Cough Drops - The Mandate

I hope everyone has enjoyed the media firestorm about whether the government should be able to force the Catholic Church to provide birth control pills to its employees. 

I also hope that you'll take just a few minutes from your busy day to enjoy this bit o' brilliance from Reason magazine:



Here's a modest proposal from the great Virginia Postrel about selling birth control pills over-the-counter:

Making the pill available over the counter could reduce the amount of outrage and invective available for entertaining radio audiences, spurring political fundraising and otherwise amusing the American public. But the medical risks are quite low....

Birth-control pills can have side effects, of course, but so can such over-the-counter drugs as antihistamines, ibuprofen or the Aleve that once turned me into a scary, hive-covered monster. That’s why even the most common over-the-counter drugs, including aspirin, carry warning labels. Most women aren’t at risk from oral contraceptives, however, just as most patients aren’t at risk from aspirin or Benadryl, and studies suggest that a patient checklist can catch most potential problems....

Aside from safety, the biggest argument for keeping birth- control pills prescription-only is, to put it bluntly, extortion. The current arrangement forces women to go to the doctor at least once a year, usually submitting to a pelvic exam, if they want this extremely reliable form of contraception. That demand may suit doctors’ paternalist instincts and financial interests, but it doesn’t serve patients’ needs. As [a 1993 editorial in the American Journal of Public Health] noted, the exam requirement “assumes that it would be worse for a woman’s health to miss out on routine care than it would be to miss out on taking oral contraceptives.”

Hit this link to read the whole thing. 
From Nick Gillespie:

Can't legislators agree that those of us who are, say, over 18 years old, are adults and if we can buy condoms without a prescription, we should be able to shop for birth-control pills on our lonesome too? And a host of other drugs?

And this young woman, Sandra Fluke, claims that birth control for her three years of law school is an intolerable burden, and that other people should be forced to pay for it.  She claims that it will cost her $3,000.00 for three years. 
Bullshit. 
Can we not do the charitable thing, and put a damn condom machine in her dorm room? 

Ron Paul's Racist Past

Schadenfreude from Perry de Havilland

One of my libertarian heroes from England has made some sharp comments about the Republican party. 
Here's Perry de Havilland of Samizdata:

I see that Mitt Romney, a big government Republican statist who partially nationalised healthcare in his state and gave Obama the opening for more grandiose Federal healthcare nationalisation, is closing in on the Republican nomination.

Well so much for the influence of the Tea Party. If Romney wins, I can only hope Obama wipes the floor with him for exactly the same reasons I was delighted McCain was defeated... and do not see Romney as any less loathsome than McCain, so I am all for the Greater Evil winning again.

And I hope a large number of Tea Party figures make it clear they will be staying home next election day if Romney gets the nod.

No, no, no, no, no.  There is no need for anyone to stay home, Mr. de Havilland.  The Libertarian Party will be on the ballot, running someone as an alternative to the Obamneys.

I hope that candidate will be former New Mexico governor Gary Johnson !!!!
Please remember, the only way you can "waste" your vote is to support the political status quo, and we've got 16 trillion dollars worth of status quo to dig our way out of.  Unless you folks start supporting 2nd-party candidates, it ain't gonna happen.   

If Obama's Drug War has lost Pat Robertson....

From Hot Air....

Quick: What do Pat Robertson and Ron Paul have in common? Yep, that’s right — they both think marijuana should be as legal as alcohol. Robertson made waves on the issue in the past when he said he thought marijuana-possession convictions shouldn’t end in mandatory prison sentences. He’s making waves again with the outright call to legalize the controlled substance.

Mr. Robertson’s support for legalizing pot appeared in a New York Times article published Thursday. His spokesman confirmed to the Associated Press that Mr. Robertson supports legalization with regulation. Mr. Robertson was not made available for an interview.
“I really believe we should treat marijuana the way we treat beverage alcohol,” Mr. Robertson was quoted by the newspaper as saying. “If people can go into a liquor store and buy a bottle of alcohol and drink it at home legally, then why do we say that the use of this other substance is somehow criminal?”
Mr. Robertson said he “absolutely” supports ballot measures in Colorado and Washington state that would allow people older than 21 to possess a small amount of marijuana and allow for commercial pot sales. Both measures, if passed by voters, would place the states at odds with federal law, which bans marijuana use of all kinds.

This debate seems to have no direction to go but in the direction of legalization; as Robertson said elsewhere in the article, “This war on drugs just hasn’t succeeded.”

The picture of Robertson having a psychedelic experience came from here. 

