Libertarian Commentary on the News, #13-33A: This and that

Posted on 2013-08-28 by TPOL Nathan

Stupid government
Massachusetts: Over 40,000 Cases Tainted By “Rogue Chemist”
(JonathanTurley.com) Martin W. Healy, chief legal counsel for the Massachusetts Bar Association referred to the “unconscionable level of gross negligence at the state drug lab.” Everybody’s outraged, now. But back then, the police were happy, the prosecutors were happy, and the drug lab bosses were happy. The drive to convict those who have been arrested pressures the lab technicians to produce the desired results. Prosecutors are corrupted by their ambition and passion for convictions. Woe to those who stand in their way. Dookhan “was the most productive chemist” at the lab testing up to 500 samples per month while others tested 50 to 150 samples.

Mama’s Note: To all those who talk about “due process” as if it were something sacred and assured…  Depends entirely on who is doing this process, and what sort of evidence, witnesses they are relying on. A lot of people turned a blind eye to the potential for abuse here, and a lot of people have suffered for it.  I hope they turn all 40,000 of them out of the jails and even compensate them somehow. Nobody can give them back their lives….

Nathan: Like all other human rights, “due process” is protected ONLY if there are people willing to take action to expose and force the evils to be eliminated.  The police, the courts, the various agencies of government cannot and WILL NOT govern themselves: they will constantly seek MORE power, MORE control, MORE relief from being held to account.  Only people who are intelligent, educated, training, armed and courageous will be able to prevent this kind of murderous abuse of power from happening, or end it when it does.

Mama’s Note: Seems clear to me that it is important never to give that kind of power to other people in the first place. “Due process” in a voluntary society would be arbitration among peers. And self defense, of course.

The “messiah” – Congress inaction
‘Nothing More Impeachable’ Than War Without Authorization, Says Constitutional Scholar
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: This is hardly news, but it is a strong contrast to the insanely weak position taken by a lot of Congressmen who are supposedly very much opposed to the policies and actions of the “messiah.”  They claim that  the man’s actions have “not yet risen to a level” that is “impeachable,” and that they want to give the man the benefit of the doubt.  But there IS NO DOUBT.  This is but one more proof that the Constitution is a dead letter, and that ALL of the FedGov is a huge criminal organization, and those in leadership and in power are forsworn felons who have committed (and continue to commit) treason on a daily basis.

Islamic wars:  sparks of world war again?
With Syria Decision Possibly Looming, Defense Chiefs Meet in Jordan
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: One more war – a decision which, theoretically in the United States (and most other nations), is supposed to be made by the legislatures and NOT by the military leaders.

Mama’s Note: None of the “wars” in the last century and a half have been about defense, by any means. Any actual attack on the people of America wouldn’t need a “legislature” to tell them whether or not to fight.

Government-ruined, Theft-funded Schools – the “messiah”
Obama Plan Encourages College Admissions to Discriminate Against Families Earning $60,000+
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: ANY government plan to subsidize education will (a) discriminate against SOMEone, (b) dumb down education still further, and (c) create inflation of college tuition, while (d) offering more opportunities for corruption and similar bad things.  OF COURSE, the “messiah” wants to do this, and steal more power for the FedGov and his cronies.  And even the Tranzis and the media recognize this (next story).

Government-ruined, Theft-funded Schools – the “messiah”
College Costs Will Keep Rising Under Obama Plan
(BLOOMBERG) If the key to federal funding is raising graduation rates, colleges may lower already abysmally low standards…

Nathan: See my arguments elsewhere:  even these people recognize the stupidity of the White House Plan.  Reagan pointed out, I believe, that what the government subsidizes, it creates more of: the stupidity of college students and graduates is being subsidized big-time.  Even “for-profit” colleges have already dumbed down the curriculum to keep those federal dollars flowing.

Mama’s Note: The “tranzies” may well be recognizing more and more of the problems, but I don’t see any effort from them to actually stop or reverse the process. Talk is cheap, and they’ve all got their fingers too deep into the pie. The next story is a perfect example.

The Abominable Act – Congress in action
Ted Cruz: ‘Grassroots Tsunami’ Needed to Defund Obamacare
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: Even if we give Mr. Cruz the benefit of the doubt, there is NO reason to expect that (a) HE will try to create this “tsunami” or (b) that such an outcry will do anything.  ObummerCare has NEVER had a majority of Americans in favor of it, and has been recognized from the beginning as a piece of garbage yet STILL got enough votes to pass, and any attempt to defund, bizarrely, NEVER has any chance of getting enough votes.  Yes, I know, spending bills are SUPPOSED to have a majority in favor, but they have twisted the entire process.  They are corrupt, they are in power and they will stay in power until someone finally says enough is enough and rebels – and I see no way that a rebellion can be successful without violence.

Mama’s Note: As long as most people believe that the government… ANY non- voluntary government, has legitimate authority to do these things, nothing will change. They will whine, cry, rebel in small things occasionally, but in the end they will accept whatever “compromise” is offered – simply because they don’t recognize that they own themselves and have the only rational, legitimate authority that exists.

No violent revolution would be in the least necessary if all the people simply took back their natural and rightful authority over themselves… completely. Unfortunately, far too many people have no idea how to control their own lives and property. It’s been done “for” them so long they actually believe that is the way it must be. So, any actual rebellion will likely result in the formation of yet another non-voluntary government, with a new set of criminals in power. That’s exactly what happened after the “American Revolution.”

The Abominable Act – Congress in action
Coburn: Not a ‘Smart Strategy’ to Shut Down Gov’t for Obamacare
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: Coburn is being “reasonable” of course, as well as fearful. He knows that the GOP does not have the guts to stand up to the attacks and screams of the dependent people of the nation AND the government unions AND the NeoCons who will respond negatively to any attempt to do without the FedGove even for a few hours.  People who want liberty, who fight for freedom, are NOT “reasonable” and often not rational:  it is just the way we are.  Being reasonable results, sooner or later, in slavery.

Mama’s Note: Well, that would depend on your definition of “reasonable” and “rational.” By their definition, no. “Reasonable” to them means thinking as they do and agreeing to whatever schemes they want to enact. I don’t think any of them have ever had any contact with “rational,” so that’s completely out of the picture. I think we need a “sarcasm” smiley.

Islamic wars: Arab street uprising – World war?
Russia, Iran Warn of ‘Devastating’ Consequences if the West Attacks Syria
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: Admittedly, warnings from both Tehran and Moscow are to be taken with a grain of salt, but there IS a good chance that they are right.  A lot of things could go wrong, not the least of which is that the Assad regime could fall, and yet another Salafi regime take control of a large population and region.  Paradoxically, these warnings are likely to make both DC and London (and even Paris)more eager to take down Assad and punish him for his evil.

