We are developing the social individualist meta-context for the future. From the very serious to the extremely frivolous... lets see what is on the mind of the Samizdata people.

Samizdata, derived from Samizdat /n. - a system of clandestine publication of banned literature in the USSR [Russ.,= self-publishing house]

Samizdata quote of the day

It is my understanding that, in law, First Amendment issues are decided with a preference for the least restrictive alternative. In this context, the PMRC’s demands are the equivalent of treating dandruff by decapitation

– Frank Zappa discussing the Parents Music Resource Center, a pro-censorship group lead by Al Gore’s wife, Tipper Gore

Samizdata quote of the day

In every language, the first word after “Mama!” that every kid learns to say is “Mine!” A system that doesn’t allow ownership, that doesn’t allow you to say “Mine!” when you grow up, has, to put it mildly, a fatal design flaw.
– Frank Zappa

Islamic extremists kill themselves

However this time it is nice to hear of Islamic extremists killing themselves in ways that do not involve blowing themselves up on a bus in London or in a pizzeria in Israel in order to murder a bunch of civilians. More of this and faster please.

Samizdata quote of the day

Zarqawi – dead
Rooney – fit
The news does not get any better than that.

– Commenter David Davies (no, presumably not that David Davies)

Holy stealth wings, Batman!

Ok, now this is both cool and a bit wierd.

Just another hard working day at Samizdata.net HQ…

Samizdata quote of the day

Gun Control: The theory that a woman found dead in an alley, raped and strangled with her panty hose, is somehow morally superior to a woman explaining to police how her attacker got that fatal bullet wound.
– found on the WAGC website.

(hat-tip to commenter Marcy Quice)

Samizdata quote of the day

Getting a lecture on morality from a politician is like getting a lecture on chastity from a whore
– Perry de Havilland

And now for something completely different…

A combination of perfect timing and extremely strong arms. Repect!

Samizdata quote of the day

Experience teaches us to be most on our guard to protect liberty when the government’s purposes are beneficent.
– Louis D. Brandeis

Secret UK ministerial briefs

Revealed by the blogosphere for all to see!

Is Border’s due for a financial re-organization?

One of our commentariat who goes under the pseudonym of ‘cowtipper’ posted this information earlier today. It simply cried out for front page coverage. – Ed

Borders really cannot afford to be irrational. Having just finished financial analysis between Borders and Barnes and Noble’s for our fund, the bottom line is that Borders is in trouble and can not afford to insult its customers right now. 2006 is a critical year and the market has been asked to give management ‘one more chance’ on top of probably too many chances, hoping for some magic to occur in the fourth quarter of this year.

Borders would not handle a boycott well. Look at their most recent 10K – they are promising lousy performance through the year and praying (if we can use the word) that the market ignores their terrible financial state until quarter four, 2006, where a miracle will happen and outstanding sales will occur. Things do not look good and only irrational optimism and hope in management’s ability can sustain the market to the fourth quarter. This management team is truly lost – listen to their conference call and the real status of their mini-Borders “Waldenbooks” makeover that the call admitted has been a complete miscalculation. I’d trust a magic eight ball more than these misplaced executives.

If an organized boycott evolved in the next few weeks, Borders is probably 30-60 days from corporate reorg or collapse, a new CEO and appeasement of the boycotters. Given their money appears to come from red-state people and not leftist anti-establishment small bookstore types, their actions are further proof that management is completely lost.