— W E L C O M E   T O —
The Liberator Online

Volume 11, Number 11 | May 25, 2006


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In This Issue:

Millions of libertarian supporters!... Americans know The Simpsons far better than the First Amendment... Stupid federal drug ads may actually encourage kids to smoke marijuana... Why are we libertarians?... And much more!

xxx

The Liberator Online

Vol. 11, No. 11 | May 25, 2006
Circulation: 67,432 subscribers in over 100 countries.
The world's largest-circulation libertarian publication!

Published by the Advocates for Self-Government
Edited by James W. Harris | Email: james(a)TheAdvocates.org

...

"The Advocates...is tilling the soil, sowing the seeds that other organizations in the libertarian movement are reaping the benefits from."  -- David Nolan, Libertarian Party co-founder, Nolan Chart creator

 

Contents

 

PRESIDENT'S CORNER

* Good news for libertarians!


WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE ADVOCATE

* World's Smallest Political Quiz in two major newspapers
* The perfect time for OPH!


GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS, UNBELIEVABLE NEWS

* Study: Federal Anti-Drug Ads May Encourage Teen Pot Use
* Americans Know The Simpsons Better Than First Amendment
* The Difference Between Conservatism and Libertarianism
* QUICK SHOTS: Majority of Americans want a major third party...

PERSUASION POWER POINT #203

* "Why Are We Libertarians?" by Michael Cloud


ASK DR. RUWART

* The thorny question of abortion -- can technology solve it?
 

SOUNDBITES FOR LIBERTY

* Harry Browne, Walter Williams, and Thomas Sowell 

...

PRODUCT REVIEW

* HUGE savings on the "Best of Bergland"!

...

 

President's

Corner

Dear friends,

There's good news in this issue for friends of liberty!

We report that two major U.S. newspapers have discussed the World's Smallest Political Quiz -- with one printing the Quiz in its entirety and linking to it at its Web site.

Those same newspapers also ran articles arguing that the old "left versus right" view of politics is obsolete, that millions of Americans are libertarians or libertarian sympathizers, and that libertarianism is a major ideology in American politics.

Also reported in this issue is a new poll that indicates that, for the first time, a majority of Americans -- 53% -- want to see a major, viable third party emerge in America -- another sure sign of dissatisfaction with the left-right statist quo.

All this comes on the heels of other surveys and newspaper articles we've mentioned in the past few issues that make similar points.

These millions of libertarian-leaning Americans are what we've called for years "the politically homeless" -- largely or completely libertarian in their beliefs, but not aware there is a *name* for what they believe. And not aware there is a vast, fast-growing movement of organizations, publications, and activists working to put their beliefs into effect.

Our job as lovers of liberty is to reach them -- and bring them the good news that they're not alone!

The Advocates can help you do that. In fact, that's our specialty!

We supply you with proven, tested tools to find these people -- like the Quiz, like Operation Politically Homeless (OPH). We can help you explain libertarianism to them in the most persuasive, effective ways possible -- through this newsletter and through our books, tapes, cds and videos on communication and outreach. We offer resources to help them learn more about liberty: the links at our Web page, and books and tapes like Libertarianism In One Lesson. And we offer opportunities for them in turn to get involved in the liberty movement and reach others with the gospel of liberty.

Many of our tools and services are free, like this newsletter and the online Quiz (currently being taken 25,000 times each day!). Others are low-cost. Check our Liberty Store and see some of the products we have for you.

Reports like those in this issue make me excited about the future of liberty! I truly believe the libertarian movement will see major growth in the coming months and years.

Together we can play a major role in making that happen.

 * * *

Welcome to 461 new Liberator Online subscribers this issue. Thanks for joining our subscription "family" of over 67,000 liberty-loving readers in more than 100 countries!

-- Sharon Harris, President | Email: sharon(a)TheAdvocates.org


PS: To learn more about the Advocates and our work for liberty visit: www.TheAdvocates.org.

To learn more about libertarianism visit: www.Libertarianism.com.

PPS: David Bergland is a master libertarian communicator and writer. Now, for a short time only, you can get a copy of the newly-revised edition of his acclaimed book, Libertarianism In One Lesson -- AND a CD recording of his wonderful speech, "Libertarianism 101" -- at HUGE SAVINGS!

Our "Best of Bergland" package gives you Libertarianism In One Lesson, widely considered the best short-and-sweet introduction to libertarianism ever written. You also get the "Libertarianism 101" CD -- David's brilliant speech that draws on 20+ years of outreach to explain how to persuade others about the benefits of liberty.

