Post #4044 M: Woods on Russiagate; Friedman on Soaking the Rich

Quote of the Day

The opposite of a correct statement is a false statement.
But the opposite of a profound truth may well be another profound truth.
Niels Bohr 

Tom Woods on Russiagate

Tom Woods on How the Free Market Can Solve Healthcare's Cost Problem

Friedman on Soaking the Rich

Choose Life

Political Cartoon

Courtesy of the original artist via FB (VIA)

Musical Interlude: My Favorite Vocalists

Peter Frampton, "Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)". This ends my Frampton review.

Post #4043 J: Amazon, Wrestling, Tech Recruiters

Alexa, You Can Be Annoying

Amazon Alexa is usually like a good waiter; she's available when needed (e.g., I want to check the temperature before going out or if I need a timer for my Foreman grill), she'll notify me (status light) if my latest Amazon shipment has been delivered or let me know "where's my stuff" (shipment in progress). She's generally unobtrusive (sits patiently without a word, doesn't interrupt). I would say over 90% she operates flawlessly, in fact so well that it can be exasperating when she gets it wrong (say, in responding to playing a certain song title).

It reminds me of my issues in speaking with (east) Indian tech recruiters (and many IT professionals) who speak English but not well from an American context, so I often find myself having to reword things to get my point across. (There are cultural faux pas because (in my experience) Indians are very sensitive over losing face, e.g., they don't understand what you are saying, that they can't do something, etc.) In technical troubleshooting it can be annoying because you need to get a particular status, and it's a case they're telling you what they think you want to hear; their response doesn't make sense in context.  So I'll often have to rephrase things 4 or 5 times to get the appropriate response I need. It's highly inefficient and an annoying distraction from my critical thinking task.

In dealing with Alexa on Amazon Music, it's less complicated and more nuanced. For example, I'll often say, "Alexa, play [song title] by [artist].", e.g., "California Dreamin'" by the Mamas and Papas. So one day I said, "Alexa, play "Something" by the Beatles." Alexa responded, "Shuffling through songs by the Beatles..." I immediately realized the error and corrected the context: "Alexa, play the song "Something" by the Beatles."

Sometimes Alexa will get confused by something off cable TV sound or my PC speakers. So recently on a break from work, I was plowing through about 150 backlogged Cato Institute Daily episode podcasts (downloaded through iTunes. So at the end of many of these podcasts, the narrator (Caleb Brown) suggests that the listeners use Amazon Alexa to pull down the latest podcast: "Alexa, play the Cato Daily podcast". And each and every time, Alexa responds, launching the most recent episode.

My latest toy is via a recent/current Amazon special, offering an Alexa-compatible smartplug for a bargain $10. Now as I recently mentioned, I have a separate blog where I explore computer usability issues (typically involving PC/devices), so often I'm looking on how natural a device/program/etc. is to use. For example, if I buy a new toaster, I don't really need a lot of instructions on plugging in the toaster, inserting slices of bread, and pushing down a lever to start toasting.

So surprisingly, Amazon didn't include any instructions on integrating the device with Alexa. First of all, the Wemo device did come with instructions on downloading the app. Somehow I stumbled through device setup but for some bizarre reason it was reporting a problem connecting to my wifi using my password while in the background I was seeing a connection status. However, I tested it using my floor lamp via the app successfully.

However, Alexa didn't have a clue about the device by its Wemo name (I assigned), so there was a missing configuration. I did a brief Inrernet search and discovered I had to launch my Alexa PC application and then search for/install a relevant Wemo skill. At that point, I could say, e.g., "Alexa, turn 'living room lamp' on|off", and Alexa did so with a cheery "OK". [Of course, I've seen countless commercials for the Clapper over the years, you can buy programmable coffee makers, and you can find inexpensive timers in any hardware store, but you can use this device for a variety of purposes.

Wrestlemania Season is On

No, I'm not moderately interested in this year's event, starting with the first-time women's main event, involving former UFC  champ Ronda Rousey, now the Raw  brand women's champ, facing Smackdown wrestlers surging popular Becky Lynch, a women's Battle Royal victor earning the right to choose her champion opponent, and Charlotte Flair, a former/current Smackdown champion.

CEO Vince McMahon has played the spoiler owner, replacing Lynch with former friend/rival Charlotte Flair and, on the men's side, seeming to screw long-deserving Kofi Kingston out of a championship match slot.

