- It’s amazing — and encouraging — how many commentators suddenly seem to be realizing that the problem isn’t “right” or “left” or even a matter of a system needing “reform.” The problem is oligarchy. Tuesday I linked to a very good article about The Bigs. Novelist Barry Eisler is among the first to come right out and use the proper term. (Tip o’ hat to J.)
- That noxious Louisiana law banning second-hand dealers from transacting any business in cash. You may have read about it. Ellendra in the comments points to an article that says it was passed in virtual secrecy.
- More on the health miracles of an ordinary kitchen spice.
- With thanks to H, here’s more on the life and death of firearms hero and “justice” system victim, Al Woodbridge. Unfortunately, this isn’t a permalink but just a link to the main page of the Oregon Firearms Federation; can’t say how long it will carry Al’s story.
- “Your cash for their clunkers. Not just another Obama energy favorite in trouble, but a glimpse of an industry of, by, and for government subsidies.
- Finally, for those who don’t mind occasional bits of “sick dog” news, foster-boy had extensive surgery to repair his birth defect yesterday. He’s recovering nicely at the vet’s. She left enough of the sheath so he’ll retain a “boy” look, though she did end up having to (ouch) remove his deformed and non-functional penis. He won’t be coming back to me after recovery, but I’ll get to visit him this morning.
Claire…
Check out what Kentucky is trying to do to limit copper thefts in the state.
http://www.local12.com/news/state/story/Kentucky-Law-May-Soon-Limit-Who-Can-Scrap-Copper/dqHc1Cvh3EKOba9ikrTtAg.cspx
So glad for the good news about the dog!
I’ve always liked Barry Eisler’s commentary, and his novels aren’t bad, either. He’s a former CIA guy, btw.
Turmeric is a miracle spice. So is a primal diet, imo. š
I can’t believe that Louisiana law will pass judicial scrutiny (if it ever even gets that far). Whatever else you may think of it (don’t get me started!) US currency is “legal tender” and we are required by federal law to accept it in payment of debts. Louisiana can’t revoke that. They can force you to keep records of cash transactions but they can’t forbid the acceptance of cash.
Good news on the dog! Advances over the last decade or so in veterinary medicine is amazing. So, for all practical purposes, if the Louisiana law sticks(doubtful), it would all but eliminate second-hand stores and flea markets, while thieves would just take their stuff to a border state. A slow third grader could tell you that. Even requiring loads of records for cash transactions would put a serious damper on second-hand places..garage sales, church rummage sales, thrift stores..technically, surplus stores. That law wasn’t thought up, it was thunked up.
AZ Scrap dealers and pawn shop owners can still use cash. I believe they are required to keep records of persons name and address selling scrap or pawning items. Our local pawn shops require name, address, phone, picture etc to pawn items and are regularly inspected/harassed by the police for compliance.
Scott and water lily, thanks for the good cheer on the dog. Indeed advances in vet medicine are pretty awesome. Even our little small-town vet has a surgical laser now — a tool that made this surgery much less bloody (cauterizing as it cuts) and less traumatic for the pooch. I visited him this morning, less than 48 hours after the surgery, and even though he had a “zipper” on his belly about 10 inches long and a plastic ecollar coning his head, he was bounding around like a puppy.
LM, I sure hope that Louisiana law doesn’t pass judicial muster. OTOH, I wouldn’t count on it. Though I don’t have the research in hand, I learned a couple of years ago that there is a loophole in the legal tender laws. I believe the key word is “debt.” A transaction in a store or at a garage sale isn’t considered to be a settlement of a debt, therefore is outside the LT law. (If you money mavens know the full story, I hope you’ll post it here.)
Mike, thanks for the link. It’s depressing that metal theft has become so common, but don’t the legislators get it? As Scott says, they’ll just go across the state line. Or sell their stolen goods to somebody who has the proper government paperwork to resell it in Kentucky. Sigh.
