How clueless can you be, Adam Kirsch?

Adam Kirsch’s NY Times oped on Ayn Rand is a perfect example of a commentator having absolutely no idea about the person he is writing about. In particular, it contains the following gem:
When Bennett Cerf, a head of Random House, begged her to cut Galt’s speech, Rand replied with what Heller calls “a comment that became [...]

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France does not heart Scientology

I think that Scientology is a creepy, over-commercialized enterprise that feeds on people’s irrationality and does not do any good to anyone. In fact, I think the same about all religions and most quasi-religions.
But what was it that a great Frenchman said once? I do not agree with what you say but I will defend [...]

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The oldest libertarian debate

Todd Seavey and Kerry Howley (joined by Dan MacCarthy) continue their debate of whether libertarianism should include concern for more than just property rights. Its an old debate, one that Seavey and Howley have had in the past in their respective blogs, and one I have commented on extensively earlier, so there’s nothing much to [...]

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Why are so few women libertarians?

Its a question whose answer is probably a complicated one, but this article by Allison Brown (yes, she is female and libertarian) makes some great points and is also an excellent read.

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Thoughts on John Mackey and Whole Foods

For those not following the Whole Foods controversy, this is roughly what happened: John Mackey, CEO and co-founder of Whole Foods, and a fairly committed libertarian who once debated Milton Friedman on corporate responsiblity to stakeholders, decided to pen an article against Obama-care at the WSJ. Here’s an excerpt.
Many promoters of health-care reform believe that [...]

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Suit filed against Amazon for Kindle deletion

In an earlier post, I wrote about Amazon’s deletion of unauthorized copies of ‘1984′ from some users’ Kindles and the companies subsequent gracious apology. Well, it appears the story is not quite over. A lawsuit has been filed in Seattle that seeks class action status for Kindle owners and Orwell readers, claiming that Amazon breached [...]

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An alien morality

I love reading Paul Krugman’s NY Times columns and especially the comments that follow because they offer a fascinating glimpse of certain moral principles that are completely alien to my personal philosophy. It is like going into a country where they seem to speak the same language; yet their words mean completely different things than [...]

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A modern day Rand hero

NY Times has an article today about BB&T, a bank that has been doing remarkably well in the crisis, and its charismatic chairman and former CEO, John A. Allison, who is an ardent Ayn Rand follower. Consider these:
• In his spare time, Mr. Allison travels the country making speeches about objectivism and his bank’s distinctive [...]

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The greatest swimmer of all time (or a stoned, addled addict?)

Michael Phelps beat Milorad Cavic again, and this time there was no doubt about it.
With a defiant performance in a supposedly inferior suit, Phelps stayed close over the outward lap and rallied on the return to become the first swimmer to break 50 seconds in the 100-meter butterfly.
More here.
I cannot resist the temptation to republishing [...]

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Ireland outlaws blasphemy

Oh well.
Every time a law curtailing freedom of speech happens to pass in a Western, supposedly liberal nation (other examples: hate speech laws, holocaust denial laws) I am astounded by the foresight of the founders of the US, who put in — as the very first entry on the bill of rights — a law [...]

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Homosexuality is no longer a crime in India

I cannot really express how thrilled I am with this decision. The High Court, through its judgment, has given millions of Indians the right to be the way they are without facing harassment or prosecution. This is the biggest blow in favor of individual liberty that has happened in India for many, many years. In [...]

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It’s all about freedom, baby

Nicolas Sarkozy wants to outlaw the wearing of the burqa in public places in France:
The problem of the burka is not a religious problem. This is an issue of a woman’s freedom and dignity. This is not a religious symbol. It is a sign of subservience; it is a sign of lowering. I want to [...]

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Vice policy predictions

To add to the list of depressing news for the day, have a look at the sorry fate that the medical marijuana bill in Minnesota suffered.
Nonetheless, I think the wind is blowing in one direction in the US; and that is towards legalization. These are not the wishful words of an optimist but a mere [...]

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Obama’s disturbing choice for NHTSA head

Chuck Hurley’s appointment as National Highway Traffic Safety Administration head is a troubling one. Read this great piece by Radley Balko to find out why.
As for MADD, they are a perfect example of an organization whose nanny-statism has crossed the line from being annoying to what I can only succintly describe as evil.
[In case anyone is [...]

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More Lynch footage from Reason

Reason has some exclusive footage from the aborted sentencing yesterday.
Meanwhile, if you are a reader who is not entirely familiar with the timeline and details of the Charlie Lynch case, I strongly recommend this excellent Reason summary.
To read my various posts on the case, click here.

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