Free Republic

From 'The Economist' print edition Attitudes towards redistribution have a strong cultural component ARGUMENTS over economic policy are often heated. Debates about the extent to which tax and welfare policy should redistribute wealth from rich to poor tend to be particularly fractious. Understanding why people hold different opinions on the topic interests economists, not least because citizens’ attitudes towards such matters are likely to influence the governments they elect. Some of the evidence from individual countries conforms to standard economic reasoning. Richer people, who have least to gain from redistribution, are usually less keen on it than their poorer compatriots....

NEW YORK — When members of the local historical society in Berwick found a dusty, long-ignored copy of Benjamin Franklin’s 18th-century “Poor Richard” almanac on their shelves a few months ago, they decided to find out whether it could be real. The answer was yes — emphatically confirmed on Tuesday at the Sotheby’s auction house, where an anonymous bidder paid $556,500 for the 1733 edition, the second highest price ever for a book printed in America. That was big news in Berwick, an old manufacturing city of 10,000 residents, where Franklin, using the pseudonym Richard Saunders, printed thousands of copies...

In honor of Thanksgiving – and the constant stream of complaints wildlife officials get about the wild version of our holiday meal – this little item will be all about how to avoid the big birds from pecking at your heels this holiday season. The good news is that wild turkeys have made a stunning comeback after being wiped out in the state by the mid-1800s from hunting and loss of habitat. Today, there are about 20,000-25,000 birds in Massachusetts. The bad news is that the wild turkeys have moved into Brookline, Newton and other suburbs where they are gaining...

Confessions of a Very Old Man My name is Benjamin. Here I lie in Philadelphia. I caught lightning with a kite. wrote an Almanac. I perfected a postal service. I coaxed a treaty with France. But most important of all, 221 years ago last week I encouraged 39 men To sign a four-page document To give you a republic, If you can keep it. Yes, the 17th of September was the 221st birthday of the Constitution, and I choose to talk about it through the three great contributions that Benjamin Franklin made to that document. Plus, of course, his summary...

Two weeks ago I took a Walk in the Park. It was touching, sad, funny, and educational and the best possible use of two hours of time. The park was a cemetery. It was populated by dead people who talked. This was the ninth year of the Walk in the Park, sponsored by the Highlands Historical Society. Each year the Society chooses seven or so residents of the cemetery, researches their stories, casts the actors and actresses, and invites the public to visit. It is an impressive experience to walk into a cemetery and see men and women, and sometimes...

Some 10,000 US researchers have signed a statement protesting about political interference in the scientific process. The statement, which includes the backing of 52 Nobel Laureates, demands a restoration of scientific integrity in government policy. According to the American Union of Concerned Scientists, data is being misrepresented for political reasons. It claims scientists working for federal agencies have been asked to change data to fit policy initiatives. The Union has released an "A to Z" guide that it says documents dozens of recent allegations involving censorship and political interference in federal science, covering issues ranging from global warming to sex...

As we observe Independence Day, we might do well to turn our thoughts to one of the most fascinating Founders of them all, Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790). This editor-turned-scientist-turned-statesman is a household name for inventing the lightning rod and bifocals; for founding America's first nonsectarian college and its post office; and for using his masterful diplomatic skills to get the French to lend crucial support to the American Revolution. But did you also know that Franklin is the only person to have signed all four of the documents that helped create the United States? He signed the Declaration of Independence (1776);...

PHILADELPHIA — You would not expect to find someone sharing star billing with Benjamin Franklin in this city, especially during the 300th anniversary of his birth. But while everywhere else in town Franklin is being lionized as the printer, scientist and statesman, an exhibition at the American Philosophical Society, which he founded, pairs him with an unlikely contemporary, Ekaterina Dashkova, a Russian princess whom few Americans have ever heard of. A noblewoman who married a prince, a teenage mother and a friend of a monarch, Princess Dashkova seemed to have nothing in common with Franklin, an elderly self-made man of...

