For the first video of 2019, we’re reviewing the DC Comics blockbuster Aquaman. I loved this movie. Not only is it action packed with a great story line, but Amber Heard’s performance makes the film both sexy and a stunning success.
However, much like Black Panther, Aquaman presents the Kingdom of Atlantis as an impossibly advanced society. There is no way a kingdom which is ruled by a hereditary monarchy, where the monarch is chosen in ritual combat, would advance and prosper for thousands of years.
Aquaman is yet another reason to get people thinking about how prosperity and advancement comes from free interaction and free markets.
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Prager University produces short videos arguing for conservative political positions.
Before I begin this article, let me quickly say that Prager University has put out some very good videos in the past, particularly regarding basic economics. That being said, on many occasions I’ve been downright disgusted with material that the platform has put out. Besides endorsing opportunist frauds like Candace Owens, Prager University routinely endorses using government force to achieve ends it sees as in the common interest of Americans (i.e. collectivism). However, like most statists, they never really explain why the government is justified in using force to achieve their desired ends but not the ends of their leftist opponents.
Earlier today, Prager University released a video that was hosted by General Chuck Wald. The video sought to explain why America spends so many tax dollars on the state of Israel and why it ought to spend more. The video is below for those interested, but to sum it up, Wald argues that America ought to provide funding to Israel because it is a peaceful, democratic ally in the Middle East. Funding Israel serves both Israeli and American national security interests.
I will not be arguing whether or not General Wald’s assertions in this video are true or false. Wald could very well be correct in his assertion that money given to Israel will help achieve ends that are beneficial to both Israel and the United States. However, even if his assertions are true, the pertinent question is, should Americans be required to give their hard-earned money to the government of Israel whether they like it or not?
If we were having a discussion about abortion, I have no doubt that Dennis Prager and his team would speak out aggressively against it. In fact, you don’t have to imagine. Lila Rose of Live Action has previously done a video for Prager University about Planned Parenthood, and in the course of her video, she emphasized the injustice of the fact that Americans are forced to fund Planned Parenthood whether they want to or not.
However, comparing Rose’s video to Wald’s puts Prager University in an interesting position. On one hand, they argue that American citizens should not be forced to give money to an organization like Planned Parenthood against their will. However, they turn around and argue that Americans should be forced to fund the military activities of Israel whether they want to or not.
Tell me Prager University. Why is the government justified in using force to make American citizens fund the state of Israel, but not the activities of Planned Parenthood?
My guess is that their answer would be that Planned Parenthood is a deceptive and immoral organization, responsible for the murder of millions of unborn children, while Israel is a free democracy whose furthered existence benefits all Americans. However, if we were having a discussion with a liberal, they would undoubtedly tell you just the opposite. The liberal would say that Israel is an oppressive, apartheid regime that cruelly abuses the Palestinian people, while Planned Parenthood is a just organization that provides healthcare to women and leads to lower crime rates in America.
There is no doubt that there are many people who agree very strongly with Prager University or with the liberal in my example above, but that’s the point. While many people disagree about what the government should do with its power, they all agree that the government should have the power to force its citizens to fund things against their will. This is why I have over and over reminded people that the same government that has the power to give you everything you want is a government that has the power to take everything that you have.
I’ll say again that my purpose in writing this article is not to argue against the state of Israel or to argue for Planned Parenthood. I’ve made my stance on abortion very clear in this video series, and I’ve on occasion touched on the Israel/Jewish Question. However, the problem that Prager University does not seem to realize is that when you argue that the government should have the power to force its citizens to fund endeavors they disagree with, what consistent argument are you going to give as to why it is unjustified in pointing a gun at you and forcing you to fund something you disagree with?
As much as I deplore anti-Semitism, I do not think anti-Semites should be forced to give their money to fund the activities of Israel. As much as I deplore many forms of Zionism, I do not think Zionists should be prevented from donating their own money to Jewish causes. Regardless of how strongly you may believe you are right in your assertions, whatever position you take, you must first justify why it is that you and people who agree with you are justified in using force against others, but those who disagree with you are not.
While I share the same values as many of my conservative friends, this is a question I believe all conservatives seriously need to consider. I believe once they do, they will see that Libertarianism is the only position that can be consistently lived out in society. All statists want to use force against others. They just don’t want others to use force against them.
I hope you can see the problem.
