New Pope gets down to it!

Ah, Benedict. Busy tackling those pesky problems like, what, pedophilia among your preisthood? Finding ways to halt the rapid decline of your flock? Taking on Islam, the fastest growing religion in Europe? NO!

Bene boy is going for the throat!! The full-nelson smackdown of the fundamental problem in all the world!!!!!!

He has publicly denounced both J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter for (get this) "undermining the soul of Christianity". Hehehehehhehehe

Here's the linkaroo!
http://www.hollywood.com/news/detail/article/2439745

Now, here we have an authentically benevolent view of the Harry Potter series. Courtesy of the Ayn Rand Institute:
http://www.aynrand.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=8621

TheocracyWatch & a philosophical dilemma

Theocracy Watch has set up a link of news items concerning the Conservatives war against the judiciary. There are simply too many fine articles to list individually here, so I'll list the link to their news page, instead...

Theocracy Watch's "What's New?" page:
http://www.theocracywatch.org/new_links.htm

Here's a dilema of sorts that maybe can generate some discussion among Objectivist bloggers:

Some liberal bloggers are smearing the political theory of republicanism by calling conservatives/theocrats "republicans", when clearly, republicanism is the political system of individual rights and limited goverment.
Granted, theocrats want a "limited" secular arm, but only because they want "The Church" to have total power. This hardly constitutes alignment with republicanism, as we can see by Bush's massive expansion of the welfare-state and other government regulations.
Are the liberal critics right then, to cast a wide net over America's original political principle of Individual Rights begun as a tribute to Man, and to the fading Enlightenment?
Today's 'liberals' fail to gleam this crucial distinction, because they are altruist's too. As objectivist's, we know epistemologically, that socialism, communism, welfare-statism, fascism, theocracy... are all variants of the same altruist/collectivist/religious coin.
I once asked my fellow objectivist's here where I live, which one aspect of Miss Rand's philosophy is most desperately needed in today's America. I held it is the spread of her epistemology, which will lead to an understanding of her ethics and politics, which will accelerate the establishment of a freer society. They held it was her ethics alone which would ignite this acceleration. What do you think?
Either way, it's a long, tough battle we're engaged in.

Interview with Terry Goodkind

The 'Objectivist' fantasy author was recently interviewed on SciFi.com. Here's the link...

http://www.scifi.com/sfw/advance/18_interview.html

Enjoy!

New Pope Elected

Call me cynical, but with this new Pope, religion's war against America will only increase in intensity.
Reason and reality, however, are on our side!

April 24: "Justice Sunday"

In a press release, Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, states that:

"Our goal is to reach as many people as possible and to engage values voters in the all-important issue of reining in our out-of-control courts and putting a halt to the issue of fillibusters against people of faith."

Here is the link to the full press release:

http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=PR05D09&f=PR05D02

Looks like an all-out smear campaign to me. Who was it, now let me think a moment....who was it described something called, "The Argument from Intimidation"? Must've been Ayn Rand.
The above press release is no 'argument' at all, but a concerted smear campaign. The next salvo in the relentless drive of theocrats to wipe-out all things secular.

Here's a related article from the New York Sun: (Probably good today only).

http://www.nysun.com/article/12357

Related web site: Family Research Council
http://www.frc.org

One Year Anniversary

On this day last year, I started The Secular Foxhole. I've been pretty darn happy with this blog so far, and I know I've got more to learn, about myself, and about writing.
A sincere thanks to those of you who have visited this blog more than 3600 times in one year. It is truly appreciated.

Purpose-Driven Strife

Andy over at The Charlotte Capitalist has a ten-part critique of "The Purpose-Driven Life" a book that has sold over 15 million copies in a short timespan.
These critiques are short and to the point, and they are worth your time to read.

Here's the link. He's provided an index of all ten parts, so it'll be easy to find and study.

http://www.charlottecapitalist.com

Thanks, Andy.

Republicans Step Up Attacks on Judiciary

Not to be outdone, looks like conservatives now have their own 'Goon Squad'. May I introduce the "Judeo-Christian Counsil for Constitutional Restoration"!
Here's the link to the related news story...


http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=584&e=1&u=/nm/20050408/pl_nm/politics_judges_dc

Senate about to eliminate the Filibuster?

TheocracyWatch's email listing sent me to this site, where the author discusses the possible ways in which Senator Frist (spit) and Vice-President Cheney (who should know better) will end the filibuster over judicial nominee William Meyers, and possibly kill filibustering altogether.

http://thenexthurrah.typepad.com/the_next_hurrah/2005/03/nuclear_option.html

There are several posts on this subject. Go. Read. Gus, maybe you can sift through this and post something on this yourself?

Fire in the Engine Room!

That's the first sentence that popped into my head when I read this horrifying piece of news, coming out of Washington. Really, the Richard Thompson song by that title and this story may not have anything in common, but it is ALARMING just the same...

