Sunday, January 17, 2010
"Disarming the law-abiding public is not an option" - James Majdak, Treasurer, Libertarian Party of Marion County
Marion County, Indiana Libertarian Party Treasurer James Majdak is quoted in the Indianapolis Star article titled "Public safety nominee passes test with ease" in regards to Indianapolis Mayor Ballard's appointment of Frank Straub as Public Safety Director - "Disarming the law-abiding public is not an option(.)".
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Just Like Homeland Security, the Indiana Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association Has Lost All Common Sense
The Indiana Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association and 13 chains in its membership has lost all sense of proportion and common sense and will ask for proof of age (ID) from all customers for alcohol (I can hear the puritans bemoan that it is legal at all).
I haven't looked under 21 for a long time. But I will be carded at their stores.
Whatever happened to common sense? Well the corporatists have joined politicians in this effort. House Bill 189 has been introduced in this years General Assembly by the apparently big government, nanny state loving Republican Phil Boots of Crawfordsville which will require all stores to throw out common sense and card everyone who purchases alcohol. The Indiana Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association has also thrown its lot with big government and the nanny state, and has endorsed House Bill 189.
By the way, as I learn about stores that card everyone for alcohol, I will post information about them. I will not frequent them for any business, but will take my business to those stores that exercise common sense. The inconvenience and idiocy makes their business unappealing to me.
Here's the list of stores so far that have elected to become like government, and throw common sense out the window - Village Pantry, Speedway, Circle K, Gas America, McClure, Ricker’s, ampm, Luke’s, Good to Go, Chuckles, Circle A Food Marts, Super-Test and Gallahan Kwik Marts.
I haven't looked under 21 for a long time. But I will be carded at their stores.
Whatever happened to common sense? Well the corporatists have joined politicians in this effort. House Bill 189 has been introduced in this years General Assembly by the apparently big government, nanny state loving Republican Phil Boots of Crawfordsville which will require all stores to throw out common sense and card everyone who purchases alcohol. The Indiana Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association has also thrown its lot with big government and the nanny state, and has endorsed House Bill 189.
By the way, as I learn about stores that card everyone for alcohol, I will post information about them. I will not frequent them for any business, but will take my business to those stores that exercise common sense. The inconvenience and idiocy makes their business unappealing to me.
Here's the list of stores so far that have elected to become like government, and throw common sense out the window - Village Pantry, Speedway, Circle K, Gas America, McClure, Ricker’s, ampm, Luke’s, Good to Go, Chuckles, Circle A Food Marts, Super-Test and Gallahan Kwik Marts.
Colts To Rest Starters For First Game - The Onion
Click here to read all about The Onion's inside scope on the Indianapolis Colt's game plan for the first game of the playoffs". Hilarious, with a grain of truth in it.
Class Warfare is Now the Private Sector (the poor) vs. the Government Sector (the rich)
Read about the new class warfare - private sector (the poor) vs. government sector (the rich) - in the Reason Magazine article Class War - How public servants became our masters.
Obama Executive Order on Council of Governor's a Thinly Veiled Power Play to Further Diminish Federalism and the Role of State Governments
President Obama has created by executive order dated January 11, 2010 a "Council of Governors" regarding "homeland security" matters. It consists of 10 governors of which no more than 5 can come from the same political party.
Here is what my friend Stephen Gordon of Alabama has to say about this: ". . .the president is clearly pushing the edges on state sovereignty. It's especially noteworthy at a time the Dems are already being accused of overreach. (I am)(n)ot sure (how) compliant this is with the 10th Amendment, either."
He further states: ". . . it's not all 50 states, but 10. While this Council has no regulatory authority, if they issue a report to the national media, it will shift the direction of media conversation in the direction of the decision of the Council, making it easier to approve the agenda of the governors appointed by Obama.
Second of all, it's now easier to take a second step and grant the Council some unconstitutional authority. This is especially easy when it's in response to some sort of "crisis.""
Here is what my friend Stephen Gordon of Alabama has to say about this: ". . .the president is clearly pushing the edges on state sovereignty. It's especially noteworthy at a time the Dems are already being accused of overreach. (I am)(n)ot sure (how) compliant this is with the 10th Amendment, either."
He further states: ". . . it's not all 50 states, but 10. While this Council has no regulatory authority, if they issue a report to the national media, it will shift the direction of media conversation in the direction of the decision of the Council, making it easier to approve the agenda of the governors appointed by Obama.
Second of all, it's now easier to take a second step and grant the Council some unconstitutional authority. This is especially easy when it's in response to some sort of "crisis.""
