Yes

David, I'm talking about the function of legitimate foreign governments. Like America, that function is to protect the rights of individuals. Government is supposed to do that whether it be America or elsewhere. In my opinion, government is illegitimate if it serves itself at the expense of those it is obliged to protect. When such governments like Saudi Arabia, for example, fails in its role, then all manner of business is placed at peril as mob rule, aka terrorism, seizes control by force.

David, the peaceniks aren't making any sense whatsoever with their specious claims about blood for oil. The fact remains that less than 1/4 of our oil comes from the Middle East. And even at full tilt Iraq is going to furnish only 1/10th of that oil. If oil is even an issue it should be for Europe, since they get lots of oil from the Middle East.

I thoroughly agree!

I think it's an even more giant leap for mankind that a totally privately funded venture sent this one off. I only wish they were more original with the name, though. I mean, "Space Ship One." Huh?

AutoJC, it's a crying shame that you have been banned. I will admit that the contention of yours about this forum being a sounding board for Republicans is a bit over the top, though. But many of your other challenges remain to be answered.

I don't agree. A price is a value placed upon a good or service that is a component of trade. i.e., for my preliminary design of a house, you will pay me X dollars. Price is tangible, therefore, it is objective.

Until you are old enough to go off on your own, your household has to be considered the exclusive domain of your parents. In your rebellious spirit, try NOT to get to the point where a parent sends you to your room in punishment. As a youth you have many advantages over an old fart like myself (I'm 55). You have a future ahead of you with many opportunities. It behooves you to maintain the moral supprt of your parents by achieving as much as you can in school, and doing those chores assigned to you. If you grew up in Mexico, life would be a whole lot different, as many of them live for the sake of survival, and opportunities are limited thus.. By all means indulge yourself in objectivist readings, but do not use these as a basis for rebellion against your parents! Instead, let these contribute to your own maturity and development.

You ignore the fact that I have stated many times that my problem with AutoJC was not primarily his conclusions, but his attitude. It was solely for his attitude that he was banned. You seem to share not simply his conclusions, but also his attitude. So if you want to stay, I suggest you cool it. Andrew, some day you have got to learn to look beyond one's attitude towards, or against, issues. Look carefully to content instead. It's a very important part of one's learning experience.

This just in- Iran has seized three British warships and eight British sailors. Stay tuned as the world finds out how the relativist Bush administration handles this latest debacle.

Perhaps so, but the foreign governments have to have the same commitment to protect individual rights that America does. Realistically, that is not so. Given the turmoil in the Middle East, the governments are unable to ensure the protection of individuals there. Therefore, Americans and their businesses are working at great peril to their own lives there.

Another aspect of Iran is the uprising of a student and university-fueled rebellion against the cleric-run government. America might want to seize upon this opportunity if at all possible.

I totally agree.

America has no right to use force except in defense of its own interests, as an extension of its obligation to protect the rights of its citizens here. The situation you describe, a rogue state which invokes a protectionist policy on its industry, does not in itself pose a threat to America.

What is the Bush Administration's problem?

Relevant to this thread, A very interesting article. It's right on target!

I am not a party voter. I vote for the candidate who is most closely aligned with my own views, and who also is, in my view, most qualified for the job.

if you are in business of any sort, such as I am, you will need to insure your business, unless of course you are extremely wealthy and so self-assured that you will never be held liable for anything. Once that happens, the insurance companies impose their own standards upon you such that their interests are protected. Your adhering to such standards helps protect your interests, by setting quality and safety standards you wouldn't set absent of insurance. Does this make the insurance companies "socialist?" I think not. What it does, in my view, is it makes private enterprise a higher standard than the government.

Skywalker, you have to understand (I'm sure you do) that India and Pakistan are mortal enemies, and any such report from India is bound to be clouded by that attitude. And I agree fully with Old Salt that as long as America doesn't have a clear vision as to their enemy, then they are fighting a war they cannot win.

The left is finished. No one who respects individual and property rights wants to have anything to do with them. Socialism and communism continue to collapse the world over. The UN is powerless to stop this, and if America had any guts, they would evict the UN from America and withdraw their support completely.