COFFEE BREAK...

I think it is time for me to have a coffee break. I will give a short review on some different brands of espresso coffee in a few days. In the meantime, check out: Mostly Italian Coffee and The espresso guide.

THIS DAY IN HISTORY

From Ananova: "1773 The Boston Tea Party took place. Samuel Adams and 150 "Sons of Liberty" protested against British taxes on tea and other goods."

Related: my post, SEATTLE ESPRESSO PARTY?

NO GORE IN '04

I am glad to hear that my post, AL GORE IN 2004?, will not turn into reality! Maybe Gore should continue his "career" as an actor?!

X-MAS

How do you celebrate X-mas? Read Casey Fahy's post (scroll down to 12-2-02). If you want to help Santa, check out my wish list. Thanks!

SEARCH...

I am thinking of adding a search engine so my readers could search my blog. If you have any suggestions or comments on search engines (e.g. PicoSearch), please comment on this post or send me an email.

HAVE YOU BEEN "GOOGLED"?

Read The World According to Google by Steven Levy. Do you think that Google's latest feature, "Froogle", will be a smash hit?

FINAL COUNTDOWN?

How many terrorists have been checked and taken off the list? How many are still on the "high-value target list"?

"NUKE 'EM"

Should we sit and wait for Iran to finish building their nuclear plant? I don't think Iran need nuclear power for electricity, it must be for some other purpose... ATTACK IRAN NOW!

TECHNORATI AND POPDEX

I have added two more sites to the Resources category: Technorati and Popdex. If you are interested in tracking links and Google ranking, you could create a watchlist on Technorati. The name "Popdex" stands for "popularity index."

WARBLOG

Adam Pasick has a story on how the "blogosphere" could play an important role in the media coverage of the forthcoming war with Iraq. [Via InstaPundit.] I think that the warbloggers will have some impact on how the news reporters, journalists, etc. will conduct their business. I see that the blogging community is taking a big role in highlighting what's going on in Iran. [Via Damian Penny.] For more on the developments in Iran, read this post @ "Rantburg."

CAPITALIST "PIG"

I am thinking of buying Jonathan Hoenig's book, Greed is Good: The Capitalist Pig Guide to Investing.
Related: see my update of my post, RADICAL FOR CAPITALISM. I have added one more article to the media coverage section.

SNAPSHOT

Jennifer Lee's article, What is the world searching for?, describes how Google Zeitgeist takes a snapshot of today's trends and events in the world. [Via Tempus.]

Walmart is taking the third place of "Top 10 Gaining Queries, Week Ending December 2." Do you have a clue why that's the case?

BLOGS ON THE "ROLL"...

I have added the following blogs:

* James Lileks - a great columnist. Read his post on anti-Semitic views in America.

* Damian Penny - "Damn" Canadian. Read his take on the problem with the Saudis.

* Tim Blair - Journalist from "down under." Read his post, "International Buy Something Day." Tim: I bought a box of cigarillos (SEK 68) and attended a party with Italian wine and food (SEK 250). The next day, I walked for capitalism.

* Charles Johnson - the "anti-idiotarian." Read his post, Muslims Divided Over Saudi Aid.

DEMONSTRATIONS IN IRAN

Time is up for the ayatollahs in Iran. I hope that the "Student Movement Coordination Committee for Democracy in Iran" will have successful demonstrations. [Via InstaPundit.] Here is one of SMCCDI's slogans: "Long Live Freedom! Established be Secularism!" I could only say "Amen" to that! Freedom fighters in Iran: More power to you!

This evening I had an interesting discussion at a pizzeria in my neighborhood. The owner is from Iran. He fled the country more than 20 years ago. He believes that Reza Pahlavi will be a good leader for Iran, sometime in the future. Read the article, Son of late shah sees 'golden opportunity' for change in Iran. [Via Davood Jafarzade Fard.]

And yes, the pizza tasted great! I must have had a much more more pleasant experience than James Lileks.

PROPAGANDA TV

I saw an interview with Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz on Swedish television. Tariq Aziz had no problem in spreading Iraqi propaganda. He openly admitted that Iraq is supporting the Palestinian "suicide bombers." You have to tell me if Ted Koppel's interview turned out to be another propaganda show for Tariq Aziz...

ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES' WEB SITE BLOCKED IN SAUDI ARABIA

I have received an update from the Berkman Center for Internet & Society. Check out their Empirical Analysis of Internet Filtering in China and Documentation of Internet Filtering in Saudi Arabia.

RADICAL FOR CAPITALISM

I walked for capitalism in Gothenburg on December 1. I think it was good timing to have it in early December as an antidote to the stupid "Buy Nothing Day." This was the second time I joined a demonstration. Last time (I think it was 1984) it was against socialism and the regulated economy. The goal this time was to spread a positive message and show why capitalism is both a moral and a practical system. Some anti-capitalists from the "Attac(k)" organization distributed flyers with their propaganda. A more aggressive mob of about 10 people tried to infiltrate the demonstration and interrupt our peaceful walk. They didn't care about our right to freedom of speech. The good thing was that the police took care of the problem. A local politician gave a speech after we have finished the walk. It was pretty ok in the beginning but ended in party slogans. It had been better to invite a strong individual like Oriana Fallaci. Read her article, Fiorentini, esprimiamo il nostro sdegno ("Fiorentini, we express our disdain" - translated from Italian).

Overall, I think it was worth the time to attend the event. My hope is that some of the participants and others who have read about the event will be interested in reading the Bernstein Declaration and studying the six "official" thinkers for the Prodos' Celebrate Capitalism� campaign.

Media coverage:

In English:
Capitalists of the world, unite! On Sunday, to be precise. Financial Times, 11/28/02.
TAKING A TOUR OF CAPITALIST BATH. The Bath Chronicle, 12/02/02.

In Swedish:
Kapitalism f�r frihet och v�lst�nd. V�sterviks Tidningen, 12/03/02.
Isvindar runt kapitalister. Dagens Nyheter, 12/02/02.
Motdemonstranter omh�ndertogs.
�stg�ta Correspondenten, 12/01/02.
Fyra marscher f�r kapitalism. Svenska Dagbladet, 12/01/02.
Lugn kapitalistdag utlovas. Dagens Nyheter, 12/01/02.
Kapitalismen ger oss v�lst�nd. G�teborgs-Posten, 11/30/02.
Kapitalister p� marsch. Svenska Dagbladet, 12/02/02.

UPDATE 12/07/02:

In Norwegian:
Helg med delte meninger. Studvest, 12/04/02. [Via Tomm Arntsen, FSO mailing list.]

WEB SEARCH TOOL

I have added Alexa web search tool to the Resources category.

BUSH & THE SAUDIS

Read Mark Steyn's article, Bush and the Saudi princess. [Via InstaPundit.] Here is a quote:

"It would be nice if George W. Bond would kick over the cocktails and lob a grenade into Oilfingers refinery, but instead he and the sheikhs are still teasing each other."

