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Batchman
Joined: 12 Dec 2004
Posts: 1419
Location: Orlando FL
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| Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2004 5:45 pm Post subject: Libertarianism |
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All right ... recently I read a book of essays by sci-fi author and libertarian L Neil Smith about his version of libertarianism.
There are things I don't agree with, but when I balance them with the benefits of some of the things he mentions, I start to find I consider I can live with those things.
So anybody else who is familiar with Smith's ideas, jump in and talk a bit, and give me more reasons to consider changing my party affiliation.
And for those who aren't familiar with his works, what he seems to be largely in favor of is going back to a strict interpretation of the constitution, where the bill of rights is an all-powerful list of the things the government can't do, which it has done heavily for at least the last 100 to 150 years.
I find myself seriously interested in things like rolling back all kinds of unconstitutional taxes which the government never should have been allowed to start collecting in the first place.
I do find myself wondering where the libertarians stand, however, on matters like a strong military to protect our interests, and things like the current legal system, police system, and things like that.
So talk to me, Skeebs, estio ... anybody else with thoughts and knowledge on this! |
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JuntaJoe
Joined: 07 Nov 2004
Posts: 7391
Location: Texas
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| Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 12:37 am Post subject: |
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Another terrific Sci-Fi romp is that by Michael Z. Williamson.
All it about a Libertarian utopia world that runs afoul of a totally socialist Earth.
War ensues and the whole book is outstanding.
Great action, characters, and background.
He totally fleshes out how a libertarian world would work. Really devotes hundreds of pages to it.
Printed in 2004, Freehold should be easy to find or order.
ISBN: 0-7434-7179-2 |
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Batchman
Joined: 12 Dec 2004
Posts: 1419
Location: Orlando FL
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| Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 11:00 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for mentioning it, Joe!
When I have a chance (probably after Christmas) I'll try and look into that. |
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JuntaJoe
Joined: 07 Nov 2004
Posts: 7391
Location: Texas
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| Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 11:29 pm Post subject: |
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| Just give the bookstore that ISBN number and they can get that book in one or two weeks if it's not on their shelves. |
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Batchman
Joined: 12 Dec 2004
Posts: 1419
Location: Orlando FL
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| Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2004 11:28 pm Post subject: |
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Not a problem, but it will have to be after Christmas ... too much going on until then.
Want to know my current schedule?
M-F 8 am to 6 pm, working as a courier.
T, F 5-9 pm twisting balloons at restaurants
S, S 12-9 pm more or less twisting balloons in restaurants.
Designing web sites in any free time.
And as of tonight, a good possibility of working balloons at a resort, Saturday and Sunday mornings from 8 - 11 for the next three weeks. (Why? Because the pay is about $50 an hour.)
Right now I barely have time to think, much less read. After we reach January, things ought to slow down a bit again. |
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JuntaJoe
Joined: 07 Nov 2004
Posts: 7391
Location: Texas
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| Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2004 12:14 am Post subject: |
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| Whatever happened to the Merchant Marine idea? |
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Batchman
Joined: 12 Dec 2004
Posts: 1419
Location: Orlando FL
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| Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2004 6:45 am Post subject: |
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The possibilities are working out well enough here that I don't have to exile myself to sea for six months at a time.
Especially once the next step comes in play, and I start going to people's homes and cleaning viruses and spyware off their computers.
So now I'll happily stay in Florida. And if at some point in the near future, things start -not- working out, I can still do the mechant marine thing then. |
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JuntaJoe
Joined: 07 Nov 2004
Posts: 7391
Location: Texas
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| Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2004 1:35 pm Post subject: |
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Ok, I had thought the prospect of travel and big dinero was what had attracted you to the idea.
In any case, good to see you back on your feet.
Anywho, I guess we should meander back to the topic. :wink: |
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Batchman
Joined: 12 Dec 2004
Posts: 1419
Location: Orlando FL
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| Posted: Sat Dec 18, 2004 8:50 pm Post subject: |
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Well, I can come halfway close to the same money, already ... and if some other plans I am currently working on come off well, then I'll be able to make well more than I would have on ship.
As for travel, unless it is very slow and relaxing, I don't really like it. |
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JuntaJoe
Joined: 07 Nov 2004
Posts: 7391
Location: Texas
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| Posted: Sat Dec 18, 2004 10:49 pm Post subject: |
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| Nothing slower than taking a frieghter around the planet. :lol: |
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Morticcia
Joined: 12 Nov 2004
Posts: 186
Location: under the desk
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| Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 1:29 pm Post subject: |
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Massachusett's just lost it's most famous libertarian: David Brudnoy. He was a talkshow host, among other things. Of course all of the political and society glitterati came out singing his praises. I was a bit miffed by it all.
I liked some of his ideas but the way he baited people on his show grated on my nerves. It was a little bit better than most talk radio, but still unfair. I know my standards wouldn't generate ad revenue, but to listen to him being called all these glorious things I thought a bit much.
In his last public statement printed in the Boston Globe he mentioned that the format of his radio show did not always reflect his personal preferences and just reading that made the grudge I harbored against him disappear. We as humans all have faults and anyone who is man enough to own up to them will always get my respect.
M |
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