tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post5802863763869777257..comments2024-03-08T07:09:46.527-07:00Comments on Pro Libertate: Our Collapsing Kleptocracy (UPDATED)William N. Grigghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14368220509514750246noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-17975225596593385982008-02-28T06:07:00.000-07:002008-02-28T06:07:00.000-07:00Charles Pooter,Glad to have you on the team :-)Sor...Charles Pooter,<BR/><BR/>Glad to have you on the team :-)<BR/><BR/>Sorry for the assumptions regarding the phrase "roll-out", but it just smacked me the wrong way.<BR/><BR/>It must be known at the outset that many nations in the third world already live with the expectations of interruptions in oil supply. These folks in the non-Western world already have made those adjustments in their daily lives, even in the absence of the downward slope of peak-oil. No mass deaths from there yet.<BR/><BR/>Fortunately you are unconvinced (at least, not satisfactorily convinced) of the negative possibility that would result from the peak-oil scenario. I hope that my few posts here have at least given you more mental comfort in support of the positive possibility. Like you I won't rule out particular possibilities, except if they're illogical or immoral, but let me add one more thing to help support my choice of the positive possibility (beyond simple hope): you and I both know that no barrel of oil in the present "accounted for" market is produced or sold sans state intervention, fortunately there is a real free market, and it has the same color as our chosen flag.<BR/><BR/>The third world countries almost all share this same characteristic. Each has a thriving and usually unofficially sanctioned black market. Today there are already millions of barrels of oil sold everyday via the black market. In times of crisis that number could rise by orders of magnitude. States can certainly get in the way of some of this process, but they have never been able to actually stamp out that irrepressible spark of human freedom known as the black market. I expect that many nations, already knowing the follies of the interventionist 20th century might just turn to the black market in desperation.<BR/><BR/>If you'd like a proactive role in defeating the power of various states, or helping to make sure that the black market is simply too big to suppress, you should join me in helping to grow it. I'm fulfilling <A HREF="http://www.blackcrayon.com/library/mll/nlm" REL="nofollow"/> as best I can. You too can be part of smashing the state for fun and profit.<BR/><BR/>We'll be helping millions along the way ;-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-53542388885460896432008-02-25T11:55:00.000-07:002008-02-25T11:55:00.000-07:00Mr. Grigg:Terribly sorry to hear about your wife's...Mr. Grigg:<BR/><BR/>Terribly sorry to hear about your wife's continued illness and hospitalization.<BR/><BR/>I admire your strength to carry on despite the odds. Hoping for your wife's speedy recovery.Spook, RNhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11085577662135429417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-73747464769605814242008-02-25T09:02:00.000-07:002008-02-25T09:02:00.000-07:00anon 4:43:I have also been on the "black flag" tea...anon 4:43:<BR/><BR/>I have also been on the "black flag" team for a short while. My use of the phrase "roll-out", comes from my work with computing, rather than from the mindset of a a central planner.<BR/><BR/>I know all about price signals, unintended consequeneces and all that. I also know that not one barrel of oil in the world is traded in anything approaching a free market.<BR/><BR/>I just worry that the decrease in oil production will be too quick for mankind to be able to produce enough distributable energy quick enough to prevent mass death. I worry that although many people in the Western world will be able to "carpool, take bicycles, use electric motors, walk, telecommute, or whatever", the only "change of behaviour" possible in much of the world will be to die.<BR/><BR/>I'm not convinced of this by the way, I just don't think we should rule it out.<BR/><BR/>And no, I don't think state intervention is the answer.Charles Pooterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06329206649968577862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-21091486313758273752008-02-25T05:43:00.000-07:002008-02-25T05:43:00.000-07:00Charles Pooter,But there actually are alternatives...Charles Pooter,<BR/><BR/>But there actually are alternatives to oil. Existing right now. What do you think would happen if there were an "oil shock" right now? Let's suppose that the world's supply of oil suddenly fell 5% (though it seems like a small number, that represents billions of barrels of oil), perhaps because of a massive fire or something. I don't know, it could be whatever.