I've long thought the one women's match I wanted to see was Rousey vs. Asuka, an all-but-unbeatable Japanese master technical wrestler who could stand up blow to blow with martial arts expert Rousey. Curiously, recent Smackdown champ Asuka has been totally missing from the emerging Wrestlemania card. And then adding to the mystery is the fact they just  had Asuka job to Charlotte Flair.

This is on top of suddenly turning Rousey heel  The context was Rousey was upset when Lynch was replaced and effectively sacrificed her title in protest. WWE responded by initially putting up Rousey's title for a Lynch vs. Flair battle at an interim PPV. WWE responded by giving Rousey back her belt. The PPV battle was then recast was a way for Lynch to earn her way into a 3-way.

It's not clear why Asuka jobbed the title, but it gives Flair a talking point for unifying the women's title. It also provides an incentive for Asuka to intervene in the match seeking revenge against Flair. And maybe in the process she crosses paths with Rousey and ends up costing Rousey her title, setting up a SummerSlam feud.

I have no way of knowing, but it's only common sense booking to have Asuka intervene in the main event. And I'm all put certain they'll put the Raw title (or Smackdown title) on Lynch.

Among the other stories, I've probably been mostly interested in Kurt Angle's final match at Wrestlemania (actually his farewell tour). WWE hasn't done much with Angle since his return a couple of years back; I was hoping one final title run. Much of that time was spent as the RAW general manager where heel nemesis Baron Corbin made his life miserable. So the farewell tour included some technically gifted and/or former TNA rivals. I would have preferred seeing Angle go out vs. a more gifted athlete than Corbin. I would hope they have Corbin job to Angle.

Tech Recruiters: a Love/Hate Relationship

Ir probably happens to every IT professional, but I routinely get unsolicited job postings. Now I've had over 25 years of full-time Oracle DBA experience. I suspect I've gotten on the bad side of a couple of psychos, one of them an Indian and one in Baltimore. The latter one is annoying because it's usually some  sort of a blue-collar job with zero relevance, like a bus or truck driver, package delivery, etc. The Indian malcontents sent me IT positions, but mostly unrelated to my background. To give an example, I've done my work on Oracle databases but I've often get postings for (Microsoft or Sybase) SQL Server, developer roles. I did one year of SAP Basis DBA work (on an Oracle DB) about 23 years back, and I'll get posts for positions requiring 8 years of recent SAP exposure. If I did one job involving Manugistics or Banner years back, I'll get flooded with relevant listings. I've repeatedly told recruiters I'm particularly interested in returning to Texas, I'm not interested in the Left Coast, Chicago or New England; for the most part, if it's a blue state, I'm not interested. But probably 40% or more are in locations I've specifically ruled out. (Of course, Maryland is a blue state.)

With Indian recruiters, it's gotten so bad to be a form of harassment I wish Google had an option to filter out Indian surnames. I've filtered out literally dozens of domains. It used to be I would patiently explain my non-interest. Don't expect me to respond patiently to unsolicited, irrelevant issues.

I think a lot of Indian recruiters run from the same retarded playbook. Sometimes I'll see an email float in, and my phone will go off a split second later. And almost invariable they want you to do a job skills matrix, want you to compute "best" rate offers for short-term gigs including travel costs, etc. In almost every case, it's not been worth my time and effort. Look, dudes: I'm a PhD with 3 advanced degrees. I've worked at places like Oracle, Coopers and Lybrand, CSC and IBM (I went through multiple rounds of interviews with Oracle twice.)

Still, if I look at the vast majority of recruiters I've been in contact with recently are Indians. In fact, I've worked at a couple of Indian-owned companies. But it's still highly annoying, inefficient. With most American recruiters, we get to a phone screen in 2 or 3 contacts (phone/email). In one telling example, it was more like a dozen emails and 4-5 phone calls (and STILL no closure).

Post #4042 M: Direct Primary Care; Socialism in Africa

Quote of the Day

All big things in this world are done by people 
who are naive and have an idea that is obviously impossible.
Dr. Frank Richards  

Do College Students Understand the Electoral College?

How Socialism Destroyed Africa

Direct Primary Care vs. Government-Regulated Healthcare

Choose Life

Well, dude, stop saying she's hot. Not romantic.