Stupid government tricks – Crash of 2009
Welfare Pays More than Minimum Wage in Most States
(Fox News/Cato Institute) Welfare pays more than a minimum-wage job in 35 states, creating little incentive for Americans to take entry-level work and likely increasing their long-term dependency on government help…

Nathan: it is an old, old story, and works a lot better than “let them eat cake.”  It seems to be working again: the 51% that depend on the government are willing to keep those in power who provide an adequate amount of bread and circuses.

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American Cities: Cesspools of Evil

Posted on 2013-08-27 by TPOL Nathan

These three stories passed across my desktop and point clearly to the hideous nature of cities, especially in America.  Liberty does not thrive in cities: indeed, it may not be possible for liberty to survive in the long term in urban areas, even of relatively small size.

Home Front – Stupid government
Washington State: Second Teen Arrested in Killing of WW2 Vet
(NBC News) A second teenager was arrested Monday in the beating death of an 88-year-old World War II veteran in Spokane, Wash., where the chief of police said the community must take action to keep more kids out of trouble. … “Race was not a factor. Additionally, there was no gang activity that was associated with his incident,” [Spokane Police Chief Straub] added, apparently responding to some commentators who had seized on the fact the teens were black and the victim was white. “These are two young men who just spun out of control.”  Belton was found wedged between the two front seats. His family said doctors told them he was battered so badly he would have sustained brain damage and had lost too much blood to survive.  “Our information is that the individual fought back and that may have made this a worse situation,” Straub said when asked about the viciousness of the beating. …  Three other juveniles who had helped Adams-Kinard elude capture were also arrested and charged with felonies.  Both Glenn and Adams-Kinard had previous arrests, including assault convictions.

Nathan: There is so much wrong with this.  First, no race factor?  An 88-year-old Anglo man is assaulted by two black teens and there is no race factor?  Spokane is supposedly 87-92% (depending on source of data) white: Anglo.  Only 3% are black, yet it appears that blacks commit far more crimes than any other race.  Supposedly there are no “gangs” involved, yet the two perps were aided by at least three other juveniles?  Is five people NOT a gang?  And seemingly a racially-based gang?  When it is budget time, Straub says most crime in Spokane, especially assaults and robbery, are gang-related, with more than 1,000 known gang members (out of about 200,000 people) , but now he claims otherwise. (Spokane, by the way, is one of the 3 most dangerous cities of the top 100 in the nation.)   Of course, he also says that the problem is that the “children” are not being “kept out of trouble.”  It ain’t their fault, mister, it is OUR fault.  And also, that this vet was “hard-wired to resist” and therefore is responsible for his own beating death because he RESISTED!  So much wrong, not just with THIS event and tragedy, but with the City of Spokane and virtually every major urban area in America.

Mama’s Note: You can be very sure that if the old man had been armed, and had been successful in defending himself, Straub and all the other parasites would have zero doubt  that it was racially based and that these poor, misunderstood “children” were the only victims.

Home front: urban killings – Stupid cops and media
Maryland: 15-Year-Old Dead, 6 Shot After Dice Game Goes Bad
(CBS Local) The violence that has triggered across West Baltimore has residents sick to their stomachs. They’re begging the criminals to put the guns down.  Shootings in Baltimore have seen a frightening increase into the double digits. The extra police on the streets—not enough to bring comfort to those in the middle of a war zone.

“Everybody just needs to get together. Police, everybody,” a woman said.

Mama’s Note: Such idiots. Begging the “criminals to put the guns down.” Sure thing… And go ahead and “get together” with them, woman. I’m sure that will work out well. Don’t even think about defending yourself, of course.

Nathan: So typically liberal: the idea that people can just set aside their own self-interests for the “good of society” and everything will be hunky-dory.  When you strip people of their liberty, responsibility, and accountability, you get the urban cesspools of 21st Century America, like Spokane and Baltimore (although Baltimore’s history as a cesspool date back more than 150 years).  Getting together?  How about parents and children?  Start there – forget about cops and politicians and community groups (including gangs):  just families are the essential first step.  by the way, this appears (although the news does not touch on this) to again be black-on-black violence: West Baltimore seems to be about 99% black, and except for a few cops, everyone in the news story is black.  Meanwhile, as the story tells us, the city of Baltimore is basically an occupied city:  its garrison may be keeping a lid on things (being sarcastic): its murder rate is only SIX times the national average.

Home front: self defense
Michigan: Pawn shop owner shoots at two armed robbers; no one injured in incident
(MLive.com) GENESEE TOWNSHIP, MI — A pawnshop owner shot at two would-be armed robbers on Monday morning, according to police. Police were called to Dave’s Pawnshop on Saginaw Street near Rex Avenue for an attempted armed robbery. The owner said two armed men came into his business and he shot at them. The two suspects were not hit, police said. Police were searching the area for the men, and at last check the pair had not yet been arrested.

Mama’s Note: Glad everyone is ok… but this shop owner might consider a little range time and training. As always, I would like to know where the bullets went… they hit something. And that is never trivial.

Nathan:  No, it is not, and I know that concern has caused me not to shoot more than once.  Hmmm.  Do they really know that the thugs were not hit?  Or is this typical movie-type “reality” in which bullet wounds always squirt blood all over, knock the person down, and that the hit person stays down? As I recall, Genesee Township is a suburb of Detroit (or was, at least), so the broad daylight armed robbery is pretty typical.  Detroit, like Baltimore and Spokane, is a cesspool – indeed, Detroit is in the bottom 1% (Spokane is in the top 3% and Baltimore in the top 4%): Detroit has the highest violent crime rates of any large city in the US.  At least this store owner recognizes the dangers he faces.

Cities are where the worst of humanity gravitates:  not just “official” criminals but the political and other criminals who prey on their fellow humans:  the wardheelers and bullyboy cops and all the rest of the scum of humanity.  That is one reason that civilization is so overrated.  Yes, once in a while something good comes out of cities but that is more IN SPITE OF their nature, rather than because of it.  And the development of technology, especially in the last quarter-century, means cities have less and less excuse for existence.

Mama’s Note: I don’t know if cities or close quarters are incompatible with liberty or not. There don’t seem to have been any serious conflicts at the space station, for instance. Heinlein, in “The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress” seemed to lay out a viable free society in such cramped conditions. I suspect that space travel will present humans with a great many challenges, and not all will involve speeding through a vacuum in a fragile tube or landing on hostile planets.

