Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Today's Heroes: John Stark

Today, August 28, in 1728, John Stark was born.  He was the Hero of Bennington, because he knew the limitations of untrained militia at the crucial Battle of Bennington.  If you have seen a license plate from his home state of New Hampshire you might recognize his saying, "Live free or die: Death is not the worst of evils."  When a teenager, forced to run the gauntlet by an Indian band, he seized the club of the first Indian and fought so fiercely he was made honorary chief.  Teenagers should Do Hard Things.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Of Interest 2013-08-21 (Mendacity for Power XV)

Academe is the Klu Klux Klan when Academe turns people (like George Zimmerman) into racists. People form Klu Klux Klans for power, often mendaciously.  The Academe did this, mendaciously, in some cases, to scam people into granting them moral authority, but mostly I suspect it was mendacity in support of wishful thinking. In this case the wishful thought was, "I am righteous." That is Klan all the way. Academe is often very like the Pharisies and Puritans in a bad way, and seldom like them in a good way.

I have good reasons for my strong dislike of American colleges and universities.

Monday, August 19, 2013

Friday, August 16, 2013

2013-08-16 (Freedom Vs. Intellectual Property II)

In the first case study in their book Boldrin and Levine point out that Watt's patent on his steam engine prevented innovation until it expired. Boldrin and Levine: Against Intellectual Monopoly.

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Thought of the Day: Money Is A Tool

Without money we'd all be poor. A convenient, storage medium of exchange is the basis of the many wonderful experiences we have that other animals can't. Money is merely technology - a tool. Good tools are what the tool using animal uses to create wealth.

Of Interest 2013-08-11 (Mendacity for Power XIII)

Our government run schools are being raided for cash by corrupt politicians. Mendacity for power - to steal. It's time to separate school and state.

Sunday, August 04, 2013

Of Interest 2013-08-04 (Mendacity for Power XI)

The Democratic Party and the Republican Party, in bipartisan fashion, are all about power.  Since they are political parties, that's OK. In the letter dissected at the link the Democrats lie to their supporters to drum up some cash. They lie about Paul Ryan being in hiding. They lie about his budget, calling it full of "crippling and indiscriminate cuts". In truth, it just cuts the rate of increase. A careful liar adds some truth. It correctly points out that the Republicans do want to defund Obamacare. But they then go back to mendacity by acting like they aren't the party of the rich (as are the Republicans - it's another bipartisan initiative).

All this mendacity for cash, votes and power.

Saturday, August 03, 2013

Of Interest 2013-08-03 (What Romney Did Wrong)

The Republican establishment needs to learn this stuff.  I myself may have to buy this short e-book by Gabe Schoenfeld: A Bad Day on the Romney Campaign

First Interview: A Few Minutes with Gabriel Schoenfeld

Second Interview: A Few More Minutes with Gabe Schoenfeld

We needed Romney to be a leader.  We got a public relations manager.

Friday, August 02, 2013

Thursday, August 01, 2013

Of Interest 2013-08-01 (Mendacity for Power IX)

Right now, because they want the power to take away guns and to fire up those they agree with for other political ends people are mendaciously quoting juror B29 that Zimmerman got away with murder without noting the following:
Asked if the case should have gone to trial, Maddy responded "I don't think so." She added, "I felt like this was a publicity stunt. This whole court service thing to me was publicity."