Welcome to George H. Smith's Excursions into Libertarian Thought, a production of Libertarianism.org and the Cato Institute, narrated by James Foster. Freedom writes and political philosophy part 3. When combing the writings of Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, and other ancient philosophers for ideas that influenced later political philosophers, it is easy to overlook the most influential source of all, the Bible, especially the writings of Saint Paul. As the distinguished medieval historian Walter Ullman wrote, the individual and society in the Middle Ages, 1966, page 10, most, if not all, of the basic principles relative to the individual as subject to higher authority are contained in the Bible, notably in the Pauline letters. If one realizes as every medievalist ought to, but so few in fact do, what an unparalleled influence the Bible as the repository of divine wisdom exercised in the Middle Ages, one will have no difficulty in appreciating that it was taken not merely as a model, but above all as a ready-made philosophy relative to matters of public government. The all-pervasive Christian theme made the Bible a pattern, a whole philosophy was so conveniently assembled within two covers, quite especially it is in the Pauline arsenal that the crucial concepts in terms of the subject of the subditus and the corollary of the higher of the sublimus as well as the corresponding concept of obedience appear most fully. The influence of Paul's pronouncements on the duty of political obedience extended well beyond the Middle Ages, indeed the major Protestant reformers having denuded the pope of all political authority sought to strengthen the authority of the secular state beyond what most Catholics were willing to accept, and they frequently appealed to the writings of Paul. For example, in his article On Secular Authority, Martin Luther followed the common practice of citing the following passage by Paul, Romans 13, verses 1 and 2, RSV, in order to find a firm grounding for secular law and the sword in order to remove any possible doubt about their being in the world as a result of God's will and ordinance. Let every person be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God, therefore he who resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. That government is a divinely ordained institution, one that we are obligated to obey, was a dominant theme in Christian political philosophy, and passages such as the above were frequently cited against those Christians who defended the rights of resistance and revolution. Perhaps the first American to tackle this problem in detail was Jonathan Mayhew, 1720 to 1776, a New England minister who in 1750 delivered a sermon in Boston titled, A Discourse Concerning Unlimited Submission and Non-Resistance to the Higher Powers, with some reflections on the resistance made to King Charles I. The point of this sermon was to defend the execution of Charles I a century earlier, 1649, a controversial stand even among radical wigs. The pamphlet version of Mayhew's sermon was widely admired by American revolutionaries, and it had an especially strong influence on a young John Adams who said that, it was read by everybody and had a great influence in the commencement of the revolution. In his discourse, Mayhew examined the various New Testament passages, especially the passage quoted above that had traditionally been used to teach passive obedience to government. He agreed that obedience to a just government is commanded by God, but he went on to argue that the Bible does not demand obedience to an unjust government. The fact that particular rulers may claim the moral authority needed to command obedience does not make it so. In essence, Mayhew appealed to a distinction that I mentioned in my last essay, namely the difference between political obligation as a general principle and political allegiance to a particular government. To disobey a just government is a serious sin according to Mayhew, but unjust rulers can lay no legitimate claim to political authority and may therefore be resisted and even overthrown. When philosophers discuss political obligation, they sometimes ignore the crucial distinction between political obligation and political allegiance, despite the fact that many early political debates focused on the latter issue. Political obligation in some form was taken for granted, but this did not answer the crucial question, what makes a government legitimate in the first place? As I explained in my last essay, John Locke and other defenders of natural rights and the consent theory of government were frequently accused by their critics of implicitly justifying anarchy because their standards for a just government if consistently applied were so stringent and unrealistic that no real government could possibly meet them. Such theories made all governments vulnerable to revolution. John Locke made it abundantly clear that the problem of political allegiance, not the more general problem of political obligation, is the great problem of political philosophy. Unfortunately, Locke's remarks on this topic appear in his first treaties of government, a detailed rebuttal of Robert Filmer's arguments for absolute monarchy, and his first treaties has not received nearly the attention that has been bestowed on his more famous second treaties. Locke's comments are sometimes bypassed even though they are essential to understanding some of his arguments in the second treaties. Locke agreed with Filmer that there ought to be government in the world, so, as I have stressed before, the general problem of political obligation was not an issue in his debate with Filmer. But even if we grant Filmer's contention that absolute monarchy is the form of government decreed by God, this does not solve the problem of political allegiance, for we must also know the specific person or persons to whom we owe obedience. For practical purposes, the most significant issue in political philosophy is not whether political power can be justified or in what form, but who has the right to exercise this power? As Locke stated in his first treaties, the great question which in all ages has disturbed mankind and brought on them the greatest part of those mischiefs which have ruined cities, depopulated countries, and disordered the peace of the world, has been not whether there be power in the world nor whence it came, but who should have it? A political theory that cannot answer this great question serves very little purpose except to generate contention and disorder. Power can be dressed up with all the splendor and temptation absoluteness can