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Category Archives: Libertarianism

NYPD Goes on De Facto Strike: Arrests Fall 66%: A Victory for Libertarianism – Video

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NYPD Goes on De Facto Strike: Arrests Fall 66%: A Victory for Libertarianism
http://nypost.com/2014/12/29/arrests-plummet-following-execution-of-two-cops/ Stop asking the police to enforce stupid laws and community relations, cost, an...

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NYPD Goes on De Facto Strike: Arrests Fall 66%: A Victory for Libertarianism - Video

What are free schools? Does the failure of Durham Free School indicate the model is flawed?

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THE abrupt demise of Durham Free School, the closure of which was announced by Education Secretary Nicky Morgan after a damning Ofsted report, will come as no surprise to critics of the free school movement.

The brainchild of former Education Secretary, Michael Gove, and inspired by experimental schools in Sweden and the United States, free schools were part of the Coalition Governments Big Society initiative.

Influenced by libertarianism, the idea was to allow parents, teachers, charities, businesses and religious groups to set up their own schools.

The vision was that free schools would be an independent but state-funded school which was open to all abilities.

Crucially, like mainstream academy schools, the new free schools would not be controlled by their local educational authority.

But free schools would continue to be subject to the same schools admissions code as all other state-funded schools.

Free schools are governed by non-profit charitable trusts that sign funding agreements with the Education Secretary.

In order to set up a free school, founding groups must submit detailed applications to the Department of Education.

While there are additional start-up funds available to new free schools, mainstream funding is on the same basis as other state schools.

The new model has spread slowly around the country and the North-East still only has a handful of examples.

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What are free schools? Does the failure of Durham Free School indicate the model is flawed?

FFF Presents: Libertarianism, Social Cooperation, and the Tackling of Strawmen – Video

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FFF Presents: Libertarianism, Social Cooperation, and the Tackling of Strawmen
Are libertarians self-centered and anti-society? Mainstream critiques of liberty and individualism often portray libertarians as rugged hermits who care noth...

By: Liberty.me

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FFF Presents: Libertarianism, Social Cooperation, and the Tackling of Strawmen - Video

Letter: Please Dana Point, Dont Become Ordinary

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By David M. Sanders, Dana Point

After reading Andrea Swaynes piece, Building Character in the Jan. 9-15 issue of the Dana Point Times, I couldnt help but sit down and consider the opportunity it laid on the table.

As an architect who has been a Dana Point resident for over three decades, the one thing I always relished about Dana Point was the remarkable degree of freedom it gave to designers. This freedom is incredibly unique in a coastal community. Dana Point has been an island of artistic libertarianism in a vipers den of architectural totalitarianism for as long as I can remember, and personally, Id be sad to see that change.

Obviously, in historical terms, Dana Point has positioned its style as a sort of quasi-Cape Cod groove, which is fine, as far as it applies to certain sites and areas of the city. However, once you leave the specific planned areas, you see Dana Points real charactera huge variety of styles and individual visions of architecture. Take a look at it! You have the recently completed pedestrian overpass at the south end of town in the Spanish Colonial style only a short walk away from the Organic Modernist landmark that is the Chart House Restaurant.

Our two closest neighbors, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano, are perfect examples of what I call architectural despotism. While San Juan Capistrano has a bit more credibility for its attitude in light of its long history (dating back to Spanish colonization in the 18th century), San Clementes is laughable in my view, dating back to the vision of a property developer in the early 20th century.

To paraphrase Henry Ford, in vast swathes of San Clemente, You can build anything you like, as long as it has a red tile roof, white plaster and wood windows. Since childhood, I always felt that attitude was utterly antithetical to the American ideal. Id sure be disappointed to see that happen to Dana Point. As a property owner, I find it positively offensive.

If you want to dictate aesthetic values on a piece of property Ive bought and paid for, that brings us right down to the level of statist organs like the old Soviet Union and China. I dont think that was Franklin or Jeffersons vision of the United States. Rather, their vision was to create a society of individuals free to pursue their own desires as long as they didnt infringe on their neighbors rights or property. The argument that putting, for instance, a Modernist building next to someone elses Spanish Colonial Revival villa will detract from its value is a threadbare, tenuous argument. Any realtor will tell you that good location, practical zoning standards and quality schools take the lead in property valuation; architectural style of the neighboring buildings is of almost zero relevance.

If I were made king for a day, Id like to see something unique happen with Dana Point. Id like to see it embrace an attitude of encouraging good architecture, period; no matter the textbook style being expressed. As such, any future planning documents would need to contain standards embracing several architectural styles, and even hybrids of those styles.

As a professional in the field, I enjoy experiencing a wide range of styles from the classical to the modern; my only requirements to declare them good is that they be well-designed, well-constructed and compliant with the zoning standards. Dana Point already has mechanisms in place to insure those qualities, and has maintained a knowledgeable, competent staff of community development personnel to uphold the standards.

If a planning document had to be created, it should provide examples and guidelines for all of Californias imported styles, such as Spanish Colonial, Cape Cod and Mediterranean (to name just a few) as well as its indigenous, vernacular styles such as the 1930s through 1960s wood-clad, heavily-glazed beach cottage, Rudolph Schindlers California modernism, and the Arts and Crafts-era bungalow style (a.k.a. Craftsman style); again, naming just a few.

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Letter: Please Dana Point, Dont Become Ordinary

Rand Paul calls Romney 2016 bid 'insanity.' Counterproductive? (+video)

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Washington Rand Paul took a pretty sharp dig at possible/probable 2016 rival Mitt Romney on Wednesday. In an interview with the NH Journal, Senator Paul noted that this would be Mr. Romneys third try at the Oval Office if he runs, and then said, When you do the same thing and expect a different result, its sort of what Einstein said, that the definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over again and expect a different result.

Thats right, Paul pretty much flat-out said that Romney would be bonkers to mount another presidential campaign.

Should he have said this? We think not.

Yes, its not far from what lots of Republicans are saying about Romneys surprise interest in 2016. But technically speaking, its inaccurate. Trying something three times and expecting a different result is not the definition of insanity. If it were, everybody who is certain that they know their Netflix password, and that it will work this time if he or she just types it in harder, or more carefully, would be certifiable.

Thats millions of people.

Also, Einstein probably never said this. Like lots of stuff on the Internet, this is a quote that seems vaguely wise and is attributed to a famous person to give it extra power, but nobody really knows where it came from. Ben Franklin didnt say it, either. Neither did Mark Twain.

But this is carping. The real reason Paul should not have resorted to this faux-Einstein chestnut is that its quite likely he (Paul) would benefit if Romney ran. He should be encouraging Mitt to get the gang back together. He should be offering to endorse Romney, or even run the sign-up papers down to the FEC if Romney has to stay home to wait for the car elevator repairman.

Why would Paul be better off with Romney re-redux? Long story short, Romney and Jeb Bush split the GOP establishments votes, money, and endorsements. Paul sticks with his own identifiable, libertarian niche. Hes a unique figure in the race, points out Thursdays Wall Street Journal.

As the field of potential Republican presidential candidates grows, few stand to benefit from the added competition as much as Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, write the WSJs Janet Hook and Patrick OConnor.

In particular, Romney could siphon support from Mr. Bush in the early-primary state of New Hampshire, where the former Massachusetts governor maintains a summer home. The Granite State is also fertile ground for Pauls brand of libertarianism, meaning that he could pull off a surprise win or a strong second in the event of a Romney-Bush clash.

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Rand Paul calls Romney 2016 bid 'insanity.' Counterproductive? (+video)

Capital Journal Daybreak: Airstrikes Fail to Slow Islamic State in Syria | Rand Paul Begins Making His Case for 2016 …

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RAND PAUL BEGINS MAKING HIS CASE FOR 2016: Recent news that former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romney are mulling presidential bids are welcome news for at least one potential 2016 contender: Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul. The reason is simple: The more contenders there are angling for support among the evangelical and establishment wings of the party, the easier it will be for Mr. Paul to cast himself as a unique figure as he courts a mix of tea-party activists, young voters and other Republicans with his distinct brand of conservative libertarianism.

Mr. Paul visited the early-voting state of New Hampshire yesterday, at a time when much of the focus in GOP politics has centered on what a third White House bid for Mr. Romney would mean for Mr. Bush and others vying for the same centrist, business-friendly donors. The Kentucky senator found a receptive audience in the state, where his libertarian-leaning father came in second with 23% of the vote in the states 2012 GOP presidential primary. As one New Hampshire state senator put it: He is solely the candidate who benefits from the crowded field. Janet Hook and Patrick OConnor report.

Compiled by Rebecca Ballhaus

PATRICK OCONNORS EARLY HIT: AMERICANS WANT CONGRESS TO FOCUS ON THE BASICS Republicans and Democrats alike want Congress to pass an annual budget, drive down college costs and preserve Medicare for future generations, according to a recent nationwide poll commissioned by Crossroads GPS and the American Action Network, two groups that back congressional Republicans. Splits emerge over more divisive issues like approving the Keystone XL pipeline and changing the Affordable Care Act. The poll results suggest Americans would rather see Congress do its basic duties: make government more efficient and tackle kitchen-table topics, not rehash partisan feuds. Read Patrick OConnors full post in Washington Wire.

STORIES YOU SHOULDNT MISS EPA SET TO REGULATE OIL AND GAS METHANE EMISSIONS:The Obama administration unveiled plans to regulate methane emissions from the nations oil and natural-gas industry for the first time, a move aimed at meeting climate-change goals while not hampering the nations energy boom. The Environmental Protection Agency plans to propose federal regulations to cut methane emissions from the oil and gas sector by 40% to 45% over the next decade from 2012 levels. The rules, scheduled to be proposed this summer and completed by 2016, would apply only to new or modified sites. Amy Harder reports. Plus: Five things to know about methane.

MONTHS OF AIRSTRIKES FAIL TO SLOW ISIS: More than three months of U.S. airstrikes in Syria have failed to prevent Islamic State militants from expanding their control in that country, raising new concerns about President Barack Obamas military strategy in the Middle East. While U.S. bombing runs and missile strikes have put Islamic State forces on the defensive in Iraq, they havent had the same kind of impact in Syria, where jihadist fighters have enlarged their hold since the U.S. started hitting the groups strongholds there in September. The militant groups progress in Syria is partly the result of the U.S. decision to focus its military efforts on Iraq, and the Obama administration is now considering whether the U.S. should focus more aggressively on Syria. Dion Nissenbaum reports.

Related: The White House wants to win bipartisan support for an updated congressional resolution authorizing the U.S. to use military force against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria An Ohio man was arrested yesterday as he neared what authorities say were the final stages of a terror plot to attack the U.S. Capitol with guns and pipe bombs in support of Islamic State Four years after the Arab Spring began, the new Middle East looks more and more like the old onebut worse.

HOUSE VOTES TO BLOCK OBAMA ON IMMIGRATION: The House passed legislation to nullify President Obamas immigration policies, tying the contentious issue to a bill funding homeland security and setting up a clash with Democrats who are expected to block the measure in the Senate. The vote was 236-191 for the funding bill after the House easily approved amendments to undo a string of Mr. Obamas executive actions. The move gave conservatives the votes they had been demanding, but prompted backlash from some centrist Republicans who said it goes too far. Laura Meckler and Kristina Peterson report.

More on Congress: The House also passed a bill to ease nearly a dozen Wall Street regulations, the latest legislative effort to roll back provisions of the 2010 Dodd-Frank law.

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Capital Journal Daybreak: Airstrikes Fail to Slow Islamic State in Syria | Rand Paul Begins Making His Case for 2016 ...

Libertarianism Defended, Capitalism and Individualism, Ayn Rand, Generosity (2011) – Video

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Libertarianism Defended, Capitalism and Individualism, Ayn Rand, Generosity (2011)
Tibor Richard Machan (/tibr mkn/; born 18 March 1939) is a Hungarian-American philosopher. A professor emeritus in the department of philosophy at Aubu...

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Libertarianism Defended, Capitalism and Individualism, Ayn Rand, Generosity (2011) - Video


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