has dropped out of the top 10 most economically free countries…

Nathan: I have a sick feeling in my stomach.  Yes, I live with this every day, and I see clients and friends and vendors burdened more and more, but it still gnaws at me to see it quantified like this.  Of course, one of the big reasons is taxation and government spending, as the next article brings to mind.

Theft by government
State Sales Taxes and Exemptions
(MERCATUS CENTER )As tax rates rise, lobbying — and ultimately tax exemptions — increase, because those facing higher taxes have an incentive to lobby in an effort to get them lowered…

Nathan: It is a vicious cycle of terror – used intentionally.  Chicago, for example, has a sales tax of more than 10.5 percent: something that only VATs in Europe used to hit.  Of course various industries and groups lobby to get exemptions. For example, South Dakota has low sales taxes: 4 percent state, up to 2 percent local, and 1 percent added for “tourist items” (like motels and tourist attraction fees and books), but they are very broad: even engineering and medical services are taxed.  But we are constantly bombarded with attempts to make this and that “exempt.”  Food, clothing, baby medicine, tuition, etc.  Exemptions, and the process of carving them out and defending them, give power to legislators, making them MORE of a burden on the economy.  IF we must have taxes (and I am NOT saying that), the broader and lower rate a tax the better, especially if it is supposed to be “voluntary.”  For one thing, it makes it easier on the businesses who have to figure this out.  For another, it spreads the burden more equally.  I realize that selecting the kind of taxes is like selecting the way you want to be robbed:  in broad daylight, or in a dark alley at night; by a simple stick-up or an actual mugging with such niceties as pistol-whipping and a boot to the groin.  Still, some ways are easier on the victim than others.

Mama’s Note: None of these studies or indicators include the black and gray market, however. People have been finding ways around the problem of government theft and micromanagement for a long time. I suspect that smuggling is actually the “oldest profession,” or a close second. And the black/gray market is not all “illegal drugs” either. Things like raw milk, home made sausage, hair braiding, and now the services of doctors – anything “prohibited,” taxed, and regulated may be found available – if you know the right people and are prepared to pay cash.

There would be no politicians, regulations, taxes or vast numbers of people kept in cages if the general population could get rid of the insane superstition that these psychopathic “rulers” have any legitimate authority over them. Those who live in and trade with the black and gray markets already understand this, to a great degree.

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Libertarian Commentary on the News, #14-03B: Government “health care”

Posted on 2014-01-15 by TPOL Nathan

The entire idea of government health care gets sillier and sillier by the day, as more and more people realize what a ride they’ve been taken on – and how they are NOT allowed to stop the train or truck and get off,  like that woman in the LA area who had to jump from a moving police car to get away from her arresting-molesting cop.

Abominable Act (ObummerCare)
HHS: 5.6M of 6M Who Signed Up on Exchanges Will Get Federal Funding
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: More and more troubles for our beloved “messiah” and his signature plan that was to get him anointed in the history books forever, eh?  Not only this, but it is also pointed out that only 25% instead of the 40% of the critical, low-maintenance 18-35 year old age group was in the six million that signed up.  That 40% is essential, so that the older ones signing up can suck the younger’s blood to pay for the thing.  Ain’t gonna happen:  Millennials would rather pay the penalty than get sucked into another Social Security scam.  Meanwhile, Uncle Sugar continues to bleed ALL of us dry, and this piece of garbage just speeds up the process.  Theft, theft, and more theft, and they can’t leave well-enough alone.

Mama’s Note: Since the older folks didn’t set up this scheme, it is hardly fair to characterize them as “blood sucking.” In any case, even if the 6 million figure is accurate, and even if it were composed only of seniors (which it doesn’t seem to be), there is a big disconnect with the rest of the 300+ million strong population. And that is very good news, of course. This is one batch of kool-aid that most people are not prepared to swallow. But, as I’ve said before, this “failure” was intended, to set us up for the next part.

