It's not uncommon for me to dream about living room sets in part because our living room is too small for most living room groups and it's being currently taken over by one of my daughters who prefers to sleep there than in the basement where her bedroom once was.
Which would mean for most their idea of sofa collections were not adorned with pillows and fleece blankets. My husband dreams of leather collections in a living room or den, I think of our cats and dogs and know that will never happen. Even reclining groups while tempting create flash backs to when one cat was trapped in a recliner and stuck there for hours before we returned home to locate him after hearing the pitiful meows as we entered the door...
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Top ten disasters from Obama and Bush adminstrations
From the Libertarian Party, via Independent Political Report:
Top 10 disasters of the 2009 Obama administration (in no particular order):
1. Cash for Clunkers
2. War escalation in Afghanistan
3. Giant government health care expansion bill
4. Post office loses money hand over fist
5. Stimulus package
6. Expansion of "state secrets" doctrine
7. Big increase in unemployment
8. "Bailout" Geithner as Treasury Secretary
9. Skyrocketing federal spending
10. Huge federal deficits
Top 10 disasters of the 2001-2008 Bush administration:
1. Cash for Car Companies
2. War in Iraq
3. Giant Medicare expansion bill
4. Post office loses money hand over fist
5. Stimulus "rebate" checks
6. PATRIOT Act
7. Big increase in unemployment
8. "Bailout" Paulson as Treasury Secretary
9. Skyrocketing federal spending
10. Huge federal deficits
Top 10 disasters of the 2009 Obama administration (in no particular order):
1. Cash for Clunkers
2. War escalation in Afghanistan
3. Giant government health care expansion bill
4. Post office loses money hand over fist
5. Stimulus package
6. Expansion of "state secrets" doctrine
7. Big increase in unemployment
8. "Bailout" Geithner as Treasury Secretary
9. Skyrocketing federal spending
10. Huge federal deficits
Top 10 disasters of the 2001-2008 Bush administration:
1. Cash for Car Companies
2. War in Iraq
3. Giant Medicare expansion bill
4. Post office loses money hand over fist
5. Stimulus "rebate" checks
6. PATRIOT Act
7. Big increase in unemployment
8. "Bailout" Paulson as Treasury Secretary
9. Skyrocketing federal spending
10. Huge federal deficits
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Of Toronto and the tooth fairy...
Every time I hear someone mention Toronto even if it's related to Toronto hotels, I think about my first visit to that area. It's one of my first early memories because I was eating corn on the cob at a restaurant with my family and I lost my first tooth in the corn. The tooth was not quite ready to come out, so it bled a bit, and I remember sitting there with a white sundress on and my mother upset that I might get blood on my dress.
That may not sound like a happy memory, but it actually was, since it was also when I had my first visit from the tooth fairy and it gave me an early memory of that family vacation of decades ago...
That may not sound like a happy memory, but it actually was, since it was also when I had my first visit from the tooth fairy and it gave me an early memory of that family vacation of decades ago...
Liberty does not really make health care universal
As I read, How Liberty Makes Health Care Virtually Universal, it bothered me that one of the conservative talking points that malpractice insurance is a factor in the current health care costs increasing was listed as well as regulations on prescription drugs.
The prescription drug industry is the reason why regulation happened, and our government tries to prevent us from getting the exact same drug, from other places like Canada and Mexico. In part pushed by the big pharm lobbyists, which have too much power in DC. We as a nation pay more for drug research because we've allowed that particular industry to have too much control. The health care insurance companies have demonstrated they can not provide services without regulations, and we as consumers have been forgotten in the political battles of the lobbyists versus lobbyists.
True liberty would be being able to opt in or opt out for affordable insurance, having smaller companies being able to contract with larger ones to reduce the base cost of their health insurance plans. True liberty would be if I could get a drug I took every day, made by the same exact company in Canada? My insurance company would pay for it.
The litigation happy society that we live in, is not a huge factor in the increase of health care or the supposed lack of physicians. Medical school enrollment is actually increasing which would indicate claims being made by some that the regulation has somehow contributed to a lack of physicians is not accurate. More students specialize rather than go into family practice but it is the lure of money not fear of regulations that drives that...
The prescription drug industry is the reason why regulation happened, and our government tries to prevent us from getting the exact same drug, from other places like Canada and Mexico. In part pushed by the big pharm lobbyists, which have too much power in DC. We as a nation pay more for drug research because we've allowed that particular industry to have too much control. The health care insurance companies have demonstrated they can not provide services without regulations, and we as consumers have been forgotten in the political battles of the lobbyists versus lobbyists.
True liberty would be being able to opt in or opt out for affordable insurance, having smaller companies being able to contract with larger ones to reduce the base cost of their health insurance plans. True liberty would be if I could get a drug I took every day, made by the same exact company in Canada? My insurance company would pay for it.
The litigation happy society that we live in, is not a huge factor in the increase of health care or the supposed lack of physicians. Medical school enrollment is actually increasing which would indicate claims being made by some that the regulation has somehow contributed to a lack of physicians is not accurate. More students specialize rather than go into family practice but it is the lure of money not fear of regulations that drives that...
Saturday, December 19, 2009
The lure of gold...
You can go thousands of years into the history of man and see there has been an interest in gold shortly after man became interested in commerce. Man saw more than a value in owning gold, it was also the beauty of the gold that lured him into wanting to own it.
Today in some ways it's the same, there are those who buy gold to create a diverse portfolio of investments and there are those who still want to own gold just for the pure beauty of it. If you are one of those interested in gold as an investment, it's easier than ever before to buy gold in a variety of ways, from ingots to bullion. There are companies out there that specialize in selling gold and other precious metals. They watch the prices, they know the market, and they cater to those who want to own gold...
Today in some ways it's the same, there are those who buy gold to create a diverse portfolio of investments and there are those who still want to own gold just for the pure beauty of it. If you are one of those interested in gold as an investment, it's easier than ever before to buy gold in a variety of ways, from ingots to bullion. There are companies out there that specialize in selling gold and other precious metals. They watch the prices, they know the market, and they cater to those who want to own gold...
Boston Globe pretends Kennedy is not in Senate race
With the exception of one brief mention, you'd think that Libertarian candidate, Joseph L. Kennedy was not even in the Massachusetts Senate race after reading, this article. Where the platforms of the Democrat and the Republican are compared, there is no mention of Kennedy.
Only this:
And this:
Which really calls into question Coakley's previous comments about how Kennedy should be included in debates if she for some reason does not decide to participate...It's the same tactic used over and over again by the media, they rarely include the third party candidates in any coverage, which makes it more difficult for a third party or independent to be treated fairly by the media...
Only this:
A possible complication for Brown is the fact that Joseph L. Kennedy of Dedham - a Libertarian running as an independent, who is not related to the late senator - has submitted sufficient signatures to be on the Jan. 19 ballot. Libertarians tend to appeal to a segment of the Republican electorate.
And this:
Brown and Kennedy have also confirmed for a Jan. 8 debate on WGBY-TV in Springfield and a Jan. 13 debate that is being sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts and held at Boston’s Faneuil Hall. Coakley has not yet agreed to those.
Which really calls into question Coakley's previous comments about how Kennedy should be included in debates if she for some reason does not decide to participate...It's the same tactic used over and over again by the media, they rarely include the third party candidates in any coverage, which makes it more difficult for a third party or independent to be treated fairly by the media...
Changes in the mail...
There are still some areas, like my neighborhood where the mailman (or mailwoman) delivers the mail on foot, door to door to each of the mail boxes on my street. However I've noticed a trend in some of the newer building projects where they have all of the Residential Mailboxes in one area, so that the mail is not actually delivered to the home, but is within walking distance to the homes on the street.
It's very similar to what we used to see when it came to Commercial Mailboxes in apartment units. Gone is the relationship that used to exist with your postal person, what is also gone with that appears to be some of the care with delivering mail. Which may not be purposeful, it's much easier to make a mistake while standing at a unit full of many mailboxes than it is going house to house. Many times there is no longer even any personal service when it comes to package delivery, there is a special mailbox placed with the mass of boxes and the key is placed in your mailbox.
Certified mail is still in theory delivered, but I've found what happens all too often even in my neighborhood where there is a walking route, is the slip for the certified mail is left in the box with no attempt to even see if the person is home. Nor is there any attempt to re-deliver...This leads me to think that perhaps the solution is to drop two days a week of delivery, that way the four days a week there is service? Perhaps a bit better service could occur...
It's very similar to what we used to see when it came to Commercial Mailboxes in apartment units. Gone is the relationship that used to exist with your postal person, what is also gone with that appears to be some of the care with delivering mail. Which may not be purposeful, it's much easier to make a mistake while standing at a unit full of many mailboxes than it is going house to house. Many times there is no longer even any personal service when it comes to package delivery, there is a special mailbox placed with the mass of boxes and the key is placed in your mailbox.
Certified mail is still in theory delivered, but I've found what happens all too often even in my neighborhood where there is a walking route, is the slip for the certified mail is left in the box with no attempt to even see if the person is home. Nor is there any attempt to re-deliver...This leads me to think that perhaps the solution is to drop two days a week of delivery, that way the four days a week there is service? Perhaps a bit better service could occur...
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Despite vow no arrests at Dodd Fundraiser...
When I read this on the Independent Political Report:
I wondered what happened, especially since IPR didn't have an update. So I went searching, and found CT News Junkie which reported a few dozen protesters in all with:
Angry citizens vow arrests at Sen. Dodd fundraiser with Vice President Biden
What: Protest at Senator Dodd fundraising event with Vice President Biden to demand single-payer health reform
When: Friday, December 11, 2009, Human Rights Day at 11 a.m.
Where: CT Science Center, 250 Columbus Street, Hartford, CT
Who: Green Party of CT and Mobilization for Health Care for All, a national civil disobedience campaign
Why: Demand “Medicare for All” (Single Payer Healthcare Reform)
Declaring health care to be a human right, hundreds of advocates for a single-payer, Medicare-for-All health program will protest at 18 senators’ offices around the country on Dec. 10, International Human Rights Day.Many will risk arrest by committing acts of civil disobedience.
I wondered what happened, especially since IPR didn't have an update. So I went searching, and found CT News Junkie which reported a few dozen protesters in all with:
Green Party member Tim McKee said they’re taking baby steps by proposing the Medicare solution that would allow those without insurance to buy into the Medicare system. McKee said he is an advocate of a single-payer system. So is Lauren Serven of Wethersfield, who said “health care is a resource, it’s a human right.”
McKee had expected about a dozen other supporters of single-payer to show up and be arrested for civil disobedience, but no arrests related to the protest were made Friday.
McKee is still working on drafting Ralph Nader to run against Dodd.
A French revoluntionary?
