The practice of invoking a comparison between your opponent's argument and Nazi ideology is such a common occurrence in internet discussions that, years ago, an author and attorney named Mike Godwin coined a tongue-in-cheek adage known as "Godwin's Law." Strictly speaking, this tactic constitutes an informal fallacy in that it relies upon … [Read more...]
How to Destroy the Constitution, Part 3: The Overseers of Freedom
September 17, 2010 by 4 Comments
This part 3 in a 3-part article. Read Part 1 Here Read Part 2 Here Some might argue that our elected representatives should keep an eye on such things and take care of them for us. True enough; except for one thing: Despite of all their good intentions and willingness to step up and lead, most of these representatives are ultimately just … [Read more...]
How to Destroy the Constitution, Part 1: Vital Foundations of Freedom
September 15, 2010 by 2 Comments
This is part 1 of a 3-part article. Subsequent segments will be published daily. DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS, AND INDEPENDENTS don’t agree on much, but most of them do believe in the excellence and effectiveness of the U.S. Constitution. A group this diverse will, of course, have some disagreements on the details, but it is amazing how nearly all … [Read more...]
How Independents Can Make a Difference in Politics
September 14, 2010 by 2 Comments
I live in Utah -- one of the most Republican-leaning states in the country, right? And yet, the majority of voters are not registered Republicans. In fact, only 31.5% are registered as Republicans, and only 7.4% as Democrats. Nearly 61% are registered as “unaffiliated” or independents. Then why does the Republican tail wag the Utah dog? … [Read more...]
The Law: Tool of Acquisition, Redistribution, or Justice?
September 10, 2010 by Leave a Comment
How To Keep The Law In Its Rightful Place The only legitimate purpose of legislation is to establish some level of justice in society. However, it doesn’t take long for that proposed intent to be abused. Human beings have a tendency to self-interest and legislators are no different. The French physiocrat Frederic Bastiat, popularized the … [Read more...]
A Propaganda-Proof People
September 6, 2010 by Leave a Comment
Last week a friend emailed me the following: "Hi Bryan, "How are you doing? "Just wondering, a friend of mine at work was pretty ticked off at you for a show of yours she listened to this weekend. She said that you were saying that Fox [N]ews fans are delusional, and that you didn't reference what people should be watching or listening to … [Read more...]
The Conservative/Liberal Divide
August 18, 2010 by 2 Comments
The Politically-Induced "Split-Personality" of the Human Soul I recently experienced an epiphany that generated hope out of a lot of frustration regarding the contending factions in American and world politics, and within my own heart. I was discussing Adam Smith’s The Theory of Moral Sentiments with a colleague, in which Smith (according to … [Read more...]
Defining Ourselves By Our Enemies
August 5, 2010 by Leave a Comment
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 Deeper Importance of the 2010 Election
August 3, 2010 by 2 Comments
Blame is easier than leadership. It’s been long enough since the announcement of the “Great Recession” that a shelf of books are now out—each outlining the “real” causes of the recession and its unsettling impact on the American psyche and economy. Unfortunately, most of these books are essays on blame. The two major political parties … [Read more...]
What “Freedom” Means For a New Criminal Justice System
July 15, 2010 by Leave a Comment
Freedom. Let it ring! Freedom. What does it mean? Although the Greeks and Romans discussed Liberty and Independence and what it meant in their city-states and republic, Freedom is essentially an Anglo-American concept in political philosophy, having its origin in ancient Germanic languages and being used in the culture of the … [Read more...]
