Such Libertarians Whitewash Regurgitative AI’s Copyright Infringements Not Because They Like the AI But Because They Aim to Erode Copyright Protections Further Stuart K. Hayashi There are tremendous issues with what is called “generative AI.” The issue is not with the technology as such, but with the unethical way in which it is being used — a use that the companies behind “generative

This book offers insight into a mythical superhero. Tracing the origin of Superman by two early 20th century Jews in Cleveland, Ohio, from a singular force for truth, justice and Americanism to an overmuscled, smaller figure by Paul Dini and others in late 20th century comics, this depicts Superman’s—with parallels to America’s—decline.

DC: Superman (The Folio Society, 2025) packs many aspects into the collection, including a reproduction of the original 1939 first Superman comic teased in the recent Warner Brothers’ Superman movie with the back cover’s Superman breaking chains.

The comic includes advertisements in the front and back of the book for blank cartridge pistols, folding cameras, electric telephone sets, joy buzzers, fish hooks, a printing press and other items of interest, as well as a full-spread invitation to become a charter member of Supermen of America, exhibiting the virtues of “strength, courage and justice” for a “beautifully colored certificate of membership, a large membership button and with a patented clasp and Superman secret code all for 10 cents in coins or stamps to cover the cost of mailing.” The reproduction comic book depicts the complete story of “the daring exploits of the one and only Superman.” He’s more muscular as a character in these early comics than his cinematic version is today.

The hardcover book includes a variety of Superman comic strips throughout the decades, introduced by former DC Comics boss Jenette Kahn, who selected 12 of what she considers Superman’s most important 20th century stories, with a foreword by writer Marjorie Liu, who argues that “if there is one superhero who will remain immortal, passed down from generation to generation, it will be Superman.” The book’s Superman comics range from Action Comics number 36 in 1941 to “Peace on Earth” in 1999 with comics from World War 2 and every 20th century decade except the 1970s. Kahn’s introduction traces the character and comic strip through history.

Unfortunately, Superman weakens. The collection reflects his deterioration from a superhero of moral absolutes (to a degree) in pursuit of justice for the oppressed—though he’s primarily champion of those in need—to Paul Dini’s anguished hero, who frets he can’t save everyone from disparity and hardship, as Superman settles for lessons in self-reliance in a Christmastime plot accentuating helping others, muting and dulling his upright moral posture.

The best part of this book is a reproduced original, typewritten letter from co-creator Jerry Siegel (crediting illustrator Joe Shuster) in late spring 1934 pitching the comics.

In the letter, Siegels presents Superman as being born here on earth—a super human with “colossal” strength sent back from the future by a scientist who’s the “last man on earth” in a time machine at the end of the world. It’s a radical premise with nothing to do aliens from another planet.

Frankly, it’s a better, more logical premise—the notion of a superior man saving his species—and Siegel’s pitch emphasizes that Superman’s superiority makes him an outcast who’ll be shunned and hated for being better in ability.

Jerry Siegel writes:

Early, [Superman] will find that his great strength, instead of making friends for him, cause people to fear him. Mothers will not permit their children to associate with him, he will be hated in school sports because he never loses, etc.”

This is the theme that might have been the great idea for a superman. The Folio Society’s edition is like a time capsule of Siegel’s and Shuster’s bold and colorful vision for a great hero from the future who’s bred in America’s Midwest—a Man of Steel—the man of ability—strong, intelligent and loyal to the principles of truth, justice and Americanism prepared to rescue the vulnerable and for the right reasons. Superman still possesses the capacity to take your breath away.

After witnessing a historic supersonic jet flight created by a friend (who founded an aviation company) earlier this year, I asked: “Who is Superman?” In my essay, I propose that perhaps you are—that my friend is—that I am—that every man of ability can be. Reading the DC Comics origins, books and stories about this mythical hero reinforces my contention that this is true.

Read my review of this year’s movie Superman and, for the paid subscriber, my additional podcast review after watching the film again and again.

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John Stossel comments on a movement that is banning pet sales in stores state-by-state.

As is often the case with such crusades, the goal (forcibly stopping stores from selling pets) -- immoral to begin with -- both fails to achieve its alleged purpose (making pet breeding more humane) and actively harms people (by crippling or killing their livelihoods):

[M]any pet stores rely on selling dogs and cats. After all, they're pet stores.

After California banned sales, say pet store advocates, 95 percent of the impacted stores went out of business.

...Animal activists say the bans are the only way to get rid of abusive puppy mills.

But [lobbyist Alyssa] Miller-Hurley points out, "A decade ago, they said there were over 10,000 puppy mills within the United States. Since then, eight states and hundreds of localities have passed these retail sales bans."

The result? They still say there are 10,000 mills.

So "by their own measurements, these bans aren't successful," she continues. "What they are successful at is fundraising ... .They aren't actually actively engaged in any real animal care."

It is notable that Republicans -- once assumed to be the pro-business party -- might as well be Democrats as far as this issue is concerned.

I don't know offhand whether my home state, Louisiana, bans the sale of dogs and cats in retail establishments, but I have my own ancedata to add to this story.

About a year ago, we purchased two cats from a breeder because we wanted a breed less likely to cause problems for our son, who tests revealed might be allergic.

The breeder was a complete lunatic whom I'll never deal with again. Among other things, she: bombarded us via text with incomprehensible word salads ahead of the delivery times, needed to be reminded of how many cats we had ordered (in writing (!), at her earlier request (!)), gave us contradictory or incorrect information about the cats, attempted to charge me cash on the second pick-up despite having apparently made it clear that check was fine (and there having been no issue with the prior payment by check), and (of course!) gave us a kitten the second time that turned out to have fleas.

So, not only do honest businessmen get hurt, customers and pets do, at the end of the day.

But, hey! Forcing people like me to deal with jackhandles like that -- instead of people who understand the value of a good reputation -- makes "animal lovers" feel good, so I guess there's that.

-- CAV

P.S. Yes, we dealt with this person twice because our first order was for two cats and she gave a plausible-enough reason for not being able to fulfill it. I wasn't thrilled about using her again, but she was (I thought!) a known quantity. That freak flag really flew after that second deposit came in.

Later this week the United Nations will hold a vote on a multibillion-dollar climate change tax targeted squarely at American industry. Without quick and decisive action by the White House, this U.N. tax on fossil fuels will become international law. This resolution before the International Maritime Organization will impose a carbon tax on cargo and […]

The government is “shut down.” Media call this a “crisis.” A “crisis (with) no deal in sight,” says Fox News. Reuters says it’s a “key risk to US stability.” But when I look around, I see business as usual — families raise children, workers work, people play music … The media act like government is […]

Wikipedia added yet more critical language to assassinated Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk’s page days before his posthumous reception of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Media Research Center had found. Wikipedia already infamously added an accusation of “misinformation” to Kirk’s writeup on the day he was killed. Now, one of the opening paragraphs of Kirk‘s Wikipedia page is even more insulting and accusatory toward Kirk, with editors altering the propaganda to add racial and anti-Christian language between Oct. 3 and 10. President Donald Trump on Tuesday awarded Kirk posthumously America’s highest civilian honor. Read the full blog on MRC Free Speech America’s site.