by Tom Palmer on March 19, 2010
I would abolish the death penalty, but I cannot avoid the feeling that justice was truly done in this case: “Virginia killer who sent taunting letter executed”
Powell, believing he was free from execution, proceeded to write a taunting, profanity-filled letter from behind bars to Ebert, laying out explicit details of the crime unknown to investigators at the time.
“Since I have already been indicted on first degree murder and the Va. Supreme Court said that I can’t be charged with capital murder again, I figured I would tell you the rest of what happened on Jan. 29, 1999, to show you how stupid all of y’all … are,” wrote Powell, who is white.
He said he had gone to the Reed house to confront Stacie about dating a black man. He admitted pinning the victim, threatening to rape her, then stabbing her in the heart when the girl resisted. He then stomped on her throat.
“I guess I forgot to mention these events when I was being questioned. Ha Ha!” he wrote in 2001. “Do you just hate yourself for being so stupid … and saving me?”
by Tom Palmer on March 19, 2010
by Tom Palmer on March 18, 2010
***
The trip to Istanbul and Ankara was very inspiring for me. I had the chance to meet many leaders of the classical liberal movement in Turkey and to learn what they’re doing to promote freedom in their country and in the region.
Then it was up at 2:45 am to get my flight from Ankara to Istanbul, to connect with a flight to Sofia. I had an interview yesterday with Kapital, a leading business magazine, and then had dinner with old friends from the Access to Information Programme and the Institute for Market Economics. I just finished a quite useful meeting with the staff of the Institute for Market Economics here in Sofia; what an impressive organization, which produces both high quality original studies and programs, such as EasiBulgaria, that educate thoughtful Bulgarians about the principles of liberty. They’re launching a new library (watch this space) and have a number of exciting projects underway. The IME Student Club is sponsoring my lecture this afternoon on the financial crisis at Sofia University. Tomorrow I’ll take part in a preliminar opening of the new library and present my book Realizing Freedom, which I also presented in Ankara at the Association for Liberal Thinking library.
IME recently translated my essay on “Myths of Individualism” into Bulgarian: “Митове за индивидуализма“.
***In case you would like to play the Bulgarian national anthem in the background as you read….
by Tom Palmer on March 15, 2010
Just a few pics from Istanbul: A seminar, based on my presentation on “Peace and Freedom in the Age of Obama,” with students and recent graduates from the 3H Movement in Turkey; Istiklal (Independence) Street in central Istanbul; the Galata Tower, which was built in 1348 by Genoese who settled here.
I had some very good meetings here with local classical liberals, including my much admired friend Atilla Yayla, and will fly today to Ankara to meet with the leaders of the Association for Liberal Thinking. Then on to Sofia, Bulgaria.
(P.S. We may work together to organize a “Freedom on the Road” tour through Turkey this year, like those in Brazil and North Africa.)
by Tom Palmer on March 14, 2010
by Tom Palmer on March 13, 2010
by Tom Palmer on March 13, 2010
by Tom Palmer on March 12, 2010
From CNN: “Beheaded Vikings found at Olympic site”
“To find out that the young men executed were Vikings is a thrilling development…”
It occurs to me, despite the likelihood that the young men were criminal invaders, they were still human beings….
by Tom Palmer on March 12, 2010
Nick Hogan is free….but we want him not only to be free from jail, but a free man, without fear of idiotic “laws” dictating whether people may smoke in his pub. And without having to pay ransom to the state for his freedom.
Bravo!!!!! I am so pleased by this. Congratulations to Mr. Hogan and to Old Holborn.
by Tom Palmer on March 12, 2010
by Tom Palmer on March 12, 2010
March 10Rasmussen Report
Just 23% of voters say they prefer a more active government with more services and higher taxes over one with fewer services and lower taxes. This finding has remained fairly consistent since regular tracking on this question began in November 2006.
by Tom Palmer on March 12, 2010
I managed to catch up on some sleep, but my body says I need more. (And the fact that it’s also telling me it’s kinda 12:45 am isn’t helping.)
I’ll give a talk this afternoon on “Peace and Freedom in the Age of Obama” at the Fatih University today, sponsored by the 3H (Freedom, Tolerance, Rule of Law) Movement. And I’ll continue to struggle with the spotty internet reception at the hotel.
My response to the lead essay by David Schmidtz and Jason Brennan on “Liberty: Positive and Negative” at Cato Unbound should be up some time today. Feedback invited!
