Today is Bastille Day. Many years ago, I approvingly cited a post by a Jerry Pournelle, a conservative commentator. He pointed out that only 5 people were freed when the Bastille was stormed, including two madmen who were sent to the insane asylum, and most of the garrison was killed. The overall impression left was that this attack was a wasted ( Read more... )

Jerry Pournelle's gone and said everything I was going to say on Bastille Day. I will merely note that revolutions, like fires, frequently get out of control and/or destroy stuff that was good and useful. However, sometimes both revolutions and fires are necessary.