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...

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...

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.

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...

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.

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:

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.

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:

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.

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.

Advantages of a laptop

I do most of my main blogging and computer work on my tower, but there are certain times when my laptop computer can come in handy beyond being able to take it to work with me or to live blog something. Here in our home it's an easy way to cook. No, not cooking on the laptop but it's easier to pick up the laptop, put it in a safe place in the kitchen and read recipes from the laptop screen. That way no printing is involved nor does someone have to keep going back to where their tower is to read what's next...

The key is of course to not have the laptop be in a place where it will get wet, get food on it and is fully charged...

The continued death of communication in public education

While I vented earlier on one of my other blogs about the most recent episode of miscommunication and lack of concern for customer service as well as the well being of the student, I couldn't help think that part of the problem is some urban schools, such as the one my daughter attends treats the students and parents as if there is a barcode scanner on their heads without bothering to check prices or even stock numbers...

It's difficult to keep arguing for the benefits of an urban public school when the reality is they give parents more reasons to leave than to stay...

Austin Petersen: ‘My Goodbye Letter to the Libertarian Party’

Austin Peterson's good bye letter has created some confusion because those who didn't read some of the previous material were left with the impression after reading the letter that he was leaving the Libertarian Party all together instead of leaving being a spokesperson for the Libertarian Party because of a new job he's taken.

Had I not read some of his earlier posts, I would have thought the same thing in reading his letter...

Cabric verus cambric

When I came across this link titled, cabric fabric stores in my mind I thought of the Simon and Garfunkle song, "Scarborough Fair" and I thought perhaps it was cabric not cambric that is in the lyrics.

Are you going to Scarborough Fair?
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme
Remember me to one who lives there
She once was a true love of mine

Tell her to make me a cambric shirt
(On the side of a hill in the deep forest green)
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme
(Tracing a sparrow on snow-crested ground)
Without no seams nor needlework
(Blankets and bedclothes the child of the mountain)
Then she'll be a true love of mine
(Sleeps unaware of the clarion call)

It is cambric, but despite making me think about song lyrics to a song that I used to sing to my children when they were babies to get them to sleep, and being relieved that after all these years I was singing it correctly, there are some nice fabrics for sale on the website. Including cambric...

Mackey's column creates call for boycott of Whole Foods

In this country if someone says or writes something that you don't agree with, rather than to argue the merit of the points made that are right or wrong, it can create a call for a boycott which is exactly what is happening in some parts of the internet. If you read the below post with Mackey's opinion piece, his belief that we as Americans are part of the problem with our diet and our increasing fatness is part of what has made some call for the boycott.

It's also interesting to note that the reporting on the boycott is making more news/blog posts than the initial article...

While Mackey was a bit too simplistic in his one paragraph that seems to have created the most ire:

Unfortunately many of our health-care problems are self-inflicted: two-thirds of Americans are now overweight and one-third are obese. Most of the diseases that kill us and account for about 70% of all health-care spending—heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes and obesity—are mostly preventable through proper diet, exercise, not smoking, minimal alcohol consumption and other healthy lifestyle choices.

The problem is though while of course not all people with cancer or diabetes can prevent it, some can so that paragraph is not totally inaccurate. It's a bit ironic that one of the stores known for healthy foods is being boycotted for making a statement that basically confirms their belief that if people ate healthier, they would be healthier.

The Whole Foods Alternative to ObamaCare

If you have not yet read John Mackey's piece in the Wall Street Journal, The Whole Foods Alternative to ObamaCare, I recommend it. Mackey, the co-founder of Whole Foods makes 8 suggestions that he feels will reduce the cost of health care that will not add to the deficit. Most of his suggestions involve reducing or eliminating legislation.

While his comparisons to Canada and England as far as the waiting lists is questionable since the US is not considering a full socialized health care plan, he does raise an interesting point that I believe drives home the main desire of a majority of people no matter what nation they live in - they want a choice.

At Whole Foods we allow our team members to vote on what benefits they most want the company to fund. Our Canadian and British employees express their benefit preferences very clearly—they want supplemental health-care dollars that they can control and spend themselves without permission from their governments. Why would they want such additional health-care benefit dollars if they already have an "intrinsic right to health care"? The answer is clear—no such right truly exists in either Canada or the U.K.—or in any other country.

The more we bake together...

