Today

Brazilian slavery

Sharing

On May 13, 1888, Brazil abolished slavery with the passage of the Lei Áurea (“Golden Law”).

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Really Protecting Our Rights
SharingIncentives matter. Which is why Ohioans have much to celebratethis …
Voters, Govern Thy Governor
Is the epidemic of gubernatorial abuse of power ending in Michigan? …
Petition Rights and Wrongs
SharingQuite a theory: No law is unfair if only that law …
Three Bad Propositions
SharingTwo propositions on this November’s California ballot, Propositions 8 and 11, …
Time to Wait
Sharing“You don’t ever want a crisis to go to waste,” said …

Measures for Measures
November 23, 2024
This year was an interesting one for initiatives.Read More »
Denial Is a River in Argentina?
November 22, 2024
Paul Jacob on one country’s retreat from self-imposed poverty.Read More »
Watch Out!
November 21, 2024
Paul Jacob on strange edits in the Lone Star State.Read More »
The Hill as Hallucinogen
November 19, 2024
Paul Jacob on a false news story, gone but not …Read More »
Elon & Vivek to Cut Government?
November 18, 2024
Paul Jacob on who could help whom do what is …Read More »

Green Politicians and Ham
SharingDear Reader: This “BEST of Common Sense” comment originally aired …
Ears Burning
SharingAt the recent World Economic Forum, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir …
The Great Dood Drain of ’17
SharingHow can we expect the federal government to continue to …
The World Wants Term Limits
SharingThe Economist magazine has announced its “Country of the Year.” It’s …
Market Power vs. Political Power
SharingCritics of term limits on elected officials sometimes say: “You …

MSNBC Goes Caracas?
SharingExpressing the surprise in some quarters that Venezuelan despot “Maduro …
Gray Lady Commies
SharingThe New York Times has long leaned left. But is …
Bellicose Exclusions
Sharing“Jones and his Infowars nutritional supplement sales empire are having …
Inclusivity Not Included
SharingThe 3rd annual Woman’s March strolled by over the weekend — a tiny …
Awful Aspirations
SharingA funny thing happened on the way to voting on …

On November 23, 1644, British poet John Milton published Areopagitica, a pamphlet decrying censorship.

Revolutions of ages do not oft recover the loss of a rejected truth, for the want of which whole nations fare the worse.
John Milton, Areopagitica; A speech of Mr. John Milton for the Liberty of Unlicenc’d Printing, to the Parlament of England (1644).

The name “Areopagitica” references a speech by Isocrates, the “Areopagitikós” that itself referenced a hill in Athens, Greece, the Areopagus, which had been the site of an important tribunal that the Greek orator had hoped to restore. It may also refer to the defense that St. Paul made before the Areopagus against charges of promulgating alien gods and outré teachings (see Acts 17:18 – 34).