Amidst the Noise

Your Tax Dollars at Work

The goober at the beginning of the video really inspires confidence with his "Run, Hide, Fight" advice. Does he mean these separately, or sequentially?

There is advice like turning off the ringtone and vibration on your cellphone. It probably cost $100,000 to get that one suggestion from conception to publication. At the end of the video, they have tips on how to fight back, including such wisdom as "Commit to your actions." Spencer Collier approved this video. He thought it was a good idea. And he is the big boss of the Alabama Department of Homeland Security.

He's worse than worthless, he's detrimental. They all are. This is their standard operating procedure. Get rid of all of it.

Iceland Denies Girl The Right to Use Her Own Name

Iceland's Ministry of Love is DoublePlusGood:

A 15-year-old is suing the Icelandic state for the right to legally use the name given to her by her mother. The problem? Blaer, which means "light breeze" in Icelandic, is not on a list approved by the government. Like a handful of other countries, including Germany and Denmark, Iceland has official rules about what a baby can be named. In a country comfortable with a firm state role, most people don't question the Personal Names Register, a list of 1,712 male names and 1,853 female names that fit Icelandic grammar and pronunciation rules and that officials maintain will protect children from embarrassment. Parents can take from the list or apply to a special committee that has the power to say yea or nay.

2012: Best Year Ever?

The Spectator claims that 2012 was the best year in the history of mankind. They make a good, if not compelling, case. 2012 was definitely a good year for me personally. I wonder if 2013 will be even better?

It may not feel like it, but 2012 has been the greatest year in the history of the world. That sounds like an extravagant claim, but it is borne out by evidence. Never has there been less hunger, less disease or more prosperity. The West remains in the economic doldrums, but most developing countries are charging ahead, and people are being lifted out of poverty at the fastest rate ever recorded. The death toll inflicted by war and natural disasters is also mercifully low. We are living in a golden age.