The book usually costs $12.50. The CD usually costs $10.00. That's a $22.50 value. Shipping adds another $4.50. Total: $27.00. But for this limited-time offer, we'll send you both the book and CD for only $15.00 -- and we'll also throw in FREE SHIPPING.

You save a whopping $12.00!

For more details or to place your order, click here: http://www.theadvocates.org/liberator-online-special.html
Or see the Product Review at the end of this issue.

[Offer good until June 7, 2006.] 



What's Happening With The Advocates

 
* Quiz in Cleveland Plain Dealer: The Sunday Cleveland Plain Dealer, with over one million readers, mentioned the Advocates' World's Smallest Political Quiz in a fascinating article that claimed millions of Americans fall outside the traditional liberal and conservative ideologies. "They simply don't fit into the baggage that is 'liberal' or 'conservative,'" the article said. "Many are a hybrid of both: socially liberal, yet fiscally conservative. They are across-the-aisle love-children, inheriting Orrin Hatch's love of shriveled taxes and Ted Kennedy's bloated tolerance. If motivated, these moderate-thinking folks would make an impressive bloc (their numbers are about the same as each party's loyalists), yet they are virtually unrepresented in Washington." In addition to citing the Quiz, the article also quoted one political scientist who divided American voters into 5 rough categories -- one of which was libertarian -- and said they were roughly equal in size. http://www.cleveland.com/search/index.ssf?/base/living/1146386426269970.xml?lqfea&coll=2

* Quiz in Raleigh News and Observer: This prominent North Carolina newspaper, recognized as one of the nation's best regional newspapers, printed the World's Smallest Political Quiz (and linked to us in the online edition) in their recent article, "When did liberal become a bad word? And just what is a conservative?" The article points out how the old "liberal vs. conservative" view of politics is obsolete, and how those labels are inaccurate and misleading and don't represent the views of millions of Americans -- a point the Advocates has been making for many years with our Quiz and in other ways. Accompanying the article was an excellent article by libertarian Michael Munger, chairman of the Political Science Department at Duke University, exploring how the word "liberal" -- once used to describe a belief in limited government, peace, civil liberties and free markets -- came to mean something dramatically different during the twentieth century.
http://www.newsobserver.com/news/q/archive


*
It's summer -- the perfect time for Operation Politically Homeless (OPH) libertarian outreach! Learn how this acclaimed "event in a kit" can help you discover dozens or even hundreds of libertarian-leaning folks in your community. Details here: http://www.theadvocates.org/oph.html.
               

   

 

Good News,

Bad News,

Unbelievable News

By James W. Harris

Study: Federal Anti-Drug Ads May Encourage Teen Pot Use

Leave it to the federal government.

Since 1998, the Drug Czar's National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign has spent more than $2 billion in taxpayers' money and matching funds to produce and air anti-marijuana advertisements.

Now studies indicate that not only do these ads not work, they may actually backfire and make some teenagers more open to using marijuana.

The latest is a study by two researchers at Texas State University-San Marcos. It finds that 18- to 19-year-old college students who see the federal government's anti-marijuana public service announcements are more likely to come away with positive attitudes about marijuana -- and are also more likely to say they will use marijuana.

"It appears that...anti-marijuana public statement announcements used in national anti-drug campaigns in the U.S. produce immediate effects [that are the] opposite [of those] intended by the creators of this campaign," the authors of the study concluded.

"Students viewing anti-marijuana advertising declared significantly higher intention to use this substance than students exposed to anti-tobacco ads, while controlling for pre-existing differences in attitudes to marijuana.... [This] would suggest that exposure to anti-marijuana advertising might not only change young viewers attitudes to [become] more positive toward this substance, but also might directly increase [their] risk of using marijuana."

Prior to this study, five evaluations by the National Institute on Drug Abuse found that the ads have not reduced drug use. And two of them concluded, like this new study, that the ads might actually encourage some teenagers to start using drugs.

The more paranoid among us might conclude that this is a diabolical government plot to deliberately create new drug users, in order to continue to justify the billions of tax dollars wasted on the Drug War (including billions that flow to the prison industry and to private corporations) and the government's destruction of our civil liberties.

A more reasonable assumption, however, is that this is just one more example of the utter incompetence of government.

Sources: http://talbot.mrp.txstate.edu/currents/fullstory.jsp?sid=93
http://www.drugpolicy.org/news/051705stupid.cfm

xxx

Americans Know The Simpsons Better Than First Amendment


Americans know far more about The Simpsons cartoon family than they do about the First Amendment.