add to it, but if a theory fails to indicate the particular individual or individuals who have a right to exercise political power, then it cannot protect us against the perils of anarchy. Tis in vain then to talk of subjection and obedience without telling us whom we are to obey. For were I never so fully persuaded that there ought to be majesty and rule in the world, yet I am nevertheless at liberty still till it appears who is the person that hath right to my obedience. Since if there be no marks to know him by and distinguish him, that hath right to rule from other men, it may be myself as well as any other. And therefore, though submission to government be everyone's duty, yet that signify nothing but submitting to the direction and laws of such men has have authority to command. It is not enough to make a man a subject to convince him that there is a regal power in the world, but there must be ways of designing and knowing the person to whom this regal power of right belongs, and a man can never be obliged in conscience to submit to any power unless he can be satisfied who is the person who has a right to exercise that power over him. If this were not so, there would be no distinction between pirates and lawful princes. To settle therefore men's consciences under an obligation to obedience it is necessary that they know not only that there is a power somewhere in the world, but the person who by right is vested with this power over them. Locke concluded that Filmer's patriarchalism, even if we accept it, which of course Locke did not, cannot identify the legitimate heirs of Adam's supposed monarchical authority. This means that patriarchalism cannot answer the great question of who should exercise political power. And by leaving us in the dark about this crucial matter, it will destroy the authority of the present governors and absolve the people from subjection to them, since they having no better acclaim than others to that power which is alone the fountain of all authority can have no title to rule over them. Thus did Locke turn the tables on Filmer by charging him with promoting anarchy. Modern political philosophy as it emerged in the late 16th century was largely concerned with justifying political sovereignty and thereby justifying the monopoly of political power claimed by emerging nation states. It has been said that few people doubted the existence of God until philosophers attempted to prove it. It may also be said with equal justification that few people doubted the legitimacy of established governments until philosophers attempted to justify that legitimacy by appealing to reason. Attempts to justify the modern state quickly developed into a double edged sword. Philosophers such as Jean Baudin, Robert Filmer, and Thomas Hobbes who presented detailed arguments in defense of political sovereignty virtually compelled their critics to develop opposing theories based on self-sovereignty. Theories that cut to the heart of absolute sovereignty. Although the French mathematician and philosopher Blaise Pascal 1623 to 1662 is rarely discussed in histories of political theory, he was among the first to recognize that explosive potential of modern political philosophy. In his penises Pascal took a brief but fascinating detour into political sociology. He identified reason itself as manifested in the attempts of philosophers to justify political power as the ultimate source of revolutionary fervor. According to Pascal, human reason having been thoroughly evitiated by original sin can no longer discern the true law of justice so people must be ruled by custom rather than by reason. Social order requires blind unconditional obedience to established laws solely because they are established laws and for no other reason. Man-made laws have the force of habitual custom and are routinely accepted by the masses. This is the mystic basis for the authority of law. Philosophers who attempt to trace the authority of man-made laws to their objective foundation in reason will inevitably destroy the authority of established laws in the process. Even a cursory examination of various legal systems will reveal their relativity and consistencies and how they were designed to serve the interests of the rulers instead of the greater public good. Consider this striking dialogue by Pascal.  I am unarmed. Why do you not live on the other side of the water? My friend, if you lived on this side, I should be a murderer. But since you live on the other side, I am a brave man, and it is right. Larsonie, incest, infanticide, pericide, everything has at some time been accounted a virtuous action. Could there be anything more absurd than that a man has the right to kill me because he lives on the other side of the water and his prince has picked a quarrel with mine, though I have none with him? Rather than pin blame on a specific political theory, Pascal targeted political philosophy itself as the source of disobedience, resistance, and revolution. The very process of philosophic inquiry, which probes the moral foundation of political authority and allegiance, will reveal that no such moral foundation exists. Political philosophy thereby becomes the art of subversion of revolution. In seeking a justification for political power, philosophers demanded that we inquire into the origin of governments. Pascal had no doubt that governments began in violence and plunder, so it was extremely dangerous to encourage this kind of investigation. There is no sureer way to lose everything. Nothing will be just if weighed in these scales. Yet the people readily listened to such arguments. They throw off the yoke as soon as they recognize it, and the great take the opportunity of ruining them and those whose curiosity makes them examine received customs. That is why the wisest of legislators used to say that men must often be deceived for their own good and another sound politician. When he asks about the truth that is to bring him freedom, it is a good thing that he should be deceived. The truth about the usurpation in the founding of governments must not be made apparent. It came about originally without reason and has become reasonable. We must see that it is regarded as authentic and eternal, and its origins must be hidden if we do not want it soon to end. The essence of Pascal's argument that to inquire into the origin of governments will undermine the legitimacy of all governments, past and present, would later be repeated by critics of Lockean consent theory, most notably David Hume. Thank you for listening to Excursions. To learn more about libertarian philosophy and history, visit www.libertarianism.org.


