Whether radical Islamic terrorists are distinguishable from mainstream Muslims depends upon your species. A sheep, goat, or a camel whose throat is being cut in Halal slaughter or Islamic sacrifice is just as terrified, in just as much pain, and just as murdered as is an American journalist or a Syrian refugee having his throat…
On substantive issues of military belligerence and interventionism in the affairs of foreign countries, there is little difference between Hillary and the Republicans. Same goes for such issues as political campaign financing, lobbyists, Wall Street, breaking up the too big to fail banks, and the appointment of industry hacks to departments, regulatory agencies, and even…
The most radical elements within the animal movement are thought to be liberationists. I know and respect Ronnie Lee, the founder of the ALF (Animal Liberation Front), but critics of animal liberationists correctly argue that the few animals released or facilities damaged really accomplish little and cost the movement a great deal in lost activists,…
By definition, terrorism is violence against the innocent. Terrorist organizations hope to influence the actions of governments by paralyzing populaces with fear and uncertainty. We see these tactics employed by jihadist Muslims, right wing hate groups, and radical separatists. Government response, predictably, is repression and fascist legislation. Voices of reason and of tolerance are drowned…
Plan B is the alternative, a backup strategy, when Plan A fails. Or when there really isn’t a plan at all, as is the case with the animal movement. The animal movement is really not a movement at all. It is a collection of large and small organizations, all competing for support, each having their…
Jeremy Bentham, the father of utilitarianism. Is there a difference between liberal philosophy today and liberal philosophy historically? Actually, no. There is not. Drawing historical parallels, I frequently discuss the fact that conservatives have never been right about anything. Conservatives opposed American Independence, they supported slavery, they opposed women’s suffrage, child labor laws, workplace…
For all the ad hominems and bombast directed toward Hillary Clinton by the Republican field, on substantive issues of military belligerence and interventionism in the affairs of foreign countries, there is little difference between Hillary and the Republicans. Same goes for such issues as political campaign financing, lobbyists, Wall Street, breaking up the too big…
Instead of posting status updates on Facebook, I am now posting each apothegm, thought, observation, and witticism, here, as a Thought Of The Day. Status updates on Facebook disappear into the ether and cannot be relocated by readers. Before you leave, please take a moment to follow this blog by clicking on Follow in the…
Instead of posting status updates on Facebook, I am now posting each apothegm, thought, observation, and witticism, here, as a Thought Of The Day. Status updates on Facebook disappear into the ether and cannot be relocated by readers. Before you leave, please take a moment to follow this blog by clicking on Follow in the…
Humans view the world through the lens of species superiority. According to this worldview, no animal’s life is worth a human’s. Nor are multiple animals’ lives worth a single human life. Logically, there must be some ceiling on the concept, some point at which an animal population is worth more than a human life. But…
Armory of the Revolution 