National Security vs. Trump, John Kasich Will Not Go Home, Florida Reforming Death Penalty Laws: P.M. Links

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  • Kasich
    Credit: Gage Skidmore / photo on flickr

    Republican national security leaders released an open letter declaring they could not support Donald Trump as the nominee. Trump dismissed it on Good Morning America this morning.

  • Gov. John Kasich of Ohio refuses to drop out of the race and insists he's going to win his home state and head to the convention where … I guess the underpants gnomes are involved at this point (or veep offers?). He pointed out that personal attacks against Donald Trump are not going to work.
  • The Texas state trooper who pulled over and arrested Sandra Bland has been formally fired. Bland became national news after a minor argument led to her arrest, and she was subsequently found hanged dead in her jail cell in what has been ruled a suicide.
  • Florida legislators are overhauling the state's death penalty regulations in order to get them declared constitutional again. The new bill would require at least 10 jurors out of 12 to favor execution.
  • Boston is addressing the competition between ride-sharing services and taxis not by trying to further regulate Uber and Lyft but by loosening the rules for taxi drivers. Good for them!
  • The nanny accused of beheading a 4-year-old in Moscow said it was revenge for Russia's involvement in strikes against Syria.
  • Dave Navarro tweeted that he's a libertarian.

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NEXT: How Mitt Romney Is Totally Wrong About Donald Trump

Scott Shackford is an associate editor at Reason.

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  1. Dave Navarro tweeted that he's a libertarian.

    BIG L

    1. Rufus The Monocled Derp Slayer

      Hello.

      Boston Smart.

    2. GILMORE?

      There can be only one Big L

      1. "you can't kill me/I was born dead."

        1. Greg Loves His Woodchipper

          He was the punchline king

      2. Greg Loves His Woodchipper

        The Most Valuable Poet on the M-I-C

      3. RIP. Ebonics was a lyrical masterpiece. The 98 freestyle was always my favorite though.

      4. "There can be only one Big L"

        Lvis.

    3. Bobarian (Would Chip Her)

      Well, he also claimed to be a gutarist, but he was apparently a much better heroin addict.

    4. Dave Navarro tweeted that he's a libertarian.
      He can't be, he's Been Caught Stealing. (find your own link)

    5. Social Contractor

      Is he as libertarian as Bill Maher?

  2. The nanny accused of beheading a 4-year-old in Moscow said it was revenge for Russia's involvement in strikes against Syria.

    After hearing other reports of what she said, seems like an afterthought by her attorney.

    1. Not very smart, either. How do you think Putin is going to respond to that?

      1. "In other News, four time President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin spoke at a hearing on the legality of death by lingchi for this nanny.

        After a long vigorous debate, we have our answer.

        More at 11."

  3. Tonio

    Portland OR government declares war on cars to the surprise of absolutely nobody.

    Portland officials are considering a "radical" new ranking of who should be given priority for using city streets.

    The new priority list puts pedestrians and bicyclists above TriMet buses, MAX trains and the Portland Streetcar. It places conventional single-occupancy vehicles at the bottom, after taxis and electric vehicles.

    1. Citizen X

      The Pull-Out King hardest hit.

    2. Juvenile Bluster

      You mean smug hybrid owners like myself don't even get priority? Harumpf.

      1. John

        The party always turns on its own.

    3. Zeb

      So, car drivers, who pay for the fucking roads, don't get to use them?

      1. Rhywun

        Everybody pays for local roads.

        1. Uh oh, do I smell a cyclist in a *Playa* thread? Better start pedaling.

        2. Zeb

          Yeah, I guess that's true.

          Here's a crazy idea. How about let everyone have access to the public roads. And if that is unworkable and traffic becomes impossible, make the people who use them pay for them.

          1. Too late. I just ran you over

            1. Zeb

              That wasn't me. I was in a car.

      2. They'll be sure to take the gas tax revenue and make sure those roads stay in good shape. FYTW

      3. Libertarian

        Not only that, but the "electric" cars that, in essence, run on coal or nuclear, have privileged status.

        1. Eternal Blue Sky

          But it SOUNDS GREEN and therefore is good for invironment!!

    4. And they wonder why people move to the suburbs.

      1. Just say Nikki

        Portland isn't the suburbs?

        1. It's a suburb of L.A.

          1. It is actually a suburb of Yelapa.

      2. Rhywun

        That makes sense. People who want the car-life should be in the suburbs, and people who don't, shouldn't.

        Instead, what happened over the last 50 years was every downtown tried to turn itself into a suburb - to the satisfaction of nobody.

        1. C. Anacreon

          And now the Obama administration wants to turn the center of every suburb int a little mini-Manhattan. Because urban elites have determined that's how they want the proles to live, in apartments rather than houses.
          It's much easier to keep them under wraps that way!

          1. Rhywun

            I suspect we would see some of that in the burbs if the regs were *loosened* to remove things like mandatory parking, minimum lot sizes etc. that were put in place after WWII.

            I don't like urban elites either but I do see a demand for that lifestyle that isn't being met now.

            1. I don't like urban elites either but I do see a demand for that lifestyle that isn't being met now.

              In Tucson, that lifestyle seems to be both suburban and downtown.

              Because that's where they are building.

            2. DesigNate

              The demand is definitely there from a developer/consumer stand point. Too bad the government likes to put its dick into every human interaction possible. (Especially if it gets to prop up "property values".)

              1. I see "Propping up property values" as "Locking people out of home they would otherwise be able to afford".

    5. Wait until the pedestrians start dying when they get hit.

      1. Orlando doesn't seem to care. Last I check it's the most dangerous US city for pedestrians. I'm shocked I have run someone over since this morning.

        1. Libertarian

          Did you leave out a word, or should we be worried?

          1. Haven't run someone over since this morning. Words how do they work? Obviously I don't know.

            1. I hate Orlando.
              Mayor Buddy sucks.

              You ready for the Trumpfest this Saturday, Florida Man?

        2. Chipper Morning Wood

          Yes, but aren't those statistics distorted by all the golf cart hit and run incidents in The Village?

      2. Limpee Wiltstock

        I never got close to being hit by a car walking round Portland. I did, however, twiced observe pedestrians attacking cars that were stopped to allow them through the crosswalk because the cars' nose were too close to the motherfucking line.

        1. I did, however, twiced observe pedestrians attacking cars that were stopped

          [Mental note: if you ever go to Portland, take pepper spray.]

    6. robc

      Shared roads are the best, but that is just stupid.

      Of course, the proper way to handle it is to turn the road over to the *OA ( home, business,mixed-use, etc owners association) and let them decide. If they want to prioritize for X, then good for them.

    7. robc

      Shared roads are the best, but that is just stupid.

      Of course, the proper way to handle it is to turn the road over to the *OA ( home, business,mixed-use, etc owners association) and let them decide. If they want to prioritize for X, then good for them.

      1. robc

        Squirrels, on the other hand, should stay off the road.

        1. Suell

          Latest: Portland has announced their new Road Czar will be this guy...
          https://youtu.be/qbZn07rZJ88

        2. Suell

          Latest: Portland has announced their new Road Czar will be this guy...
          https://youtu.be/qbZn07rZJ88

    8. CE

      Follow all the proglodyte policies, and there'll be a lot more pedestrians and bicyclists, because people won't be able to afford cars.

  4. Republican national security leaders released an open letter declaring they could not support Donald Trump as the nominee.

    Those guys are boring, quite frankly. They're not good to listen to.

    1. Medical Physics Guy

      Nobody likes them. Oh wait that's true.

    2. CE

      Plus, Hillary's basically a neocon, so they prefer her anyway.

  5. He pointed out that personal attacks against Donald Trump are not going to work.

    Donald Trump is the Fargo of presidential candidates.

    1. Juvenile Bluster

      Well, I do want him fed through a woodchipper.

      ::waits for subpoena::

    2. I used to know Bill Macy back in the day.

  6. Rufus The Monocled Derp Slayer

    "The nanny accused of beheading a 4-year-old in Moscow said it was revenge for Russia's involvement in strikes against Syria."

    Cunt.

    1. Citizen X

      I was gonna point out that it's HIGHLY unlikely a four-year-old had anything to do with bombing Syria, but this is Russia, so you never know.

    2. Tonio

      I think that's too mild, Rufus. Complete evil, or complete crazy. I'm not sure it is even possible to draw a meaningful distinction between evil and crazy for something like the cold-blooded murder of a child. She deserves death, no question; but I would still not wish her executed because I don't trust the state to do that. OTOH, if she's beaten to death in prison, I won't really care.

      1. Tonio

        ...by fellow inmates, that is.

      2. Rufus The Monocled Derp Slayer

        Russia doesn't get into all these sissy moral qualms we get into. They'll make sure she sleeps with the fishes if that's what they want.

        1. AlmightyJB

          After a winter in a Siberian prison she'll wish she was dead

      3. Zeb

        I have to go with complete crazy. In my mind, true evil has more substance behind it.

        1. Rufus The Monocled Derp Slayer

          Like a comic book villain.

          1. Zeb

            Or a successful politician.

      4. Limpee Wiltstock

        EVEN IF CRASY, evil. Crasy doesn't change that part, nor mitigate it at all in this case.

    3. Zeb

      The first 9 words cover that pretty well. Not sure what the Syria tie in is supposed to add.

  7. LynchPin1477

    The new bill would require at least 10 jurors out of 12 to favor execution

    I'm surprised it doesn't have to be unanimous.

    1. Juvenile Bluster

      Florida is one of two states where it doesn't have to be unanimous. Right now it's only a simple majority, which is just dumb.

    2. Limpee Wiltstock

      It's hard to see how Floridians are so weak that one of them can be killed by ten men whilst it takes a two more in others. It's kind of a stretch for ten. If its enough to actually carry out the verdict, it's enough, surely.

  8. John

    Michael Chertoff, the second director of Homeland Security under George W. Bush; Robert Kagan, a leader of the neoconservative movement and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations; Eric Edelman, former Under Secretary of Defense Policy during the Bush 41 administration and U.S. Ambassador to Turkey; and dozens of other former Republican presidential administration officials and conservative think tank members.

    The letter was organized by Dr. Eliot A. Cohen, a counselor of the State Department from 2007-2008, and Bryan McGrath, the managing director of a defense consultancy.

    You guys wanted the Libertarian case for Trump, well there it is. And it is a pretty strong one, all things considered.