That's the depressing finding of a study by Chicago's McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum. The new museum is dedicated to building public understanding of the First Amendment.

Their survey shows they've taken on a big task. Among its findings:

* Only 1 in 4 Americans can name more than one of the five freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment (freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly and petition for redress of grievances).

* More than half, however, can name at least two members of the Simpson cartoon family.

* More than 1 in 5 of Americans could name all five Simpson family members -- Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie. But only 1 in 1,000 can name all five First Amendment freedoms.

And it goes on. More people could name the three American Idol judges than could name 3 of the 5 First Amendment rights. They were also far more familiar with various popular ad slogans than with the First Amendment.

Finally, large numbers had Simpson-esque misunderstandings of the First Amendment. For example, about 20% thought the First Amendment protects the right to...own a pet. Another 20% believed the First guarantees the right to drive a car.

Source: http://www.mccormicktribune.org/mtf/pressroom/2006/pr030106.htm

xxx

The Difference Between Conservatism and Libertarianism

What's the difference between conservatism and libertarianism? Jacob Hornberger, president of the libertarian Future of Freedom Foundation, recently gave his own take on that question in this provocative and controversial piece, entitled "Conservatism vs. Libertarianism":

The Conservative: I'm a conservative. I believe in individual liberty, free markets, private property, and limited government, except for:

1. Social Security;
2. Medicare;
3. Medicaid;
4. Welfare;
5. Drug laws;
6. Public schooling;
7. Federal grants;
8. Economic regulations;
9. Minimum-wage laws and price controls;
10. Federal Reserve System;
11. Paper money;
12. Income taxation and the IRS;
13. Trade restrictions;
14. Immigration controls;
15. Foreign aid;
16. Foreign wars of aggression;
17. Foreign occupations;
18. An overseas military empire;
19. A standing army and a military industrial complex;
20. Infringements on civil liberties;
21. Military detentions and denial of due process and jury trials for citizens and non-citizens accused of crimes;
22. Torture and sex abuse of prisoners;
23. Secret kidnappings and "renditions" to brutal foreign regimes for purposes of torture;
24. Secret torture centers around the world;
25. Secret courts and secret judicial proceedings;
26. Warrantless wiretapping of citizens and non-citizens;
27. Violations of the Constitution and Bill of Rights for purposes of "national security";
28. Out-of-control federal spending to pay for all this.

The Libertarian: I'm a libertarian. I believe in individual liberty, free markets, private property, and limited government. Period. No exceptions.

Sources: "Conservatism vs. Libertarianism" by Jacob G. Hornberger
http://www.fff.org/comment/com0604c.asp

xxx

QUICK SHOTS...


* Americans want a major third party: 53% of adults want a viable political alternative to the two older U.S. parties, according to a poll commissioned by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press. That's an increase of 3% since June 2004.

http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/index.cfm/fuseaction/viewItem/itemID/11673

* No warrant needed for seizing phone records: "Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales said yesterday that the government can obtain domestic telephone records without court approval under a 1979 Supreme Court ruling that authorized the collection of business records. Gonzales would not confirm the details of a May 11 story in USA Today, which said the National Security Agency had collected phone records of millions of Americans and analyzed them to search for terrorism plots. But Gonzales told reporters that, under the Smith v. Maryland ruling, 'those kinds of records do not enjoy Fourth Amendment protection. There is no reasonable expectation of privacy in those kinds of records.'" -- Washington Post, May 24, 2006.

* * *
"Good News, Bad News, Unbelievable News" is written by Liberator Online editor James W. Harris. His articles have appeared in numerous magazines and newspapers, and he has been a Finalist for the Mencken Award, given by the Free Press Association for "Outstanding Journalism in Support of Liberty."


 

Persuasion Power

Point #203

   
Why Are We Libertarians?

By Michael Cloud

"Why are you libertarians?" a newspaper reporter asked me at a state Libertarian Party convention.

"I'm not sure that I can answer your question the way it's phrased," I said. "Are you asking: 'What's the reason that we are libertarians?'"

"Yes, that's exactly what I'm asking," he said.

"Let me respond to your question by analogy," I said. "Then I'll come back to your exact question.

"Suppose you went to a vegetarian restaurant. And suppose you asked, 'What's the reason that these people are vegetarians?' As a diligent reporter, you asked several diners, 'Why are you a vegetarian?'

