Category Archives: politics

Dear SFPD

Next time you protect me from a harmless druggie, could you not step on my foot?

Posted in California, drugwar | 1 Comment

I still haven’t been carded but

Once upon a time, one saw signs at liquor stores and the like that said “If you’re lucky enough to look 26 or younger, please be prepared to show proof of age.” (Or maybe it was 24.) Over the years … Continue reading

Posted in drugwar | Leave a comment

libertarian realism

Eric Raymond argues in favor of the war. Or rather, he argues in favor of some ideal war that will crush Islamic dreams of worldwide empire. What’s missing is any defense of the war actually in progress. I like Russ … Continue reading

Posted in militaria | Leave a comment

backfire

Over in Volokhia, Jim Lindgren (cited by Tom W Bell) points out a presumably unintended consequence of the atrocious Kelo decision: if commercial activity is “public use”, then it’s not taxable. Hee hee.

Posted in tax+privacy | Leave a comment

QotD

“I think the world has been run long enough by well-meaning professionals. We might give the amateurs a chance now.” —Carol Fisher in Hitchcock’s Foreign Correspondent (1940)

Posted in cinema, politics | Leave a comment

That all you got, punk?

Dean Ing’s first novel Soft Targets (1979) suggested that against terrorists the most effective weapon is mockery. Since the London bombs I’ve seen hints of such an approach. Arthur Silber (2006: that link is gone bad, here’s another) gets in … Continue reading

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nothing to hide

“Lady Liberty” says it well: So rest peacefully in your assumption that none of the invasive new laws or procedures applies to you because you don’t have anything to hide. You’ll be just fine as long as the police never … Continue reading

Posted in security theater | Leave a comment