Property rights, responsibility, and cattle
Cattle keep wandering into an Albuquerque suburban neighborhood, and the residents don't like it.
They do have a right to not have other people's property trespass and damage their property, but I also think if you move into a cattle-intensive area you need to know what you're getting in to. It's like moving into the desert and complaining about sand or the lack of rain.
New Mexico "law" says it is the homeowners' responsibility to build a fence if they don't like having the cattle come in their yard. Regardless of "the law", common sense and decency would seem to indicate this is the better response than turning to government coercion. The ranchers should do all they can to prevent the trespassing cattle, and should offer to pay for any damages no matter what the "law" requires. It's the right thing to do. Turning to government is always the wrong thing to do.
When I lived in Colorado, the ranchers would drive their cattle down the highway past my house a couple of times a year. They had been doing so for generations. It would have been silly of me to move there and then whine about it. They tried to keep their cattle on the road, but since cattle do have minds of their own, they sometimes do things the humans responsible for them don't want them to do. Such as trot off the highway and into my yard. So what? I'm a big boy and if it was that upsetting to me I am fully capable of building a fence. And so are the residents of North Meadows.
(I almost tagged this post under "immigration")
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Please help!
Monday, October 04, 2010
In the wake of Obama- more bags of hot air
In the wake of Obama- more bags of hot air
After days and days of Obamania, the Albuquerque news has turned to other bags of hot air. But these are more pleasant bags of hot air than politicians, and not dangerous except to those who choose to associate with them. And no one is forced to associate with them if they'd rather not. That's refreshing hot air.
I have no clue what all is involved in the planning of an event such as the Balloon Fiesta, but I'm sure it is a daunting job to plan and organize and run. I also wonder how much unnecessary red tape is imposed by government. I hate to think of all the government agencies that insist on having their egos stroked by "requiring" permits and licenses and fees. Not to mention the silly "laws" that are enforced against the balloonists.
It's amazing that big events like this can still be carried out under the US Police State. But I am glad they can.
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Please help!
After days and days of Obamania, the Albuquerque news has turned to other bags of hot air. But these are more pleasant bags of hot air than politicians, and not dangerous except to those who choose to associate with them. And no one is forced to associate with them if they'd rather not. That's refreshing hot air.
I have no clue what all is involved in the planning of an event such as the Balloon Fiesta, but I'm sure it is a daunting job to plan and organize and run. I also wonder how much unnecessary red tape is imposed by government. I hate to think of all the government agencies that insist on having their egos stroked by "requiring" permits and licenses and fees. Not to mention the silly "laws" that are enforced against the balloonists.
It's amazing that big events like this can still be carried out under the US Police State. But I am glad they can.
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Please help!
Saturday, October 02, 2010
Budget shortfall presents opportunity
Budget shortfall presents opportunity
Albuquerque Public Schools may soon be laying off teachers due to a shortfall of stolen loot. APS is faced with the options of asking The State to steal more on their behalf, cutting extra-curricular activities (which may be great, but do not belong under the control, or finances, of schools), or getting rid of teachers. Of course, instead of using merit to determine which teachers will keep their jobs, APS will use the poor criteria of "seniority".
Teachers are upset, as would be anyone facing the loss of their job. But job loss, at least for the good teachers, is not inevitable. There is a fantastic solution: sell off (or hand over) the so-called "public schools". Then, for the schools that intend to stick with the old method of using teachers and students in classrooms, there will be lots of new job openings. Let the teachers apply for the new jobs. Chances are they could earn a larger paycheck under the new arrangement anyway. Everyone wins. Except The State, and the unfit teachers.
Government has no business being in the business of education. In fact, according to the Constitution, it is illegal since nowhere in that document are public schools specifically authorized. This is an opportunity. Set the children free from the government indoctrination centers, get government out of education, get schools out of the business of extra-curricular activities, and get serious about educating Albuquerque and America. Problem, solved.
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Please help!
Albuquerque Public Schools may soon be laying off teachers due to a shortfall of stolen loot. APS is faced with the options of asking The State to steal more on their behalf, cutting extra-curricular activities (which may be great, but do not belong under the control, or finances, of schools), or getting rid of teachers. Of course, instead of using merit to determine which teachers will keep their jobs, APS will use the poor criteria of "seniority".
Teachers are upset, as would be anyone facing the loss of their job. But job loss, at least for the good teachers, is not inevitable. There is a fantastic solution: sell off (or hand over) the so-called "public schools". Then, for the schools that intend to stick with the old method of using teachers and students in classrooms, there will be lots of new job openings. Let the teachers apply for the new jobs. Chances are they could earn a larger paycheck under the new arrangement anyway. Everyone wins. Except The State, and the unfit teachers.
Government has no business being in the business of education. In fact, according to the Constitution, it is illegal since nowhere in that document are public schools specifically authorized. This is an opportunity. Set the children free from the government indoctrination centers, get government out of education, get schools out of the business of extra-curricular activities, and get serious about educating Albuquerque and America. Problem, solved.
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Please help!
Known burglar set free. You know what to do
Known burglar set free. You know what to do
The Albuquerque Police Chief is upset that a man who is accused of over 50 burglaries was let out of jail due to a deal he made with The State. That is perfectly understandable.
I wonder if he would be just as upset if the next time this crook broke into a place, he encountered an armed property owner he didn't know was around and was summarily removed from the gene pool. Or if he had his head architecture renovated by a well-designed booby trap as he broke in. Would the chief seek to punish the property owner for defending his property?
The crook joined forces with The State by turning in his accomplices, and that was a big part of the reason he was let out. Won't this result in a net decrease in the number of thieves on the street? And if this man is known to be a crook, won't it be easy to keep an eye on him from now on? Why not publicize his picture so that everyone will know who the man is and what he chooses to do? That way people can exercise their right of association with regard to the thief.
