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Black Codes (United States) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "Negroes might not carry knives or firearms unless they were licensed so to do."
Black Panther Party - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "We want an immediate end to POLICE BRUTALITY and MURDER of black people.
We believe we can end police brutality in our black community by organizing black self-defense groups that are dedicated to defending our black community from racist police oppression and brutality. The Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States gives a right to bear arms. We therefore believe that all black people should arm themselves for self defense."
Mark Comfort
"The Black Panther Party for Self-Defense calls upon the American people in general and the Black People in particular to take careful note of the racist California Legislature now considering legislation aiming at keeping black people disarmed and powerless at the very time that racist police agencies throughout the country intensify the terror, brutality, murder and repression of Black People. As the aggression of the racist American Government escalates in Vietnam, the police agencies of America escalate the repression of Black People throughout the ghettos of America. Vicious police dogs, cattle prods, and increased patrols have become familiar sights in Black communities... The Black Panther Party for Self-Defense believes that the time has come for Black people to arm themselves against this terror before it's too late."
Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.
"Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., who, unlike the Black Panthers, was famous for nonviolent civil disobedience, also understood the need to protect himself. After his house was bombed in 1956, he applied for a permit to carry a concealed firearm. He was denied, but from that day on armed supporters guarded his home, a home which was described by Glenn Smiley as an “arsenal”."
Thursday, January 31, 2013
SEC mulls hitting Netflix with suit over news shared on Facebook | Internet & Media - CNET News
SEC mulls hitting Netflix with suit over news shared on Facebook | Internet & Media - CNET News: "Sharing news on Facebook may have landed Netflix in hot water with U.S. regulators."
The SEC needs to come into the 21st century. FB is a much broader audience than the antiquated methods that are legal.
The SEC needs to come into the 21st century. FB is a much broader audience than the antiquated methods that are legal.
Dad arrested after posting picture of himself holding baby and BB gun | Fox News
Dad arrested after posting picture of himself holding baby and BB gun | Fox News: "Domonic Gaines, 22, was charged with child endangerment. Police told the station that the close proximity of the child to the gun in the photo is cause for concern."
It was just a BB gun!
It was just a BB gun!
9/11 fund makes 1st payments to sick responders, but bulk of cash won't be released for years | Fox News
9/11 fund makes 1st payments to sick responders, but bulk of cash won't be released for years | Fox News: "A special fund set up by Congress is making its first payments to people who got sick after being exposed to toxic dust at the World Trade Center following Sept. 11."
It only took 11.5 years to get the first 10%!
It only took 11.5 years to get the first 10%!
US Senate once again rejects common sense - Campaign for Liberty
US Senate once again rejects common sense - Campaign for Liberty: "Their refusal to consider balancing new spending with spending cuts is even more outrageous when one considers that the majority of the $50 billion dollars in so-called “emergency” spending is not even directly related to Sandy relief! Instead, $33 billion is devoted to “future and anticipated needs.”"
How Shameful Policies Increase America's Gun Violence | Trevor Burrus | Cato Institute
How Shameful Policies Increase America's Gun Violence | Trevor Burrus | Cato Institute: "As usual, the primary focus is on guns rather than those who misuse them, but unfortunately both President Obama’s and Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s proposals will do little to keep guns out of the hands of criminals. There are 300 million guns in America, and, without a politically impossible and undesirable program of mass confiscation, it will continue to be quite easy for wrongdoers to get weapons in America. Perhaps, instead of trying to extract a thimbleful of water from that ocean of weapons, we should shift our focus to why so many Americans want to harm each other."
"Many of the proposed causes for America’s uniquely violent culture — from video games to taking God out of schools — have little scientific backing and seem like irrelevant squabbles over tastes and preferences. Yet government programs that do real, measurable harm to our citizens and predictably push them toward gun violence are too often overlooked."
"As Prohibition-era America showed, banning a highly in-demand substance increases the violence surrounding that substance. When legal methods cannot be used to settle contract and other disputes, extra-legal methods (i.e., the point of a gun) will be used. Moreover, unsavory characters will tend to traffic the prohibited substances, further escalating violent business practices."
"A 2001 Justice Department study found that 20 percent of prison inmates received their guns from a drug dealer or off the street. Comparatively, only 0.7 percent of the weapons were obtained at gun shows. Which “loophole” should we be focusing on closing?"
"Left with few avenues to better their situation, inner-city children increasingly turn to the drug trade and other types of criminal activities that offer better immediate futures than staying in useless schools, and then often find themselves caught by the war on drugs."
"Many of the proposed causes for America’s uniquely violent culture — from video games to taking God out of schools — have little scientific backing and seem like irrelevant squabbles over tastes and preferences. Yet government programs that do real, measurable harm to our citizens and predictably push them toward gun violence are too often overlooked."
"As Prohibition-era America showed, banning a highly in-demand substance increases the violence surrounding that substance. When legal methods cannot be used to settle contract and other disputes, extra-legal methods (i.e., the point of a gun) will be used. Moreover, unsavory characters will tend to traffic the prohibited substances, further escalating violent business practices."
"A 2001 Justice Department study found that 20 percent of prison inmates received their guns from a drug dealer or off the street. Comparatively, only 0.7 percent of the weapons were obtained at gun shows. Which “loophole” should we be focusing on closing?"
"Left with few avenues to better their situation, inner-city children increasingly turn to the drug trade and other types of criminal activities that offer better immediate futures than staying in useless schools, and then often find themselves caught by the war on drugs."
How Shameful Policies Increase America's Gun Violence | Trevor Burrus | Cato Institute
How Shameful Policies Increase America's Gun Violence | Trevor Burrus | Cato Institute: "As usual, the primary focus is on guns rather than those who misuse them, but unfortunately both President Obama’s and Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s proposals will do little to keep guns out of the hands of criminals. There are 300 million guns in America, and, without a politically impossible and undesirable program of mass confiscation, it will continue to be quite easy for wrongdoers to get weapons in America. Perhaps, instead of trying to extract a thimbleful of water from that ocean of weapons, we should shift our focus to why so many Americans want to harm each other."
"Many of the proposed causes for America’s uniquely violent culture — from video games to taking God out of schools — have little scientific backing and seem like irrelevant squabbles over tastes and preferences. Yet government programs that do real, measurable harm to our citizens and predictably push them toward gun violence are too often overlooked."
"As Prohibition-era America showed, banning a highly in-demand substance increases the violence surrounding that substance. When legal methods cannot be used to settle contract and other disputes, extra-legal methods (i.e., the point of a gun) will be used. Moreover, unsavory characters will tend to traffic the prohibited substances, further escalating violent business practices."
"A 2001 Justice Department study found that 20 percent of prison inmates received their guns from a drug dealer or off the street. Comparatively, only 0.7 percent of the weapons were obtained at gun shows. Which “loophole” should we be focusing on closing?"
"Left with few avenues to better their situation, inner-city children increasingly turn to the drug trade and other types of criminal activities that offer better immediate futures than staying in useless schools, and then often find themselves caught by the war on drugs."
"Many of the proposed causes for America’s uniquely violent culture — from video games to taking God out of schools — have little scientific backing and seem like irrelevant squabbles over tastes and preferences. Yet government programs that do real, measurable harm to our citizens and predictably push them toward gun violence are too often overlooked."
"As Prohibition-era America showed, banning a highly in-demand substance increases the violence surrounding that substance. When legal methods cannot be used to settle contract and other disputes, extra-legal methods (i.e., the point of a gun) will be used. Moreover, unsavory characters will tend to traffic the prohibited substances, further escalating violent business practices."
"A 2001 Justice Department study found that 20 percent of prison inmates received their guns from a drug dealer or off the street. Comparatively, only 0.7 percent of the weapons were obtained at gun shows. Which “loophole” should we be focusing on closing?"
"Left with few avenues to better their situation, inner-city children increasingly turn to the drug trade and other types of criminal activities that offer better immediate futures than staying in useless schools, and then often find themselves caught by the war on drugs."
Massad Ayoob » Blog Archive » WHY GOOD PEOPLE NEED SEMIAUTOMATIC FIREARMS AND “HIGH CAPACITY” MAGAZINES, PART II
Massad Ayoob » Blog Archive » WHY GOOD PEOPLE NEED SEMIAUTOMATIC FIREARMS AND “HIGH CAPACITY” MAGAZINES, PART II: "When her gun went empty, five of the six shots had struck the intruder. Whether it’s drunkenness, drugs, or desperation, some violent criminals can be harder than others. In this case, the intruder was still up and running. The smart and courageous young mom bluffed him at the point of her now-empty six-shooter, telling him in essence that she would finish him off if he kept attacking."
