Monthly Archives: August 2006

Socialized Medicine

Quoting the Telegraph, Radley Balko (h/t Kingdom of Idiots) highlights some recent reports from the UK on waiting times for care that underscore the travails of government-run healthcare. Hospitals across the country are imposing minimum waiting times – delaying the … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Economics, MichaelW's Page | 12 Comments

More Gridiron madness

Picking up where I left off last column, I’ll give you my take on 8 more NFL teams. New York (Jets): Like the new coach. He’s dangerous and unpredictable. Kind of like Jon Gruden was when he first came to … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, The Poet Omar's Page | 1 Comment

Smart. Really Smart.

I’ve looked into the future, gentle readers.  Being the generous soul that I am, I am prepared to share with you what I have seen.  Behold: http://www.smartusa.com/ Yes, I know it is still a year or two away from release on … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, Environment, The Poet Omar's Page | 15 Comments

San Francisco Eradicates Aliens!

Eric Scheie (seemingly) vents his spleen at George Greene who introduced the horribly invasive alien plants, the eucalyptus tree and “Holland Grass” Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Economics, Environment, MichaelW's Page | 5 Comments

Blog Spotlight

A blog that I found only a few weeks ago continues to interest me, The Conjecturer. Okay, maybe it is just the name, which would explain why I keep wandering over to Matt McIntosh’s Conjectures and Refutations despite his infrequent … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Lance's Page | 2 Comments

Smither For Congress

Native-born Houstonian, Dale Franks, provides a few good reasons to cast your vote for Bob Smither TX-CD22 this November: So, take a look at Bob Smither, Republicans. He’s already on the ballot. He has promised to caucus with the Republicans, … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, MichaelW's Page | Leave a comment

Den Beste Writes. You Read.

Per Instapundit, reknowned old school blogger Steven den Beste has guest-posted at Chicago Boyz about “Disproportionate Response”: During the recent war in southern Lebanon, one of the many complaints leveled at Israel was that its response was “disproportionate”. Care to … Continue reading

Posted in Foreign affairs, MichaelW's Page | 3 Comments

Maryland Man Chosen To Blow Up Bridge

Not as a terrorist act, though. Instead he won a contest as to who has the worst commute over the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, a part of Washington, D.C.’s infamous Beltway: Now, here’s your chance – to bring the end to … Continue reading

Posted in MichaelW's Page, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

NEWSFLASH: Greenwald Does Not Get Sarcasm

In what I am sure will come as no surprise to most of you, Glenn Greenwald takes John Hinderaker and Charles Johnson to task for their respective sarcastic remarks concerning alleged attacks on journalists in the field. (h/t Who else?). … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, MichaelW's Page | 89 Comments

Mr. Smither goes to Washington

Update:This will be kept near the top of the blog. Scroll down for new content. After the surprising and encouraging interest we recieved last week when we asked if those of us looking for a smaller government should support Bob … Continue reading

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Tehran Delende Est!

As Iran, perennial instigator in the Middle East, contemptuously seeks to create a new Persian Empire, it’s arch-nemesis, Israel, has not-too quietly announced that it will be up to any challenge. With the purchase of two more German-made Dolphin submarines … Continue reading

Posted in Foreign affairs, MichaelW's Page | 14 Comments

Gridiron Updates and Predictions

Ah, with the pre-season almost over, it’s time to get serious about football.  So, gentle readers, I shall save you the vast amount of time, effort, and research required to keep at the leading edge of football news and give … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, The Poet Omar's Page | 4 Comments

Bob Smither Debate

UPDATED (x2) Libertarian candidate Bob Smither, vying for the U.S. Representative seat recently vacated by Tom DeLay, debated his two major opponents a couple of days ago (h/t Austin Cassidy): TEXAS CITY — For a first-time event, the Texas City-La … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, MichaelW's Page | Leave a comment

Friday Islam QandA

Happy Friday, gentle readers!  It’s time again for my weekly Questions and Answers session covering the beliefs and practices of Islam.  Feel free to jump in and ask any questions you’d like about Islam or Muslims.  The only rule, as … Continue reading

Posted in Religion and theology, The Poet Omar's Page | 7 Comments

Henke the Kingmaker?

