12/20 -- Manchin pulls plug on Biden's Big Basket of Boondoggles; Cops must learn that no means no
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Thomas L. Knapp
Dec 20, 2021, 7:02:22 AM12/20/21
to Freedom News Daily
Freedom News Daily, 12/20/21
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Today's Freedom News:
1) Manchin pulls plug on Biden's Big Basket of Boondoggles
2) Hong Kong: Record low turnout in "election" pre-rigged for Beijing quislings
3) Netherlands: Regime imposes Christmas lockdown
4) Chile: Boric wins presidential election
5) UK: Brexit negotiator David Frost quits regime
6) NYT investigation: US vastly undercounted civilian deaths caused by airstrikes in the Middle East
7) SpaceX carries out two Falcon 9 launches and two booster recoveries on same day
8) Afghanistan: Volunteer group evacuates 39 Americans and permanent residents
9) Up, up and they pay: $2.6 million winning bid for Superman #1 comic
10) CA: Drakeo the Ruler dead after stabbing at Los Angeles concert; Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent performances canceled
11) GM starts delivering electric Hummer pickup trucks to customers
12) NATO mulls deploying troops to Bulgaria, Romania
13) WA: Socialist Seattle City Councilmember survives recall attempt
14) Senate Recesses for the Year; no Build Back Better or Voting Rights [sic]
15) SCOTUS arguments suggest bright future for government takeover of religious schools
16) UK regime: Troops "highly unlikely" to be deployed to Ukraine to defend against Russia
17) US Senate confirms dozens to ambassador posts
18) Catalonia: Thousands protest against mandate for more of Spanish occupiers' language in schools
19) Federal appeals court reinstates Biden regime's business vaccine and testing mandate
20) Brazil: Police report accuses Bolsonaro of spreading disinformation on voting system
Today's Freedom Commentary:
21) Cops must learn that no means no
22) When Your Government Ends A War But Increases The Military Budget, You're Being Scammed
23) Part Of The ... er, My ... Problem with Dave Smith's Libertarian Party Strategy Recommendations
24) Useless Christmas Trivia (That You May Find Pretty Useful)
25) Seattle's Socialist Survives
26) New York aims big on gun control -- and misses, again
27) Can Dikes Be Private?: An Argument against Public Goods Theory
28) The Values in the Constitution
29) More government "benefits"
30) Behind the Korean Peninsula "arms race"
31) Are We Near the End of the Road to Serfdom? Part 1
32) Biden is foundering because Democrats made two major misjudgments
33) A new way to protect the integrity of our elections
34) The Economy May Be Finally Peaking, and the Fed Won't Help Matters
35) Learning from the Korematsu decision of '44
36) Distinguishing Radical Liberation From Liberal Authoritarianism
37) Threatening War With Iran Won't Save the Nuclear Deal
38) Double-Rigging of the Auto Market
39) Intoxicating Prospects
40) Realism And Restraint Put America First
41) Democrats Return To Segregation
42) Care about what your constituents care about
43) A Note to My Well-Credentialed Friends
44) Going Soft [sic] on China Will Not Reduce Inflation
45) Fund Science on the Basis of Scientists‘ Work, Not Their Identity
46) Delicensing Doctors for "Harmful Misinformation"
47) Global Freedom Is on the Decline
48) "Freeloading" Elon Musk to Pay Largest Federal Tax Bill in History, an Estimated $8.3 Billion
49) Farming Is Fundamental
50) Economic Incentives Matter: Especially When It Comes to Defense
Today's Freedom Podcast and Video:
51) Part Of The Problem, 12/18/21
52) Free Talk Live, 12/19/21
53) Soho Forum Debate: Can Vaccine Mandates Be Justified?
54) The Tom Woods Show, episode 2029
55) Free Thoughts Podcast, episode 424
56) The Fifth Column, episode 339
57) The Bryan Hyde Show, 12/17/21
58) Declare Your Independence with Ernest Hancock, 12/17/21
59) Bloggingheads.tv, 12/17/21
60) Ron Paul Liberty Report, 12/17/21
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_____ Today's Freedom News _____
1) Manchin pulls plug on Biden's Big Basket of Boondoggles
Source: Roll Call
"Sen. Joe Manchin III said on Sunday that he can't support the sweeping social safety net and climate change package that President Joe Biden and Democratic leaders have made their top legislative priority. The West Virginia Democrat's opposition is likely the final nail in the massive $2 trillion-plus 'Build Back Better' legislation given the Senate's 50-50 split, unless extensive changes are made that would result in key provisions being scuttled. ... Manchin has expressed several concerns with the size and scope of the package. He wants the total price tag capped at $1.75 trillion over 10 years and has complained that several programs would end early in order to artificially keep costs down. ... 'Pick what [your] prized priorities are, like most people do in their families or their businesses, and you fund them for 10 years. And you make sure they deliver the services for 10 years,' Manchin said." (12/19/21)
https://www.rollcall.com/2021/12/19/manchin-pulls-plug-on-build-back-better-bill/
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2) Hong Kong: Record low turnout in "election" pre-rigged for Beijing quislings
Source: Reuters
"Pro-Beijing candidates swept to victory in an overhauled 'patriots'-only legislative election in Hong Kong that critics deemed undemocratic, with turnout hitting a record low amid a crackdown on the city's freedoms by China. The 30.2% turnout, about half that of the previous poll in 2016, was seen by pro-democracy activists as a rebuke to China .... Almost all seats were taken by pro-Beijing and pro-establishment candidates, some of whom cheered on stage at the vote counting centre and chanted 'guaranteed win.' ... China's Liaison Office in Hong Kong, the Beijing government's representative in the territory, described the election as 'successful practice of democracy with Hong Kong characteristics.'" (12/20/21)
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/hong-kong-patriots-only-election-draws-record-low-turnout-2021-12-19/
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3) Netherlands: Regime imposes Christmas lockdown
Source: BBC News [UK state media]
"The Netherlands has begun a strict lockdown over Christmas amid concerns over the Omicron coronavirus variant. Non-essential shops, bars, gyms, hairdressers and other public venues are closed until at least 14 January. Two guests per household will be allowed, four over the holidays. Prime Minister Mark Rutte said the measures were 'unavoidable.' Countries across Europe have been tightening restrictions as the heavily mutated variant spreads. The new rules in the Netherlands are the strictest to have been announced over Omicron so far. 'I stand here tonight in a sombre mood. And a lot of people watching will feel that way too,' Mr Rutte told a news conference on Saturday. 'To sum it up in one sentence, the Netherlands will go back into lockdown from tomorrow.' Under the new restrictions, people are being urged to stay at home as much as possible." (12/19/21)
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-59715940
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4) Chile: Boric wins presidential election
Source: NBC News
"A leftist [sic] millennial who rose to prominence during anti-government protests was elected Chile's next president Sunday after a bruising campaign against a free-market [sic] firebrand likened to Donald Trump. With more than 90% of polling stations reporting, Gabriel Boric had 56% of the votes, compared with 44% for his opponent, lawmaker Jose Antonio Kast. ... Boric, 35, will become Chile's youngest modern president when he takes office in March. He was among several activists elected to Congress in 2014 after leading protests for higher quality education. On the stump, he vowed to 'bury' the neoliberal economic model left by Gen. Augusto Pinochet's 1973-1990 dictatorship and raise taxes on the 'super rich' to expand social services, fight inequality and boost protections of the environment." (12/19/21)
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latin-america/leftist-millennial-wins-election-chiles-president-rcna9314
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5) UK: Brexit negotiator David Frost quits regime
Source: India Today [India]
"Former Brexit negotiator David Frost resigned from the government with immediate effect on Saturday, topping a torrid week for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson after a party rebellion on new coronavirus curbs and by-election humiliation. Frost, a trusted ally of the prime minister, sent his resignation letter following reports that he was to leave his post in January. ... The Mail on Sunday earlier reported that Frost had handed in his resignation a week ago, but had been persuaded to stay on until the New Year. Johnson is already reeling from a rebellion by 100 of his MPs in a parliamentary vote over coronavirus measures and the stunning loss of a 23,000-majority seat in a by-election." (12/19/21)
https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/brexit-negotiator-david-frost-quits-uk-govt-britain-1889583-2021-12-19
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6) NYT investigation: US vastly undercounted civilian deaths caused by airstrikes in the Middle East
Source: Business Insider
"The US military vastly undercounted civilian deaths caused by airstrikes in the Middle East since 2014, according to a New York Times investigation published Saturday. The Times reviewed a hidden Pentagon archive comprised of the military's confidential assessments of over 1,300 reports of civilian casualties in airstrikes, finding there was 'flawed intelligence, faulty targeting,' and a lack of accountability for wrongdoing. While the official military count says 1,417 civilians have been killed in Iraq and Syria, the investigation found many more civilian deaths, citing multiple examples, though it did not provide an exact count. After a 2016 bombing in Tokhar, Syria, the military said only seven to 24 civilians died, but The Times investigation found over 120 civilians had actually been killed in the strike." (12/19/21)
https://www.businessinsider.com/us-vastly-undercounted-civilian-deaths-caused-by-airstrikes-nyt-2021-12
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7) SpaceX carries out two Falcon 9 launches and two booster recoveries on same day
Source: CBS News
"In an end-of-year launch surge, SpaceX fired off two Falcon 9 rockets Saturday, launching 52 Starlink internet relay satellites from California in the morning and a Turkish communications satellite from Florida a little more than 15 hours later. The rapid-fire launches marked a company record 29th and 30th Falcon 9 flights so far this year, with a final launch planned for Tuesday to send an unpiloted Dragon capsule to the International Space Station carrying crew supplies, science gear, spare parts and Christmas presents. That flight will mark the California rocket builder's 134th Falcon 9 launch since the booster's debut in 2010, the 137th counting three triple-core Falcon Heavy rockets." (12/18/21)
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/spacex-carries-out-two-falcon-9-launches-two-booster-recoveries-on-same-day/
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8) Afghanistan: Volunteer group evacuates 39 Americans and permanent residents
Source: Fox News
"Almost 40 American citizens and lawful permanent residents left behind from President Biden's chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan were evacuated Friday by a volunteer civilian group. Thirty-nine American citizens and lawful residents were evacuated from the war-torn country Friday and arrived at New York City's JFK airport on Saturday morning thanks to the volunteer group Project Dynamo, according to the New York Post. Project Dynamo receives funding from Save Our Allies, which is affiliated with The Independence Fund. Among the evacuees, more than a dozen children including an 11-month-old American citizen. ... Two members of Project Dynamo reportedly flew into Afghanistan from an undisclosed country earlier this week and brought evacuees to a safehouse near Kabul with a group of volunteers." (12/19/21)
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/volunteer-group-evacuates-39-americans-permanent-residents-afghanistan
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9) Up, up and they pay: $2.6 million winning bid for Superman #1 comic
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
"A rare copy of a Superman #1 comic book that sold on newsstands for a dime in 1939 was purchased for $2.6 million in an auction. The comic showing Superman leaping over tall buildings on the cover was sold Thursday night to a buyer who wishes to maintain a secret identity, according to ComicConnect.com, an online auction and consignment company. The seller, Mark Michaelson, bought the comic in 1979 from its original owner and kept it in a temperature-controlled safe. Michaelson, now semi-retired and living in Houston, paid his way through college by buying and selling comics. The character created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster is a pioneer of the superhero genre, and comics featuring the Man of Steel have netted super prices recently. ComicConnect announced in April that a copy of Action Comics #1, the comic that introduced Superman in 1938, sold for $3.25 million." (12/19/21)
https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Up-up-and-they-pay-2-6M-winning-bid-for-16710262.php
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10) CA: Drakeo the Ruler dead after stabbing at Los Angeles concert; Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent performances canceled
Source: Fox News
"The rapper Drakeo the Ruler is reportedly dead following a backstage stabbing attack at Los Angeles'[s] Once Upon a Time festival concert, where acts on the bill included Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, and 50 Cent. TMZ first reported that the singer, whose real name is Darrell Caldwell, died at the hospital from his injuries. The Los Angeles Times identified the victim as rapper Drakeo the Ruler, reporting he was attacked by a group of people while backstage and was in critical condition when he was taken to a hospital. He suffered a stab wound to the neck, the Los Angeles Police Department said, according to KTLA-TV. Snoop Dogg canceled his set at the Once Upon a Time in LA festival at Banc of California Stadium in Exposition Park before the rest of the show was also halted, police said." (12/19/21)
https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/drakeo-ruler-stabbing-los-angeles-snoop-dogg-50-cent-once-upon-time-exposition-park
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11) GM starts delivering electric Hummer pickup trucks to customers
Source: The Verge
"GM has officially started sending its Hummer EV Edition 1 pickup trucks out of the factory and into the driveways of customers, according to a press release on the company's website. Built on the Ultium platform, the Hummer EV Edition 1 model comes with a hefty $110,295 price tag, along with up to 1,000 horsepower, 11,500 lb-ft of torque, and an estimated 329-mile range. ... Meanwhile, the 625HP Hummer EV 2X will cost $89,995, comes with two motors, and will be available in the spring of 2023. It will last an estimated 300 miles on a single charge, and will produce 7,400 lb-ft of torque. Finally, the cheapest of the bunch -- the Hummer EV 2 -- also has two motors and produces the same 625HP and 7,400 lb-ft of torque. GM plans to release it for $79,995 in the spring of 2024, with a range of over 250 miles on a full charge." (12/18/21)
https://www.theverge.com/2021/12/18/22843805/gm-ev-hummer-pickup-truck-delivery
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12) NATO mulls deploying troops to Bulgaria, Romania
Source: Deutsche Welle [Germany]
"NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe Gen. Tod Wolters has suggested the alliance should deploy troops in Bulgaria and Romania after Russia's military buildup near the Ukrainian border, German newspaper Der Spiegel reported on Saturday. Der Spiegel said the plans would in effect extend the alliance's 'Enhanced Forward Presence' mission under which it has already deployed troops to the Baltic countries and eastern Poland. NATO has declined to comment on the report in Der Spiegel. (12/18/21)
https://www.dw.com/en/nato-mulls-deploying-troops-to-bulgaria-romania-der-spiegel/a-60182693
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13) WA: Socialist Seattle City Councilmember survives recall attempt
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
"Voters in Seattle have retained socialist Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant, the controversial lawmaker and long-time foe of hometown tech giant Amazon. Sawant had faced a recall effort. King County Elections on Friday officially certified the Dec. 7 recall election, showing Sawant narrowly prevailing with 50.4% voting 'no' on the recall question and 49.6% people casting 'yes' ballots. Sawant, a 48-year-old economics professor, is the longest-tenured council member in Seattle. By surviving the recall she gave a boost to the beleaguered left wing in liberal Seattle, which was bruised in last month's general election when business-friendly candidates won the mayor's office and a council seat. Sawant has had an outsized influence on the tone and direction of Seattle politics since she launched her political career under the banner of the Socialist Alternative party in 2012, when she ran unsuccessfully for state representative." (12/19/21)
https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Socialist-Seattle-City-Councilmember-survives-16711546.php
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14) Senate Recesses for the Year; no Build Back Better or Voting Rights [sic]
Source: Common Dreams
"The US Senate adjourned for the year at 4:02am Saturday morning after Democrats failed to reach agreement on their top legislative priorities: the Build Back Better Bill and voting rights legislation. But, at 1:30am, with one of the last few votes of the year, former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel was confirmed ambassador to Japan. The Senate is now scheduled to return to Washington on Jan. 3. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) had promised for weeks that the Senate would pass Biden's Build Back Better legislation by Christmas. But Schumer acknowledged on Friday that the Senate had failed to meet that timeline. While Democratic Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema are largely responsible for killing the Democrat's priority legislation, Majority Leader Schumer was called out for never even forcing them to take a vote before adjourning for the year." (12/18/21)
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/12/18/us-senate-recesses-year-without-build-back-better-voting-rights
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15) SCOTUS arguments suggest bright future for government takeover of religious schools
Source: Fox News
"Supporters of school freedom can take comfort in the fact that Supreme Court justices are pushing back on state efforts to exclude families who want to use school choice to send their children to religious schools. School freedom should be for all families regardless of whether they plan to send their children to a secular or religious school. The case currently before the court, Carson v. Makin, pits Maine parents who want to use the state's voucher program to send their children to religious schools against a 1980 decision by Maine's attorney general denying families that option. The state's counsel faced a grilling from the justices, with Justice Brett Kavanaugh saying, 'I don't see how you're suggesting that the subsidy changes the analysis. That's just discrimination on the basis of religion right there at that neighborhood level.'" (12/19/21)
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/supreme-court-school-choice-david-mcintosh
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16) UK regime: Troops "highly unlikely" to be deployed to Ukraine to defend against Russia
Source: BBC News [UK state media]
"Britain and its allies are 'highly unlikely' to send troops to defend Ukraine if Russia invades the country, the UK's defence secretary has said. 'We shouldn't kid people we would,' Ben Wallace told the Spectator magazine. 'The Ukrainians are aware of that.' Russia has moved thousands of troops near Ukraine's eastern borders, leading Western powers to urge President Vladimir Putin to de-escalate tensions. Moscow has denied plans to attack and has asked for urgent talks with the US. On Friday, Russia demanded strict limits on the activities of the US-led Nato military alliance in countries in Eastern Europe. The alliance was originally set up to defend Europe against possible threats from the former Soviet Union." [editor's note: Actually, the Russian troops are near the eastern borders of seceded republics that haven't been part of Ukraine for seven years now – TLK] (12/19/21)
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-59712020
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17) US Senate confirms dozens to ambassador posts
Source: CNN
"The US Senate overnight confirmed more than three dozen of President Joe Biden's nominees to ambassador posts, ending a months-long Republican-led blockade on quick consideration of the diplomatic nominations. ... Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz had for months refused to allow quick confirmation on diplomatic nominations to protest the Biden administration's policy on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. ... Early Saturday morning, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, announced a deal that Cruz's legislation imposing sanctions would be debated and voted on by mid-January." (12/18/21)
https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/18/politics/senate-confirms-ambassador-rahm-emanuel/index.html
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18) Catalonia: Thousands protest against mandate for more of Spanish occupiers' language in schools
Source: Seattle Times
"Thousands of Catalans took to the streets of Barcelona on Saturday to protest against a court decision that mandates that 25% of all school subjects be taught in Spanish, reducing the still predominant use of the local Catalan language in classrooms. Demonstrators say this would threaten their cherished educational system, which has helped bring Catalan back to common use after it had been suppressed during the 20th-century dictatorship of Gen. Francisco Franco. ... The renewed defense of the Catalan language also promises to galvanize the region's separatist movement that has been struggling to maintain its unity. Several marchers carried pro-independence flags, and the movement's leaders were in attendance." (12/18/21)
https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/world/catalans-protest-against-mandate-for-more-spanish-in-schools/
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19) Federal appeals court reinstates Biden regime's business vaccine and testing mandate
Source: CNBC
"A federal appeals court has reinstated the Biden administration's vaccine and testing requirement for private businesses that covers about 80 million American workers. The ruling by the 6th U.S. Court of Appeals in Cincinnati lifted a November injunction that had blocked the rule from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which applies to businesses with at least 100 workers. ... The more than two dozen lawsuits filed against the vaccine and testing requirements were transferred to the Sixth Circuit last month after the Biden administration ask a multidistrict litigation panel to consolidate the case in a single court through random selection." (12/17/21)
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/17/federal-court-reinstates-biden-administrations-business-vaccine-mandate.html
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20) Brazil: Police report accuses Bolsonaro of spreading disinformation on voting system
Source: Al Jazeera [Qatar state media]
"Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro had a 'direct and relevant' role in spreading disinformation about the country's electoral process during live streams on social media, according to a police document. Federal police commissioner Denisse Ribeiro wrote in the document that Bolsonaro's streams had a 'clear purpose' of misguiding Brazilians over the integrity of the country's elections, the Reuters news agency, which reviewed the police file, said on Friday. In a political playbook similar to one used by former US President Donald Trump, Bolsonaro has said multiple times in the past months that Brazil's electronic voting system was rigged during the 2018 presidential election, which he won. He says he should have been elected in the first round of voting, but never presented any evidence of fraud." (12/17/21)
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/12/17/brazil-bolsonaro-spread-disinformation-on-voting-system-police
_____ Today's Freedom Commentary _____
21) Cops must learn that no means no
Source: Downsize DC
by Perry Willis
"Seventeen-year-old Tiara Helm had an epileptic seizure at a concert. When she woke up, she had four cops holding her down. ... Sadly, too many cops hate being told no. They assume that they're supposed to give the orders; you and I are supposed to obey. They've forgotten that they are public servants, not masters. So they failed to obey Tiara when she told them no, get off of me. Instead ... The cops got angry when Tiara failed to obey their orders to remain calm and still. They transformed from pretend-doctors into all-too-real aggressors. They imposed themselves on Tiara. And just to make sure she knew who was in charge, a fifth cop shocked her with a taser." (12/17/21)
https://downsizedc.org/blog/cops-need-to-learn-that-no-means-no/
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22) When Your Government Ends A War But Increases The Military Budget, You're Being Scammed
Source: Caitlin Johnstone, Rogue Journalist
by Caitlin Johnstone
"The US Senate has passed its National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) military spending bill for the fiscal year of 2022, setting the budget at an astronomical $778 billion by a vote of 89 to 10. The bill has already been passed by the House, now requiring only the president's signature. An amendment to cease facilitating Saudi Arabia's atrocities in Yemen was stripped from the bill. 'The most controversial parts of the 2,100-page military spending bill were negotiated behind closed doors and passed the House mere hours after it was made public, meaning members of Congress couldn't possibly have read the whole thing before casting their votes,' reads a Politico article on the bill's passage by Lindsay Koshgarian, William Barber II and Liz Theoharis. The US military had a budget of $14 billion for its scaled-down Afghanistan operations in the fiscal year of 2021, down from $17 billion in 2020." (12/17/21)
