August 25, 2005

Chivalrous Men And The Victim-Princess Complex
By Carey Roberts

I recently came across an article sporting the irresistible title, A Nation of Little Princesses. Author Christopher Healy explores the archetype of the princess, which he asserts "is one of the longest-lived in all of literary history."

My first reaction was to think, "Here's some Neanderthal guy trying to peddle outdated gender stereotypes." But Healy points to the fact that the Disney Corporation has assembled a Princess brand consisting of eight animated film heroines including Cinderella, Snow White, Pocahontas, Belle of Beauty of the Beast, and others. In 2003 the Princess line racked up an astonishing $2.5 billion in sales, up from a mere $300 million in 2001.

And that's just for starters. "We've gone beyond the dress-up and toys, and begun to look at the brand as a lifestyle, filling out all the other things girls need in life," according to Mary Beech, Disney's director of franchise management. Things girls need in life? (Read the rest here)

Americans Surrendering Liberties: Shades Of German History
By Chuck Baldwin

It appears that a strengthened U.S.A. Patriot Act will soon sail through Congress with little opposition or consternation on the part of the American people. The new Patriot Act is even more stringent than the original. In addition, many of the more egregious elements of the Patriot Act which were originally scheduled to sunset are made permanent in the latest version. And the vast majority of the American people do not seem to mind.

For one thing, Americans seem to have accepted the notion that they must rely on the federal government to take care of them. Lost to most is an independent, self-reliant spirit. After all, Americans already look to Uncle Sam for food stamps, welfare payments, commercial and farm subsidies, and faith-based handouts; why should they object to the federal government's promise to now provide their complete security even if it does mean the sacrifice of their liberties? To most Americans, security seems much more valuable than freedom! (Read the rest here)

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Libertarian Commentary on The News
By Nathan A. Barton © 2005

Sometimes, looking at news is enough to make you want to scream, isn't it? You have to limit your exposure, I find, else you become completely burned out and write columns like this one today. So be warned! Oh, and a further warning, if you don't mind. It is my custom to remind my gentle readers that the views expressed herein aren't necessarily those of the news sources, and today, that is very much the case: at least one of my opinions has really angered at least one news editor. I am sorry that I've angered the person so much, but I have looked at this issue many times and must still stand by my position as being one which is consistent with both my faith and my love of liberty.

World War, Bombings, and Aftermath

UK: Police could face charges in Menezes shooting
Independent [UK]
"The policemen who shot dead Jean Charles de Menezes could face criminal charges over their fatal error, a coroner has been told. The inquest into the Brazilian electrician's death was delayed for six months to allow the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) to complete its inquiry. But the IPCC investigation will not be published until any court case, or disciplinary action, against the officers is complete. ... Confirmation that the officers could be prosecuted came from Richard Latham, the lawyer for the IPCC, at a brief preliminary inquest hearing in London." (08/24/05)

I pray that they are. This kind of evil is never acceptable, and must be revealed and punished. (Read the rest here)

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