"Three of the people saved by their guns were up against two-to-one odds"
"And two of the seven documented cases – A 35-year-old woman in the New Orleans area and a Pennsylvania man – were each up against a gang of at least FOUR home invaders."
"Three of the people saved by their guns were up against two-to-one odds"
"And two of the seven documented cases – A 35-year-old woman in the New Orleans area and a Pennsylvania man – were each up against a gang of at least FOUR home invaders."
Massad Ayoob » Blog Archive » WHY GOOD PEOPLE NEED SEMIAUTOMATIC FIREARMS AND “HIGH CAPACITY” MAGAZINES, PART II
Massad Ayoob » Blog Archive » WHY GOOD PEOPLE NEED SEMIAUTOMATIC FIREARMS AND “HIGH CAPACITY” MAGAZINES, PART II: "When her gun went empty, five of the six shots had struck the intruder. Whether it’s drunkenness, drugs, or desperation, some violent criminals can be harder than others. In this case, the intruder was still up and running. The smart and courageous young mom bluffed him at the point of her now-empty six-shooter, telling him in essence that she would finish him off if he kept attacking."
"Three of the people saved by their guns were up against two-to-one odds"
"And two of the seven documented cases – A 35-year-old woman in the New Orleans area and a Pennsylvania man – were each up against a gang of at least FOUR home invaders."
"Three of the people saved by their guns were up against two-to-one odds"
"And two of the seven documented cases – A 35-year-old woman in the New Orleans area and a Pennsylvania man – were each up against a gang of at least FOUR home invaders."
Germany Repatriates Its Gold - Mark Thornton - Mises Daily
Germany Repatriates Its Gold - Mark Thornton - Mises Daily: "On Wednesday, January 16 the German Central Bank (i.e., Bundesbank) announced that it was going to repatriate some of its gold reserves currently being held at the New York Fed and all of its gold reserves held by the Banque de France. It had previously repatriated 940 of the 1385 tons of its gold reserves held at the Bank of England, citing high storage fees as the reason (the New York Fed and the Banque of France charge no such fees). Three-hundred-and-seventy-four metric tons will be trucked from Paris to Frankfurt, representing 11 percent of its reserves, and 300 metric tons will be shipped from New York. By 2020, the plan is to have 50 percent of its reserves held in Frankfurt. Germany has the second largest stock of gold next to the US and has not bought or sold gold since 1973."
"It is startling that they (the shipments of gold) will last until 2020 in order to bring the gold back. This reinforces the suspicions that the Fed and other central banks have lent gold to bullion banks who have in turn sold the gold depressing its price. To unwind these contracts it will take some time without upsetting the gold market. The Fed needs time to get its gold back. For all we know, it may not be there physically. That is probably the reason it will take until 2020."
"It is startling that they (the shipments of gold) will last until 2020 in order to bring the gold back. This reinforces the suspicions that the Fed and other central banks have lent gold to bullion banks who have in turn sold the gold depressing its price. To unwind these contracts it will take some time without upsetting the gold market. The Fed needs time to get its gold back. For all we know, it may not be there physically. That is probably the reason it will take until 2020."
Same Old North Korea | Doug Bandow | Cato Institute
Same Old North Korea | Doug Bandow | Cato Institute: "Instead of begging Pyongyang to return to negotiations and requesting China to make Pyongyang return, the administration should indicate its openness to talks but note that they cannot be effective unless North Korea comes ready to deal. No reward should be offered for the North’s return to the table."
Teaching Our Schoolkids to Be Suspects | Nat Hentoff | Cato Institute
Teaching Our Schoolkids to Be Suspects | Nat Hentoff | Cato Institute: “Those who … refuse to wear the SmartID badge will also be forced to stand in separate lunch lines (and) denied participation in student government and activities …”
“These tracking devices are not being employed to prevent students from cutting classes or foster better academics. It’s a money game. Using the devices to account for the students’ whereabouts on campus, whether in class or not, school administrators can ‘count’ students as being ‘in school’ and thereby qualify for up to $1.7 million from the state government.”
"Schools in Pinellas County, Fla., now use palm reading devices to allow children to purchase lunch."
“These tracking devices are not being employed to prevent students from cutting classes or foster better academics. It’s a money game. Using the devices to account for the students’ whereabouts on campus, whether in class or not, school administrators can ‘count’ students as being ‘in school’ and thereby qualify for up to $1.7 million from the state government.”
"Schools in Pinellas County, Fla., now use palm reading devices to allow children to purchase lunch."
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
The Next Generation of Surveillance - Campaign for Liberty
The Next Generation of Surveillance - Campaign for Liberty: "ARGUS-IS, or Autonomous Real-Time Ground Ubiquitous Surveillance Imaging System, is an unmanned drone that wields a 1.8-gigapixel video camera that can distinguish objects as small as six inches from a 22,000 foot altitude. This high resolution makes ARGUS capable of viewing 15 square miles at one time, meaning it’s powerful enough to observe a medium-sized city."
How President Obama Lost His Shirt to John Boehner - Forbes
How President Obama Lost His Shirt to John Boehner - Forbes: "Who would have ever guessed that we could make 99% of the Bush tax cuts permanent? When we had a Republican House and Senate and a Republican in the White House, we couldn’t get that. "
"Yet his biggest win may have been in making the Alternative Minimum Tax patch permanent. This changes the baseline with profoundly positive implications for future tax reform and economic growth."
"Mr. Boehner says he has significant Republican support, including GOP defense hawks, on his side for letting the sequester do its work."
We shall see...
"Yet his biggest win may have been in making the Alternative Minimum Tax patch permanent. This changes the baseline with profoundly positive implications for future tax reform and economic growth."
"Mr. Boehner says he has significant Republican support, including GOP defense hawks, on his side for letting the sequester do its work."
We shall see...
Indiana couple fights charges over rescuing injured baby deer | Fox News
Indiana couple fights charges over rescuing injured baby deer | Fox News: "Jeff Counceller says a dying fawn he found on someone's porch three years ago surely wouldn't have lived had he and his wife not nursed it back to health on their eastern Indiana farm. The Connersville police officer insists they had no clue that they could be breaking the law.
The couple's good deed put them at odds with the state Department of Natural Resources, and prosecutors earlier this month charged Jeff and Jennifer Counceller with illegal possession of a white-tailed deer, a misdemeanor that carries up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine."
"it's bad for a deer to become acclimated to humans because they can become too trusting and easy prey for hunters."
So it's better to just let it die?!?
The couple's good deed put them at odds with the state Department of Natural Resources, and prosecutors earlier this month charged Jeff and Jennifer Counceller with illegal possession of a white-tailed deer, a misdemeanor that carries up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine."
"it's bad for a deer to become acclimated to humans because they can become too trusting and easy prey for hunters."
So it's better to just let it die?!?
Sen. Paul Statement on Sandy Supplemental Bill | Rand Paul 2016 | U.S. Senate
Sen. Paul Statement on Sandy Supplemental Bill | Rand Paul 2016 | U.S. Senate: "The bill was completely unpaid for, adding billions to the debt with money being used for programs known to fund cultural festivals and public art exhibits. In addition, of the $60 billion in total disaster funding provided, only a small fraction will be spent this year; more than half will be spent after 2015. Furthermore, while the cost of this bill will never be offset, the government will still just have spent every dollar of this year’s tax hike. We can help those in need, but we should do so providing them with only the resources they need today and prioritizing this funding by reducing spending elsewhere."
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Obama's Inaugural Challenge to Republicans | Michael D. Tanner | Cato Institute
Obama's Inaugural Challenge to Republicans | Michael D. Tanner | Cato Institute: "Either we are all wards of the state or we are Ted Kaczynski, hiding alone in our Montana cabin. Civil society and voluntary action — private charity and civic organizations, churches, synagogues, mosques, and businesses large and small — do not exist, or if they do, they are simply distractions from the work of government."
Ohio police captain exonerated of ex-wife's murder after 14 years in prison | Fox News
Ohio police captain exonerated of ex-wife's murder after 14 years in prison | Fox News: "The only piece of concrete evidence was a bite mark on her arm; the killer bit her so hard that it left an impression through her lab coat and blouse.
A forensic dentist testified for the prosecution that he was sure Prade was responsible for the mark, while a defense expert said that the defendant's teeth couldn't have left it. A third expert for the prosecution said there was no way to be certain that Prade made the mark but that it was consistent with his teeth.
