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Friday Lazy Linking
Here's a pretty old post from the blog archives of Geekery Today; it was written about 15 years ago, in 2009, on the World Wide Web.
Winter Soldier: Just Another Tuesday. From Ryan Endicott, formerly a United States government Marine stationed in Iraq.
Via Clay Claibourne, L.A. I.M.C. (2009-05-13): Winter Soldier Southwest on YouTube #1
The regulatory State versus freed markets and the human future: A quote from Anne Robert Jacques Turgot, via B.K. Marcus at Mises Economics Blog:
To expect the government to prevent such fraud from ever occurring would be like wanting it to provide cushions for all the children who might fall. To assume it to be possible to prevent successfully, by regulation, all possible malpractices of this kind, is to sacrifice to a chimerical perfection the whole progress of industry; it is to restrict the imagination of artificers to the narrow limits of the familiar; it is to forbid them all new experiments; it is to renounce even the hope of competing with the foreigners in the making of the new products which they invent daily, since, as they do not conform to our regulations, our workmen cannot imitate these articles without first having obtained permission from the government, that is to say, often after the foreign factories, having profited by the first eagerness of the consumer for this novelty, have already replaced it with something else. … Thus, with obvious injustice, commerce, and consequently the nation, are charged with a heavy burden to save a few idle people the trouble of instructing themselves or of making enquiries to avoid being cheated. To suppose all consumers to be dupes, and all merchants and manufacturers to be cheats, has the effect of authorizing them to be so, and of degrading all the working members of the community.
–Turgot, Éloge de Gournay (1759), translated by P.D. Groenewegen
All Bizarro News that am unfit to print. In which a argument against an imaginary, Bizarro World version individualism is set to fight with a completely imaginary Bizarro GOP which somehow became
the party of untrammeled freedom and maximum individual choice
(?!). For more on an earlier installment in David Brooks's concerted efforts to liberate the Republican Party from moral principles that it never held, cf. GT 2009-01-28: How to be social while staying civilizedOn intersections, boundaries, and fortifications. bfp, flip flopping joy (2009-05-01): northern territory, sexual activity, teens and police state. In which Ozzie territorial governments set out to create a territorial sex-Stasi to coerce reports of any and all sexual contact by Aboriginal teenagers. Including consensual sex or fooling-around between one teenager and another. Quote:
This sort of nation/state targeted monitoring of the sexuality of teens/young people is something most people of color are vividly aware of. When you through in queerness, disability, and nationality (among others), and community expectations, things for especially teen girls of color get even worse. How do we learn, engage in, and trust ourselves to build a healthy fabulous sexuality when from the time we reach reproductive age, the nation/state literally owns the first and final say as to what happens to our bodies? How do we learn to say
when the nation/state insists on doing it for us?We need democratic governments instead of private protection agencies to ensure that political decision-making remain transparent and decision-makers are held accountable to the people: Molly Ball, Las Vegas Review-Journal (2009-05-10): SECRET GOVERNMENT: Lawmakers keep public out as session winds down with most important decisions looming
On planes as prisons and terrorizing as
: Jessica Bautista & Kitty Caparella, Philadelphia Daily News (2009-05-12): Blind interpreter detained at Philly airport says he has nightmares from arrest (On which, cf. also GT 2008-05-07: Airport security.)On legal lynching, part 2. For part 1, see last week, where I said this:
When Anarchists propose that all the functions currently controlled by the authoritarian State, including the judgment of cases involving disputes or violent crimes, we are inevitably told that without a State-controlled, hierarchical system of courts, you'd have nothing more than the justice of the lynch mob. This is actually a classic example of statist inversion: by focusing on the dangers that informal and irregular efforts at seeking justice will lead to a disregard for objectivity or evidence, the statist completely blanks out the ways in which formalization and enforced hierarchy oblige government courts to disregard evidence themselves in the name of formal procedures, and to elevate authority above objectivity, by standing on ceremony or respect for turf at the expense of substantive justice. If the state's plans to murder Troy Anthony Davis are not an example of a slow-motion lynching, what is?
To which we will add, this week: Radley Balko, The Agitator (2009-05-18): Prosecutors Blocking Access to DNA Testing In which government prosecutors make active efforts to block access to DNA tests that could potentially exonerate the innocent, all in the name ofyou-had-your-chance
jurisdictional turf wars and statist legalfinality.
The police are here to keep us safe. By driving their cruisers at 109 MPH in a 45 zone, on a major commercial thoroughfare, late at night, with no sirens and no flashing lights. Then, when this predictably leads to a fatal crash that kills one of the cops, by lying about it to the media in order to make your dead buddy look like more of a hero, and by arresting the poor innocent man that the cop slammed into at 90 MPH for his allegedly reckless driving.
The police are here to keep us safe, part 2. Radley Balko, Hit & Run (2009-05-18): Cops Gone Wild, in which cops from around the country celebrate National Police Week in D.C. with wine, weapons, and reckless driving.
The police are here to keep us safe, part 3. Commentary from Center for a Stateless Society news analyst Tom Knapp (2009-05-18): To Serve and Protect (Themselves)
Name your own salary. Las Vegas Sun (2009-05-16): City, county may lose say in police pay negotiations. Las Vegas Metro is currently working to get a new state law passed which would allow Vegas cops to get a salary set unilaterally by their own boss cop, and then send the bill, whatever it may be, to folks who had absolutely no say whatsoever in the negotiations.
The Gangsters in Blue come to Philly. Radley Balko, The Agitator (2009-05-01): Update on Bodega Raids by Rogue Philly Narcotics Unit Balko asks, apparently non-rhetorically,
Why did no one in the department ask why an
Come on, really? The reason is that the State as such is essentially irresponsible, and this kind of thing is Standard Operating Procedure forelite
narcotics unit was wasting its time busting immigrant shop owners with no criminal record for selling bags instead of pursuing actual drug distributors?elite
narc squads. There's a lot here to justify outrage, but very little to justify surprise.On terror-famines for the international narco-crats. Jacob Sullum, Hit & Run (2009-04-30): U.S. Intensifies Campaign to Wipe Out Afghan Economy. Cf. GT 2004-11-20: The tall poppies and GT 2007-01-13: The tall poppies, part 2.
Austro-Athenian Virtue Ethics versus Moral Fictionalism. Neverfox, Instead of a Blog (2009-05-17): Pulp Non-Fiction
How political control of schools produces terrible textbooks. Tamim Ansary, Edutopia (November 2004): A Textbook Example of What's Wrong with Education. (Via B.K. Marcus, lowercase liberty (2009-05-18): What's wrong with textbooks?)
On dialectical jujitsu: Roderick Long, Austro-Athenian Empire (2009-05-19): How to annoy a conservative
Ownership failures, not market failures Chris Dillow, Stumbling and Mumbling (2009-05-01): Markets, the poor & the left. Dillow makes two really important distinctions: one of them the familiar left-libertarian distinction between freed markets, on the one hand, and actually-existing corporate capitalism, on the other; the other a less familiar, but very important, distinction between market processes and patterns of ownership. Quote:
In many ways, what look like ways in which markets fail the poor are in fact merely ways in which a lack of assets fail the poor.
