On December 16, 1689, the Convention Parliament began, not only transferring power from one king to another, but establishing procedures and rights into the British Constitution, both of which were copied in the United States of America a century later, with the Constitution’s Bill of Rights.
The climate change pact just completed at the United Nations conference in Paris is, the Washington Post informs us, “historic.”
The New York Times, LA Times, Chicago Tribune, and just about every other paper uses that very word in their headlines, too.
“The 12th of December, 2015, will remain a great date for the planet,” declared French President Francois Hollande, dubbing it “the most beautiful and the most peaceful revolution that has just been accomplished.”
“History will remember this day,” U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon predicted. President Obama called it a “turning point for the world.”
Chris Mooney, in a deeper analysis for the Washington Post, agreed that all the hoopla was “more than warranted.”
But Mooney also acknowledged that, “this document, by its very nature, depends on . . . Countries, companies and individuals all across the planet [doing] the right things — and very hard things, at that.”
How hard?
Essentially ending any emission of greenhouse gases in the next half-century.
“Achieving such a reduction in emissions would involve a complete transformation of how people get energy,” the New York Times reported, “and many activists worry that despite the pledges, countries are not ready to make such profound, costly changes.”
As the negotiator for the Federated States of Micronesia put it: “We’ve agreed to what we ought to be doing, but no one yet has agreed to go do it. It’s a whole lot of pomp, given the circumstances.”
“What’s more,” adds Mooney, “even if everyone plays by the rules, the standards and goals set out by the Paris agreement may not be enough to prevent the catastrophic effects of climate change.”
Historic? History will determine that.
This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.
“No government is wise enough, or ever will be, to say how much of the results of my labor I shall contribute to my neighbor to remunerate his labor.
“Congress has nothing to say about that. Congress is bound to give us both the benefit of equal laws, and then to leave us both to take care of ourselves. It is no part of the duty of Congress to see that any set of men whatever are making money.”
Arthur Latham Perry, Elements of Political Economy, 1865.
On December 15, 1791, the United States Bill of Rights became federal law when ratified by the Virginia General Assembly.
On December 15 in 1933, the Twenty-first Amendment to the United States Constitution officially became effective, repealing the Eighteenth Amendment (which had enabled the Volstead Act) that had prohibited the sale, manufacture, and transportation of alcohol.
December 15 birthdays include that of Pehr Evind Svinhufvud af Qvalstad [pictured above], 1861, first Head of State of independent Finland, by heading first the Senate and then serving as Protector, or Regent. He was strongly anti-Communist and a time-leftist.
Svinhufvud later served as Finland’s third President. He died in 1944.
Is Trump electable? Can Carson nab the GOP presidential nomination? Does Rand Paul have a chance? Is Chris Christie finished — before a voter has voted?
It’s still pre-primary season, and it is worth remembering that — even as we judge candidates on various capacities, including their ability to “handle the media” — one arm of the media possesses potentially the most influence along with too little scrutiny: the pollsters.
They are allegedly the most scientific and objective folks in the industry, with closest ties to actual intellectual disciplines, statistics and political science.
But they are also, willy nilly, political players, not just observers.
Though tasked to provide data on public opinion about matters of importance, they also influence public opinion in several crucial ways:
Polls and poll results can provide useful information. Hey, I’ve used professional pollsters. But we all have to be cautious . . . remembering that voting one’s conscience is a high-percentage play.
This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.
On December 14, 1819, Alabama became the 22nd state of these United States.
On the same December date in 1918, Friedrich Karl von Hessen, a German prince elected by the Parliament of Finland to become King Väinö I, renounced the Finnish throne. In 1939, the Soviet Union was expelled from the League of Nations for invading Finland and starting the Winter War.
“I was not born to be forced. I will breathe after my own fashion. Let us see who is the strongest.”
Henry David Thoreau, “Resistance to Civil Government,” Aesthetic Papers, 1849 (republished in a variety of titles, including On the Duty of Civil Disobedience).
On Saturday, we regaled you with the video clip of Gov. John Kasich, more than straddling the proverbial fence, indeed . . . jumping around it like a rodeo clown — or perhaps someone in a tad less control.
Today, at Townhall.com, we aim to edify . . . with an analysis of same. Click on over, then come back here, for more Governor John Kasich fun!
“I would never have drawn my sword in the cause of America, if I could have conceived that thereby I was founding a land of slavery.”
Lafayette, as quoted in a letter by Thomas Clarkson (October 3, 1845), published in The Liberty Bell (1846), p. 64.
On December 13, 1636, the Massachusetts Bay Colony organized three militia regiments to defend the colony against the Pequot Indians.
The National Guard of the United States traces its heritage back to this event.