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Education, Laws/Regulations

Pierce County Herald: Rep. Nass seeks to repeal Indian nickname law

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State Representative Steve Nass, part of the Wisconsin Assembly’s Republican majority, wants to repeal the law that allows the state superintendent to decide whether local public districts may use a tribal name, or other ‘race-based’ name. (Wis. Stat. 118.134, et seq).

Although I’m not a proponent of tribal names, I’m surely an opponent of Wisconsin’s current law, one that places decision-making in the hands of the state superintendent, and unfairly shifts the burden of proof to districts to show that their mascots are not discriminatory. Communities should decide these matters, for themselves, and the burden of proof should rest with those wishing to change an existing name. See, Wisconsin’s Law on ‘Raced-Based’ School Mascots.

It doesn’t matter whether one doesn’t like these names, if the law used to remove them is unfair. (One also sees that mascots like Whitewater’s whippets are solid choices.)

Nass is right to seek repeal.

Freedom of Speech

“Yes, Virginia – You can say ‘Merry Christmas’ “

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There’s a fine, speech-defending column at the Chicago Tribune from Jamie Katz on saying “Merry Christmas.” Here’s part of it:

….It’s all right to say Merry Christmas. In fact, it’s lovely.

I happen to be Jewish. And I’ve lived most of my life in New York City, where, on the whole, contrary to rumor, people of every faith, language and hue do a pretty good job of getting along.

Not once, ever, publicly or privately, have I heard anyone – Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Cherokee, atheist or Aqua Buddhist – say he or she was insulted by a sincere holiday greeting that included the word Christmas.

Of course, if you’re aware that someone celebrates a different tradition, it’s nice to acknowledge that too. And if you have no idea whether he or she prefers Kwanzaa, Hanukkah or Omisoka, you can always say, “Happy Festivus for the rest of us!” or even “Happy holidays!” It’s not that bad.

Well said. I say ‘Merry Christmas,’ unless, like Katz, I know someone celebrates a different holiday. One starts with what one believes, and it’s a measure of intolerance to expect someone to sacrifice belief for supposed tolerance.

(If, for example, someone said Happy New Year to me around Rosh Hashanah, I wouldn’t be offended; on the contrary, I respect someone for his or her commitment and happiness in it. A multicultural society is exactly that — multicultural. It’s not a society that cajoles people into a standard that’s not meaningful to them. Rights derive from individuals, not to be sacrificed for a homogenizing community.)

See, Yes, Virginia – you can say ‘Merry Christmas’

Daily Bread

Daily Bread for 12-22-10

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Good morning,

Today’s Whitewater forecast calls for a cloudy day with a high temperature of thirty-three degrees.

In the City of Whitewater, there’s a special, closed-session meeting of the Community Development Authority scheduled for 4:30 p.m. The agenda is available online.

The Wisconsin Historical Society recalls that on this day in 1862, Woof Woof was born:

1862 – Wisconsin Governor Walter Goodland Born

On this date Governor Goodland was born. Goodland had a long and successful career editing and publishing various newspapers in Michigan and Wisconsin, including the Racine Times. Newspaper reporters dubbed him “Woof-Woof” due to his deep, rumbling voice. Twice widowed, Goodland eventually married his secretary, Madge Roche Risney Goodland (also widowed). After retiring from the newspaper business, Goodland decided to run for lieutenant governor under Progressive Orland Loomis. Loomis died before inauguration, giving the office to Goodland. Goodland, a Republican, proceeded to win the governorship in 1944 and 1946. He died in the old executive residence on March 12, 1947 at the age of 84, being the oldest governor in office in any state. [Source: First Ladies of Wisconsin, The Governors’ Wives by Nancy G. Williams]

Planning

Is China the Next Bubble? – The New Editor

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There are many reasons to take account of China, but also a few reasons cautioning against exaggerating the importance of supposed Chinese economic accomplishments. (Just as worries in the ’80s about supposed Japanese ascendancy now look, to say the least, overwrought.)

One should note also that for at nearly a decade, there’s been good research into China’s falsified GDP claims. See, for example, What’s Happening to China’s GDP Statistics?

There’s no reason to over-react to Chinese accomplishments (by over-adopting), when they’re not meaningful accomplishments, or worse, when they’re falsified ones.

The Chinese may have erected building after building in a wasteful exercise in state planning; we shouldn’t be following their false lead even on a local, smaller scale.

See, Is China the Next Bubble? (Cont.)… – The New Editor.