Captain Ed and Xrlq are suggesting that the Allen campaign, which is looking for a blogger, consider hiring Jon Henke. Somehow I don’t see Jon as interested, but power to him if he wants to cash in. However, if that … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Lance's Page, Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Inactivist

(Listening notes: Robby and I watched X’s documentary, The Unheard Music. So tonight it is X’s Under the Big Black Sun) A while back I mentioned Jon Henke’s latest project, Inactivist. There is a lot going on over there, Mona … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Lance's Page, Uncategorized | 10 Comments

Al Jazeera and the Washington Post, fighting together for good journalism the world over

In understanding our present predicament vis a vis the Muslim world, as I have pointed out before, it is important to understand who our enemies are and what they believe. David Ignatius interviewed Ahmed Sheikh, editor in chief of Al … Continue reading

Posted in Foreign affairs, Lance's Page, Religion and theology | 8 Comments

Doha Debacle

With the close of the Doha Round, many see an end to free trade period, with a healthy portion of the blame going to Pres. Bush: The Bush administration has been quick to point fingers at Europe, India, and Brazil, … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Economics, Foreign affairs, MichaelW's Page | Leave a comment

On Taxes

After reading about a section of the IRS Code being struck down as unconstitutional (h/t Insty), I got to thinking about taxes in general and my fairly weak objection to them. At least weak for a libertarianish creature. You can … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, MichaelW's Page | Leave a comment

The Netherlands

I have a question. The vast majority of our traffic comes from the US, but we have a decent amount of traffic from other nations. There is an anomaly however. In a trend that has been true since our first … Continue reading

Posted in Lance's Page, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Armageddon Watch, for Romania?

Michael Totten is waiting to see if Ahmadinajead is going to unleash the dogs of war upon the world over at the Daily Dish. So far it seems he must have been alluding to Romanian oil rigs. [tags] Ahmadinajead, Iran, … Continue reading

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No Friends but the Mountains?

There is a great deal of discussion; amongst supporters, chastened hawks and ongoing opponents; of the US and its ally’s project in Iraq and what to do next. McQ has been posting up a storm on the issue and how … Continue reading

Posted in Foreign affairs, Lance's Page | 12 Comments

What Inquiring Minds Want to Know

Tyler Cowen over at Marginal Revolution had a reader ask him which philosophers he would recommend she should read. The discussion was interesting; I decided a good starting point would be Hayek, Popper, Quine and Hume. I also suggested Plato … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, Domestic Politics, Economics, Foreign affairs, Investing, Lance's Page, Religion and theology, Uncategorized | 11 Comments

Cherokee people; Cherokee tribe?

As someone who has absolutely no Native American ancestry (none, nada, zip, zilch, not even a great great uncle thrice removed), I’m constantly amazed by how many people I know who claim at least some distant American Indian ancestry. Part … Continue reading

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The Right Wing New York Times

I don’t know who the joke is really on, but this is too funny too believe. Pogue is certainly jealous. I should give a hit tip to Jon Henke by the way. [tags] New York Times, Right Wing[/tags]

Posted in Culture, Domestic Politics, Lance's Page, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

ACLU, et al. v. NSA – The Taylor Opinion

Judge Anna Diggs Taylor issued an opinion and order granting an injunction against the NSA warrentless surveillance program on Thursday, thereby closing off the first round of legal wrangling regarding the program. Her opinion has not been well received by … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, MichaelW's Page | 5 Comments

With Friends Like These

From Forbes on Andrew Young and more from the New York Times: In an interview with Thursday’s Los Angeles Sentinel, he defended the charge that Wal-Mart runs mom-and-pop stores out of business saying “those are the people who have been … Continue reading

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Property Rights

I know most of you who come by here care about property rights, and I want you to know Pogue Mahone does too. Of course Pogue covers the topic in the grand, twisted Pogue Mahone style. A giant cross, a … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, Domestic Politics, Lance's Page, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Friday Islam QandA

Alright, gentle readers, it’s time for my usual Friday Question and Answer session regarding Islam, Muslims, and our beliefs.  The only ground rule is that I don’t want highly specific questions, such as “Well, sura xyz says …” or “The … Continue reading

Posted in Religion and theology, The Poet Omar's Page | 15 Comments

Islam and Women

Ah yes, the elephant in the room. Or so we’ve been led to believe by the MSM and certain Christian fundamentalists (what strange bedfellows they make, huh?). Their argument essentially boils down to the idea that there is a massive … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, Foreign affairs, Religion and theology, The Poet Omar's Page | 78 Comments

Dems in disguise

So, remind me again why the Communist Party, USA actually exists anymore?  From what I’ve read on their official website, they seem like Democrats who like to wear red.  For example, examine this report to the National Committee of the … Continue reading

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Should Libertarians pull a Lamont?

***Our first Instalanche! Please take a while to look around. We have been discussing Islam, the purge talk that Glenn has been discussing, libertarians and war, Washington’s farewell address, Music and much more. You can find the categories on the … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Lance's Page | 19 Comments

The Irascible Gordon Tullock

I love Marginal Revolution. Alex is telling tales of Gordon Tullock’s insults. My favorite: “Gordon,” I asked, “do you think we should ban child labor?” “No, keep working.” I know, I am a major geek.