The state of food per se, or you know food and fiber, if you like, is that it's really the engine, it's the economic engine of the country, so you know we're very very good at being active in the primary industry. We know how to produce and we know how to produce world-class food and beverages. A lot of people from the outside look at New Zealand in the marketing campaign of 100% pure and they're like, oh organic foods etc. But actually we know in New Zealand that there's a lot of work that we need to do. We're part of an industry that does use chemicals, it does use pesticides, it does use herbicides, things that are damaging to the soil. There's no very very quick solution to that because you're also banned by other motivations in generating and creating wealth. So how do you balance conservation with commerce? It's a fine line but it's an incredibly important one I think to think about deeply. Food overall generates 30% of greenhouse gas emissions. Cows generates 15% of greenhouse gas emissions. It's not just a question of trying to improve the way we farm now to be able to produce more food. We've actually got to completely reinvent our food systems. My real passion is around helping people with irritable bowel syndrome regain their love of food and also help control their symptoms through their diet. IBS is actually the second most common cause of missed work after the common cold. So it has a massive run on effect. It's not only affecting our physical selves, it also affects our emotional state and it also has run on effects to our relationships with our work, with our friends and with our partners and families. In 2013 we started this process of looking for all the top nutritionists, doctors, chefs, sustainability experts, farmers all around the world to say what is a low impact diet? Not just good for you but good for the planet. I had the privilege of growing up in a restaurant setting. We had a restaurant settled in the middle of our garden. My mum's philosophy was that good food was fresh food and it was simple food. The reason why food education is so important, not just in New Zealand, not just in China, but for everywhere in the world is because if you think about all the 17 sustainable development goals, think about them. Every single one of them can be achieved simply by choosing a different diet. When we start to think about food it's best to start with the nine planetary boundaries identified by the Stockholm Resilience Centre. They are measuring biochemical flows in the planetary system. The biggest overshoot is on nitrogen and phosphorus. That's the result of our farming systems. Kids are the answer to changing the way we eat. Kids are the answer because they haven't formed their dietary habits yet. Give them exposure to the way that things should be, that all foods should be like a rainbow, that it should come from local areas, that they should know how to grow it with their own hands. For us the big challenge in New Zealand is to get people's head around those issues and to make it very clear to people that very challenging new technologies are coming. So in particular cellular agriculture where we grow meat or produce a reasonable facsimile of milk. I want people to have more access to dietitians so they can get the personalised advice they need to tailor the diet to their specific needs. So the very biggest challenge is to get people excited about the fundamental rethink of food. And I think we can play a really important role in that in New Zealand.


