News of the Week
Japan Nuclear Crisis ***************Sitting silent in their classroom, the 30 children whose parents have not come to collect them after tsunami swept away their town By Daily Mail Reporter Reporters not allowed to speak to children to guard against false hope *************** Team of Rivals: U.S., China Come to Japan’s Quake Aid By Adam Rawnsley As Japan’s needs mount in the aftermath of its earthquake, tsunami and radiological disasters, the United States and China are putting aside their regional differences to help the Japanese recover, offering up military and emergency services for assistance. *************** Japan reactor crisis: Obama, Republicans still back nukes By Ben Geman The Obama administration and senior Republicans offered a fresh show of support for nuclear power Monday even as the crisis involving Japanese reactors deepened. *************** Germany Shuts Down Seven Nuclear Reactors BERLIN -- Chancellor Angela Merkel says Germany will take seven of its 17 reactors offline for three months while the country reconsiders plans to extend the life of its nuclear power plants. *************** While Japan Burns, Obama Fills Out His Bracket Via Mike Allen’s newsletter, we see in the first line how the leader of the free world will spend his day during this awful crisis: President Obama is taping his NCAA picks today, and they’ll be revealed tomorrow on ESPN. *************** Japan and the broken-window fallacy: Natural disasters do not stimulate the economy By Matt Kibbe In the wake of the earthquake and tsunami, our hearts and thoughts are with the people of Japan. This is a terrible tragedy that has cost thousands of lives and destroyed infrastructure, homes and businesses. *************** Nuclear Overreactors Let's cool the political meltdown over Japan's damaged nuclear power plants. By William Saletan Quake-damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant in Futaba, Japan Less than a year ago, a drilling rig exploded off the coast of the United States, killing 11 workers and pouring 4 million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. No natural disaster caused this tragedy. It was entirely man-made. President Obama halted deep-water drilling but lifted the moratorium less than six months later. On Friday, while fielding questions about Japan's nuclear reactors, he proudly noted that his administration, under new, stricter rules, had "approved more than 35 new offshore drilling permits." *************** Miracle of the baby girl plucked from the rubble: Four-month-old reunited with her father after incredible rescue By Daily Mail Reporter Amid the mangled towers of wreckage and flooded debris, a country in despair is grateful for any cheerful news. And today, the discovery of a baby girl who had survived for three days after the tsunami that devastated Japan provided just that. *************** New Civility Alert: TIME Magazine Calls WI Governor “Dead Man Walker” *************** Other energy issues and nuclear power over reactions 5 oil refineries in Japan are shutdown and two of them are on fire. At least five refineries, with a combined oil-processing capacity of 1.2 million barrels a day, shut down automatically when they sensed the earthquake. This is roughly a quarter of Japan's total refining capacity. A fire broke out around storage tanks of the Sendai and Chiba refineries, but neither has been damaged. *************** Nuclear Overreactions Modern life requires learning from disasters, not fleeing all risk. After a once-in-300-years earthquake, the Japanese have been keeping cool amid the chaos, organizing an enormous relief and rescue operation, and generally earning the world's admiration. We wish we could say the same for the reaction in the U.S., where the troubles at Japan's nuclear reactors have produced an overreaction about the risks of modern life and technology. *************** Japan's Nuclear Crisis: Lessons for the U.S. Japan's nuclear crisis continued on Sunday as officials faced the possibility of multiple meltdowns of nuclear reactors. More than 170,000 people were evacuated in the northeastern coastal area ravaged by the 8.9 magnitude earthquake and tsunami on Friday, and fears of radiation contamination spread. *************** Wisconsin DISGUSTING… WI Progressives Blame Scott Walker For Teacher’s Suicide ****************************** Wisconsin Protests Jump the Shark By Ben According to Ann Althouse the usual professional anti-war protesters are working their way up to the Midwest. *************** Wolf Packs: Wisconsin’s Public-Sector Unions Turn Into Neighborhood Thugs Posted by LaborUnionReport In Wisconsin last week, it was the police and firefighters unions threatening local business* with boycotts should they not support the union efforts to turn back the clock on their so-called collective bargaining rights. Now, like a pack of wolves, the Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC) has jumped into the age-old racket of shaking-down businesses. *************** 20 Days of Left-Wing Thuggery in Wisconsin: When Will Obama, Democrats, and MSM Call for Civility? by John Nolte