Mark Steyn: Regulatory despotism

Ilion

Pierre Lemieux is a libertarian Quebecer, which makes him a member of what may be North America's least electorally significant minority. He's a gun owner, and a couple of years back he was obliged to fill in the relevant government paperwork[^]:

Before renewing his gun permit in 2007, the authorities decided to inquire into Lemieux's bedroom history. Did he divorce anyone in the last two years? Did he break up with a girlfriend? If yes, use a separate sheet to explain. Pardon me? Explain? Well, it was nothing personal . Apparently, Canada's government feels it ought to know the romantic status of all firearm owners.

The Government of Canada has modified the old Mae West line: If you want a pistol in your pocket, you'd better be pleased to see her. Like any self-respecting citizen (if you'll forgive the expression), M Lemieux told the government to take a hike, and for good measure explained his reasons to the Prime Minister:

"You will note that, as a proud descendant of the disobedient French Canadian coureurs de bois," he wrote, "I have not answered one of the [permit renewal] form's indiscreet and obscene questions. I answered that my love affairs are none of your business."

Needless to say, the government declined to issue his permit, and he's now taking them to court for the next five-to-ten years. No elected politicians passed a law in any legislature mandating that would-be gun-owners explain why they bust up with their sweethearts. But some no-name official somewhere in the permanent bureaucracy did, and that's that. Two centuries ago, Tocqueville wrote:

There was a time in Europe in which the law, as well as the consent of the people, clothed kings with a power almost without limits. But almost never did it happen that they made use of it.

True. The king was an absolute tyrant - in theory. But in practice he was in his palace hundreds of miles away, and for the most part you got on with your life relatively undisturbed. As Tocqueville wrote:

Rob Graham

Does a rock have the "will to resist" erosion by the steady drip of falling water? Steyn babbles again. Is he arguing for the return of benevolent despotism? Or the abolition of bureaucracy? Suggesting that individuals can resist is silly. Like the rock vs the water, it is a battle no individual can win. It would be refreshing if Steyn actually proposed a solution instead of offering ludicrous aphorisms and morality plays as if they had some actual utility.

Oakman

Rob Graham wrote:

Is he arguing for the return of benevolent despotism?

Maybe Jeffersonianism?

Rob Graham wrote:

ludicrous aphorisms and morality plays as if they had some actual utility

They do. They give Troy a vocabulary to use when he's not just cut and pasting his insults.

Jon Smith & Wesson: The original point and click interface Both democrats and republicans are playing for the same team and it's not us. - Chris Austin

Rob Graham

Oakman wrote:

They give Troy a vocabulary to use when he's not just cut and pasting his insults.

I didn't see any instances of "fool" or "liar" in that document.

Oakman

Rob Graham wrote:

I didn't see any instances of "fool" or "liar" in that document.

Y'know, it's been 30 years since MASH debuted on TV. While it's anti-war message was ham-fisted at times, I often enjoyed the show and could recognize most of the characters on it as slightly exaggerated versions of of guys I had bumped into in the service - except for Clinger who would have been in the Navy, not the Army ;) , and Frank Burns. He was just too far over the top, I thought, to be believable - although he was funny. These days, even though I still question whether a forward surgeon would have been tolerated if he was as incompetent, unthinking, and irritating as Burns, it has become clear that I was wrong about dismissing the character as totally unreal. Troy is very definitely our Frank Burns.

Jon Smith & Wesson: The original point and click interface Both democrats and republicans are playing for the same team and it's not us. - Chris Austin

Gary Kirkham

Oakman wrote:

Troy is very definitely our Frank Burns.

So who is "Hot Lips" in this scenario? :)

Gary Kirkham Forever Forgiven and Alive in the Spirit The men said to them, "Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen." Me blog, You read

Oakman

Gary Kirkham wrote:

So who is "Hot Lips" in this scenario?

Well, Father Mulcahey, I'm not sure you should be thinking about that. ;)

Jon Smith & Wesson: The original point and click interface Both democrats and republicans are playing for the same team and it's not us. - Chris Austin

Ilion

Rob Graham wrote:

Does a rock have the "will to resist" erosion by the steady drip of falling water? Steyn babbles again.

You're a fool. You *choose* to be a fool.

Ilion

Gary Kirkham wrote:

So who is "Hot Lips" in this scenario? :)

I think we all know who *wants* to be!

Rob Graham

Beats the heck out of choosing to be a jerk, like you do.

Rob Graham

Do you have even an inkling of how thoroughly despised you are?

Oakman

Ilíon wrote:

I think we all know who *wants* to be!

Troy, you can't be doublecast. I'm sorry.

Jon Smith & Wesson: The original point and click interface Both democrats and republicans are playing for the same team and it's not us. - Chris Austin