Category Archives: Bookshelf
Pure Progressivism
From Cafe Hayek comes “Rents And Race: Legacies of Progressive Policies” (PDF). The abstract reads –
Could it be that the institutional racism of Jim Crow occurred not despite the Progressive era but because of it? Not only did the Progressive reforms create new economic rents that could be exploited by whites and by the politicians who enacted those reforms, but many leading Progressives espoused views on racial purity and segregation that put them in the vanguard of the American apartheid system.
The authors continue –
Robert Higgs ([1977] 2008) writes that despite racist views by whites and despite the residual interracial violence and discrimination that existed after the Civil War, black Americans made significant economic and social gains. Many of those gains, however, occurred before the onslaught of Progressive economic regulation and the imposition of Jim Crow.Thus, one cannot claim that the institutionalized racism that came with progressivism simply was based on residual racism that existed after the war, as though the racial attitudes of that time inevitably would end in Jim Crow. [1977] 2008. Competition and Coercion: Blacks in the American Economy, 1865–1914. Cambridge, U.K.: Cambridge University Press.]
The Davis-Bacon Act is a pro-union law that discriminates against non-unionized black construction contractors and black workers. In fact, that was the original intent of the Davis-Bacon Act of 1931. During its 1931 legislative debate, quite a few congressmen expressed their racist intentions, such as Rep. Clayton Allgood, D-Ala., who said, “Reference has been made to a contractor from Alabama who went to New York with bootleg labor. This is a fact. That contractor has cheap colored labor that he transports, and he puts them in cabins, and it is labor of that sort that is in competition with white labor throughout the country.”
100
I’m up to my 100th post, and I wanted to make it something insightful, noble, uplifting, and memorable.
“Don’t forget, it’s a two-drink minimum in my pants, hot stuff!”
Hey, it’s 1 out of 4. I guess I could count it as 2 out of 4 since something is kinda being uplifted in that pic.
Okay, fine. Have something awesome.
Stephen Hawking’s video for The Big Bang Theory panel at Comic-Con 2013.
Thanks for hanging out at this train wreck of a site.
Finding My Religion
And lo, when the Millers struck the Time, the prophets Coors, P’abs’t, and Bud the Wiser were greeted at the Rock of Rolling
Obvious video was obvious, so you get this.
Batzinga!
I’m not sure if I want this t-shirt or not…
Available here for $12 for the rest of today – http://www.qwertee.com/
How Old Is That In Kryptonian Years?
[Or: “Red Letter ‘S’ Day”]
Apparently yesterday was Superman’s 75th birthday…
… although he is rather difficult to shop for.
- He’s got an entire Fortress in the Arctic filled with souvenirs, confiscated weapons, even an entire miniature city. What are ya gonna find at the Wal-Mart to top that?
The Greatest Story Never Sold
… which is a shame, because I would totally buy it.
You know you want to read this
Clark Kent’s Broom Closet
Must be something in the water. More political news about comics…
Ender’s Game author – and board member of anti-gay marriage group The National Organization For Marriage – Orson Scott Card is writing for the new digital comic Adventures Of Superman. Gay marriage activists are rather upset, and have started a petition to have Card fired.
Zeus Comics in Dallas TX will boycott the print edition. As far as I know, Zeus Comics isn’t demanding Card be fired, only saying they will not be carrying the comic. Their choice, and I’m fine with it. A private business is perfectly entitled to carry or not carry what they choose. Just like how DC Comics, also a private company, is free to hire anyone they choose.
Regardless of all this, I somehow doubt Superman comics will suddenly be shot through with overt anti-gay marriage themes. Even if Card wanted to include them, DC Comics would put a stop to that with a quickness. Can’t rile the customer base.
Card wrote an essay in 2004 outlining his opposition to gay marriage. I agree with him.
Superman’s Pal, indeed
nightskyradio 
