Protecting Mickey Mouse at Art's Expense

Lawrence Lessig in the New York Times (you must register at no cost to use the site) gives a legislative solution to the most recent Congressional/Supreme Court folly. The Ginsburg opinion is indefensible, arguing that the judiciary is incapable of concluding that the constitution's use of the term "limited time" means anything less than perpetuity in the face of congressional abuse.

Focused, large benefits; diffused costs: You get the picture. Walter Williams explains why the sugar lobby gets its way.

Update on the Feds Attempt to Smash the Medical Use of Marijuana in CA

Here is a link to the latest news.

Senseless Death

The 22-year old son of a good friend of mine was murdered last week, supposedly while he was attempting to purchase some marijuana on the black market in an unsavory neighborhood on the western shore of Mobile Bay. The young man was engaged in no rights-violating activity of any sort. The supposed prohibition he was participating in was a crime unknown at common law and not an activity subject to the enumerated powers of Congress nor the traditional police powers of the state of Alabama (where this murder took place). The nasty and immoral business known as the War on Drugs has again taken its toll.

This little cartoon, called A Drug War Carol, gives some of the history of how the centralizing influence of the federal government forces the Drug War on us and corrupts our country.

Bretton Woods and 2003

This link is to a summary of US monetary policy post 1971 and Nixon's closing the gold window. Conclusion: Expect monetary inflation.