Blogs

New York Times' 1619 Project Has an Anti-Constitutional, Collectivist Political Agenda

Submitted by michael on Tue, 10/22/2019 - 17:35

by Thomas Krannawitter, PhD
 
You know as well as anyone that the idea of equal, natural, individual rights is the foundation of free society. You also know that those who advance efforts to dismiss, denigrate, or discredit the idea of equal, natural, individual rights are no friends to freedom.  The New York Times's new 1619 Project is that kind of effort. Worse, it's well-funded and highly-visible. How far will be the reach of the 1619 Project?...

Net neutrality and Title II regulation of broadband

Submitted by michael on Mon, 10/21/2019 - 14:30

by Mike Rivers
 
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted 3-2 to regulate broadband internet yesterday (under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934). This move is being heralded as a big victory for the little guy. In reality, it is the victory of those with more political influence over those with less. In contrast to the way it is being portrayed, I see this as a loss for the little guy.

(Full disclosure: I and my clients own shares in companies that provide broadband internet).

Title II regulation gives the government sweeping powers to regulate broadband internet, which is the way people access the internet through their cable, copper or...

Should You Have a Vision Greater Than Self?

Submitted by kim on Fri, 11/22/2013 - 00:15

by Don Beezley
 
It’s common to try and motivate folks by urging them to “have a vision greater than self” i.e., to place something else above the value of the individual. It sounds appealing—we all want our lives to have meaning, be a part of great causes, make a difference and leave the world a better place. All of that is possible and desirable. However, there is a catch in this “something greater than self” thinking.
 
As soon as you believe that the individual is not the primary value, you accept the possibility that something else can be more important than the individual, and the individual can, therefore, reasonably be sacrificed to that cause or vision....

Eric Weissman On Syria

Submitted by kim on Wed, 09/04/2013 - 10:26

Dear Friends:
It's been a while since I wrote you – but the crossroads facing our nation is too important not to be addressed. The President should be commended for following the Constitutional order and referring questions of initiating hostilities to the Congress.  Congress – and the nation – will have a debate.  Let’s be clear: The United States should not use military force in Syria.
Military action must be used only where vital national interests are at stake.  America’s vital interest in the Middle East are four: fighting Islamic terrorism, preventing proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, ensuring the free world’s access to...

Three Cheers for Tim Cook!

Submitted by michael on Tue, 05/21/2013 - 16:01

If you believe that America has big problems because our culture no longer recognizes rights, encourages innovation or celebrates success – then you gotta be a little encouraged by Apple’s CEO.  If you are looking for some spine amongst the producers of the world to get involved in the battle for our culture, Mr. Cook showed a hint of what we really need.  Cook was unapologetic in front of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations about Apple’s use of the tax code to reduce its tax burden as much as possible for shareholders.

Like many successful corporations, Apple keeps some of its earnings overseas to avoid paying taxes in the US.  There’s been a...

All Progress Starts with the Truth

Submitted by michael on Fri, 03/01/2013 - 15:18

We can't get anywhere unless we identify the truth and Helen Raleigh nails it in this article.  I especially like her use of the Frederick Douglas quote:  “The life of a nation is secure only while the nation is honest, truthful, and virtuous."

Douglass was truly an American hero and I'll write a post someday about how much of a defender of capitalism he was.  Look up Self-Made Men by him and you'll get a flavor of how he might respond to Obama's "you didn't build that" view of the world.

 

 

"Illegal" immigrants and Nuremburg

Submitted by michael on Tue, 02/19/2013 - 08:42

by Harry Binswanger
(posted with permission from HBL:  www.hblist.com
 
Other than (most) HBLers, virtually everyone regards “illegal” immigration as dishonorable, if not contemptible. There is a stain of dishonor here, but it brands the illegalizers. Making free, peaceful travel illegal is a grave violation of rights, the rights of immigrants and of the Americans who would trade with, learn from, and befriend them.
 
Given that laws restricting immigration are dead wrong, what are we to think of those who break these laws? Well, the “illegals” broke them because they value America. They broke them in order to live a...

Free Speech goes with Free Markets

Submitted by michael on Wed, 04/18/2012 - 20:03

It's interesting to see a sort of a slow but growing alarm on the part of both sides of the political aisle over President Obama signing HR 347 which is purportedly to correct and simplify the language of an earlier law that makes restrictions on free speech or protests around certain government buildings or grounds. 

It gives much wider latitude for the Secret Service or law enforcement to make a judgment call about potential “threats” to the president or other elected officials and it allows these officials to request and set up "No Free Speech Zones", insulating them from protests.  The law’s supporters are saying it’s only designed to make sure we don’t have some hair brained...

A Better Movie: “A Better Life”

Submitted by Michael Williams on Wed, 08/24/2011 - 00:00

I want to highly recommend a movie:  "A Better Life".  Anyone who fights for freedom should see it.  It's a simple, yet profound story and even if you're not pro-capitalism but have any interest in immigration issues, child rearing, or the future of this country, you'll want to see it and discuss with people you respect. 

Plot spoilers to follow.

It's about an illegal immigrant (Carlos) raising his teenage son in the East Los Angeles barrio.  Typical for someone who's made it across the border illegally, he's not well educated and has little money.  Also typical for someone who views the world honestly, he knows that he has to work hard to support himself, respects other...

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