Philosophical Foundations: First Principles

by | Feb 14, 2012 | 3 comments

Have a few minutes? Pretty sure of your views? Challenge yourself!

Here’s a taste of what you’re in for, compliments of Justin Longo: “To evaluate policies, you must have a framework or lens you use to determine what is good and bad policy. This is entirely foreign to most people.”

I’m a big advocate of thinking critically, of striking-the-root, and of consistency in views. Justin does a superb job making his case while doing all three.

I want to give you the tools to build a foundation that will guide you to a consistent philosophy. I don’t necessarily want you to agree with everything I’m about to say, but rather, to use the guidelines of establishing first principles to form your ideals. I believe it is extremely important to constantly “check your premises.” First principles are those premises.

“First principle” defined: foundational principle. Cannot be deduced from any other proposition – in other words, an irreducible principle. Sometimes called “axioms.” First principles have no assumptions built into them.

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What Good Things Does Your Government Do?

by | Feb 3, 2012 | 31 comments

What good things does your government do? Seriously. Ask yourself that question.

Are there some things now done by government employees that you’d rather not pay for (war)? Are there some things done by government employees that you’d still want done but recognize the current inefficiency (roads) and poor customer service (police)?

Surely those goods/services could be provided more-efficiently and more morally absent a monopoly.

Here’s a short ditty written by John Harvey. It’s catchy, smart and pretty spot-on:

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Thanks but no tanks, Keene!

by | Jan 28, 2012 | 29 comments

The residents of Keene have so far said no to the fear peddlers.
May their stand give all of us the courage to do the same.
-Robert Koehler

The purpose of this post is to share all BEARCAT-related content.
Transparency and the free flow of information are good.

Need to get up-to-speed about this issue?

Watch the excellent coverage in the video below or read the post:
Cowardly City Councilors Ignore the People, Vote for BEARCAT 9-4

Still interested in learning more? Below you’ll find:

  • an overview of Keene police chief Ken Meola and some Keene city councilors attempt to quietly acquire an armored vehicle
  • background of the not-too-surprising pushback from Keene residents
  • related videos and documents, including the 11-page grant request
  • a list of links to related content, and more

(BEARCAT stands for Ballistic Engineered Armored Response Counter Attack Truck)

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Ademo Sits Five Days at Valley St.; Will Appeal Longer Sentence

by | Jan 10, 2012 | 30 comments

From CopBlock.org:

Ademo Freeman is sitting in a cage at Valley Street Jail in Manchester, NH.

His “crime”? Highlighting the double-standards claimed by some who wear “Manchester Police Department” badges on their costumes*. After a six-month ordeal, Ademo was found guilty of two “class a misdemeanors” for resisting (going limp) and one “class b misdemeanor” (for using children’s chalk on a public building).


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