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]

Shock Story: Politician Tells The Truth!

Anyone who has had the misfortune to have seen many examples of Modern ‘Art’ recently can only concur with the British politician who described this year’s Turner Prize exhibits as “bullshit”.

Ok, not terribly polite, but a wonderfully lucid and accurate description of what is on display. Can we hope for similarly salty descriptions of the EU as a “crooked empire”, the British education system as a “Soviet disaster zone” from the UK’s political masters?

Samizdata slogan of the day

It is impossible to introduce into society a greater change and a greater evil than this: the conversion of the law into an instrument of plunder
– Frédéric Bastiat

Samizdata slogan of the day

A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul
– George Bernard Shaw

Samizdata slogan of the day

It isn’t that they can’t see the solution. It’s that they can’t see the problem.
– G.K. Chesterton

A period of silence would be welcome

A protester against a possible war against Iraq is urging fellow-minded people to observe a 24-hour period of total silence as a way of registering their views.

It is tempting to mock, but this writer cannot help feeling that if 99 percent of so-called peace activists took a Trappist monk-like vow of silence, the rest of us who do think there is a case for ridding the world of Saddam would be grateful. Come on you Ted Ralls, Robert Fisks, Michael Moores – shut your traps.

Many a true word said in anger

Sometimes politicians blurt out the pure unvarnished truth even against their devious instincts. I cannot beat this gem from French farm minister Herve Gaymard, who on Tuesday brushed aside British complaints over farm subsidies, saying the Brits only wanted the EU to be a free trade zone.

As the saying goes, I do believe he’s got it!

Samizdata slogan of the day

The rifle itself has no moral stature, since it has no will of its own. Naturally, it may be used by evil men for evil purposes, but there are more good men than evil, and while the latter cannot be persuaded to the path of righteousness by propaganda, they can certainly be corrected by good men with rifles.
-Jeff Cooper

Samizdata slogan of the day

Moral indignation is jealousy with a halo.
– H. G. Wells

Samizdata slogan of the day

Little else is requisite to carry a state to the highest degree of opulence from the lowest barbarism but peace, easy taxes, and a tolerable administration of justice: all the rest being brought about by the natural course of things.
– Adam Smith, 1755

Samizdata slogan of the day

Every government is a parliament of whores. The trouble is, in a democracy, the whores are us.
– P. J. O’Rourke

Samizdata slogan of the day

A Conservative Government is an organized hypocrisy.
– Benjamin Disraeli

Samizdata slogan of the day

There can be no liberty unless there is economic liberty.
– Margaret Thatcher