Sue Abbott – civil disobedient
It takes guts to stand up to the law, even when the law is stupid. Sue Abbott clearly has guts, not to mention patients and determination. She took on Australia’s illiberal and silly bicycle helmet laws and seems to have had a victory of sorts. The district judge has accepted her argument that she believes that a bicycle helmet would put her health at risk and has excused her from a fine imposed by the police. Even better the police have stopped behaving like pests, at least in terms of no longer fining her.
News article here:-
Her letter to the PM here:-
http://www.cycle-helmets.com/sue-abbott-letter.html
I like the ironic twist from the news article. Apparently a study in 1998 found that even with air bags in cars motorists could reduce head injuries by 25% if they wore bicycle helmets whilst driving their cars. Maybe cyclists should be allowed to ride without helmets and motorists should be forced to encase their skull in foam. Maybe pedestrians should do likewise. Kneepads for pedestrians might also reduce knee injuries. The number of imaginable stupid laws is boundless.
Maybe somebody should organise an annual helmet free bicycle event in honor of Sue Abbott and her stand against this stupid law. I’d be keen to join the ride.
Policy Libertarianism vs. Structural Libertarianism
Just came across this post on differing libertarian strategies that I thought some of you might find interesting. Here’s the first part:
Libertarian thinkers can be plotted on many axes. Presently, the axis I am most concerned with is Policy Libertarianism vs. Structural Libertarianism.
Policy Libertarians (PLs) include the vast majority of the most visible organizations and writers in the modern libertarian movement: the Reason Foundation, the Cato Institute, the Ron Paul campaign, the LP, the Constitution Party, most libertarian economists (e.g. Milton Friedman), and single-issue organizations like Students for a Sensible Drug Policy. PLs, as their name suggests, focus their energies on inventing and advocating a list of policies that governments should follow. For example, you can find policy libertarians opposing liberal eminent domain laws, fighting for lower taxes and deregulation, supporting cultural tolerance, opposing invasive police searches, and advocating the rest of the familiar libertarian manifesto.
-
Recent Comments
Catallaxy Files- The Bunyip is evil February 8, 2012The professor suggests that the Victorian liberals should contest the seat of Niddrie recently vacated by Rob Hulls. Hulls held the seat by 6.9% at the last election — a margin any popular Premier with even a modest record of achievement might have seen his candidate make up. (emphasis added) Heh. Well, yes.Sinclair Davidson
- False and misleading conduct February 8, 2012Here is the ACCC describing Misleading & deceptive conduct. There is a very broad provision in the Australian Consumer Law that prohibits conduct by a corporation that is misleading or deceptive, or would be likely to mislead or deceive you. It makes no difference whether the business intended to mislead or deceive you—it is how [...]Sinclair Davidson
- Economic debate in 2012 February 8, 2012I have an op-ed in The Drum that talks about the two approaches to economic policy in 2012. Both government and opposition want to talk about economics – very exciting for policy wonks, not so exciting for everyone else. But the bottom line is this: Julia Gillard and Wayne Swan can huff and puff as [...]Sinclair Davidson
- The Bunyip is evil February 8, 2012
- inCISe
- Rebate should not be means tested February 8, 2012The government’s three-year long effort to means-test the subsidy for private health insurance (PHI) is about to move into top gear. We should brace ourselves for a barrage of spin and nonsense. Although an advocate of spending cuts and smaller government, I hope this particular measure fails to gain the necessary support from independents to get across the […]Robert Carling
- Auto industry privileges are irresponsible February 8, 2012A program of perpetual subsidies for any industry is both economically irresponsible and morally unfair. Over the past weeks, there has been a resurgence of protectionist rhetoric and anticompetitive industry policy. Under the rationale of preserving a domestic manufacturing sector and saving local jobs, the federal government has renewed its assistance for […]Alexander Philipatos
- Dr Hartwich ‘economist extraordinaire’ February 6, 2012All tickets have sold for tonight’s fiscal talk by Oliver Marc Hartwich. He will address Europe’s mess some call the economy, and look at the growing opportunities available in Asia for Australia. If you were unlucky and didn’t secure a ticket, don’t fret, a full video recording of the talk will be availabe in the coming days. In the […]Editor
- Rebate should not be means tested February 8, 2012
- IPA news
- Scientific research drowning in a sea of alarmism February 6, 2012Last week, almost 400 people attended a public meeting in Newcastle to learn about the scientific evidence that underpins...
- Who'll drag us free of our heavy debt burden? February 2, 2012While most Australians were tanning themselves at the beach during their summer breaks, the federal opposition and the...
- Renewable energy rules lose traction January 31, 2012Energy policy in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries is spurred by concerns that gas...
- Scientific research drowning in a sea of alarmism February 6, 2012