    1. Trump has New Gingrich, Rudy Giuliani, and Chris Christie in his corner, so it is a wash.

      1. John

        When you consider that every other candidate is in the negatives, "zero" is a very high score in this field.

        1. What?

          1. John

            What?

            1. DEATFBIRSECIA

              In the butt?

              1. With a comment like that, you have to include the link

                1. DEATFBIRSECIA

                  Enjoy!

                  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbGkxcY7YFU

                  1. I heard a rumor that he's gay.

        2. robc

          Gary Johnson is in the negative?

      2. Robert Kagan's dad at least wrote a good book on the Peloponnesian War.

        So they've got that going for them.

        1. Rufus The Monocled Derp Slayer

          Heh. I own that book and 'On the origins of war.'

          1. Restoras

            Yes, that's another great book...

        2. Restoras

          I'd call it a great book. So glad I read it. Quite an eye-opener - it was then I figured out that human nature hasn't changed at all in the last 10,000 years and won't change in the next 10,000, despite what idiot progs want to think.

          1. Rufus The Monocled Derp Slayer

            Exactly. 'On the origins' did a nice job of conveying that message.

        3. Pan Zagloba

          Donald Kagan's Greek History course should be still up on Yale's Open University thing. I listened to it ages ago and he's a really good lecturer. Good enough that I did a few repeats over the years.

      3. Used Gingrich is pretty awful, isn't it?

        1. And it wasn't even John who said it.

        2. DEATFBIRSECIA

          Not as bad as Recycled Santorum.

        3. gaoxiaen

          As lousy as Rude Giuliani.

        4. You guys are big meanies.

      4. New Gingrich?

        About time, the old one was getting smelly and farted all the time.

        1. getting smelly and farted all the time

          Is that a euphemism for Papist?

      5. Libertarian

        Gingrich, Giuliani, and Christie are rooting for Trump? If I'd been on the fence, this would have pushed me over (but probably not to the side they would have favored).

        1. Gingrich is for ending Prohibition these days.

    2. jesse.in.mb

      The enemy of my enemy can still be an enfant terrible (and not in the complimentary avant-garde genius way).

      1. John

        So? If you want desirable politicians, go live in some other universe.

        1. jesse.in.mb

          You haven't made a case for Trump, you've pointed out that conservative leaders who are shitty in one way are lining up behind a Republican candidate in another way. I bet none of those people want to work with Bernie or Hilldog either. I suppose I should vote for all of them?

          1. John

            Don't vote for any of them. I know you are part of the sacred gay vote and all, but I really don't care who you vote for.

            1. jesse.in.mb

              One hot summer's day a John was strolling through an orchard till he came to a bunch of Grapes just ripening on a vine which had been trained over a lofty branch. "Just the thing to quench my thirst," quoth he. Drawing back a few paces, he took a run and a jump, and just missed the bunch. Turning round again with a One, Two, Three, he jumped up, but with no greater success. Again and again he tried after the tempting morsel, but at last had to give it up, and walked away with his nose in the air, saying: "I really don't care about those grapes."

              Every time you post a bunch of stuff and then tell us you really don't care. I picture this.

              😉

            2. MetalBard

              John don't you know that only way to be a true Libertarian is to never support any candidates, to never ever vote, but still constantly complain that politicians ignore you, and do nothing to get the vote of Libertarians.

              1. Square = Circle

                Often, actually, libertarians will vote for those people with the (L)s after their names. Which is not in fact the same as "never supporting any candidates."

                IOW, since this is hard for a lot of people:

                The argument that Libertarians resisting suggestions to vote Republican are not being "true Libertarians" is weak.

              2. Zeb

                Who exactly is saying that there is only one way to be a true libertarian?

                1. CE

                  Pretty much every libertarian on the internet.

                  1. Zeb

                    I don't know. I'm not voting for anyone for president most likely. But I don't give a shit if someone else wants to vote for someone because they think they are the least worst.

                  2. So, all ten of them?

              3. Zeb

                I hate to tell you, but if you support candidates and vote, they still ignore you.

                1. OneOut

                  The Cruzer seems to be pretty good from that aspect.

                  He is the only Pol in my lifetime who's post election actions matched his pre election rhetoric to a tee.

                  I just voted for him again and if I get the opportunity I am going to vote for him for President.

                  He seems to be a true Constitutionalist and for that reason alone every Libertarian or libertarian should vote for him.

                  1. Zeb

                    OK, maybe CE is right.

        2. Zeb

          I didn't realize that was an option. How do I get there?

          Actually I want the universe where everyone minds their own goddamn business.

      2. DEATFBIRSECIA

        +1 Boulez

    3. Just say Nikki

      You guys wanted the Libertarian case for Trump, well there it is.

      Where?

      1. John

        You find it somewhere with your sense of humor that you seem to have lost.

        1. Just say Nikki

          Sorry, John, but I just don't find much funny about a guy who whips up crowds to cheer on a false story of war crimes perpetrated by General Pershing against Muslims.

          1. MetalBard

            Really that story bothers you? Quick call the whambulance

            1. Quick call the whambulance

              Burnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!

            2. Just say Nikki

              Gee, I don't know why it would bother anyone to contemplate how many of her neighbors are nasty, cruel, vindictive collectivists.

              1. MetalBard

                Get off your high horse. You virtue signaling gets old quick, and yes crying crocodile tears over a fictional story where Pershing kills a bunch of murderous Muslim rebels, is nothing more then bullshit signaling.

                We get it, you want to sound more compassionate and enlightened then the rest of us evil savages. Only nobody is buying it.

                1. Just say Nikki

                  Oh look, another person who can't tell the difference between virtue signalling and having a conscience.

                  Sorry I consider myself more moral than you. Does that make you feel bad?

                  1. MetalBard

                    Being a moral narcissist doesn't make you better then anyone. I bet you have one of those crappy Coexist bumper stickers.

                    1. I bet you have one of those crappy Coexist bumper stickers.

                      Double burnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

                    2. Triple burn, for just saying she has a bumper sticker

                    3. wareagle

                      but is that bumper sticker on a hybrid?

              2. BigT

                "how many of her neighbors are nasty, cruel, vindictive collectivists."

                At least 52% in the last general accounting.

    4. There are a lot of Jewy names in that list.

      1. He can have it both ways. His daughter converted to Orthodox Judaism.

        1. Why, so she did.

          And she honors the Sabbath day. And learned to cook so she could keep kosher.

          Did her Jewish husband win some sort of contest?

          1. This is Orthodox Judaism, not some half-assed Reform/Reconstruction Jewish Lite.

            1. And their kids are adorable.

              I notice that in the photo, the son looks less cheerful than the daughter.

              I wonder why that is?

            2. not some half-assed Reform/Reconstruction Jewish Lite.

              No, that's just Laura Trump (nee Yunaska).

              1. Are you trying to make a point about eternal recurrence with that link?

            3. Limpee Wiltstock

              This is the scary kind of Judaism.

              1. "This is the scary kind of Judaism."

                It works for some Jews.

    5. Homple

      Goddam forest of war boners in that list.

  9. Jingles

    All right H&R, I'm looking for some opinions on where I should move. I've been in Portland for a year and a half now after growing up here in Oregon, but I need to get away--from family, from the rising housing prices (since every person in my age group who's watched Portlandia wants to live here now), and from the people who use the term "beard culture" unironically or bitch about the "organic integrity" of their groceries. What are some places I can move to where:
    1) The city's big enough that a decent amount of concert tours come to town
    2) Costs of living are reasonable
    3) I can easily drive to an airport with direct flights to Europe or Asia, or easily connect to one
    4) I can keep my AR and my fifteen-round Glock magazines
    5) I'm not stuck in some suburban shithole and can actually walk places
    6) I just won't be miserable as a libertarian

    Having a decent software industry in town would be a plus, but if not I could probably find a remote job. So far I've visited Austin and found it very Portlandy in ways both good and bad; Nashville was okay, but the interesting neighborhoods were a little on the small side, and kind of far from each other. I've heard good things about Portsmouth, Pittsburgh, SLC, and Kansas City, and I'm planning on visiting all of those places in the next year.

    1. Certified Public Asshat

      Somalia.

    2. John

      KC is a nice city if you like the midwest. Austin is utterly full of shit. You might look at San Antonio. It is actually Texas and not Porlandia. I always liked living there.

      I like Charleston a lot. And Albuquerque fits your needs as well.

      1. DEG

        Austin's software industry is much bigger and more diverse than San Antonio's. Austin is surrounded by Texas, which is why the Austin area (not Austin itself) is still on my list of places to move to.

        1. Gray Ghost

          The weather is going to be a giant rude awakening for someone from Portland. It's hot as hell there for a good chunk of the year.

          The cost of living is also ridiculous, and I wouldn't call Austin a great place for "actually walk[ing] places." Better than Houston, but that's not saying much.

          1. DEG

            True, Texas weather is going to be a shock for folks from the Pacific Northwest. On the other hand, on my visits to Texas, I find folks do a better job maintaining and sizing air conditioners, so there is relief available.

        2. OneOut

          Downtown Houston.

          Lofts, arts, dance, museums, clubs, baseball, and BBQ.

          All within walking distance except for the airport of course but Houston is Uber friendly.

    3. Citizen X

      Asheville, NC*? Richmond, VA**?

      *depending on your tolerance for hippies
      **depending on your tolerance for getting murdered

      1. LynchPin1477

        Richmond's a decent choice. There are some nice neighborhoods, good restaurants. I imagine it will continue to get more expensive and hipstery, though.

        1. Derp-o-Matic 5000

          The wife and I have been looking at Richmond. So much cheaper than DC.

          1. LynchPin1477

            It's got a lot going for it, and it's definitely up-and-coming. I like being closer to the Blue Ridge, personally, but you still are not that far.

          2. Idle Hands

            I loved Richmond.

      2. Tonio

        Richmond. And the murder isn't a problem if you live in one of the nice areas, not all of which are in the 'burbs.

        1. Tonio

          Plus two hours from DC by car for more major concerts, museums, etc.

          1. LynchPin1477

            The VMFA is actually a very nice art museum as it is. They do a lot of joint exhibits with the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. We saw the Rodin exhibit in both and it was awesome (he is my favorite sculpture).

      3. Just say Nikki

        RVA has to already be more expensive than Portland, no?

        1. Just say Nikki

          (And is it actually walkable? My friends who live there seem to lead 100% suburban lifestyles.)