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Libertarian Commentary on the News, #13-32E: Stupid government and more government-ruined schools

Posted on 2013-08-26 by TPOL Nathan

Stupid government – Environism
CDC: Environmental Justice Is ‘Access to Healthy Homes, Healthy Food, Transportation’
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: Hmm.  First, get rid of the cities, then.  And get rid of government.  Not what the CDC means, of course: they want this to get MORE government, and force MORE people into the megapoli.

Government-ruined, theft-funded schools
Average Public School Teacher Paid More in School Year Than Median Household Earned in Full Year
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: ONLY the median?  That is hardly worshipping the molders of our children’s minds in an appropriate way, is it?  We can hardly do enough for them, can we?  After all, they have in many ways replaced the clergy as the source of all wisdom and knowledge.  Surely they should be part of the upper 10%?  That way, the children have something, excuse me, someONE, to look up to.

Government-ruined, theft-funded schools – The “messiah”
Obama’s College Affordability Plan? Base Financial Aid on Government Formula
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: Yes!  More power, more dependence, more gratitude.  Forget bread and circuses, let us go all out for institutional perversions and a full 18+ years of indoctrination and mindwashing.

Home front: Border Jumpers
Napolitano: DHS Has ‘Deferred’ Deportation of 430,000 Illegals; Approved 98.3% of Applications Reviewed
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: Then why even bother to “reform” immigation: why not just declare the borders are officially totally open and go from there?

Theft by government
U.S. Taxpayers Still Down $19.1B From Obama’s General Motors Bailout
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: Perhaps, but supporters of the “messiah” and his ilk in Congress are up at least $19.1 billion: sounds like a winning deal to me – for them, that is.  And it is not like if the FedGov hadn’t spent the money on GM, that they wouldn’t have spent it on something else equally as stupid.  Look, we shouldn’t get upset at what the thief spends the money he steals from us on; but on him stealing it in the first place.

Islamic wars: Arab street revolt
Christians, Other Egyptians Protest Perceived Pro-Muslim-Brotherhood Bias of White House, Media, CAIR
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: Who cares about the christians or other Egyptians that don’t have secret information and influence?  Egyptian christians are SO 7th Century, anyway.  People were hoping, a few years ago, that the Occupy Wall Street movement would be an Arab Spring for the United States; what hated minorities (other than “wealthy people”) would the Occupiers have gone after, the way the Muslims of Egypt are going after followers of Christ Jesus (or who at least claim to be following Him).  Indians (AmerInd)?  Nah, too few, no significant impact on modern society.  Southern “Rednecks?”  Possibly.  Westerners?  A definite possibility:  we have all that oil and minerals and gas and open spaces.

Theft by government
Rep. Van Hollen Announces IRS Suit – Says Tax Collection Agency Is Notorious for ‘Wrong Reasons’
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: There are RIGHT reasons to be notorious?

The “messiah”
President ‘Disingenuous’ When He Says GOP Has No Alternative to Obamacare
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: “Disingenuous” means lying.  Now, given their lack of a moral compass, the GOP probably DOES NOT have a real alternative, because all they would do is make ObummerCare Lite:  a little less government interference here, a little less government money there.  The only REAL alternative to the socialized medicine that the “messiah” and the rest of the Tranzis want (and which exists in most of the world) is a free market: a MEDICAL free market.  Including a free market for health insurance, for institutions, for providers, for drugs and equipment, and for patients and families.  What would that be like?  It would be based on a fundamental moral principle:  NO ONE can be forced to buy or sell ANY GOOD OR SERVICE: all transactions must be voluntary.  And two more basic principles:  The value for something is set by the price a voluntary buyer is willing to pay, and fraud must be paid for.   Of course, it is not just those who have “private” insurance now that need a free market:  those who now depend on government programs, whether it is Medicare, Medicaid, the Veterans Affairs, Public Health Service(Indian  Health Service) or Military  medicine must all be able to enter the free market.

And we know with the GOP and the Dems in control, this ain’t gonna happen.

Mama’s Note: A free market in medicine can’t happen in a vacuum, of course. There will have to be a completely free market for everything else as well. Only in a free market can people effectively use their talents, property and time to create the wealth needed to live and trade. Human beings have come pretty close a few time, in limited locations, and it is just so hard to understand why more people can’t see the incredible, actually almost unlimited potential for peace, joy, prosperity and comfort for every human being alive… if they’d only live free and leave everyone else alone to do the same. And, what’s maybe even more important, stop believing that anyone on earth has ANY authority to prevent it.

Abominable Act
Dem Cites ‘Donut Burger’ as Reason Kentuckians Need Obamacare
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: Sounds to me like it is the stress from ObummerCare and other government spending (and the related theft of money from taxpayers and the future) that causes people to try to eat themselves to death.

Mama’s Note: I heard about this “donutburger” thing a while back. Can’t recall reading about very many food combinations that sounded more disgusting. But, what the heck? If someone wants to eat such garbage, it’s none of my business.

The “messiah” – African collapse
White House, State Dept. Temper Obama’s Praise of Mali Election After Coup Leader’s Promotion
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: Amazing, a dictator (elected or not) that they DON’T like?  Guy sounds as corrupt as DC’s leadership is – wonder where he learned it from?

The “messiah” – Culture wars: mainstreaming perversion
White House to hold closed-door session on bisexual issues next month
(Washington Post) The White House will hold a closed-door roundtable discussion on issues facing bisexuals Sept. 23. The event, described in an invitation by White House LGBT liaison Gautam Raghavan as a session focused on “issues of importance to the bisexual community,” was first reported Thursday by the Washington Blade.

Nathan: Figures.  Wonder who will smuggle the video recordings out:  expect that a lot of XXX web sites would pay a fortune for those, no?  Apparently, bisexuals are increasingly discriminated against (and even attacked physically) by homosexuals; so much for “tolerance.”  The homosexuals claim that the bisexuals are just refusing to admit that they are really homosexual (and give up their evil heterosexual activities).

Decades ago, Joe Haldeman wrote “The Forever War” which was supposed to be a counter to Robert Heinlein’s “fascist, glorifying-war” novel “Starship Troopers.” With no FTL drive, time dilation was a severe problem, and Joe postulated a period in which not only was the vast majority of humanity “homosexual”, but heterosexuals (the lead character was called “the Old Queer” by his troops) were actually persecuted and sometimes prosecuted.  For one thing, they could have “unlicensed” babies.  In “The Forever War” that period was twenty centuries from now:  guess society is “progressing” more quickly than even Joe (an incredible antiwar liberal) could hope.