Political Cartoon

Courtesy of Glenn McCoy via FB (YAL)

Musical Interlude: My Favorite Vocalists

Peter Frampton, "I'm in You"

Post #4041 M: Grossly Misleading Progressive Memes; Libertarianism and Post-Modernism

Quote of the Day

There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, 
and that's your own self.
Aldous Huxley 

Economically Illiterate Progressive Memes

The Dysfunctional War on Drugs

I deploy people abusing their liberty, life and health with elective use of recreational drugs. But what's worse is an underground economy where sources and quality aren't transparent and standardized

Libertarianism, Post-Modernism and "Social Justice"

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Political Cartoon

Courtesy of Chip Bok via Townhall

Musical Interlude: My Favorite Vocalists

Peter Frampton, "Do You Feel Like We Do?"

Post #4040 M: New FreedomToon; Ron Paul on the Tragedy of Yemen

Quote of the Day

It's so much easier to suggest solutions 
when you don't know too much about the problem.
Malcolm Forbes  

Is Trump the Most Pro-Life President?

Ron Paul On the Fourth Anniversary of the Yemen Tragedy

Choose Life

Political Cartoon

Musical Interlude: My Favorite Vocalists

Peter Frampton, "Baby, I Love Your Way"

Post #4039 M: Arizona Governor Takes On Occupation Protectionism; Ron Paul on Trump, Russia and Venezuela

Quote of the Day

Never cut what you can untie.
Joseph Joubert  

Arizona Ducey (R-AZ) Takes On Occupational Licensing Reform

Ron Paul on Trump, Russia and Venezuela

Why Intellectuals Are Mostly Leftist

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Political Cartoon

Courtesy of Tom Stiglich via Townhall

Musical Interlude: My Favorite Vocalists

Peter Frampton, "Show Me the Way"

Post #4038 M: Stossel on the Fact Venezuela IS Socialism; Ron Paul on the Green Bad Deal

Quote of the Day

To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides.
David Viscott  

John Stossel: Venezuela IS Socialism

Ron Paul on the Green Bad Deal

Tom Woods on the Mueller Report

Choose Life

Political Cartoon

Courtesy of the original artist via FB (YAL)

Musical Interlude: My Favorite Vocalists

Peter Frampton, "I Can't Stand It No More". I'm starting out of sequence with my favorite Frampton tune.

Post #4037 M: Ron Paul on the Russiagate Hoax

Quote of the Day

At one glance I love you With a thousand hearts.
Mihri Hatun 

Pope Francis' Ring

As a kid I  used to love Hercules cartoons. Hercules got superpowers by wearing his ring: For non-Catholics, we often show our reverence to the Church by kissing a bishop's ring.

Ron Paul on the Russiagate Hoax

The Left Ruins Everything

Favorite Entertainer

Choose Life

Political Cartoon

Courtesy of the original artist via FB (YAL)

Musical Interlude: My Favorite Vocalists

Kelly Clarkson, "Piece By Piece". This concludes my Clarkson retrospective. Next up: Peter Frampton.

Post #4036 M: Barr Summarizes the Mueller Report; Ron Paul on the 2003 Iraq War

Quote of the Day

I love those who yearn for the impossible
 Johann Wolfgang von Goethe  

Barr Summarizes the Mueller Report For Congress

Ron Paul Reviews the Iraq War From 16 Years Ago

Tom Woods on Austrian School Economics and Healthcare

Choose Life

Political Cartoon

Courtesy of Eric Allie via IPI

Musical Interlude: My Favorite Vocalists

Kelly Clarkson, "Heartbeat Song". Probably my favorite Clarkson single.

Post #4035 Social Media Edition

Normally I wouldn't have published this format so quickly after a prior post, but I was motivated by a Facebook non-comment the other day. What does that mean? On more than one occasion, I've left my Facebook page to research a planned comment. (Including my published articles and book chapters, I will often cite supporting material.) I'll return to my Facebook to discover the original post is not available in my interim refreshed feed. Now in most cases, I remember the group publishing the post in question, will go to their homepage and search for post. In this case it was one of several newer, smaller libertarian feeds I've subscribed to, and I wasn't motivated enough to chase down the original post.