When I came across the name, Christian Louboutin it sounded as if he would be a French revolutionary, I suppose in a way you could still say that, but Louboutin is a designer, one that has a line of shoes that are pretty colorful. Just about any color of the rainbow, a brightly colored rainbow at that, has one style shoe or the other. Which for some of us? Bright green heels would be pretty revolutionary...
:-)
:-)
Ralph Nader: Just War is Just Words
Recommended piece written by Ralph Nader that was posted to his website on Friday, "Just War" is Just Words. While I recommend you read the entire piece, a selection from it:
President Obama, the Afghan war escalator, received the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, Norway, and proceeded to deliver his acceptance speech outlining the three criteria for a “just war” which he himself is violating.
The criteria are in his words: “If it is waged as a last resort or in self-defense; if the force used is proportional; and if, whenever possible, civilians are spared from violence.”
To say as Obama inferred in his Oslo speech that the greater plunge into Afghanistan is self-defense, with proportional force and sparing civilians from violence is a scale of self-delusion or political cowardliness that is dejecting his liberal base.
For as President Eisenhower stated so eloquently in his 1953 “cross of iron” speech, every dollar spent on munitions and saber-rattling takes away from building schools, clinics, roads and other necessities of the American people.
Gary Johnson: You say you want a revolution?
The Our America, the Gary Johnson Initiative has recently been launched. It's a website I recommend visiting to those of you who are confirmed libertarians and those of you who lean libertarian. How successful this ends up being, amid the speculation that Johnson is planning for a presidential run, remains to be seen, but there is a good deal of information on the site.
It also states the platform on many key issues, with one absent, healthcare.
It also states the platform on many key issues, with one absent, healthcare.
Make sure to take your passport...
The laws for travel are interesting because they used to vary more than they do now, soon it will be necessary to have a passport to go anywhere outside of the US, withthe exception of US territories. It's also important that you check to see what other requirements are necessary. Let's say for an example you were looking at dominican republic resorts as a vacation spot. You'd not only need a passport but a tourist card, that has to be paid in US dollars (currently it's $10.00) and allows you to stay for 60 days. If you stay longer and have not gone through the proper extension process? You can face a large surcharge when you attempt to return to the US...
Traveling outside of the US can be a fun adventure, but make sure you do your homework first and read any travel advisories from the State Department...
Traveling outside of the US can be a fun adventure, but make sure you do your homework first and read any travel advisories from the State Department...
Diet Industry a 40 billion dollar one...
As some in America see their waistlines expanding, there is still an increasing number who decide they are going to do something about their weight, from weight loss pills to other diet products in 2007 it was reported that the diet industry was a 40 billion dollar one.
What's interesting is some of the myths related to this, one primary one is that if those of lower economic statuses truly did not have enough to eat weight would not be an issue. Statistically it's been proven it's not the quantity of the food eaten that causes some to be overweight, it is the quality and the type of food. What role the government should play in this has been an ongoing issue...
What's interesting is some of the myths related to this, one primary one is that if those of lower economic statuses truly did not have enough to eat weight would not be an issue. Statistically it's been proven it's not the quantity of the food eaten that causes some to be overweight, it is the quality and the type of food. What role the government should play in this has been an ongoing issue...
Friday, December 11, 2009
38th Birthday of the Libertarian Party
Today, in 1971, the Libertarian Party was founded.
Do something to celebrate that reminds you of liberty and less regulation.
Running through your home naked would be more advisable than running down the street naked, not only could it be cold...but illegal.
:-)
Do something to celebrate that reminds you of liberty and less regulation.
Running through your home naked would be more advisable than running down the street naked, not only could it be cold...but illegal.
:-)
If she really means it, it's inspiring...
In today's Boston Globe, US Senate candidate Martha Coakley supports open debates:
As the article also points out, politically it could really help her to demand Kennedy be included in the debates:
Hence the post title, if she really means what she's stated? It's inspiring to see a Democratic candidate not afraid of debates and to include third party candidates.
On Tuesday, Coakley won the Democratic nomination and state Senator Scott Brown won the Republican nomination.
Kennedy, who is no relation to the famed political family, is a Libertarian who launched an independent bid for US Senate. He is the only candidate not in a major party who turned in the 10,000 signatures needed to get on the ballot.
Coakley said there have been requests made for eight debates, and her campaign is considering them now. When asked whether she would refuse to debate unless Kennedy was included, she said, "We haven't gotten to that yet."
"I'm a Democrat, we live in a democracy, and this is one of the treasures that we have," she said."If people can get the votes and get the support, they're allowed to get their message out to voters. ... He has done what Massachusetts says he needs to to be on the ballot here. In that sense he puts himself out as a candidate.''
As the article also points out, politically it could really help her to demand Kennedy be included in the debates:
Having a three-way debate would help Coakley, the front-runner in the race, and would make it harder for Brown to clearly differentiate himself from Coakley. As a libertarian, Kennedy is also more likely to pull votes from Brown than he is from Coakley, so giving him broad exposure on a televised debate could hurt Brown's chances.
Hence the post title, if she really means what she's stated? It's inspiring to see a Democratic candidate not afraid of debates and to include third party candidates.
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Spice up your kitchen...
One of the downsides to our house we are living in right now is how small the kitchen is, it's one of my dream moments about the house we are going through renovation hell with, that once that is survived, the kitchen there is 20 times larger than this one. What I have found though with a small kitchen, there are items you can buy to make things easier. Most of these items can be found online at stores like JK Adams, one example of something that can save you space is a JK Adams pot rack, the mini bar ones can also be used for small kitchen areas.
Having a spice rack is another way to save space, especially if you pick one of the JK Adams spice racks that can mount on your wall, that frees up much needed counter space. I prefer one of the chunk style cutting boards, I just leave it out as a part of my counter space but there are a large variety of JK Adams cutting boards that could also fit into a cupboard.
Even when it comes to JK Adams wine racks there are some space saving designs, and they also have some nice stemware racks, the hanging ones are a great way to free up cupboard space and if you opt for colored wine glasses? Can add a splash of color to your kitchen. This time of year I recommend red, green and gold stemware, and I have friends who take this a step farther by adding some fake holly leaves around the edges of the stemware rack. The nice thing about any of these items is when we finally do move? I can take them with me and they'll work just fine in a larger kitchen as well.
Having a spice rack is another way to save space, especially if you pick one of the JK Adams spice racks that can mount on your wall, that frees up much needed counter space. I prefer one of the chunk style cutting boards, I just leave it out as a part of my counter space but there are a large variety of JK Adams cutting boards that could also fit into a cupboard.
Even when it comes to JK Adams wine racks there are some space saving designs, and they also have some nice stemware racks, the hanging ones are a great way to free up cupboard space and if you opt for colored wine glasses? Can add a splash of color to your kitchen. This time of year I recommend red, green and gold stemware, and I have friends who take this a step farther by adding some fake holly leaves around the edges of the stemware rack. The nice thing about any of these items is when we finally do move? I can take them with me and they'll work just fine in a larger kitchen as well.
Poll on Global Warming...
Poll that might be of interest on the Libertarian Party website.
The questions:
Which of the following statements best matches your view of global warming?
This whole global warming thing is a hoax.
I don’t know whether global warming is real, but the government should limit carbon dioxide emissions just to be safe.
Global warming is real, it’s a threat, and the government should limit carbon dioxide emissions.
Whether or not global warming is real, it doesn’t justify more taxes or regulations.
Global warming is mostly natural and there’s not much we can do about it.
The questions:
Which of the following statements best matches your view of global warming?
This whole global warming thing is a hoax.
I don’t know whether global warming is real, but the government should limit carbon dioxide emissions just to be safe.
Global warming is real, it’s a threat, and the government should limit carbon dioxide emissions.
Whether or not global warming is real, it doesn’t justify more taxes or regulations.
Global warming is mostly natural and there’s not much we can do about it.
NRLC urges defeat of healthcare bill
WASHINGTON (December 8, 2009) -- By a vote of 54 to 45, the U.S. Senate today tabled (killed) an amendment to remove elective abortion from the new federal programs that would be created by pending health care legislation. The following statement was issued by the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), the federation of right-to-life organizations in all 50 states, and may be attributed to NRLC Legislative Director Douglas Johnson.
A majority of senators today voted to keep abortion covered in the proposed federal government insurance program, and to subsidize private insurance plans that cover abortion on demand. Now, the vote on cloture on the bill itself will become the key vote on whether to put the federal government into the abortion business. We will oppose cloture on the bill, which would require 60 affirmative votes. In addition, a number of pro-life Democrats in the House, who supported passage of health care legislation on November 7, will not vote for the Senate bill in its current form. So, this is a long way from over.
The amendment rejected today, supported by NRLC, was sponsored by Senator Ben Nelson (D-Ne.) and Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah). It contained the same substance as the Stupak-Pitts Amendment, which was adopted by the House of Representatives on November 7, 240-194. Both amendments would prevent the federal government insurance program (the "public option") from paying for abortion (except to save the life of the mother, or in cases of rape or incest). In addition, both amendments would prevent federal subsidies from being used to purchase private health plans that cover elective abortion, but would not restrict the sale or purchase of such policies with private funds.
As NRLC has previously noted, the health care bill pending in the Senate, proposed by Senator Harry Reid (D-Nv.) and backed by President Obama, would authorize the federal government to pay for any and all abortions through a huge new federal health insurance program, the "public option," and would also subsidize purchase of private plans that cover abortion on demand. President Obama and Reid know that the substance of these abortion-promoting policies is deeply unpopular, so they seek to conceal the reality with layers of contorted definitions and money-laundering schemes.
For extensive further documentation on aspects of the health care legislation relating to abortion, visit the NRLC website at www.nrlc.org/ahc.
The National Right to Life Committee, the nation's largest pro-life group, is a federation of affiliates in all 50 states and 3,000 local chapters nationwide. National Right to Life works through legislation and education to protect those threatened by abortion, infanticide, euthanasia and assisted suicide. If you do not wish to receive occasional updates from NRLC, simply REPLY to this email with the word REMOVE in the body of your email. Thank you.
A majority of senators today voted to keep abortion covered in the proposed federal government insurance program, and to subsidize private insurance plans that cover abortion on demand. Now, the vote on cloture on the bill itself will become the key vote on whether to put the federal government into the abortion business. We will oppose cloture on the bill, which would require 60 affirmative votes. In addition, a number of pro-life Democrats in the House, who supported passage of health care legislation on November 7, will not vote for the Senate bill in its current form. So, this is a long way from over.
