[jim.haslam]

I wish you would follow up these 80+ lectures with your vision of the future. How things may play out based on your extensive knowledge of the past.

[jim.haslam]

I never thought about the cost or barriers to entry. Have recently heard the radio was a big cause of WW2. Allowed FDR Churchill and obviously worse extent Hitler, broadcast propaganda from their bunkers using their slick tongues tapping into jingoism. You mentioned in lecture 37 that Hitler was given a radio platform after being convicted of revolt, amazing.

My awakening moment came while living in Britain, reading local papers (different worldview in English language) and stumbling across 2 historians debating how to have kept the British empire. After fierce debate they both agreed that Churchill should have kept the Americans OUT of the war and let the Germans and Russians mutilate each other. Then stated the Russians actually won the war since 6 of them died for every 1 western allied soldier. And this was post ’07 RP presidential run where I couldn’t wrap my mind around the anti war argument. Also seeing a Jap girls skin melting off in Paris museum changes things. We are sheltered from those stats and images. Indoctrination via (semi) good intentions.

Have read some Diamond, will read some more. Ideas do matter and this forum helps clear up the airwaves.

[jim.haslam]

I had read that Rothbard piece before, just read again, think I heard Tom Woods say reading Rothbard is like getting punched in the face. I think Rothbard wrote that boxing would be safer without the gloves. That is the way he writes.

But I live in a Houston. Founded on swamp land in 1836. By 1838 some Yankee has moved down, elected mayor, and has publicly executed 2 (trying to protect property they mistakenly killed an upper member of society) before hundreds who probably voted for him. I now think of government as the avenue for the weak (minded) to feel like they are in control and parasitic elite will satisfy that market (of fear).

[jim.haslam]

We’ll received. Did like the book though. After his 1st chapter opinions it becomes objective and positive.

Why are most, if not all, historians Marxist or extremely liberal? Is it just that central planning is easier to cover, study, research?

I just read Charles Mann’s 1491 and it’s premise says native Indians were more numerous, older, and civilized than previously thought. I think b/c of no written record to study. And a Norte Chico Peruvian archeologist in the book asked the question “where does government come from?” Saying it’s an invention in really only 2 places on earth, there and Mesopotamia. Everywhere else it’s been inherited or borrowed.

Thx, Jim

[jim.haslam]

Dr J
You mention a few reasons for Christianity’s quick growth: eternal life, human Jesus, open to all. But what about tax incentives? There was a fiscus ludaicus tax on all Jews. The early Jewish-Christians were exempted by emperor Nerva and this head tax wasn’t abolished until 2-3rd century.

I think I read somewhere that Muhammad started Islam as a tax dodge? This can be seen with jizya tax on non-Muslim citizens.

And how about this theory that Jesus and Judas the Galilean are the same? Josephus really only wrote of Jesus death and Judas temple cleansing.

Any suggestions of books on ancient taxation?

Thx, Jim

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