Hi everyone, Joe for jaspyscasebrakes.com coming at you with 2017-18 Panini Prism Basketball 10 box random team break number eight. This is a blaster edition. There you go, yeah. I mean, we're chasing the Tatum cards but a pretty decent rookie class in here too. No vet commons ship per usual on breaks like this.  So let's double you up and all teams are in. So let's roll it, let's randomize it. Three and a two, five times for each list. One, two, three, four, and fifth and final time. After five, we've got Dustin with the last spot mojo star next to his name down at Taylor. Three and a two, five times for the teams. And good luck, fifth and final time. After five, we've got the Rockets down to the Bulls. So Dustin with the Rockets, Scott with the Trailblazers, Tony with the Pistons, Rob with the Mavs, Scott with the Magic, Patrick with the Nuggets and Jazz. Rockio with the Knicks, Zapp Paul with the Sons, Rob with the Wizards, Zapp with the Pels, Oliver with the Nets, Roger that's Eastwood with the Heat. Oliver with the Spurs, Natalina with the Hornets, Dustin your other last spot mojo, Cleveland Cavaliers. Rob Bucks, Scott Kings, Rob T-Wolves, Dustin Raptors, Rockio with the Laker, you got my Lakers. Natalina with the Warrior, Scott with the Hawks, Taylor with the Pacers, Dustin with the Grizz, Zach with the Celtics, Tony with the Sixers, Roger with the Thunder, Zach with the Clippers, and Taylor with the Chicago Bulls. All right, so let's alphabetize by team. And here are the boxes. Did I mark these? I think I did, right? Yeah, on Jason Tatum's shoulder right here. I marked all of these with that green X so you know that they are from the same case. There's nine here, and this is the 10th box right here. Any trades? We'll pause the video really quick, give it a few moments for trades. And when we come back, we'll see if there's any trades and then the break, stick around. All right, welcome back folks. A little bit of trade chatter, but in the end, no deals were done here. All right, 10 box blaster, random team eight. There it is right there. Remember this is, again, 17, 18. So we got to think of all of our 17, 18 draft class. Markel Fultz, Lonzo Ball, Jason Tatum were the top three, obviously we're hunting for the Tatums. That's the big draw out of this class, but we also have Deer and Fox rookies are in the mix. Let me open a few of these at a time. Lori Markinan is in there. Zach Collins, John Collins, Donovan Mitchell, Bam Adebayo are definitely two other players we want to chase from this first round. Yeah, Eastwood, that Bam Adebayo is what you'll be looking for, Miami Heat wise. I think he's grown steadily in value. I feel like his first year was a little soft, but I think the first week was a little soft, but first year was a little soft. But I think subsequent years, he's like 18, 19 was a step forward for him. And then I think this season, 1920, he was playing pretty well until the pandemic put everything on pause. We've got to see some little silver peeking out. There's Jordan Bell and it's Tyler Dorsey is the rookie silver. Jordan Bell, what in the world is this? This is volleyball, but people are sitting on the ground ladies and gentlemen on NBCSN. Is this a thing? That's for Natalino and the Golden State Warriors. Yeah, I guess these are the Paralympic games, but there's women sitting volleyball. I have no idea this was an event. There's Tyler Dorsey, silver for the Hawks, Scott Blackwell with that one. CJ McCollum, Portland Trailblazers, Relic, that goes to Scott Blackwell. Julio Garcia, what's that? You bought two spots for random case breaks. When is that, which random case break? If it's not on the schedule that I just dropped into the chat, it will be after that. If it's sold out, it's got to sell out too for us to be able to break it. And we've got Nemanja Belitza. Belitza, it's a tricky name. That goes to Rob and the T-wolves. De'Aaron Faugh, well, I'm in the middle of a break Julio, so no, that doesn't help. What was that order? You let me know what order you placed. I might know offhand if that's close or not or if it's sold out or not. What did you order? 16 out of 25, De'Aaron Faugh's. Nice pulsar right there for Scott and the Kings. Got a Faugh's in the box. Finest, well, Finest Baseball is not a random team break, but Finest Baseball is coming up though. In fact, after this break, I think. Prism Baseball, I don't think it's sold out yet. Since I started this break, so that might be a little bit later if that fills tonight. But yeah, Finest Pick Your Team is sold out. That'll be coming up. Now, most of these are gonna be one memorabilia per box, but every once in a while, we're gonna see an autograph in a box of these blasters. Actually, no, if you look at the schedule in the chat, Julio, sorry, I thought it was after this. No, we got clearly authentic 10 after this, and then Finest, but schedule's in there so everyone can get an idea of what's gonna happen in the next few hours. That's a Silver LeBron James Cavs Edition, Dustin. These LeBron Jameses have been increasing in value pretty nicely, so I don't know what that's gonna bring you, but probably a decent amount. We got a Shaq Relic, nice Shaquille O'Neal. That's Rockio with My Lakers. Someone look up that LeBron. Look at some sold items on