Jurors found Prade guilty of aggravated murder after deliberating for six hours, and the 30-year veteran of the Akron police department was sentenced to life in prison."
A forensic dentist testified for the prosecution that he was sure Prade was responsible for the mark, while a defense expert said that the defendant's teeth couldn't have left it. A third expert for the prosecution said there was no way to be certain that Prade made the mark but that it was consistent with his teeth.
Jurors found Prade guilty of aggravated murder after deliberating for six hours, and the 30-year veteran of the Akron police department was sentenced to life in prison."
Gun Ownership: American Exceptionalism
Gun Ownership: American Exceptionalism: "the gun control politicians do not have the votes to get anything through the House of Representatives. They know this. Senator Feinstein is pursuing this as a matter of principle. She is a left-wing ideologue. She is getting a lot of publicity for her stand, but she has been completely undermined by Harry Reid, who is staying discreetly away from Feinstein's proposed legislation. He knows better than to attempt it, since too many Democrats will break ranks with him if he pushes this."
"The Swiss stay neutral, and they are armed to the teeth as the best way of staying neutral."
"The Swiss stay neutral, and they are armed to the teeth as the best way of staying neutral."
Immigration Reform: The Portable Guest Worker Visa Solution | Cato Institute
Immigration Reform: The Portable Guest Worker Visa Solution | Cato Institute: "Assuming that labor unions are in fact primarily concerned about protecting guest workers from abuse, as their letters to Senator Dorgan state, unions should support visa portability instead of a triumvirate. In a free labor market, abused employees can quit their jobs and move to better ones. This incentivizes every employer to refrain from exploitation. Guest workers should be allowed to do the same by quitting abusive employers and moving to new ones."
From Libya to Algeria, A Bloody Trail | Cato Institute
From Libya to Algeria, A Bloody Trail | Cato Institute: "After Gaddafi’s overthrow, his Tuareg mercenaries took their heavy weapons back to northern Mali. They joined hands with local Tuareg secessionists and an Islamist group, Ansar Dine. The Islamists soon came to dominate the new Tuareg combination. They linked up with Islamists in neighbouring countries to form Al Qaida of the Maghreb."
"So, the NATO intervention in Libya, widely trumpeted as a triumph for democracy, actually ended up destroying both ethnic unity and democracy in Mali."
"In Syria, the US should stop the simplistic portrayal of the revolt against Bashir Assad as one of democratic forces against a tyrannical dictator. Overthrowing one nasty regime can simply lead to another.
Assad is a bloody dictator. But most rebel groups are Sunni and Islamist sectarians who have little time for secularism, democracy or minority rights. US support for these rebels could be as disastrous as was support to Islamist rebels in Afghanistan in the 1980s."
"So, the NATO intervention in Libya, widely trumpeted as a triumph for democracy, actually ended up destroying both ethnic unity and democracy in Mali."
"In Syria, the US should stop the simplistic portrayal of the revolt against Bashir Assad as one of democratic forces against a tyrannical dictator. Overthrowing one nasty regime can simply lead to another.
Assad is a bloody dictator. But most rebel groups are Sunni and Islamist sectarians who have little time for secularism, democracy or minority rights. US support for these rebels could be as disastrous as was support to Islamist rebels in Afghanistan in the 1980s."
Monday, January 28, 2013
The Brutality of Slavery - Murray N. Rothbard - Mises Daily
The Brutality of Slavery - Murray N. Rothbard - Mises Daily: "Until the 1670s, the bulk of forced labor in Virginia was indentured service (largely white, but some Negro); Negro slavery was negligible. In 1683 there were 12,000 indentured servants in Virginia and only 3,000 slaves of a total population of 44,000. Masters generally preferred bondservants for two reasons. First, they could exploit the bondservants more ruthlessly because they did not own them permanently, as they did their slaves; on the other hand, the slaves were completely their owners’ capital and hence the masters were economically compelled to try to preserve the capital value of their human tools of production. Second, the bondservants, looking forward to their freedom, could be more productive laborers than the slaves, who were deprived of all hope for the future."
"It is estimated that seventy percent of all immigration in the colonies throughout the colonial era consisted of redemptioners [who bound themselves for four to seven years, in return for their passage money to America]."
"an English law in force in the mid-1660s banished to the colonies anyone convicted three times of attempting an unlawful meeting—a law aimed mostly at the Quakers"
"An act of 1670 banished to the colonies anyone with knowledge of illegal religious or political activity, who refused to turn informer for the government."
"One historical myth holds that since the slaves were their masters’ capital, the masters’ economic self-interest dictated kindly treatment of their property. But again, the masters always had to make sure that the property was really theirs, and for this, systematic brutality was needed to turn labor from natural into coerced channels for the benefit of the master. And, second, what of property that had outlived its usefulness? Of capital that no longer promised a return to the master? Of slaves too old or too ill to continue earning their masters a return? What sort of treatment did the economic self-interest of the master dictate for slaves who could no longer repay the costs of their subsistence?"
"And also from an early date, Negroes, in particular, were denied any right to bear arms."
"another decreed that conversion to Christianity would not set a slave free, a fact which violated a European tradition that only heathens, not Christians, might be reduced to slavery."
"It is estimated that seventy percent of all immigration in the colonies throughout the colonial era consisted of redemptioners [who bound themselves for four to seven years, in return for their passage money to America]."
"an English law in force in the mid-1660s banished to the colonies anyone convicted three times of attempting an unlawful meeting—a law aimed mostly at the Quakers"
"An act of 1670 banished to the colonies anyone with knowledge of illegal religious or political activity, who refused to turn informer for the government."
"One historical myth holds that since the slaves were their masters’ capital, the masters’ economic self-interest dictated kindly treatment of their property. But again, the masters always had to make sure that the property was really theirs, and for this, systematic brutality was needed to turn labor from natural into coerced channels for the benefit of the master. And, second, what of property that had outlived its usefulness? Of capital that no longer promised a return to the master? Of slaves too old or too ill to continue earning their masters a return? What sort of treatment did the economic self-interest of the master dictate for slaves who could no longer repay the costs of their subsistence?"
"And also from an early date, Negroes, in particular, were denied any right to bear arms."
"another decreed that conversion to Christianity would not set a slave free, a fact which violated a European tradition that only heathens, not Christians, might be reduced to slavery."
The Self-Congratulation of the "Public Servant" | Cato Institute
The Self-Congratulation of the "Public Servant" | Cato Institute: "First, private entrepreneurs cannot force anyone to do anything. They succeed only if they convince people that it is in the latter’s interest to part with their money. That means producing something that actually does make people’s lives better. Truth be told, every morning we should praise the people who created pharmaceuticals, airplanes, housing, cell phones, computers, automobiles, art, umbrellas, refrigeration, bicycles, iPods, medical devices, toys, cameras, ice cream, and much, much more. All have enriched our lives. None of these goods—at least as far as I am aware—were created by Pete Stark, much less any other politician.
Second, absent political intervention, markets ruthlessly hold entrepreneurs accountable. Competitors are constantly seeking to serve consumers better. The moment people believe that a new car, computer, cereal, musical group, drug, or most anything else is better, they will dump the old product. Consumer allegiance lasts only as long as people believe they are being served well. So the entrepreneur’s job is to figure out how best to serve customers.
Contrast that with the politician. First, they rely on coercion, not service—that is, money comes through taxation, backed by the threat of imprisonment."
Second, absent political intervention, markets ruthlessly hold entrepreneurs accountable. Competitors are constantly seeking to serve consumers better. The moment people believe that a new car, computer, cereal, musical group, drug, or most anything else is better, they will dump the old product. Consumer allegiance lasts only as long as people believe they are being served well. So the entrepreneur’s job is to figure out how best to serve customers.
Contrast that with the politician. First, they rely on coercion, not service—that is, money comes through taxation, backed by the threat of imprisonment."
Guns and Freedom | Doug Bandow | Cato Institute
Guns and Freedom | Doug Bandow | Cato Institute: " countries with significantly higher gun ownership have greater political and civil liberties"
"Gun-owning societies also are notably less corrupt."
"nations where people own more firearms also tend to have greater economic liberty."
"decades ago “American civil rights workers were able to protect themselves from the Ku Klux Klan because so many civil rights workers had guns.” "
"Gun-owning societies also are notably less corrupt."
"nations where people own more firearms also tend to have greater economic liberty."
