Month: October 2006

Bomb Scare In Venezuala

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I have always supported securing our southern border, mainly due to concerns about law enforcement issues. This seems pretty cut-n’-dried to me.

But, for some reason, people who are critical of plans to control access to our territory usually start talking about how Islamic terrorists don’t enjoy much support down in South America. It is very puzzling to me when they do this. What, we should ignore every other criminal activity or threat unless there is a Jihadi reason behind it? That doesn’t seem very reasonable.

I also hold the opinion that any breach in your security will eventually be exploited by those who mean you harm if they possess the means. It is only a matter of time.

I am not particularly concerned about an imminent attack from Islamic terrorists smuggling arms and suicide warriors across the Rio Grande, but they will get around to it eventually if we don’t plug that hole, and things might start to escalate sooner than we think.

Allowing those who are critical of increased border security to define the debate is probably a bad idea. I have always looked to their assertions about the lack of Islamic terrorists in South America as an attempt to distract from the real issues. But, for some reason, I don’t mind pointing out that they are wrong once again.

(HT to Ace.)

Quote of the Day

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…what has helped the less fortunate is economic growth. Today’s elderly are affluent not because of Social Security, but because of all of the wealth created by private sector innovation over their lifetimes. Government involvement in health care and education is an impediment to progress in those fields. Job training and welfare are demonstrable failures. I think that treating a national community like a family is a grave intellectual error. A national unit is an institution that creates a legal framework for a large group of strangers to interact. A family is a small group that interacts on the basis of personal bonds. Strengthening government serves to weaken families and other vital civic institutions.

Arnold Kling

(You absolutley must RTWT. Mr. Kling puts terribly important ideas across in clear, plain English.)

Books Read

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I have been enjoying James McCormick’s book reviews on the blog very much. The quality of these items is a blessing and a challenge. I have been intending for a long time to do some “book reports” for the blog on things I have been reading, but I have not gotten to it for many valid reasons. The way I read is not conducive to taking notes, reflection, etc. I read while walking to the train, cooking, evacuating, a minute here a minute there. I read fast and I retain pretty well what I read. I can read in almost any posture and in any setting with any volume of background distraction, something I have learned out of necessity. Still, while this is the only option available to me, it is far less than the ideal way to read a book. At this point in my life, it is that or nothing. I just ingest the books as best I can and try to retain something of value from them.

So, instead of a book report, I just attach a list of books I have read in the last 16 months or so. It may be of interest to some of you. I hope to write about some of these at some point in the future.

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