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Culture

 

Freedom and Justice in Islam:

Dr. Bernard Lewis

September 18, 2006:

What is the possibility of freedom in the Islamic world, in the Western sense of the word? Dr. Bernard Lewis asks this question from the viewpoint of a historian of Islamic countries and culture. He concludes that Fundamentalist Wahhabi Islam is not the way Islam has been for centuries; it is essentially permeated with Nazi and Soviet influences which slant it toward authoritarianism and totalitarianism. Wahhabism, not Islam itself, is to blame for the recent eruptions of terrorism and statism emanating from the Middle East. 

 

The Pope vs. Islam: Who Stands for Reason?:

Dr. Edward Hudgins

September 22, 2006:

In a long, scholarly dissertation on “Faith, Reason and the University: Memories and Reflections,” Pope Benedict quoted a Byzantine emperor as saying “Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached.” While the Pope was not endorsing this view of Islam, Muslims across the world immediately took to the streets in violent, murderous rampages to prove the old emperor right. Dr. Edward Hudgins considers the Muslim culture responsible for the rampant violence, intolerance, and fanaticism coming out of the Middle East. If moderates in these countries fear violence against themselves because they call on all individuals to respect one another's liberty to think as they wish, that fact is a statement about Muslim culture that screams as loud as the fanatics in the streets.

 

Economics

 

In Praise of Investing Money Gained from Tax Cuts:

G. Stolyarov II

September 19, 2006:

Mr. Stolyarov refutes several fallacious objections to the scenario of tax cut recipients investing the money they gain. He addresses three of these objections using the principles of economics and rational self-interest to display the virtues of such an outcome. Indeed, no damage will result from investment of such money; quite the contrary, this practice will fuel economic growth in the United States and rising standards of living for Americans.

 

Historical Analysis

 

Revisiting the Intellectual Heritage of a Free Society:

Dr. Edward W. Younkins

September 18, 2006:

This essay by Dr. Edward Younkins surveys and revisits the intellectual heritage of a free society. The origins of theoretical arguments for a free society make up a long and distinguished tradition which stretches back at least to the 6th Century B.C. and spans writers until the present day. Elements of the liberal outlook have been discovered in the ancient world. Many individuals have attempted to find the best case for a classical political liberal order, and their philosophies have been varied and numerous. The study of the classical liberal heritage is instructive for its philosophical insights—much can be learned by studying the efforts of others.

 

Politics

 

The Benefits of a More Open Immigration Policy:

Walter Weston

September 18, 2006:

Walter Weston recognizes that illegal immigration raises certain social concerns, but writes that we cannot forget that immigration is also a social benefit. Some political commentators combine other social phenomena with immigration and mistakenly advocate a policy of closed borders. When we separate the issues, we find that immigrants provide innovation and hard work for the American economy. Throughout our history, the American dream has attracted a vast number of entrepreneurs from around the world. Mr. Weston urges us to consider the role these immigrant entrepreneurs play in improving our standards of living and the harms that would ensue from restricting them from pursuing economic activity in the U. S.

 

The Bush Administration's Efforts to Cover Up the North American Union: Myths, Facts, Truth:

Tom DeWeese

September 20, 2006:

"Conspiracy theories." "Fringe nuts." "Lies." "Myths." These are the words being used by officials of the Bush Administration and others to brand those who have reported on the activities of the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP), currently operating out of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Opponents have charged the SPP will result in the establishment of a North American Union, much on the same lines as the European Union. Tom DeWeese believes that a genuine threat to Americans' sovereignty and property rights is being posed by the SPP; Mr. DeWeese explains what that threat consists of.

 

Good News for Malaria Victims:

Paul Driessen

September 20, 2006:

In a huge victory for malaria victims in Africa and all over the world, World Health Organization malaria director Dr. Arata Kochi today announced that “indoor spraying with DDT and other insecticides will again play a major role in WHO efforts to fight the disease.” Paul Driessen gives the full story, why it is so important, and how the WHO decision fits into the bigger picture of recent actions by other U.S. and international healthcare agencies. In the coming years, tens of millions of people will be alive to thank Dr. Kochi – and become healthy and productive citizens in their countries.

 

"Peak Oil" or Lots More Oil?:

Alan Caruba

September 20, 2006:

Chevron Corporation recently announced it had discovered new, huge reserves of oil some five miles below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico. The initial estimates were that these reserves “could boost U.S. oil reserves by 50 percent.” Alan Caruba uses this and other recent discoveries of vast oil deposits to contend that the world will not run out of oil anytime soon, and that we are far from reaching our "peak" in oil production and use. The "peak oil" theory says we either have or are about the reach the point of diminishing returns regarding the world’s oil supply, but these recent discoveries suggest there is still plenty of oil to be found-- thereby negating environmentalists' fears.

 

Amnesty and the Welfare State:

Rep. Ron Paul, M. D.

September 22, 2006:

Rep. Paul notes that the immigration problem fundamentally is a welfare state problem.  Some illegal immigrants-- certainly not all-- receive housing subsidies, food stamps, free medical care, and other forms of welfare.  This alienates taxpayers and breeds suspicion of immigrants, even though the majority of them work very hard.  Without a welfare state, we would know that everyone coming to America wanted to work hard and support himself. Since we have accepted a permanent welfare state, however, we cannot be surprised when some freeloaders and criminals are attracted to our shores.  Welfare muddies the question of why immigrants want to come here.

 

Religious Right Needs to Defend All Saints Episcopal:

Dr. Chuck Baldwin

September 22, 2006:

The Los Angeles Times recently reported that "the Internal Revenue Service ordered a liberal Pasadena parish to turn over all the documents and e-mails it produced during the 2004 election year with references to political candidates. All Saints Episcopal Church and its rector, the Rev. Ed Bacon, have until Sept. 29 to present the sermons, newsletters and electronic communications. The IRS investigation was triggered by an antiwar sermon delivered by its former rector, the Rev. George F. Regas, at the church two days before the 2004 presidential election. The summons even requests utility bills to establish costs associated with hosting Regas's speech. Bacon was ordered to testify before IRS officials Oct. 11." Dr. Chuck Baldwin insists on defending All Saints Episcopal Church's right to free speech-- even though he disagrees with the content of its message. He reminds us of Voltaire's famous words: "I may not agree with what you say, but I'll fight to the death for your right to say it."

 

"The general spread of the light of science has already laid open to every view the palpable truth, that the mass of mankind has not been born with saddles on their backs, nor a favored few booted and spurred, ready to ride them legitimately, by the grace of God."

 

~ Thomas Jefferson