Comments for First Principles

Comment on How a State Party Destroys Itself – And How Nevada Republicans Might Actually Come Out Ahead in the End by Peter Kroll

Peter Kroll — Tue, 22 May 2012 01:13:23 +0000

If you really want to” shine the spotlight on absurdity,” Orrin, just shine it in the mirror!

Comment on Reno’s Annular Eclipse – Back Yard Photos! by Pam Dawson

Pam Dawson — Mon, 21 May 2012 17:34:48 +0000

We viewed eclipse at Pyramid Lake. Beautiful day!! Not crowded up there–PERFECT VIEW. Lake view so nice w/ perfect breeze. Pictures turned out incredible from a Cannon shot behind a lens rigged up for a large telescope. Worried about cloud interference, but the little bit of clouding actually made really nice color variegation.

Comment on Reno’s Annular Eclipse – Back Yard Photos! by Malinda Campbell

Malinda Campbell — Mon, 21 May 2012 08:49:32 +0000

NOT FAIR LOL – you have cooler toys than I have.

BUT – My Canon Rebel with a zoom lens did pretty darn good just until a cloud screwed me – but my camera picked up things my eyes were not able to see without damage LOL.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150971514868103.480560.660028102&type=1

You should have seen me in my back yard wearing Kevin’s Darth Vader welding helmet that likely came over on Noah’s Ark with sun shades on under it with a Canon with a 300 zoom lens on it hahaha – quite comical – glad I have a 6 foot fence

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150971391423103&set=a.57622098102.84366.660028102&type=1&theater

Comment on Reno’s Annular Eclipse – Back Yard Photos! by Norman Yeager

Norman Yeager — Mon, 21 May 2012 08:47:55 +0000

My front door in Henderson is about 470 miles south of Reno so the event wasn’t quite as spectacular. The false darkness (or light?) definitely had our backyard Mockingbird confused and he complained loudly as did the Mynah bird. It was an interesting duet-

Comment on The Flexibility of Statistics and the Real US Jobs Picture by Richard Wells

Richard Wells — Mon, 14 May 2012 03:41:35 +0000

The real unemployment numbers as well as many other economic statistics are under reported by the government to make them look better than they are. Take a look at this website for details:

http://www.shadowstats.com/

Comment on So Ron Paul Supporters “Win” – But What Exactly Did They Win? by Orrin Johnson

Orrin Johnson — Fri, 11 May 2012 07:05:18 +0000

Ron, the purpose of government is not to be small just for the sake of being small, it’s to protect, promote, and maximize individual liberty. Yes, in general, government must be small and limited to accomplish that mission. But sometimes you need certain aspects of government to be more robust in order to do that, and having a forward deployed, global military (especially the Navy) is one of those aspects. The fact that we have the largest economy in the world and also the most aircraft carriers is not a coincidence.

I’ve written previously about this, most comprehensively here. Here’s an excerpt:

The proper role of government can be understood as an umbrella. In order to maximize individual freedom, the government must protect us from other individuals who might wish to curtail that freedom. This is how being tough on crime and having a strong national defense are conservative in the tradition of protecting individual liberties. (While the proper balance is admittedly never easy to strike, liberals and many libertarians tend to ignore completely the freedom-enhancing value of being able to live your life free from fear of crime or death-by-terrorist, as if government were the only entity capable of restricting your freedom.)

I do agree, however, that mindless, ever-increasing military expenditures and careless use of the military is foolish. Respecting and honoring the military is one thing, turning the institution into a sacred cow is quite another.

Oh, and Peter? Thank you, as always, for stopping by and helping me make my point so well! But I do agree with you for once. My side – the side of winning elections and actually seeing conservative/libertarian philosophies enacted into law – does take a hit every time the Ron Paul folks take over a party meeting of any kind. Although “my puppet” (news to me…) Dave Gallagher’s considerable talents will now be available for far more functional organizations, which is very likely a net gain for Republicans and conservatism.

Comment on So Ron Paul Supporters “Win” – But What Exactly Did They Win? by Cheryl Blomstrom

Cheryl Blomstrom — Fri, 11 May 2012 05:15:06 +0000

@Peter-seriously? Are you people insane? You cannot elect anyone by yourselves and this behavior is entirely anathema to regular GOP types like me. For Pete’s sake, man.

Comment on So Ron Paul Supporters “Win” – But What Exactly Did They Win? by Peter Kroll

Peter Kroll — Fri, 11 May 2012 05:04:51 +0000

Aren’t you getting tired of whining, Orrin? After every state meeting, Central Committee or convention, your side loses! Too bad old buddy. It must be difficult? Oops, the crazies just fired your puppet E.D. too! Should I send some more crying towels?

Comment on So Ron Paul Supporters “Win” – But What Exactly Did They Win? by Ron

Ron — Thu, 10 May 2012 16:03:38 +0000

Malinda and any other so-called “small government conservatives”

How does a small, limited government square with a global military? Where does a limited government get the money to buy all the toys? Or, do you forsee the military becoming a for-profit business independent of the government?

A small government means a small military. That’s the real “big picture.”

Comment on Lie, Cheat, and Steal – It’s the Ron Paul Way! by Guest Blog – Orrin Johnson: So Ron Paul Supporters “Win” – But What Exactly Did They Win? | Nevada Conservative

Thu, 10 May 2012 04:13:25 +0000

[...] vote for Paul or no one, and even if they don’t, the Paul campaign already has been caught urging supporters to lie about their true plans. Any candidate for public office will assume at this point that Paul supporters are unreliable at [...]