The amendment rejected today, supported by NRLC, was sponsored by Senator Ben Nelson (D-Ne.) and Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah). It contained the same substance as the Stupak-Pitts Amendment, which was adopted by the House of Representatives on November 7, 240-194. Both amendments would prevent the federal government insurance program (the "public option") from paying for abortion (except to save the life of the mother, or in cases of rape or incest). In addition, both amendments would prevent federal subsidies from being used to purchase private health plans that cover elective abortion, but would not restrict the sale or purchase of such policies with private funds.
As NRLC has previously noted, the health care bill pending in the Senate, proposed by Senator Harry Reid (D-Nv.) and backed by President Obama, would authorize the federal government to pay for any and all abortions through a huge new federal health insurance program, the "public option," and would also subsidize purchase of private plans that cover abortion on demand. President Obama and Reid know that the substance of these abortion-promoting policies is deeply unpopular, so they seek to conceal the reality with layers of contorted definitions and money-laundering schemes.
For extensive further documentation on aspects of the health care legislation relating to abortion, visit the NRLC website at www.nrlc.org/ahc.
The National Right to Life Committee, the nation's largest pro-life group, is a federation of affiliates in all 50 states and 3,000 local chapters nationwide. National Right to Life works through legislation and education to protect those threatened by abortion, infanticide, euthanasia and assisted suicide. If you do not wish to receive occasional updates from NRLC, simply REPLY to this email with the word REMOVE in the body of your email. Thank you.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Window boxes and cats...
The other day I was watching one of those do it yourself television shows and they built a window box for their cats. It was similar to how an air conditioner sits in a window, giving your cats the ability to go out into the window box to better enjoy the view than one they would normally have just sitting in the window.
This then got me thinking about the many different types of window boxes there are. There are window flower boxes that people use to adorn their homes but there are also window plant boxes that some grow vegetables and herbs in. These planters come in a variety of materials, from wood to fiberglass, they also come in a variety of sizes. They can attach to a window or be attached to a deck, or be free standing. Or if you really wanted to make your cat happy, you'd design a similar window box as I saw on television, then attach garden window boxes in a manner that your cat could not only enjoy the outdoors but munch on some kitty greens...
:-)
This then got me thinking about the many different types of window boxes there are. There are window flower boxes that people use to adorn their homes but there are also window plant boxes that some grow vegetables and herbs in. These planters come in a variety of materials, from wood to fiberglass, they also come in a variety of sizes. They can attach to a window or be attached to a deck, or be free standing. Or if you really wanted to make your cat happy, you'd design a similar window box as I saw on television, then attach garden window boxes in a manner that your cat could not only enjoy the outdoors but munch on some kitty greens...
:-)
Christian-libertarian-capitalist-environmentalist-lunatic farmer?
At first I thought the title was a joke, then I saw it's actually what the person given the title has claimed as his own, Joel Salatin Advocates a Better Way to Raise Food . It's an article I recommend is worth taking the time to read, part of which:
On a foundation of Christian principles, Salatin has built a farming ecosystem where cows, pigs, chickens, turkeys, and rabbits interact ecologically in a way that goes beyond conservation.
"What we're looking at is God's design, nature's template, and using that as a pattern to cut around and lay it down on a domestic model to duplicate that pattern that we see in nature," Salatin says.
What that means for Polyface in practical terms is that the cattle graze different areas of pasture every day. Then chickens pick through the same fields, eating bugs and spreading cow manure before clucking back to mobile coops.
The farm's pigs generate fertilizer by rooting around the floor of the barn, lured by sweet corn into aerating the mix of hay, cow manure, and wood chips. The finished compost is spread on fields. This process not only takes almost nothing out of the environment, it puts nutrients back in.
"We believe that the farm should be building 'forgiveness' into the ecosystem," Salatin says. "What does that mean? That a more forgiving ecosystem is one that can better handle drought, flood, disease, pestilence."
Garry Reed compares reaction to blog post to storming the Bastille
When I read the earlier piece on Examiner.com, Calling all Stalinist-Jeffersonian-Bozoian Libertarians, I didn't quite agree with all that Garry Reed shared, but he was expressing his opinion.
Apparently quite a few took issue with his piece, hence, Calling all laissez-faire sovereign individual Libertarians was penned, where Reed stated in part:
Perhaps I'm a bit more of a realist, but I think the amount of time we waste on arguing about labels and who is really what just takes us away from some of the larger issues out there that perhaps solutions could be found for. Or at a minimum we'd know which solutions are not going to ever be agreed on.
Each person's concept of what their "political label" is can vary, there is no set formula as it if you believe A then you are this and if you believe B you are this, because at times people believe or don't believe in both A and B at the same time. It's all a matter of degrees. To some, I am very liberal, to others I am very libertarian, to others? I am no way even close to their concept of what a liberal or a libertarian would be. Yet to me? I'm still the same, liberal on some issues and libertarian on others...
Apparently quite a few took issue with his piece, hence, Calling all laissez-faire sovereign individual Libertarians was penned, where Reed stated in part:
The satirically titled article Calling all Stalinist-Jeffersonian-Bozoian Libertarians published on Wednesday immediately attracted the ire of contemporary socialism's apologists who stormed the "add a Comment" box on the article's page like they were storming the Bastille.
The article posited that in today's politico-philosophical world, anyone who embraced the oxymoron of "libertarian socialism" should have no problem with accepting the absurdity of "Stalinist-Jeffersonian-Bozoian Libertarianism."
The socialists (or "progressives," that being the modern, trendy camouflage word for "socialist") angrily pontificated that the libertarian label belonged exclusively to them, that the socialist usage could be traced back 150-200 years, that the libertarian label was stolen from the socialists in 1971 by the Libertarian Party (many non-libertarians harbor the illusion that the LP is somehow the beginning of modern libertarian's existence), and that "anarcho-capitalist" rather than "libertarian socialism" is the true oxymoron (because socialists make no distinction between "capitalism" which is accepted by libertarians as a synonym for voluntary free trade while "corporatism" is an invention of coercive government and is therefore rejected by libertarians, but that's another article).
Perhaps I'm a bit more of a realist, but I think the amount of time we waste on arguing about labels and who is really what just takes us away from some of the larger issues out there that perhaps solutions could be found for. Or at a minimum we'd know which solutions are not going to ever be agreed on.
Each person's concept of what their "political label" is can vary, there is no set formula as it if you believe A then you are this and if you believe B you are this, because at times people believe or don't believe in both A and B at the same time. It's all a matter of degrees. To some, I am very liberal, to others I am very libertarian, to others? I am no way even close to their concept of what a liberal or a libertarian would be. Yet to me? I'm still the same, liberal on some issues and libertarian on others...
While Zimmer attempts to unviel new product questions remain
Earlier this month the FDA did not give Zimmer Holdings, Inc. permission to market a spine stabilization system that they call a Dynesys device as a stand alone product. That alone was not something, new this happens when it comes to medical devices coming before the FDA. What was unusual was that the FDA reviewers earlier raised questions as to possible bias in the company's study, pointing out that a majority of patients were treated by researchers with a financial interest in the company.
While it has not gotten the same news coverage, issues on zimmer durom cup have been raised in courtrooms and on the internet with some experiencing problems after having a durom cup hip replacement.
Law firms such as Maglio Christopher Toale & Pitts have filed cases in court and have provided information on the exact zimmer durom cup types that have been at issue. Apparently there is a different model that was not used in the United States that did not have some of the same failure rates.
What is interesting about this scenario is that the media is not doing any real reporting on the problems that have been reported, it has been some of the law firms that have actually provided more reference material. Which at least means those googling are discovering there could be a problem...
While it has not gotten the same news coverage, issues on zimmer durom cup have been raised in courtrooms and on the internet with some experiencing problems after having a durom cup hip replacement.
Law firms such as Maglio Christopher Toale & Pitts have filed cases in court and have provided information on the exact zimmer durom cup types that have been at issue. Apparently there is a different model that was not used in the United States that did not have some of the same failure rates.
What is interesting about this scenario is that the media is not doing any real reporting on the problems that have been reported, it has been some of the law firms that have actually provided more reference material. Which at least means those googling are discovering there could be a problem...
You have no right to free speech on a blog
Recently I was forced to ban someone from my local political blog that at one time was a friend of mine. He continually violated the rules for civil discussion I had for everyone on the blog as well as calling me several times a day to take issue with me when he had been edited. In one of his last emails to me he stated I was the poster child for needing freedom of speech and called me a neo-con.
It would have been amusing had it not been for the fact that I ended up losing a friend over my feeling as if he should have to follow the same rules as everyone else. Then there are a few others, including one blogger in particular who likes to complain about how things are on my blog, yet is not very different from those he complains about.
There is no right to freedom of speech on a blog, especially one owned and managed by a person, it is up to that person to allow you to comment, and to allow your comment to stay. It's also up to them to determine if they want rules on their site or if it's going to be this wild, wild west free for all.
Some bloggers make every comment have to be moderated, they can decide to publish or not to publish your comments.
So, there is no right to free speech on a blog...
It would have been amusing had it not been for the fact that I ended up losing a friend over my feeling as if he should have to follow the same rules as everyone else. Then there are a few others, including one blogger in particular who likes to complain about how things are on my blog, yet is not very different from those he complains about.
There is no right to freedom of speech on a blog, especially one owned and managed by a person, it is up to that person to allow you to comment, and to allow your comment to stay. It's also up to them to determine if they want rules on their site or if it's going to be this wild, wild west free for all.
Some bloggers make every comment have to be moderated, they can decide to publish or not to publish your comments.
So, there is no right to free speech on a blog...
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Walleye for us -- other options for you
In about an hour we'll be leaving to head downtown to watch our first Walleye game at the new arena. It will be the first time I've been inside the new Lucas County arena since it's been completed. Thanks to the internet, buying tickets to sporting and other events, even if you think they might be sold out, is possible without having to wait until you get there to try to buy a ticket from someone outside...
Have your heart set on Blue Cross Arena Tickets? Online you can find them, the same with a variety of other events. Chicago Bears Tickets on your mind? You can not only reserve a hotel room but buy your tickets right from your home pc.
While my favorite NFL football team is the Miami Dolphins and someday I will be able to watch them at Landshark stadium, those of you looking for any team event, even Philadelphia Eagles Tickets can find them online...Probably even the Superbowl, though that one is always a bit more of a challenge, and could be much more expensive.
:-)
Have your heart set on Blue Cross Arena Tickets? Online you can find them, the same with a variety of other events. Chicago Bears Tickets on your mind? You can not only reserve a hotel room but buy your tickets right from your home pc.
While my favorite NFL football team is the Miami Dolphins and someday I will be able to watch them at Landshark stadium, those of you looking for any team event, even Philadelphia Eagles Tickets can find them online...Probably even the Superbowl, though that one is always a bit more of a challenge, and could be much more expensive.
:-)
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Libertarian parenting...
