Dying for the Empire Is Not Heroic

Predictably, the news media spent most of the week examining words Donald Trump may or may not have spoken to the widow of an American Green Beret killed in Niger, in northwest Africa, in early October. Not only was this coverage tedious, it was largely pointless. We know Trump is a clumsy boor, and we also know that lots of people are ready to pounce on him for any sort of gaffe, real or imagined. Who cares? It’s not news. But it was useful to those who wish to distract Americans from what really needs attention: the U.S. government’s perpetual war.

Cowardice is Not a Virtue

First and foremost, pushing a “legislative” solution always amounts to condoning a violent solution. “Laws” are not polite suggestions; they are threats of force. “Gun control,” while usually framed in vague, euphemistic terms by its proponents, is gun violence. It is politicians threatening to send men with guns after any mere peasant who possesses something that the masters say they are not allowed to possess.

Voluntary Law and Order

People are not all the same, and they make different choices because they have different values, circumstances, and levels of understanding. Sometimes those choices are peaceful and wise; sometimes they are not. So what are the best ways to promote good choices and cooperation while preventing and providing resolution for conflict?

Brent’s Journey (1h14m) – Episode 081

Episode 081 welcomes Brent Mayberry to the podcast for a chat with Skyler. Topics covered include: growing up in Arizona, his father’s medical doctor credentials from Mexico, public school, three different college majors including economics, LDS mission to Argentina, serving in the Army National Guard as a staunch Conservative, being deployed in Africa near Somalia (Djibouti), journey to voluntaryism, his wife and kids, being a stay-at-home unschooling dad, screen time, influencing others, Utah Patients Coalition, and more.