I am now in the mood to watch the latest Bond movie!

For more articles by Mark Steyn, go to his web site. [Via Mark Wickens.]

NORWAY: GIVE ME LIGHT!

From BBC News: "The Norwegian Government has proposed a total ban on smoking inside all public places by 2004." Related: my post, FREEDOM OF CHOICE.

PROFIT MOTIVE

Henrik Unn� has written a great article, L�t l�kemedelsbolag tj�na pengar, defending the pharmaceutical companies and their right to have a profitable business. [Via Jerry Nilson, "Lyceum2" mailing list.] I have experienced on many occasions how "government healthcare reforms" and socialized medicine are destroying the health situation in Sweden. We desperately need an ad hoc organization similar to the Americans for Free Choice in Medicine, in Sweden.

THANKS!

I want to send out a big "thank you" to the men of the mind, inventors, producers, and capitalists who have made this world a great place to live! Take some time and and read Gary Hull's editorial, Thanksgiving: The Producer's Holiday. This Holiday Is Designed to Celebrate, Not Faith and Charity, But Thought and Production.

UPDATE 11/30/02: Here is some good reading material during the "turkey" weekend: Thank You by Michael J. Hurd, PhD.

BLOGROLL

I have added Chip Joyce's blog, About the War (and How America Is Losing). Go to his site and you will find an intelligent "discussion about the catastrophic appeasement of militant Muslims."

THE BIN LADEN NETWORK

Yeslam Bin Laden is one of the richest people in Switzerland. Do you think that his half-brother, Osama, has received some of the money?! For information about the Bin Laden Group, check out Frontline's website and Intelligence Online's reports.
Related: Getting Tough with Riyadh by Kate Taylor @ Slate. [Via InstaPundit.]

THE "MISSING" LINK?

When will the Bush administration speak up against the Saudis? Read about The Saudi Money Trail in the latest issue of Newsweek. [Via Watch.] I agree with the following statement by Peter Gustavson: "Better start turning up the heat on the Saudi Princes." Related: my post, THE SAUDI ROYAL FAMILY & USAMA BIN LADEN.

"LETTER TO AMERICA"

"O.B.L." has done it again! This time he has (or somebody in his name) written a letter. Read Andrew Sullivan's analysis.

RED ALERT!

I think it could be the case that "Beijing is waiting for U.S.-Iraq war." I don't trust the leadership in red communist China. I bet they want to attack Taiwan R.O.C. if they get the chance.

"ALTERNATIVE" MEDICINE? NO THANKS!

Stay healthy! You don't want to pay a visit to the doctor in the future... Read Andrew Dalton's post, Witch Doctor Alert.

FORGOTTEN DELIGHTS

I have added Dianne Durante's web site, Forgotten Delights, to the Art category.

BIG BROTHER?

I wonder if the Total Information Awareness Program has registered my purchase of this product?

Shouldn't we spend more time and effort on a real enemy, e.g. the ayatollahs in Iran?

HISTORY REVISIONISM IN GERMANY

The German tabloid, Bild, is rewriting the history and is calling Winston Churchill a "war criminal." [Via Little Green Footballs.]

My response: read a quote from the TV comedy, Fawlty Towers, episode, The Germans.

NO "BLI(X)TZKRIEG"...

Hans Blix: Why do you lead this charade? Are you afraid of "losing" your "diplomatic face"? Related: What's up with this guy, Scott Ritter? Please give me the scoop...

ANTI-ABORTION IS ANTI-LIFE

Anti-abortionist, James Kopp, admits killing Dr. Barnett Slepian. [Via InstaPundit.] I wonder if James Kopp will rot in jail...

ANTI-GLOBALISATION PERSON IN JAIL

Good news! Jos� Bov� is going to jail for trashing a field of genetically modified crops. And what's the reaction from the left? Julien Dray, a socialist politician: "The struggle against the inegalitarian logic of liberal globalisation is a just one. Bov� should be thanked, not jailed."

I am thinking of joining the Celebrate Capitalism� campaign on December 1. Related: my post, CAPITALISM DAY 12/01/02.

INTERNET FILTERING IN COMMUNIST CHINA

Why do the people in communist China have access to my web site? [Via The Inscrutable American.] Maybe it is the case that the Politburo Standing Committee hasn't been on top on things lately... Dictator Hu: read my posts: CENSORSHIP IN COMMUNIST CHINA, SUPPORT TAIWAN R.O.C., and SOUR GRAPES.

JIHAD WATCH

Watch these scary Al Qaeda videos. [Via Little Green Footballs.] I have added the Middle East Media Research Institute's Jihad and Terrorism Studies Project and Honest Reporting (Middle East Media Watch) to the War on Terrorism category. Related: my post, JIHAD ON WWW.

LINDESKOG.BLOGSPOT.COM

I have written some new posts on my other weblog. It is a wide range of topics: shops and restaurants in Gothenburg, and articles on sex & romance! In the future, I will put some of my more personal posts on Martin Lindeskog's Weblog and keep the philosophy and political stuff on the EGO blog, but it could occur some overlap. Maybe I will try to integrate both blogs into my own web site sometime in the future.

Please do not hesitate to send me your suggestions on topics, links, web design, and blogging in general.

IRAN: TIME IS UP...

I agree with Michael Ledeen's article, The Temperature Rises: We should liberate Iran first --- now. [Via Damian Penny.] Related: my post, NEWS IN IRAN.

SIGHTSEEING IN IRAQ

Why do they send "a dupe to disarm Saddam?" [Via Peter Gustavson.] Per Ahlmark, is belonging to a rare category, he is an honest, former liberal politician. Another example is Andres K�ng.
Related: Wins and Losses by Robert W. Tracinski.

Update: read Matt Drudge's flash report on Mr. Blix.

DOLLAR CRISIS?

What's happening with the dollar currency? Today is 1 US Dollar converted to 8.98 Swedish Krona. Check out the Economist's "hamburger index."

CONGRESS

Read Harry Binswanger's article, Grasping the Essence of the Republican Victory: A Philosopher Analyzes the 2002 Elections.

TAX PRESSURE

Here are some facts from a new report (click on: "Rapport 2002:5 Internationella skattej�mf�relser") by the Swedish Taxpayers Association:

* Total tax pressure in percent of GDP in 2001:
- Sweden: 50.8%
- USA: 28.9% (2000)
[Source: OECD]

* Purchasing Power Index - GDP / capita:
- Sweden: 104 (17th place)
- USA: 148 (2nd place)
[Source: OECD]

* Value Added Tax (VAT):
- Sweden: 25%
- USA: 5 - 9% (sales tax)
[Source: OECD]

* Payroll taxes:
- Sweden: 32.8%
- USA: 9.4%
[Source: Taxpayers' Association of Finland]

UPDATE 11/16/02: I want to give a short response to comments that I have received so far. "Saquobyesse": Luxembourg took the first place regarding the Purchasing Power Index. Most of the report is in Swedish, but the headlines are in English so you should be able to figure out the information in the different tables. Robin Goodfellow: I think that the most important thing in the debate between different economic systems, is to say that capitalism is the moral system. You get more material wealth on a free market, due to the fact that you are free to act. The issue of prosperity is a consequence of the proper ethics.