This time of year it's really too hot for me to think about baking, but during the holiday season, it's almost bake off time around our house. When I saw the Christmas Party invitation shared below, it struck me as a neat idea to have everyone come over and bake their favorite cookies for the invitations Christmas Party season. It seems like that theme for Christmas Party Invitations sets not only the tone for the party but could very well become a family and friend tradition. There are other ideas that can be inspired from Christmas Invitations at Invitations Shoppe (www.invitations-shoppe.com) where you not only get free shipping and ten free thank you cards but you can also add a picture or photo (like of your best decked out cookie) or logo to any card.

Violence shouldn't beget violence...

It's interesting that a few twitter statements would create news, especially considering what has been happening recently, but a twitter message has ended up being reported by the New Mexico Independent:

A local libertarian, via Twitter, seemed to be advocate violence against “ACORN/SEIU” if they decide to attend and/or disrupt health care town hall meetings.

I asked Scott Oskay, via Twitter, “are you advocating violence against ACORN or SEIU members?” He responded, “I would advocate retaliation for intimidation, be it verbal or physical.”

I feel violence should not beget violence but I also feel that one regular citizen does not speak for a whole party or political philosophy...

The fact checker in me also believes it should be "appears to be advocating"...

The many forms of Santa transportation...

When you see Christmas Party Invitations like the one below, you may reflect on the many different types of transportation that Christmas Invitations and the whole Christmas invitation season bring to mind. Depending on where you live Santa can arrive by plane, helicopter, boat, sled or even by train. However when it comes to invitations at Invitations Shoppe (www.invitations-shoppe.com) you can view your Christmas party invitation before you buy with their patented instant preview feature, which you only need a computer for. You also get ten cards as a thank you and free shipping, which should arrive the traditional way...

Libertarians to Democrats: Call off the thugs

This was published yesterday by SmallGovTimes.com and it is a fairly disturbing report of violence that is being experienced by those who are not committing any crime, unless you believe speaking out is a crime...

A Tampa Bay Tribune story and a video posted to the Drudge Report both report physical assaults on dissenting citizens by union organizers brought to meetings by Democrats. In Tampa, union organizers blocked citizens who differed with the White House from entering a public town hall with Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL,) and allegedly scuffled with some of them. A video posted to YouTube appears to show union organizers physically attacking citizens who disagreed with the White House.

“The Libertarian Party is founded on one principle. We do not support the initiation of force to achieve political or social goals,” said Donny Ferguson, Libertarian National Committee Communications Director. “Democrats seem to think differently. When the Obama administration ordered Democrats to ‘punch back twice as hard’ against citizens who question them, Democrats responded. This Chicago-trained White House has brought Chicago-style union violence to small towns across America.”

“The White House told Democrat leaders Thursday to ‘punch back twice as hard’ when citizens express disapproval. That kind of irresponsible rhetoric is never proper when discussing popular dissent. They also made it clear they will bend Senate rules and force through government-run health care whether or not America supports it. That is a frightening departure from the traditional American practice of governing though popular will,” said Ferguson.

For those of you seeking confirmation on the "punch back twice as hard" quote, I recommend Politico:

And they screened TV ads and reviewed the various campaigns by critics of the Democratic plan.

“If you get hit, we will punch back twice as hard,” Messina said, according to an official who attended the meeting.

Libertarians Respond To Obama Healthcare Press Conference

This in via e-mail:

"Tonight's press conference by President Obama, complete with scare tactics and wildly inaccurate claims, perfectly illustrated why more and more Americans are losing faith in his promises of prosperity through government control.

"Libertarians, and all Americans, aren't buying President Obama's ludicrous claim that handing control of your health care over to the federal government keeps costs down. Congressional Budget Office reports show the Obama health care takeover sends costs skyrocketing and further explodes his own record-shattering budget deficits. That not only thwarts job growth but also threatens health care itself. The fiscally irresponsible core of government-run health care is why virtually every such system must eventually resort to cruel rationing to contain its unsustainable and damaging costs.

"Under no rational model whatsoever does the Obama government takeover reduce costs and make health care affordable. The damage the Obama plan does to our economy, however, is real and hits Americans directly.

"Americans also lost trust in President Obama when he accused doctors of conspiring to intentionally let children with illnesses get worse, and that government must seize control of health care to stop doctors from performing medical procedures he doesn't approve of. President Obama was perfectly clear. He wants the government to seize control of your health care because he thinks government accountants in Washington are better at medicine your own family doctor.