          1. Tak Kak

            "RVA has to already be more expensive than Portland, no?"

            Not even close, at least not yet.

            And is it actually walkable? My friends who live there seem to lead 100% suburban lifestyles.

            Depends on where you live and how fat you are. I lived in (and around) the Fan for about 8 years. Grocery stores, the movie theaters, restaurants, downtown, and the river are all easily walkable. Anything other than that you'll need a car, you could get by with just a bike but winters can be painful.

        2. Tonio

          According to this site you can have the same standard of living in Richmond on a $37K salary as you can in Portland for $50K.

          Depends on where you want to live and what you consider walkable, but the city center is actually revitalizing.

          1. That's an interesting web site.

            1. grrizzly

              *golf clap*

            2. Probably meant this one

      4. PBR Streetgang

        RVA thirded. But do research the crime hotspots, there some dangerous parts of the city.

        1. Tonio

          ^This.

      5. Jingles

        I've heard nothing but good things about Asheville, except that the airport is tiny and expensive to fly out of. I'll definitely look into Richmond given how many people have recommended it already.

        1. Tak Kak

          Asheville's lame, people are very rude there. I'm looking into going back to Richmond myself (I'm split between there, Charleston, or Nashville) but the hispter tide might be too high.

        2. wareagle

          Asheville is a smaller Portland and you WILL have to work remotely as the entire economy is wealthy retirees from other parts of the country and people who work in the tourism industry. I lived there and it is beautiful but the things that soured you on Portland will do so, albeit on a smaller scale, in Asheville.

          I can, however, recommend both Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte if you like NC. Beach, mountains, walkability depending on where you live (Charlotte has done a lot with its uptown area), airport travel, etc. My eldest works for Cisco in the RTP and may never leave.

    4. LynchPin1477

      Charlottesville, VA is nice. Not super cheap or walkable, but I'm not miserable here. We're moving across the mountain soon where it's cheaper.

      I live part time in West Virginia. So you'd be good on the cost of living and guns. Everything else...well, it's an hour to the nearest Walmart.

      1. Citizen X

        And a West Virginia Walmart is a hell of a place. I recommend that everybody visit one at least once. Get up to date on your immunizations first.

        I miss Charlottesville, but when i went back a few years ago it was way yuppier than in my student days.

        1. LynchPin1477

          Charlottesville is a mixed bag. Oustanding food, beer, wine, and music, with proximity to the mountains. I could do without the people and the awful county board of supervisors making traffic such a nightmare.

      2. I assume you work in the NRQZ?

        1. LynchPin1477

          I do...

          1. Shhh.

      3. "Not super cheap or walkable"

        I used to walk it when I was 4. That would have been 1948.

    5. Jordan

      Dallas has it all except number 5.

      1. Jingles

        I know, which is so frustrating! Nothing like living in an AA hub with lots of OneWorld partners operating too for international flights... but I'd be living in a sea of strip malls. Not my preferred environment.

      2. I was about to post this exact thought. Not being that well traveled, I will, of course, defer to others in their recommendations.

        All in all, if you view it as the Metroplex, and not just Dallas itself, you can probably meet all of your criteria.

    6. Derp-o-Matic 5000

      I was going to inquire in what field you work, but your list of needs has convinced me that's not an issue.

      New Orleans is great if you can deal with the oppressively humid summers (i.e., late April until mid November). I'm a fan of both Nashville and Memphis. Parts of Virginia can be good, if you stay away from NOVA/the DC area.

      Also, I'll second Somalia.

    7. Warty's basement.

      1. Derp-o-Matic 5000

        5) I'm not stuck in some suburban shithole and can actually walk places

        I suspect his distaste for a "suburban shithole" also means he's not really interested in a literal shithole.

        1. C. Anacreon

          I wonder if he/she thinks all suburbs are shitholes?

          There are some nice ones, btw.

    8. jesse.in.mb

      My impression of Minneapolis was pretty good on most of those fronts, not sure about the gun laws though (the city itself is pretty liberal though).

      SLC has surprisingly great food and a few solid brewers.

    9. LynchPin1477

      Lancaster, PA (where I grew up...well, in a town near there) has also turned into a surprisingly nice city. Still some not-so-good neighborhoods, but the food and beer scene has really taken off, there are some decent venues, and if you live in one of the smaller towns < 20 minutes away, very affordable. Fairly conservative area, so how welcome you feel as a libertarian will depend on what suffix you use. Not much in the way of mountains but very nice farmland, and Amish baking. 1.5 hours to BWI.

      My wife and I both still have family in the area and we'd definitely consider moving back if the right opportunities arose. But stay away from the western and far southern parts of the county...it gets progressively shittier the closer you get to York.

      1. Just say Nikki

        Are we seriously recommending Lancaster as a city, not a suburb? We're talking less than 60k people.

        1. LynchPin1477

          If we are counting Asheville (only 20,000 larger than Lancaster in the city proper, smaller in the metro area) or Charlottesville (smaller in both city proper and metro), then yes, we are counting Lancaster. And it very much has a city-feel in the layout and architecture.

          1. Just say Nikki

            I mean...I'm not. But I am pretty amused at what folks here consider city/suburb/small town. And "walkable."

            1. LynchPin1477

              City =/= Metropolis in my book. And are any cities really walkable? Neighborhoods are walkable. Cities usually require a car or public transportation to fully enjoy.

            2. Zeb

              Anything over 10,000 is a city. Not really, but where I am that's pretty much how it is. Small towns are 5000 or smaller. Walkable depends on how far you are capable of walking.

      2. York is an actual shit town.

        1. Medical Physics Guy

          Literally!

        2. Really? I visited York back in 2011 and found it charming. It was also in the low 80s and there were Englishmen dead in the streets everywhere from heatstroke.

          1. Ah, York, PA. Who even reads the comments nowadays.

            1. Listen child, back before the days of skinny jeans and iphones there a band called Live, and they had song about York, Pa called Shit Towne, which was the reference I was making. The kids these days.

              1. LynchPin1477

                I won a radio contest and got to meet the band when they were opening for...Jane's Addiction w/ Dave Navarro.

                The circle closes, and I'm out for the night.

              2. If I don't get the reference, that's because it's too mainstream, dude.

              3. Listen child, back before the days of skinny jeans and iphones there a band called Live

                PREACH!! One of the best albums. I presume that the York, PA reference is a joke, but I'll go ahead and buy it.

              4. Listen child, back before the days of skinny jeans and iphones there a band called Live

                PREACH!! One of the best albums. I presume that the York, PA reference is a joke, but I'll go ahead and buy it.

                1. Shit...a two-fer!

    10. Jacksonville, FL.

      1. You don't endorse Orlando?

        1. I love Orlando, I thought we were doing joke suggestions.

          1. Timon 19

            Orlando is a shitstain.

            I live in Akron, and had the chance to move down there with my job and said "fuck you".

            I chose Akron over Orlando. Because Orlando is shit.

            1. With well crafted reasoning like that, who could argue.

              1. Timon 19

                It's a terrible, gated-suburb-infested swamp.

            2. C. Anacreon

              I do remember being in downtown Orlando once, and there was this cool huge cigar emporium where you could buy a great cigar, and sit and smoke it on their porch in a sweet rocking chair, and you could also be served a glass of good scotch too.

              Made me think Orlando had some redeeming qualities. Is that place still open?
              More towns should have a spot where you can simultaneously enjoy cigars and good whiskey.

              1. There is one at city walk devoted to that.

                1. Vigo the Carpathian

                  I know it's the next day, but I had to let everyone know the Cigars at citywalk closed a couple of years ago. It's now a sandwich shop.

            3. How bad can Orlando be with Harry Potter world and all?

              1. Orlando sucks.
                Orange County sucks.

                There are some nice surrounding areas with many redeeming qualities, within driving range of Orlando. You do not want to live in Orlando.

                1. Timon 19

                  Bithlo!

                2. EMD

                  "Orange County sucks."

                  The beach areas are nice but probably tooooooo pricey.

    11. Phoenix or Tucson - both meet all your requirements.

      If you do the sort of work that can be mostly done remotely - ie web design/consulting/whatever - consider Yuma.

      You have easy access to Phoenix and San Diego, LA's not much further, we get smaller names for concerts, and you could buy a humungous house on a large lot for cheap - $200-250k will get you 2000+ feet on 2 acres.

      1. Oh - best part? In none of those three are there any hipsters.

        1. In none of those three are there any hipsters.

          That means you're the hipster!

      2. Just say Nikki

        and you could buy a humungous house on a large lot for cheap - $200-250k will get you 2000+ feet on 2 acres

        He's looking for a walkable city.

        1. Jingles

          Mmmyes. I'd much rather have a mid-rise apartment than something with a lawn I'd have to take care of.

      3. Kivlor

        You know, I'm glad I live in a smaller town. $250K buys you 5-6000 SF here.

        1. Somalia?

      4. Mickey Rat

        As long as you don't mind living in an oven set on "bake".

      5. EMD

        I hate Phoenix.

    12. DEG

      Portsmouth in which state?

      Pittsburgh, PA has been cleaned up a bit and improved a bit from what friends of mine in the area have told me. It is super cheap. Delta has a seasonal Pittsburgh, PA to Paris flight. CMU has attracted some tech companies.

      1. LynchPin1477

        My sister-in-law is from Pittsburgh and I have a cousin living near the city. If you live on the city-side of the tubes (tunnels) then there are some very nice neighborhoods. But it goes downhill real quick as you move away from the city. Western, PA is, in general, not a very nice place.

        1. DEG

          Oh yes, the area still has its shit-holes. "Cleaned up a bit and improved a bit" isn't saying much.

      2. Jingles

        Portsmouth NH. It's reasonably close to Boston for airport access, but it's also in NH for Free State Project goodness.

        And yeah, Pittsburgh is supposed to be pretty up-and-coming; it's at the top of my list just based on things I've heard so far. And between the seasonal PIT-CDG and being able to connect to Emirates and Icelandair through Boston, I'd be set for travel.

        1. DEG

          Even though open carry outside of a car (why is a car special? I have no idea) is legal without a permit in NH, I've heard of gun owners doing so in Portsmouth, NH being harassed. If I remember correctly, the Portsmouth, NH police chief is one of the police chiefs that regularly and openly lobbies the state legislature for new gun control laws.

          Manchester, NH's airport is an OK alternative to Boston.

