Knave
(I wrote this letter while in France, where legislation governs the naming not only of people but even of dogs. C'est vrai.)
24 June 2007
Editor, The Washington Times
Dear Editor:
You choose as your "Knaves of the week" the New Zealand couple wishing to name their child "4real" ("Nobles and Knaves," June 23). And you say that it is "unfortunate" that New Zealand's government doesn't prohibit "stupid names."
Now I choose you as MY "Knave of the week" for asserting that the decision on naming a child should belong to politicians and bureaucrats rather than exclusively to that child's parents. True knaves are those who arrogantly impose their tastes and preferences upon others.
Sincerely,
Donald J. Boudreaux
Chairman, Department of Economics
George Mason University
24 June 2007
Editor, The Washington Times
Dear Editor:
You choose as your "Knaves of the week" the New Zealand couple wishing to name their child "4real" ("Nobles and Knaves," June 23). And you say that it is "unfortunate" that New Zealand's government doesn't prohibit "stupid names."
Now I choose you as MY "Knave of the week" for asserting that the decision on naming a child should belong to politicians and bureaucrats rather than exclusively to that child's parents. True knaves are those who arrogantly impose their tastes and preferences upon others.
Sincerely,
Donald J. Boudreaux
Chairman, Department of Economics
George Mason University
Posted by Don Boudreaux on
Thursday January 31, 2008 at 11:27am