Mama’s Note: Well, no… after that much time there would be no humans left at all under such circumstances. Given the really small numbers of sex deviants of all kinds today (however much they hog the “news” spotlight), I don’t look for this to ever be a real problem. Homosexuals self select for the Darwin award.

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Fear the worst: evil state government in New Mexico

Posted on 2013-08-24 by TPOL Nathan

The following news item somehow didn’t appear in the mainstream media that I can find:  the HuffPo and some homosexual lobbying type publications seem to be about it.  And no wonder, considering what the Supreme Court of New Mexico has done to the liberties of New Mexicans.

New Mexico Supreme Court Rules Couple’s Photo Business Must Serve Homosexuals

(Fox News) The New Mexico Supreme Court ruled in a unanimous decision Thursday that a wedding photographer who refused to provide services to a same-sex couple violated the state’s Human Rights Act. “[W]e conclude that a commercial photography business that offers its services to the public, thereby increasing its visibility to potential clients, is subject to the antidiscrimination provisions of the [New Mexico Human Rights Act] and must serve same-sex couples on the same basis that it serves opposite-sex couples,” the state’s highest court ruled. “Therefore, when Elane Photography refused to photograph a same-sex commitment ceremony, it violated the NMHRA in the same way as if it had refused to photograph a wedding between people of different races.”

Nathan: This is disgusting. This ruling is a sick joke and the five Nazgul who did this deserve to be stripped of everything.  They are traitors to their own constitution and that of the united States. And they recognize that, which shows them to be gutless worms:  the justice wrote the opinion stating the Christian photographers are now “compelled by law to compromise the very religious beliefs that inspire their lives.”  What evil to reject their own Bill of Rights, where section 17 reads: “ Every person may freely speak, write and publish his sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that right; and no law shall be passed to restrain or abridge the liberty of speech or of the press. In all criminal prosecutions for libels, the truth may be given in evidence to the jury; and if it shall appear to the jury that the matter charged as libelous is true and was published with good motives and for justifiable ends, the party shall be acquitted.”

I have, I am embarrassed to admit, roots in New Mexico. Some not too distant relatives (grandparents and a parent) were born and partially raised in New Mexico.  I am the first to admit that New Mexico’s state government is a joke studying to be a farce, whether it be a Democratic or Republican government.  It smells too much like a typical Hispanic government in so many ways (remember, it was a Spanish colony for almost two and a half centuries before it became a “self-governing” territory” of the US for almost sixty years, and now a “free, sovereign, and independent state” for just over a century.  Its culture, its traditions, its society have many good features and its land and people are beautiful.  But it is a vindictive, arbitrary, illogical, and capricious state government, and the local versions are even worse.  This is typical:  they think that “democracy” outweighs moral law and liberty must take a back seat to “toleration” as defined by those who are the most intolerant of people, as witness the women who started this court case seven years ago.

A “conservative” radio talker (really a small-mouthed minarchist “libertarian” correctly points out that these gonadless wonders have made it clear:  the state does not intend to allow New Mexicans (or those doing business in the state) to worship God and speak freely, if doing so is in conflict with the State’s priority:  the STATE is GOD. He also correctly points out that any who call themselves “libertarian” and do not oppose this immoral act by the five Nazgul are NOT libertarian, just statists who like to dress up in the skins of their prey.

Even Colorado is more free now than New Mexico.  I don’t know where refugees from New Mexico can go – I actually do NOT want them to come to South Dakota or Wyoming, for fear that the liberal intolerance and hatred of liberty is contagious and they will bring more of it to the more-free lands of the Northern Plains and Rockies.  But I fear, too, that if New Mexicans (like Kurt McDonigal in Clovis) do not stay in their homes and fight, that ultimately, it will be us, our children and our children’s children fighting invading armies of New Mexicans seeking to bring the blessings of “liberal democracy” to us poor benighted denizens of the Heartland, whether we want it or not.

Mama’s Note: The question isn’t really a matter of belief in God, or who/what one worships as such. The question is the right of self ownership, free association, as well as the freedom to use one’s own property as one sees fit. Those are the rights being violated. The photographer, as well as any other person, has the right to trade with, associate with, and live with anyone or anything they want – for any reason or NO reason. To impose anything else is simply aggression, tyranny.

It’s exactly the same when some people advocate the use of government to force businesses to allow employees and customers to carry guns if they want. There is simply no difference between this use of force, and the idiotic story above. Self ownership, private property, free association, and the right to refuse to associate or trade with anyone, especially on your own property.

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Libertarian Commentary on the News, #13-32D: Government-ruined schools and other stupid tricks

Posted on 2013-08-24 by TPOL Nathan

Government-run, Tax-funded schools (3 stories)
Education Dep’t. Expanding Mental Health Services to Boost Children’s ‘Social Skills’
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: It’s right there in the First Amendment:  Children have the right to have government give them mental health services so that they will grow up with better social skills.  Right beside the part about free phone service and free internet service.  Which is right beside the bit that says that postal service is a government monopoly but is NOT to be provided free.

WH: Obama Looking ‘to Fundamentally Rethink and Reshape’ Higher Education
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: As with the first, so the second:  since when does the FedGov have ANY role in higher education?  Any LEGAL, CONSTITUTIONAL ROLE?  Secondly, why would we WANT the FedGov to have any role?  (I know the answer to that: so we can steal money from our fellow citizens/taxpayers/future taxpayers to pay for our own college education.)  The truth is, now that the PS-12 education system in this nation has been DESTROYED by the FedGov (except for the parts that it uses to gain more and more control over those it “serves,”), they are looking for new fields in which to expand from the current “measly” role to one with vastly more power: hence more and more control over pre-pre-school child education and care (right down to cradle roll) and more and more control over post-secondary education.

WH: Obama’s College-Funding Proposals ‘Not Going to Be Popular With Everybody’
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: I certainly would not expect them to be:  imagine an ObummerEd program and legislation to go along with ObummerCare.  What would such a plan have in it? Not the first go-around, but what will ultimately be in place? (Of course, like the Abominable Act, we should not get to see what is in it until it is passed, to make the world safe for totalitarians and Tranzis.)  How about “single-payer education” in which all colleges and universities (and don’t forget technical schools and adult vocational education) are under direct and detailed government control (although of course, in the usual corporatist/fascist manner, they would appear to still be owned by the various states or the private foundations).  How about one-size-fits-all education, with various bureaucratically manned boards deciding who can’t have more education, in order to control costs.  How about other boards that review to see if there are already too many colleges in an area, or if the tuition paid (and of course, therefore the instructor and staff salaries) is too high or too low?  All the average citizen would have to do is obey. In the modern world, no need for saluting or uniforms or anything like that.   Come to think of it, Germany and Italy already did something like that.  Just like Nixon and gun control, all the “messiah” needs to do is find someone to do a bit of research and translation!