"decades ago “American civil rights workers were able to protect themselves from the Ku Klux Klan because so many civil rights workers had guns.” "
Activists worried as groups say downloadable and printable guns possible | Fox News
Activists worried as groups say downloadable and printable guns possible | Fox News: "Downloading a gun's design plans to your computer, building it on a three-dimensional printer and firing it minutes later. No background checks, no questions asked."
"there is nothing illegal about making many types of guns at home"
"there is nothing illegal about making many types of guns at home"
Louisiana stops sale of cheap milk at market | Fox News
Louisiana stops sale of cheap milk at market | Fox News: "Fresh Markets in Perkins Rowe was selling milk for $2.99 a gallon as part of a weekly promotion deal, but Louisiana requires that retailer markups be at least 6 percent above invoice and shipping costs"
The state isn't really helping the citizen in this case.
The state isn't really helping the citizen in this case.
Long Live the Filibuster | Cato Institute
Long Live the Filibuster | Cato Institute: " The current threat of filibusters requires the majority party to move toward the center, satisfying more voters. In a polarized time, the filibuster tends to make Senate actions more representative of the nation as a whole."
Refusing to Disarm: Lexington and Concord - Murray N. Rothbard - Mises Daily
Refusing to Disarm: Lexington and Concord - Murray N. Rothbard - Mises Daily: " As in so many other “preventive” first strikes in history, Great Britain itself precipitated the one thing it wished most to avoid: a successful revolution. Interestingly enough, the Massachusetts radicals were at the same time rejecting hotheaded plans for a first strike by rebel forces, who would thus be throwing away the hard-forged unity of the American colonists."
105-year-old California woman 'relieved' to pass driver's test with flying colors | Fox News
105-year-old California woman 'relieved' to pass driver's test with flying colors | Fox News: "Babe Ruth was having the best season of his career when Edythe Kirchmaier took her first driving test."
The man who stopped the desert - CSMonitor.com
The man who stopped the desert - CSMonitor.com: "In 1980, Yacouba decided to fight the desert’s spread by reviving an ancient farming technique called zai, which led to forest growth and increased soil quality."
Friday, January 25, 2013
When You Ban the Sale of Ivory, You Ban Elephants | Doug Bandow | Cato Institute
When You Ban the Sale of Ivory, You Ban Elephants | Doug Bandow | Cato Institute: "in some parts of southern Africa today “Damaged land and crop losses are not only being tolerated, but villages are doing their best to guard against poachers. This surprising change in behavior is due to the proliferation of government programs that dispense licenses to villages, enabling locals, or paying hunters, to cull an allotted number of elephants each year.” In these areas poaching is down and some farmers have turned their marginal farms into game reserves."
"In essence, elephants need to be treated like cattle. Their owners—or the equivalent, such as villagers living near elephants—need to benefit from the animals’ preservation."
“In Zimbabwe, for example, loss of ivory revenues led to a scaling back of anti-poaching operations which resulted in 100 illegally killed elephants in 1990 as opposed to only ten illegal deaths a year earlier.”
"In essence, elephants need to be treated like cattle. Their owners—or the equivalent, such as villagers living near elephants—need to benefit from the animals’ preservation."
“In Zimbabwe, for example, loss of ivory revenues led to a scaling back of anti-poaching operations which resulted in 100 illegally killed elephants in 1990 as opposed to only ten illegal deaths a year earlier.”
Spending, Debt Ceiling out of control as Republicans Cave Again
Spending, Debt Ceiling out of control as Republicans Cave Again: "Once again, however, Republicans plan to lead the fight to cut spending . . . next time."
"Why not pass a debt-ceiling increase tied to a one-year freeze in the budget?
Why not boost the debt limit for three months with language closing a dozen antiquated federal bureaus and programs?"
"Let Reid and Obama explain why the Rural Utility Service must survive 78 years after FDR launched it in order to bring electricity to Appalachia — a mission it accomplished in the 1940s or ’50s."
"Why not pass a debt-ceiling increase tied to a one-year freeze in the budget?
Why not boost the debt limit for three months with language closing a dozen antiquated federal bureaus and programs?"
"Let Reid and Obama explain why the Rural Utility Service must survive 78 years after FDR launched it in order to bring electricity to Appalachia — a mission it accomplished in the 1940s or ’50s."
Foreign Investment - Ludwig von Mises - Mises Daily
Foreign Investment - Ludwig von Mises - Mises Daily: "Two hundred years ago, conditions in Great Britain were much worse than they are today in India. But the British in 1750 did not call themselves "undeveloped" or "backward," because they were not in a position to compare the conditions of their country with those of countries in which economic conditions were more satisfactory. Today all people who have not attained the average standard of living of the United States believe that there is something wrong with their own economic situation."
"the amount of capital invested per unit of the population is greater in the so-called advanced nations than in the developing nations."
"The difference between the less developed and the more developed nations is a function of time: the British started to save sooner than all other nations: they also started sooner to accumulate capital and to invest it in business. Because they started sooner, there was a higher standard of living in Great Britain when, in all other European countries, there was still a lower standard of living."
"the amount of capital invested per unit of the population is greater in the so-called advanced nations than in the developing nations."
"The difference between the less developed and the more developed nations is a function of time: the British started to save sooner than all other nations: they also started sooner to accumulate capital and to invest it in business. Because they started sooner, there was a higher standard of living in Great Britain when, in all other European countries, there was still a lower standard of living."
Italian tourist spends night in jail after failing to pay bill at NYC steakhouse | Fox News
Italian tourist spends night in jail after failing to pay bill at NYC steakhouse | Fox News: " he begged workers to let him leave an iPhone as collateral while he got money from the apartment where he was staying — but they instead called cops, who were equally unsympathetic."
Thursday, January 24, 2013
End the Fed, Or Celebrate Its Existence? Reflections on Our Central Bank's 100th Anniversary | James A. Dorn | Cato Institute
End the Fed, Or Celebrate Its Existence? Reflections on Our Central Bank's 100th Anniversary | James A. Dorn | Cato Institute: "The Fed’s failure to anticipate or prevent either the Great Recession or the Great Depression, the continuous rise in the price level since President Nixon closed the gold window in 1971, and the Fed’s use of financial repression to penalize conservative savers while encouraging risk and creating asset bubbles should give pause to celebrating the Fed’s anniversary."
"since the establishment of the Federal Reserve there have been “more, rather than fewer, symptoms of monetary and macroeconomic instability.” "
"It is also well known that long-run price stability was achieved under commodity standards but never under pure fiat money. In 1900, when the U.S. was still on the gold standard, the wholesale price index was about where it was 150 years earlier, although it varied throughout the period."
“What induced one major Western country after another to run a more-or-less balanced budget in the 19th century and early 20th century before World War I was their decision to adhere to the gold standard.”
"since the establishment of the Federal Reserve there have been “more, rather than fewer, symptoms of monetary and macroeconomic instability.” "
"It is also well known that long-run price stability was achieved under commodity standards but never under pure fiat money. In 1900, when the U.S. was still on the gold standard, the wholesale price index was about where it was 150 years earlier, although it varied throughout the period."
“What induced one major Western country after another to run a more-or-less balanced budget in the 19th century and early 20th century before World War I was their decision to adhere to the gold standard.”
Lawbreakers at War: How Responsible Are They? | David Isenberg | Cato Institute
Lawbreakers at War: How Responsible Are They? | David Isenberg | Cato Institute: "Even though the massacre in the Philippines was carried out by a subordinate commander, Imperial Japanese Navy Rear Admiral Sanji Iwabuchi, against Yamashita’s specific order — and without his knowledge or approval — a U.S. military tribunal held Yamashita responsible for the conduct of his troops. He was executed on February 23, 1946."
Global Warming Apocalypse Canceled | Patrick J. Michaels | Cato Institute
Global Warming Apocalypse Canceled | Patrick J. Michaels | Cato Institute: "we are now in our 17th year of flat temperatures"
"it’s a pretty good bet that we are going to go nearly a quarter of a century without warming."
"Science historians have repeatedly documented that we are particularly reluctant to abandon widely held views, or scientific paradigms. When professional advancement (i.e., research money) is particularly dependent upon a certain view (we wouldn’t spend billions on climate research unless it was important, right?), it’s even harder to let go"
"it’s a pretty good bet that we are going to go nearly a quarter of a century without warming."
