On September 21, 1897, the “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus” editorial was published in the New York Sun. Note how long before Christmas this is. The Christmas season has long been a long affair.
Chief Joseph, of the Nez Perce, died on this day a few years later, in 1904.
Another terrorist event. And another.
Douglas A. French, of the National Review, while writing about Islam and terrorism, innocently drew up a half-truth: “In Saint Cloud, Minn., Dahir Adan’s family identified him as the man who stabbed eight people in a mall before being shot and killed by an armed civilian, an off-duty police officer named Jason Falconer.” So, what is the missing half of the truth?
The heroic Mr. Falconer was armed, sure. And an off-duty cop. But he was more civilian than cop, for the weapon he had on him was concealed (by permit), and he is the owner of a gun range.
Actually, a firearms training business that teaches “individuals the mindset, knowledge and skills needed to be successful with firearms in order to secure their personal safety or that of their family, at home or in public.”
Falconer used to be a police chief, and still works part-time as a police officer. But, we should emphasize, his main gig is training. Indeed, he’s an advocate concealed carry and a member of the dreaded National Rifle Association.
I am not criticizing Mr. French. His focus was on something else. And he did use the word “civilian,” which is not the case in most coverage. But that “off-duty cop” meme is everywhere — pushed by most journalists.
Could they not want us to think that mere civilians can do good in a world of too much conflict and crime — if armed?
Let’s honor Jason Falconer. And let’s also reaffirm his message, the importance of concealed carry and trained firearms use by good people.
This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.
On September 20, 480 BC, Greeks defeated Persian forces in the battle of Salamis.
And each, believing he was utterly and finally right, damned with equally positive conviction the rest of the world.
Algernon Blackwood, The Damned (1914).
What if our economy worked like our political system?
Only two major companies would provide any particular product for sale. But don’t worry — we’d still have a solid choice between “This Product Is Obnoxious” and “I Don’t Trust This Product.”
Those two companies would create a non-profit entity — a Commission on Product Debates — empowered to determine the rules under which any upstart company could present its “third-choice” product to consumers.
That Commission would prevent any third-choice product from standing on the marketplace stage where consumers could compare it face-to-face with the two established choices . . . until it captured 15 percent of the market.
Last week, in real life, the Commission on Presidential Debates announced that its upcoming September 26th debate would feature only Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton.
Neither Libertarian Gary Johnson, averaging 8.4 percent in the five commission-approved polls, nor Dr. Jill Stein, the Green, at 3.2 percent, met the 15 percent threshold set by the Commission.
Forget that polls also show nearly two-thirds of consumers — er, voters, want Johnson and Stein in the debates. You can’t win ’em all.
Or any at all . . . if you can’t take your product to market. And the presidential debates are an essential space in today’s political marketplace.
No third-party or independent presidential candidate has been allowed on that debate stage since Ross Perot qualified in 1992, at the time polling at 8 percent — below Johnson’s current percentage.
That was before the Commission required a polling threshold. After those debates, one in five Americans voted for Perot on Election Day.
Duopolies do not serve us well. They cannot. That is not even their aim.
This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.
We all know that Prime Ministers are wedded to the truth, but like other wedded couples they sometimes live apart.
Saki, The Unbearable Bassington, ch. 13 (1912).
On September 19, 1778, the Continental Congress passed the first budget of the United States.
Congress last passed a budget in 1997.
Oliver Stone’s movie is in the theaters now (see yesterday’s video page). But really, you were waiting for Paul Jacob’s take, weren’t you? Click on over to Townhall, then come back here because, well, this is where you belong.
Not easily may an individual escape the deep slavery of the herd.
On September 18, 1793, George Washington laid the cornerstone of the Capitol building.
It has grown, since.
On September 18, 1838, Richard Cobden established the Anti-Corn Law League, which proceeded to bring free trade to Britain.