gdp's Comments

Libertarian Minds : Lowering Teacher Wages and Requirements to Increase Teaching

Mon, 6 Dec 2010 00:16:28 +0000

Katherine, I didn't say it was a piece of cake. Of course you have work to do. That's the point - that is why you are getting paid. I just know public jobs, on average, have higher salaries and more benefits than private jobs. And, to be honest, your "entire week" of extra work really isn't that surprising to me. Okay, you work 8-9 hours a day in school, and then on some weeks you work a little overtime - a lot of jobs work like that. You also get off for all the holidays. It evens out in the end. And I'm not completely out of the loop when it comes to classroom management, just a few years ago I was a student in those classrooms.

Libertarian Minds : Lowering Teacher Wages and Requirements to Increase Teaching

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 02:03:57 +0000

I don't know about how many "official hours" they get, but I do know a lot of my HS teachers had freetime ("off periods") to review homework, grade tests, etc. Having to do a little at home as well is just part of the job, in my opinion, and it doesn't seem as difficult of a job to me. I think it is very reasonable to suspect that public teachers (like most public jobs) are severely overpaid compared to the private sector.

Libertarian Minds : There Will Be No Sanity

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 01:21:54 +0000

I completely agree. I think Stewart is fantastic and insanely rational. But I also disagree with how he reframes the discourse as "radical" vs "practical." I think history is crystal clear that we need radical ideas to keep the philosophical sands shifting. MLK Jr was a radical. Gandhi was a radical. Jesus was a radical. Radical ideas matter and Stewart has some resources to give those ideas a public voice. I think he realizes this, but just considers the Tea Party a "bad" form of radicalism. I wouldn't personally see it that way even though I don't consider myself a part of the movement. Having Carson or D. Friedman would be really interesting. There are a lot of potential guests I would like to see. Has he ever had Chomsky on? That doesn't seem like that much of a jump for his audience, and I think in many cases Chomsky would be considered a "radical."

http://sandcurves.com/ : Sandcurves | Vernon\'s blog

Wed, 6 Oct 2010 21:06:09 +0000

Hi Vernon, this is a good idea! I think we are in desperate need of more meaningful blogs to rise above the fluff. I will definitely be following along as best as I can. Looking forward to reading your first installment (maybe by the end of it all you can turn it into a book, right?)

The Emotion Machine : 50 Stress Relievers That Take 5 Minutes Or Less

Tue, 5 Oct 2010 21:44:44 +0000

Never underestimate the power of Jack Daniels! :)

Practically Intuitive : Psychic Awakening- Reviewing Anna Sayce's Course

Mon, 27 Sep 2010 01:18:36 +0000

Cool Lisa. Tell me how accurate the documentary is when you finally check it out. They separate psychic ability into 6 categories. Which ones can you do? Also, where do you think the information comes from? Does it come from a source outside of you, or is it something you can read off of the other person? Lastly (sorry for all the questions) - do you write any articles on creativity?

http://www.justorganizeyourstuff.com/ : 3 Sweet Organizing Uses for an Old Loved Cookie Jar

Sun, 26 Sep 2010 16:32:20 +0000

Don't forget paper weight...haha!

Peggie Arvidson : Travels & Contemplation

Sun, 26 Sep 2010 15:43:17 +0000

Beautiful pics and scenery! Thanks for sharing. Traveling is one of the best catalysts for contemplation.

Michael Holmes : What the Bible says About Bootstrapping a Business

Sat, 25 Sep 2010 18:31:21 +0000

I call bullshit. There is nothing wrong with starting a business or creating wealth. Business can even be seen as an altruistic process because it offers goods and services to people who value them. There is nothing unethical about it, unless you accumulate wealth via stealing, violence, or fraud. Otherwise, free trade is very moral (and I'm sure the Bible would agree).

Practically Intuitive : Psychic Awakening- Reviewing Anna Sayce's Course

Sat, 25 Sep 2010 18:01:55 +0000

Very cool, I've always been interested in psychic phenomena. I recently saw a great documentary called "Something Unknown Is Doing We Don't Know What" - ever heard of it? You can stream the whole thing on YouTube.

Pushing Social : How To Get Your Guest Post Pitch Noticed

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 20:04:49 +0000

Great advice. I try to always get a feel for the other blog and then add my personal twist to it. So I cater to the readers, but I offer them some new flavors in case they want to ever check out my site.

Libertarian Minds : Why I’m Not an "Anti-Racist"

Fri, 3 Sep 2010 15:23:09 +0000

Racism, or discrimination more broadly, is an unavoidable part of life. Like you mention in the last section, some races might be more inclined toward certain skill sets. For example, the NBA has a large portion of black players over other races - but would affirmative action make sense to balance out the workforce in the NBA? Probably not. There are also organizations that discriminate based on sex (Boy Scouts) or organizations that discriminate based on attractiveness (secretary positions, dancers, etc.) So, some discrimination can be justified for logical reasons. Of course, a lot of discrimination is also blind and misguided, but those cases usually hurt the racist (as you mention). It's all about good judgment vs. bad judgment, and those who tend to make bad judgments need to become more aware of the error in their ways, rather than ridiculed into a dark corner. Very good article! Steven's recent post Five Fool-Proof Ways To Exacerbate A Problem

