November 2018 – The Government is a Platypus

A Note on Laws: Oppression and Cohesion

Posted on 11/28/2018 by Platypus

Laws can hold society together. When they become oppressive they can break it apart. Humans have a natural inclination to gather. Gathering means that disputes will happen. Disputes mean that laws get created so that people can live together in harmony. Then some people seek for power and control while others get lazy and complacent. Laws become more frequent, more intrusive, less useful and less ...
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Are Criminals Worthy of Your Charity?

Posted on 11/28/2018 by Platypus

I recently had a good discussion on one of the libertarian pages I frequent. Their post was about Alyssa Milano, the actress, giving charity to illegal immigrants while firefighters had their homes burn down while protecting others. I commented, "The two are unrelated. Also, as I understand the libertarian position, charity is a personal activity that the individual decides on. Not saying she's ma...
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Giant Puppets Roam the Streets

Posted on 11/20/201811/20/2018 by Platypus

This is one of several giant puppets that have been created. I marvel at them. Each limb is controlled by its own puppeteer. In this case the thing is so huge and mechanical that one might call that person a driver instead of a puppeteer. However, in the true sense that's what they are, puppeteers moving around a giant puppet in order to tell a story. Puppets have endured as human story telling de...
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Sue’s Favorite Sword: YouTube Video

Posted on 11/19/2018 by Platypus

I'm not sure why really but swords have always fascinated me. I have a nice collection of them and I've trained in their use. I've studied fencing, Asian martial arts sword use, and the use of a broad sword as well. The swords in the below video show signs that they were owned by different people. Each person put their own unique design on the sword but left some of the old design as well. They we...
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San Francisco’s homeless tax a page out of Atlas Shrugged

Posted on 11/07/2018 by Platypus

San Francisco has passed what they are calling a "homeless tax". That is a misnomer of course as the homeless aren't the ones being taxes. Rather businesses are being taxed and the money being taken and used for programs designed to help the homeless. "Proposition C, as it was known to voters, is the largest corporate tax increase in San Francisco history." Even the name sounds rather sinister in ...
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