Lee on Sep 04 2008 | Filed under: Domestic Politics, Election 2008, History, Media
John Podhoretz thinks the Palin speech might be among the most dazzling debuts in American political history. I don’t know about that, but I do know it was the most powerful, important, and effective speech by a vice presidential candidate since Nixon’s “Checkers.” John later notes that McCain looked relieved by it all. Again, I [...]
Lee on Aug 06 2008 | Filed under: History, Lee's Page
Video clip of victims of the Terror recounting their experiences at the hands of the secret police. The levity that many exhibit in revisiting the systematic decimation of human dignity they experienced, is the ageless strength of Russia as a nation. The inhuman brutality they describe, is the curse of that great and unfortunate nation’s [...]
Lance on Aug 03 2008 | Filed under: Culture, History, Lance's Page, Religion and theology
The impact of this man on the world is not part of the memory of many today. I’ll be breaking out a few of his books this week in his memory. A true Giant has passed away.
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, whose stubborn, lonely and combative literary struggles gained the force of prophecy as he revealed the [...]
Lance on Aug 03 2008 | Filed under: Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Glenn Greenwald's Carnival of Fisking, History, Lance's Page, Media, Notes on the war
After 9/11 itself, the anthrax attacks were probably the most consequential event of the Bush presidency. One could make a persuasive case that they were actually more consequential.
You could?
The 9/11 attacks were obviously traumatic for the country, but in the absence of the anthrax attacks, 9/11 could easily have been perceived as a single, isolated [...]
Lee on Aug 02 2008 | Filed under: History
Here’s a five part Uncommon Knowledge segment featuring a superb pairing of Christopher Hitchens and Victor Davis Hanson, to discuss the new World War II revisionism led by Pat Buchanan. While it’s an entertaining exercise for a Saturday, I’ll warn you that there’s a certain weakness to the discussion, given that both Hanson and Hitchens [...]
MichaelW on Jun 23 2008 | Filed under: Books, Domestic Politics, Election 2008, History, Libertarianism, MichaelW's Page, Philosophy, social science
Over the weekend I read with fascination William Saletan’s review of the new offering from George Lakoff, “The Political Mind,” and was struck by the remarkable similarities between it and the revolutionary syndicalism espoused during the prior fin de siècle.
In particular, Saletan summarizes Lakoff’s principal idea as the need for progressives to recapture [...]
MichaelW on Jun 03 2008 | Filed under: History, MichaelW's Page, Music
Rock & Roll lost one of it’s brightest and most penetrating stars yesterday, even if one of the least well known. The founder of the jungle beat heard in too many songs to count over the last 50 years succumbed to heart failure at his home in Archer, FL, at the age [...]
Joshua Foust on May 06 2008 | Filed under: Foreign affairs, History
Published first at Registan.net, this is the culmination of some research I’ve been doing into the nature and history of Pashtun tribal militancy. It draws from a mixture of out-of-print ethnocgraphic and geographic surveys, as well as contemporary news accounts, and tries to make the case that much of the turbulence there is really not [...]
Lance on May 01 2008 | Filed under: History, Lance's Page
Let us remember what May Day has really represented RJ Rummell gives us the toll of The Red Plague:
As you can see, the total mid-estimate is about 110,286,000, an incredible total. It is around 65 percent of all democide over the same period, and is about three times greater than all the international and domestic [...]
Lance on Apr 19 2008 | Filed under: History, Lance's Page, Libertarianism
Dale Franks honors the story of how the fight for our Independence began on April 19th, 1775. McQ ponders how we got to where we are today, drawing from the great T Harry Williams, and Jules Crittenden has a roundup of first hand accounts of what took place.
addthis_url = ‘http%3A%2F%2Fasecondhandconjecture.com%2Findex.php%2F2008%2F04%2F19%2Fpatriots-day%2F’;
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Keith_Indy on Feb 27 2008 | Filed under: Domestic Politics, History, Keith's Page, Society
I remember him most for his debates on the Firing Line in the 70’s. His style, full of respect and grace are what I’ll remember him by.
http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=MTE4NGRlOGM1NmYxYjdmNjk1MjliOTE2MTYxOWZkZjc=
I’m devastated to report that our dear friend, mentor, leader, and founder William F. Buckley Jr., died overnight in his study in Stamford, Connecticut.