          I think the Free State Project will have its work cut out for it given a Puritan streak in parts of NH and the influx of folks from Massachusetts.

          I am not familiar with the Portsmouth, NH real estate market, so I don't know how it compares to Portland, OR.

          There are plenty of bars and such in Portsmouth. If you get bored, Boston isn't that far away.

        2. Zeb

          Portsmouth is nice. It's really quite small, though it has a decent small city feel to it. Lots of decent restaurants and bars as DEG says. Real estate is expensive for NH, but I don't know how that compares to where you have been. It's fast, easy and cheap to get a concealed carry permit and you can have whatever magazines you want for your Glock.

          1. Rhywun

            Portsmouth is nice. It's really quite small, though it has a decent small city feel to it.

            Keene is similar. Nice place.

            1. Zeb

              I live very close to Keene, so it seems less interesting. But it's a nice place with some things going on.

              1. Rhywun

                I have family there and yeah, I only mention it as the only New England town I have visited (other than Boston, oh and Lowell) and it was a pleasant surprise at the end after traveling through the horror-show that is CT.

        3. I'll be in Portsmouth tomorrow, actually. I did my undergrad at University of NH, so Portsmouth was my stomping ground. If you buy or rent, you're definitely paying for being by the ocean. On the other hand, you'll be in Rockingham County, and Strafford County is to the north. The minute you leave the city limits of Portsmouth, it turns into this. Before you make your decision, visit Rochester, NH. If the mutant sea creatures you encounter don't scare you off, then go for it.

          1. Zeb

            Hey, some of my best friends are crazy NH rednecks!

      3. EMD

        Pittsburgh is nice. I went to CMU back in the 90s. It's a very livable city. I grew up in the Western PA "shit hole" of Sharon. You couldn't find a rust-beltier place.

    13. Restoras

      Austin?

    14. Tejicano

      I loved living in Tucson although that was many years ago. These days you don't even need to get a CCW. Constitutional carry, baby!

      I am looking to get a place in Albuquerque for many of the reasons you list.

    15. NYC! I think that checks all your boxes.

      1. Restoras

        Blech. I can't wait until my daughter finishes high school and I can get the hell out of the NY Metropolitan Area

        1. I can't wait for that day either.

          1. Restoras

            Hey!

          2. To catch an MJ Green...

    16. brien

      Try an hour east of Portland if you want to stay closer to home. UAV industry on both sides of the Columbia for your software industry need. The one drawback is downtown Hood River is filling up with Do-Gooders, but they are afraid of the country. There is plenty of places to live that are closer to the mountain.

      1. Jingles

        I really do like Oregon in general, but being two hours away from Salem (and my family) is still far too close.

        1. Limpee Wiltstock

          How can you like "Oregon in general"? It's about the most ununitary state I've met. It's got at least three different areas that are totally different in terrain and culture. There's other states with one or two cities which are odd and unlike the rest the state, but Oregon's the only one I've spent any time in where it's like three different countries forced into an unholy union by the supreme soviet. It's sort of like Jugoslavija then.

          There are a few things that are sort of global to the state. The most striking is incest, which kind of spikes a couple places in the southwest and then radiates outward from there with a gradual decrease in strength the further you get. A couple times when first confronted by it, I was kind of astonished and said something long those lines, and Oregonians were doubtful of my claims that nobody in my family got raped by their uncles or anything growing up and sometimes flatly refused to believe that there are places where such things are almost unheard of and when they do appear provoke some pretty stern measures (the last credible case I know of where such a thing came up where I was raised, the guy ended up hanging from a lamppost on the corner of first and main). More astonishing than the frequency is the general complacency about it, like "Oh, well. I know Uncle Pinky raped me every night for years till I got through puberty, but, well, we can't not invite him to dinner on CHRISTMAS!". Holy fuck, amigos.

          1. The most striking is incest, which kind of spikes a couple places in the southwest and then radiates outward from there with a gradual decrease in strength the further you get.

            Do you have any link to the data on that?

            Just curious.

    17. Just say Nikki

      Well, my personal choice was Chicago, which ticks every box but (4). And I seriously think it's a better choice than anyone else's options here if you really want a city. But if you care more about the AR than the walkability, it's not the right choice.

      1. Jingles

        Having to give up the AR wouldn't be the end of the world, and I'd be willing to do it if Chicago proved itself better than the alternatives. My resistance is a mix of sentimentality (since I built half of it myself) and a "fuck off, slaver" mentality about it. I'll be in Chicago for a couple of days in June to check it out--although the winters sound a bit too brutal for me.

        1. C. Anacreon

          I lived in Chicago for many years, it wasn't the winters that made me leave. The summers were brutal, with thick humidity and mosquitoes everywhere. At least there were no bugs when it was twenty below.

          But if you like overweight people with mustaches, Chicago may be a good place for you.

          1. Rhywun

            The summers were brutal, with thick humidity and mosquitoes everywhere.

            If anything makes me leave NYC it will be the summers. Thank God we don't have bugs though.

        2. Rockford is not bad. If you work high tech there is aerospace. But it is a dying town - so cheap. About an hour and a half from Chicago.

    18. Welcome to Cincinnati!

      Concerts, yes. Don't ask about the Who concert
      International airport
      Very low cost of living
      No hi cap limits, in fact here in Ohio we have legal, no license open carry.
      We have a couple of walking neighborhoods. Check out OTR, Northside and Price Hill Incline District for hip, urban living
      We have a good libertarian population.

      Don't believe the hype the Cincinnati is really "conservative". We are not.

      BTW, I'm a real estate investor. Are you looking to buy or rent? 🙂

      1. Timon 19

        Your airport is in Kentucky (and not particularly close to many parts of Cincy), and I could have sworn that OTR was a death trap - it sure as hell was when my wife lived down there.

        1. Maybe, but...SKYLINE CHILI

          1. Timon 19

            No.

            Just no.

          2. Daisy Glaze

            I love Skyline so much. When I drove from Michigan to New Orleans I stopped with my friend at a massive Skyline restaurant and it was a highlight. #trashy

            1. 'Sup?

              1. Daisy Glaze

                Sup?

                1. You raised his antennae with "trashy"

                  1. Trshmnstr, terror of the trash

                    You called?

        2. B.P.

          Therefore, live on the Kentucky side of the river.

        3. Yes, the airport is in Kentucky. I can be there in ten minutes.

          OTR used to be a hell hole but now lots of it is art galleries, funky stores and world famous chefs fighting to open restaurants there. Urban renewal sometimes happens. Architecture that will make your jaw drop open. German immigrants knew how to build.

          Yes, and skyline. It's chili you eat like cake! Weird but highly addictive.

    19. robc

      Louisville on your scale:

      1. Yes, plus Cincy and Indy are close by for tours that misd.

      2. Cheap, especially housing.

      3. If you are a package, you can fly anywhere. Otherwise, Cincinnati or short connection to Chicago.

      4. Hell yes.

      5. Lots of walkable neighborhoods. Highlamds, Nulu, Crescent Hill, etc.

      6. We did elect Rand Paul. Otherwise, shrug.

      I left, but I still like it.

      1. B.P.

        Indianapolis is a concert dead zone.

      2. db

        If I had to move west without going all the way to Nevada, Wyoming, or Arizona i would choose Louisville. It's a great town.

    20. Zeb

      Only hipsters want those things. Real libertarians should live in rural compounds.

      1. In underground lairs

    21. CatoTheChipper

      Downtown Plano, Texas. Thirty minute direct light-rail to downtown Dallas for concerts and culture. Low housing costs and other living costs. Especially good selection of restaurants at reasonable cost (Good Italian is the only exception. For Italian, the choice in the Dallas area is between expensive and mediocre.) DFW airport flies everywhere daily, though cheapest ticket may require a single connection. Concealed carry, open carry, no stupid bans on "assault rifles" or magazines. If you don't like suburban single-family housing, there are condos and apartments situated in walking distance from shopping and restaurants. The area is conservative, not libertarian, but you don't get shunned for advocating libertarianism as an idea and generally get nodding approval. I haven't yet met a Trumpetarian or seen a Trump bumper sticker. However, it's best to be discrete about dissing American exceptionalism and the troops.

      1. Trshmnstr, terror of the trash

        Low housing costs

        Not anymore. My house has gone up almost 50% in value in a year and a half . it just needs to hold value for another 10 months and we can knock out a significant portion of my student loans with the equity when we move.

        North Dallas has a bunch of "walkable" neighborhoods, but they're mostly just one apartment complex with some stores on the first floor.

        1. Plano has a bunch of greenbelt- type parks with the bike/walk pathways. That's better than a lot of other, nearby areas.

          1. Trshmnstr, terror of the trash

            Yes! I used to commute from near Allen to Richardson by bike. I only had to be on roads for 1.5 miles of the ~8 mile journey. Granted, crossing Bush was suicidal during the morning rush.

            I think the shops at legacy have a ton of potential for a true urban-style walkable community. Maybe they'll few some of the traffic to go away from downtown Plano so that I can get a reasonably close parking spot when I'm going to the Fillmore pub.

    22. Enough About Pailn

      Minneapolis

    23. The Last American Hero

      I thought we were all supposed to move to NH. Has that changed now?

      1. CE

        20,000 people signed up for the FSP. Let them move to NH first.

        1. No. GO HOME!

    24. Lady Bertrum

      I visited Charlotte and Asheville, NC and Charleston SC in the past year or two. All lovely cities imo. Nice weather, nice cities, lots of amenities without the brutal traffic of a larger city.

    25. CE

      Lexington.

      1. robc

        Gah, he wants away from a bad road system.

      2. robc

        Gah, he wants away from a bad road system.

        1. B.P.

          True. Lexington's traffic patterns are insane for such a so-so town.

    26. Trials and Trippelations

      Good luck finding affordable housing in Portsmouth.

      I would recommend the Raleigh Durham area for your software and flight needs

    27. dan'o en barrel

      Denver meets all 6. Bought a 4 br, 1800 Sq foot, ten year old house for 225k (30 minutes north of denver.)
      I like it plenty and don't even smoke weed

      1. B.P.

        Plus, there are a number of H-n-R commenters here in Denver too. Wait... we're supposed to be extolling the virtues of the place....

        1. Hey!
          But I'd disagree about the housing. Denver is absolutely my favorite city, I'm sure the regulates here know. But if you want to be in a part where walking is a reasonable form of transportation, then you're gonna pay. Alot.
          But, other than that, it's great. And the winters are usually fairly mild down on the plains, compared to large sections of the country.
          Great beer culture. Lots of shows. The Mountains! Championship football team. Great Mexican food. Friendly people.
          And legal pot. And I'm here, too.

