A Revolution in the Science of Education
From the Van Damme Academy's new blog Pedagogically Correct:Many people understand that education is in desperate need of reform, but few recognize how radical the reform must be. What is needed is not a bigger education budget, a stronger teacher's union, smaller class sizes, or more rigorous testing procedures. But neither is the solution simply a return to Classical Education. What is needed is a basic, pedagogical revolution—a revolution in the science of education—a revolution in the selection of content taught to students, and the method by which that content is presented. VanDamme Academy is the leader of that revolution. Pedagogically Correct is our newsletter.
Lecture NY: Unborrowed Vision: The Virtue of Independence
Howard Roark's independence has inspired millions. Inspiration without understanding is of limited value, however. The more fully we appreciate the precise meaning and value of independence, the more fully we can practice it—and reap its rewards. This lecture seeks to clarify several dimensions of the virtue of independence. Dr. Leonard Peikoff has described independence as a primary orientation to reality rather than to other men. Among the questions we will probe: What does this fundamental orientation consist of? What sorts of actions or policies does the exercise of this virtue demand in everyday practice? And why is it important? What elevates independence to the ranks of the moral virtues? In the course of answering, we will also clarify what independence is not by distinguishing it from subjectivist pseudo-independence, by explaining the independent person's proper relationships with others and by dissecting modern man's widely alleged "interdependence," identifying the ways in which man is and is not a "social animal."Tara Smith is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Texas , where she currently holds the Anthem Foundation Fellowship. She is the author of Moral Rights & Political Freedom, Viable Values and, most recently, Ayn Rand's Normative Ethics—The Virtuous Egoist, as well as numerous articles. Who: Dr. Tara Smith; Professor of Philosophy, University of Texas at Austin; What: A lecture that will explore the fundamental meaning and practical applications of the virtue of independence; Where: Kimmel Center, Room 400-series, New York University 60 Washington Square South, NY, NY 10012; When: THIS Tuesday, February 6th 2007 , at 7:00 PM; Registration: Non-NYU guests must register by e-mailing nyu@objectivistclubs.org. Admission is FREE.India Should Protect Pharmaceutical Patents
Irvine, CA--The pharmaceutical company Novartis is appealing a decision by an Indian court not to grant it a patent on a modified form of its leukemia drug, Gleevac. If Novartis prevails, Indian companies could be banned from manufacturing a cheaper, generic version of the drug used widely in the developing world. In response, some groups have accused Novartis of attempting to "deny access" by poor people to life-saving drugs."If Novartis has created something deserving of a patent, the Indian government should uphold and protect Novartis's patent rights," said Dr. Yaron Brook, executive director of the Ayn Rand Institute. "No one has the right to expropriate Novartis's intellectual property. Morally, it is Novartis' creation and it alone should decide the terms of the drug's manufacture and sale and how the company will obtain maximum benefit from its invention.
"The fact that people are sick and need a drug does not entitle them to it. They must pay for it or rely on charity not plunder the very companies their lives depend on--note that Novartis itself has been donating drugs. While no one wants to see patients go without life-saving treatments, it is a gross injustice to turn their saviors into serfs. Further, a rational, long-range assessment of their own interests would tell patients that it is destructive to demand that patent rights be trampled on.
"Discovering new medicines is a risky and cost-intensive process. The companies that succeed in creating new drugs should be thanked and paid for their inventions--not stripped of their rights and accused of 'denying access' to the products their efforts make possible."
