The Passion of Ayn Rand’s Critics: The Case Against the Brandens]
A Philosophic Journey [02/14/05]
Stephen R.C.Hicks' Explaining Postmodernism is really a philosophic history journey—it has a definite start, follows clearly marked guide posts and takes us to a logically unavoidable finish line. (A review of Explaining Postmodernism: Skepticism
and Socialism from Rousseau to Foucault
by Stephen R.C. Hicks Ph.D.)
Scott Kauzlarich
[These are this authors earlier archives. Archives of late articles are here.]
No better time for 'Roe v. Wade for Men' [03/17/06]
If a single woman decides to have a baby against the wishes of the father, neither he nor anyone else should be held responsible for supporting the offspring. That this bit of common sense is not the law of the land rankles me.
Lovers of Liberty Take Heart [02/23/06]
Libertarians are pessimistic. Some are so pessimistic that they don’t
even call themselves Libertarian, preferring to join other groups or take on
some other label. John Stossel is a good example. There isn’t anyone in the mainstream
media more libertarian than Stossel, co-anchor of ABC’s 20/20. Yet in his 2004 best-seller, Give Me A Break, Stossel throws the
Libertarian Party under the bus.
How to End the War on Terror in One Simple Step [11/21/05]
Why are we spending billions to fight the War on Terror? Why are we gambling our economy and civil liberties when a simple, cheap, and effective solution is right under our nose? In one fell swoop, we can end the War on Terror; it requires only one small act.
The Myth of a Racist Justice System [11/14/05]
When Dewayne Wickham told readers of USA Today that "the scales of justice were out of balance" he was repeating a widely accepted myth: the nation's criminal justice system is rife with racism.
Another Clueless Supreme? [10/24/05]
In this week's Campus Corner, Ellsworth Journal reporter Fred Allan sat down for five good minutes with Poli-Sci Professor Scott Kauzlarich. (An Interview with Scott Kauzlarich)
What Would Bill Bennett Do? [10/12/05]
When Bill Bennett said you could reduce the crime rate in America by
aborting all black births, his remarks set off a debate on racism, crime, and
journalism ethics. Little attention was paid to the true meaning of his
statement, which was to take a stand against pragmatism.
Do Caribou Have More Rights Than People? [07/08/05]
For the past couple of weeks I've watched and listened to the debate swirling around the recent Supreme Court decision on property rights, Kelo v New London. I read the 58-page court ruling. I read briefs presented to the court. I have read and listened to commentary on the case ranging from the far left to the far right.
Free Speech in
School [05/13/05]
In 1969 an
Iowa family took a case against their school district all the way to the Supreme
Court over whether or not their children could wear black armbands in school to
protest the Vietnam War. The now-famous case, Tinker vs. Des Moines Schools, was
hailed as a landmark freedom of speech case, with the high court claiming that
free speech doesn’t end at the schoolhouse gate.
A Libertarian Response to Loompanics
Unlimited [05/02/05]
A couple of weeks ago Mike Hoy,
President of Loompanics Unlimited, a store for controversial and unusual books,
issued a lengthy challenge to libertarians entitled “Why
Corporations Are Not People and the Unsavory Consequences of Pretending That
They Are.”
The Best Guardian is Freedom [04/04/05]
Politicians love to talk about our children. They love to drag them into every scheme to increase their power and expand government. It's always "for the children," always about the kids. ... When I look at cases of children being harmed, I can't help noticing that in most cases, the government entrusted with protecting our kids is working against us.
Congress Stops Short of Extending Authority to Moon (for now) [03/22/05]
Normally, watching Congress in action makes me feel sick. Watching eight hours of Congressional hearings on baseball's steroid policy should have put me in a hospital. This time, however, there was something really encouraging. A glimmer of hope for the liberty-minded. (Scott Kauzlarich)
The Social Security Scam [03/10/05]
The debate over America's Social Security program has kicked into high gear this week as President Bush heads off on a 60-city trip to gain support for a plan that promises to privatize some of the Social Security program.