Maybe the chief is afraid that such actions would make his enforcers more irrelevant. Or give victims of ALL forms of theft new ideas.
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Please help!
The Albuquerque Police Chief is upset that a man who is accused of over 50 burglaries was let out of jail due to a deal he made with The State. That is perfectly understandable.
I wonder if he would be just as upset if the next time this crook broke into a place, he encountered an armed property owner he didn't know was around and was summarily removed from the gene pool. Or if he had his head architecture renovated by a well-designed booby trap as he broke in. Would the chief seek to punish the property owner for defending his property?
The crook joined forces with The State by turning in his accomplices, and that was a big part of the reason he was let out. Won't this result in a net decrease in the number of thieves on the street? And if this man is known to be a crook, won't it be easy to keep an eye on him from now on? Why not publicize his picture so that everyone will know who the man is and what he chooses to do? That way people can exercise their right of association with regard to the thief.
Maybe the chief is afraid that such actions would make his enforcers more irrelevant. Or give victims of ALL forms of theft new ideas.
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Please help!
Friday, October 01, 2010
Is a sheriff better than you or me?
Is a sheriff better than you or me?
Enforcers think they are better than you and me. Need proof? Sandoval County Sheriff John Paul Trujillo was recently caught by state police speeding through a construction zone in Albuquerque and was found to have expired out-of-state license plates on his vehicle. The plates were not even for his vehicle at all, but were borrowed from a friend. How long had he gotten away with this "crime" before getting caught? We may never know. So, now the sheriff is in trouble from another chapter of his own gang.
Of course, The State is wrong to pretend it has the authority to force individuals to pay for, and display, license plates on our private vehicles. If they want to make that requirement for all vehicles "purchased" with our stolen money for "official use only", that is their business.
The State is also wrong to set speed limits. Most people automatically drive at the speed they are most comfortable with, regardless of the speed limit. Speed limits, in my experience, are a hazard because they distract your attention from control of the vehicle by adding an arbitrary variable that has no bearing on your operational safety or responsibility. At whatever speed you choose to drive, if you cause harm, you are accountable. It's as simple as that... or should be. Instead The State will waylay you for "speeding", aggress against you or steal from you, and add any penalties for harm you do cause, no matter if you are obeying the counterfeit "law" or not. It's quite a lucrative scam when you think about it.
However, as long as the LEOs violate your rights and mine in the name of "the common good", it is good that an enforcer is facing the same fate. It will be interesting to see if his punishment is identical to the punishment that would be dealt to you or me if we had done the same thing. I wouldn't bet the saloon on it.
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Please help!
Enforcers think they are better than you and me. Need proof? Sandoval County Sheriff John Paul Trujillo was recently caught by state police speeding through a construction zone in Albuquerque and was found to have expired out-of-state license plates on his vehicle. The plates were not even for his vehicle at all, but were borrowed from a friend. How long had he gotten away with this "crime" before getting caught? We may never know. So, now the sheriff is in trouble from another chapter of his own gang.
Of course, The State is wrong to pretend it has the authority to force individuals to pay for, and display, license plates on our private vehicles. If they want to make that requirement for all vehicles "purchased" with our stolen money for "official use only", that is their business.
The State is also wrong to set speed limits. Most people automatically drive at the speed they are most comfortable with, regardless of the speed limit. Speed limits, in my experience, are a hazard because they distract your attention from control of the vehicle by adding an arbitrary variable that has no bearing on your operational safety or responsibility. At whatever speed you choose to drive, if you cause harm, you are accountable. It's as simple as that... or should be. Instead The State will waylay you for "speeding", aggress against you or steal from you, and add any penalties for harm you do cause, no matter if you are obeying the counterfeit "law" or not. It's quite a lucrative scam when you think about it.
However, as long as the LEOs violate your rights and mine in the name of "the common good", it is good that an enforcer is facing the same fate. It will be interesting to see if his punishment is identical to the punishment that would be dealt to you or me if we had done the same thing. I wouldn't bet the saloon on it.
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Please help!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Reality or politics?
Reality or politics?
I'm glad, in a way, to see that the Albuquerque news has returned to addressing reality, rather than Obamality. The bad thing is, this reality is concerning the suffering of innocent people. Lost balloonists, and dead toddlers, and the loss of local jobs that government policies have made inevitable. In that case I guess it would be better to have no real news to report and keep focusing on the putrid emanations of The Anointed One.
Real, innocent people are what matters in this world, and it is better to be concerned over such things than to care about how to get your piece of the action from the politicians and bureaucrats who are busy stealing it "on your behalf" (while skimming a sizeable cut for themselves and their cronies, of course). What really matters is completely different from what lying politicians believe matters.
Real life. This is just real people concerned about the events that affect their everyday lives. No one wants to be forced to worry about politics. Yet, for our own self defense we must, at times, focus on it. We need to know what new violation of our individual human rights is being dreamed up by the enemies of civilization in government offices and legislatures across America. Sometimes we may be able to nip it in the bud if we know what is going down. Just think what would have happened if Americans in 1776 had been able to stop the Constitutional Conspiracy that stole liberty from them and their descendants. In other cases, it is good to know what normal, voluntary, non-harmful actions you need to be secretive about to avoid being kidnapped by thugs in uniform.
When politics and real life meet, tragedy is the result. There is enough tragedy without adding unnecessarily to the suffering. Coercion against the innocent is never OK, especially not for the purpose of taking advantage of them or violating their rights to life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness. It's time for Statists to grow up.
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Please help!
