Patriot's Lament with Stephan Kinsella

The great Stephan Kinsella joins us to talk about one of my favorite topics, Law. What it is, what it isn't.

I personally think political law, or legislative law, is crap. But, you can make up your own mind.

Check out all of Stephan's work HERE . His site is full of great work for the Libertarian cause.

Thanks again Stephan

The Failure of Democracy/ Back to top

I've been working on piecing together some posts on institutional failures. These are not failures of particular individuals, but instead inherent structural failures of the institutions that are supposed to deliver us from the realities of life. Last week I posted on the failure of any war in the 20th century to "secure freedom" and the empirical fact that the nations that participated in the 20th century wars were less free after each war (this is true of "both" sides in each of these wars).

Today, we will explore democracy. Instead of looking at it from a moral standpoint by discussing the legitimacy of mob rule, I'd like to discuss it in a value free way. In other words, regardless of what you think about individual rights vs group rights (if they can even exist), let's simply ask the question: has it worked? Does the institution of democracy allow people to be more free or more prosperous relative to the alternatives?

In the video below, Hans Hoppe outlines the logical line of thought that answers this question with a resounding "no." He also notes that historians simply look at empirical data points and assume correlation is causation. 20th century rich, 19th century poor. 20th century democracy, 19th century monarchy. Monarchy bad. Democracy good. But of course, if we are intellectually honest we have to admit that correlation is not causation, we have to admit that by every economic metric taxation was lower in the 19th century than the 20th century, we have to admit that freedom of mobility was significantly greater in the 19th century (tho the means of travel were not as convenient), we have to admit that war was waged on a profoundly lesser scale in the 19th century ... continental Europe's first "peaceful century" since its emergence after the decline of Rome. And on and on and on.

Hoppe provides more insights here:


But, you might say, the American colonies were better off without the King! We waged a war for freedom (???) and this is why America was so prosperous! Could it be that America was prosperous only to the extent that colonists could head west into the "anarchy" of the wilderness and escape the new American State? Could it be that this is why this prosperity has been in decline since the last frontiers became absorbed by the Kingless tyranny of American Democracy (which retained all of the power of the king, but simply placed it in the hands of temporary caretakers)?

If you are interested in challenging the mythology of the American Revolution "freeing the colonies" read on here: Tricked on the Fourth of July, by Gary North

What about when Jesus, er, Ronald Reagan was President? Republicans praise him for his tax cuts (and ignore the fact that he raised the debt ceiling 18 times in 8 years). Democrats deride him for his tax cuts (and ignore the fact that he saved all their favorite social programs by raising the debt ceiling 18 times in 8 years). Harry Browne on the other hand was literate. Using this dangerous skill of reading and combining it with some simple analytics and critical thinking, he found that under Reagan, the national tax burden increased by 65%.

Reagan is known as a tax-cutter, and the term "Reaganomics" implies dramatic cuts in tax rates. But after pushing through a tax cut to be implemented over three years, he cooperated during the second year in the largest tax increase in American history up to that time. The nation's annual tax load increased by 65% during his time in office.

See also: Gary North's analysis of Reagan

So this would mean that Republican praise and Democrat derision are both misplaced. But I think paying attention to the man is a waste of time and energy. How about the institution itself? What if there are fundamental structural problems with the state itself and specifically the democratic state? If these problems are structural and/or institutional, what does this say about the ability to change outcomes simply by putting the "right people" in office?

Think about it. I will offer some of my thoughts on that tomorrow.

McClanahan Academy.

Brion is an excellent source for American colonial and Southern history, and he is excellent on secession and the history behind it too.

These courses cost a few bucks, but they are worth it.

McClanahan Academy

Post from Ron Paul Institute

Adam Dick, senior fellow at the Ron Paul Institute, was a guest on our program last week.

Check out his article on the interview, and listen to the interview as well.

Adam Dick joins Patriot's Lament

Support the NFL protesters

If you don't live in a log, you have surely heard of the NFL protesters who have been taking a knee during the national anthem before the football game begins.
This started with Colin Kaepernick, who, in 2016, took a knee during the national anthem to protest police violence against blacks.
Kaepernick made it clear what his motives were, he wasn't protesting the military's involvement in the world, the unjust U.S. wars that have killed a few million people the last 16 years.
He wasn't protesting the U.S. Empire.
He was protesting what he saw as injustice.
This to me, seems to be the most noble of protests that an individual could make. Keeping true to one's conscience. Which, according to the Founding Fathers of America, said was key to American Liberty, the Freedom of Conscience.
There are many quotes and writings about the Freedom of Conscience. It is where the 1st amendment stems from, while today it is talked about freedom of religion or speech, it boiled down to one person's conscience.
The Founders held that a man's conscience was the one thing that he must be free to pursue, as he would be and is accountable to God for his actions in regards to his conscience.

Obviously, the Donald Trump's comments disregarding the NFL players freedom to pursue their conscience, or at least suggesting, (I would say demanding) that a player be punished for expressing their conscience, stirred up a huge national debate towards this subject.
It turned into "they don't respect the military, or the flag the "brought them freedom".
It's odd to even say this, if the military, supposedly, fights for the freedom of Americans to express themselves, then the NFL players should be heralded as hero's of the cause.

I personally think, since when does the American flag belong strictly to the military? I thought it represented 'Merica? Since when does a piece of cloth demand so much loyalty?

Most soldiers I know, will tell you, they didn't fight for the ol red, white and blue, they fought for their comrades next to them who just wanted to get home alive.