"As he did with the so-called "stimulus" package, President Obama is exploiting people's fears and insecurities to push his agenda of unquestioned and economically unsustainable government expansion. That is yet another disappointing failure from the man who promised to end "the politics of fear."

"But no amount of wild claims and inaccurate statements can hide the facts. Along with making health care rationed and unaffordable, the Obama government takeover currently being written in Congress outlaws private insurance (page 16,) sends government agents to your home to monitor your parenting (Section 44) and forces the sick and elderly to sit through meetings with government employees on how to end their life (page 425.)

"Libertarians have a better idea to make health care accessible and affordable. To start with:

¥ Allow taxpayers to deduct the costs of their health insurance from their income taxes.

¥ Repeal health insurance mandates that force Americans to pay for treatments they won't ever use.

¥ Scrap unneeded and unnecessary regulations that keep life-saving drugs and treatments off the market. Such regulations are often supported by health care lobbyists and are intended to freeze out competing products and companies.

¥ Allow Americans to shop for health insurance across state lines, forcing insurers to compete.

"Americans deserve health care that is affordable, effective and universally available. President Obama's plan fails that test on every count, and he fails our trust. Only Libertarians are proposing the reforms we need to fix our broken health care system."

The Libertarian Party is America's third-largest political party, founded in 1971 as an alternative to the two main political parties. You can find more information on the Libertarian Party by visiting http://www.LP.org. The Libertarian Party proudly stands for smaller government, lower taxes and more freedom.

Common sense tells you...

Common sense tells me that leaving your windows open in your house when you have equipment like a lcd monitor is not a smart thing to do. Unfortunately a friend of mine recently had to deal with a theft because someone else left a window open and then left for the day. It's unfortunate that there are people that would rather steal than honestly come buy something but it is a reality. It's why even when I am home at night I make sure all of the downstairs windows are shut no matter the weather, even with two dogs, it's not worth the risk.

Let There Be Peace on Earth

As I looked at the Christmas Card/Christmas Invitation below, I started to wonder about the history of the quote "Let There Be Peace on Earth" -- It's often seen on Christmas Party Invitation, from free Christmas invitations to printable Christmas invitations. I've traced it back to 1955 a song by that title written by Sy Miller and Jill Jackson. If you use www.holiday-invitations.com (Holiday Invitations) you will get free shipping, ten free thank you cards and they will also create a special design just for you.

If obesity was an infectious disease, it would be an epidemic,

The title is from a Pittsburgh Post Gazette article from earlier today, titled, "Obesity's costs emerge as major concern" that references a report done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that recently had its first Weight of the Nation conference in DC. It's gotten far beyond which is the best weight loss pill, especially if you read the quotes from Dr. Daniel Bessesen:

"If obesity was an infectious disease, it would be an epidemic," said Dr. Daniel Bessesen, professor of medicine at the University of Colorado at Denver and chief of endocrinology at the Denver Health Medical Center.

"To ignore the problem, you're keeping your head in the sand. If you could fix the obesity problem ... you would make a huge impact on the nation's health care costs."

We're still voting for evil.

The title is from this Examiner article written by Rachel Hawkridge. It's thought provoking, especially this part:

He thinks that by voting for Ds or Rs who are more freedom-loving than their opponents, he helps to advance the cause of Liberty.

I don't see it that way - as long as we continue to vote for the lesser of two evils, we're still voting for evil. People continue to vote for a label that they're not happy with (disgruntled Rs), because the Ds are so much worse. Ds and Rs are just a hair's breadth apart these days - neither of them is so much worse.

And until people stop worrying that "My label might lose if I don't vote for it", we continue the move toward an overtly one party system.

That's what allows the insanity to continue.

If you don't absolutely endorse a candidate, don't vote for him. Don't give money to a candidate or a party that you are unhappy with.

Give your support, your vote, your money to the best candidate. Support the candidate who will uphold the Constitution. Who will examine each piece of legislation in the light of its constitutionality.

Do not give your support, your vote, your money to the candidate just because he believes the way you do. Continuing to elect government because they govern using our shared values is dangerous.

Often times, we have the lessor of two evils argument when it comes to voting and we do not want to not vote. It can create quite a dilemma for those who want better government.

Christmas Caroling...