Randy Moss-champion of individuality [01/17/05]
By now you've probably heard that Randy Moss, aka The Freak, aka star wideout for the Minnesota Vikings, celebrated a game-clinching touchdown by pretending to moon the paying customers at Green Bay's Lambeau Field.
And by now you've probably also heard that Moss' fake moon signals the end of civilization as we know it.
Laci Peterson and Society's Revenge [12/16/04]
This is the collectivist "It takes a village…" mentality re-packaged. Whether it's blathering on about society or communally raising children, this mind-set has the ultimate effect of further severing the relationship between self and responsibility. In the Laci Peterson case it disconnects the masses from the executioner.
Libertarians and the Kennedy Assassination [11/22/04]
It's that time of year again-November 22nd--time to trot out the JFK footage and re-hash the Dallas assassination. Last year marked 40 years since Kennedy's death, so we were treated to an extra helping of conspiracy theories and Warren Commission defenses. The 41st anniversary should be a bit quieter, but look for the obligatory History Channel feature nonetheless.
Is Politics the Answer? [11/05/04]
The election is now over, and the winner was a candidate with a clear history of support for expanding government. We can count on the next four years bringing more government programs, more government spending, and more government involvement in our lives.
The Incredible Left [10/14/04]
I have lots of disagreements with Republicans, but I rarely have to deal with their mental conceit. When tackling liberals you do; you have to break through a barrier of arrogance that tells every leftist his views are coming from a place of pristine objectivity and open-mindedness. You rarely win an argument with a liberal, even if your reasoning is more sound or your evidence more compelling. Liberals, because they think they are mentally superior to non-liberals, believe that at least part of the disagreement is due to some kind of psychological flaw that denies you the ability to see truth.
We Shall Overcome [9/29/04]
The hardest kind of prejudice to fight is the kind that is not there. It is also the kind people are the most afraid of; In fact, they are so afraid of it, they would rather give up freedom than face it.
Want less corruption? Have less government [9/10/04]
Sure, everybody wants less corruption, but no one is willing to give up their share of it. Nobody thinks of that way, but if Scott Kauslarich is right, everyone who demands something from government (thus increasing its power) is contributing to that corruption.
The Price of Liberty [9/4/04]
He says: "One common refrain I heard ... is that if the government ever started shutting down newspapers and arresting people for speaking their minds, he’d become a libertarian and take to the streets. So would everyone else, the reasoning goes."
David MacGregor
[These are this authors earlier archives. Archives of late articles are here.]
The New Frontier [07/26/06]
All of you reading this are in the vanguard - the first wave of troops in the world's next major battle arena. You are on the internet. You are one of the "early adopters", adopting new technologies and new ideas ahead of the majority. Your thinking is being changed and your world view is being radically altered. You may not know this - but it is happening all the same.
The Conspiracy/Paranoia Trap [07/07/06]
I recall, back in the early 80s, how I got "hooked" by a number of serious conspiracy theory books. Everything from tomes on the Illuminati and the Freemasons, to a Jewish global financial hegemony and New World Order. There were the small conspiracies. Then there were the large conspiracies. And finally, there were the conspiracies within conspiracies, and even the super- conspiracies. Of the latter much has been written of late - including putting all these "lesser" conspiracies under the umbrella of a super-cosmic one, involving aliens from other planets. Take your pick, or pick them all.
Free Speech Quagmire [06/30/06]
The importance of free speech, in such situations, is that it is a necessary part of free enquiry. Science could not advance if all knowledge was "given" and incapable of being questioned. A scientist MUST have free speech or all scientific enquiry would come to a grinding halt. History is no different. If we want to understand ourselves, then a rigourous appraisal of historical events is essential. So are we now to jail those who don't agree with official history?
The Ultimate Ponzi Scam [06/23/06]
The word "Ponzi" is thrown around with abandon these days, yet few people are likely to be aware of the origin and true meaning of that word - let alone the fact they are probably unwittingly involved in a giant Ponzi scam right now.
Demon Democracy [06/15/06]
Well, it's official. Hamas won the Palestinian election fair and square. Democracy in action. And people are not happy! George Bush is not happy, but he's putting a brave face on it, and trying to work out how to deal with a democratic outcome which he cannot tolerate. Tony Blair and the Europeans are not happy, and like the US, they are threatening to withdraw financial aid to the Palestinians, unless Hamas renounces violence and its stated policy of wanting the destruction of Israel.
