http://j-bradford-delong.net/movable_type/archives/000470.html

August 07, 2002

Kaus has thus passed through the third of the four stages of becoming a Rhinoceros... excuse me, a neoconservative.

The first stage is to hold that the flaws--the mighty flaws--of the center-left in American politics are important enough to more-or-less balance the flaws of the right. The second stage is to start making desperate and implausible excuses for Republican politicians and functionaries. The third stage is to lose contact with the substance of public policy issues, and focus instead on intellectual and rhetorical "errors" made by those left of center. And the fourth stage is to start acclaiming right-wing political hacks as noble thinkers, and right-wing office holders as bold and far-sighted leaders with a plan to guide us to utopia.

- - DeLong

They had god damn slaves living in a store

At least they had food and shelter.

Bucky Wan was a li'l baby, uh-huh,
Sittin' on his mama's knee, oh, yeah,
Said: "Farmer MacGregor should just napalm those bunnies;
Cause them cottontails are dissin' his property!
Lawd, Lawd. Got no respect for property.

Bucky Wan had a li'l woman,
Her name was Lucy Ann,
Bucky Wan took sick an' had to go to bed,
Lucy Ann torched bunnies like a man,
Lawd, Lawd, torched collectivists like a man.

Similarly, anarchists do not oppose law, but rather oppose the existence of any body of men with the power to make law by merely decreeing it to be law.

There already is an Anarchist King. It is I.

The Inaugural Meeting of the Property and Freedom Society:

An Incidental Record

by Sean Gabb

The Property and Freedom Society was set up in August 2005 by Hans-Hermann Hoppe. Its Opening Declaration reads as follows:

The Property and Freedom Society stands for an uncompromising intellectual radicalism: for justly acquired private property, freedom of contract, freedom of association—which logically implies the right to not associate with, or to "discriminate against," anyone in one's personal and business relations—

Here is what it looks like:

http://tinyurl.com/2mrkkn

These people are like a virus that mutates...

note: Warlordism comes from western meddling, and then pretending we did not sell all those weapons and did not destroy their traditional culture. -- bucky1

Ever share a neighborhood with Hell's Angels? Or a crack house?

...just needs a little note tabulation now, for a complete musical experience.

[I know it says ballad, but I'm hearing the Blues...]

Just to start – I know you were using “collectivist” a bit of a self-mocking flourish, so h/t to you for that. :-)

I too am not 100% convinced that *always* having a third party is the correct solution. It seems apparent that when neither of the two major parties offers a real alternative, that is when a third party is needed most.

For example, whether from lack of spine or direct complicity, neither party seems willing to do what it takes to scuttle Bush’s war. On the other hand, when you’re having a discussion on what sort of economy is needed (socialist or capitalist) having two distinct viewpoints, unmuddied by a third, is useful. A compromise may eventually be reached. A third party could scuttle an agreement. (A lame example, but I’m trying to come up with something that would be better done by a two-party system.)

For me, the problem is usually a matter of people trying to make a synthesis of A and A’ rather than A and B. In other words, the antithesis isn’t even considered, because A' looks enough different from A that the general public doesn't see their similarities. From that perspective, I think your comfort with the thesis and antithesis being represented in our political dialogue is misplaced.

Or maybe I misinterpreted you. (?)

P. S. Re: the Blackwater bit – a hell of a good reason for the average citizen to own a gun. If the Blackwater types take their own propaganda too seriously and do something unconstitutional, I will personally ensure some of them pay the price. Or die trying. Live free or die.

Wow! I had no idea that Alexander the Great made it as far as China and Korea!

"global stabilization professionals"

Let it not be said that the euphemism is dead.

No kings,

Robert

P.S. bucky1, I just wanted to say thanks for your recent post to William Timberman. I've been following your posts, and while I disagree with much of what you have said, I think your recent post has, for me, at least, begun to clarify a little bit more where you are coming from (I'm not phrasing this well, hope my meaning is apparent). So, thanks for that.

Every operator needs this base system I-O Tactical LB Vest The Blackwater Gear I-O LB Vest is our base system for custom tailoring a kit for any operator. All Blackwater Gear pieces work together with this vest system, allowing infinite configurability.

http://proshop.blackwaterusa.com/istar.asp?a=6&id=2301!BWG&csurl=%2Fistar%2Easp%3Fa%3D3%26dept%3DBWG%26sortby%3D%26numperpage%3D16%26pos%3D80%26

"garnish" is another good one

either adding something (like a sprig of parsley to your entree), or taking something away (like up to 50% from your paycheck)

Paul,

If I'm not mistaken, the term "operator" comes from special forces, or Delta Force, work, where members of elite military units are referred to as "operators." It may be that Blackwater (and I don't know enough about the company, and haven't looked at their site yet) employs many former special forces veterans, and it wouldn't surprise me to learn that much military lingo has been incorporated.

In the meantime, somewhere, Eisenhower's ghost is shouting, "Goddammit! Wasn't anyone listening to my farewell address?"

No kings,

Robert

They are just a bunch of mercenaries, nothing new there.

This has nothing to do with the idea of private protection companies competing for the contract to be to your guard service. Blackwater is just doing black-ops for hire to the highest government bidder.

For me, the problem is usually a matter of people trying to make a synthesis of A and A’ rather than A and B. -- Bryan Hayward

Too true. (And on topic, too. Glenn'll be pleased, after all our other folderol.)

Having spent most of my life fighting the Democratic Party, or fighting within the Democratic Party, and with the spiritual bruises to prove it, I can't argue with your premise. On the other hand, short of a revolutionary party, which is usually either irrelevant or downright fucking murderous (see bolshevism) depending on the condition of the body politic at the time, it's hard to see how the mere existence of a third party necessarily provides the B we're seeking.