I decided to move some discussion from this post up to the top level here. Specifically, Watoosh wrote: "Well, if violence is defined as initiation of force (which, of course, presupposes certain property rights), then I think Rockwell is correct..." Well, if we define cats as elephants, then many people keep elephants in their house. More seriously, firstly, violence is not usually defined that way. It's defined as, you know, violence, so that, say, someone may respond violently or non-violently to someone who aggresses against them. Otherwise, it would make no sense to say, for instance, "He punched me, but I did not stoop to violence in response." And, secondly, the libertarian usage of "initiation of force" is very offbeat. If I wander onto someone's meadow, most people would not say I had "initiated force" -- I mean, sure, I used "force" against the earth to push off walking, but that's not force directed against...
Gene, congratulations on the publication of your article at Freeman. I will try to read it sometime in the future.
ReplyDeleteBut, now that your are published at the organ of the Foundation for Economic Education shouldn't your next step be a blistering commentary on someone at FEE. Perhaps commentary on the late founder, Leonard Read? Wasn't Read some kind of cult leader? I met Read and thought he was a very skilled verbal manipulator. My impression: Every word he uttered was thought out for manipulative purposes.
In fact, during a lecture he gave, that I attended, he told us how he attempted to bring conversations around to freedom. Even the strategy he employed when striking up a conversation with the person next to him while he was flying first clsss (Did you get to fly first class to Amsterdam?). Read would put the Rockwell/Paul cult leaders to shame.
Let's get to it, Gene.
Sidney,
ReplyDeleteI'm not being sarcastic, I'm genuinely curious: Do you keep coming back the way I like to read Paul Krugman op-eds?
Or do you like most of the commentary here, and just don't understand Gene's recent irritability vis-a-vis Rothbard(ians)?
"But, now that your are published at the organ of the Foundation for Economic Education shouldn't your next step be a blistering commentary on someone at FEE."
ReplyDeleteSidney, NOW that I am published there? I've been writing for The Freeman for 7 years.
Gene,
ReplyDeleteYes NOW. I long ago took the advice of the 90 something Armenian billionaire financier, Kirk Kerkorian, who advised that you have to think in 10 year blocks, so 7 years is "now" for me.
Bob,
ReplyDeleteI have been trolling since long before Gene's attack on the Rothbardians.
I think it is a damn lively site-including Gene's occasional"adventurous" comments and your stabilizing influence.
And, don't tell Gene, but the photos he posts are always interesting.