Glenn Reynolds: I am sorry that I can't give you a "Mississippi comparison." But here is another tidbit: At the end of the report, is a table with a revised tax pressure list, compiled due to some criticism on how to calculate the total tax pressure. Sweden has in general a higher level of taxes because they tax financial transactions more often and the common use of welfare handouts. But even with this accounted for, Sweden tops the list!

* Revised Tax Pressure - Adjusted Tax Pressure:
- Sweden: 45.2%
- USA: 29.2%
* Revised Tax Pressure - Tax on work:
- Sweden: 35.1%
- USA: 20.4%

A short note on the Swedish Taxpayers Association ("Skattebetalarnas f�rening" in Swedish). I think it is good thing that an ad hoc organization like STA exists, but it is a bit sad that they are not principled enough and they have a tough time to be heard in the political debate. For more information on taxes, go to World Taxpayers Associations.

THE BEAUTY VERSUS THE BEAST

Some animal "rights" activists (read: anti-man) have crashed a Victoria's Secret fashion show. Gisele Bundchen: Keep up the good work!
Related: my post, FOOD FOR THOUGHT.

BLOGWISE

I have added Blogwise to the Resources category. It is a directory of weblogs.

NEW BLOGS

I have added my friend Peter Gustafson's site to the Blog category. Another new blog is Dollars & Crosses, edited by Carter Laren at Capitalism Magazine. [Via Fredrik Norman.]

GODLESS...

About 2,000 godless Americans joined the march in Washington. Related: From CNN 10/31/02: Atheist Scout given a week to declare belief.

BLIND SIDE

Check out John Cox and Allen Forkum's editorial cartoon, Blind Side:



If you want to see more cartoons, go to The Intellectual Activist.

HATE, FAITH & FORCE

What is "hate speech"? Charles Johnson has been accused of spreading hate on his weblog, Little Green Footballs. I don't think he is on the "dark side." He has courage to speak up against the crusaders of Jihad. Michael Moynihan at the "Politburo," has a post on the Islamist PR campaign in Sweden. [Via InstaPundit.] For an example of anti-semitism in Sweden, read about Ahmed Rami's Radio Islam. Why do they hate us? Because we try to live a good, prosperous, and happy life here in the Western world. It is time to make a clear cut statement, don't mess with us, or else... It is time for the Judgment "Day." Read Robert W. Tracinski's column, The Rush from Judgment.

THE DARK SIDE OF SWEDEN

Did you know that Sweden had censorship laws in place during the WWII? Torgny Segerstedt, chief editor of G�teborgs Handels- och Sj�farts-Tidning, took a stand against Nazi Germany. Segerstedt wrote an article with the title, Herr Hitler �r en f�rol�mpning (translation: "Mr. Hitler is an insult"), on February 3, 1933. Reichsminister G�ring sent a protest by telegram saying: "Als aufrichtiger Freund des schwedischen Volkes sehe ich in solchen schmutzigen Auslassungen eine schwere Gefahr f�r die verwandtschaftlichen und herzlichen Beziehungen beider V�lker." Segerstedt's newspaper was under attack several times. Look at this example of censorship. The "Freedom of the Press Ombudsman" in Sweden, cut out the article on page 3, dated March 12, 1942. But the people at GHT kept the headline, I norska f�ngelser och koncentrationsl�ger (translation: "In Norwegian prisons and concentration camps.")

Related: Read the report by the Stephen Roth Institute. Check out the result of the election in Sweden. Do you see an ominous trend?

NO CHEERS TO WOODY...

Natural Born Killers' actor, Woody Harrelson, has written a terrible piece in The Guardian. He says he is "tired of American lies." [Via Watch.] For a remedy, read Paul Johnson's article, The Ostrich Position. European anti-Americanism reflects a deeper malaise. [Via Watch.]

MEDIA AND WEBLOGS

Are the weblogs driving the big media into a state of "bloganalia," or could the both parties live in a "symbiotic relationship?"
Related: BLOGS OF IDEAS.

MY NEW WEBLOG

I have started a new weblog. I wanted to have a place for my r�sum� and my search for a new job in America. Maybe I will integrate my new weblog into this site sometime in the future. I am also thinking of creating a new web site. Please send me suggestions on HTML and web design tools.

HOW TO DEAL WITH TERRORISTS

Read Tim Blair's piece, Killing terrorists wipes out terror, on how you should deal with the terrorists. [Via InstaPundit.]
Related: Eric Raymond's Draft for an Anti-Idiotarian Manifesto. [Via Fredrik Norman.] I am not so sure about his view on isolationism. I am positive that America would be better off if the leaders of the country had taken a firm stand from the beginning by using the policy of gunboat diplomacy.

GADGET

Here is another example why I like the American culture; the great supply of gadgets! Check out the hiptop� communicator (Danger, Inc.). [Via Sidney Cammeresi.] For more stuff, go to Corante's Personal Technology News.

WHAT IS AN AMERICAN?

Read J. Hector St. John Crevecoeur's essay, What is an American? The author grasped the true essence of the American sense-of-life. Here is a great quote:

"The American ought therefore to love this country much better than that wherein either he or his forefathers were born. Here the rewards of his industry follow with equal steps the progress of his labour; his labour is founded on the basis of nature, self-interest; can it want a stronger allurement? Wives and children, who before in vain demanded of him a morsel of bread, now, fat and frolicsome, gladly help their father to clear those fields whence exuberant crops are to arise to feed and to clothe them all; without any part being claimed, either by a despotic prince, a rich abbot, or a mighty lord."

MSNBC WEBLOG CENTRAL

I have added MSNBC Weblog Central to the Resources category. The site has a list of weblogs, resources, indexes, and "blogspotting" tips edited by Will Femia.

DAVE BARRY

Thanks to Russell who made a comment on my post on P.G. Woodehouse, and informed me about Dave Barry's columns in the Miami Herald newspaper. I thought his column, Art is in more than eye of the beholder, described the sorry state of today's modern "art" in a clear way.

COLUMBUS DAY

Celebrate Columbus Day!

LA DOLCE VITA II

I tasted a cup of Assam Mokalbari today. The tea has many golden top shoots and leaves. The taste is medium strong. I enjoyed the smoothness of the tea. I think that Assam is my favorite type of tea. It is perfect together with a splash of milk.

I bought a new wine a few days ago, Luis Felipe Edwards Shiraz 2001. I have to use the Wine Aroma Wheel sometime in the future. Talking about wine, I can recommend you to have a glass of Taylor's 10 year old Tawny port together with a piece of Saint Agur cheese (Compagnie Fromagere de la Vall�) on top of a rye biscuit.