After year of illness, he [...]
Peg on Feb 23 2008 | Filed under: Foreign affairs, History, Peg's Page, Religion and theology
Please read this, and then pass it on and post it yourself.
We cannot stay silent.
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addthis_title = ‘Do+Not+Stay+Silent’;
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Lance on Feb 19 2008 | Filed under: History, Lance's Page, Libertarianism
As Ron Paul’s more disturbing and radical views are emerging, especially how closely he has associated himself with the Mises Institute, it might behoove those of us who consider ourselves on the libertarian side of things to more closely examine who these radicals are.
Certainly we have to understand we have many areas of agreement, but [...]
Synova on Feb 11 2008 | Filed under: Culture, History, Society, Synova's Page
Or: What I Learned About the World from Reading Historical Romances.
I learned that sometimes people get *more* uptight over time rather than less.
Victorians, according to custom and any number of novels, were concerned with propriety above all. Certain things were not spoken of and certainly the rougher aspects of life were hidden [...]
Lee on Feb 10 2008 | Filed under: History, Lee's Page
Communist documents promoting North Korea, which were seized from Cuban personnel during the invasion of Grenada in 1983. Not your ordinary tourist brochures. Click to enlarge:
photo: Department of Defense
addthis_url = ‘http%3A%2F%2Fasecondhandconjecture.com%2Findex.php%2F2008%2F02%2F10%2Fvisit-the-peoples-paradise%2F’;
addthis_title = ‘Visit+the+People%26%238217%3Bs+Paradise’;
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Peg on Feb 05 2008 | Filed under: Culture, Education, History, Peg's Page
(Cross posted at Whatif?)
George Santayana told us: “Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”
What on earth do you do, though, with those who never learned any history in the first place?
A fifth of British teenagers believe Sir Winston Churchill was a fictional character, while many think Sherlock Holmes, King Arthur [...]
Lee on Feb 05 2008 | Filed under: Culture, Economics, History, Lee's Page
photo: Tal Bright
Thomas Barnett bemoans the grotesque state of economics education in Europe, which often ranges from the anti-capitalist to the simply fatuous. But consider this item he cites:
Great French HS textbook: “Globalization implies subjugation of the world to the market, which constitutes a true cultural danger.”
(Thomas P.M. Barnett)
Somewhat bemused by this, Barnett asks “why [...]
Lance on Jan 24 2008 | Filed under: History, Lance's Page
In the annals of excruciating misery during wartime, few events can compare with what befell Napoleon’s troops during his campaign in Russia. From Strange Maps we see the suffering and tragedy in graphic statistical form. (click image to enlarge)
“The best statistical graphic ever drawn“, is how statistician Edward Tufte described this chart in his [...]
MichaelW on Jan 15 2008 | Filed under: Economics, History, MichaelW's Page
Courtesy of Bookwork Room comes this 1948 classic “Fun and Facts about American Business.” It’s a cartoon short that portrays the birth of an entrepreneur, and how bringing his idea to fruition through hard work pays off not just for him, but also for his local community, and anywhere else his business expands to, [...]
Lance on Jan 14 2008 | Filed under: Books, Developmental economics, Economics, History, Lance's Page
(Cross posted at Risk and Return)
Cafe Hayek fans take note, it is finally out. Short review from Tyler Cowen:
This is the best popular book explaining the benefits of international trade. Imagine Bastiat for 2008, or a Cajun updating of Henry George’s Protection or Free Trade. Sadly it is expensive but I’d sooner give [...]