I first assumed the Louisiana law was dead on appeal but I’m not so sure.
http://volokh.com/2011/10/19/louisiana-bans-secondhand-dealers-from-paying-cash-for-secondhand-goods/
It seems like there is a precedent for this POS since the check or card “which in turn is payable in United States currency”. It wouldn’t be the first time that some sort of crime that scares people is used to justify intrusions. Try buying cold medicines.
I do find it really encouraging that the OWS, or whatever is should be called, is avoiding falling into traps like ‘left’ and ‘right’. It is quite entertaining to see our Lords and Masters struggle to figure out how to cope with a bottom-up movement. I guess they assumed we’d be sitting at home in a TV coma following all the narratives they give us.
Steve
Here’s another article for you, it seems the TSA is taking the high road — and the low road, and the side road, and the back road, and the . . . .
http://www.newschannel5.com/story/15725035/officials-claim-tennessee-becomes-first-state-to-deploy-vipr-statewide
PS: HURRAY for the puppy-dog!!!!!!! š
Gawd. VIPR teams roaming the highways. Welcome to the f&^%$#ing land of the free. And the home of the morons. “Always remember, if they caught Tim McVeigh because (so amazingly conveniently!) he was driving around without a license plate on his vehicle, doing everything he could to make it easy for even the dumbest cop on the planet to become suspicious of him, maybe YOU can recognize the next Eeeeevil Terrorist because he makes an illegal right turn. So GO GET ‘EM, our brave Homeland Heroes! And SHOW NO MERCY!”
Thanks for the update on the beautiful boy! It’s so good to hear that he’s doing well. Dogs are amazing creatures. Any of us would be bedridden for days at the very least, moaning, seeking every possible moment of sympathy. And a pat on the back to your vet. The laser is just a tool. It’s the hand that uses it where the skill lies. But, I’ll bet no one is happier than Robbie to have his domain back!
from the wikipedia link in Mr Eisler’s article;
“The iron law of oligarchy ……..The reasons behind the oligarchization process are…….and the passivity of the led individuals more often than not taking the form of actual gratitude towards the leaders.”
This statement haunts me. To me, that’s the truly saddest part of things as they are today. We the Sheeple have become such insufferable unhearing children that we’ve greased our own slippery slope and can’t even begin to figure out why things are now barreling downhill at such a clip, if we even admit that they are.
One of the few things I actually remember learning in high school is the definition of classic Greek tragedy. The tragic hero brought about his own downfall, through his character defects, and it could have been avoided. At all of the various freedom and preparedness forums I read, the most common complaint voiced is that family, friends and coworkers don’t get it(DGI) and refuse to listen. Was it just yesterday you gave a link to an article about the idiots elected were far less of a problem than all the millions of idiots who elected them?
On the page of the Oregon Firearms Federation regarding “Big” Al Woodbridge it was his request that any memorial be sent to a Marine scout/sniper organization. I made a donation Tuesday. BTW I’m retired Navy.
The law in Louisiana makes me sick, but doesn’t surprise me. The “stated” reason is to stop criminals from stealing metals and other items and selling them for cash. Presumably with the requirement to stop cash a paper trail is created that helps law enforcement track down the criminals.
The reason I am not surprised is that businesses have long been coerced into becoming government enforcers. If you are a business and have to collect sales taxes you are essentially a tax agent for the government. This is just one more brick in that wall. These businesses are now forced to play law enforcement as well as trying to run a business.
Just out of curiosity since the transaction is in cash and the good are second hand I wonder what would happen if you just ignored the law?
If they ever do this to peek into a regular home, we may start needing radar detectors for the home to know if someone is trying to take a peek.
http://www.gizmag.com/radar-sees-through-concrete/20208/
Jim, that article makes me think there will soon be a renewed interest in stone and/or cob housing, the kind with walls 2 feet thick š
“The reason I am not surprised is that businesses have long been coerced into becoming government enforcers.”
I know I’m taking it out of context, Mic, but that sentence struck me as funny. I run a small sewing business (not much more than a paying hobby), and the images that came to mind were hilarious.
“They’ll take my measuring tapes when they pry them from my cold, dead hands!”
“When tailored pants are outlawed, only outlaws will wear tailored pants!”
“Free the bustline!!!!”
I must need sleep.