Christine Smith's Blog

Best of the week recommendations (with my comments)

I occasionally come across articles that are so good, or news items which are particularly interesting, I want to share them. Those below are links to a few I found of particular interest and some I forwarded to friends this past week, and which I also share here along with a few brief comments myself.

Topics: Iraq, welfare, on being a Christian and a libertarian, an interview with Laurence Vance, troops used domestically, and more on the death of immigrant detainee Hiu Lui Ng in a immigrant detention center.

Regarding Iraq:

A couple weeks ago I shared my reasons on a radio show as to why I believe regime change has always been the goal from the start of the U.S. government in Iraq. I spoke of the numerous changes in the government’s “reasons” (making the point that IF the U.S. actually felt threatened it wouldn’t wait months to try and get U.N. agreement, nor would it claim “democracy” building), and discussed the apparent plan already in place before Bush II took office for invading Iraq. So many lies were told the world in order for Bush and his gang to try and justify their invasion and occupation. On the show, the opposing speaker was stuck on the WMD “argument” which was easily deflated, as it was mere repetition of what has been used from the beginning.

The piece by Jacob G. Hornberger on this topic this week is one I think would be good for all of us to disseminate widely, since the old argument still persist and is made by those who attempt to offer “good” reasons for the death and destruction our government has inflicted upon Iraqis. They rely upon the use of fear to persuade people to accept the evil our government has done in our name, but the truth is apparent. The U.S. government has committed the act of unjustifiably invading and occupying Iraq resulting in the death and maiming of tens of thousands, used torture, and abusing civil liberties here in the States not for any defense of human life whatsoever…but for its own power and control.

I recommend readers share the Hornberger article link through your blogs/postings/etc. It expresses well, and succinctly, the truth of this government regarding Iraq:

Chemical Ali and U.S. Hypocrisy in Iraq
by Jacob G. Hornberger (December 5, 2008)

Welfare:
Another Hornberger piece, powerful, with a conclusion pinpointing straight to the solution. A gem of a blog entry (as it’s one of the most important messages libertarians can share with others, I consider this a classic which libertarians would do well to share widely for some time) with an ending I particularly appreciated.

Welfare-State Dependency in America
by Jacob G. Hornberger (December 4, 2008)

On being a Christian & libertarian:
I’ve had a few people question my Christian belief in two ways: 1. Wondering why I would return to my faith after years of being a “free thinker”? and 2. Not understanding how I reconcile my faith with my libertarianism? They often imply that the two are mutually exclusive. Well, first of all, I have never felt as free as I do right now in my life. There is a peace, a joy, I experience at all times that cannot be described with words. True freedom isn’t just a state of mind or body, it is a state of one’s spirit. I am more than just a “free thinker,” for I am free within due to God’s grace. Choosing to believe, by faith, in the Divine and His plan/guidance is yet another (though the most important personal) choice, entirely consistent with the essence of what libertarianism is predicated upon: freedom. By my own free will I believe (and that belief has been strengthened and confirmed in my life this past year). I respect the freedom of all others to believe (or not) as they so choose. As a Christian and as a libertarian, I choose what is right and moral for my life, and respect the rights of all others to live as they so choose as long as it harms no other. I respect the free will of all.
Thus, it was most interesting to read a recent interview with Laurence Vance, and I recommend it to you:

‘God trumps the state every time.’
Written by Angela Wittman, editor
An Interview with Dr. Laurence Vance, author of “Christianity and War and Other Essays Against the Warfare State (December 3, 2008)”

Troops used domestically:
This item in the news did not surprise me at all, though it is alarming. Are we to become a nation in which we must jump at the words “Your papers, please,” as we produce the acceptable government ID; a nation whose military will use arms against its own citizens; a nation whose people are not allowed to make many a choice we once were free to? I am more concerned about the stationing of military troops domestically than I am about any disaster. In my opinion, the greatest domestic threat is not some terrorist attack or natural catastrophe, it is the ever increasing power of the federal government. For it is the government’s use of force against the American people which can take away our greatest security: liberty. A “homeland” without liberty need not be secured against anything, for it is already lost. I think the stationing of this brigade establishes a dangerous precedent, with the possibility of future misuse/abuse of such power as more such brigades are established. Such troops, as with all our military, can be used at the whim of a president, and by a federal government which thinks of itself and its agenda first – not the best interest of American citizens. This is far different than troops being called upon, this is the advance stationing of a brigade assigned domestically. What would the majority of such troops do if ever ordered, in the name of “crowd control” or something to that affect, to fire upon fellow Americans? Is this the road we really want to continue go down in the name of “homeland security”?

Pentagon to Detail Troops to Bolster Domestic Security
By Spencer S. Hsu and Ann Scott Tyson
Washington Post Staff Writers
Monday, December 1, 2008; Page A01

Death in an immigrant detention facility:
And another disgusting result of what has become a “war” on immigrants – the death of 34-year old Hiu Lui Ng

Detention Center Facing Inquiry Will Get No More Immigrant Detainees
By NINA BERNSTEIN (December 5, 2008 story)

and an older story about the case by same writer:
Ill and in Pain, Detainee Dies in U.S. Hands
By NINA BERNSTEIN