Libertarian Minds : Moralizing Isn’t Getting Libertarians Anywhere

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 14:12:07 +0000

I really can't disagree with any of this. However: >But if the response confirms that one should be put in jail for smoking pot, the advice set forth by the “against me” argument devolves into a “well then we aren’t friends anymore.” Talk about juvenile! Why can't you just reply: "Oh - putting people in jail for smoking a doobie sounds a little extreme to me, but you are entitled to your opinion," and then keep being friends? >Property owners justify forcing people to do stuff on their property. If it’s everyone’s property, then everyone gets to force everyone to do anything. The communist could just as easily turn to Molyneux and say, “Are you going to use violence against me if I walk into your house?” It’s the science and theory that resolves such issues. This is true. The non-aggression axiom usually goes, "any initiation of force or the threat of force is illegitimate" yet property rights often come with some threat of force: "Don't touch my X or I'll whack you with a bat." Great article, and it really resonates with my own experiences trying to converse with people on political issues. A good strategy to change people's minds is to ask a lot of questions, temporarily adopt the other person's values (based on their answers), and then ask follow-up questions (according to those values) in order to try and better understand that point-of-view. Become a student and let the other person be the teacher, and as you learn more you will usually come across inconsistencies. The person should begin to see that in their own arguments (hopefully). Steven's recent post Emotions Are A Resource- Not A Crutch

Libertarian Minds : The Ground Zero Mosque and the Slippery Slope to Injustice

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:11:42 +0000

Yeah, and while we're at it - let's not practice democracy until other countries practice democracy! In fact, let's not do anything moral, fair, or noble until every other country is moral, fair, and noble. That'll teach 'em! "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind." Steven's recent post Emotions Are A Resource- Not A Crutch

Libertarian Minds : Warring Against Preference, Let Us Free Ride!

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 13:17:18 +0000

The thing I have against the free rider problem is that if a good is perceived as enough of a necessity then individuals should be willing to pay for it. This isn't to say there won't be a handful of free-riders, but if at any time there isn't enough funding then other people should have enough of an incentive to step in and pay for defense or private security. In fact, it seems to me that those who are most wealthy would have the biggest incentive to have a competent private military in order to protect their property. The free-riding of the less wealthy is just an added bonus of a free society. I think there is a war against preference whenever we tax individuals (as I have mentioned in other articles such as Taxes: A Negative Externality). Forcing lower income families to contribute to defense may not be high on that family's list of priorities (especially if they are having trouble with basics like putting food on the table). This mandatory funding then cripples people from seeking out their goals, which are often pertinent to each individual's context. All taxes, therefore, I see as a misuse of knowledge (and preference) in society. Steven's recent post Admit Your Mistakes

Libertarian Minds : The Ground Zero Mosque and the Slippery Slope to Injustice

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 19:25:42 +0000

What evidence do you have that THESE individuals are a part of "radical Islam" and not "non-radical Islam?" Ideology should be banned? You want there to be thought crimes now? The whole notion is absurd. You're spreading nothing but blind fear. Perhaps turn off Fox News? Steven's recent post Staying On Top Of News And Opinion

Libertarian Minds : The Ground Zero Mosque and the Slippery Slope to Injustice

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 19:22:36 +0000

Free spirit? You sound scared and terrified of the world you live in - trapped and crippled. What evidence do you have that those involved in the cultural center are terrorists or "not peaceful people?" Steven's recent post Staying On Top Of News And Opinion

Libertarian Minds : The Ground Zero Mosque and the Slippery Slope to Injustice

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 22:47:24 +0000

Exactly James, and that Voltaire quote fits perfectly. I am so tired of hearing people say the Mosque/Cultural center is "in poor taste," - aren't the people who can't tolerate religious freedom just as, if not more, in poor taste? Thank God people's "tastes" haven't yet become a criteria for law. And because it can't be said enough: NOT ALL MUSLIMS ARE TERRORISTS!!! (yes the caps were necessary) Steven's recent post Staying On Top Of News And Opinion

Libertarian Minds : Overcoming Statism Through Entrepreneurship

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 19:15:42 +0000

This couldn't more exemplify the truth. Perhaps there are some prerequisites to a free society before entrepreneurship can take its proper course. However, I think entrepreneurs, and human ingenuity in a more broad context, can overcome gov't regulation. I mention counter-economics which is "the practice of peaceful action forbidden by the state," and I think that our current successful black market for drugs is one good example of this. So while I definitely recognize state-imposed limitations on entrepreneurship, I think entrepreneurship can also take new forms that bypass or ignore state restrictions. But that is of course not the only means necessary to overcome a statist society. Steven Handel's recent post Pluses and Minuses of Writing for a Multi-Authored Blog

Libertarian Minds : Animal Rights and Libertarianism: Can There Be Common Ground?

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 18:07:38 +0000

I am assuming most animals suffer (aka, experience pain) because they have central nervous systems and, specifically, nociceptors (which, btw, Jeremiah, are present in some fish). Of course, animals may not experience pain the same way we do (even pain throughout human consciousness varies in degrees and intensities), but there is every reason to believe based on what we know of animal physiology and what we can infer from animal behavior that they experience some form of suffering. At the very least I would say there are more desirable and less desirable ways of killing animals. Methods that prolong pain are worse than ones that do the job as quickly as possible. Steven Handel's recent post Pluses and Minuses of Writing for a Multi-Authored Blog