I'm glad, in a way, to see that the Albuquerque news has returned to addressing reality, rather than Obamality. The bad thing is, this reality is concerning the suffering of innocent people. Lost balloonists, and dead toddlers, and the loss of local jobs that government policies have made inevitable. In that case I guess it would be better to have no real news to report and keep focusing on the putrid emanations of The Anointed One.
Real, innocent people are what matters in this world, and it is better to be concerned over such things than to care about how to get your piece of the action from the politicians and bureaucrats who are busy stealing it "on your behalf" (while skimming a sizeable cut for themselves and their cronies, of course). What really matters is completely different from what lying politicians believe matters.
Real life. This is just real people concerned about the events that affect their everyday lives. No one wants to be forced to worry about politics. Yet, for our own self defense we must, at times, focus on it. We need to know what new violation of our individual human rights is being dreamed up by the enemies of civilization in government offices and legislatures across America. Sometimes we may be able to nip it in the bud if we know what is going down. Just think what would have happened if Americans in 1776 had been able to stop the Constitutional Conspiracy that stole liberty from them and their descendants. In other cases, it is good to know what normal, voluntary, non-harmful actions you need to be secretive about to avoid being kidnapped by thugs in uniform.
When politics and real life meet, tragedy is the result. There is enough tragedy without adding unnecessarily to the suffering. Coercion against the innocent is never OK, especially not for the purpose of taking advantage of them or violating their rights to life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness. It's time for Statists to grow up.
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Please help!
Libertarians: 'selfish' and 'childish'?
Libertarians: 'selfish' and 'childish'?
The news in Albuquerque is still dominated by the lingering aroma of The Anointed One's visit. Reminiscent of a dead skunk on the highway, the fumes just won't clear. The difference is that I actually enjoy a slight smell of skunk. Anyway, back to The Deceiver in Chief. What he said while in town seems to generate a lot of discussion. I can't understand why since everything he has said in the past turned out to be lies. Just assume the same will be true of his most recent utterances as well, and move on.
So today I'll address two of the favorite retorts that authoritarians seem to keep at the ready in case they encounter a libertarian. That libertarians are "selfish" (usually the opinionizer is a "liberal"), or that they are "childish" (generally this comes from the "conservative" side).
"Progressives", by claiming that libertarians are "selfish", are being selfish. Liberalism is self-centered. They serve their own selfish interests by demanding you give up some of your interests to serve theirs. Liberals worship the defective among us. That is fine as long as they spend their own time and effort catering to these individuals. Yet, they selfishly use the coercive force of government to make you serve that which they worship. They are so addicted to the "Mommy State" that they can't stand to see people who do not need to be mothered to death, and who do not need to be forced to "share". Of course, this category also spills over to "conservatives" from time to time on different issues (issues which usually shouldn't BE issues).
"Conservatives" often claim libertarians are "childish". They can't allow libertarians to prove that voluntary interactions are better than brute force. They threaten to take all their toys and go home when we don't wish to play their coercive "games". They would rather give up the areas that libertarians would be on their side of than to agree to leave people alone to make their own decisions and face their own consequences. They are so addicted to the "Strong Father State" that they can't stand seeing people not getting their spankings when they do something that offends their "morals" (cough-cough). They worship (often literally) the strict, authoritarian Punisher of Deeds, and use the blunt force of The State as the means to mete out retribution for your "offensive" acts. Yet, this category, too, often spills over into the "Progressive" cult where such things as "gun control" are concerned.
Me, I'm strong enough to leave people alone to live their own lives as they see fit; only meddling if I see someone initiating force, fraud, or theft. That isn't "selfish", that is the height of generosity. Nor is it "childish" since it is the core of being an adult living among adults.
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Please help!
The news in Albuquerque is still dominated by the lingering aroma of The Anointed One's visit. Reminiscent of a dead skunk on the highway, the fumes just won't clear. The difference is that I actually enjoy a slight smell of skunk. Anyway, back to The Deceiver in Chief. What he said while in town seems to generate a lot of discussion. I can't understand why since everything he has said in the past turned out to be lies. Just assume the same will be true of his most recent utterances as well, and move on.
So today I'll address two of the favorite retorts that authoritarians seem to keep at the ready in case they encounter a libertarian. That libertarians are "selfish" (usually the opinionizer is a "liberal"), or that they are "childish" (generally this comes from the "conservative" side).
"Progressives", by claiming that libertarians are "selfish", are being selfish. Liberalism is self-centered. They serve their own selfish interests by demanding you give up some of your interests to serve theirs. Liberals worship the defective among us. That is fine as long as they spend their own time and effort catering to these individuals. Yet, they selfishly use the coercive force of government to make you serve that which they worship. They are so addicted to the "Mommy State" that they can't stand to see people who do not need to be mothered to death, and who do not need to be forced to "share". Of course, this category also spills over to "conservatives" from time to time on different issues (issues which usually shouldn't BE issues).
"Conservatives" often claim libertarians are "childish". They can't allow libertarians to prove that voluntary interactions are better than brute force. They threaten to take all their toys and go home when we don't wish to play their coercive "games". They would rather give up the areas that libertarians would be on their side of than to agree to leave people alone to make their own decisions and face their own consequences. They are so addicted to the "Strong Father State" that they can't stand seeing people not getting their spankings when they do something that offends their "morals" (cough-cough). They worship (often literally) the strict, authoritarian Punisher of Deeds, and use the blunt force of The State as the means to mete out retribution for your "offensive" acts. Yet, this category, too, often spills over into the "Progressive" cult where such things as "gun control" are concerned.
Me, I'm strong enough to leave people alone to live their own lives as they see fit; only meddling if I see someone initiating force, fraud, or theft. That isn't "selfish", that is the height of generosity. Nor is it "childish" since it is the core of being an adult living among adults.
