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Yeah, But He Did Lie, So…

September 10, 2009 By Trey Garrison 38 Comments

From Matt Welch:

It is telling that so many people who claim to be speaking on the side of Truth, Justice, and the American Way of Journalism have consistently focused their outrage-o-meters at individual townhall attendees, political broadcast entertainers, and the lesser lights of a lame (if resurgent-by-default) opposition party, while letting walk nearly fact-check-free the non-irrelevant occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. If calling out lies and misrepresentations about a significant policy proposal is such pressing journalistic business—and it should be!—you’d think the watchdogs might start with the guy doing the proposing.

Full piece here.

Filed Under FAIL, Politics

Creepy Collectivism from Mike Brady Mr. Obama

September 9, 2009 By Trey Garrison 12 Comments

Gary_Cole_in_A_Very_Brady_Sequel

If you quit on school, you’re not just quitting on yourself, you’re quitting on your country….

Don’t ever give up on yourself, because when you give up on yourself, you give up on your country.

Fellow Dallasite and Reasonoid Jacob Sullum has the goods here.

Filed Under Creepy Guys in the Park, I Kan Rede, Writer on Deadline

Hunt: Why More Debt Is a Dumb Idea When You’re Broke

September 9, 2009 By Trey Garrison 6 Comments

Via Angela Hunt:

Why More Debt Is A Dumb Idea When You’re Broke

You know, the devil’s in the details when it comes to just about everything.  Especially government, and most especially, government budgets. Take next year’s proposed city budget.


I’ve been through this thing line by line, with a fine tooth comb, ever since we got the “final draft” in early August.  It’s a lot to digest.  Lots of numbers and all.  But some numbers are more important than others, and right now I want to focus on debt and its effect on our bottom line.


The city borrows money to make major infrastructure improvements, like constructing new libraries and police stations, building new roads, putting in new playgrounds in our parks.  These are bond projects approved by voters.  When we borrow money for these projects, we’re essentially putting them on the city’s credit card…


Read the rest here.

Filed Under City Owned Boondoggle, Writer on Deadline

Comments Return to FrontBurner

September 8, 2009 By Trey Garrison 13 Comments

Goodbye, heavy traffic here.

Ah well.

Filed Under D Magazine, FrontBurner

So Instead of Turning Healthcare into Public Housing…

September 8, 2009 By Trey Garrison 15 Comments

…Or nationalize it, or national socialize it — whatever the plan is, what are some better ideas?

A few facts first: Most people aren’t that unhappy with their insurance. American healthcare is better than anywhere else. No one in America goes without medical care. Healthcare is not an infinite resource. And most importantly, most health problems Americans suffer — the vast majority of all costs –are the result of lazy, indulgent, and stupid lifestyle choices.

Sure, there are some problems that need fixing but nothing that justifies destroying the health industry by turning your doctor’s office into the post office. So what are some alternatives?

Whole Foods CEO John McKay offered eight perfect starting points.

Virginia Postrel wrote about what’s wrong our system in the Atlantic.

And now John Jay Myers, former candidate for Dallas City Council, offers his thoughts, in response to a Facebook meme last week. Take it away, John:

———————————————————————————

By John Jay Myers

With the health care debate on everyone’s mind, this quote has been floating around some of my friends on the social networks:

“No one should die because they cannot afford health care, and no one should go broke because they get sick. If you agree, please post this as your status for the rest of the day.”

To that I say “of course”.

The question is, by what means do you want to establish affordable healthcare? Do you want to use the magical fairy dust method, which somehow brings about great service and better care, covers more people, and doesn’t cost a dime? Or, do you want to endorse the only method of reducing costs that has ever worked in the real world, the free market?

Some will say, “wait a minute, isn’t it the free market and the greed of corporations that caused ridiculously high prices in the first place?” No, it is not. There is no free market in health care right now, so the free market cannot be the cause of the high prices. Here’s an example to illustrate the point.

Let’s talk about a simple commodity: food, specifically fast food. Right now as consumers we have nearly limitless choices of places to go, and a broad variety of menu options at each restaurant. If prices at one place get too high, we go across the street. If the deluxe meal is too pricy, we forego the fries and drink, or choose from the dollar menu instead. Fast food is therefore inexpensive because of a relatively free market.