I try to read Brad Warbiany as often as I can, I enjoy his material, but I wanted to share a recent post that I think raises some interesting questions, Libertarian Response To Klingon Upbringing.
The general topic of how does someone who believes in a libertarian philosophy and parenting is one that has been discussed before. Personally as a parent of five, I take a more monarchical view of parenting, I as the parent have the final say, parenting is not a democracy nor based on political models.
That said, the questions asked concerning d’Armond Speers who only spoke Klingon to his child for his first three years, may very well be legal, yet on the other hand, despite believing parenting is not a democracy, a child is not chattel to be a part of some strange experiment and it is up to adults in a community whether decreed by law or by a sense of what is right, to protect the rights of an individual child to a basic level of human support. Learning how to communicate is a basic level of support. Where it gets then interesting is we do allow parents who don't speak English to have children in this country, those children do not often learn English. Yet, the difference in that scenario versus the Klingon one, is until there is a community filled with Klingon speaking people, a child is being isolated purposely by all society, not just one part...
The general topic of how does someone who believes in a libertarian philosophy and parenting is one that has been discussed before. Personally as a parent of five, I take a more monarchical view of parenting, I as the parent have the final say, parenting is not a democracy nor based on political models.
That said, the questions asked concerning d’Armond Speers who only spoke Klingon to his child for his first three years, may very well be legal, yet on the other hand, despite believing parenting is not a democracy, a child is not chattel to be a part of some strange experiment and it is up to adults in a community whether decreed by law or by a sense of what is right, to protect the rights of an individual child to a basic level of human support. Learning how to communicate is a basic level of support. Where it gets then interesting is we do allow parents who don't speak English to have children in this country, those children do not often learn English. Yet, the difference in that scenario versus the Klingon one, is until there is a community filled with Klingon speaking people, a child is being isolated purposely by all society, not just one part...
Buying local and using the net
From an economic standpoint, when you buy local it helps your local economy, especially when you are buying from a locally owned business. Some areas, like Toledo have organizations designed to support and market local businesses, but some do not. That's when using a site like Local.com can help. How? It's easy, all you have to do is use their local search feature to search for a variety of businesses in your area.
Let's say I wanted to search local restaurants, it's easy since there is a link right there on the Local.com website for that category. You can then easily find which eateries are local and which ones are chains and decide from there.
It's easier to find businesses using this website than it is to use the traditional local yellowpages because it not only gives you the categories on the page but it also gives you nearby cities, that information is listed right on the sidebar. You can search by distance, by name and by rating, which also means if you have had an especially enjoyable or a less than satisfactory dining experience? You can rate it...
local yellowpages, local search, local restaurants
http://www.local.com
Let's say I wanted to search local restaurants, it's easy since there is a link right there on the Local.com website for that category. You can then easily find which eateries are local and which ones are chains and decide from there.
It's easier to find businesses using this website than it is to use the traditional local yellowpages because it not only gives you the categories on the page but it also gives you nearby cities, that information is listed right on the sidebar. You can search by distance, by name and by rating, which also means if you have had an especially enjoyable or a less than satisfactory dining experience? You can rate it...
local yellowpages, local search, local restaurants
http://www.local.com
Phillip Carter resigned and what it means...
Phillip Carter, a civil libertarian who supported President Obama recently resigned. It's not gotten a lot of news though with the increased attention of the blogosphere it may be a story that you will see more coverage on. I tend to agree with Glenn Greenwald, Phil Carter's resignation from key detainee policy post:
While in the updates it's states that Carter has stated this is not why he has resigned, it's really hard to not believe that the change in policy from what was promised during and right after the election not being what was actually put into practice had no impact on Phillip Carter...
Carter said he was resigning due to "personal issues," and -- like Greg Craig before him -- remained loyal to Obama by refraining, at least thus far, from publicly criticizing any administration policies. I have no idea what actually motivated Carter's abrupt resignation, but here's what I do know: so many of the detention and other "War on Terror" policies Obama has explicitly adopted were the very same ones which Carter (as well as Obama) repeatedly railed against during the Bush years, in Carter's case primarily in blogs he maintained both at The Washington Post and at Slate. Whatever else is true, the policies Obama has adopted in the last six months in the very areas of Carter's responsibilities were ones Carter vehemently condemned when implemented by Bush.
While in the updates it's states that Carter has stated this is not why he has resigned, it's really hard to not believe that the change in policy from what was promised during and right after the election not being what was actually put into practice had no impact on Phillip Carter...
The Dollar Bubble
I'm not sure we are quite at the crisis level, yet...But I think this video is one that should be watched because it does share some relevant information on the US Dollar and explains why many have turned to investing in metals, especially gold and silver. There are many who believe the dollar is going to collapse and that the Federal Reserve not raising interest rates is part of the problem.
Happy Thanksgiving!
The one day a year the farthest thing from most people's mind is appetite suppressants as we are encouraged to enjoy the food, the company and the day. In our house the turkey has never been the thing everyone longs for, it's the stuffing and the desserts that go the fastest. That might also be since it's the one holiday a year where it's okay to have three different desserts and not feel guilty...
:-)
:-)
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Who visited the White House and why you should care
Highly recommended post on TPM not just for the content but for the linked material. It's also worth noting that the Obama presidency is the only one who has released such a list, albeit, incomplete, but it's a start for some semblance of transparency.
It's also interesting to see they are already tracking the 2012 election...
It's also interesting to see they are already tracking the 2012 election...
Interesting timing...
This weekend my oldest daughter is moving from San Jose to Phoenix, Arizona, her job has necessitated her making the move just a bit closer to home, by a few hundred miles. So when I came across this listing for Tempe apartments it caught my attention since it's not something I normally see and reminded me of her. What's been interesting is how much less expensive apartments are in Arizona compared to where she was in San Jose, she's going to spend at least $700.00 less for a larger, nicer place in Phoenix than she had in California...
On the big screen...
This is the season where many fancy plasma tvs and it's a hot item to buy as a gift or to gift to yourself. Typically the price drops after the item has been on the market for several years, we are starting to see that now when it come to plasma and lcd televisions. The downside is they are also one of the most stolen items this time of year. When you buy one? Don't leave the box out for the world to see that you've just gotten a new one. Either shred and bag it or take it out right as the trash for your home is collected. My neighbors learned that lesson, right after purchasing the new television, they put the box outside, two days later? Their home was broken into...
Friday, November 13, 2009
After everything, Pfizer pulling out of New London...
I followed the Kelo versus New London story for a variety of reasons, one of which is that is where my husband is from, another was that I took issue with the way eminent domain was being used there, and had been used here in Toledo. Now, as a sad end to the whole tale, Pfizer is leaving:
Pfizer’s abandonment of its plans for New London render moot the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on eminent domain in Kelo v. New London. In the case, the city of New London had sought “eminent domain” power to seize the houses of several people living in a run-down neighborhood. The land was to be transformed into Pfizer’s new facility. The city argued it needed to bulldoze blighted areas in order to redevelop them. Susette Kelo argued the government should not have the right to take her home.
More on Glenn Beck the "libertarian"
I read his show transcript about South Park, (link). It's kind of funny...
GLENN: You know what's amazing to me is I'm a libertarian..
STU: And they are, too.
GLENN: And they are, too.
STU: Yeah.
GLENN: And when you're a libertarian, there ain't anybody coming to your defense.
STU: No.
GLENN: There's no one coming to your defense.
STU: Not even libertarians. Because they are frustrated at everything, even themselves.
GLENN: Libertarians, I mean, Penn Jillette. Penn Jillette, I feel so bad for Penn Jillette. What Penn Jillette has gone through with some of his friends and one of his idols, Tommy Smothers, I mean, honestly I don't know if you've seen this video with Penn Jillette, but it broke my heart. Penn Jillette and I don't agree on a lot of stuff. We're libertarians. We live with it. He doesn't agree on things, I don't agree on things, but I'm not telling him how to live his life and he's not going to tell me how to live my life. And I think we've had a good relationship
Why you should back up your computer information...
Whether you take advantage of an online backup service or you have an external harddrive, it's important that you back up your computer information. Just the other day one of my daughters had work to do for her college classes. Her computer did not want to start up, which meant she had no access to all of the notes and materials she needed. Had she taken just a few moments to back up the work, since her computer had previously given her some warning signs, it would have been a non-crisis. My husband ended up having to take the harddrive from her computer, put it temporarily in his so she could get the information she needed since there was not enough time to fix her computer...
Want to work in the Big Apple?
If your dream has included a New York Job Search it's possible to search for a job online that may just make your Big Apple dreams come true. Before the internet, job searching in a location where you did not live was not quite as easy. There were of course job agencies, and it was possible to get copies of a New York newspapers, but now you can share your resume and easily be able to communicate with a perspective employer without having to travel there first...Many times initial interviews are done via phone or through web chats, creating a scenario where you know you are a serious candidate when you are asked to travel...
Glenn Beck not happy about South Park...
I am not going to pretend I'm a fan of South Park, but they have in the past made fun of people...Evidently Glenn Beck is not happy with the episode parodying him. I had to try to get beyond the beginning of this episode, which involved a violent shooting that doesn't meet my qualifications of humor...
At least I knew it was coming thanks to The Atlantic...
At least I knew it was coming thanks to The Atlantic...
Friday, November 06, 2009
New math got you frustrated?
Chances are if you are a parent of a child in K through 12, you'll come across math problems that you have no clue as to what your child is learning. They call it "new math" and it can be a challenge to solve math problems because while it seems like the "old math" you knew, they call it different terms. If you don't have an older child around to ask for help, you need to turn to an online Math problem solver to be able to get help with math.
TutorVista is one of the more popular online tutoring systems out there, they offer an unlimited monthly package for under $100.00 a month, they also have a free demo that you can try out and they offer free algebra help for both high school and free college algebra help as a part of their free online math help. This can really come in handy when your child comes to you, with a problem that you know you can't solve. Since it's available 24 hours a day seven days a week, you can also use the service to brush up on your "new math" skills, which is especially helpful if you are considering going back to school...
TutorVista is one of the more popular online tutoring systems out there, they offer an unlimited monthly package for under $100.00 a month, they also have a free demo that you can try out and they offer free algebra help for both high school and free college algebra help as a part of their free online math help. This can really come in handy when your child comes to you, with a problem that you know you can't solve. Since it's available 24 hours a day seven days a week, you can also use the service to brush up on your "new math" skills, which is especially helpful if you are considering going back to school...