"Science historians have repeatedly documented that we are particularly reluctant to abandon widely held views, or scientific paradigms. When professional advancement (i.e., research money) is particularly dependent upon a certain view (we wouldn’t spend billions on climate research unless it was important, right?), it’s even harder to let go"
Protectionist Antidumping Regime Is a Pox on America's Glass House | Daniel J. Ikenson | Cato Institute
Protectionist Antidumping Regime Is a Pox on America's Glass House | Daniel J. Ikenson | Cato Institute: "To this day, the United States remains out of compliance in cases involving U.S. subsidies to cotton farmers, restrictions on Antigua’s provision of gambling services, country of origin labeling requirements on meat products, the so-called Byrd Amendment, a variety of antidumping measures, and several other issues, some of which were adjudicated more than a decade ago."
Obama Brings New Historical Disgrace on U.S. | Nat Hentoff | Cato Institute
Obama Brings New Historical Disgrace on U.S. | Nat Hentoff | Cato Institute: “The administration has declared any man killed by a drone to be an enemy terrorist, and defends such killings regardless of resulting civilian casualties.”
"Now, all of you who voted to re-elect Obama, dig what the president said when, on Jan. 7, he proudly declared his choice for CIA chief: “(Brennan) has worked to embed our efforts in a strong legal framework.” "
"In effect — and especially as employed by the Obama administration — the CIA has become the president’s private army, with a classified budget, contracts with some extremely dubious operatives and under-the-table relations with thuggish and oppressive foreign governments. With its fleet of armed drones, it regularly rains death from the skies on enemies (some of them American citizens)."
“The administration is now backed into claiming that a war exists because it has convinced itself that it cannot function without a broad license to kill. Short of al Qaeda suing for peace, this war may never end. The administration’s reshaping of the concept of war risks undoing over 100 years of evolution of the laws of war, and the protections those laws have delivered.”
"Now, all of you who voted to re-elect Obama, dig what the president said when, on Jan. 7, he proudly declared his choice for CIA chief: “(Brennan) has worked to embed our efforts in a strong legal framework.” "
"In effect — and especially as employed by the Obama administration — the CIA has become the president’s private army, with a classified budget, contracts with some extremely dubious operatives and under-the-table relations with thuggish and oppressive foreign governments. With its fleet of armed drones, it regularly rains death from the skies on enemies (some of them American citizens)."
“The administration is now backed into claiming that a war exists because it has convinced itself that it cannot function without a broad license to kill. Short of al Qaeda suing for peace, this war may never end. The administration’s reshaping of the concept of war risks undoing over 100 years of evolution of the laws of war, and the protections those laws have delivered.”
Faith in Immigration Enforcement Is Misplaced | Alex Nowrasteh | Cato Institute
Faith in Immigration Enforcement Is Misplaced | Alex Nowrasteh | Cato Institute: "This administration has deported, on average, 3.5 percent of the total unauthorized immigrant population annually. President George W. Bush’s deportation rate during his eight years was a mere 2.4 percent. In 2009, the first year of Obama’s administration, the government deported 3.6 percent of all unauthorized immigrants — a big jump from the 3.1 percent during Bush’s last year in office. Obama has deported an average of over 400,000 people a year, 150,000 more people a year than Bush did.
Much of this increase in deportation has been done through the Secure Communities program, which forces local law enforcement officers to act as immigration agents when they arrest unauthorized immigrants."
"When Obama took office, less than one percent of all law enforcement jurisdictions participated in Secure Communities. Since then, the Obama administration has extended Secure Communities to over 97 percent of all such jurisdictions in the U.S. — a whopping 22,000 percent increase in enforcement reach."
"About one percent of legal American workers, according to audits, are falsely identified as illegal and unable to get a job — beginning a costly bureaucratic journey to correct information in government databases. The support for E-Verify by people who favor restricting immigration is even more mystifying because it fails to identify a majority of unauthorized immigrants."
"Currently, for most prospective immigrants, [a legal pathway] does not [exist]. More green cards for lower-skilled workers, a large and flexible guest worker program, or a combination of both will make effective enforcement possible — not faith in big-government immigration enforcement."
Much of this increase in deportation has been done through the Secure Communities program, which forces local law enforcement officers to act as immigration agents when they arrest unauthorized immigrants."
"When Obama took office, less than one percent of all law enforcement jurisdictions participated in Secure Communities. Since then, the Obama administration has extended Secure Communities to over 97 percent of all such jurisdictions in the U.S. — a whopping 22,000 percent increase in enforcement reach."
"About one percent of legal American workers, according to audits, are falsely identified as illegal and unable to get a job — beginning a costly bureaucratic journey to correct information in government databases. The support for E-Verify by people who favor restricting immigration is even more mystifying because it fails to identify a majority of unauthorized immigrants."
"Currently, for most prospective immigrants, [a legal pathway] does not [exist]. More green cards for lower-skilled workers, a large and flexible guest worker program, or a combination of both will make effective enforcement possible — not faith in big-government immigration enforcement."
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Pastor's fodder: THE BIBLICAL DEFENSE OF BEARING ARMS
Pastor's fodder: THE BIBLICAL DEFENSE OF BEARING ARMS: "Can you imagine how people would react today if you told people that while their mouths were filled with praise to God, their hands should be filled with weapons? Yet that is exactly what David wrote in Psalm 149:1-7
Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand; To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people."
Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand; To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people."
Google People Operations: The secrets of the world’s most scientific human resources department. - Slate Magazine
Google People Operations: The secrets of the world’s most scientific human resources department. - Slate Magazine: "Yet it would be a mistake to conclude that Google doles out such perks just to be nice. POPS rigorously monitors a slew of data about how employees respond to benefits, and it rarely throws money away. The five-month maternity leave plan, for instance, was a winner for the company. After it went into place, Google’s attrition rate for new mothers dropped down to the average rate for the rest of the firm. “A 50 percent reduction—it was enormous!” Bock says. What’s more, happiness—as measured by Googlegeist, a lengthy annual survey of employees—rose as well. Best of all for the company, the new leave policy was cost-effective. Bock says that if you factor in the savings in recruitment costs, granting mothers five months of leave doesn’t cost Google any more money."
Contraceptives and the ACA: Going over the Mandate Cliff | Ilya Shapiro | Cato Institute
Contraceptives and the ACA: Going over the Mandate Cliff | Ilya Shapiro | Cato Institute: "If we’re to respect religious belief, why does the motive of those espousing them matter for whether the government gets to trample them? The owners of Hobby Lobby donate plenty to charity out of the profits they make, possibly having greater impact than many of the nonprofits that are (or will be) exempt. [Even] if they didn’t, however, this country was founded on ideals of religious liberty that went on to be enshrined in the First Amendment, so why would we just ignore them?"
"when health care (or anything) is socialized or treated as a public utility, we’re forced to fight for every “carve-out” of liberty."
"The more government controls — whether health care, education, or even marriage — the greater the battles over conflicting values."
"when health care (or anything) is socialized or treated as a public utility, we’re forced to fight for every “carve-out” of liberty."
"The more government controls — whether health care, education, or even marriage — the greater the battles over conflicting values."
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Front Sight Blog: You've Been Punked [video]
Front Sight Blog: You've Been Punked [video]: "look to see what CHANGES took place in society when mass shootings first began and what has increased in society directly and proportionally to the increase in mass shootings, even during the same time when strong actions and restrictions against guns and violent media were being implemented to stop the mass shootings.
The answer, the common denominator, the RIGHT TARGET in the ever increasing number of mass shootings was and continued to be the creation of strong, mind altering, psychiatric drugs by the pharmaceutical companies and their systematic pushing of these drugs to our children and youth"
(Article includes very long list showing psychiatric drugs used by mass murders.)
The answer, the common denominator, the RIGHT TARGET in the ever increasing number of mass shootings was and continued to be the creation of strong, mind altering, psychiatric drugs by the pharmaceutical companies and their systematic pushing of these drugs to our children and youth"
(Article includes very long list showing psychiatric drugs used by mass murders.)
Sen. Paul Introduces Default Prevention Act | Rand Paul 2016 | U.S. Senate
Sen. Paul Introduces Default Prevention Act | Rand Paul 2016 | U.S. Senate: "In order to remove any chance of government default, Sen. Paul’s legislation spells out which government-funded programs should be held at the highest priority to continue funding, while paying down the interest and principal on debt held by the public."
"There is no reason the government would – or should – responsibly consider the idea of default"
"There is no reason the government would – or should – responsibly consider the idea of default"
The Wrong Way to Do Human Rights | Simon Lester | Cato Institute
The Wrong Way to Do Human Rights | Simon Lester | Cato Institute: "When there are practices of foreign governments that concern us, we — and here it is Congress that is mostly to blame — should not act unilaterally to deal with them. Talk to others in the international community, and work with them to coordinate any action. For example, reach out to the European Parliament or national governments in Europe and Canada, which have considered actions similar to those taken by the United States, as well as others around the world.