Facebook (the unpublished post)

[OP]  (paraphrased). Libertarians often refer to themselves by a number of differing terms, e.g., agorists, objectivists, minarchists, ancaps (anarcho-capitalist), left-libertarian (commonly-held property), right-libertarian, classical liberal, etc.  How do you members of this group classify yourselves?

[I did not go through all responses, but looked to the first few dozens or so and saw a clear plurality of minarchists.]

[In reality, my post would have been pithy. I'm taking the liberty of expanding on my intended comment.]

I'm a minarchist who has alternatively called himself a classical liberal, firmly in the property-rights dominant right-libertarian movement. The term "classical liberal" is distinct from progressive or social liberalism, where the authority of limited government as guarantor of negative rights (protection from infringements of fundamental rights of life, liberty, and property from government and others)  is extended to embrace some form of government-guaranteed socioeconomic egalitarianism. This schism had its origins in the nineteenth century. We classical liberals particularly focuses on economic liberty; one example was the infamous Lochner decision, where NY has implemented a cap on baker hours. (To be honest, SCOTUS decisions were nuanced on economic liberty; for instance, it had earlier upheld restrictions on mining hours.)

Minarchists generally believe in some variation of the night-watchman state, whereby the moral authority of the state/government is its defense of natural rights, e.g., with common defense/police and a court system. A classical liberal approach  has a somewhat expanded view of public institutions and goods (e.g., infrastructure), with more efficient mechanism for dealing with negative externalities, etc.(cf e.g., Epstein).

Still, I draw the line by those who would include Hamilton and Lincoln were classic liberals or even that Trump is a libertarian President. All 3 of those have implemented or argued for protectionist policies, often at the expense of lower-income workers.

Tweets

I gather you are suggesting they can't see the forest for the trees.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 24, 2019

This is disingenuous, irrational wishful thinking. Mueller and members of the investigation could easily refute any material finding. Mueller can still be called to testify before Congress.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 24, 2019

Let's see. Trump imposes economic sanctions on Russia: I gather you see this as a slap on the wrist. Russia claims to have developed supersonic missiles which the US can't defend again. Russia and the US have clashed on Syria. Putin is not having his way with Trump

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 24, 2019

I bet you failed reading comprehension as a kid. Your obstruction of the Mueller investigation is a matter of public record. Mueller specifically said his report did not exonerate you. You've been a corrupt bastard, soiling the Office of the Presidency. VETO TRUMP 2020!

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 24, 2019

No, Trump was not "exonerated". The fact that Trump did everything but fire Mueller (probably because Congress warned him), repeatedly attacking him, shows Mueller acting more professional and Presidential than the thin-skinned bastard. #NoCollusion

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 24, 2019

One of the most preposterous things I've heard from Trump is his pointing to Alexander Hamilton and Lincoln to justify his economically illiterate policies, including protectionism. To be sure, Hamilton and Lincoln were protectionist and wrong on trade, but their policies failed.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 24, 2019

I'm impressed that Mueller ran a tight ship and maintained his professionalism despite Trump's relentless attacks on the "witch hunt". I suspect that the Russian conspiracy leftists will be disappointed, as well as the Trumpkins looking for an exoneration.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 24, 2019

I totally believe Comey's contention that Trump wanted a loyalty oath and wanted him to end an investigation of the Trump campaign. Trump is responsible for his own decisions. If Trump thought Comey's termination would end the investigation, he badly miscalculated.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 24, 2019

As leftists continue to implausibly hope that Mueller has vindicated their attempts to explain away Clinton's upset loss to Trump as "Russian intervention", Trumpkins also seem to be in a state of denial over Trump's missteps, including multiple bad hires.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 24, 2019

Just a reminder that environmentalist Obama took off golfing during the BP Gulf of Mexico oil spillage incident and, unlike Trump, didn't own any golf courses.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 24, 2019

First of all, the US has hypocritically intervened in the internal affairs of other nations, never mind tried to influence. Second, Russia did not elect Trump President; the American people did in a change election year. You Democrats nominated a candidate with high unfavorables.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 24, 2019

I don't see a picture of the Presidency; what I see is a photo of an unaccomplished Empty Suit who doubled the national debt and whose meddling in the economy resulted in the slowest economic recovery in American history.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 24, 2019

It's amusing that the first grown-up tweet of Trump's Presidency is met by obsequious tributes by his gullible minions and similarly predictable outrage of Trump Derangement Syndrome leftists. "Good Morning Mr. President"

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 24, 2019

I'm still wondering about alleged Russian collusion in the 2016 election. Knowing that Clinton had high negatives as a candidate and wanting to support Trump, did the KGB leak debate moderator questions in advance to the Clinton camp?