The Power of The Lie [06/08/06]
Remember the movie "Groundhog Day"? It was the story of a man (Bill Murray) who was forced to continuously relive the worst day of his life, until he learned to become a better person.
The Totalitarian Impulse [06/02/06]
What's the difference between: A drug addict and an alcoholic? A drug dealer
and a liquor merchant? An international drug ring and an international alcoholic
drink distributor?
Gold and Freedom [05/29/06]
I've known for a long time that there are two levers of power that governments never consider giving up. And yet it is essential that these power levers are removed from the state's control - if we are ever to have a truly FREE society.
The 'War on Terror' Scam [05/16/06]
The greatest threat to our freedom today is not terrorism, but what governments are doing to counter this perceived terrorist threat.
How to Defeat Big Brother and Reclaim Your Freedom [05/04/06]
George Orwell's "1984" is the story of a future society where individualism has been eliminated, where propaganda is used to control the masses, and where perpetual war is being waged to maintain the "peace". It's a world where false is true and wrong is right, where history is constantly being rewritten to support whatever the regime is currently doing - and where Big Brother watches your every move.
The Rise and Rise of China [11/18/05]
My current three month sojourn in China is my fifth
trip to this country since May 2004. And I have to say it has
opened my eyes in many surprising ways. It has also caused me to
reappraise many assumptions I had about the place, and to ponder
the likely future of this huge country - and its impact on the
rest of the world.
Cards, Cards And More Cards! [10/28/05]
Back in the late 80s and early 90s I used to be the proud owner
of three credit cards - a Visa card, MasterCard and a Gold Amex
card. And oh boy, was I proud of that! Looking back, I don't know what I was so proud of, as I ended up
with over $15,000 in debt due to those cards - or should I say my
MISUSE of those cards.
Why an Offshore Account? [10/27/05]
Having an offshore account conjures up many images in people's
minds. Anything from the exotic - to the faintly criminal! One
envisages wealthy people stashing their money in private banks,
and lots of folks going around wearing sunglasses! But put
simply, "offshore" means a place other than your place of
residence. In other words, doing "business" somewhere else.
Living in a Topsy Turvy World [10/26/05]
I've just returned from nine days in the magical old town of Lijiang, China. It was a respite made in heaven. After a couple of months in Chongqing, a major industrial city of 33 million, the sight and smell of clean, clear air was, well, "like a breath of fresh air"!
Reinventing The Good Life [09/017/05]
The basic premise of "The Good Life" was that Tom and Barbara
Good were sick of the rat race, and decided to become self-sufficient, right in the middle of suburbia, from their own home.
So they kept their own animals, grew their own food, made their
own tools—and generally opted out of the system. This greatly
amused and sometimes annoyed their neighbours, and gave rise to
many comic situations.
Fading Freedom of Speech [08/19/05]
I recall once discussing the matter of freedom with a group of similar-minded people. Somebody made the comment that commitment to the principle of "freedom of speech" was the hallmark of a free society. In other words, if freedom of speech was absent or curtailed—then so was freedom itself.
July 4: A Promise Betrayed [07/19/05]
In the early 80s I was in New Zealand. I was an ardent admirer
and supporter of the USA and everything American. So much so,
that one particular evening I deliberately took myself on to the
streets of Auckland City to take on the mindless hordes who were
marching up the main street in protest at the visits of American
nuclear-powered warships to New Zealand waters.
Going For Galt's Gulch [05/27/05]
This article by David MacGregor is a practical application of the principles first suggested in the Regi Firehammer article, Atlas Shrugged: A Model for Individualist Revolution. He begins, "Galt's Gulch is a high-tech retreat in Ayn Rand's novel Atlas
Shrugged—a place where all the "disappearing" productive
people can meet, relax and recharge." The rest of his article tells you how to get there.
