May 2007 Archives

Lifetime legal dude, Eliot Spitzer, is trying to make the law now. After a career of enforcing it, we're now subject to the grand philosophy which guides its making now. The legislature is considering a bill which would make all convicted felons and those who have committed misdemeanors subject to forfeiture of their DNA. While this is being lauded by law enforcement and media editorials. This New Yorker in the individual freedom wilderness is saying enough is enough.

The 1997 movie Gattaca told a story about a future and society that revolved around new eugenics. It's a frightful tale about a young man trying to buck a fixed system in order to achieve the dream of space travel. Like everything else in NY it often heralds a bigger picture for the world, witness seatbelt laws and trans-fat bans. If my potential or future civil disobedience is threatened with a test which could effect employment, life insurenace or any other price to just living in an unfree world, I hereby call for a Genetic Bill of Rights.

Eliot's wife is trying to grapple with the brain drain afflicting upstate NY. She cites statistics about the loss of young people during a period from 1990 to 2002 (or there about). Quite simply, youthful New Yorker's leave upstate for opportunities elsewhere. It should be no secret why or any magic to change.

As one of these numbers that stayed, it comes as no revelation. While I've produced nothing along the lines of the 'best minds of my generation', I've been howling about this affect for years. As one of those who stayed and started a business and raised a family, I'd urge all young people to beat a path elsewhere . . .

This is for any of the Kos crew I may have provoked with this post over there:

Recent attacks on Representative Paul from a spooked right wing amalgam is understandable in the context of fearful neocons watching their empire dwindle in the final days. I have to admit I was surprised by posts first seen on DK suggesting he was a racist. While this sentiment is easily dismissed (as much as Eric Dondero)in the Liberty movement it's quite disconcerting to see the orange drupal corps. continue their own vilification effort.

I saw a real dumb video that misrepresented the Libertarian Party's true approach to immigration. I think what 'ol Stu at LFV is trying to respond to is that you guys totally have it wrong and don't forget we're not in power. Richards is great at inflating the idiocy of their subjects with raunchy expletives which I've never been good with.

After the jump is a response I did to a Lew Rockwell writer at the end of 2005. What kills me about the LP sometimes is the traditional open immigration stance should be a big ripe electoral tomato to what is the biggest potential group of voters in America, Hispanics. Instead tightnips like Kinsella and equally unenlightened political patter from candidate wannabes or too scared of the platform reform types don't see this enormous advantage that could be exploited. We're too busy fussing about a plank here or there. We split hairs about true liberty, etc. Bleah ! Freedom is freedom. Hire who you want, live where you want and leave the guns to self-defense. It's pathetically easy. I still miss the elite cadre of thinkers the libertarian movement used to be.

My wife and I play a game when it comes to school budget votes. In years past we would agree to skip the vote because my no and her yes would just cancel things out. Since we've had kids she doesn't trust that I still won't go over and vote because she forgot. She has bought into the whole protecting our children bit when it comes to public schools. I've paid property tax for the last 15 years with no children. Suddenly the state owns their minds. Even if I decide to home school they still say what they have to learn and how.

If everyone were like me and the budget was voted down, there would be a rise of 4.1% in property taxes instead of 4.4%. A couple hundred thousand of a thirty three million dollar budget. I imagine a couple buses might miss the ticket if this happened. It's doubtful anybody would lose a job or stop collecting benefits. My point is that any time you have an opportunity to vote on a public budget, always vote no. The law, the state and its minions will find another way to get their perceived 'good' done. Instead we ride the sensibilities of parents and children and drive the wedge of fear, guilt and accusation into the hearts of the average taxpayer. All for a system which gives us little guarantee and fewer results. The funding is fixed, send a message that you protest.

Kent McManigal has dropped out of the race for the Libertarian Party's nomination for the Presidency. Despite stating that I would not endorse anyone, I had a soft spot for Kent. His open and honest blog promoting liberty and freedom was a breath of fresh air in a race consumed by celebrity, intrigue, fantasy and groveling. Kent stood above all that despite attacks about his campaign and a refusal to take money.

I think Kent was starting to get some momentum. A recent article at Strike the Root gave a solid portrayal of what we in the Liberty movement are truly seeking. Time to watch a bird mull about in the woods or a sunset go down after a long hike. Despite being an avowed anarcho-capitalist, sometimes we have to acknowledge that while we're free to pursue our economic ends, sometimes that freedom abridges time with family and friends. Doug Stanhope dropped out because he was afraid to take on the FEC, I'd like to think that if Kent was confronted with the fight he might stand on principle and fight the man . . .

The backdrop of the taxpayer funded Reagan Library and the wings of an old Boeing Air Force One should provide a good example of the media bias for the next year or so. It always amazes me how fawning and repetitious a guy like Chris Matthews is and still makes claim to some higher journalistic ground. How can anyone spend such an inordinate amount of time yapping about the same top three candidates in either party ? Perhaps its the fact that Mitt Romney has already started purchasing spots during his program. Matthews is unrepentant as he glows during his annoying hagiography. It's always about the horse race. Fairness, justice and practicality have no sense of proportion in his world.

Ron Paul will only get a few minutes to make his case under the Matthews regime for acceptance and performance despite being the only candidate to have ever accrued votes in the Presidential election and process. It's doubtful his low key personality will allow for the brash statements witnessed from former Senator Gravel and he'll likely be cast as an isolationist (as some of his guests have already done) with little chance of success beyond New Hampshire. A solid contrary performance may have some viral value on the net amongst the faithful but don't expect anything but that horrible guttural terse laugh from one of the worst hosts on television.

It's seems like lately any campaign mailing has been child's play in terms of refuting the tripe that is necessary to solicit money from loyal party-ists. So when I saw Team Rudy pop-up on the mail run I figured another post or entry would be easily crafted in the snarky way of the libertarian. After all this is the 'conservative' whose questionable family values and stances must be the bane of the middle America Christian right. It's the guy whose crack downs in New York often resembled the brown shirts. The guy whose staff lost the one hundred and forty page top secret campaign plan. The videos of him getting kissed by Trump while in drag and numerous other gaffes that are the fodder of the blogging literati. While its doubtful I'll tuck my 'Team Rudy' card into my wallet next to my national Libertarian card, I gotta think that this plea will be effective to those whom it is targeted.