I have started to work out at a gym. I have added Mike Mentzer's High Intensity Training web site to the Good Life category.

DON'T BLAME THE MARKET...

Read Richard M. Salsman's excellent article, Spring-loaded market. Here is a quote:

"Market-makers are not stupid; they know a policy of appeasement when they see it. And they know history, too; they know that appeasement of evil only brings more evil -- and in more virulent forms. In the past year market-makers have seen that the United States and the UN are not serious about fighting terrorism -- that both sponsor terror regimes and condemn Israel whenever it properly and forthrightly fights terror."

JAMES LILEKS

Read James Lileks' post on the importance of blogging. [Via InstaPundit.]

THE LITERARY ENCYCLOPEDIA

I have added The Literary Encyclopedia to the Literature category. Read John Lewis' entry on Ayn Rand.

THE END OF FREE SPEECH?

Read Robert W. Tracinski's great column, Permission to Speak.

FREEDOM OF CHOICE

I am getting so furious about the lawsuits against several different tobacco companies. What has happened with the freedom of choice and taking responsibility for your own actions? Will America end up as a total Nanny-State?

I need a "Cyber Cigarette Break!"

Related: The Tobacco Industry Surrender. Only Moral Certitude Can Save It. By Thomas A. Bowden.
The Tobacco Gestapo. The Tobacco Settlement Is a Dangerous Assault on Individual Rights. By David Harriman.

MOBILE PHONES

Read Steven Den Beste's interesting post, GSM 3G. It was an eye-opener to read about how the bureaucrats in the European Union forced the GSM standard in place, instead of allowing the players on the market to compete and establish the right choice of mobile standard.

Related: Job cuts at Ericsson.

HEART OF PAGAN II

Holly White has informed me that Andrew Bernstein's novel, Heart of a Pagan, is in need of a new cover. Please go to Andrew Bernstein's website for more information.

"GOOGLEFIGHT"

Ayn Rand (111,000 results) versus Immanuel Kant (106,000 results).

UPDATE 10/07/02: Thanks to Christian Beenfeldt for the correction. I mis-spelled Kant's first name. It should be Immanuel, not "Emmanuel."

ANDREW BERNSTEIN

I have added Andrew Bernstein's website to the Objectivism category. [Via Fredrik Norman.]

THE NATIONAL POST

The National Post has another article on the Canadian Customs' censorship. [Via Mark Wickens.]

CENSORSHIP IN CANADA

Betsy Speicher's CyberNet (10/03/02) had the following breaking news from Ray Girn, President, University of Toronto Objectivist Club:

"Yesterday morning, I received a Notice of Detention from the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency regarding the pamphlet delivery. The letter stated that "The following goods [the pamphlets] have been detained for a determination of tariff classification as they may constitute obscenity or hate propaganda. You will be notified in writing of the decision.""

After a three-day detention, the Canadian Customs released the pamphlets, according to this press release from the Ayn Rand Institute. The Canadian Customs' act of censorship made headlines around the world:

� MetaFilter. [Via Fredrik Norman.]
� Canadian newspaper, National Post. Right now, number 22 on DayPop's Top 40 list.
� Glenn Reynolds a.k.a. InstaPundit.
� Initium - The Daily Journal of Capitalism.

WORLD TRADE CENTER III

Read Arnold Ahlert's column, The Rebuilding Reshuffle. Go to The World Trade Center Restoration Movement's Guide to Rebuilding Resources. [Source: Betsy Speicher's CyberNet.]
Related: WORLD TRADE CENTER II and WORLD TRADE CENTER.

PROJECT ATHENE

I have added Project Athene to the Objectivism category. Here is a paragraph from their Mission Statement:

"The key to revealing the truths contained in the science of neuropsychology lies in the integration of modern neurophysiology with the Objectivist metaphysics and epistemology. This integration is the forum's guiding principle -- and the achievement the forum is created to facilitate."

LA DOLCE VITA

It's time to drink some German beer, it is time for Oktoberfest!

I have bought a box of S.T. Dupont cigarillos at Brobergs Tobakshandel. The latest issue of European Cigar Cult Journal includes a long list of different cigarillos. I bought a small book on cigars at the local bookstore.

I have purchased a moka coffee maker, an aerolatte milk frother, and a book on espresso. Time for a cup of cappuccino!

I will test a high quality tea, Assam Mokalbari, in the near future. I will be back with a review.

GOOGLE NEWS

I have added Google News to the News category.

TIPJAR

Click on the PayPal button if you want to support a "poor" capitalist! Thanks in advance! :)

SPREAD THE GOOD WORD

If you want to spread the word about my blog, please click on the Recommend-It (R) button. Thanks! :)
Like This Internet Resource? Click to Recommend-It (r)

P.G. WODEHOUSE IN INDIA

P.G. Wodehouse is pretty popular in India. Read a part of an article in The Economic Times. I read the whole article in a post on the PGWnet mailing list. Here is a quote:

""Wodehouse is a predictable pleasure," says Sriram. "Everytime you open one you know what you're getting. Yet there are so many titles that it doesn't get boring." More titles also mean more to collect. From a simple marketing point of view, Wodehouse's production was brilliant: an overall strong and consistent brand ambiance was delivered over enough different vehicles - Jeeves, Psmith, Blandings Castle, Uncle Fred, Mr. Mulliner, the Oldest Member - to preclude the chance of brand fatigue."

Talking about P.G. Wodehouse, I recently got an email from Amazon.com, telling me the following:

"Dear Amazon.com Customer,

We've noticed that many of our customers who have purchased titles by P. G. Wodehouse also enjoy books by Dave Barry. For this reason, you might like to know that Dave Barry's Tricky Business will hit the shelves on September 30, 2002."

Have you read something by Dave Barry? Could you compare him with P.G. Wodehouse?

BUSH'S HANDOUTS TO FETUSES

The Bush administration is pushing a new handout program. They want to give government health care benefits to "unborn children" (read: fetuses). Bush is pushing his religious anti-abortion agenda again, this time with a socialist twist. A fetus is a potential child, not an actual one.

CHOMSKY ROUNDUP

I visited the International Book Fair in Gothenburg on September 22. The first thing I saw, near the entrance, was a communist bookstore, Pathfinder Press. A young guy approached me and handed me a flyer. He asked: "Are you a socialist?" I answered him by saying: - No, I am a capitalist! I forgot to bring my bag of "groceries" (tomatoes and eggs), so I didn't attend the lecture by Chomsky... ;) If you can't get enough of his B.S., listen to this radio interview.