Stupid conservatives
Conservatives Split Over Continuing U.S. Military Aid to Egypt
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: No, libertarians are NOT conservatives: libertarians know exactly WHAT to do about US military aid to Egypt.  End it, all, right now.  Let them buy superior US equipment and weapons in the open market: let US companies dicker with them and win their sales the good old fashioned way: both to the Egyptian Army and to the Muslim Brotherhood and to the Arab Street “protesters” and even to the Copic christians there in Egypt, to defend themselves, their homes, and their meetings.  Conservatives have this very confusing world view that says government is wrong, but only most of the time.  They believe that government is incapable of doing most things right, but incapable of doing things related to military matters wrong.

Stupid people
Pilot Group Expresses Concern Over Sharing the Sky With Drones
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: Got news for them: they are already doing that.  And have been for years.  the civilian market drones are getting bigger and better, and the CIA and other government agencies (probably including the military) have been ignoring prohibitions.  I suspect that there are many companies also. And that doesn’t count things like rockets and balloons and such like. But I don’t have any sympathy for pilots:  this is akin to people complaining that them there new-fangled automobiles scare horses what have to share the road with them.  And that the horseriders and wagon drovers don’t want the noisy, smelly, silly things on the road.

Theft by government – New religions
$5.7M NSF Grant For Card Games, Videos To Teach Public About Global Warming
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: Maybe I should put this in the education section today, but this isn’t education, this is propaganda.  I think the local Salvation Army and Hare Krisna and Scientology groups ought to apply for grants like this, too.  Along with the national Atheists-R-Us and Evolutionist groups.  Yes, this is a waste of money, but more to the point, it is government doing things that we tried to force governments to stop doing more than 200 years ago.

Stupid government
Government Gives $179,784 to Study What Motivates Workers: Love or Money?(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: Count on government to try and solve this as a black or white question.  I know the answer already: it varies from person to person: for some of us, love of God, love of family, love of country, love of truth, and love of liberty trump mere money almost completely. Otherwise I’d be living back in DC inside the Beltway wearing a $1600 suit and selling out all of the above.  For others?  I know people who would sell their mother or their kids for a sawbuck.  And whore their wife out for a C-note.  Come to think of it, a lot of those folks ARE living inside the Beltway and wearing the big suits and drawing the big bucks from all sides.

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Libertarian Commentary on the News, #13-32C: Liberty and what? Stupid government

Posted on 2013-08-24 by TPOL Nathan

Liberty, sadly, is too often mistaken for something else:  listening to a different talk show a couple of days ago, the guy (who sounded pretty libertarian for a minarchist) attacked Rand Paul (or maybe, upheld him) as NOT being a libertarian.  (Well, he isn’t: except maybe in the 80-80 Advocates for Self-Government way, certainly not even a radical minarchist.)  Why?  Because he (1) believed in God, (2) believed in life before birth, and (3) didn’t go out and drink and drug all the time.  This radio guy really does believe that libertarian = libertine = liberal, which is contrary to any logic.

But this is common today: words are taken and twisted to say whatever the speaker or writer wants to use them for: libertarians (minarchists AND anarchists both) are made out to be right-wing monsters, we are sending troops to 100+ nations to “defend American freedoms” while an occupation army of cops, fire”fighters,” inspectors, and the like steal our liberties at home.  It is time, past time, to end this farce.

Islamic wars: Arab Street revolt
63 Egyptian Christian Churches Looted, Torched or Attacked
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: Apparently one congregation missed having Sunday services for the first time in 1600 years… because they had no place to meet since their building had been destroyed by the protesters.

Politics 2013 – Congress in action
Gov. Scott Walker: No Government Shutdown Over Obamacare
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: This is supposedly news, but it has been obvious that the GOP was NOT going to do anything “drastic” to oppose this piece of garbage.

Islamic wars: Arab Street revolt (2 stories)
Kerry Admits: ‘Many Al Qaeda Leaders Now Operating in Syria’
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: The blindingly obvious, of course:  also known as having to admit to facing facts (even if they don’t really face them and do anything which is right).

Kerry on Al Qaeda in Iraq: Recruiting Young Men to Join ‘Twisted Version of Jihad’
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: Twisted?  Seems to me like Al Qaeda is the only worldwide organization that is properly carrying out jihad as defined by Mohammed (peanut butter und honig) and the others who tried to conquer the world for Allah.

Stupid Tranzi ideas
Harvard Study: Military Should Embrace Openly Transgendered Troops
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: This is obviously for definitions of “military” other than: a combat force armed, equipped, trained, and organized to conduct defense against attack upon a nation.”  There have ALWAYS been people that had genetic defects, and “transgendered” persons are either that OR mentally unstable and in need of help.  In either case, they belong in a TRUE military service as much as a quadriplegic or a Thalimide baby does.  The military is NOT a welfare or reeducation or social engineering program.

Stupid people – Politics 2013
New York: Hundreds Selling President Obama Tickets on Craigslist
(WKBW) – Craigslist is flooded with people selling their tickets to see President Obama Thursday [in Buffalo, NY]. Almost immediately after the free tickets were given out and the UB lottery winners were chosen, ads began popping up online. On Craigslist, one person offered to sell their ticket Tuesday for $250 dollars, but then on Wednesday, the price jumped to $350.

Mama’s Note: How stupid. First, it’s hard to believe anyone would actually pay to be in the same town with him. You couldn’t pay me enough to be there. But, second, this sort of thing is almost inevitable. Why issue actual “tickets” in the first place? The electronic kind, where people simply ID themselves at the door, would make a lot more sense if you wanted to limit the attendance to those “approved.”

Nathan: Oh, I can imagine how a lot of people would want to see their “messiah” – according to far too many people, he is at least a demigod, gross as that is.  And the tickets and trading are a slimy, sly sort of political patronage: the messiah-worshippers with influence can get extra tickets and rake in a little cash by flogging the extras, and STILL get to go to the worship service/rally.  That and bogus claims of security are the reason for the paper tickets.