A Most Unlikely Freedom Haven [12/02/04]
How would you feel about living in a place where you weren't
compelled to wear seat belts or cycle helmets; where you could
just set up "shop" on the pavement to sell your wares, without a
license; where you could walk around in relative peace and
safety; where jaywalking is encouraged, and the traffic seems to
work in the absence of traffic cops and enforced speed limits;
where you can eat a substantial meal for a couple of dollars;
where you are not hassled when entering the country; where
entrepreneurship abounds; where the gap between rich and poor
doesn't breed envy, but aspiration; where smoking isn't a sin;
where every modern convenience exists; where policemen are hard
to find; where opportunity is everywhere; and where income tax
is virtually non-existent?
The Moral Case Against Taxation [11/03/04]
The irrefutable case against taxation is a moral one. And if we lived in a moral society, taxation itself would be illegal. Why? Because taxation is theft pure and simple.
How to Escape The Prison Camp:
A Manifesto For Personal Secession [9/30/04]
Is there a way to, "personally secede ... pack up your bags, tip your hat, and say goodbye to the moochers, looters, scumbags, politicians, bureaucrats, taxmen and other assorted dross that infest the modern welfare state?" David MacGregor says there is and tells us exactly how to do it.
A Troublesome Document: Musings on July 4 [8/20/04]
The trouble started with "The Declaration of Independence of The Thirteen Colonies"—the underlying philosophy of which is encapsulated by those immortal and inspiring words:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
But Mr. MacGregor emphasizes, this: "... whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government."
How to Lose a War—Buying The Official Party Line [4/5/04]
How odd that those who most strongly support the War in Iraq consider themselves conservatives, libertarians, Objectivists. David makes the point all of these seem to have forgotten: "The liberal mindset has taken hold worldwide—constantly wanting to interfere in the affairs of other people—to 'help' them, for their own good."
The Media
Brainwashing Machine [10/03/05]
Why
did CBS reporter Bill Whitaker fail to correctly identify the Union of Concerned
Scientists as a far–left group? Why did he select only this group to feature as
the major spokes group of this story? Why didn’t Whitaker quote those who
disagree with the UCS group, i.e., the other side of the story? Why did NBC
News’ Robert Bazell feature the ‘fear–mongering’ sound bite in his news the
story? And why was Bazell allowed to editorialize as part of his news report?
Aren’t editorials separate from news reports?
Sara Pentz
[These are this authors earlier archives. Archives of late articles are here.]
The Mechanics of The
Media [11/02/05]
Mr. Wilkinson identifies these remarks as leftist diatribes. He understands the need to point the finger at those in the media who have a Liberal mantra they sing repeatedly like an atonal refrain. That kind of journalism from the two largest newspapers in the country is disgraceful. It is stacked with loaded words––phrases that can only be called propaganda.
Their Dirty Little Secrets—Part II [09/02/05]
As I wrote in Part I of this article, the liberal
Democrats know exactly the nature of their convictions and values. But they
don’t, won’t and can’t name them because the philosophy upon which they are
based is repugnant––and it is their dirty little secret.
Their Dirty Little Secrets—Part I [09/01/05]
Democrats like to tell us they are longing for
ideas to support––that they are losing elections because they have lost their
way. They appear to be honest, searching and idealistic. DNC Chairman Howard
Dean, in his own particularly glaring style, declares this message. Other
somewhat more sophisticated Democrats write about the problem with wide–eyed
dismay and perpetual hope. It is the topic du jour.
Beware, the Role of Polls [08/23/05]
One thousand and nine people created a spectacular headline for CNN one
day in June 2005. Who are these people that control headlines? Did they get up
on the wrong or the right side of the bed the morning they were interviewed?
Were they annoyed when they answered the questionnaire? Where they informed?
The Shameful Legacy of Three TV Anchors: Rather, Brokow and Jennings [08/15/05]
In a nine month period between the end of 2004 and the middle of 2005, all three of the major three networks 'lost' their star news anchors--Tom Brokow (November 2004), Dan Rather (March 2005), and Peter Jennings (August 7, 2005). Tom Brokow of NBC chose to retire. Dan Rather 'resigned' in disgrace from CBS after he orchestrated one of the most biased reports every produced for a television network. Peter Jennings died at 67 years.