Lee on Jan 13 2008 | Filed under: Foreign affairs, History, Lee's Page, Uncategorized
With the red stars back on the MiGs, criticism of the government illegal and dissident arrests again in fashion, Soviet reversion is all the rage in Russia. Jim Hill revealed a couple of days ago that apparently Disney is in for the show, having dusted off old plans for a Soviet pavilion at Epcot Center [...]
Lee on Jan 12 2008 | Filed under: Foreign affairs, History, Lee's Page, Uncategorized
(photo: Michael Deeble)
With heavy rains flooding Southern Africa and displacing thousands, surely saving graces must be found in parched and dying Swaziland, a country long thirsting for a drop of rain. But somewhat typically, that oppressed country’s autocrat King Mswati III, has taken the event of the rain for more than it is, and in [...]
Lance on Jan 08 2008 | Filed under: Books, Culture, Domestic Politics, History, Lance's Page
Echoing a wonderful discussion we had in the fall of 2006 on the nature of Fascism (see here, here and here) Jonah Goldberg writes a book which bristles at the use of the term by the contemporary left. I would really be interested in picking that discussion back up. So anybody interested, please read the [...]
MichaelW on Dec 26 2007 | Filed under: Culture, History, MichaelW's Page, Religion and theology, Society
Jon Henke posts an interesting history lesson concerning the origins of the well-known abbreviation for Christmas:
Growing up, I sometimes heard - in church and from various religious scolds - that XMas was a secular attempt to “take Christ out of Christmas”, rather than, say, an attempt to save valuable space on signs.
Jon then links to [...]
MichaelW on Dec 15 2007 | Filed under: Culture, History, Humor, MichaelW's Page
The linked post is a couple of months old, but the thoughts are yours to treasure for a lifetime.
Remembering the ’70’s:
Last weekend I put an exhaust fan in the ceiling for my wife’s grandfather. After a bunch of hours spent in The Hottest Attic In The Universe, he had a ceiling fan that [...]
Lance on Dec 05 2007 | Filed under: Culture, History, Lance's Page, Law, Libertarianism, Society
For information on Repeal Day you can visit www.repealday.org:
The turn of the twentieth century was a dark time in America. The Women’s Christian Temperance Union, which had been promoting Prohibition for many years, believed alcohol was the cause of many, if not all, social ills. Mistruths like this were spread. Lines were drawn. Bars [...]
Lance on Nov 21 2007 | Filed under: Culture, Domestic Politics, Election 2008, History, Lance's Page, Race
I don’t think Ron Paul is a racist, or rather I don’t claim to have any evidence he is, and that is enough to hold from suggesting he is. However, his view of racism and its history is rather bizarre and, dare I say it, wholly focused on “right wing” critiques of racial thinking in [...]
MichaelW on Nov 09 2007 | Filed under: Foreign affairs, History, MichaelW's Page
Newly elected French President Nicolas Sarkozy just completed a diplomacy visit with President Bush to much critical acclaim. As part of his playing host, Bush escorted Sarkozy to Mt. Vernon, the estate of Pres. George Washington, which is located about 20 minutes south of D.C., right at the end of the GW Parkway. [...]
MichaelW on Nov 08 2007 | Filed under: Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, History, Media, MichaelW's Page, Military Matters, Notes on the war
Michael Yon captures a moment on film that in a world with a meritocratic media would surely garner a Pulitzer:
A Muslim man had invited the American soldiers from “Chosen” Company 2-12 Infantry to the church, where I videotaped as Muslims and Christians worked and rejoiced at the reopening of St John’s, an occasion all [...]
Keith_Indy on Oct 23 2007 | Filed under: Culture, Economics, Education, History, Keith's Page, Religion and theology, Society, Technology
Sometimes information like this makes me sit back and think “whoa” (sounding to much like neo in the matrix.) Not only is this a small world (which we often forget,) but it is becoming an exponentially complex and interconnected one.
glumbert - Shift Happens
The Singularity is Near.