Libertarianism and abortion
Most of the Libertarians I know are pro-choice, yet I realize Ron Paul is pro-life. I came across this recent article that briefly goes into why it's felt that the Libertarian platform should be one of pro-life as opposed to pro-choice. It's rather thought provoking, part of it:
This view is not shared in this article, Truth about political groups where it states:
Abortion is incompatible with the Libertarian ideology. While many would claim that Libertarians by nature would be pro-choice, as abortion to many is seen as a "right", the truth is that abortion is and should be reprehensible to all true disciples of Liberty. How are we to protect the rights of the people if we cannot even guarantee that they will have a right to life? Don't the words "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" mean anything anymore? None of our rights and privileges as citizens of the United States are safe if we do not protect the most basic human right - the right to life. Dr. Ron Paul, who has delivered thousands of babies, agrees with this premise, and he sees being pro-life as an essential part of his Libertarian beliefs.
This view is not shared in this article, Truth about political groups where it states:
YAL is neither Republican nor affiliated with any political party as she implies. In fact, I personally find it offensive to be called a Republican. We are an organization for small-government conservatives and libertarians. Libertarians hold very different views from Republicans. Although I cannot speak for every libertarian, libertarians are pro-choice, pro-gay rights, pro-civil rights, pro-human rights, pro-immigration and anti-war. They also support drug legalization, believe in separation of church and state, favor free-market solutions and advocate non-interventionist foreign policy (yes, many are against the Iraq War). Does that sound anything like a Republican?…Precisely. This list is obviously not exhaustive, but it is descriptive enough to show that libertarians are the alternative to Republicans and Democrats that many students seek. Many people have either become fed up with both major political parties or just don’t fall into either the Democrat or the Republican camp. Libertarianism offers a third option, one which many “outsiders” fall into.
So here are ten ways that non-Partygoers can spread the libertarian peanut butter from crust to crust:
Recommended article by Garry Reed. My favorite?
4. Start a blog like The Freedom Files (by freedomphile Rick Davis, self-styled "libertarian writer, avid pop culture junkie, armchair economist, and punk rock aficionado" and cultivate a readership of likeminded libertarian types as he has.
4. Start a blog like The Freedom Files (by freedomphile Rick Davis, self-styled "libertarian writer, avid pop culture junkie, armchair economist, and punk rock aficionado" and cultivate a readership of likeminded libertarian types as he has.
Libertarian candidates who won on Tuesday...
Interesting list, visit the title link for more, but in Ohio:
In Ohio:
John McAlister was re-elected to the Gahanna City Council.
Kalin Stipe got 9%, and Joyce Early got 11%, both running for City Council in Lorain.
Spencer Phelps got 34%, and Angela Williams got 15%, both running for City Council in Marion.
Alexander Hass got 8% running for City Council in Canton.
In Ohio:
John McAlister was re-elected to the Gahanna City Council.
Kalin Stipe got 9%, and Joyce Early got 11%, both running for City Council in Lorain.
Spencer Phelps got 34%, and Angela Williams got 15%, both running for City Council in Marion.
Alexander Hass got 8% running for City Council in Canton.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
The temptation to not be me...
The reality is I am getting older, my hair is turning gray and I'm getting wrinkles. At first I dyed my hair, it was a never ending battle of me against the gray, and then I gave up. I'm feeling the same way about the wrinkles, I use a regular moisturizer and I've looked at many of the popular wrinkle cream variations out there, but? While I want to be healthy and to be fit, I'm not that concerned anymore with the fight against nature and gravity. It's winning...
:-)
:-)
The temptation to flee
There have been times, especially recently where the idea of just calling some long distance movers and leaving Ohio to head out west has been tempting. Especially now that one of my daughter's is moving to Phoenix and I thoroughly enjoyed Arizona when we explored it on our road trip out west when she initially moved to the San Jose area.
I'd also love to live in California, but the prices there are much higher than in states like Arizona. Perhaps it's still the more wide open spaces, but you just feel "freer" out there...
I'd also love to live in California, but the prices there are much higher than in states like Arizona. Perhaps it's still the more wide open spaces, but you just feel "freer" out there...
Armed Resistance and Hiding Are Futile, Unless…
I read this piece with interest, because I grew up with relatives that were much more libertarian than me that believed the only way they were going to survive was to have guns and a plan to hide. I recommend this article by Mark R. Crovelli highly.
Libertarians Applaud Federal Reprieve For Medical Marijuana
It's never made sense to me to go after people like Charles Lynch...but? That's what has happened and in theory it's believed new guidelines from the Department of Justice telling prosecutors “should not focus federal resources in your States on individuals whose actions are in clear and unambiguous compliance with existing state laws providing for the medical use of marijuana” may make a difference.
Time will tell...I highly recommend this video from Reason.tv
Another recommended article on Charles Lynch.
Time will tell...I highly recommend this video from Reason.tv
Another recommended article on Charles Lynch.
Sunday, October 04, 2009
Memories of VW's with Rolls Royce grills...
Whenever I think about car grills, I can't help but remember back to when converting a VW bug with the Rolls Royce conversion and grill was popular. I always wanted a VW bug, not necessarily with the idea in mind to convert one, but I always thought they looked cool. Now of course there are a huge variety of grills out there for many different cars...
Libertarian Group To Sue Administration for Failing to Disclose Global Warming Docs
Title is the headline that caught my attention, on a local, state and federal level one of the most difficult things is getting information. With all of the laws passed to supposedly make getting this information "easier" it is almost impossible to get information and to get it the first time without having to threaten and/or file a lawsuit.
This story reported by ABC News is just the latest in the long saga of the government versus people's right to know...
This story reported by ABC News is just the latest in the long saga of the government versus people's right to know...
A libertarian non-profit organization in Washington today announced it was filing suit against the Obama administration for failing to adequately disclose global warming documents.
As we reported two weeks ago the Competitive Enterprise Institute deemed inadequate the Treasury Department's response to a Freedom of Information Act request for documents on cap-and-trade.
Months after the FOIA request, Treasury responded by giving CEI five documents and emails, when the group had expected 50.
"Your response fails any reasonable test for compliance with FOIA and constitutes an effective denial of our request," CEI's Christopher Horner stated in the notice of appeal filed with Treasury today.
From Australia but still relevant...
This first part of A dose of libertarianism would enhance our democracy caught my attention because I think while written in Australia, it also pertains to our country here as well.
I CALL myself a libertarian social democrat, but many of my left-wing mates condemn such a position as a contradiction. They forget that the potency of the French Revolution lay in its marriage of liberty with equality and fraternity, and that Left libertarianism has a fine pedigree.
Social democracy ensures collective intervention in the marketplace to enhance structural equality and advance the full development of our potential as human beings. Libertarianism cultivates a sceptical attitude to the self-serving claims of state bureaucracies and rent-seeking businesses alike, and ensures vigilance against the encroachment of our governments on individual and community freedoms.
Taken together, these two approaches can promote alterative ways for us re-imagine the old Westminster public service as a democratic commons more accountable to grassroots communities. Many Australians, especially in traditional Labor areas, have lost faith in the capacity of government to deliver even the most basic services, and restoring faith in the public is a key challenge for the Left.
I love my wood floors but...
Today my husband has decided that he wants to re-arrange furniture in our bedroom which has created my having to give up my large area rug that I had on the bedroom floor. While I love my wood flooring, it is harder to maintain than tile flooring and while I know most people prefer wall to wall carpeting, when you have children and pets? Tile and even wood flooring with a less expensive area rug is easier to maintain...
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Anger for me is an appetite killer...
Most people eat more when they are depressed or angry, but for me it's the opposite, when I am stressed or angry it's the same reaction as I took an appetite suppressant. Like right now as an example, it's not anger but stress. I'm sitting here trying to work with two of my daughters being here in my room with the laptop while I'm on the tower driving me crazy. It's at times impossible to get research done, which is why I'm writing this instead, until they decide to leave? It's not going to be even remotely quiet...
A Libertarian look at healthcare reform
Recommended post/article by Brett Perry, A libertarian look at healthcare reform. Part of the recommended piece:
Libertarians biggest problem with most issues is economical. The popular addage is "There ain't no such thing as a free lunch" or TANSTAAFL (pronounced TAN-staf-el). With every new government program you should always ask yourself first, "Who's going to pay for this?" and the answer is almost always the taxpayers. When that is the answer Libertarians will always come out against it.
There is no "right" to medical care, and you have no right to ask anyone else to pay for your medical care. Libertarians believe it is not moral to force someone to pay for any of your wants or needs. Government control cannot improve health care anymore than it improved the economies of the Soviet Union or Eastern Europe.
Legislators and bureaucrats cannot know how to properly direct scarce medical resources to where they will do the most good for those who count. Politicians will simply make political decisions that will get them re-elected. What we currently have is what people refer to as the nanny state, or therapeutic state. State governments join together with insurance companies and doctors to take away your right to control your own medical care. Every state mandates that your health insurance cover specific things.
Maine Libertarians Lose Lawsuit on Double Petition Deadlines
On September 16, the Libertarian Party of Maine lost its federal lawsuit against Maine’s system of having one deadline to submit independent candidate petitions to town clerks, and a separate deadline, one week later, to get the signatures from the town clerks to the Secretary of State. Libertarian Party of Maine v Dunlap, cv-08-288. The decision was not a surprise, since the judge had refused to issue injunctive relief in the same case last year. The party pointed out that candidates who petition to get on the primary ballot only face one deadline, but the decision says, in effect, that there are lots of differences between the petitioning process for primary candidates and the process for general election candidates, and such differences aren’t inherently unconstitutional.
Areas of speciality law...
Once upon a time before attorneys advertised, you learned through word of mouth or from a legal referral organization when you were seeking a lawyer who was an expert in one area of the law. Now with the internet, it's easy for people to find a lawyer specializing in what their specific needs are. This has become very specific to not only area of practice but geographically. Let's say you decide to search for a San Jose motorcycle accident attorney with the internet? You'll find one...
The hardest spot on your body to lose weight...
One of the frustrating things about diet and exercise can be that your stomach area seems to be one of the hardest places to lose weight from. Especially as you grow older, and it seems to take forever in doing crunches without seeing the results you'd like as fast as you'd like. Some turn to products to try to burn belly fat faster. Some decide surgery is the option for them whether through liposuction or tummy tucks. Then there are those of us who do what we can as far as diet and exercise with some just deciding that it's easier to buy the next larger clothes size...
Thursday, September 10, 2009
How often do you ever see the mainstream media and the television commentators presenting the libertarian view?
Rarely...Why? Jacob G. Hornberger has some of the reasons why he thinks the media does not provide a libertarian view point:
How often do you ever see the mainstream media and the television commentators presenting the libertarian view? Hardly ever. Why is that? For two reasons: One, as statists they are absolutely terrified over the fact that libertarianism is a growing phenomenon but, more important, they simply lack the competence to counteract libertarian arguments in a substantive way.
It’s really not difficult to participate in the conservative vs. liberal debate because they both accept the same core premise: that a legitimate role of the federal government is to tax people’s income and spend the money on socialist, regulatory, or imperialist programs.
Thus, the argument between conservatives and liberals ultimately boils down to how the federal government should spend money that the IRS has forcibly taken from the citizenry.
Conservatives argue that people’s money should be spent this way, and liberals argue that it should be spent that way.
‘Hope’ and ‘change’ a year later
Interesting article by Paul Varnell, ‘Hope’ and ‘change’ a year later. I recommend it, some of what Varnell writes is what others have expressed, such as:
To be sure, it was fairly clear that Obama’s “change” and “hope” would involve substantial, not to say massive, new government spending, higher taxes or greater deficits, and more government control of the economy. I hardly favored these things, but the trade-offs for a change from Bush seemed tolerable. After all, Bush was a big spender too — of money and of blood.
But as it has turned out, there has been less “change” than one might have had “hope” for.
Expensive government health-care expansion has taken center stage. As U.S. military forces are slowly — all too slowly — being withdrawn from Iraq they are being increased in Afghanistan, an even greater quagmire than Iraq has been.
There has been little sign of progress — not even preliminary study groups — on gay issues.
The economy was pulled along in the most expensive way possible, and sent signals to corporations in the future that the government will protect them from the results of foolish policies and economic failure.
Nothing much I had “hope” for.
Libertarians respond to President Obama's health care speech
This release was sent out via email from the Libertarian National Party:
Libertarians respond to President Obama's health care speech
Remind voters about Republican-initiated government-run health care plans
WASHINGTON - In the wake of President Obama's speech to Congress, America's third-largest party wants to remind voters about Republican support for government-run health care plans.
William Redpath, chairman of the Libertarian National Committee (LNC) commented, "Make no mistake, the Libertarian Party is opposed to President Obama's health care plans, and his speech last night has not budged us. But we also opposed Republican plans for big-government health care, many of which have been implemented in recent years."
In 2003, President Bush and the Republican Congress enacted a Medicare prescription drug expansion. It was originally expected to cost $400 billion, but just two years later the cost was revised upward to $1.2 trillion.
In 2006, Republican Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney supported and signed a bill that required all residents to purchase health insurance, and increased state health insurance funding.
In 2007, Republican Texas Governor Rick Perry issued an executive order to force sixth-grade schoolgirls to receive HPV vaccinations.
This year, congressional Republicans put forward the "Patients' Choice Act of 2009," which would increase federal government spending and control of health care in a variety of ways.
The Libertarian Party has put a poll on on its home page to allow voters to choose which Republican plan is the most hypocritical.
Redpath said, "Republicans are living in glass houses when they complain about the President's health care plans and the bills in the Democratic-controlled Congress."
Redpath continued, "It's time for President Obama to be intellectually honest, himself, and to stop inferring that his ideas of health care reform are the only ones out there. With neither of the major parties is there any serious discussion about letting individuals control their own health care dollars, moving away from employer-provided health insurance, and increasing competition among insurance companies by letting people purchase health insurance across state lines and among providers by taking a good, long look at medical education and licensure laws to allow potential providers to freely respond to health consumers' needs."
Redpath continued, "But, before the President and the Gang of 535 even do that, it would be refreshing to at least hear them debate whether the federal government is empowered to be in the middle of all of this. An honest reading of the Constitution might stimulate the right move -- punting this to the states and the people."
The Libertarian Party favors a free market health care system. The party's platform states, "We favor restoring and reviving a free market health care system. We recognize the freedom of individuals to determine the level of health insurance they want, the level of health care they want, the care providers they want, the medicines and treatments they will use and all other aspects of their medical care, including end-of-life decisions."
For more information, or to arrange an interview, call LNC executive director Wes Benedict at 202-333-0008 ext. 222.
The LP is America's third-largest political party, founded in 1971. The Libertarian Party stands for free markets and civil liberties.
Libertarians respond to President Obama's health care speech
Remind voters about Republican-initiated government-run health care plans
WASHINGTON - In the wake of President Obama's speech to Congress, America's third-largest party wants to remind voters about Republican support for government-run health care plans.
William Redpath, chairman of the Libertarian National Committee (LNC) commented, "Make no mistake, the Libertarian Party is opposed to President Obama's health care plans, and his speech last night has not budged us. But we also opposed Republican plans for big-government health care, many of which have been implemented in recent years."
In 2003, President Bush and the Republican Congress enacted a Medicare prescription drug expansion. It was originally expected to cost $400 billion, but just two years later the cost was revised upward to $1.2 trillion.
In 2006, Republican Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney supported and signed a bill that required all residents to purchase health insurance, and increased state health insurance funding.
In 2007, Republican Texas Governor Rick Perry issued an executive order to force sixth-grade schoolgirls to receive HPV vaccinations.
This year, congressional Republicans put forward the "Patients' Choice Act of 2009," which would increase federal government spending and control of health care in a variety of ways.
The Libertarian Party has put a poll on on its home page to allow voters to choose which Republican plan is the most hypocritical.
Redpath said, "Republicans are living in glass houses when they complain about the President's health care plans and the bills in the Democratic-controlled Congress."
Redpath continued, "It's time for President Obama to be intellectually honest, himself, and to stop inferring that his ideas of health care reform are the only ones out there. With neither of the major parties is there any serious discussion about letting individuals control their own health care dollars, moving away from employer-provided health insurance, and increasing competition among insurance companies by letting people purchase health insurance across state lines and among providers by taking a good, long look at medical education and licensure laws to allow potential providers to freely respond to health consumers' needs."
Redpath continued, "But, before the President and the Gang of 535 even do that, it would be refreshing to at least hear them debate whether the federal government is empowered to be in the middle of all of this. An honest reading of the Constitution might stimulate the right move -- punting this to the states and the people."
The Libertarian Party favors a free market health care system. The party's platform states, "We favor restoring and reviving a free market health care system. We recognize the freedom of individuals to determine the level of health insurance they want, the level of health care they want, the care providers they want, the medicines and treatments they will use and all other aspects of their medical care, including end-of-life decisions."
For more information, or to arrange an interview, call LNC executive director Wes Benedict at 202-333-0008 ext. 222.
The LP is America's third-largest political party, founded in 1971. The Libertarian Party stands for free markets and civil liberties.
John Stossel Leaving ABC for Fox Business
How is this related to Libertarian news? The way Stossel is described by the New York Times and a few other media sources that reported on the move:
John Stossel, the ABC anchor known for his libertarian bent, is moving to the Fox Business Network to host a weekly prime-time program. He will also make regular appearances on the Fox News Channel.
A fierce and sometimes controversial contrarian, Mr. Stossel is perhaps best known for his watchdog reports, “Give Me a Break.” He has been a correspondent for the ABC newsmagazine “20/20” for almost 30 years, and a co-anchor of it for six years.
Coercion: the root of all evil
This one made me think for a bit, Coercion: the root of all evil by Garry Reed. I'm not sure I agree with all of his points, he's a bit more libertarian than I will ever be but I do agree while he doesn't use the word hypocrisy that it exists in both political parties. I also agree his last few words merit some thought:
Coercion from the right is hate. Coercion from the left is hate. Coercion from anywhere is hate.
It's time for everyone to re-learn the libertarian lesson of live and let live: coercion is the root of all evil.
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
More Libertarian 101...
I really like this series on Libertarian 101, I can't recommend it enough for those of you trying to learn a bit more about Libertarianism. Today's article is no different as far as getting a recommended read suggestion from me. It's on the Libertarian position on Corporate Greed written by Barry Ritchey II. A small taste...
Libertarians would make it impossible for corporations to grow fat on those 'sweetheart deals' paid for by you and me by lowering the cost of capital by dramatically cutting taxes and government-regulation. We understand the need to encourage entrepreneurship and market fluidity by letting the market and consumers determine the size of a company, not the 'czar' in Washington. In short, if your company isn't sound, don't come to taxpayers saying you're 'too big to fail'. Libertarians understand there is an American out there that has the idea and the will to implement it. More red-tape for him to cut through isn't going to get his innovation to the consumer any sooner, it'll only make it a less cost effective alternative before he even starts.
Is Obama’s Speech Indoctrination?
There's been quite a bit of discussion on both of my other blogs on the topic of President Obama's speech to school children. This article, however, takes a bit of a different view that I found interesting. Written by Jacob G. Hornberger, on Media With Conscience I found this part to be one small aspect of the larger recommended article something not written much about:
You can always count on conservatives for injecting a bit of humor, albeit unintentionally, into any national political debate. The latest example involves their railing against President Obama’s plan to deliver a speech to the public-school students of America. The conservatives are calling the president’s speech “indoctrination.”
Why is that funny? No, not for the reason liberals are giving — that the very notion that a presidential speech to public-school students could be considered “indoctrination” is just plain loony.
No, the reason this whole controversy is funny is because it is obvious that neither conservatives nor liberals have given any consideration to where those students will be located when the president delivers his speech: at government centers of learning that their parents have been forced to send them to, thanks to compulsory-attendance laws.
What do conservatives and liberals think takes place in a government center of learning?
The best indoctrination, of course, is where the people who have been indoctrinated don’t even know that they have been indoctrinated. Most public-school graduates, whether in Cuba or the U.S. or elsewhere, are prime examples of this type of success story.
Are Libertarians liberal or conservative?
An interesting article on the question raised in the title on Collegiate Times that I recommend reading in full. One part I found especially interesting:
It's very true that modern libertarians share many similarities with the classical liberals of the Enlightenment. However, the modern term "liberal" is used to describe an ideology that has less in common with libertarianism than it does with its "conservative" opposition. It's fair to say that libertarians mostly reject labels of liberal and conservative. Instead libertarians hold a system of beliefs that emphasize maximum individual liberty.
This is a viewpoint often in opposition to modern liberal and conservatives who tend to speak in terms of national identity and common good. I reject these types of collectivist concepts as nothing more than baseless catchphrases - each of which gives me an unpleasant sense of Orwellian vagueness and false unity for all.
Sunday, September 06, 2009
Butterflies are free...
Butterflies are a common decoration as seen on this Baby Announcement as well as many other birth announcement designs. Though for me I always think of the movie "Butterflies are Free" and of course the song from the movie which is on my list of classic favorites. At CardsShoppe (http://www.cardsshoppe.com) you can add a picture, logo or photo to any card on their site, turning it into photo birth announcements. You can also view your birth announcements before you buy with their patented instant preview features.
Live chats are popular
I've actually looked at some of the different live chat software for my local blog, I think it would be helpful when I'm live blogging events to be able to use that as opposed to the traditional blog software which requires constant updating to have the new material appear. I recommend using a test blog to try out the different types so that you can play around with the settings without interfering with the normal operation of your blog, that way when you do start a live chat? You already know what works and it makes a much smoother operation for you.