BUSINESS ETHICS

Read Andrew H. West's great article, A Stern Opinion: MBA Students, Aristotle, and Ethics. Here is a paragraph from the article in the Opportunity magazine (NYU Stern School of Business):

"I would suggest that the road to ethical recovery involves changing the common approach to ethics among businessmen. One of history's greatest philosophers, Aristotle, took an entirely different approach to ethics, which philosophers call "egoistic eudaemonism." Aristotle said that the purpose of ethics was to help you, personally, to achieve happiness and a successful life, and that your virtuous behavior was what got you there. In his system, virtue involved not sacrificing your interests, but pursuing them. Virtues got you "goodies" in life. Of course Aristotle took a very rational approach to what was truly in one's interests and what happiness is."

THE ANDREW LEWIS SHOW

Listen to the final show on Sunday, September 29. I will miss the program.

AYN RAND IN USA TODAY

Del Jones has written a piece, Scandals lead execs to 'Atlas Shrugged', in a recent issue of USA Today. I wonder why the article doesn't mention The Ayn Rand Institute: The Center for the Advancement of Objectivism. Please read Robert W. Tracinski's response to the article in USA Today.

CAPITALISM DAY 12/01/02

I read about the anti-IMF demonstrations in Washington D.C. I am against the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, but not on the same ground as the protesters in Washington D.C. The IMF and the World Bank are not real representatives for a free market and capitalism. We need a real defense of capitalism, not bureaucrats at agencies. How about a walk for capitalism?

WRITER'S BLOCK?

Nope, I don't have writer's block... I have several posts in my mind and I will publish them during this weekend. I will write about a part of the dark history of Sweden and draw some parallels to today's society. I will do a roundup regarding Chomsky and his visit to Gothenburg. On a more positive note, I will have a post on the popularity of P.G. Wodehouse in India. I will also write about the Good Life, e.g. tea, coffee, cigars, beer, etc...

Stay tuned!

UPDATE 09/30/02: I am still working on the post on Sweden's dark history. I have to do some more reading.

BLOGGER PRO

I am now a Blogger Pro user!

COMMENT ON COMMENTS II

Thanks for your comments! I appreciate your feedback. Here are some quick notes:

Blair: I am glad that I could provide you with a good football source. American football is a new sport to me. I still have to learn more about the game and the rules. Please state your favorite team and sports bar. Thanks again for your kind words. Thanks for the online story on the statue of David.

Tom: Thanks for the link to the New York Soaring Towers Coalition. Have you read Matthew J. Dockery's great article, Manhattan Is the Monument?

Harald: I agree with you that you have to know the enemy in order to fight for better ideas, but I still will not pay $35 to hear Chomsky's speech from the "ivory tower." My priority is to visit the book fair in search of good literature, instead of wasting my time and money on a creature like N.C. Thanks for the additional information on Chomsky and Fisk.

NEW WEB TRAFFIC-TRACKING SYSTEM

As a Blog*Spot Plus user, I have access to the new web traffic-tracking system, bSTATS(TM), from Pyra Labs. Thanks Ev @ Pyra for this new tool! I have to check out the rest of the Blog*Spot Plus features in the near future...

MODERN TRASH

What does Eric Fischl's statue, Tumbling Woman, say about the level of today's art? The general public has a pretty good gut feeling toward this kind of modern trash. I think that Suzanne Halpin, the spokeswoman for Rockefeller Center, should take a walk to the 630 Fifth Avenue and study the great statue, Atlas. For a great analysis, please read Harald Waage's post, How the Modern Intellectuals view Man.

Talking about art, do you know that they have started to clean Michelangelo Buonarroti's statue, David? I read about it in my local newspaper, but I can't find the news online. If you have more information, please let me know. Related: They have found a drawing by Michelangelo at the Design Museum Cooper-Hewitt in New York. (Please note, the article is in Swedish. If you find an article in English, please let me know.)

AMAZON.COM WISH LIST

I have added a new category, Support. I have created a wish list at Amazon.com. If you value my blog, please feel free to give me your monetary support. I will add more products on my wish list later on. I am planning to add PayPal to the Support category in the future. Thanks in advance for your support!

GLOBE OF BLOGS

I have registered my blog with Globe of Blogs. I have added Globe of Blogs to the Resources category.

RECENT REFERRALS

I have added Stephen Downes' referrer system. I think it could be interesting for my visitors to see a list of referring URLs.

OBJECTIVIST BLOGS

I have added Sidney Cammeresi's Blog of Doom and Jeff Mayhugh's homepage to the Blog category.

VACLAV HAVEL

America is getting support from the Czech President Vaclav Havel for a future attack against Iraq.

AL GORE IN 2004?

Matt Drudge has a report on Al Gore's plans to run for President in 2004. Maybe Gore could get some advice from the pompous Prime Minister G�ran Persson. Listen to this quote: "We will work for four more years to make Sweden more just and more equal, and we will make sure that we also have a voice internationally and for international solidarity." Yuck, I am getting sick...

CHOMSKY ON TOUR IN SWEDEN

Noam Chomsky is popular in Sweden. The International Book Fair in Gothenburg has invited Mr. Chomsky to deliver a speech, The World After 11/9 (V�rlden efter 11/9). You have to pay SEK 350 (~USD $35) if you want to listen to Chomsky's dangerous ideas. InstaPundit reader, Brian Jones: Please come to Gothenburg, Sweden, and ask Chomsky a question... If you want to see a clear example of hatred against America, read Chomsky's article, What Americans have learnt - and not learnt - since 9/11. [Via Tim Blair.] Here is the article, USA har inget f�rst�tt, in Swedish.

SWEDISH ELECTION

The socialists (the Social Democrats with 39.9% and the communist Left party with 8.3%) are still in power after the election. The worst thing with the result is that the wacko environmentalist Green party (4.5%) will have a powerful position in the political debate. For more information in Swedish, go to the official election site.

BOURQUE NEWSWATCH

I have added Bourque Newswatch to the News category. You could call Pierre Bourque, the Canadian version of Matt Drudge. I thought it could be a good idea to learn more about Canada at this time.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2001

The appropriate response to the terrorist attack should have been in this way:

And someday in the future, we will celebrate our victory according to Bryan Larsen's painting, A New Height.

Please, take a moment and read Robert W. Tracinski's column, What Have We Lost?

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Great start for the Patriots! They won their first game against Pittsburgh Steelers. I have to check with my favorite sportsbar, O'Learys, in Gothenburg, if they will show the games from the NFL.

Here is a web site dedicated to American football.

COMMENT ON COMMENTS

Thanks for your comments on my post, BLOG*SPOT PLUS. Please, keep them coming! :) Tom: Thank you very much for your feedback. I appreciate it very much. You are more than welcome to send me a private e-mail message with your thoughts. I like to have a conversation with you. I will start to write longer posts with more of my own comments, ideas, thoughts, and conclusions on the things going on in the world. At the same time, I will continue to add links to articles, web sites and sources that I think are interesting. Christian: Thanks for your kind words! I look forward to your new blog in the near future!