    28. Brett L

      Houston, San Antonio, Tampa.

    29. Juice

      Colorado for the weed.

      Nashville because it's just a damned nice place to live.

      1. Nashville? 10, strongly disagree. Never have I seen such a bug-infested, white trash-filled, crappy country music shithole.

    30. db

      The Pittsburgh area's pretty good. Don't know about concerts but Cleveland isn't too far away. Gun laws in PA are very good. Lots of places to shoot and a good competitive shooting culture here. Direct flights overseas are limited from PIT unfortunately.

      Pittsburgh probably isn't the best place to live if walking is important to you. I guess in the city you can get around pretty well but shooting places are hard to come by unless you live in monroeville or clairton. Maybe mcdonald.

      I find it hard to be a libertarian (at least *my kind* of libertarian) in a city no matter where. That's why I tend to live outside the suburbs.

    31. 5) I'm not stuck in some suburban shithole and can actually walk places

      Come to Orlando if you want to die.

    32. chipper me timbers

      This will sound crazy but look at Salt Lake.

    33. Louisville of concerts being in town are a must, Lexington if you don't mind driving an hour or so to go see concerts.

    34. Dot

      Atlanta (Intown and/or Decatur - depending on your age and whether you have kids I can recommend some great areas)
      Plenty of concerts
      Decent cost of living
      Easy drive to top airport - Delta direct flights everywhere
      good gun laws
      Totally walkable neighborhoods, as long as you're ITP (inside the perimeter).
      Those who aren't flaming libs (and in my neighborhood just assume most everyone is a proggy) are pretty libertarian around here.
      A good amount of tech jobs, plus tech jobs at the major companies here like Turner, Delta, Cox, home depot, etc etcwhich all have headquarters here.

  10. Tonio

    The Texas state trooper who pulled over and arrested Sandra Bland has been formally fired.

    Yeah, there's the formal for-show firing, then after a few weeks it will be announced that he was reinstated upon appeal to some bullshit board stacked with ex-cops and copsuckers.

    1. This.

      And, isn't the death worth looking into? Don't get me wrong, the arrest was wrong and that's why he was fired. But the circumstances of her death are HIGHLY suspicious, and that doesn't seem to be a priority.

      1. Tonio

        Hey, they fired the cop. Nothing to see, here. Move along.

      2. Just say Nikki

        They looked into it for like, a whole day dude. What do you want from them?

      3. OneOut

        As far as the death goes there may be a case for that , I don't know.

        I can assure you though it could not have been racially based. I'm very familiar with the town and I know most of the jail employees are black.

    2. Brett L

      Nah. He'll not be back in the State Troopers, but I'm sure lots of smaller jurisdictions would love to have a former trooper.

  11. LynchPin1477

    Boston is addressing the competition between ride-sharing services and taxis not by trying to further regulate Uber and Lyft but by loosening the rules for taxi drivers. Good for them!

    If you can take an unregulated ride-sharing service to the re-education camps, is it a Libertarian Moment?

    1. Rufus The Monocled Derp Slayer

      If a tree falls in a forest, is it a libertarian moment?

      1. Depends on who fell it?

      2. Does the pope shit in the woods?

        1. OneOut

          Not a Polar Pope.

          He shits on a floating ice floe that miraciously raises sea level when it melts.

  12. The Texas state trooper who pulled over and arrested Sandra Bland has been formally fired.

    Fired for causing troublesome national headlines for his superiors. Had the incident only been reported locally the guy would still be collecting a paycheck instead of future back pay.

  13. Points for the alt text and gnomes joke. The kids could learn something from Scott.

    1. Tonio

      ^This.

    2. jesse.in.mb

      He also posted exactly on time. Punctuality is important for the care and maintenance of FoE.

  14. Florida legislators are overhauling the state's death penalty regulations in order to get them declared constitutional again.

    Wouldn't it be easier to wait for the BoR to loose all its teeth? Should only be another couple years.

    1. Teeth? They are just words Fist, after all.

      1. And so old.

    2. Eternal Blue Sky

      "Florida legislators are overhauling the state's death penalty regulations"

      Those are the ones that require you to feed the criminal to gators, right??

      1. Brett L

        Because so many criminals play for the UF Gators, there is an unfortunate conflation in the minds of non-Floridians on this matter. Gators are not fed criminals by the State. Many develop a taste for small dog if they live in golf course ponds, however.

  15. Derp-o-Matic 5000

    Gov. John Kasich of Ohio refuses to drop out of the race and insists he's going to win his home state and head to the convention where ? I guess the underpants gnomes are involved at this point (or veep offers?).

    As I understand it, Kasich expects that no candidate will get a majority of delegates, leading to a brokered convention. Under such circumstances, Kasich would be in an excellent position to either (1) be the compromise nominee (after all, he's the only one who beats Hillary and Bernie in most polls) or (2) bargain his delegates for pretty much whatever the fuck he wants (VP, cushy cabinet position, new bike).

    1. John

      If a brokered convention nominates anyone but Trump, 1/4th or more of the party walks out leaving the nominee doomed in the general election. Does Kaisich really have so little else to do that he wants to be a losing VP candidate?

      1. Derp-o-Matic 5000

        1) That's my reasoning for why Kasich is staying in, not what I think he should do.

        2) I don't know if what you claim is entirely accurate. A lot of people will certainly be pissed, but are these people who would have voted for anyone other than Trump, anyway? Right now, my guess is no, but I may change that after a few more closed primaries go by. And even if those people do stay home on Election Day, it's already obvious that neither Bernie nor Hillbot are lighting a fire under Dem voters. Lack of enthusiasm on both sides tends to favor the Republicans.

        All of this, of course, assumes that Hillary remains out of jail and Joe Biden does not ride in to save the day.

      2. Kivlor

        Every Trump supporter that I know personally is dead serious about leaving the party if a brokered convention nominates anyone but Trump. I think this is going to be a major for the GOP if they do have a brokered convention.

      3. MetalBard

        A brokered convention will just show everyone that our democracy is nothing more then a farce. I don't care for Trump, but I find the idea of a bunch elitist asswipes deciding they know whats better, and overruling the will of the people to be far more distasteful.

        A brokered convention would be suicide.

        1. MetalBard

          If the GOP is actually serious about getting rid of Trump, then they would tell Rubio to drop out, and they would all rally around Cruz. Until they do that then they're not serious, they're just bitching.

          1. DEATFBIRSECIA

            The strategy is no longer one of consolidation, but of fragmentation:

            http://www.theatlantic.com/pol.....mp/471996/

            In other words, they're trying for a brokered convention, that's how desperate they are.

          2. OneOut

            MetalBard the GOP fears Cruz more than they do Trump by far.

            They know Trump will "cut deals" whatever that means, but they also know that cruz won't.

            Cruz is a true Constitutionalist.

            Every Libertarian or libertarian should vote for Cruz as it's the closest you'll get to a L in your lifetime and may lead to an L after the success of Constitutionalism is demonstrated.

        2. CE

          A brokered convention is a sign that a democracy is healthy and functioning properly. Not sure why people think it's a sign of democracy in peril. A convention is supposed to pick a nominee, not be a coronation.

          1. robc

            Ditto the House deciding a prez election. Even more so.

    2. Gray Ghost

      How is there going to be a brokered convention? AIUI, Trump needs two things to get the nomination: 1237 delegates or more, and a majority of the delegates from 8 states. There are a gazillion winner take all states coming up, starting on March 15, with ballpark 900 delegates up for grabs if we continue to Wisconsin on April 5, and Trump is favored to win damned near all of them.

      If Rule 40 operated the way I thought it did---where Trump would've needed a majority of voters in 8 states voting for him---that'd make a brokered convention much more likely. But it doesn't. How can anyone look at the recent polls, and not think that Trump is going to coast to the nomination is beyond me.

      Sucks, as I'd like to see Cruz win, but I can't ignore what the numbers are pointing too.

      1. John

        I am with you on that. I can't see how Trump doesn't win at this point. The theory is that Trump won't win in closed primary states because he is only winning because dastardly Democrats are voting for him in open primary states. I find that assertion dubious to say the least.

        Assuming Trump continues to knock the shit out of the field and gets to 1237, I wonder what the dead enders at National Review and the Weekly Standard will do. If he has the delegates they can't stop him.

        1. Gray Ghost

          I'm not seeing the closed primary state shutdown either. Unless all of the polls that RCP aggregates are doing things like not screening their samples for registered Republicans or Democrats. Which they might, I hadn't checked.

          As it they write it though, he's kicking ass damned near everywhere. Not pulling 40%, but in those winner take all states, winning 35 to 24 to 20 is still a win.

          Getting Rubio/Kasich to take a hike and endorse Cruz would be interesting. But it ain't happening. And if Cruz bails out, I am guessing a lot of his voters will either go Trump or libertarian or just stay home. The more Mark Levin minded might think that Rubio still has some Tea Party cred, but I think they're outweighed.

          1. John

            Last I read said that 40% of Cruz voters consider Trump their second choice. And that was when Carson was still in the race. I really don't think Cruz bailing would help Rubio. If Rubio and Kaisich both bailed, I think Cruz might beat Trump. And if Cruz beat Trump in a fair fight, I would have no problems voting for him.

            I don't think Rubio has a chance in hell of winning at the national level. He is another Romney, a stiff who won't go after their opponent and is wrong on the biggest issue of the election. But I think the GOP leaders would rather lose to Hillary than see any kind of change to the current system. They are that craven and corrupt.

            1. MetalBard

              And there is the real Libertarian case for Trump. If it destroys the GOP establishment isn't it worth putting up with a blowhard for 4 years. Does anyone honestly think he's going be worse then Obama, or Hillary?

              1. John

                I don't see how and I agree. I have no idea what Trump would actually do if elected. That isn't good but it is better than the rest of the GOP or Hillary. I am absolutely certain all of them but Cruz would be horrible. So why not roll the dice on Trump? At least he will piss off the right people and shake things up a bit.

                1. CE

                  Why not roll the dice on Trump? Because there's no way I'm handing that guy the keys to the nuclear football.

                  Gary Johnson has my vote as of now, unless the LP does something stupid and nominates someone else, which is highly likely.