Comedian Bill Cosby's Courageous Crusade: Not Politically Correct - But Right On [07/01/05]
Most people know actor Bill Cosby as a comedian. His humor has captivated TV and film audiences. He has written books and is known for his humorous Jell-O television commercials. He has even recorded jazz albums and dubbed cartoon voices.
The Manifest Destiny of President George W. Bush [05/09/05]
In 1845, John O'Sullivan, editor of the influential
publication, Democratic Review,
coined the phrase Manifest Destiny to
describe this vision of a United States stretching from the Atlantic to the
Pacific. The phrase was used at that time to explain a revitalized sense of
‘mission’ or a national destiny for Americans. It was our destiny, Sullivan
wrote, to spread the idea of freedom and, therefore, take the opportunities
made from that freedom to increase one’s wealth, self-sufficiency and
self-advancement.
Term Limits to Quell Corrupt Career Politicians [04/01/05]
When novelist Vince Flynn wrote his best-selling book Term Limits he captured the essence of one of the stickiest issues in the American electoral process. Essentially, his story centers around three powerful and unscrupulous politicians who are brutally murdered by a group of assassins in a new twist on the concept of term limits. A seemingly rogue band of US patriots threatens to take down the US government one politician at a time unless the government stops politics as usual.
Monart Pon
[These are this authors earlier archives. Archives of late articles are here.]
Remembrance [11/12/04]
Yesterday was Veterans Day in The United States, and Remembrance Day in Canada. Today, most people have already forgotten, but Monart Pon does not forget. He sent me this belated tribute to those who die in wars.
What does religion have to do with philosophy? [10/28/04]
This is a highly personal view of philosophy and religion. "The ultimate absolute for me is reality: all that which is, is what it is; the being of all beings is being itself. And to live by this absolute being, this objective reality, is my ultimate purpose. Thus, the highest, sacred value for life is truth—being true to reality—with the corollaries of honesty, justice, and courage, of achievement, beauty, and joy." (Monart Pon)
Chris Matthew Sciabarra
Bush Wins? [8/11/04]
Chris Matthew Sciabarra predicted in May that president Bush would win reelection, but the reasons may not be because he is the best thing for the country.
Caught Up in The Rapture [8/28/04]
"... She cannot contain her joy as a witness to the heavenly vanishing. Moving toward the imagined Rapture, her arms outstretched toward the clouds, she walks into the road, and gets hit—and killed—by an oncoming car.
"... I couldn’t help but feel as if I were watching an allegory about an America whose time has come, an America that is so caught up in the rapture of religion that it is headed for the same fatal impact."
Michael D. Shaw
[These are this authors earlier archives. Archives of late articles are here.]
Gibson Meltdown: Mad Mel Beyond Tequiladome [08/08/06]
Break out the handkerchiefs. If just about anyone else had been arrested for drunk driving, and uttered some nasty ethnic remarks, not a soul would have cared. But then, anyone else would have probably been in cuffs. There are so many angles on this story, so let's have at it. But first, understand that nothing I say here should be interpreted as defending him whatsoever. Mel Gibson, plain and simple, is a Hollywood brat, and there are many more like him.
(Michael D. Shaw)
Illusioin Is More Important Than Reality [07/20/06]
It was no less than Albert Einstein
who observed that, "Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent
one." With all due respect to the late, great scientific genius, I would riff on his comments to note that illusion is more important than reality. Perhaps this has always been true, once what we consider civilization took hold, but, certainly, it is absolutely true in this age of
mass media.
Looking Back at the Original Illegal Aliens [06/01/06]
They say that illegal immigration is supposed to be such a big issue for Americans, but so far, our Congress has not done a real good job in finding a legislative solution to the problem. In fairness to our elected officials, though, this situation is going to take something beyond posturing, voting money, or creating another agency—and that's about the extent of the Federal playbook. (Michael D. Shaw)
Double Helix Double Cross [03/28/06]
For a kid growing up in the 1950's and 1960's, especially as American schools tried to close the perceived science and math gap after Sputnik was launched, a nearly constant refrain was the wonderful promise of DNA and the Watson-Crick double helix molecular structure. As it happens, there is a wee bit more to the story.
