;-)

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!!!


HAVE A GREAT ONE.

What's Up, God?

Noodle Food's Don Watkins III, has a great post on a book his parents "made" him read, I Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist

Another great article by Don. Recommended.

http://www.dianahsieh.com/blog/2005/12/whats-up-god.html

Merry Christmas everyone

To all my readers, Merry Christmas! No blogging for the next week or so, as I'm preparing for a visit from ol' Saint Nick.

I leave you with a link to Dr. Leonard Peikoff's editorial: Christmas Should Be More Commericial...

http://www.capmag.com/article.asp?id=2254

Clueless

While grocery shopping yesterday, I passed by a pick-up truck in the parking lot with this bumper sticker:

Privatization Equals Corruption


Sometimes ya' just gotta feel sorry for people. Know what I mean?

Guy Gavriel Kay

Here’s a new author, added to my list of favorites. I get so much good feedback when I mention my favorite authors, I’m adding this Canadian to the “list”.
I am currently reading The Lions of Al-Rassan, a stand-alone novel of his. GGK specializes in ‘historical fantasy’. That is, he spends about six months a year, during a writing project, to immerse himself in a period and a region he wants to explore. This novel is based on Moorish Spain and one of the characters is modeled after El Cid. His characterization is splendid, the background is tantalizing and the storyline keeps you invested for the ride. I have not yet read his other works, but plan to do so during the year next year. Recommended.

Here is his "official" website.

http://www.brightweavings.com/

Here is the historical background on the book Lions

http://www.brightweavings.com/books/lions.htm

Spiritual Crisis in America

From Dr. Michael Hurd's Daily Dose of Reason:

"The spiritual crisis is psychological in nature. It stems from the fact that people don't know The spiritual crisis in America today is not from a lack of religion, or a lack of government programs. The spiritual crisis is psychological in nature. It stems from the fact that people don't know why life on earth, and specifically in America, is, and should be, a great thing. Despite this spiritual crisis, much is still great in the Westernized world. Therein lies the hope."


I would argue that religion is one of the main causes of said 'crisis'. Our self/mind/soul is all we possess, but we are ceaselessly told to sacrifice all our wants/desires/thoughts and place faith in other's or place it in an alleged 'higher being'

Sister site

Okay. I'm trying out new blog sites and I've come across ThinkertoThinker.com, an Aussie Objectivist's enterprise, that offers free blogs based on Word Press, which, I admit, I'm badly fumbling around with, trying to set up a decent blogsite.
Check out Fish Wrap @

http://fishwrap.thinkertothinker.com

Fishwrap ;-) was another name I was considering for my initial blog. After all, what are newspapers really good for nowadays? Hehehehe.

Conservatism = Hash of Contradictions

From the Reagan 2020 website, we have the blueprint for defining the conservative platform for this American Century..

http://reagan2020.us/platform

Here's the Preamble:

We the New Federalists advocate individual, family and community rights and responsibilities in acts of self-governance, as set forth by our Founders, in originally establishing our nation by the Declaration of Independence and later codifying our governing principles in our Republic's Constitution. We begin from our Founders' premises, that self-evident truths exist, and are the only right ground for political declarations that offer a decent respect for the opinions of humankind in establishing a nation among the powers of the earth.

[Editor's Note: I see that Blogger's "improvements" have screwed up being able to post links to sites or stories. GOOD JOB GUYS!!!!]

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Thanksgiving is a typically American holiday. In spite of its religious form(giving thanks to God for a good harvest), it's essential, secular meaning is a celebration of successful production. It is a producer's holiday. The lavish meal is a symbol of the fact that abundant consumption is the result and reward of production. Abundance is (or was and ought to be) America's pride--just as it is the pride of American parents that their children need never know starvation."
Ayn Rand

My friend Shadow

I lost my best pal yesterday. Shadow was a Pomeranian who was a unique and amazing dog. He was the coolest of cool. Smart, sophisticated, well-mannered, loyal. All of five pounds, he had the heart of a Lion. All he did was give love. I've had dogs as pets all my life. He was the best of the best. Sixteen years old. There's a hole in my heart. I will miss him.

More on "America's Persecuted Minority"

Anyone with common sense knows that when the Senate "ordered" Big Oil execs to appear before a panel and "explain" third quarter profits, it was just another grandstanding sham, used to pacify "angry voters". [Another grandstanding sham was the hearings on the 'steroid scandal' in baseball]...

Via Charlotte Capitalist, here's a Bloomberg columnist saying much the same...

Excellent.

http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000039&refer=columnist_baum&sid=abQjzJy3TPU8

The Anti-Capitalist "A-Team"

Via Yale Global Online and the Detroit Free Press, here's an "emporer is naked" type of article exposing The Left's anti-globalization Goon Squad's, that seem to be able to afford to travel the world to disrupt any and every meeting of the world's economic leaders...

http://www.freep.com/voices/columnists/ejohnson11e_20051111.htm

In a related article, the Miami Herald reports...

The Final Outcome of Summit: Two Americas

http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/display.article?id=6467

Angry Jordanians Rally to Protest Bombings

Yahoo News and AP report that, "Thousands of Jordanians rallied in the capital and other cities shouting "Burn in Hell, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi!" a day after three deadly bombings that killed at least 59 people. Officials suspected Iraqi involvement in the attacks, which were claimed by al-Qaida's Iraq branch."

Either last year, or earlier this year, I remember seeing on the National Geographic Channel, an interesting bio of King Abdullah II, who appears to be a staunch ally of ours.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20051111/JORDAN11/TPInternational/Africa


From CNN

http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/11/11/jordan.blasts/

Freedom of Religion?