Exactly; and the many cases where there are not reallymarket failures,
but ratherownership failures,
have everything to do with feudal, mercantile, neoliberal, and other politically-driven seizures and reallocations of poor people's land, livelihoods, and possessions — and nothing to do with genuine market exchange.
reformism, and in praise of a thriving black market economy: Crispin Sartwell, eye of the storm 2009-05-18Law among the pirates. Jesse Walker, Hit & Run (2009-05-19): To Live Outside the Law You Must Be Honest
Urban farming. Milagro Allegro Community Garden, L.A. I.M.C. (2009-05-12): Highland Park Adds a Garden
Package-dealing portable double-key encryption for web browsing and web mail: Chris Acheson (2009-05-05): Firefox Portable + GnuPG + FireGPG = CryptoFox. (Via @H+ [2009-05-20], via Human Iterations 2009-05-21.)
On freeing the MHD3 and all political prisoners. By way of follow-up to the recent report on the bullshit arrest and jailing of the Motorhome Diaries crew, see Motorhome Diaries (2009-05-15): Jones County Sheriff's Department Falsely Arrests MHD Crew, which recounts the full timeline of their arrest, jailing, and release. See also Motorhome Diaries (2009-05-17): Thanks for springing the MHD3 from Jones County (with Allison Gibbs), Motorhome Diaries (2009-05-20): The "Grumbling Old Fart" Addresses Jones County Sheriff Alex Hodge's Statements, Motorhome Diaries (2009-05-20): MHD on Freedom Watch
Don't vote. Secede and repudiate. Stewart Browne, Strike the Root (2009-05-18): A New Strategy For Liberty – Part 2: Secession in Three Easy Steps
You say
pissed-off, man-hating, dykes with an excess of body hair
like it's supposed to be a bad thing… Kevin Carson @ Mutualist Blog (2009-05-21): An Open Letter to Keith Preston, Mike Gogulski @ nostate.com (2009-05-21): Taking sides on the right to be a complete jackass, Darian Worden (2009-05-21): Perverts Versus Preston, and Brad Spangler (2009-05-22): Bigotry and Revolution
Boston Anarchist Reading Group. Jake, Anarkismo.net (2009-05-17): Anarchist Reading Group at the Boston Anarchist Picnic! June 6th, 2009
Iconoclasta for Colombian anarquistas: Revista Iconoclasta – Anarcol, Anarkismo.net (2009-05-15): New anarchist periodical in Bogota – Iconoclasta. More information online at http://prensaiconoclasta.entodaspartes.net/.
New subscriptions. Anarchy in the Garden


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Constantine the Great
Saint Constantine, Emperor and Equal-to-the-Apostles (February 27, 272-May 22, 337) was first Christian Emperor, responsable for spreading the faith all over the Empire. The Orthodox Church keeps his feast on May 21, along with his mother, Empress Saint Helen, as Holy Equals-to-the-Apostles.[1]
Early life
He was born at Naissus, today's city of Niš in Upper Moesia (modern Serbia and Montenegro), to Constantius I Chlorus and an innkeeper's daughter, Helen. Constantine was well educated and served at the court of Diocletian in Nicomedia as a kind of hostage after the appointment of his father Constantius, a general, as one of the two Caesars (at that time a junior emperor), in the Tetrarchy in 293. In 305, the Augustus, Maximian, abdicated, and Constantius succeeded to the position. However, he died in 306. Constantine managed to be at his deathbed in Eboracum (York, England), where troops loyal to his father's memory proclaimed him Emperor. For the next 18 years, he fought a series of battles and wars that left him first as emperor of the west, and then as supreme ruler of the Roman Empire.
Constantine and Christianity
Constantine is perhaps best known for being the first Roman Emperor to endorse Christianity, traditionally presented as a result of an omen — a chi-rho in the sky, with the inscription "By this sign shalt thou conquer" — before his victory in the Battle of Milvian Bridge in 312, when Constantine is said to have instituted the new standard to be carried into battle, called the labarum.
Christian historians ever since Lactantius have adhered to the view that Constantine "adopted" Christianity as a kind of replacement for the official Roman paganism. Though the document called the "Donation of Constantine" was proved a forgery (though not until the 15th century, when the stories of Constantine's conversion were long-established "facts") it was attributed as documenting the conversion of the Roman Empire to Christianity for centuries. Even Christian skeptics have accepted this formulation, though seeing Constantine's policy as a political rather than spiritual move.
By the end of the 3rd century, Christian communities and their bishops had become a force to contend with, in urban centers especially. Christians were preferred for high government positions; the Church was granted various special privileges; and churches like the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem were constructed. Christian bishops took aggressive public stances that were unknown among other cult leaders, even among the Jews. Proselytism had had to be publicly outlawed, simply to maintain public decorum. In the essential legions, however, Christianity was despised as womanish, and the soldiers followed pagan cults of Mithras and Isis. Since the Roman Emperors ruled by "divine right" and stayed in power through the support of the legions, it was important for them to be seen to support a strong state religion. The contumely of the Christians consisted in their public refusal to participate in official rites that no one deeply believed in, but which were an equivalent of an oath of allegiance. Refusal might easily bring upon all the Roman people the loss of the gods' support; such were the usual justifications for occasional lynchings of Christians by Roman soldiers, the fare of many martyrologies.
Constantine and Licinius' Edict of Milan (313) neither made paganism illegal nor made Christianity a state-sponsored religion. What it did was legalize Christianity, return confiscated Church property, and establish Sunday as a day of worship. Though the church prospered under Constantine's patronage, it also fell into the first of many public schisms. He called the First Ecumenical Council to settle the problem of Arianism, a dispute about the personhood and Godhood of Jesus Christ. It produced the Nicene Creed, which favored the position of Athanasius, Arius's opponent, and became official doctrine.
When the Altar of Victory was desecrated and removed from its place of honor in the Senate, the Senate deputized Symmachus to appeal to the emperor for its return. Symmachus publicly characterized the late Emperor Constantine's policy, in a plea for freedom of religion:
- He diminished none of the privileges of the sacred virgins, he filled the priestly offices with nobles, he did not refuse the cost of the Roman ceremonies, and following the rejoicing Senate through all the streets of the eternal city, he contentedly beheld the shrines with unmoved countenance, he read the names of the gods inscribed on the pediments, he enquired about the origin of the temples, and expressed admiration for their builders. Although he himself followed another religion, he maintained its own for the empire, for everyone has his own customs, everyone his own rites. The divine mind has distributed different guardians and different cults to different cities. As souls are separately given to infants as they are born, so to peoples the genius of their destiny. (Possible Christian insertion in italics.)
- Medieval sourcebook: The Memorial of Symmachus, prefect of the City. (The Memorial has been emended to address three emperors, Valentinian II (died 392), Theodosius I, and Arcadius (began to rule 395), a historical impossibility. Thus there may be other Christian adulterations of the text. The reply of Ambrose, bishop of Milan is appended, which is highly revealing in the character of his argument in rebuttal.)
