Of Mars and Mammoths July 2006 $4.00
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Of Mars and Mammoths July 2006 $4.00 "Liberty is more favored than all things. !I - Justinian How to Subscribe [ Letter's .J The Ego ·and the Idiots the complexities of the case"as well to Re "Winning the Battle for Free as the political circumstances that dom and Prosperity," by John Mackey influenced,the outcome. I stand by my (June): there are no irresistible argu view that Chief Justice Tiuley's opin II LibertY] ments for freedom (or anything else). ion - that no blacks, free or slave, People can be unrelentingly stubborn could become U.S. citizens or have or narrowminded. Also, Rand's "The any rights- was extrajudicial in the Liberty takes individual Virtue of Selfishness" has a vital extreme and a prime example of the freedom seriously ... and subtitle, "A New Concept of Ego "living Constitution" doctrine. the status quo with more ism." And this concept is simply that There was never a racial division than one grain of salt! a sound ethics has to be egoistic - it regarding these matters in theConsti must provide one with action-guidi~g tution. Never. Every issue of Liberty brings principles that promote one's life on I suggest that all interested readers you news you can't miss, earth, and help one flourish. There is pick up a copy of Donald Fehrenbach er's Pulitzer Prize-whining, 600-plus opinions you won't find nothing oxymoronic about this. page classic work "The Dred Scott anywhere else, and the best Tibor R. Machan Case - Its Significance in American libertarian writing in the world. Silverado, Calif. Law and Politics." Dredlocked Keep in mind that when Taney You won't want to James Harrold, Sr.'s second letter wrote that one reason blacks were not miss a single issue! (April) regarding the Dred Scott deci citizens was because they'd be able sion of 1857 (not 1856) failed to accept "to keep and bear arms wherever Act Today! Liberty offers you the best in individualist thinking and From the Editor writing. So don't hesitate. You have nothing to lose, and the Some years ago, upset by the unworldly ideas ofcertain friends of fruits of Liberty to gain! liberty, I defined a "libertarian" as a person who believes that the answer to Use the coupon below or call: every question can be found in the library. Since then, I've begun to think 1-800-854-6991 that's not a bad thing. Indulging the libertarian taste for books, this issue includes a special p-------Please enter my subscription .. section ofadvice on summer reading. We've assembled Liberty's usual to Liberty immediately! suspects - a highly idiosyncratic, opinionated, quirky, unrepresentative group ofindividuals - and we've given them our usual orders: "Go ahead. o 12 issues (One Full Year) $29.50 Say anything you want." You'll find the results on p. 15. I believe they'll 024 issues (Two Full Years) $56.00 surprise, annoy, delight, and enlighten you. At least that's the effect that 24 Add $5 per year for foreign subscriptions. out of25 ofthem had on me (I'm the one who brings up the rear, at no. name 25). The rest ofthis issue offers writing by much the same kind ofpeople, address because that's the kind ofpeople we like, whether they're talking about city state zip books or films or the state ofthe world as we know it. The individual mind is a terrible thing to waste, and we don't plan to waste it here. phone number I hope you're having a good summer - reading books, fighting for o I enclose my check (payable to Liberty) Charge my: freedom, or just watching the clouds go by. D VISA D MasterCard D Discover For Liberty, signature account # expires Stephen Cox Send to: Liberty, Dept. L, Editor .. P.O._-----_.1Box 1181, Port Townsend, WA 98368 July 2006 Inside Liberty Volume 20, Number 7 2 Letters Our readers come out swinging. 5 Reflections We down some crazy pills, plow into the White House, battle for luggage, rig the lottery, patent our perpetual motion machine, complain about our miserly portions of poison, divvy up the oil money, fly a pencil, unleash the bears, and wait quite a while for aNew Orleans bus. Features 15 The Books of Summer Summer is the time to hang a hammock, mix a mai tai, and spend a long afternoon stretched out with a good book. Our editors and contributors offer a stack of suggestions. 29 My Life As a Legislator The Hon. R. Kenneth Lindell takes us to a place where libertarians have never trod before. 33 The TIFThat is Eating Portland Americans may be catching on to eminent domain, but Randal O'Toole finds that central planners and urban renewers have a more sophisticated weapon to use. 36 Down in Egypt Land Doug Casey looks past the pharaohs and the pyramids, and sees a land perched on the edge of destruction. 