Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 50
Technology has evolved. I can now carry an entire library of books in one hand when I leave the house, and I still have a library full of "paper and binding" books at home. This is a wealth unimaginable to even the kings of previous generations. Knowledge has grown. For example, the human genome has been read and is being studied to find causes and cures for many horrible conditions. This raises possibilities undreamed of just a generation ago. Not only of extending the typical lifespan, but of improving the quality of more o...
Technology has evolved. I can now carry an entire library of books in one hand when I leave the house, and I still have a library full of "paper and binding" books at home. This is a wealth unimaginable to even the kings of previous generations. Knowledge has grown. For example, the human genome has been read and is being studied to find causes and cures for many horrible conditions. This raises possibilities undreamed of just a generation ago. Not only of extending the typical lifespan, but of improving the quality of more o...
Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We have all heard those words, and most of us probably recognize them from the Declaration of Independence, but have you ever stopped to think about what they mean? Those three things may seem random and unconnected, but they are as interconnected as links in a chain. Each is entirely dependent upon the one preceding it, and leads, or should lead, to the one that comes after it. Happiness is dependent on the liberty to pursue it, which you can't do if you are not alive. Originally...
Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We have all heard those words, and most of us probably recognize them from the Declaration of Independence, but have you ever stopped to think about what they mean? Those three things may seem random and unconnected, but they are as interconnected as links in a chain. Each is entirely dependent upon the one preceding it, and leads, or should lead, to the one that comes after it. Happiness is dependent on the liberty to pursue it, which you can't do if you are not alive. Originally...
When I defend liberty I constantly get accused of condoning all sorts of things I don't condone. Rather than "condoning" them, I realize that those things are simply none of my business; not mine to approve or condemn. Nor are they anyone else's business, either. Recently a fellow libertarian posted a comment on Facebook that I agreed with whole-heartedly. He posted, "There is a difference between approving of what someone does and approving of their freedom to do it, and the latter does not somehow mandate the former." So...
When I defend liberty I constantly get accused of condoning all sorts of things I don't condone. Rather than "condoning" them, I realize that those things are simply none of my business; not mine to approve or condemn. Nor are they anyone else's business, either. Recently a fellow libertarian posted a comment on Face-book that I agreed with whole-heartedly. He posted, "There is a difference between approving of what someone does and approving of their freedom to do it, and the latter does not somehow mandate the former." So t...
How many of you know someone whose life was destroyed by drug use? Before you answer that question, think for a minute. Was that person's life destroyed by the chemical substances they put into their body, or by the legal and social penalties that have become automatic when they were discovered to be using those substances? There is almost no successful person, in any sphere of life, who hasn't admitted using "drugs" or been caught using them at some point during their life. This still doesn't mean it's a smart thing to do ...
One stumbling block that trips up a lot of people when confronted by the idea of a truly free society is how to do any job currently monopolized by government: building and maintaining roads, water and food safety, a system of justice, education, fire fighting, national parks, etc. Why do people believe these things and services must be provided by government? That's not the way it was always done, and not even the best way it can be done I would suggest a thought experiment. Suppose you wanted to provide a product or...
One stumbling block that trips up a lot of people when confronted by the idea of a truly free society is how to do any job currently monopolized by government: building and maintaining roads, water and food safety, a system of justice, education, fire fighting, national parks, etc. Why do people believe these things and services must be provided by government? That's not the way it was always done, and not even the best way it can be done I would suggest a thought experiment. Suppose you wanted to provide a product or...
Most of the loudest voices in America are biased toward socialism and collectivism — even if they call them by other names. They slant everything they report so that it shows businesses and successful entrepreneurs in the worst possible light. They widely report innocents killed by gun-wielding thugs, but ignore the innocent lives saved because someone ignored a "gun law" and acted with bravery. They praise the collective while condemning the individual. They denigrate private property rights and liberty with their every w...
Most of the loudest voices in America are biased toward socialism and collectivism — even if they call them by other names. They slant everything they report so that it shows businesses and successful entrepreneurs in the worst possible light. They widely report innocents killed by gun-wielding thugs, but ignore the innocent lives saved because someone ignored a "gun law" and acted with bravery. They praise the collective while condemning the individual. They denigrate private property rights and liberty with their every w...
I find it somewhat disturbing that both candidates in the District 7 Republican state senator primary race consider violating the fundamental human right of free travel a pressing issue. The "most significant local issue," in fact. Of course, this violation is dishonestly framed as ending the issuance of "driver's licenses" for "illegal immigrants." It is strange that the people most in favor of this out-of-bounds abuse of authority are also the ones who most often advocate restoring the Constitution to its position as the...
I find it somewhat disturbing that both candidates in the District 7 Republican state senator primary race consider violating the fundamental human right of free travel a pressing issue. The "most significant local issue," in fact. Of course, this violation is dishonestly framed as ending the issuance of "driver's licenses" for "illegal immigrants." It is strange that the people most in favor of this out-of-bounds abuse of authority are also the ones who most often advocate restoring the Constitution to its position as the...
