Archives: November 2026

5 years ago
November 2021

“The PATRIOT Act was the fruit of a poisoned tree, and we can still see the shadow of its overgrowth in 2021 as the Biden administration transfers its own ‘domestic terror’ anxieties onto anything related to Trumpism following the January 6 melee. The administration in June issued a new strategy report on domestic terrorism, and while so far it seeks no new lawmaking power, that report troublingly insists that ‘it is equally important that the Federal Government engage in efforts to prevent individuals from being drawn into the grip of domestic terrorism in the first instance. That means reducing both supply and demand of recruitment materials by limiting widespread availability online and bolstering resilience to it by those who nonetheless encounter it, among other measures.’ That smacks of the sort of infiltration and harassment of people who have, as of yet, merely engaged in First Amendment protected activities.”
Brian Doherty
“The PATRIOT Act’s Poisoned Tree”

The PATRIOT Act’s Poisoned Tree

“All across the country, mayors, city councils, governors, and judges issued emergency halts to evictions in the early days of COVID-19. The immediate justification was to keep hard-pressed renters, thrown out of work by the global pandemic, from also losing the home they’d need to safely socially distance. These eviction moratoriums were dropped into place with virtually no public discussion of the limits of bureaucratic power, the rights of private property holders, the unintended consequences, or any other ramifications of such moves. Governments simply asserted that they had these powers and then used them.”
Christian Britschgi
“How the CDC Became America’s Landlord”

How the CDC Became America’s Landlord

40 years ago
November 1986

“The United States probably has spent too much time and too many resources containing communism, and too little time and resources spreading capitalism. The marketplace is this country’s strongest institution, and the United States must learn how to use it to help the poorer countries of the world develop a vested interest in the capitalistic system. Once capitalism spreads, communism will contain itself. The best way the United States can spread capitalism is through deeds, not words. The poor countries of the world already have had too many lectures from the richer nations about the benefits of free trade, and too few examples of it. Access to the vast American market is what these countries need—and should get—to build their allegiance to a capitalistic system. American protectionism is as subversive to U.S. security interests as Soviet cooperative forces.”
Melvyn Krauss
“No More Rich Bully”

No More Rich Bully

“We all know how temporary ‘temporary’ government programs are. And besides, aid is aid. Instead of paying the current U.S. price of $110 a ton [of wheat]—as they’re supposed to do under a treaty, or contract, signed in 1983—the Kremlin’s hard bargainers will now pay $85 a ton, with the difference picked up by you know who. This subsidized wheat will help the Soviets once again avoid the consequences of their oppressive and inefficient economic system. It could well start a trade war with the Europeans, Canadians, and Australians. And it will help some American farmers keep pretending that their work is economically productive.”
Virginia Postrel
“Tempted to Aid? Just Say No.”

Tempted to Aid? Just Say No

45 years ago
November 1981

“Nowadays, it is often feared that Americans have lost their ability to compete in new, risky, high-technology ventures. Yet there are plenty of space entrepreneurs champing at the bit to do just that. Whether or not they get their chance—and the potential benefits of space transportation and development come to be realized—depends on the course taken by the federal government.”
James Bennett
“The Second Space Race”

The Second Space Race

55 years ago
November 1971

“New York’s troubles stem from a deeper root. This City, the shrine/citadel of American liberalism, is so imbued with the tenets of its religion that it cannot face the reason for its failures. The reason is politics. New York’s religion is Government, Social Necessity, Public Good, and attendant lesser sacraments. It has taken the faith very seriously, because it convinced itself early on that social awareness is very noble and very necessary—in sum, very humanitarian. (Or, to be more accurate, the overwhelming bulk of New York’s financial and social élite convinced itself of this.)”
Mark Frazier
“New York—Death of a City”

New York—Death of a City