30 Years Ago in reason

December 1978

"If it is important that the noncombatants be immune from attack, it isimportant that the combatants be distinguishable when encountered; such is the function of military uniforms. (So perhaps we should not scorn those who delight in wearing military uniforms, for they groove on the garb that demarcates them as legitimate targets.)"

'"Robert Nozick, "Hard Thoughts About Warfare"

"Since conservatives are long-run pessimists, their strategic perspective tends to be self-destructive and to act as a self-fulfilling prophecy. They channel the bulk of their energies and funding into very short-run political activities: typically, supporting Eisenhower or Nixon."

'"Murray N. Rothbard, "Optimism and Pessimism in Hong Kong"

"'How much of the time do you think you can trust the government in Washington to do what is right'"just about always, most of the time, or only some of the time?' In 1958 about 76 percent said 'just about always' or 'most of the time.'…It hit 55 percent in 1970, 36 percent in 1974, and 33 percent in 1976."

'"Robert Poole Jr., "In Gov't We Trust?"