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 slogan of the day

So. Okay. Like right now, for example, the Haitians need to come to America. But some people are all: “What about the strain on our resources?” But it’s like, when I had this garden party for my father’s birthday, right, I said R.S.V.P. because it was a sit-down dinner. But people came that, like, did not R.S.V.P. So I was like totally buggin’. I had to haul ass to the kitchen, redistribute the food, squish in extra place settings, but by the end of the day it was like, the more the merrier. And so, if the government can just get to the kitchen, rearrange some things, we could certainly party with the Haitians. And in conclusion may I please remind you that it does not say R.S.V.P. on the Statue of Liberty. [Applause] Thank you very much.
-Cher (Alicia Silverstone) in the movie Clueless

Not a slogan, but what a quote!

“Of all tyrannies a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron’s cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.”

– C. S. Lewis

[Courtesy of St.Andrews Liberty Log ]

Samizdata slogan of the day

Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn’t go away
-Phillip K. Dick

Samizdata slogan of the day

Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.
– Benjamin Franklin, 1759

Samizdata slogan of the day

Perry: “Have you read Orwell’s 1984?”
Adriana: “No, I don’t need to, I used to live in it.”

Samizdata slogan of the day

“If you aren’t a part of the solution, you’re part of Europe”

(Courtesy of Eristic)

Samizdata slogan of the day

No, they cannot touch me for coining. I am the King himself.
-King Lear (King Lear – Act IV Scene 6)

Samizdata slogan of the day

Freedom works. You know that from your own life. Give it a chance to work for everyone else as well.
-Charles Murray in What It Means To Be A Libertarian

Samizdata slogan of the day

Believers, show discernment when you go to fight for the cause of Allah, and do not say to those that offer you peace: “You are not believers,” – seeking the chance booty of this world; for in the world to come there are abundant gains. Such was your custom in days gone by, but now Allah has bestowed on you His grace.
-The Koran 4:93

Samizdata slogan of the day

This is typical, absolutely typical … of the kind of ARSE I have to put up with from you people. You ponce in here expecting to be waited on hand and foot, well I’m trying to run a hotel here. Have you any idea of how much there is to do? Do you ever think of that? Of course not, you’re all too busy sticking your noses into every corner, poking around for things to complain about, aren’t you. Well, let me tell you something – this is exactly how Nazi Germany started, you know. A lot of layabouts with nothing better to do that cause trouble. Well I’ve had fifteen years of pandering to please the likes of you and I’ve had enough. I’ve had it. Come on, pack your bags and get out!
-Basil Fawlty, to a group of Fawlty Towers guests.

Samizdata slogan of the day

World trade could be a powerful motor to reduce poverty, and support economic growth, but that potential is being lost. The problem is not that international trade is inherently opposed to the needs and interests of the poor, but that the rules that govern it are rigged in favour of the rich.

-Oxfam, from the Introduction to their Report Rigged Rules and Double Standards: Trade, Globalisation, and the Fight Against Poverty. See their Make Trade Fair campaign website (but don’t expect the rules to be any less rigged by the time they’ve finished with them).

Samizdata slogan of the day

When Dr Johnson described patriotism as the last refuge of the scoundrel, he ignored the enormous possibilities of the word Reform.
-US Senator Roscoe Conkling