Ari Armstrong's Articles
Economics, History, Politics & Rights
Modern Greeks Destroy ‘Foundations of Justice’
Ari Armstrong February 13, 2012
The Greek riots this past weekend have been sickening. “At least 45 buildings were burned, including one of [Athens’s] oldest cinemas, while dozens of stores and cafes were smashed and looted,” reports the AP. Why are the rioters upset? “More than 100,000 protesters marched to parliament to rally against drastic…
Politics & Rights, Science & Technology
Oil Shale Politics Points to Problems of Federal Land Ownership
Ari Armstrong February 13, 2012
Why is energy production in the United States subject to so much political oversight? Public News Service reports the latest news about oil shale: “Two competing plans for the development of oil shale in the West are making their way through Washington, D.C.” Both plans involve government-owned lands, and both…
History, Science & Technology
As Kodak Exits Camera Business, Remember the Genius of George Eastman
Ari Armstrong February 12, 2012
Kodak “will stop making digital cameras, pocket video cameras and digital picture frames,” the AP reports. “The death of Kodak's camera division is the end of an era for photography,” notes Digital Trends. But, whatever Kodak’s current struggles, those will never overshadow the productive genius of George Eastman, founder of…
Politics & Rights, Science & Technology
In Birth-Control Insurance Fight, Planned Parenthood is Anti-Choice
Ari Armstrong February 11, 2012
Planned Parenthood claims to uphold freedom of choice for women in planning their families and their broader lives. Yet the organization seeks to force people to buy birth-control insurance coverage against their will (whether they use birth control or not). Thus, Planned Parenthood is anti-choice when it comes to people’s…
Philosophy, Politics & Rights, Science & Technology
Not Only Catholics Should be Angered by Birth Control Mandates
Ari Armstrong February 8, 2012
Conservatives and Catholics have lambasted President Obama over his plan to force insurance providers, including Catholic ones, to cover birth control. Wayne Laugesen explains for the Colorado Springs Gazette: President Barack Obama’s administration finalized orders last week that will force all Americans, with few exceptions, to buy health insurance plans…
Politics & Rights, Science & Technology
Liability Reform Shouldn’t Be Limited to Space Industry
Ari Armstrong February 8, 2012
Colorado legislators are considering a bill to limit the liability of spaceflight companies. The bill’s sponsor says the measure would recognize “the inherent risks of spaceflight activity,” reports the Denver Post. New Mexico’s legislature also took up legislation to limit the liability of space companies. No doubt abusive litigation in America has…
Politics & Rights, Science & Technology
End Tax Favoritism for Wind Energy
Ari Armstrong February 8, 2012
Yesterday seven members of Colorado’s Congressional delegation urged continuation of the wind energy production tax credit, calling on a conference committee to tack the credit onto a bill to temporarily reduce the payroll tax. (An eighth member later added his name.) Twenty-three governors also recently advocated extension of the wind…
Politics & Rights
There is No ‘Right to Work’ Against an Employer’s Consent
Ari Armstrong February 1, 2012
People have the right to associate voluntarily and to contract by mutual consent. Those rights have long been under assault by the “progressive” left; now they are attacked by conservatives as well. Today Mitch Daniels, governor of Indiana, signed a “right to work” bill that further erodes freedom of contract.…
Politics & Rights
Texas Anti-Abortion Law Violates Rights to Liberty and Freedom of Speech
Ari Armstrong January 31, 2012
Earlier this month, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a Texas law that forces women seeking an abortion to obtain a sonogram and wait 24 hours before being able to act according to their own judgment. The law also requires doctors to present information and claims that neither doctor…
Politics & Rights
Gingrich Seeks to Violate Rights of Women and Doctors to Engage in Fertility Care
Ari Armstrong January 30, 2012
The spectacle of Newt Gingrich—of all people—trying to dictate the family planning of others is ludicrous. Yet Gingrich’s recent call for more rules controlling in vitro fertility treatments raises an important issue: Under the proposed anti-abortion “personhood” laws that Gingrich endorses, common fertility treatments would be outlawed. The result would…
Science & Technology
Obama Should Help End All Energy Subsidies, Not Play Favorites
Ari Armstrong January 28, 2012
President Obama is schizophrenic in his energy proposals. In a Thursday address at Buckley Air Force Base, Obama said he wants “the same set of rules for everyone.” Yet, on one hand, he said he wants to end subsidies and “taxpayer giveaways” to oil companies, while on the other hand…
Economics
Warren Buffett Immorally Calls for Tax Hikes on Top Producers
Ari Armstrong January 27, 2012
Warren Buffett so loves the idea of higher taxes on the wealthy that the proposal to accomplish that even bears his name: the “Buffett Rule.” This week Buffett seconded Barack Obama’s call for “a minimum effective tax rate of 30 percent on those who earn a million dollars or more,”…
Politics & Rights
Great Producers Deserve Our Gratitude, Not Obama’s Tax Hikes
Ari Armstrong January 26, 2012
[caption id="attachment_3985" align="alignright" width="235"] Javier Gil[/caption] In his State of the Union address, Barack Obama said the wealthy need to pay higher taxes in order to pay their “fair share.” As Newt Gingrich told Newsmax, Obama’s plan apparently would entail doubling the capital gains tax to 30 percent, something Gingrich…
Politics & Rights
Double-Taxation Means Double Injustice for Romney
Ari Armstrong January 25, 2012
Why do the same people who continually cry that “corporations aren’t people” want to tax them as though they were? Corporations are voluntary organizations of individuals. The law should protect the rights of each individual (including the right to speak as part of a group), not impose double burdens on…
Politics & Rights
To Give Americans a “Fair Shot,” Obama Should Stop Violating Our Rights
Ari Armstrong January 25, 2012
In his State of the Union address, President Obama said, “We can restore an economy where everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules.” If only he had the slightest clue what constitutes fairness and equality under the law.…