eBay, see? Let me know what that's going for. I can look it up a little bit later too, but there's Frank Jackson Relic, Pelicans. It'll be for Zach Paul. And we got a Dante Eczem, Utah Jazz. That's gonna be for Patrick in Utah. Oliver is saying someone's trying to sell that Paul Sarr Fox for $7.50. Raw, not great. That's crazy. I mean, even if you get a little bit of that, I think that'd be awesome. John Collins for the Hawks, rookie Silver. It's got plenty of upside, John Collins. That goes to Scott in Atlanta. I mean, any rookie Silver is really interesting. All right, now we've got these four boxes to go. Good luck. Yes, Justin, that will be after we do the football mixer. Raw for that final, that's crazy. I guess the Paul Sarr is exclusive to this. Maybe they are, maybe not. Maybe they might be exclusive to these blasters, since maybe that's why. I know, Justin, it did take a minute or two, but we finally filled that final mixer today. So, finally filled today. So that finally unlocks the promo. All right, so we've got some players, but we don't have that Jason Tatum yet. The guy on the box, the guy on the pack right here. No, it was a deer and fox green Paul Sarr to like 35, whatever those are number two. Looks really sharp. Last bit of this blaster break, random team eight. Good luck, everybody, last bit here. It's enough of those coach silvers. Let's get some Tatum silvers. That's Dirk Nowitzki and another coach silver. Come on, come on. We want Terry Stott's silver? Not really. I guess unless you think Terry Stott's is gonna be a Hall of Fame coach. Watch the trailblazers win it all this year. And those Terry Stott's coach silvers go for like hundreds of dollars. And then Scott Blackwell who has the trailblazers will come back to me and be like, see, you were knocking that Stott's card. There's J.J. Redick Relic for Tony and the Sixers. There's Giannis Fundamentals and there's a Giannis base card. Just like the LeBron's. I mean, if it was a silver, it'd be a lot more. But like the LeBron's, the Giannis, even though it's far from his rookie year, these Giannis cards have some value too. That will be for Rob and the Bucks. All right, Oliver looked it up. I mean, he's saying that that LeBron's silver for the Cavs, Dustin, is about 80 to $100? Nice. There's Kyrie Silver for the Cavs. All right, what do we have here? Out of 10? Wow. Eight out of 10, Cinderius Thornwell. Pretty heavy card stock on that too. I don't even know if I have a 180 near me. That's awesome. Clippers, that goes to Zach Paul. There's a Kobe Fundamentals right here. Going to rock you in the Lakers. Let me find a top loader for that Thornwell. It's a good looking card right there. There's the Tristan Thompson, Sterling Brown, Terry Rosear, Green for the Celtics. We'll go to Zach, but I don't think we've seen a Tatum. There's Malik Monk, there's a John Wall. That will be for Rob and the Wizards. But wow, I don't think we've did a whole blaster case of this. And I'm pretty sure, I don't think we've seen a Jason Tatum in here. Not that we're guaranteed anything like that, but usually, usually there's a few in here. No Mitchell either, huh? There's a Get Hype Yanis. Well, there you go. I appreciate everybody trying. There were still some nice cards here and there, but the big names didn't see him. If we get another case of this, maybe we'll see him next time. Thanks for joining the break, folks. 10 Box Blaster, random team number eight, Prism Basketball. Thanks for joining. I'm Joe from jassbyscasebreaks.com. We'll see you next time. Bye.


What is personal brand? Well, your personal brand is what other people say about you when you are not there So the key for you today right now if you can is to write out a personal statement What do you want other people to say about you when you're not there? Because if you don't take control of your label, then you will leave money on the table This is your reputation at stake. It is well worth you Sitting down and spending some time on this So write out a statement if you were to hear somebody talking about you in a coffee shop And you could overhear them talking about you and what you do and what you stand for and what causes you support and what Purpose it is that you're here on the planet to serve and to take what God has given you and Get that out to the world in a really worthy way What is it that you want other people to be saying about that and it has to start with you and It can start today. So make that your mission today is to write that statement and get it done


This study investigated the role of IpsiCd4 in the regulation of carotenoid accumulation in sweet potato tuberous roots. It was found that IpsiCd4 plays a critical role in the regulation of carotenoid accumulation in sweet potato. Furthermore, it was discovered that IpsiCd4 is regulated by two stress-related transcription factors, IpWrky20 and IpsiBf2, suggesting that the carotenoid accumulation in sweet potato is fine-tuned in response to stress signals. This study provides new insights into carotenoid metabolism in sweet potato tuberous roots and suggests IpsiCd4 as a potential target gene in the development of new sweet potato varieties with high carotenoid production. This article was authored by Jie Zhong, Lehen He, Jingjing Dong, and others.