Libertarians who voted for Obama?
I found it interesting that someone who is a proclaimed Libertarian would vote for Obama, I'm far from a hard core one, which I have never pretended otherwise but I couldn't vote for Obama. Yet, it's being reported in the media during the whole tea party adventures continuing through out the country that those who voted for Obama have now changed their mind, including some Libertarians, as in the Middletown Journal:
Wendy Jenkins of Anderson, Ind., stood out among some holding a sign that read: “I am ashamed I voted for Obama.”
“I had to be honest about it,” she said.
Jenkins said she is a Libertarian who thought she was making the right decision when she voted for Obama. She no longer feels that way, citing the war and the Patriot Act as factors.
“If the government would follow the laws of the Constitution, we would be fine,” Jenkins said.
How do I keep my child from being indoctrinated?
At times I shake my head, because some of the hype and the hatred that is out there starts at home. While I don't believe it is necessary for President Obama to interrupt our childrens' school day for a message on anything, education wise or not, I also think some of the paranoia on this one speech is going overboard. Especially when you read statements like this, How do I keep my child from being indoctrinated? are out there.
The answer to the question would be to first of all teach your child that while the actual office of the President is to be respected, that they aren't always going to say things that they (the parents) agree with and what makes our country so wonderful is that we can disagree with someone, respectfully and with honor...
The answer to the question would be to first of all teach your child that while the actual office of the President is to be respected, that they aren't always going to say things that they (the parents) agree with and what makes our country so wonderful is that we can disagree with someone, respectfully and with honor...
Something my father was right about...
For as long as I can remember my father always told me that I should learn some type of a skill that would always be needed in the job market. I listened to him and got an associate degree in "Secretarial Sciences" and it has worked out to be exactly what he has said. Not only has the typing speed and other skills helped me with my blogging but I know that should I not be able to work from home anymore that I could get a job in anything from the data center services industry to actually going back and being an administrative assistant again. While technology changes, some of the same basic skills I learned in the late 70s still are needed...
After Forest Gump when I think of ping pong
After watching Forest Gump I can never think of ping pong tables without flashing back to the part of the movie that involved him become a world famous ping pong player. It's one of those instant mental associations. Just like when I see a volley ball, I can't help think...Wilson! (Yes another reference to a Tom Hanks movie.) I could say the same thing about ice skates and that movie but it makes too many people cringe.
:-)
:-)
Green/Libertarian coalition? I don't think so...
Despite understanding why some might try to promote alliances within the third party political groups out there, as demonstrated in this post by J.E. Robertson, I don't think that's going to ever be possible.
There are too many political differences where the Green policy platforms are at the opposite spectrum of the Libertarian policy platforms. It'd be like trying to merge the Democratic Party and the Republican Party into one and it would be extremely difficult to concentrate on what issues they did agree on without those that separate them coming into the discussion.
There are too many political differences where the Green policy platforms are at the opposite spectrum of the Libertarian policy platforms. It'd be like trying to merge the Democratic Party and the Republican Party into one and it would be extremely difficult to concentrate on what issues they did agree on without those that separate them coming into the discussion.
Saturday, September 05, 2009
So I thought of Good Night Moon
It was impossible for me to not make an immediate connection not from the Birth Announcement Wording but from the images of birth announcements, to Good Night Moon. It's a book that for many parents, myself included is one of the first books we used to read our children to sleep. Which means if that's your favorite too, or if you have another, you can use birth announcement wording that goes with the theme of your card. CardsShoppe (http://www.cardsshoppe.com) lets you can view more than the wording birth announcement cards text before you buy with their patented instant preview feature. They'll also create a special design just for you. So if Good Night Moon isn't your favorite? It's easy to incorporate what is...
So, I thought of Solo Sim...
I haven't had much time to play The Sims, which is typically how I relieve stress, so perhaps that's why when I saw Solo Slim, I thought of a lone sim. My poor lone sims stuck in my computer not able to go further in their sims careers...What's funny is with the latest Sims you can make your sims slimmer or fatter, with much more ease than we as non-computer generated simulations can pull it off.
Friday, September 04, 2009
Root’s Conscience Of A Libertarian
Root’s Conscience Of A Libertarian gets a mention and a link to a review on IPR. I haven't read Root's book yet, but I did take the time to read the article and read the review by John Hospers who was the first Libertarian Presidential candidate in 1972. No, I didn't vote for him, I wasn't old enough to vote until 1978 and back then? I was a straight ticket Democrat. I learned with age and wisdom that it's about more than the letter behind the name...
When to announce your pregnancy...
At the opposite spectrum of death, as covered below, comes life and believe it or not there is a great deal of controversy as to when you should make Pregnancy Announcements, the conventional wisdom used to be that you should wait until after the first trimester to start planning sending out that pregnancy stationery or pregnancy announcement cards. But now some believe sooner is appropriate to start searching for a free pregnancy announcement or a design made just for you at Birth-Cards (http://www.birth-cards.com) where they'll also print and ship your order the same day it's approved when you are in a hurry to share the news...
AP and the Death of a Marine
If you have been following the Associated Press story about Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Bernard this link is one you might want to read since it's the explanation as to why AP decided to run the piece and it also contains links to the complete series of photos that were taken along with commentary by photographer Julie Jacobson.
I don't disagree with the AP position, this does show first hand the horrors of war, it's something we should not forget.
I don't disagree with the AP position, this does show first hand the horrors of war, it's something we should not forget.
Libertarian Author Discusses Financial Crisis
Johan Norberg, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute is interviewed discusses the financial crisis as reported by Fordham University. Part of the intro of the recommended article:
Many financial experts have predicted the economy will get worse before it turns around, but a noted Libertarian author who visited Fordham on Sept. 3 sees something a bit more worrisome.
“I’m afraid it will get better before it gets worse down the road,” said Johan Norberg, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute, in a speech at Fordham’s Rose Hill campus in the Bronx. “I think we should start wondering if we are ready for an encore already.”
Thursday, September 03, 2009
Halloween peeps...
This Halloween Invitation made me think of two of the Peeps that come out in the fall, ghosts and bats. I have to admit while a confirmed Peeps fan no matter if it is the invitation Halloween season or not, the bats are not my favorite. I'll leave the bats to the Halloween Party invitations and decorations. At Invitations-Shoppe (http://www.invitations-shoppe.com) whether you want bats or ghosts on your Halloween invitations you can view before you buy with their patented instant preview feature. They'll also modify any ThankYou design or color you request. This reduces your chances of going batty over invitation designs...
For conservatives, is the GOP really the lesser of two evils?
I've actually asked myself the same question, though not a conservative and leaning libertarian when it comes to federal issues, I end up supporting more Democratic candidates than Republicans. I found the article written by Kris Wampler, For conservatives, is the GOP really the lesser of two evils? to be an interesting read. A small part of it:
I of course don't agree that the Democratic Party is evil and wrong, and that they hate freedom, but? Read Wampler's piece and draw your own conclusions.
A common justification among (real) conservatives and libertarians for voting for the Republican Party is that the GOP is "the lesser of two evils." I can't count the many times I've been told this. Sure, I'm told, the Republican Party is moderate and regularly betrays its alleged principles. But hey, at least they're not leftist Democrats!
How valid is this assertion? It's true that the Democratic Party and all it stands for is evil and wrong. However, at least the Democrats are fairly honest about their hatred of freedom. They don't hide their contempt for individual rights and unnatural affection for the State.
I of course don't agree that the Democratic Party is evil and wrong, and that they hate freedom, but? Read Wampler's piece and draw your own conclusions.
“Liberty-as-goal” libertarianism and the second “liberty-as-means” libertarianism
I don't normally have much time to read Andrew Sullivan anymore, though he's a favorite writer of several of my friends. A recent piece, The Paradox of Libertarianism under his column but written by Jim Manzi caught my attention and it might catch yours too. One paragraph:
In somewhat cartoon terms, one strand takes liberty to be a (or in extreme cases, the) fundamental human good in and of itself; the other takes liberty to be a means to the end of discovery of methods of social organization that create other benefits. I’ll call the first “liberty-as-goal” libertarianism and the second “liberty-as-means” libertarianism. Obviously, one can hold both of these beliefs simultaneously, and many people do. But in my observation, when pushed to develop a position on some difficult issue, most self-described libertarians reveal a temperament that leans strongly in one direction or the other. Again, in cartoon terms, I’d describe the first temperament as idealistic, deductive and theory-based, and the second as practical, inductive and experiment-based. To lay my cards on the table, I fall squarely into the second camp.
Ghouls want to party with you...
This particular Halloween Invitation made me wonder about Ghouls...They are flesh eaters similar to Zombies. When not hanging out on Halloween party invitations or at parties during the invitation Halloween season, they are rumored to live near graveyards where they can dine on the recently dead or catch a tired traveler or two...You can add a photo, picture or logo to any card on Holiday-Invitations (http://www.holiday-invitations.com) of your favorite ghoul or anything else you'd like on your Halloween invitations. So you don't have to wait around, they print and ship your order the same day it is approved.
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Thought provoking piece on Libertarianism & Education
I came across Radical libertarianism does not provide for fairness in education when reading Libertarian news stories. It's a well done and thought provoking piece that covers some of my own personal concerns when it comes to balancing libertarianism and education.
One small part of the highlighted piece:
One small part of the highlighted piece:
Despite my libertarian streak, I find that the only feasible option to correct this inequality would be either to place a restriction of attending public schools only or to implement a voucher system in which tuition would be limited to the cost of the voucher alone. Restricting schooling options to only public schools is suboptimal because it would not account for geographic disparities—someone living in the ghetto will still have to attend school in the ghetto, and richer families will still have a benefit, if a more subtle one. A voucher system would only work if parents could not pay for tuition beyond the voucher itself. Otherwise, we would be back at square one—rich parents would send their children to schools whose tuition is much higher than the cost of a publicly-issued voucher.
Halloween is a fun holiday to have a birthday on...
Combination Birthday Party and Halloween Invitations are somewhat common. While my birthday is the first day of spring that's not something that typically generates the same fun as invitations Halloween season does. Granted Mardi Gras is possible instead of a Halloween Party Invitations theme but for those lucky enough to be born during October to take advantage of the combining of Halloween Invitation and birthday invitation? You not only get presents but candy...When you use Holiday-Invitations (http://www.holiday-invitations.com) you not only get being able to add a photo, picture or logo to any card on their site but they will also print and ship your order the same day it's approved. Not quite as good as candy, but close...