Persian reaction
Beyond the limites, east of the Euphrates, the Sassanid rulers of the Persian empire had usually tolerated their Christians. A Letter from Constantine to Shapur II, supposed to have been written in 324 urged him to protect the Christians in his realm… With the edicts of toleration in the Roman empire, the followers of Christ would be regarded as allies of Persia's ancient enemy. The persecutions began. Shapur II (ruled 310 - 379) wrote to his generals:
- You will arrest Simon, chief of the Christians. You will keep him till he signs this document and consents to collect for us a double tax and double tribute from the Christians … for we Gods have all the trials of war and they have nothing but repose and pleasure. They inhabit our territory and agree with Caesar, our enemy. (quoted in Freya Stark, Rome on the Euphrates 1967, p. 375)
It was not an unreasonable demand in the circumstances. The Sassanids were perennially at war with Rome. Christians were now suspected for potential treachery. The "Great Persecution" of the Persian Christian churches occurred in a later period, 340-363, after the Persian Wars that reopened upon Constantine's death. In 344 came the martyrdom of Catholicos Shimun bar Sabbae, with five bishops and 100 priests.
Other achievements
His victory in 312 AD over Maxentius at the Battle of Milvian Bridge resulted in his becoming Western Augustus, or ruler of the entire western half of the empire. He gradually consolidated his military superiority over his rivals in the crumbling Tetrarchy until 324, when he defeated the eastern ruler, Licinius, and became sole emperor.
Constantine rebuilt the ancient Greek city of Byzantium, naming it Nea Roma, providing it with a Senate and civic offices similar to the older Rome. After his death it was renamed Constantinople, and gradually became the capital of the empire.
He was succeeded by his three sons, Constantine II, Constantius II and Constans, who secured their hold on the empire with the murder of a number of relatives and supporters of Constantine. The last member of his dynasty was his grandson, Julian the Apostate, who attempted to restore paganism.
Controversies surrounding Constantine's faith
The religion of Constantine the Great, while generally assumed to be Christian in view of his pro-Christian policies, is disputed by some secular historians, however the Church from the earliest times has considered him to be a devout Orthodox Christian.
One aspect of Constantine's life that secular historians use to indicate Constantine's incomplete acceptance of Christianity (from a modern view) was his notorious cruelty: he executed his own wife and eldest son in 326. He also had Licinius, the East Roman emperor, strangled after his defeat, something he had publicly promised not to do. It should be noted, however, that Constantine's wife attempted to seduce Constantine's son (her step-son) and when he refused her advances, she accused him of raping her. The penalty for doing this to an Empress was death, as was any act considered to be treason. Later, St. Constantine discovered the truth and had his wife executed. Licinius, in his bitter hatred of Constantine and of Christianity, began to persecute the Church in the Eastern half of the Empire. Constantine eventually could not stand Licinius' cruelty and relieved him of his co-rulership of the Empire.
The controversy that has surrounded Constantine's baptism is based upon the legend arising from the discredited documents of the Donation of Constantine, forged documents that date from about the mid eighth century. The story in the Donation of Constantine was built on a legend that arose during the fourth century within the Western Church which thought it inappropriate that Constantine could be baptized on his death bed by a bishop whose orthodoxy was in question and thus was an act that was a snub to the authority of Pope. The legend presents a story that earlier in Constantine's career Bishop Sylvester I of Rome had baptized Constantine after curing him of leprosy. Eusebius of Caesarea recorded that the bishops "performed the sacred ceremonies according to custom" [2] of baptizing Constantine in May 337 by the bishop Eusebius of Nicomedia before Constantine's death on May 22, 337 at age of 65.
Historiography Over the Ages
During his life and those of his sons, Constantine was presented as a paragon of virtue. Even pagans like Praxagoras of Athens and Libanius showered him with praise. When the last of his sons died in 361, however, his nephew Julian the Apostate wrote the satire Symposium, or the Saturnalia, which denigrated Constantine, calling him inferior to the great pagan emperors, and given over to luxury and greed.[3] Following Julian, Eunapius began—and Zosimus continued—a historiographic tradition that blamed Constantine for weakening the Empire through his indulgence to the Christians.[4]
In medieval times, Constantine was presented as an ideal ruler, the standard against which any king or emperor could be measured.[5]
The Renaissance rediscovery of anti-Constantinian sources prompted a re-evaluation of Constantine's career. The German humanist Johann Löwenklau, discoverer of Zosimus' writings, published a Latin translation thereof in 1576. In its preface, he argued that Zosimus' picture of Constantine was superior to that offered by Eusebius and the Church historians, and damned Constantine as a tyrant.[6] Cardinal Caesar Baronius, a man of the Counter-Reformation, criticized Zosimus, favoring Eusebius' account of the Constantinian era. Baronius' Life of Constantine (1588) presents Constantine as the model of a Christian prince.[7]
For his History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (1776–89), Edward Gibbon, aiming to unite the two extremes of Constantinian scholarship, offered a portrait of Constantine built on the contrasted narratives of Eusebius and Zosimus.[8] In a form that parallels his account of the empire's decline, Gibbon presents a noble war hero corrupted by Christian influences, who transforms into an Oriental despot in his old age: "a hero...degenerating into a cruel and dissolute monarch".[9]
Modern interpretations of Constantine's rule begin with Jacob Burckhardt's The Age of Constantine the Great (1853, rev. 1880).
- Burckhardt's Constantine is a scheming secularist, a politician who manipulates all parties in a quest to secure his own power.[10]
- Henri Grégoire, writing in the 1930s, followed Burckhardt's evaluation of Constantine. For Grégoire, Constantine only developed an interest in Christianity after witnessing its political usefulness. Grégoire was skeptical of the authenticity of Eusebius' Vita, and postulated a pseudo-Eusebius to assume responsibility for the vision and conversion narratives of that work.[11]
- Otto Seeck, in Geschichte des Untergangs der antiken Welt (1920–23), and André Piganiol, in L'empereur Constantin (1932), wrote against this historiographic tradition. Seeck presented Constantine as a sincere war hero, whose ambiguities were the product of his own naïve inconsistency.[12] Piganiol's Constantine is a philosophical monotheist, a child of his era's religious syncretism.[13]
- Related histories by A.H.M. Jones (Constantine and the Conversion of Europe (1949)) and Ramsay MacMullen (Constantine (1969)) gave portraits of a less visionary, and more impulsive, Constantine.[14] These later accounts were more willing to present Constantine as a genuine convert to Christianity.
- Beginning with Norman H. Baynes' Constantine the Great and the Christian Church (1929) and reinforced by Andreas Alföldi's The Conversion of Constantine and Pagan Rome (1948), a historiographic tradition developed which presented Constantine as a committed Christian.
- T. D. Barnes's seminal Constantine and Eusebius (1981) represents the culmination of this trend. Barnes' Constantine experienced a radical conversion, which drove him on a personal crusade to convert his empire.[15]
- Charles Matson Odahl's recent Constantine and the Christian Empire (2004) takes much the same tack.[16] Barnes' work, arguments over the strength and depth of Constantine's religious conversion continue.[17]
- Certain themes in this school reached new extremes in T.G. Elliott's The Christianity of Constantine the Great (1996), which presented Constantine as a committed Christian from early childhood.[18]
- A similar view of Constantine is held in Paul Veyne's recent (2007) work, Quand notre monde est devenu chrétien, which does not speculate on the origins of Constantine's Christian motivation, but presents him, in his role as Emperor, as a religious revolutionary who fervently believed himself meant "to play a providential role in the millenary economy of the salvation of humanity".[19]
Troparion (Tone 8)
- Having seen the figure of the Cross in the heavens,
- And like Paul not having received his call from men, O Lord,
- Your apostle among rulers, the Emperor Constantine,
- Has been set by Your hand as ruler over the Imperial City
- That he preserved in peace for many years,
- Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O only lover of mankind.