If you follow these columns I'll assume you either have a passion for liberty, or you don't, but you like to get stirred up and have someone at whom you can direct your misgivings. Either way I'm glad to help get your blood circulating. If you are in the group who values liberty, and want to see it flourishing again throughout this political desert where liberty once bloomed in every nook and cranny, you may not know what you — one individual — can do now to help spread liberty in your own life and in the lives of oth...
If you follow these columns I'll assume you either have a passion for liberty, or you don't, but you like to get stirred up and have someone at whom you can direct your misgivings. Either way I'm glad to help get your blood circulating. If you are in the group who values liberty, and want to see it flourishing again throughout this political desert where liberty once bloomed in every nook and cranny, you may not know what you — one individual — can do now to help spread liberty in your own life and in the lives of oth...
Recently, gay marriage has been all over the news. First, North Carolina voters decided to define marriage in such a way as to prevent homosexual marriages (among others), and then President Obama went on the record in support of gay marriage. Of all the things in life that should not be subject to majority opinion, or a vote, your own marriage is probably near the top of the list. That also means you shouldn't get to vote on anyone else's marriage, either. And, honestly, Obama's opinions on anything hold about as much sway...
Recently, gay marriage has been all over the news. First, North Carolina voters decided to define marriage in such a way as to prevent homosexual marriages (among others), and then President Obama went on the record in support of gay marriage. Of all the things in life that should not be subject to majority opinion, or a vote, your own marriage is probably near the top of the list. That also means you shouldn't get to vote on anyone else's marriage, either. And, honestly, Obama's opinions on anything hold about as much sway...
I have often heard the saying "Be the change you wish to see in the world." This may sound like gratingly "touchy-feely, New Age" pablum, but I grudgingly admit it is true when I consider the alternative. Because, seriously, should you act in ways you know are wrong just because what you know to be right isn't popular enough to be widespread at this time? I don't think so; at least I hope not! Go ahead and start doing what you know is right and let the rest of the people catch up to you when they are ready. Even if they...
I have often heard the saying "Be the change you wish to see in the world." This may sound like gratingly "touchy-feely, New Age" pablum, but I grudgingly admit it is true when I consider the alternative. Because, seriously, should you act in ways you know are wrong just because what you know to be right isn't popular enough to be widespread at this time? I don't think so; at least I hope not! Go ahead and start doing what you know is right and let the rest of the people catch up to you when they are ready. Even if they...
Libertarianism is often described as the advocacy of maximum liberty and minimum government. The "maximum liberty" part is pretty easy to understand, once you really understand what liberty is. As long as your actions don't harm another person physically, and don't take or damage his personal property, you are within your rights to do anything. You are "at liberty" to proceed. Thomas Jefferson put it this way: "Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of...
Libertarianism is often described as the advocacy of maximum liberty and minimum government. The "maximum liberty" part is pretty easy to understand, once you really understand what liberty is. As long as your actions don't harm another person physically, and don't take or damage his personal property, you are within your rights to do anything. You are "at liberty" to proceed. Thomas Jefferson put it this way: "Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of...
George Washington is quoted as saying, "Government is not reason. It is not eloquence. It is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master." Unfortunate-ly, in spite of this awareness, he chose to be a part of the problem. His assessment still holds up, although I think government is more like a dog. A big, poorly trained dog that forever grows larger and meaner. The bigger it gets, the more of your stuff it breaks and the more it consumes. It slobbers all over everything, has terrible gas, and is...
George Washington is quoted as saying, "Government is not reason. It is not eloquence. It is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master." Unfortunate-ly, in spite of this awareness, he chose to be a part of the problem. His assessment still holds up, although I think government is more like a dog. A big, poorly trained dog that forever grows larger and meaner. The bigger it gets, the more of your stuff it breaks and the more it consumes. It slobbers all over everything, has terrible gas, and is...
One recent big national news story where I seem to differ with a lot of libertarians is the George Zimmerman/Trayvon Martin shooting. I have seen the prevailing voices shift support behind whichever of the two the latest reports seem to vindicate. I continue to support both, and neither. Which is to say I support truth and liberty, wherever that may lead. None of us were there, and even if there are any witnesses who are brought forward to testify, they will all have an agenda and be trying to push a certain perspective....
One recent big national news story where I seem to differ with a lot of libertarians is the George Zimmerman/Trayvon Martin shooting. I have seen the prevailing voices shift support behind whichever of the two the latest reports seem to vindicate. I continue to support both, and neither. Which is to say I support truth and liberty, wherever that may lead. None of us were there, and even if there are any witnesses who are brought forward to testify, they will all have an agenda and be trying to push a certain perspective....