https://caitlinjohnstone.com/2021/12/17/when-your-government-ends-a-war-but-increases-the-military-budget-youre-being-scammed/
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23) Part Of The ... er, My ... Problem with Dave Smith's Libertarian Party Strategy Recommendations
Source: KN@PPSTER
by Thomas L Knapp
"Standing aside for 'not quite as bad' candidates so that 'worse' candidates may not win is pretty much the equivalent of wanting a good pension plan but supporting Social Security until that better pension plan just magically appears out of thin air with no effort or risk on your part. You're not going to get what you want. At best, you're going to get a pale, unsatisfactory substitute. Because why the hell would anyone give you what you want when you've already cheerfully agreed to settle for less rather than risk anything at all? As Frederick Douglass said, 'Power concedes nothing without a demand.'" (12/19/21)
https://knappster.blogspot.com/2021/12/part-of-er-my-problem-with-dave-smiths.html
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24) Useless Christmas Trivia (That You May Find Pretty Useful)
Source: American Consequences
by PJ O'Rourke
"This year, you may be back to having a great big, old-fashioned family Christmas dinner; good luck with that. Sometimes it's hard to get the conversation started. More often, it's hard to get the conversation stopped. As soon as everybody starts screaming and yelling at one another, it's your job, as host, to quickly CHANGE THE SUBJECT! Below are a few random items of useless Christmas trivia. Interject them loudly in a commanding tone of voice, and maybe your guests will be momentarily distracted and quit venting their spleens at one another ... and start venting them at you. ... 'The original 'St. Nick' was Saint Nicholas of Myra, a fourth-century bishop in Asia Minor who was famously generous to the poor but so shy about his generosity that he used to drop gifts down poor people's chimneys in the middle of the night." (12/17/21)
https://americanconsequences.com/useless-christmas-trivia-that-you-may-find-pretty-useful/
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25) Seattle's Socialist Survives
Source: Liberty
by Bruce Ramsey
"Officially, the reason to recall [councilwoman Kshama] Sawant was that she broke the law, the most egregious example being her leadership of a protest march to Mayor Jenny Durkan's house. Durkan was a federal prosecutor before she was mayor, and by law her address is a protected secret. Unofficially, the reason to recall Sawant is that she is a radical leftist. Because this is a libertarian website, and we are classified by the rest of the world as right-wingers, my statement risks being taken as the low-down tactic of gross exaggeration .... Sawant would no doubt accuse me of 'redbaiting,' a term she has taken out of the political dustbin of the 1930s. It's true enough. I offer in my defense that she is an open member of Socialist Alternative, which is a proudly crimson outfit." (12/18/21)
https://libertyunbound.com/seattles-socialist-survives/
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26) New York aims big on gun control -- and misses, again
Source: The Hill
by Jonathan Turley
"In hunting, there is an old adage: 'aim small, miss small.' The point is that, if you want to hit a target, aim for a small part rather than the whole target. It is often the difference between a total miss and a marginal hit. In the area of Second Amendment law, the most promising legislative measures are the ones that aim small on the edges of the constitutionally-based right -- the strategy used by abortion opponents. The problem is that politicians rarely want to aim small when they are trying to score big with voters. An example is the recent New York public nuisance law seeking to make gun manufacturers liable for gun crime. Not only is the law likely to be a large miss, it will likely deliver another blow to gun control efforts by adding precedent protecting Second Amendment rights." (12/18/21)
https://thehill.com/opinion/judiciary/586385-new-york-aims-big-on-gun-control-and-misses-again
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27) Can Dikes Be Private?: An Argument against Public Goods Theory
Source: Ludwig von Mises Institute
by Philipp Bagus
"According to many economists, we need the state to provide public goods. The assertion seems to be so crystal-clear that it is not even worth discussion in the mainstream. One typical and popular example of public goods in Germany is the case of dikes or levees. ... Although Walter Block (1983) has shown the weaknesses in the case for public roads, the German argument for dikes as a public good remains to be addressed. After Hurricane Katrina and the collapse of the government dikes (or levees) infrastructure of New Orleans, the dike argument could gain momentum as well in the United States. In this article I examine the theoretical aspects, as well as the historical evidence from the Frisia region in Germany for this government-legitimizing argument." (12/18/21)
https://mises.org/library/can-dikes-be-private-argument-against-public-goods-theory
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28) The Values in the Constitution
Source: Tenth Amendment Center
by Rob Natelson
"The Declaration of Independence expressed a common American creed: All are born equal before God and the law, God bestows humans with natural rights, some of these rights are unalienable (untransferable), it's the purpose of government to secure them, and if a government incorrigibly fails to do so, the people should replace it. However, the Declaration didn't erect a system of government. It was an international law document that (when backed by arms) converted the colonies into new states with their own governments. ... The Constitution was structured to maximize the likelihood that the federal government would respect liberty. The framers believed the Constitution's most important safeguard for liberty was that it granted only limited powers to the central government." (12/18/21)
https://tenthamendmentcenter.com/2021/12/18/the-values-in-the-constitution/
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29) More government "benefits"
Source: The Price of Liberty
by Nathan Barton
"A recent article in a Los Angeles publication 'City Watch' reports that burned-out forests here in the States are not re-growing themselves. Why? Manmade global warming is the cause for both the fires and forests' failure to recover from massive fires in the last three-four decades. (And blames the 'biomass industry' for contributing to the death of forests and the planet warming -- and concealing the evidence.) ... The truth? Mankind (and nature) have been burning wood and forests and spewing the evil CO2 into the atmosphere since Creation. And while vast areas of forest (example: the American Midwest and the South) had massive deforestation in the 1800s, OTHER areas actually saw significant growth in forests -- like the Black Hills and the river valleys of the Great Plains -- and even parts of those same American Midwest States." (12/18/21)
https://thepriceofliberty.org/2021/12/18/more-government-benefits/
-----
30) Behind the Korean Peninsula "arms race"
Source: Responsible Statecraft
by Christopher Green
"In the autumn months, the two Koreas put on something of a military show for the world. As they flexed their muscles -- testing missiles and displaying new capabilities -- commentators speculated about an accelerating arms race and wondered whether the peninsula might be headed for a crisis moment after several quiet years. ... the autumn's activity does not necessarily augur a spike in near-term instability. It does, however, suggest that the two sides are positioning themselves for potentially consequential changes on the peninsula as South Korea's 2022 national elections approach, Seoul and Washington jostle for operational control over their combined forces, and Pyongyang contemplates a new push to achieve its stymied strategic and economic objectives." (12/18/21)
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2021/12/18/behind-the-korean-peninsula-arms-race/
-----
31) Are We Near the End of the Road to Serfdom? Part 1
Source: American Institute for Economic Research
by Barry Brownstein
"Recently I was drawn to reread Friedrich Hayek's The Road to Serfdom. Passages I previously overlooked leaped from the pages as if in bold print, signaling imminent danger to human progress. Hayek's message never seemed more prescient and timeless: The descent into totalitarianism can happen anywhere. ... Today, totalitarians are actively working to destroy the engine of human cooperation. Let's be clear: What Hayek saw as dangerous, what you see as dangerous, millions are now cheering for in the name of societal advancement." (12/18/21)
https://www.aier.org/article/are-we-near-the-end-of-the-road-to-serfdom-part-1/
-----
32) Biden is foundering because Democrats made two major misjudgments
Source: Washington Post
by Megan McArdle
"Reality happens to every president, of course, but reality has been happening especially hard to Biden. Nor can this be blamed entirely on the fickle finger of fate. The Biden administration has foundered in part because Democrats misjudged how much difference policy could make -- underestimating the effects of economic policy, while overestimating the effects of pandemic control. Back in January, there was a very clear theory of the incoming Biden presidency. All he really had to do was to not be an incompetent, impulsive pandemic-denier. ... Joe Biden was going to be the guy who used the healing power of science to give Americans their lives back. Americans would respond with a burst of gratitude, and Biden would use that political capital to pass big, ambitious programs that would please his political coalition and further endear him to voters." (12/18/21)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/12/18/biden-democrats-mistakes-inflation-pandemic/
-----
33) A new way to protect the integrity of our elections
Source: Fox News Forum
by Dr. Kevin Roberts
"When it comes to elections, all Americans can surely agree that everyone who's eligible to vote should be able to, and that all votes should be counted honestly and fairly, undiluted by fraud, errors, or mistakes. The Heritage Foundation has created its new Election Integrity Scorecard to help ensure that happens. President Abraham Lincoln once said, 'Elections belong to the people.' At a time when politicians across the country upended state election rules under the guise of COVID-19, the need to protect the people's elections, and to safeguard the value of every citizen's vote, couldn't be clearer. Every citizen's vote is sacred. The right to vote is how we as a free society guarantee that our government remains a republic of the people, by the people, and for the people." (12/18/21)
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/protect-integrity-elections-kevin-roberts
-----
34) The Economy May Be Finally Peaking, and the Fed Won't Help Matters
Source: Cobden Centre
by Brendan Brown
"Here we go again it may seem to many. The Fed is preparing us for a policy tightening just when a powerful growth cycle upturn is faltering. Or is it in fact an example of another well-known type of error from Fed history -- getting behind the curve of rising inflation? The most plausible answer is that it is neither. Instead, the huge monetary inflation shock which the Fed has administered so far in this pandemic means that the 'normalization steps' now in prospect for 2022 are all but irrelevant to macroeconomic prospects or asset market price trajectories. The more Federal Reserve chief Jerome Powell has been huffing and puffing, since his renomination (November 22), about normalizing policy, the steeper has been the fall in long-term interest rates." (12/17/21)
http://www.cobdencentre.org/2021/12/the-economy-may-be-finally-peaking-and-the-fed-wont-help-matters/
-----
35) Learning from the Korematsu decision of '44
Source: Orange County Register
by the editorial board
"On Dec. 18, 77 years ago, the United States Supreme Court regrettably upheld the constitutionality of orders resulting in the mass internment of Japanese Americans in Korematsu v. United States. ... Oakland-born Fred Korematsu defied the order and was arrested and jailed for daring to be free. Korematsu challenged the constitutionality of Executive Order 9066, arguing that it violated the due process clause of the Fifth Amendment. Sadly, a majority of the Supreme Court in 1944 upheld the order, accepting the federal government's claims the order was necessary and justified 'because Congress, reposing its confidence in this time of war in our military leaders -- as inevitably it must -- determined that they should have the power to do just this.'" (12/17/21)
https://www.ocregister.com/2021/12/17/learning-from-the-korematsu-decision-of-44/
-----
36) Distinguishing Radical Liberation From Liberal Authoritarianism
Source: CounterPunch
by Kenn Orphan
"In today's social media culture, radicalism is often reduced to performative social justice or virtue signalling. The way this works is through an impulse among many self-identified progressives (and some leftists) to amplify socially accepted ethics while policing the thought and speech of everyone else. I have seen this manifest in many forms, from 'canceling' a person because they may express a divergent opinion regarding gender expression, or in 'mob justice' mentality where a group of people gang up on one person online and troll them incessantly for expressing something that is considered unacceptable to today's progressive sensibilities." (12/17/21)
