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Liberty and Power

  • Nov 16, 2004

    Science and Skepticism

    by Liberty and Power

    [cross-posted at Mises Blog]

    Philosopher John Searle has recently argued that the progress of empirical science has now made possible a"new kind of philosophy" no longer beset by the skeptical doubts that worried Descartes and Hume. I agree that philosophers needn't be troubled by such skeptical doubts, but I don't think the case against skepticism depends in any way on
  • Nov 16, 2004

    Cabinet Shuffle

    by Liberty and Power

    Lileks makes two very insightful, yet amazingly economical, observations today. The first, regarding the reports that Condi Rice is likely to become the Secretary of State: “I want her to go to Saudi Arabia, and I want her first words upon getting off the plane to be ‘I’ll drive.’” Yes. At some point, these medievals need to brought into the 21st century, or at least the 20th. Then he says: “As for the Department of Education, I’d like to see an exp
  • Nov 15, 2004

    To Be or Not To Be ... Democracy?

    by Liberty and Power

    I found two very interesting essays in the NY Times this weekend, the second almost a response to the first. In Robert Kagan's essay,"We Broke It, We Bought It," a review of Noah Feldman's book, What We Owe Iraq: War and the Ethics of Nation Building, he writes:

    Feldman's most important quality ... may have been his deep belief i
  • Nov 15, 2004

    Torture by Proxy

    by Liberty and Power

    There are credible reports that the US is flying"terrorist suspects" to countries that will torture them to obtain information. The Sunday Times (London) states,"An executive jet is being used by US intelligence agencies to fly terrorist suspects to countries that use torture in their prisons. The movements of the Gulfstream 5, leased by agents f
  • Nov 12, 2004

    The Force of Morality

    by Liberty and Power

    While many Kerry-supporting"blues" are blaming evangelicals for Kerry's loss (as if the social-conservatives were the only reason for the Democrat's denouement) and some Bush-supporting"reds" are busy denying that religious-right voters have any real electoral power (I still find it odd calling states backing the party of Joe McCarthy"red") ... it is certainly true that the Culture War is heating up. In thi

  • Nov 12, 2004

    Iraqi Casualties

    by Liberty and Power

    One of my favorite sites, LewRockwell.com has an article this morning by John Pllger who points out the coverup that has been occurring in the media on the number of Iraqi casualties. (Pilger's analysis is followed by an email I received from a Prof. who breaks down the casualty figures.)

    Pilger writes, There is nothing illicit about this cover-up; it happens in d

  • Nov 11, 2004

    Is Something Wrong with this Picture?

    by Liberty and Power

    Ever since Nipplegate (the fiasco at the Super Bowl when Janet Jackson flashed a breast to a rather large TV audience), the TV networks have been a little apprehensive about violating FCC"decency standards." Well, today of all days, on the occasion of Veteran's Day, comes this report from the NY Daily News. Richard Huff tells us in his article,"

  • Nov 11, 2004

    Education and the vote

    by Liberty and Power

    Following up on Roderick Long's post on election demographics, I find education patterns to be interesting as well. The Dems have been strongest among the least educated (no high school) and the most educated (postgraduate study). The GOP, in contrast, has been hitting the ball in the fat part of the education strike zone. Any theories as to why that is so?
  • Nov 10, 2004

    Ashcroft Resigns

    by Liberty and Power

    Guess I get the"scoop" on Ashcroft's resignation -- a fringe benefit of getting up at 5:30. Of course, I got up early so I could extra work done, and here I am blogging, but I have to say it doesn't break my heart to see Ashcroft leave.

    AG UPDATE:

  • Nov 10, 2004

    Quagmire Exit Strategy

    by Liberty and Power

    Here's a speech the president isn't likely to give, but should.

    I would now like to address the Iraqi people, and I’ll be very brief. We’re leaving. Tomorrow morning, all US troops will be withdrawing from Iraq. Before you start firing guns in the air, which NRA safety guidelines discourage, take a moment to contemplate your situation. Until very recently, you were subjects of one the worst tyrannies in recent history. Now you are not. I had hoped you would embrace your freedo