Pennsylvania Turnpike. Mind if I come in set a while? Oh, reckon it all.  My surprise. My feet wouldn't hold up another mile. Are you hitching? Yep. Going for? I don't know. Come for? Yep. Come around, smart piece. Getting pretty old would be a hitch, I can. Get many rides? Yep. Had anything to eat lately? Had much. Coffee smells good. It is good. Make it myself. I'm about a cup. Warm me up. All right. Matter of fact, I'll have one with you. I didn't need man's bread. Any what? Man's bread. Ever heard of it? No. I forgot. Reckon you never have. Here you are, mister. Nice and hot. How much? Oh, just a nickel. Well, what a nickel is. Take it out of there. What's the blight? Hey, hold on. This ain't no nickel. What's that, mister? I say this ain't no nickel. It's a gold coin. Hey, don't you know it's against the law to have gold in your possession these days? Against what law? Why, well... Well, we went off the gold standard years ago. Everybody turned in their gold. Well, they turned into government. Well, they got silver in exchange. I see. You best return my coin. Well, this coin is old. Ain't it, stranger? Somewhat. Yeah. Oh. Got the head of the King of England on it. And see the date very well. See... 1700 and so on. Yeah, take this coin instead. I gave you the gold one by mistake. Well, brother, I'm making no mistake, and I give it back to you. To my way of thinking right now, that gold coin ain't worth a plug nickel. Yeah. I think you'll find this one's legal tender. Yeah, thanks. How about a sandwich? A what? A sandwich. I don't know what you're talking about.  A sandwich. I've never seen nothing like that before. Well... I want you to try one on the house. I said try one. Oh, Charles, yours. Coffee. Yeah, got to admit it is. Oaks around here always have a good word to say for Joe Davis and his coffee. Don't you know where you're heading for, stranger? No. I haven't his slightest idea. How come? You mean you're just a Roman about with no particular hand in mind? No. I've planned what I intend to do for years. Well, what are you intended to do? That I'll discuss with no one. Okay, okay. Don't get the idea I'm nosing into your business. How's the sandwich? I said how's the sandwich? Oh, oh, this. Not so good. It tastes funny. That's good-boiled ham. Don't like it. Well, you got no kick coming. Didn't have to pay for it. I intend to pay you. Nope, no, Charles. But I always pay all my debts. Well, this is one you don't have to, stranger. Especially since you don't like the thing. I've paid every debt I ever owed. Except one. Well, one's not so bad. You'll probably get it paid off someday. Yeah. I'll pay it. I waited long enough. I can wait a while longer. Want more coping, stranger? No. This is plenty. By the way, do you happen to know many people in these parts? Quite a few, yes. Ever run on to any folks with red hair? Red hair? Yeah. Well, let me think. Don't care to say it's a hair. Why? Oh, I'm just interested in folks with red hair. Are you? Only take rides in cars with men with red hair. Why is that? Well, I got a pretty good reason. You see, the man I owe that debt to has red hair. Oh, has he? President Red. Hmm. Where are you putting up for the night? I'm sure. Bands. Well, there's a tourist cabin about two miles up the turnpipe. Might stop in there. Place have many customers? Yeah, quite a few, long this time of year. Might stop there then, have a look around. Mister, if you don't mind my saying so, you've got me puzzled. And so? Yeah, you sure have.  You probably never will again. What do you mean by that? Oh, nothing, especially. You're sure the mysterious one. Ah, you better have another cup of coffee. Oh, thanks. Look at that then, huh? No, I'm old-fashioned. I smoke pipe. Well, okay, throw up then. Say, what kind of tobacco is that? Hey, oh, it's King's Choice. Never heard of it. No, I reckon you never have. Something new? Older than you are. Working your body. Breaking your cane, anymore. Oh, quit making it, huh? About a hundred years or so back. You wouldn't remember. Oh, you're ribbing me, huh? Of course I wouldn't remember a hundred years back. Neither would you. You'd be surprised, mister. What do you mean? Nothing, especially. I don't get it.  Nothing particularly remarkable about that, is there? I always say what's old belongs to the old. I reckon you're a lot more than sixty. Sixty? Sure, sixty-five at most. My friend, suppose you take sixty, double it and add a century. What? Double sixty and add a hundred? Well, that's two hundred and twenty. Your arithmetic is excellent. Have a match? A match? A match? Oh, yes. That's sure a match.  