Dr. Michael Hurd on "Freedom of Religion"

"There is not, and there should not be, any such thing as "freedom of religion." Think about what this simple little phrase implies. It implies that people have freedom not merely to privately practice (if any) they choose; it implies that people have the "right" to impose the practice of religion on other people. Freedom OF religion is a blank check for religion being free to do what it pleases. The ultimate manifestation of this idea, that today we know all to well, is that of militant Islamics."

Go. Read the rest of it.

http://www.capmag.com/article.asp?ID=4463

2 new CD's

Yesterday I went to Border's and found two new CD's to add to my collection. The Long Road Home, the Ultimate John Fogerty collection and a dual CD/DVD of Chris Botti's To Love Again.
Both were on sale and are well worth having. I recommend them highly.
The production quality of the Fogerty CD is nearly flawless. The song selection equally so. The wife 'discovered' Chris Botti at work one day earlier this year and let's just say, I'll eventually own all he does. A man of enormous talent and sophistication, it's a shame he's hardly known outside a small circle of listeners and admirers.

Gus on the Paris riots/insurgency

Gus van Horn has an excellent commentary on the recent Paris rioting. These riots are noticeably absent in the Leftist MSM.[ Naturally.]
Additionally, I think Nicolas Sarkozy, France's Interior Minister, is pro-west, therefore viciously denounced in all the leftist rags in France.

http://gusvanhorn.blogspot.com/2005/11/all-riot-on-western-front.html

Pun Intended????

Women of Curling Gain Greater Exposure...

The Women of Curling Calendar now available. Say no more.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20051031.wcurl1031/EmailBNStory/Sports/

Re: Biopolis

South Korean Stem Cell Center Draws Hundreds to apply...

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/living/health/13055351.htm

Blogroll Additions

Hong Kong Capitalist [Simon Patkin] and his Hong Kong think tank Capitalist Solutions, both added to blogroll today. Go check 'em out ;-)

Gus's Birthday!

Gus van Horn's blog turned one year old recently!!! Hooray!

Congrats

Biopolis

Singapore has established a hub for biomedical reasearch, that may be the envy of the world. [With the usual flaw of government-private "partnership"]. Johns Hopkins is there, among others.

http://www.one-north.com/pages/lifeXchange/bio_intro.asp

Related links:

The Singapore Model and Latin America
http://www.techcentralstation.com/102405A.html

The Seoul of Clones
http://slate.msn.com/id/2128361/

Immoral to Ban Human Cloning
http://www.aynrand.org/site/News2?news_iv_ctrl=-1&page=NewsArticle&id=5164

The Anti-Life Opposition to Embryonic Stem Cell Research
http://www.aynrand.org/site/News2?news_iv_ctrl=-1&page=NewsArticle&id=11113

Bush's Biotechnology Blinders
http://www.aynrand.org/site/News2?news_iv_ctrl=-1&page=NewsArticle&id=7376

'The Fountainhead' in Chinese!

Diana [from Noodle Food] reports on Ian Hamet's blog Bananna Oil that 'The Fountainhead' has been published and released in the Chinese language! Excellent news.
Echoing Diana's thoughts, let's hope it sells well among the young and they solve the conflict between individualism vs. collectivism both in their own souls and in politics.

http://blog.ianhamet.com/index.php/archive/2005/10/19/1426/

Is Ayn Rand Optional?

Guest blogger Don Watkins III, over at Noodle Food writes an excellent, incisive article concerning Miss Rand's own character and the importance of each of us integrating the concern for character into our own lives.

Go. Read. You'll enjoy it.

http://www.dianahsieh.com/blog/2005/10/is-ayn-rand-optional.html

The Capitalist Manifesto

Received the book yesterday. Have finished, and savored the Introduction. Soon to feast on the main content.
It's thrilling to see this, and other books making their way into the mainstream. Let's hope it becomes a torrent.

[Major Hat Tip to Andy Bernstein]

Chávez Moves Reserves Out of US Treasuries

From The Financial Times
October 7,2005


http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/display.article?id=6349

Societies decline when "God is on their side"

DUH! I thought this was obvious to any thinking person. Thanks to Paul @ Noodle Food for the story and link.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1798944,00.html

As an aside, I hardly think comparing the US to Britain, and the rest of Europe, who are bathed in a secularized form of altruism is a valid indication of America's ills. Altruism kills everywhere it is tried and practiced. Whether it takes an hour or a hundred years, altruism, religion, any form of mysticism is in its essence: death worship.
I've never heard of the journal this report is published in, and I can guess, with high certainty, that the professors undertaking this study were "liberal/socialist" in nature.
Neither European's nor American's understand that in America, people are free to believe whatever they wish--in private--that is what the principle of Individual Rights stands for, as an philosophical absolute. Since we no longer govern by, nor understand, that founding principle, in the 'majority-rule democracy' that we have lowered ourselves too, it's gang rule baby! Whoever has the biggest gang of the moment, rules to pander to their own kind.
America is a secular Republic, not a democracy. Founded as a tribute to the Enlightenment, American government must remain secular, or impartial, only taking action to protect the Individual Rights of its citizens.
If Christianity, or any religion for that matter, were the actual foundation of human freedom, as nearly every conservative claims, then why, when religion held sway over the entire earth, is that period known as the Dark Ages?