This approach has two benefits. First, it lends credibility to the action. It is less likely to be seen as U.S. bullying (which is hardly unprecedented) if there is a large coalition involved, and will carry more weight if multiple countries lend their voice. And second, it makes an irresponsible reaction difficult. It will be more challenging if the government in question has to identify human rights that have been violated by the whole coalition, rather than simply look for the rich target that is the United States."
This approach has two benefits. First, it lends credibility to the action. It is less likely to be seen as U.S. bullying (which is hardly unprecedented) if there is a large coalition involved, and will carry more weight if multiple countries lend their voice. And second, it makes an irresponsible reaction difficult. It will be more challenging if the government in question has to identify human rights that have been violated by the whole coalition, rather than simply look for the rich target that is the United States."
Nine Strategies Successful People Use to Overcome Stress
Nine Strategies Successful People Use to Overcome Stress: "You need to remove from your life the day-to-day problems that absorb most people for meaningful parts of their day... You'll see I wear only gray or blue suits. I'm trying to pare down decisions. I don't want to make decisions about what I'm eating or wearing. Because I have too many other decisions to make. You need to focus your decision-making energy. You need to routinize yourself. You can't be going through the day distracted by trivia. –President Obama, Vanity Fair"
North Florida mom pays salary of armed deputy at child’s school | Fox News
North Florida mom pays salary of armed deputy at child’s school | Fox News: "A north Florida woman is paying an armed deputy to patrol her child's elementary school due to safety concerns following the shooting that killed 20 children in Newtown, Conn."
Monday, January 21, 2013
Massad Ayoob » Blog Archive » WHY GOOD PEOPLE NEED SEMIAUTOMATIC FIREARMS AND “HIGH CAPACITY” MAGAZINES … Part I
Massad Ayoob » Blog Archive » WHY GOOD PEOPLE NEED SEMIAUTOMATIC FIREARMS AND “HIGH CAPACITY” MAGAZINES … Part I: "The cops are the experts on the current criminal trends. If they have determined that a “high capacity” semiautomatic pistol and a .223 semiautomatic rifle with 30-round magazines are the best firearms for them to use to protect people like me and my family, they are obviously the best things for us to use to protect ourselves and our families ."
McDonald's settles case alleging sandwich sold at Mich. store wasn't halal as advertised | Fox News
McDonald's settles case alleging sandwich sold at Mich. store wasn't halal as advertised | Fox News: "he alleges that the Dearborn location on Ford Road sold non-halal products when it ran out of halal"
Obama inaugural and what it really represents - Campaign for Liberty
Obama inaugural and what it really represents - Campaign for Liberty: "Obama’s inaugural is being primarily funded by large corporations"
"Some may find it is odd that large corporations seeking subsidies and other special privileges from the federal government would underwrite the inaugural celebrations of an anti-free-market President as Barack Obama is supposedly opposed to big businesses. But history shows that the government interventions in the market are usually, if not always, beneficial to those privileged with access to Congress and the executive."
"Some may find it is odd that large corporations seeking subsidies and other special privileges from the federal government would underwrite the inaugural celebrations of an anti-free-market President as Barack Obama is supposedly opposed to big businesses. But history shows that the government interventions in the market are usually, if not always, beneficial to those privileged with access to Congress and the executive."
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Houston waiter refuses to serve customer who insulted Down syndrome boy | Fox News
Houston waiter refuses to serve customer who insulted Down syndrome boy | Fox News: "Maybe there were other ways I could have handled it, but Milo is such an angel, he is a gift from God as are all special needs children"
Cops Are Outraged That New York's New Magazine Limit Could Apply to Them - Hit & Run : Reason.com
Cops Are Outraged That New York's New Magazine Limit Could Apply to Them - Hit & Run : Reason.com: "f, as Seabrook says, the new magazine limit will have no impact on criminals and if, as Seabrook and Palladino agree, more than seven rounds sometimes are necessary to "save lives," what justification can there be for imposing this arbitrary restriction not just on "law-abiding retired cops" but on law-abiding citizens in general?"
"such magazines won't actually be "contraband" for people who already have them, but their owners will be expected to put no more than seven rounds in them at a time. I am serious: That is what the law says."
"such magazines won't actually be "contraband" for people who already have them, but their owners will be expected to put no more than seven rounds in them at a time. I am serious: That is what the law says."
The 5 Worst/Recent Mass Murders in the USA (with a Firearm) Came from Democrats
The 5 Worst/Recent Mass Murders in the USA (with a Firearm) Came from Democrats: I can't find any detailed study of those (to include all mass murders).
But if it is true, what does it mean? If two rights in the Bill of Rights were abused to commit mass murder, should we treat them both the same?
But if it is true, what does it mean? If two rights in the Bill of Rights were abused to commit mass murder, should we treat them both the same?
The NRA Myth of Arming the Good Guys | Mother Jones
The NRA Myth of Arming the Good Guys | Mother Jones: "If only Sandy Hook's principal had been packing heat, the argument goes, she could've stopped the mass killer. There's just one little problem with this: Not a single one of the 62 mass shootings we studied in our investigation has been stopped this way"
Well if it was stopped that way then it wouldn't be a mass shooting!?!? That logic doesn't even make sense!
Well if it was stopped that way then it wouldn't be a mass shooting!?!? That logic doesn't even make sense!
A Guide to Mass Shootings in America | Mother Jones
A Guide to Mass Shootings in America | Mother Jones: "Of the 142 guns possessed by the killers, more than three quarters were obtained legally."
"A majority were mentally ill"
"A majority were mentally ill"
WEAU - News - Headlines
WEAU - News - Headlines: "The Menomonie Police Department says on Thursday around 2:30 p.m. Fleet Farm Loss Prevention confronted a customer leaving the store without paying for some items.
The customer was later identified as William J. Lambie. As Lambie fled across the parking lot, he showed a handgun to the Fleet Farm employee. Lambie left the area on foot and was arrested a short time later. Lambie had tossed the handgun prior to police contact. A later search of the area was conducted and officers found a loaded ..22 cal Smith and Wesson semi-auto handgun."
The customer was later identified as William J. Lambie. As Lambie fled across the parking lot, he showed a handgun to the Fleet Farm employee. Lambie left the area on foot and was arrested a short time later. Lambie had tossed the handgun prior to police contact. A later search of the area was conducted and officers found a loaded ..22 cal Smith and Wesson semi-auto handgun."
Friday, January 18, 2013
Why I Still Support the Right to Bear Arms | Ilya Shapiro | Cato Institute
Why I Still Support the Right to Bear Arms | Ilya Shapiro | Cato Institute: "I would even take guns away from hunters and sportsmen if it meant better self-defense for the rest of us."
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Free Trade Is the Fix for Rising Health Insurance Premiums | Cato Institute
Free Trade Is the Fix for Rising Health Insurance Premiums | Cato Institute: "While state regulation may provide some benefits to consumers, the absence of competition — from either foreign or out-of-state companies — clearly benefits only the health insurance companies."
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Developer allegedly outsources his whole job to China, fired | Technically Incorrect - CNET News
Developer allegedly outsources his whole job to China, fired | Technically Incorrect - CNET News: "his employers valued him highly, as the work was of an excellent standard.
Meanwhile, Bob's trousers were being handsomely filled, as he was paying the Chinese a mere 20 percent of what the work would cost in the U.S., Verizon said."
Besides the security breach it sounds like he was doing them a service! Put him in charge of outsourcing!
Meanwhile, Bob's trousers were being handsomely filled, as he was paying the Chinese a mere 20 percent of what the work would cost in the U.S., Verizon said."
Besides the security breach it sounds like he was doing them a service! Put him in charge of outsourcing!
Where Is the Inflation? - Mark Thornton - Mises Daily
Where Is the Inflation? - Mark Thornton - Mises Daily: "what the Fed chose to do ended up making the rich, richer and the poor, poorer. If they had not embarked on the most extreme and unorthodox monetary policy in memory, the poor would have experienced a relative rise in their standard of living and the rich would have experienced a collective decrease in their standard of living."
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Facts about America’s health care quality that the world doesn’t know | Fox News
Facts about America’s health care quality that the world doesn’t know | Fox News: "the facts from source documents and medical journals show that Americans enjoy superior access to care compared to nationalized systems, the very systems put forth as models for ObamaCare — whether defined by wait-times for diagnosis, treatment, or specialists; timeliness of surgery; access to screening; or availability of medical technology and drugs."