Daily Bread

Daily Bread for 12-17-10

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Good morning,

Whitewater’s forecast calls for a mostly sunny day, with a high temperature of seventeen degrees.

At Lakeview School, there’s Coffee with the Principal this morning. At Washington School, there’s a 1:30 p.m. music program.

The Friday Comment Forum will be on hiatus today, but back next Friday.

On this day in 1903, Wilbur and Orville Wright made the first successful powered airplane flight at Kitty Hawk, N.C.



Libertarians

Cato Institute Launches iCATO App

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iPhone users have access to a new app to display posts and articles from the Cato Institute. Thousands of copies were downloaded within the first day and a half.

Just a few years ago, pundits were proclaiming the end of free markets and the death of libertarianism. It was sure to be a rash and foolish prediction.

Big government Republicans wrecked their party, and Democrats doubled down on policies of that ilk. Through it all, libertarians had reason to be resolute, to stay their course. We had good ideas then, and have them now, that offer hope and opportunity. No sudden political swings of the major parties’ efforts could alter that truth.

Via Cato Institute Launches iCATO Built with AppMakr.

Law

Electronic Frontier Foundation Reports on Fourth Amendment Victories

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I’m a proud member of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and here’s part of a message they’ve sent their members about recent fourth amendment victories:

It’s been a great week for electronic privacy and the 4th Amendment!

In a decision issued yesterday, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the government must have a search warrant before it can seize and search emails stored by third party email service providers. Closely tracking arguments made by EFF in our amicus brief, the court found that email users have the same reasonable expectation of privacy in their stored email as they do in their phone calls and postal mail.

And today, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with EFF and refused the government’s request to reconsider an earlier pro-privacy decision, which held that federal magistrates have the discretion to require the government to get a search warrant based on probable cause before obtaining cell phone location records. That decision, based on EFF’s briefing and oral argument as a friend of the court, has implications far beyond cell phone location privacy. It could apply to a broad range of communications records – including the content of your emails, your web search or browsing histories, as well as the location of your phone.

Good news, for these sister federal circuits.

Free Markets

Phone-Wielding Shoppers Strike Fear Into Retailers – WSJ.com

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The power of buyers in the market:

Last year, he might have just dropped the $184.85 Garmin global positioning system into his cart. This time, he took out his Android phone and typed the model number into an app that instantly compared the Best Buy price to those of other retailers. He found that he could get the same item on Amazon.com Inc.’s website for only $106.75, no shipping, no tax.

Mr. Tang bought the Garmin from Amazon right on the spot….

Private companies, creating software for devices from other private companies, that gives private buyers to assess quickly the best price on private goods.

Via Phone-Wielding Shoppers Strike Fear Into Retailers – WSJ.com

Government Spending

Jefferson County Board votes down immigration check requirement — Walworth County Today

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There’s an objection to open immigration that holds that immigrants should be restricted from entry to prevent their over-reliance on government assistance. (I support open immigration, establishing restrictions only on those who represent a danger to others.)

In fact, objections to immigrants’ use of government programs is really an objection to government spending, generally.

That’s a sensible and solid objection: citizens are already too reliant of government support. A smaller state would benefit everyone, and simultaneously remove an objection to open immigration.

Via Jefferson County Board votes down immigration check requirement — Walworth County Today.

Government Spending, Politics

Wisconsin State Journal: Democrats are stunned as state Senate fails to pass union contracts

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Chaos —

MADISON — Stunned Democrats stripped Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker of his leadership position after he abruptly turned on them and voted against new contracts for state workers….

The deals looked all but dead after Decker’s about-face late Wednesday night. Senate Democrats planned to reconvene at 10 a.m. Thursday, but they can’t approve the contracts without the Weston Democrat’s support….

Via Democrats are stunned as state Senate fails to pass union contracts.

Law, Liberty

Bill of Rights Day: Libertarians, National Archives celebrate

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Here’s more on yesterday’s Bill of Rights day:

On Dec. 15, 1791, the ten amendments to the Constitution known as the Bill of Rights were ratified. In 1941, in honor of the amendments’ 150th anniversary, President Franklin D. Roosevelt made the date a holiday: Bill of Rights Day.

The National Archives this year held a contest via Twitter, asking followers to distill the ten amendments in the Bill of Rights down to 140 characters each. You can see the winners here — picked by an archivist. The prize is, of course a reproduction of the Bill of Rights.

Here is the winning tweet for the Second Amendment:

Original Text:

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Winning Tweet:

His piece, my piece, your peace, our peace.

Very clever.

Via Bill of Rights Day: Libertarians, National Archives celebrate.