                  1. OneOut

                    I don't think the President gets to turn the nukelar key by himself.

                    Isn't there some checks and balances against that ?

                2. CatoTheChipper

                  Every candidate is a crap shoot. With Hillary or Bernie, the dice are loaded to land on snake-eyes. With Kasich or Rubio, the dice are loaded to land on boxcars.

                  A Trump crapshoot will yield a point of four. If it were that simple, it would unlikely that that the ultimate result will be any better than any other candidate. However, when you bet on Trump, you also have to make all the hardways bets where the odds are especially bad. A Trump crapshoot could turn out significantly better or significantly worse than betting on the establishment types for whom the loss is known and limited.

              2. Gray Ghost

                I still think the comps for a Trump admin are the Schwarzenegger (for all the times I've typed his damned name, you'd think I'd be better at spelling it. Thank you spellcheck.) and Ventura governorships.

                They came in trying to reform, and got smacked down by both their legislatures and by the state employees' unions and bureaucracy. I'm thinking Trump runs into the same walls.

                That is, unless a lot of the more pantshitting columns are true, and Trump starts having a personal bodyguard corps going out, kicking ass, and quelling dissent.

                He isn't Huey Long, guys. He's a crass vulgar asshole with Tony Montana levels of hideous taste. He doesn't have a group of electoral shock troops (emblazoned with the Trumpstaffel logo). He's not the 'death of the Republic as we know it '(though it certainly ain't healthy)

                But I do think he likes this country, not quite as much as seeing his own name on things, but still.

        2. CatoTheChipper

          They'd better hire libel lawyers, because President Trump will be after them with his new federal libel laws.

          1. John

            Yeah. Color me a bit skeptical of that.

      2. OneOut

        One of the reason that Cruz can win is that prior to now the Republican primaries have been open, meaning that anyone can vote in them.

        The upcoming ones this Saturday are closed to Republicans only.

        It will be interesting to many how Cruz fares against Trump.

        A Constitutionalist President like Cruz would satisfy many Libertarian concerns.

  16. rts

    CPS to prosecute 'trolls' who use fake online profiles

    Lawyers will be advised to prosecute "trolls" who use fake online profiles to harass others, under guidelines being proposed in England and Wales.

    Mother England, always leading the way...

    1. Under the guidance of Thatcher's Conservative Party no less.

      The Conservative Party has been worse than useless. I'm not convinced they're any better than Labour at this point.

      1. Pan Zagloba

        I take issue with that statement, sir. The Conservative Party is not Thacherite in any shape or form, and hasn't been since about 2000 or so (took a few years to get rid of all the vestiges of Thacherism). This is exactly the kind of thing traditional Tory is all over. Possibly there's a context problem here - while rank and file still has quite a few fans of Thatcher, leadership does not, and membership is completely irrelevant in UK (and Canadian, and all of Europe, and basically everywhere oustide US) when it comes to party management, policy, structure and candidates.
        Though I'll say, love her as I do, Margaret Herself had a very strong socially conservative outlook. Though she resisted the urge to use government to force it upon others. Which in today's world makes her practically a libertarian.

        1. I wasn't criticizing Thatcher. The point of that was to mention how far the Tory party has fallen.

          1. Pan Zagloba

            It was more of, Conservative Party was never really Thatcher's. She was opposed by Right Thinking People from the start, and they ended up kicking her out of office after 11 years of winning elections.

            BTW, question on which she was finally forced to resign as Leader of the Party (which automatically meant loss of Premiership)? Whether UK should join ERM (step towards the Euro). She was against.
            Her Question Period right after that happened is inspiring. I can't imagine PM Zoolander or his predecessor mounting such a defense of liberty.

            Yes, I may be a Thatcher fanboy. This makes me a non-Cosmo, and possibly a Yokel. Also, would, up to age 70.

            1. But Enough About Me

              +1 Maggie FTW.

            2. EMD

              Why can't we have Question Time in the United States?

    2. Would you like Fry's with that?

      Maybe SAM ice cream?

  17. GILMORE?

    No mention of Hillary's IT guy getting immunity?

    The WaPo mostly plays it down, but there's some very simple things the guy could say that would be kryptonite to Clinton.

    1. Tonio

      This is very hopeful news. The Bern victims are all over it, which makes it harder to bury.

      Tundra, disappearing an immunized witness would not be a smart move.

      1. Medical Physics Guy

        The Bern victims are all over it,

        Things would have to move fast to help Bernie. Is that a possibility?

  18. Florida legislators are overhauling the state's death penalty regulations in order to get them declared constitutional again. The new bill would require at least 10 jurors out of 12 to favor execution.

    Seems like killing a human should have to meet the strictest standards, not just a simple majority of 12 people too dumb to get out of jury duty.

    1. Tonio

      Don't they require a unanimous vote to convict? I think this is saying that after being convicted by unanimous vote that they only need 10 votes to go for death. That will not be included in jury instructions, but folks will know.

      1. Personally I oppose the death penalty, it will be a long time before its abolished, so the best I can hope for is making it more difficult. It seems to me that if the crime was really heinous and no doubt, it wouldn't be hard to get a unanimous vote for death.

  19. Sevo

    "Republican national security leaders released an open letter declaring they could not support Donald Trump as the nominee. Trump dismissed it on Good Morning America this morning."

    TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP.
    Have you heard there's a guy named Trump who's running for something?
    TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP.

    1. PBR Streetgang

      Who?

      1. Sevo

        Uh, gimme a minute. There'll be a new headline...

  20. Juvenile Bluster

    Garry Kasparov was taking some stupid heat from Bernie bros because of his opposition to socialism. He had a pretty good reply:

    I'm enjoying the irony of American Sanders supporters lecturing me, a former Soviet citizen, on the glories of Socialism and what it really means! Socialism sounds great in speech soundbites and on Facebook, but please keep it there. In practice, it corrodes not only the economy but the human spirit itself, and the ambition and achievement that made modern capitalism possible and brought billions of people out of poverty. Talking about Socialism is a huge luxury, a luxury that was paid for by the successes of capitalism. Income inequality is a huge problem, absolutely. But the idea that the solution is more government, more regulation, more debt, and less risk is dangerously absurd.

    1. "Talking about Socialism is a huge luxury, a luxury that was paid for by the successes of capitalism."

      LINE OF THE MONTH

      1. Tonio

        "successes of capitalism" Brilliant.

        1. Rufus The Monocled Derp Slayer

          Can you imagine how prog heads exploded at that one?

          BUT EXPLOITATION!!!!

    2. John

      Bernie Bros versus perhaps the greatest chess master the world has ever seen. Talk about a mental mismatch.

      1. Right?!? You should know when your out of your depth.

      2. Not an Economist

        Hey some of the Bernie Bros are expert in 16th century Finnish literature. That takes way more brains than chess because .... um give me a few years.

    3. Kasparov's Winter Is Coming is awesome. There are a bunch of good books on what a cunt Putin is. I also liked Nothing is True and Everything is Possible.

    4. Rufus The Monocled Derp Slayer

      Kasparov is the man.

    5. Sevo

      Related:
      "Cuba's tobacco country becomes tourist attraction"
      [...]
      "Workers say they're eager to see more benefits of Cuba's increasing links to the outside world since the start of new relations with U.S., without losing the placid lifestyle of the last half-century."
      http://news.yahoo.com/ap-photo.....08312.html

      If Cuba opens the borders, you'll get to watch a bunch of ambitious folks from Central America put the Cuban "workers" out of "work".

      1. Restoras

        Man, if Puerto Rico thinks it has problems now, wait until all the tourists start going to Cuba instead.

      2. Rhywun

        placid lifestyle

        AKA "grinding poverty".

    6. Pfft. Anecdotal.

    7. Rufus The Monocled Derp Slayer

      From comments:

      "Bill Smith It's sad that a guy who could keep hundreds of chess moves in his head gets befuddled by words that sound the same.

      USSR was socialist only in that the word suited the propaganda of the state capitalists who ran that nation as well as the propaganda of the private capitalists who claimed to be their enemies.

      Sanders' positions are nothing approaching true socialism. His "Democratic Socialist" platform is just another word for free-market socialism in which businesses and industries thrive privately, but the safety net and access to education gets expanded reasonably enough that we stop resembling a lop-sided third-world cluster fuck. Free-market socialism: far preferable to the corporate socialism we've all been duped into supporting."

      That's why socialism is popular. They dress it up 'nicely' and people think it's gentle.

      Then...PAF!

      1. Poor Bill Smith. To be so stupid, and yet have access to such a vast repository of knowledge.

        Or, maybe he's just 'tarded.

      2. Pan Zagloba

        Oh, Bill Smith. You think you'll be in charge, but your kind

        a) gets beaten by police while police is not shooting yet
        b) hides when shooting starts
        c) crawls out to jeer at enemies of the state and cheer the Guards taking them away
        d) gets arrested and beaten up because you think your precious education and conscience will insulate you from regime you contributed to

        1. Exactly. Every one of these people just know that they are special, and one of the true believers, and that they think the right thoughts. They are convinced that they will be one of the guards of the gulag, and can't seem to understand why they are imprisoned with the enemies of the state that they so enthusiastically helped create.

    8. But Enough About Me

      Already stole this quote and posted it on my FB page. Awesome.

  21. DEG

    Boston is addressing the competition between ride-sharing services and taxis not by trying to further regulate Uber and Lyft but by loosening the rules for taxi drivers. Good for them!

    Is this an early April Fools Day joke?

  22. GILMORE?

    You didn't build that! Part MCLXVII

    "Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe said on Thursday his government would take possession of all diamond operations because existing miners had robbed the country of its wealth."

    Of course the government has had no role in wealth destruction.

    1. AlmightyJB

      Pretty surprised that hadn't already happened.

    2. This man has a history of "flawless" decisions.

      Race Bait, engage!

  23. Ken Shultz

    Here's the text of the open letter against Trump:

    PART I

    "His vision of American influence and power in the world is wildly inconsistent and unmoored in principle. He swings from isolationism to military adventurism within the space of one sentence.

    His advocacy for aggressively waging trade wars is a recipe for economic disaster in a globally connected world.

    His embrace of the expansive use of torture is inexcusable.

    His hateful, anti-Muslim rhetoric undercuts the seriousness of combatting Islamic radicalism by alienating partners in the Islamic world making significant contributions to the effort. Furthermore, it endangers the safety and Constitutionally guaranteed freedoms of American Muslims.