Stupid people tricks – Results of government attention
Bradley Manning wants to live as a woman
(CNN) — Bradley Manning wants to be a woman. The U.S. Army soldier sentenced this week to 35 years in prison for leaking 750,000 pages of classified documents to the anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks said Thursday in a statement read on NBC’s “Today” show that will seek hormone therapy and live as a female named Chelsea.

Mama’s Note: Pretty sad, actually… but I wonder who he thinks is going to pay for this sex change stuff? Bet you anything the GLB ect. crowd won’t be flooding him with money to pay for it.

Nathan: Heard that on the news a couple hours ago – very sad.  Despite what he did (which needed to be done) he is a very troubled young man, and being confined for three years as he was did not help.  I suspect he was in essence warped and twisted even more than he had been, and this is one way he is trying to escape.

Either that, or this is a disinformation campaign seeking to further discredit him in preparation for the appeals process.  Makes you sick.

Government-ruined, tax-funded schools
71.4% of Full-Time College Students Get Federal Aid, Averaging $10,500 a School Year
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: A story earlier this week talked about how college costs have been climbing like an out of control missile because of a lack of competition.  And while that is certainly a big part, THIS is the other reason (and maybe the major one):  government has DESTROYED the free market and the idea of supply and demand has been derailed because, in effect, demand is almost unlimited because the PRICE doesn’t matter: government will pay for it.  This is 25% more than my total annual college bill was: tuition, fees, books, room & board.

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Three-hundredth Post: The “messiah” strikes again and again

Posted on 2013-08-24 by TPOL Nathan

Home front – The “messiah”: Obama wants police to search smartphones
(News story (from NPR) via Godfather Politics)… Obama wanting to give police throughout the country the right to search someone’s smartphone without having a warrant.  … guest commentator on the subject, John Miller, former assistant Director of Public Affairs for the FBI, share his views on the subject.  He said that what the FBI does is seize the smartphone and hold it until they obtain a warrant allowing them to search through the phone.  He then explained that what Obama wants is to allow a police officer who believes he/she has probable cause to not only seize the person’s smartphone, but have the legal right to search through it on the spot without having to first obtain a warrant.

David: What was interesting is that neither Miller nor anyone else even brought up the Fourth Amendment which states: “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.” I believe that giving the police the right to seize and search someone’s smartphone is a direct violation of the Fourth Amendment.  As much as I’ve supported law enforcement over the years, I also know that there are some police officers that are less than honorable and probable cause to them could mean almost anything.  Probable cause can also be at the discretion of a judge if the matter goes to trial.

Nathan: Unlike David, I’ve NO reason (and haven’t for many years) to support law enforcement in MOST of their activities.  Yes, I will support peace officers, and like Paul, I will use them as necessary to defend myself and others, but that is NOT what passes for “community policing” these days.  The fact that the “messiah” wants to “grant” police these powers just proves things are getting worse.  You would think, given his claimed racial orientation, that the LAST thing he would do is want to give cops more power over people because the minorities always seem to get the worst of it. But no, not here and now!

He actually seems to be using this as a way of buying the cops’ support: he is going to bill himself as the “law and order” king – oops, chief executive, sooner or later.  His “stand” against medical marijuana is another example.  Public employee unions, including the police unions, are a more and more critical part of the Democratic base and fund source.  And trashing the Constitution seems to be a surefire way to get support from the Tranzis which inhabit these unions and similar organizations, and way too many law enforcement agencies.

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Libertarian Commentary on the News, #13-32B: Stupidity and economics

Posted on 2013-08-21 by TPOL Nathan

Stupid feral govmint tricks
Federal Remapping of Sandy-Damaged Areas May Curb Coastal Development
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: Oh, yes, of COURSE it will: just like it keeps people from building in floodplains. Insurance companies should do this – not government.  This, like so much else, should be a free-market solution, and COULD be if not for government bailouts and programs.

Stupid feral govmint tricks
State Dept. Panel Advises Gay Foreigners in Civil Unions to Get Married
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: More hypocrisy:  They won’t accept polyamorists, especially not those Muslims with four wives (much less those Amazons with four hubbies), but they want this?  Seriously, the US government is dictating (directly AND indirectly) to other nations what is “acceptable” – even if it is immoral.

Mama’s Note: Dictating anything is the problem, whether anyone considers it moral or not.

Theft by government – Congress in action
Congresswoman: High Corporate Tax Rate in Current Law ‘Just a Suggestion’
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: All the laws are “just suggestions” to Congress and the Administration; it is only peons that they force the laws on.  Theft?  Not THEIR problem, except when the level of theft is too low to sustain their every whim.  Amazing that corporations can survive with this sort of thing.

Stupid Tranzis
African Anglican Bishop Plans to Seek Legal Counsel After Dismissal by Dartmouth
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: Of course he can’t work at Dartmouth: by definition he is bigoted and homophobic and hate filled.  So much so that his skin color can be ignored by the Tranzis that run places like Dartmouth.  What an evil place.  And so little competition for Dartmouth and its kind.

The “messiah” – ObummerCare (Abominable Act)
Obamacare Website Misleads on Abortion-Inducing-Drug Mandate
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: And this is new and different HOW?  The lies about the Abominable Act started before it was even written, much less “passed” so that we could know what it said.  In a free-market health system (which we haven’t had for 3/4 of a century), this would not be so dangerous to gullible people as it is in our condition.

Stupid Tranzis – Hoplophobes and hoploclasts
Seattle Mayor Invites Businesses to Post ‘Gun-Free Zone’ Signs in Their Stores
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: Gee, think of all the signs that we can give away from JPFO and Simon says and all the other pro-self-defense organizations!  He isn’t stupid, he knows how well this will go over.  I assume he is a silent partner of most of the fences in town.  Seriously, let them: it will tell people who own and carry guns to defend themselves and those around them to take their business elsewhere.

Stupid Tranzis – New religions: global warming
Dem to GOP: Climate Change Threatening America’s Coastline ‘From Sea to Shining Sea’
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: Oh, boy, I can’t wait to see what the new coastline of the Great Salt Lake (or do we revert to the old name of Lake Bonneville?) will be like.  Really, though, we’ve got more panic over imaginary things than we do over things we can control.  When is enough enough?

Stupid Tranzis – Old religions (state type)
Church of England Won’t Condemn Fracking
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: Incredible.  First they won’t condemn homosexuality, and now they won’t condemn fracking.  What is religion coming to?  Of course, the CoE is a product of anything BUT a free market in religion – which benefits as much or more than a free market in goods and services.

