Kyoto Count Up!

Found this great counter over at JunkScience.com Go see how costly the Kyoto Protocol is...

http://www.junkscience.com/MSU_Temps/Kyoto_Count_Up.htm

Ayn Rand on Dictatorship:

After reading John Lewis's article "The New Right" at Capitalism Magazine, [ http://www.CapMag.com/article.asp?ID=4117 ], I decided to post these quotes of Miss Rand's on dictatorship. Future quotes from intellectuals will appear on this page, when it behooves me to do so!
Here we go:

"There are four characteristics which brand a country unmistakably as a dictatroship: one-party rule---executions without trial or with a mock trial, for political offenses--the nationalization of expropriation of private property---and censorship. A coutnry guilty of these outrages forfeits any moral prerogatives, any claim to national rights or sovereignty, and becomes an outlaw." from VOS.

Volumes can be and have been written about the issue of freedom versus dictatorship, but, in essence, it comes down to a single question: do you consider it moral to treat men as sacrificial animals and to rule them by physical force? from WTL's forward.

Dictatorship and determinism are reciprocally reinforcing corollaries: if one seeks to enslave men, one has to destroy their reliance on the validity of their own judgements and choices--if one believes that reason and volition are impotent, one has to accept the rule of force.
from "Representation without Authorization" in ARL,I,21,1.

Every movement that seeks to enslave a country, every dictatorship or potential dictatorship, needs some minority group as a scapegoat which it can blame for the nation's troubles and use as a justification of its own demands for dictatorial powers. In Soviet Russia, the scapegoat was the bourgeoise; in Nazi Germany, it was the Jewish people; in America, it is the businessmen.
from CUI, "America's Persecuted Minority:Big Business,"

It makes no difference whether government controls allegedly favor the interests of labor or business, of the poor or the rich, of a special class or a special race: the results are the same. The notion that a dictatorship can benefit any one special group at the expense of others is a worn remnant of the Marxist mythology of class warfare, refuted by half a century of factual evidence. All men are victims and losers under a dictatorship; nobody wins--except the ruling clique.
from "The Fascist New Frontier"

A dictatorship has to promulgate some sort of distant goals and moral ideals in order to justify its rule and the people's immolation; the extent to which is succeeds in convincing its victims, is the extent of its own danger; sooner or later, its contradicitons are thrown in its face by the best of its subjects: the ablest, the most intelligent, the most honest. Thus a dictatorship is forced to destroy and to keep on destroying the best of its "human resources." And be it fifty years or five centuries later, ambitious thugs, and lethargic drones are all a dictatorship will have left to expoit and rule; the rest will die young, physically and spiritually.
from "The Inexplicable Personal Alchemy" NL

VOS= Virtue of Selfishness
WTL= We the Living
ARL= Ayn Rand Letter
CUI= Capitalism:The Unknown Ideal
NL= The New Left [The Return of the Primative]

Bush's Inaugural Address: A Betrayal of the Concept of Freedom

Go straight to this hard hitting editorial by Harry Binswanger, a long time Objectivist philosopher and instructor.

http://www.capmag.com/article.asp?ID=4120

Best Books of 2004

I thought I'd compile a listing of the books I read last year and throw it out here for all to see. These are in no particluar order and do not include every book I read last year, but the ones I liked the most and that should interest those looking for some pleasurable reading that also gives the reader something to think about and to enjoy. Of course, none compare to an 'Atlas Shrugged' and they aren't supposed to.

Booked to Die by John Dunning
The Kill Artist by Daniel Silva
Digital Fortress by Dan Brown
Deception Point by Dan Brown
Angels and Demons by Dan Brown
The English Assassin by Daniel Silva
Darwin's Blade by Dan Simmons
The Code of the Woosters by P.G. Wodehouse ( a classic, and best intro to Wodehouse)
The first four books of Terry Goodkind's fantasy series, starting with:
Wizard's First Rule
Rules of Engagement by Gordon Kent
The Chronoliths by Robert Charles Wilson (one of my top favorites)
Cutout by Francine Mathews ( best espionage book I've read in years)
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand (this marked about the 25th time I've read this novel)
Essays on We the Living edited by Robert Mayhew
The Crook Factory by Dan Simmons ( this story is set in WW2 and features Hemmingway and a cameo by Ian Fleming. Fun.)
Heart of a Pagan by Andrew Bernstein (worthy of several readings)
His Dark Materials a trilogy by Philip Pullman (excellent)

As for 2005, I've got stacks and stacks of books waiting for my eager eyesight. Authors like Robin Hobb, more John Dunning, more Terry Goodkind, Edward Cline's Sparrowhawk series, more Daniel Silva, many others.

