Letter to the editor of the Daily Beacon, 11.09.09

I am not sure if this letter ever appeared in the U. of Tennessee student newspaper.  If it did, I missed it. I am writing in response to Amien Essif’s November 9 column, “Media miss drama of demonstration”.  In it, he distinguishes the political environments of Europe from ours in the United States, and his [...]

My interview with The Pakistani Spectator

I would like to inform my readers of an up and coming Pakistani website called The Pakistani Spectator.  Its webmaster, Ghazala Khan (who may or may not be a descendant of Genghis), is committed to the free flow of ideas throughout the world.   It is people like Khan who–more than the overpaid CEO’s of [...]

The difference is, we are all the same

From the rightfully honored pen of Thomas Paine, religious diversity is a natural and wonderful reality, and sounds like this (from Rights of Man, 1791): “If we suppose a large family of children, who, on any particular day, or particular circumstance, made it a custom to present to their parent some token of their affection [...]

Common Sense about religion

I am always troubled by the willingness of Americans to revise history so that it fits into their own worldviews.  To know history, one must first study history.  To comment about a historic figure’s philosophy and intentions, one must first read that figure’s own journals and publications.   To assert truth, one must first make sure [...]

If we the people leave, do they the rulers win?

“Truth is treason in the empire of lies.” – Ron Paul The long-term economic outlook for this country is so grim–and this is well-researched and almost universally accepted–that I can hardly see myself sticking around to endure it. A free and great industrial republic has become a credit-addicted empire, propped up today not by human [...]

So many reasons to love Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine was, by some accounts, the most well-read Englishman ever to live. If you are reading this, regardless of who you are, or how many Nobel prizes you have won, you can rest assured that Paine’s education was more complete than your own. When you read his commentaries on money and the role of [...]

Generational slavery

“Man has no property in man; neither has any generation a property in the generations which are to follow.” – Thomas Paine I remember watching an episode of Oprah (though I should clarify that this is not a habit of mine) a couple of years ago, featuring a woman who had been duped by her [...]

Patriotism and Partisanship in America

“I do not believe that any two men, on what are called doctrinal points, think alike who think at all.  It is only those who have not thought that appear to agree.” – Thomas Paine “I am a Democrat.”  What does this mean?  “I am a Republican.”  What does this mean?  Does anyone even know [...]

“It is their right, it is their duty…”

“…to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their security.” – Thomas Jefferson When Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, and when our framers ventured into the realm of a constitutional republic, they did so at great risk, seeking great reward. The United States was founded on Jefferson’s philosophy, along with [...]

Letter to Representative John Duncan, Jr., (R), TN

Congressman Duncan, I think you are acquainted with my parents, _______ and _____ _______.  I am in college, and I have become very interested in history, economics, and government.  I had heard your name numerous times growing up in Knoxville, but I never took the time to research your politics.  Now that I have done [...]