Yes Virginia there are Libertarians in Ohio
Sometimes they even run for office...Granted it's not anywhere near where I live in Toledo, but this headline caught my eye from news in Ohio. Libertarian running for council at-large seat.
Part of the recommended piece:
Good luck to Angela Williams...
Part of the recommended piece:
As a citizen and taxpayer of Marion, I believe it's high time that we elect people who are actually going to listen to and represent the Marion voters. The people want elected officials who have beliefs and principles that actually help them and their towns improve during these tough economic times.
As a member of the Libertarian Party of Ohio, I believe that I am such a person to do that job. Our party is the political party of "Principles." We believe in the U. S. Constitution and in limited government. This also includes individual rights and fewer taxes.
Good luck to Angela Williams...
Ghostly gobs of goo
One of my favorite childhood memories of the Invitations Halloween Party season was a kids Halloween invitation memory that involves bowls of cold spaghetti as fake worms, peeled grapes as eyeballs and jello as ghostly gobs of goo...all discovered while blindfolded. It's easy to create similar fun party invitations Halloween themes that even today's kids will appreciate and enjoy. Through Invitations-Shoppe (http://www.invitations-shoppe.com) you can view your Halloween invites before you buy with their patented instant preview feature. They will also modify any card ThankYou Design or color as requested, the goo however you'll have to provide...
It's true, you might not be a libertarian
This was too good to not share, from Eric Sundwall You might not be a Libertarian...
1. If you harbor a deep sense that people are stupid and that your cabal has the answer for their benefit, you might not be a libertarian.
2. If you are against war, but keep on voting for people who propagate and rationalize it, you might not be a libertarian.
3. If you believe people should be considered illegal by virtue of their proximity to an imaginary line called a border, you might not be libertarian.
4. If you believe that the common good is something served by the presence of goon squads ripping plants up that are deemed a threat, you might also qualify as a grant writer, but you are certainly not a libertarian.
5. If you believe that a private service is suddenly a 'right' or should be universally delivered, than you may force farmers to produce food, but don't check with your doctor to see if you are a libertarian.
6. If you believe that government schools are a public good and expect different results from more funding, you have most likely never read Mises and certainly cannot be accused of advocating choice with regard to how little brains are filled.
7. Whether you drive a Prius or Escalade, if you belief that it's our God given right to have cheap oil, you are certainly not concerned about the efficiency or fairness of the free market and alas, not a libertarian.
8. If you believe that you have paid into Social Security an amount that demands fair renumeration come time to settle on the front porch, you may actually have bought a part of that bridge in Brooklyn, but you are not likely to win any Free State Project awards.
1. If you harbor a deep sense that people are stupid and that your cabal has the answer for their benefit, you might not be a libertarian.
2. If you are against war, but keep on voting for people who propagate and rationalize it, you might not be a libertarian.
3. If you believe people should be considered illegal by virtue of their proximity to an imaginary line called a border, you might not be libertarian.
4. If you believe that the common good is something served by the presence of goon squads ripping plants up that are deemed a threat, you might also qualify as a grant writer, but you are certainly not a libertarian.
5. If you believe that a private service is suddenly a 'right' or should be universally delivered, than you may force farmers to produce food, but don't check with your doctor to see if you are a libertarian.
6. If you believe that government schools are a public good and expect different results from more funding, you have most likely never read Mises and certainly cannot be accused of advocating choice with regard to how little brains are filled.
7. Whether you drive a Prius or Escalade, if you belief that it's our God given right to have cheap oil, you are certainly not concerned about the efficiency or fairness of the free market and alas, not a libertarian.
8. If you believe that you have paid into Social Security an amount that demands fair renumeration come time to settle on the front porch, you may actually have bought a part of that bridge in Brooklyn, but you are not likely to win any Free State Project awards.
Libertarian 101: What is the Libertarian position on drug Prohibition
Recommended article in the series of Libertarian 101, this time by Barry Ritchey II on the topic of the general Libertarian position on drug Prohibition. Part of the recommended piece:
It's not that libertarians necessarily approve of the behavior; we simply realize that Prohibition doesn't work. Moreover, we understand that it does more to make Americans unsafe that any other single factor.
First let's take a look at history. From 1919 to 1933 the Federal government outlawed the manufacture, transport, sale, and consumption of alcoholic beverages by way of the 18th Amendment. Widely supported by a popular majority of well-meaning religious groups in 36 of 48 states, citing the societal decay and "deviant" behavior under the influence of alcohol, they decided to establish a law banning its use for everyone.
Soon thereafter, major unintended consequences came to the surface. Firstly, gangs immediately filled the void. Mafia groups soon moved out of small-time thievery and gambling and into bootlegging and racketeering. In turn, corrupting law enforcement and creating an arms race between the rival gangs. Secondly, otherwise law abiding Americans became criminals overnight, leading to widespread disrespect for the "rule of law". On top of that, not having that $500 million of tax revenue annually had a devastating effect on government budgets. Lastly, the cost of enforcement, with no way of measuring its impact, was enormous and wholly ineffective, with nearly 100,000 "speakeasy clubs" operating in New York alone.
Friday, August 28, 2009
It starts with a theme...
It's easy to take a Baby Invitation for a baby shower and use that for the whole theme. Take the umbrellas shown in this and other baby shower invitations. You can use the whole umbrella theme for the party using umbrellas hung upside down with stuffed animals, drinks with umbrellas, float rubber duckies in a blue punch, all can be done inspired by this invitations baby image. No matter which party theme you want, CardsShoppe (http://www.cardsshoppe.com) will let you make unlimited changes at no additional cost as well as modifying any card ThankYou design or color as requested. They'll also email your proof to you within one hour on business days...
Gridlock and Growth: The Effect of Traffic Congestion on Regional Economic Performance
Here in Toledo we don't really have to worry about traffic gridlock but there are other parts of the country that are impacted by traffic. The title linked study by the Reason Foundation has been the source of quite a few recent news articles. It's an interesting read for those of you interested in not only traffic but the larger impact it can have on the economy.
Are Libertarians For Intellectual Property?
As has been stated here before, there are issues that Libertarians don't agree on, at times it can be really interesting to read the different arguments. This article, Are Libertarians For Intellectual Property? is one of those situations where it appears there is a divergence of thought on the topic of patents and intellectual property.
It's a recommended read for those of you interested in digging deeper into the world of law, patents and freedom...
It's a recommended read for those of you interested in digging deeper into the world of law, patents and freedom...
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Blizzard babies...
When I saw the below invitation baby shower theme, I thought about how when there is a weather event like a blizzard or a large power outage, a few months later the Baby Invitations can increase for that area. Which is then followed by more baby shower events and a slight increase in the birth rate. No matter the weather, if you check out Cards-411 (http://www.cards-411.com) you can view your baby shower invitations before you buy with their patented instant preview features, with unlimited changes at no extra charge and they'll email your proof to you within one hour during the business day.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
What Libertarianism Is
Another recommended article that covers some of the basic points as to what is Libertarianism and what are some of the core beliefs that exist with those who share this political ideology. Like any political ideology, people who lean libertarian or consider themselves fully libertarian don't agree on everything.
Yet, Stephan Kinsella does a nice job in providing a piece that could be an excellent discussion point. A small part:
Yet, Stephan Kinsella does a nice job in providing a piece that could be an excellent discussion point. A small part:
Libertarians tend to agree on a wide array of policies and principles. Nonetheless, it is not easy to find consensus on what libertarianism's defining characteristic is, or on what distinguishes it from other political theories and systems.
Various formulations abound. It is said that libertarianism is about individual rights, property rights, the free market, capitalism, justice, or the nonaggression principle. Not just any of these will do, however. Capitalism and the free market describe the catallactic conditions that arise or are permitted in a libertarian society, but do not encompass other aspects of libertarianism. And individual rights, justice, and aggression collapse into property rights. As Murray Rothbard explained, individual rights are property rights. And justice is just giving someone his due, which depends on what his rights are.
First comes love, then comes marriage...
I was searching for the history of the phrase that the image of this Baby Shower Invitation brought to mind that I wrote in the title. Despite coming across links for free baby shower invitations, printable baby shower invitations, and everything related to invitations baby shower themes, I wasn't able to find where the rhyme first came from. At Cards-411 (http://www.cards-411.com) you can add a photo, logo or picture to any card on their site and once you find the one you want? They'll email your proof to you within one hour on a business day. You can also make unlimited changes at no additional cost.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
What is a Libertarian?
I came across the title linked piece written by Arkady Kamenetsky and I felt it was a good one to share for those who wonder exactly what is a Libertarian. He puts a good summary of beliefs together, one small part:
It's one I not only recommend reading but bookmarking to share with friends who ask "What is a Libertarian?"
I believe that in America, the greatest nation on earth, individuals should be given maximum freedom to choose how they want to live their lives. That is, they can practice whatever religion they want, arm themselves, engage in any drug usage they see fit as long, this is important, they do not hurt me or anyone else in their process. For example if a citizen wishes to drink himself into oblivion and get behind a wheel, I have a serious problem with that, but if that same citizen wishes to inject himself with heroine and pass out in his mother's basement - then more power to him!
I believe that females have a right to choose what to do with their own bodies, as long as whatever is in their body depends on the female. If a woman is carrying a child and this child needs the mother to survive, then it is up to the woman to choose whether she wishes to continue carrying the child. However the day the child can survive on their own, the choice is revoked, because the choice of a free citizen cannot impact the life of another. More simply put, if a late stage child is capable of surviving in a hospital via machines, abortion should not be an option.
It's one I not only recommend reading but bookmarking to share with friends who ask "What is a Libertarian?"
Showers and clothes pins
There is an element to reality in some birth announcements or shower invitations, such as this one with the clothes pins. While the photo birth announcements and baby announcements allude to it at times, having a baby means quite a bit more laundry. Though hopefully along with the baby announcement, most new mothers will get quite a few extra outfits. If you pick CardsShoppe they (http://www.cardsshoppe.com) will create a special design just for you and they'll modify any card ThankYou design or color as requested.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
The Whole Foods story still getting press....
The editorials and articles are still being written on the one part of the suggestion made by Whole Foods co-owner, John Mackey made, this time in the Baltimore Sun. Since Mackey identified himself as leaning libertarian it shows up in my news feed for libertarian news. There are almost 100 new articles out on this. Some in support of the boycott, some more sensible.
But it makes no sense to me to boycott a chain that does right by its employees in favor of other markets where you have not studied how they treat their employees. While farmers markets can supply seasonal fruits and vegetables, staples and "Marco Polo exceptions" generally have to come from a supermarket of some kind.
Throughout my life in the farming country of Oregon, I have found most farmers to be of libertarian, small-government politics. Those boycotting Whole Foods in favor of a small grower is likely to be supporting someone of the same opinions as John Mackey.
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