https://www.counterpunch.org/2021/12/17/distinguishing-radical-liberation-from-liberal-authoritarianism/
-----
37) Threatening War With Iran Won't Save the Nuclear Deal
Source: Common Dreams
by Trita Parsi
"Jeremy Scahill of The Intercept has a good piece responding to a letter published today by Michele Flournoy, Leon Panetta, General David Petraeus, Dennis Ross and a few others, urging Joe Biden to break the nuclear deadlock with Iran by issuing military threats. I am quoted extensively in the piece. I am including my quotes below, while also adding a few additional thoughts. ... I do believe -- as I hinted at in my recent piece for MSNBC -- that the fear of war was an important factor for the parties getting serious about diplomacy in 2013. Both the United States and Iran believed that war would be the outcome if talks failed. This helped sharpen the choices of both sides and helped muster political will (again, on both sides) that enabled the compromises manifested in the JCPOA." (12/18/21)
https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/12/18/threatening-war-iran-wont-save-nuclear-deal
-----
38) Double-Rigging of the Auto Market
Source: Free Association
by Sheldon Richman
"U.S. government interference with our lives often resembles a Russian matryoshka doll: regulation is nested in more regulation. Take the provision of Biden's pending Build Back Better bill that would create a big tax credit for people who buy U.S.-built electric vehicles (EV). Not only would the government distort the domestic auto market by rigging it in favor of electric vehicles over conventional ones, but it also would rig the EV market, Trump-style, in favor of U.S.-made products." (12/17/21)
https://sheldonfreeassociation.blogspot.com/2021/12/tgif-double-rigging-of-auto-market.html
-----
39) Intoxicating Prospects
Source: Cato Institute
by Jeffrey A Singer
"Several European countries have already decriminalized cannabis, but so far only Malta has legalized it. The difference is crucial: Decriminalization is certainly better than locking up people who prefer this ancient herb to alcohol as a narcotic, but legalization makes this decision much safer for adults. With drugs that are bought on the black market, one can never rely on dose and purity. Legalization leads to transparency and accountability. Nobody who buys an alcoholic drink ever worries about whether the information on alcohol content and ingredients is correct." (12/17/21)
https://www.cato.org/commentary/intoxicating-prospects
-----
40) Realism And Restraint Put America First
Source: The American Conservative
by Joe Kent
"Realism and restraint work because they truly put our nation and people first as they allow us to guard against hostile nations and nonstate actors. At the core of the failed neoconservative or liberal doctrines is the idea that America will never truly be challenged, that we will remain so strong that we can afford to spend resources building other nations in our image. Unfortunately, there was no end of history, and while we took our eyes off the world to bleed in the mountains of Afghanistan and in the deserts of Iraq the world maneuvered on us." (12/17/21)
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/realism-and-restraint-put-america-first/
-----
41) Democrats Return To Segregation
Source: Town Hall
by Derek Hunter
"Progressives love rewriting history. From the 1619 Project to renaming roads and melting of statues, if they can protect their party by wiping clean or reassigning their past, they're all for it. But underneath it all, below what they let the world see, is one simple truth: The Democratic Party was, is, and will always be, the party of racism. They created segregation and, as Democrat Governor George Wallace famously said, 'segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever.' Progressives publicly renounced their openly racist past as fellow progressive Adolf Hitler exposed what was always the endgame for eugenics, but their beliefs remained the same. The party of slavery and Jim Crow never changed their goal, they only changed their tactics." (12/19/21)
https://townhall.com/columnists/derekhunter/2021/12/19/democrats-return-to-segregation-n2600791
-----
42) Care about what your constituents care about
Source: Libertarian Policy
by Richard Manzo
"Liberty is a guiding philosophy and an ideal. Guiding philosophies and ideals are great for organizations, and liberty above all else is a perfect guiding philosophy for the Libertarian Party. But the goal of candidates should be improving the lives of their constituents. Improving lives necessitates the defense of existing liberties, the restoration of liberties infringed upon, and in some cases the creation [sic] of new [sic] rights (eg, the right to digital privacy from government)." (12/17/21)
https://libertarianpolicy.org/candidate-information/care-about-what-your-constituents-care-about/
-----
43) A Note to My Well-Credentialed Friends
Source: Brownstone Institute
by Thomas Harrington
"It really isn't that complex. The injections you and many others were dragooned into taking under the threat of losing your job and your basic civil liberties do not protect you from getting Covid or passing it on. Nor have they liberated you from mask-wearing, social distancing, the ongoing threat of lockdowns, and helpful advice from the government on how, and with whom, you can socialize at Christmas. ... Are you as a member of the well-educated Western elite class prepared to explore the possibility that members of the sociological cohort to which you belong are capable of highly organized evil and deception rooted in a deep disdain for the core humanity and inherent dignity of all people? " (12/17/21)
https://brownstone.org/articles/a-note-to-my-well-credentialed-friends/
-----
44) Going Soft [sic] on China Will Not Reduce Inflation
Source: The American Prospect
by Robert Kuttner
"The Biden administration is understandably eager both to reduce inflation and to demonstrate to the public that it is doing all that it can. Some actions that the administration has taken are good economics and smart politics -- for instance: getting serious about the supply chain mess; directing the FTC to look into price manipulation in the oil industry and its futures markets; and using antitrust powers generally to crack down on economic concentration and opportunistic price-gouging. But here is a really bad idea that some in the administration are pushing: cut some of the tariffs on China. For starters, these tariffs are key leverage in a long-term Biden strategy of pushing back on China's extralegal mercantilism that has been so harmful to U.S. industry. Any unilateral disarmament on this front makes no sense." (12/17/21)
https://prospect.org/blogs/tap/going-soft-on-china-will-not-reduce-inflation/
-----
45) Fund Science on the Basis of Scientists' Work, Not Their Identity
Source: Quillette
by Lawrence M Krauss
"The Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada, that country's major scientific funding organization, is developing a comprehensive research plan, called NSERC 2030, to guide its priorities over the next decade. In the current phase, NSERC is engaging with external stakeholders through a series of discussion papers aimed at finding new ways to support researchers and enhance the impact of their work. Predictably, there is a heavy focus on diversity ... We have gone down this road before, when strict quotas were placed on Jewish scientists within my own academic sphere, physics, as a means of excluding Jews (including very nearly, future Nobel Prize winner Richard Feynman) from US graduate schools. Today, we properly regard such policies as shameful, both for discriminating against individual human beings and for misdirecting society's scientific resources." (12/17/21)
https://quillette.com/2021/12/17/fund-science-on-the-basis-of-scientists-work-not-their-identity/
-----
46) Delicensing Doctors for "Harmful Misinformation"
Source: Association of American Physicians and Surgeons
by Jane M Orient, MD
"In addition to being subjected to various forms of censorship, for the first time in living memory American doctors are getting threat letters from licensure boards warning them against distributing 'harmful misinformation.' Medical boards in 12 states have disciplined doctors because of this allegation. While it is claimed that there's an epidemic of misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic, the warnings don't spell out what that means. We don't have an epidemic of patients dying because doctors told them to refuse treatment or to drink Clorox or aquarium cleaner. In fact, no patients need to have suffered any harm at all for the medical board to investigate a doctor's no-longer-free speech. All it takes is an anonymous complaint." (12/17/21)
https://aapsonline.org/delicensing-doctors-for-harmful-misinformation/
-----
47) Global Freedom Is on the Decline
Source: Reason
by Eric Boehm
"The vast majority of the world's population is less free today than it was about a decade ago--and all residents of the world's 10 most populated countries have seen their freedoms decline over the same period. That's the most worrying takeaway from the annual Human Freedom Index, an annual report produced by the libertarian Cato Institute and the Frasier Institute, a Canadian think tank. This year's index, released Thursday, ranks the United States as the world's 15th most free country out of the 156 jurisdictions included in the analysis. ... Freedom in the United States is on the decline in both absolute and relative terms, according to the new report." (12/17/21)
https://reason.com/2021/12/17/global-freedom-is-on-the-decline/
-----
48) "Freeloading" Elon Musk to Pay Largest Federal Tax Bill in History, an Estimated $8.3 Billion
Source: Foundation for Economic Education
by Jon Miltimore
"Elon Musk made a bold claim on Twitter on Tuesday. The Tesla founder said he would 'pay more taxes than any American in history this year.' Is the claim true? Only the IRS knows for certain who the largest taxpayer in US history is, but Forbes says Musk appears to be right. 'The eccentric billionaire (and the world's richest person) likely owes the federal government at least $8.3 billion for 2021,' Forbes reports. ... Musk was not bragging that he had the largest tax bill in history; on the contrary, he was responding to Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who -- somewhat unfathomably -- lashed out at Musk for not paying his fair share of taxes. 'Let's change the rigged tax code so The Person of the Year will actually pay taxes and stop freeloading off everyone else,' Warren tweeted." (12/17/21)
https://fee.org/articles/freeloading-elon-musk-to-pay-largest-federal-tax-bill-in-history-an-estimated-83-billion/
-----
49) Farming Is Fundamental
Source: Common Sense
by Paul Jacob
"If you live in Maine, you may now grow your own food. The right to do so has been safeguarded in the state constitution. If you have the right to life and to sustain your life, surely you have a right to farm. As we all know, though, governments regularly find excuses to interfere with all kinds of peaceful activities. So this past November, Maine voters passed a constitutional amendment authored by Rep. Billy Bob Faulkingham (whose energetic campaigns for freedom have previously caught Common Sense notice) and proposed by the legislature. ... Foes of the amendment worry that it will enable people to bypass regulations. Let's hope so." (12/17/21)
https://thisiscommonsense.org/2021/12/17/farming-is-fundamental/
-----
50) Economic Incentives Matter: Especially When It Comes to Defense
Source: Antiwar.com
by Doug Bandow
"Japan has a new government that has decided to embark upon a major military buildup. The cabinet approved the nation's highest defense budget ever, which also will set a record as a percent of GDP. The ground-breaking decision sent shock waves throughout the Asia-Pacific, which will witness a dramatic shift in the balance of power. Only kidding! Tokyo's new military outlays will set a record, but one based on a very low base. ... Japan has traditionally kept its outlays below one percent of GDP. This year they will run 1.14 percent of GDP, compared to 1.01 percent last year and 0.95 percent the year before. The fact that this small hike is considered transformative illustrates how cheap-riding on America has long been a favorite sport of Washington's supposed allies." (12/17/21)
https://original.antiwar.com/doug-bandow/2021/12/16/economic-incentives-matter-especially-when-it-comes-to-defense/
_____ Today's Freedom Podcast and Video _____
51) Part Of The Problem, 12/18/21
Source: GaS Digital Network
"The State of the LP for 2022." [various formats] (12/18/21)
https://art19.com/shows/d0ab5d6f-1972-4441-b3f8-6b61d09f7f15/embed?playlist_type=playlist&playlist_size=10#
-----
52) Free Talk Live, 12/19/21
Source: Free Talk Live
"Caller Confirms Covid Craziness Continues :: Connecticut Covid passport protests :: A real Corona crisis – Truck carrying beer flips on busy highway :: Santa is not real, stop lying to your kids :: Fauci vaccinated Santa himself while on Sesame Street :: Covid Re-Education Camps." [Flash audio or MP3] (12/19/21)
https://soundcloud.com/freetalklive/free-talk-live-2021-12-19
-----
53) Soho Forum Debate: Can Vaccine Mandates Be Justified?
