When and why did the heads of government regulatory agencies become known as “czars,” especially since it’s not the Communists who are rebelling against them these days? It’s like Wal-Mart’s board of directors calling itself the “Supreme Soviet.”
I know that the term “energy czar” was used under the Nixon administration; then “drug czar” under the Reagan administration. I believe those were the first two uses from which the rest grew, but don’t know for sure.
…according to the sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity…
That sounds like the kind of behavior that a cyber czar is likely to spin as “highly suspicious”. Because anyone who adopts a degree of anonymity or utilizes encryption is a terrorist, didn’t you know? What do we have to hide from our rulers?
OT: Roderick, are your articles “The Benefits and Hazards of Dialectical Libertarianism” and “Keeping Context in Context: The Limits of Dialectics” online?
I see that some of the other articles in those JARS issues are online.
I was disappointed by my inability to find an affordable copy of your monograph on Rand online. Is there any chance that might be posted? Considering it’s out of print now. I’ve been meaning to contact you about whether you had an extra copy to spare or could transcribe it to Microsoft Word or something. Of course, I would not consider it an offense for you to ask for payment in return for these services.
Well, want one or not, you’re getting one. (Conical hat tip to LRC.)
When and why did the heads of government regulatory agencies become known as “czars,” especially since it’s not the Communists who are rebelling against them these days? It’s like Wal-Mart’s board of directors calling itself the “Supreme Soviet.”
I know that the term “energy czar” was used under the Nixon administration; then “drug czar” under the Reagan administration. I believe those were the first two uses from which the rest grew, but don’t know for sure.
In Britain they use “tsar” in the same way.
More importantly, why did a nation founded on anti-monarchist principles accept such term?
I found some background info here.
We also need a weed-whacker czar, a public lice inspection czar, an elevator music czar, and miniature golf injuries czar.
America must be protected.
Like the man said.
I forget who asked “Drug Czar, Energy Czar – Who gets to be the Czar Czar?”
“Your Czar of Czars”
🙂
There used to be a comic book villain called the Star-Tsar.
That sounds like the kind of behavior that a cyber czar is likely to spin as “highly suspicious”. Because anyone who adopts a degree of anonymity or utilizes encryption is a terrorist, didn’t you know? What do we have to hide from our rulers?
A bit of comic relief: I wonder if Roderick has started a trend leading to the replacement of “wanna cyber?” with “wanna cyber czar?”.
The real news here is that Roderick is aware of “wanna cyber?”.
Ouch, Robert
Ouch!
Heh, I was just kidding around. I think it’s great (really!).
OT: Roderick, are your articles “The Benefits and Hazards of Dialectical Libertarianism” and “Keeping Context in Context: The Limits of Dialectics” online?
I see that some of the other articles in those JARS issues are online.
They’re not online yet; I need to get around to doing that.
Roderick,
I was disappointed by my inability to find an affordable copy of your monograph on Rand online. Is there any chance that might be posted? Considering it’s out of print now. I’ve been meaning to contact you about whether you had an extra copy to spare or could transcribe it to Microsoft Word or something. Of course, I would not consider it an offense for you to ask for payment in return for these services.
No payment required! I’ll scan a copy and send it to you when I get a chance.
Thank you so much! Roderick.
Much appreciated