Thursday, May 13, 2010

If Only

Mark Lilla writes in the NYT Review of Books as favorably about Americans as might an English aristocrat of 1770 :
A new strain of populism is metastasizing before our eyes, nourished by the same libertarian impulses that have unsettled American society for half a century now. Anarchistic like the Sixties, selfish like the Eighties, contradicting neither, it is estranged, aimless, and as juvenile as our new century. It appeals to petulant individuals convinced that they can do everything themselves if they are only left alone, and that others are conspiring to keep them from doing just that. This is the one threat that will bring Americans into the streets.

Welcome to the politics of the libertarian mob....

...The new Jacobins have two classic American traits that have grown much more pronounced in recent decades: blanket distrust of institutions and an astonishing—and unwarranted—confidence in the self. They are apocalyptic pessimists about public life and childlike optimists swaddled in self-esteem when it comes to their own powers.
It is obvious to all intellectual, educational and informational elites that the colonial mob is utterly incapable of making the correct decisions. The elites are the only ones who make correct decisions, and that in itself gives them the right to rule the mob, both in general and in detail. Compact flourescent lightbulbs, anyone, whether they make sense in your particular situation or not? Massive subsidies for the correct technologies, even though they waste resources in the name of conservation? A statewide mandate, as in Hawaii, for solar panels on the roof of every new house, including those in areas in which the solar industry itself says they don't make sense?

I think the American Revolution is all over except a few years of Tea Party shouting, but maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised.

Very surprised.

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Someone Has Been Using His Noggin

Dumpsters as low cost swimming pools. Here. A thousand bucks for a swimming pool?

It makes way too much sense, tho, so it's GOT to be illegal.

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Hawaii Gun Laws Improved a Bit

This just in from the Second Amendment Foundation:
2nd Amendment Rights Protected During Emergency In Hawaii; "Castle Doctrine" Enacted As Governor Signs Laws

Governor Linda Lingle today signed into law two important bills preserving 2nd Amendment rights passed by the recently adjourned 25th Hawaii State Legislature.

SB 358, SD1, HD2 introduced by State Senator Sam Slom (R-8th O'ahu - Hawaii Kai to Diamondhead) (Act 96) establishes provisions relating to prohibition against seizure of firearms or ammunition during emergency or disaster, suspension of permit or license. Prohibits any person or government entity to seize or confiscate, under any civil defense, emergency, or disaster relief powers or functions conferred, or during any civil defense emergency period, or during any time of national emergency or crisis, any firearm or ammunition and permit or license of any individual who is lawfully permitted to carry or possess the firearm or ammunition and who carries, possesses, or uses the firearm or ammunition in a lawful manner and in accordance with the criminal laws of this State. -- Amends provisions relating to civil defense powers, in general. Section Affected: 134- (1 SECTION), 128-6.

Slom, a Trustee and Secretary of the Bellevue, Washington-based Second Amendment Foundation said he introduced the legislation in part as a result of Hurricane Katrina's aftermath in New Orleans when law enforcement officials went door-to-door and seized legal firearms from legally registered owners. The court subsequently overturned the state's actions. He said he also had worried constituents call this year during the Hawaii Tidal Wave alert. Citizens were concerned that the police would not be able to protect everyone and their property during a major emergency.

Slom added, " I emphasize this law applies to legally owned and registered firearms. This is a good bill and Governor Linda Lingle should be thanked for her prompt attention to this important legislation which passed the Senate unanimously. Hawaii now joins 30 other states with similar legislation."

The other bill signed today (Act 97) is SB0532 SD1 HD1 CD1 RELATING TO LIMITING CIVIL LIABILITY. Also known as the "CASTLE DOCTRINE", and originally introduced by Slom, the version that passed was sponsored by Senate Judiciary Chairman Brian Taniguchi (D-Manoa), By Request. Current Hawaii law requires a homeowner to "retreat" from his or her own home when invaded by a criminal engaging in a felony. The new law establishes provisions relating to owner to felon; limited liability. Provides that any owner of any other interest in real property shall not be liable to any perpetrator for any injury or death that occurs upon the real property during the course or after the commission of certain felony offenses. --
Section Affected: 663- (1 SECTION) OWNER TO FELON.

Slom said of this bill, "It represents common sense and confirms in Hawaii the old adage, "A man's (or woman's) home is his (her) castle." It should put potential criminals on notice that they no longer can break in, commit a felony, threaten the owner and escape with no risk of personal harm. Both laws are about taking back our individual, Constitutional rights"

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