The media howled "Vigilante Justice!" during the Kyle Rittenhouse trial, which wasn't even relevant to the facts of his case. Private security guards aren't vigilantes. The word applied to the case of the men who killed Ahmaud Arbery, but even in that one there are technical problems.

What really horrifies the statists is the idea any private citizen might take upon himself those functions reserved to their holy church, the state. As the great Jack Nicholson (as the Joker) said, "Wait'll they get a load of me!"

You can imagine their reaction if confronted by someone suggesting we get rid of the state altogether. "My God, all of society run by vigilante justice!"

It isn't an unreasonable question, though, for those not familiar with the arguments of Rothbard and other anarchists. Wouldn't incidents like this be common in such a society? 

I answer that question in today's episode. 

It didn't occur to me until after the episode was produced to make the connection to Lysdander Spooner's No Treason: The Constitution of No Authority. There is definitely a connection between his hilarious destruction of the whole "social contract" idea and both the Rittenhouse and Arbery cases.

Let me know what you think of the episode in the comments section of the show notes page. 

On Monday, I'll have the Libertarian Car Guy, Eric Peters, who points out a rather scary parallel between the New Normal and a particular 20th century atrocity. 

Don't forget my new e-book, An Anti-State Christmas, is also available in paperback here. It'll cost you less than a fiver and makes a great stocking stuffer!

Get a few copies for family or friends who need deprogramming - or even just a few laughs.