Serenity

I went to see Serenity yesterday afternoon and was not too disappointed. The movie version/extension of the TV series Firefly was visually appealing and Joss Whedon (sp?) writes a good script in a "Man vs. State" old-west/futuristic themed motion picture.
Rumor has it the crew of Serenity has signed a three picture deal, with yesterday's release being their first.
It's always intriguing to see someone who grasps, if only rudimentarily, that necessary theme of the individual against the massive mindless bureaucracy [The Alliance, in this case.]
The only gripes I have are one minor and one major. They [the gripes] have to deal with what happens to Wash [Alan Tudyk, the pilot] and to Book. We are left hanging with Book, [Ron Glass] as it is never explained what his purpose is/was either in the series or this movie, other than he was some sort of 'freelance' preacher, walking a thin line between The Alliance and The Independents. Speaking for myself, this is a glaring omission, but it doesn't detract from the film.
Nathan Fillion [Mal Reynolds] looks to be a superb actor and I hope he has a bright future

Overall, if you like good acting and smart dialogue, check out Serenity. It helps if you know the tv series, but it's not vital.

4 out of 5 stars

New Blog added

I've added Self Uncensored to the Bloglist at left. He has posted some wonderful photos of New York City just recently.

Quote of the Day

"The individual human mind (is holy to me). In a child's power to master the multiplication table there is more sanctity than in all your shouted amens and holy-holies and hosannas. An idea is a greater monument than a cathedral and the advance of man's knowledge is a greater miracle than all the sticks turned to snakes and the parting of the waters."

Henry Drummond "Inherit the Wind"

The Anti-Christian Marriage Amendment (Satire)

The shoe's on the other foot! Let's see how they like it...

http://www.deism.org/antichristianmarriageamendment.html

[The appearance of this satire on my blog is not an endorsement of its contents. But it sure is funny!]

Reason: The Only Oracle of Man

Yesterday, I discovered that Ethan Allen's seminal work is now an online book! I long for a hardbound copy of this book, and have for many years.
If any reader's know where I can order/find/buy a copy of the actual book, please write to me at secularfoxhole@Gmail.com

Read. Enjoy.

http://www.deism.org/ethanallen.htm

"Missed It By That Much"

Sad news today as Don Adams passed away. Playing Maxwell Smart in the TV comedy "Get Smart" he was one of my all-time favorites. "Would you believe!", I will miss him.

Least we forget, here's a hat tip to the beautiful Agent 99, Barbara Feldon.

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=1160715

The Epistemological 'Perfect Storm'

Author Dan Simmons, whom I've mentioned favorably on this site before, publishes a monthly letter to fans on his website, that I'm linking to below.
Readers of this blog may know that I've recommended some of his books, especially 'Darwin's Blade' and 'The Crook Factory', along with his sci-fi series 'Hyperion'.
In this month's letter, he talks of his epistemological 'storm' i.e., "one of those rare and serendipitous conjunctions of books randomly read resulting in a quantum leap in conceptual understanding on an important issue or opaque era or human dilemma or complex idea or all four of these catagories and more..."

Mr. Simmons goes on to lambast creationism among other things, but says this interesting quote: "How can I think and write with greater clarity while simultaneously discovering and creating more ambiguity?"

I'm linking to this open letter not as an endorsement of Mr. Simmons own epistemology or of his conclusions, but as an exercise in 'Philosophical Detection' for those who wish to read a stimulating article.

Best premises!

http://www.dansimmons.com/news/message.htm

Bush considering use of military on U.S. soil

Am I growing more paranoid as I get older, or does this sound as ominous to you as it does to me?

"President Bush's push to give the military a bigger role in responding to major disasters like Hurricane Katrina could lead to a loosening of legal limits on the use of federal troops on U.S. soil."

Here's a sentence I just love...

"Bush did not define the wider role he envisions for the military."

That's right! I forgot! We must be flexible in our policy making! No firm principles here!

http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,77271,00.html?ESRC=army-a.nl

Had the National Guard been here to do its job, instead of in Iraq and wherever else he's put them, this discussion wouldn't be necessary now, would it? Perhaps that's why he and his braintrust moved the NG offsite to begin with, to set up this discussion and possible implementation. Again, is this paranoia or just observation of fact?
Readers of this blog should know I have great respect for our military, but that I strongly dislike the way they are being manipulated by this administration.

New Blog Added

I've added Armchair Intellectual to my Blogroll. Click on the link at left to visit and read Gideon's excellent critique of the latest smear job on Miss Rand.

Disturbing Events in Gaza and in Britain

Armchair Intellectual has posted, with links some disturbing news out of Gaza and Britain, via Caroline Glick. Disturbing, but sadly, not surprising in the least.

Once again, Go. Now.

http://armchairintellectual.blogspot.com/2005/09/todays-commentary-part-1-there-seems.html

[Hat tip: Thrutch]

Al Gore: New Darling of the Religious Right

Per The American Thinker, Al Gore officially endorses creationism being taught in public schools.
http://www.americanthinker.com/comments.php?comments_id=3094

Also see Gus van Horn's commentary on the above subject.

http://gusvanhorn.blogspot.com/2005/09/science-at-american-hypocrite.html

Never Forget

Capitalism Magazine has an excellent compendium of articles on September 11. Dr Peikoff leads the list, with his superb 'End States that Sponsor Terrorism'.

Excellent

http://www.capmag.com/shownews.asp#1459

Hat Tip to all Foreign Visitors

Site Meter not only keeps track of all visitors to The Secular Foxhole, it also designates their location by city, state and country.
So I want to tip the hat to all my "friends" from France, Australia, Sweeden, Portugal, and England--as well as all points North America. Thank you for taking the time to peruse my blog. I would love to hear from you, if you choose to write. Just click on 'Email Me!" near the top of my blogroll.