Heck, I read sci-fi, and try to keep up [...]
MichaelW on Oct 11 2007 | Filed under: Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, History, Hugo Chavez, Media, MichaelW's Page
It is a sad commentary upon the state of the world that anniversary of a bloodthirsty tyrant’s death is celebrated around the world, and here in the United States, not with glee that his anti-freedom rampage was cut short, but with mourn for the loss.
“I halt in my daily combat to bow my head, with [...]
Joshua Foust on Oct 10 2007 | Filed under: Domestic Politics, Economics, Foreign affairs, History, Law, Military Matters, Notes on the war, Technology, regulation
Cross-posted on The Conjecturer.
Defense & The War
Dear God. The USAF thinks it will win counterinsurgencies by copying the Viet Cong? These guys are almost as bad as the PMFs. In a must-read analysis, Abu Muqawama concludes, “This, America, is your uniformed military leadership. Be proud.” Oh I am.
“The reliable replacement warhead is a symptom.” [...]
Joshua Foust on Oct 08 2007 | Filed under: Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, History, Military Matters, Notes on the war, Technology, social science
Cross-posted on The Conjecturer.
Defense & The War
Finally, after years of occupying their country, we’ve liberated Iraq from the burden of living in fear for collaborating with us.
P.W. Singer (again) on the devil’s bargain of PMCs. I like how he wonders how a force can be cost effective when it’s more expensive and so detrimental to [...]
MichaelW on Oct 02 2007 | Filed under: Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, History, MichaelW's Page, Notes on the war
This is good news (via Insty):
The U.S. military is eliminating Al Qaida’s chain of command in Iraq.
Officials said several leading aides to Al Qaida network chief Abu Ayoub Al Masri have been killed by the U.S.-led coalition. They said two out of the four foreign aides of Al Masri remain alive.
On Sept. 25, the U.S. [...]
Joshua Foust on Sep 19 2007 | Filed under: Developmental economics, Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, History, Military Matters, Notes on the war
Three kinds of busy over at The Conjecturer.
Good News
I was ambushed by the Anonymous Lobbyist of Wonkette fame, and asked a lot of questions about Central Asia for Jezebel, a sister publication in the Gawker blog family. The result? A creatively-edited and mildly schizophrenic interview about the issues surrounding the region. Neat!
Defense & The War
Yes, [...]
MichaelW on Sep 09 2007 | Filed under: Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, History, MichaelW's Page, Notes on the war
Glenn Reynolds points to some interesting remarks regarding a plan for US withdrawal from Iraq:
In a report to be released Sunday, a panel of experts assembled by the U.S. Institute of Peace calls for a 50 percent reduction in U.S. forces in Iraq within three years and a total withdrawal and handover of security to [...]
MichaelW on Aug 31 2007 | Filed under: Domestic Politics, Economics, History, Investing, Libertarianism, MichaelW's Page
Does the blogosphere make history more relevant? Is it possible that Santayana’s famous admonishment is made less likely by bloggers routinely wielding history as a foil to those arguments favoring actions proven desultory in the past? And that’s not to mention how blogs go about correcting historical inaccuracies trotted out by our betters. [...]
Lance on Aug 30 2007 | Filed under: History, Lance's Page, Law, Media
So, when you spend a great deal of time touting your authority based on the unique advantages of editors, the question must be asked, who reviews the views and claims of the editors? From the editorial board of the New York Times we get this rather startling new information on our Constitution:
It is an eminently [...]
Lance on Aug 24 2007 | Filed under: Economics, History, Lance's Page, Law, Libertarianism
We may have been closer than we think in 1935, though Nate Oman believes the threat would have receded in the light of political reality. Whatever the case, the discussion of the case of Schechter Poultry Corp. v. United States is well worth reading in understanding legislatively what we came close to passing, [...]