Lectures CO: John Lewis on Individualism, The Greeks and Socialized Medicine
Thursday, January 25, 2007, 7:00 pmColorado University Boulder Campus Lecture"The Individualist Alternative to the Political Left and Right" Where: Wolf Law Building (WLFL 207)American politics is divided today, between the political left and the right--so goes the prevailing wisdom. But the wisdom is wrong: the Bush conservatives' support for the welfare state at home and for "nation-building" overseas shows how close the political left and right have become. In this talk, Dr. Lewis will demonstrate how common principles of altruism and statism have led both camps into a deadly alliance, against the sovereign individual. This has offered Americans a false alternative between deadly socialist policies. A true alternative would place the sovereign individual--ethically, politically, and economically--as the starting point of a proper politics. It is only the individual which exists, and the protection of his rights is the only proper purpose of government. This is because, ethically, life as a rational man is the only proper standard for a moral code, and individual happiness its only purpose. I live by right! and not by permission. Friday, January 26th, 2007, 5:30 pmYoung Aristotle Competition and Dinner Lecture "Early Greek Lawgivers: Solon of Athens and the Discovery of Freedom under Law" Ridgeview Classical Schools, 1800 South Lemay Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado 80525 Cost: $10 per ticket, with dinner, reserve with Joe Collins, jcollins@ridgeviewclassical.com The lecture should start around 6:30.(What a buy! Thank you, Ridgeview School!)One of the great Greek discoveries is freedom: the right of each person to live his own life as he wishes, and to conduct his individual affairs free from the coercions of others. This discovery was incomplete, and limited to adult male citizens--yet it set the background for all later advancements in freedom. Part of this discovery was the need for laws: objective rules, justly created in open discussion, used to bring order to human life, and carved into stone for all to see. The men who brought these ideas, and these laws, to the Greeks were the lawgivers: men of wisdom and justice, who created just laws. Greek lawgivers understood that freedom requires law, and proper laws can be created only by free men. This talk will focus on the figures of the lawgivers, and their deeds: who were they? What did they do? What is the connection between freedom and law? Is there freedom without law? Saturday, January 27, 2007, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm Seminar on Fighting Socialized Medicine Dixon's Restaurant, 16th and Wazee, Downtown Denver To RSVP, please contact Lin Zinser, lin@zinser.com This discussion will focus on recent proposals to impose socialzed medicine in Colorado--and develop a principled strategy to oppose this.“Fairness Doctrine” vs. First Amendment
Irvine, CA--At the National Conference for Media Reform last weekend, several lawmakers called for the return of the "Fairness Doctrine," which demands that television and radio broadcasters give a balanced presentation of all sides of controversial issues. "The Fairness Doctrine is a violation of broadcasters' right to free speech," said Dr. Yaron Brook, executive director of the Ayn Rand Institute. "Broadcasters should not be forced to promote ideas they may disagree with. "Defenders of the Fairness Doctrine claim that, left unrestrained, broadcast corporations will stop some views from being heard. But no private individual or organization can keep people from voicing dissenting views--it is only the government that has the power to suppress speech. By granting a cabal of government bureaucrats the power to arbitrarily dictate what ideas should and should not be heard on the air, the Fairness Doctrine is the real threat to free speech. "Those who think their views are not being heard have every opportunity to promote them--on television, on radio, in print, online--but they must earn their audience, not demand that it be provided to them ready-made. As Ayn Rand put it, 'The right of free speech means that a man has the right to express his ideas without danger of suppression, interference or punitive action by the government. It does not mean that others must provide him with a lecture hall, a radio station or a printing press through which to express his ideas.' "Those who value the First Amendment must oppose the Fairness Doctrine as a grave threat to freedom of speech."Immigration: Let Them In or Keep Them Out?
Immigration is a hotly debated issue today, entailing a number of considerations. What does a rational moral code have to say about allowing immigrants into the country versus having restrictive policies or a closed border? What is to be done about potential terrorists and criminals? What are the economic ramifications of immigration? Do immigrants displace jobs? Will open immigration cause an unjust drain on the welfare system--more so than is the case currently? Will overcrowding be a problem? What value do immigrants pose to a country? Will an influx of immigrants irrevocably alter the cultural atmosphere? Do immigrants have the right to come to America? Do Americans have the commensurate right to employ and sell housing to immigrants? Who: Dr. Yaron Brook, executive director of the Ayn Rand Institute, and Mr. Carl Braun, executive director of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps of California. What: A panel discussion and Q&A on the issue of immigration. Where: UCLA Campus: Moore 100, Los Angeles, CA. When: Tuesday, February 6, 2007 at 7:00 PM. Admission is FREE. For more information e-mail events@aynrand.org Dr. Harry Binswanger, member of the Board of Directors of the Ayn Rand Institute, will moderate the panel discussion, and the audience questions to the panelists. Yaron Brook's bio: Dr. Yaron Brook holds a Ph.D. in Finance (1994, University of Texas at Austin) and is the president and executive director of the Ayn Rand Institute. He lectures on Ayn Rand's philosophy of Objectivism, business ethics, and foreign policy at colleges, community groups, and corporations throughout the world. His articles have appeared in academic business journals, magazines, and popular newspapers, including USA Today. His numerous media appearances include recent interviews on On the Money (CNBC) and The O'Reilly Factor (Fox News Channel).Carl Braun's bio: Mr. Carl Braun is a founding member and the Executive Director for the 2,000+ Minuteman Civil Defense Corps of California; one of the oldest and largest Borderwatch organizations in the United States. He is responsible for directing the efforts of a 12-person leadership team and coordinating border security efforts across a 35-mile stretch of California's southern border with Mexico.
