MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'democracy'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:04:33 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4883677&cid=t_160845_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F05%2F30%2Fremembering-those-who-died-for-us-2011%2F It’s hard to repay the debt of a human life. Yet today in the United States, we remember those who died for us, fighting in wars to keep our freedoms safe from those who would take them away from us. War still rages around us, soldiers still fight today. And every month, soldiers die fighting for us. For our democracy. For our country. I’m not sure how to repay that debt. All I can do is remember and give thanks to those who fell in battle, because without their sacrifice, I’m not sure I’d be here living in one of the world’s greatest democracies. Memorial Day’s roots can be traced back to the Civil War, when people who honor those who fought in that bloody war by decorating the graves of the dead. After WWI, it was expanded to recognize the sacrifices g... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4883677 Mon, 30 May 2011 12:26:30 +0100 4883677 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4841437&cid=t_160845_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FLrWEFtQ-Q3Q%2F By George Scoville Next up for marriage equality: Perry v. Schwarzenegger. Please join us at 12:00 p.m. Eastern today as co-counsels for the plaintiffs Theodore Olson and John Boies join Center for American Progress president John Podesta and Cato chairman Robert A. Levy for a panel discussion on marriage equality, exploring legal and moral questions dating back to the landmark 1967 Loving v. Virginia decision that ended state bans on interracial marriage. If you cannot join us here at Cato, please tune in to watch a live stream of the event. “Republicans have an opportunity for a much more important debate, which will frame the election campaign next year.” In President Obama’s next speech, Cato director of foreign policy studies Christopher Preble hopes “that the ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4841437 Wed, 18 May 2011 14:29:53 +0100 4841437 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4841449&cid=t_160845_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FN95MFU-TZlQ%2F By Christopher PrebleThe news media is abuzz with speculation about what President Obama will say in an address this Thursday at the State Department. The topic is the Middle East, and White House Press Secretary Jay Carney explained, “we’ve gone through a remarkable period in the first several months of this year…in the Middle East and North Africa,” and the president has “some important things to say about how he views the upheaval and how he has approached the U.S. response to the events in the region.” The speech, Carney hinted to reporters, would be “fairly sweeping and comprehensive.” If I were advising the president, I would urge him to say many of the same things that he said in his June 2009 speech in Cairo, this time with some timely references... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4841449 Tue, 17 May 2011 13:44:14 +0100 4841449 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4536052&cid=t_160845_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FrAKm_FwW5es%2F By Malou InnocentIn 2008, the election of President Barack Obama was widely touted as a repudiation of President George W. Bush’s messianic vision that “Our common prosperity will be advanced by allowing all humanity—men and women—to reach their full potential.” In the years following America’s failed democratic experiment in Iraq, many Americans began to spurn the Bush era’s presumptuous conviction that “We have the power to make the world we seek.” Liberals in particular roundly rejected the supposed “unyielding belief” that America is called to lead the cause of “rule of law” and “the equal administration of justice” around the world. Such pious declarations are in keeping with Bush’s neo-Wilsonian foreign policy.  Does it surprise you then, that all of ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4536052 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 18:36:22 +0100 4536052 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4464667&cid=t_160845_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2011%2F02%2F11%2Fmubaraks-press-conference-rehearsal-outtakes%2F New cartoon by Trussell & Trussell on Politics Daily. Mubarak’s Press Conference Rehearsal: Outtakes. Crisis Dictator Makeover LLC: “We tried. We really, really tried.” Filed under: Politics Tagged: democracy, egypt, mubarak, protest, robert donna trussell, tunisia (Source: Donna Trussell) Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4464667 Sat, 12 Feb 2011 00:26:15 +0100 4464667 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4455442&cid=t_160845_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2011%2F02%2F09%2Fdictators-a-chorus-line%2F New cartoon by Trussell & Trussell on Politics Daily. Dictators: A Chorus Line. Walk a mile in their Guccis. Filed under: Politics Tagged: democracy, egypt, middle east, mubarak, protest, tunisia (Source: Donna Trussell) Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4455442 Wed, 09 Feb 2011 16:28:29 +0100 4455442 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4433084&cid=t_160845_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FFfin-h0xPaY%2F By Malou InnocentOverall, President Obama was right to applaud the Egyptian military for defending (at least for now) rather than killing Egyptian civilians, potentially avoiding  the Arab world’s Tienanmen Square. Whether Obama’s rhetoric could have been more supportive, as we saw with Tunisia, is up for debate. But it appears that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s attempt to shape an orderly transition is running into trouble. The New Yorker’s Jane Mayer reports that Mubarak’s recently appointed Vice President, Omar Suleiman, was “the C.I.A.’s point man in Egypt for renditions—the covert program in which the C.I.A. snatched terror suspects from around the world and returned them to Egypt and elsewhere for interrogation, often under brutal circumstances.” Suleiman... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4433084 Thu, 03 Feb 2011 18:02:31 +0100 4433084 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4424398&cid=t_160845_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2011%2F02%2F01%2Fmobs-and-democracy-the-facebook-twitter-youtube-revolution%2F A protester kisses riot police in Cairo on January 28, 2011. My new post on Politics Daily / Woman Up. Mobs and Democracy: The Facebook-Twitter-YouTube Revolution. You may think you’ve seen this movie before. Just two summers ago, in fact, in Iran. Never say never, but I’m saying never. You’ve never seen anything like what is unfolding today in Egypt. Just when it seemed humankind was doomed (pick your poison: pandemic, climate change, famine, drought, nuclear war) up pops Tunisia and Egypt. Overnight, it seems, the world has entered a new era. As The New York Times put it: It was a spectacle that would have been unthinkable less than two decades ago, when Middle Eastern governments strictly censored any subversive images. Now, it seems, all revolutions are televised. Med... Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4424398 Tue, 01 Feb 2011 06:03:24 +0100 4424398 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4419115&cid=t_160845_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fq_H8H0e0nVg%2F By Malou InnocentOppressed people rarely get opportunities to express their anguish and disillusionment. Today in Egypt for the seventh straight day, thousands of ordinary citizens are pouring out onto the streets, demanding the expulsion of President Hosni Mubarak, calling for an end to emergency laws giving police extensive powers of arrest and detention, and claiming the legitimate right to run their own country. It is well past time for U.S. policymakers to stand with the Egyptian people and rethink Mubarak’s purported role as an “anchor of stability” in the Middle East. Many in Washington fear that the path Egypt takes after Mubarak might not lead to a freer and more prosperous future and that an Islamist government led by the Muslim Brotherhood, or the Ikhwan, will ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4419115 Mon, 31 Jan 2011 17:27:01 +0100 4419115 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4372025&cid=t_160845_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FCczvZ1ciRyU%2F By John SamplesJeff Patch and Zac Morgan of the Center for Competitive Politics report on the storm that is brewing at the Federal Election Commission over regulations to implement Citizens United. The three Democratic appointees propose regulations that would impose significant elements of the DISCLOSE Act, a bill that failed to pass Congress last year. The three Republican appointees, in contrast, propose to clarify existing law and clear away defunct regulations, all with an eye toward the holdings in Citizens United. The FEC seems unlikely to adopt the proposals by the Democratic appointees. After all, the Democratic commissioners do not have and are unlikely to obtain majority support for their agenda. Imagine if the Federal Election Commission were directed by a seven-member board wh... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4372025 Wed, 19 Jan 2011 17:38:04 +0100 4372025 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4360953&cid=t_160845_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FzsZHyKEouIs%2F By Malou InnocentThe sudden collapse of the Tunisian government on Friday underscores the turmoil toward which the Muslim world  seems inescapably drifting.  As I wrote earlier today at The National Interest Online: Today, as during the Cold War, policy makers in Washington seem to expect economic growth to act as a substitute for political liberty, thereby ignoring the instinctive desire for freedom. Despotic leaders love to adopt pseudo-economic “reforms” to mask their coercive measures and perpetuate the status quo, but in the end, the institutionalized oppression imposed by ruling elites cannot be appeased in that way. Time will tell whether Tunisia and its neighbors evolve toward a freer and more prosperous future. But either way, human history confirms that fundamental change i... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4360953 Tue, 18 Jan 2011 20:36:26 +0100 4360953 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4360963&cid=t_160845_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fe8NV58mBXE8%2F By David BoazOn Saturday, inspired by Fareed Zakaria’s writings on “illiberal democracy,” I expressed concerns about the prospect of quick elections in Tunisia, a country that has not had a free press, an independent judiciary, or other elements of liberalism. Khelil Bouarrouj, a Tunisian-American libertarian, thinks I am overly pessimistic. Here’s what he wrote me: While Tunisia has never been a true democracy, the largely educated middle class in the nation is well-learned when it comes to the principles of a free society. The regime’s authoritarianism does not speak for the courageous Tunisian lawyers, activists and students; along with the general professional class. Tunisians know what a free press looks like. They’ve seen it around the world when t... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4360963 Mon, 17 Jan 2011 14:43:02 +0100 4360963 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4352708&cid=t_160845_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F9en5DQpYzpw%2F By David BoazIn the wake of President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali’s abdication in Tunisia on Friday, both President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton stressed the need for quick elections in a country that has never known democracy, freedom of the press, or the rule of law: Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton . . .  reacted Friday to Ben Ali’s departure with a statement condemning government violence against protesters and calling for free elections. “We look to the Tunisian government to build a stronger foundation for Tunisia’s future with economic, social and political reforms,” she said. . . . President Obama condemned the use of violence against the protesters and urged the government to hold elections that “reflect the true wil... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4352708 Sat, 15 Jan 2011 22:25:20 +0100 4352708 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4265693&cid=t_160845_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FAR3ykN-144g%2F By Jason KuznickiTalk between libertarians and the left usually follows one of two scripts, each of which frustrates me. In the first script, both sides find things that they can safely dislike together — war, eminent domain, small business licensing — while carefully avoiding all the contentious areas. They’re a lot like that recently divorced couple at the Christmas party you’ve just attended, chattering as much as they dare… but mostly about the weather. In the second script, someone yells “Taxation is theft!” or “You hate the poor!” and it’s not long before someone gets a drink thrown in their face. Perhaps also like that Christmas party you’ve just attended. If I may say so myself, this month’s Cato Unbound has be... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4265693 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 17:30:04 +0100 4265693 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4197362&cid=t_160845_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FU2jO9cXPUTo%2F The US Federal Trade Commission is being asked by four consumer and privacy watchdog groups to investigate what they describe as allegedly “unfair and deceptive advertising practices” that consumers confront when they attempt to gather health info online. The move comes as the FDA grapples with formulating rules for how the pharmaceutical industry can adopt social media. “Health consumers are being told that by using digital media services they have become empowered ‘e-patients,’ but they are not being informed about the privacy and potential health risks connected with the use of digital marketing of pharmaceuticals and health products,” according to the 144-page complaint filed today with the FTC by the Center for Digital Democracy, US PIRG, Consumer ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4197362 Tue, 23 Nov 2010 18:20:17 +0100 4197362 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4133677&cid=t_160845_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F46XbEB_1zfg%2F By Daniel J. MitchellLast week, I highlighted nine ballot initiatives that were worth watching because of their policy implications and/or their role is showing whether voters wanted more or less freedom. The results, by and large, are very encouraging. Let’s take a look at the results of those nine votes, as well as a few additional key initiatives. 