The Free Agent has continued to think about the Bingham Canyon mine after last week’s post. As the mountain has come down, what has been built up is literally invaluable—knowledge. In 2005, the value of once-nuisance molybdenum exceeded the value of the ever-useful copper. As geologic knowledge and mine technology has increased, Kennecott is able […]
CNBC is reporting that New York State is “nearly” broke and has delayed payments on $2.5 billion in bills. “Had we not done that, I think we would have been close to broke,” [State Budget Director Robert] Megna told reporters in Albany. This is the third time since December the cash-poor state has withheld funds.
It Depends What the Definition of “Broke” Is Read More »
A New Yorker can be one of four places in America: home, at the beach, in L.A. or out of town. The Free Agent has been out of town. Specifically, she has been in Salt Lake City. As her sister-in-law observed, “These are the most industrious people I’ve ever seen. We’ve got full-time students with
A Free Agent Abroad Read More »
We’ve reported on the courageous freedom fighter Julian Heicklen before (here and here, for example). Some of you may remember when the 78-year-old activist spoke at the February meeting of the Manhattan Libertarian Party. On Tuesday, May 25, Julian Heicklen was arrested for distributing Fully Informed Jury Association brochures outside the U.S. District Court in
Julian Heicklen Held as Political Prisoner at Rikers Read More »
Andrew Cuomo says he supports campaign finance reform. But how committed could he be when he took a $55,000 contribution from a parking lot in Manhattan? Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Warren Redlich has a bit of fun with this paradox. Hat tip: Eric Sundwall
The Prince of Cuomo-Lot Read More »
The Rand Paul/Rachel Maddow interview is part of this liberal exposition. It is a form of political theatre that mimics a true inquiry into someone’s opinion on a controversial issue. Instead, it was a way for Maddow to discredit libertarianism now that everyone knows libertarians are a growing force in the political arena. If there’s one group of people that threaten the liberal agenda more than republicans, it’s libertarians.
Liberals, Libertarians, and Civil Rights Read More »
We’ve known for some time now that anyone can win a Nobel Prize, but Paul Krugman seems unfit for a Cable Ace. (The Free Agent has been drafting an intellectual enemies list, and Doktor Krugman is battling the woman he calls “arguably the greatest Speaker ever”, Nancy Pelosi, for the top spot.) This week, he
NY Times vs The Free Agent, part Deux Read More »
In his blog post today Paul Krugman suggests that Libertarian philosophy isn’t serious. Paul Krugman isn’t a serious economist. He is a political propagandist. There is nothing wrong with being a political propagandist (um – some of my best friends are political propagandists?). Just admit it. Don’t try to pass yourself off as a serious analyst. Krugman’s blog is
Paul Krugman: Are you serious? Read More »
One of the little noticed consequences of last month’s closure of St. Vincent’s Hospital in Greenwich Village is that New York City now lacks any midwives who can legally assist women in giving birth at home. We still have plenty of midwives who are qualified and willing to do the job. The only thing stopping them is
New York Women Lose Right to Choose Home Birthing Read More »
…about our spending. The Free Agent’s eyes glaze over when budget talk gets into trillions and hundreds of billions of dollars, but as the responsible adult she is, she has an iron-clad grasp of her own household spending. Let us now gather round our national dining room table and evaluate this year’s federal spending in
Honey, We Need to Talk Read More »