Bush’s Iran Policy Encourages More Attacks on Americans in Iraq
Irvine, CA--In his January 10 speech, President Bush acknowledged that Iran is providing key material support for attacks on American troops in Iraq. "Iran's support for these attacks constitutes an act of war against the United States--the latest act of war in a long series stretching back to the Iranian hostage crisis," said Dr. Yaron Brook, executive director of the Ayn Rand Institute. "Our government has a moral obligation to respond to these vicious acts by taking decisive military action against Iran: hostile nations must not be given a blank check to murder American citizens. "Shamefully, instead of vowing to retaliate against Iran, President Bush has meekly announced plans to 'disrupt' future attacks and destroy isolated 'networks' of Iranian agents plotting to murder more American citizens. "President Bush's inaction against Iran will encourage the regime to sponsor further attacks on Americans in Iraq, and to expand the scope of its aggression further. Those who value the lives of our soldiers and the security of America must demand that the Bush administration change course and eliminate the Iranian threat."Belly Up in Venezuela
From Cox and Forkum:
Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez said on Saturday the country's entire energy sector had to be nationalized, reinforcing his socialist revolution and possibly giving himself more targets for state take-over. But he said he would permit foreign firms to hold minority stakes in energy deals. The anti-U.S. leader, in power since 1999, this week announced he would nationalize power utilities and the country's biggest telecommunications firm, confirming his status as the catalyst of Latin America's swing to the left. "We have decided to nationalize the whole Venezuelan energy and electricity sector, all of it, absolutely all," Chávez said in his annual state of the nation address to parliament, potentially opening up more projects for state acquisition in the No. 4 crude exporter to the United States. The president was reinaugurated this week for a term that runs through 2013. Chávez has already pursued oil and gas projects and power utilities but on Saturday left no leeway for a private company to hold a majority in operations anywhere in the energy sphere. What will be targeted? It was not immediately clear whether his pronouncement on nationalizing the whole sector was a precursor to moves against specific projects or companies. Venezuela will have to judge how closely private firms must be connected to the country's oilfields, refineries, pipelines, gasoline stations and coal mines to count as targets for nationalization. Huge oil service companies such as Halliburton and Schlumberger operate in Venezuela but Chávez gave no indication whether deals involving such businesses were now in his sights.Also from CNN: Venezuela, Iran to finance opposition to U.S..
Venezuela's Hugo Chavez and Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad -- fiery anti-American leaders whose moves to extend their influence have alarmed Washington -- said Saturday they would help finance investment projects in other countries seeking to thwart U.S. domination. The two countries had previously revealed plans for a joint $2 billion fund to finance investments in Venezuela and Iran, but the leaders said Saturday the money would also be used for projects in friendly countries throughout the developing world. "It will permit us to underpin investments ... above all in those countries whose governments are making efforts to liberate themselves from the [U.S.] imperialist yoke," Chavez said. "This fund, my brother," the Venezuelan president said, referring affectionately to Ahmadinejad, "will become a mechanism for liberation." "Death to U.S. imperialism!" Chavez said. Ahmadinejad, who is starting a tour of left-leaning countries in the region, called it a "very important" decision that would help promote "joint cooperation in third countries," especially in Latin America and Africa.
Democracy versus Victory: Why the “Forward Strategy of Freedom” Had to Fail
Democracy versus Victory: Why the "Forward Strategy of Freedom" Had to Fail by Yaron Brook. Recorded September 12, 2006 (63 mins.) Free video playback available on the ARI Registered User Page (free registration required)The Injustice of Saddam’s Trial
From the archives:"A trial that presumes Hussein's innocence can achieve nothing but a travesty of justice.Saddam Hussein is not a private citizen, whose guilt requires proof in an objective court of law, but a dictator whose incontestable evil was manifest to any rational observer of his tyranny. The Bush administration, after all, determined that Hussein was so vicious that we had to go to war to topple his regime." -- Elan Journo, The Injustice of Saddam's Trial (February 1, 2006)
Murdering Dictator Saddam Hussein Executed
From Cox and Forkum:
The Iraqi High Tribunal's appellate chamber on Tuesday upheld Saddam Hussein's death sentence in the Dujail massacre case, Judge Aref Shaheen announced. Shaheen said the court's decision was the final word in the case. The toppled Iraqi dictator's execution must take place before January 27, Shaheen said. Iraqi law requires a death sentence to be carried out within 30 days. On November 5, Hussein was sentenced to death by hanging for his role in the 1982 killings of 148 people in Dujail, a mostly Shiite town north of Baghdad. Hussein's attorneys appealed, and the appellate chamber began reviewing the case December 5. Hussein's chief defense attorney, Khalil al-Dulaimi, said he had heard about the decision, but said it came from "an illegitimate and unconstitutional court." "We are not surprised by this crazy ruling," al-Dulaimi said. The lawyer, speaking from Amman, Jordan, said three other members of the defense team met with Hussein on Tuesday before the decision was announced and described him as being in high spirits. Under international law, most governments have the power to stay any executions, but Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has said his government would not do so in Hussein's case. The White House released a statement praising the court's decision. "Today marks a milestone for the Iraqi people's efforts to replace the rule of a tyrant with the rule of law," said Scott Stanzel, deputy White House press secretary. "We look forward to seeing the written judgment. Saddam has received due process and the legal rights that he denied the Iraqi people..."From CNN: Baathists: 'Grave consequences' if Hussein's hanged.
The Baath Party, the political movement that ruled Iraq during the Saddam Hussein era, is warning there will be "grave consequences" if former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein is executed. Saying it would hold the United States responsible, a message appeared on al-basrah.net Tuesday that read: "The Baath and the resistance are determined to retaliate in all ways and all places that hurt America and its interests if it commits this crime." If the execution is carried out, the largely Sunni-Arab Baathists said they also will retaliate against members of the Iraqi High Tribunal. And they vowed a complete shut-down of peace negotiations between the Baathists and coalition forces. The Baathists have been operating as part of the insurgency against the U.S. and its allies since Hussein's regime fell in 2003.Looks like Old Man 2006 got to the lever first. From CNN: Hussein executed, Iraqi TV stations report.
Former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein has been executed, according to two Arabic language media outlets. Hussein was hanged before dawn on Saturday in Iraq, at about 6 a.m. (10 p.m. Friday ET), the U.S.-backed Al-Hurra television reported. Al-Arabiya reported that Barzan Hassan, Hussein's half-brother, and Awad Bandar, former chief justice of the Revolutionary Court, were hanged after Hussein. All three were convicted of killings in the Iraqi town of Dujail nearly 25 years ago. Earlier, Munir Haddad, a judge on the appeals court that upheld the former dictator's death sentence, and an adviser to Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki each confirmed the paperwork needed for Hussein's execution had been prepared late Friday. "All the procedures have been completed," Haddad said. At the same time, a U.S. district judge refused a request to stay the execution. Attorney Nicholas Gilman said in an application for a restraining order, filed Friday in U.S. District Court in Washington, that a stay would allow Hussein "to be informed of his rights and take whatever action he can and may wish to pursue." Haddad had called Gilman's filing "rubbish," and said, "It will not delay carrying out the sentence," which he called "final."
Olmert’s Whisper of Peace
From Cox and Forkum:
In an apparent gesture to Syria, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Thursday he is open to "any whisper of peace" from Israel's enemies. Syria has recently signaled it would like to reopen peace talks with Israel, which broke down seven years ago. Olmert has rejected the offers, citing Syria's support for anti-Israel militant groups in Lebanon and the Palestinian areas. In a speech to graduates of an air force pilot's course, Olmert indicated he is softening his opposition. "The state of Israel is open to any whisper of peace from our neighbors and across our borders," he said.This is another in a series of recent capitulations by Olmert. As Charles Johnson put it, the Olmert cave-in is nearly complete. There's not much left, short of giving Ahmadinejad some GPS coordinates as a good-faith measure. From Reuters: Olmert suggests Palestinian prisoner release.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert suggested on Sunday he could release some Palestinian prisoners this week, even though Gaza militants have yet to free a captured Israeli soldier. ... Israel has also recently hinted at more flexibility over the release of Palestinians responsible for violence against Jews -- those who it says have "blood on their hands."From AP: Israel to remove West Bank roadblocks.
Israel agreed Monday to remove some of the military roadblocks that have hindered Palestinian travel in the West Bank, one of several gestures aimed at boosting moderate President Mahmoud Abbas in his bitter struggle with the militant Islamic Hamas. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert approved streamlining checkpoints and removing roadblocks "to strengthen moderate (Palestinian) elements," according to a statement from his office. Olmert has already offered $100 million in frozen tax income to Abbas and indicated he might release some Palestinian prisoners. ... Removing roadblocks has also stirred opposition. Only a fraction of the more than 400 permanent barriers in the West Bank would be taken down, but the Israeli army commander in the West Bank, Brig. Gen. Yair Naveh, warned in a closed meeting that even that would aid Palestinian militants in attacking Israelis, according to security officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the meeting was private.UPDATE -- Dec. 29: A welcome reversal on the prison exchange issue ... for now. AP reports: Israel won't free Palestinian prisoners. (via LGF)
Israel rejected Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' request for a quick release of prisoners to bolster nascent peace moves, saying Friday that Palestinian militants must first free a captured Israeli soldier. The decision was a setback for the moderate Palestinian leader as he jockeyed with the radical Islamic Hamas group for popular support in the increasingly turbulent West Bank and Gaza. Abbas had hoped Israeli concessions would strengthen his argument that talks — not violence — are the Palestinians' best hope for achieving a state. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, himself fighting low approval ratings, has sought in recent weeks to re-energize his government with a push to revive long-stalled peace efforts with the Palestinians. The Israeli newspaper Yediot Ahronot reported Friday that Olmert was prepared to hold back-channel talks to resolve the intractable disputes that derailed previous peace efforts, including the final borders of a Palestinian state, the status of Jerusalem and the fate of Palestinian refugees. Olmert spokeswoman Miri Eisin declined to comment on the report.
Why Lebanon Is Poised to Fall into Islamist Hands
Irvine, CA--In the so-called "war on terrorism," we supposedly only face a small number of isolated killers, whose goal of creating Taliban-style regimes is thoroughly rejected by an overwhelming majority of Muslims in the Middle East. "Yet," says Elan Journo, junior fellow at the Ayn Rand Institute, "Lebanon is poised to fall into the hands of the murderous jihadist group Hezbollah--thanks to mass street demonstrations. How can this happen?" "Contrary to Washington's evasions, in reality huge numbers of Muslims in the region support the jihadist cause of totalitarian Islamic world domination, and they want vicious killers such as Hezbollah to rule them. That is why, for more than a week, hundreds of thousands of people, out of a tiny population of four million, have been demonstrating in the streets of Beirut. "Hezbollah, which was elected to office and won control of three ministries in Lebanon's government, now wants total control--and its followers are encouraged. After all, Washington said that it wanted the people of the region to express their 'political conscience.' The people have spoken: they demand 'Death to America, Death to Israel.' "The situation in Beirut is another illustration of the wide popularity of the jihadist goal. Islamists have gained power in the Palestinian territories and in Iraq, and have become a major force in Egypt's parliament. "The enemy we face is an ideological movement--including the regimes that support it--not isolated 'terrorists.' Refusing to recognize that, Washington has absurdly insisted on bringing elections, rather than defeat, to our enemies--and thereby made them stronger."Christmas Reading
A Commercialized Christmas Carol by Wayne DunnWhat 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.
Airlines Should Be Free to Merge
Irvine, CA -- In response to a proposed merger between United and Continental, as well as reports that US Airways is considering a merger with Delta, politicians criticized the companies and called on the Justice Department to block any consolidation in the airline industry. House Representative James Oberstar, for example, says the government should not allow any airline mergers because they would only benefit stockholders and airline executives. Senator Frank Lautenberg, echoing the anti-merger sentiment in Congress, opposes any merger that the government deems not "good for the flying public." "But politicians have no right to interfere with the mergers of airline companies--or any other companies," said Dr. Yaron Brook, president of the Ayn Rand Institute. "Mergers are a legitimate business strategy used to cut costs, improve efficiency, gain customers, grow sales, and increase profits. All companies, including airlines, should be free to decide whether to merge or break up; if customers do not like the prices or practices of the merged company, they are free to take their money elsewhere."Kofi Annan: Parting Shot
From Cox and Forkum:
Kofi Annan had some strong words Monday for the United States in his farewell speech as secretary-general of the United Nations. ... "When power, especially military force, is used, the world will consider it legitimate only when convinced that it is being used for the right purpose, for broadly shared aims, in accordance with broadly accepted norms."There are few greater compliments for America then being chided by Annan for not kow-towing to world opinion. Annan went on to say:
As things stand, accountability between states is highly skewed. Poor and weak states are easily held to account, because they need foreign assistance. But large and powerful states, whose actions have the greatest impact on others, can be constrained only by their own people, working through their domestic institutions. That gives the people and institutions of such powerful states a special responsibility to take account of global views and interests, as well as national ones. ... In fact, it is only through multilateral institutions that states can hold each other to account. And that makes it very important to organize those institutions in a fair and democratic way, giving the poor and the weak some influence over the actions of the rich and the strong.Allow me to translate: By "some influence over the actions of the rich and the strong" Annan means "the legal force to counteract the sovereignty of America." Good riddance to Annan. Too bad the U.N. itself won't follow him.