Ben Bernanke now has another competitor

This kid has done something illegal that Ben Bernanke is paid to do. 

Hit This Link !!!

Poster came from here. 

Tarrant County Libertarian Meetup Tonight !!!!!

Hello Tarrant County Libertarians !

We’ll be having another Tarrant County Libertarian Meetup on Thursday, March 8th, at 7:00 p.m. in the Zio Carlo Brewpub – 1001 West Magnolia, Fort Worth.
We have a lot of things to discuss – Ben Bernanke is wanting to print another batch of money, President Obama vetoed the Keystone Pipeline project, gold and silver prices are fluctuating daily, Iran and Israel are squaring off at each other, and the Republicans seem to think that their best chance of defeating Barack Obama is by nominating…..another Barack Obama.

... So how can a bunch of Libertarians sitting around a brewpub have an impact on all of this?

Tarrant County is playing host to the Libertarian Party Presidential Debates on April 7th. (Our eventual nominee will be chosen at the Las Vegas Libertarian Party convention in May.)
Because of the well-publicized discontent with President Obama and the Republican field of candidates, there is an excellent chance that the winning LP candidate will be polling high enough to participate in the September and October multi-party debates against the President and his Republican challenger. The Libertarian Party has never had a better chance to win.

At Thursday night’s meetup you will have a chance to submit questions for our April 7th Libertarian Party Presidential Candidate Debate! The best questions will be submitted to our debate moderator. You can influence the direction of the Libertarian Party with your questions and concerns. (Remember Rick Perry’s “Whoop’s” moment in the Republican debate? Think of the impact of that one question….)

Please show up Thursday night with questions that will help us narrow the field !

See you there,

Allen Patterson
Tarrant County Libertarian Party Chair

P.S. – We’d also like to start a monthly book discussion group. Bring your suggestions for those events also.

Republican primary preferences by age group

The Mainstream Media often seems perplexed by the college kids voting for Ron Paul. 
Why do they vote for Ron Paul?
Because he as always advocated a smaller government and a stable money supply. 
Why is that attractive to college students? 
Because they will be the true "producers" who will have to work overtime to clean up their parents' mess. 

It really is that simple. 

Governmental Irony

Since 4 people have forwarded this to me already, I'm going to post it.

King Barack, King Canute, and Debbie Wasserman Schultz

Here's the legend of King Canute, a wise monarch who knew that his power was limited. 

Long ago, England was ruled by a king named Canute. Like many leaders and men of power, Canute was surrounded by people who were always praising him. Every time he walked into a room, the flattery began.

"You are the greatest man that ever lived," one would say.

"O king, there can never be another as mighty as you," another would insist.

"Your highness, there is nothing you cannot do," someone would smile.

"Great Canute, you are the monarch of all," another would sing. "Nothing in this world dares to disobey you."

The king was a man of sense, and he grew tired of hearing such foolish speeches.

One day he was walking by the seashore, and his officers and courtiers were with him, praising him as usual. Canute decided to teach them a lesson.

"So you say I am the greatest man in the world?" he asked them.

"O king," they cried, "there never has been anyone as mighty as you, and there never be anyone so great, ever again!"

"And you say all things obey me?" Canute asked.

"Absolutely!" they said. "The world bows before you, and gives you honor."

"I see," the king answered. "In that case, bring me my chair, and we will go down to the water."

"At once, your majesty!" They scrambled to carry his royal chair over the sands.

"Bring it closer to the sea," Canute called. "Put it right here, right at the water's edge." He sat down and surveyed the ocean before him. "I notice the tide is coming in. Do you think it will stop if I give the command?"

His officers were puzzled, but they did not dare say no. "Give the order, O great king, and it will obey," one of then assured him.

"Very well. Sea," cried Canute, "I command you to come no further! Waves, stop your rolling!. Surf, stop your pounding! Do not dare touch my feet!"

He waited a moment, quietly, and a tiny wave rushed up the sand and lapped at his feet.

"How dare you!" Canute shouted. "Ocean, turn back now! I have ordered you to retreat before me, and now you must obey! Go back!"

And in answer another wave swept forward and curled around the king's feet. The tide came in, just as it always did. The water rose higher and higher. It came up around the king's chair, and wet not only his feet, but also his robe. His officers stood before him, alarmed, and wondering whether he was not mad.

"Well, my friends," Canute said, "it seems I do not have quite so much power as you would have me believe. Perhaps you have learned something today. Perhaps now you will remember there is only one King who is all-powerful, and it is he who rules the sea, and holds the ocean in the hollow of his hand. I suggest you reserve your praises for him."