Kontakion (Tone 3)
- Today Constantine and his mother Helen
- Reveal the precious Cross,
- The weapon of the faithful against their enemies.
- For our sakes, it has been shown to be a great sign, and fearsome in battle.
See also
Further reading
- Barnes, (Prof.) Timothy David. Constantine and Eusebius. Harvard University Press, 1981. ISBN 9780674165311
- Bruun, Patrick. "The Christian Signs on the Coins of Constantine." Arctos, Series 2, vol.3 (1962), pp.5-35.
- Elliott, Thomas George. The Christianity of Constantine the Great. University of Scranton Press, 1996. 366pp. ISBN 9780940866591
- Professor Elliott (University of Toronto) argues that Constantine's "miraculous" conversion (before the final definitive battle in 312 with his rival Maxentius for the senior Augustuship of the Roman Empire) is the stuff of legend; and the reality is that there are many indications that Constantine's Christianity developed earlier and along normal lines. This is more than a scholarly debate over dates. It focuses on the point that this more mature character of Constantine's Christian faith, had an important shaping impact on his imperial policy toward Christianity.
- Elliott, (Prof.) T.G.. "Constantine's Explanation of his Career." Byzantion 62 (1992). 212-234.
- Eusebius of Caesarea. Life of Constantine. Transl., with a commentary by Averil Cameron and Stuart George Hall. Clarendon Ancient History Series. Oxford University Press, 1999. 395pp. ISBN 9780198149170
- Jones, Arnold Hugh Martin. Constantine and the Conversion of Europe. (First published 1948). University of Toronto Press, 1978. 223pp. ISBN 9780802063694
- Leithart, Peter J. (PhD. Cambridge), Defending Constantine: the Twilight of an Empire and the Dawn of Christianity. IVP Academic, 2010. 373pp. ISBN-10: 0830827226 ISBN-13: 978-0830827220
- MacMullen, Ramsay. Constantine. (First published 1969). Routledge, 1987. 263pp. ISBN 9780709946854
- Nicholson, Oliver. "Constantine's Vision of the Cross." Vigiliae Christianae 54, no.3 (2000): 309-323.
- Odahl, Charles M.. "The Christian Basilicas of Constantinian Rome." Ancient World 26 (1995) 3-28.
- Odahl, Charles M.. Constantine and the Christian Empire. 400pp. Routledge, 2004. ISBN 9780415174855
- ↑ Great Synaxaristes: (Greek) Οἱ Ἅγιοι Κωνσταντίνος καὶ Ἑλένη οἱ Ἱσαπόστολοι. 21 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
- ↑ Eusebius, Vita Constantini 4.62.4.
- ↑ Barnes, Constantine and Eusebius, 272–23.
- ↑ Barnes, Constantine and Eusebius, 273.
- ↑ Barnes, Constantine and Eusebius, 273; Odahl, 281.
- ↑ Johannes Leunclavius, Apologia pro Zosimo adversus Evagrii, Nicephori Callisti et aliorum acerbas criminationes (Defence of Zosimus against the Unjustified Charges of Evagrius, Nicephorus Callistus, and Others) (Basel, 1576), cited in Barnes, Constantine and Eusebius, 273, and Odahl, 282.
- ↑ Caesar Baronius, Annales Ecclesiastici 3 (Antwerp, 1623), cited in Barnes, Constantine and Eusebius, 274, and Odahl, 282.
- ↑ Edward Gibbon, The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Chapter 18, cited in Barnes, Constantine and Eusebius, 274, and Odahl, 282. See also Lenski, "Introduction" (CC), 6–7.
- ↑ Gibbon, Decline and Fall, 1.256; David P. Jordan, "Gibbon's 'Age of Constantine' and the Fall of Rome", History and Theory 8:1 (1969): 71–96.
- ↑ Jacob Burckhardt, Die Zeit Constantins des Grossen (Basel, 1853; revised edition, Leipzig, 1880), cited in Barnes, Constantine and Eusebius, 274; Lenski, "Introduction" (CC), 7.
- ↑ Lenski, "Introduction" (CC), 7.
- ↑ Lenski, "Introduction" (CC), 7–8.
- ↑ Barnes, Constantine and Eusebius, 274.
- ↑ Lenski, "Introduction" (CC), 8.
- ↑ Lenski, "Introduction" (CC), 8–9; Odahl, 283.
- ↑ Odahl, 283; Mark Humphries, "Constantine," review of Constantine and the Christian Empire, by Charles Odahl, Classical Quarterly 56:2 (2006), 449.
- ↑ Averil Cameron, "Introduction," in Constantine: History, Historiography, and Legend, ed. Samuel N.C. Lieu and Dominic Montserrat (New York: Routledge, 1998), 3.
- ↑ Lenski, "Introduction" (CC), 10.
- ↑ Fabian E. Udoh, review, Theological Studies, June 2008.
- Constantine I.
- Donation of Constantine
- Henry Wace Ed., A Dictionary of Christian Biography and Literature to the End of the Sixth Century A.D., article: Silvester, bishop of Rome, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc. edition (rights: Public Domain) ISBN 1-56563-460-8
External links
- OCA: Equal of the Apostles Emperor Constantine
- Constantine & Helen, Equal to the Apostles GOARCH: Constantine & Helen
- Robert Arakaki. Constantine The Great: Roman Emperor, Christian Saint, History's Turning Point. Antiochian Orthodox Christian
- Saint Constantine the Great. Two part article on 33Knots Blog.
Archdiocese of North America.
- Christian Symbolism on bronze coins of Constantine the Great.
- Constantine the Great article on ServingHistory.com.
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subset: commoncrawl


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Whether it's sports, music, or politics, life holds any number of "great debates" that never seem to reach a conclusion. In investments, that great debate asks the question, "Active or passive investing: Which is better?"
The fascinating aspect of this debate is that equally intelligent people can argue polar opposite positions, leaving the rest of us to wonder what the answer is—if one even exists.
Passive Pointers
The case for passive management is anchored in the evidence that the preponderance of money managers have failed consistently to beat their comparative index. This, the argument goes, is true for two primary reasons:
- Markets are efficient and all known information is already reflected in the price of the stock, making it difficult for managers to find companies that are expected to outperform.¹
- The hurdle of an elevated expense ratio typical of actively managed mutual funds makes it hard to match or exceed a low-expense index fund.
Active Arguments
Active managers counter that, while the markets may be generally efficient, there are windows of inefficiency created by the time it takes for information to be properly reflected in a stock's price.
Active managers further argue that performance is not just about relative return, but also about managing risk. For instance, if an active manager can deliver a hypothetical 90% of the index return at 70% of its risk, then that constitutes a measured outperformance.²
Unlock the Combination
Ultimately, it's a decision based on what you want to pursue. Do you prefer the approach taken by index funds or the strategy behind active management? For some, the combination of both methods represents an approach that takes no sides but seeks to tap into the distinctive benefits each offers.
Mutual funds are sold only by prospectus. Please consider the charges, risks, expenses, and investment objectives carefully before investing. A prospectus containing this and other information about the investment company can be obtained from your financial professional. Read it carefully before you invest or send money.
- Keep in mind that the return and principal value of stock prices will fluctuate as market conditions change. And shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost.
- This is a hypothetical example used for illustrative purposes only. It is not representative of any specific investment or combination of investments.