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Please help!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Seeking donations
I'm embarrassed to do this, but I am going to have to ask for donations. Not to be used for expensive, trivial things, but for living expenses. Plus the luxury of an internet connection and a phone if there is anything left over.
Others do it, so I guess it is accepted. It just feels dirty, somehow, for me to do so.
Our household income has just gone down by another $350 per month. And that's on top of the $300 per month we lost just a few months ago. That is a significant percentage of our total income. Really significant. In a month or so we will also lose our seasonal income of $150 per month until next spring. Needless to say, it's a critical situation.
I have mentioned my computer problems before. That's the least of my worries. My car broke down a few months ago, and resisted all my efforts to repair it. The car I was borrowing from my parents broke down last week. I do still have my bicycle and trailer (which I use to haul my 3-year-old daughter around town), so I'm not completely stranded, but considering that for most business I have to cross the state line and go 8 to 13 miles down the highway (and then through city traffic), a bike with a kid trailer isn't the best option. Plus, the only grocery store in this town displays a big "no guns allowed" sign, so I hate to give them my business.
This time I have nothing I am auctioning off in exchange for the money, nothing to offer in return, and I'm not simply asking for page views.
Paypal, Gpal, or any method you prefer is welcome. If you can do a recurring donation, that would be wonderful. Help if you can, but please don't put yourself in a bad spot if you can't afford to help me. Thanks.
Others do it, so I guess it is accepted. It just feels dirty, somehow, for me to do so.
Our household income has just gone down by another $350 per month. And that's on top of the $300 per month we lost just a few months ago. That is a significant percentage of our total income. Really significant. In a month or so we will also lose our seasonal income of $150 per month until next spring. Needless to say, it's a critical situation.
I have mentioned my computer problems before. That's the least of my worries. My car broke down a few months ago, and resisted all my efforts to repair it. The car I was borrowing from my parents broke down last week. I do still have my bicycle and trailer (which I use to haul my 3-year-old daughter around town), so I'm not completely stranded, but considering that for most business I have to cross the state line and go 8 to 13 miles down the highway (and then through city traffic), a bike with a kid trailer isn't the best option. Plus, the only grocery store in this town displays a big "no guns allowed" sign, so I hate to give them my business.
This time I have nothing I am auctioning off in exchange for the money, nothing to offer in return, and I'm not simply asking for page views.
Paypal, Gpal, or any method you prefer is welcome. If you can do a recurring donation, that would be wonderful. Help if you can, but please don't put yourself in a bad spot if you can't afford to help me. Thanks.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Obama in Albuquerque: a stranger to reality
Obama in Albuquerque: a stranger to reality
Obama was in Albuquerque, telling lies and demonstrating how completely out of touch with reality he truly is. His worshipers didn't seem to notice, which reflects more poorly on them than on him. I generally ignore him, and was shocked by the gross ignorance his comments illustrated. I'll loan you my shovel before the fertilizer buries you.
First of all, he calls for a "long-term plan" for the economy; completely ignorant (?) of the fact that planned economies always fail. The farther away from the free market (completely unplanned, unregulated trade between individuals with no government oversight or red tape) we get, the worse our economy gets. And we are far from a free market now, and have been for the past century or so. The recent problems were not caused by too little government and too few "laws" but by too much of both. Anyone who tries to tell you different is lying to you. Want to fix the economy? Stop trying to plan it!
He compounded his lie by encouraging small businesses to take advantage of "breaks" the government allows. Small businesses don't need breaks, they need to be left alone. Their owners need to keep ALL the money they bring in- to be re-invested in the business, or spent by its rightful owner, to the benefit of society; not stolen by parasites in government to the detriment of human civilization.
After making a fool of himself by talking about one thing he has no understanding of (the economy), he moved along to another subject that is apparently just as mysterious to him: education. Yes, Obama, education is critical. But that is why your "solution"- helping "public schools"- is the opposite of what should be done. Education is much too important to let imbeciles and tyrants like yourself anywhere near children. If you can't bring yourself to call for closing the "public schools", releasing their prisoners (the children and tax slaves alike), and bulldozing those shameful indoctrination camps to the ground, at least sell off the buildings and let them find a more honorable use in the next life.
Now he's gone from Albuquerque, I suppose, so I will go back to ignoring him. At least Obama's verbal flatulence and its lingering stench do have one useful side-effect: it reminds me what is at the putrid core of statism. And it isn't pretty.
Obama was in Albuquerque, telling lies and demonstrating how completely out of touch with reality he truly is. His worshipers didn't seem to notice, which reflects more poorly on them than on him. I generally ignore him, and was shocked by the gross ignorance his comments illustrated. I'll loan you my shovel before the fertilizer buries you.
First of all, he calls for a "long-term plan" for the economy; completely ignorant (?) of the fact that planned economies always fail. The farther away from the free market (completely unplanned, unregulated trade between individuals with no government oversight or red tape) we get, the worse our economy gets. And we are far from a free market now, and have been for the past century or so. The recent problems were not caused by too little government and too few "laws" but by too much of both. Anyone who tries to tell you different is lying to you. Want to fix the economy? Stop trying to plan it!
He compounded his lie by encouraging small businesses to take advantage of "breaks" the government allows. Small businesses don't need breaks, they need to be left alone. Their owners need to keep ALL the money they bring in- to be re-invested in the business, or spent by its rightful owner, to the benefit of society; not stolen by parasites in government to the detriment of human civilization.
After making a fool of himself by talking about one thing he has no understanding of (the economy), he moved along to another subject that is apparently just as mysterious to him: education. Yes, Obama, education is critical. But that is why your "solution"- helping "public schools"- is the opposite of what should be done. Education is much too important to let imbeciles and tyrants like yourself anywhere near children. If you can't bring yourself to call for closing the "public schools", releasing their prisoners (the children and tax slaves alike), and bulldozing those shameful indoctrination camps to the ground, at least sell off the buildings and let them find a more honorable use in the next life.
Now he's gone from Albuquerque, I suppose, so I will go back to ignoring him. At least Obama's verbal flatulence and its lingering stench do have one useful side-effect: it reminds me what is at the putrid core of statism. And it isn't pretty.
The myths of statism
The myths of statism
The news in Albuquerque has been strangely quiet the past few days. I suppose the appearance of "The Annointed One" has distracted his mindless worshipers, and his mindless opponents, enough that they have stopped committing their regularly scheduled aggression, theft, and fraud while they watch to learn how the Master does it.
In the meantime I'll offer some philosophical thoughts.
People have a powerful desire to believe myths- whether religious, political, or philosophical. I'm not talking about useful tales that teach a valuable lesson here, but harmful lies that form a false foundation for cultural beliefs. If it makes them feel better they follow it and refuse to accept the truth, any truth, that discredits their myth.
It is a myth that coercion is necessary in order to force people to get along together, but it is a persistent myth because it feeds a desire many people have. That desire is to be able to justify hurting people who have done nothing other than offend them in some way.
This is the foundation of "conservatism" and "liberalism/progressivism". It is why they reject voluntaryism of any sort without giving it any real consideration at all. It is why they invariably must fall back on the same tired old retorts: "How cute. Now grow up!" - "No government based on that has ever been successfully established anywhere in the world, ever!" - "Government is necessary to keep people from selfishly stomping on everyone who gets in their way." - or whatever other completely silly and empty insult or "argument" they can dredge up. All those objections have been tried before, though, and they are no more true now than they were years ago. (And soon I'll address the claims that libertarianism is "childish" and "selfish".)
There is a comfort in being "conservative" or "liberal" that those of us beyond that simplistic view don't have. It is the comfort found in large numbers. The comfort of the herd. Large numbers of mindless drones or bleating sheep. But we do have the comfort of being right in the face of seemingly overwhelming opposition. That is enough for me. I can do without the myths.
The news in Albuquerque has been strangely quiet the past few days. I suppose the appearance of "The Annointed One" has distracted his mindless worshipers, and his mindless opponents, enough that they have stopped committing their regularly scheduled aggression, theft, and fraud while they watch to learn how the Master does it.
In the meantime I'll offer some philosophical thoughts.
People have a powerful desire to believe myths- whether religious, political, or philosophical. I'm not talking about useful tales that teach a valuable lesson here, but harmful lies that form a false foundation for cultural beliefs. If it makes them feel better they follow it and refuse to accept the truth, any truth, that discredits their myth.
It is a myth that coercion is necessary in order to force people to get along together, but it is a persistent myth because it feeds a desire many people have. That desire is to be able to justify hurting people who have done nothing other than offend them in some way.
This is the foundation of "conservatism" and "liberalism/progressivism". It is why they reject voluntaryism of any sort without giving it any real consideration at all. It is why they invariably must fall back on the same tired old retorts: "How cute. Now grow up!" - "No government based on that has ever been successfully established anywhere in the world, ever!" - "Government is necessary to keep people from selfishly stomping on everyone who gets in their way." - or whatever other completely silly and empty insult or "argument" they can dredge up. All those objections have been tried before, though, and they are no more true now than they were years ago. (And soon I'll address the claims that libertarianism is "childish" and "selfish".)
There is a comfort in being "conservative" or "liberal" that those of us beyond that simplistic view don't have. It is the comfort found in large numbers. The comfort of the herd. Large numbers of mindless drones or bleating sheep. But we do have the comfort of being right in the face of seemingly overwhelming opposition. That is enough for me. I can do without the myths.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Government-sanctioned monkeys with guns?
Government-sanctioned monkeys with guns?
You may think I have been unnecessarily hard on the Albuquerque Police (and police in general) recently. Perhaps you assume I think it is impossible for a cop to do something good. You would be wrong.
Police may occasionally do the right thing, just as a blind monkey with a Tommygun, firing into a crowd, might accidentally shoot a bad guy. That doesn't mean it's a good idea to trust the monkey or give him the gun. And it is absolutely insane to give the monkey special authority or lightly excuse the monkey for the real harm his actions do.
We are all accountable and responsible for everything we do. A silly title or a badge doesn't lessen that responsibility, but intensifies it. LEOs must be held to a much higher standard of accountability than those of us who would actually be punished, severely, for making the same "mistakes" the average cop makes. At least until the "job" of "law enforcement" is relegated to the heap of civilization-endangering ideas from whence it came. Never forget the wrong they commit, and forgive only at your own peril. And never trust them.
You may think I have been unnecessarily hard on the Albuquerque Police (and police in general) recently. Perhaps you assume I think it is impossible for a cop to do something good. You would be wrong.
Police may occasionally do the right thing, just as a blind monkey with a Tommygun, firing into a crowd, might accidentally shoot a bad guy. That doesn't mean it's a good idea to trust the monkey or give him the gun. And it is absolutely insane to give the monkey special authority or lightly excuse the monkey for the real harm his actions do.
We are all accountable and responsible for everything we do. A silly title or a badge doesn't lessen that responsibility, but intensifies it. LEOs must be held to a much higher standard of accountability than those of us who would actually be punished, severely, for making the same "mistakes" the average cop makes. At least until the "job" of "law enforcement" is relegated to the heap of civilization-endangering ideas from whence it came. Never forget the wrong they commit, and forgive only at your own peril. And never trust them.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
ABQ captive dies
ABQ captive dies
The overcrowded Metro Detention Center in Albuquerque has had a 22-year-old female "inmate" die. While her death may have had nothing to do with her captivity, I'm sure her captivity didn't help her any.