January 17th, 2006 marks the 300th birthday of Benjamin Franklin. Since his death 216 years ago many volumes have been written that explore his numerous accomplishments in a wide variety of endeavors. Despite so much time passing, Franklin’s list of achievements and his life’s work still stand tall among the achievements of the many generations of Americans that have followed. More impressive than any one achievement was his versatility. Franklin contributed to many areas of daily 18th century life. If you lived in the colonies during that period, more than likely your home was heated by a Franklin stove, your...

Lord, Keep our Troops forever in Your care Give them victory over the enemy... Grant them a safe and swift return... Bless those who mourn the lost. . FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer for all those serving their country at this time. ...................................................................................... ........................................... U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues Where Duty, Honor and Countryare acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated. Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel...

Even today, sources on inventions list six by Franklin that are still in active use today. One of those sits in my back hall, cheerfully and economically heating the back of my home – the Franklin stove. Another sits on the bridge of my nose as I write this – a pair of bifocals. But this is about Franklin’s greatest invention, one that the lists never mention because it is mere words, not a physical object. Franklin made seven trips to Europe, as a diplomat and scholar. He was welcomed into all the learned societies that existed in Europe then....

Why is New Orleans in so much worse shape today than New York City was after the attacks on Sept. 11? The short answer is that New York was attacked by fire, not water. But then why are urbanites so much better prepared to cope with fire than with flooding? Mostly because they learned to fight fire without any help from the Army Corps of Engineers or the Federal Emergency Management Agency. For most of history, fire was far more feared than flooding. Cities repeatedly burned to the ground. Those catastrophes occurred sporadically enough that politicians must have been tempted...

July 4th: What is Independence? by Edward Hudgins July 4th is Independence Day. But at our picnics, parties and cookouts we might well ask, “Independence from what?” In 1776 we Americans declared our political independence with Britain. Tired of high taxes and a long train of abuses, and with no democratic controls on those who governed us, we decided it was time for us to run our own affairs. Besides, bowing on our knees before kings and lords was for slaves and serfs, not free men like us. But it was not just our break with Britain but also other...

GENEVA - Most Americans have probably never heard of the World Intellectual Property Organization, headquartered here in Switzerland. Intellectual property is intangible property, such as software or music. Its value is very real. According to a study by Leonard Nakamura, an economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, the total value of intellectual property in the United States is more than $5 trillion. That's more than a third of the value of the U.S. stock markets. Protected only by copyrights and patents, it is relatively easy to steal or counterfeit. (snip) WIPO and other international bodies are meeting to...

On the Providence of God in the Government of the World When I consider my own Weakness, and the discerning Judgment of those who are to be my Audience, I cannot help blaming my self considerably, for this rash Undertaking of mine, it being a Thing I am altogether ill practis'd in and very much unqualified for; I am especially discouraged when I reflect that you are all my intimate Pot Companions who have heard me say a 1000 silly Things in Conversations, and therefore have not that laudable Partiality and Veneration for whatever I shall deliver that Good People...

"Gettin' chilly down in Philly..." This interactive flash of the Founding Fathers is hilarious! Submitted for your enjoyment... http://www.jibjab.com/32.html

WASHINGTON — On a recent evening, David Barton, a leading conservative Christian advocate for emphasizing religion in American history, stood barefoot on a bench in the rotunda of the United States Capitol Building with a congressman by his side and about a hundred students from Oral Roberts University at his feet. "Isn't it interesting that we have all been trained to recognize the two least religious founding fathers?" Mr. Barton asked, pointing to Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin in a painting on the wall. "And compared to today's secularists these two guys look like a couple of Bible-thumping evangelicals!" Even...