Theft by government – Ex-minions of the “messiah”
Former DOT Secretary LaHood: ‘Let’s Raise the Gas Tax’
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: Always thought this guy’s name was appropriate. Once more, he shows what a thug (hood, hoodlum) he is.  I just wrote an analysis of the demand for more government spending, especially by local and state agencies; this is right along with the demands for more local funding.  The excuse is roads and bridges and the trillions of dollars of backlogged/deferred maintenance and repair, but the WAY this money will be used is to subsidize all the good-feely, unmarketable dreams of the controllers:  more bike paths, more hiking trails, more “alternative transportation” like light rail and fancy trolleys and so forth, more “street art,” and more dubious environmental “improvement” projects.  And of course, government agencies will grow their (nonproductive) budgets, contractors will get rich on unnecessary work, and politicians will line their pockets with more campaign cash, all sucked out of taxpayers’ pockets.  It is GOVERNMENT that makes the most profit from selling a gallon of gasoline at $3/gallon or a gallon of diesel at $4/gallon:  nearly 60 cents on average, while the dealer: the guy or gal who owns and operates the fuel station, might get 5-10 cents.  Who is gouging whom?

World wars: State Department Stupidity – Culture wars: Same-sex “marriage”
Kerry ‘Deeply Concerned’ By Nigeria’s Ban on Same-Sex Marriage
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: Sure wish he were as concerned about the way Muslims in Nigeria kill more and more people every Sunday.  But his masters have told him what his agenda is, and he’s sticking to it.  Like Edwards, like Dukakis, like Teddy and others, the man’s brain cells (what he had) have atrophied into something that probably resembled dead, dried-out coral, and we are lucky that he doesn’t just collapse into a drooling blob as he walks out of the plane on one of those foreign airports.  Of course, that COULD be fun.

Congress in action – Culture wars: “Homosexual marriage”
Prompted by Utah Gay Marriage Case, Weber Introduces Bill to Protect State Sovereignty
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: Too little, too late, Mr. Weber.  The cows are out of the barn.  Of course, if you and the others in DC and the Fifty State capitols had been more concerned about your vaunted “state sovereignty,” then this case would not have even shown up.  If you and the others had done ANYTHING serious to restrict government, this would not be an issue today.  But you sold out… and will do so again.

Politics 2014
Feds investigating Christie’s use of Sandy relief funds
(CNN)  Just days after dismissing two top advisers for their roles in the George Washington Bridge scandal, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is facing questions over the use of Superstorm Sandy relief funds. CNN has learned that federal officials are investigating whether Christie improperly used those relief funds to produce tourism ads that starred him and his family….

Nathan: Do YOU smell a rat?  I surely do.  Sounds like the Dirty Tricks Department has decided that Christie needs to be taken down several notches, and that the White House is doing the same thing that the NJ governor’s staff did to Fort Lee…

Mama’s Note: I just love it when politicians fight…  As for White House “dirty tricks,” it couldn’t happen to a nicer guy than Christie. He just radiates sleaze.

Local government tyranny – Theft by government
Analysis Of National Data Finds No Benefit To Red Light Cameras
(The Newspaper.com) Peer-reviewed statistical analysis finds insurance industry data actually proves no benefit to red light camera use.

Nathan: Apparently, once again “science” has been used to lie by twisting the way a study was done and coming up with false conclusions.  I know we should be used to this, but too many people have this deep, abiding (and totally misplaced) faith in science.  And too many people in government and contractors who salivate with greed know that.  So they keep on doing things like this.

Mama’s Note: I have a feeling you mean the original “studies” used to “prove” that the red light cameras would save lives. The analysis by the insurance industry, itself suspect in many ways of course, seems to mesh with what has actually been happening wherever these cameras are used.

Economy 2014

NFIB (National Federation of Independent Businesses) [Hardcopy magazine, not found on line] survey participants were asked what is the single-most-important problem facing their business:

  • 29% said “poor sales.”
  • 22% cited taxes
  • 15% cited “government regulations and red tape”
  • 7% cited “cost and availability of insurance” — which IS a government-created problem.
  • Only 4% cited availability of credit.