Further Proof that Altruism Destroy's the Good

The author of the article linked below states that we've 'gifted' Iran with the defeat of Hussein in Iraq. I, and many other Objectivist's have seen that the neo-cons rush to invade Iraq was not the correct way to go about defeating terrorism, or Islam, for that matter.
Yes, Saddam was a thug--and wrongly perceived as secular by our genius intellectuals and politico's--but now Iran is doing an end-run to Syria and other Muslim states. They are not going to allow, next-door, a pro-American form of government (weak as that is). That's why they are in hot pursuit of nuclear weapons and deals with other muslim states to spread that 'technology'.

Go. Read. Write to your reps and the President.

Our Gift to Iran
http://www.capmag.com/article.asp?ID=4394

Scarce dollars and a contribution quandary

Obviously, the tragedy in New Orleans and other parts of the hurricane ravaged south are a gut-wrenching sight and my sympathies abound for the honestly struggling people who have lost "everything". Gus van Horn has a very worthy organization that has requested funds to assist in rebuilding it's home for veterans, and I certainly would donate to that cause---however---I recently received a letter from the Anthem Foundation for Objectivist Scholarship requesting a donation, or pledge of a donation, for the work it is doing in spreading the good works of young, talented, Objectivist scholars who are already in academia and the prospects of new programs, especially at an Ivy League school, among others, that the foundation has already received requests to set up as soon as possible. They are soliciting $140,000.00 from ARI donors to assist in this hugely important step to spread Ayn Rand's ideas in five new universities across the country.
Setting aside the fact that millions and billions of dollars are already pouring into New Orleans and other ravaged areas, via many good American's, and all of us via the Federal Government, the sum of $140,000 is not that much to try to obtain from a small group of dedicated people.
Speaking for myself, my dollars will have more positive long-term effect for me, for America and for the American people, going to the Anthem Foundation, than to any relief charity. If I could do both, I would, without hesitation. This month however, my meager/spare dollars are going to plant the seeds for a more positive future. Even if I don't live to see it, I know that my efforts will have made it come into being.

Anthem Foundation for Objectivist Scholarship
900 East Hamiltion Avenue
Campbell, CA 95008

[Update: 9/4/05. The Anthem Foundation is a 501(c) (3) non-profit, so your contributions are tax-deductible. Hey, there's really no 'quandary' at all, is there? ;-) ]

Why We Are Losing Hearts and Minds

This editorial, by Keith Lockitch, really pegged the truth meter for me, when I read it. Here's a sample:

"Where have our leaders gone wrong? What kind of leadership failure can demoralize a whole nation of honest, productive citizens, while leaving suicide murderers stirred to righteous action?"

Go. Now.

http://www.capmag.com/article.asp?ID=4382

Why the India Deal is Good

Here's another Yale Global article saying that:

" A closer look reveals the benefits of the US-India nuclear technology agreement."

http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/display.article?id=6190

[Yale Global Online magazine added to Blogroll]

Osama's Endgame: Saudi Arabia

This article points out the many failures bin Laden has endured since 9/11 and suggests his trump card may be in turning his attack onto his fellow Saudi muslims, in the form of destroying the "largely unguarded" oil pipelines there, to do more damage to America's economy.

Interesting read...

http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/display.article?id=6194

Salman Rushdie Cuts to Chase

per Gus Van Horn's Blog, an excellent snippet from a debate between Rushdie and British MP George Galloway [along with a great observation from Gus] on multiculturalism's "Argument from Intimidation."
Don't miss it...

http://gusvanhorn.blogspot.com/2005/08/salman-rushdie-cuts-to-chase.html

Puff Piece on Chavez in Houston Chronicle

Viva la revolution! HaHa

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/headline/world/3328106

The above story says that the U.S. State Department claims there are no political prisoners in Venezuela. [Seeing how State is dominated by leftist career intellectuals/diplomats, I see why that statement was made.]

Let's let the blogger from The Devil's Excrement, straight from Venezuela, tell a different story:

http://blogs.salon.com/0001330/2005/08/27.html#a2437

9/11

Inside911.com is a companion to the National Geographic Channel's 4 hour special on the activities that led up to the attack on American soil by 19 radical Islamist terrorists.
An encore presentation of this four-hour investigative report will be broadcast on September 8, 2005.

"...there must be widows. There must be orphans...We do not differentiate between those in military uniforms and civilians."

The above quotes are just a taste of the kind of savagery we still don't take seriously in this country.

[Inside911.com added to Blogroll]


"Yes this is an age of moral crises...Your moral code has reached its climax, the blind alley at the end of its course. And if you wish to go on living, what you now need is not to return to morality...but to discover it."
Ayn Rand 'Atlas Shrugged'

Good News Bad News

First, the good news. I did some hunting around the internet and found Tara Smith's newest book on Objectivism, Ayn Rand's Normative Ethics: The Virtuous Egoist.
It will be available in March 2006. Here's a link. Hopefully, too, there will be a less expensive(!) quality paperback version available.

http://www.cambridge.org/us/catalogue/catalogue.asp?isbn=0521860504


Now, the Bad News..

Grooming Politicians for Christ

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/politics/la-na-statesman23aug23,1,5389280.story?coll=la-news-politics-national

Here's one of the scarier aspects of a very scary article...

"Through seminars taught by conservative college professors and devout members of Congress, the students learn that serving country means first and always serving Christ..."
"That puts them at the vanguard of a bold effort by evangelical conservatives to mold a new generation of leaders who will answer not to voters, but to God."


That says it all. Theocracy anyone?

[8/25/05. My thanks to Existence Is Identity for pointing to this article, and my Blog. Added Theocracywatch.org to Blogroll.]

My Random Top Ten Tunes that Kept Me Going Today...