39 Freedom to Speak Why would tens of thousands of people surrender their lunch breaks to make speeches to one another? Jane S. Shaw examines the thoroughly American world of Toastmasters. Reviews 43 Bound but Determined Jo Ann Skousen assesses a literary work in which the motto is, "Obey, obey, obe)T, then do what you want." 45 Of Mars and Mammoths Telepathic computers, near-instant sex changes, and lunar butterflies: Timothy Sandefur delves into the work of a science fiction master. 47 Do the Right Transition Has Spike Lee finally set aside his racial rhetoric? Jo Ann Skousen investigates his newest film, "Inside Man." 50 Spurning the Great Communicator When the president's own party members attack his policies, Martin Morse Wooster sits up and takes notice. 51 Booknotes Redneck sociology, anarchic fantas)T, lessons about war, and the rise of South Park Conservatives. 52 Notes on Contributors Catching waves and combing beaches. 54 Terra Incognita Stupidit)T, equality, fraternity. July 2006 they went," he was not stating why lighted to discover sufficient numbers NAFTA promote a global hegemony, they weren't recognized as citizens, of applicants either ignorant of the and they are enforced by big govern but why they shouldn't be. That's law, or resident in defiance of the law, ment coercion. not"original intent"; it is an activist who can be exploited as the employer His opinion on this matter shows judiciary changing interpretations in desires. This draws down the price of that he still believes that there is a order to produce a desired outcome labor in other parts of the economy distinct separation between big busi - the "living Constitution" doctrine. - and inflates shareholders' divi ness and big government. This is Bob Tieman dends. This condition has the added big business using big government Portland, Ore. defect of synthesizing demand for institutions to expand global eco The Giant Sucking Sound entitlements. nomic control, and a great deal of it is Martin Solomon's "Why I fight" If Solomon wants to honor his paid for by the taxpayers. This is not a (Reflections, May) on his reasons for family by supporting new immi good example of a prosperous ungov sticking with immigration law makes grants' efforts at gaining legal status, erned global market, it is more like the me wonder just how long he reflected I see no reason why he should feel ugliest form of government-regulated on the matter. any other need to practice immigra economics. This is the redistribution His first reason - the expansion tion law - and he should just admit it of wealth from the bottom to the top. of liberty - fails to take into account without adding excuses. May I dare to say that this libertarian Eric C. Sanders the steady, increasing drain on the is sounding a bit like a state apologist? Roseville, Mich. Brandon Bitros U.S. economy from the federal and Philadelphia, Pa. other entitlements either aimed at im Everything Is Under Control migrants or not closed to immigrants. For the most part I enjoyed John Back Mack Eventually, the load on the nation's Mackey's article thoroughly. Viewing I greatly enjoyed John Mackey's economy could destroy what rem the pros of libertarianism through the article - his clarity, energ)T, ideas, and nants of liberty we now enjoy. lens of liberalism really hit home, con yes, idealism, were very appealing. Solomon's second reason - the sidering I come from an entrepreneur The Libertarian Party might put increase in productivity - is also ial family with strong liberal values. him up as a presidential candidate. suspect. u.s. citizens are happy to We understand the importance of civil We sorely need someone to articulate work at any job that entails fair pay liberties and social justice, but also the these good ideas. and decent working conditions. Too importance of having a business free Ken Green many employers, however, are de- from government restraint. Chino Hills, Calif. However, I must disagree with his views on economic globalization. Liberty invites readers to comment Mackey rightly rails against all forms on articles that have appeared in our Nathaniel Branden} Ph.D of government coercion, economic pages. We reserve the right to edit for Peter Breggin} M.D. and social, but then he applauds open length and clarity. All letters are assumed markets, trade, and globalization as to be intended for publication unless Susan Love Brown} Ph.D being beneficial to the world. I find Marshall Fritz otherwise stated. Succinct letters are pre this stance to be somewhat hypocriti ferred. Please include your address and Presle~ Sharon Ph.D cal for a few reasons: globalization phone number so that we can verify your Authority hardly operates through a govern identity.