Thursday, January 07, 2010
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Update on US Government's Efforts to Destroy the Airline Industry and Give the Terrorists a Victory
Read more about the incompetence that is the United State's government hallmark regarding airport security in the New York Times article "New Route for Airports: Contradictions, Delays".
Did we have this type of problem in security with stagecoaches and trains, the precursors of the airplane? If I remember correctly, the private stagecoach and train companies had armed men with them and everyone knew it. They also allowed riders to carry their own weapons too.
I bet if the government was in charge of security during the heyday of the stagecoach and trains, there would be no airports and the west would still be undeveloped because it took too many years to get through security and get somewhere else! We all just decided to stay at home, cowering from the terrorists, like our government wants us to do (so it can protect us and control us).
Win the war against terrorism - elected statesmen to political office and get rid of the carpetbaggers now invading most of our public institutions. Vote Libertarian.
Did we have this type of problem in security with stagecoaches and trains, the precursors of the airplane? If I remember correctly, the private stagecoach and train companies had armed men with them and everyone knew it. They also allowed riders to carry their own weapons too.
I bet if the government was in charge of security during the heyday of the stagecoach and trains, there would be no airports and the west would still be undeveloped because it took too many years to get through security and get somewhere else! We all just decided to stay at home, cowering from the terrorists, like our government wants us to do (so it can protect us and control us).
Win the war against terrorism - elected statesmen to political office and get rid of the carpetbaggers now invading most of our public institutions. Vote Libertarian.
Big Brother Indiana Government Strikes Again - Fail to File Income Tax Return Even if You Owe Nothing - Get Fined $500
The Indiana General Assembly, with one house controlled by Democrats and the other by Republicans, has introduced another Big Brother is watching tax law.
Starting with the 2010 Indiana income tax return, the failure to file a tax return, even if you owe no taxes or are owed a refund, means you may be fined $10 a day up to a maximum $500.
For the lawyers out there, the new provision is found in Indiana Code 6-8-10-2.1(g).
File your voluntary income taxes, or else! (Sarcasm intended).
Since this provision passed both a Republican controlled chamber and a Democratic controlled chamber, it is further proof that there is little difference between the old political parties.
Starting with the 2010 Indiana income tax return, the failure to file a tax return, even if you owe no taxes or are owed a refund, means you may be fined $10 a day up to a maximum $500.
For the lawyers out there, the new provision is found in Indiana Code 6-8-10-2.1(g).
File your voluntary income taxes, or else! (Sarcasm intended).
Since this provision passed both a Republican controlled chamber and a Democratic controlled chamber, it is further proof that there is little difference between the old political parties.
We Are All Criminals You Know - Part 3
Even our TSA screeners may someday be breaking child porn laws - see Hit & Run blog post titled "The Fine Line Between Airport Screener and Child Pornographer".
We are all criminals you know.
We are all criminals you know.
We Are All Criminals You Know - Part 2
See Reason Magazine Article "Securing the Border Against Creepy Pictures on Some Guy's Laptop"
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
I Rarely Fly if the Drive is Five and 1/2 hours or Less
What has been a major effect of the TSA (Transportation Security Adminstration) on my life?
I no longer fly to St. Louis, Detroit, Chicago and Cleveland at the drop of a hat (and I miss the resulting reduced number of Cubs games I attend). If the drive is five and 1/2 hours or less, I am most likely to drive rather than fly now.
Why is this?
First, the TSA screening lines, especially during top travel periods, are too unpredictable and not an efficient use of my time.
Second, the government's security measures at airports are reactionary, ineffective and have limited value. Systems that "punish all" are usually less effective than a sieve is at holding water. Security measures that are targeted make more sense (if only the government had done so, a certain Nigerian might have been intercepted long before he tried to blow up a plane in Detroit as it was getting ready to land).
Third, the screening is too intrusive (guilty unless proven innocent comes to mind) without an effective cost/benefit aspect that overwhelms its intrusive nature.
Fourth, with the security measures, hassle, parking, etc. at the airport, I can get to my destination by driving in a comparable period of time.
Does the government realize that its programs for security, as represented by the TSA, is reducing air travel, has the potential to drive airlines out of business, is changing our lifestyles, promotes irrational fear and is showing to the world that we are afraid and reactionary? It is my opinion that these results are the goals of the terrorists. Therefore, the terrorists are winning.
When is the American government going to get tough with terrorists and not do things that allow the terrorists to declare victory? Our government has grown soft! Where is John Wayne when you need him?
I no longer fly to St. Louis, Detroit, Chicago and Cleveland at the drop of a hat (and I miss the resulting reduced number of Cubs games I attend). If the drive is five and 1/2 hours or less, I am most likely to drive rather than fly now.
Why is this?
