Attn, DC Reasonoids: Happy Hour on Wed. May 21, Celebrate 40 Years of Reason!
May 21, 2008, 6:50am
Among the various things that happened 40 years ago, in May 1968:
- Protests by French students and a general strike brought down the government of Charles De Gaulle and ushered in a long period in Europe, the U.S., and elsewhere of left-wing and radical-chic values.
- Richard Harris' recording of "MacArthur Park," a ballad about cakes being left out in the rain and so much more, was released, beginning its long climb to the top of the charts.
- The very first issue of reason, the magazine of "Free Minds and Free Markets," was released, promising its readers "proof, not belligerent assertion. Logic, not legends. Coherance [sic], not contradictions."
The staff of reason invite you to celebrate at least one of these milestones on Wednesday, May 21, from 6.30pm to 9.00pm, at reason's DC HQ. The festivities will include loud rock and mellow pop music from that time and place; non-Electric Kool-Aid and a bevy of other soft and hard drinks; and high- and low-carb munchables to stave off the gnawing hunger for a world that is truly free of politics.
We'll also be handing out copies of the June 2008 issue of reason, stickers galore, and other thangs.
And don't miss reason.tv's live interviews with special guests who will take the measure of the '60s from right, left, and libertarian perspectives.
What: reason Celebrates May '68
When: Wednesday, May 21, from 6.30 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.
Where: reason DC HQ, 1747 Connecticut Avenue NW (near S Street)
RSVP (required): events@reason.com
Edward | May 18, 2008, 4:50pm | #
Such regulations [banking regulations] may, no doubt, be considered as in some respect a violation of natural liberty. But those exertions of the natural liberty of a few individuals, which might endanger the security of the whole society, are, and ought to be, restrained by the laws of all governments; of the most free, as well as of the most despotical. The obligation of building party walls, in order to prevent the communcation of fire, is a violation of natural liberty, exactly of the same kind with the regulations of the banking trade which are here proposed.
Adam Smith, "The Wealth Of Nations", pg. 263
Whenever the legislature attempts to regulate the differences between masters and their workmen, its counsellors are always the masters. When the regulation, therefore, is in favour of the workmen, it is always just and equitable; but it is sometimes otherwise when in favour of the masters.
Adam Smith, "The Wealth Of Nations", pg. 151
The capricious ambition of kings and ministers has not, during the present and the preceding century, been more fatal to the repose of Europe, than the impertinent jealousy of merchants and manufacturers. The violence and injustice of the rulers of mankind is an ancient evil, for which, I am afraid, the nature of human affairs can scarce admit of a remedy. But the mean rapacity, the monopolizing spirit of merchants and manufacturers, who neither are, nor ought to be, the rulers of mankind, though it cannot perhaps be corrected, may very easily be prevented from disturbing the tranquillity of any body but themselves.
Adam Smith, "The Wealth Of Nations", pg. 382
Our merchants and master manufacturers complain much of the bad effects of high wages in raising the price, and thereby lessening the sale of their goods both at home and abroad. They say nothing concerning the bad effects of high profits. They are silent with regard to the pernicious effcts of their own gains. They complain only of those of other people.
Adam Smith, "The Wealth Of Nations", pg. 104
