Erudition and Inanity

Thanks, The Economist:

When it comes to most dangerous products—be they drugs, cigarettes or fast cars—this newspaper advocates a more [classically] liberal approach than the American government does. But when it comes to handguns, automatic weapons and other things specifically designed to kill people, we believe control is necessary, not least because the failure to deal with such violent devices often means that other freedoms must be curtailed. Instead of a debate about guns, America is now having a debate about campus security.

I recommend that you all subscribe; it’s excellent. Much of their content is also available online for free. I promise I’ll return to technical stuff soon. link

Gonzales, Mueller Admit FBI Broke Law

Transparency and accountability will never stop being a bad idea. It’s good news that their internal audit process apparently functions correctly. But their stunning arrogance at every juncture prior to the current one is dangerous and disheartening.

Secrecy is dangerous. It’s not enough to trust the current administration (not that anyone does anymore) or its chosen administrators. If you accept the precedents they set of secrecy and of the newly-expanded powers of the executive branch they you must also be prepared to trust anyone who might ever follow them, Democrat or Republican. And I’m not.