RealClearPolitics - Articles - The Next Capitalism

RealClearPolitics - Articles - The Next Capitalism
Synopsis
Capitalism has changed throughout the ages, and is currently undergoing another transformation.
Comment
The article lays out the past well, but doesn't offer even a straw man of the future. Regardless, it is worth a read for the questions it raises.
Money quote
When he died in 1848, John Jacob Astor was America's richest man, leaving a fortune of $20 million that had been earned mainly from real estate and fur trading. Despite his riches, Astor's business was mainly a one-man show. He employed only a handful of workers, most of them clerks. This was typical of his time, when the farmer, the craftsman, the small partnership and the independent merchant ruled the economy. Only 50 years later, almost everything had changed. Giant industrial enterprises -- making steel, producing oil, refining sugar and much more -- had come to dominate.

A message from Iraq

IRAQ THE MODEL

I am once again impressed by the level headed, commonsense of the bloggers at Iraq the Model. Mohammed and Omar provide the best source for anyone wanting an Iraqi perspective from downtown Baghdad.

Money quote:
There's no going back thirty years to the days of Saddam an there's no going back a thousand yeas to the days of the Caliphs.
It's over…
We have accepted the rough road and the outcome will not be in the benefit of the criminals. The war is tough, painful and hard but I have no doubt of the outcome that will mean the end for the supporters of tyranny and extremism.
Surrendering is much closer to them than it is to us and history will remember with pride those who sacrificed for the freedom of Iraq…
Maybe I will not live long to see that day but my children will certainly see it.
Sorry whiners, losers and pessimists. I only know to accept a challenge when I face one and I recognize only victory as an end.

The Moral Imperative for Toughness

The Moral Imperative for Toughness: By John Ashcroft
Synopsis
An extract from John Ashcroft's book "Never Again". Ashcroft argues that it is our responsibility to take the gloves off in our fate against islamic fascists.
Opinion
Pretty self explanatory, and an excellent rejoinder to the "lets be nice" or "civil liberties for terrorists" brigade.
Money quote
A moral imperative for toughness exists if we are asking America’s young people to go out and stand in harm’s way, to risk getting shot, or to lay their lives on the line. Then we are not eligible to be “nice guys” who will take a soft and easy approach to the enemy when we realize what is needed to preserve American lives.

Socialism for the Rich

Townhall.com::Socialism for the rich::By Thomas Sowell
Synopsis
Columnist Thomas Sowell shows how socialisms "concern for the poor" is used as a tool to screw the poor and make the rich richer.
The article provides a number of real world examples.
Opinion
Socialism steals the language of compassion, to masquerade its terrible deeds. Has it not always been the case from socialism as theory to socialsm as practiced. Pope Leo XIII in 1878 wrote the encyclical Quod Apostolici Muneris (On Socialism) which addressed socialism as a "deadly plague". This was when socialism was merely an idea, some 40 years before it would ever be implemented. With great foresight the pontiff wrote "For, indeed, although the socialists, stealing the very Gospel itself with a view to deceive more easily the unwary, have been accustomed to distort it so as to suit their own purposes , nevertheless so great is the difference between their depraved teachings and the most pure doctrine of Christ that none greater could exist".
Thomas Sowell and libertarian John Stossel have long done a great service to society by pointing out the contradictions that occur in socialist based legislation.
Money quote
The rich have learned to adapt socialist policies to their own benefit. For example, the city of Riviera Beach, Florida, is planning to demolish a working class neighborhood under its power of eminent domain, in order to prepare the way for a marina for yachts, luxury condominiums and an upscale shopping district.

9/11 Truth - The Obvious Argument

The Loose Change Backgrounder
Synopsis:
If there was a 9/11 conspiracy, why would you do it and how would you go about it. Lefty commentator Matt Taibbi provides the most lucid and realistic scenario.
Opinion:
The stupidity of 9/11 Truthers would be laughable, if it wasn't so offensive to the memory of those who died on the day. I'm not talking about those who only know bits about the conspiracy theory and have never taken the time to investigate it further. I am talking about those who promote the conspiracies. It is interesting how so many of these nutbags come from the anti-religious left, however they exhibit a fanaticism that makes the majority of believers look like lapsed atheists. Theirs is a religious fervour, requiring a fundamentalist's ability to ignore inconvenient facts, logic and reason. Matt does a good job of showing how truly ridiculous this new religion is.
Money quote:
CHENEY: And the Pentagon crash -- we'll have to do it in broad daylight and say it was a plane, even though it'll really be a cruise missile.
BUSH: Wait, why do we have to use a missile?
CHENEY: Because it's much easier to shoot a missile and say it was a plane. It's not easy to steer a real passenger plane into the Pentagon. Planes are hard to come by.
BUSH: But aren't we using two planes for the Twin Towers?
CHENEY: Mr. President, you're missing the point. With the Pentagon, we use a missile, and say it was a plane.
BUSH: Right, but I'm saying, why don't we just use a plane and say it was a plane? We'll be doing that with the Twin Towers, right?
CHENEY: Right, but in this case, we use a missile. (Throws hands up in frustration) Don, can you help me out here?
RUMSFELD: Mr. President, in Washington, we use a missile because it's sneakier that way. Using an actual plane would be too obvious, even though we'll be doing just that in New York.
BUSH: Oh, OK.