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The fuss over photos of Prince Harry enjoying some billiards-in-the-buff fun with a lady or two in Las Vegas has led the queen's office to contact Britain's Press Complaints Commission to warn that newspapers in the U.K. better not publish them.
"The palace contends," correspondent Larry Miller tells our Newscast Desk, "that publishing the pictures would breach Britain's code of media ethics because a hotel room is a private place and there is no overriding public interest."
So far, at least, "the country's scandal-loving tabloids" have covered the story but have not shared the snapshots of Harry's uncovered ... moment ... with their readers, The Associated Press says. They may be particularly wary about offending the crown because of the big hit to their reputations in recent years thanks to the so-called hacking scandal.
But The Sun came up with a way to show what the prince was up to without showing the photos that landed his nakedness on TMZ.com.
The tab had staffer Harry Miller and a female intern recreate the scene. It put the picture on today's front page.
The BBC's Magazine Monitor blog, by the way, wonders this about the Sun's recreation: "Getting the features picture editor, 31, to pose naked is one thing. But is it not rather ungentlemanly to ask a 21-year-old intern to act as the nude girl?"
Meanwhile, the Daily News says the prince will "face wrath of Queen" when he gets home.
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.


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Ziprasidone Hcl
Side Effects
Drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, runny nose, and cough may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor promptly.
Dizziness and lightheadedness can increase the risk of falling. Get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: difficulty swallowing, muscle spasms, shaking (tremor), mental/mood changes (such as restlessness), vision changes, interrupted breathing during sleep.
This drug may rarely make your blood sugar rise, which can cause or worsen diabetes. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of high blood sugar such as increased thirst/urination. If you already have diabetes, check your blood sugar regularly as directed and share the results with your doctor. Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medication, exercise program, or diet.
This drug may also rarely cause significant weight gain and a rise in your blood cholesterol (or triglyceride) levels. These effects, along with diabetes, may increase your risk for developing heart disease. Discuss the risks and benefits of treatment with your doctor.
This drug may rarely cause a condition known as tardive dyskinesia. In some cases, this condition may be permanent. Tell your doctor right away if you develop any unusual/uncontrolled movements (especially of the face, mouth, tongue, arms, or legs).
This medication may increase a certain natural substance (prolactin) made by your body. For females, this increase in prolactin may result in unwanted breast milk, missed/stopped periods, or difficulty becoming pregnant. For males, it may result in decreased sexual ability, inability to produce sperm, or enlarged breasts. If you develop any of these symptoms, tell your doctor right away.
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: severe dizziness, fainting, seizures, signs of liver damage (such as nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop, loss of appetite, stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin).
This medication may rarely cause a very serious condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). Get medical help right away if you have any of the following symptoms: fever, muscle stiffness/pain/tenderness/weakness, severe tiredness, severe confusion, sweating, fast/irregular heartbeat, dark urine, signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of urine).
Rarely, males may have a painful or prolonged erection lasting 4 or more hours. If this occurs, stop using this drug and get medical help right away, or permanent problems could occur.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: fever, swollen lymph nodes, rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US – Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada – Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
This medication is used to treat certain mental/mood disorders (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder). This medication can decrease hallucinations and help you to think more clearly and positively about yourself, feel less agitated, and take a more active part in everyday life.Ziprasidone belongs to a class of drugs called atypical antipsychotics. It works by helping to restore the balance of certain natural substances in the brain.
How to use Ziprasidone Hcl
Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking ziprasidone and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth with food as directed by your doctor, usually twice daily. Swallow the capsules whole. Do not open, crush, or chew the capsules.
The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. To reduce your risk of side effects, your doctor may direct you to start this medication at a low dose and gradually increase your dose. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.
Take this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day. Keep taking this medication even if you feel well. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse.
There may be a slightly increased risk of serious, possibly fatal side effects (such as stroke, heart failure, fast/irregular heartbeat, pneumonia) when this medication is used by older adults with dementia. This medication is not approved for the treatment of dementia-related behavior problems. Discuss the risks and benefits of this medication, as well as other effective and possibly safer treatments for dementia-related behavior problems, with the doctor.
If you are using ziprasidone in combination with other medication to treat depression, also carefully read the drug information for the other medication.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Some products that may interact with this drug are: dolasetron, metoclopramide, saquinavir.
Many drugs besides ziprasidone may affect the heart rhythm (QT prolongation), including amiodarone, dofetilide, moxifloxacin, pimozide, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol, tacrolimus, thioridazine, among others.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products that cause drowsiness such as opioid pain or cough relievers (such as codeine, hydrocodone), alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants (such as carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), or antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine).
Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy or cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.
Before taking ziprasidone, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: dementia, seizures, low white blood cell count, difficulty swallowing, heart disease (such as coronary artery disease, irregular heartbeat), diabetes (including family history), obesity, breathing trouble during sleep (sleep apnea).
Ziprasidone may cause a condition that affects the heart rhythm (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can rarely cause serious (rarely fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe dizziness, fainting) that need medical attention right away.
The risk of QT prolongation may be increased if you have certain medical conditions or are taking other drugs that may cause QT prolongation. Before using ziprasidone, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the drugs you take and if you have any of the following conditions: certain heart problems (heart failure, recent heart attack, slow heartbeat, QT prolongation in the EKG), family history of certain heart problems (QT prolongation in the EKG, sudden cardiac death).
Low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood may also increase your risk of QT prolongation. This risk may increase if you use certain drugs (such as diuretics/"water pills") or if you have conditions such as severe sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting. Talk to your doctor about using ziprasidone safely.
This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
This medication may make you sweat less, making you more likely to get heat stroke. Avoid doing things that may cause you to overheat, such as hard work or exercise in hot weather, or using hot tubs. When the weather is hot, drink a lot of fluids and dress lightly. If you overheat, quickly look for a place to cool down and rest. Get medical help right away if you have a fever that does not go away, mental/mood changes, headache, or dizziness.
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, uncontrolled movements, and QT prolongation (see above). Drowsiness, dizziness, and lightheadedness can increase the risk of falling.
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Babies born to mothers who have used this drug during the last 3 months of pregnancy may rarely develop symptoms including muscle stiffness or shakiness, drowsiness, feeding/breathing difficulties, or constant crying. If you notice any of these symptoms in your newborn especially during their first month, tell the doctor right away.
Since untreated mental/mood problems (such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression) can be a serious condition, do not stop taking this medication unless directed by your doctor. If you are planning pregnancy, become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, immediately discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medication during pregnancy.
It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Because of the possible risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe drowsiness, unusual/uncontrolled movements.
Do not share this medication with others.
Lab and/or medical tests (such as blood mineral levels, blood sugar, EKG) should be done while you are taking this medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more details.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.
Disclaimer: The information on this site is provided for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It does not replace professional medical consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Do not self-medicate based on the information presented on this site. Always consult with a doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions about your health.


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Friday, January 25, 2013
Is the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection in Decline?
For the past decade, the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection has consistently distinguished itself as the best of American whiskey. Few other whiskeys have been able to even come close to the quality of the quintet of George T. Stagg, William Larue Weller, Eagle Rare 17, Thomas H. Handy rye and Sazerac 18 year old rye. Even while the whiskey have become hard to find, the price has remained fairly consistent, making them a great value...if you can find them.