An Updated Assessment of the Federal Assault Weapons Ban: Impacts on Gun Markets and Gun Violence, 1994-2003
http://www.sas.upenn.edu/jerrylee/research/aw_final2004.pdf:
"Should it be renewed, the ban’s effects on gun violence are likely to be small at best and perhaps too small for reliable measurement. [Assault weapons] were rarely used in gun crimes even before the ban. [Large capacity magazines] are involved in a more substantial share of gun crimes, but it is not clear how often the outcomes of gun attacks depend on the ability of offenders to fire more than ten shots (the current magazine capacity limit) without reloading."
"Should it be renewed, the ban’s effects on gun violence are likely to be small at best and perhaps too small for reliable measurement. [Assault weapons] were rarely used in gun crimes even before the ban. [Large capacity magazines] are involved in a more substantial share of gun crimes, but it is not clear how often the outcomes of gun attacks depend on the ability of offenders to fire more than ten shots (the current magazine capacity limit) without reloading."
Monday, January 14, 2013
The Fiscal Facts of Life | Cato Institute
The Fiscal Facts of Life | Cato Institute: "In 2008, the Congressional Budget Office estimated that in order to simply pay for then-projected spending, we would have to raise both the corporate tax rate and the top individual tax rate to 88 percent, raise the rate for middle-income workers to 63 percent, and raise the rate for low-income Americans to 25 percent. Given the explosion of spending in the last four years, those rates would have to be even higher today."
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Obama pal Bill Ayers calls Teach for America 'a fraud' | Fox News
Obama pal Bill Ayers calls Teach for America 'a fraud' | Fox News: "For years, critics -- mainly teachers' union officials -- have said the program allows cash-strapped districts to replace experienced, full-time teachers with lower paid and often more transient instructors."
Sounds like complaining about money with nothing said about the effect on students...
Sounds like complaining about money with nothing said about the effect on students...
Uncle Sam Won’t Stop Overspending | Cato Institute
Uncle Sam Won’t Stop Overspending | Cato Institute: "There are many studies, including those made by the U.S. Treasury, showing that the revenue-maximizing rate on capital gains is less than 15 percent."
"Why should a couple living in the hills of northern Georgia, away from any body of water that can cause them flood damage, have to pay increased taxes to compensate for the damage to homes for those who choose to live by the sea?"
"The reason we have government flood insurance and disaster aid is because the people who choose to live in high-risk areas do not like to pay the insurance rates required to fully protect their property."
"Government emergency aid for medicine, food and water in a disaster is an appropriate function of government. Government subsidies for rebuilding structures for people who choose to live in riskier places, however, is not appropriate and penalizes the more prudent"
"Why should a couple living in the hills of northern Georgia, away from any body of water that can cause them flood damage, have to pay increased taxes to compensate for the damage to homes for those who choose to live by the sea?"
"The reason we have government flood insurance and disaster aid is because the people who choose to live in high-risk areas do not like to pay the insurance rates required to fully protect their property."
"Government emergency aid for medicine, food and water in a disaster is an appropriate function of government. Government subsidies for rebuilding structures for people who choose to live in riskier places, however, is not appropriate and penalizes the more prudent"
Men armed with assault rifles walk through Portland to 'educate' public on gun rights | Fox News
Men armed with assault rifles walk through Portland to 'educate' public on gun rights | Fox News: "But doing one or both may generate 911 calls and possibly tie up resources that are needed for a real emergency."
"The Portland Police Bureau, however, asks anyone who sees someone armed with guns to immediately call 911."
Those statements seem to contradict. :-/
"The Portland Police Bureau, however, asks anyone who sees someone armed with guns to immediately call 911."
Those statements seem to contradict. :-/
Should Christians Support Gambling Laws? by Laurence M. Vance
Should Christians Support Gambling Laws? by Laurence M. Vance: "the Constitution nowhere authorizes the federal government regulate or prohibit any form of gambling. Just like the Constitution nowhere authorizes the federal government to regulate or prohibit any other vice, immoral activity, sin, or bad habit."
Gun control and violent crime
The most violent country in Europe: Britain is also worse than South Africa and U.S. | Mail Online: "In the UK, there are 2,034 offences per 100,000 people"
"The U.S. has a violence rate of 466 crimes per 100,000 residents, Canada 935, Australia 92 and South Africa 1,609."
The UK has much more restrictive gun control than the U.S. but so does Australia.
"But criminologists say crime figures can be affected by many factors, including different criminal justice systems and differences in how crime is reported and measured.
In Britain, an affray is considered a violent crime, while in other countries it will only be logged if a person is physically injured."
"The U.S. has a violence rate of 466 crimes per 100,000 residents, Canada 935, Australia 92 and South Africa 1,609."
The UK has much more restrictive gun control than the U.S. but so does Australia.
"But criminologists say crime figures can be affected by many factors, including different criminal justice systems and differences in how crime is reported and measured.
In Britain, an affray is considered a violent crime, while in other countries it will only be logged if a person is physically injured."
Wednesday, January 09, 2013
Sandy Republicans Pig Out | Doug Bandow | Cato Institute
Sandy Republicans Pig Out | Doug Bandow | Cato Institute: "In Washington political fraud rules. The $60 billion bill did not live up to its sales pitch. Much of it had nothing to do with helping hurricane victims."
"$17 billion was for “Community Development Block Grants,” "
"Alaska fishermen several thousand miles away from Hurricane Sandy would have gotten $150 million"
"Almost $11 billion was targeted for future public transportation construction and maintenance."
“They had the opportunity to have a $27-to $30-billion legit relief package, packed it with pork, then dared us not to vote on it.”
Half pork?!?!
“every disaster has become a Washington political opportunity. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is fully funded but does an incompetent job. Federal flood insurance encourages overbuilding in storm zones, so taxpayers pay first to subsidize the insurance and then to save the homeowners who overbuilt. And politicians use the public sympathy after any disaster as an excuse to throw even more money not merely at victims but for pent-up priorities they should be funding out of regular state and local tax dollars.”
“nearly half of all disaster relief is motivated by politics rather than by need.”
"genuine compassion is not compulsory. Giving away other people’s money is not being generous"
"$17 billion was for “Community Development Block Grants,” "
"Alaska fishermen several thousand miles away from Hurricane Sandy would have gotten $150 million"
"Almost $11 billion was targeted for future public transportation construction and maintenance."
“They had the opportunity to have a $27-to $30-billion legit relief package, packed it with pork, then dared us not to vote on it.”
Half pork?!?!
“every disaster has become a Washington political opportunity. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is fully funded but does an incompetent job. Federal flood insurance encourages overbuilding in storm zones, so taxpayers pay first to subsidize the insurance and then to save the homeowners who overbuilt. And politicians use the public sympathy after any disaster as an excuse to throw even more money not merely at victims but for pent-up priorities they should be funding out of regular state and local tax dollars.”
“nearly half of all disaster relief is motivated by politics rather than by need.”
"genuine compassion is not compulsory. Giving away other people’s money is not being generous"
Tuesday, January 08, 2013
FHA Bailout Is Inevitable, But Taxpayer Pain Is Not | Mark A. Calabria | Cato Institute
FHA Bailout Is Inevitable, But Taxpayer Pain Is Not | Mark A. Calabria | Cato Institute: "The question for renters with FICOs under 600 should not be “how do we make you a homeowner?” but “how do we help you fix your credit?” "
Connecticut grants $500G for lost business in Newtown following school shooting | Fox News
Connecticut grants $500G for lost business in Newtown following school shooting | Fox News: "Responding to pleas for help, the state stepped in on Tuesday, giving Newtown a $500,000 grant to help businesses recover."
“Fiscal Cliff” Vote Shows How Washington Really Works | Campaign for Liberty
“Fiscal Cliff” Vote Shows How Washington Really Works | Campaign for Liberty: "while well-connected special interests like Hollywood and rum manufacturers were being granted targeted tax assistance, the vast majority of Americans were being hit with a significant tax increase in the form of higher payroll taxes. Rather than cut a dime from federal spending, this bill granted breaks to the corporate elites and paid for the “lost revenue” by passing the costs on to the rest of us."
Monday, January 07, 2013
Congress trims US spy budget in deepest cuts since 9/11, drops anti-leak measures | Fox News
Congress trims US spy budget in deepest cuts since 9/11, drops anti-leak measures | Fox News: "Congress has drastically trimmed the budget for U.S. spies and satellites for 2013, though not quite as deeply as the White House wanted."
Why would they spend more than requested?
Why would they spend more than requested?