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 24, 2019

Quote of the Day: Tom Woods' response to the economic-illiterate Green New Deal: "If you like your cow, you can keep her." (i..e., cow farts are thought to exacerbate global warming)

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 24, 2019

I'm utterly shocked that the House Speaker would cling to a totally baseless attack on alleged Russian duplicity in the 2016 election. The reason Trump got elected is because the Dems nominated Clinton, and her support was primarily Left Coast and mid-Atlantic through New England

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 24, 2019

London's mayor says the next POTUS can't be Donald Trump. I want to see the Dems running for President argue against British attempts to influence our elections. We fought early wars against British meddling.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 23, 2019

Trump's attack on GM for closing an Ohio plant is a transparent, manipulative ploy trying to appeal for Ohio's blue collar vote next year. What does Six-Bankruptcy Trump know or care about business models that don't work? This populist bullshit only fools his minions.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 23, 2019

What I don't get is how Trumpkins are so gullible and manipulated by a crude, self-centered plutocrat. Trump associates are facing prison time, he demands loyalty oaths, he pays off porn mistresses, he attacks dead Senators, and yet they stand by him.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 23, 2019

Trump is keeping his promise To Make American Deficits Bigger Again, with February making for the biggest monthly deficit ever. https://t.co/hKc0ob8WJZ

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 23, 2019

Everyone has that crazy old uncle that embarrasses them, but nobody ever elected that crazy old uncle. Until Trump was elected President. Only he uses bad behavior to rally support from his minions. (We libertarians love that megalomaniac Donnie is soiling the Oval Office.)

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 22, 2019

Just a reminder: FDR admired Mussolini. The Republicans never ran on pro-Russian policies. FDR was a soft fascist who implemented several fascist and socialist policies, and that's far worse. https://t.co/uW48G1BgQv

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 22, 2019

As a former professor, I am repulsed by progressive academia's hypocritical, morally corrupt failure to protect the free marketplace of ideas.

However, federal intervention from political whores, including Trump and his executive order, is unnecessary and counterproductive.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 22, 2019

As a NeverTrumper, I hate to admit it, but Trump seems likely to win reelection (without my vote). If you study RCP polls, most of his prospective challengers have, at best, a single-digit lead, and his strongest challenger, Biden, is loathed by the activist left wing.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 22, 2019

When the Left constantly frames its opponents as "racists", I noticed during March Madness coverage today at least 3 of 4 CBS panel commentators were men of color. What's remarkable is no one even notices this type of thing anymore.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 22, 2019

A Reason editor argued against George Conway's assessment of Trump as mentally ill, arguing it excuses Trump's bad behavior. But really, what sane person discusses the size of his manhood in a Presidential debate or feuds with a dead Senator?

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 21, 2019

Cherokee Lizzie's illogical attack on the globally successful crown jewels of our Internet economy is even more economically illiterate than Trump. The real answer to big business is increased competition, and Warren's regulatory regime is Big Business' biggest weapon.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 21, 2019

@crissles
If Joe Biden picked an incompetent like Stacey Abrams as VP, it would contradict his experience argument, similar to how McCain did with his selection of Palin, who unlike Abrams actually was elected governor

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 21, 2019

This is Soft Rock America. Trump would like Brazil in NATO, don't know much about geography. https://t.co/qIhbfckp0a

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 21, 2019

This is Soft Rock America. When Dido heard that Trump wanted thanks for approving John McCain's funeral, she sent out this message: https://t.co/R8LttsPvSl

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 21, 2019

This is Soft Rock America. ZZ Top also wants to thank Trump for approving McCain's funeral: https://t.co/kIC1qdH4EW

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 21, 2019

This is Soft Rock America. Trump feels that he's not been properly thanked for having approved political enemy John McCain's state funeral. With the spirit of John McCain, we send out these thanks: https://t.co/kB6SsPdzaq