Over the last two years, however, the quality of these whiskeys appears to have declined. They are still great, but they have come down to earth from their previously astronomical levels. In December, I wrote about my disappointment with the 2012 George T. Stagg, but the 2011 was also a bit off balance, especially when compared to the 2010 and other earlier versions, which were so bold yet also balanced and complex.
I recently sampled the 2012 Weller and found a similar phenomenon. Both the 2012 and 2011 lacked the complexity of earlier versions, especially the excellent 2009 edition. There were more off notes, sour and bitter, than in previous versions. (See LA Whiskey Society Reviews of George T. Stagg and William Larue Weller through the years).
I haven't been as consistent in trying the other BTAC whiskeys, but I've noticed a similar drop in quality in all of those I've tried over the last two years.
I want to reiterate that these are still great whiskeys, but before 2010, they were absolutely phenomenal. Time will tell if this is a steady decline or merely a dip in quality.
Have you noticed a difference in your BTAC?
31 comments:
I immensely disliked the 2011 WLW. Enjoyed the 2011 Handy. ER17 from the last few years have been OK but not worth the money.
- January 25, 2013 at 1:25 PM
WLW and GTS have definitely declined in quality the last few years. No longer worth the effort to find or at the price being charged, IMO. Have a bottle of the latest Sazerac 18 but have yet to open to see how it compares. Would be curious to hear what others say.
- January 25, 2013 at 2:42 PM
- AaronWF said...
I actually like the 2012 Weller much more than the 2011. Like Anonymous, I really didn't like the 2011. The only other '12 BTAC I've had is Sazerac 18yo, and it may be a little less intense than last year's. I do think that Stagg declined in complexity from '10 - '11, and I prefer the '10 Handy to the '11 as well. I like the '11 Eagle Rare 17yo more than the '10, and I've heard good things about the '12. I hope I can find the most recent release on sale in the $60 range, because while I liked last year's, it's just not the same value as the cask strength stuff.
- January 25, 2013 at 2:53 PM
Richnimrod says: The current ('12) Weller isn't quite as nice as the last couple; but it's so close that I find little to complain about. As for the others; I haven't been able to lay hands on a bottle of the Stagg here in MI where it's as rare as Pappy 23. My fav for both the Stagg and WLW is '10, though I've heard the '09 WLW was really something.
- January 25, 2013 at 5:00 PM
I thought the Sazerac 18 and Eagle 17 were nice, but Stagg, Weller, and Handy have been a bit lacking for me personally.
However, this is happening across the board because booze is now big business.
Imagine you're an artisan baker and you're used to making each loaf one at a time. Then, suddenly, you get an order for 500 loaves and you try to expand your business model. There's just no way that the quality of those 500 loaves will be as good as the ones you once made in single batches.
Imagine neatly printing your name on a piece of caligraphy paper, taking your time to make sure each letter is flawless. Then imagine having to do it 50 times in a minute.
There are countless examples of this. I've noticed declining quality in many, many traditionally dependable spirits across the board because of the increased volume these companies are doing, the most recent being El Dorado Rum.
Ultimately, it won't be the price increases that do some of these companies in, but rather the decrease in quality. Buffalo Trace will not be one of these examples, however. Even on their worst day the BTAC bottles are better than most other mature options. - January 25, 2013 at 5:18 PM
Still very impressed with the 2012 Stagg...one of the few bourbons that holds up to the AH Hirsch 16 from years past...also wonder if years of hype don't take their toll as well (?)
- January 25, 2013 at 6:49 PM
I actually like the 2012 Weller an awful lot. So please: keep telling people that it's terrible.
- January 25, 2013 at 11:31 PM
you know, i was wondering the same thing. do you have a list of how many barrels were dumped for each of the releases? maybe buffalo trace has been trying to increase output by throwing in subpar barrels.
- January 26, 2013 at 7:11 AM
I find it amusing that so many are looking for such consistency in a product fully intended to be unique. These small batch whiskeys have no choice but to be special as they have endured 15 or more years of vastly different seasons here in Kentucky during their maturation. Each batch will be somewhat different from the others. We say thank the Lord.....
Each issue of these batches is exciting to us for the same reason we find pleasure in our offspring...they are unique and each special creation can shine with their own characteristics. There is no doubt, however that each came from the same family as the previous generation. Those.. off-note.. characteristics found by some could be that hint of sour mash that reminds me of the wonderful smell and aura hanging in the air on evenings the distillery is dumping the mash... this is heaven to some of us.
I have had multiple bottles of each and every BTAC release thus far and every one of them has made me a proud and happy Kentucky boy. Sorry friends but... Where ya gonna go... for experiences like these? No denying there are great spirits out there in this world.. and many are much more... consistent... perhaps in their drinking experience. I say you can have that... sameness... in a long-aged spirit (that likely gets its depth from the Kentucky Bourbon left in its aging barrel), I much prefer that very dynamic natural spirit of Kentucky distilled in each of these bottles.
The distillers have done a marvelous job over the years in addressing the complaints most of you have. They have achieved consistency of product by producing... mega..batches..., adjusting flavor and character with batches of ...seed whisky... and by ...blending... in some of our consistently satisfying limestone water... This allows each brand to have essentially the same character as those that went before. If you're wanting that ...same experience... each time you pop the cork most definitely go for a mass-produced distiller's product. If there are barrels of ...subpar...juice, I guarantee they won't end up as part of the BTAC ... or a Pappy, a Blantons ... or any vintaged, small batch or single barrel product from the distillery. Any such barrel would find use in a mass produced product, be sold to a customer for other use or if it truly was ...subpar... it would be dumped!
I would suggest that you may support the development of the Southern California Whisky industry! That same weather that has you waking up to a ...beautiful sunshiny day... nearly all year long will provide a very consistent product after aging, say 40 years (better find another aging medium however because oak barrels would be a no-go).
When Kentucky does get that master distiller that produces fine, aged barrels and batches of whisky like the biological cell..splitting phenomena that would produce millions of identical living beings, we will know his name! Do you?
.....The Proof is in My Whisky - January 26, 2013 at 10:17 AM
But to me, the overall trending decline theory makes no sense to me because...
All of the whiskeys in the BTAC were NOT produced yesterday, right? So as the demand for whiskey has skyrocketed of recent, that should have no effect on this collection. The GTS, ER, Sazerac 18 were all distilled and barreled in the mid to early 1990's (give or take a few years). Since the aging time for the GTS, ER, WLW and Handy are differnt for every release, some of the bourbon could have been produced during the same year or even before previous editions. From the press reports that come out each year, cases released or each have not gotten much larger, relatively speaking?
So the only way I could feasible see the BTAC getting weaker in quality is because whoever is picking/pulling the selected barrels is losing their touch? Other than that, I have no explaination.
I could understand maybe 1 or 2 out of the 5 every year to be varied/differnt/changed slightly, but for all 5 to be less amazing, I am not too sure how that is possible based on all of the info that BT provides for these releases.
- January 26, 2013 at 11:22 AM
"But to me, the overall trending decline theory makes no sense to me because..."
It makes sense if Buffalo Trace is increasing the amount of whiskey they're releasing to supply a greater demand. All of the El Dorado Rums were made 12 to 15 years ago, but now they're beginning to use barrels they normally wouldn't (or shouldn't).
When your demand is low you can afford to be picky. When demand is up you say: "what the heck? It'll sell regardless."