Source: Reason
"George Mason University Law Professor Ilya Somin debates Libertarian Party activist Angela McArdle." [Editor's note: It's unfortunate that McArdle, who had the better side of the question to defend anyway, tried to rig the debate by getting supporters to register as initially "undecided" so that they could pretend she persuaded them – TLK] (12/18/21)
https://reason.com/video/2021/12/18/can-vaccine-mandates-be-justified-a-soho-forum-debate/
-----
54) The Tom Woods Show, episode 2029
Source: The Tom Woods Show
"Mark Crispin Miller, the Truth-Teller NYU Hates." [various formats] (12/18/21)
https://tomwoods.com/ep-2029-mark-crispin-miller-the-truth-teller-nyu-hates/
-----
55) Free Thoughts Podcast, episode 424
Source: Libertarianism.org
"Tech Panic (with Robby Soave)." [various formats] (12/17/21)
https://www.libertarianism.org/podcasts/free-thoughts/tech-panic
-----
56) The Fifth Column, episode 339
Source: The Fifth Column
"The RINOvirus, Insurrection Deflection, DeSantis Claus's Xmas Miracle!" [various formats] (12/17/21)
https://shows.acast.com/wethefifth/episodes/339-wrep-peter-meijer-the-rinovirus-insurrection-deflection
-----
57) The Bryan Hyde Show, 12/17/21
Source: The Bryan Hyde Show
"Are states with greater freedom less safe? For that matter, are people flocking to Texas, Florida and Idaho so they can feel less safe? These are among the questions posed by Casey Carlisle who convincingly explains why if you want to be safe, then leave people alone." [various formats] (12/17/21)
https://thebryanhydeshow.podbean.com/e/2021-december-17-the-bryan-hyde-show-hour-one/
-----
58) Declare Your Independence with Ernest Hancock, 12/17/21
Source: Freedom's Phoenix
"Ernest talks with Kingsley and Erin Edwards from Flote." [MP3] (12/17/21)
https://www.freedomsphoenix.com/Media/317311-2021-12-17-2021-12-17-ernest-talks-with-kingsley-and-erin-edwards.htm
-----
59) Bloggingheads.tv, 12/17/21
Source: Bloggingheads.tv
"All About Omicron | Robert Wright & Mickey Kaus." [Flash video] (12/17/21)
https://bloggingheads.tv/videos/63343
-----
60) Ron Paul Liberty Report, 12/17/21
Source: Ron Paul Liberty Report
"Fed Monetary Policy Is No Substitute For Monetary Reform." [Flash video] (12/17/21)
http://www.ronpaullibertyreport.com/archives/fed-monetary-policy-is-no-substitute-for-monetary-reform
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Today's Freedom News:
1) Manchin pulls plug on Biden's Big Basket of Boondoggles
2) Hong Kong: Record low turnout in "election" pre-rigged for Beijing quislings
3) Netherlands: Regime imposes Christmas lockdown
4) Chile: Boric wins presidential election
5) UK: Brexit negotiator David Frost quits regime
6) NYT investigation: US vastly undercounted civilian deaths caused by airstrikes in the Middle East
7) SpaceX carries out two Falcon 9 launches and two booster recoveries on same day
8) Afghanistan: Volunteer group evacuates 39 Americans and permanent residents
9) Up, up and they pay: $2.6 million winning bid for Superman #1 comic
10) CA: Drakeo the Ruler dead after stabbing at Los Angeles concert; Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent performances canceled
11) GM starts delivering electric Hummer pickup trucks to customers
12) NATO mulls deploying troops to Bulgaria, Romania
13) WA: Socialist Seattle City Councilmember survives recall attempt
14) Senate Recesses for the Year; no Build Back Better or Voting Rights [sic]
15) SCOTUS arguments suggest bright future for government takeover of religious schools
16) UK regime: Troops "highly unlikely" to be deployed to Ukraine to defend against Russia
17) US Senate confirms dozens to ambassador posts
18) Catalonia: Thousands protest against mandate for more of Spanish occupiers' language in schools
19) Federal appeals court reinstates Biden regime's business vaccine and testing mandate
20) Brazil: Police report accuses Bolsonaro of spreading disinformation on voting system
Today's Freedom Commentary:
21) Cops must learn that no means no
22) When Your Government Ends A War But Increases The Military Budget, You're Being Scammed
23) Part Of The ... er, My ... Problem with Dave Smith's Libertarian Party Strategy Recommendations
24) Useless Christmas Trivia (That You May Find Pretty Useful)
25) Seattle's Socialist Survives
26) New York aims big on gun control -- and misses, again
27) Can Dikes Be Private?: An Argument against Public Goods Theory
28) The Values in the Constitution
29) More government "benefits"
30) Behind the Korean Peninsula "arms race"
31) Are We Near the End of the Road to Serfdom? Part 1
32) Biden is foundering because Democrats made two major misjudgments
33) A new way to protect the integrity of our elections
34) The Economy May Be Finally Peaking, and the Fed Won't Help Matters
35) Learning from the Korematsu decision of '44
36) Distinguishing Radical Liberation From Liberal Authoritarianism
37) Threatening War With Iran Won't Save the Nuclear Deal
38) Double-Rigging of the Auto Market
39) Intoxicating Prospects
40) Realism And Restraint Put America First
41) Democrats Return To Segregation
42) Care about what your constituents care about
43) A Note to My Well-Credentialed Friends
44) Going Soft [sic] on China Will Not Reduce Inflation
45) Fund Science on the Basis of Scientists‘ Work, Not Their Identity
46) Delicensing Doctors for "Harmful Misinformation"
47) Global Freedom Is on the Decline
48) "Freeloading" Elon Musk to Pay Largest Federal Tax Bill in History, an Estimated $8.3 Billion
49) Farming Is Fundamental
50) Economic Incentives Matter: Especially When It Comes to Defense
Today's Freedom Podcast and Video:
51) Part Of The Problem, 12/18/21
52) Free Talk Live, 12/19/21
53) Soho Forum Debate: Can Vaccine Mandates Be Justified?
54) The Tom Woods Show, episode 2029
55) Free Thoughts Podcast, episode 424
56) The Fifth Column, episode 339
57) The Bryan Hyde Show, 12/17/21
58) Declare Your Independence with Ernest Hancock, 12/17/21
59) Bloggingheads.tv, 12/17/21
60) Ron Paul Liberty Report, 12/17/21
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_____ Today's Freedom News _____
1) Manchin pulls plug on Biden's Big Basket of Boondoggles
Source: Roll Call
"Sen. Joe Manchin III said on Sunday that he can't support the sweeping social safety net and climate change package that President Joe Biden and Democratic leaders have made their top legislative priority. The West Virginia Democrat's opposition is likely the final nail in the massive $2 trillion-plus 'Build Back Better' legislation given the Senate's 50-50 split, unless extensive changes are made that would result in key provisions being scuttled. ... Manchin has expressed several concerns with the size and scope of the package. He wants the total price tag capped at $1.75 trillion over 10 years and has complained that several programs would end early in order to artificially keep costs down. ... 'Pick what [your] prized priorities are, like most people do in their families or their businesses, and you fund them for 10 years. And you make sure they deliver the services for 10 years,' Manchin said." (12/19/21)
https://www.rollcall.com/2021/12/19/manchin-pulls-plug-on-build-back-better-bill/
-----
2) Hong Kong: Record low turnout in "election" pre-rigged for Beijing quislings
Source: Reuters
"Pro-Beijing candidates swept to victory in an overhauled 'patriots'-only legislative election in Hong Kong that critics deemed undemocratic, with turnout hitting a record low amid a crackdown on the city's freedoms by China. The 30.2% turnout, about half that of the previous poll in 2016, was seen by pro-democracy activists as a rebuke to China .... Almost all seats were taken by pro-Beijing and pro-establishment candidates, some of whom cheered on stage at the vote counting centre and chanted 'guaranteed win.' ... China's Liaison Office in Hong Kong, the Beijing government's representative in the territory, described the election as 'successful practice of democracy with Hong Kong characteristics.'" (12/20/21)
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/hong-kong-patriots-only-election-draws-record-low-turnout-2021-12-19/
-----
3) Netherlands: Regime imposes Christmas lockdown
Source: BBC News [UK state media]
"The Netherlands has begun a strict lockdown over Christmas amid concerns over the Omicron coronavirus variant. Non-essential shops, bars, gyms, hairdressers and other public venues are closed until at least 14 January. Two guests per household will be allowed, four over the holidays. Prime Minister Mark Rutte said the measures were 'unavoidable.' Countries across Europe have been tightening restrictions as the heavily mutated variant spreads. The new rules in the Netherlands are the strictest to have been announced over Omicron so far. 'I stand here tonight in a sombre mood. And a lot of people watching will feel that way too,' Mr Rutte told a news conference on Saturday. 'To sum it up in one sentence, the Netherlands will go back into lockdown from tomorrow.' Under the new restrictions, people are being urged to stay at home as much as possible." (12/19/21)
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-59715940
-----
4) Chile: Boric wins presidential election
Source: NBC News
"A leftist [sic] millennial who rose to prominence during anti-government protests was elected Chile's next president Sunday after a bruising campaign against a free-market [sic] firebrand likened to Donald Trump. With more than 90% of polling stations reporting, Gabriel Boric had 56% of the votes, compared with 44% for his opponent, lawmaker Jose Antonio Kast. ... Boric, 35, will become Chile's youngest modern president when he takes office in March. He was among several activists elected to Congress in 2014 after leading protests for higher quality education. On the stump, he vowed to 'bury' the neoliberal economic model left by Gen. Augusto Pinochet's 1973-1990 dictatorship and raise taxes on the 'super rich' to expand social services, fight inequality and boost protections of the environment." (12/19/21)
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latin-america/leftist-millennial-wins-election-chiles-president-rcna9314
-----
5) UK: Brexit negotiator David Frost quits regime
Source: India Today [India]
"Former Brexit negotiator David Frost resigned from the government with immediate effect on Saturday, topping a torrid week for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson after a party rebellion on new coronavirus curbs and by-election humiliation. Frost, a trusted ally of the prime minister, sent his resignation letter following reports that he was to leave his post in January. ... The Mail on Sunday earlier reported that Frost had handed in his resignation a week ago, but had been persuaded to stay on until the New Year. Johnson is already reeling from a rebellion by 100 of his MPs in a parliamentary vote over coronavirus measures and the stunning loss of a 23,000-majority seat in a by-election." (12/19/21)
https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/brexit-negotiator-david-frost-quits-uk-govt-britain-1889583-2021-12-19
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6) NYT investigation: US vastly undercounted civilian deaths caused by airstrikes in the Middle East
Source: Business Insider
"The US military vastly undercounted civilian deaths caused by airstrikes in the Middle East since 2014, according to a New York Times investigation published Saturday. The Times reviewed a hidden Pentagon archive comprised of the military's confidential assessments of over 1,300 reports of civilian casualties in airstrikes, finding there was 'flawed intelligence, faulty targeting,' and a lack of accountability for wrongdoing. While the official military count says 1,417 civilians have been killed in Iraq and Syria, the investigation found many more civilian deaths, citing multiple examples, though it did not provide an exact count. After a 2016 bombing in Tokhar, Syria, the military said only seven to 24 civilians died, but The Times investigation found over 120 civilians had actually been killed in the strike." (12/19/21)
https://www.businessinsider.com/us-vastly-undercounted-civilian-deaths-caused-by-airstrikes-nyt-2021-12
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7) SpaceX carries out two Falcon 9 launches and two booster recoveries on same day
Source: CBS News
"In an end-of-year launch surge, SpaceX fired off two Falcon 9 rockets Saturday, launching 52 Starlink internet relay satellites from California in the morning and a Turkish communications satellite from Florida a little more than 15 hours later. The rapid-fire launches marked a company record 29th and 30th Falcon 9 flights so far this year, with a final launch planned for Tuesday to send an unpiloted Dragon capsule to the International Space Station carrying crew supplies, science gear, spare parts and Christmas presents. That flight will mark the California rocket builder's 134th Falcon 9 launch since the booster's debut in 2010, the 137th counting three triple-core Falcon Heavy rockets." (12/18/21)
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/spacex-carries-out-two-falcon-9-launches-two-booster-recoveries-on-same-day/
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8) Afghanistan: Volunteer group evacuates 39 Americans and permanent residents
Source: Fox News
"Almost 40 American citizens and lawful permanent residents left behind from President Biden's chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan were evacuated Friday by a volunteer civilian group. Thirty-nine American citizens and lawful residents were evacuated from the war-torn country Friday and arrived at New York City's JFK airport on Saturday morning thanks to the volunteer group Project Dynamo, according to the New York Post. Project Dynamo receives funding from Save Our Allies, which is affiliated with The Independence Fund. Among the evacuees, more than a dozen children including an 11-month-old American citizen. ... Two members of Project Dynamo reportedly flew into Afghanistan from an undisclosed country earlier this week and brought evacuees to a safehouse near Kabul with a group of volunteers." (12/19/21)
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/volunteer-group-evacuates-39-americans-permanent-residents-afghanistan
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9) Up, up and they pay: $2.6 million winning bid for Superman #1 comic
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
"A rare copy of a Superman #1 comic book that sold on newsstands for a dime in 1939 was purchased for $2.6 million in an auction. The comic showing Superman leaping over tall buildings on the cover was sold Thursday night to a buyer who wishes to maintain a secret identity, according to ComicConnect.com, an online auction and consignment company. The seller, Mark Michaelson, bought the comic in 1979 from its original owner and kept it in a temperature-controlled safe. Michaelson, now semi-retired and living in Houston, paid his way through college by buying and selling comics. The character created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster is a pioneer of the superhero genre, and comics featuring the Man of Steel have netted super prices recently. ComicConnect announced in April that a copy of Action Comics #1, the comic that introduced Superman in 1938, sold for $3.25 million." (12/19/21)
https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Up-up-and-they-pay-2-6M-winning-bid-for-16710262.php
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10) CA: Drakeo the Ruler dead after stabbing at Los Angeles concert; Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent performances canceled
Source: Fox News
"The rapper Drakeo the Ruler is reportedly dead following a backstage stabbing attack at Los Angeles'[s] Once Upon a Time festival concert, where acts on the bill included Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, and 50 Cent. TMZ first reported that the singer, whose real name is Darrell Caldwell, died at the hospital from his injuries. The Los Angeles Times identified the victim as rapper Drakeo the Ruler, reporting he was attacked by a group of people while backstage and was in critical condition when he was taken to a hospital. He suffered a stab wound to the neck, the Los Angeles Police Department said, according to KTLA-TV. Snoop Dogg canceled his set at the Once Upon a Time in LA festival at Banc of California Stadium in Exposition Park before the rest of the show was also halted, police said." (12/19/21)
https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/drakeo-ruler-stabbing-los-angeles-snoop-dogg-50-cent-once-upon-time-exposition-park
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11) GM starts delivering electric Hummer pickup trucks to customers
Source: The Verge
"GM has officially started sending its Hummer EV Edition 1 pickup trucks out of the factory and into the driveways of customers, according to a press release on the company's website. Built on the Ultium platform, the Hummer EV Edition 1 model comes with a hefty $110,295 price tag, along with up to 1,000 horsepower, 11,500 lb-ft of torque, and an estimated 329-mile range. ... Meanwhile, the 625HP Hummer EV 2X will cost $89,995, comes with two motors, and will be available in the spring of 2023. It will last an estimated 300 miles on a single charge, and will produce 7,400 lb-ft of torque. Finally, the cheapest of the bunch -- the Hummer EV 2 -- also has two motors and produces the same 625HP and 7,400 lb-ft of torque. GM plans to release it for $79,995 in the spring of 2024, with a range of over 250 miles on a full charge." (12/18/21)
https://www.theverge.com/2021/12/18/22843805/gm-ev-hummer-pickup-truck-delivery
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12) NATO mulls deploying troops to Bulgaria, Romania
Source: Deutsche Welle [Germany]
"NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe Gen. Tod Wolters has suggested the alliance should deploy troops in Bulgaria and Romania after Russia's military buildup near the Ukrainian border, German newspaper Der Spiegel reported on Saturday. Der Spiegel said the plans would in effect extend the alliance's 'Enhanced Forward Presence' mission under which it has already deployed troops to the Baltic countries and eastern Poland. NATO has declined to comment on the report in Der Spiegel. (12/18/21)
https://www.dw.com/en/nato-mulls-deploying-troops-to-bulgaria-romania-der-spiegel/a-60182693
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13) WA: Socialist Seattle City Councilmember survives recall attempt
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
"Voters in Seattle have retained socialist Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant, the controversial lawmaker and long-time foe of hometown tech giant Amazon. Sawant had faced a recall effort. King County Elections on Friday officially certified the Dec. 7 recall election, showing Sawant narrowly prevailing with 50.4% voting 'no' on the recall question and 49.6% people casting 'yes' ballots. Sawant, a 48-year-old economics professor, is the longest-tenured council member in Seattle. By surviving the recall she gave a boost to the beleaguered left wing in liberal Seattle, which was bruised in last month's general election when business-friendly candidates won the mayor's office and a council seat. Sawant has had an outsized influence on the tone and direction of Seattle politics since she launched her political career under the banner of the Socialist Alternative party in 2012, when she ran unsuccessfully for state representative." (12/19/21)
https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Socialist-Seattle-City-Councilmember-survives-16711546.php
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14) Senate Recesses for the Year; no Build Back Better or Voting Rights [sic]
Source: Common Dreams
"The US Senate adjourned for the year at 4:02am Saturday morning after Democrats failed to reach agreement on their top legislative priorities: the Build Back Better Bill and voting rights legislation. But, at 1:30am, with one of the last few votes of the year, former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel was confirmed ambassador to Japan. The Senate is now scheduled to return to Washington on Jan. 3. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) had promised for weeks that the Senate would pass Biden's Build Back Better legislation by Christmas. But Schumer acknowledged on Friday that the Senate had failed to meet that timeline. While Democratic Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema are largely responsible for killing the Democrat's priority legislation, Majority Leader Schumer was called out for never even forcing them to take a vote before adjourning for the year." (12/18/21)
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/12/18/us-senate-recesses-year-without-build-back-better-voting-rights
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15) SCOTUS arguments suggest bright future for government takeover of religious schools
Source: Fox News
"Supporters of school freedom can take comfort in the fact that Supreme Court justices are pushing back on state efforts to exclude families who want to use school choice to send their children to religious schools. School freedom should be for all families regardless of whether they plan to send their children to a secular or religious school. The case currently before the court, Carson v. Makin, pits Maine parents who want to use the state's voucher program to send their children to religious schools against a 1980 decision by Maine's attorney general denying families that option. The state's counsel faced a grilling from the justices, with Justice Brett Kavanaugh saying, 'I don't see how you're suggesting that the subsidy changes the analysis. That's just discrimination on the basis of religion right there at that neighborhood level.'" (12/19/21)
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/supreme-court-school-choice-david-mcintosh
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16) UK regime: Troops "highly unlikely" to be deployed to Ukraine to defend against Russia
Source: BBC News [UK state media]
"Britain and its allies are 'highly unlikely' to send troops to defend Ukraine if Russia invades the country, the UK's defence secretary has said. 'We shouldn't kid people we would,' Ben Wallace told the Spectator magazine. 'The Ukrainians are aware of that.' Russia has moved thousands of troops near Ukraine's eastern borders, leading Western powers to urge President Vladimir Putin to de-escalate tensions. Moscow has denied plans to attack and has asked for urgent talks with the US. On Friday, Russia demanded strict limits on the activities of the US-led Nato military alliance in countries in Eastern Europe. The alliance was originally set up to defend Europe against possible threats from the former Soviet Union." [editor's note: Actually, the Russian troops are near the eastern borders of seceded republics that haven't been part of Ukraine for seven years now – TLK] (12/19/21)
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-59712020
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17) US Senate confirms dozens to ambassador posts
Source: CNN
"The US Senate overnight confirmed more than three dozen of President Joe Biden's nominees to ambassador posts, ending a months-long Republican-led blockade on quick consideration of the diplomatic nominations. ... Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz had for months refused to allow quick confirmation on diplomatic nominations to protest the Biden administration's policy on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. ... Early Saturday morning, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, announced a deal that Cruz's legislation imposing sanctions would be debated and voted on by mid-January." (12/18/21)
https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/18/politics/senate-confirms-ambassador-rahm-emanuel/index.html
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18) Catalonia: Thousands protest against mandate for more of Spanish occupiers' language in schools
Source: Seattle Times
"Thousands of Catalans took to the streets of Barcelona on Saturday to protest against a court decision that mandates that 25% of all school subjects be taught in Spanish, reducing the still predominant use of the local Catalan language in classrooms. Demonstrators say this would threaten their cherished educational system, which has helped bring Catalan back to common use after it had been suppressed during the 20th-century dictatorship of Gen. Francisco Franco. ... The renewed defense of the Catalan language also promises to galvanize the region's separatist movement that has been struggling to maintain its unity. Several marchers carried pro-independence flags, and the movement's leaders were in attendance." (12/18/21)
https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/world/catalans-protest-against-mandate-for-more-spanish-in-schools/
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19) Federal appeals court reinstates Biden regime's business vaccine and testing mandate
Source: CNBC
"A federal appeals court has reinstated the Biden administration's vaccine and testing requirement for private businesses that covers about 80 million American workers. The ruling by the 6th U.S. Court of Appeals in Cincinnati lifted a November injunction that had blocked the rule from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which applies to businesses with at least 100 workers. ... The more than two dozen lawsuits filed against the vaccine and testing requirements were transferred to the Sixth Circuit last month after the Biden administration ask a multidistrict litigation panel to consolidate the case in a single court through random selection." (12/17/21)
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/17/federal-court-reinstates-biden-administrations-business-vaccine-mandate.html
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20) Brazil: Police report accuses Bolsonaro of spreading disinformation on voting system
Source: Al Jazeera [Qatar state media]
"Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro had a 'direct and relevant' role in spreading disinformation about the country's electoral process during live streams on social media, according to a police document. Federal police commissioner Denisse Ribeiro wrote in the document that Bolsonaro's streams had a 'clear purpose' of misguiding Brazilians over the integrity of the country's elections, the Reuters news agency, which reviewed the police file, said on Friday. In a political playbook similar to one used by former US President Donald Trump, Bolsonaro has said multiple times in the past months that Brazil's electronic voting system was rigged during the 2018 presidential election, which he won. He says he should have been elected in the first round of voting, but never presented any evidence of fraud." (12/17/21)
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/12/17/brazil-bolsonaro-spread-disinformation-on-voting-system-police
_____ Today's Freedom Commentary _____
21) Cops must learn that no means no
Source: Downsize DC
by Perry Willis
"Seventeen-year-old Tiara Helm had an epileptic seizure at a concert. When she woke up, she had four cops holding her down. ... Sadly, too many cops hate being told no. They assume that they're supposed to give the orders; you and I are supposed to obey. They've forgotten that they are public servants, not masters. So they failed to obey Tiara when she told them no, get off of me. Instead ... The cops got angry when Tiara failed to obey their orders to remain calm and still. They transformed from pretend-doctors into all-too-real aggressors. They imposed themselves on Tiara. And just to make sure she knew who was in charge, a fifth cop shocked her with a taser." (12/17/21)
https://downsizedc.org/blog/cops-need-to-learn-that-no-means-no/
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22) When Your Government Ends A War But Increases The Military Budget, You're Being Scammed
Source: Caitlin Johnstone, Rogue Journalist
by Caitlin Johnstone
"The US Senate has passed its National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) military spending bill for the fiscal year of 2022, setting the budget at an astronomical $778 billion by a vote of 89 to 10. The bill has already been passed by the House, now requiring only the president's signature. An amendment to cease facilitating Saudi Arabia's atrocities in Yemen was stripped from the bill. 'The most controversial parts of the 2,100-page military spending bill were negotiated behind closed doors and passed the House mere hours after it was made public, meaning members of Congress couldn't possibly have read the whole thing before casting their votes,' reads a Politico article on the bill's passage by Lindsay Koshgarian, William Barber II and Liz Theoharis. The US military had a budget of $14 billion for its scaled-down Afghanistan operations in the fiscal year of 2021, down from $17 billion in 2020." (12/17/21)
https://caitlinjohnstone.com/2021/12/17/when-your-government-ends-a-war-but-increases-the-military-budget-youre-being-scammed/
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23) Part Of The ... er, My ... Problem with Dave Smith's Libertarian Party Strategy Recommendations
Source: KN@PPSTER
by Thomas L Knapp
"Standing aside for 'not quite as bad' candidates so that 'worse' candidates may not win is pretty much the equivalent of wanting a good pension plan but supporting Social Security until that better pension plan just magically appears out of thin air with no effort or risk on your part. You're not going to get what you want. At best, you're going to get a pale, unsatisfactory substitute. Because why the hell would anyone give you what you want when you've already cheerfully agreed to settle for less rather than risk anything at all? As Frederick Douglass said, 'Power concedes nothing without a demand.'" (12/19/21)
https://knappster.blogspot.com/2021/12/part-of-er-my-problem-with-dave-smiths.html
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24) Useless Christmas Trivia (That You May Find Pretty Useful)
Source: American Consequences
by PJ O'Rourke
"This year, you may be back to having a great big, old-fashioned family Christmas dinner; good luck with that. Sometimes it's hard to get the conversation started. More often, it's hard to get the conversation stopped. As soon as everybody starts screaming and yelling at one another, it's your job, as host, to quickly CHANGE THE SUBJECT! Below are a few random items of useless Christmas trivia. Interject them loudly in a commanding tone of voice, and maybe your guests will be momentarily distracted and quit venting their spleens at one another ... and start venting them at you. ... 'The original 'St. Nick' was Saint Nicholas of Myra, a fourth-century bishop in Asia Minor who was famously generous to the poor but so shy about his generosity that he used to drop gifts down poor people's chimneys in the middle of the night." (12/17/21)
https://americanconsequences.com/useless-christmas-trivia-that-you-may-find-pretty-useful/
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25) Seattle's Socialist Survives
Source: Liberty
by Bruce Ramsey
"Officially, the reason to recall [councilwoman Kshama] Sawant was that she broke the law, the most egregious example being her leadership of a protest march to Mayor Jenny Durkan's house. Durkan was a federal prosecutor before she was mayor, and by law her address is a protected secret. Unofficially, the reason to recall Sawant is that she is a radical leftist. Because this is a libertarian website, and we are classified by the rest of the world as right-wingers, my statement risks being taken as the low-down tactic of gross exaggeration .... Sawant would no doubt accuse me of 'redbaiting,' a term she has taken out of the political dustbin of the 1930s. It's true enough. I offer in my defense that she is an open member of Socialist Alternative, which is a proudly crimson outfit." (12/18/21)
https://libertyunbound.com/seattles-socialist-survives/
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26) New York aims big on gun control -- and misses, again
Source: The Hill
by Jonathan Turley
"In hunting, there is an old adage: 'aim small, miss small.' The point is that, if you want to hit a target, aim for a small part rather than the whole target. It is often the difference between a total miss and a marginal hit. In the area of Second Amendment law, the most promising legislative measures are the ones that aim small on the edges of the constitutionally-based right -- the strategy used by abortion opponents. The problem is that politicians rarely want to aim small when they are trying to score big with voters. An example is the recent New York public nuisance law seeking to make gun manufacturers liable for gun crime. Not only is the law likely to be a large miss, it will likely deliver another blow to gun control efforts by adding precedent protecting Second Amendment rights." (12/18/21)
https://thehill.com/opinion/judiciary/586385-new-york-aims-big-on-gun-control-and-misses-again
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27) Can Dikes Be Private?: An Argument against Public Goods Theory
Source: Ludwig von Mises Institute
by Philipp Bagus
"According to many economists, we need the state to provide public goods. The assertion seems to be so crystal-clear that it is not even worth discussion in the mainstream. One typical and popular example of public goods in Germany is the case of dikes or levees. ... Although Walter Block (1983) has shown the weaknesses in the case for public roads, the German argument for dikes as a public good remains to be addressed. After Hurricane Katrina and the collapse of the government dikes (or levees) infrastructure of New Orleans, the dike argument could gain momentum as well in the United States. In this article I examine the theoretical aspects, as well as the historical evidence from the Frisia region in Germany for this government-legitimizing argument." (12/18/21)
https://mises.org/library/can-dikes-be-private-argument-against-public-goods-theory
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28) The Values in the Constitution
Source: Tenth Amendment Center
by Rob Natelson
"The Declaration of Independence expressed a common American creed: All are born equal before God and the law, God bestows humans with natural rights, some of these rights are unalienable (untransferable), it's the purpose of government to secure them, and if a government incorrigibly fails to do so, the people should replace it. However, the Declaration didn't erect a system of government. It was an international law document that (when backed by arms) converted the colonies into new states with their own governments. ... The Constitution was structured to maximize the likelihood that the federal government would respect liberty. The framers believed the Constitution's most important safeguard for liberty was that it granted only limited powers to the central government." (12/18/21)
https://tenthamendmentcenter.com/2021/12/18/the-values-in-the-constitution/
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29) More government "benefits"
Source: The Price of Liberty
by Nathan Barton
"A recent article in a Los Angeles publication 'City Watch' reports that burned-out forests here in the States are not re-growing themselves. Why? Manmade global warming is the cause for both the fires and forests' failure to recover from massive fires in the last three-four decades. (And blames the 'biomass industry' for contributing to the death of forests and the planet warming -- and concealing the evidence.) ... The truth? Mankind (and nature) have been burning wood and forests and spewing the evil CO2 into the atmosphere since Creation. And while vast areas of forest (example: the American Midwest and the South) had massive deforestation in the 1800s, OTHER areas actually saw significant growth in forests -- like the Black Hills and the river valleys of the Great Plains -- and even parts of those same American Midwest States." (12/18/21)
https://thepriceofliberty.org/2021/12/18/more-government-benefits/
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30) Behind the Korean Peninsula "arms race"
Source: Responsible Statecraft
by Christopher Green
"In the autumn months, the two Koreas put on something of a military show for the world. As they flexed their muscles -- testing missiles and displaying new capabilities -- commentators speculated about an accelerating arms race and wondered whether the peninsula might be headed for a crisis moment after several quiet years. ... the autumn's activity does not necessarily augur a spike in near-term instability. It does, however, suggest that the two sides are positioning themselves for potentially consequential changes on the peninsula as South Korea's 2022 national elections approach, Seoul and Washington jostle for operational control over their combined forces, and Pyongyang contemplates a new push to achieve its stymied strategic and economic objectives." (12/18/21)
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2021/12/18/behind-the-korean-peninsula-arms-race/
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31) Are We Near the End of the Road to Serfdom? Part 1
Source: American Institute for Economic Research
by Barry Brownstein
"Recently I was drawn to reread Friedrich Hayek's The Road to Serfdom. Passages I previously overlooked leaped from the pages as if in bold print, signaling imminent danger to human progress. Hayek's message never seemed more prescient and timeless: The descent into totalitarianism can happen anywhere. ... Today, totalitarians are actively working to destroy the engine of human cooperation. Let's be clear: What Hayek saw as dangerous, what you see as dangerous, millions are now cheering for in the name of societal advancement." (12/18/21)
https://www.aier.org/article/are-we-near-the-end-of-the-road-to-serfdom-part-1/
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32) Biden is foundering because Democrats made two major misjudgments
Source: Washington Post
by Megan McArdle
"Reality happens to every president, of course, but reality has been happening especially hard to Biden. Nor can this be blamed entirely on the fickle finger of fate. The Biden administration has foundered in part because Democrats misjudged how much difference policy could make -- underestimating the effects of economic policy, while overestimating the effects of pandemic control. Back in January, there was a very clear theory of the incoming Biden presidency. All he really had to do was to not be an incompetent, impulsive pandemic-denier. ... Joe Biden was going to be the guy who used the healing power of science to give Americans their lives back. Americans would respond with a burst of gratitude, and Biden would use that political capital to pass big, ambitious programs that would please his political coalition and further endear him to voters." (12/18/21)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/12/18/biden-democrats-mistakes-inflation-pandemic/
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33) A new way to protect the integrity of our elections
Source: Fox News Forum
by Dr. Kevin Roberts
"When it comes to elections, all Americans can surely agree that everyone who's eligible to vote should be able to, and that all votes should be counted honestly and fairly, undiluted by fraud, errors, or mistakes. The Heritage Foundation has created its new Election Integrity Scorecard to help ensure that happens. President Abraham Lincoln once said, 'Elections belong to the people.' At a time when politicians across the country upended state election rules under the guise of COVID-19, the need to protect the people's elections, and to safeguard the value of every citizen's vote, couldn't be clearer. Every citizen's vote is sacred. The right to vote is how we as a free society guarantee that our government remains a republic of the people, by the people, and for the people." (12/18/21)
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/protect-integrity-elections-kevin-roberts
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34) The Economy May Be Finally Peaking, and the Fed Won't Help Matters
Source: Cobden Centre
by Brendan Brown
"Here we go again it may seem to many. The Fed is preparing us for a policy tightening just when a powerful growth cycle upturn is faltering. Or is it in fact an example of another well-known type of error from Fed history -- getting behind the curve of rising inflation? The most plausible answer is that it is neither. Instead, the huge monetary inflation shock which the Fed has administered so far in this pandemic means that the 'normalization steps' now in prospect for 2022 are all but irrelevant to macroeconomic prospects or asset market price trajectories. The more Federal Reserve chief Jerome Powell has been huffing and puffing, since his renomination (November 22), about normalizing policy, the steeper has been the fall in long-term interest rates." (12/17/21)
http://www.cobdencentre.org/2021/12/the-economy-may-be-finally-peaking-and-the-fed-wont-help-matters/
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35) Learning from the Korematsu decision of '44
Source: Orange County Register
by the editorial board
"On Dec. 18, 77 years ago, the United States Supreme Court regrettably upheld the constitutionality of orders resulting in the mass internment of Japanese Americans in Korematsu v. United States. ... Oakland-born Fred Korematsu defied the order and was arrested and jailed for daring to be free. Korematsu challenged the constitutionality of Executive Order 9066, arguing that it violated the due process clause of the Fifth Amendment. Sadly, a majority of the Supreme Court in 1944 upheld the order, accepting the federal government's claims the order was necessary and justified 'because Congress, reposing its confidence in this time of war in our military leaders -- as inevitably it must -- determined that they should have the power to do just this.'" (12/17/21)
https://www.ocregister.com/2021/12/17/learning-from-the-korematsu-decision-of-44/
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36) Distinguishing Radical Liberation From Liberal Authoritarianism
Source: CounterPunch
by Kenn Orphan
"In today's social media culture, radicalism is often reduced to performative social justice or virtue signalling. The way this works is through an impulse among many self-identified progressives (and some leftists) to amplify socially accepted ethics while policing the thought and speech of everyone else. I have seen this manifest in many forms, from 'canceling' a person because they may express a divergent opinion regarding gender expression, or in 'mob justice' mentality where a group of people gang up on one person online and troll them incessantly for expressing something that is considered unacceptable to today's progressive sensibilities." (12/17/21)
https://www.counterpunch.org/2021/12/17/distinguishing-radical-liberation-from-liberal-authoritarianism/
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37) Threatening War With Iran Won't Save the Nuclear Deal
Source: Common Dreams
by Trita Parsi
"Jeremy Scahill of The Intercept has a good piece responding to a letter published today by Michele Flournoy, Leon Panetta, General David Petraeus, Dennis Ross and a few others, urging Joe Biden to break the nuclear deadlock with Iran by issuing military threats. I am quoted extensively in the piece. I am including my quotes below, while also adding a few additional thoughts. ... I do believe -- as I hinted at in my recent piece for MSNBC -- that the fear of war was an important factor for the parties getting serious about diplomacy in 2013. Both the United States and Iran believed that war would be the outcome if talks failed. This helped sharpen the choices of both sides and helped muster political will (again, on both sides) that enabled the compromises manifested in the JCPOA." (12/18/21)
https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/12/18/threatening-war-iran-wont-save-nuclear-deal
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38) Double-Rigging of the Auto Market
Source: Free Association
by Sheldon Richman
"U.S. government interference with our lives often resembles a Russian matryoshka doll: regulation is nested in more regulation. Take the provision of Biden's pending Build Back Better bill that would create a big tax credit for people who buy U.S.-built electric vehicles (EV). Not only would the government distort the domestic auto market by rigging it in favor of electric vehicles over conventional ones, but it also would rig the EV market, Trump-style, in favor of U.S.-made products." (12/17/21)
