Monthly Archives: November 2008

A bad time for lovers

Posted on November 29, 2008 by Stephen W. Browne

There has been a bit of Net buzz lately over Kay Hymowitz’s two articles about the marriage and dating scene, published this year in City Journal. Hymowitz first looked at the scene from the point view of women’s complaints in … Continue reading →

Posted in Book reviews, Culture, Relationships | Tagged | 7 Comments

Are we a generation of wussies? part 1

Posted on November 26, 2008 by Stephen W. Browne

My wife just brought a book from our local library she thought I’d like. (She bought herself a set of Thomas Carlyle on sale.) I opened it at random and found this passage: “It was silent in the woods, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 11 Comments

Ruminations: God, guns, and drugs; praise the Lord and pass the .40 caliber ammunition

Posted on November 23, 2008 by Stephen W. Browne

*Look over the conservative/libertarian columnists, and in some places you’ll see a, “Well, maybe it won’t be so bad” attitude. Steve Chapman: Accusing Obama of socialism is unwise for three reasons: 1) It’s not true, and 2) it makes the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

With friends like these, capitalism doesn’t need enemies

Posted on November 20, 2008 by Stephen W. Browne

Note: This appeared as an op-ed in the Valley City Times-Record. These are grave times for the Republic. America has unwittingly elected a president with roots in the Hard Left, whose mentors and models are hard core Marxists. When he … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Who’s to blame? part 1

Posted on November 15, 2008 by Stephen W. Browne

If you go here: http://www.forbes.com/2008/11/13/friedman-liberty-republicans-oped-cx_pr_1114robinson.html there is an admirably succinct article by Peter Robinson on why the Republicans are, to put it bluntly (which he doesn’t, but he’s a gentleman and perhaps I’m not), traitors to the cause of liberty. … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy, Politics | 1 Comment

Veterans Day in our town

Posted on November 14, 2008 by Stephen W. Browne

Note: A slightly different version of this appeared in our local paper as an op-ed. “People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.” George Orwell My wife was … Continue reading →

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Ruminations on power

Posted on November 11, 2008 by Stephen W. Browne

“Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts – absolutely.”Lord Acton *It seems to me that virtually all of the disagreements between – and within, political factions are about power, it’s nature and uses, on scales ranging from interaction between individuals to … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Ruminations after the election

Posted on November 9, 2008 by Stephen W. Browne

*If you’re depressed about the election, you might to here http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MGEzN2MxYTQ5MDE2YTc5M2Y1MzFkNThlNjZiNGI4ZmM= and read Bill Whittle’s essay about how “we’re going to whip them out of their boots” come next time. It’s a reference to Phil Sheridan turning a Union rout … Continue reading →

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Obama and Elliot Ness

Posted on November 8, 2008 by Stephen W. Browne

Note: A slightly different version of this appeared as an op-ed in the Valley City Times-Record. The longest election campaign in our history is over. America has elected the first African-American president. No matter what you think about President-elect Obama’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Op-eds, Politics | 1 Comment

Martial Arts research: part 3, Combatives and Martial Arts

Posted on November 1, 2008 by Stephen W. Browne

I went over something of the history and origin of combatives training in parts 1 and 2. Modern combatives originated from the necessity of teaching military recruits something useful of close quarters combat in a minimal amount of time. What … Continue reading →

Posted in Martial arts | 2 Comments