BLOGS OF IDEAS

The Slate magazine has started a discussion between Kurt Andersen and Andrew Sullivan on the weblog phenomenon and blogging literature. I haven't purchased a book on blogging yet. Please send me suggestions on good books. Maybe I should create a wish list on Amazon.com?! ;) Slate is asking: Are Weblogs Changing Our Culture? For a great answer, read Mark Wickens' interesting post, Misfit Medium. I think that a blog is a great tool if you want to spread better ideas.

SWEDEN - THE SOCIALIST "PARADISE"

I will start to write more posts about the socialist welfare state of Sweden. It is my "home" country, but I don't feel at home in a country based on the "Jante Law." I am an American in spirit. My long-range goal is to become an American citizen. Glenn Reynolds has a post on Sweden. He talks about Sweden's position in the WWII. The leaders took a middle-of-road position and declared Sweden as a neutral country. I will do some research and come back later on with a longer post on the dark history... Mr. Reynolds thinks that Sweden is "poorer than Mississippi according to a Swedish study." I wrote about the study in my post, POOR SWEDEN...

I have a question to my friends in Sweden. How is the political debate going in Sweden, right now? It is an election coming up in a week or so. Do you think that the Socialists (Social Democrats, Left - Communists, Green Party) will win again? I saw that the government has a problem with keeping the books in order... Haven't I heard about that problem before?!

"CHOOSE VICTORY WEEK"

I think that this announcement from the Patriots for the Defense of America is a great follow up to my previous post:

"September 5�11 will be "Choose Victory Week" here at Patriots, an activist campaign to fight the nation's trend of coddling enemies and pandering to "allies." For each the seven days leading up to September 11, Patriots will focus on one heroic virtue, show how America has betrayed the virtue, and give individuals an opportunity to act in support of it."

If you want to know more about this organization, listen to an interview with Jason Crawford (president, PDA) on the Louie Free radio program on September 6, at 8:00 AM EST.

WHAT REVOLUTION ARE YOU?

I was checking the recent links @ Blogdex and this one got me curious enough to click on it: What revolution are You? I rarely do personality tests, but this quiz was in line with my taste and interest. I think that the keywords in the image should be "freedom and constitutional republic" instead of "liberalism and democray." You, the Sons of Liberty, join me in the fight for the Second Renaissance!


What revolution are You?
Made by altern_active

BLOG*SPOT PLUS

I have upgraded my blog to Blog*Spot Plus. It will be fun to add images and multiple pages to my blog. I look forward to your comments and suggestions on how to design my new blog.

Related: Aziz Poonawalla's post, Blogger Pro. [Via InstaPundit.]

TAXED TO DEATH

The French President Jacques Chirac wants to introduce a new international tax...

LINK

I saw an advertisement by Facts and Logic About the Middle East (FLAME) in this week's issue of U.S. News & World Report. I have added FLAME to the War on Terrorism category.

NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION

Read John Leo's column, Blackboard bungle. Related: my post, EDUCATION.

CENSORSHIP IN COMMUNIST CHINA

From Fox News: "BEIJING � China has blocked access to popular U.S. Internet search engine Google amid government calls to tighten media controls ahead of a major Communist Party congress." Related: my post, SOUR GRAPES.

THE AL-QAEDA NETWORK IN SWEDEN

Read Andrew Norfolk's article, Hijack case Swede 'linked to al-Qaeda'. [Via Watch.] For more details, check out Little Green Footballs' blog. [Via InstaPundit.]

MICHAEL NEWDOW

Michael Newdow has done it again. This time he is filing a suit against the chaplains in Congress. The taxpayers have to fork out more than $270,000 for the chaplains' mystical "guidance."

NO TV COMMERCIALS ON 9/11?

Why don't they want to run commercials on 9/11? Are the advertisers afraid of promoting their products and services? What do you think?

LABOR DAY

Celebrate the Labor Day in the right way. Read Fredric Hamber's editorial, Time to Celebrate Man's Mind. On Labor Day, We Should Honor Man's Mind, Not Men's Muscles, as the Real Source of Wealth and Progress. Listen to Andrew Lewis' show, Not 'Labor Day'�Capital Day!

DON'T TREAD ON ME!

Go to Matt Drudge's flash report. If you want a product with the text, "Don't Tread on Me," read the the last paragraph of my post, "ENGINEERIST."

"SEPTEMBER OF SERVITUDE"

Read President Bush's radio address. Read also the fact sheet, September of Service. The documents are filled with the ideas of altruism. Related: my post, CAMPAIGN AGAINST SERVITUDE.

911 LETTER-TO-THE-EDITOR CAMPAIGN

Time to send a letter-to-the-editor! Check out the Ayn Rand Institute's letter campaign. For a great example, read Onkar Ghate's editorial, America Is NOT Winning the War. Intellectual and moral uncertainty has undercut America's "War on Terrorism."
I have added the J&K Foundation to the Objectivism category. The trustees of the J&K Foundation, Jim Smith and Kathryn Eickhoff Smith, have started a letter writing project.

Join the battle of ideas!

LINK

I have added the Anna Franco Review to the Blog category.

MATCHMAKER

Is Glenn Reynolds @ InstaPundit the new matchmaker?! [Via Mark Wickens.]

For good advice on romance, go to Dr. Kenner's web site.

THE SAUDI ROYAL FAMILY & USAMA BIN LADEN

Matt Drudge has a flash report on the connection between members of the Saudi royal family and Usama bin Laden. Read the story on Fox News. See also my post, SAUDI ARABIA IS OUR ENEMY.

AYN RAND ENCORE PRESENTATION ON C-SPAN

Watch C-SPAN on August 26, 8:00 PM EST. See also my post, C-SPAN.

EDUCATION

The National Education Association has created a �Remember September 11th� web site. Read Ellen Sorokin's article, NEA delivers history lesson. [Via Andrew Dalton.]
Related: David Harriman's editorial, High Schools Flunk Science.

I have added Education as a new category. If you know about a good site, please comment on this post or send me an e-mail message. Thanks.

ARTS & LETTERS DAILY

I have added Arts & Letters Daily to the News category.

LINKS

I have added Organica and BlogStreet to the Resources category.

GROUCHO MARX

Remember Groucho Marx. [Via InstaPundit.]

HORROR FILE II

Another piece for the horror file. [Source: Site Meter, Recent Referrals.]

FREE MARKET

Do you think that the business climate will be better by threatening companies? Here is the "black" list of companies that have filed a statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Read Donald Luskin's article, Certifiably Nuts.
Related: Robert W. Tracinski's column, Talk vs. Ideas.

BUSH IS ON VACATION

Bush is on vacation. Is that the reason why we haven't attacked Iraq yet?

I have added The Daily Show with Jon Stewart to the Humor category.

LINK

I have added CRAYON.net to the News category.

COFFEE

I have added Badgett's Coffee eJournal to the Blog category. Please inform me if you find a Tea blog in cyberspace!