1 Any Time At All -- The Beatles

2 Dear God -- XTC

3 Limelight -- Rush

4 If I Follow My Mind -- Jimmy Cliff

5 Who Knows Where The Time Goes? -- Sandy Denny

6 Atlas Eyes -- Tangerine Dream

7 Shoot Out the Lights -- Richard & Linda Thompson

8 If Sugar Was as Sweet as You -- Rockpile

9 Look Through Any Window -- The Hollies

10 Shadow On the Wall -- Mike Oldfield

[Idea Tip: Benjo Blog!]

A Picture Worth a Thousand Words?

Charlize Theron stars as the acrobatic assassin in 'Aeon Flux'. Due in theaters 12/2/05.


Needless to say, I'll be first in line.

Enterprising 16 year-old...

...Kinda neat.

16 Year Old sells ad on Backpack....for Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/north/chi-0508210502aug21,1,2060253.story?coll=chi-newslocalnorth-hed

Methinks Thou Protest Too Much

Just finished "The DaVinci Code" last night. Has anyone noticed the incessant howl from religionists about how "false" Mr. Brown's book is?
Ol' Danny must've stubbed some 'devout' toes to generate the kind of heat he's been taking on this book. Notwithstanding that this is a work of fiction mind you!!!
It is an excellent, thought provoking read. By far his best of the four novels he's written.

Here, we have a Nun protesting on the film set of The DaVinci Code.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/08/16/davinci.protest/index.html?section=cnn_latest

Public Service Announcement

State Farm Insurance has posted a "Disaster Preparedness Page" and I thought it was a pretty decent thing for others to take a look at. Just in case...

http://www.statefarm.com/consumer/disaster.htm

Benjamin Netanyahu

I once respected this man totally. Now I see that he's just another hapless "politician". It's a shame.

http://www.coxandforkum.com/archives/000640.html

It Takes an Individual

...rather than a "village" or a "family". Excellent commentary from Dr. Michael Hurd.

http://www.capmag.com/article.asp?ID=4345

Green + Stupid = Dangerous

The Resident Egoist over at Existence Is Identity, has an article on an environmentalist who is advertising against getting your children vaccinated (!)

Well worth your time to read.

http://existenceisidentity.blogs.ie/2005/08/10/love-them-protect-them-let-them-die/

Cultural Ideas

Amit over at THRUTCH has a cogent analysis of the failure of subjectivism and multiculturalism in Britain [and everywhere else, too] and, offers us the antidote as well.

Go. Read the whole thing. Excellent.

http://amitghate.blogspot.com/2005/08/cultural-ideas.html

By Reason or By Force: Chile

Here's a decent article on the Chilean economy and how "markets" are the unchallenged politico-economic model of their rising standard of wealth. Note however, [what I consider to be a misnomer in] the actual title of the piece. Doesn't this equate "reason" with dictatorhip? See for yourself, if I'm correct.

http://www.techcentralstation.com/080405A.html

Citizen Bloggers

Does citizen journalism during the London bombings signal a media revolution? The average person now has the tools to become a key newsgatherer, whom big media will ignore at their peril.

http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/display.article?id=6075

For Shame of Doing Wrong

Arkansas dinosaur museum adopts creationism.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/chitribts/20050807/ts_chicagotrib/museumexhibitsacreationistviewpoint

Innocents in War

Don Watkins, over at Anger Management, has a cogent blog post on who is to blame for the death of innocents in wartime.
It's always a great pleasure to read younger men and women who are gifted thinkers and writers. Mr Watkins is definetly one of them. I visit his blog every day.

Go. Read.

http://angermanagement.mu.nu/archives/109692.html

Two Peas in a Pod

I'm currently enjoying "The Da Vinci Code" by Dan Brown. In that novel, the organization known as Opus Dei is used as a backdrop of corruption and conspiracy. Well, knowing Mr. Brown's capabilities as a thorough researcher, I wonder. Anyway, the teachings of this "cult" are based on a book known as "The Way" or "My Way" by Josemaria Escriva.

All this blather is to point to an Letter I found from Escriva to General Francisco Franco, that endorses Franco's pronouncement of the catholic faith as the barometer of his rule.

http://www.odan.org/escriva_to_franco.htm

Here is the key passage of that letter: [quoting Escriva]

"...I cannot help but rejoice as a priest and Spaniard that the Chief of State's authoritative voice should proclaim that, "The Spanish nation considers it a badge of honor to accept the law of God according to the one and true doctrine of the Holy Catholic Church, inseperable faith of the national conscience which will inspire its legislation."


As objectivists, we know that altruism is the foundation of all religion, and, "the hatred of the good, because it is good." Speaking for myself, I didn't learn that it was also the foundation of Marxism until I read Miss Rand. Marxism being the secularized version of religious ethics.

It all boils down to, "those who fail to learn from history, are doomed to repeat it."

Sad. Damn sad.

Joke of the Day

WARNING: Not rated PG-13


Jesus walks into the hotel, approaching the check-in. He tosses three nails upon the counter and asks, "Can you put me up for the night?"

[Rim-shot]

Last of WWII Comanche "Code Talkers" Dies

The story's a bit old, but still relevant and worth reading.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050721/ap_on_re_us/obit_chibitty

Tara Smith on judging Judges for the Supreme Court

Tara Smith, the UTexas professor and author of two outstanding books with Objectivism as their base, has written an editorial on how to judge qualifications to appoint judges to the Supreme Court.
[Hat tip: Anger Management]


http://www.hawaiireporter.com/storyPrint.aspx?468b2cab-f68b-48c8-beeb-bf8d71555569

A Celebration of Beauty...and Brains!