Below, you’ll find a compilation of 20 days worth of the death threats, vandalism, and intimidation practiced by pro-union thugs opposed to Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s budget repair bill. Wisconsin is my home state. / *************** Dane County judge halts collective bargaining law By Patrick Marley of the Journal Sentinel Madison -- Dane County Circuit Judge Maryann Sumi issued a temporary restraining order Friday, barring the publication of a controversial new law that would sharply curtail collective bargaining for public employees. *************** Lawmaker Calls Off Meetings Over Vandalism, Death Threats LA CROSSE, Wis. (WTAQ) - Wisconsin Senate Republican Dan Kapanke has called off public meetings in his La Crosse area district, after his property was vandalized and had death threats. *************** Union thuggery against Althouse and Meade: "We will hang up wanted posters of you everywhere you like to go" *************** Union Thugs Destroy Recall Petitions Armed with a bullhorn, thuggery, and the most annoying chants ever, union thugs continued their streak of ‘solidarity’. *************** On this Past Ides of March, the Wisconsin Riots Shudder through the Republic *************** Wisconsin Police & Firefighter Unions Try Their Hand At Protection Racket *************** Lenin’s Lesson Plan: Wisconsin Teachers’ Union Indoctrination of Schoolchildren Posted by LaborUnionReport *************** Cheap Trick? WI Secy of State Gives Unions Extra Time to Lock in Contracts This may make things a bit stickier in Wisconsin: Democrat Secretary of State, Doug La Follette, is giving public-sector unions until the last moment possible (March 25th) before publishing the new law limiting collective bargaining rights. *************** Threats against Wisconsin Republicans increasing Kim Linton At least 18 Republican lawmakers have received death threats since voting for Gov. Scott Walker's modified budget repair bill -- and the number is climbing. *************** Wis. governor greeted at Washburn fundraiser by thousands of protesters Wisconsin’s protracted family fight over the budget and public employee unions moved to this Bayfield County town Saturday evening, as embattled Gov. Scott Walker spoke at an invitation-only event and was greeted by at least 2,000 angry protesters outside. *************** Union mobocracy drowns out democracy in Wisconsin By: Examiner Editorial Democracy could be found in Wisconsin this past week, but not among the screaming protesters running wild throughout the Wisconsin capitol. While Wisconsin's elected representatives -- minus 14 Democratic state senators who fled the state -- were working hard on the job the people sent them to do, thousands of screaming protesters provided America with a preview of the union mobocracy coming soon to a legislature, city council or school board near you. State, county and city governments across the country might well find themselves facing the same confrontational tactics that caused havoc in Wisconsin. *************** Saturday Afternoon at the Recall Petition ‘Drive Through’ in Wisconsin A first-hand account of citizen activism at an abandoned gas station that served as headquarters for a petition drive to recall one of the fleebagger senators. *************** It is a war, started by the unions By Patrick McIlheran of the Journal Sentinel "This is war," panted Michael Moore, the left-wing propagandist, after Gov. Scott Walker's limits on government unions' power passed the Senate. Moore sounded eager. And he's right. It is war. But look at who's fighting whom. Arab Revolts *************** European governments “completely puzzled” about U.S. position on Libya Posted By Josh Rogin Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's meetings in Paris with the G8 foreign ministers on Monday left her European interlocutors with more questions than answers about the Obama administration's stance on intervention in Libya. *************** France fires first shots against Libya after Gaddafi’s forces enter Benghazi Gallery: A mass exodus from Libya: Escaping fighting in Libya, tens of thousands of guest workers from Egypt and other countries are fleeing to bordering Tunisia, which faces a humanitarian emergency. *************** Chavez condemns military intervention in Libya CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is condemning the United States and its European allies for their military intervention in Libya. *************** Anti-war protesters rally in NYC's Times Square By Chris Hawley, Associated Press NEW YORK — An anti-war demonstration in Times Square Saturday that was meant to mark the eighth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq quickly became a protest against the military strikes launched by the U.S. and other countries against Libya's belligerant government. *************** Bahrain police round up opposition leaders and take over hospital Bahrain’s police rounded up opposition leaders at gunpoint and took over a major hospital as it continued a violent crackdown on a protest movement despite international calls for restraint. *************** Obama's