let’s mug Prof. Grace (Oct. 4, 2004)
To thank Prof. Martin Grace of a tort et a travers for responding to my recent musing about conflicted Catholic Libertarians, I set out today to find a “cool coffee mug” for his hypothetical Catholic Libertarian Society. In doing so, I learned a lot and had some fun. [Except for my curiosity about how ideas and actions jibe, I have no explanation for the interest of your Editor — an ex-Catholic and “thoughtful” liberal — in the relationship between the powerfully hierarchical Church and the empowering, free-market ideology.]
Here are a few things I learned:
- The Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty, which “seeks to articulate a vision of society that is both free and virtuous,” considers itself to be a Catholic Libertarian organization. It has a Book Shoppe, but apparently no coffee mugs or t-shrits.
- Prof. Grace’s posting last week asking “Is There Such a Thing as a Libertarian Catholic?” is the first result for the Google Search <“catholic libertarian”>.
- In September 2003, Professor Bainbridge referred to himself as “Catholic libertarian neo-conservative.” Although he has not yet joined this discussion, he’s heartily invited.

Nonetheless, here are some possible inspirations for the Grace CLS logo:
– “no theo” the No American Theocracy Mug (from CafePress.com) to re-assure the anarchist fringe
– the faux news mug for fair and balanced freethinkers![]()
–is harsh, but might work when campaigning against school budgets (order)
– when flip-flopping, the “Trouble Maker & Innocent Bystander” combo might prove helpful . .
– if your Faith falters, there’s always the Relapsed Catholic mug or Galilei sweatshirt

Well, Martin, I don’t know if my efforts have helped. I do believe, however, that no ideology has all the answers for maintaining a government and political system that can preserve liberty, while promoting prosperity and social justice for all. I don’t think any religion has all the answers either (to things spiritual or political), but don’t get me started.
p.s. I can’t leave without offering haiku from Kobayashi Issa, translated as always by Prof. David G. Lanoue.
rice-planting song–
let everyone’s anger
be cured
in my sake cup
down the hatch!
Heaven’s River
Prof. Grace’s mug . . . “prof grace”