A IS A

From the San Francisco Chronicle: "In a philosophical effort to come up with a city law that no one could ever break, conceptual artist Jonathon Keats wants Berkeley to legally acknowledge Aristotle's law, commonly expressed as A=A." Note to Mr. Keats: Aristotle's Law of Identity should be written in the following way: A is A.

POLITICS

What's wrong with Compassionate Conservatism? Read Harry Roolaart's article, What is Compassionate Conservatism? What's wrong with Libertarianism? Listen to Andrew Lewis' show, archived on August 4. What's going on in the Conservative Party in United Kingdom?

FAGAN FINDER

I have added a link to Michael Fagan's search tool.

LINKS

I have added Investor's Business Daily and the The New York Sun to the News category.

NEWS CATEGORY

I have added News as a new category. If you know about a good news source, please comment on this post or send me an e-mail message. Thanks.

THE TERRORISM RESEARCH CENTER

I have added The Terrorism Research Center to the War on Terrorism category.

METAFILTER

I have added MetaFilter to the Resources category.

ANTITRUST LAWS

US Airways is another victim of the antitrust laws.

SAUDI ARABIA IS OUR ENEMY

Read Michael Barone's column, Our Enemies the Saudis (Continued). [Via InstaPundit.] It is time to take back our oil. Read Robert W. Tracinski's column, Blood for Oil.

OBJECTIVISM

Here is an update to my post, HORROR FILE. Thanks to Casey Fahy, Tom, and Blair, for their comments.
Read the great replies by Ralph C. Whaley and Wayne Dunn.

"BLOGTREE"

I have added BlogTree.com to the Resources category.

THE CENTER FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF CAPITALISM

The Center for the Moral Defense of Capitalism has changed its name to The Center for the Advancement of Capitalism. I have added Initium - The Daily Journal of Capitalism to the Blog category.

LINK

I have added Jerry Nilson to the Blog category. Please check out the updated version of Lyceum References.

BLOGGING ECOSYSTEM

I have added Phillip Pearson's blogging ecosystem to the Resources category.

HORROR FILE

The article, Your Time Is Up: Objectivism, has a place in my horror file. [Source: Betsy Speicher's CyberNet.]

THE PASSION OF AYN RAND'S CRITICS

Go to Casey Fahy's web site and read James S. Valliant's essay, The Passion of Ayn Rand's Critics. (Four Parts and a Conclusion.)

I have added Casey Fahy to the Blog category.

THE NEW YORK SUN

Check out an alternative to the New York Times. Here are some good examples from the New York Sun:

A False Privatization.
Axis of Evil.
One of the Most Destructive Myths of American Foreign Policy.
Lieberman vs. the Miners.

MEDIA

Read the column in the Washington Post on how bloggers are influencing the big media players. [Via InstaPundit.]

IRAN

Read Joseph Kellard's article, The Iranian Street.

"NEXTBLOG"

I have added Blogger's "Random Recently Updated Redirector: NextBlog" to the Resources category.

GADFLY

Could you say that the blogging community is a gadfly? Read John Leo's column, Flogged by bloggers. [Via InstaPundit.]

HOW TO COUNT THE BEANS...

Warren E. Buffett is asking the question: Who Really Cooks the Books? Edwin A. Locke has the answer in his editorial, Congressional Hysteria Will Not Make Every Businessman Honest.

PHILOSOPHY

The philosophy department at McGill University must be influenced by postmodernism...
Related: my post, IVORY TOWER.

UNABOMBER

Theodore Kaczynski, a.k.a. the Unabomber, has found a new propaganda channel. Read Onkar Ghate's editorial, Defend Industry Against Terrorism�Before It's Too Late.

STEVEN DEN BESTE

Steven Den Beste has commented on a report titled, Cohabitation, Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage in the United States, by the National Center for Health Statistics. I agree with Steven Den Beste's view on atheism, but I will not bite my tongue regarding his comment on Ayn Rand and her philosophy, Objectivism. Steve, I recommend you to read Dr. Ellen Kenner's piece, What is Happiness?

Related: my post, "ENGINEERIST". Additional reading: Where're the Radicals for Freedom? By Joseph Kellard.

THE FAT'S IN THE FIRE!

A New York City lawyer has filed a lawsuit against the fast-food industry. He wants warning labels on fast-food products. This is crazy! The "heavy" people should read this fast food calorie chart. Are the candy manufacturers the next target?

LINK

Check out Fredrik Norman's new project, The BusinessFan Network. I have added the site to the Capitalism category.

BLOG ON!

Read John Hiler's report, The Microcontent News Blogging Software Roundup, and John Foley's story, Are You Blogging Yet?

NEW BLOG

I have added Harald Waage to the Blog category. Thanks to Fredrik Norman for pointing out Harald Waage's new blog.

NEWS IN IRAN

Here is a follow up to my post, IRAN WATCH. Read Daniel Pipes' article, Iran in Crisis, and David Warren's essay, The end is nigh. [Via Harald Waage.]

Here is a guide to online news in Iran. [Via Hossein Derakhshan.]

THE STATUE OF LIBERTY

Read this sad story about a British widow (9/11), who is fighting against the INS. [Via InstaPundit.] I am getting so angry and upset! I think that the person in charge of Deena Gilbey's case, should pay a visit to the Statue of Liberty and read Emma Lazarus' poem, The New Colossus:

"Give me your tired your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Please, remember Eli�n Gonzalez! The poor child is a prisoner in communist Cuba, and Janet Reno is having a dance party in order to promote her campaign for governor!

AYN RAND IN THE NEW YORK TIMES

Bill Goldstein's article, Greenspan Shrugged, describes how far Alan Greenspan has moved away from Ayn Rand's original ideas on capitalism. [Via Mark Wickens.] Goldstein is wrong when he says: "...greed apparently represents a greater danger to capitalism than government bureaucrats."

Richard Salsman understands the real meaning of greed, i.e. rational self-interest.

Related: my post, GREED.

BLOGGING

Joyce Slaton at the SF Gate, has an article on blogging. [Via InstaPundit.]

P.G. WODEHOUSE IN INDIA

P.G. Wodehouse's books are very popular in India.

CAT'S MEOW!

The Meow Mix Company will produce a TV show for cats!

LYCEUM

As a follow up to my post, IVORY TOWER, read John Leo's column in U.S. News & World Report, Professors who see no evil. [Via Ken Layne.] Take the discovery of Aristotle's Lyceum as an inspiration for starting a renaissance of rational education!

SWALLOW THE PILL

I hope that Brit Hume will read Onkar Ghate's editorial, The Rights Of Drug Companies.

WORLD TRADE CENTER II

Read Sherri R. Tracinski's editorial, Anything Less Is Suicide.

WORLD TRADE CENTER

Have you read about the different proposals for the rebuilding of the World Trade Center? I think that they should build a taller skyscraper. For a "blueprint," check out Bryan Larsen's painting, A New Height. "Howard Roark," where are you?

