John Stuart Mill on Contagious Diseases and the Law ⋆ Brownstone Institute

submitted by [deleted] from brownstone.org

all 12 comments
sorted by:
top
newinsightfulfun

[–][deleted] 6 insightful - 2 fun6 insightful - 1 fun7 insightful - 2 fun -  (11 children)

I think these are good point, though addressed on a right-wing website, for the purpose of opening the floodgates of misinformation as a form of free speech. Still, the article addresses good points by JS Mill. I would argue that there is no apparent connect connection between 19th century STDs and COVID. I think it's good that On Liberty is consulted, however, as it shows how important it was in the shithole of mid-19th century London and Britain to improve society by focusing on the protection of the 'liberty' of a person to pursue their interests, rather than continue to abuse the 99%.

[–][deleted] 3 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 2 fun -  (3 children)

I think the comparison is a fair one because the arguments are generalizable to any contagious disease. Although I admit there may be an inflection point at which the nature of the disease becomes relevant. If we were in an Ebola outbreak, I would be strongly encouraging mask usage, even if the evidence was weak, whereas I would not for a flu-like illness. But I will grant you that even I would be sympathetic to drawing a line somewhere, so I see your point.

Also, I dont think right wing is a fair characterization of Brownstone. The founder Jeffrey Tucker is indeed a llibertarian of sorts, but there are many liberal contributors on this site. Brownstone is a collection of people that are Socially Liberal, be they Liberal or Libertarian.

None of the sources I have referred you to are right wing, but you often seem to dismiss non-establishment leftists as right wing, such as Glenn Greenwald who is definitely a liberal, or even Caitlyn Johnstone, who I would characterize as a radical leftist.

But anyways, I don't want you to think I am attacking you. If I didn't think you were a decent, intelligent, and mostly rational person, I would not waste my time debating with you

[–][deleted] 6 insightful - 1 fun6 insightful - 0 fun7 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

Yes, it's Libertarian, which is a portion of the right wing, normally voting with the GOP on ALL of their agendas. Rand Paul is a good example of a McConnell butt licker. Libertarians do not govern. They do whatever the GOP tell them to do. I appreciate a number of the very good points in the article. The website is rated as right-wing, but not necessarily dishonest:

https://www.allsides.com/news-source/brownstone-institute-media-bias

https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/brownstone-institute-bias/

[–][deleted] 3 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 2 fun -  (1 child)

I share your feelings about libertarians concerning economic issues, but this is not a fair characterization of the content of this site. Many of the contributors such as Thomas Harrington are definitely classic liberals. There are only 4 politicals stances this site has taken that I can recall, and I have checked the articles daily for months.

  1. They are against Vaccines and Masks - This is their major issue, and the reason they are listed as right wing by your sources, but not everyone who feels this way is actually right wing. These guys are objecting to mask and vaccine mandates based on the principals of classical liberalism. I respect that we disagree on mandates, but there are people against these mandates due to liberal ideology, not right-wing ideology.

  2. They are pro free speech - This is social leftism, liberals and libertarians used to agree on this (See ACLU)

  3. They are anti-globalism. They hate BlackRock, Vanguard, Bill Gates, Bezos. Hating Billionaires and huge Financial corporations is not what I would consider economically right wing.

  4. They are also Pro-Union, which is a traditional economically left stance. They have repeatedly criticized Amazon and Starbucks for their anti-union activity

There is literally no political content on this site that does not pertain to one of these issues. This is not a Rand Paul/Mitch Mcconell type site. There is not a hint of GOP nonsense in this site. No homophobia, no Trump apologism, no racism, not even capitalism pandering, which I hate.

I truly believe this site is balanced mix of anti-authoritarian leftists and rightists, where anti-authoritarianism is the main focus and point of agreement. They do not delve into GOP or DNC type politics

I would encourage you to browse their site statements and articles for yourself, because I do not agree with that rating, and I read that site very regularly. I am very much economically left and socially left, and I am not at all bothered by the content of this site

[–][deleted] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Thanks for the info. I agree with them on those issues.

[–]JasonCarswellVoluntaryist 1 insightful - 3 fun1 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 3 fun -  (6 children)

Why do you care if it's a "right-wing" site or not?

I would argue that there is no apparent connect connection between 19th century STDs and COVID.

You're not a doctor, scientist, nor expert. You're just a tribal-opinion repeater. Those opinions are manufactured by the 1%.

[–][deleted] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (5 children)

Why do you care if it's a "right-wing" site or not?

Because

Those opinions are manufactured by the 1%.

[–]JasonCarswellVoluntaryist 1 insightful - 2 fun1 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 2 fun -  (4 children)

As are the left-wing opinions.

BOTH the left and right are retarded.

[–][deleted] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (3 children)

only if one cannot understand them

[–]JasonCarswellVoluntaryist 1 insightful - 2 fun1 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 2 fun -  (2 children)

The more you pretend to know things the stupider you appear.

[–][deleted] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

Yes, Guru Carsmell, a good quote of a famous philosopher. Also:

The more inept you are the smarter you think you are

[–]JasonCarswellVoluntaryist 1 insightful - 2 fun1 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

Whether that's an established quote or not, it's simply common sense from my own mind.

One of your liar alts should be /u/DunningKrugerEmbodied.