Fwd: I don't know what capitalism is, but I think it's the enemy of all life

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From: Tom Woods

I just couldn't let this go by without comment.

June 4, 2018 View this email in your browser Here's a real beauty, that someone in my secret Facebook group found and posted: OK, let's go through it. "Capitalism requires a perpetual arms race and warfare." No, it doesn't, and it's bizarre that anyone would think it does. War -- the systematic destruction of capital -- is the opposite of capitalism. Capitalism is based on contractual agreements that require the consent of both sides. War involves the violent, destructive imposition of one will upon another. Capitalism involves free trade. War involves blockades and the crippling of the international division of labor. Wars are waged by states, which fund them through the nonconsensual institution of taxation. Capitalist firms would never have the ideological legitimacy to conscript the men and resources to wage war, because kids aren't programmed in school to believe that it's legitimate for corporations to tax them for the public good, etc., the way they're taught to think of the state. Maybe the author is going for the idea that capitalism requires imperialism? But that's ridiculous. When did the fabulously wealthy countries of South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore engage in imperialism? Or for that matter Switzerland or Austria? Not to mention major powerhouses whose imperial histories lasted for only a brief moment. Nope, the capitalist West grew rich through capitalism, not by war and imperialism. Next: "The absence of a moral/spiritual component." Now that's a laugh. Why isn't socialism criticized for this? The communist countries of the 20th century were officially atheist, and were based on a frankly materialist philosophy. And who says capitalism has no moral or spiritual component? Capitalism says only that you should not initiate physical force against other people. You can't have a spiritual dimension to your life while believing in this moral value? Not to mention: the wealth that capitalism has created for everyone -- yes, everyone: the standard of living of the poorest in market societies has exploded over the past 200 years -- is precisely what liberates people to pursue non-materialist goals. When you're one bad harvest away from starvation, you're not really in the mood to join a book club, or take up an interest in Bach's cantatas, or study the Impressionists. But when your basic needs are taken care of, as they overwhelmingly are under capitalism (again, the statistics are everywhere), you are liberated to pursue the higher things. "The ownership and cannibalization of our shared Mother Earth." Cannibalization occurs precisely where there is no ownership. I'd love to hear this fellow's examples. They'll probably involve oceans and other waterways, air, endangered species, etc. All cases where government "ownership" has precluded private ownership. Private owners have an interest in increasing the capital value of their property. That's precisely why they don't cannibalize it -- because then they'll have nothing for the future. The state is the opposite: its caretakers stand to gain nothing from the future value of some resource, so they may as well exploit it in the present. Ownership, as Hans Hoppe explains (and as I've explained on the Tom Woods Show), is a conflict-avoiding institution. Since we have more desires than we have goods to satisfy them, we have to establish a system whereby we do not spend our time in violent conflict over scarce goods. Ownership is therefore at the very heart of civilization itself. "Capitalism is the height of violence against all life." If capitalism is "the height of violence against all life," it's sure doing a rotten job -- it's been able to support population explosions that would have led to mass death in pre-capitalist ages. Billions of people are alive who would not have survived in the days before capitalism. And capitalism "is the height of violence against all life"? The poster concludes by urging us to embrace the opposite of capitalism. So we should embrace the opposite of a system that has increased world per capita income by 11 times over 200 years, and which has pushed global poverty down to lower levels than ever before seen. Got it. The opposite of capitalism is wealth destruction. It is the destruction of the international division of labor, the greatest illustration of cooperation in world history. It is war, famine, and genocide. I'll take capitalism, thank you. Potpourri: (1) I already have tomorrow's episode of the Tom Woods Show recorded, but by Wednesday I'll have an episode on the Supreme Court decision involving the Colorado baker. (2) Sitting outside my house the other day I made you a short video on three ways libertarians can actually earn some dough while helping each other (cue the haters who say libertarians don't help people). I suggest you watch it: http://www.happyearner.com/cantlosethisjob Tom Woods Share Tweet Forward to Friend Copyright © 2018 Tom Woods, All rights reserved. Tom Woods PO Box 701447 Saint Cloud, FL 34770

Fwd: Not enough wars

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From: Gov Gary Johnson <info@johnsonweld.com>

A Message by Gary Johnson, Sponsored by Mark -- As if we aren't already fighting enough wars, we're now declaring war on Mexico, Canada and Europe. (Last time I checked, most of those were our allies.) Granted -- and thankfully, President Trump didn't declare a shooting war against our neighbors to the north, south, and in Europe. But Thursday, he certainly declared a trade war, slapping 25% tariffs on steel from Mexico, Canada and the EU, along with a 10% tariff on aluminum. Nobody wins a trade war. Costs for consumers and businesses go up. Relations with important allies are damaged, and ultimately, more jobs are lost than can ever be "protected". There's no secret here. Economists, employers, and yes, even most of the politicians know that punishing trading partners never ends well. So why do we let our President do it? It's a perfect example of the paralysis the Two Party Duopoly has given us.Too many Democrats buy into the myth that protectionism saves jobs for their union supporters. And all those "free-market" Republicans? Well...Far too many of them are scared of their President. The result: Congress won't do anything. Just like with the debt, the wars and the never-ending growth of government. Just like the real wars that are costing American lives and billions of our dollars, the politicians won't put a stop to Trump's trade wars. Where are the voices telling the truth -- that free markets, not government, create jobs, and that punishment in the form of tariffs and taxes is the enemy of Liberty? Well...those voices are being silenced by the Two-Party Duopoly. They can't get on the ballot because the Republicans and Democrats put up impossible obstacles to doing so. And they can't even get on the debate stage because the duopoly rigs the rules against them. That has to STOP. That's why Our America has launched our Stop the Duopoly campaign, and that's why we need supporters like you to step up. One thing you can do today is simply share this video with your friends, your social media pages and your fellow advocates for Liberty. The latest video from OAI... Please help by sharing the "Stop the Duopoly" video. Americans need a voice, and they need a way to stand up to the Duopoly. There is no "them" who will speak out and stand up. There is "us". Over the next several weeks, we will be producing more videos, holding live on-line events, providing training for advocates, and holding rallies at major Liberty events. The key is to educate and mobilize -- and that is precisely what we are doing. Share the video. Tell your friends to join our campaign, and yes, if you can, make a contribution that will help us succeed in what may be the most important campaign of this year and years to come. Policies won't change until the politics change -- and the politics won't change until we break up the Two-Party Duopoly.   Let's do it! Gov Gary Johnson Honorary Chair, Our America Initiative       OAI Rally at FreedomFest! OAI Rally at FreedomFest! July 13, 6:30pm PDT - Live Broadcast Use our special promo code: OAI100 and save $100 off regular prices.    Paid for by Our America Initiative · PO Box 1985, Salt lake City , UT 84110-1985, United States You can also keep up with Gov Gary Johnson on Facebook. Created with NationBuilder, software for leaders.

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Mark Rauterkus       Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com
Swimming and Water Polo Coach, Schenley High School, Pittsburgh, PA
http://CLOH.wikia.com
412 298 3432 = cell

Fwd: Mark, Share Your Knowledge in San Jose

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From: The LiveCode Conference 

Do you have something you'd like to speak about at the 2019 San Jose conference?