    Controlling our border and preventing illegal immigration is a serious issue, but his insistence that Mexico will fund a wall on the southern border inflames unhelpful passions, and rests on an utter misreading of, and contempt for, our southern neighbor.

    Similarly, his insistence that close allies such as Japan must pay vast sums for protection is the sentiment of a racketeer, not the leader of the alliances that have served us so well since World War II.

    http://warontherocks.com/2016/.....y-leaders/

    1. Sevo

      "Similarly, his insistence that close allies such as Japan must pay vast sums for protection is the sentiment of a racketeer, not the leader of the alliances that have served us so well since World War II."

      Even Bernie supports A2, so political hacks aren't *always* wrong.

      1. Ken Shultz

        I was just about to address that one: What's wrong with Japan paying for its own defense again?

        Ditto for Germany.

        Both of those countries are more pacifist now than we've ever been!

        Why are we paying for their defense?

        Do the neocons writing this letter not realize that we're taxpayers?

        I'm pissed off about overpaying for our own defense. Why are U.S. taxpayers paying for the defense of wealthy countries like Japan and Germany?

        Money is fungible!

        Next time you see Germany bailing out Greece or digging deep to pay so that Muslims immigrants can live there comfortably, realize where a lot of that extra money is coming from! If they were paying for their own defense, they wouldn't be able to afford to throw so much money around. That money is coming from the U.S. taxpayer!

        1. Sevo

          "Next time you see Germany bailing out Greece or digging deep to pay so that Muslims immigrants can live there comfortably, realize where a lot of that extra money is coming from! If they were paying for their own defense, they wouldn't be able to afford to throw so much money around. That money is coming from the U.S. taxpayer!"

          Next time you see the Brits pouring more dough into the NHS, remember they couldn't deliver their nukes if the US didn't hand them subs.
          Next time you see the frogs increasing the vacation 'rights', remember they couldn't get to Africa for their little fight there last year if the US hadn't provided the air transport.
          I am fucking tired of 'bribing' the Euros to steer clear of communism by paying their damn defense bills.

          1. "Next time you see the frogs increasing the vacation 'rights', remember they couldn't get to Africa for their little fight there last year if the US hadn't provided the air transport."

            I thought the British provided the air transport for the French to fight in Mali?

            1. Sevo

              "U.S. Begins Airlift of a French Battalion to Mali"
              http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01......html?_r=0
              And, if there were Brits involved, that money is fungible, as Ken points out.

              1. Yeah, the British also sent a few transport planes.

                It's pretty pathetic that many countries were required to boot out some Islamists.

                It should also be noted that Britain, Canada and the UAE were using C-17 Globemaster transport planes which, you guessed it!, were developed by Boeing in coordination with the US government.

                Even when they help out it's with equipment that only exists because of US military R&D spending.

          2. Gray Ghost

            Next time you see the Brits pouring more dough into the NHS, remember they couldn't deliver their nukes if the US didn't hand them subs.

            The subs are theirs. The nukes are largely ours, with IIRC, warheads built by them with command and control resting wholly with the U.K.

            But I completely agree with your larger point. Hilarious, arguing with classmates way back in the late 90s, about bombing Yugoslavia and how they were claiming it was a NATO operation. Well, no, when you are running 80% plus of the all weather strikes, in a Central Europe environment, then it's a US operation, not NATO.

    2. Ken Shultz

      "His advocacy for aggressively waging trade wars is a recipe for economic disaster in a globally connected world."

      Yeah, Trump sucks on free trade, and that's pretty much a deal breaker.

      "His embrace of the expansive use of torture is inexcusable."

      This would hold more weight if it weren't coming from so many former Bush the Lesser Administration officials.

      "His hateful, anti-Muslim rhetoric undercuts the seriousness of combatting Islamic radicalism by alienating partners in the Islamic world making significant contributions to the effort. Furthermore, it endangers the safety and Constitutionally guaranteed freedoms of American Muslims."

      I don't see how rhetoric endangers anyone's safety, but how many Americans would cheer to see us alienate "partners" in the Islamic world.

      From the Egyptian army that runs Egypt to the vicious dictatorship in Saudi Arabia, with "partners" like these, who needs enemies? These are neocons saying this shit! Whether they've become pragmatists is interesting--do they care at all that the American people don't want to cozy up with these "partners"?

      1. ""His advocacy for aggressively waging trade wars is a recipe for economic disaster in a globally connected world.""

        What about advocacy for aggressively waging real wars, like the ones supported by most of this letter's signatories?

        1. Those have multiplier effects, idiot.

          Also, sanctions don't count as engaging in a trade war, OK?

      2. Lady Bertrum

        Yeah, Trump sucks on free trade, and that's pretty much a deal breaker.

        We don't have free trade. We have crony deals disguised as 'free trade' which benefit multinationals while hurting mom and pops. I have no belief that Trump will be better on trade, though.

        1. Ken Shultz

          So anything less than perfect free trade isn't worth discussing?

          What, having free trade is like being pregnant? Either you have it or you don't?

          Bullshit.

          Not having enough free trade now doesn't mean Donald Trump wanting less free trade is okay.

          Wanting to keep what aspects of free trade we have now is perfectly sensible--even if the free trade we have now isn't perfect.

          Is any of this getting through?

          Is there no difference between the way China was before abandoning central planning and joining the WTO--because their economy still isn't perfectly capitalist?

          Did ObamaCare make nothing worse because the healthcare markets weren't perfectly unaffected by government regulation before anyway? Why would a sensible libertarian oppose less free trade--when what we have now isn't perfect free trade anyway?

          Puh-lease. This isn't three objectivists sitting around on the quad jerking each other off.

          This is real life.

          Let's try not to be retarded.

        2. Ken Shultz

          Hey, let's not get rid of the drug war . . .

          Because there's still going to be injustice anyway?!

    3. "Similarly, his insistence that close allies such as Japan must pay vast sums for protection is the sentiment of a racketeer, not the leader of the alliances that have served us so well since World War II."

      No, racketeering is when you say 'pay us protection money or WE'LL attack you.' Saying 'we'll protect you from outside threats if you pay us for the service' would make us more like a legitimate security firm.

      I'm not sure how saying 'sovereign societies should pay for their own protection' is like racketeering.

      1. MetalBard

        Not just sovereign societies, but our wealthiest allies. Why are we paying for the defense of G8 members?

        1. To keep them weak enough so that they can't start wars on their own. That is our job.

          If you pay attention every one of our allies who wants to go to war has to get our permission and our help. It has worked reasonably well.

    4. They're just jealous that he's more militaristic than they are.

      Oh, and, again: Jews.

  24. Ken Shultz

    PART II

    "His admiration for foreign dictators such as Vladimir Putin is unacceptable for the leader of the world's greatest democracy.

    He is fundamentally dishonest. Evidence of this includes his attempts to deny positions he has unquestionably taken in the past, including on the 2003 Iraq war and the 2011 Libyan conflict. We accept that views evolve over time, but this is simply misrepresentation.

    His equation of business acumen with foreign policy experience is false. Not all lethal conflicts can be resolved as a real estate deal might, and there is no recourse to bankruptcy court in international affairs.

    http://warontherocks.com/2016/.....y-leaders/

  25. GILMORE?

    "Americans traveling to Cuba later this month are being moved out of Havana hotels to make room for President Barack Obama's entourage""

    1. Sevo

      Where are they gonna put Hil's server?

    2. AlmightyJB

      Here they come

      https://youtu.be/DK8ednS0skQ

    3. Oh yeah!

    4. Libertarian

      Going to be one heck of a week for Cuba: President Obama, the Tampa Rays, and the Rolling Stones. God, the hookers are going to be busy.

  26. AlmightyJB

    The neocons hate Trunp? Man, why is everyone trying so hard to make me want to vote for that asshole? So so many yummy tears at stake.

    1. Lady Bertrum

      Yep. I hate Trump but am being to see the value in the enemy of my enemy is my friend.

  27. GILMORE?

    "But I'm not even hungry anymore?"

    Ohio man who ate roommate's brain denied parole for sixth time

    1. jesse.in.mb

      iZombie kills.

      1. Private Chipperbot

        "It's not the flavor, it's the consistency."

      2. Bird Person

        iZombie rocks

    2. Private Chipperbot

      "Look. I tried it. I liked it. Just not enough to order again..."

    3. BigT

      Florida man must be jealous.

  28. Derp-o-Matic 5000

    The Texas state trooper who pulled over and arrested Sandra Bland has been formally fired. Bland became national news after a minor argument led to her arrest, and she was subsequently found hanged dead in her jail cell in what has been ruled a suicide.

    With backpay, a full pension, and a letter of commendation from the mayor, I presume?

  29. Kristen Bids No Trump

    What the frack?
    http://www.npr.org/sections/th.....tos-emerge

    1. Juvenile Bluster

      You missed the thread here about it yesterday?

      1. Kristen Bids No Trump

        I hardly ever read reason anymore because it's nearly impossible to use on a mobile device, and I'm not in front of a desktop or laptop.

        1. Lady Bertrum

          HA, that doesn't stop me.

          Man up.

          1. Kristen Bids No Trump

            I'm cool with not having testicles, TYVM!

            1. Lady Bertrum

              Ovaries are just testicles on the inside.

              1. So that's how I got my college boyfriend pregnant...

          2. I just get annoyed that I have to sign in every 30 minutes on my iPhone. Do something about that, Reezun!

            1. Sounds like a setting on your phone. Even this POS that I'm on stays signed in (usually).

    2. AlmightyJB

      "investigators used a search warrant to obtain the male student's cellphone and have now given it to state law enforcement officials for a forensic examination."

      Step 2: court order to Apple

      1. EMD

        Talk about overkill. That's all the state has become.

  30. GILMORE?

    North Korea responds to new UN sanctions by screaming death threats, insults, and shooting missiles into the ocean, accompanied by Photos of Kim Jong-Un looking at machinery.

    "", North Korea's official media carried a commentary on Wednesday likening [South Koread. PM] Park to an "ugly female bat," fated to "die in the dreary cave, its body hanging down." "

    In other words, its Thursday

    1. Dr. Fronkensteen

      Can't fool me. That was Trump tweeting that.

      1. Much too articulate for Trump.

    2. And bringing their nuclear warheads online.

  31. bassjoe

    Republican national security leaders released an open letter declaring they could not support Donald Trump as the nominee. Trump dismissed it on Good Morning America this morning.