Cool story, right?  You could say that it's about the limits of power.  It's a warning about flattery.  One could also claim that it's a cautionary tale outlining the difference between a decree and an accomplishment.  Just because the king says it's gonna happen doesn't mean it's gonna happen. 

Flash forward a thousand years.  Here's Obama courtier and flatterer-in-chief Debbie Wasserman Schultz on yesterday's Meet The Depressed, as outlined by the great Ann Althouse:

On "Meet the Press" today:

It would take 45 years if the Keystone Pipeline were in place, to produce as much oil as President Obama's policy to — on fuel efficiency standards for American automobiles would in increasing those over the next few years.

David Gregory presses her: "So President Clinton had it wrong when he encouraged President Obama to get behind (the Keystone Pipeline)?" And with a second shot, she makes the point more clearly:

It would take 45 years to produce out of oil shale from the Keystone Pipeline as much oil as we save in the increase in fuel efficiency standards from President Obama's policy that would be implemented by the middle of the next decade.

Is it really that simple?  All King Barry O'Bama of Hyde Park has to do is issue a policy, and the vehicles become more efficient?  They'll suddenly get 56 miles per gallon? 

Hell, let's issue a "standard" on business efficiency.  From now on, no businesses can lose money.  They must all be efficient.  Just send out an executive order from the Royal Desk Of The Community Organizer.   

Dammit, I think he should issue a standard, put in a royal guideline, and send forth a decree on poverty.  From now on, all Americans must earn at least 30K per year.  Write down the decree, have it stamped and sealed, and make it so. 

If Obama can send out a Papal Encyclical that declares the only acceptable average is 56 miles per gallon, why stop there?  Why doesn't he jot down a quick little memo about his desire to fuel Air Force One with nothing but algae, good will, and fairy farts?  According to Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, his deeds and desires are one and the same.  Make it so, Barack.  Please make it so. 

You eventually have to ask yourself....Does Debbie Wasserman Schultz really believe this mess?  Probably. 

Does King Barack really believe that he can wave his mighty hand and have the tides recede?  Or have all vehicles average 56 miles per gallon? 

No.  Listen carefully for 45 seconds.  This is the often-ridiculed speech about government's ability to make the oceans recede.  What he's really saying is this...."If the oceans don't recede, it's your fault.  If auto makers can't average 56 miles per gallon with their vehicles, they're just too dumb to fulfill King Barry's objectives."

All we have to do is dedicate the rest of our lives to accomplishing this pathetic little dude's desires. 

10 Things That Are Banned In San Francisco

Buzzfeed has a list of 10 Things That Are Banned In San Francisco.  Since I hope you'll go to their site and click on some of their ads, I'm deleting the last one.  Hit the link and see it for yourself, and then avoid opening any kind of business in that Statist Hellhole. 

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  1. Happy Meals

  
  
  
  
  Or more specifically, toys in Happy Meals. But, what kind of Happy Meal doesn't include a toy?
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  2. Plastic Bags

  
  
  
  
  Plastic bags are currently not allowed at large chain supermarkets and drug stores, but they are considering expanding the ban to all stores.
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  3. Bottled Water

  
  
  
  
  City money cannot be used to purchase bottled water and it cannot be sold from vending machines on city property.
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  4. Smoking

  
  
  
  
  Tobacco cigarettes are not allowed to be smoked in buildings, and clove cigarettes are not permitted to be sold in the city at all.
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  5. Baby Animals

  
  
  
  
  It's illegal to sell baby chickens, ducks, and rabbits in San Francisco.
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  6. Segways

  
  
  
  
  Segways are not allowed on sidewalks or bike paths because the mayor of San Francisco thought they promoted laziness.
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  7. Soda

  
  
  
  
  Soda and juice drinks with no real fruit juice cannot be sold from vending machines on city property.
• 
  

  8. Arizona

  
  
  
  
  As a protest to the state's strict immigration policies, city employees (except for police officers investigating a crime) are not allowed to travel to Arizona.
• 
  

  9. Firearms In Advertisements

  
  
  
  
  Advertisements in San Francisco cannot “promote the use of firearms or advocate any violent action.” The poster for The Other Guy had all the weapons removed just for San Francisco's Muni system last summer.

Remember to hit that link up to for the full list. 
Note to Arizonans: Come to Fort Worth, Texas ! Ride your Segway to McDonald's and have a soda and some bottled water.  Put the leftovers in a plastic bag, along with the baby chicken you bought for the kids.  Smoke like a chimney on the way to the shooting range.  Then sit and rest for a while, anyplace you feel safe.  
We don't care. You belong to you.