She was being held captive on a "parole violation", and had been since the end of January. I would like to know what she did that was so heinous that it was necessary to kidnap her in the first place. If she was really a political prisoner (someone who had not attacked, stolen from, or defrauded anyone- as fully a third of the prisoners in the US are) then the Albuquerque Police Department and the administration of the overcrowded Metro Detention Center are murderers. If this is the case, will there be justice?
The overcrowded Metro Detention Center in Albuquerque has had a 22-year-old female "inmate" die. While her death may have had nothing to do with her captivity, I'm sure her captivity didn't help her any.
She was being held captive on a "parole violation", and had been since the end of January. I would like to know what she did that was so heinous that it was necessary to kidnap her in the first place. If she was really a political prisoner (someone who had not attacked, stolen from, or defrauded anyone- as fully a third of the prisoners in the US are) then the Albuquerque Police Department and the administration of the overcrowded Metro Detention Center are murderers. If this is the case, will there be justice?
A request for action and an experiment- with new updates
In reference to my expensive, trivial, desired thing, I would like to propose an experiment.
I figured out I would need about 1,900,000 page views by the end of the month on my Examiner column to get enough money for my self-indulgent treat. How ever many more I can get will help and get me closer, especially if I can get more subscribers and daily visitors! Help me get as many page views as humanly possible.
So, what I'm asking is that you please go to my column, pick any particular article you want (or just use this one), and send it to as many people as possible. You can even tell them why I want the page views. Then ask them to spread the link around to as many people as they possibly can. And so on.
I'd like to see if I can set a (as far as I know) record for Examiner. And, if I manage to get enough page views to buy the item, even better!
I'll post the results here later in an update. Thank you in advance!
Update 1- Well, I got 208 page views the first day. Which is more than double my normal (recent) page views. If it will "more than double" again today and for subsequent days I could be on track.
Update 2- Still doing fairly well on page views. Please subscribe through the button on the Examiner page. Examiner claims to pay more depending on the number of subscribers, too.
Update 3- Well, thank you to all those who helped. It did put my page views back up to levels where they had been back before they started going down. They have dropped back to the low levels again now, though.
Altogether the push seems to have resulted in an extra $5 for me. And now with all my computer problems, and having no working vehicle for the past week (mine has been broken down for months and in the shop for the past month, and now my dad's pickup which I had been borrowing is also broken down), I'm getting very economically and emotionally depressed.
I figured out I would need about 1,900,000 page views by the end of the month on my Examiner column to get enough money for my self-indulgent treat. How ever many more I can get will help and get me closer, especially if I can get more subscribers and daily visitors! Help me get as many page views as humanly possible.
So, what I'm asking is that you please go to my column, pick any particular article you want (or just use this one), and send it to as many people as possible. You can even tell them why I want the page views. Then ask them to spread the link around to as many people as they possibly can. And so on.
I'd like to see if I can set a (as far as I know) record for Examiner. And, if I manage to get enough page views to buy the item, even better!
I'll post the results here later in an update. Thank you in advance!
Update 1- Well, I got 208 page views the first day. Which is more than double my normal (recent) page views. If it will "more than double" again today and for subsequent days I could be on track.
Update 2- Still doing fairly well on page views. Please subscribe through the button on the Examiner page. Examiner claims to pay more depending on the number of subscribers, too.
Update 3- Well, thank you to all those who helped. It did put my page views back up to levels where they had been back before they started going down. They have dropped back to the low levels again now, though.
Altogether the push seems to have resulted in an extra $5 for me. And now with all my computer problems, and having no working vehicle for the past week (mine has been broken down for months and in the shop for the past month, and now my dad's pickup which I had been borrowing is also broken down), I'm getting very economically and emotionally depressed.
Highwaymen strike again
Highwaymen strike again
Albuquerque cops are bragging that they "arrested" seven suspected "drunken drivers" during one of their illegal checkpoint schemes. Notice, too, the ironic location of the illegal checkpoint: Constitution Avenue.
If a person is really drunk, and driving, there is no "suspected" involved. It is obvious. Such is not the case under the current police state's "laws".
Albuquerque cops are bragging that they "arrested" seven suspected "drunken drivers" during one of their illegal checkpoint schemes. Notice, too, the ironic location of the illegal checkpoint: Constitution Avenue.
If a person is really drunk, and driving, there is no "suspected" involved. It is obvious. Such is not the case under the current police state's "laws".
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Property rights under assault
Property rights under assault
Residents in Albuquerque’s North Valley are looking for justice after a vandalism and theft spree. The victims are demanding restitution, which is the foundation of real justice. One resident was quoted as saying he would have shot the vandals had he seen them. I would not blame him if he had, and in fact, think this is the proper response. Once again: justice. (The "authorities" would, of course, disagree.) Until the cost of violating the rights of the innocent is raised back up to its correct level there will be more incidents like this.
However, stopping these violations is not in the interest of The State. Justice is not on the map.
It all comes down to that one thing all governments despise and deny: property rights.
Here in my own little town far from Albuquerque, property rights are under a new assault from the local government. The town has just hired a new LEO for "code enforcement". That's collectivist-speak for "Violating your property rights on behalf of The Majority using the threat of force".
I understand that some people get offended when a neighbor has an unkempt lawn. Yet, what another person does with their own property, even to the point of destroying it, is no one else's business as long as no one else is being harmed. "Codes" are just a way of taking control of a person's property away from them and giving it to "the majority". It is wrong even if you like it and even if you can come up with reasonable-sounding justifications. I repudiate this violation of rights. Don't enforce the "Codes" against my neighbors on my behalf.
Residents in Albuquerque’s North Valley are looking for justice after a vandalism and theft spree. The victims are demanding restitution, which is the foundation of real justice. One resident was quoted as saying he would have shot the vandals had he seen them. I would not blame him if he had, and in fact, think this is the proper response. Once again: justice. (The "authorities" would, of course, disagree.) Until the cost of violating the rights of the innocent is raised back up to its correct level there will be more incidents like this.
However, stopping these violations is not in the interest of The State. Justice is not on the map.
It all comes down to that one thing all governments despise and deny: property rights.
Here in my own little town far from Albuquerque, property rights are under a new assault from the local government. The town has just hired a new LEO for "code enforcement". That's collectivist-speak for "Violating your property rights on behalf of The Majority using the threat of force".
I understand that some people get offended when a neighbor has an unkempt lawn. Yet, what another person does with their own property, even to the point of destroying it, is no one else's business as long as no one else is being harmed. "Codes" are just a way of taking control of a person's property away from them and giving it to "the majority". It is wrong even if you like it and even if you can come up with reasonable-sounding justifications. I repudiate this violation of rights. Don't enforce the "Codes" against my neighbors on my behalf.
Friday, September 24, 2010
computer dead - Updated
Bye.
Update: Maybe that was a little premature. After hours and hours of trying to get this thing usable again, something has finally worked. Sort of.
I can't even list all the things that are not working like they should anymore. I think there may be physical damage to something internal as well as software anomalies. At the moment I can get online, but that could change at any time judging by how the computer has been acting recently.
When I am no longer to get this computer to work I will stop blogging or going online on a regular basis. I can't afford another computer so I will have to wait until I am around another computer somewhere. So I guess this is a heads-up.
Update: Maybe that was a little premature. After hours and hours of trying to get this thing usable again, something has finally worked. Sort of.
I can't even list all the things that are not working like they should anymore. I think there may be physical damage to something internal as well as software anomalies. At the moment I can get online, but that could change at any time judging by how the computer has been acting recently.
When I am no longer to get this computer to work I will stop blogging or going online on a regular basis. I can't afford another computer so I will have to wait until I am around another computer somewhere. So I guess this is a heads-up.
Man learns from government example
Man learns from government example
There is a man in the Albuquerque area who is posing as a helpful passerby who notices a flat tire, offers to help, and then flees with his trusting victim's money.
It sounds like he has been observing the way governments work.
First they "notice" an imaginary (or trivial) "problem", and offer to fix it. Then, they take money from those under their power and never deliver the promised results. Just like the freelance thief.
The difference lies in the fact that the freelance thief doesn't claim legitimacy for what he does; he knows he is wrong and he runs away. Governments keep pretending they are "helping" and are "necessary" even as they continue to steal and murder. I prefer dealing with the freelance thief. He is more honest
There is a man in the Albuquerque area who is posing as a helpful passerby who notices a flat tire, offers to help, and then flees with his trusting victim's money.
It sounds like he has been observing the way governments work.
"Government is a disease masquerading as its own cure." - Robert LeFevre
First they "notice" an imaginary (or trivial) "problem", and offer to fix it. Then, they take money from those under their power and never deliver the promised results. Just like the freelance thief.
The difference lies in the fact that the freelance thief doesn't claim legitimacy for what he does; he knows he is wrong and he runs away. Governments keep pretending they are "helping" and are "necessary" even as they continue to steal and murder. I prefer dealing with the freelance thief. He is more honest
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Metro Detention Center overcrowding- a solved 'problem'
Metro Detention Center overcrowding- a solved 'problem'
Albuquerque's Metro Detention Center is over crowded. In fact it is at 120% capacity. That is a real problem, but not in the way the "authorities" would have you believe. There is no need for more jail construction, more LEOs, or any other false "solution" that strengthens The State. The problem is that there are too many "laws" and that most of them are counterfeit "laws".
Nationally, it is said that about a third of all prisoners are political prisoners. They did nothing wrong, they simply violated counterfeit "laws". They were "arrested" for "drug offenses", or for having a gun outside the numerous infringements committed by The State, or for entering into consensual trade in a way prohibited by the government, or a multitude of other equally ridiculous reasons. They harmed no third party. Releasing these political prisoners would (statistically speaking) eliminate around 870 people from the population of the MDC immediately.
Then consider how many of the rest, those who actually did initiate force, fraud, or theft, would never have taken that route had they not been first segregated into the thug culture after violating a counterfeit "law". Many a decent person has been corrupted after being sent to "Criminal University" on a "scholarship" granted for having some dried leaves in a pocket. It may be too late for them now, but it is not too late for the young guy who has never harmed anyone, but who will be "arrested" on drug charges tomorrow.
Most of the rest of the prisoners should be given the chance to pay restitution to their victims. Caging a person doesn't help their victims. It only helps the tax parasites who depend on this failed "system" for their jobs. Since the victims also have money stolen from them by The State in order to finance the cage industry, they have been victimized at least twice.
The final part of the puzzle is for The State to stop protecting the actual thieves and aggressors among us from the justified consequences of their actions. Stop criminalizing self defense and the possession of the tools with which to carry it out. That would eliminate a lot of the true bad guys and scare a lot of the rest into behaving themselves. Problem solved.
Albuquerque's Metro Detention Center is over crowded. In fact it is at 120% capacity. That is a real problem, but not in the way the "authorities" would have you believe. There is no need for more jail construction, more LEOs, or any other false "solution" that strengthens The State. The problem is that there are too many "laws" and that most of them are counterfeit "laws".