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 21, 2019

Trump still thinks McCain's funeral was all about Trump. This sort of narcissism is a cry for professional help. Let's be clear: a future Democratic President will not approve a state funeral for Trump. I would rent the world's smallest violin.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 21, 2019

No. What is an anachronism in the Constitution is the USPS. The concept of the tyranny of the majority is not an anachronism; the Founders fought for independence over a much lighter tax burden than you progressives/fascists have imposed already WITH the electoral college.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 19, 2019

POTUS should represent ALL of the US, not simply the corrupt interests of heavily populated states and cities. This country was founded on individual rights, not mob rights to violate the property/other rights of the minority. "Electoral College"

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 19, 2019

Nope. What the electoral college does is ensure, e.g., that California vote surpluses do not make competitive votes in smaller states irrelevant.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 19, 2019

This country was founded on individual, not collective "rights". You are attempting to rationalize tyranny of the majority and exacerbating factionalism and corrupt special interest coalitions. The founders discussed popular election of the President and rejected it, rightly so.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 19, 2019

Cherokee Lizzie has picked a ludicrous strawman and has demonstrated that she lacks the judgment to be in elective office. White supremacists are on the fringe and irrelevant; progressives would create them to rationalize trite charges of "racism" to their ideological opponents.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 19, 2019

Images

Courtesy of the original artist via FB (YAL)

Courtesy of the original artist via FB (YAL)

Post #4034 M: Tom Woods on Catholics; David Stockman

Quote of the Day

None of us will ever accomplish anything excellent or commanding 
except when he listens to this whisper which is heard by him alone.
Ralph Waldo Emerson  

Tom Woods on Catholic Politics in the Age of Francis

Woods on the Catholic Church Under Francis

Tom Woods and David Stockman

Choose Life

Political Cartoon

Courtesy of Gary Varvel via Townhall

Musical Interlude: My Favorite Vocalists

Kelly Clarkson, "Catch My Breath"

Post #4033 M: Thin-skinned Nunes Sues Twitter; Ron Paul on the Fed--Again

Quote of the Day

Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, 
undergo the fatigues of supporting it.
Thomas Paine  

The Mueller Investigation Finally Concludes

Nunes' Lawsuit Will Fail

Ron Paul on the latest Fed Announcement

Choose Life

Political Cartoon

Courtesy of Michael Ramirez via Townhall

Musical Interlude: My Favorite Vocalists

Kelly Clarkson, "Stronger". Her last #1 (to date).

Post #4032 M: DEAD WRONG: Peak Commodities

Quote of the Day

We know what a person thinks 
not when he tells us what he thinks, but by his actions.
Isaac Bashevis Singer  

DEAD WRONG: Peak Commodities

Trump's Executive Order to Protect Freedom of Speech on Campus

It would seem that a libertarian would embrace Trump's order: who can be against free speech on campus? First, I think it's largely unnecessary. Government-sponsored universities are already compelled to support the Bill of Rights. Second, universities typically pay at least lip service to the concept of academic freedom. They have an implicit incentive to distance themselves from egregious incidents like the recent physical assault of a conservative activist on the Berkeley campus (note that the alleged aggressor has been arrested and charged with a felony).

I simply don't like the notion of politicians from the left or right, including Trump, tying political strings to federal dollars

Georgia State vs First Amendment

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Political Cartoon

Musical Interlude: My Favorite Vocalists

Kelly Clarkson, "Mr Know It All"

Post #4031 M: Remy's Got Alluenflammation; Tom Woods on Court Packing

Quote of the Day

The sign of intelligent people is their ability to control emotions by the application of reason.
Marya Mannes,  

Remy's Back With a Modern Rock Parody

Tom Woods on Packing SCOTUS

Ron Paul on Trump, Brazil & NATO

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Political Cartoon

Courtesy of Michael Ramirez via Townhall

Musical Interlude: My Favorite Vocalists

Kelly Clarkson (with Jason Aldean), "Don't You Wanna Stay?"

