29 Apr 2006
Economist John Kenneth Galbraith Dies

Strange as it might seem, I owe a debt of gratitude to this man, as he was indirectly responsible for my discovery of the whole philosophy of libertarianism.

I happened during a broadcast of Firing Line, which I was watching as a freshman in high school to bone up on my debating skills. Both host William F Buckley and Galbraith took potshots at a philosopher I'd never heard of, a lady named Ayn Rand. I figured that if Left and Right both thought she was bad news, maybe she was onto something, as Left and Right were both rather obviously full hot air, with policy differences of mere quantity. With Rand as a base, within five years I'd found Ludwig von Mises, Rothbard and my political identity. It's varied and shifted over the years, but always around the central premise of freedom. So "Thank you!", Professor Galbraith, and rest in peace.

AP - John Kenneth Galbraith, the Harvard professor who won worldwide renown as a liberal economist, backstage politician and witty chronicler of affluent society, died Saturday night, his son said. He was 97.

(link) [Yahoo! News: Top Stories]

23:00 /Politics | 0 comments | permanent link

A Cajun Craftsman Preserves the Hallowed Ping of History

I fell in love with Cajun music (and Zydeco) while on a trip through Louisiana in the late 80's, and have remained a fan ever since. I had no idea how the triangles were made (and yes, I own one of the small souvenir ones the article mentions) - I find it fascinating that they're reforged hayrake tines. Talk about "found music"!

Dieu Donné Montoucet makes virtually indestructible triangles, the instrument that paces Cajun music.

(link) [New York Times]

23:00 /Home | 0 comments | permanent link

Song for Walburga

Tulips twirling twixt tiny tendrils
spider spun sunlit swirls,
feathers following fragrant flowers.
Glowing Goddess gliding golden green,
wild Walburga, wend where we wait!

Queen quoting Quixotic quotients,
divinely dividing, devouring death,
living life, loading living.
Merry May means much more
when wild Walburga wends where we wait.

23:00 /Asatru | 2 comments | permanent link