Nationally, it is said that about a third of all prisoners are political prisoners. They did nothing wrong, they simply violated counterfeit "laws". They were "arrested" for "drug offenses", or for having a gun outside the numerous infringements committed by The State, or for entering into consensual trade in a way prohibited by the government, or a multitude of other equally ridiculous reasons. They harmed no third party. Releasing these political prisoners would (statistically speaking) eliminate around 870 people from the population of the MDC immediately.
Then consider how many of the rest, those who actually did initiate force, fraud, or theft, would never have taken that route had they not been first segregated into the thug culture after violating a counterfeit "law". Many a decent person has been corrupted after being sent to "Criminal University" on a "scholarship" granted for having some dried leaves in a pocket. It may be too late for them now, but it is not too late for the young guy who has never harmed anyone, but who will be "arrested" on drug charges tomorrow.
Most of the rest of the prisoners should be given the chance to pay restitution to their victims. Caging a person doesn't help their victims. It only helps the tax parasites who depend on this failed "system" for their jobs. Since the victims also have money stolen from them by The State in order to finance the cage industry, they have been victimized at least twice.
The final part of the puzzle is for The State to stop protecting the actual thieves and aggressors among us from the justified consequences of their actions. Stop criminalizing self defense and the possession of the tools with which to carry it out. That would eliminate a lot of the true bad guys and scare a lot of the rest into behaving themselves. Problem solved.
Welfare withdrawal causes pain to New Mexico families
Welfare withdrawal causes pain to New Mexico families
Parents who have become addicted to one form of welfare are finding themselves suffering withdrawal- or at least have been put on notice that they will be suffering it soon. The state is sending out letters to thousands of families to inform them that their child care assistance is being cut off due to "budget problems" (not enough stolen loot to go around, due to government killing the economy).
That's sad, but that's what happens when you allow government intervention to lead you a long ways down a dead end path. When government suddenly says "This is where we part ways" you will discover just where you have been led. It is a place you would have never gone on your own, but only with the "help" and encouragement of The State holding your hand. The State even actively seeks out people to participate, since "numbers" means money, that is until reality rears its ugly head like it is doing now.
Government intervention in the market, and that is what this is, has stifled or crushed innovative solutions to "child care". No one has an incentive to find new solutions when government is using stolen money to pay parents' child care expenses for them. Plus people make choices, economic and otherwise, based on the assumption that they will not be paying the consequences because of the "safety net" [sic].
This will actually affect only about 28% of the kids in the program- the other 18,000 will still be getting your money. One "development center" in Albuquerque claims they will "lose" 43 children, and may have to cut staff. Yet no one seems to notice that had government not distorted the market, those families, and the threatened employees, would have made other arrangements and would not now be in a bind.
I got into a situation once where I quit my job due to an increase in the cost of child care when my kids' day care center was bought out by a competitor. It would have cost almost exactly what I was earning to keep sending them, and I decided I wasn't going to go to a job and pay someone else to watch my kids for me. Yes, there were "sacrifices" involved but the benefits outweighed them by more than I can express. It was a great decision.
Parents who have become addicted to one form of welfare are finding themselves suffering withdrawal- or at least have been put on notice that they will be suffering it soon. The state is sending out letters to thousands of families to inform them that their child care assistance is being cut off due to "budget problems" (not enough stolen loot to go around, due to government killing the economy).
That's sad, but that's what happens when you allow government intervention to lead you a long ways down a dead end path. When government suddenly says "This is where we part ways" you will discover just where you have been led. It is a place you would have never gone on your own, but only with the "help" and encouragement of The State holding your hand. The State even actively seeks out people to participate, since "numbers" means money, that is until reality rears its ugly head like it is doing now.
Government intervention in the market, and that is what this is, has stifled or crushed innovative solutions to "child care". No one has an incentive to find new solutions when government is using stolen money to pay parents' child care expenses for them. Plus people make choices, economic and otherwise, based on the assumption that they will not be paying the consequences because of the "safety net" [sic].
This will actually affect only about 28% of the kids in the program- the other 18,000 will still be getting your money. One "development center" in Albuquerque claims they will "lose" 43 children, and may have to cut staff. Yet no one seems to notice that had government not distorted the market, those families, and the threatened employees, would have made other arrangements and would not now be in a bind.
I got into a situation once where I quit my job due to an increase in the cost of child care when my kids' day care center was bought out by a competitor. It would have cost almost exactly what I was earning to keep sending them, and I decided I wasn't going to go to a job and pay someone else to watch my kids for me. Yes, there were "sacrifices" involved but the benefits outweighed them by more than I can express. It was a great decision.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
ABQ "Violent" according to officer
ABQ "Violent" according to officer
"We tend to be somewhat of a violent town." says Albuquerque's Chief Public Safety [sic] Officer. Yet he doesn't realize (or won't publicly acknowledge, anyway) that he and his gang are largely to blame.
So in an effort to "understand" where all this violence comes from, the city will spend your stolen money on an analysis from a "think tank".
Don't analyze it; SOLVE IT!
Stop denying people the liberty to defend themselves and their property with the best tools available.
End the evil and stupid War on (some) Drugs that empowers gangs and other aggressors, both with and without badges.
Those two simple acts would render Albuquerque's violence a bad memory. Problem solved.
"We tend to be somewhat of a violent town." says Albuquerque's Chief Public Safety [sic] Officer. Yet he doesn't realize (or won't publicly acknowledge, anyway) that he and his gang are largely to blame.
So in an effort to "understand" where all this violence comes from, the city will spend your stolen money on an analysis from a "think tank".
Don't analyze it; SOLVE IT!
Stop denying people the liberty to defend themselves and their property with the best tools available.
End the evil and stupid War on (some) Drugs that empowers gangs and other aggressors, both with and without badges.
Those two simple acts would render Albuquerque's violence a bad memory. Problem solved.
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