Another Christmas tradition that is often seen on Christmas Invitations is caroling, it's not uncommon to see carolers depicted on Christmas Party invitations or to have caroling be a part of the planned invitations Christmas party theme. The creation of carols is attributed by many to go back as far as St. Francis of Assisi during the 12th century. Whether you want carolers or something else to adorn your Christmas invitation, you can find unique and exclusive designs at www.cardsshoppe.com, where you also get free shipping and ten free thank you cards with your order...

Homeland Security to cut newspapers to save money

I suppose every penny saved matters but...From USA Today:

The Department of Homeland Security "is consolidating subscriptions to professional publications and newspapers, and, where possible, encouraging the use of free online publications rather than purchase the print version."

Anticipated savings total $47,160 in fiscal years 2009 and 2010.

Blaming Libertarians for the whole "birther" saga

Recommended blog post by Austin Petersen on the Libertarian Party website that addresses the accusation being made by some that Libertarians are involved in the whole "birther" saga, yes, related to was Obama born in the United States. Part of the post:

Recently, some elements of the right have been pressing the Obama birth certificate issue into the public light. Most notably, a segment on Lou Dobbs has added fuel to the fire by legitimizing their claims in the mainstream media. Chris Matthews featured a segment where Ken Vogel of Politico claims that the libertarian fringe are pressing the issue.

In my estimation however, the birther issue has been more of a Constitution Party issue than a Libertarian one.

This is an obvious swat at a movement that is making the establishment very nervous these days so they are going take any occasion they can to smear us. We can expect more and more of this in the future as the liberty movement is gaining traction and freedom becomes more popular.

Libertarians understand that the entire issue does not even matter in a larger sense. If were true that Barack Obama were a foreign born citizen I doubt there is anything the American citizens could do about it. The combined efforts of the entire capitalist grassroots network couldn’t stop the bailout from happening. The last century has been spent with the Executive Branch amassing enough power to do whatever they want so that even if credible evidence emerged that Obama was foreign born (and it hasn’t) then they could ignore it. Or maybe Nancy Pelosi would ram a bill through Congress changing the law ex post facto with several key Republicans signing on citing equality of opportunity for foreign born citizens.

Candy Corn & Halloween...

I'm a fan of candy corn so this Halloween invitation caught my eye, and made me think a bit more about the history of candy corn while I looked at Halloween Party Invitations. Did you know that the first candy corns were made by hand? They were the creation of George Renninger of the Wunderle Candy Company in the 1880s. If you want to make your invitations Halloween even more special you could actually include some candy corn, or if there's another image you'd like to include www.invitations-shoppe.com will let you add any photo, picture or logo to any of their cards. They'll also modify any card design or color you request. Which means your Party Halloween Invitations can be as sweet as you want them...

Speakers being lined up for Libertarian convention in 2010

To keep up to date on the details, if you don't already read Independent Political Report, you might want to bookmark it.

So far:

David Nolan, one of the Party’s 1971 co-founders
Gary Nolan, syndicated radio talk show host and 2004 LP presidential candidate
Mary Ruwart, noted author and 2008 presidential candidate
Dr. James W. Lark, III, former chair slated to address the Torch Club. ($1k donors)
Jeff Davis, a radio personality who produces “Just a Thought” commentaries.

Are on the list of speakers with more to be announced...

Libertarians concerned about Sotomayor

Recommended article from Small Government Times which is really kind of interesting when you take into consideration the pressure being put on the Blue Dog Democrats with Hacker's op piece I blogged about on Liberal Common Sense.

Part of the recommended read penned from the Libertarian perspective:

Libertarians announced their opposition to the Sonia Sotomayor confirmation early, after reviewing her troubling record on individual, property and gun rights. The Judiciary Committee voted 13-6 to send the nomination to the full Senate. South Carolina Republican Lindsay Graham joined the committee’s 12 Democrats.

“A judge’s record is the best indicator of what they will do on the Court, and Judge Sotomayor’s record is one of opposition to the individual right to keep and bear arms. Libertarians, and all of America’s 90 million gun owners, will remember how you voted,” said Donny Ferguson, Libertarian National Committee Communications Director. “Your vote on Judge Sotomayor may come back to haunt you one November.”

Thinking of escaping...

while the weather here is nice now, it's been one of the colder July's in recent history, which when you look at pictures like the one shared here, it should be easy to see why the Outer Banks is a tempting place to escape to. I also have friends that have moved to that area not long ago, so I'd be able to not only get away but catch up with them and how things are going for them since they've moved away. This is one part of the country that I have not yet been able to visit so it keeps getting moved up on my own personal "bucket list."

