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...
After the election I saw someone on twitter write that "The election results aren't just bad for America, they are bad for ISRAEL!" Which was an odd thing for an American to say, I thought.
ReplyDeleteWhy is that an odd thing for an American to say? I've heard people decry an election result they don't like as bad for the Palestinians.
DeleteI think the election of FDR in 1940 was a good thing for America. It was also good for Britain and France. And many Americans expressed that opinion at the time.
I've heard people decry an election result they don't like as bad for the Palestinians.
ReplyDeleteHave you? Were they Palestinian?
They were American.
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DeleteSeriously, when mentioning that one is gay supposedly disqualifies one from higher office, I think it is time to push back.
http://freebeacon.com/hagel-retracts-anti-gay-comments/
Well, sure, and Hagel has retracted those remarks, so that's that, and we have no need for pushback anymore, right?
DeleteUnless, of course, you think ever having said anything you deem incorrect forever disqualifies said speaker from all future office?
Sincere repentance is always good. It's not usually associated with last minute maneuvering in confirmation hearings.
DeleteYeah, Ken, like you actually think Hagel only abandoned that position five minutes ago!
DeleteExactly as much as I believe America is dominated by Netanyahuites
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