Bush: I Can't Fill Franklin's Shoes 1 hour, 35 minutes ago By TERENCE HUNT, AP White House Correspondent BRUSSELS, Belgium - Fully aware that many Europeans have disagreed with him on Iraq (news - web sites) and other issues, President Bush (news - web sites) was quick on Monday to acknowledge his low popularity ratings. "You know, on this journey to Europe, I follow in some large footsteps," Bush said at the beginning of his speech that addressed hotspots around the world. "More than two centuries ago, Benjamin Franklin arrived on this continent to great acclaim." Bush quoted an observer...

The people of Massachusetts enjoy a beautiful landscape rich in history, some of our nation’s most prominent universities, and the fourth highest per capita income in the country. Yet they can’t come up with better representatives than John Kerry and Teddy Kennedy. How is this possible? One, the nation’s most prominent coward, the other called traitor by his band of brothers, our country's two most socialist senators, the two biggest national embarrassments of modern times, and both from Massachusetts. I’m afraid this does not look good for the people who keep electing them… I suspect that Senator Kennedy has garnered...

Better known as a statesman and an inventor, Benjamin Franklin is the man to whom we refer. "Patriot" has more of a heroic connotation, but when you read this, you'll realize that he was indeed a patriot. Franklin spent much of his life in England and was well-respected there. Beginning in 1762, he worked there to mediate the increasing disputes developing between the homeland and the colonies. Prior to the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, two of England's most distinguished persons, Admiral Lord Howe and (Prime Minister) Frederick Lord North, attempted to coerce Franklin to mediate the situation in England's...

Dear Jon, So “America (the Book)” was named Book of the Year by Publishers Weekly. More than successful, it’s a cultural phenomenon. I had to see what all the shouting’s about. If your goal was money and self-promotion, congratulations. If you had a higher goal, close but no cigar. Begin with the Foreword “by” Thos. Jefferson. Ol’ Tom was one of the greatest political thinkers in history. I’m not going to pick on deliberate falsehoods or fake quotes. Nor brevity, nor attempts at humor. Just flat-out, factual errors. You have Jefferson say “we” composed “the Declaration and the Constitution.” You...

I am looking to greatly increase my knowledge of American History over the years ahead. I know there are so many experts and aficionados here on my favorite forum, and I would be so grateful if you could advise some starting points for me. In fact, I would appreciate a roadmap on this to follow over the next couple of years. I have tried just plunging in reading historical documents, but feel that I need more background first to make it stick. I have learned that on many topics that you don't need to know "much" to know more than...

Ah, the French. How to think of them? There is an easy default answer: kindly and gratefully. After all, they helped us in the Revolutionary War, gave us Alexis de Tocqueville and the Statue of Liberty, and to this day feel a keen republican spirit in harmony with America's own. Sure, we have had our spats. But when the chips are down, you can count on France to be on our side, more or less, and to supply some great wine if it is needed. ...Before 9/11, 77% of Americans held a favorable opinion of France. By March 2003, only...

Before we get rolling on John Kerry’s commitment to a “global test” for American foreign policy, let’s take a look at the latest giant leap for mankind that took place over the Mojave Desert in California this week. The two events are related, in a curious way. SpaceShipOne was an ugly duckling, designed by Burt Rutan for the precise purpose of winning the Ansari X Prize of $10 million. A generation from now, no one will remember the name of the prize, only the fact of the first private, entrepreneurial step into space. Just like no one today remembers the...

They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security. – Benjamin Franklin I imagine that you have heard the quote before. On my side of the Atlantic, though we may argue about what constitutes "essential" liberty, we do agree upon the importance of the principle articulated in Franklin's maxim. The principle is applicable now, as the cliché goes, more than ever — but not in the usual context. Since the events of September 11, 2001, critics of the war on terror's domestic policies have frequently invoked Franklin's warning as part of their objections...

Over the past several decades, a different source of liberty that can be traded away has been discovered. The liberty of others has been identified as a tradable commodity. They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security. -- Benjamin Franklin I imagine that you have heard the quote before. On my side of the Atlantic, though we may argue about what constitutes "essential" liberty, we do agree upon the importance of the principle articulated in Franklin's maxim. The principle is applicable now, as the cliché goes, more than ever -- but not...

