"Christian" falls within the language of collectivism — grouping people according to some contrived characteristic or one vaguely held in common. This expedites the mission of social do-gooders: They can elevate, exonerate, or vilify all members of the group, the better to apply group solutions to problems not all members share or apply pressure and enforce restrictions that not all members deserve.
Six Disastrous Assumptions
A government ought to know how and when to make law, but more especially when not to. This was the message of Viscount Falkland early in the 17th Century, who declared before the British Parliament: "Mr. Speaker, when it is not necessary to change, it is necessary not to change."
A Well-regulated Militia
The time is approaching when we will be compelled by an act of Congress to register our firearms. We are continually reminded that "the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." That part is clear to everyone except those promulgating law in Washington, D.C. Few people, though, understand what is meant byContinue reading "A Well-regulated Militia"
Ignorance of the Law
is an excuse, if you're a congressman. And not only an excuse, but grounds for acquittal. We've all heard it: Ignorance of the law is no excuse. Well, in 1978 a federal district court judge ruled that a defendant must be acquitted if he had acted in good faith believing he was not violating anyContinue reading "Ignorance of the Law"
The Meaning of Doing the Right Thing
This morning’s random reading over coffee brought together two articles under one theme. The first was Maria Popova’s “The Day Dostoyevsky Discovered the Meaning of Life in a Dream.” Immediately upon absorbing that piece I opened “The Right Right Thing to Do” by Irene McMullin. The Meaning of Life Dostoevsky didn’t allege that he personallyContinue reading "The Meaning of Doing the Right Thing"
Eric Hoffer and Mass Movements
In the summer of 1971, while I still lived in Monterey, California, as a student at the Defense Language Institute, I obtained an address for Eric Hoffer and, on a trip into San Francisco ostensibly to prowl more bookstores, I spent the day finding the humble apartment building bearing the address I'd been provided. It was late on a Saturday when I finally stood before the façade in the evening shadows and contemplated knocking or ringing a doorbell...
The Disadvantages of Being Educated
Well-trained professionals welcome the accolades for possessing proficiency in their field. Their education, however, if they had any, is another matter, as it lies behind their proficiency, and should not be confused with it. The joy and satisfaction of an education for education's sake should still be what Commencement speakers say it is. Something must be done to mature the national resources of intellect and character, as well as proficiency...
Extremism
"But though I was initially disappointed at being categorized as an extremist, as I continued to think about the matter I gradually gained a measure of satisfaction from the label. Was not Jesus an extremist for love ... Was not Amos an extremist for justice: 'Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like anContinue reading "Extremism"
We Are a Conquered People
The states of America, which gradually became united in one federation between 1787 and 1959, still exist as distinct entities defined by name and regional eccentricities that each takes pride in. People in every state still entertain the delusion that they are separately-governed jurisdictions, voluntarily united into one country. Most of us have accepted theContinue reading "We Are a Conquered People"
The Big Guy’s 1260 days
Respect for the individual person has reached its highest expression in the founding documents of the United States. Those founding documents created a republic, precisely to assure that the individual is sovereign, that the rights guaranteed in the Constitution apply to each person individually and that no group of people (a democracy) can assert group rights that strip one of individual rights...
Albert Jay Nock 