Politics & Rights
Politics & Rights
FDA Shuts Down Farm for... Selling Fresh Milk
Joshua Lipana February 14, 2012
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has shut down an Amish farm for selling fresh, unpasteurized milk, the Washington Times reports. The FDA’s pretext for destroying the business is that fresh, unpasteurized milk is “unsafe.” The fundamental issue here, however, is the inalienable right of farmers and their customers to…
Economics, History, Politics & Rights
Modern Greeks Destroy ‘Foundations of Justice’
Ari Armstrong February 13, 2012
The Greek riots this past weekend have been sickening. “At least 45 buildings were burned, including one of [Athens’s] oldest cinemas, while dozens of stores and cafes were smashed and looted,” reports the AP. Why are the rioters upset? “More than 100,000 protesters marched to parliament to rally against drastic…
Politics & Rights, Science & Technology
Oil Shale Politics Points to Problems of Federal Land Ownership
Ari Armstrong February 13, 2012
Why is energy production in the United States subject to so much political oversight? Public News Service reports the latest news about oil shale: “Two competing plans for the development of oil shale in the West are making their way through Washington, D.C.” Both plans involve government-owned lands, and both…
Politics & Rights
Should a “homosexual contract” be called something other than marriage?
Michael A. LaFerrara February 13, 2012
Following my recent post, Message to Gov. Christie and His Critics: Gay Marriage is a Moral Right, a reader commented: Government should be out of the marriage business; then all contracts between individuals need not be restricted. However, with government involved as it is, and given all the laws that incentivize…
Politics & Rights, Science & Technology
In Birth-Control Insurance Fight, Planned Parenthood is Anti-Choice
Ari Armstrong February 11, 2012
Planned Parenthood claims to uphold freedom of choice for women in planning their families and their broader lives. Yet the organization seeks to force people to buy birth-control insurance coverage against their will (whether they use birth control or not). Thus, Planned Parenthood is anti-choice when it comes to people’s…
Politics & Rights
The Government Should Extend Freedom, not HARP
Michael A. LaFerrara February 11, 2012
President Obama recently announced an expansion of the Federal Government’s Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP). This new initiative seeks to help homeowners who can not refinance their mortgages at today’s low rates because their homes’ values have dropped below their mortgage balances. Obama, who places the blame for the crisis squarely…
Ayn Rand & Objectivism, History, Philosophy, Politics & Rights
Interview with Cynthia Farahat on Growing Up in Egypt, Discovering Ayn Rand, and Fighting Islamists
Joshua Lipana February 10, 2012
Cynthia Farahat is an Egyptian political activist, writer and researcher. She co-founded the Liberal Egyptian Party (2006–2008) and served as a member of its political committee. In 2008-2009, she was program coordinator and program officer at the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Liberty in Cairo, a multi-national free market think tank.…
Philosophy, Politics & Rights, Science & Technology
Not Only Catholics Should be Angered by Birth Control Mandates
Ari Armstrong February 8, 2012
Conservatives and Catholics have lambasted President Obama over his plan to force insurance providers, including Catholic ones, to cover birth control. Wayne Laugesen explains for the Colorado Springs Gazette: President Barack Obama’s administration finalized orders last week that will force all Americans, with few exceptions, to buy health insurance plans…
Politics & Rights, Science & Technology
Liability Reform Shouldn’t Be Limited to Space Industry
Ari Armstrong February 8, 2012
Colorado legislators are considering a bill to limit the liability of spaceflight companies. The bill’s sponsor says the measure would recognize “the inherent risks of spaceflight activity,” reports the Denver Post. New Mexico’s legislature also took up legislation to limit the liability of space companies. No doubt abusive litigation in America has…
Politics & Rights, Science & Technology
End Tax Favoritism for Wind Energy
Ari Armstrong February 8, 2012
Yesterday seven members of Colorado’s Congressional delegation urged continuation of the wind energy production tax credit, calling on a conference committee to tack the credit onto a bill to temporarily reduce the payroll tax. (An eighth member later added his name.) Twenty-three governors also recently advocated extension of the wind…