Thinking of showers

I anticipated being able to come home after participating in a local community event that required boating on the Maumee river and taking a shower. Alas, instead of being able to wash away the sweat of the day my bathroom was over taken by teens who slept in while we were on the river. Which made me think about how glad I'll be when we are ready to move into our house that we are renovating, since it has two bathrooms, where I can dream about Grohe faucets and plan for a European styled pull out spray faucet in my kitchen with perhaps one of the shower systems...

A reason to visit...

Brian Doherty's post Two Periodical Looks at Libertarianism's Past is a highly recommended read because of the material he's linked. If you have never heard of The Mises Institute? It's one you will want to become familiar with, especially if you are interested in history.

Libertarian Nirvana

That's what the Porcupine Freedom Festival is referenced as in this Washington Post article that went online today. It's an interesting read, a few selected parts:

It hasn't been an easy message to sell these past few years. Their group, the Free State Project, has struggled to attract followers. But now, with Americans thinking anew about the reach and role of government, Free Staters see at least the hint of an opening.

So this weekend, they drink to the future. Between swigs of a custom brew called Overregulated Ale, they ridicule the Federal Reserve, applaud the defeat of a bill that would have required the wearing of seat belts, bemoan higher taxes and restrictions on gun rights.

"We said bad things are going to happen and they happen," Jason Sorens, a political science professor, preaching to the crowd clustered around picnic tables. "We say, we told you so."

Orange appears the most common Halloween color

As I've been sharing some of the popular Halloween Invitations with you, I've noticed that the most common color used in Halloween Party Invitations is orange. Pumpkins appear most often, followed by ghosts, on the typical Invitations Halloween style, either as a fall decoration or a jack-o-lantern. When you order your Halloween Invitation from Invitations-shoppe.com you not only get free shipping and 10 thank you cards for free, but they print and ship your order the same day it's approved. That gives you more time to worry about finding the perfect pumpkin...

No More Libertarians?

Mike Treder writes a piece pointing out his concerns with the Libertarian political movement on Institute for Ethics & Emerging Technologies. He makes some interesting points, a few of which:

Many people, including some of us who identify as left-wing progressives, can see the appeal of a political approach that combines fiscal conservatism with liberalism on social issues. It would be quite nice if we lived in a world where individuals would have full freedom in their private lives and be protected in their civil rights, and where governments could closely restrain spending, keeping taxes low.

Unfortunately, we don’t live in that place. Passionate, concerted effort is still required to help others gain and maintain basic human rights, both here in the West and especially in the developing world. Monumental challenges like global warming, widespread malnutrition, and the threat of pandemic disease can best be addressed through the blend of a mixed economy alongside representative governance.

Conditions simply don’t exist today in which classic libertarianism either makes good sense or can attain broad popularity. Perhaps they never will.

It's one of the reasons I've struggled with believing in the smaller government aspect on a federal basis and supporting liberalism on social issues as well as firmly believing that our federal government was not supposed to have the power it does over states. It's why though I am on paper a Democrat, I consider myself a "liberal libertarian" from a philosophical standpoint where neither the current Libertarian Party or the Republican Party is one I am fully comfortable with. On local and state issues, I support more Democrats because of they share a similar ideology...

Party invitation sayings...

When you look at a Halloween Invitation did you ever wonder who wrote it? There are people who's job is to create the graphics and sayings for Halloween Party invitations, who spend a good part of their day writing Halloween invitations and for other holidays. Then of course there are those looking for invitation Halloween perfection who want something designed just for them, companies like Holiday-Invitations.com will do that as well as add any picture or logo you want.

Wes Benedict new executive director of National Libertarian Party

I thought this would make more news than it did, but I guess I shouldn't be surprised, from the Daily Texan:

Austin political activist Wes Benedict will take over as the executive director for the National Libertarian Party today.

Benedict previously served as the director for the Libertarian Party of Texas from 2004 to 2008 and has run for Austin City Council three times.

He makes the move to Washington following Libertarian Bob Barr’s presidential campaign in which Barr garnered 523,686 votes, according to the Federal Election Commission. The result was the second-most by a third-party candidate in the 2008 election as well as a Libertarian Party record.

Although this accounted for only 0.4 percent of the vote, it was seen as a success by third-party voters who hope that taking votes from the two major parties will force people to consider their issues, said Rock Howard, the Travis County Libertarian Party chair.