Stupid Tranzis
MSNBC’s Jimmy Williams on Obama Rodeo Clown: ‘Modern Day Lynching’(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: Insanity in the media, as usual.  Wonder if this entire hurricane in a teacup would have made news if it were a totally private venue instead of a “State Fair.”

Home front – Nazgul
NYC Police Commissioner: Our Stop-and-Frisk Law Saved 7,363 Minority Lives
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: An insane and outrageous claim.  Is the Commish sipping the same Kool-Aid as Jimmy Williams?  Of course, now Detroit is trying it, even though a judge with some sanity and ethics found NYC’s program illegal.

Mama’s Note: These folks fall all over themselves denying that just having a self defense tool “might” save lives, but it’s the same argument. We don’t know the numbers, even close, but the facts we do know certainly don’t demonstrate that unwarranted, random searches and detention is either wise or beneficial to anyone.

Islamic wars: Persian front – Stupid US tricks
Iranians, Invoking CIA’s 1953 Iran Coup, Say U.S. Still Interfering in Egypt
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: Yes, of course, and what else is new?  We can go back to FDR, to Wilson, and find that the US has been doing this for a LONG time.  In some places (like Iran) they never stopped.

Economics
Troubled Teens Are More Likely to Be Successful Entrepreneurs
(Wall Street Journal) Self-employed workers with incorporated businesses were almost three times more likely to engage in illicit and risky activities as youth than were salaried workers…

Nathan: This does not mean they are criminals, but just troubled and on the edge.  History shows this is the case in more than just business, but this reminds me very much of the old Horatio Alger stories: troubled youth indeed in most of the stories.  Adversity, even if self-inflicted, is the mother of invention and achievement:  one problem I think we have today is that the vast bulk of people live lives (especially as children) that are placid and without any real challenge, especially given the condition of schools and sports.  Scouting, for a while, provided some of that, but today, it is sanitized and dumbed down as much as school and sports.  And these are “fake” – our lives and health and future generations do not depend on whether or not we get an Eagle, or even whether or not we get a diploma: government is “there” to care for us.

Mama’s Note: Few children are raised with serious responsibility (meaningful work), or are required to live with the consequences of their decisions and choices, good and bad. That has to start early to develop a self governing character. For most children, of all ages, the “safety nets” are what they rely on, and scream they are victims when those fail.

Economics – GRTF schools
College Costs Too Much Because There’s No Competition
(Washington Examiner) The nation’s six regional higher education accreditation agencies have restricted entry to the market, limiting the supply of degree granters and thus forcing tuition costs higher…

Nathan: This is especially the case when the public schools, supported in very large part with money stolen from the taxpayers, is used to compete with every other sort of school.  Economic law applies as much to education (including higher education) as it does to selling beans or cars or land or your services.  This is no different than NYC taxi cab medallions or licenses for barbers and engineers.  Government prevents the competition from being free and open, and we all pay one way or another.

Economics – Theft by government
Economist Says Real U.S. Debt $70 Trillion
(Fox News) University of California, San Diego, economics professor James Hamilton says the U.S. debt is $70 trillion — not $16.9 trillion, as reported by the federal government…

Nathan: Or even the 17 trillion now being reported.  The key, of course, is all the unfunded obligations: retirement, Medicare, Medicaid, all the new Abominable Act costs, and everything else.  But that is all pie in the sky: all the current crop of scumbags in DC figure that they’ll be dead by the time these things come due: and remember, they have a hard time looking past the next election!  The amazing thing about the American economy for the past century is that it has even survived and prospered to some degree, given the humongous weight of government and debt it has had to support.

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Libertarian Commentary on the News, #13-32A: Commenting on Commentaries

Posted on 2013-08-21 by TPOL Nathan

Home front – Self defense
California: Deputies: Riverview man shot dead while beating girlfriend
(TBO.com) Rock, who was armed with a .45 caliber handgun, went outside to investigate and found a Daniel S. Robertson beating his girlfriend, Cristy Vasilakos, 40, with a metal object, deputies said. Rock yelled at Robertson to stop, but when Robertson turned and began attacking Rock, she fired the gun at least once, deputies said. Deputies later arrived to discover Robertson dead in the parking lot.

Mama’s Note: Good GIRL!! And an extremely clear case of self defense, I’d think. Can’t imagine any DA thinking about charges. Crazy.

Nathan: Too bad they had to clean up the body; a lesson learned by others who have gotten away with this kind of behavior too much.

History – Home Front
No Justice, no Peace: The Other Reparations Movement
By Thomas DiLorenzo (Lewrockwell.com) Jack Kershaw of Memphis, Tennessee, wants to file a class-action lawsuit against the US government for reparations. Not on behalf of the descendants of slaves but on behalf of Southerners of all races whose ancestors were the victims of the US government’s rampage of pillaging, plundering, burning, and raping of Southern civilians during the War for Southern Independence.

Nathan: Thanks to Scott for this one, commentary of course.  DiLorenzo as always does an excellent job of skewering our misunderstanding (and misteaching) 0f history.  The real reason to note this is that we are seeing the way in which the Feral Guvmint WILL behave in the near future as the Second War between the States – or a general uprising in support of the 1776 Revolution – breaks out.  All in the name of serving and protecting the people (and our liberties) both liberties and many people will be exterminated.  Which reminds me, have you heard about Medicare Plan E – the next addition, courtesy of the Abominable Act (ObummerCare): E for “elimination” or “eradication” or “easing of the cost burden.”

Home front – Local tyranny
Police State Stage 2
(Godfather Politics) …police across the country are using automated license plate scanners to record the movements of millions of drivers on a daily basis. … scanners are now being affixed to bridges, buildings, traffic signs and telephone poles — in short, anywhere that they can get a clear view of traffic. The information is recorded, then uploaded into police databases, where it is kept for years or sometimes indefinitely. The information can be correlated by computers to effectively track individual cars. This gets around the Supreme Court, which ruled in 2012 that police had to have a warrant to track a car’s GPS.