First, the TSA screening lines, especially during top travel periods, are too unpredictable and not an efficient use of my time.
Second, the government's security measures at airports are reactionary, ineffective and have limited value. Systems that "punish all" are usually less effective than a sieve is at holding water. Security measures that are targeted make more sense (if only the government had done so, a certain Nigerian might have been intercepted long before he tried to blow up a plane in Detroit as it was getting ready to land).
Third, the screening is too intrusive (guilty unless proven innocent comes to mind) without an effective cost/benefit aspect that overwhelms its intrusive nature.
Fourth, with the security measures, hassle, parking, etc. at the airport, I can get to my destination by driving in a comparable period of time.
Does the government realize that its programs for security, as represented by the TSA, is reducing air travel, has the potential to drive airlines out of business, is changing our lifestyles, promotes irrational fear and is showing to the world that we are afraid and reactionary? It is my opinion that these results are the goals of the terrorists. Therefore, the terrorists are winning.
When is the American government going to get tough with terrorists and not do things that allow the terrorists to declare victory? Our government has grown soft! Where is John Wayne when you need him?
193 Libertarians Seeking Party Nomination in Texas
The Libertarian Party of Texas has announced that 193 Libertarians have filed their paperwork to seek the Libertarian nomination for an office at their various county, district and state conventions. Five Libertarians are seeking the Libertarian nod to run as the Libertarian candidate for Governor of Texas.
Congratulations and good job to the Texas LP.
Libertarian Party of Texas Executive Director Robert Butler is a former employee of the Libertarian Party of Indiana. Since leaving Indiana he has also been Executive Director of the Libertarian Party of Ohio.
Congratulations and good job to the Texas LP.
Libertarian Party of Texas Executive Director Robert Butler is a former employee of the Libertarian Party of Indiana. Since leaving Indiana he has also been Executive Director of the Libertarian Party of Ohio.
Monday, January 04, 2010
Check Out Harvard Economist Jeffrey Miron's Blog, Libertarianism, from A to Z
Harvard economist and Cato Institute Senior Fellow Jeffrey Miron has a relatively new blog that is worth following. It is titled Libertarianism, from A to Z.
I first became aware of Miron in the Spring of 2005 when I attended a lecture at Wabash College. Miron was the 2004-2005 lecturer at Wabash College's annual Rogge Memorial Lecture.
The Rogge Memorial Lecture honors the late Wabash College professor Ben Rogge, a champion of libertarian principles and free market economics. (Milton Friedman's book Capitalism and Freedom is based on a series of lectures he gave at Wabash College, at the behest of Rogge, in 1954.)
Rogge also narrated the film The Incredible Bread Machine, which has an appearance by Friedman:
Miron has appeared on many news shows as well:
I first became aware of Miron in the Spring of 2005 when I attended a lecture at Wabash College. Miron was the 2004-2005 lecturer at Wabash College's annual Rogge Memorial Lecture.
The Rogge Memorial Lecture honors the late Wabash College professor Ben Rogge, a champion of libertarian principles and free market economics. (Milton Friedman's book Capitalism and Freedom is based on a series of lectures he gave at Wabash College, at the behest of Rogge, in 1954.)
Rogge also narrated the film The Incredible Bread Machine, which has an appearance by Friedman:
Miron has appeared on many news shows as well:
Saturday, January 02, 2010
Prohibition Makes Smoking Fashionable (and the Smoking Ban Ignored) in New York City
Click here to read the New York Times article on how smoking bans are being ignored in New York City.
The only winners with the smoking bans are those willing to flaunt the bans, and the law enforcement and code enforcement officers hired to enforce the bans. Once a smoking ban is in place, expect the law and code enforcement officers to be the strongest supporters of the bans.
Sadly, it appears to me that effect of the smoking bans is to make smoking more exotic and desirable - the opposite effect allegedly intended by the puritanical supporters of smoking bans. However, if you believe smoking bans are really the creation of elites who want to control and harass people, well, maybe the fact that smoking bans encourage and create more lawbreakers is the true purpose of the bans.
We are all criminals, you know.
The only winners with the smoking bans are those willing to flaunt the bans, and the law enforcement and code enforcement officers hired to enforce the bans. Once a smoking ban is in place, expect the law and code enforcement officers to be the strongest supporters of the bans.
Sadly, it appears to me that effect of the smoking bans is to make smoking more exotic and desirable - the opposite effect allegedly intended by the puritanical supporters of smoking bans. However, if you believe smoking bans are really the creation of elites who want to control and harass people, well, maybe the fact that smoking bans encourage and create more lawbreakers is the true purpose of the bans.
We are all criminals, you know.
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