Maverick Philosopher

Footnotes to Plato from the foothills of the Superstition Mountains

Category: Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms

  • Peter Lupu on My Gun Rights Argument

    A guest post by Peter Lupu.  Editing by BV.   BV will respond to PL in the ComBox.  Here in his own words is the argument that BV presented: 1. Every human person possesses a natural right to life. 2. If every human person has a natural right to life, then he has a right to defend his…

  • Is Smoking a Moral Obligation?

    Readers of this weblog know that I am no friend of those benighted purveyors of misplaced moral enthusiasm, the 'tobacco wackos.' But the best way to oppose fanaticism is not by an equal and opposite fanaticism, but by moderation and good sense, qualities usually absent in cults. In The Sociology of the Ayn Rand Cult,…

  • Deriving Gun Rights From the Right to Life

    I take the view that some rights are logically antecedent to anything of a conventional nature such as a group decision or a constitution. Thus the right to life is not conferred by any constitution, but recognized and protected by well-crafted ones. In simple terms, you don't have the right to life because some people…

  • Topical Insanity

    There is temporary insanity as when a middle-aged man buys a Harley on which to ride though his midlife crisis, wisely selling the bike after the crisis subsides. But my theme is topical insanity, that species of temporary insanity that can occur when certain topics are brought to one’s attention. Someone so afflicted loses the ability…

  • State and Local Gun Laws and the Fourteenth Amendment

    SCOTUS is set to decide whether or not state and local gun laws violate Second Amendment rights. Suppose your city disallows the possession of handguns.  Then the local law would be in at least apparent conflict with the Second Amendment which has recently been recognized by SCOTUS as granting an individual (as opposed to collective) right…

  • Leftists and Guns

    Leftists who fear a 'fascist theocracy' in the USA ought to consider joining with their conservative brethren in support of Second Amendment rights. That way, when the 'fascist theocrats' kick down their doors at 3 AM to haul them off to church services, the leftists will be well equipped to defend their liberty. Was it…

  • The ACLU on the Second Amendment

    The following is verbatim from the ACLU website: The Second Amendment provides: "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." ACLU POSITION Given the reference to "a well regulated Militia" and "the security of a free…

  • The Superiority of the Pipe

    If the cigarette is a one-night stand, the cigar is a brief affair. The typical cigarette smoker is out for a quick fix, not for love. The cigar aficionado is out for love, but without long-term commitment. The pipe, however, is a long and satisfying marriage. But rare is the pipester who is not a…

  • Oregon Liberals Impose Regressive Tax on Joe Sixpack

    Yet another example of the misuse of government's coercive power by liberals is documented by the WSJ in This Tax Is for You.   And you voted for these irresponsible scum?  Then you will get what you deserve for being stupid. 

  • Seneca on Drinking

    In this festive season it is perhaps appropriate that we should relax a little the bonds that tether us to the straight and narrow.  A fitting apologia for a bit of indulgence and even overindulgence  is found in Seneca, On Tranquility of Mind, XVII, 8-9, tr. Basore: At times we ought to reach even the point…

  • The Manhattan Shot

    Time was when I imbibed two ounces of alcohol per day. But abstemiousness has set in, and now I save the sauce for special occasions. But a favorite delivery form remains what I call the Manhattan shot. Slam a respectably sized shot glass onto the counter. Fill it two thirds to three quarters with your…