1. The big spenders wanted to impose an income tax in the state of Washington, and they even had support from too-rich-to-care Bill Gates. The good news is that this initiative got slaughtered by a nearly two-to-one margin.  I was worried about this initiative since crazy  Oregon voters approved higher tax rates earlier this year. In a further bit of good news, Washington voters also approved a supermajority requirement for tax incre... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4133677 Wed, 03 Nov 2010 18:58:40 +0100 4133677 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3998957&cid=t_160845_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FuxX3-RYN1S8%2F By Juan Carlos HidalgoVenezuelans go to the polls on Sunday for a legislative election that will test the extent to which democracy still exists in their country. It’ll be the 13th election since Hugo Chávez became president in 1998 (these include constitutional referenda, gubernatorial, legislative and presidential elections, as well as a recall vote). Some would say that all these elections prove that Venezuela is a true democracy. I would argue that democracy means more than simply voting. It involves separation of powers, constitutional checks and balances, and freedom of the press. None of these exists in Venezuela anymore. Even the electoral process is deeply flawed. Just as in previous elections, nobody expects the vote on Sunday to be fair: Independent international observers ha... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3998957 Fri, 24 Sep 2010 16:05:13 +0100 3998957 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3757848&cid=t_160845_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FjHnuknw3Ekg%2F By Juan Carlos HidalgoBy now the name of Yoani Sánchez has become common currency for those who follow Cuba. Through the use of New Media (blog, Twitter and YouTube) Yoani has challenged the Castro regime in a way that various U.S. government-sponsored efforts have  failed to do before, earning the respect and tacit admiration of even those who continue to sympathize with the Cuban regime. As my colleague Ian Vásquez put it a few months ago, Yoani keeps speaking truth to power. Although she’s a remarkable individual, Yoani is not alone in fighting repression with technology. Other bloggers are making their voice heard, and that makes the Castro dictatorship nervous. As Yoani wrote in a paper recently published by Cato, despite the many difficulties and costs that regular Cubans face ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3757848 Thu, 15 Jul 2010 18:26:37 +0100 3757848 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3592196&cid=t_160845_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FGpYjJuTxPnw%2F By Michael F. CannonThe following excerpt from Jeffrey Friedman’s article in the January/February 2010 issue of Cato Policy Report, though about the financial industry rather than health care reform, captures why so many critics of ObamaCare are comfortable describing it as socialism: What I am calling social democracy is, in its form, very different from socialism. Under social democracy, laws and regulations are issued piecemeal, as flexible responses to the side effects of progress — social and economic problems — as they arise, one by one…. The case-by-case approach is supposed to be the height of pragmatism. But in substance, there is a striking similarity between social democracy and the most utopian socialism. Whether through piecemeal regulation or central planning,... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3592196 Mon, 24 May 2010 14:21:37 +0100 3592196 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3581847&cid=t_160845_150_f&fid=38374&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FePharmaSummit%2F%7E3%2FyjTOvCrtT_4%2Fcenter-for-digital-democracy-brings.html (Source: ePharma Summit) ePharma Summit blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3581847 Thu, 20 May 2010 13:00:00 +0100 3581847 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3378448&cid=t_160845_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FMNi1Fk2h2x8%2F By John SamplesThe leaders of the House of Representatives plan to address health care through a “deem and pass” strategy.  Professor Michael McConnell believes this strategy violates the Constitution.  But put that aside for now. Ms. Pelosi has chosen “deem and pass” because, as she said, “people don’t have to vote on the Senate bill.” The “people” in question are House Democrats whose votes are essential to passing the bill.  These members fear voters would penalize them for voting for the Senate bill. As the Washington Post put it, “deem and pass” would “enable House Democrats not to be on record directly as supporting the Senate measure.”  A House Democrat running in a tough election will be able to deny ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3378448 Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:29:19 +0100 3378448 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3374339&cid=t_160845_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2010%2F03%2F16%2Famerica-shift-happens%2F New cartoon by Trussell & Trussell on AOL’s Politics Daily. America: Shift Happens. Filed under: Politics Daily Tagged: chaos theory, congress, democracy, lobbyist, political cartoon, senate, wall street (Source: Donna Trussell) Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3374339 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 23:12:58 +0100 3374339 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3370397&cid=t_160845_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F2lwOsgicfxo%2F By Ian VasquezThe apparent drug gang killings of U.S. consular employees this weekend in Juarez, Mexico are a bloody reminder that President Obama is getting the United States involved in yet another war it cannot win. Drug gang killings also occurred in Acapulco, with a total of 50 such fatalities nationwide over the weekend. Unfortunately, Obama has responded to the latest incident by following the same failed strategy as his predecessors when confronted with drug war losses: a stronger fight against drugs. Though the deaths are the first in which Mexican drug cartels appear to have so brazenly targeted and killed individuals linked to the U.S. government, illicit drug trade violence has killed some 18,000 people in Mexico since President Calderon came to power in December 2006—more th... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3370397 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:53:18 +0100 3370397 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3331275&cid=t_160845_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fu3lFBBg7i2M%2F By Chris Edwards1. Additional federal spending transfers resources from the more productive private sector to the less productive public sector of the economy. The bulk of federal spending goes toward subsidies and benefit payments, which generally do not enhance economic productivity. With lower productivity, average American incomes will fall. 2. As federal spending rises, it creates pressure to raise taxes now and in the future. Higher taxes reduce incentives for productive activities such as working, saving, investing, and starting businesses. Higher taxes also increase incentives to engage in unproductive activities such as tax avoidance. 3. Much federal spending is wasteful and many federal programs are mismanaged. Cost overruns, fraud and abuse, and other bureaucratic failures are e... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3331275 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:34:12 +0100 3331275 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3327293&cid=t_160845_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FkyEINuzRo5c%2F The agency is being urged to conduct a “comprehensive investigation” into the use and impact of digital health marketing techniques and technologies by the Center for Digital Democracy, a non-profit group that filed comments this week in response to the FDA hearings that were held last fall on the use of the Internet and social media. The CDD says the health and safety of consumers must be protected from “inappropriate and potentially harmful use of digital marketing applications” that have been embraced by the industrypharmaceutical and health marketers,” and which have given the industry “unprecedented abilities to take advantage of consumers.” At the November hearings, CDD executive director Jeff Chester says, “pharmaceutical marketers purposely pain... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3327293 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:11:35 +0100 3327293 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3197612&cid=t_160845_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FIHjWO80UZx8%2F By Roger PilonAt Politico Arena, today’s focus is on the Court and campaign finance. My comment: The ink is barely dry on today’s Citizens United opinion, and the hysteria has already begun.  Set aside the misunderstandings we’re seeing in some of the comments here at the Arena — corporations still cannot, for example, contribute directly to campaigns — even some of those who understand the law and this decision would have us believe that the world as we know it is coming to an end.  Thus, the inimitable Rick Hasen, whose knowledge of these issues is second to none, tells us that “today’s Supreme Court opinion marks a very bad day for American democracy.”  And attorneys at NYU’s Brennan Center, which made its reputation promoting... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3197612 Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:40:03 +0100 3197612 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3193692&cid=t_160845_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F_TO11YwTO6I%2F By Ilya ShapiroToday the Supreme Court struck a major blow for free speech by correctly holding that government cannot try to “level the political playing field” by banning corporations from making independent campaign expenditures on films, books, or even campaign signs. As Justice Kennedy said in announcing the opinion, “if the First Amendment has any force, it prohibits jailing citizens for engaging in political speech.” While the Court has long upheld campaign finance regulations as a way to prevent corruption in elections, it has also repeated that equalizing speech is never a valid government interest. After all, to make campaign spending equal, the government would have to prevent some people or groups from spending less than they wished. That is directly con... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3193692 Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:29:51 +0100 3193692 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3178757&cid=t_160845_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FWT-osuLJ250%2F By Jim HarperWith a year in office, and perhaps under some pressure to deliver on promises of transparency and change, the White House went on a little PR offensive this week. It rolled out a blog post and a video claiming the transparency successes of the administration’s first year. A lot has gone on, and it’s worth a review. It’s also worth noting some signals that the government transparency project could be heading for a slight detour. In the video — a little infomercial-y, but tolerable and interesting — federal chief technology officer Aneesh Chopra cites several examples of government use of technology. A system called ISDS Distribute helps the government monitor flu outbreaks, for example, akin to Google.org’s Flu Trends. Chopra touted the ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3178757 Fri, 15 Jan 2010 22:04:39 +0100 3178757 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3171876&cid=t_160845_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FbUl0GoKWReI%2F By David BoazFormer secretary of state Madeleine K. Albright writes in Parade magazine that 20 years after the Berlin Wall, “We Must Keep Freedom Alive.” A commendable sentiment, but the article is a bit confused, notably in that it seems to use “freedom” and “democracy” interchangeably. But as Fareed Zakaria and Tom Palmer, among others, have demonstrated, they’re not the same thing. Freedom is the right and ability of individuals to make the important decisions about their lives. Democracy — especially constitutional democracy, with separation of powers, the rule of law, and constraints on government — can be the most effective way to protect liberty. But democracy isn’t liberty, and we shouldn’t confuse the relationship... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3171876 Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:15:10 +0100 3171876 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3167092&cid=t_160845_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FgeFiJfl40nQ%2F By Doug BandowRemember when President George W. Bush was pushing war for democracy.  Excited neoconservatives promised that a new wave of democratization was about to roll through the Middle East, sweeping out authoritarian and anti-American regimes. Oops. Reports the Washington Times: The most significant finding of the latest report is the decline in freedom in the Middle East, [Arch Puddington] said. Three countries — Jordan, Yemen and Bahrain — were reclassified from “partly free” to “not free,” and freedoms declined in Morocco and Iran. “Freedom House saw the region as a whole as headed slightly in the right direction after 9/11,” he said. “But that has changed.” Not only are countries moving backwards, but America’s friends a... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3167092 Wed, 13 Jan 2010 13:45:05 +0100 3167092 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3164106&cid=t_160845_180_f&fid=38616&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifelearningtoday%2Fwlyf%2F%7E3%2FFYqAye306OI%2F The way to stop being frustrated by politics? Get involved! (And before you stop reading because you have no spare time, please know that there are small ways to get involved that don’t take a lot of time!) Think about a sports game. It can be frustrating watching a game when your team is losing. But when you are in the game, you can be affecting the outcome and at least know you did your best even if you don’t win. It is the same with politics! So, get on the field of play and use your energy, resources, and your right to contribute to our government. It won’t just make you feel better, it will make your community and country a better place! Whether you are on the right, the left, in the center, or out in left field, you CAN make a difference in the world. “Somebod... Life Learning Today blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3164106 Mon, 11 Jan 2010 18:50:00 +0100 3164106 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124676&cid=t_160845_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2009%2F12%2F27%2Fwhat-do-iranians-want%2F Brave Persians, the world stands with you in your fight for a free Iran. ایرانیان شجاع جهان ایستاده با شما در مبارزه خود را برای ایران آزاد The Daily Nite Owl ~  #IranElection ~  BBC Iran Crisis ~  The Lede Posted in Music - TV - Film Tagged: iran democracy, iran election, iran opposition, iran protest, ایران آزاد, دموکراسی ایران (Source: Donna Trussell) Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124676 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 05:29:28 +0100 3124676 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3118856&cid=t_160845_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FyFytEZDSxYE%2F By David BoazToday’s question at “Politico Arena“: “Is the filibuster good or bad for America?” My response: The United States is a republic, not a majoritarian democracy. The Founders were rightly afraid of majoritarian tyranny, and they wrote a Constitution designed to thwart it. Everything about the Constitution — enumerated powers, separation of powers, two bodies of Congress elected in different ways, the electoral college, the Bill of Rights — is designed to protect liberty by restraining majorities. Furthermore, the Senate was intended to be slower and more deliberative. Washington said to Jefferson, “We put legislation in the senatorial saucer to cool it.” The Founders didn’t invent the filibuster, but it is a longstanding procedure that ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3118856 Wed, 23 Dec 2009 16:59:36 +0100 3118856 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3052127&cid=t_160845_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FYBvsqTfHpCo%2F The Associated Press reports: The federal government is wading into deliberations over the future of journalism as printed newspapers, television stations and other traditional media outlets suffer from Americans’ growing reliance on the Internet. With the media business in a state of economic distress as audiences and advertisers migrate online, the Federal Trade Commission began a two-day workshop Tuesday to examine the profound challenges facing media companies and explore ways the government can help them survive. Media executives taking part are looking for a new business model for an industry that is watching traditional advertising revenue dry up, without online revenue growing quickly enough to replace it. Government officials want to protect a critical pillar of democracy—... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3052127 Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:43:21 +0100 3052127 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3003722&cid=t_160845_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FeQ5DznRjgf8%2F President Obama spoke to Chinese college students on Monday, as President Ronald Reagan spoke to Moscow State University students in 1988. There were a lot of similarities — both men are great communicators, convinced of the rightness of their views and of their persuasive ability, and confident that their values are not just American but universal. But there were some clear differences in the philosophies they presented. President Obama was eloquent in his defense of freedom in the heart of an authoritarian country: The United States, by comparison, is a young nation, whose culture is determined by the many different immigrants who have come to our shores, and by the founding documents that guide our democracy. Those documents put forward a simple vision of human affairs, and they e... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3003722 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:13:30 +0100 3003722 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2977270&cid=t_160845_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F9odL-hGEr5w%2F In a way, I always knew it would happen. I knew that, come November 9, the left-leaning NYT would publish an article focusing on the supposed crisis of capitalism rather than the end of communist dictatorship. Still, I was not prepared for Slavoj Zizek’s op-ed entitled “20 Years of Collapse.” First, a few words about the author — a Marxist philosopher from Slovenia. Generally ignored or ridiculed in Slovenia, Zizek is considered (by some) to be the new messiah of leftist thought in the West. Why did the NYT chose to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the collapse of communism with Zizek’s call for “socialism with a human face,” rather than an op-ed by someone like Vladimir Bukovsky, a former Soviet political prisoner tormented for years by the communists, is anyone... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2977270 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:19:31 +0100 2977270 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2954498&cid=t_160845_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FlJXkpS4qjr0%2F The “Karzai problem” in Afghanistan: “The U.S. has assisted and sponsored a corrupt, illegitimate and slightly autocratic regime there while purporting to advance the values of freedom and democracy.” Did it work? Cato’s Jeffrey Miron debates the effectiveness of Obama’s stimulus plan. The Democrats’ internal battle: Why they can’t agree on how to overhaul the health care system. The limits of American power in Afghanistan. “Peter Bauer and the Economics of Prosperity“ (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2954498 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:07:30 +0100 2954498 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2814397&cid=t_160845_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FdOUTrF4ueVU%2F Pakistan long has tottered on the edge of being a failed state:  created amidst a bloody partition from India, suffered under ineffective democratic rule and disastrous military rule, destabilized through military suppression of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) by dominant West Pakistan, dismembered in a losing war with India, misgoverned by a corrupt and wastrel government, linked to the most extremist Afghan factions during the Soviet occupation, allied with the later Taliban regime, and now destabilized by the war in Afghanistan.  Along the way the regime built nuclear weapons, turned a blind eye to A.Q. Khan’s proliferation market, suppressed democracy, tolerated religious persecution, elected Asif Ali “Mr. Ten Percent” Zardari as president, and wasted billion... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2814397 Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:45:20 +0100 2814397 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2807575&cid=t_160845_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FOR0nsVjEuGI%2F A new T-shirt for Senator Baucus: I worked for six months with half a dozen members of the Senate Finance Committee, and all I got was this lousy 223-page summary of what I hope the new health care bill will look like. Why should evidence even matter in education policy? I mean, we’re doing this for the children. Videos reveal tax-funded organization being used to help those who want to open a brothel and illegally bring underage girls into the United States as “sex workers.” Meet the two 20-something who exposed it. It’s time to narrowly define the mission in Afghanistan. “The United States does not have the patience, cultural knowledge or legitimacy to transform what is a deeply divided, poverty stricken, tribal-based society into a self-sufficient, n... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2807575 Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:31:32 +0100 2807575 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2796402&cid=t_160845_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FQC5hrp9VWks%2F Columbia University IR guru Robert Jervis has a smart post at Foreign Policy’s “Af-Pak” blog.  For those who couldn’t get enough at yesterday’s Cato forum on Afghanistan, Jervis’ post is well worth a look: Prof. Robert Jervis Most discussion about Afghanistan has concentrated on whether and how we can defeat the Taliban. Less attention has been paid to the probable consequences of a withdrawal without winning, an option toward which I incline. What is most striking is not that what I take to be the majority view is wrong, but that it has not been adequately defended. This is especially important because the U.S. has embarked on a war that will require great effort with prospects that are uncertain at best. Furthermore, it appears that Obama’s com... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2796402 Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:21:55 +0100 2796402 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2778387&cid=t_160845_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fa49WOEq6Lxg%2F Thomas Friedman’s New York Times column today would be astonishing in its incoherence if only Friedman hadn’t long ago sapped us of our ability to be astonished by his incoherence. Like many capital-’d’ Democrats, Friedman has soured on democracy for failing to deliver on his policy wish list. Watching both the health care and climate/energy debates in Congress, it is hard not to draw the following conclusion: There is only one thing worse than one-party autocracy, and that is one-party democracy, which is what we have in America today. Why does Friedman say the United States has one-party democracy? Because the Republican Party is effectively opposing the Democratic Party’s agenda! Not even kidding. Get this: The fact is, on both the energy/climate legislatio... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2778387 Wed, 09 Sep 2009 18:11:09 +0100 2778387 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2719676&cid=t_160845_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FcBp9VMgLhY8%2F According to a recent Washington Post-ABC Poll, the majority of Americans say the war in Afghanistan is not worth fighting. Usually, I don’t take kindly to polling data; they are ephemeral snapshots of public opinion that fluctuate with the prevailing political winds. But I will say (as I’ve said before) that Central Asia holds little intrinsic strategic value to the United States. In that respect, I can understand why Americans are growing skeptical of continuing what’s become an “aimless absurdity.” America’s flagging support for the war comes as millions of Afghans head to the polls to elect their next president. Hamid Karzai, the incumbent, is the front-runner, but if he is unable to secure more than 50% of the vote there will be a run-off scheduled for early October. Given... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2719676 Thu, 20 Aug 2009 12:52:41 +0100 2719676 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2712321&cid=t_160845_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2009%2F08%2F18%2Fchaos-theory-the-last-town-hall-meeting%2F New cartoon by Trussell & Trussell on AOL’s Politics Daily: The Last Town Hall Meeting. Posted in Politcal Cartoons Tagged: democracy, obama, town hall meeting (Source: Donna Trussell) Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2712321 Tue, 18 Aug 2009 19:27:27 +0100 2712321 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2648966&cid=t_160845_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FNZDCQSUonM8%2F It was good of Ari Schwartz to respond last week to my recent post querying whether the Center for Democracy and Technology outright opposes a national ID or simply “does not support” one. Ari says CDT does oppose a national ID, and I believe that he honestly believes that. But it’s worth taking a look at whether the group’s actions are consistent with opposition to a national ID. I believe CDT’s actions — most recently its support of the PASS ID Act — support the creation of a national ID. (The title of his post and some of his commentary suggest I have engaged in rhetorical excess and mischaracterized his views. Please do judge for yourself whether I’m being shrill or unfair, which is not my intention.) First I want to address an unusual cl... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2648966 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 18:04:20 +0100 2648966 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2625958&cid=t_160845_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FsGncYnym6pA%2F Speaking of the Center for Democracy and Technology, Leslie Harris gave a terrific quote to Forbes.com for an article on cybersecurity: The Rockefeller-Snowe Bill represents just the sort of heavy-handed regulation that could stifle innovation and hurt the economy, argues Leslie Harris, president and chief executive of the Center for Democracy and Technology. “If you lock things down too tight and try to centralize and federalize all kinds of standards, you’re on a collision course with the innovators who may be making the next great tech product in their backyard,” she says. The question is why CDT doesn’t apply this thinking to the field of identification and credentialing. (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2625958 Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:22:45 +0100 2625958 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2625959&cid=t_160845_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FvZZkRo9p0RE%2F The Electronic Privacy Information Center has produced a very thorough analysis of the PASS ID Act, which would revive the REAL ID national ID program. The EPIC analysis states flatly, “The bill would establish a national ID card,” and, “The intent of this legislation is to facilitate a National ID system.” That’s quite a contrast to Ari Schwartz at the Center for Democracy and Technology, who alone believes that PASS ID “prevents the creation of a National ID system.” (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2625959 Tue, 21 Jul 2009 16:26:40 +0100 2625959 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2605951&cid=t_160845_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F3uXb-iN3Qg4%2F The gravest threat to the survival of the repressive regime in Tehran may be the continuing attacks on its perceived legitimacy.  