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This book was first published in 1946. It reads though, as if it was written yesterday. Today's headlines of government bailouts and deficit spending are the subject of this book. According to Hazlitt, everything the government is doing today to try to "fix" the economy is exactly the opposite of what should be done.

To quote him, the one lesson is: "The art of economics consists of looking not merely at the immediate but at the longer effects of any act or policy; it consists in tracing the consequences of that policy not merely for one group but for all groups".

In a nutshell, most of the spending government does may benefit one special interest group in the short term, but usually does not benefit all groups and may hurt other groups in the long run. Since this book was first published, I believe history shows that he is correct.

I highly recommend this book for anyone, conservative or liberal. However, this could be hazardous to the health of a liberal.

Christos Anesti

Christ is Risen

Tragedies like this we don't need

Doctor: Lack of medical helicopter cost actress

NEW YORK – As a steady stream of celebrities pay their last respects to Natasha Richardson, questions are arising over whether a medical helicopter might have been able to save the ailing actress.

The province of Quebec lacks a medical helicopter system, common in the United States and other parts of Canada, to airlift stricken patients to major trauma centers. Montreal's top head trauma doctor said Friday that may have played a role in Richardson's death.

"It's impossible for me to comment specifically about her case, but what I could say is ... driving to Mont Tremblant from the city (Montreal) is a 2 1/2-hour trip, and the closest trauma center is in the city. Our system isn't set up for traumas and doesn't match what's available in other Canadian cities, let alone in the States," said Tarek Razek, director of trauma services for the McGill University Health Centre, which represents six of Montreal's hospitals.

I live is a small town in Pennsylvania. There is a trauma center nearby. Helicopters fly in and out of there all of the time. Perhaps the outcome would have been the same here. But, there are those who want to have a healthcare system like Canada's. No thanks.

The outrage is interesting

Listening to the news this morning about the AIG bailout and the paying of bonuses, I was reminded of something Jesus said to the Pharisees:

Matthew 23:24 (New Living Translation)
24 Blind guides! You strain your water so you won’t accidentally swallow a gnat, but you swallow a camel

The Congress gave AIG over $100 Billion (with a B). The bonuses paid out was over $100 Million (with an M). That is 1/10th of one percent. This is like getting upset if you give someone in need $10 and they put a penny in a slot machine. Yes, they shouldn't throw the money away like that, but let's be real. How is the other 99.9 % of the money being spent?

Plus, where is the outrage about the amount of money AIG contributed to members of Congress as campaign contributions? Senator Dodd and former Senator Obama (now our most holy President) head the list.

It is time to get real and stop all these bailouts. Cut government spending. Make Congress tighten their belts. Reduce taxes and we will see the economy take off.

A moral hazard

Should we look to kings and princes to put right the inequalities between rich and poor? Should we require soldiers to come and seize the rich person's gold and distribute it among his destitute neighbors? Should we beg the emperor to impose a tax on the rich so great that it reduces them to the level of the poor and then to share the proceeds of that tax among everyone? Equality imposed by force would achieve nothing, and do much harm. Those who combined both cruel hearts and sharp minds would soon find ways of making themselves rich again. Worse still, the rich whose gold was taken away would feel bitter and resentful; while the poor who received the gold from the hands of soldiers would feel no gratitude, because no generosity would have prompted the gift. Far from bringing moral benefit to society, it would actually do moral harm. Material justice cannot be accomplished by compulsion, a change of heart will not follow. The only way to achieve true justice is to change people's hearts first -- and then they will joyfully share their wealth. - St. John Chysostom

These words were attributed to St. John Chrysostom in the book "On Living Simply" combiled by Robert Van de Weyer. Unfortunately, Mr. Van de Weyer did not provide the citation and I have not been able to find exactly where this quote came from. Nevertheless, whether St. John Chysostom actually said these words or not, I find them to be very powerful. If I didn't know better, I would say he must have been reading today's newspapers. Wealth redistribution is the theme of the day. I think we should heed his words, "Far from bringing moral benefit, it would actually do moral harm." Stealing is stealing, no matter who does it, a person or the state.

A whole lot of shakin' going on

Thought for the day:

Hebrews 12:25-29:

25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:

26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.

27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

29 For our God is a consuming fire.


The world as we know it is being shaken. The "change we can believe in", promised by our President, is shaking the very foundations of our society. The stock market is tanking. People are losing their jobs and their retirement funds. The age of Obama is getting off to a miserable start. (I won't say I told you so.)

So what is happening? To put it simply, those who built there house upon the sand are being shaken to the core of their being. Those who built their house upon the rock (Christ Jesus) will be able to withstand the winds that are blowing and the earth that is shaking.

Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.

Chrismation report

Last evening, prior to Vespers, my wife and I were chrismated into the Holy Orthodox Church.

I chose as my patron saint, St. David the King and Prophet. My wife chose St. Kasiani (Cassiane). Since we are both musicians and have written church music, albeit western contemporary music, they both seemed very appropriate. Our Godparents gave us each a beautiful cross and an icon of our patron saint. We were truly blessed.

Today, we both received our first communion as Orthodox Christians. It was a day we will never forget. To be able to partake of the heavenly food is such a great blessing.

Glory to God for ever and ever.

Countdown ....3....2.....1

Countdown .....3.....2.....1


This is the day that the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.


Today, 02/21/2009, is the day my wife and I are to be Chrismated into the Holy Orthodox Church before Vespers. It has been a long road, but I know it is only the beginning of the journey.

If you ever read the "About me" to the right, you may have noticed the term (small o) orthodox. After today, I will be able to change it to a capital O, Orthodox.

Oh happy day!!!

Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.

Countdown ....3.....2.....

Countdown .....3....2.....

Continuing the countdown.

Clue: small 'o' to Capital 'O'.

Countdown ....3....

Countdown .....3.....

Counting down to a great event.

Clue : The Orthodox Church is evangelical, but not Protestant. It is orthodox, but not Jewish. It is catholic, but not Roman. It isn't non-denominational - it is pre-denominational. It has believed, taught, preserved, defended and died for the Faith of the Apostles since the Day of Pentecost 2000 years ago.

Nativity of our Lord

Merry Christmas to one and all.

Christ is born! Glorify Him!

Phillies are Champions

The fightin' Phils finally finish first.

Go Phillies!!!!

You go girl !

Take that, you loons.

Sarah Palin was awesome at the GOP convention. I couldn't stand the thought of watching and listening to Billary for the next 8 years. I won't mind one bit watching and listening to this Alaskan. You go girl!

McCain was McBrillant to pick her as his running mate. The looney left is in full melt down mode. Showing once again that liberalism is a mental disorder (Savage).

North to Alaska.

Messiah Obama Mama

The Messiah Obama has his shorts in a bunch over the remarks made by President Bush to the Israeli Knesset.

Obama criticizes McCain, Bush on appeasement talk

WATERTOWN, S.D. (AP) - Barack Obama rebuked Republican rival John McCain and President Bush for "dishonest, divisive" attacks in hinting that the Democratic presidential candidate would appease terrorists, staunchly defending his national security credentials for the general election campaign.

Obama responded Friday to Bush's speech Thursday to the Israeli Knesset. The president referred to the leader of Iran, who has called for the destruction of the U.S. ally, and then said some seem to believe that we should negotiate with terrorists and radicals - comments Obama and Democrats said were directed at them. McCain subsequently said Obama must explain why he wants to talk with rogue leaders.

Me thinks he protests too much. Did the President strike a nerve?

Tyranny of men in black robes

The will of the people in California has been usurped by 4 men in black robes. San Fransicko here we come.


Top California court rules gays may marry

By Jim Christie
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - The California Supreme Court overturned a ban on same-sex marriages on Thursday in a major victory for gay rights advocates that will allow homosexual couples to marry in the most populous U.S. state.

The court found that California laws limiting marriage to heterosexual couples are at odds with rights guaranteed by the state's constitution. Opponents of gay marriage vowed to contest the ruling with a statewide ballot measure for a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriages.

Global Whining

Clinton: Playing Field for Her as Candidate Not Even Because of Her Gender
February 28, 2008 8:44 PMLee Speigel-->

In an interview with ABC News' Cynthia McFadden to air on this evening's "Nightline," Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., says it's tougher for her to run as a woman than it is for her male opponent.

Oh, quit your whining. Pleeeeeeeeease.

And some think Mrs. Clinton should be the next Commander in Chief.

Lord have mercy!