It was startling to see the title, Atlas Shrugged, on the theater marquee. I did not expect to live long enough to witness it. Unfortunately, “Atlas Shrugged, Part I,” the movie, has little or nothing to do with the novel. It is a badly made template, with a lot of doodling in the film outside [...]
Archive | April, 2011
Robber Barons and Busybodies
Michael J Hurd (2011.04.27 ) Politics
C.S. Lewis said: “It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies.” He’s right. “Robber barons” was the term for the successful businessmen of his time. There is no theft in success, however. This wrong idea led to the proliferation of the welfare state and the eventual slow collapse of [...]
Silver Set to Soar as Paper Folds?
John Browne (2011.04.24 ) Investing
As a result of active “demonetization” efforts by the IMF and its member central banks, gold and silver have experienced the type of volatility that has given conservative investors reasons not to perceive the metals as dependable cash alternatives. Instead gold and silver have become known as the asset class to hold as a hedge [...]
Off With Their Heads: Islamic "Lawfare"
Edward Cline (2011.04.24 ) Politics
“And who are these?” said the Queen, pointing to the three gardeners who were lying round the rose-tree; for, you see, as they were lying on their faces, and the pattern on their backs was the same as the rest of the pack, she could not tell whether they were gardeners, or soldiers, or courtiers, [...]
The "Adult Conversation" Between Politicians and Voters
Michael J Hurd (2011.04.23 ) Politics
Politicians: Let’s have health care for all. Voters: Yes. But not ObamaCare. We don’t want government care. We want guaranteed health care. Medical care like we have now, only free. And more competent, more compassionate, less bureaucratic than now. Will you get that done, please? And none of this Democrat-Republican quibbling either. Just get it [...]
It's the People's Fault
Michael J Hurd (2011.04.21 ) Politics
By now it’s plain to nearly everyone that Republicans are getting nowhere in massively cutting the budget and limiting the scope of the federal government. It’s tempting to blame the politicians themselves. “Those politicians!” it could be said. “They won’t honor the will of the people!” But what actually is the will of the people? [...]
Republican "Business As Usual" in Washington
Michael J Hurd (2011.04.19 ) Politics
You think I’m overstating it when I say the world has gone mad? Then listen to our leaders — most of them Republicans, the very ones who claim they want to change the status quo within our government. Appearing on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” Republican (and Tea Party favorite) Rep. Paul Ryan spoke generally about [...]
The Unfounded Assumption that Can Stop Logical Thinking in Its Tracks
Jean Moroney (2011.04.19 ) Living
Join me in the campaign to eliminate prejudice against messy thinking tactics. Floating in the back of many people’s minds is the idea that “logical” means “neat.” People sometimes hesitate to make a list unless they can write down the items in their proper order. They sometimes shy away from brainstorming because silly ideas come [...]
Why Illness Has Become a Crime
Richard E. Ralston (2011.04.19 ) Crime, Healthcare
Recently, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer received a lot of media attention when she proposed fines and other financial punishment for overweight citizens and smokers on Medicaid. Others targeted by such programs include diabetics who fail to follow instructions from their physicians on treatment of their diseases. Other states are headed in the same direction. I [...]
S&P Is Late to The Party…Once Again
Peter Schiff (2011.04.18 ) Investing
The only thing more ridiculous than S&P’s too little too late semi-downgrade of U.S. sovereign debt was the market’s severe reaction to the announcement. Has S&P really added anything to the debate that wasn’t already widely known? In any event, S&P’s statement amounts to a wake up call to anyone who has somehow managed to sleepwalk through [...]