https://sheldonfreeassociation.blogspot.com/2021/12/tgif-double-rigging-of-auto-market.html
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39) Intoxicating Prospects
Source: Cato Institute
by Jeffrey A Singer
"Several European countries have already decriminalized cannabis, but so far only Malta has legalized it. The difference is crucial: Decriminalization is certainly better than locking up people who prefer this ancient herb to alcohol as a narcotic, but legalization makes this decision much safer for adults. With drugs that are bought on the black market, one can never rely on dose and purity. Legalization leads to transparency and accountability. Nobody who buys an alcoholic drink ever worries about whether the information on alcohol content and ingredients is correct." (12/17/21)
https://www.cato.org/commentary/intoxicating-prospects
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40) Realism And Restraint Put America First
Source: The American Conservative
by Joe Kent
"Realism and restraint work because they truly put our nation and people first as they allow us to guard against hostile nations and nonstate actors. At the core of the failed neoconservative or liberal doctrines is the idea that America will never truly be challenged, that we will remain so strong that we can afford to spend resources building other nations in our image. Unfortunately, there was no end of history, and while we took our eyes off the world to bleed in the mountains of Afghanistan and in the deserts of Iraq the world maneuvered on us." (12/17/21)
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/realism-and-restraint-put-america-first/
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41) Democrats Return To Segregation
Source: Town Hall
by Derek Hunter
"Progressives love rewriting history. From the 1619 Project to renaming roads and melting of statues, if they can protect their party by wiping clean or reassigning their past, they're all for it. But underneath it all, below what they let the world see, is one simple truth: The Democratic Party was, is, and will always be, the party of racism. They created segregation and, as Democrat Governor George Wallace famously said, 'segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever.' Progressives publicly renounced their openly racist past as fellow progressive Adolf Hitler exposed what was always the endgame for eugenics, but their beliefs remained the same. The party of slavery and Jim Crow never changed their goal, they only changed their tactics." (12/19/21)
https://townhall.com/columnists/derekhunter/2021/12/19/democrats-return-to-segregation-n2600791
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42) Care about what your constituents care about
Source: Libertarian Policy
by Richard Manzo
"Liberty is a guiding philosophy and an ideal. Guiding philosophies and ideals are great for organizations, and liberty above all else is a perfect guiding philosophy for the Libertarian Party. But the goal of candidates should be improving the lives of their constituents. Improving lives necessitates the defense of existing liberties, the restoration of liberties infringed upon, and in some cases the creation [sic] of new [sic] rights (eg, the right to digital privacy from government)." (12/17/21)
https://libertarianpolicy.org/candidate-information/care-about-what-your-constituents-care-about/
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43) A Note to My Well-Credentialed Friends
Source: Brownstone Institute
by Thomas Harrington
"It really isn't that complex. The injections you and many others were dragooned into taking under the threat of losing your job and your basic civil liberties do not protect you from getting Covid or passing it on. Nor have they liberated you from mask-wearing, social distancing, the ongoing threat of lockdowns, and helpful advice from the government on how, and with whom, you can socialize at Christmas. ... Are you as a member of the well-educated Western elite class prepared to explore the possibility that members of the sociological cohort to which you belong are capable of highly organized evil and deception rooted in a deep disdain for the core humanity and inherent dignity of all people? " (12/17/21)
https://brownstone.org/articles/a-note-to-my-well-credentialed-friends/
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44) Going Soft [sic] on China Will Not Reduce Inflation
Source: The American Prospect
by Robert Kuttner
"The Biden administration is understandably eager both to reduce inflation and to demonstrate to the public that it is doing all that it can. Some actions that the administration has taken are good economics and smart politics -- for instance: getting serious about the supply chain mess; directing the FTC to look into price manipulation in the oil industry and its futures markets; and using antitrust powers generally to crack down on economic concentration and opportunistic price-gouging. But here is a really bad idea that some in the administration are pushing: cut some of the tariffs on China. For starters, these tariffs are key leverage in a long-term Biden strategy of pushing back on China's extralegal mercantilism that has been so harmful to U.S. industry. Any unilateral disarmament on this front makes no sense." (12/17/21)
https://prospect.org/blogs/tap/going-soft-on-china-will-not-reduce-inflation/
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45) Fund Science on the Basis of Scientists' Work, Not Their Identity
Source: Quillette
by Lawrence M Krauss
"The Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada, that country's major scientific funding organization, is developing a comprehensive research plan, called NSERC 2030, to guide its priorities over the next decade. In the current phase, NSERC is engaging with external stakeholders through a series of discussion papers aimed at finding new ways to support researchers and enhance the impact of their work. Predictably, there is a heavy focus on diversity ... We have gone down this road before, when strict quotas were placed on Jewish scientists within my own academic sphere, physics, as a means of excluding Jews (including very nearly, future Nobel Prize winner Richard Feynman) from US graduate schools. Today, we properly regard such policies as shameful, both for discriminating against individual human beings and for misdirecting society's scientific resources." (12/17/21)
https://quillette.com/2021/12/17/fund-science-on-the-basis-of-scientists-work-not-their-identity/
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46) Delicensing Doctors for "Harmful Misinformation"
Source: Association of American Physicians and Surgeons
by Jane M Orient, MD
"In addition to being subjected to various forms of censorship, for the first time in living memory American doctors are getting threat letters from licensure boards warning them against distributing 'harmful misinformation.' Medical boards in 12 states have disciplined doctors because of this allegation. While it is claimed that there's an epidemic of misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic, the warnings don't spell out what that means. We don't have an epidemic of patients dying because doctors told them to refuse treatment or to drink Clorox or aquarium cleaner. In fact, no patients need to have suffered any harm at all for the medical board to investigate a doctor's no-longer-free speech. All it takes is an anonymous complaint." (12/17/21)
https://aapsonline.org/delicensing-doctors-for-harmful-misinformation/
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47) Global Freedom Is on the Decline
Source: Reason
by Eric Boehm
"The vast majority of the world's population is less free today than it was about a decade ago--and all residents of the world's 10 most populated countries have seen their freedoms decline over the same period. That's the most worrying takeaway from the annual Human Freedom Index, an annual report produced by the libertarian Cato Institute and the Frasier Institute, a Canadian think tank. This year's index, released Thursday, ranks the United States as the world's 15th most free country out of the 156 jurisdictions included in the analysis. ... Freedom in the United States is on the decline in both absolute and relative terms, according to the new report." (12/17/21)
https://reason.com/2021/12/17/global-freedom-is-on-the-decline/
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48) "Freeloading" Elon Musk to Pay Largest Federal Tax Bill in History, an Estimated $8.3 Billion
Source: Foundation for Economic Education
by Jon Miltimore
"Elon Musk made a bold claim on Twitter on Tuesday. The Tesla founder said he would 'pay more taxes than any American in history this year.' Is the claim true? Only the IRS knows for certain who the largest taxpayer in US history is, but Forbes says Musk appears to be right. 'The eccentric billionaire (and the world's richest person) likely owes the federal government at least $8.3 billion for 2021,' Forbes reports. ... Musk was not bragging that he had the largest tax bill in history; on the contrary, he was responding to Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who -- somewhat unfathomably -- lashed out at Musk for not paying his fair share of taxes. 'Let's change the rigged tax code so The Person of the Year will actually pay taxes and stop freeloading off everyone else,' Warren tweeted." (12/17/21)
https://fee.org/articles/freeloading-elon-musk-to-pay-largest-federal-tax-bill-in-history-an-estimated-83-billion/
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49) Farming Is Fundamental
Source: Common Sense
by Paul Jacob
"If you live in Maine, you may now grow your own food. The right to do so has been safeguarded in the state constitution. If you have the right to life and to sustain your life, surely you have a right to farm. As we all know, though, governments regularly find excuses to interfere with all kinds of peaceful activities. So this past November, Maine voters passed a constitutional amendment authored by Rep. Billy Bob Faulkingham (whose energetic campaigns for freedom have previously caught Common Sense notice) and proposed by the legislature. ... Foes of the amendment worry that it will enable people to bypass regulations. Let's hope so." (12/17/21)
https://thisiscommonsense.org/2021/12/17/farming-is-fundamental/
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50) Economic Incentives Matter: Especially When It Comes to Defense
Source: Antiwar.com
by Doug Bandow
"Japan has a new government that has decided to embark upon a major military buildup. The cabinet approved the nation's highest defense budget ever, which also will set a record as a percent of GDP. The ground-breaking decision sent shock waves throughout the Asia-Pacific, which will witness a dramatic shift in the balance of power. Only kidding! Tokyo's new military outlays will set a record, but one based on a very low base. ... Japan has traditionally kept its outlays below one percent of GDP. This year they will run 1.14 percent of GDP, compared to 1.01 percent last year and 0.95 percent the year before. The fact that this small hike is considered transformative illustrates how cheap-riding on America has long been a favorite sport of Washington's supposed allies." (12/17/21)
https://original.antiwar.com/doug-bandow/2021/12/16/economic-incentives-matter-especially-when-it-comes-to-defense/
_____ Today's Freedom Podcast and Video _____
51) Part Of The Problem, 12/18/21
Source: GaS Digital Network
"The State of the LP for 2022." [various formats] (12/18/21)
https://art19.com/shows/d0ab5d6f-1972-4441-b3f8-6b61d09f7f15/embed?playlist_type=playlist&playlist_size=10#
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52) Free Talk Live, 12/19/21
Source: Free Talk Live
"Caller Confirms Covid Craziness Continues :: Connecticut Covid passport protests :: A real Corona crisis – Truck carrying beer flips on busy highway :: Santa is not real, stop lying to your kids :: Fauci vaccinated Santa himself while on Sesame Street :: Covid Re-Education Camps." [Flash audio or MP3] (12/19/21)
https://soundcloud.com/freetalklive/free-talk-live-2021-12-19
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53) Soho Forum Debate: Can Vaccine Mandates Be Justified?
Source: Reason
"George Mason University Law Professor Ilya Somin debates Libertarian Party activist Angela McArdle." [Editor's note: It's unfortunate that McArdle, who had the better side of the question to defend anyway, tried to rig the debate by getting supporters to register as initially "undecided" so that they could pretend she persuaded them – TLK] (12/18/21)
https://reason.com/video/2021/12/18/can-vaccine-mandates-be-justified-a-soho-forum-debate/
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54) The Tom Woods Show, episode 2029
Source: The Tom Woods Show
"Mark Crispin Miller, the Truth-Teller NYU Hates." [various formats] (12/18/21)
https://tomwoods.com/ep-2029-mark-crispin-miller-the-truth-teller-nyu-hates/
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55) Free Thoughts Podcast, episode 424
Source: Libertarianism.org
"Tech Panic (with Robby Soave)." [various formats] (12/17/21)
https://www.libertarianism.org/podcasts/free-thoughts/tech-panic
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56) The Fifth Column, episode 339
Source: The Fifth Column
"The RINOvirus, Insurrection Deflection, DeSantis Claus's Xmas Miracle!" [various formats] (12/17/21)
https://shows.acast.com/wethefifth/episodes/339-wrep-peter-meijer-the-rinovirus-insurrection-deflection
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57) The Bryan Hyde Show, 12/17/21
Source: The Bryan Hyde Show
"Are states with greater freedom less safe? For that matter, are people flocking to Texas, Florida and Idaho so they can feel less safe? These are among the questions posed by Casey Carlisle who convincingly explains why if you want to be safe, then leave people alone." [various formats] (12/17/21)
https://thebryanhydeshow.podbean.com/e/2021-december-17-the-bryan-hyde-show-hour-one/
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58) Declare Your Independence with Ernest Hancock, 12/17/21
Source: Freedom's Phoenix
"Ernest talks with Kingsley and Erin Edwards from Flote." [MP3] (12/17/21)
https://www.freedomsphoenix.com/Media/317311-2021-12-17-2021-12-17-ernest-talks-with-kingsley-and-erin-edwards.htm
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59) Bloggingheads.tv, 12/17/21
Source: Bloggingheads.tv
"All About Omicron | Robert Wright & Mickey Kaus." [Flash video] (12/17/21)
https://bloggingheads.tv/videos/63343
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60) Ron Paul Liberty Report, 12/17/21
Source: Ron Paul Liberty Report
"Fed Monetary Policy Is No Substitute For Monetary Reform." [Flash video] (12/17/21)
http://www.ronpaullibertyreport.com/archives/fed-monetary-policy-is-no-substitute-for-monetary-reform
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