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  • Kent McManigal

V*ting, demonstrated Nov 7, 2016

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By Kent McManigal Vote0 0

Evil “energy vampires” Nov 7, 2016

Presidential candidates and sitting politicians are a perfect analog for those "energy beings" from the classic Star Trek series- you know the ones. The ones who feed- vampire-like- off of negative emotions and aggressive energy. The only way to make those entities go away, or starve to death, is to stop feeding them. Stop giving them what they need to survive. Notice what they are, and how they are using you, and refuse to be used one more day. I can't make you, of course. But, it sure would be a nicer world if you'd laugh at them and make them...

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My anti-v*ting guide Nov 7, 2016

Cold, hard logic would suggest that you refuse to keep playing a rigged game against professional cheaters. But if you are going to v*te anyway, here are a couple of thoughts I have for you. NEVER Hillary Clinton. Just not ever. No way, José. Years ago I had a friend who was friends with the Clintons and he told me to NEVER trust her. His advice in every area was always excellent. He never lied to me or steered me wrong. And, believe it or not, I just googled him and he's apparently still alive. NEVER William Weld. I'm agnostic...

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The only thing you don’t have a right to do Nov 6, 2016

The list of things you have a right to do is an infinite list. You have an absolute human right to smoke pot, carry a gun, be fat, act silly, trade with others, be a racist, believe in a "flat Earth", drive a car, say offensive things, have sexist thoughts, speak your mind, wear a hat, travel, learn, have mutually consensual sex, read, own and modify a home, pick your nose, or uncountable other acts. Really there's only one thing you don't have a right to do: to archate. As long as the thing listed above is done without archation,...

By Kent McManigal Vote0 0

Set it and forget it? Nope. Nov 4, 2016

One of the sillier arguments against self responsibility (also known as anarchism) is "If you get rid of government, someone will just start another one. Humans always have and always will." So we should never do anything that's not permanent? Like eat, bathe, or anything? If a battery would have to be recharged, there's no point in even using a device? Yes, the tree of liberty needs to be periodically watered with the blood of statists. And your toilet needs to occasionally be flushed. It's just reality. Almost everything in life needs to be repeated. Nothing is permanent. Even statism...

By Kent McManigal Vote4 2

The religious ritual of v*ting Nov 3, 2016

The only reason I can see for a liberty-leaning statist to v*te for Gary Johnson is as an attempt to break the hold of the DemoCRAPublicans. He's no libertarian and his running mate William Weld is an authoritarian monster and anti-liberty bigot right up there with Donallary Clump (and actually much worse than one half of that twisted statist chimera). But since it's all a superstitious ritual anyway, even that's a weak justification. Politics matters only to the extent you let it matter. I will admit this, though- the v*ters are right about one thing. V*ting in and of itself...

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Hillary’s weiner Nov 3, 2016

By Kent McManigal Vote2 0

Dependence on state an addiction Nov 2, 2016

(My Clovis News Journal column for November 2, 2016) Sometimes it seems we live in a culture of dependency. Some people are dependent on drugs, while others are dependent on prohibition. Some people are dependent on other people; some are dependent on distractions-- electronic or otherwise. And more and more people today are dependent on government. Being dependent is the opposite of being mature; of being responsible for yourself and accountable for your behavior...read the rest...

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Don’t misidentify things Nov 1, 2016

Once, in a high school zoology class, the teacher set out a bunch of preserved samples for us to classify. It was for a quiz or a test. We were to study them, and then be able to identify them on a test the next day. I noticed that a flounder was mislabeled as a "skate" or "ray"- a completely different type of fish. I pointed this out to the teacher. He said that since he only had that one specimen as an (incorrect) example of "Chondrichthyes" I needed to pretend that's what it was for the test. I told...

By Kent McManigal Vote2 0

Taking Teddy Bears Oct 31, 2016

There is a situation someone was sharing on Facebook that made me really angry. A friend's daughter had a stuffed toy rabbit she'd had and loved since she was a baby- maybe since she was born. She is now 13 years old and still loves and sleeps with the toy. And someone stole it, just to hurt her. If that's not evil, then nothing is. Her dad believes he knows who stole the toy, but can't prove it. Without proof he can't go kicking in doors and choking suspects- because he isn't a bad guy. You might think a 13...

By Kent McManigal Vote0 0

Here’s your “stupid” sign Oct 30, 2016

Around town I see a couple of signs that warn me to not spend money with certain businesses. "Support the Blue. We do" "Support law enforcement" No. I won't support dangerous gangs. I don't support those who violate peaceful people, no matter what their justification might be. And I don't support those who do. It's a pathetic quisling act to go out of your way to announce your support of scum. I will not be spending any money at any business that advertises their support for gang activities. Policing is NOT about a person; it is about a set of aggressive,...

By Kent McManigal Vote2 3

Should be embarrassed, but not smart enough to realize it Oct 29, 2016

"All taxes are theft and should be abolished? That means police, firefighters, the entire justice system, the military, all public infrastructure like roads and bridges, etc. should be funded through private donations? All those generous, philanthropic Americans out there would just graciously donate money to these groups even without a tax deduction (since there would be nothing to deduct from)? That sounds like the apocalypse, and would go over like a lead balloon. But at least the 'taxes steal our money' argument would disappear because there would be no Treasury or U.S. Mint to print the money we use. There...

By Kent McManigal Vote0 0

Competition is good! Oct 28, 2016

The boots I wear all the time were good boots. They were given to me for Christmas about 8 years ago, and I wear them every day. I have climbed all over rocky canyons, walked rough mountain trails, and even crossed many a parking lot (which, in my experience is harder on footwear than anything else) in them. They have scratches, but keep holding up for the most part. When the soles and heels start wearing out, I just run to the boot repair place and get them fixed up and ready for more years and miles. The cost has...

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Not right, not wrong, just … is Oct 27, 2016

Another video

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“You have no right to” vs “You shouldn’t” Oct 27, 2016

(video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEl-bnNJ5ag) Saying "you shouldn't" is an expression of  opinion. Saying "you have no right to" can be an expression of fact. Don't get the two mixed up. For me, there's a short, straight line from "have no right to" to "you shouldn't". One naturally follows from the other in most cases. But, it's not necessary for that to be the case. No human has the right to archate. To archate means to initiate force, or credibly threaten to do so, or to violate private property rights. Basically, to act like a government or other kind of bad guy. It's...

By Kent McManigal Vote0 0

No reason to fear liberty Oct 25, 2016

(My Clovis News Journal column for October 26, 2016) Real liberty can be scary. It feels safer to hand your responsibilities to someone else. Don't educate your children; hand them over to be schooled instead. Don't protect yourself and your property; live as a distracted lamb and let the police protect you. Don't watch yourself and your surroundings as you drive; depend on checkpoints, traffic signs, signals, and "laws" to catch all the dangerous people so you can drive around in a daze. Don't think for yourself or observe the world and come to difficult conclusions; let the authorities tell...

By Kent McManigal Vote1 0

Being nice to monsters Oct 25, 2016

On one hand, I try to be nice and considerate to everyone. Whether in person, or online. On the other hand, there are some kinds of stupidity and evil I just can't abide, and I can be pretty nasty when exposed to it. Especially when those espousing the stupidity and/or evil are nasty about it first. Statists wouldn't be statists if they didn't embrace stupidity and evil. The moments I am most proud of are those when I don't respond in kind to the nasty, stupid, evil notions being promoted by statists. When I treat them with more respect, understanding,...

By Kent McManigal Vote0 1

Why I won’t v*te Oct 24, 2016

There have been a lot of strawmen erected around the reasons that people like myself won't v*te. I'm sure you've seen plenty of them yourself. But, here are the real reasons I won't v*te: I don't "believe in it" anymore. I used to. I felt like I was doing something; doing the right thing. I would v*te for the candidate I thought shared at least many of my values. Usually, that candidate lost. When that candidate won, I always found out that he didn't share my values at all. He had lied to get my v*te. So, by helping that...

By Kent McManigal Vote2 0

Cops and politicians- parasites? Oct 23, 2016

Are cops and politicians really parasites? After all, they do "give back" in exchange for what they take. That makes some people disagree with the assertion that they are parasites. But what they give back is harmful and unwanted (at least I don't want it). They give back rules and aggression in exchange for the liberty and property they take. Is that a good trade? Hardly. I can't steal $100 from you, then give you a Twinkie (or a bruise on your head) and call it even. Consent has to be part of the equation. It's the most important part....

By Kent McManigal Vote1 0

It’s your right, but is it a good idea? Oct 22, 2016

Just because it isn't a good idea to exercise a right, does that mean you don't have the right to do it? No. This usually comes up with regards to "bearing arms". You have the right to carry a full-auto AK-47 openly down the streets of NYC, and into a courthouse. And you would be murdered by government employees for doing so. I would argue this makes it not a good idea. But it is still within your rights. This follows along with the right to commit suicide. Usually, I think suicide is not a good idea. But you have...

By Kent McManigal Vote1 1

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