Collectivists vs. Rugged Individualists, January 10

It seems like a long time since the year began just days ago, doesn't it?

Zorhan Mamdani may have made a mistake when he said this during his inauguration:

We will replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism.

Did people really think of New York government as based in rugged individualism? Do people who wish to be free from communism really think that they are totally independent agents?

Mamdani is good at smiling, but he also issues sound bites which we should maybe remember as the business of running the city presents itself. We will have opportunities to undermine the present popularity of socialism in at least a few minds.

Many people don't want to see poor Cea Weaver cancelled, just because she thinks home ownership = white supremacy and she hangs with a bunch of people who want to impoverish her mother, her family and ultimately each other.

Perhaps all those people with graduate degrees in NYC haven't noticed that he threw a block party with no food or restrooms.

But we can remember.

The Libertarians also remind us of a statement he made just after his election:

We will prove that there is no problem too large for government to solve, and no concern too small for it to care about.

Should this declaration be applied to his actions as mayor on a regular basis?

What about all those white homeowners his administration plans to impoverish? Might they have some small concerns about which government could care?

. . . .

Music

How collectivist or individualist was Frank Sinatra in 1985? He sang, "It's up to you, New York, New York"

Ayn Rand warned us decades ago . . .

Maybe we should have stuck with the Constitution.

Other Collectivists and Rugged Individualists

Why are we downplaying momentous events in Iran? Melanie Phillips said this about Iran a while ago, and Trump has also responded. The internet blackout makes reliable information hard to get right now, but there is a lot goin on.

Phillips:

The terrible fact is that conscience in the West has become harnessed to absolute evil.

This is also a little bit dated.

Allowing young couples to become rugged individualists?

Who's taking all the homes? pic.twitter.com/UbfQqnd3xc

— Dave Ramsey (@DaveRamsey) January 2, 2026

Trump is taking some action. Have you thought about his plans?

The warmth of collectivism?

Not a single one of these legacy media outlets reported on Mamdani’s identical hand gesture which they called @elonmusk a nazi for

Do you see what’s happening? pic.twitter.com/dwqbQkE7SE

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) January 2, 2026

Cancel Culture is still with us

The husband of Data Republican (small r) runs a small distillery in Salt Lake City. The Left is now trying to destroy his business.

Stephen Green: Hit Piece on Data Republican (Small r) Snares Her Husband

Data Republican (small r), whose mad genius database skills have laid bare the corruption and self-dealing between Washington and an army of NGOs, was the subject of a weekend hit piece in the Salt Lake Tribune — and her husband might have gotten the worst of it.

On Sunday, the Trib's "emerging news reporter," Brock Marchant, published an article that was little more than a summary of an earlier Rolling Stone piece that Jennica Pounds (Data r) says contains "multiple factual inaccuracies."

Rather than interview Pounds directly for his report — she isn't difficult to reach — Marchant contacted her husband, Brent, through his work email. He did so late on Saturday night, mere hours before the 6 a.m. Sunday publication.

Jennica posted that Brent "responded professionally" and explained that "his business activities are entirely separate" from the Data Republican website but that Jennica would reply later. "As a mother, my family responsibilities naturally took priority on a weekend, and I was unable to immediately respond to your inquiry."

Also, Jennica's deafness and autism often require assistance for clear communication.

"Instead of allowing me a fair opportunity to reply, you chose to rush publication," she continued, proving "you prioritize sensationalism over accuracy, fairness, and responsible journalism."

What happened next is predictable.

Incidentally, Data Republican's complex "X" post on how government types view systems rather than people, as applied to Venezuela, probably hurt some feelings.

Seeing like a State

THIS PIECE COULD EXPLAIN A LOT.

That's no excuse for destroying her husband's business, though.

The Week In Pictures: Adios Maduro Edition

Hope you have something nice planned for this weekend.

This is the Thread before the Gardening Thread.

There was no Thread Before the Gardening Thread last week. There were these instead:

Trump Orders Air Strikes on Venezuela, Sends In Delta Force to Capture Nicolas Madura and His Wife

Trump Speaking Now: "This Is Big Stuff"
—Ace

Afternoon Open Thread

Don't comment on old threads.

posted by K.T. at 11:01 AM

| Access Comments