Archive for “November of 2006”

Final Thoughts (for now) on Morality & Paramilitary Raids

November 29, 2006

Introduction

[edited to fix broken links and to clarify some vague vocabulary - 10.17am, Nov. 30.]
Earlier this week, I wrote a short series of long posts (here and here) regarding morality, self-defense, and warrant-authorized home invasion, in response to a recent incident in which a really old lady was gunned down after exchanging fire with law-enforcement […]

Continue reading “Final Thoughts (for now) on Morality & Paramilitary Raids” »

Posted in: Potpourri | Be the First to Comment

Rights & Paramilitary Raids, Part 2

November 27, 2006

Over at A Stich in Haste, Kip responds to my earlier post (on Rights & Paramilitary Raids), and says not to get angry at the cops in these SWAT-gone-wrong situations. Specifically he says, the agents of the government are “just doing their job[s].”
In a nutshell, this defense didn’t work in Nüremburg, and it shouldn’t […]

Continue reading “Rights & Paramilitary Raids, Part 2” »

Posted in: Potpourri | 2 Comments

Rights & Paramilitary Raids

November 26, 2006

I’m not a fan of the paramilitary-style police raids that are increasingly being used against non-violent offenders and their mistaken neighbors. It creates hostility, panic, fear, and irrationality in a situation that could otherwise be diffused rather quietly. These tactics present ripe opportunities for criminals to mimic police tactics and terrorize law-abiding citizens. […]

Continue reading “Rights & Paramilitary Raids” »

Posted in: Potpourri | 2 Comments

Regarding Conscription and Compulsory non-Military Service

November 26, 2006

Pardon me for my extreme tardiness with regard to this issue:
In light of Sen. Rangell’s draft proposal, a commenter on Matt’s blog asks about the economic impact of the draft:
I think it was Milton Friedman, who while objecting to the draft, brought up the case for someone like Muhummad Ali, a consciencious objector who happened […]

Continue reading “Regarding Conscription and Compulsory non-Military Service” »

Posted in: Potpourri | Be the First to Comment

Meijer: Lower (than Wal*Mart’s) Prices

November 20, 2006

In response to Wal-Mart’s plans to sell 42-inch flat-panel TVs for $1,200, I applauded the discount retailer for making the world a more affordable, if not better place.
I have no idea whether Meijer’s post-Thanksgiving doorbuster (selling 42-inch TVs for $499) is a response to Wal-Mart’s always low prices; but it doesn’t really matter.
How anyone, […]

Continue reading “Meijer: Lower (than Wal*Mart’s) Prices” »

Posted in: Potpourri | Be the First to Comment

Spare the Rod — Punish the Parents?

November 20, 2006

That’s some battle-cry.
The Detroit Free Press reports that the city of Royal Oak (MI) is “expected to pass an ordinance tonight that would give police the power to ticket parents whose children misbehave,” and that the ordinance would cover everything from truancy to curfew violations to drug-crimes.
I fail to see how this […]

Continue reading “Spare the Rod — Punish the Parents?” »

Posted in: Potpourri | Be the First to Comment

Capitalism & Friedman

November 16, 2006

One of the greatest economists of the latter half of the 20th Century has passed.
Milton Friedman will be remembered among free-market, small-government advocates, always and everywhere. I have in mind a specific quote which, if memory serves me right, is from Friedman, but perusing the pages of Capitalism & Freedom has not helped me […]

Continue reading “Capitalism & Friedman” »

Posted in: Potpourri | Be the First to Comment