While you’re at it, repeal the law of gravity as well

December 1, 2011

From John Roskam

Here’s the quote of the week: ‘The law of supply and demand is a lie’. No…it’s not from Bob Brown. It’s from Karlin Granadillo, boss of Hugo Chavez’s price control agency in Venezuela last Friday. But according to actor (and Madonna’s ex-husband) Sean Penn anyone who says Hugo Chavez is a dictator should be jailed.

Ever wondered what’s bigger, the real army or the Tax Army? Now you know – the IPA’s Julie Novak crunched the figures. (The Tax Army is tax office staff, plus a conservative estimate of 10% of lawyers and 25% of accountants doing tax compliance.)

This video ‘Democrats Anonymous’ is pretty funny. And this is an interesting (and long) profile from yesterday’s New York Times Magazine on Mitt Romney and the mechanics of a presidential campaign.

A while ago I told you about Matt Ridley’s wonderful book The Rational Optimist. He has a great blog – talking about things like ‘Mr Darcy’s lack of deodorant’. Now he’s delivered this fantastic lecture in defence of scientific heresy. And then read this from Tuesday’s Wall Street Journal on why religions never really die.

The IPA has made postcards explaining the real cost of the carbon tax to business. Here’s Senator Ron Boswell’s press release about it. Try out the calculator for yourself here.

At last some good news on freedom of speech – from Canada. The laws used to prosecute publisher Ezra Levant and our friend Mark Steyn looks set for repeal. Watch this great discussion between Mark and Ezra last week. If you don’t know who Ezra is, watch his amazing performance when dragged before a Canadian Human Rights commission for offending someone. (And if you haven’t already seen the video Mark Steyn specially recorded for the IPA and Andrew Bolt, click here.)

And if you’re going to dress up as Santa Klaus – be careful! Children are not allowed to sit on your lap!!!

A few weeks ago Tim Wilson participated in a great debate hosted by Thought Broker with representatives from the Centre for Independent Studies, Per Capita and the Centre for Policy Development. Watch it here.

We’re launching Ian Plimer’s new book, How to get expelled from school, around the country. Click here to RSVP for the Sydney launch on 12 December and here for the Brisbane launch on 15 December.

Here’s what else the IPA said this week: