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A question of truth (Final On Second Thought column)

by Rick Lowe

On Second Thought was a weekly column this blogger wrote for The Bahama Journal from July 7, 1998 through September 7, 1999. Some of them might be dated by now, but I republish them here for what they are worth.

On Second Thought! September 7, 1999.

A question of truth

On a recent holiday to Ontario, Canada our eleven-year-old son and I went to the Ontario Science Centre. You’re right it was purely selfish, I wanted to go and Matthew tagged along but both of us spent the most time in an exhibit titled Truth?

There were some 39 exhibits that made up the presentation but for some reason we were both entranced with the area that dealt with prejudice and its many guises. Questions like: “Who is inferior? Who is superior? and Who decides?” were posed. There was a picture board of faces with various voices telling stories of their experiences and you would select the face for the voice. A section on Mayan writings and how scientist’s views that Mayans were primitive kept them form realising that Mayan is a sophisticated language.

Laws bloody laws

by Rick Lowe

On Second Thought was a weekly column this blogger wrote for The Bahama Journal from July 7, 1998 through September 7, 1999. Some of them might be dated by now, but I republish them here for what they are worth.

On second Thought! August 31, 1999.

Laws bloody laws

One of the most important principles of Parliamentary democracy is to ensure that Members of Parliament are accountable to the people by whom they were elected. (FNM Manifesto ’92).

In recent years we have had an unending flow of new or revised legislation. Unfortunately there is little public discussion of the contents. In fact, I submit that our Government now discourages public discussion!

The Minimum Labour Standards Act has been circulated several times among a “select committee” appointed by the Government to make recommendations. Copies had to be “leaked” to various people in the private sector to get different opinions. A new seat belt law is apparently about to be tabled. An “appointed” group too supposedly vetted this. I work in the automotive industry and our association has not been asked for comment. A community service bill was presented to Parliament and the Senate. I wonder how many people actually offered comment. What about the new Police Act?

The list goes on and on, and I would be willing to bet that a handful of appointees decided what is best for all of us. I do not wish to detract from the valuable effort the citizens who committed their time and effort to review these laws made, but what I find objectionable is the secrecy that surrounds this process.

What I find even more offensive is that my Government committed to “Circulate simplified drafts of pending major legislation to stimulate public discussion” and this is not being done. Presumably the legislation presented to date has not been “major” or committee’s sworn to secrecy represents the “public discussion.”

Although I am no expert on the proceedings of the House, I understand that any document presented to Parliament is available to the public. Just try to get one. Even the Agenda of the business to be conducted by our “Representatives” is not available. Unless my interpretation of what “available” means is incorrect.

Things are great! Stop complaining

by Rick Lowe

On Second Thought was a weekly column this blogger wrote for The Bahama Journal from July 7, 1998 through September 7, 1999. Some of them might be dated by now, but I republish them here for what they are worth.

On Second Thought! August 24, 1999.

Things are great! Stop complaining

The Free National Movement deserve credit for finally helping our economy turn the corner toward positive growth. I think that this happened as a direct result of the foreign investment they have allowed.

However, because our economy is extremely buoyant and things are generally going well this prompted my condemnation by a friend who is connected in a significant way with the powers that be in the FNM.

“Stop the complaining, you never discuss the positive things the government is doing or has done” he admonished.

The hangman’s jury

by Rick Lowe

On Second Thought was a weekly column this blogger wrote for The Bahama Journal from July 7, 1998 through September 7, 1999. Some of them might be dated by now, but I republish them here for what they are worth.

On Second Thought! August 17, 1999.

The hangman’s jury

I was working at CIBC’s Madeira Shopping Centre Branch at the time when Mr. Toppin walked in and presented me with a summons to appear at Magistrate’s Court. I had been selected as one of the twelve citizens from whom six would be chosen to attend the hanging of two convicted murderers’.

The names of the felon’s are irrelevant at this point, but suffice it to say the facts in the cases were blatantly obvious as to their guilt.

Mixed emotions

As I recall it was a beautiful morning when the twelve jurors appeared before the Magistrate for our mock game of Bingo. Six of us were fortunate enough that our numbers were not selected. We left the courtroom with collective sighs of relief. The chagrin of the six jurors’ we left behind with sombre faces was obvious.

Crossing the courtyard about fifty yards away we could hear a voice beckoning us to return to the court. When inside the Magistrate quite sternly advised that this was his first time attending a hanging and we would all have to go along, not just the six people selected. You can imagine, I’m sure, how our faces were made up!

Antitrust

by Rick Lowe

On Second Thought was a weekly column this blogger wrote for The Bahama Journal from July 7, 1998 through September 7, 1999. Some of them might be dated by now, but I republish them here for what they are worth.

On Second Thought! – August 10, 1999.

Antitrust

“Internet Explorer should not be forced on computer sellers because Netscape doesn’t sell operating systems.”
“They are just too big.”
“They use strong arm tactics to coerce people into selling their product exclusively.”

These are all the positions being advanced against Microsoft as reasons for the US Justice Department to decide against them in an antitrust suit.