indecision on Libya has pushed Clinton over the edge By Joshua Hersh Fed up with a president “who can’t make his mind up” as Libyan rebels are on the brink of defeat, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is looking to the exits. *************** Bahrain Pulls a Qaddafi By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF It is heartbreaking to see a renegade country like Libya shoot pro-democracy protesters. But it’s even more wrenching to watch America’s ally, Bahrain, pull a Qaddafi and use American tanks, guns and tear gas as well as foreign mercenaries to crush a pro-democracy movement — as we stay mostly silent. *************** Egypt Said to Arm Libya Rebels By CHARLES LEVINSON And MATTHEW ROSENBERG CAIRO—Egypt's military has begun shipping arms over the border to Libyan rebels with Washington's knowledge, U.S. and Libyan rebel officials said. *************** Ecstatic crowds in Libya celebrating imminent use of U.S. military force against Gaddafi David Kopel U.N. Security Council Resolution passes 10–0. Live feed from Benghazi on Al Jazeera English. The Resolution authorizes “all necessary measures” except military occupation of Libya. By my reading, the authorization includes destruction of Gaddafi’s anti-aircraft defenses, and of his air force and its mercenary pilots. As President Reagan once said, “We begin bombing in five minutes.” I hope. *************** Italy to make bases available for Libya no-fly zone-source (Reuters) - Italy is ready to make its military bases available to enforce a U.N. Security Counci resolution imposing a no-fly zone on Libya, an Italian government source told Reuters on Thursday *************** Saif Gaddafi: Benghazi Will Fall In 48 Hours The Libyan rebel stronghold of Benghazi will fall to government forces within 48 hours, Saif Gaddafi has said in a television interview. *************** Leaders dither as Gaddafi prepares for final showdown Muammar Gaddafi's forces are pushing towards the rebel stronghold of Benghazi and predict they will suppress the rebel uprising within days. Meanwhile, world leaders continue to dither on imposing a no-fly zone over the country. *************** Lessons from Libya for Dictators in Distress Rick Richman 3. To ensure that the president does not focus unduly on your war, schedule it while he is preoccupied with other matters: a Motown concert, a conference on bullying, his golf game, and finalizing his Final Four picks. *************** Gadhafi Nears Benghazi as G-8 Drops 'No-Fly' Zone By YAROSLAV TROFIMOV in Ajdabiya, Libya, JOE LAURIA at the United Nations and NATHALIE BOSCHAT in Paris AJDABIYA, Libya -- Troops loyal to Col. Moammar Gadhafi seized the strategically important town of Ajdabiya, opening the way to a direct attack on the rebel capital of Benghazi as Western leaders failed to reach an agreement to set up a no-fly zone over Libya. *************** U.S. says Saudi forces in Bahrain "not an invasion" WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States does not consider the entry into Bahrain of Saudi Arabian security forces an invasion, the White House said on Monday. *************** Libya: Rebels find Ghaddafi’s secret brothel by Kal El What dictator doesn’t have his own stable of sex slaves? Saddam and sons had their rape rooms in Iraq, so it seems appropos that Ghaddafi would have his. *************** Two choices in the Middle East: Libya and Morocco By Jennifer Rubin You’d be hard pressed to find a greater contrast last week in the Middle East than Libya and Morocco. While the bloodbath continued in Libya, Morocco was a completely different story. *************** War
& Terror *************** “The President does not have power under the Constitution to unilaterally authorize a military attack in a situation that does not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation.” — Barack Hussein Obama, December 20, 2007 *************** America’s Navy and the rise of China By George F. Wil Scholars at the Naval War College here probably nodded in vigorous agreement with a recent lecture delivered at another military institution 130 miles away. Speaking at West Point to leaders of tomorrow’s Army, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said that “any future defense secretary who advises the president to again send a big American land army into Asia or into the Middle East or Africa should ‘have his head examined,’ as General MacArthur so delicately put it.” This underscored Gates’s point that “the most plausible, high-end scenarios for the U.S. military are primarily naval and air engagements — whether in Asia, the Persian Gulf or elsewhere.” *************** Operation Gun Walker: An Act of War Against Mexico With One American Murdered Already Posted by Erick Erickson As the sun is rising this morning, it appears more and more that the Obama Administration committed an actual, factual act of war against Mexico through sheer incompetence that has left at least one American border patrol agent murdered. *************** They left my baby to die in my arms: This mother thought her son had a fighting chance when he was born at 22 weeks... but the hospital staff refused to help him By Tamara Cohen Holding her newborn son Tom for the first time, Tracy Godwin marvelled at his eyelashes, and counted every precious finger and toe. *************** National *************** DOJ to white male bullying victims: Tough luck ***************The viral video sensation showing a bullying incident at an Australian school has brought the issue of bullying back into the spotlight. Here in the United States, the Obama administration has made school bullying a federal issue. Last week, President Barack Obama addressed an anti-bullying conference with First Lady Michelle Obama at his side. The administration's anti-bullying campaign has been ongoing since the beginning of Mr. Obama's term. The Department of Justice announced in December 2010 its intention to hold liable school districts that fail to protect students that are bullied. *************** At campaign event Biden mentions rape in criticizing Republicans By Sam Youngman Vice President Joe Biden, speaking at a fundraiser in Philadelphia Friday, compared Republicans in Congress to people who excuse rapists by blaming their victims. *************** Jerry Brown Shrinks From Real Reform The governor blames his political rivals for the budget impasse, but public-employee unions are the real obstacle. *************** Palin's Passage to India *************** UCLA student who posted anti-Asian rant on You Tube leaving university Daily News Wire Services LOS ANGELES - A UCLA student whose anti-Asian rant on YouTube made national headlines announced today that she plans to leave the university. *************** Molotov Cocktails, Rubber Bullets to Greet Obama in Brazil *************** Sodexo Slaps SEIU Cockroaches With RICO Suit Posted by LaborUnionReport Imagine being at a dinner event and having your plate served with (plastic) cockroaches scattered over the food. Envision going to a hospital with a loved one only to be confronted with the hint that the hospital food is infested with bugs, flies, mold, and rat droppings. Pretty disgusting, right? Well, imagine how disgusting it is that these tacticss are due to a union’s efforts to unionize the “offending” company’s employees. At least, that’s the allegations being made by the French-owned company Sodexo. *************** Libertas Sees the ‘Uncensored’ Version of MGM’s New Red Dawn By Jason Apuzzo. Last August, Libertas was the first and only media outlet invited to see MGM’s new version of Red Dawn, a remake of the original 1984 film written and directed by John Milius. We were invited to see the film by MGM executives due to our ongoing coverage here at Libertas of pro-freedom films – and of our coverage of the many recent films specifically dealing with the subject of communism (Salt, Mao’s Last Dancer, Farewell, Peter Weir’s recent The Way Back). Red Dawn screenwriter Carl Ellsworth was in attendance at our screening. *************** Windows at Washington, D.C. Republican Office Shot Out By MYFOXDC WASHINGTON - Police are searching for suspects after someone shot-out windows at a Republican office in the District. *************** NASA Considers Shooting Space Junk With Lasers By Lisa Grossman The growing cloud of space junk surrounding the Earth is a hazard to spaceflight, and will only get worse as large pieces of debris collide and fragment. NASA space scientists have hit on a new way to manage the mess: Use mid-powered lasers to nudge space junk off collision courses. *************** The Anti Rave Act of 2011 Making it illegal to have a party on your property with pre-recorded music *************** Nevada: Angle in race for Heller's House seat Republican Sharron Angle on Wednesday jumped into the race for Rep. Dean Heller's seat, setting the stage for a rough-and-tumble competitive primary contest for a job that will be up for grabs in 2012. Angles Announcement *************** Clark County, Nevada: Union, Government Agree to Terms… Taxpayers Get Screwed Again by Chuck Muth The deal struck and announced on Monday between the Clark County government negotiators and the greedy SEIU, the extortionist union representing some 5,500 local government workers, should be rejected by the county commissioners when they meet to consider the agreement on April 5th. *************** Snake Bites Model in Chest... Dies of Silicon Poisoning *************** Obama Urged to Seize Reins as Crises Pile Up A conflict approaching civil war in Libya. An end-times tsunami in Japan. A Congress that can't reach a budget. And ... gender inequality? The topic of President Obama's weekend radio address has raised some eyebrows, as Obama has met mounting crises with the same restraint and cool that characterized his slow-and-steady campaign for president. To some critics, the tone set by the White House in light of recent upheaval may hurt the president's public image. *************** Obama wooing donors for his 2012 re-election bid Monday night By Lynn Sweet WASHINGTON--President Obama makes his first major fund-raising pitch for his 2012 re-election on Monday night when he meets with about 50 backers---some involved in his 2008 campaign