Remember the TV show, 'The Wonder Years' and that [then] cute girl who played Winnie Cooper? Here she is all grown-up! She even has a theory named after her.
[Hat tip: Noodle Food]

http://www.dianahsieh.com/blog/2005/07/danica-mckeller-actress-and.html

Betraying the Purpose of Education

[Hat tip: THRUTCH]

For those reader's with children, look at what the NEA is up to. Their 'agenda' barely includes a word about actually teaching.

I'm not surprised in the least, of course. A thought here. What would it take for Congress to make a law outlawing all unions in the US? Lots of bloodshed, I guess.

Here's the link:

http://www.mackinac.org/article.aspx?ID=7185

More or Less...

I've just finished alphabetizing [er, kinda...sorta alphabetizing] the Blogroll at your left. Beginning with "American Presidents", you should see a much better listing of websites/blogs.

Enjoy!

The Stench of Pragmatism

d'Anconia Online has a great critique of the "Growth of Government Powers Since 9/11"

Here's the link.

http://www.d-anconia.com/2005/07/24/ari-watch-part-2-growth-in-government-power-since-911/

John G. Roberts, Jr.

Wikipedia provides the skinny on the Supreme Court nominee.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_G._Roberts_Jr.#Reproductive_rights

Grin Factor 8 !

Zoom-Zoom.

http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/handleHomeFlash.action?vehicleCode=RX8&modelYear=2005

This is my dream car. Today's my birthday so I can dream all I want. No, I'm not suffering a "mid-life crises" or longing for younger days. I like fine things. Like the BMW Bike I posted the other day, and today's post of the RX-8. Many other things besides. My motto for today is: "I have the simplest of tastes. I am always satisfied with the best."
I forget who quoted that originally, but it sums up my good mood today and every day.

Blogroll Addition

While crusing thru Gus Van Horn's blog the other day, he mentioned Letters From An Enthusiast, a new blog he'd added to his rolls. I went there and was pleasantly surprised to see The Secular Foxhole linked up, so I'm returning the favor.
So, go visit "Letters". You'll be glad you did.

Someday. Maybe. Ya never know...

Drool.

http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/machine/models/model.jsp?model=k1200lt

More drool.

The Destruction of Social Security

Captialism Magazine has the article. Speaking for myself, the idea of social security ending "yesterday" isn't soon enough for me. Apparently 80% of American's think I'm wrong...

http://www.capmag.com/article.asp?ID=4298

Business snatching defeat from victory in Global Warming debate

Steve Milloy over at JunkScience.com has the story:

http://www.csrwatch.com/Business_snatching_defeat.htm

Be sure to peruse all the related articles on climate in the What's Hot box on this link.

Let us laugh at the irrational

Astrologer sues NASA over Comet Mission

Russian astrologer Marina Bai filed a $300 million law suit against the space agency, claiming that the blast's impact on the comet, "would deform her horoscope". Etc., etc.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050705/ap_on_fe_st/russia_comet_case

The Wages of Fundamentalism

..and the loss of America's intellectual vitality[?]...Not if Objectivism continues to gain a place in our universities!

http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/display.article?id=5898

The Impact of Arab Sattelite TV

Has Arab sattelite televison had a positive impact on prospects for democracy in the Arab world?
YaleGlobalOnline [a pretty decent online magazine] has the story.

http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/display.article?id=5716

Islam spreads to Mexico

Islam gaining a foothold in Chiapas...

http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/spiegel/0,1518,358223,00.html

Belated 229!

I celebrated America's birth yesterday, don't ever doubt it...I just didn't post it yesterday.

My Country, Tis of thee I sing!!!!!!

Shameless Self-promotion!

I've just updated My Media List, located in the left column. Feel free to browse the newest titles and hey, make a purchase or six, to help a starving, struggling good guy!!!

Modesty is my best quality :-)

Pfizer speaks out on Connecticut's Eminent Domain case

Pfizer issues press release concering misconceptions the media has about Pfizer's role in the recent Supreme Court case in New London.

http://pfizer.com/pfizer/are/news_releases/2005pr/mn_2005_0627.jsp

The Faith-Based Attack on Rational Government

Truly excellent Op-Ed from The Ayn Rand Institute & Thomas Bowden.

"As 'people of faith' step up their crusade to inject religion into judicial decision-making, people of reason must understand why America should be a whollly secular state."

http://www.aynrand.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=11161&news_iv_ctrl=1021

Go. Read. Speak out in defense of America.

Have You Forgotten?

Every time I think of 9/11 and those brave souls who chose to leap to their deaths instead of burning alive, I cry. Yes. I cry still. I refuse to apologize for that, too.

Via the Reclaim Your Brain blog, here are the lyrics to Darryl Worley's song, "Have You Forgotten".

http://www.anysonglyrics.com/lyrics/d/darrylworley/haveyouforgotten.htm

Ayn Rand smeared...again

Google News is a handy resource to find good and bad things concerning Miss Rand. In this instance, an, ah....entity.... proceeds to lump together Rand, Objectivism, and the Neocons...


http://www.americanpolitics.com/20050624Bisbort.html

The Charlotte Observer, last sunday, printed a smear job from another "entity" named Rev. Mike Macdonald, but Google, and the Observer today feature four positive replies to this particular smear. You'll have to register at the Observer's site to gain access. It is worth it!