Post #4030 M: Stossel on Progressive Academic Fraud; Ron Paul on the Expanding Spy Budget

Quote of the Day

Imagination is more important than knowledge.
Albert Einstein 

Stossel on Progressive Academic Fraud

Ron Paul on the Ever-Expanding Spy Budget

Tom Woods on the Shrinking Index Card of Allowable Libertarian Opinion

Choose Life

Political Cartoon

Courtesy of Mike Lester via Townhall

Musical Interlude: My Favorite Vocalists

Kelly Clarkson, "Already Gone"

Post #4029: Social Media Digest Edition

Twitter

No. What is an anachronism in the Constitution is the USPS. The concept of the tyranny of the majority is not an anachronism; the Founders fought for independence over a much lighter tax burden than you progressives/fascists have imposed already WITH the electoral college.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 19, 2019

POTUS should represent ALL of the US, not simply the corrupt interests of heavily populated states and cities. This country was founded on individual rights, not mob rights to violate the property/other rights of the minority. "Electoral College"

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 19, 2019

Nope. What the electoral college does is ensure, e.g., that California vote surpluses do not make competitive votes in smaller states irrelevant.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 19, 2019

This country was founded on individual, not collective "rights". You are attempting to rationalize tyranny of the majority and exacerbating factionalism and corrupt special interest coalitions. The founders discussed popular election of the President and rejected it, rightly so.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 19, 2019

Cherokee Lizzie has picked a ludicrous strawman and has demonstrated that she lacks the judgment to be in elective office. White supremacists are on the fringe and irrelevant; progressives would create them to rationalize trite charges of "racism" to their ideological opponents.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 19, 2019

Meme of the Day: The IRS. Without theft, who would build the government? pic.twitter.com/XHIPN7e0dE

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 18, 2019

It's St. Patrick's Day. Progressives don't have to wear green; they are already spreading the morally corrupt Politics of Envy.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 18, 2019

Another irrelevant New York politician whose only achievement is being at the right place at the right time when Caroline Kennedy turned down an appointment to fill Hillary Clinton's seat. "Kirsten Gillibrand"

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 17, 2019

Trump's disgraceful attack on the late McCain voting against "repeal & replace" ignores his own economically illiterate position for the latter. Those of us who love liberty were all for repeal, but against replace. Either party's advocacy of federal intervention is nonsense.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 17, 2019

Bashing a dead man behind his back? We want to repeal and replace your election. That'll happen next fall.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 17, 2019

My thoughts and prayers for the Muslim victims and family survivors of the unconscionable massacre in New Zealand. God loves all His children. This assault against religious liberty is an abomination and a threat to all of us who love liberty across the world. Christchurch

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 17, 2019

Look at most companies, like supermarkets, Amazon, etc. They are not catering to the consumption of the upper 1%. If they make money in voluntary transactions which the rest of us find make us better off in exchange (low prices, variety, etc.), why does it matter?

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 16, 2019

The pillage of the 1% reminds me of a clever Maryland lottery spot a few years back. The farmer's wife has just discovered their hen is laying golden eggs. She rushes to tell her husband the great news. She finds him chomping on a chicken leg.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 16, 2019

What corporation spends $3.5T or has run up a $22T, has done it with a gun pointed at your head? And yet leftists are totally oblivious of the corrupt political elite who steals your money and shoves it through a top-heavy, feckless, unaccountable bureaucracy?

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 16, 2019

Ever notice how the leftists target the upper 1%? Never mind the federal government alone spends over $3.5T each year. You could steal all the assets of all the rich people and not balance the budget for one year. Who else would you need to steal from to make up the difference?

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 16, 2019

I just got a letter from my Maryland county board of elections saying that they no longer recognize my Libertarian Party affiliation. Screw the two-party duopoly! I refuse to vote for corrupt political whores!

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 16, 2019

I want the Congress to sue Trump over his rationale of calling the Congress unwillingness to fund his political boondoggle "an emergency". Not even a single jurist on SCOTUS would buy into his bogus rationalization to grow the imperial Presidency.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 14, 2019

BULLSHIT, you unconstitutional Bastard-in-Chief. No, citing law school graduates from Trump University doesn't count. Your stealing money without the consent of the Congress is an abuse of power, an impeachable offense. Resign NOW!

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 14, 2019

How is it that senators need a majority to pass a budget but Trump only needs a minority of votes to steal money without approval of Congress?

