Liberty Pile - Libertarian News

On the heels of last week's news, a decision from the 2nd U.S. Court of Appeals ruled that no court order is required to spy on Americans overseas. Oh, least we not forget, the court mentions a "good reason" is required before spying. I feel better now.

A new free-market blog has been launched by NYU's Colloquium on Market Institutions and Economic Processes. The first posts so far look very promising.

In the UK, business research company Experian reports that over 1,000 non-food retail businesses have failed in the last 12-months, a 17% increase since last year. The main reason being cited is decreased demand due to recession. The 2.5% reduction of the VAT (Value-Added Tax) will not have a significant impact, retailers said.

While surfing my usual economics blogs this week, I found this video of a company in Brazil called Semco. This firm is practicing what some are calling "left-Rothbardian" capitalism. There are no schedules, permanent desk positions, salaries are set by the employees, and departments choose their own furniture. Things are kept kosher by peer pressure for unproductive behavior. Highly recommended.

In Nigeria, a clash between Muslim and Christian gangs has resulted in the death of 400 people. Shops, homes, mosques, and churches have not been spared. The fighting started after a dispute over a recent local election. Nigerian soldiers are on patrol at the crossroads of Nigeria's Muslim north and Christian south.

Just when you thought that bailout package couldn't get any bigger, the latest revised figure is a jaw-dropping $8.5 trillion. Analysts are predicting a $1 trillion deficit next year.

If you thought the recent indictments against Dick Cheney and former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales in Texas would lead to something promising, you'd be wrong. "Administrative Judge Manuel Banales ruled that the indictments were improperly returned by a Willacy County grand jury."

The big news this week was the U.S. Military's statement that they expect 20,000 troops to be deployed locally by 2011. The reasons given are to "help state and local officials respond to nuclear terrorist attack or other domestic catastrophe". I sure feel a whole lot safer now, don't you? R.I.P. Posse Commitatus.

In International-Government-Thug news, the Croatian Government is now detaining and questioning activists who are critical of the Government in Internet forums and groups. A group of Croation activists using Facebook to coordinate their activities, held a anti-Government rally in several towns. The group has over 80,000 members. This is the first time since the late 1990s that Croatia has actively repressed political speech.

If you've been following the situation in Iceland lately, you know it's not pretty. Skyrocketing inflation combined with a complete collapse of the banking system and increasing unemployment has led to active demonstrations in and around Bank and Government buildings.

Some sad news coming from FEE this week. Beth Hoffman, the managing editor of The Freeman magazine has passed away. Beth has been working at FEE since the mid-1970's. Jim Bovard recalls some of his favorite memories.

The longest-running political protest in Thailand has come to an end this week. The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) proclaimed Tuesday a "joyous day" and declared victory after the 193 day campaign. Bangkok's two main airports and Government House were returned to authorities without incident.

And that is your Weekly Minute for December 5th, 2008. Please comment below and tell us what you think or contact us via email.