Share Your LiveCode Expertise The LiveCode Conference in San Jose, California, between 20th and 22nd May 2019, is open for applications to speak. We are looking for interesting and exciting subjects focused around LiveCode. Do you have expertise to share with the community? We're interested in widgets, LiveCode 9 and open source. We're also excited by HTML5, cross platform tips and tricks, LiveCode in Business, theming, extensibility and the LCB language. What are you excited about? Can you share your knowledge? Note that your session must have useful and relevant programming content, we will not accept applications that appear to be purely promotional for your particular product or service. If you have a topic you'd like to speak on, please send an email to conference-speaker@livecode.com with a 300 word summary, and any relevant speaking experience by August 31st 2018. We have available both half hour and 50 minute slots, please indicate which you would prefer. We are also offering flash talks lasting 10 minutes, where you can present a specific LiveCode app, tip or trick you are particularly proud of. Thank you, we look forward to your applications! Not got your ticket yet? Want to benefit from Super Earlybird pricing? Go here. Copyright © 2018 LiveCode Ltd, All rights reserved. You joined this list upon creating an account and confirming your email address at LiveCode.com. Our mailing address is: LiveCode Ltd 25A Thistle St South West Lane Edinburgh, EH2 1EW United Kingdom

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Ta.


Mark Rauterkus       Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com
Swimming and Water Polo Coach, Schenley High School, Pittsburgh, PA
http://CLOH.wikia.com
412 298 3432 = cell

Fwd: Some know better . . .

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From: John H

If you depend upon U.S. media to let you know what is going on in the world, the chances are near 100% that you are getting neither the full story nor an accurate view of these happenings.  An excellent case in point is the vilification of the Maduro government of Venezuela.  One who does know and who has been to Venezuela many, many times and who has travelled over much of Central and South America as a labor and human rights attorney is Daniel Kovalik.  Today, Dan had an op-ed in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette which explains some of the rest of the story which is almost always missing in the reports of main stream American journalists.  This is important information which explains why the leaders of the Bolivarian Revolution, Hugo Chavez and Nicolas Maduro is continuously reelected by large majorities of Venezuelans, including in this month's national election.

John

 

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Ta.
 
 
Mark Rauterkus       Mark@Rauterkus.com 

Executive Director of SKWIM USA, a 501(c)(3)

The Pittsburgh Project - swim coach and head lifeguard

Middle School Swim Coach at The Ellis School

Former Varsity Boys Swim Coach, Pittsburgh Obama Academy

Sabbatical for 2018: PPS Summer Dreamers' Swim & Water Polo 

Pittsburgh Combined Water Polo Team

http://CLOH.org

412 298 3432 = cell

Fwd: Terrible times . . .

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From: John H

As some of you may have noticed I have cut back on the number of missives being sent out of late.  It has become quite discouraging to daily watch just how far this nation has fallen into an open pit of political, military and economic slime.  It is all around us all the time and documenting it is an overwhelmingly frustrating task.  Many of the things now happening on a daily basis were simply unimaginable as little as two years ago – and things were desperately bad then.  The problem, as I see it, is that as bad as the Trump brigands are, the Democratic Party establishment brigands are not all that much better.  There is some glimmer of hope with the young, but that remains too nascent to count on right now.  Unfortunately, as Chris Hedges graphically points out in the attached article, things are going downhill at a much faster pace than almost anyone could have anticipated, even in the recent past, both nationally and internationally, and it may already be too late to rise up and stop the worst from happening.  It may well be that we will have to resort to small, tight community groupings for survival in the coming years – assuming Trump and his minions don't blow up the planet in the meantime.  These are terrible times indeed.

John

• Article, The coming collapse (PDF) 

Fwd: Olympic Day 2018

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From: Solomon Alexander <salexander@stlsports.org>