"But their answers surprised you. You didn't get only one answer or only one reason. Some were vegetarian for ethical reasons. They did not want to cause animals suffering. Some were there because they liked the taste of vegetarian dishes. Others were eating vegetarian to lose weight. Fewer calories and less fat. Others to reduce their risks of heart attack and other diseases. A few came because their friends did. But there were many reasons for being vegetarian or dining vegetarian.

"Does this make sense?" I asked the reporter.

"Okay, I get it," the reporter responded. "Different people have different reasons for being vegetarian. Same thing with libertarians. Right?"

"Yes," I said. "Would you like to hear some of the many reasons that individuals here are libertarians?"

"Sure," he said.

What are the reasons we are libertarians? Here are a few of the many different reasons I shared with the reporter.

1. Moral: because we believe no person or group has the right to initiate force against another.
2. Pragmatic: Freedom works.
3. Utilitarian: Freedom produces the greatest good for the greatest number.
4. Self-Interest: Freedom benefits you. It's in your self-interest.
5. Altruistic: Freedom benefits others.
6. Big Government Doesn't Work. Freedom does.
7. Personal Responsibility: Freedom rewards personal responsibility and punishes irresponsibility.
8. Choice: freedom maximizes choice. In fact, freedom is choice.
9. Prosperity: Economic freedom creates prosperity.
10. Tolerance: the free, competitive marketplace makes bigotry and prejudice very expensive. And very widely known.

There's a persuasion lesson here.

When you talk with family, friends, and co-workers, how many different kinds of reasons for being libertarian are you offering them? How many different approaches to libertarianism do you put in front of them?

* Why Government Doesn't Work by Harry Browne is one approach.

* Libertarianism in One Lesson by David Bergland is quite different.

* Healing Our World by Mary Ruwart is another way to present liberty.

* The Libertarian Idea by Jan Narveson is yet another.

Buy them. Read them. They will stimulate your thinking. Trigger ideas. And provide you with new ways to present libertarianism. Different paths to winning the hearts and minds of those you care for.

Different individuals want different things.

Different approaches to liberty reach different people.

Different reasons for liberty convince different individuals.

There are many paths to libertarianism. Many reasons for becoming a libertarian.

Don't be trapped by the fallacy that there's only one reason, one case, or one justification for liberty.

Will you learn a few of the many different cases for liberty? And will you try them out in your political conversations?

* * *

Michael Cloud is author of the acclaimed book Secrets of Libertarian Persuasion available exclusively from the Advocates: http://www.TheAdvocates.org/secrets.html. In 2000, Michael was honore
d with the Thomas Paine Award as the Most Persuasive Libertarian Communicator in America.


 

Ask

Dr. Ruwart

Dr. Mary Ruwart is a leading expert in libertarian communication. In this column she offers short answers to real questions about libertarianism. To submit questions to Dr. Ruwart, see end of column.


Isn't an embryo a person, with unique DNA?

QUESTION: You've stated in answering other questions that a beginning embryo, being incapable of life outside the mother, is part of its mother and not a separate being. But I ask: who's DNA does it have? As I understand it, the embryo has its own unique DNA. In our legal system DNA is used to identify individuals; so, a being in any state of development with its own DNA should be considered a separate person, shouldn't he/she?

MY SHORT ANSWER: While the embryo is not genetically identical to the mother, it also is not a "separate" individual because it cannot be "separated" from the mother and live. Obviously, as medicine advances, there will come a time when an embryo can be separated from its mother at any stage of development and still survive. When this happens, abortion is likely to become obsolete, especially in a libertarian society.

Many libertarians believe that even in situations in which physical force is justified, one is morally obligated to use the least amount of force necessary. Consequently, if you wish to remove someone trespassing on your lawn, you don't shoot them for their violation of your property rights. You ask them to leave or you call the police. After all, maybe they don't realize they are on your property; maybe they've gotten lost looking for the home of a friend. You would only use deadly force if they posed an immediate threat.

If you shot a trespasser who posed no immediate threat, you might be considered an aggressor. You might be liable for that trespasser's hospital bill and related restitution.

Similarly, if the embryo can be removed from a woman unwilling to be a mother and maintained by someone who desires the child, killing the embryo would likely be considered use of excessive force. Abortion, as we know it today, would become obsolete. Doctors, for example, would probably be unwilling to perform an abortion if the embryo could be removed and kept alive by a modified procedure.

