Category Archives: Politics and Economics

Seeing What is in Front of One’s Nose

Posted on December 7, 2013 by Fenster

Fenster writes: I wrote here that, just as the Left is right to struggle with the possibility of too much diversity, the Right is left to struggle with the possibility of too much inequality. It’s a struggle all right, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal reflections, Politics and Economics | Tagged , , , , , , | 11 Comments

gimme some sugar…y politics?

Posted on December 6, 2013 by Glynn Marshes

Glynn Marshes writes: In 1660, when it was a luxury associated with social privilege, England consumed a thousand hogsheads of sugar. [By 1717] that figure had . . . increased a hundredfold while the per capita annual consumption of sugar … Continue reading →

Posted in Food and health, Politics and Economics | Leave a comment

speaking of architecture…

Posted on December 4, 2013 by Glynn Marshes

Glynn Marshes writes: You guys following the articles on Havana by Michael Totten? From The Once Great City of Havana: Yet the bones of Cuba’s capital are unmatched in our hemisphere. “The Cubans of successive centuries created a harmonious architectural … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Politics and Economics | 2 Comments

Was Ayn Rand Secretly a Statist?

Posted on December 3, 2013 by Eddie Pensier

Eddie Pensier writes: John Humphreys of the Australian Libertarian Society starts a whopper of an argument on the ALS’ Facebook page: There is an apparent contradiction at the heart of objectivism. Ayn Rand said that she opposed the initiation of … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy and Religion, Politics and Economics | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

17th Century Pirates. In NYC.

Posted on December 2, 2013 by Glynn Marshes

Glynn Marshes writes: Ha. In addition to rewarding his friends with the crown’s territories [New York governor Benjamin] Fletcher gave them free reign in the piracy business. As Kind William’s War dragged on — it didn’t end until 1697 — … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Economics | 1 Comment

Plus Ça Change: The Eternal Effort to Fix Africa

Posted on December 2, 2013 by Epaminondas

epiminondas writes: In this vivid, straight-talk article, Paul Theroux discusses the endless repetition of failed missionary and educational plans for Africa.  And they have become repetitive, some having been originally tried almost 200 years ago…many times.  And the likes of … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Economics | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Tricky Teachable Moments

Posted on December 2, 2013 by Fenster

Fenster writes: Here is an article about a college prof getting a reprimand for what for some was a heavy-handed approach to teachable moments about white privilege and racism.  This is tricky territory.   Here, the administration seemed to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Politics and Economics | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Poe’s Law

Posted on December 1, 2013 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: Definition: Poe’s law, named after its author Nathan Poe, is an Internet adage reflecting the idea that without a clear indication of the author’s intent, it is difficult or impossible to tell the difference between an expression of sincere extremism and a … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Economics | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Hayek’s Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech

Posted on December 1, 2013 by Epaminondas

epiminondas writes: Friedrich Hayek received the Nobel Prize for Economics in 1974.  His acceptance speech contained the following jewel… “To act on the belief that we possess the knowledge and the power which enable us to shape the processes of society … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Economics | Tagged | 1 Comment

Quote Du Jour

Posted on December 1, 2013 by Sax von Stroheim

Sax von Stroheim writes: Caesar, when informed of these matters, fearing the fickle disposition of the Gauls, who are easily prompted to take up resolutions, and much addicted to change, considered that nothing was to be entrusted to them; for … Continue reading →

Posted in Demographics, Politics and Economics | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments