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Terrorism is not an enemy

November 16, 2015 by · Comments Off on Terrorism is not an enemy 

democracy_is_cancer_islam_is_answerTerrorism is not an enemy. It is an activity carried out by enemies.

Terrorism serves a purpose: the purpose of the enemy who uses it.

If one merely targets terrorism and terrorists – as Western leaders are now (weakly or strongly) promising to do in response to the November 13, 2015 murders by proponents of Sharia in France – one is not fighting a war. One is merely cleaning up after a battle. Read more

Letter to France re: The Paris Attacks of November 13, 2015

November 13, 2015 by · Comments Off on Letter to France re: The Paris Attacks of November 13, 2015 

DEAR FRANCE: “Atlas Shrugged” is a novel by Ayn Rand. The central message of the hero is that one must not sanction one’s own victimhood, and cannot be forced to do so. You are now experiencing the practical consequences of not taking that message seriously; of eschewing both factual certainty and moral absolutes. Neutrality has its costs. You’re paying them.

On Brock University’s Hallowe’en ‘Fun Rules’™

October 30, 2015 by · Comments Off on On Brock University’s Hallowe’en ‘Fun Rules’™ 

mckAccording to Brock University, the last thing you would want to do is break Hallowe’en’s “FUN RULES”™. Brock University’s Student Union has put out a poster telling Brock students what they are prohibited from wearing on Hallowe’en. A number of officially verboten examples are given. ‘Oddly’ though, whereas a bindi or Arabic or Native headware is prohibited, you will find no mention of kilts, lederhosen, or wooden shoes. No mention of prohibitions on Pope hats, or anything else Christian or Jewish. Some cultural stuff deserves more protection than other cultural stuff, apparently. That is hardly an important point though.

To the contrary, here is the point: Read more

The “Soldier Card”, and Voting

October 13, 2015 by · Comments Off on The “Soldier Card”, and Voting 

In the coming days, the newspapers and others will start publishing the standard editorials about how if you don’t exercise your right to vote, you’re disrespecting the soldiers who fought for this country. Here’s my advice to you. Read more

Is the universe finite?

June 21, 2015 by · Comments Off on Is the universe finite? 

2015-06-21.universeF asked: “Why is the universe finite”. I replied as follows.

Your question suggests an error (i.e., an error that you’re seeking to identify as an error). Your question (or, if you prefer, the claim that the universe is finite) suggests that “the universe” is an entity. You are asking for an explanation of the claim that the size or duration of that entity is limited. The short answer is: If, by “the universe”, you are referring to an entity, then “the universe” is neither finite nor infinite because “the universe” is not an entity. Read more

Punching the other cheek: An open letter to a thief

June 20, 2015 by · Comments Off on Punching the other cheek: An open letter to a thief 

2015-06-20.punching-cheekA friend of mine, who has a popular radio show, reports that somebody smashed the door window of his parked car and stole a number of items, including his passport and a Tim Horton’s pre-paid card. Worse though, the thief stole my friend’s sense of security. He wrote an open letter to the thief, expressing his hurt. He told the thief that the thief could never steal his faith in Christ, that he would pray for the thief, and that the thief should try the Nutella doughnut at Tim Hortons. I have a different message for the thief: Read more

The Phony

June 13, 2015 by · Comments Off on The Phony 

The phony is befriended by people who are his enemies, and is loved by people who hate him. The phony not only sacrifices the possibility of friendship and love, but deliberately subjects himself to what only he knows to be exclusion and loathing. He is, in truth, a self-hater, and his own worst enemy.

What is the Lowest Form of Humour?

June 12, 2015 by · Comments Off on What is the Lowest Form of Humour? 

A friend of mine asked “What is the lowest form of humour?”. I replied as follows:

The lowest form is any alleged humour that begs a laugh founded not upon humour, but upon loyalty to the pack. Such is the most common kind of “humour” on late night political comedy shows these days. A joke the punchline of which is based upon the idea that capitalists enjoy eating babies is the prototype. It’s not funny, but commies will laugh out of duty to the proletariat, believing that it serves the cause…of stealing from the alleged baby-eater with impunity.

Against School Vouchers: Choice Can Be the Enemy of Freedom

June 2, 2015 by · Comments Off on Against School Vouchers: Choice Can Be the Enemy of Freedom 

2015-06-02.mouse-trapProponents of freedom in education beware: choice can be the enemy of freedom. On June 1, 2015, Investor’s Business Daily reported that:

“Nevada has enacted what might be the most sweeping school-choice program yet — a path-breaking win for educational freedom that has left teachers unions wondering what hit them.

The law, signed Friday, gives 450,000 public school kids the option of using taxpayer funds — through what are called “education savings accounts” or ESAs — to help pay the tuition for private schools. Families can use funds in these accounts to also pay for textbooks and tutoring.

Students from families with incomes under 185% of the federal poverty level may receive tuition aid of 100% of the statewide average of public school per-pupil costs. Kids in families with incomes above 185% of the poverty level, roughly $45,000 for a family of four, will qualify for up to 90% of the public school per-student cost.”

The news has been well-received by many people, including parents frustrated with the consequences of being forced to pay for government owned-and-operated schools that are in one way or another thought to be failing or abusing their children. Forced to pay for the government system, many parents find it hard to afford or to justify the additional cost of sending their children to a private school. And, precisely because of those frustrations, advocates of voucher systems have long found a receptive audience.

A receptive audience is a rare and precious thing that an advocate of freedom should never squander. Yet, the advocacy of a voucher system is just such a squandering. Read more

False Pretences: For and Against the Singing of Canada’s Anthem in Government Proceedings

May 23, 2015 by · Comments Off on False Pretences: For and Against the Singing of Canada’s Anthem in Government Proceedings 

2015-05-23.god-keep-our-landRebel Media reports that “On May 11th, Richmond Hill’s town council voted 5 to 4 against singing [Canada’s national anthem] O Canada to start council meetings.” Apparently, council says it was responding to a lawyer’s opinion that the line “God keep our land glorious and free”, in the anthem, makes it a violation of our constitution to sing the anthem as part of the official council meeting. Rebel Media has started an online petition that reads: “We the undersigned Canadians demand that the town council of Richmond Hill reverse their outrageous decision, passed by a 5 to 4 vote on May 11, 2015, against singing O Canada to start council meetings.”

I’m happy to be Canadian, and I’ve got nothing against singing a country’s anthem within its official ceremonies (e.g., lawmaking institutions). However, I’m not as upset about this as some, and I won’t be signing the petition. Read more

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