Monday, April 22, 2002

Given the French election results, I thought it would be interesting to revisit a list of candidates published on the 13th by Libertarian Samizdata. According to the list, there was another Nazi candidate besides Le Pen. Do they actually call themselves "National Socialists" openly? I haven't seen coverage mentioning how many votes the candidates below the top three got, but since they're almost all some variant on "Communist," the conventional wisdom is probably right about Le Pen not standing a chance. But then, they laughed at Hitler too--until it was too late. comment () trackback ()  3:16:40 PM     Various "political quizes" have been around for a while, but this Politopia quiz is one the few I've seen that's on the web. After you finish, it shows you how you compare to noteworthy historical figures, and to any friends who have taken the quiz. I'm in the "more freedom" corner with Ayn Rand. comment () trackback ()  1:53:19 PM     Someone named Radley Balko went undercover at the recent "protests" in Washington, DC. He wrote a lengthy report on what he saw, which ranges from amusing to disgusting. After reading the report, it's worth scrolling up for a series of "stupid protestor updates." comment () trackback ()  1:46:14 PM     Survey: Is Gates Lying?  [Scripting News] This "survey" is ridiculously leading and one-sided. The possible answers all talk about adding a browser API to Windows, and that's not what the questions asks at all. I'd like to see an honest survey on this same question, without the absurdly prejudicial wording. comment () trackback ()  12:02:34 PM     Anti-gun Rep. Waxman Tries to Boot TV Cameraman From House Hearing. Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., tried unsuccessfully Thursday to have an accredited TV news photographer thrown out of a House subcommittee hearing. The hearing focused on whether to limit liability lawsuits against gun makers. Waxman, who favors gun control, insisted the cameraman was videotaping on behalf of the National Rifle Association. The House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection was hearing testimony on the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (H.R. 2037), a bill designed to stop lawsuits against the gun industry for actions taken by criminals using their products, when Waxman challenged the presence of the television camera. [FirearmNews.com] It's unclear what gave Waxman (or the other two Democrats who complained) the idea that the cameraman worked for the NRA. Nor is it clear why it matters who he worked for. Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-NY), the ranking Democratic member of the subcommittee, made an interesting comment: "The identification in his pocket shows that he's accredited press and, I think, as such that he's entitled to record," Stearns ruled. But Towns and Waxman continued their challenge. "No. I have a driver's license that says 'New York State' in my pocket, but I'm not here representing New York State. I'm here as a member of the United States Congress," Towns continued. "So, the fact that he can pull something out of his pocket doesn't satisfy me. It's not often you catch a member of Congress openly admitting he's not there to represent his constituents! comment () trackback ()  11:54:46 AM     Is It Apple Or Quality? [MacSlash: A daily dose of Macintosh News and Discussion] If another computer company was to come along and do what Apple does (whatever that may or may not be), only better would we be willing to make the switch or is it that we just like Apple and our elitist status???" I'd switch in a heartbeat. I don't think it's going to happen, though. Just because Apple has abandoned the Newton and is in the process of abandoning the Mac, doesn't mean they will allow anyone else to take over those technologies. comment () trackback ()  10:47:56 AM     Suspected informers shot. What a nice little clean-sounding title. shot. pfft. How about - 3 Palestinians who (chances are) had nothing to do... [The news, Uncensored.] The article linked to mentions that the men were lynched by some of Arafat's terrorists. comment () trackback ()  10:39:25 AM     French urged to stop Le Pen. Mainstream parties call on voters to support Jacques Chirac against the far-right National Front in the second round of the presidential poll. [BBC News: world] This isn't really surprising to me. The news has had plenty of stories recently about anti-semitism in France, and a friend who travels there fairly often has told me about how non-white people are routinely hassled by gangs of French cops with submachine guns. What's more, anyone who's been paying attention to recent European history knows that it's not unknown for a socialist country to get taken over by a charismatic national socialist politician. For anyone who needs a reminder, I recommend The Road to Serfdom, by F.A. Hayek. comment () trackback ()  9:44:24 AM     Egg backs digital payments. Sending an e-mail payment could signal the death knell for the traditional cheque book, hopes internet bank Egg. [BBC News: sci/tech] To use Egg Pay customers send an e-mail stating which account they wish the money to come from, providing the recipient's e-mail address and a choice of two security questions. The idea of emailing money has been around for a while in the form of various "digital cash" systems. This particular version sounds really insecure, though. They should at least require a PGP signature! comment () trackback ()  9:29:55 AM

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