MichaelW on Aug 23 2007 | Filed under: Developmental economics, Economics, History, MichaelW's Page, social science
Is it possible that a proclivity for capitalism is genetic, and therefore hereditary? At first blush the idea seems preposterous. How can an idea be hereditary? And how can capitalism, which rewards innovation, risk-taking, and creativity, no matter who you are or where you come from be an inherited trait? Well [...]
Lance on Aug 21 2007 | Filed under: Economics, History, Lance's Page
To sum it up he gives us this:
In all likelihood, then, Western Europe could have pulled through without the Marshall Plan. But it certainly could not have pulled through without the United States. At the time that Marshall made his speech in Harvard Yard, no one could be sure that all would turn out for [...]
Lance on Aug 20 2007 | Filed under: Domestic Politics, History, Lance's Page, Law, Libertarianism, Notes on the war
Instapundit today revisits a theme I have touched on a few times over the last year. I have maintained a pretty standard reply to claims about the awfulness of this administration. When I hear about how incompetent, dangerous, uninterested in civil liberties, uncaring about how we treat our enemies or any number of what I [...]
Lance on Jul 20 2007 | Filed under: Domestic Politics, History, Lance's Page
Senator and former presidential flop John Kerry astounds us with his ability for self deception. From Don Surber I find this:
Breitbart TV has video of Democratic Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts telling a whopper on C-Span.
Sen. John Kerry said during a C-Span appearance that fears of a bloodbath after the US [...]
Keith_Indy on Jun 22 2007 | Filed under: Domestic Politics, History, Keith's Page
Yep, there were valid reasons for investigating the CIA in the 70’s. I think the direction the agency went after those investigations and the resulting oversight and laws put on them, was overly reliant on technology, and less on getting eyes, ears and brains on the ground where they could learn about what was [...]
MichaelW on Jun 20 2007 | Filed under: Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, History, Media, MichaelW's Page
Probably the most confounding thing about the majority of modern journalists is their unsupportable claim to objectivity. They hold themselves out as above the fray, elusively detached from the world around them except as impartial observers designated to convey the “facts.” Writers’ determination to be uninvolved with the subjects of their stories and to [...]
MichaelW on Jun 18 2007 | Filed under: Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, History, Media, MichaelW's Page, Military Matters, Notes on the war
Is it really any mystery? The Senate Majority Leader is nothing more than a partisan hack who is solely interested in keeping power firmly in the hands of the Democrats. (Supposedly for the wonderful perks.) He is the spearhead for no real legislative issues or causes to speak of, and does not seem [...]
Keith_Indy on Jun 06 2007 | Filed under: History, Keith's Page, Military Matters
Today is the 63rd anniversary of the D-Day landings.
I can’t image what it was like. I’m sure the opening scenes of “Saving Private Ryan” comes as close as any film can. I remember seeing WWII vets at the theater, some of them, like me, with tears in their eyes. The sacrifice to [...]
MichaelW on May 24 2007 | Filed under: Domestic Politics, History, Media, MichaelW's Page, Notes on the war
One of the aspects of blogging and commenting on political topics that I find quite overwhelming sometimes is tackling the vast amounts of disinformation and false premises that form the basis of a good number of arguments. It gets tiring having to continuously find the links to the same real sources, or to once [...]
Lance on May 14 2007 | Filed under: History, Lance's Page, Libertarianism
Hat tip Club for Growth via The Liberty Papers:
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addthis_title = ‘A+Tribute+to+Communism’;
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Lance on May 10 2007 | Filed under: Domestic Politics, History, Lance's Page, Media
Edit note: In writing this I seem to have lost some edits, which when I recreated the post I left off. First, I neglected to re-link to the Cheerful Iconoclasts nice post on Edwards and also left off some tempering language and a whole key paragraph was left off. I have put some of that [...]