and others who are considered potential major supporters. *************** At State-Run Homes, Abuse and Impunity By DANNY HAKIM Nearly 40 years after New York emptied its scandal-ridden warehouses for the developmentally disabled, the far-flung network of small group homes that replaced them operates with scant oversight and few consequences for employees who abuse the vulnerable population. *************** Donors Told Obama in Weaker Position As Push for 2012 Funds Begins, Campaign Chief Offers Early Glimpse of How President Stacks Up Against the GOP Field By CAROL E. LEE President Barack Obama's advisors are telling potential donors that he is in a weaker position heading into the 2012 election than he was in 2008 and are detailing potential vulnerabilities of likely opponents, according to people who have seen their presentation. *************** Patent reform bill passed U.S. Senate 95-5 *************** Nevada moving to kill a particularly foul mining subsidy By: Timothy P. Carney Most of the time when President Obama and environmentalists talk about oil and coal subsidies, they're either exaggerating or misleading. For instance, Obama focusses on a broad tax subsidy, known as the domestic production tax credit, which applies to manufacturing, foresting, mining, and drilling -- he wants to end it just for drilling. (I would kill the whole tax credit and replace it with an across the board rate cut in income taxes.) *************** Florida Bill Would Make It a Felony to Take a Picture of a Farm If you enjoy taking pictures of the Florida countryside, you should probably go get it out of your system before July 1. After that date, it may be a felony. *************** Thompson Sheds Light on Alleged Improprieties of U.S. DOE by Gant Team WASHINGTON, D.C. – Leading aggressive oversight of the U.S. Department of Education Friday during a hearing held by the Higher Education and Workforce Training Subcommittee, U.S. Rep. Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson prompted Inspector General Kathleen Tighe to further investigate allegations of improprieties within the DOE regarding the recently unveiled communications between the department and Wall Street about proposed regulations. *************** Outstanding: National Labor Relations Board ruled Friday that threats of physical violence by union organizers 'aren't coercive' If it hadn't been apparent before, it's now crystal clear that the Obama administration has declared open season on American businesses. Please consider Union-Controlled NLRB Approves Union Thuggery in Union Elections. *************** David Tran: Hot Sauce Visionary by Maggie Koerth-Baker This is the story of a boy, a dream, and a very spicy sauce. As a young man growing up in a village near Saigon, David Tran dreamt of creating the Asian equivalent of ketchup—something everybody would want to slop onto everything. During the Vietnam War, he and his family made a living selling dipping sauces that were packaged in recycled baby food jars. As the condiments grew popular with soldiers, one product became a clear favorite—a spicy, oil-based sauce, usually served with grilled meat. It was Tran’s version of a Thai paste called Sriracha. Economy
& Taxes *************** CBO: Obama budget worse than projected on 10-year deficit By Erik Wasson The Congressional Budget Office on Friday released its analysis of President Obama’s 2012 budget proposal and found it does less to rein in deficits and the debt than the administration had estimated. *************** Gallup: One Out of Five American Workers Can’t Find Full Time Job By Terence P. Jeffrey (CNSNews.com) - One out of five American workers who wants a full-time job cannot find one, according to a Gallup survey released today. *************** Rand Paul Introducing Five-Year Balanced Budget Posted by Matt Hawes Senator Rand Paul will hold a press conference with Mike Lee and Jim DeMint at 2:15pm eastern to announce his comprehensive 5-year balanced budget proposal. It not only addresses Washington's out of control spending problem but also the core issue of the philosophy of government by returning more power and government functions to states and localities. *************** Drunk with Debt on St. Patrick's Day *************** Geithner says Congress must raise debt limit (Reuters) - Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said on Wednesday that there was no alternative except for Congress to raise the debt ceiling so that the government can keep borrowing. *************** US backing for world currency stuns markets US Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner shocked global markets by revealing that Washington is "quite open" to Chinese proposals for the gradual development of a global reserve currency run by the International Monetary Fund. *************** Speaker Boehner on Job Creation at GOP Forum on Jobs *************** Mandatory Spending to Exceed all Federal Revenues — 50 Years Ahead of Schedule By JEFFREY H. ANDERSON We have now gotten to the point — as I noted yesterday — where if national defense, interstate highways, national parks, homeland security, and