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...

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.

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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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:

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.

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:

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:

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.

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.