Sheldon Richman | The Libertarian Institute

TGIF: War Over Ukraine?

by Sheldon Richman | Dec 7, 2018 | Foreign Policy, Libertarianism, Sheldon Richman, TGIF

Today, the United States and Allies conducted an extraordinary flight under the Open Skies Treaty. The timing of this flight is intended to reaffirm U.S. commitment to Ukraine and other partner nations.‎ The United States is resolute in our support for the security of European nations. --Department of Defense news release, Dec. 6, 2018 Who wants to go to war against Russia in defense of Ukraine over the Kerch Strait, which lies between the Black and Azov seas and between Russia’s Taman Peninsula and Russian-annexed Crimea? A show of hands, please. But careful: don’t misconstrue my question....

TGIF: Gassing Migrants

by Sheldon Richman | Nov 30, 2018 | Featured Articles, Foreign Policy, Justice, Libertarianism, Sheldon Richman, TGIF

The Trump administration and its apologists are quick to point out that Barack Obama was as willing as Donald Trump himself to tear-gas desperate people trying to protect themselves by crossing America’s southern border. So he was, though many will refuse to believe it. Let’s not forget, after all, that Obama, like Trump, was willing to bomb men, women, and children in more than half a dozen Muslim countries. Those drones weren't and aren't dropping tear-gas canisters. But that raises interesting questions: if every horrible thing that Trump has done so far was also done by Obama, why do...

TGIF: Trump’s Foreign Policy War on Americans

by Sheldon Richman | Nov 23, 2018 | Featured Articles, Foreign Policy, Libertarianism, Sheldon Richman, TGIF

Beyond any reasonable doubt, in substance if not in appearance, Donald Trump is a thoroughly conventional American politician. It’s a wonder that anyone requires proof at this late date. This couldn’t be clearer than in foreign policy. Some of us who understand the links among freedom, free trade, durable prosperity, and a noninterventionist foreign policy always doubted the sincerity of Trump’s occasional renegade soundbites during his presidential campaign. But some fantasists fell for them, and they refuse to let go of their tissue-thin hope that this execrable man will liquidate the...

TGIF: The Art of the Smear — The Israel Lobby Busted

by Sheldon Richman | Nov 16, 2018 | Featured Articles, Foreign Policy, Justice, Sheldon Richman, TGIF

In 2016 and 2017 Al Jazeera produced a program that unmistakenly documents the Israel government and U.S. Israel lobby’s all-out effort to spy on, smear, and disrupt American students and other activists who are working to build an understanding of the Palestinians’ plight. The Lobby -- USA, however, has never been broadcast by Al Jazeera. Reporting indicates that it was suppressed after pressure from the lobby on the government of Qatar, which funds Al Jazeera. Nevertheless, it is now available at The Electronic Intifada and on YouTube. Watch all four parts here and here. What the program...

Liberty in America During the Great War

by Sheldon Richman | Nov 11, 2018 | Featured Articles, Foreign Policy, Sheldon Richman

There’s always plenty for libertarians to complain about in our troubled world, but in many respects, things could be much worse. I’m thinking particularly of how the U.S. government punished dissent before, during, and even after America’s participation in World War I. Although it will be a few years before we observe the centenary of Woodrow Wilson’s idiotic decision in 1917 to plunge the country into the Great War, this seems like as good a time as any to review his administration’s, Congress’s, and the courts’ shameful conduct. My source here is David M. Kennedy’s Over Here: The First...

TGIF: My Most Excellent Election Day Experience

by Sheldon Richman | Nov 9, 2018 | Featured Articles, Justice, Libertarianism, Politics, Sheldon Richman, TGIF

Last Tuesday, special day that it was, I awoke early and prepared to go out. By 7 a.m., I was where I always go on this special day, eager to do my duty and exercise my sacred right to choose. Entering the warm, brightly lit building, I was greeted by friendly folks who make me feel welcome. Not many others were there yet. I got down business and made quick work of it. Systematically, I scanned my alternatives in the various categories, now and then consulting the list on my mobile phone that I had earlier drawn up so I wouldn’t forget my game plan. Everything was just as I expected it to...

TGIF: Birthright Citizenship – Just and Justified

by Sheldon Richman | Nov 2, 2018 | Featured Articles, Justice, Libertarianism, Sheldon Richman, TGIF

"All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside." So says section 1 of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. With the impeccable timing we’re accustomed to, Donald Trump says he will sign an executive order to nullify this constitutional provision by denying citizenship (which today includes the right to make a living among other important things) to persons born in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof if their parents were in the country without...

TGIF: Let’s Stop the Merchants of Death

by Sheldon Richman | Oct 26, 2018 | Featured Articles, Foreign Policy, Justice, Libertarianism, Sheldon Richman, TGIF

Imagine that back in the day, the U.S. government had contracted postal services out to a private company rather than setting up its own “public” agency. Today the U.S. Postal Corp. would have officers, directors, and employees who were not on the government payroll. They would be paid from the money raised by selling its services to the public and the government. Would things be essentially different from how they are today? I think not. Regardless of appearances, the U.S. Postal Corp. would be a de facto government agency. The government could use various methods to guarantee its...

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TGIF: War Over Ukraine?

TGIF: Gassing Migrants

TGIF: Trump’s Foreign Policy War on Americans

TGIF: The Art of the Smear — The Israel Lobby Busted

Liberty in America During the Great War

TGIF: My Most Excellent Election Day Experience

TGIF: Birthright Citizenship – Just and Justified

TGIF: Let’s Stop the Merchants of Death

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