Thank you. Now, you have a customer. Oh, yes. Generally, somebody stops for a few gallons of gas. Long about this time. There's no way that you're ready to run that gasoline. Be back a minute, old Hammer. Yes, sir. Gas? No, I'd like a little information. Well, got a lot of that, too. Can you tell me the way to Pine Knob? Pine Knob? What's that? Tourist camp? No, it's a town. Pine Knob, Pennsylvania. I've never heard of it. It's out this way someplace. It's supposed to be about eighty miles out of Pittsburgh in this direction. Well, see, Pittsburgh's about seventy-eight miles back. Well, then I should be pretty close. Never heard of telling no Pine Knob, then living here man and boy for forty years. Have you ever seen nothing of the place or heard tell of it? Well, I know it's out here someplace. I've followed my directions here. I don't know whether to take that crossroad or follow the turnpike. Sorry, I can't tell you, mister. Right, sorry, kid. Huh? Oh, you. Pine Knob, you say, mister? Yes, it's a small town somewhere in this neighborhood. Not in this neighborhood, it ain't. You don't happen to remember anything about it, do you, old Hammer? That's a nice hat, your word. Huh? I said, that's a nice hat, your word. Yeah, thanks. Did you ever hear of Pine Knob? Mind if I see it? See what? Your hat. Oh, forget my hat. You know anything about Pine Knob. I might after I've seen the hat. Look here, if you know how I can get to Pine Knob, I've. Hey, hey, hey, look, mister. Let him have a gander at the hat. You were the old boy. He hasn't got all these marbles. Oh, oh, very well. Hey, here, you can buy it in any hat shop for $10. Pre-initials if you want them. Yeah, quite nice. What's that? The hat? Oh, you haven't even looked at it. No, I was admiring the gentleman's hair. What about my hair? I said it's nice. Right? Now, how about the hat back and a little information? Oh, your initial's in the band. K.M. Could the last name be Miner? Yeah. Well, that's right. Oh, you saw my driver's license on the steering pole. No. Well, how'd you know? I just hoped I was right. Oh, hang it all. Don't you know how I can get to Pine Knob? Yes, I know. Will you tell me then? No, I can't do that. Why not? Because the way is seldom traveled. You'd never find it by direction. Then can you go there with me to show me the way? There's nothing I'd like better to take you to Pine Knob. Well, now, that's more like it. I'll pay you for whatever your time for it. I collect all right. I assure you my times are practically no value whatsoever. Come on around, get in. All right, in the back. No, boy, come on in front with me. No, thank you. I prefer the back. Same as to you. Better you move your old boy as much as you can. He ain't as bright as he probably used to be. All right. All right, old timer, hop in. Thanks a lot. Oh, you're welcome. Come back and see me. Well, I see him come and I see him go. But that old gent beats anything I've ever set eyes on.  Hmm, almost half full. King's Choice, the smoker's friend. Raymond Tobacco Company, established 1756. Then how far? I say, does my chatter bore you, old timer? Oh, not especially.  People talk too much nowadays. Me? I like to talk. Especially when I'm driving. Helps make the miles go faster. The turn up ahead. Yeah, where? Off to the right. There's no place to turn off. Yes, there is. You see it. See? Oh, yes. But that road, it wasn't there a moment ago. It's been there a road to take. This isn't any ordinary road. No automobile tracks. Never been an automobile on this road. I don't understand. You will, presently. And a stagecoach. Stagecoach? Yes. You can see the hoof marks in the soft earth. Oh, I was noticing. Six cold black horses that pride of Pennsylvania. What's that? Nothing important. I see. Look behind. Behind? Yes. Look, where's the turnpike? We have left it. Far behind. Oh, not far. Less than a half a mile. We should be able to see it from here. No. It's nowhere in view. The buildings along the turnpike. Where are they? All of that is past. Yes. There is no turnpike. There are no buildings. Nothing but open prairie land. Trees. Hills. Tall grass. No fences. No other roads except this one. The only road from my own ground. But where does it take us? To Pine Mountain. That's where you wanted to go? Well, yes, but I... You asked me to show you the way to Pine Mountain. This is it. Everything's changed so suddenly. Everything's different. Yes, naturally. But why? Did you ever ask yourself what time really is? Time? Yes, Mr. Minor. Time. I don't follow you. Suppose a long time ago something had happened to you.  I still don't understand. Let me put it into the present instead of the past. Suppose today something should happen to you. Suppose it is so out of the ordinary that you'd never forget it. Probably something you think needs revenge. Revenge? Suppose you decided your spirit would never rest until you'd found that revenge, even though many scores of years had passed away. I don't understand. What would you do, Mr. Minor? What could you do but roam from place to place seeking that revenge?  