And that is my 2 cents. Take it for what it’s worth.
In this video I weigh in on the discussion about immigration and border security from both an AnCap and a pragmatic perspective. This video was inspired in part due to a video by Styxhexenhammer666 which was responded to by Shane Killian and Esoteric Entity.
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for -fair use- for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
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It is not my intention to cause the original video creator to receive any kind of harassment or abuse. It is my intention to provide a counter argument to the claims they have made. While I have no control over the feedback you choose to provide, I ask that you avoid any forms of harassment or abuse.
This past December, there was a news report that the Obama administration stifled an investigation into the Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah in order to help secure the nuclear deal with Iran. I decided to make this video about the terrorist group to help shed light on just how serious this is.
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for -fair use- for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
AbuKahlil, A. (1991). Ideology and practice of Hizballah in Lebanon: Islamization of Leninist Organizational Principles. Middle Eastern Studies, 27 (3), 390-403.
Ackbarzadeh, S. (2016). Why does Iran need Hizbullah?. Muslim World, 106 (1), 127-140.
doi: 10.1111/muwo.12128
Alagha, J. E. (2006). The Shifts in Hizbullah’s Ideology : Religious Ideology, Political Ideology, and Political Program. Leiden: Amsterdam University Press.
Arena, M. P. (2006). Hizballah’s Global Criminal Operations. Global Crime, 7 (3/4), 454-470.
doi: 10.1080/17440570601073186
Avon, D., Todd, J. M. & Khatchadourian, A. (2012). Hezbollah: A History of the ‘Party of God.’ Cambridge, MA: Harvard University
Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center at the Center for Special Studies. (2003, June). Hezbollah (part 1): Profile of the Lebanese Shiite Terrorist Organization of Global Reach Sponsored by Iran and Supported by Syria. Retrieved from http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/Data/pdf/PDF_simuchin_349_2.pdf
Rudner, M. (2010). Hizbullah: An Organizational and Operational Profile. International Journal of Intelligence and CounterIntelligence, 23 (2), 226-246.
doi: 10.1080/08850600903565654
Tagliabue, S. M. (2015). Inside Hezbollah: The al-Mahadi Scouts, education, and resistance. DOMES: Digest of Middle East Studies, 24 (1), 74-95.
doi: 10.1111/dome.12059
Blonde in the Belly of the Beast is a “Conservative millennial dame living in the liberal, fascist hellscape of Seattle.” She’s endured liberal harassment, having herself and her family doxxed, and yet she presses on fighting the toxic Left. Definitely a woman with both beauty AND brains.
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for -fair use- for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
HARASSMENT NOTICE
It is not my intention to cause the original video creator to receive any kind of harassment or abuse. While I have no control over the feedback you choose to provide, I ask that you avoid any forms of harassment or abuse.
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for -fair use- for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
HARASSMENT NOTICE
It is not my intention to cause the original video creator to receive any kind of harassment or abuse. While I do use sarcasm and satire, my intention is to provide a counter argument to claims they have made. While I have no control over the feedback you choose to provide, I ask that you avoid any forms of harassment or abuse.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer says the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act could bring people with dangerous weapons to New York, since so many other states allow mentally ill criminals to obtain concealed weapons permits. He cites no facts or data whatsoever to support this claim. With all respect due a U.S. Senator, he’s an idiot.
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“And the Wiener Is…” Family Guy. Fox. 8 August 2001. Television.
“Boys Do Cry.” Family Guy. Fox. 29 April 2007. Television.
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Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for -fair use- for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
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It is not my intention to cause the original video creator to receive any kind of harassment or abuse. While I do use sarcasm and satire, my intention is to provide a counter argument to claims they have made. While I have no control over the feedback you choose to provide, I ask that you avoid any forms of harassment or abuse.
Lauren Rose is a relatively new political commentator on YouTube, but is growing in her influence fast. This video is a compilation of some of her best segments and is part of my Beauty AND Brains series, honoring beautiful, clear thinking ladies on YouTube.
All Footage of Lauren Rose can be Found at her YouTube Channel
“Standing on the Corner.” as Performed by Dean Martin.
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for -fair use- for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
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It is not my intention to cause the original video creator to receive any kind of harassment or abuse. While I have no control over the feedback you choose to provide, I ask that you avoid any forms of harassment or abuse.
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My 2 Cents 