A Free-Market Energy Blog

Happy 4th: Drive, Grill, Celebrate (CO2 happiness)

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- July 3, 2020

Ignore the climate alarmists and eco-snoops. Celebrate the traditions of July 4th this weekend with gusto!

Drive to a favorite place, grill outdoors to your heart’s desire, use plastic for convenience, keep the house cool and drinks cold, and watch the the fireworks displays. It’s all CO2 fun!

Here are some photos to get the inspiration going.

Tips For The Best 4th Of July BBQ Ever
4th Of July Barbecue Meat Skewers Stock Photo, Picture And Royalty ...
4th of july menu grilled sauages

4th of july menu cast iron beans
Greenway Simulcast of the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular [07/04/18]
Cornwall Fourth of July

July 4th Fireworks and Celebration in Prescott Valley | Signals AZ
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Remembering Adam Smith this July 4th (Part 2)

By Richard Ebeling -- July 2, 2020

Part I yesterday explained Adam Smith’s notion that general human betterment was the unintended result of each individual following his own self-interest in the market arena of voluntary and competitive exchange. Adam Smith considered such natural order far superior to attempts by government, by those in political power, to design and impose an order and coordination in the actions of the members of society.

Echoing his earlier warnings about the social engineer, that “man of system,” Smith stated:

By pursuing his own interest [the individual] frequently promotes that of the society more effectually than when he really intends to promote it. I have never known much good done by those who affected to trade for the public good . . .

What is the specie of domestic industry which his capital can employ, and of which the produce is likely to be of the greatest value, every individual, it is evident, can, in his own situation, judge much better than any statesman or lawgiver can do for him.

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Remembering Adam Smith this July 4th (Part I)

By Richard Ebeling -- July 1, 2020

Editor note: Adam Smith (1723–1790) is considered the father of modern libertarian thought, although economics and political economy have advanced significantly since the 18th century. Many of Smith’s insights have proved prescient, and it is often remarkable how today’s follies bring to mind a quotation or insight from his books, essays, or correspondence.

Smith’s warnings against “the man of system,” for example, apply to today’s Green New Deal and its parts.

Richard Ebeling, a leading scholar in the Smithian tradition, penned this two-part look-back at Adam Smith, which MasterResource reposts this July 4th week.

The Wealth of Nations was published in March 1776, just a few months before the signing of the American Declaration of Independence in July of 1776. If the American Founding Fathers articulated in The Declaration of Independence the political case for individual freedom, Adam Smith presented the complementary argument for economic freedom and free enterprise.…

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‘The Increasing Sustainability of Conventional Energy’ (1999 analysis for 2020)

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- June 30, 2020
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Anti-Humanism: Book Review of ‘The End of Nature’ by Bill McKibben

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- June 29, 2020
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Censorship for Climate Alarm: Dessler Joins Mann in Intellectual Cowardice

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- June 25, 2020
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Joanna Szurmak Interview: Extending the Julian Simon Worldview (Part II: Population Bombed!)

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- June 24, 2020
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Joanna Szurmak Interview: Extending the Julian Simon Worldview (Part I: Worldview)

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- June 23, 2020
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“Seven Principles of Sound Environmental Policy” (Hayes and Myers on free-market environmentalism)

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- June 22, 2020
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Asphalt Paves the Way

By American Oil & Gas Historical Society -- June 18, 2020
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