Let’s examine these positions for a minute or two.

Internet Explorer should not be forced on computer sellers

The initial argument when the courts ruled against Microsoft in 1997 was that Windows and Explorer were not integrated systems and therefore the PC sellers should be able to include another “browser.” Well this decision was overturned in 1998 “on the grounds that the products were indeed “integrated”.”

In any event it has been suggested that Microsoft does not forbid the PC manufacturers from including other browsers or software in their contracts. As a matter of fact I believe that the consumer preference has been to use the Microsoft products. They perceive them to be cheaper and adequate enough to get the job done.

The Market Versus Government

by Rick Lowe

On Second Thought was a weekly column this blogger wrote for The Bahama Journal from July 7, 1998 through September 7, 1999. Some of them might be dated by now, but I republish them here for what they are worth.

On Second Thought! August 3, 1999.

The Market Versus Government

In his 1995 book titled Public Policy and the Quality of Life: Market Incentives Versus Government Planning Professor Randall Holcombe examines some of the issues between the two. “Holcombe makes clear the powerful consideration that militate against the success of political solutions to quality of life problems. Government employees do not face the exacting test of profit and loss; instead, success in government often consists in expanding the budget of ones agency. Further, once ensconced in a job, a bureaucrat is difficult to oust. He is free to go about his business in sovereign indifference to the consumer.”

Idiots’ Day - One day a year!

by Rick Lowe

On Second Thought was a weekly column this blogger wrote for The Bahama Journal from July 7, 1998 through September 7, 1999. Some of them might be dated by now, but I republish them here for what they are worth.

On Second Thought! July 27, 1999.

Idiots’ Day - One day a year!

I vote for one day each year where we obey no traffic laws! Yes you read it correctly…one day a year when traffic laws are disobeyed. Something like dress down Friday’s at the office. You know the day each week that there is no need to wear a uniform.

This special day could be Friday the 13th. I think we get at least one of those each year.

Technology...An incredible journey so far

by Rick Lowe

On Second Thought was a weekly column this blogger wrote for The Bahama Journal from July 7, 1998 through September 7, 1999. Some of them might be dated by now, but I republish them here for what they are worth.

On Second Thought! July 20, 1999.

Technology...An incredible journey so far

I read somewhere recently that it took fifty-five years for the automobile to get to a quarter of the population, and only seven years for the Internet to do the same. But just take a minute and think of all the inventions before during and since these two innovations.

There has been electricity, telephones, aeroplanes, space ships, Global Position Sensors, Computers, cellular phones, lap top computers and so on. Thankfully we have had the opportunity to use or experience just about every one of them.

This extremely fast pace of discoveries and inventions have driven economic progress throughout the world. It is estimated that in the USA “the number of scientists and engineers working in research and development has doubled since the early 1970’s; more than half of US patents have been issued in the past 40 years; and the number of new products put on the market annually has tripled since 1980. With so much R & D occurring, companies are likely to keep offering innovative goods and services at a furious pace. In the future, daily life will include applications for dozens of modern day breakthroughs – such as magnetic resonance imaging, powerful microprocessors…” etc.

The big white bogey man

by Rick Lowe

On Second Thought was a weekly column this blogger wrote for The Bahama Journal from July 7, 1998 through September 7, 1999. Some of them might be dated by now, but I republish them here for what they are worth.

On Second Thought! July 13, 1999

The big white bogey man

In recent months we have seen resurgence in fear mongering, directed primarily at some unknown people whom I refer to these days as the big white bogeyman. However, I am convinced that generally we are well meaning as a people and this is an “anti-capitalist mentality” rather than racism.

The problem this anti-everything approach has however is that for the most part, meaningful alternatives are not forthcoming.

Ludwig von Mises suggested that “An “anti-something” movement displays a purely negative attitude. It has no chance whatever to succeed. Its passionate diatribes virtually advertise the program that they attack. People must fight for something that they want to achieve, not simply reject an evil, however bad it may be...”

A year tomorrow for "On Second Thought"

by Rick Lowe

On Second Thought was a weekly column this blogger wrote for The Bahama Journal from July 7, 1998 through September 7, 1999. Some of them might be dated by now, but I republish them here for what they are worth.

On Second Thought! July 6, 1999.

A year tomorrow for "On Second Thought"
Some hopes and dreams.

“All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Secondly, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.”
Arthur Schopenhauer, German Philosopher.

Believe it or not July 7th marks the first anniversary of On Second Thought. It is somewhat fitting, to me at least, that my foray into editorial writing should share the same birthday as our country. I don’t wish to sound trite but when Mr. Jones asked if I would consider this column I didn’t think I was up to the task. Like a lot of people didn’t think the Bahamas was up to the responsibility of Nationhood. Besides at the time I was asked to do this I had even begun to think that my view was extreme. My friends and others used to call me a white, right wing extremist because of my growing enthusiasm toward Libertarianism and the ideas of Liberty. I am pleased to say that after a year of sharing these perspectives most people I talk to tend to agree with most of what I have to say.