Read this fantastically prescient argument from Aristotle in which he clearly foresees, not only blind evolution, but the concept of evolution as well: Why should not nature work, not for the sake of something, nor because it is better so, but just as the sky rains–not in order to make the corn grow–but of necessity? … Continued
Adam Smith wrote in The Wealth of Nations: What is the species of domestic industry which his capital can employ, and of which the produce is likely to be of the greatest value, every individual, it is evident, can in his local situation judge much better than any statesman or lawgiver can do for him. … Continued
This list of President Obama’s “achievements” has been floating around the internet, with various “Obama 2012” slogans attached. I thought I’d take a moment to respond. MY PRESIDENT: 1. Got Osama bin laden…check 2. unemployment rate down to 8.5%…check 3. 1.6 million jobs created with no GOP help…check 4. 22 months of job and economic … Continued
In one of those, you’ve-got-to-be-shitting-me stories, Radley Balko, at the Agitator, reports that NASA has a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team at the Kennedy Space Center–in case, you know, we find ourselves sucked into an alternative sci-fi universe where NASA needs quasi-military tactical response teams. It’s reasonable, I suppose, for NASA to have security guards—but … Continued
In a GOP debate packed with absurdities, it’s hard to pick just one to focus on. Newt Gingrich’s suggestion that we legalize only undocumented immigrants that “pay taxes and go to a local church” (repeated twice, just to let you know he’s serious) could top the list. Or maybe Mitt Romney’s comment that “we use the Constitution … Continued
I had the opportunity to hear Competitive Enterprise Institute’s Greg Conko talk about the “precautionary principle” today. The precautionary principle was enshrined by the Rio Declaration on Development and Environment in 1992: “Where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing … Continued
Now that the Senate has rejected Obama’s American Jobs Act, it’s worth reflecting on what they passed up. A major proposal was an “infrustructure bank.” Competitive Enterprise Institute’s Wayne Crews has commented on this proposal over at Forbes.com: I stopped by our bank Friday to get something notorized, and, damn, they were all out of free … Continued
My Letter to the editor in the Washington Examiner for tomorrow, September 15: On one page on Monday, The Washington Examiner published three articles that demonstrate massive failures of U.S. foreign policy. First, Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr’s call to halt military operations vindicates anti-war voices in Congress, specifically Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, who has argued … Continued