all other discretionary programs somehow became absolutely free, we’d still have a budget deficit. The White House Office of Management and Budget projects that in the current fiscal year (2011), mandatory spending alone will exceed all federal receipts. So even if we didn’t spend a single cent on discretionary programs, we still wouldn’t be able to balance our budget this year — let alone pay off any of the $14 trillion in debt that we have already accumulated. *************** Budget Committee Examines the Job-Crushing Burden of Debt Posted by Katie Boyd Today, the House Budget Committee, Chaired by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), held a hearing on “lifting the crushing burden of debt.” The hearing underscored the urgent need to immediately begin cutting spending to end the economic uncertainty that is making it harder to create jobs. Economists also warned that failing to address the debt crisis will impede economic growth and jeopardize our long-term economic security. *************** 3 Essential Facts About the Current Moment: We're Out of Money, The Public Sector is Overpaid, & We Can't Tax Our Way Out of This. Nick Gillespie "What Michael Moore Gets About Wisconsin...and America," shouts a recent headline for a story at The Nation's website. *************** Tax Foundation: On April 1, U.S. Is #1 (World's Highest Corporate Tax Rate) The Tax Foundation has released Countdown to #1: 2011 Marks 20th Year That U.S. Corporate Tax Rate Is Higher than OECD Average: There is increasing recognition in Washington that the U.S. corporate tax rate is out of step with the lower tax rates of most industrialized and emerging nations. Indeed, 2011 marks the 20th year in which the U.S. statutory tax rate has been above the simple average of non-U.S. countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). *************** International *************** U.K.: Millions have trouble booking GP appointments A fifth of people have trouble booking a doctor's appointment, while more than a third do not even know how to contact their out-of-hours GP service, according to a large official survey. *************** United Nations Secretary General: “The U.N.’s Very Existence Could be in Jeopardy” *************** Opinion *************** The Consequences of Trade Inaction in Latin America By Sen. Marco Rubio Approving free-trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea would be a boon to our economy, create jobs for Floridians, and help solidify our alliances with these steadfast allies. The agreements with Colombia and Panama in particular would boost Florida’s economy, where over 1 million Floridians remain out of work. Unfortunately, the president has inexplicably allowed these golden economic opportunities to languish by not submitting the deals to Congress for up-or-down votes. *************** Two centuries ago, government was cheap and everything else was expensive... ...today, most everything not closely associated with the state is cheap and getting cheaper by the day. Those goods and services that the state either provides, heavily regulates or subsidizes are expensive and getting more so all the time. Why? *************** The 'Redevelopment' Hoax Thomas Sowell Why are so many people who are opposed to development nevertheless in favor of "redevelopment"? The short answer is that development involves decisions made in the market by large numbers of people in the general population, in their own personal interests, while redevelopment involves taking decisions out of the hands of the population at large and putting the power to make those decisions in the hands of elites. *************** Blacks and Republicans by Thomas Sowell The GOP needs to make its case to win blacks’ votes. San Francisco’s irrepressible former mayor, Willie Brown, was walking along one of the city’s streets when he happened to run into another former city official that he knew, James McCray. *************** The Road from Serfdom Forseeing the Fall Thomas W. Hazlett *************** There Aren’t Enough Millionaires The rich can’t fund our deficits. This may sound like a liberal parody of conservative economic thinking, but let me put it out there: America’s problem is that the rich don’t have enough money. *************** Why People-Powered Projects Are Ruled by Tyrants By Matt Schwartz For Julian Assange, it’s personal. When the German magazine Der Spiegel asked the WikiLeaks founder why he didn’t parlay his entrepreneurial spirit into a Palo Alto home with a swimming pool, he replied, “I enjoy creating systems on a grand scale, and I enjoy helping people who are vulnerable.” Then he added, “And I enjoy crushing bastards.” It’s a prescription for happiness that lines up roughly with Conan the Barbarian’s, complete (if Swedish prosecutors are to be believed) with the lamentations of the women. *************** ‘Because We Have Power’: A Must-See Ad *************** The world's nuclear fate rests in Japan A post-quake meltdown could end people's trust in atomic energy. But the planet would suffer for it *************** |
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