GREED

Joe Conason at Salon.com, writes about Alan Greenspan's testimony. Here is a quote by Greenspan: "An infectious greed seemed to grip much of our business community." I wonder if Mr. Greenspan remembers what he wrote in August 1963: "But it is precisely the "greed" of the businessman or, more appropriately, his profit-seeking, which is the unexcelled protector of the comsumer." ["The Assault On Integrity," Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal, page 118.]

IVORY TOWER

Stanley Fish thinks that he shouldn't take any responsibility for spreading postmodernism in today's society. Read his "defense" of so-called "serious thought," in his article, Don't Blame Relativism.

I recommend you to read Dr. Leonard Peikoff's essay, Assault from the Ivory Tower: The Professors' War Against America.

TURN THE CHEEK...

Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Wales, thinks "that an attack on Iraq would be both immoral and illegal..." After reading that kind of b.s., I had to let off some steam by reading Jason Roth's editorial, 198 Million Muslims Can't Be Wrong and Quent Cordair's piece, 101 Ways to Foil a Terrorist.

OPERATION "TIPS"

If you want to become an informer, join Citizen Corps. I don't think this is the right way to go. Here are some quotes on their web site:

"We want to be a Nation that serves goals larger than self." -- President George W. Bush - State of the Union, January 29, 2002.
"In the days following the attacks we saw immediate and selfless volunteering..."

What has happened with the idea of individualism?

Related: Assessing the Department of Homeland Security. By The Brookings Institution.

Read Alex Epstein's editorial, Bush's Un-American and Immoral Call for "National Service."

LAISSEZ-FAIRE

How about teaching Bush a new word, laissez-faire? Bush is getting more and more anti-business. Read Robert W. Tracinski's column, The War on CEOs and Harry Roolaart's article, Nationalizing Corporate America.

For more intellectual ammunition, buy the book, Why Businessmen Need Philosophy.

APOLLO 11

Take some time on July 20, to commemorate the flight of Apollo 11 and the landing on the moon. [Via InstaPundit.]

"Nothing on earth or beyond it is closed to the power of man's reason. Yes, reason could solve human problems-but nothing else on earth or beyond it, can.
This is the fundamental lesson to be learned from the triumph of Apollo 11. Let us hope that some men will learn it." -- Ayn Rand (1969) ["Apollo 11," The Objectivist, page 718.]

SUPPORT TAIWAN R.O.C.

Communist China (PRC) is a real threat to Taiwan. Here are some facts about Taiwan.

IRAN WATCH

N.Z. Bear has started to focus on what's going on in Iran. It will be interesting to follow the development.

Read Onkar Ghate's editorial, Don't Blame Our Intelligence Agencies�Blame Our Unprincipled Foreign Policy.

Related:
TERRORIST CONFERENCE IN IRAN
IRAN
ATTACK IRAN NOW!

INSPIRATION

After I wrote the post on Jihad, I had to calm myself down and try to think in a positive way. I got inspired by reading Sylvia Bokor's article, Owning A Work of Art. For more fuel for your soul, check out Bryan Larsen's painting, A New Height.

JIHAD ON WWW

The individuals who are attacking the freedom of the Western world, are using modern technology in order to spread their holy war. Read Jack Kelley's article in USA Today, Militants wire Web with links to jihad. After you have read the article, you could do a "WHOIS" search on some of the domain names mentioned in the article.

Related: Daniel Pipes' article, Terror & Denial.

NEWS...

Arnold Kling at the Tech Central Station has a piece on the future of newspapers.

PROFIT

Read the story about an Internet hosting company in the North Sea.

Check out Forbes' ranking of the world's billionaires.

Check out Initium, the news log of the Center for the Moral Defense of Capitalism. [Via Fredrik Norman.]

FOX NEWS

The Ayn Rand Institute's president and executive director, Dr. Yaron Brook, has been invited to appear on The O'Reilly Factor tonight. The title of the segment is, Is Capitalism Really So Bad?

LINK

I have added N.Z. Bear's Blogosphere Ecosystem to the Resources category.

C-SPAN

C-SPAN has aired a roundtable discussion on the war on terrorism. The event took place at the Second Renaissance Conferences in Vienna, Virginia. The program is titled, Effect of Appeasement on Outcome of War. Great questions and answers. Hopefully C-SPAN will archive the program so you will be able to watch the discussion again. [Source: Betsy Speicer's CyberNet and Harry Binswanger List.]

LINK

I have added Corante on Blogging to the Resources category.

"HEAVY" METAL

Here is an interesting article about a new metal alloy.

PHILOSOPHICAL HUMOR

Check out David Chalmers' compilation.

NATION OF ISLAM

From United Press International: "Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan held a series of meetings Saturday with Iraqi officials on the second day of his visit to the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, to discuss ways to avoid a possible U.S. military campaign."

For more information on Nation of Islam, go to Anti-Defamation League's web site.

ANOTHER DOOMSDAY MYTH...

The World Wildlife Fund will soon release a doomsday report. The Observer concludes:

"The report, which will be unveiled in Geneva, warns that the wasteful lifestyles of the rich nations are mainly responsible for the exploitation and depletion of natural wealth."

For a rational approach, go to: earth4man.com.

MAKE NO BONES ABOUT IT

Have a beer! It is good for your bones.

Cheers!

THE U.S. CONSTITUTION

According to a Columbia Law Survey, 35% of the Americans think that the following sentence is included in the Constitution:

�From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.�

It is sad news that more than 1/3 of the Americans think that Karl Marx and his altruistic ideas should be the guide for the U.S. government. America has to go back to its historical foundation and original political system. The U.S. Constitution is based on rational selfishness. Here is a transcription of the Constitution.

WEBLOGGING

The Economist has an article on blogging.

SEARCH ENGINE

I have added Kartoo, a meta search engine, to my site. Do you think it is a good tool? Is it useful to put the results on a map? I look forward to your comments.

INDEPENDENCE DAY

Have a great Fourth of July! Celebrate the Independence Day by reading the following:

The Declaration of Independence: A Transcription. [Via Fredrik Norman.]

Put The "Independence" Back In Independence Day�The Forgotten Meaning Of America. By Michael Berliner.

July Fourth Celebrates America's and the West's Core Values. Reason, Rights, and Science Are What Made America Great. By Edwin A. Locke.

IN GOLD WE TRUST

I am happy with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit's ruling. Read an interview with Michael Newdow, the man who brought the Pledge suit. I think it was an unconstitutional act by Congress in 1954, to add the word, "God" to the Pledge of Allegiance. America is not a "nation under God." America is a secular republic. I see no problem with private schools having their own pledges. The whole educational system should be privatized. It is scary to see what kind of crazy stuff they are teaching the children in public schools.

President Bush is dead wrong, when he is saying: "We need common sense judges who understand that our rights were derived from God and those are the kind of judges I intend to put on the bench."

It is time to change the national motto on the currency and Ohio's state motto. New Hampshire has a great motto: "Live Free or Die."