Posted by bert zamichow on 05/25/10

Mexico! Yes, Mexico. At least, according to the authors of this bizarre Associated Press piece. 

"Mexican drug smugglers are increasingly peddling a form of ultra-potent heroin that sells for as little as $10 a bag and is so pure it can kill unsuspecting users instantly…contributing to a spike in overdose deaths across the nation and attracting a new generation of users who are caught off guard by its potency."

Yikes. The authors take great pains to inform us of the culprit. Mexico is mentioned, oh, about a zillion times. 

"…the potency and price of the heroin from Mexico and Colombia could widen the drug's appeal…

"The Latin American heroin comes in the form of black tar or brown powder…"

"…Mexican drug dealers have improved the way they process poppies…"

"An increasing amount of the deadliest heroin appears to be coming from Mexico."

I could go on, but I'm feeling sick. You see, just because something passes through somewhere doesn't mean it comes from there.  According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 

"In 2007, Afghanistan produced an extraordinary 8,200 tons of opium (34% more than in 2006), becoming practically the exclusive supplier of the world's deadliest drug (93% of the global opiates market)."

I'll bet you a silver dollar it's up to 95%.

Posted 05/25/10 C00kieM0nster Oxnard, CA

I, for one, find it amusing that the government is able to produce such statistics for something which is illegal, and therefore transacted through the black market....an activity expressly designed to subvert regulations, and remain hidden from prying eyeballs

Posted by bert zamichow on 04/23/10
Last updated 04/23/10

What a great speech. I love this guy.

Presented at "The Inflationary Path to Despotism," The Mises Circle in Phoenix, Arizona, April 10, 2010.  

Posted by bert zamichow on 04/19/10
Last updated 04/19/10

"There's no real difference between gold and fiat currency, you know.  All currency, including commodity-based currency like gold and silver, is valuable only because people believe it to be valuable."

I have encountered this strange, incomprehensible thinking on multiple occasions. It bewilders me.  Yet in a society comprised mainly of government-educated Keynesians, such "logic" abounds.  Rebuffing such dimwitted arguments can grow tiresome.  Try to remember to keep things simple. Address the individual as you might a small child. Patiently explain...

Comparing gold and fiat is like comparing an apple to a picture of an apple. One you can eat. The other you can't. 

Gold is an element. That boxy thing, you know, the periodic table. It's in there. 

As such, gold has various physical properties. These properties exist in reality and are useful in doing real things. Gold is used in microchips. Gold is used in NASA space helmets. Gold is used to create beautiful works of art. 

So don't be thick in front of me, young lady, or I'll give you the back of my hand!

We use the imaginary credits because of government violence. Period. Get rid of legal tender laws and the credits disappear. 

Money is not a leprechaun. It is a commodity. It is recognizable, divisible, portable, with high value in relation to weight and volume, and experiencing continuity of value over time. 

Posted 04/19/10 Willij4lib Monroe, WA

I very much agree and the only thing of real value is my effort and the demand for this effort. Value does not fall out of the sky, it is created by you and I. Representing this in some other form is valid, attempting to represent no effort has 0 exchange. 0=0 in all equations, some effort equals some value with some demand. No demand then no effort is needed. measuring from 0 + effort + demand equals some value = 1 0 - effort + no demand equals 0 0 + 0 effort + 0 demand = 0 0 + 0 effort + a value of exchange with out the demand = - 0 There is only this one value. Me creating something you desire for the exchange of an equal value. 1 value equals 1 value. Or some effort for some effort. The ability to create and produce for others who create and produce for you and others. For those who create nothing, produce nothing shall have nothing. Who creates something out of nothing we do, how? With energy, no energy no creation and nothing to exchange. Energy is then the only exchange, this is measurable by the amount of energy not paper, paper is merely the representation as agreed upon by those putting in energy because they value true value by expelling energy for energy expelled. It is only those creating energy that may agree on representation of equal energy. Those expelling no energy to create representation of no value cannot possibly get any agreement and must enforce some theory that cannot be shown to be equal or agreed upon exchange. The showing is by far the biggest relevance. Money is not a leprechaun is is supposed to be a representation of my energy in exchange for that of other energy. It is presently miss represented and exchange is blown to hell.

Posted by bert zamichow on 03/30/10
Last updated 03/30/10

When you arrive at my doorstep, demand money, threaten to put me in a cage if I don't comply, and shoot me if I resist, that is the definition of violence.

Is violence ever justified?

Yes, but only in one very specific situation: self defense. Violence is justified in defense of one's life and one's right to live life as desired (without doing harm to others). Violence is justified in defense of life and liberty.

Since government is violence, logic dictates that the only justifiable purpose of government is the defense of life and liberty. 

All other uses of government force are inherently tyrannical. You know what they say about tyrants. 

Posted 03/31/10 Isomies Mechanicsville, VA

Of course government is violence. How else would they get everyone to comply with their demands?

Posted by bert zamichow on 03/01/10
Last updated 03/01/10

I learned that from a nice little piece about 9/11 in The Washington Times of all places. The opening line is priceless.

A lingering technical question about the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks still haunts some, and it has political implications: How did 200,000 tons of steel disintegrate and drop in 11 seconds?

A lingering technical question indeed. 

Posted 03/14/10 philprism Colchester, United Kingdom

Demolition. So many questions unanswered. So much new evidence unheard. Based on what I have read a new inquiry is more than warranted and has been for some time.