Posted in Economics, Lance's Page | Leave a comment

Do cap weighted index funds profit from the Efficient Market Hypothesis?

(Listening notes: Veruca Salt- I watched Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory tonight. Just me, no kids, I don’t want to hear any snickering from you people;) Economist: That looks like a $20 bill lying on the ground over there. … Continue reading

Posted in Economics, Investing, Lance's Page | 11 Comments

The Star Spangled Banner

Appreciating what happened in the past is a difficult thing. It takes a conscious effort to understand the artistry behind the creating of things and experiences that now are done so easily with technology. The artistry can still be appreciated, … Continue reading

Posted in Lance's Page, Music | 3 Comments

Would a rose by any other name be so sweet?

After all the commentary about who is and isn’t a libertarian Jon Henke over at Inactivist ponders whether a new term might be useful: The pursuit of liberty within US politics is actually harmed by usage of the term “libertarian”. … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Lance's Page | 10 Comments

Libertarians and the War Question: Hayeks revenge

Libertarians are characterized by a commitment to limited government and a clear-eyed devotion to empiricism, facts and the boundaries of human knowledge and planning. So says Mona over at Inactivist, Jon Henke’s interesting new project (and by the way, what … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Lance's Page | 10 Comments

“Libertarianism” According To Gospel

I regard myself as a libertarian. But I think the term classical liberal is also equally applicable. I don’t really care very much what I’m called. I’m much more interested in having people thinking about the ideas, rather than the … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, MichaelW's Page | 2 Comments

Let’s Not Talk About Bombs: X’s Marriage Songs

(Second installment in the Great Lyrics Series) I agree with Paul McCartney. There is nothing wrong with a silly love song, a perfectly useful thing to have around. A love song amplifies the feeling when you are in love and … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, Great Lyrics Series, Music, Robby's Page | 4 Comments

Now I am Pissed

Many of you who come by our little corner of the blogosphere are already aware of a certain flamboyant, cantankerous, master of the bon mot, pissed off, Irishman who goes by the name of Pogue Mahone as he sashays in … Continue reading

Posted in Lance's Page, Uncategorized | 5 Comments

Cool cities

No, I’m not talking about the avant-garde of the cultural movement or even the most wired cities in America.  This is a new program set-up by the Sierra Club to help reduce dependence on non-renewable energy at the local level.  … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, The Poet Omar's Page | 1 Comment

And now for something completely different

Rejoice O Ye of BBC fandom.  Guess what’s returning to US television screens on September 29?  http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=2&id=37456 Plus on the other side of the Atlantic, filming has just wrapped on the second Christmas special and they’ve started up on Season … Continue reading

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Our Potential Muslim Ally

Glenn Reynolds makes a good point that fits with what we have been discussing In my previous post. It’s also worth noting, though, that a tip from a worried British Muslim played an important role, which is why measures that … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Lance's Page | 2 Comments

Islam Q and A

It is time once again for Omar’s Friday Qand A on Islam. Omar is trying to open up the floor, so to speak, to questions from the audience regarding Islam or Muslims in general. Omar doesn’t want heavily detailed questions … Continue reading

Posted in Religion and theology, The Poet Omar's Page, Uncategorized | 13 Comments

Approaching Islam

One of the reasons I was excited about Omar and Michael’s request to join me here was the opportunity to engage in a reasonable dialogue about Islam. So far I think we have succeeded. One thing tough struck me. Jason … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Lance's Page, Religion and theology | 57 Comments

Where The Buffalo Roam

Over at “Where the Buffalo Roam,” a quirky little blog located at Peter Jacksons Liberal Capitalist Party website where a strange group assorted characters occasionally post, a really strange and wonderful character, Peter’s wife, has posted an entertaining reflection on … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, Lance's Page, Religion and theology | 2 Comments

Life without Tags

Paul Tagliabue’s successor has finally been announced.   http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/wcStory?contentId=5856546&FSO1&ATT=HMA Actually, I’m not terribly surprised.  Roger Goodell was on the fast-track to take over when Tags stepped down.  My question is will he build upon the successes that Tags created or will … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, The Poet Omar's Page | 5 Comments

The Coming Dawn of Tyranny

Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add ‘within the limits of the law’ because law is often but the tyrant’s will, and always … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, MichaelW's Page, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Arthur Lee and Love

There are a few bands over the last 40 years or so that have achieved limited commercial success but enormous influence on other bands. Two good examples are The Velvet Underground and Alex Chilton with Big Star. This week one … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, Lance's Page, Music | 4 Comments

Endless Love

I am sure most have seen this, but if not, I suggest a little time exploring the “special” nature of Bush and Blair’s relationship. I should give a hat tip to my wife. She is a teacher, and one thing … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, Foreign affairs, Lance's Page | Leave a comment