Sunday, September 29, 2013

Firefly Symphony Clips

Rich people and unethical behavior.



It turns out that rich people don't need to be polite, they have money.

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Chapman Cohen -- Fragile Things quote.

These gods of the ancient world sent rain and gave their followers good health; they answered prayers; they sent their faithful worshippers to a prepared heaven and their enemies to a prepared hell. But as man’s worship declined so the objects of the worship declined also. Gods are fragile things, they may be killed by a whiff of science or a dose of common sense. They thrive on servility and shrink before independence. They feed upon worship as kings do upon flattery. That is why the cry of gods at all times is “Worship us or we perish.” A dethroned monarch may retain some of his human dignity while driving a taxi for a living. But a god without his thunderbolt is a poor object. -- Chapman Cohen, The Devil

Thursday, September 5, 2013

West Virginia BOE v. Barnette

In a concurring opinion via wikipedia:
"Words uttered under coercion are proof of loyalty to nothing but self-interest," wrote Black and Douglas in a concurring opinion. "Love of country must spring from willing hearts and free minds, inspired by a fair administration of wise laws enacted by the people's elected representatives within the bounds of express constitutional prohibitions."

Update: Full paragraph rather than wiki synopsis.

Words uttered under coercion are proof of loyalty to nothing but self-interest. Love of country must spring from willing hearts and free minds, inspired by a fair administration of wise laws enacted by the people's elected representatives within the bounds of express constitutional prohibitions. These laws must, to be consistent with the First Amendment, permit the widest toleration of conflicting viewpoints consistent with a society of free men. 


http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/historics/USSC_CR_0319_0624_ZC.html