This stigma towards the flag and anthem, is just nationalism at it's best. Don't you dare question the flag, for to do so, you question the State.
And that is the one thing the State cannot allow.
The State needs, even if it must compel, total loyalty, and consent.

I know it's hard for some dad or uncle who told his son or nephew how proud he was that he was going to war for Uncle Sam, (only to have his son obliterated, or mangled, just to find out the very State he was fighting for had anything in mind but the agenda it sold the young lad,) to admit he was wrong and maybe holds some fault for the outcome of his child, but sometimes the truth sucks.

So, instead of being a dolt and blindly following the State no matter what it tells you, and rather the opposite, support the ones who the State calls enemy, especially when it is your own countrymen.

Here is a link to the good men who stood against the State, even if it was a meager stance, and not totally with all the right intentions.

Stand with these folks, and BUY THEIR JERSY'S. Or any other trinkets that have their jersey numbers on it.

As Jefferson said so well, " the spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it always to be kept alive. It will often be exercised when wrong, but better so than not be exercised at all".

NFL Players who took a stand by taking a knee

I am happy to say, my favorite team, the New England Patriots, had 20 of the 53 man roster kneel.

A good discussion on Target Liberty

Robert Wenzel's site, "Target Liberty", is a site I go to several times a day. There is a good discussion there now about obligation, libertarianism, and so on.
Some of the commenters really make me wonder about humanity in general.

Suburban primitives in action

Local (Fairbanks) 3 gun shoot!

A listener to the show, Josh, has let me know that he and a group of friends have started a 3 gun shoot here in Fairbanks.
Right now they are getting together once a month. Anyone who needs to work on their shooting, and who doesn't, should look into participating if they can.
A 3 gun shoot includes shooting 3 different firearm types, a pistol, a shotgun, and a rifle, walking, jogging, or running through a course with various targets to shoot.
Semi-automatics are preferred. Josh also tells me he will let folks borrow his guns for the shoot, but asks that they bring their own ammo.
After a brief but important talk on firearm safety, he goes through the basics of the course with the group, and the fun begins!!
Their next meetup is going to be on the 6th of August, as of now.

So, if you want to sharpen your skills in a firearms, meet some new folks, and just have a good ol fun time, contact Josh at iccarus_effect@yahoo.com

A comment on Tom Woods website about whether Liberty can be promoted within the Republican party.

I love Tom Woods. And I love the Tom Woods show. He recently had a guest and put the question out "can Liberty be promoted within the Republican Party".
I say "who cares"? in the comment section.

The Tom Woods Show

The question I am asking, do we Hate The State?

Do we really?

If so, are we living it?

Wolf DeVoon joins us again!

The great Wolf DeVoon will be joining us again on the Patriots Lament show tomorrow morning starting at 9 Alaska time.
If you heard the last time he was with us, you know you don't want to miss his time with us again.

He will also take calls from listeners, so, think of a good question and call in.

New posts

Well, I know things have been quiet here on this blog lately, but I am going to try and revive it as best I can. My oldest son is in charge of getting the past radio shows up now, and he is doing a great job, don't forget to go to you tube, look up "radio free fairbanks" and click subscribe. I think you can find it on you tube also if you just look up "Patriot's Lament".
Also, don't forget our Facebook account, check us out there too, and most important, tell your friends! And also, participate, email us, and comment too.
One last things, I am going to start a weekly email, hopefully this week, so just send me an email if you want to be on that list.

Thanks.

The great Wolf DeVoon, joins Patriot's Lament

The man who many of us weren't even sure actually existed, but loved to read, the Great Wolf DeVoon joins Patriot's Lament for a very personal and authentic discussion of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

Grab a cup of coffee, grab a seat by the fire, and join us.

Strong man

We talk here about the "Strong Man", from Hayek's book, "The Road to Serfdom", and we do a little comparison with that great new Strong Man, Donald Trump.

Screw the Scrools

Some of my thoughts on the public school system on Patriots Lament radio...

Adam Dick joins Patriots Lament

Adam Dick from the Ron Paul Institute for Peace and Prosperity joins us again for thought provoking discussions.

Becky Akers with Patriots Lament

After too long gone by without having Becky as a guest... here she is.

She really is a must listen too.

Interesting youtube videos on various topics affecting us...

Haidt is interesting. You can learn from him without agreeing with him.

Haidt on the psychology behind globalism

Haidt on the disease of political correctness

Peterson is incredibly interesting in his analysis of the great murderous ideologies of the 20th century as being centered in utopianism as an EXCUSE for being murderous, i.e. the goal of the ideologues was destruction and the utopia was the justification.

Peterson's prescription is truth and humility. Truth means speaking without guile -- seeking to accurately express your ideas/thoughts/understanding without manipulation. Humility meaning always being willing to update your model of the world when your existing model proves to be inaccurate. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn ascribed the pathological nature of Marxism as the requirement for constant lying in every aspect of life, and the cleansing effects of telling the truth.

Peterson about Slaying Dragons (very interesting)

Peterson about the Necessity of Virtue

Why I don't believe in global warming

Cause I live it. And gee, I'm not even a scientist.

Wolf DeVoon on Patriot's Lament

On today's show we will have Libertarian icon "Wolf DeVoon" in the 9 am hour Alaska time. Be sure to tune in!
Also, he has been generous enough to let me give away 12 digital copies of his new book "Portrait of Valor".
All you have to do is send me an email (see address on this page) and I will send it off to you.