Blog Roll

I've added Gus Van Horn to the blogroll at left. Good words from an Objectivist perspective. Check it out...

Bush's Grand Design (Delusion?)

Recent story in The New Yorker by Seymour Hersh says Bush has sent teams of covert operatives into Iran--and they've been there for months--gathering information on Iran's nuclear capabilities. Aparently, in order to eliminate them or severly wreck them and embarrass the mullah's who rule Iran.
On the surface this looks like a great idea, but I, along with NoumenalSelf, (see link at left) think this is/could lead to further disaster for America and it's military. Why? Those of us who are familiar with philosophy, history, political science, know that fundamentally the secular West is at WAR with Islam. Our leaders spectacular failure to name our enemy is why this campaign is flagging, and will continue to --perhaps--worsen. I hate seeing this for our military, who don't deserve to be made into sacrificial lambs.
As for our current leader's "strategy" this same article reveals an astounding plan by the Bush team to foster unrest in all ten Mid-eastern nations.
Several objectivist's re-elected and support President Bush, because they like or are in favor of the likes of Rice, Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, Cheney. But I say, given that these four people are/seem to be decent and pro-American, this is precisely why we should have voted Bush out.

I just want to end, for now, by saying to you, as concerning our 'war on terror'. Who said the following: "In any compromise between two sides with the same fundamental principles, it is the more irrational one who wins."

Here's the New Yorker story. You really should study it carefully, then go to NounemalSelf.com, as well:
http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/?050124fa_fact


As an aside, my thanks go to The Charlotte Capitalist for mentioning my link about Theocracy Watch, below.

Theocracy Watch

Here's a link to a website that concerns itself with the rise of the "Religious Right" and its takeover of the Republican Party. Check it out.

[Hat tip: Azure Waters]

http://www.theocracywatch.org

Susan Sontag: Goodbye and good riddance

The "brave", sophisticated, deeply intelligent, writer/intellectual" Susan Sontag died shortly after Christmas.
I say, good-bye and good riddance to another hate-America leftist pest.
Here's a great summation of her hypocrisy.

http://www.capmag.com/article.asp?ID=4085


Go. Read.

Quick NFL Notes

Okay now, don't laugh. The Cincinnati Bengals are, and have been, my favorite team since their inception. Marvin Lewis fired the defensive coordinator, Leslie Frazier, today. I've two things to say about this:
1) Frazier should never have been hired.
2) Frazier should have been fired after last season.

Also, big stories out of Seattle say Holmgren is on the hot seat there. Pshaw! Ray Rhodes is their Defensive Coordinator--- a loser wherever he's been. The only reason Rhodes won in Philly as Head coach, was John Gruden as his offensive coordinator. Talk about someone (Rhodes) who has an undeserved reputation as a good coach!!!!!!!!!!! After Gruden left Philly, what happened there. Nosedive! Rhodes went to Green Bay (I think) LOSER. Fired. Rhodes went to Denver as Defensive coordinator. ONE SEASON. Fired. Now in Seattle, he's poisoned that unit's ability to get better. CAN ANYBODY GET A HINT?

Author, author!!

[Revised 12/31/04]


Some weeks ago, I had posted a couple of writings on my favorite authors and that met with the best response I've had since I started this blog. I am grateful for that, and thanks for the great tips on books and author's I've not heard of or read. Looking forward to starting those soon.

The reason for this post is to add a new author to the list, and borrowing a phrase from the record industry way back in my youth, make him #1 with a bullet.

Philip Pullman is a British author that has written several children's books. Among these is a trilogy for adults, as well as gifted, or highly curious and intelligent children, called:

His Dark Materials

I am going to try to summerize each book, but first, let me say how impressed I am with the author's command of the English language, his vivid storytelling, and his depiction of good and evil.
As a reader of this blog, if you are even remotely interested in philosophy, this trilogy is for you. If you want a glimpse of the heroic and the tragic, of the Unmistakably Good vs. Irredeemably Evil, then go out and get this series immediately.

Here is the title and a brief summary of each book, as best as I can do it...

Book 1: The Golden Compass--
A consciousness in focus. Self-directed. Goal directed.

Book 2: The Subtle Knife--
A is A. Either-or.
Here's a brief paragraph from near the end of book 2--

"There are two great powers," the man said, "and they've been fighting since time began. Every advance in human life, every scrap of knowledge and wisdom and decency we have has been torn by one side from the teeth of the other. Every little increase in human freedom has been fought over ferociously between those who want us to know more and be wiser and stronger, and those who want us to obey and be humble and submit."

