-
A strong influence on the weak mind
The willful manipulation of an audience in propaganda and debate is a depressing fact of life to me. I am interested in full understanding of an issue; best gained by rational discourse, scientific inquiry, and criticism. I am also a fairly rabid supporter of freedom of expression. I am most strongly an advocate of critical…
-
“Limits To Growth fallacy”
(Photo credit: RaeA) I was reading an analysis at the Oil Drum about nuclear power use and scaling in France. As usual on TOD, the comments are brimming with insight and impassioned discourse. As a rebuttal to the modest conclusion of the article, one commenter linked to UIC Nuclear Issues Briefing Paper # 75, entitled…
-
Strange speech bedfellows, legislative legerdemain
In my previous post I made brief mention of limitations on freedom of expression for hate speech. Today I found this interesting item on topic via Infidel Guy. Former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore and attorneys with the Foundation for Moral Law, representing several Pennsylvania Christians, argued in a brief filed today in the Pennsylvania…
-
Democratically disenfranchised
(Photo credit: Steffe) Growing up I learned about the (US) Constitution and particularly the Bill of Rights. There may even have been some limp discussion about why certain rights were added and what they’re good for. But we never talked about what I now understand to be the most important yet commonly overlooked reason to…