Coyote Blog deconstructs the myth that the United States has significantly worse infant mortality than other countries (especially those in Europe with socialized medicine): I am sure you have seen various rankings where the US falls way behind other western nations in terms of infant mortality. This stat is jumped on by the left as justification for just how cold and heartless America is, and just how enlightened socialized medicine must be. However, no one seems to bother to check the statistic itself (certainly the media is too incompetent to do so, particularly when it fits their narrative). Statistics like this that are measured across nations are notoriously unreliable, as individual nations may have different definitions or methods for gathering the data. And, in fact, this turns out to be the case with infant mortality, a fact I first reported here (related post on medical definitions driving national statistics here). This week, Mark Perry links to an article further illu...

...is explained in Meck Deck's review of the last North Carolina gubernatorial debate between Democrat Bev Perdue and Republican Pat McCrory: Forget that there was a live debate between two of the three candidates for governor of North Carolina last night. Here’s the take-away quote for the evening: “I was not in the last eight years part of anybody’s elite circle.” That is what Bev Perdue told reporters after the debate, desperately trying to undo Pat McCrory’s linkage of her time in public office in Raleigh to Raleigh’s various scandals and ineptitudes. Perdue willingly told voters that, contrary to the campaign message she has tried to hammer home, she has been completely ineffectual and powerless as an elected leader to statewide office. Coming on top of a weak and disjointed debate performance, Perdue’s declaration was a staggering gaffe, one that must shake all but the most die-hard of her supporters. The only saving grace for the Democratic candidate is that Libertarian Mik...

Disclaimer One : Long post, and if you do not read to the end you will not know what my point is. Disclaimer Two : Encouraging and/or committing politically or ideologically motivated violence is wrong; I condemn it no matter who does it. (Oh, yeah, also please try to remember as you read that I'm a Libertarian not a Conservative). I doubt either disclaimer will do me any good, but what the hell: It's funny, but in the outrage expressed by my friends at Delawareliberal over the recent stories of deranged whackos killing a prominent Arkansas Democrat and parishioners at the UU church, I have somehow missed their coverage of this event, just two weeks ago. From the S an Francisco Chronicle (4 August 2008): (08-04) 04:00 PDT Santa Cruz -- The devices used in two firebombings targeting UC Santa Cruz biologists are similar to some used in the past by animal rights activists, investigators said Sunday. The bombs were so powerful they were like "Molotov cocktails on steroid...

From a longer, depressing post at Disloyal Opposition , three excerpts: T SA now plans to centralize the process of checking names against the watch lists in its own offices. Under the Secure Flight program, airlines will be required to supply lists of scheduled passengers to the TSA's crack clerical staff, who will then issue a "yay" or "nay" to each individual's travel plans -- essentially formalizing the process of making air travel a privilege to be dispensed by government officials.... The information the government compiles on travelers -- in particular, their comings and goins -- is about to get a lot more detailed. The Border Crossing Information system, recently announced by the Department of Homeland Security, will track, to the extent possible, everybody's movements into and out of the United States: BCI shall contain border crossing information, as that term is explained above, for all individuals who are admitted or paroled into the United S...

Thanks to Tom for pointing out that I got the day wrong (it's Saturday 23 August not Sunday) and didn't actually insert the link. Here is the right information (Jeez, I hope): The LPD annual convention will take place on Saturday , 23 August, at the East End Cafe in Newark, DE ( hit the link for directions ). This is a change from Crossroads Restaurant due to an unanticipated temporary closing . But the really good news is that you can buy likker at the East End Cafe.... What's on the agenda? Greetings from other Libertarian Parties across the nation At least two candidates asking for our endorsement (one Statewide and one for the General Assembly) Election of State Officers Bill Morris on global warming.... Deep discussions of future strategy.... Much drinking and conviviality. Yeah, I actually wrote conviviality, because I haven't been doing much drinking today. If you are a Libertarian, might have libertarian leanings, hate motorcycle helmet laws, think you should b...

This is how a Libertarian (at least my kind of Libertarian) answers the question of immigration and citizenship . I am not going to excerpt the entire editorial, because it is too well-written to cut up into pieces . It is possibly the best piece on this issue that I have read all year. That being said, it's also going to piss off a lot of people--and it should. What I have learned about Dr Michael Munger--more as a man than as candidate for Governor of North Carolina--is that he subscribes the ancient and honorable creed of abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison : I do not wish to think, or speak, or write, with moderation. . . . I am in earnest -- I will not equivocate -- I will not excuse -- I will not retreat a single inch -- AND I WILL BE HEARD . With luck I will be able to go to North Carolina on October 15 and watch him show Bev Perdue and Pat McCrory what happens when career politicians run into a citizen with a conscience and real ideas.

The difference between Libertarian candidates around the country, and candidates from the Demopublican Party, is that when you write something about Libertarians they usually respond. Maybe we're just lonely. Jeff Ober in NC State House District 95 took the time not only to respond, but to place his responses on his website . About abortion and stem cell research, questions that I raised yesterday, Jeff gives solid Libertarian answers. Different answers than I would give, but soundly reasoned answers. With respect to gay marriage, this Christian Libertarian offers an answer, however, that I think is incorrect--if only because Jeff apparently hasn't done enough research to understand why this answer is simply factually incorrect : I have discussed this issue with many people over the years and have heard many viewpoints and positions. Primarily my objection to state-approved gay marriages is that they do not have any effect on, well, much of anything . I do not believe that b...