December 23, 2004

The Iraq War—A Catastrophic Success
By Robert Higgs

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
—Matthew 6:21

On the campaign trail last October, Vice President Dick Cheney created a small stir when, speaking of the Iraq war, he declared: “I think it has been a remarkable success story to date when you look at what has been accomplished overall.” In view of the rampant violence raging in Iraq, the widespread devastation of the country’s human and material resources, and the dim prospects for its future peace and prosperity, Cheney’s statement seemed bizarre, and the Democrats seized on it as still another example of the disconnect between the Bush administration and reality. Yet, on closer inspection, we can see that the war has indeed been a huge success, though not exactly in the way that the vice president intended to claim.

In a characteristically unwitting way, President George W. Bush himself stumbled upon a resolution of the seeming paradox when he told Time magazine’s interviewer last summer that the war had proved to be a “catastrophic success.” By that oxymoron, he sought to convey the idea that in the invasion the U.S. military forces had overcome the enemy unexpectedly quickly, “being so successful, so fast, that an enemy that should have surrendered or been done in, escaped and lived to fight another day.” Although this hypothesis seems far-fetched as an explanation of the nature and extent of the resistance now being waged against the U.S. occupation forces and their collaborators in Iraq, the term “catastrophic success” does express the character of the war precisely. We need only bear in mind that the catastrophe afflicts one set of people, whereas the success accrues to an entirely different set. (Read the rest here)

Limits on Chinese Imports Harm Low-Income Americans
By Sheldon Richman

President Bush has a nice little Christmas present for every family struggling to make ends meet: he announced the other day that he will make clothing more expensive in the coming year by imposing limits on cheap imports from China. This little favor to American textile and apparel interests is a slap in the face to everyone of modest (and not-so-modest) means. It is also a blow to clothing retailers who tried futilely to block the president’s move.

The next time a politician expresses sympathy for “working families” or the “working poor,” remember this. Where are all the bleeding hearts now? Too deeply embedded in union pockets to condemn this outrage.

On January 1, the decades-old world system of textile and apparel import quotas will come to an end. This is a good thing. The global division of labor and free trade make us richer, even if they prompt short-run adjustments. But with the impending demise of the exploitative quotas, people beholden to U.S. textile and clothing manufacturing interests have been warning that the American market will soon be flooded by inexpensive Chinese products. (Read the rest here)

Libertarian Commentary on The News
By Nathan A. Barton © 2004

This news is perfect to snuggle up in a nice comforter with a mug of hot cocoa, and offer a heartfelt thanks that a lot of this news doesn't DIRECTLY affect us, or at least, that's MY opinion, NOT necessarily those of TPoL, RRND, FND, or anyone else important.

Western States Hot Spots For Population Growth
WNBC-TV
Overall, the United States' population grew by 1 percent, a gain of 3 million people, between July 1, 2003, and July 1, 2004, for a total population just shy of 294 million. Nevada saw the biggest population increase for the 18th year in a row, with a growth rate of 4.1 percent. Arizona, Idaho, New Mexico, Utah and Idaho also made the top 10.

Western states DO have a lot going for them, but the relative liberty of our region does not seem to DIRECTLY be involved: lack of crowding, more affordable housing and other living costs, and a less-pressured lifestyle DO have a lot to do with relatively less government regulation, lower taxes, and the opportunity to defend one's self, and live your own life. At the same time, the shifting of populations that are used to more government nannying and welfare can be very detrimental to our local cultures – a situation which we need to prepare for. More and more localities are publishing guides for newcomers explaining what it is like to live in the West, and why our customs are different and vital – and why we intend to protect them.

Mama's Note: Of course, that number is from the government, so it should not be taken as gospel. There are a lot of people that were probably not counted there, and many of them come over the borders every day. They have made it very plain that they intend to take over and are not interested in becoming "Americans". Mr. Bush is bending over backward to make them feel comfortable doing just that. (Read the rest here)

FICAA.com Presents: The American Jury Hour with Iloilo Marguerite Jones and guests. Heard on The American Voice Radio Network , Thursday Afternoons, Noon Pacific, 1PM Mountain. The weekend rebroadcast of this week's program is at Sunday at 9:00 PM. .

Heard on The American Voice Radio Network American Voice Radio Network can be heard on:

C-Band Satellite at Galaxy 11 (formerly G-7), Transponder 12, Audio 8.1 Internet Streaming Audio (MP3 16kbps) C-Band and Internet Audio feeds are free with no subscription fee or sign up required whatsoever. (Read the rest here)

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