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here

Olympic Day 2018   Olympic Day is a worldwide celebration of the Olympic Movement and is a day to promote a healthy and active lifestyle. Based on the three pillars of "Move", "Learn", and "Discover", NOCs are organizing sports, cultural and educational activities for all, regardless of age, gender, social background or sporting ability.  Move: This pillar encourages people to get active on Olympic Day. "Move" can refer to all sorts of physical activities for people of all ages and abilities from Olympic Day Runs to individual and team sports.  Learn: Olympic Day is a great opportunity to learn about the Olympic Values, which are excellence, friendship and respect, and look at the contribution of sport to global social issues that can affect your community, such as education, health promotion, HIV prevention, women's and girls' empowerment, environmental protection, peace building and local community development. Being a responsible citizen is also part of the philosophy of Olympism. Discover: This pillar is about people trying new sports and activities that they have never done before. This is done in a number of ways, for instance, by inviting Olympians to do a demonstration of their sport or a workshop in which participants can try the sport under an athlete's guidance. You and your organization are invited to St. Louis' Olympic Day courtesy of the St. Louis Sports Commission and its Sportsmanship Foundation.  St. Louis' Olympic Day celebration centers on the legacy of the 1904 Olympic Games. Olympians and Paralympians will each share their stories of personal sacrifice, perseverance and heroism for approximately 300-500 St. Louis area children, ages 7-13, in a 30- to 45-minute assembly. After the assembly, the children will participate in a one-mile fun run/walk with local Olympians and Paralympians on the 1904 Olympic stadium track.   The Olympians and Paralympians in attendance will share their experiences and focus on the Olympic and Paralympic ideals of friendship, excellence, respect, determination, inspiration, courage and equality. A portion of the program will also highlight St. Louis' role in the Olympic Movement and address the significance of being at Washington University and its connection to the 1904 Games. St. Louis' Olympic Day is Friday, June 22 from 10 a.m. - Noon at Washington University in St. Louis. Snacks and drinks will be provided and every participant will receive a commemorative Olympic Day t-shirt. Please respond to this email or call 314-345-5130 to reserve your spot. Thanks so much for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Solomon Alexander 'The Sportsmanship Guy'

St. Louis Sports Foundation, 308 N. 21st Street, Suite 500, St. Louis, MO 63103

Best of Pittsburgh --- Golly I don't even know any of these

The golden age of blogging in Pittsburgh is only a fleeting memory, no pun intended for The Admiral. Today's list from The City Paper.

Local blogger list:

• Carlton Speaks
• Front Paige Me
• Jamie JeTaime
• Liz From Pittsburgh
• Matt's Music Mine
• North Shore Nine
• Punksburgh
• The Modern Gafa
• Yinz Can't Park

Best local Snapchat has only three selections, but I never use Snapchat:

• ArtLikeUs
• Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership
• Pittsburgh Steelers

Best local Instagram, again, not my thing, but who are these folks, other than the last name, Rick Sebak. 

• abcseeheardo
• bambiqween
• bardlebee
• idxdnapps
• keeppittsburghdope
• lawrencevilleairbnb
• lunchnotesketch
• nkoehlerphotography
• richardchristman
• ricksebak

My favorite nonprofits are not on the list.

• Bloomfield-Garfield.org
• The Pittsburgh Project
• DePaul School

The CP list

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh
• BikePGH
• Casa San Jose
• CureRock
• Girls Rock! Pittsburgh
• Hello Bully
• Mid-Atlantic Mothers' Milk Bank
• The Homeless Children's Education Fund
• The Society of Saint Vincent De Paul
• Wicked Pittsburgh Art Collective

Local Twitter:

• @billpeduto
• @davedicello
• @Jlynnstagram
• @northshorenine
• @partnerspod
• @penguins
• @PGHLiveMusic
• @pittsburghnerd
• @socialkimly
• @ValerieGauvain

Best activist

• Arielle Cohen
• Aryanna Berringer
• Ashley Comans
• Blak Rapp Medusa
• Chance Thomas
• Ciora Thomas
• Jessica Semler
• Leon Ford
• Lyndsey Sickler
• Monica Ruiz

I don't drink much at all. Even when with the South Side Pops, I often go without. 

• Aaron Gschwendtner
• Bill Peduto
• Joey Spehar
• Nicholas Supertzi
• Randy of Randyland
• Rick Sebak
• Sidney Crosby
• The moon baby
• Vernard Alexander
• Viva Valezz

Reading this got me to sign in and place my first vote, best public servant. Name might be better called best public employee. Servant, well, sorta. 

• Bill Peduto
• Corey O'Connor
• Dan Gilman
• Ed Gainey
• John Fetterman
• Moira Kaleida

Around the internet

Bram's blog hasn't been updated since September 9, 2017, (posted from May 20, 2018) and the latest post was a weird video. However, Bram's blog has an open thread and this golden gem appears from Anon.

March 4, 2018 at 9:14 am

This entire concept that someone is qualified for city council is moronic. You can’t be “qualified” or not qualified for an elected council position. It just shows how insane our local political guardians are that they get to choose who is qualified and who isn’t for these positions. Further, the 8th district is showing how it is probably the most hypocritical district in the City right now. all the Erika supporters champion that she “will get things done” for them. She will get their “constituent services” (read complaints) addressed faster and better than others because she is on the team of Peduto and knows him better. How cynical and selfish can a voting public get? Her supporters quite literally talk about almost nothing else. They call Sonja “idealistic.” What does that even mean? And when did 8th district all the sudden starting being honest about what they really want? Seems like they really want someone who will get them the most services out of city government above all other districts and they want someone who will get their zoning requests approved (since most developers live in this district) around the city and get them the most power. They could care less about social and idealistic objectives until this election is over and those ideals will need to be dug back up to throw in the face of some other political enemy.

Fwd: Join us this Wednesday, May 23rd at Union Project! Learn how you can get involved with the year's Summit Against Racism.

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From: Summit Against Racism

Let's all step up to to create a more just Pittsburgh. We can't wait to see you soon!

View this email in your browser Ever wanted to get involved with the Summit Against Racism but don't know how? Pop by Union Project this Wednesday, May 23rd and mingle with this year's cohort of dedicated volunteers to learn about ways that you can plug in. We need you to help make the Summit the best it can be. Sign up to support our social media team, help recruit workshop presenters, cook food for the event, pitch in on the outreach committee or help us create youth programming! Those are just some of the ways you can be a part of racial justice organizing in Pittsburgh. We can't wait to meet you! When: Wednesday, May 23 6:30-9 pm Where: Union Project, 801 N. Negley Ave Please RSVP by clicking here.

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Ta.


Mark Rauterkus       Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com
Swimming and Water Polo Coach, Schenley High School, Pittsburgh, PA
http://CLOH.wikia.com
412 298 3432 = cell

Fwd: Every American should be required to watch this . . .

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From: John H

The linked episode of The Real News Network discussing the new film Killing Gaza is important.  More important is the film it touts.  Every American should be required to watch this film in order to understand just what it is that we support, pay for and provide the weapons for in the Middle East as directed and controlled by the Zionist monsters who run the Israeli government.  The actions of this government are the responsibility of all of us who live here and the vile evilness of this nation's actions stain us all with guilt!

https://therealnews.com/stories/killing-gaza-a-new-documentary-on-palestinians-under-siege

John

Fwd: Become an open water swimming coach: from Outdoor Swimmer on behalf of Institute of Swimming

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From: Outdoor Swimmer

Become an open water swimming coach Level 2 British Open Water Swimming (QCF) Coaching open water swimming is a great way to share your passion and give back to the sport you love. The Swim England Open Water Coaching course has been backed by all four home countries – Swim England, Swim Wales, Swim Ireland and Scottish Swimming. The course gives coaches the skills needed to effectively prepare, deliver and evaluate a series of open water training sessions. It's aimed at swimming coaches or triathlon coaches who want to acquire specialist knowledge in delivering open water swimming sessions safely to a range of participants. Level 2 swimming teachers are also welcome to attend the course if they have experience of swimming in an open water environment. Upcoming courses are: 19th May and 14th July - Chichester Watersports 26th May and 30th July - Harthill Reservoir, Sheffield 2nd June and 25th August - Stanton Lake, Stoney Stanton 21st July and 22nd September - Vobster Quay, Radstock August and September dates TBC - London. Register your interest. Sent from Outdoor Swimmer on behalf of Institute of Swimming

The Outdoor Swimmer team
6 Maida Vale Business Centre
Mead Road
Cheltenham Gloucestershire GL53 7ER
UNITED KINGDOM