Being a Fan [03/22/06]
Now that we're smack dab in the middle of the NCAA basketball tournament, what better time to take a look at fan psychology?
It Helps When Your Audience Is Even Dumber Than You Are [01/13/06]
Apparently, the world has not yet had enough of junk historian Doris Kearns Goodwin. Beyond being the official keeper of the FDR shrine, she had a long career at Harvard, and appeared on TV countless times as the Left's favorite historian. That was before she got caught in a massive plagiarism scandal involving her 1987 book the Fitzgeralds and the Kennedys. Her first tactic was denial, which soon degenerated into whining self-pity, in that she just made a few clerical errors. (Michael D. Shaw)
Constitutional Rights and Wrongs [12/13/05]
Here's a slightly early Christmas gift for those of you who think I only attack pundits on the Left. Today, let's take a look at a piece from the Right, written by Trevor Bothwell, a freelance writer living in Maryland. Bothwell certainly has respectable Conservative movement bona fides, considering that he writes frequently for The Washington Times and Townhall.com.
No Accident [11/08/05]
No artistic medium provides a better look at contemporary pop culture than movies.
Even if the film under consideration is done as a period piece of the deep past
or way into the future, the contemporary pop culture is absolutely reflected in
virtually every aspect of the work.
Harriet Miers and the Supremes [10/27/05]
I think it's time for a reality check on this whole matter. Let's take this from the ground up, starting with the utility of The Law in our society...
Deep Throat Unmasked [06/14/05]
You'd have to be a true political junkie—and probably a Left-leaning one at that—to actually care that Deep Throat, the secret source for Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein's Watergate investigative reporting, has finally stepped forward and identified himself. It seems that W. Mark Felt, now 91, and the number two man in the FBI during Nixon's presidency, is the guy.
Star Wars—Why It Sells [06/09/05]
Many people have asked me, as a marketing guy with some knowledge and involvement in the entertainment industry, to explain the Star Wars phenomenon. How is it, they ask, that neither a weak story, poor acting, terrible direction, gigantic plot holes, nor the dearth (or would it be "Darth") of likable characters seem to matter in the least?
Lowering Gasoline Prices the Easy Way [04/28/05]
Everyone's talking about high
gasoline prices, and unlike the weather, maybe we CAN do something about it. The
answer, you see, is conservation, but this is conservation unlike what the
enviro-loonies usually suggest. No, you won't have to buy a hybrid automobile,
and no, you won't have to forgo your car trip, in favor of a Greyhound bus or
crowded public transit. (Michael D. Shaw)
Is It Health Care, or...
Health I-Don't-Care? [03/18/05]
Everyone who saw the movie Meet The Parents (2000) remembers the scene where Ben Stiller spikes a volleyball—hard—into the face of his girlfriend's sister, breaking her nose. But, few could name the actress, appearing in what was her first role in a feature. Her name is Nicole DeHuff, and she is now deceased, at the ripe old age of 30.
The Liberal's Problem with Minorities [02/25/05]
It's easy enough to remind folks that the Dems were ALWAYS the racist party, but reasonable minds will accept that even though all post-World War II liberals are Democrats, it is safe to assume that they are not overtly racist—at least in the conventional sense. The problem I am referring to is something a bit different. (Michael D. Shaw)
First, They Came for the Truth [02/14/05]
Most of us, in this PC age, are familiar with the following sentiments or some variant, supposedly written by prominent German Protestant theologian and pastor Martin Niemöller (1892-1984) about the Nazis.
Discrimination, Tolerance, and Other Misunderstandings [01/17/05]
What better time than the annual commemoration of Martin Luther King, Jr. to discuss these issues, and what is actually being done.
The Arafat Factor [11/15/04]
Why should a notorious international thug like Yasser Arafat be warmly eulogized by media outlets all over the world, including an excessively positive statement from the Vatican?
Paradigm Shift [10/20/04]
"These days," Michael D. Shaw says "the term [paradigm] is being applied to the assumed aftermath of the spectacular fall of Dan Rather and possibly the entire CBS (or C-BS, as some would render it) news organization, over the incredibly inept and outrageously biased 60 Minutes II story about George W. Bush's National Guard service, based on obviously forged documents."
