Friday, December 11, 2020

Prof. Walter E. Williams, R.I.P.

Liberty. Always Liberty

"Some smugglers are good people who differ little from the founders of our nation such as John Hancock, whose flamboyant signature graces our Declaration of Independence. The British had levied confiscatory taxes on molasses, and John Hancock smuggled an estimated 1.5 million gallons a year. His smuggling practices financed much of the resistance to British authority -- so much so that the joke of the time was that "Sam Adams writes the letters (to newspapers) and John Hancock pays the postage.""-- Prof. Walter E. Williams

The good Professor: "On occasion, my sister and I would have lunch in my mother's absence. Either my younger sister or I would have the job of dividing the last piece of cake or pie. Almost always an argument would ensue about the fairness of the cut. Those arguments ended when Mom came up with a rule: Whoever cuts the cake gives the other person the first choice of the piece to take. As if by magic or divine intervention, fairness emerged and arguments ended. No matter who did the cutting, there was an even division.

This is what our society needs — the kind of rules whereby you would be OK even if your worst enemy were in charge. Despite the high stakes of bitterly fought football contests, most games end peaceably, and the winners and losers are civil. It is indeed a miracle of sorts that players with conflicting interests can play a game, agree with the outcome and walk away as good sports. That "miracle" is that it is far easier to reach an understanding about the game's rules than the game's outcome. The same conflict-reducing principles should be a part of a civilized society."

His was a great voice for American Liberty.  Thank you, sir.

A TFAS student asks questions after Dr. Walter Williams'lecture on June 18 at the Heritage Foundation. Williams is the John M. Olin Distinguished Professor of Economics at George Mason University.

                                 Rest In Peace

No comments:

Post a Comment