Read the rest after the jump.

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Filed Under Capitalist Superheroes

Counterpoint: Shawn Williams Makes the Case For

September 4, 2009 By Trey Garrison 12 Comments

My friend and news entrepreneur Shawn Williams of Dallas South Blog makes his case in support of the Obama speech to schools.

Read it here.

Filed Under Politics, Vainglorious Plugging

My DMN Column is Up, Read it and Weep. Or Something.

September 3, 2009 By Trey Garrison 83 Comments

It’s in tomorrow’s print edition, but it’s online now. Here’s a taste – but the rest is on their site. Link below.

No, You Can’t, Mr. President

There’s no doubt the presidential address directed to the captive audience of the nation’s schoolchildren Tuesday will be nonpartisan and positive. Chock full of “study hard and stay in school.”

The problem? It’s not his place to deliver it.

That’s why my first-grader won’t have any part in this.

I know some people will say that we live in a democracy, he’s the national leader and the people voted for him.

Those people are wrong on all three counts. We’re a republic. He’s the president of a federation of states. And a majority of the members of the electoral college voted for him.

What could further cement this fundamental, dangerous misperception of the proper, limited role and power of the president’s office than to have him beamed into every classroom speaking virtually ex cathedra? I got nothing.

By the way, see how I haven’t mentioned the president’s name? That’s intentional…

The complete column is posted here.

Also, early yet, but already an awesome comment:

Is it because the president is a democrat? Is it because the president is black? Is it because the internet has turbocharged stupidity? Could be all or none of the above. Regardless, you should be ashamed of your role in fanning the flames.

UPDATE: From PeterK, Jawa Report has it all over me on this paragraph:

I don’t know about the rest of you parents, but if he doesn’t actually promise a Skittles shitting unicorn in every house, my 3rd grader probably won’t be listening. Because, like most girls in third grade, her free time is consumed with dreams of 3rd grade princesses frolicking in pastures with Skittles shitting unicorns, while the adults deal with idiots like that Mr. President guy interrupting her day.

Filed Under DMN Points and Viewpoints, I Kan Rede, Vainglorious Plugging

No Thank You, Dear Leader

September 2, 2009 By Trey Garrison 42 Comments

obamaleader2This nationwide address to children without their parent’s consent is just too Dear Leader, North Korea-style Orwellian for me.

Here’s the link to the “Recommended Study Materials” to go with Mr. Obama’s proposed Sep. 8 address to school children.

Select chapters and verse for this little trip down indoctrination lane:

Why is it important that we listen to the President and other elected officials, like the mayor, senators, members of congress, or the governor? Why is what they say important?
What is the President asking me to do?
What specific job is he asking me to do? Is he asking anything of anyone else? Teachers? Principals? Parents? The American people?
No thanks. I don’t care if the president were zombie Milton Friedman, this is wrong.
The Girl will be at home Sep. 8 with me, reading either:
UPDATE: Tom asks a good question and I’m moving my response up to here.
Watching a general speech in school is one thing. Gotta learn civics and politics. No problem.

But one targeted to kids, with those kind of suggested, loaded questions such as “Why is it important that we listen to the President and other elected officials, like the mayor, senators, members of congress, or the governor? Why is what they say important?” — that’ a horse of a different…ahem… that’s something else entirely.

And I’d object just as strong to McCain, to Reagan, to JFK — hell, like I said, if Milton Friedman, Ayn Rand, Friedrich Hayek or Herbert Spencer were president, I’d object.

It’s not the role of the president, and it creates this idea that these politicians are somehow important and should be followed.

What they say isn’t important. What we say — as individuals — and what we do — as individuals — is far more important.

This didn’t start with Obama — see the third book I linked to — but we’re treading closer and closer every year towards an ugly, led society, instead of a republic of free individuals who should only have to deal with government when they violate the rights of their neighbors or pay a general tax to support the few, constitutionally mandated and delegated duties government should be performing.

Filed Under Creepy Guys in the Park, Friendly Police State, I Kan Rede, Meddlesome Scolds, Zombies

ZOMG

September 1, 2009 By Trey Garrison 3 Comments

Oh noes! People are saying bad things on the Internet!

Filed Under Free Speech, Media
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