Iowa officer files lawsuit after battle against sex movies in prison | Fox News
Iowa officer files lawsuit after battle against sex movies in prison | Fox News: "Administrators let offenders at one of Iowa's most dangerous prison units watch violent and sexually explicit movies and TV shows for years"
Why would they allow that?
Why would they allow that?
Friday, January 04, 2013
Top California parks officials kept $20M hidden for over decade, report says | Fox News
Top California parks officials kept $20M hidden for over decade, report says | Fox News: "Officials at the highest level of the California Department of Parks and Recreation helped keep millions of dollars secret for more than a decade, the state attorney general's office said in a report released Friday.
The report said the "intentional non-disclosure" continued because employees feared the department's budget would be cut if lawmakers found out, and that they would be embarrassed about the years of covering it up.
"Throughout this period of intentional non-disclosure, some parks employees consistently requested, without success, that their superiors address the issue," Deputy Attorney General Thomas M. Patton wrote in the report."
The report said the "intentional non-disclosure" continued because employees feared the department's budget would be cut if lawmakers found out, and that they would be embarrassed about the years of covering it up.
"Throughout this period of intentional non-disclosure, some parks employees consistently requested, without success, that their superiors address the issue," Deputy Attorney General Thomas M. Patton wrote in the report."
Who Will Pick our Apples? | Cato Institute
Who Will Pick our Apples? | Cato Institute: "To fix the unauthorized immigration problem, the legal immigration system must be fixed."
On to the Next Manufactured Fiscal Crisis | Tad DeHaven | Cato Institute
On to the Next Manufactured Fiscal Crisis | Tad DeHaven | Cato Institute: "The Budget Control Act of 2011 — promised to reduce the growth in spending over the next ten years by $917 billion. In exchange, the president got to increase the debt ceiling by $900 billion. According to the House Republican leadership, the trade was a victory because the debt increase was smaller than the spending cuts. Of course, that’s nonsense. Not only were there no real spending cuts, the federal debt has proceeded to jump another $1.8 trillion since the president signed the bill less than a year and a half ago."
"not only did the Republicans not get any spending cuts, the deal they agreed to increased spending"
"Republicans and Democrats teamed up to save economic development subsidies, export subsidies, and several energy subsidy programs. In fact, the majority of House Republican voted to save the program that led to the Solyndra debacle."
"not only did the Republicans not get any spending cuts, the deal they agreed to increased spending"
"Republicans and Democrats teamed up to save economic development subsidies, export subsidies, and several energy subsidy programs. In fact, the majority of House Republican voted to save the program that led to the Solyndra debacle."
Force Science News #62: New Findings from FBI About Cop Attackers & Their Weapons at Force Science News
Force Science News #62: New Findings from FBI About Cop Attackers & Their Weapons at Force Science News: "most would-be cop killers:
–show signs of being armed that officers miss;
–have more experience using deadly force in “street combat” than their intended victims;
–practice with firearms more often and shoot more accurately;
–have no hesitation whatsoever about pulling the trigger. “If you hesitate,” one told the study’s researchers, “you’re dead. You have the instinct or you don’t. If you don’t, you’re in trouble on the street….”"
"none of the firearms in the study was obtained from gun shows. What was available “was the overriding factor in weapon choice,” the report says. Only 1 offender hand-picked a particular gun"
"More than 80% “regularly practiced with handguns, averaging 23 practice sessions a year,” "
"victim officers in the study averaged just 14 hours of sidearm training and 2.5 qualifications per year. Only 6 of the 50 officers reported practicing regularly with handguns apart from what their department required, and that was mostly in competitive shooting. Overall, the offenders practiced more often than the officers they assaulted"
"fired 12 rounds at an officer, striking him 3 times. The officer fired 7 rounds, all misses."
"Nearly 70% of assailants were successful in [delivering at least some rounds on target] with handguns, compared to about 40% of the victim officers" "offenders might have had an advantage because in all but 3 cases they fired first"
"Because they eschew holsters, offenders reported frequently touching a concealed gun with hands or arms “to assure themselves that it is still hidden, secure and accessible” and hasn’t shifted. Such gestures are especially noticeable “whenever individuals change body positions, such as standing, sitting or exiting a vehicle.” If they run, they may need to keep a constant grip on a hidden gun to control it.
Just as cops generally blade their body to make their sidearm less accessible, armed criminals “do the same in encounters with LEOs to ensure concealment and easy access.” "
–show signs of being armed that officers miss;
–have more experience using deadly force in “street combat” than their intended victims;
–practice with firearms more often and shoot more accurately;
–have no hesitation whatsoever about pulling the trigger. “If you hesitate,” one told the study’s researchers, “you’re dead. You have the instinct or you don’t. If you don’t, you’re in trouble on the street….”"
"none of the firearms in the study was obtained from gun shows. What was available “was the overriding factor in weapon choice,” the report says. Only 1 offender hand-picked a particular gun"
"More than 80% “regularly practiced with handguns, averaging 23 practice sessions a year,” "
"victim officers in the study averaged just 14 hours of sidearm training and 2.5 qualifications per year. Only 6 of the 50 officers reported practicing regularly with handguns apart from what their department required, and that was mostly in competitive shooting. Overall, the offenders practiced more often than the officers they assaulted"
"fired 12 rounds at an officer, striking him 3 times. The officer fired 7 rounds, all misses."
"Nearly 70% of assailants were successful in [delivering at least some rounds on target] with handguns, compared to about 40% of the victim officers" "offenders might have had an advantage because in all but 3 cases they fired first"
"Because they eschew holsters, offenders reported frequently touching a concealed gun with hands or arms “to assure themselves that it is still hidden, secure and accessible” and hasn’t shifted. Such gestures are especially noticeable “whenever individuals change body positions, such as standing, sitting or exiting a vehicle.” If they run, they may need to keep a constant grip on a hidden gun to control it.
Just as cops generally blade their body to make their sidearm less accessible, armed criminals “do the same in encounters with LEOs to ensure concealment and easy access.” "
Obama administration delivers delayed regulatory agenda, could cost billions | Fox News
Obama administration delivers delayed regulatory agenda, could cost billions | Fox News: "the cost of implementing the agenda would top $123 billion. Completing the paperwork could require more than 13 million man-hours."
"By law, each April and October, federal agencies are required to release an accounting of proposed regulations that will have an economically significant impact. That didn't happen in 2012."
"By law, each April and October, federal agencies are required to release an accounting of proposed regulations that will have an economically significant impact. That didn't happen in 2012."
Thursday, January 03, 2013
The Worst of the Worst | Cato Institute
The Worst of the Worst | Cato Institute: "today, at least, one-fourth of humanity suffers under severe oppression. These people, observed Freedom House, “have no say in how they are governed and face severe consequences if they try to exercise their most basic rights, such as expressing their views, assembling peacefully, and organizing independently of the state. Citizens who dare to assert their rights in these repressive countries typically suffer harassment and imprisonment, and often are subjected to physical or psychological abuse.” "
The Spending Cliff | Michael D. Tanner | Cato Institute
The Spending Cliff | Michael D. Tanner | Cato Institute: "at least $330 billion of the new debt results from the increased spending that was part of the deal"
"simply paying for big government through debt rather than taxes is not an appreciable improvement"
"simply paying for big government through debt rather than taxes is not an appreciable improvement"
Armed guards posted at New York paper that reported gun info | Fox News
Armed guards posted at New York paper that reported gun info | Fox News: "Newspaper publisher Janet Hasson says the guards have been posted at its White Plains headquarters and in a satellite office in West Nyack since last week.
She told The New York Times, "The safety of my staff is my top priority." "
What about other's safety?
She told The New York Times, "The safety of my staff is my top priority." "
What about other's safety?
Incoming Speaker Vos seeks lower tax rates
Incoming Speaker Vos seeks lower tax rates: "over time, too many tax credits have been created. He said Republicans want to eliminate some tax credits for business sectors that don't provide the boost they were intended to give."
10-year-old with BB gun saves mother's life from attacker
10-year-old with BB gun saves mother's life from attacker: Police say the boy ran and got his lever action BB gun and shot the man at least four times.
Wednesday, January 02, 2013
'We Just Kill a Kid?' 'No, a Dog.' 'On Two Legs?' | Cato Institute
'We Just Kill a Kid?' 'No, a Dog.' 'On Two Legs?' | Cato Institute: "The Bureau of Investigative Journalism reported last August that in Pakistan’s tribal areas alone, there are at least 168 credible reports of children being killed in drone strikes."
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