Mandel, note that Sowell qualifies his comment by saying "people who believe...often believe". In my experience, many on the left do in fact believe government can be both more benevolent and more effective than competetive markets while simultaneously celebrating Darwinism.The analogy also has its limits. Greater freedom increases the supply of resources by improving productivity, which has resulted in better outcomes for the "less-advantaged". Competition for resources does not have the same effect in nature.

Maybe it was "off-putting" but it pales in comparison to the multitude of offenses coming from those who are pushing the contraception mandate.  They are using this offense as cover while they bulldoze basic freedoms.  An ill-chosen word directed at someone who willing sought controversy should not distract us from the bigger picture.

And in Rush's defense, if he had it do it over again I'm sure he would have used a more appropriate word - like trollop or strumpet or fornicatress.   

The stooges feigning hysterics over contraception coverage are silent over recent cuts to military medical benefits.  The prudes enforcing the new civility code of conduct fall conveniently deaf and/or join in when the subject of ridicule is a conservative.  Proud feminists support her for being an "independent woman" yet see no contradiction in the fact that she is seeking dependence.

Fluke made her bed.  Let her sleep in it.

If I recall correctly from McCullough's biography, when Truman was growing up he made a genuine effort to read every book in his local library.

Any post that starts with a Hayek quote is a good post in my book.

If you are just starting to think about the concept of an "ideological divide" I highly recommend Thomas Sowell's book "A Conflict of Visions".  I found it incredibly illuminating.

I agree 100%.  I'm a huge EconTalk fan.

Hmm, skepticism?  I can't remember.  I've been forgetful ever since the food shortages of the population bomb. We were happy then just to get an apple - until we learned about those poisonous pesticides.  Regrettably, we survived that by eating frankenfoods.  And then there was the acid rain - of course the acid might have helped keep us warm during the 70s ice age.  Despite our misfortunes, we felt lucky to survive DDT.  And the truth is, as a climate change refugee, it's hard to find time to be skeptical.  At least we don't have to worry about those polar bears anymore.

There is a great speech of hers that is available on iTunes.  It is Show #640 on the American Conservative University Podcast series.  Highly recommended.

I have mixed feelings about the NCAA. I love to watch but the fundamental unfairness of the system really irks me. Consider the hypocrisy of the recent Ohio St football controversy. Several players were "caught" selling some memorabilia - an NCAA infraction despite the fact that the items were theirs. they received heavy suspensions and were forced to repay the proceeds, which were relatively meager compared to what they probably could have sold for in the open market. The players were also forced by the sanctimonious disciplinarians to make sheepish public apologies. Meanwhile the Big 10 (Ohio St's conference) is reportedly in the midst of a tv contract negotiation that would earn it $460million. And how many of these kids really get the education that is supposed to be their reward for helping to generate such revenues. They are often recruited with no consideration for their academic readiness.

Affordable Health Care for America Act? Nope. That's a lie not a euphemism.

I think she needs to view motherhood through a new paradigm.  I saw a new mother at the playground this weekend wearing a t-shirt that read "I can grow people.  What's your superpower?"  Taffy might feel better if people referred to her as "Wonder Mommy"?  Or maybe "Super Taffy Mommy"? 

It's interesting to consider the inherent conflict between this idea and those described in Andrew McCarthy's recent article in NRO "Jean-Jacques Jihad". 

"Nevertheless, for all their differences, what unites Islamists and leftists is stronger than what presently divides them. They both support totalitarian systems. They would both attempt to recreate mankind, intending to perfect us by indenturing us to their utopian schemes. Their general will cannot abide free will. They both abhor individual liberty, unfettered reason, freedom of conscience, equality of opportunity rather than result, and bourgeois values that inculcate a devotion to bedrock Western principles and traditions."

http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/261366/jean-jacques-jihad-andrew-c-mccarthy?page=2

I certainly share your sense of indebtedness to WFB.  He was a giant for many reasons, including his great sense of humor.  I had the good fortune to stumble across a CD in which he read selections of his autobiography "Miles Gone By".  To hear, in his voice, the following response to criticisms that he used "arcane" vocabulary is a genuine treat:

"It's fair to distinguish between different categories of unusual words.  I like the late Dwight Macdonald's nomenclature.  Some words, he wrote in a celebrated review of Webster's Third, belong in the "zoo section" of the dictionary.  I.e, the words do exist, but the need for them is so remote, you can-and should-keep them caged up in the zoo until it is absolutely necessary to take one out, which may be never.  I know a word that describes the feeling you have in the roof of your mouth when peanut butter sticks to it, but I will never use it: in fact, I decline to disclose it."