<p>In his best-selling book "Benjamin Franklin, An American Life," Walter Isaacson says Ben would be completely at home in the information age. Like many of us, he would be alternately amused, excited, appalled and outraged about how things are going.</p>

Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston on January 17, 1706. He was the tenth son of soap maker, Josiah Franklin. Benjamin's mother was Abiah Folger, the second wife of Josiah. In all, Josiah would father 17 children. Josiah intended for Benjamin to enter into the clergy. However, Josiah could only afford to send his son to school for one year and clergymen needed years of schooling. But, as young Benjamin loved to read he had him apprenticed to his brother James, who was a printer. After helping James compose pamphlets and set type which was grueling work, 12-year-old Benjamin would...

Do you live in a democracy? If you do it must surely be interesting, voting on all those issues and participating directly in government. I've always wondered what it would be like. Gathering together and voting on issues it must be very exciting. Most Americans believe they live in a democracy and many folks will argue they do because well, their teachers told them so. The truth is our nation never has been. In fact the members of the constitutional convention argued this very notion as they debated the Articles of the Constitution of the United States of America. I...

The pragmatic founding father defies deism and comes up with his own conception of the Creator. Soon after the death of his child Francis, Benjamin Franklin was moved to set down his religious beliefs in an address he gave to a group of philosophically inclined friends known as "the Junto." Though he committed these ideas to paper more than 60 years before his death, they would serve as the basis for his understanding of the divine to the end of his life. In this description of Franklin's beliefs from Walter Isaacson's new book, "Benjamin Franklin: An American Life," we can...

<p>The Pilgrims and the Mayflower also are excluded, as well as the word "war," which has been replaced with "conflict" in lessons about the early settlers, colonization and expansion.</p> <p>Also gone are most references to the inhumane treatment many American soldiers endured in wars overseas during the 20th century. However, the standards specifically note that students should identify slavery, the Holocaust and modern Iraq as examples "i n which people have behaved in cruel and inhumane ways."</p>

The Jan. 28th edition of the Washington Times reports that "George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin are not included in the revised version of the New Jersey Department of Education history standards. The Pilgrims and the Mayflower also are excluded, as well as the word 'war,' which has been replaced with 'conflict' in lessons about the early settlers, colonization and expansion." The educrats and shallow politicians may not like to admit it, but there is a war going on in education, and New Jersey, the location of Washington's great revolutionary victories at Trenton and Princeton, is among the battlefronts. ...

Americans remember Benjamin Franklin as one of our founding fathers. And well they should, as he was not just our most famous citizen at our country's birth, he was a central part of that birth. As a member of the Second Continental Congress, Franklin helped draft the Declaration of Independence. As a member of the Constitutional Convention, he helped draft the Constitution. Both documents bear his signature. He also signed the Treaty of Alliance with France, bringing the colonies French aid against the British, and The Treaty of Paris, which ended the Revolutionary War and recognized the independence of the...

TORONTO (CP) - The United States is defined by a handful of historical figures. Yet Americans themselves know surprisingly little about one of them. But a handful of Canadians hopes to change all that with Benjamin Franklin, a two-part docudrama airing next Tuesday and Wednesday on PBS (check local listings). The project took years of work by former Montrealer Ron Blumer, who also wrote Liberty! The American Revolution, shown on PBS in 1997. He's spent much of the intervening time doing research, much of it in Yale University's vast Franklin archives. "This is like writing a PhD thesis, really," says...

THE next time you see a $100 bill, have a look at the face on it — Benjamin Franklin, an early American patriot. As early as 1787, he warned of the danger of the Jews. Though I have read widely about the Jews, I have found no truer or more accurate an opinion than that of Franklin. His opinion was also shared by George Washington who became the first president of the United States. Franklin said: “I agree completely with General Washington that we must protect this young nation from their influence. In every land the Jews have settled, they...