- January 26, 2013 at 12:44 PM
...if they're not using extra barrels, it could be that they've previously used some of their older stock to blend in other projects, leaving them with fewer options. There are many possible explanations. If it is indeed true, which it may not be!
It could be the cooperage sucked that year, it could have been the corn or the still or something else. Lot's of reasons. - January 26, 2013 at 12:50 PM
Can it be confirmed through BT press releases for the BTAC from the past say 3-4 years if they are putting out more product for this release. I don't have access to all of them unfortunately. But your point is valid if infact they are pulling more barrels consistently for each release year after year.
Josh - January 26, 2013 at 1:49 PM
Josh - I don't know, but I'll try and find out (sensitive subject, I'm sure). I don't know of many distilleries where this isn't the case however. Most of these guys are complaining about trying to satisfy the demand.
- January 26, 2013 at 2:02 PM
Very true, their could be numerous possibilities and motives. I personally believe that considering that WLW, GTS, and Handy are all uncut/unfiltered and different proofs every release that they will vary slightly every year regardless. I don't think there is true "control" to compare them to. I feel that BT does a good job getting them to thier specifications and the quality has not gone down at all, just subtle differences. I understand the whole cooperage factor, but between the 5 in the collection, they were all produced in different years. BUT I think another factor is some bloggers (NOT Sku) have the ability to convince whiskey drinkers that a pear is really a peach and speard that word as truth, LOL...
Josh - January 26, 2013 at 2:10 PM
- sku said...
The number of barrels for Stagg has certainly gone up through the years, from 80-90 barrels through 2008 to closer to 120 for the last couple years. Though the 2010 Stagg, which was great, was the largest release with 142 barrels.
Of course, there are a million variables which can impact a whiskey. If you've ever tasted sister casks that have been stored together for the same amount of time, you can often pick up differences, sometimes quite noticeable ones. The fact sheets show that not all Staggs are of the same age or stored in the same warehouses, and then there is the weather variance from year to year.
Keep in mind, I'm not accusing BT of any wrong doing here. They make great whiskey at great prices. I'm just pointing out what I see, in side by side tastings, as a decline in greatness, particularly since 2011, where the whiskey is less multi-dimensional than it used to be.
Nor am I saying they should all taste the same, but there is better and there is not quite as good.
Of course, it should go without saying that this is just my opinion, and anyone is free to taste these whiskeys and disagree with me.
- January 26, 2013 at 2:16 PM
I hear you sku. I wasn't trying to knock your post whatsoever, just trying to put out a different perspective as to why I DO NOT think the BTAC is declining.
I use this site and the David D's (K&L) blog quite frequently as great insite on the whiskey industry. Keep up the great work!
Josh - January 26, 2013 at 2:27 PM
sku, are you basing this on a blind head to head comparison?
- January 27, 2013 at 7:01 AM
- sku said...
Anon, no. It's what I've noticed over the years. I did the Stagg 2010, 2011, 2012 head to head, but not blind.
- January 27, 2013 at 7:51 AM
It would be interesting to read your opinion after a blind head to head. Sometimes we fall into these narratives of decline and then confirm them for ourselves. On the other hand, if you come to the same conclusions after a blind tasting it would be more convincing for the sceptics.
- January 27, 2013 at 8:45 AM
- sku said...
I'm not out there to convince any skeptics. I'm just giving my opinion. Blind tastings are great, and I do them a lot, but tasting without blinders doesn't negate the result. Moreover, it's not as if there was a narrative out there that BTAC had declined. It's something I noticed on my own. As the comments show, many people think it's just as good as it's always been and that's fine, but I've noticed a difference.
- January 27, 2013 at 8:50 AM
Fair enough. I have gathered a sense of a narrative of decline for both BTAC and Pappy from a bunch of people, online and off. The usual "it's not as good now that it's more popular" kind of thing (David D's comment here is a version of that). For me personally, I think my sense of frustration/exhaustion from chasing these highly allocated bourbons makes me want to like them less.
- January 27, 2013 at 9:06 AM
I'd simply like to find a bottle in order to try one of them!
- January 27, 2013 at 12:55 PM
I had been told a few years ago by a retailer that the BTAC bottlings were in fact distilled a while ago, aged for however many years there were supposed to be aged for then kept in inert containers before bottling. Sot of like what was done with the Pappy stuff before it became BT juice.
Is this true?
Asking because this could be the reason why one year after the other quality could seem to go downward (note: i only have experienced 2008 and 2011 so i do not have an opinion on this specific matter).
- January 27, 2013 at 5:39 PM
- sku said...
NP, that is true of the Sazerac 18. Since about 2004 that has all been from a single batch distilled in 1985 kept in steel tanks since then. I don't believe it's true of any of the other whiskeys in the series.
- January 27, 2013 at 6:59 PM
I don't have a ton of history with BTAC, but I tried a flight of them at a bar a year ago which convinced me to try to seek them out this year. I was able to get my hands on the Sazerac, Stagg, and Handy, and I tried a Weller 2012 in a bar for my bday. I haven't tried the Eagle Rare 17 this year. The only one that I felt lived up to the hype for me this year was the Handy. I won't say I'm an expert, but that was the only one I felt was truly worth the time in seeking it out and that I would look for next year.
The weird thing for me was that the reviews of the samples seemed quite positive. It is only now that I feel like I'm hearing negative feedback on them, and I honestly felt like I was a little crazy for not liking the Stagg very much... - January 27, 2013 at 9:05 PM
@ loudtalknliquor (Larry) - For me the Stagg takes sometime. For instance, I am currently working on a 2009 GTS and for the first 2 pours is was SUPER HOT and a mess (IMO). But after being opened for about 6 months and 2/3 of the bourbon still remains, it has become the best bourbon I have ever tasted! With the air time, the flavors have evolved amzaingly, like dessert in a glass! I usually add 1 ice cube after taking the first sip neat. That's all it needs for me now. So with these barrel proofers, I believe it all depends how long they have been opened and if it is the first pour out of a new bottle.
- January 28, 2013 at 8:27 AM
Great to know that it can improve. I'll keep trying it of course. I just don't look forward to it as much as I expected. I've only tried it twice so far.
- January 28, 2013 at 10:56 AM
A few years ago I started putting all the BTAC info sheet data into a spreadsheet to try and track some of this stuff myself.
For those that are on SB, you can check it out here:
I need to update for 2012.
A few observations:
As Sku mentioned, you can see a slow uptick in the number of Stagg barrels. Stagg used to mostly pull from the I and K warehouse, but after 2010 started getting pulled from many more. Pre-2010 it mostly was pulled from the lower floors, and is now pulled from multiple floors. Based on the info sheets, things seemed to really change in 2010.
Handy basically doubled production in 09.
Eagle is all over the place. Only 24 barrels in 2011.
Sazerac is constant as we know.
WLW has had a very slow uptick in production. - January 28, 2013 at 4:34 PM
- sku said...
Thanks fussychicken! Your digest of the fact sheets is a great tool for doing these kind of comparisons.
- January 28, 2013 at 4:38 PM
My favorite post on here. Yes spread the word please how all this brands are slowly declining so I can find them
- November 8, 2013 at 3:57 AM


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WARREN, Mich. — General Motors says a pattern of incompetence and neglect, not a larger conspiracy or cover-up, is to blame for a long-delayed recall of defective ignition switches.