Of Ponds and pond scum...

I've always wanted a pond, which of course won't be possible in the yard of our house unless it's more like a small fish pond/water garden but even one that small would need some type of pond aerators to keep the pond scum to a minimum and if you wanted to have fish, keep them healthy. That would be the one downside to a smaller water garden, it would be very hard to keep the fish alive during the winter. So, I'd have to opt for water lilies or other water plants, or I could settle for a rain garden since they are also good for the environment, or perhaps both...I've been dreaming about an Asian themed garden area for the back yard, a small water garden with a fountain would be the perfect place to relax and unwind.

After Circuit City now what?

I didn't often buy things online from Circuit City but we used to go to the store here in Toledo because at times if we needed things in a hurry, like our last internet router, they were cheaper than any of the other stores in town. Now, of course they are gone, and it's smarter to try to wait and buy things online because if you are not careful some of the stores charge more at the store than they do online. I've discovered this several times and when you point it out, they will match the price, but only if you point it out. It's one reason why you should always check online...

Two Chu's and a Libertarian

I couldn't help wonder if there was any voter confusion considering both the Democrat and the Republican had the same last name when I read this Ballot Access News piece:

On July 14, California held a special election to fill the vacant U.S. House seat, 32nd district. The results: Democrat Judy Chu 61.67%; Republican Betty Chu 33.12%; Libertarian Christopher Agrella 5.21%.

This is the first time this district has had a contest between a Democrat and a Republican since 2002. In 2002, the vote had been: Democratic 68.79%, Republican 27.46%, Libertarian 3.74%. The district is centered in the Los Angeles County towns of El Monte and Covina.

Before you replace think about upgrading...

Unless you find a really great deal on a computer, sometimes you can make a huge difference in your computer's performance by upgrading your system memory rather than buying a new pc. There are also a huge number of things you can purchase, such as an external harddrive that can not only back up your present computer but can allow you to remove files that you no longer need and free up computer space. It's why I always advise people to look at what their system is and how much it would cost to upgrade it before they decide to buy new...

The digital revolution makes sharing information easier

Back when I first started blogging years ago it was more difficult and expensive to buy the kind of equipment that was needed to be able to record press conferences and other events. Now, thanks to digital cameras and digital camcorders I can easily go record an entire press conference in full, come home and depending on how quickly YouTube wants to cooperate with me, have the video online within hours, sometimes even sooner. Why this becomes important is typically the media only shows you a few moments with a few soundbites from a press conference and there are times when much more is said that if you were not there? You don't know about...

Libertarians: Theft Makes a Poor Memorial

This release was sent out by the The Center for Libertarian Press Information:

Libertarians call on the U.S. Government to forgo the threatened seizure of hundreds of acres of privately owned land for a memorial in western Pennsylvania near Shanksville, where Flight 93 crashed in 2001. They further ask the Park Service to reconsider spending tens of millions of taxpayer dollars on an extensive memorial, and to instead finance any memorial completely through volunteer contributions.

"The Park Service has had nearly a decade to work with local landowners, and NOW they decide that it's imperative to get the land within the next week," said Rachel Hawkridge, representative to the Libertarian Party's National Committee. "Besides the fact that there can be no 'fair market value' in a forced transaction, we have the underlying issue that ALL of the tax money spent on the memorial has been taken by force or the threat of force. If folks want a memorial, they will be happy to contribute to one - and it will be the exact size that people want it to be. The idea that the Park Service can propose commemorating the self-sacrifice of 40 individuals with the forced sacrifice of the efforts of other individuals indicates to me that the terrorists have, in some small way, won part of the battle already."

Libertarians also decry the purchase of nearly 1,000 acres of land from a coal-mining company, with proceeds to be (according to the Park Service) "placed in a trust fund to operate and maintain in perpetuity the treatment of mine water from a sediment pond on a reclaimed surface mine." To Lee Wrights, representative to the Libertarian Party's National Committee, "this seems like a not-very-subtle way of getting the taxpayers to pay for post-mining remediation. A great deal for PBS Coals; a terrible deal for Americans who have more pressing personal financial needs than bailing out big businesses."

This July has been cold....

I'm not going to start yelling global warming, but it has been cooler this July so far in my part of the country than last year. In a way I really don't mind because our house doesn't have air conditioning and I'm certain the warmer weather will eventually come. It has however made the idea of going to Florida a bit more appealing, which of course would have been more appealing had JetAmerica not did away with their flights that were $9.00...But...it still is rather inexpensive to fly to Florida when compared to other places. Who knows I could hire a Fort Myers photographer to take some professional shots that I can tease others with this winter when the snow is piling up.