Of course, some conservatives are still fuming over Schiavo. Apparently holding grudges is what they are best at, since they cannot seem to hold onto, or never learned principle(s)...
Although I do not have the relevant link to the actual statement made, Tom DeLay (R-Tex) said the following, concerning the judiciary over the Terry Schiavo case..."they will answer for their behavior."

Enter stage right, Senate Bill S.520 (the ominously named) Constitution Restoration Act of 2005, which:
Amends the Federal judicial code to prohibit the U. S. Supreme Court and the Federal district courts from exercising jurisdiction over any matter in which relief is sought against an entity of Federal, State or local government or an officer or agent of such government concerning that entity's, officer's, or agent's acknowledgment of God as the sovereign source of law, liberty, or government.
Now isn't that just peachy!!! The bill has five sponsors in the Senate, so far. Haven't checked out the House version, as I'm hunched over the toilet at the moment.

May I suggest anyone who is still remotely sane, contact your local representative and express strong displeasure at this obviously naked power grab.

Here's the link for the Senate Bill:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:SN00520:@@@L&summ2=m&

May I also suggest searching Google for 'Dominionism'.
Goto http://www.theocracywatch.org, as well.
Two essays by Ayn Rand come to mind, "Don't Let It Go" and "What Can One Do?"
Andy over at The Charlotte Capitalist has an excellent overview of the popular book, "The Purpose Driven Life". He shreds it!!! Good work Andy. Really good.
Also see my own post of March 22: Know Thy Enemy II

Aristotle & non-contradiction.com

Adding a new web site today on Aristotelianism. Looks like a great resource.
[One of these days I'm gonna alphabetize all my links. Won't that make you happy!]

The Undercurrent

The Undercurrent, a new "newspaper" founded and directed by college students who are dedicated to the philosophy of Ayn Rand is now in print and being distributed to college campuses across the country. I'm adding this site to the Blogroll and posting it here. Go there now!!!!

http://www.the-undercurrent.com

This is great news! Keep up the good work!

Crony Capitalism -or- Outright Fascism?

The following link tells a story of "agreement" between the ATF, Atty's General of several states and our (yours and mine) credit card companies, to ban internet sales of cigarettes. This is just the sort of "merger" that is just one more nail in the coffin of individual liberty, genuine capitalism, and freedom. Not to mention it's a foothold for the government invasion and control of the Internet, and Internet sales, via taxation. [I fixed the link].

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7222711/ "Charging smokes over the Net? Not anymore"


Hat tips: Reclaim Your Brain & The Autonomist

Know Thy Enemy II

In light of the continuing degradation of our Republic by conservative Christians in government--ALL-- levels of government, I thought I'd add to my collection of great weblinks, this gem, from some outfit called The National Reform Association. I'll give you just a taste, then you'll have to see the rest to believe them.

Herein lies THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF CHRISTIAN CIVIL GOVERNMENT...


"The nation is a collective being, with moral character and accountability, directly responsible to the Author of its existence, God himself."

"The necessary aims of national life compel the nation, in its own proper sphere, as distinct from that of the church, to have regard of the moral laws of the Christian religion, and to base its actions upon these or set itself against them."

"Civil government, the institution for the regulation and control of national life, is in its principle the ordinance of God, and is to be obeyed as such a divine ordinance (Romans 13:1-2)"

"Civil rulers are enjoined to learn Christ's law, and acknowledge and obey Him as King (Psalm 2:10-12)"

Here's the link. Go see what we're up against:

http://www.natreformassn.org/purpose.html

The Coming Crackdown?

Via both the Charlotte Capitalist and Instapundit, here's a link to a petition concerning remarks by an FEC official on the "coming crackdown" of political bloggers, and I fear, blogging in general.
This is just the sort of meddling that untrustworthy politicians, who don't want citizens to know what they're really doing behind closed doors, does to further cripple our freedom, then suddenly we're in a dictatorship.

Go To:

The Online Coalition
http://onlinecoalition.com

Religion vs. America
http://www.aynrand.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5360

Theocracy Watch (espcially look for their essays on the alarming rise of 'Dominionism')
http://www.theocracywatch.org

Mounting attacks on Capitalism...from religious zealots

Gus Van Horn has an excellent post over at his blog, about the long known incapatability between altruism and capitalism.
Looks like the power mad zealots now dominating the Republican party--taught well by their liberal teachers of what, 40-50 years--(from FDR to Reagan)-- are flexing their muscles (since they abandoned their minds to faith, long ago) to marginalize the fiscal conservatives among them.
Gus's critique is not to be missed.

From Big Tent to Anti-Concept:
http://gusvanhorn.blogspot.com

Also:
Theocracy Watch
http://www.theocracywatch.org

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.