For the Children
Q: Dr. Hurd, Is it proper to stay together for the benefit of your children? I'm considering divorce of my wife, but worry about the kids. A: No, not just for your children. If you are literally doing it ONLY for your children, then you are going to resent them and hurt their self-esteem and also show them a poor model for a marital relationship. At the same time, you owe it both to your children and yourself to make absolutely sure that you have tried everything to make your marriage happier—and, once you run out of ideas and/or it becomes clear nothing is working, then you need to start talking with your wife about rationally separating. Expect her to be resistant and somewhat emotional at first (assuming she doesn't yet agree divorce is warranted or desirable), but ultimately, as Aristotle wrote, "A is A" and she will have to accept the reality of what's happening and would serve her own and the kids' interests better by working with you than paying a lawyer to do it very inefficiently and inhumanely through a family court system.Thoughts on the Meaning of Christmas
Christmas Should be More Commercial by Leonard PeikoffIt is time to take the Christ out of Christmas, and turn the holiday into a guiltlessly egoistic, pro-reason, this-worldly, commercial celebration.
A Commercialized Christmas Carol by Wayne Dunn
What anti-commercial Ebenezers need is a little chain-rattling visit from the Ghost of Christmas Past.
Dickens' A Christmas Carol by Michael Marriott
Of all the works written about Christmas, perhaps the most influential, save Clement Moore's poem, The Night Before Christmas, is Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Published in 1843, the story of the curmudgeon Ebenezer Scrooge has entertained millions with its altruistic message of Christmas giving by the rich to those unable to buy their Christmas goose.
It's a Commercial Life by Wayne Dunn
Whenever I hear that familiar Yuletide condemnation "Christmas is too commercial," I recall George Bailey in "It's a Wonderful Life" wishing he'd never been born. For just as he didn't realize the positive impact he'd had on others, the anti-commercial brigade doesn't realize the positive impact commerce has on Christmas.
Long Live Commercialism This Christmas! by Michael J. Hurd
I hate it when people say Christmas is too "materialistic." I hate it even more when people complain, "We have forgotten the real meaning of Christmas, with all these gifts and all this shopping and all this commercialism."
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Gesture To His Austrian HomeTown
Today Governor Schwarzenegger cut ties with his home town after they were upset with his decision to uphold Tookie Williams' death sentence. I like the gesture a lot, and hope that he can take the same attitude towards more weighty issues. Even better would be if other politicians would follow his lead -- starting with the UN. From the article:"The reason for this action is apparently a decision I reached as governor of California," Schwarzenegger said. "I rejected the clemency of a rightfully convicted four-time murderer after thorough review, and as a result, he was executed according to the laws of this state."
"In all likelihood, during my term as governor I will have to make similar and equally difficult decisions," Schwarzenegger wrote. "In order to spare the responsible politicians of the city of Graz further concern, I withdraw from them as of this day the right to use my name in association with the Liebenauer Stadium."
He said he was returning the "ring of honor."
Since "the official Graz appears to no longer accept me as one of their own, this ring has lost its meaning and value to me," he said. "It is already in the mail."
Dr. Andrew Bernstein on CSPAN
On Monday, December 19 at 5:00 AM Eastern (2:00 AM Pacific), C-SPAN's BookTV will broadcast a talk Dr. Andrew Bernstein gave at Marist College on his book The Capitalist Manifesto: The Historic, Economic and Philosophic Case for Laissez-Faire.Dr. Bernstein talks about the benefits of laissez-faire capitalism and gives an overview of the advancements created within capitalist societies. He argues that, unlike fascism and socialism, capitalism is beneficial because it embraces the idea that individual rights are paramount. During his presentation, Dr. Bernstein discusses the work of Ayn Rand, John Locke, and a number of other social philosophers and defends against critics of the late 19th century industrialists widely referred to as "robber barons." Includes Q&A.
UN International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People
From Eye of the UN:As the "map of Palestine" without the state of Israel stands in the background, Secretary-General Kofi Annan addresses the public meeting at UN Headquarters. The anniversary of the UN partition vote that survivors of the concentration camps celebrated, has been described by Secretary-General Annan as "a day of mourning and a day of grief." Palestinians, and Arab citizens more generally, refer to it as part of "Al-Nakba," meaning the "catastrophe" of the creation of the state of Israel. [UN Wipes Israel off the Map]