<BR/><BR/>Prices of oil would immediately shoot up around the world. Increased shortages have now appeared worldwide. Not only is this a stimulus to producers to produce more oil in order to take advantage of the windfall profits to be had, it is also an opportunity for entrepreneurial individuals the world over to begin pushing those above alluded to alternatives.<BR/><BR/>The results of an immediate increase in oil shortages is quite simply a change in human behavior. That next gallon of gasoline jumps up a few places in that individual's ordinal list of marginal utilities. People begin to carpool, take bicycles, use electric motors, walk, telecommute, or whatever, simply to save money. Rather than be temporary stopgaps, these solutions might have to become more permanent ones for some people until newer technology gets to them.<BR/><BR/>Once again, it must be stressed that the state is what could really muck everything up here. With its ability to impose price controls, rationing, nationalization (or socialization if you prefer), and the robbery of profits and funds from people with impunity, they could very definitely make the world a very scary place to live in during times of increased oil shortage. You say I'm complacent, and that may be true in regards to the functioning of a free market, but I'd also say that you in turn are paranoid on that same subject. But that's definitely true of me regarding the state. I honestly don't know why Mr. Grigg hasn't joined the black flag team (the team I play for). I don't trust any state, not even the one that Constitutional Minarchists love.<BR/><BR/>Your fear of an inability to "roll-out" a new technology smacks of statism, and the fears appropriate to a central planner. Private enterprise has the ability to deliver any and everything around the world, everyday of the week. All in pursuit of private benefits. The incentives (at least monetarily and charitably) only increase in times of a crisis. Central planners, or those who are making the attempt to think like them, can't see this kind of thing. But, then again, they don't even know how to make <A HREF="http://www.fee.org/publications/the-freeman/article.asp?aid=3308" REL="nofollow">a pencil</A> either.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-30732932152776833862008-02-24T16:18:00.000-07:002008-02-24T16:18:00.000-07:00anonymous 5:22I'm as sceptical about peak oil as m...anonymous 5:22<BR/><BR/>I'm as sceptical about peak oil as most sensible people, but I think you are complacent. It could be that there is no good alternative to oil. Or, more likely, there isn't an alternative that can be rolled out world-wide quickly enough to prevent gigadeath. I sincerely hope this isn't the case, but it could be.Charles Pooterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06329206649968577862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-12435684862147217742008-02-23T06:22:00.000-07:002008-02-23T06:22:00.000-07:00The Silent Critic asked about "Peak Oil."Even if i...The Silent Critic asked about "Peak Oil."<BR/><BR/>Even if it weren't a myth (which of course is a logical possibility), we libertarians, free-marketers, etc. don't see peak oil as too much of an issue because we actually understand economics.<BR/><BR/>All proponents of the peak oil theory seem to propose the idea of a gradual fall off in the amount of petroleum produced on a YoY basis. I haven't seen anyone predict that the production will be anything other X one day, and then X-1 the day after, rather than X one day and then X-X the next. A gradual drop off, not an immediate one, in other words.<BR/><BR/>As supply for a good or service goes down and demand remains the same, price goes up. Price directly tracks demand relative to supply. Well at least that's how a freed market would work. Only government intervention can prevent the market mechanism from occurring.<BR/><BR/>So, what do we learn from this? As the supply of petroleum goes down in accordance with the peak oil theories it's price will go up in response. A freed market has another advantage that crops up during times of relatively high demand: alternative. Yes, the rise of the alternative. Whether it's nylon instead of silk or hemp, tea instead of coffee, Pepsi instead of Coke, or honey instead of sugar, alternatives pop-up when demand becomes known. There are alternatives to petroleum. Right now all of these are expensive in comparison, but if things go as the peak oil folks say they will that means that petrol will be heading to higher price that just might fairly compare with those alternative technologies.