March 22, 2005

By Definition
By Lady Liberty

I...am a terrorist. No, no, not that kind of terrorist, but apparently a terrorist nonetheless. You may be even more surprised to learn that you might be, too.

Before we can really talk about terrorists and terrorism, we need to understand just how it is that terrorism is defined. According to The American Heritage Dictionary of the English language, terrorism is either "the unlawful use or threat of violence especially against the state or the public as a politically motivated means of attack or coercion" or "violent and intimidating gang activity."

The idea behind terrorism is simple: to generate terror. The methodology, regardless of the specifics, is simple: sudden and deadly violence of the kind that any rational human being would find terrifying. Terrorists hope their actions will engender whatever change it is they're aiming to facilitate through such intense fear. In a world where news is both quick and global, there are few who don't know about any number of examples of such acts of terrorism, thus spreading the effects far and wide. (Read the rest here)

Lessons To Learn From Terri Schaivo
By Carl F. Worden

I have not written my thoughts on the Terri Schaivo case for a number of reasons. For one, there are so many versions of truth floating around about this case.

Schaivo is the young woman in Florida who suffered brain damage 15 years ago from a medical condition allegedly brought on by Bulimia - or if you believe some versions, she may have been attacked and strangled by someone.

No matter how it happened, she has been incapacitated, and to what degree is a matter of some debate. I've seen video that makes it look like Schaivo is interacting with her caregivers, while others insist she exists in a persistent, vegetative, coma-like state. (Read the rest here)

Free Commerce vs. National Security: Is There Really a Contradiction?
By Ivan Eland

Republican administrations always tout the free market, but when it clashes with the perceived interests of the national security state—of which they are so fond—it gets outgunned. The most recent example is the Bush administration’s threats against a liquefied natural gas pipeline that would run from Iran through Pakistan to India. The administration wants to put the screws to anything that would benefit Iran—a member of President Bush’s “axis of evil.” A less jingoistic and more enlightened administration would realize that through free commerce among the rival groups in this region, this pipeline would help poor countries to develop economically, and at the same time reduce the likelihood of conflict and enhance U.S. security in the process.

South Asia, the proposed route of the pipeline, is probably the most dangerous region in the world. In recent years, archrivals India and Pakistan have both tested nuclear weapons and come close to nuclear war. Pakistan supports guerillas in the disputed Indian region of Kashmir, a potential flashpoint for nuclear escalation. (Read the rest here)

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

Well, spring has sprung and the wet winter snow yesterday is certainly a welcome sight around here, as we gear up for the summer fire fighting season. Liberty beckons, and can we resist her urging to go forth and battle against those who constantly attack us, rather than quietly wait to be dealt with one at a time? Well, that is my opinion, not necessarily anyone else's with TPoL, FND, RRND, or anywhere else. Now, on to the news.

Our right to defend ourselves
President signs legislation on Schiavo case
Cincinnati Enquirer
"On Saturday, the Senate passed a bill that could prolong Terri Schiavo's life while House Republicans, stalled by Democrats, scrambled to bring enough lawmakers back to the Capitol for an emergency vote, which was done early Monday. President Bush rushed back from his Texas ranch and signed the measure early Monday morning, and the action was immediately taken to a federal court for review and possibly a quick restoration of feeding tubes needed to keep the brain-damaged Florida woman alive." (03/20/05)

Surprisingly, this has turned into a partisan issue in Congress, as the critters nibbled and snarled at each other. Barney Frank of Mass was most entertaining, sounding like Elmer Fudd as he complained, "None of us are doctors, but we play doctors on C-SPAN." Of course, he was also insulting a number of his colleagues, who ARE licensed MDs, which makes this more delicious!

Although, seriously folks, I don't understand why some people can't see that this is NOT a "right-to-die" case: there is no evidence except the belated (9 years later) word of her husband that she wanted to die, and there is strong evidence that she is NOT brain-dead, just unable to communicate. (Read the rest of the commentary here)

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