Who Would Jesus Bomb? [9/27/04]
First of all, correct grammar would render it "WHOM would Jesus bomb?" I only mention this because the Leftie peace freak types who would proffer such a question are endlessly telling us how smart and educated they are, and how dumb our side is. Then again, that was before the recent incredibly inept attempts at forgery of anti-Bush memos, and their quick acceptance by Dan Rather.
A Wake-up Call
for Everyone but the Dems [9/8/04]
"The brutal and senseless terrorist attack in Beslan, Russia, that killed at least 335 people—mostly children—did more than serve as a wake-up call to those who would run and hide from this threat to our very existence. For once, there was even strong condemnation from the Muslim world," Michael D. Shaw, says. But not everyone is awake.
From Thomas Jefferson to John Kerry—Scary Isn't It? [8/20/04]
Regarding the Democrats and their recent convention, Mr. Shaw asks the question, "How, you might ask, did this party go from the likes of its founders Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe to our current brood of vipers?"
Symbolism In the Presidential Race [8/29/04]
"I've been receiving a surprising amount of communication, including an article by an otherwise genius writer, suggesting that the best thing that could happen to conservatives would be a Kerry victory in November. Hold onto your hats for the "reasoning" behind this movement."
L. Neil Smith
[These are this authors earlier archives. Archives of late articles are here.]
Why Did it Have to be ... Guns? [9/13/04]
If a politician isn't perfectly comfortable with the idea of his average constituent, any man, woman, or responsible child, walking into a hardware store and paying cash -- for any rifle, shotgun, handgun, machinegun, anything -- without producing ID or signing one scrap of paper, he isn't your friend no matter what he tells you.
Barbara Stanley
Martha's Garden [03/11/05]
Martha Stewart finally made it home after her incarceration during the winter. I will disclose immediately that I like Martha and find her a nice balance to those other two single-named women: Hillary and Cher. Martha's programs are right up there with 24, House and MI-5 in my opinion. Martha lost Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Eve and while some say she is crafty and craven, I know what it means get the garden in so you can have a better next Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. For that matter, who doesn't know how to give up something now to get something more valued later (other than those who live off others)?
Iraqis Vote the Soul of Their Country [02/01/05]
Figuring out voting pages containing hundreds of boxes that would put the butterflyballot-deficient voters in Florida in permanent apoplexy and meltdown, Iraqis voted today in their first free election in decades. Sometimes walking for hours or driving hundreds of miles, Iraqi men, some holding their babies with the index finger blued, danced and smiled and celebrated the vision of freedom we and our coalition partners made possible. Let's hear it for the American troops, who led the battle and gave the Iraqis their soul and lives back.
The American Military [11/17/04]
Imagine what it's like to be a troop fighting right now in Fallujah: on patrol, finding the enemy, well-supplied, firing at you from mosques (ready-made for the media to complain lest one brick be smashed) caught between the terrorists and the embedded reporter who hates you and the war and is spinning the story as it happens.
A New Day Dawns [11/15/04]
This election marked an historic day for this nation and we are moving with momentum into the 21st century like never before. Harbingers of success and excellence are all around us if we just know where to look. The people are taking out the trash and pretty soon, young girls will start dressing like, well, young girls instead of young hookers. And the parents of those kiddoes will learn a lesson along the way as the counterparts to GenX return to values that sustain respect and value civil behaviour.
Why the Long Face, John? Mr. Liberal Strikes Out [10/11/04]
OB-GYNs, are the obstetric and gynecological doctors who are leaving their profession in droves because of men like Kerry's running boy, er, mate, a tort lawyer responsible for driving up the costs of malpractice insurance. In his home state of North Carolina, "Senator Gone" Edwards has made millions while forcing women to have unnecessary section deliveries, not good for the mum or the baby. And John Kerry says he is for tort reform.
Popularity Contest [10/5/04]
Whatever you think abut the virtue of voting, if your voting for the lesser of two evils, there is no doubt Barbara Stanley thinks Bush is way-less evil.
