Written by Ilya Shapiro shapiro’s gavelOctober 21, 2024.
excerpt:
The court has certainly moved to the right, but it is not monolithic, clipping the wings of aggressive conservative litigators and lower court judges alike. In fact, last week, for the first time in living memory, the Supreme Court reversed the Fifth Circuit, which has more Texas influence than the California-based Ninth Circuit. And in the previous term, when historic decisions on gun rights and affirmative action were announced, Thomas and Alito were the fewest justices in the majority. As the kids say, the statistics betray the atmosphere.
Of the 58 opinions in contested cases last term, only 11 resulted in a 6-3 “partisan” split, and nearly half of the decisions were unanimous. (In the previous term, there were only five 6-3 “partisan” votes, a similar unanimity rate.) There were also five 5-4 decisions in five different compositions, four of which included a liberal trio. It came together.
Written by Eric Boehm reasonOctober 23, 2024.
excerpt:
Less expected was the sound and sight that has been going on for the past three weeks in Swannanoa, North Carolina. Many of the helicopters are privately owned and operated, taking off and landing from makeshift helipads in the backyards of local pig farms. Food, heavy equipment to clear roads, medical equipment, blankets, heaters, tents, and you guys, according to those who organized this private relief effort in the wake of devastating flooding caused by the remnants of Hurricane Helen. It is said that more than 1 million pounds of supplies were collected. Whatever the name, it has been flying from here to dots on the map of western North Carolina.
“We’re not the government, so we’re here to help.” One of two men standing by the temporary gates (a pair of orange drums) controlling access to the Harley-Davidson dealership’s parking lot and the neatly organized pile of donations inside. says. “We can do it faster and more efficiently. We just really want to help our neighbors.” He identified himself only by his first name and later said: He begged me not to even use that. This is an understandable request, since what he’s doing is probably not completely legal, strictly speaking. (Italics are mine)
DRH Comment: The quote I italicized is clearly a reference to President Ronald Reagan’s famous Nine of the Scariest Words in the English Language: “I’m a government employee, and I’m here to help.” (Bracketed note: I miss Reagan.)
and:
The man primarily responsible for organizing the Harley-Davidson airlift is a bearded former Green Beret named Adam Smith.
And finally:
They weren’t the only ones who needed help. Smith’s main job these days is running. Savage Freedom’s Defenseis a training and consulting company that uses its military experience to help people take care of themselves and their loved ones in difficult circumstances. Through that business, and through connections with other retired special operations veterans in the area, Smith has established the so-called redneck air force The mission was to deliver supplies to a flooded mountain town. Smith owns a motorcycle and knows people who work at Harley-Davidson dealerships. He also knew it was the perfect location for the group’s ad hoc operations. It’s a large parking lot with one entrance and a large field at the back where the helicopter lands.
By the end of the first week, three civilian helicopters were able to carry out the mission. It only grows from there. In addition to food and supplies, the group Powered by Starlink device In places where internet and mobile phone connections are down.
Written by Samuel Gregg law and freedomOctober 24, 2024.
excerpt:
qualified The future of European competitivenessthis 404-page document is surprisingly frank about Europe’s economic problems. Draghi said Europe is “stuck in a static industrial structure”, increasingly lacking in innovation, unable to resist increased regulation, weakening capital markets, experiencing demographic collapse, and enduring accelerating energy prices. He acknowledges that America has lost some of its best entrepreneurs. Draghi’s report found that thousands of European companies found “regulatory hurdles and administrative burdens to be their biggest challenges.” Then there is the European hardening technology sector. “Only four of the world’s top 50 high-tech companies are European,” Draghi said.
and:
One might think that this current state of affairs itself suggests a solution: an aggressive deregulation of the European economy at national and EU level. Sadly, Draghi’s proposed cure for declining competitiveness amounts to greater political centralization and state intervention, the exact opposite of what is needed to make the EU economy more dynamic. It is a sign of the iron grip that Diligist thinking has over the broader political class of the country. Prepared for the challenges of the 21st century.
Written by John O. McGinnis, law and freedomOctober 24, 2024.
excerpt:
Critics also claim that dobbs It’s unique Because it represents the first time The courts have overturned the rights that many Americans have relied on. But this claim ignores history. When the court overturned the decision, it erased substantial economic freedom. Lochner vs. New York And it watered down constitutional protections for contracts. Home Construction and Loan Assen v. Blaisdell, The contract clause claims that it can be ignored in times of economic emergency, the moment when such protection is most important. These decisions eliminated the rights Americans had relied on, rights enshrined in the original constitutional framework.
DRH Comment: Very good point. But I think he and I have different understandings of rights. I don’t think anyone can revoke your rights. He or she just doesn’t recognize it. For example, I have the right not to be a slave. If someone enslaved me, he would not eliminate my rights, but take them away.
