I think it is interesting that when I talk about Economic Liberty to liberals, Democrats, environmentalist-fanatics, and so forth, they think I’m defending crony-capitalism, industrial pollution, and cruelty to animals because they think Free Trade is a synonym for Capitalism and greed, which it isn’t.

And when I talk about Conservation Policy to conservatives, Republicans and Libertarians, they think I’m defending taking away everybody’s rights and forcing them to do things that are not in their best interest because they think Liberty is a synonym for the freedom to do whatever you wish without regard for the rights of others, which it isn’t.

If true Liberty isn’t Reciprocity, then I’m in the wrong universe.

First, I am glad to know Gov. Brown signed a bill to ban the use of antibiotics on healthy domestic farm animals. Glad for the animals, glad for the industry, glad for me. This practice was never good science, medicine, animal husbandry, or the industry. Much good will come from abandoning it, especially over the long haul. Economic liberty is not a license to mistreat animals or people.

Second, I’m glad for the whales. The only case I can think of for keeping a whale in captivity is if it a rescue or there is some other reason it can’t manage on its own. Marine parks do not need a whale to stay in business. If you want to see a whale, go on a whale-sighting excursion. Liberty is not a right to do whatever you want without regard for the consequences.

Third, the keeping of chickens in urban residential neighborhoods is something that I think is neat. Except that there is a serious downside that people need to take into consideration–many people are allergic to feathers and bird-droppings. Some species are more trouble than others because their droppings can carry deadly viruses. I love the clucking of a barnyard hen. But, the clucking of more than two or three would be too much! My thoughts are that some neighborhoods (where yards are large enough not to be trouble to the neighbors) could be designated as “chicken-friendly” and others (especially smaller lots) “off-limits to chickens”. Property rights (which devolve to tenants) do not confer on anyone to cause harm to their neighbors.

All this being said, I am aware that many people would say my opinions argue for a plant-based animal-free diet. But, I am not making that argument, as humans are basically carnivorous omnivores or omnivorous carnivores. Very few people are able to thrive on a vegetarian diet. I know people who become weak and sickly, develop symptoms of degenerative disease, and have serious memory problems if they are deprived of beef, lamb and pork. No one (except parents to their own children) has the right to dictate what someone else eats.

“I would define Liberty to be a power to do as we would be done by.”–John Adams, 1818