http://www.freeople.com/blog-posts Read blog postings from all members of the Freeople community. Register today and you can contribute to the website and share information with others. xx http://www.freeople.com/blog/same-old-boss-part-2-civil-liberties/2207 <p> When speaking with libertarians who supported Barack Obama for president, I've generally heard two arguments: </p> <p>  First, that the Republican Party needed to be soundly spanked for its misrule. Check -- that certainly got done. Secondly, that while the GOP and the Democrats have become virtually indistinguishable when it comes to economic policy (the only difference being that the Republicans &quot;borrow and spend&quot; while the Democrats &quot;tax and spend&quot;), Obama is likely to roll back the Republican war on civil liberties. So far, not so good.&lt;!--break--&gt; </p><p><a href="http://www.freeople.com/blog/same-old-boss-part-2-civil-liberties/2207">read more &gt;</a></p> http://www.freeople.com/blog/same-old-boss-part-2-civil-liberties/2207#comments barack obama civil liberties http://www.freeople.com/crss/node/2207 Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:07:41 -0600 thomaslknapp 2207 at http://www.freeople.com http://www.freeople.com/blog/a-post-election-cleansing-how-state-co-opts-opposition/2201 <p> I don't think I often use the term &quot;must read&quot; but I am going to now.  This is a Must Read. </p> <p> This article by <strong>Anthony Gregory</strong> radiates with such piercing truth that you may need to squint to be able to read it. But read it we must, and again and again, until our eyes become accustomed to the light and we never have to squint again. </p> <p> ~Manumission </p> <p> AxXiom </p> <p> ------------------------------  </p> <p> How the State Co-opts the Opposition </p><p><a href="http://www.freeople.com/blog/a-post-election-cleansing-how-state-co-opts-opposition/2201">read more &gt;</a></p> http://www.freeople.com/blog/a-post-election-cleansing-how-state-co-opts-opposition/2201#comments Anthony Gregory How the State Co-Opts the Opposition liberation partisan politics http://www.freeople.com/crss/node/2201 Fri, 21 Nov 2008 03:38:03 -0600 AxXiom 2201 at http://www.freeople.com http://www.freeople.com/blog/peter-schiff-talks-about-economy-cnbc/2200 <p> Peter Schiff was on CNBC's Fast Money to talk about the state of the economy, and his outlook for the upcoming months. Schiff had been saying we were headed for a downturn and recession in 2006-07 due to the credit crisis and housing bubble, but at the time most scoffed at his contrarian views. </p> <p> Right out of the gate in his interview, he criticizes CNBC's use of the word &quot;capitulation&quot;, that magic word investing shows like to throw around as the signal to &quot;BUY! BUY! BUY!&quot; (quoting in my best Jim Cramer impersonation).  Schiff believes true market capitulation is &quot;months, if not years away&quot;. </p> <p> <div id="video"><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="334" data="http://www.youtube.com/v/pGHODRNJqRo"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pGHODRNJqRo" /> <param name="wmode" value="transparent" /> </object></div> <p><a href="http://www.freeople.com/blog/peter-schiff-talks-about-economy-cnbc/2200">read more &gt;</a></p> http://www.freeople.com/blog/peter-schiff-talks-about-economy-cnbc/2200#comments CNBC collapse crisis dollar economy gold Peter Schiff http://www.freeople.com/crss/node/2200 Fri, 21 Nov 2008 01:51:31 -0600 RonShimshock 2200 at http://www.freeople.com http://www.freeople.com/blog/same-old-boss-part-1-foreign-policy/2199 <p> My initial intention following the election was to give president-elect Barack Obama the traditional &quot;honeymoon&quot; period -- waiting at least until his inauguration, and possibly even until the usual &quot;first 100 days&quot; agenda had floated or foundered, before starting to slice and dice his approach to the presidency. As it turns out, the transition period is chock full of clues as to what Obama's presidency will look like, especially with respect to foreign policy, so there's no reason not to get started. </p> <p> <strong>Summary: Obama's foreign policy approach will likely come to nothing more or less than a matter of sticking blue helmets and the word &quot;humanitarian&quot; on his immediate predecessor's way of doing things. Or, to put it a different way, his foreign policy will likely feature the Clinton administration's trappings and the Bush administration's ... vigor.</strong> </p> <p> This was fairly predictable from the start.<p><a href="http://www.freeople.com/blog/same-old-boss-part-1-foreign-policy/2199">read more &gt;</a></p> http://www.freeople.com/blog/same-old-boss-part-1-foreign-policy/2199#comments barack obama foreign policy http://www.freeople.com/crss/node/2199 Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:05:04 -0600 thomaslknapp 2199 at http://www.freeople.com http://www.freeople.com/blog/ok-state-rep-richard-morrisette-keep-your-nose-out-my-big-fat-business-k-thnx/2197 Rep. Morrisette wants the state to oversee your child rearing practices and this goes for homeschooled children as well as public schooled (just like the mental health screenings they are doing which are a sweet scheme backed by the likes of &quot;We-Lie Lilly&quot;) <p> &#160; </p><p><a href="http://www.freeople.com/blog/ok-state-rep-richard-morrisette-keep-your-nose-out-my-big-fat-business-k-thnx/2197">read more &gt;</a></p> http://www.freeople.com/blog/ok-state-rep-richard-morrisette-keep-your-nose-out-my-big-fat-business-k-thnx/2197#comments Oklahoma representative Morrisette parental rights http://www.freeople.com/crss/node/2197 Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:29:26 -0600 AxXiom 2197 at http://www.freeople.com http://www.freeople.com/blog/red-light-cameras-short-yellowssweet-money-love-danger-motorists/2190 <p> <strong>Group to Shame Cities with Short Intersection Yellow Time-</strong> </p> <p> thenewspaper.com article </p> <p> <a href="http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/25/2596.asp">http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/25/2596.asp</a> </p> <p> <br /> National Motorists Association gears up to challenge cities that use short yellow times to maximize red light camera profit. </p><p><a href="http://www.freeople.com/blog/red-light-cameras-short-yellowssweet-money-love-danger-motorists/2190">read more &gt;</a></p> http://www.freeople.com/blog/red-light-cameras-short-yellowssweet-money-love-danger-motorists/2190#comments red light cameras short yellow stop light cameras http://www.freeople.com/crss/node/2190 Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:06:43 -0600 AxXiom 2190 at http://www.freeople.com http://www.freeople.com/blog/parting-thoughts-barr-campaign/2189 <p> Brian Doherty asks <a href="http://reason.com/news/show/130107.html" target="_blank">&quot;Where Did the Libertarian Party Go Wrong?&quot;</a> over at Reason. It's not the first post-election critique of Bob Barr's presidential campaign, nor will it be the last, but it's an interesting one, and since it quotes me, I think I'll go ahead and set my own thoughts down at greater length. </p> <p> First, the quote: &quot;In terms of vote totals, his failures put him firmly in the LP 'usual' pack. In terms of effect on the Libertarian Party, he probably set us back 20 years.&quot; </p><p><a href="http://www.freeople.com/blog/parting-thoughts-barr-campaign/2189">read more &gt;</a></p> http://www.freeople.com/blog/parting-thoughts-barr-campaign/2189#comments bob barr Election 2008 Libertarian Party http://www.freeople.com/crss/node/2189 Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:36:52 -0600 thomaslknapp 2189 at http://www.freeople.com http://www.freeople.com/blog/dallas-morning-news-overlooks-disd-identity-fraud/2188 <span class="Apple-style-span"><p><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">Dallas Morning News Virtually Ignores Criminal Nature of School District's Persistent Social Security ID Fraud</span><p><a href="http://www.freeople.com/blog/dallas-morning-news-overlooks-disd-identity-fraud/2188">read more &gt;</a></p> http://www.freeople.com/blog/dallas-morning-news-overlooks-disd-identity-fraud/2188#comments Dallas Independent School District Dallas Morning News Fraud Identity social security numbers Texas http://www.freeople.com/crss/node/2188 Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:06:56 -0600 BeatTheChip 2188 at http://www.freeople.com http://www.freeople.com/blog/dps-scraps-plans-drivers-license-checkpoints/2182 <p><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">The Associated Press<span class="Apple-style-span"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span">Article Launched: 11/15/2008 08:13:03 AM __</span></span></p> <p><a href="http://www.freeople.com/blog/dps-scraps-plans-drivers-license-checkpoints/2182">read more &gt;</a></p> http://www.freeople.com/blog/dps-scraps-plans-drivers-license-checkpoints/2182#comments Attorney General drivers license checkpoints Texas Texas Highways http://www.freeople.com/crss/node/2182 Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:03:06 -0600 BeatTheChip 2182 at http://www.freeople.com http://www.freeople.com/blog/the-end-wall-streets-easy-money/2176 <p> An absolutely fantastic article has been written in Conde Nast's <em>Portfolio</em> magazine by Michael Lewis titled &quot;<a href="http://www.portfolio.com/news-markets/national-news/portfolio/2008/11/11/The-End-of-Wall-Streets-Boom">The End</a>&quot;. I'll warn you it is rather lengthy, but certainly worth the time.  If you're like me, an outsider to the world of high-stakes investment banking, you'll be riveted by the brashness and clueless behavior of bankers who often know as much about the products they sell as you or I do. </p><p><a href="http://www.freeople.com/blog/the-end-wall-streets-easy-money/2176">read more &gt;</a></p> http://www.freeople.com/blog/the-end-wall-streets-easy-money/2176#comments economy Goldman Sachs government Liars Poker Wall Street http://www.freeople.com/crss/node/2176 Sun, 16 Nov 2008 11:05:22 -0600 RonShimshock 2176 at http://www.freeople.com http://www.freeople.com/blog/the-clock-keeps-ticking/2174 <p> As the ever expansive national debt clock continues its accelerated rise north, it has become quite visually apparent that our current governmental bailout policies documents its incompetent nature. </p><p><a href="http://www.freeople.com/blog/the-clock-keeps-ticking/2174">read more &gt;</a></p> http://www.freeople.com/blog/the-clock-keeps-ticking/2174#comments bailout Hank Paulson The Treasury The Federal Reserve System http://www.freeople.com/crss/node/2174 Thu, 13 Nov 2008 22:05:02 -0600 atmliberty 2174 at http://www.freeople.com http://www.freeople.com/blog/texas-capitol-intelligence-consultant-contracted-dps/2168 <p>The Department of Public Safety contracted research firm Deloitte &amp; Touche to move forward &quot;inteligence driven ...<span class="Apple-style-span">protective counter-surveillance on the Governor’s protection detail, the Lieutenant Governor, visiting dignitaries, the State Capital and Governor’s Mansion,&quot; as reported in Scott Henson's blog, <span class="Apple-style-span">Grits for Breakfast</span>.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.freeople.com/blog/texas-capitol-intelligence-consultant-contracted-dps/2168">read more &gt;</a></p> http://www.freeople.com/blog/texas-capitol-intelligence-consultant-contracted-dps/2168#comments Gov. Rick Perry political dissidents Texas http://www.freeople.com/crss/node/2168 Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:02:14 -0600 BeatTheChip 2168 at http://www.freeople.com http://www.freeople.com/blog/educrats-schools-gender-swapping-sex-ed-trumps-shakespeare/2166 <p> For decades, public schools across American have been bedeviled by misguided, often nonsensical theories of instruction promulgated by promotion-hungry educrats at the local, state and federal levels. From bilingual education, which mandated that Spanish speaking children should study only Spanish, to &quot;whole language,&quot; which held that children should teach themselves to read, our unelected education leaders have tried their best to destroy what was once the world's greatest and most effective public school system. </p><p><a href="http://www.freeople.com/blog/educrats-schools-gender-swapping-sex-ed-trumps-shakespeare/2166">read more &gt;</a></p> http://www.freeople.com/blog/educrats-schools-gender-swapping-sex-ed-trumps-shakespeare/2166#comments charter schools Education literature Los Angeles Unified reform sex-education vouchers http://www.freeople.com/crss/node/2166 Wed, 12 Nov 2008 11:53:26 -0600 dlasken 2166 at http://www.freeople.com http://www.freeople.com/blog/announcement-candidacy/2158 <p>Fellow libertarians,</p> <p>I initially planned to announce my 2012 candidacy for the presidency of the United States on April 6th, 2009, from the steps of the Old St. Louis Courthouse (history buffs shouldn't have too much trouble figuring out why), and I still intend to conduct a campaign event of some kind at that time and in that place.</p> <p>I see, however, that others are already lining up with formal announcements or at least clear indications of their own intent ... and when a fight's brewing, I prefer to get in early.</p> <p>It is therefore my distinct pleasure to announce that I will seek the 2012 presidential nominations of the <a href="http://www.lp.org" target="_blank">Libertarian Party</a> and the <a href="http://www.bostontea.us" target="_blank">Boston Tea Party</a>.</p> <p><a href="http://www.freeople.com/blog/announcement-candidacy/2158">read more &gt;</a></p> http://www.freeople.com/blog/announcement-candidacy/2158#comments Boston Tea Party Election 2012 Libertarian Libertarian Party http://www.freeople.com/crss/node/2158 Tue, 11 Nov 2008 20:37:39 -0600 thomaslknapp 2158 at http://www.freeople.com http://www.freeople.com/blog/insurance-cos-love-red-light-cameras/2156 <p> &#160; </p> <p> These devices are inarguably NOT in the best inteests of the public.  There are volumes of studies that show that they DO NOT reduce accidents and in fact, often increase them.  <a href="http://www.thenewspaper.com/">http://www.thenewspaper.com/</a> is a good source for information that exposes this scam.  Be informed-Call your city council members, ask questions, attend their meetings.  Every small act counts and don't let anyone tell you differently. </p> <p> AxXiom </p><p><a href="http://www.freeople.com/blog/insurance-cos-love-red-light-cameras/2156">read more &gt;</a></p> http://www.freeople.com/blog/insurance-cos-love-red-light-cameras/2156#comments funding Insurance companies Insurance rates politics public safety red light cameras stop light cameras http://www.freeople.com/crss/node/2156 Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:51:04 -0600 AxXiom 2156 at http://www.freeople.com http://www.freeople.com/blog/chris-matthews-believes-his-job-make-obamas-presidency-successful/2133 <p> I just about fell out of my chair when I saw this video from MSNBC's <em>Morning Joe</em> show.  </p> <p> Joe Scarborough, the show's host and former Republican Congressman from Florida, discusses with Chris Matthews the possibility of Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) taking the job of Chief of Staff in an Obama White House. Matthews has never been one to hide who are his favorites, but he took things to a whole new level on <em>Morning Joe</em> by effectively saying it is his job as a journalist to make Obama's presidency successful. </p><p><a href="http://www.freeople.com/blog/chris-matthews-believes-his-job-make-obamas-presidency-successful/2133">read more &gt;</a></p> http://www.freeople.com/blog/chris-matthews-believes-his-job-make-obamas-presidency-successful/2133#comments constitution election Joe Scarborough journalists Morning Joe MSNBC Obama politics president http://www.freeople.com/crss/node/2133 Fri, 07 Nov 2008 02:06:38 -0600 RonShimshock 2133 at http://www.freeople.com http://www.freeople.com/blog/sensenbenner-real-id/2132 CNSNews.com<br /> Sensenbrenner Says Real ID Would Have Prevented 9/11 Terrorists From Boarding Planes<br /> Tuesday, November 04, 2008<br /> By Penny Starr, Senior Staff Writer <p> <a href="http://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=38682&amp;print=on">http://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=38682&amp;print=on</a> </p><p><a href="http://www.freeople.com/blog/sensenbenner-real-id/2132">read more &gt;</a></p> http://www.freeople.com/blog/sensenbenner-real-id/2132#comments 9 11 Real ID Rohrer Sensenbrenner http://www.freeople.com/crss/node/2132 Thu, 06 Nov 2008 04:36:52 -0600 AxXiom 2132 at http://www.freeople.com http://www.freeople.com/blog/2008-election-day-voting-results/2123 <p>This page compiles all the widgets, interactive tools, and live, streaming video from sources such as Google, MSNBC, CNN, CBS, and others. Review during the course of the evening to see all the latest updates, including local state races.</p> <p><a href="http://www.freeople.com/blog/2008-election-day-voting-results/2123">read more &gt;</a></p> http://www.freeople.com/blog/2008-election-day-voting-results/2123#comments 2008 ABC CBS CNN election electoral college McCain NBC NPR Obama president results voting http://www.freeople.com/crss/node/2123 Tue, 04 Nov 2008 17:15:51 -0600 RonShimshock 2123 at http://www.freeople.com http://www.freeople.com/blog/election-day-2008-vote-early-and-vote-often-i-kid/2122 <p> Today, November 4, 2008, is Election Day in the United States.  People from across the country will be going to the polls to cast their vote for President, Congressional seats, State Senate and House races, various local positions, and numerous propositions and ballots. </p><p><a href="http://www.freeople.com/blog/election-day-2008-vote-early-and-vote-often-i-kid/2122">read more &gt;</a></p> http://www.freeople.com/blog/election-day-2008-vote-early-and-vote-often-i-kid/2122#comments 2008 Baldwin Barr Congress election House of Representatives McCain McKinney Nader Obama president propositions Senate http://www.freeople.com/crss/node/2122 Tue, 04 Nov 2008 07:31:53 -0600 RonShimshock 2122 at http://www.freeople.com http://www.freeople.com/blog/jim-rogers-we-need-let-businesses-fail-stop-fed-intervention/2104 <p> Investor Jim Rogers was on Bloomberg this past week to discuss the economy, global recession, and the actions being taken by the Federal Reserve. </p> <p> His opinion has been, and continues to be, the world bankers and Federal Reserve are creating more harm than good.  Rather than letting poor performing companies go out of business, they are propping them up to create a small amount of incremental prosperity.  This leads to short term benefit, but significant problems in the future: </p> <p> <div id="video"><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="334" data="http://www.youtube.com/v/mBVC3H8Pgc4"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/mBVC3H8Pgc4" /> <param name="wmode" value="transparent" /> </object></div> </p><p><a href="http://www.freeople.com/blog/jim-rogers-we-need-let-businesses-fail-stop-fed-intervention/2104">read more &gt;</a></p> http://www.freeople.com/blog/jim-rogers-we-need-let-businesses-fail-stop-fed-intervention/2104#comments agriculture banks Bernanke commodities federal reserve gold Jim Rogers Paulson Treasury http://www.freeople.com/crss/node/2104 Sun, 02 Nov 2008 13:36:37 -0600 RonShimshock 2104 at http://www.freeople.com