:-)

Libertarians say: Government (Regulation) Kills!

The following media release was sent out by the The Center for Libertarian Press Information:

The old adage “the operation was a success, but the patient died” is never more true than when government gets into the healthcare business. The restrictions on midwives were and remain an excellent example.

Ever since the first licensing laws were passed well over a century ago, healthcare in America has not been part of a free market. Those laws were passed with pressure from one group of medical professionals to give them protection from competition. The laws had little to do with protecting patients' health, and nothing to do with protecting their freedom to choose among medical practitioners.

Licensing laws were successful in killing the competition from midwives, but at the same time they harmed new mothers and their babies. Minority communities were especially affected, because they were denied the choice of alternative, less expensive, healthcare providers who were forced from business by the new regulations.

In his book “Born in the USA”, author Marsden Wagner, MD, MS, notes that Scandinavia and the Western Europe countries where midwives handle births have a lower rate of maternal and infant mortality than the more highly-regulated United States.

Washington State Libertarian and former gubernatorial candidate Ruth Bennett notes “Midwifery has started to make a comeback, but many states still restrict certain types of midwives. Women are still denied a choice and the results show up in the death statistics. Midwives also have lower rates of unnecessary procedures and Caesarian births. Opening the market to midwives can save lives as well as dollars”.

Speciality lawyers...

Our system of government and courts has become so complicated that there are a variety of areas where lawyers specialize in. This goes far beyond what you might think of when you think of lawyers that specialize in accidents or injuries, where specific diseases have created enough lawsuits that there are firms that specialize on one or more of these areas. Mesothelioma lawyers is just one example that over a decade ago you probably would not have heard about.

Libertarian Party Founder David F. Nolan letter...

An Open Letter to the Libertarian National Committee - I recommend all of it but a few selected parts I found particularly of merit:

And there is an important lesson to be learned from the success of the Paul campaign and the C4L. That lesson is that it pays to be bold. Notice that the grassroots uprising sparked by the Ron Paul campaign calls itself the Ron Paul REVOLUTION. Not the "Ron Paul gradual reform movement." They're calling for ending the Federal personal income tax, not just mouthing empty platitudes about "lower taxes" or "more freedom." (Compared to what? What we have now? Obama's proposals?) And they are gaining adherents far more rapidly than the Libertarian Party is; the C4L currently has five to ten times as many members as we do!

As I see it, the Libertarian Party has gone far astray from its original mission. Somewhere along the way, our commitment to being The Party of Principle was replaced by a shallow, opportunistic goal of "winning elections now" -- any election, anywhere. Principles be damned, according to the proponents of this vision. We should back off from "scary" positions, tone down our rhetoric, find out "what voters want," and tailor our message to what they want to hear.

Most of us are not John Thain....

When it comes to buying office furniture most of us are not like Merrill Lynch CEO John Thain who in 2008 spent 1.2 million dollars to have his office re-furbished. One of the many pricey items was a $87,000 area rug. When his purchases came to light he claimed he was going to reimburse Merrill Lynch but one really wonders had this not come to light would he have? If he was using his own money the first time would he have spent so much? Those are the questions that have no answers, but for those of us who's house may not be worth as much as his area rug? We wonder...

Could we put government on a diet?

Government in many ways is similar to people, when there is fat you need to figure out how to get rid of it, and no matter how much exercise you do, it comes down to making good decisions. You can try to find the best diet pills but similar to cutting government fat, there are no quick and easy solutions. A sensible diet is also needed, you can't take in 4,000 calories a day and not exercise and expect to lose weight. The Government can't take in $4,000 and spend $8,000 without it eventually catching up to them...Perhaps part of the reason so many people have difficulty with both is because they don't want to make choices. While you can have your cake and diet too, you have to have smaller portions...not the whole cake...

Why some Libertarians took issue with Sotomayor...

There is one main reason that some Libertarian groups actively opposed the appointment of Sotomayor to the Supreme Court, her stance on guns and self defense.

Though it doesn't appear any of these concerns expressed mattered, they are worth pointing out:

WASHINGTON — America’s third largest party reiterated its opposition Wednesday to the Supreme Court nomination of federal judge Sonia Sotomayor after the nominee refused to give a firm answer on whether individuals have the right of self-defense.