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/news/local/states/north_carolina/counties/iredell/11932028.htm

Surpreme Court further cripples property rights of Americans

This Yahoo story sums up a very bad decision and a bad omen for America and its citizens.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050623/ap_on_go_su_co/scotus_seizing_property

One of the disastorous results of our bankrupt and immoral public education system is, many of the victims represented in the New London case don't understand the "whole picture". One local property owner, who was just interviewed, put the sole blame on 'corporate America.'
A nation's economic laws are set by it's political system, not the other way around. Nor are (sadly, thanks to FDR and the New Deal, and many others since then) our economic interests and political interests seperate.
Ladies and gentlemen, we are living in a time (right now as you read this) when both the left and right political spectrum's are merging into one totalitarian "whole". The only antidote to this merger is: better ideas. Religion won't help you. It is a major part of the problem. Marxism won't help you, it is only secularized Christianity, after all.
What is needed today, desperately and immediately, is a philosophy. A rational, 'this world' life affirming, freedom affirming, Man-worshiping philosophy. I speak, of course, of Objectivism. The philosophy of Ayn Rand.

Any of you history buffs out there ever heard of a book called, "The Ominous Parallels: The End of Freedom in America". Authored by Leonard Peikoff. See my blogroll, at left.
This book outlines the philosophical causes of Nazism and Hitler's rise in Germany and shows the parallels of that same philosophic system at work here in America. Dr. Peikoff skillfully examines the role of ideas in history and shows how far America has strayed from its original intent as a free nation based on the absolutism of Individual Rights. America today is a socialist welfare-state that "allows" some freedom to exist, so it can keep the tax revenues coming in at an ever higher pace.
You could say, as Dr. Peikoff does, that 2005 America is in its "Weimar" stage. The stage of collapse just before Hitler and his gang of murderous thugs rose to power.
Ayn Rand once said that a political battle is a battle "fought with muskets" but a philosophical battle is a "nuclear war".
Are you prepared for nuclear war?
Do you have "better ideas" than the ones that dominate our culture right now? You won't unless you study and understand Ayn Rand. Better do so while you still can. The hour glass has been broken and the sands of time are falling.

[Commentary added 6/24/05]

Another Blog Added

Reading Gus's recent roundup of happening's in China and "south of our border" I suddenly remembered that I've wanted to add a Venezuelan blog to my blogroll for some time, but kept forgetting to do it until now. The gentleman who writes this blog, writes from an anti-Chavez point of view. He certainly sheds light on how corrupt the government has become there.

As an aside, (for men only---or not!) apart from his many cogent observations on life there, when you visit his blog, be sure to scroll down the left column until you see his "My Sections" and look for Venezuelan Beauties, where you'll find photos of extraordinary Venezuelan women, mostly involved in either protesting Chavez or celebrating a Venezuelan tribute of some kind.

http://blogs.salon.com/0001330/ The Devil's Excrement

Two New Blogs

I've just finished adding two great blogs to my Blogroll. Diana Hsieh's Noodle Food, and Focus Foundry. Both provide excellent, thought-provoking reads, and Diana, thanks for adding the Foxhole to your blogroll!

Enjoy!

The Philosopher-Detective Game

Conservative "pro-lifer" Jill Stanek, writing for WorldNetDaily [a site I rarely visit] has taken ARI's editorial on Stem-cell's to task. It is an exercise in double talk if ever there was one. See if you can spot the offense in her writing that she claims ARI's writer's are committing. I will provide links to both editorials.

First, ARI: The Anti-life Opposition to Embryonic Stem Cell Research
http://www.aynrand.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=11113&news_iv_ctrl=1021

Next, Ms. Stanek's confused rebuttal: The anti-life name game
http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=44680


This all goes back to my conversation I had with local friends, about Miss Rand's epistemology being the key that unlock's man's mind from the shackles of religious correctness. It won't be enough just to have her ethics explained to "the masses"(as my friends think). It probably wouldn't hurt, but it wouldn't be enough to make it stick without the proper foundation from epistemology to buttress it.

"The alledged shortcut to knowledge which is faith, is only a short-circuit destroying the mind" Ayn Rand

CSM presents an Overview of Neoconservatism

The Christian Science Monitor did this a few months back and the link is still good. Here, you will learn about the "Middle-aged White Jewish Intellectuals" [Their term, not mine] who formulated Neoconservatism and it's current impact on the Bush administration. Short bio's on many of the leaders of the movement are provided and you can even take a quiz to see where you are politically in relation to neoconservatism.

If you're anything like me, you're eagerly awaiting ARI Director Yaron Brook's critique of the neocon's at this summer's Objectivist Conference.

http://www.csmonitor.com/specials/neocon/neocon101.html?story

Just a thought...

Only the other day, did I learn that the G8 leaders "forgave" $40 billion dollars in debt to "poor" African countries.
I want to thank our Great Leaders for being so altruistic and 'forgiving' of these LOANS. Here's a thought Great Leaders! Your most humble and faithful servant, would like to submit to your attention the idea that I would like all my future taxes rescinded immediately.
After all, I'm "poor", by just about any standard you can come up with. There's no question whatsoever that altruism is the dominant morality in practice today, so hey! Why not extend that generous gift to one of the citizens you goddamn fucking bled to death so you could "give" these loans away?

I know, I know. Just a thought. WAIT! Some men in white coats are knocking at my door. I wonder what they want?
What's that noise?? Ah! There appears to be Black Helicopters flying over my house, too.
Been nice knowin' ya!!!

Corporations under even more attacks...

Just the other day I spotlighted a mutual fund that will aid pro-capitalist's in helping fend off loonie leftist groups who buy stock in companies just to browbeat/force them into adopting Green, or other agenda's. Well here's an article about the "Christers" [Christian Right] using boycott's, the threat of boycott's, and massive letter writing campaigns, against major corporations if the don't stop advertising on "gay" tv shows such as Will and Grace, etc.
Nice bunch. Read it. All of it.