    At least they didn't make any obvious well-known idiots like Paul Wolfowitz and Billy Kristol signatories. Unfortunately, the only name I am vaguely familiar with on that list is Michael Chertoff. Not sure if it will actually MEAN anything...

  32. GILMORE?

    Re: Theories of Hillary's investigation outcome =

    I suspect that investigators have far more than they actually need to indict Clinton multiple times over....

    ...but that they're not actually looking to do that.

    That the course the investigation will take is to move forward with charges, but against Hillary's aides - probably Huma.

    It seems to me the only outcome possible that avoids some kind of institution-breaking scandal.

    Can they scar Clinton's campaign without mortally wounding it? Probably. I suspect that many see it as the only possible compromise.

    1. John

      My theory has always been Huma goes to the bar hotel to satisfy the intel community for letting Hillary walk. Huma will be encouraged not to make a fuss and quietly plead guilty on the promise of a commutation once Hillary is President. The problem with that scheme is the intel community never forgets and Hillary is likely to let Huma rot to avoid a conflict with the intel community once in office. Huma has to know this and might not be so eager to take the fall.

      1. Restoras

        Huma might like Women's Prison...

        1. John

          I don't think Huma would like bull dykes very much. But I am sure they would like her.

          1. Libertymike

            Like Goose on Gannon.

      2. GILMORE?

        The problem with my own theory is that I don't think the problem is that easily contained.

        The decision to use an insecure server was 100% HC's call. That aides would send her classified material was inevitable. There are emails where HC instructs people on how to strip classified markings. If aides violated protocols it was only because they were put into the position where that was made necessary in the course of their jobs.

        I don't really see how Hillary evades 100% of the problem if someone else gets the screws put on them. Also, from a purely political POV, i don't know if "just an aide" going down would leave her un-damaged. Ultimately it would validate all the criticisms made *about her*. It would prove there was wrongdoing.

        1. John

          All true. I can't see any rational way to see how she doesn't go down over this. But everyone is convinced she won't and I honestly can't say for sure they are wrong.

        2. Restoras

          Aren't you also assuming this is going to get covered by the media? I just don't seen them going after HRC at all on this.

        3. Which is still insecure.

  33. Lady Bertrum

    Dave Navarro tweeted that he's a libertarian.

    The libertarian moment is saved!

  34. Mr Lizard

    Just cast my primary vote. You mammals are dooooooomed

    1. I did so, too, and I put my "I voted" sticker where I always do...under the handle on my toilet.

      As a reminder of my role in our glorious Republic.

  35. Trump dismissed it on Good Morning America this morning.

    Stop right there... you mean Trump didn't bow out on this news?

    1. John

      I know. The guy is just an animal. Does he have no shame? Mitt Romney has spoken on this issue. I mean Mitt Romney.

      It is just funny as hell to think that the Republican Party is so stupid they thought Mitt Romney coming out and attacking Trump would hurt Trump. How can someone have their head that far up their ass?

  36. I guess the underpants gnomes are involved at this point (or veep offers?). He pointed out that personal attacks against Donald Trump are not going to work.

    Durr.

  37. The nanny accused of beheading a 4-year-old in Moscow said it was revenge for Russia's involvement in strikes against Syria.

    I'd say your response was well-placed, thought out and quite reasonable.

  38. SilentCal

    I just spent some time arguing with this Keynesian moron when was telling me about how the only thing standing between us and infinite prosperity was to just print a shit ton of money on infrastructure and useless bureaucrat desk jobs. I'm exaggerating a little, but his whole shtick was that all government spending was great and would stimulate the crap out of the economy.

    He then decided to point out how "us Republicans" (which I'm not one of, but it's hard to imagine anyone who doesn't blindly follow one of the TEAMs) were just making up our fiscal conservatism and he started whining about all the money W wasted on wars and whatnot.

    I admit that I didn't really know how to respond to this and pretty much just sat there for a few seconds flabbergasted at this example of doublethink, so now this jackass thinks he won the argument.

    The cognitive dissonance is real man!

    1. Lady Bertrum

      No one cares about the fiscal stuff or the real economy any longer. They're in deep denial and don't want to think about the consequences. When the next financial crisis drops they'll be just as surprised as they were in 2007/2008. I've had conversation explaining that even if we confiscated the entire wealth of Bill Gates and Warren Buffet we wouldn't be able to fund the federal government with it for more than 2 months. They don't care. They are fiscally illiterate.

      1. "I've had conversation explaining that even if we confiscated the entire wealth of Bill Gates and Warren Buffet we wouldn't be able to fund the federal government with it for more than 2 months."

        2 months? Bill Gates and Buffett are worth a combined 133 billion dollars. Our monthly spending is 316 billion dollars.

        We could fund the federal government for about a week and a half.

        1. Lady Bertrum

          We still take in tax revenue. Revenue + Gates&Buffets; = about two months

          1. CatoTheChipper

            However, if you tried to liquidate the holdings of Buffet and Gates in two months, I doubt you'd realize anything close to 133 billion.

    2. GILMORE?

      What he just described is the "pay someone to dig a hole and fill it back up again" theory of "Stimulus".... which doesn't 'stimulate' anything.

      "I admit that I didn't really know how to respond to this "

      Real economic growth is prompted by competition and subsequent increases in productivity. Our ability to "make more stuff/ get more stuff done/ speed transactions" w/ the same unit of capital

      Diverting larger amounts of GDP into parts of the economy that do nothing other than "Administrate", or pouring larger shares of people's income into "Infrastructure" for which there is no secular demand (*if there were demand, you wouldn't need to tax people and direct that spending into it) both drain capital away from the areas where productivity gains are greatest. It simply accelerating an economic death-spiral.

      1. Libertymike

        "simply accelerating an economic death-spiral"........

        Gilmore, I do declare, ole James Howard K. would be proud!

        1. GILMORE?

          The way Kunst and I use the term "death spiral" couldn't be more diametrically opposed

          If you don't recognize that from the above, you clearly don't understand what he wrote. He thinks "corporatism" is running out of gas and we need to artificially engineer a return to some small-holder economy. Which is fucking retarded.

          1. Libertymike

            Lighten up, Francis .

            We know that he is an acerbic apocalyptic misanthrope. We know that he is as bad as Ehrlich.

            But, as you know, I like reading his weekly polemic and the growing number of commenters on his blog who openly criticize him.

            I would think that you would like and respect such commenters who skewer Kuntsy on his own blog?

            1. GILMORE?

              Kunstler is a moron not worth reading, and i have even less interest in his fans.

              1. Rhywun

                I used to read him as he does have some interesting things to say about - aesthetics, for lack of a better word. I especially liked his monthly snapshot of some architectural horror or other.

    3. His mother probably told him, "you see, dear, when people get real quiet after you talk, it's because your agruments are so cogent and irrefutable."

      1. SilentCal

        Free college will help make it so we all get to feel like that!

    4. esteve7

      Wait, how can you "waste" money on wars if all stimulus is great!

      Call the military a jobs program and progressives would want to increase spending on that too

      1. SilentCal

        That's what I'm saying. I'm not all that fond of the military industrial complex myself, but for when people who are calling for us to do the exact same thing with healthcare and ultimately everything else complain about it, it is stunning to me.

      2. BigT

        "Wait, how can you "waste" money on wars if all stimulus is great"

        Yeah. WW2 brought us out of the Depression!
        /progthink

    5. Libertymike

      First, He didn't win the argument.

      Second, give some Rothbard to read. Then Robert Higgs. Then Bastiat. Then Warty.

      1. SilentCal

        It won't matter, he just doesn't care about intellectual honesty. I tried explaining the difference between money and wealth by describing how the physical cash in my pocket was worthless unless I could buy goods and services with it. He just called me a dumbass and laughed, saying "money doesn't make you wealthy? Sure, and food doesn't make you fat." If that isn't willful ignorance, I don't know what is. These people just don't care.

        1. Libertymike

          Just off the surface, it sounds as if the guy, like most progressives, is at the level of a young kid who sees some guy holding a lot of cash, like a parking lot attendant at an NFL or MLB stadium, and thinks that the guy is loaded.

        2. Even Disney gets it.

        3. Social Contractor

          I've had to have this conversation with my kids when they figured out if we just printed money everyone would get rich. I think we all were in that stage at once, but I don't have the patience for adults who are still stumped by questions 10 year olds can understand.

  39. Ten years ago, Mohammed Taheri-azar tried to kill a bunch of people by driving a truck through a crowded campus at UNC-Chapel Hill. Mercifully, nobody died.

    Now, Taheri-azar says he feels kind of bad about it.

    He suggests that what led him over the edge was the lack of a social life, plus bad employment prospects.

    "He applied to more than 10 graduate schools for clinical psychology as well as 25 different jobs. His top choice, a counseling position at the state's juvenile criminal justice division, declined him.

    ""I would say there's a good chance I wouldn't have done it (had the state extended an offer)," he said."

    Supposedly he'll be in prison until 2032.

    1. "(My family) didn't want to see me getting any time at all and were pushing for me to go to trial with the insanity defense, but I didn't want that." So he copped a plea.

    2. Nothing says 'I'm very remorseful' like refusing to take responsibility for your own actions and blaming your violent activities on everyone else.

      1. Wait - your handle.

        What happened with you and your dream woman?

        1. (Did you find out she had black ancestry?)

          1. She's been dull lately. The insanity which initially drew me to her has vanished like a summer haze.

            1. Don't worry, here's your *real* dream woman.

              Don't worry, she can't run away.

              1. And since she obviously isn't going anywhere, she can put down that darned harp and boil you a potato.

            2. Libertymike

              Oh ye of attenuated attention span and puny patience and adolescent instantaneous gratification insistence.....

  40. I'm off to see Ran in 4k. Later, chumps and chumpettes!

    1. Lady Bertrum

      Nice. My youngest was home sick the last few days. I set him up with the complete Seven Samurai. He loved it.

  41. Yet another bug found in old version of SSL? and it's related to government limitations on cryptography to allow them to more easily decrypt it.

  42. The hive of scum woke up late
    one bright and sunny morning
    in a gloomy, angsty mood
    as its thoughts were forming.

    Out of habit, it logged on
    to Reason Hit and Run,
    hoping as always to find
    some wisdom and some fun.

    Florida Man was in the house
    and Notorious UGCC.
    But the hive was all forlorn -
    there was no Sugar Free.

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