Nathan: My oh my. isn’t it great that we spent billions in bank bailouts in the last six years to keep the lines of credit open, isn’t it?  Small (Independent) businesses know (or should) that one of their worst enemies is GOVERNMENT.  The government does not like small business, as they are just that: independent.  They do things without making sure that their campaign contributions and other donations to government, government officials, and government employees are up to date.  They are harder to force to do things, unlike national businesses which can go from profitable to bankruptcy in a matter of a few days of negative media coverage.  And since their margins of profit are small, they are not the cash cows of the big, multinationals.  No, government really does NOT like small business, and so regulations are slanted against them (except for a very few, really heavily publicized ones that really don’t help that much).  Of course, government, being collectively stupid, is always skating the edge – or coming close to butchering the goose that lays the golden eggs.

Culture wars: killing babies
Planned Parenthood Did 1 Adoption Referral Per 149 Abortions
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: Making sure that supply is always less than demand?  Which is why people go to Vietnam, China, and other places to adopt when they find themselves childless?  Keeping population down, of course.  Keeping a demand for border jumpers to do work, also.  And according to some reports, keeping crime levels down.  Ah, the love of the Tranzis for their rituals and sacraments!

Mama’s Note: Abortion is still a very personal decision made primarily by the pregnant woman, regardless of the agency, and many factors influence their decisions. I highly doubt that immigration or population control are included. Those may figure into the agenda of the agency, of course, but I suspect it is far more a matter of money. The good news is that abortion numbers seem to be falling, and that most people believe abortion is wrong or a serious problem.

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What’s going on? County and Tribal Government Deteriorate Still More

Posted on 2014-01-14 by TPOL Nathan

By Nathan Barton – with commentary by MamaLiberty

Looking back to 2013 and in the first few days of 2014, one trend stands out very much to me, and to a number of the people I work with, on projects, politics, and religion.

That is very much the decline in the quality of local government, especially county and tribal governments.  I’ve seen it in municipal governments, as well, and we have ALL seen it in state governments and DC.  But the situation is accelerating, or so it seems, in local governments.  Some of it is stuff that has just come out, and in some pretty big cities, but has been going on for a long time, like the New York City-centered arrests of 100 first responders who have been bilking the taxpayers of $400 million dollars in bogus disability payments.  And like that scumbag mayor of Toronto (now running for reelection on his record) or the similar mayor of Detroit or tribal officers tried and convicted of forging checks after nearly killing themselves by DUI.

I am going to avoid names and locations, simply describing events and persons.  I’d appreciate some feedback, to see if we all are noticing it.

I won’t address the fact that police forces seem to be raging out of control in more and more places, tazering people with abandon, beating (kicking, slapping, thumping, throwing them against walls and floors), and just outright shooting people (even children) in cold blood, and one even said, “because we don’t have enough time for that.”  City (and other) police forces are a bad idea anyway, because they don’t even have an elected leader or chief: supposedly the boss is always a “professional”  and a “sworn officer,”  reporting to a bunch of (or just ONE mayor or city manager) cruddy civilian pukes.  Not that elected Sheriffs are much better these days; for one thing, they almost ALL have to have years of experience as “sworn officers” and “professional law enforcement” to even be allowed to get on the ballot.  As with all other elected officials, they supposedly have the power of incumbency AND a following of trained thugs, but when do you hear about the electors recalling one?

No, I think I need to address the growing incompetency, greed, and power-madness of those “cruddy civilian pukes” and their counterparts:  city council members or aldermen or board members; tribal officers or council members or delegates; county commissioners or directors or judges and their like from the tip of Maine all the way to San Diego and Guam.  Oh, and don’t leave out school district board members, directors of special districts, and various and assorted APPOINTED officials from dog-catchers to treasurers and town clerks and health department bosses and so forth.  Anyone with a tiny bit of (steadily increasing) power: anyone who is becoming less and less productive and therefore more and more a parasite, from county road and bridge superintendents and town engineers to social workers and welfare directors and – dare I whisper it? – county extension agents!  I would like to think that there are places they aren’t that bad, and since I only pay a lot of attention to a hundred or so municipalities and counties and tribes, there probably are  a few good ones here and there.  But I sure ain’t seeing them.