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 14, 2019

Well, I was an outspoken Sasse supporter until now. Now I regard him as no better than any of the other political whores in Washington DC. Sasse

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 14, 2019

Gardner sold his personal integrity in the hopes Trump won't primary him. What Trump did is anti-constitutional. There's no going back. I feel sorry for Colorado--having to choose between a parasitic Democrat and a Trumpkin. Vote LP! "Cory Gardner"

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 14, 2019

Don't be a retard! There's nothing "constitutional" or "conservative" over Trump's stealing from the taxpayer against the explicit will of the Congress which holds the power of the purse,

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 14, 2019

Let me guess; this leftist has Lincoln-like delusions of using a lost Senate campaign to launch a bid for the Presidency. Beto

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 14, 2019

No. I agree discrimination is wrong, and its practice by government at any level is unconstitutional. But allowing intervention into the private economy by corrupt political whores, bureaucrats and interest groups is unconstitutional and morally reprehensible. #EqualityAct

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 13, 2019

What kind of a low-life steals a little girl's birthday money? Government scumbag or other parasite? https://t.co/E3VsvK4Bwk

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 13, 2019

Meme of the Day: economic illiterate pic.twitter.com/EcbHtu5Z0E

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 13, 2019

The Trumpkin sycophants, like their fellow "Conservative in Name Only" Sean Hannity, are in a state of denial. No true conservative supports Trump, who has somehow managed to pile up more than $1T of debt in a decent economy. "Paul Ryan"

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 13, 2019

Ryan is simply stating the undeniable truth that Emperor Trump is wearing no clothes. "Paul Ryan"

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 13, 2019

Remember Trump initially tried to primary Speaker Ryan--and failed. Trump is a loser like Obama, who lost both the House and the Senate. He's already halfway there, losing the House. "Paul Ryan"

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 13, 2019

Ryan is simply stating the undeniable truth that Emperor Trump is wearing no clothes. "Paul Ryan"

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 13, 2019

Remember Trump initially tried to primary Speaker Ryan--and failed. Trump is a loser like Obama, who lost both the House and the Senate. He's already halfway there, losing the House. "Paul Ryan"

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 13, 2019

The "Conservatives in Name Only" are trying to scapegoat former running mate Ryan for Romney's 2012 loss. No, the godfather of ObamaCare dug his own grave with his polarizing 47% soundbite and failed to run against Bush/Obama policies. "Paul Ryan"

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 13, 2019

Unlike Minority Leader McCarthy, Ryan is no sycophant. Unlike the Dunce-in-Chief, Ryan actually attempted to do something about unsustainable entitlements and became a lightning rod for parasitic Dems who portrayed him as pushing Grandma off the cliff. "Paul Ryan"

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 13, 2019

Well, an unpopular IL Gov. Blagojevich won reelection; so it's not impossible that Trump could win reelection if Democrats nominate a second loser in a row. But Trump lost the House despite a decent economy, and he's not doing well with independent voters. "Paul Ryan"

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 13, 2019

Let's see. What incompetent Loser-in-Chief is the only President in history who has never come close to a net positive approval?

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 13, 2019

Justin Amash is truly embracing election reform by challenging the existing duopoly to provide more choices. Think the Dems care about true reform? They are still attacking Starbucks' former CEO for going third party in 2020. pic.twitter.com/U0MFxUyOm3

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 12, 2019

This is Soft Rock America. Interest payments to sustain a $22T debt amount to hundreds of billions already crowding out other government spending priorities. What is the Democrats' response to unsustainable fiscal madness? https://t.co/MQK1HyNnpa

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 10, 2019

If government could simply print money to accommodate its ever growing budget, there would be no need for taxes. There used to be a time when GOP Presidents paid down on the debt; Trump refused to run a balanced budget when he had a GOP-controlled House. https://t.co/7w33zGMdwL

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 10, 2019

Just a reminder that Trump's economically counterproductive tariffs cost Americans (not foreign producers) $18B, much of which was given out to farmers whose foreign sales dropped in retaliatory responses to Trump's trade war. https://t.co/H55Hjws2G5

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 10, 2019

The revelation the Pentagon is spending millions of dollars a month on lobster & crab is a moral outrage to the coming generations inheriting a $22T debt. What's their excuse--they don't want service members fighting over crab legs in Chinese buffets?https://t.co/wAr7y3bHhu

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 10, 2019

The bonehead move to implement DST was an initiative of the Democratic Congress and President (Wilson). The hubris that politicians can succeed in energy policy conservation objectives better than the law of supply and demand is damning. #DaylightSavingsTime

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 9, 2019

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