12/03/08
Libertarian Commentary on The Day's News
By Nathan A. Barton © 2004

Once more, Sunni has given us a lot of news today! Libertarians may or may not agree with the views and comments expressed herein - they are my own views at this time, and that too is subject to change! Be sure and support this site and the excellent news sites we have available, especially FND. To join or leave FND, click here.

1- Bush: 'I know what I'm doing'
Sun-Sentinel
Bush may believe he is winning the "war" but his "war" is only one battle in the war for liberty, and his definition of victory isn't necessarily that of history nor of those who believe in liberty and freedom as more than a nice slogan. Kerry, who has previously said he would send MORE troops to Iraq (apparently to win "faster") has now, as is his wont, reversed his previous stand.

2- Solar sail material test succeeds
New Scientist
As good as news like this is, I can't help but smile at the press's lack of understanding of the universe - even the so-called scientific press. "Distant planets" indeed! By the measure of God's wonderful universe, Pluto is a close acquaintance and A-Centari in the neighborhood, and solar sails won't take us even that puny 4.3 light-years.

(Read the rest here)

Police Biker Gangs In Wyoming
By Nathan A. Barton © 2004

Thirty-five additional Wyoming State Highway patrolmen have joined the eleven normally on patrol in the northeastern part of the state as part of their crackdown on illegal activities associated with the 64th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. In a state with only about a half-million people and only a couple of hundred patrolmen, it is a major operation.

This is the fourth year for the Cowboy State to step up its patrols, as the Sturgis Rally expands to include more of Wyoming, including such towns as Sundance, Hulett, and even Gillette, a city of about 25,000 more than 90 miles from Sturgis. Several of these cities have special events to host visiting bikers, including races, special feasts, and rides. Devils Tower is second only to Mount Rushmore as a national park site frequented by the riders of Harleys, Hondas, and Victory cycles. (Read the rest here)

The Real Farm Subsidy Scandals
By Nicolas Heidorn

Something is definitely rotten on the farm.

The General Accounting Office (GAO), Congress’s fact-finding agency, recently released a study of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s management of the farm subsidy program. The findings should horrify lawmakers but probably won’t.

The GAO revealed that government employees are ill-trained, and federal laws too vague, to properly monitor the hundreds of thousands of farm subsidies granted each year. Although the USDA fact-checks only about 1,000 applications each year, the GAO found many of these approved recipients were ineligible for subsidies. A GAO sample of USDA-reviewed and -approved subsidies revealed that fully 30 percent of even these scrutinized farm subsidies were going to people who shouldn’t be receiving them. (Read the rest here)

A Divisive Campaign Would Be Welcome
by Sheldon Richman

That was cute when Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry started his acceptance speech by snapping a salute and saying he was "reporting for duty." Cute, but not quite truthful. If he becomes president, we will be expected to carry out his commands. It’s only in democratic folklore that government is the servant and the people the master.

In the real world, alas, it’s the other way around. True, occasionally the Supreme Court tells a president he’s gone too far. But that doesn’t happen nearly enough. In postconstitutional America the president can pretty much do what he wants. Kerry knows that. He’d be much less interested in the presidency were that not the case. (Read the rest here)

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Last update 08.10.04

The Trouble with Talk Radio
by Christopher Westley

A recent article of mine on a public sector scandal, this one in Milwaukee, brought several e-mails from friends and strangers telling me that it was read and discussed on WTMJ-AM in that city by its weekday morning host, Charles Sykes. WTMJ is Milwaukee’s highest rated talk station, and while I appreciated the plug, I was not sure if that is the sort of station that friends of liberty need to be associated with.

That’s because that station, like so many across the U.S., have adopted the pro-war, pro-Bush nationalist format that dominates AM radio today, robbing it of much of the diversity that once characterized it. It is a marketing model that appeases small government conservatives (who have always favored radio) by telling them that big government really isn’t all that bad—as long as the right guys can control it.

(Read the rest here)

Free "The Hunter"

Free Hunter: Collateral Damage
by Carl Bussjaeger

American Independence Day has come and gone, along with the traditional boom and glare of fireworks that bring joy to many kids, young and old.

Picture two such of the younger children: Adorable little girls just six and four years old respectively, Mikayla and Brittany. Imagine their anticipation as the big day approaches and they look forward not only to the beloved fireworks, but also to the arrival of their favorite uncle Jeff, whom they haven't seen in months.

Now picture the adorable little girls' disappointment because a suited goon in Ohio wouldn't let Uncle Jeff come see his family. Yes, Mikayla and Brittany are just two more victims of the Ashland County, Ohio prosecutor's office.

Call them "collateral damage," more innocents caught in the cross-fire as the run-amuck prosecutors pursue their vendetta against Jeffrey "Hunter" Jordan. (Read the rest here)

 

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