Book 3: The Amber Spyglass--
(I am just now starting this third, and final book, so this may be revised later on)
The "Final Battle" between reason and superstition, life and death.


Hope this whets your appetite. These are books I know I'll read over and over again. I can't recommend them highly enough.
As a bonus, New Line Cinema is making this trilogy into movies!!!! Still a year or two off of release, though.
You might try hisdarkmaterials.org or http://www.philip-pullman.com

Best premises!!!

Happy Holidays

I've been absent from posting simply because I've been too busy with the holiday's and getting ready for the new year.
I've got a few stories and ideas for posting in the near future, that are still relevant news, so look for those early next year.

So, "Best Premises" to all my readers and friends for the remainder of 2004, and for all of 2005!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Mental Health vs. Individual Accountability

This article was found using Google's Alert feature. The author makes several salient points on the failure of public education and how they are shifting the blame on anything, and anyone, other than their failed policies and methods, including, sadly, a pharmacutical industry eager to "cash-in" on drugs they'll provide to help cover the fissures in education by blaming the student's themselves and medicating them.
All part of the Theraputic State apparatus now being created at every level of government. Gee, I can hardly wait, but...I've got a headache. Let me take something for it...




http://www.commonvoice.com/article.asp?colid=1792#results

NBA= National Brawl Association

Detroit, a city known world-wide for its grace, charm, and sophistication [insert sarcastic chortle here] was the scene of a terrible, ugly brawl between "professional" athletes and fans the other night. It was truly disgraceful. No doubt a new low has been reached in NBA annals. Here in America, we have teams of multi-millionaire athletes in every sport. Most (but especially the NBA) with the IQ and education level of dry, stale, cowchips---or worse.
What is the cause of this growing trend toward violence in sport here in America? This 'soccer fan' mentality poisoning sport across the board?
The short answer is this: European collectivist ideas are infesting every facet of life in America. Not just sports. These ideas eminate from our universities, which are sewers of intellectual depravity, precisely because European ideas dominate 99.8% of our university programs and faculty.
The schools who actually teach pro-American, pro-reason, pro-individualist, pro-capitalist ideas that are the actual root of this nation can be counted on one hand, as the saying goes. It can't even be counted as a school or schools, but less---the actual count of one rational faculty member compared to his/her counterparts is perhaps 1 in 10,000 or worse. More like one in 100,000.
For at least a century and a half, the idea of America as a secular republic, where each individual is free to live, and rise to the level his abilities can take him, has been willfully buried under a torrent of collectivist verbal diarrhea.
Leading the way are what/who I call The Four Horsemen of the Apocolypse: Plato, Kant, Hegel, Marx. With all the legions of their lesser ilk in tow behind them. It is just astonishing to think that for more than two millennia, freedom and civilization has moved forward on the shoulder's of only two men. Aristotle and Aquinas, and the latter was only half right (!)
Until and unless Aristotle, Aquinas, and yes, Ayn Rand, are put in a place of pre-emminence in our schools and universities, you can expect more violence, more government control of our daily lives, more taxation, more chaos.

2 new Blogs added at left

Friends, I've added two new and interesting Blogs to my links at left. Be sure to give them your atention!
Check out: Tribe of I & The Charlotte Capitalist, especially the latter's "Reason Roundup".

Good stuff!!!!

What would Frank do?

Here's a little ditty on what Mr. Sinatra would do to terrorists....Funny.

http://www.beecy.net/frank/

Election reflection...

Now that it's been a couple of days since the election, the dust has settled and we see the continued disintegration of the Democratic party, and of democrats themselves--I have a co-worker who wrote an angry screed about "King George II" and a bunch of other gobbledegook. He did manage a moment (a spasm?) of clarity when he did say in his diatribe that church and state should be seperate.--

I caught a rerun on CSPAN of the President's news conference. I was so glad to see a relaxed, almost jovial, certainly confident man, stand before us and speak his mind. Here is a piece of beautiful music to my ears...

"No president should ever try to impose religion on our society". Echoing Robert Tracinski at TIA Daily...let's hold him to these words!!!

I truly do love this country!!!!

Yesterday's election

Oh well, I guess I'll jot down a few more thoughts and hopes for the future here. First, a few things I'm not happy about, then I'll try to wrap up positive...

As Professor John Lewis pointed out in 'Opposing Platonic Conservatism: A Matter of Values, I'm now deeply concerned about the future success of Objectivism spreading into the universities. With the re-election of Bush, the philosophy of the neo-conservatives will now take ascendence, perhaps, only perhaps, brushing Ayn Rand aside, once again. I dearly hope I'm wrong about this. However, as she herself stated, reason and reality are on our side, so anyone who fights for the future, lives in it today.

