prior probability

One of the great rivalries in chess history, Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura–who have battled it out many times before, most recently, in the title game of the 2019 King Salman World Blitz Championship–will face off again on Sunday, May 3!

The Mercatus Center at George Mason University has published my latest op-ed explaining why “non-essential” employees and business firms must be paid just compensation–not loans or handouts. The logic of my argument relies on the leading case of Kelo v. City of New London, in which the Supreme Court interpreted the “public use” requirement of the takings clause very broadly. Although Kelo was a controversial decision when it was decided in 2005, it supports my argument that coronavirus lockdowns promote a public purpose and thus trigger the taking clause.

We interrupt our extended review of “Natural law and natural rights” (we will hit Ch. III tomorrow) to take this opportunity to agree with our friend and colleague Ilya Somin, a law professor at George Mason University, that today (May 1st) should officially be declared Victims of Communism Day. Also, here is a listing of ten films that dramatize the costs of communism. Let us never forget how ambitious and charismatic men inspired by an evil and odious dogma flouted the due process and property rights of their fellow citizens in the name of the greater good. The larger lesson is this: James Madison was right: men are not angels. Checks and balances and a separation of competing powers are essential features of a well-ordered polis.