How Do We Protect Our Children [9/6/04]
For two days and nights I prayed and cried and prayed some more. I identified with the parents in Beslan, Russia as their little ones went through hell. I had a feeling this hostage situation would end badly, for the terrorists have shown us, so many times before, just how little they value their own lives and even less those of innocent children. For years Israelis have buried their families and friends because of the abominable suicide bombers coming from the Arab side. And now the murderers are getting closer to home.
When the Muslims finally do attempt to bring their terror show home, that is, to a school near you, Barbara Stanley knows just what to do about it.
The Coward of Vietnam [8/27/04]
Subtitled, "When Johnnie Came Marching Home." The left would have us believe that we are fighting the war in Vietnam all over again. But that is just a distraction. The only connection to Vietnam that is before us now is that John Kerry, the opportunists' opportunist, got his medals and his jacket the lousy way. Since the only interview Johnny Boy has given about this scandal is to the Comedy channel, it is left to the rest of us to wonder just what makes Johnny run.
John Kerry's Medals [8/12/04]
Barbara Stanley says: "Teresa Heinz-Kerry, widow of republican heir to the Heinz fortune and now married to democrat John Kerry, candidate for president, spoke at the democrat convention in Boston and said of her current husband: "He earned his medals the old fashioned way." Well, not quite, unless awarding oneself medals is the old fashioned way," and provides some details about his amazing record.
Edward W. Younkins
[These are this authors earlier archives. Archives of late articles are here.]
The Robert Stadler Story: The Moral Fall of a Man Who Knew Better [02/11/05]
There are many villains in Ayn Rand’s masterpiece, Atlas Shrugged. However, her ultimate villain by far is Dr. Robert Stadler – a man who knew better. Robert Stadler is a villain and a man of stature who once possessed some excellent qualities.
Mises, Friedman, and Rand: A Methodological Comparison [02/02/05]
Three of the most respected and influential free-market thinkers of the 20th century are Ludwig von Mises (1881-1973), Milton Friedman (1912- ), and Ayn Rand (1905-1982). The purpose of this essay is to compare and evaluate the respective methodological approaches of each of these theorists who have influenced the course of history with their ideas. We will see how and why Rand's realist approach is superior to both Mises' rationalism and Friedman's empiricism.
Atlas Shrugged: A Novel of Human Action [10/19/04]
Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged is a story of human action on a grand scale. In it Rand skillfully ties physical actions to important human values. Although the author also deals with mental portraiture and analysis, her primary concern is with human action. She selects and integrates actions and events that dramatize the theme of the novel which is “the role of the mind in human existence.”
The Congruity Among Ayn Rand's Metaphysics, Epistemology, Value Theory, and Ethics [8/22/04]
The full title of Professor Younkins article is, "The Congruity Among Ayn Rand's Metaphysics, Epistemology, Value Theory, and Ethics." He analyzes each aspect of her philosophy to illustrate the unity of her philosophy. In summarizing, he says:
Toward a Conceptual Framework for Capitalism [8/12/04]
In this article professor Younkins presents the conceptual principles of capitalism, demonstrating that capitalism is not only the most practical of economic theories, but the only one consistent with human nature, and the requirements of that nature for human flourishing.
Marketing A Free Society [8/04/04]
Professor Younkins makes the case for marketing the principles of capitalism and a free society.
The Reality and Morality of Business [7/08/04]
This is Professor Younkin's third article on The Autonomist. In "The Reality and Morality of Business," he makes the moral case for free enterprise.
"Atlas Shrugged" in the Business School [5/23/04]
Professor Younkins makes the case for using Atlas Shrugged for teaching business basics, business ethics, and economics. "Atlas Shrugged portrays capitalism as the only system that is objective, just, and compatible with individual freedom," he says. I say, American business men and government regulators ought to be the first to take the course.
Aristotle: Ayn Rand's Acknowledged Teacher [4/26/04]
Professor Edward W. Younkins gives us a brief but richly detailed overview of the philosophy of Aristotle, illustrating the connection between that philosophy and Ayn Rand's Objectivism. Ayn Rand acknowledged Aristotle as the only philosopher to whom she was indebted.