King George I

“Much indeed to be regretted, party disputes are now carried to such a length, and truth is so enveloped in mist and false representation, that it is extremely difficult to know through what channel to seek it. This difficulty to one, who is of no party, and whose sole wish is to pursue with undeviating steps a path which would lead this country to respectability, wealth, and happiness, is exceedingly to be lamented. But such, for wise purposes, it is presumed, is the turbulence of human passions in party disputes, when victory more than truth is the palm contended for,” – George Washington, in a letter to Timothy Pickering, July 27, 1795.

Quotes

“Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.” -Benjamin Franklin (attr)

Numquam ponenda est pluritas sine necessitate.

People should not fear their government. Governments should fear their people.

“I think we risk becoming the best informed society that has ever died of ignorance.” -Reuben Blades

“Government is not the solution to our problem. Government is the problem.” -Ronald Reagan

“I don’t believe in a government that protects us from ourselves.” -Ronald Reagan

Justice and the Government

Some people may prefer a strict application of the law, across the board. Some may prefer a lenient application of the law, across the board. A case can be made for both. I also think a case can be made for strict application of the law as applied to the government, but a lenient application as applied to the people. But the least defensible position, it seems to me, is the one that dominates: Strict justice for the people and leniency for the government.

-Tim Lynch, via TheAgitator.com

Cops who… catch crooks?

The cop who nicks crooks

What a foreign concept that’s become — police working to curb crime, arrest criminals, and not just generate revenue with silly traffic citations, needless “drug-related” arrests, and harassment of law-abiding citizens. Maybe some US police chiefs can take note of this?

Consider this…

The FBI’s statistics also concluded: “Violent crime rates are highest overall in states with laws limiting or prohibiting the carrying of concealed firearms for self-defense.” (FBI Uniform Crime Report, 1992)

KEEP RIGHT EXCEPT TO PASS

KEEP RIGHT EXCEPT TO PASS

If more people don’t start obeying this simple traffic guideline, I’m going to go mental. How hard is it, people? Stay in the right lane unless you are passing. Pass quickly and safely, then get back in the right lane. STOP HOGGING THE LEFT LANE ON THE INTERSTATE!

In other news, I got behind a black C6 Z06 Corvette yesterday in Nashville on I-65 south, north of Franklin. That was the second new Z06 I’ve seen on the road (saw a yellow one last month on I-24 between Murfreesboro and Nashville). Anyway, we were both in the left lane rolling about 85 around traffic, and caught a big gap in traffic. I guess he was tired of seeing a Roundel in his mirror, but whatever the reason, he dropped a gear and went WOT. The exhaust note from that car is pure sex, I tell you. He must have rolled up to 140 or close, because I tried to keep him in sight speeding up to a touch over 120, and he was still pulling away from me like I was stationary. Color me impressed.