“Is there a constitutional right to self-defense?” Sotomayor asked when questioned by Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) whether or not the Constitution guaranteed him the right of self-defense. “ I can’t think of one. I could be wrong.”

“Whether you agree with her position or not, Judge Sotomayor has had no problem stating that things not directly found in the Constitution are ‘settled law.’ That’s why it’s troubling that when confronted with a constitutionally-enshrined principle she disagrees with, the right to keep and bear arms for the defense of one’s rights, things are suddenly muddled and up for debate,” said Donny Ferguson, Libertarian National Committee Communications Director.

“The Libertarian Party is the only party that never compromises in its defense of our Second Amendment-guaranteed rights. That’s why we have opposed Judge Sotomayor’s nomination from the moment we reviewed her troubling anti-gun record. Judge Sotomayor’s answers Wednesday further show she believes the law should flow from her own personal biases and not the literal wording of the Constitution,” said Ferguson.

Examiner Libertarian 101

I came across this article posted recently in the Cleveland Examiner, from the Denver Examiner Libertarian 101: What is the libertarian position on taxes? that I found was an interesting read. Barry Ritchey II also links to Harry Browne's 2000 piece Great Libertarian Offer part of which is something that makes me lean libertarian when it comes to the federal government, there is not really that huge of a difference between a Democratic Congress and a Republican Congress.

If you grow tired of the excuses, they try to scare you by saying their opponents would be even worse. In truth, the differences between the two old parties are so negligible that we'd probably never notice if they swapped names.

Apart from the scandals, how different was the Reagan or Bush administration from the Clinton administration? During the Republican presidential administrations of 1981-1992, the federal government grew by 6.3% per year, while it grew by 3.3% yearly during the Clinton administration of 1993-2000.

How different was the Democratic Congress from the Republican Congress? During the first five years of the Republican Congress, government has grown by 3.2% yearly; during the final five years of the Democratic Congress, government grew by 3.9% yearly.

How different are the Republican Supreme Court nominees from the Democratic ones? The current Supreme Court judges were nominated by Presidents of both parties — and regardless of party, most of the judges were approved overwhelmingly by Senators from both parties. On the really important matters concerning the role of government, they all agree that the federal government is more important than the Constitution.

Customize...

Not everything is one size fits all, especially when it comes to businesses and their particular need for software. Most places don't have an inhouse person that can design custom software for that particular company. Realistically it's more cost effective if you don't need custom software on a regular basis to take advantage of one of the firms out there that specialize in it. I've tried to write software, I learned very quickly that it was above my level of expertise...

Where's the real stimulus bill?

I think it's a bit early, since the impact of the stimulus bill wouldn't be immediate anyway, but some of you will find this article in the Libertarian Examiner to be an interesting one. Part of the recommended article:

Where is the bill that will allow libertarians to liberate?

Government can’t create jobs, it can only create busy-work. Government can’t even create money. Not real money. It can print big president heads on paper and stamp birds and buffaloes on metal but if there is nothing to buy because farmers haven’t farmed and manufacturers haven’t manufactured and businesses haven’t busied, the stuff that government calls money is just paper and metal.

You can’t build a house of paper or make a meal of metal.

In fact, without loggers and truckers and paper mills and ink makers and miners and smelters and engravers and an entire society of industrious people to feed and clothe and house those workers and transportation systems to move those raw materials government can’t even make their fake money.

But politicians don’t want you to know that. They don’t want you to understand that they are 100% overhead. They produce nothing. Their total existence depends on coercively taking what productive people produce.

Politicians and bureaucrats want you to think that they are the producers. They want you to believe that they are the god of the machine magically appearing to solve all problems.

Politics is nothing more nor less than the process of manipulating people. And the people-manipulators can no more restrain themselves from manipulating people than a hungry hyena can force itself to stop eating carrion.

I can't disagree that there is some truth to it, despite not agreeing it's not yet time to declare the stimulus package dead.

If only there was a magic pill for common sense...

One of the most frustrating things about trying to get people to reasonably discuss politics is the reality that some are only interested in throwing poo and trying to be unreasonable. It's their nature. They are there to disrupt and to make sure that nothing positive or civil can happen, well if they had anything to say about it. It made me wish that there was a magical common sense pill that you could recommend, that there could be reviews similar to diet pill reviews for special products to help fatheads...

:-)