Am I? You certainly are. What I'm getting at is this. If you'd find yourself in just such a situation, time would suddenly have no meaning to you. Think no more about the past or the present or the future. Time would be something unknown to you. Things you call the future now wouldn't be future at all. Incidents you called past wouldn't be past. They'd be now what you call present, all rolled up into one. That's a strange way of reasoning. That's a strange one you've experienced it. Have you ever experienced it?  You mean the things that have happened in the past are actually happening now? Precisely. And things in the future are taking place now too? Naturally. One case being possible, the other naturally follows. Oh, I just some philosopher's theory. It's much more than a mere theory. Oh, you know better than that, and so do I. What's happened in the past has happened. What's going to happen certainly isn't taking place now. Possibly I'll change your mind about that before this day ends. Not me, mister.  Names are unimportant. Only incidents are important. Yeah, you haven't said how you knew my name. That was quite obvious. Your red hair, the initials in your hat band. I still don't see how you knew. Where's Pine Knobhead? Yeah, down in the valley. Where did it get its name, Pine Knobhead? Because in the center of the town you'll find a little mound with three pine trees growing from it. It was under these trees that men had been trying for their lives. It's from them that men have been hanged. That's a pleasant thought. The town seems deserted. Yes, I suppose it is, Pine Knobhead. What do you mean? You'd see. The stage office is over there. The stage is in. See, across the road. Pull up here, across from it. Yeah, right. So this is Pine Knobhead. I see. I've been on the stagecoach with the reins in his hands. Other men handing up that metal box. Listen to what they say. All right, Hank. That's a goal. I'm not going to get this gold. It's going right on through to Kelby. Up the stage this trip. I've been ready for him. There's two men. The one on the stagecoach. Exactly. He looks and talks exactly like you and the other one like me. We must follow that stage. Start the car. I don't understand all this. Start the car. Follow the stage. I'd take my oath that those two men are exactly... It's not time to talk. Follow the stage. What is this, a dream? I waited a long time for this day. What do you mean? Yes, nine score years I waited. Nine score? More than three normal lifetimes. And finally the day is here. Look here.  Why are we pulling that stagecoach? See, it's beginning. What's beginning? Stage. See, it's stopped. Yeah. Something's wrong. More than you think. Drive right up behind it. Maybe we can help. No, there's nothing we can do. Stop right behind the stage. Yeah. Hey, look.  He's the man with the red hair. The man who looks exactly like me and the other one on the stage. He's the exact image of you. Folks is settling out west. I'll shoot you if I have to. Those hands on the reins. Don't go for that gun. For heaven's sakes, this isn't real. I've never fired a gun in my life. It can't be. Understand what I meant by no past, future.  But it can't be you. That man on the stage was shot. He fell. He's lying there on the ground now. Yes, hey, turn around. See for yourself. Everything's gone. Everything but you and me.  That man with the red hair. The one who spoke like you, looked like you was the first member of your family to settle in this country. He was my partner. I trusted him. He murdered me. But I didn't. The debt is about to be paid. No.  I waited this long for my revenge. I won't let it pass by now. Get into the car. No. No, keep away. Don't come near me. Don't touch that wheel. Time has come. I'm driving now. No, no, I say. There's no way to escape. You can't murder me. I have nothing to do with that shooting. You can't escape. I will escape. I will, I will. You. I knew you were some devil.  But you can't. You can't. You can't. The road ends around the train up there. Nothing but a thousand foot present down the mountain side. Pennsylvania Turnpike. Tonight's original tale of dark fantasy by Scott Bishop. Originating in the studios of WKY. When Morris played Ken Minor, Red Wayne was heard as Hank and Muir Height, was the filling station attendant. Next Friday night at the same time, listen to the 19th in this series of unusual and original tales of dark fantasy created by Scott Bishop. Next week's story is called Convoy for Atlantis, a fantastic yarn of ships that disappear, disappear in the night and of strange and valuable treasures which arise from the sea. An adventure that takes us down to the very bottom of the mighty Atlantic Ocean for a special observation of the convoy for Atlantis. Don't miss this weird tale of an ancient race that lives again on a mighty sunken continent. Tom Paxton speaking, dark fantasy comes to you from Oklahoma City. This is the National Broadcasting Company.