Nathan: More like stage five or six, frankly.  But Tad DOES make a very valid point: it is not that cops have “always” observed and occasionally recorded license plates and makes/models of cars, it is the automation now that is different: the ability to read, recognize, record, collate, and then generate reports without human involvement, which humans can then use to track down anyone:  your girl friend’s other boy friend, your in-laws, the guy that owes you $1000, the guy that stole your girl friend in high school.  And of course, “to err is human, to really mess up takes a computer.”  If Joe’s car has license XS-3838 and Sam’s plate is XS-3338 and the APB goes out for Joe but with a typo, so that the ten cop cars converge and fill Sam’s car, and Sam, full of bullet holes.  Or if the camera reads XS-3338 as XS3838 because it is muddy and finds it parked in front of Sam’s house so does a SWAT assault on Sam and fills his house, him, and his family with holes.  People, criminals, especially those in blue, are canny and cunning and can do all sorts of nasty things with databases and the computer systems.  But even if they could not, it is just plain WRONG – a police state indeed – to track ANYone without probable cause and a warrant issued by a FAIR and IMPARTIAL judge (or better, jury).  Sure, there are work-arounds: from changing plates to hiding them to hacking – but it is critical that we NOT be forced to do this:  that is fine for the Underground or the Resistance in 1940s Germany or France, but NOT freedom.  Not liberty.  We must end this sort of thing NOW and not later.

Big Nasty Urban Battlefields – Home front
Vigilante Detroit residents attack suspected rapist after police fail to act
(Rawstory.com) Residents in southwest Detroit took matters into their own hands after local police delayed prosecution on a suspected rape in their neighborhood.  According to the Detroit Free Press, a group of residents twice attacked the unidentified 43-year-old man on Aug. 5, believing him to be responsible for raping a 15-year-old girl who has Down’s Syndrome, leaving him with wounds on his legs and head. No arrests have been made in either attack against the alleged rapist.

Mama’s Note: And then…. very interesting.

Nathan: Vigilantes?  Perhaps more self-defense militia, identifying and dealing with a known threat against which no “official” action was taken.  But then, maybe they were acting like cops: abuse and attack with nothing but accusations and “smell” to support them.  WHERE was the local or state government to protect this disadvantaged child?

Islamic wars: Arab street revolt – Saudi tribal thugdom
Saudis Warn the West: We Won’t Forget Your Stance on Egypt
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: If so, exactly what do we have to worry about?  The Saudis might send people to steal control of airliners and attack us?  They might convince stupid people to set off bombs in their shoes or their underwear?  They might cut off oil supplies?  Laissez Faire reports that although the US has only 5% of proven oil reserves, we have 22% of RECOVERABLE oil reserves:  we need the Saudis, the WORLD needs the Saudis less than at any time since the 1960s.  And the Saudis DO need Amis and Brits and Frogs and Fritz to run their oil system:  they treat machinery the same way they treat marksmanship:  “As Allah wills.”

The “messiah” – Abominable Act
Obama: ‘Health Insurance … Is Your Right’
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: The man acts so stupid.  If health insurance is my right, why do I have to pay for it, and why do I have to pay a fine/tax if I do not buy it?  Voting is a right, and I don’t have to pay for it.  Free speech is a right and I don’t have to pay for it (or at least not some kinds).  No, we are seeing the man do his demagogue routine again, trying to rile up the 49% to further enslave the rest of us.

Mama’s Note: You can call voting a “right” just as long as your vote doesn’t impose something or steal from another person. And that can actually only happen within a voluntary association.

The “messiah’s” minions – Abominable Act
HHS Launches Video Contest to Attract Healthy, Young Obamacare Subscribers
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: Cute, no?  Like the ads we see about signing up for food stamps, and the mini-dramas to get the moms to sign up for WIC and TANF?  Government touting its own services because the more “service” that they provide to more people, the more power that they have.

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Libertarian Commentary on the News, #13-31D: World wars: Islam and Tranzis

Posted on 2013-08-18 by TPOL Nathan

Islamic war: South Asian front
Sri Lanka: 12 injured as Buddhist mob attacks mosque
(Times of India) “A Buddhist mob attacked a mosque in Sri Lanka’s capital and at least 12 people were injured, the latest in a series of attacks on the minority Muslim community by members of the Buddhist majority. A mob of Buddhists, who are mainly ethnic Sinhalese in Sri Lanka, threw stones at a three-storey mosque and nearby houses in a central Colombo neighbourhood during evening prayers on Saturday, residents told Reuters. Later, hundreds of Muslim residents took to the streets, some clutching sticks, to prevent any further attacks on their community, witnesses said.” (08/11/13)

Mama’s Note: I really wonder what’s going on here. The “reports” don’t actually tell us much. I studied Buddhism, along with many other religions long ago, and their basic principles simply don’t support attacks on others like this and at least always seemed to be one of the more non-violent religions. Seems their nutty Islamic neighbors may have pushed even them too far.

Nathan: Even some of the most dedicated of pacifists can be driven to the point that they will seek to defend themselves and their families and friends.  But that is rare, and I wonder if the news story is in fact accurate, or if it was nothing but an excuse to justify the mob of Muslims.

Home front
TSA Expands Duties Beyond Airport Security
(New York Times) The squad was not with the Washington police department or Amtrak’s police force, but was one of the Transportation Security Administration’s Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response squads — VIPR teams for short — assigned to perform random security sweeps to prevent terrorist attacks at transportation hubs across the United States. … With little fanfare, the agency best known for airport screenings has vastly expanded its reach to sporting events, music festivals, rodeos, highway weigh stations and train terminals. Not everyone is happy.

Nathan: The NYT and its understatements: cute, huh?  The TSA looks and smells more and more like the Gestapo these days, because “after all, we aren’t the Airport Security Administration.”  No, indeed, and this isn’t our grandfather’s country, either:  Funny how with Germany, Japan, and a number of other countries after our hides – or the USSR and Red China and all their satellites – we didn’t need 100,000 uniformed, jackbooted thugs running around in squads and “cooperating” with local police, but today we do?  And more, “inspecting” (harassing and illegally searching) people AFTER they leave the train or bus or whatever.  Vipers need to become a name as much hated as “Stasi” and “Gestapo” and “Cheka” long before the same levels of fear are associated. (Though that time may be limited, people!)

Home front – Politics 2013 – War on some religions
Catholic Bishop Leaves Democratic Party for GOP; 2012 DNC Was Last Straw
(CNSNews.com)

Nathan: Are there any RC Bishops who are libertarians?  Going from the DNC to the GOP sounds like just jumping from one boiling pot to another one.  But knowing the hierarchy and how the priests are educated and experienced before getting their miter, I suspect that any radicals that might be even minarchists are flushed out, the way Dernyi were found out in Gwynned (the Camber series).  There is no question that the GOP is marginally better in SOME things (at least on the surface, but not much better.

Mama’s Note: In all my years with the church, I only met one priest who truly understood the non-aggression principle and advocated individual liberty and self responsibility. He was a very old man then, who had been born and raised in Austria. He had been outspoken all his life, and was finally sent to our remote desert parish until he could be forced to retire. The bishop was a happy socialist, and that was that.

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