With increasing majorities in both houses and the White House again, there is really, no oppostion to the religious agenda that will be rolled out and rammed through the legislavtive process. We're a 'democracy' remember? Since Bush has pulled off both the popular vote and the Electoral College, it's mob ( majority) rule baby!!!!
Since Democrats are our alleged 'secular' representatives, we are basically without leadership, as Marxism is the secularization of altruism. That is, of religious morality.

I fear that the 'war on terror' will just fade into the background as your everyday common 'police action' and that too many American's will just yawn about it and accept it. After all, Bush has kept another attack from our shores ever since, hasn't he? The conservative press will tout this election as about "moral values of the Heartland" so Bush won't have to use those Executive Orders so much anymore, as he can just send religious legislation down to Congress and have it rubber-stamped.

Here's one positive thing, though...with Bush's re-election, at least we pissed off the French ;-)

Tomorrow's Election

I've decided to toss in my two cents worth of thoughts on tomorrow's Presidential election.

Reading the many Objectivist, or related, editorials both for and against each major candidate, there are things I've just got to get off my chest about what is happening, or going to happen after the election.

I'm afraid of Bush, because he is sincere in his Christian belief. There is no doubt he is allowing religious people more access to the corridors of power than they have never had nor deserved, in our history.
There is only one result when people unite religion with state power, and it is not good. Neither for those who 'voted' for that alliance, nor the rest of us who oppose it, if it befalls us to do so. (Unless of course, we 'win' the argument and persuade American's to remember their secular heritage).

I have said for years, that the battleground for any future culture/society of freedom for the individual lies in applying and spreading Ayn Rand's epistemology as far and wide as each of us are capable of doing, in whatever 'reasoned' manner open to us. That truth will never change, as long as their is one human left of earth.

I am opposed to religious belief for myself because of its faulty mental mechanism of 'faith'. As human being's we are an integrated sum of matter and consciousness. Thought and action. The mind works a certain way, and only in that way. There are no shortcuts to knowledge. No 'mystic insight' to guide our way to a life fulfilled.
I am opposed to the unity of religion and state for the reason that, in a secular state, people who disagree are free to go about their life without interference from others who have differing views. A properly grounded secular state apparatus keeps all its citizens free from coercion. One need only look honestly toward the Middle East to see how theocracies deal with their own kind, let alone dissenter's. ( Remember Bush's father saying that atheists should not be considered citizens of the United States? I do.)
On top of all this danger, we have the twisted, useless philosophy of pragmatism, which dominates our culture today. I loathe a President (whomever that may be) who uses the language of freedom to sell-out those principles for short-sighted gains, which turn out to favor our enemies in the long run and destroy the American concept's of freedom, individualism, and capitalism in our fellow citizen's minds. A man who does this, as far as I'm concerned, is evil. I loathe a President who offers bold language, especially if it is morally correct language, to the world and then proceeds to undermine every aspect of his stance to 'balance competing pressure groups' and to appease our deadliest enemies.

As for The Left, when the Berlin Wall fell, so did all the leftist pet ideas of socialism, welfare-statism, communism. They are out of gas, and out of even remote civility toward anyone who differs from their hallowed, empty Ideal. John Kerry is the epitome of a Zero. Utterly and totally selfless, and, isn't that ugly. I just read a comment about "The Angry Left" and boy, isn't that the truth.
When you abandon reason, then do all in your power to destroy reason, logic dictates that 'anger' may be all you have left. Yet in today's typical fashion, do they blame themselves for their own sellout to the void? No. We won't see that from those empty skulls, not ever. Everything's now a 'conspiracy of the right' or Big Business buying off this or that legislation. Blah Blah Blah Blah.

Yet, I believe it will be easier to show the American people how bankrupt the Left is, by having them in power, than by having committed religious zealots running the show for four more years. We, as dedicated advocates of reason, of Objectivism, have a better chance, both short term and long, if Bush is out of power.

This is why, as disdainful as it is, I'm pulling the Kerry lever tomorrow morning.

How To Separate Church and State in 3 Easy Steps

Posted 10/13/04 on DrHurd.com...

"The Ten Commandments case to be heard by the Supreme Court is easy to solve. Here are a few simple statements of principle:

Religious views expressed on private property? Nobody's business.

Religious views endored on government property? No Way.

The way to minimize if not eliminate these disputes? The more private property, the better.

It's really as easy as that!"

http://www.drhurd.com

Shameless self-promotion

I've updated mymedialist to include links direct to the product so you can purchase these items and I make oodles of cash and never have to go to a job again!!!!

Oh well...

Look it over, you may find something you really like. I'll thank you ahead of time if you make a purchase!