<BR/><BR/>Investment in alternative technologies will increase as people start to see diminishing returns with petroleum. That increased investment will create more supply, thus bringing prices down. The prices for the new technology (the alternative to petroleum) will start to compare favorably to the more traditional petrol and will so be adopted. The process could end here, with a multiplicity of technologies to use (petroleum and its alternative(s)), or the alternative technology could supplant petroleum. It's really whatever the market decides.<BR/><BR/>Note something interesting here as well. As the price of petroleum continues to climb it becomes more and more expensive to get that next barrel and the next one after that. Eventually it will become so expensive (or cost prohibitive) to get the barrels that it simply won't be worth it. We can confidently say that the world will <B>*never*</B> run out of petroleum. It would simply be too expensive to go for the last barrels.<BR/><BR/>And there you have in short the reason why I don't care about the peak oil bogeyman.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-63985683676479320312008-02-21T14:46:00.000-07:002008-02-21T14:46:00.000-07:00Sorry to hear of your wife's illness, and I hope i...Sorry to hear of your wife's illness, and I hope it will clear up soon. I enjoy reading your column, even though I am not religious; I am a Libertarian with a capital L.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-35891430314229454492008-02-21T12:19:00.000-07:002008-02-21T12:19:00.000-07:00Will, the picture of Greenspan reminds me of this ...Will, the picture of Greenspan reminds me of this quote he made in 1966. "Gold and a free society are inseperable." I don't know what the context was, but I remember Dr. Paul saying that before Greenspan was asked to join the elite, he was for a 100% gold standard. Very interesting.zachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05334525584242029389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-73490447190075043112008-02-21T11:15:00.000-07:002008-02-21T11:15:00.000-07:00And after these things I saw another angel come do...And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. 2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. 3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. 4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. 5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. 6 Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. 7 How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. 8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. <BR/><BR/>9 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when THEY SHALL SEE THE SMOKE OF HER BURNING, 10 Standing afar off FOR THE FEAR OF HER TORMENT, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! FOR IN ONE HOUR IS THY JUDGMENT COME. 11 And THE MERCHANTS OF THE EARTH SHALL WEEP AND MOURN OVER HER; FOR NO MAN BUYETH THEIR MERCHANDISE ANY MORE: [The nation of FAT LAZY "CONSUMERS" IS NO MORE] 12 The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, 13 And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and SLAVES, AND SOULS OF MEN. 14 And THE FRUITS that thy soul lusted after ARE DEPARTED FROM THEE, AND ALL THINGS WHICH WERE DESIRED AND GOODLY ARE DEPARTED FROM THEE, AND THOU SHALT FIND THEM NO MORE AT ALL! 15 The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 16 And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! 17 FOR IN ONE HOUR SO GREAT RICHES IS COME TO NOUGHT. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, 18 And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, WHAT CITY IS LIKE UNTO THIS GREAT CITY! 19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein WERE MADE RICH all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! FOR IN ONE HOUR IS SHE MADE DESOLUTE. 20 REJOICE OVER HER, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; FOR GOD HATH AVENGED YOU ON HER. 21 And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, THUS WITH VIOLENCE SHALL THAT GREAT CITY BABYLON BE THROWN DOWN, AND SHALL BE FOUND NO MORE AT ALL. 22 And THE VOICE OF HARPERS, AND MUSICIANS, AND OF PIPERS, AND TRUMPETERS, SHALL BE HEARD NO MORE AT ALL IN THEE; AND NO CRAFTSMAN, OF WHATSOEVER CRAFT HE BE, SHALL BE FOUND ANY MORE IN THEE; [That's certainly a reality in the US!] AND THE SOUND OF A MILLSTONE SHALL BE HEARD NO MORE AT ALL IN THEE; [America's once mighty industries are now silent and no more] 23 AND THE LIGHT OF A CANDLE SHALL SHINE NO MORE AT ALL IN THEE; AND THE VOICE OF THE BRIDEGROOM [Jesus Christ]AND OF THE BRIDE [His Church] SHALL BE HEARD NO MORE AT ALL IN THEE: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; FOR BY THY SORCERIES WERE ALL NATIONS DECEIVED. 