GM CEO Mary Barra, who released the results of an internal investigation into the company's missteps on Thursday, said 15 employees — many of them senior legal and engineering executives — have been forced out of the company for failing to disclose the defect, which the company links to 13 deaths. Five other employees have been disciplined.
GM also said it will establish a compensation program for families of victims and those who suffered serious injuries in accidents related to the switches. The program is expected to begin taking claims Aug. 1.
Barra called the investigation, which she ordered in March, "brutally tough and deeply troubling." It took GM more than a decade to report the deadly switch failures to regulators and the public, and to recall the cars.
"I hate sharing this with you just as much as you hate hearing it," Barra told employees in a town hall meeting at GM's suburban Detroit technical center. "But I want you to hear it. I want you to remember it. I want you to never forget it." Barra then promised to "fix the failures in our system."
The crisis began in February, when GM recalled 780,000 older-model Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 small cars because of defective ignition switches. GM soon added the Saturn Ion and other small cars to the recall, which ballooned to 2.6 million cars worldwide.
The switches in the cars can slip out of the "run" position and shut down the engine. That disables the power-assisted steering and brakes and can cause drivers to lose control. It also disables the air bags. GM reiterated Thursday that it only links 13 deaths to the problem, but trial lawyers suing the company put the death toll closer to 60.
Barra said attorney Anton Valukas interviewed 230 employees and reviewed 41 million documents to produce the report, which also makes recommendations to avoid future safety problems. The government was expected to release the report later Thursday.
Barra said the report found that the company was operating in "silos," and individuals who could have helped uncover the problem didn't speak up.
"Because of the actions of a few people, and the willingness of others in the company to condone bureaucratic processes that avoided accountability, we let these customers down," Barra said. She again apologized to the families of those who died.
Last month, GM paid a $35 million fine — the largest ever assessed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — for failing to report the problem quickly to federal regulators. GM knew about problems with the ignition switches as early as 2001, and in 2005 it told dealers to tell owners to take excess items off their key chains so they wouldn't drag down the ignition switch.
In 2006, GM engineer Ray DeGiorgio — who designed the switch — approved a change in the switch design, but didn't inform the government or change the corresponding part number. In subsequent years, that made it harder for other GM engineers to figure out why older Cobalts performed worse than newer ones.
Barra confirmed Thursday that two employees placed on leave in April have been fired; DeGiorgio was one of those employees.
GM began repairing the cars in April, and had fixed 86,000 as of Thursday. But it has said it doesn't expect to fix them all until October. GM says the cars are safe as long as customers only use the key and have no extra items on their key chains.
Barra named a new safety chief at GM in March and pledged to quickly work through a backlog of potential recalls. As a result, the automaker has recalled a record 15.8 million cars and trucks in North America so far this year.
The company took a $1.3 billion charge in the first quarter to pay for the recalls. It expects to take a $400 million recall-related charge in the second quarter.
The report doesn't complete GM's recall saga. The automaker still faces a criminal investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice — led by the same team that recently reached a $1.2 billion settlement with Toyota over its 2010 sudden acceleration recall. It also faces multiple lawsuits from victims and from owners whose say their cars have lost value.
Barra, who testified before House and Senate committees in April, will also likely be called back to Washington.
Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Technology Committee's consumer protection subcommittee, said she intends to hold a hearing on the delayed recalls later this summer.
"I won't be letting GM leadership, or federal regulators, escape accountability for these tragedies," she said in a statement. "The families of those affected deserve no less."


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One of the earliest fears about tax-favored savings accounts like IRAs and 401(k) plans was that when this pool of savings grew large enough Congress would not be able to resist tapping it to help solve the nation's debt problems. We're about to find out if those fears—persistent for decades—have been justified.
Everything including the sacred mortgage deduction is on the table as lawmakers wrestle with the fiscal cliff, a year-end avalanche of scheduled spending cuts and tax increases. With a combined $10 trillion sitting in IRAs and 401(k) plans, retirement accounts make a juicy target. Some of this money has never been taxed, and under current law never will be.
To maintain this savings incentive the government "spends" $100 billion a year in the form of tax breaks to those who stash money in these kinds of accounts. Now, a new study suggests this tax incentive does little to change saving behavior. Some lawmakers, no doubt, are wondering: Why keep an expensive tax incentive that does not incent?
(MORE: Why the Fiscal Cliff Is the Wrong Thing to Worry About)
The study, reported in The New York Times, comes from Raj Chetty and John N. Friedman of Harvard, Soren Leth-Petersen and Tore Olsen of the University of Copenhagen, and Torben Heien Nielsen of the Danish National Center for Social Research. It looked at data from Denmark, where the pension system is similar to that in the U.S., and found that every dollar that government spent on tax breaks increased total savings by about one penny.
That's not much of a payoff. Meanwhile, the Tax Policy Center in Washington has found that about 80% of retirement savings benefits flow to the top 20% of earners. Eliminating the deduction for retirement savings would hit the well-off disproportionately, a condition with a lot of appeal in the current political climate.
Trying to head off this line of thinking, the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries recently launched a save-my-401(k) campaign, encouraging workers to email their representatives in congress. The group notes that having a 401(k) plan is the single most important factor in determining if a worker is saving for retirement and that families with a retirement savings account, on average, have two-thirds of their assets in that account.
Yet the Danish study suggests that little would change if the tax incentives were removed. Only 15% of savers actively respond to tax incentives, the study found. Far more important are features like automatic enrollment and contribution rates that automatically increase with pay raises.
(MORE: Wall Street's Bet on the Fiscal Cliff)
So hold on to your wallet. Congress has many options when it comes to tapping this vast reservoir. It could eliminate the deduction altogether or just for top earners, further restrict the amount that is deductible (currently $17,500; for those over 50, $23,000), start taxing retirement savings growth, or take back the part that has grown tax-free.
In the throes of a retirement savings crisis, none of these options is appealing. But that last one is most troublesome. At stake is any savings that has accrued tax-free in a Roth IRA. Tax-deferred growth could be a target too if you find yourself in a lower tax bracket in retirement. There is no discernible momentum behind such measures. But a retroactive tax on this sheltered income has been a worry from the start. And now these accounts have a meaningful total—and everything is on the table.


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"In interactions with religious people, do we need the Good Cop, or the Bad?As often as I hear this dialogue, the answer seems to be, surprisingly, the same: we need both."
"What happens when a nonbeliever appears who doesn't loathe religion, and doesn't find religious mockeries all that funny? And what happens when this nonbeliever is a vocal opponent of what the "Bad Cops" are doing?"
" However, I'm willing to take a leap of faith and concede that yes, if we want a strong, diverse community, we need both sides. But to make this happen, folks: we need to start practicing what we preach.That means that if we want to continue touting the idea that the secular movement is one with diversity of opinion, and that the "Good Cops" and "Bad Cops" are equally welcomed, we need to act like it. We need to stop decrying the "accommodationists" and start supporting them, especially because they're so underrepresented. "
"And if you happen to be a firebrand who isn't such a big fan of the diplomats? I humbly ask you to reconsider. You might be able to rally the secular troops, but you won't have much chance reaching out to the vast majority of the world: the believers."
"And without the ability to reach out, you lose a conversation, a dialogue, a chance to make the world a more secular-friendly place. And when that chance is gone, we lose everything."


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