Tuesday, April 8
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Robert Kaercher is the guest editor today. |
"Conscripting kids and rushing them through boot camp, then packing them sardine-style into ships for the voyage overseas, then trucking them to rat-infested trenches, then hauling them out when they’re dead, maimed, diseased, or finished killing -- all of that and much more requires funding that only a central bank, with its surreptitious form of theft, can provide without political repercussions." Column by George F. Smith.
“When
Gen. David H. Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker brief Congress this
week, they will be hard-pressed to depict Iraq as moving toward stability in
the wake of recent violence that sent deaths soaring to their highest level in
seven months.”
“Some
of the physical destruction I saw in Mogadishu was a result of earlier wars in
the 1990s. War in one form or another has been a near-constant fact of Somali
life for decades.” No
thanks to Uncle Sam.
What
If Public Schools Were Abolished?
“In
short, if we could abolish public schools and compulsory schooling laws, and
replace it all with market-provided education, we would have better schools at
half the price, and be freer too. We would also be a more just society, with
only the customers of education bearing the costs.” Column by Lew Rockwell.
An
Apolitical Approach to Libertarianism
“In the discussion and debate that goes on among libertarians, it is disputed as to wether or not libertarians should vote and participate in party politics. Some see voting as the only practical option, some think that there should be a multi-pronged approach that includes voting, some are die-hard supporters of the Republican politician Ron Paul, some are adamantly opposed to the Libertarian Party, some think that voting is immoral and some think that voting is impractical and strategically counterproductive or suicidal.” From Brainpolice.
“Like the chariot race and the bearded prophet Moses, Heston will be best remembered for several indelible cinematic moments: playing a deadly game of cat and mouse with Orson Welles in the oil fields in ‘Touch of Evil’, his rant at the end of ‘Planet of the Apes’ when he sees the destruction of the Statue of Liberty, his discovery that ‘Soylent Green is people!’ in the sci-fi hit ‘Soylent Green’ and the dead Spanish hero on his steed in ‘El Cid’.” And as Wally Conger points out, Heston was named John Carter at birth.
…about a libertarian-environmentalist alliance.
“The
Los
Angeles County Board of Supervisors is considering a new law that
could leave the owners of taco and catering trucks facing jail time if they
park in the same spot too long.”
The Mogambo Guru on the economics of welfare in oil-rich countries.
Pavarotti
Lip-Synched His Swan Song
Along with Chicago playwright Tracy Letts.
Timely new song by Mike Ragogna with Dobie Gray. My favorite line is the one about admitting it was all just a big mistake.
This documentary about a mayor's race is very illuminating. You get to see how a political machine works. (Editor's pick)
A new book from Bill Kauffman, author of Look Homeward, America: In Search of Reactionary Radicals and Front-Porch Anarchists.
Breaking
News: Plight of Missing Hikers Will Make Great Movie
A photo blog.