24 And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth. <BR/><BR/>The utter judgment and destruction of America is coming and certain. I can't think of any other nation in history that so richly deserves God's vengeance and wrath like America. Once a Judeo-Christian nation, as a chaste bride for the Bridegroom, now the lowest of harlots, filled with every form of evil and malice imaginable. The time of this world, a world of darkness and wickedness and sin is coming to its utter eternal end. The time of God's eternal kingdom is at hand - a new heaven and a new earth, for the old shall pass away and be no more.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-51653560237092369502008-02-21T09:53:00.000-07:002008-02-21T09:53:00.000-07:00Oh, and it would be impolite for me to carp on you...Oh, and it would be impolite for me to carp on your aside about peak oil without complimenting you on the usual excellence of your post.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-70510304318739453182008-02-21T09:46:00.000-07:002008-02-21T09:46:00.000-07:00One thing I don't get about my fellow libertarians...One thing I don't get about my fellow libertarians is why a lot of them discount Peak Oil. I imagine that it has something to do with the fact that a lot of leftists have embraced the idea, as they have other malthusian ideas over the past decades, such as dieoff by overpopuluation and dieoff by global warming. <BR/><BR/>Peak Oil has some serious potential dieoff aspects, but the left didn't come up with it. Who believes in it is as irrelevant as what political motives they may have for doing so. (Think about StormFront endorsing Ron Paul.) What matters is whether the idea is valid.<BR/><BR/>Peak Oil is a proven concept. Oil production follows a bell curve. But the more important point is that world production is likely "in the zone" of the peak, which means that it probably has already happened or soon will.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-22407279232281416852008-02-20T20:21:00.000-07:002008-02-20T20:21:00.000-07:00Why should we be surprised with shrub's disconnect...Why should we be surprised with shrub's disconnect from reality? Wasn't it his 'daddy' who had never seen a supermarket scanner before?<BR/><BR/>When you're fed at the tax trough you don't see the real world. Need more money? Raise taxes or fire up the printing press, there's plenty left to take. Unfortunately, we as a country have reached a point in time where half or more of the population lives off of a government issued pay-check - guess who pays that bill? <BR/><BR/>Those who are not parasites on the dole are nothing more than wage slaves . . . Make no mistake about it, it is slavery. Just as the 'mastah' used to let some of his slaves work off the plantation as long as they sent a portion of their earning back - we are allowed to work as long as we let 'mastah govt' collect his share first.<BR/><BR/>I say elect Hillary so she can smash us into the smash us all into financial oblivion in the quickest possible manner - that's sarcasm folks in case you missed it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-3000551714479397612008-02-20T19:52:00.000-07:002008-02-20T19:52:00.000-07:00Don't forget his being investigated by the SEC for...Don't forget his being investigated by the SEC for his possible insider trading of Harken Energy stock back in 1990. They are all crooks and sociopaths.John Polomnyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10120789782451378465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-64794460211689395042008-02-20T17:44:00.000-07:002008-02-20T17:44:00.000-07:00The whole "we built too many houses" excuse is so ...The whole "we built too many houses" excuse is so typical of Bush. Here's a guy who trumpeted from the pulpit at every campaign stop in 2004 that we had a "record" number of home owners under his administration as proof of the solid economy, (Al Franken, such as he is, was quick to point out it was a useless statistic in that every president could say this since they started keeping records in 1964.)<BR/><BR/>Now we know why he was able to trumpet the statistic during his reelection campaign: It was a bubble he and the Fed had created, a bubble the American people are paying for right now.Tom Eddlemhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02409142306576805540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-51676222533395998382008-02-20T17:28:00.000-07:002008-02-20T17:28:00.000-07:00Without a doubt we are financially doomed. At time...Without a doubt we are financially doomed. At times it is very scary to comprehend. As a Christian I know it is wrong to worry, but with a wife who suffers from a chronic illness and little in the form of investments/money. I sometimes find myself gripped by panic attacks thinking about the future. As one who has spent his entire life in the woods - on my own I could survive but with my wife it would be a different story. All we can do is trust that our gracious heavenly Father will watch out for us.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com