Nor are my friends and associates and correspondents.  I had one business partner ask me this week, “Nathan, how do we keep electing good guys who turn out to be corrupt, stupid b******s as soon as they get into office?”  Another was telling me, “that council [in a tribe] has two hundred years of business and management experience, and ever’ durn bit of it got washed away between election day and when they took over.”  (Sounds close to jokes Mama Liberty and I were making about brains and Congress and such.)

Here are some examples:

A tribal council where the members have turned on each other to the extent that they are impeaching one another – since multiple impeachments of the tribal president have not given them enough excitement and change.

A county commission which started its term in office by immediately (and without any planning or examining the consequences) fired the longtime county attorney AND his aide, and THEN decided to see if they could hire a new one.  Their reason for firing him?  Basically, he was too old and tired.  They then followed up by angering their county administrator so much he quit – effective immediately.  The next year, again without planning for transition they fired both the road superintendent and his deputy.

Another tribal counsel allowed a minor dispute over who authorized a private company to cut down a tree on privately-owned land (which was in trust) to turn into a situation where an unscrupulous council member was able to avenge “an insult to his ex-wife” by causing the tribe to spend more than $200,000 more to build a trash facility than they would have needed to if they had awarded the contract to the low bidder – which also happened to be owned by tribal members, instead paying $200K more to an outside, Anglo-owned firm.

Another county which created an elaborate bureaucracy with half-a-dozen employees, most of whom used their positions to threaten people that they didn’t like, and which created such a mess that attempts to develop property and even build new buildings and houses dropped from 100 a year to less than 10 a year.  One by one, they fired the planning and development employees, or they quit, until today, the only employee left is the receptionist/clerk who used to work for both the planning department AND the road department.  But in the process, the corrupt county administration and commission bankrupted their county, drove businesses to their deaths, and in essence destroyed development.

There are hundreds of other examples, and some have been going on for decades, but the trend is obvious:  local governments are more and more dysfunctional and provide less and less service to their constituents.  Things are going downhill rapidly, and we better learn to live without them.  Even a rollback to 1950s level will trigger massive temper tantrums among their residents/enrolled members and businesses, but if not done, there may be virtually NOTHING surviving.  (Which isn’t necessarily a bad idea, except that states and the fedgov would try to take on the responsibility themselves.

And we don’t need that.

Mama’s Note: The fulcrum is the power to tax. None of this tyranny and insanity would be possible without the ability to confiscate the productivity and property of their far, far more numerous victims. It could not happen without the false “authority” to redistribute that wealth, and distort the economy as they do today.

The amount of theft, corruption or insane behavior is only incidental to the core problem. People have been conditioned, for many centuries, to believe that the “rulers,” the elected “officials” and their stooges have some legitimate authority to do what they do. When all is said and done, most people can see absolutely no alternative to the tax, spend and control type government, and most don’t even look for one.

The “war lord” with brute force, the “divine right” of kings, and lately the vast fraud of socialism and “democracy” of all flavors, have all been used to impress the common people that they have no real authority over themselves in the long run, and that they have no real choice except to hope for the least harmful tyrants. They have been convinced that, in the end, the government actually does own them and, by extension, everything they have or ever will have – including their children.

The Most Dangerous Superstition, by Larken Rose, gives the best and clearest description of this false belief. The truth is that nobody has any legitimate authority over another person without their consent. Each person owns their own life, body, and is personally responsible for themselves and their voluntarily chosen dependents.

The idea that there is no need for rulers, officials or tax collectors is fairly new, but is gaining strength. Self ownership, and self government is the ultimate answer, and that’s why our non-voluntary government hates and fears those who choose to own themselves and refuse to be slaves any longer.

But we outnumber the tyrants and their goons significantly. When enough people give up this most dangerous superstition of “legitimate” tyranny, they can begin to find liberty and justice for all.

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