"The New Blacklist"

http://www.laweekly.com/ink/05/29/features-ireland.php

Ayn Rand Institute issues press release on Cox's appointment to SEC

Yaron Brook issues warning to honest Objectivist's everywhere, and I say"beware of false prophets". (Couldn't resist the pun :-) )

http://www.aynrand.org/site/News2?JServSessionIdr004=nb6ky3eb01.app1a&page=NewsArticle&id=11135&news_iv_ctrl=1221

FreeEnterpriseActionFund.com

I learned of this fund via Junk Science's Steve Milloy and his feature article(s) on phony shareholders whose only purpose in being stockholders is to pressure companies into adopting Green--or other--political agenda's.
The Mutual Fund in the title above suggests that pro-capitalist investors invest in this fund in order to counteract groups such as "As You Sow" and other phony socialist ideological groups.

Take a look at Milloy's article, which appeared in the New York Sun. He has similar articles under his "What's Hot!" section, as well. Here's a clip from the linked article:

"Shareholders like As You Sow aren't bona-fide investors in the sense that they invest for financial return. They're pretend shareholders investing for the sole purpose of pressuring companies to implement social and political agenda's, which, as in the case of As You Sow and its cronies, can be pretty frightening."

http://www.csrwatch.com/JPs_Pretend_Investors.htm

Here's a link to the mutual fund: (Disclaimer: I'm not responsible for any monies invested, or lost in this fund, if you choose to partake. As always when making investments in the market, read the prospectus carefully and assume that there is risk involved with your capital.)

http://www.freeenterpriseactionfund.com/

A bit of Housecleaning...

I thought of this a while ago, and am just now getting to it. I've eliminated some of the blogs/websites at the left, and added one. The ones I've discontinued have either not blogged for months (Tribe of I) or have killed their blog altogether (AzureWaters), so I've done some housecleaning. I'll also take a moment to introduce a new blog, Thrutch, which appears to be Objectivist oriented.
As always, only those who write for their own blogs are responsible for its content. Not me.

I'm currently reading "The Passion of Ayn Rand's Critics" and am totally immersed in it. Of course, I knew what "side" I was on (Rand) but this book is such good ammunition!!!!

Also, I'm pleased to see that Robert Mayhew will have a new paperback out this coming November on Miss Rand's Q&A sessions!!!

PLUS!!! Tara Smith's new book (The Virtuous Egoist: Ayn Rand's Normative Ethics) will be published next year by the prestigious Cambridge University Press!!!!!

Hot Damn!!! And another thing!!! To also learn that Peter Schwartz and Harry Binswanger are both working on books, this is GREAT NEWS indeed.

The Hayek Scorecard

Leave it to an economist to pit Salma vs. Friedrich....and pick Fred!!! Needless to say, I will take Salma ten out of 10! See for yourself. Hehehehehehe

http://www.csun.edu/~dgw61315/dgwhayek.html

Memorial Day

I can't let the weekend go by without saying a huge "Thank You" to our service personnel, past and present.
You make it possible for us to enjoy freedom and the liberty of the individual to reach our highest height's. You deserve our honor and our respect not just on Memorial Day, but every day.

America! Land of the Free. Home of the Brave!!!! Long may she live!!!

Does Morality depend upon Religion?

[The short answer: No.]

Here's an excellent piece by Peter Schwartz. So appropriate for what we need today.

http://www.capmag.com/article.asp?ID=4241

Ominous Parallels?

Hat tip to the Light of Reason blog:

Here's a link to a horrifying piece of legislation, brought to you by Congressman John Sensenbrenner (R-Wisc.).

H.R.1528 would turn neighbor against neighbor in the vaunted "War on Drugs".

"Proposed legislaltion would compel people to spy on their family members and neighbors, forcing all Americans to become foot soldiers in the war on drugs."

http://www.alternet.org/story/22048

The "Sin" of Pride

Via Capitalism Magazine and The Ayn Rand Institute, here's an excellent critique of Catholicism and current happening's thereof...

http://www.capmag.com/article.asp?ID=4237

Don't miss it!

Hiatus

Hello everyone. It is with some degree of sadness that I announce that I have to take a break from posting/writing to the Secular Foxhole. Certain negative life events have taken a toll and have left me deeply depressed and, well, let's just say --morose-- in general. I don't know how long this will last either, as I cannot afford objective psychiatric assistance.

I will still welcome email correspondence, but I can't promise an immediate answer.
Of course, if the mood strikes, I may just post a thing or two if the news is warranted.

Actually, I had been working on a "Top Favorites" listing, of books, music, movies, etc. If I can finish that, I will post it for all to read and comment on, but again, I don't know when.

Best premises,

Blair

[revised post 5-19-05]

Richard Dawkins interview on Salon.com

Evolutionary biologist Dawkins explains why God is a delusion, religion is a virus, and America has slipped back into the Dark Ages...
(You'll need to get Salon's daily 'site pass' to finish reading the article. No registration required.)


http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2005/04/30/dawkins/index_np.html

Evangelical Christians dominate Air Force Academy

This story, issued by the Seattle Times, covers a disturbing trend at one of our military academies. Says "christian" cadets use intimidation tactics on non-religious fellow students to badger them into accepting Christ.
Nice bunch.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002258355_academy30.html

Chavez calls on American's to "liberate" their nation...

Hugo Chavez, the Venezulean strongman-goon, while visiting Fidel in Cuba, calls on American's to "liberate" themselves from oppression. Not to mention, bad media!
I concur, but not in the way Hugo wants our 'liberation' :-)

http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/americas/04/29/venezuela.cuba.ap/

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.

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?