When a federal judge earlier this week struck down portions of Arizona's attempt to crack down on illegal immigration it certainly riled up those who've chosen this issue as their figurative last stand. Sheriff Joe Arpaio, a darling of the forces of so-called "law and order" (so long as it's being enforced against someone else), was quick to … [Read more...]
The Dangers of Sociopathic Patriotism
June 11, 2010 by 1 Comment
One of the greatest challenges of our time is developing the ability to cut through the deliberate distortion and propagandizing of current events in order to see the world as it really is. A prime example would be the ongoing conflict in Gaza where openly lamenting the loss of innocent life is a sure invitation for hysterical charges of … [Read more...]
Unintended Consequences of Arizona’s Recent Immigration Law
May 5, 2010 by 37 Comments
In 1850, French economist Frederic Bastiat penned the essay "That Which Is Seen and That Which Is Unseen" to illustrate how lack of foresight relates to the law of unintended consequences. Through a series of examples, including the parable of the "Broken Window," Bastiat demonstrated that we tend to view only the immediate visible effects of … [Read more...]
State-Sanctioned Torture: A Clear Road to Tyranny
April 7, 2010 by 1 Comment
Finding the correct solution to a problem is often not so much a matter of stating an answer as it is a matter of asking the right questions. On the issue of state-sanctioned torture, the real question isn’t whether waterboarding or other enhanced interrogation techniques constitute torture; it’s whether the state should be allowed to exercise … [Read more...]
I’d Rather Have the Guinness
February 24, 2010 by Leave a Comment
Given the economic uncertainty of our time, it may be helpful to take a step back and gain a broader perspective. Much of the concern being expressed today over the rising cost of living and the shrinking dollar has more to do with how they impact our ability to enjoy our favorite material pursuits and less to do with our ability to … [Read more...]
Where To Put Our Faith
February 5, 2010 by 1 Comment
For a nation that has long prided itself on being the personification of freedom in an otherwise unfree world, we’ve been sending some pretty mixed messages lately. If one is to believe our so-called mainstream and conservative media outlets, we are essentially being offered a choice of aligning ourselves with the lying socialists or the racist … [Read more...]
