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

There are two possible political morals to this. One is, don’t have schools. Children in large groups behave like troops of baboons. The other is, if you are going to have schools, have discipline.
Natalie Solent

Samizdata quote of the day

“France is the best country in the world.”

— Claire Sepchat (who is French).

Samizdata slogan of the day

Many of people who loathe Rupert Murdoch and who hate the fact he has been able to buy up the TV rights to so many sporting events, are the same people who have supported the regulation of British media companies which has ensured Murdoch never has to face any effective competition.
– Michael Jennings

Samizdata slogan of the day

The dumbest idea is to suppose that an inanimate object can turn a noncriminal into a criminal. To believe that guns cause crime is as stupid as believing that hammers and saws cause houses. It is the grossest kind of mindless superstition to suppose that some magical qualities of an inanimate object can overpower the human will.
Charley Reese

Samizdata slogan of the day

Over the years it has become apparent to me that to discount the position of others on the basis of their number is democratically sound but morally wrong. It’s this feeling that has brought me, and others like me, to samizdata and to a consideration of libertarianism.
– JohnJo

Sad loss

Ruth Lea, the head of policy at Britain’s Institute of Directors (IoD), has been fired. What a pity. Lea put forward views that truly took account of the needs of business, even though the government did not like them.

On an unrelated point, I wonder if George Cox, the IoD’s Director General, is now in line for a knighthood?

Samizdata slogan of the day

Woe to those who enact evil statutes, and to those who constantly record unjust decisions, so as to deprive the needy of justice, and to rob the poor of my people of their rights, in order that widows may be their spoil, and that they may plunder the orphans.
– Isaiah 10: 1-2

Samizdata slogan of the day

The government consists of a gang of men exactly like you and me. They have, taking one with another, no special talent for the business of government; they have only a talent for getting and holding office. Their principal device to that end is to search out groups who pant and pine for something they can’t get and to promise to give it to them. Nine times out of ten that promise is worth nothing. The tenth time is made good by looting A to satisfy B. In other words, government is a broker in pillage, and every election is sort of an advance auction sale of stolen goods.
– H. L. Mencken

Samizdata slogan of the day

Poverty is a miracle, created by governments
Leon Louw, Director of Law Review Project and Free Trade Foundation, South Africa

Samizdata slogan of the day

Whenever a politician starts talking about “the children”, keep one eye on your wallet and the other on your liberty.
– Anonymous

Samizdata quote of the day

This year will go down in history. For the first time, a civilized nation has full gun registration! Our streets will be safer, our police more efficient, and the world will follow our lead into the future.
– Attributed to Adolf Hitler, 1935

A revolt in heaven

Frank J. at IMHO has come up with the perfect way to fish for links (well, I fell for it at least)… he has declared war on the mighty Glenn Reynolds of Instapundit .

And what is our view on this revolt against The InstaPowers That Be?

We are one of Glenn’s blog children… fie on that false prophet Frank J. and all hail to Glenn Reynolds, the Dark Lord of the net, the Ayatollah of Rock and Rollah, the Balrog of the Blogosphere!

The fate of the fallen is to be cast out of heaven and into a pit of devils... well, a pit of guys with beards anyway

Behold the fate of those who defy the InstaPowers That Be
Photo: D.Amon, all rights reserved