August 30, 2005

So What's Your Back-Up Plan?
By Lady Liberty

Most of my columns aren't written or even planned much in advance. I wait to see what happens in any given week, and then I write about whatever has affected me the most. Occasionally, it's something I'm happy about. More often, I write about things that scare me or make me mad. I suppose I'm inspired by anger the same way country and western songwriters are inspired by suicidal depression. This week, though, things were going to be different...

Before I explain, I need to backtrack to last fall. That's when the company I work for bought a couple of new computers. I lobbied as hard as anybody to get those new computers, and I was happier than most when they arrived. They're fast, they're powerful, and they look seriously cool sitting on a desk (I really do place more importance on points one and two, though point three doesn't hurt). It didn't take me long to decide I needed the same system for personal use, and so I got myself a fast, powerful, and cool looking computer at home, too. (Read the rest here)

Why one libertarian doesn’t support Cindy Sheehan
By Nathan A. Barton © 2004

“The Enemy of My Enemy is My Ally.” This has been an axiom of war and politics for millennia, but it does not always hold true. In fact, it often is proven false - we can see numerous examples in the world today, and in recent history: Democrats are (considered, at least) enemies of the GOP which is now in power almost across the board in the FedGov, but that hardly makes them allies of libertarians. Both cops and homeowners are enemies of home-invaders and rapists, but that hardly makes them allies, much less friends, in many communities across the Union.

Another axiom is “don’t do the right thing for the wrong reason.” Else, your actions will backfire on you. If you oppose something for the wrong reasons, it may be good that you oppose it, but the thing can still go ahead if the relatively minor objection you had is corrected. We see that today in states fighting the Real ID Act on the grounds that it is an unfunded mandate, instead of the idea that it is anathema to liberty to do so. (Read the rest here)

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

Let's jump right in!

Weather News

New Orleans Residents Flee Hurricane, Hide In Stadium
Terra Daily
Hundreds of people lugging their worldly goods in plastic trash bags stood Sunday outside a roofed stadium that became a shelter as Hurricane Katrina threatened the city.

Preparation seemed to be worse than usual, despite days and days of warning.

Louisiana: Mayor orders evacuation of New Orleans
KTRE-TV News
"Mayor Ray Nagin ordered an immediate evacuation Sunday for all of New Orleans, a city sitting below sea level with 485,000 inhabitants, as Hurricane Katrina bore down with wind revved up to nearly 175 mph and a threat of a massive storm surge. Acknowledging that large numbers of people, many of them stranded tourists, would be unable to leave before the eye of the storm strikes land sometime Monday morning, the city set up 10 places of last resort including the Superdome arena. ... The mayor said people who opted to go to the Superdome should take enough food and supplies to last three to five days. He said police and firefighters would fan out throughout the city telling residents to get out and that police would have the authority to commandeer any vehicle or building that could be used for evacuation or shelter. Hotels were exempted from the evacuation order because airlines had already canceled all flights out." (08/28/05)

Once more, the US has dodged at least some of the weather bullets, but we again see the situation we have put ourselves into: dependence on government rescuing ourselves from the results of our own action will cost billions of dollars and may cost lives as well. And as usual, an emergency constitutes an excuse for the petty tyrants and bullies to go around confiscating and bossing and abusing people, to be followed by jackals of looters and scam artists. (Read the rest here)

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