The man who makes no mistakes
does not usually make
anything.
Bishop W.C. Magee
A Lincoln Kerfuffle: Did He Enforce the Fugitive Slave Law? YES....
Libertarian former Judge Napolitano got ambushed on a prominent comedy cable program on two points: the protectionist Morrill tariff (which was later exacerbated under the Lincoln Presidency), deeply opposed by Southern Democrats; and the fact that the Administration of the Great Emancipator was arresting and returning fugitive slaves. (DiLorenzo and Woods below cite the same source on this point.)
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On a "Pro-Life" Dem Legislator Distorting Her Catholic Pastor's View in Rationalizing Opposition to Restrictions on the Rationale for Abortion
Going beyond the usual arguments over the general case on abortion, can we at least agree there are ethically repugnant reasons used to justify abortion, e.g., "we really wanted a boy..." or say, some physical disability or disfigurement? North Dakota legislator Kathy Tyler opposed last year's ban on abortions for reason of having a Down Syndrome baby. She argues that it's unenforceable (people don't need to give reasons for abortion and they could lie about their reasons (we could also argue you can't stop people from getting behind the wheel of a car without insurance or in a drunken state either, stop suicide, child abuse or a million other things)). But the interesting point is how she justifies her opinion, explaining that her Catholic pastor told her Jesus was pro-choice. The cited article discusses the politician's allegations, which were a distortion of what the priest said.
First, elective abortion was not practiced among the Jews during Christ's life, but the early Church condemned Roman practices of abortion and infanticide in unambiguous terms. Second, Christ never discussed the contemporary "right to choose", but it's radically inconsistent with Christ's message.
What the priest was really underscoring was personal responsibility, not a divine indifference to human activity. This was the same God of the 10 Commandments. When Jesus interceded on behalf of a woman accused of sexual sins, He did not give a politically correct lecture on women's rights to do what they want with their own body. He told her that her sins were forgiven, go and sin no more. If she did no wrong, why was there need for forgiveness? Why warn her against repeating her sin? The priest's point was that the woman still could choose to do wrong; as Dr. Phil would say, that's not okay. A person can accept or reject grace. The priest was trying to tell Tyler that no matter how many laws we create, short of a prison state, a person has free will, which means being able to do bad things. The Church is not indifferent to bad things but is aware of the limits to her influence.
Libertarians differ on abortion. I see it as the violation of a child's unalienable right to live. I see the North Dakota law as being symbolic, as supportive of people with were born with and living under this health condition.
Cato's Anti-Sanctions (re: Ukraine Crisis): Thumbs UP!
I generally subscribe to the point of view that economic sanctions are counterproductive, and robust free trade is the best way of promoting peaceful relations among nations. I would go further here than the blogger and argue we should also apply anti-sanctions to Russia, Iran, Cuba, and North Korea.
Facebook Corner
(Cato Institute). "The IPCC knew a lot more than it revealed in its 2013 climate compendium about how low the earth’s climate sensitivity is likely to be."
The science is sketchy, but what we DO know is that eventually we will run out of oil. Yup, we need an alternative. But to shut down companies and put people out of work for an agenda is extreme. Common sense dictates we find alternative energy solutions, but in an economic responsible manner.
What we need to recognize is the free market will find a way, not some central planning bureaucracy. Competition for limited energy resources provides a natural incentive for development of alternatives. But self-imposed Draconian restrictive public policy where any narrow savings are more than offset by competitive economies is all but an economic death wish.
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| Via We the Individuals |
Political Cartoon
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| Courtesy of Eric Allie and Townhall |
Lynyrd Skynyrd, "Sweet Home Alabama"
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