Part of the factional infighting undoubtedly reflects a simple power struggle.  However, religious principles also appear to be at stake.  A number of Muslim clerics are denouncing the authorities for their misbehavior. For instance, Iranian cleric and blogger Mohsen Kadivar recently applied several Islamic principles to the Iranian government: The fourth question concerns attempts by some to cite the protection of the Islamic state to justify suppressing people’s efforts to defend their own rights. The response is that an Islamic state cannot be protected through violence. The fifth question is about what Shari’a law says are the signs of suppr... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2605951 Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:42:13 +0100 2605951 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2561518&cid=t_160845_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2009%2F06%2F30%2Fchaos-theory-fun-while-it-lasted%2F New cartoon by Trussell & Trussell on AOL’s Politics Daily: Fun While It Lasted. Posted in Politcal Cartoons, Politics Tagged: democracy, iran (Source: Donna Trussell) Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2561518 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:50:09 +0100 2561518 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2556086&cid=t_160845_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FMUrE_w1KEfc%2F The media discussion of events in Honduras is remarkably confused. Here’s CNN: The president of the U.N. General Assembly scheduled a noon session Monday to discuss the situation in Honduras, following a military-led coup that ousted the sitting president. and Micheletti, the head of Congress, became president after lawmakers voted by a show of hands to strip Zelaya of his powers, with a resolution stating that Zelaya “provoked confrontations and divisions” within the country. …. The coup came on the same day that he had vowed to follow through with a nonbinding referendum that the Honduran Supreme Court had ruled illegal. Imagine that George Bush, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan or some other American president had decided to overturn the Constitution so that he could st... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2556086 Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:41:49 +0100 2556086 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2510323&cid=t_160845_87_f&fid=35052&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FWomensBioethicsBlog%2F%7E5%2F6NVe682k5gM%2Fbioethicsandpublicpolicy.pdf Associate executive director of the Center for Genetics and Society and WBP supporter, Marcy Darnovsky argues in a new article in the Democracy Journal that for too long progressives have built a bioethics around opposition to the religious right, and have thus failed to explicate a positive vision. In an article complementary to the WBP’s report (downloadable here), Darnovsky outlines a framework for just such a vision, one that balances individual autonomy with the real social concerns raised by biotechnological advances, such as how will human biotechnologies reshape our sense of ourselves, our relationships, the shape and feel of the world we occupy together? Who will profit, who will lose, and who will survive?: “For many progressives and liberals, President Barack Obama’s Marc... Women's Bioethics Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2510323 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:02:44 +0100 2510323 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2473193&cid=t_160845_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fy-_yx2qDi1E%2F Two freedom lovers who bought an old RV to travel across the country and film an online documentary called The Motorhome Diaries stopped by Cato this week to interview Cato Executive Vice President David Boaz. Boaz chatted with Diaries rider Pete Eyre about libertarianism, Cato’s role in Washington and why he’s optimistic about the future of liberty. You can follow them on their trek at MotorhomeDiaries.com or on Twitter at @MHDiaries. (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2473193 Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:09:10 +0100 2473193 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2464089&cid=t_160845_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F3UHApBS5qak%2F Thomas Paine, one of the fathers of American freedom, died almost unmourned 200 years ago today. Brendan O’Neill remembers him at BBC.com: In January 1776 he published a short pamphlet that earned him the title The Father of the American Revolution. Titled simply, Common Sense, the work has been described by the Pulitzer-winning historian Gordon S Wood as “the most incendiary and popular pamphlet of the entire [American] revolutionary period”. It put the case for democracy, against the monarchy, and for American independence from British rule. Lefties like Harvey Kaye, a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and author of Thomas Paine and the Promise of America, like to say He put the case for political democracy AND social democracy, arguing in The Rights of... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2464089 Mon, 08 Jun 2009 19:58:29 +0100 2464089 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2441694&cid=t_160845_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F05%2F25%2Fmemorial-day-2009%2F This Memorial Day in the U.S. — like every Memorial Day — we commemorate and remember those who’ve given their lives for our freedoms and our nation. “Given their lives” is really not accurate, though, as Andy Rooney noted — these soldiers died, plain and simple. They died so that in the future, our country might be safer or democracy might be nurtured in an otherwise hostile environment. They died so that great evils could be done away with in WWII (and WWI). They died so that politicians could wage endless, unwinnable wars for political ideals (Vietnam, Korea, and now Iraq). They died, quite simply, so that we could enjoy the freedoms we so often take for granted in our country. I hope, like most people, that in the future war become less of an option ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2441694 Mon, 25 May 2009 10:08:36 +0100 2441694 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2405024&cid=t_160845_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FIy4GrKPSUNE%2F Richard Haass’s op ed in today’s Post is worth a read. Sure, it amounts to a well-placed advertisement for his new book, War of Necessity, War of Choice. And it’s not like Haass, current president of the Council of Foreign Relations, and former director of policy planning at the State Department, lacks for exposure. But while I would quibble with his characterization of the first Gulf War as “necessary”, it is refreshing for a man so firmly fixed in the foreign policy establishment to focus not on the United States’ supposed capacity for refashioning the global order, but rather on the limits of our power. He urges President Obama to resist the impulse to expand our objectives in Afghanistan, and should not dedicate far more resources to the effort i... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2405024 Thu, 14 May 2009 15:44:09 +0100 2405024 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2167635&cid=t_160845_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D6125 And them good old boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye Singin’, “this’ll be the day that I die. “this’ll be the day that I die.” -American Pie I just read the sad story of the tragic and sudden premature demise of an Anak Bangsa Malaysia. The recent political events too have left me with the impression that something also recently died in our young nation. It’s very depressing. from the Malaysian Medical Resources The day the music died (Source: Malaysian Medical Resources) Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2167635 Sat, 07 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2167635 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1996241&cid=t_160845_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F11%2Ffifteen-questions-about-political.html Do you know who this is, and what she is supposed to do?A member of Parliament has been arrested and detained for nine hours. Even more worryingly, it appears that the police went into the Palace of Westminster and searched his office. It is inconceivable that this act could have taken place without, at some level, government sanction. It remains to be seen at what level the order was given.DNA swabs. CCTV. Identity cards. Medical records on a centralised computer. And so it goes on. This government has collected more data on its citizens than any government in history. This latest outrage is the greatest threat to Parliamentary democracy since Charles 1 entered the House of Commons to arrest some of its members. On that occasion, the birds had flown. Damien Green was not able to fly, nor ... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1996241 Fri, 28 Nov 2008 14:13:00 +0100 1996241 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1671650&cid=t_160845_85_f&fid=36194&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftesstermulo.com%2F2008%2F08%2F01%2Fa-random-thought-on-a-slow-wednesday%2F *This is something I found written in my scribble notebook, which I usually bring with me wherever I go so I could jot down my thoughts as I have them.  I could use a Pensieve, if only it’s existent and available. From Political Science Made Easy: One disadvantage of democracy - The processes in a democratic system of government are for the most part slow and time-consuming, resulting in unnecessary delay in addressing problems and other areas of concern affecting the lives of the people.  It necessitates too much paper requirements in government transactions. Does this mean the more paperworks we’re stuck doing in transacting with the government, the more it shows how democratic we are? This reminds me of my recent experience at PRC.  I needed some certified true copies of ... Prudence and Madness blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1671650 Fri, 01 Aug 2008 03:57:09 +0100 1671650 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1618139&cid=t_160845_134_f&fid=36049&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FDiabetesNotes%2F%7E3%2F334635765%2F Tell the truth- what has your average bloodsugar been in the last month? 70-90 91-110 111-130 over 130 Add an Answer View Results Tags: average, bloodsugars, BS, democracy poll, Diabetes, diabetic, pollShare This (Source: Diabetes Notes) Diabetes Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1618139 Sun, 13 Jul 2008 23:34:00 +0100 1618139 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1475482&cid=t_160845_109_f&fid=36089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthesituationist.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F05%2F28%2Fal-gores-situationism-and-call-for-urgency%2F For a related post, see “Al Gore - The Situationist.” (Source: The Situationist) The Situationist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1475482 Wed, 28 May 2008 23:04:24 +0100 1475482 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1197962&cid=t_160845_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F02%2Fabolition-of-coroners.html Harriet-Harman-LiteCoroners were traditionally doctors with some legal experience. They have always been loose cannons, and have frequently annoyed the "establishment". But you annoy this "establishment" at your peril. Elsewhere, Dr Crippen looks at a new threat to British democracy. (Source: NHS Blog Doctor) NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1197962 Sun, 03 Feb 2008 14:20:00 +0100 1197962 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1123404&cid=t_160845_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F209001423%2F Our last poll of 2007! Have a happy and safe new year! Which type of research are you most excited about for the upcoming new year? Stem cells with their cardiac indications New lipid lowering medicines that are on the horizon New and Improved warnings on existing hypertensives Add your answer here y'all! :) Add an Answer View Results Share This (Source: A Hearty Life) A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1123404 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 15:59:02 +0100 1123404 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1093160&cid=t_160845_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F199802407%2F Working at an urgent care facility, I see a lot of acute heart attacks as well as extreme panic attacks. I was poking around the internet and my old text books this morning looking for definitive differences on the ol’ anxiety attack and MI. I know that some experience such extreme panic type feelings, heart palpitations and shortness of breath, that the only definitive way to tell exactly what is going on is looking for ST changes on an EKG. So much of what I read really bothered me. “The difference is that panic attacks are not crushing and heart attacks you feel into your left arm” and “Heart attacks are not associated with palpitations and shortness of breath”. Really????? I think not, I have had patients explain all of the above for both MI’s and pa... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1093160 Thu, 13 Dec 2007 16:16:16 +0100 1093160 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=912186&cid=t_160845_147_f&fid=35750&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FHealthCareVox%2F%7E3%2F162542103%2Fthinking_about_health_20_burma.html The world has been riveted by the massive pro-democracy protests taking place in Myanmar (also known as Burma).  Once again the brutal regime is cracking down on peaceful protesters.  Once again, it is trying to hide its actions.  However, this time technology is helping people around the world learn about what’s happening in that tiny, often forgotten country.  A few days ago, the Associated Press had this to say about how people are helping to turn the world’s attention to the protests: “Cell phones and the Internet are playing a crucial role in telling the world about Myanmar's pro-democracy protests, with video footage sometimes transmitted one frame at a time.  Reporters Without Borders said Wednesday the junta has cut some cell phone ser... HealthCareVox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=912186 Fri, 28 Sep 2007 18:37:15 +0100 912186