May 07
Journalism in favor of government has always been one of the safest occupations in the world. Journalism disfavored by government has always been one of the world’s most dangerous occupations. Now there is news that an Egyptian court has sentenced three journalists to death for supposedly reporting facts that undermined Egypt’s “national security.” Thankfully, the …
May 03
Every government that has ever existed has ultimately come for all property, all money, all freedom, and to kill all who resist. Governments often view criticism as treason or sedition, and claim that dissenting voices are trying to commit terrorism or overthrow the government. Now a Canadian citizen with a work visa to Nepal has …
Apr 26
Every government in history ultimately came to jail or kill all resistors and critics as ‘traitors’ and promoters of ‘sedition.’ English history is filled with persecution and even hangings of people who criticized government. (And Britain has historically been ‘liberal’ compared to other countries.) Now Turkey’s President Erdogan is pursuing some 2,000 CASES against journalists, …
Mar 06
Governments worldwide constantly seek to require all workers to be government-approved and government-licensed. In the U.S., many occupations that poor people could enter freely in the past have been transformed into government-licensed occupations. Poor people must now go through expensive government “training” and approval processes just to work as hairdressers, manicurists, auctioneers, teachers or interior …
Mar 05
Every government that ever existed sought the same powers: ownership of all property, control of all resources, and control of all speech and thought. Governments invariably imprison and kill those who dissent — — frequently spreading messages that the government is at risk of terrorism or violent attack by critical speakers. Now the government of …
Feb 01
Every claim of “campaign finance reformers” is false. Every single claim. For-profit corporations actually contribute almost nothing to political campaigns. Common law rules of corporate governance (i.e., the rule that corporations must seek profits as their primary interest) prohibit for-profit corporations from wasting money on politics. (And shareholders could sue them if they did waste …
Jan 29
All who question, discuss, or criticize the government must identify themselves to the government. That is the direction the FCC is moving in. Yesterday, the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) ordered that all radio, cable and Satellite stations report the identity of all political ad purchasers to the government. See here. In the past, governments have …
Jan 28
Freedom of press is among the most precious of rights. Always in danger, especially from governments pushing “national security” rationales. Now two reporters whose reporting offended Turkish president Erdogan are in danger of being imprisoned for the rest of their lives. See here. Of course, the prosecutors are alleging the journalists “revealed state secrets.” Specifically, …
Jan 27
The Bozeman Daily Chronicle is, arguably, Montana’s most extreme pro-government publication. For years, the newspaper has poured out steady support for government control over political messaging under the auspices of campaign-finance regulation. (‘The private sector must never defend itself from regulation!’) It is rare that one reads the word “shadowy” outside the editorial pages of …
Jan 20
The First Amendment protects political speech above all other forms of speech. But in Montana, there is a powerful movement of pro-government voices (not the least of which are the major newspapers) who support ever-more government control over political speech under the guise of “campaign finance regulation.” Montana politicians have been investigated by the government …