Abortion is a very emotional issue on which even libertarians disagree. Even most libertarian "pro-life" individuals recognize that banning abortion will only drive it underground and make a bad situation worse. Perhaps we all need to work towards the advancement of technology so that abortion is no longer necessary or desirable. I can see no other satisfactory resolution of this difficult issue.

[Editor's note: As Dr. Ruwart notes, libertarians disagree on this thorny issue. For "pro-choice" libertarian arguments, a good collection of articles is at Libertarians for Choice. The leading libertarian "pro-life" organization is Libertarians for Life, and they also have much thought-provoking material. Also highly recommended are three previous answers by Dr. Ruwart on libertarianism and abortion, especially the one entitled "Libertarians, Abortion, Unity and Respect."]

* * *

Got questions? Dr. Ruwart has answers! If you'd like answers to YOUR "tough questions" on libertarian issues, email Dr. Ruwart at: ruwart(a)theAdvocates.org. Due to volume, Dr. Ruwart can't personally acknowledge all emails. But we'll run the best questions and answers in upcoming issues.

Dr. Ruwart's previous Liberator Online answers are archived in searchable form at: http://www.TheAdvocates.org/ruwart/categories_list.php.

Dr. Ruwart's outstanding books Healing Our World and Short Answers to the Tough Questions are available from the Advocates: http://www.TheAdvocates.org/Merchant2/merchant.mvv.

 

Soundbites

for Liberty

    

Laws and sausage: "We're told that the making of laws by Congress is like making sausage -- not pretty to watch but effective in its outcome. There's one big difference, however. No one is forced to eat sausage. Everyone is forced to obey the laws that Congress enacts in its self-interested, overly political way." -- Harry Browne (1933-2006), Liberty A to Z: 872 Libertarian Soundbites You Can Use Right Now

Not free:
"A caged canary is safe but not free." -- Economist Walter Williams

The oldest con: "The welfare state is the oldest con game in the world. First you take people's money away quietly, and then you give some of it back to them flamboyantly."   -- Economist Thomas Sowell

          

Product Review


Special Offer: Get a GREAT book and a WONDERFUL CD for only $15 -- and
we'll pay the shipping!

xxx

There are two great joys for libertarians. First, libertarians love learning about liberty. Second, libertarians love sharing the good news about liberty.

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Here's what you get:

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There are some questions people always ask about liberty: What exactly is libertarianism? Are libertarians conservative or liberal? Where do libertarians stand on the issues? Does libertarianism work in the "real world"?

In this ninth edition of Libertarianism In One Lesson, David answers those questions with insight and candor. He lays out the central premise of libertarianism -- "You own yourself" -- and explains how that deceptively simple statement has a far-reaching impact on your relationship with government.

He reveals exactly where libertarians stand on Social Security, gun rights, the War on Drugs, poverty, the environment, taxes, and terrorism. And he contrasts the conservative, liberal, and libertarian positions on those issues.
"Libertarianism 101" by David Bergland

* "Libertarianism 101" by David Bergland

(Audio CD, 47 minutes)

Are you looking for a way to explain the fundamentals of liberty in a concise and persuasive way? In this 50-minute speech (and follow-up audience questions), David Bergland shows how.

David offers lessons he learned from explaining libertarianism to thousands of journalists, voters, and students during five campaigns for public office -- including a run for the presidency in 1984. He touches on common concerns about liberty; self-responsibility; where libertarians fit on the political map; how to discuss controversial issues; and roadblocks to clear thinking about government.

David has spent his life mastering the art of communications. In this speech, he distills all that he's learned down to 50 minutes of specific guidelines and language!

Libertarianism In One Lesson is the theory. "Libertarianism 101" is the practice. Put them together -- and you'll instantly do a better job of understanding and promoting liberty!

"THE BEST OF BERGLAND" is a $27 value! Order now and it's yours for only $15 (including shipping). Order today.



ORDERING

Via Web: To order this Liberator Online special, you can visit: http://www.theadvocates.org/liberator-online-special.html

This will take you to a special page at our online store where this offer is featured. You can order via credit card from there if you wish. Our site is credit card secure -- you can order with the same confidence you'd feel at your local department store. While there, you can browse our other libertarian products and order any you wish.

You can also, of course, order by phone, mail or fax, from the address below.

Your order helps support the essential work of the Advocates -- thank you!

[Offer good until June 7, 2006.]


See you in two weeks! You can contact the Advocates at:

Regular Mail:
Advocates for Self Government
213 South Erwin Street
Cartersville, GA 30120-3513


Phone: 770-386-8372; for orders, 18800-932-1776
Fax: 770-386-8372


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"May it be to the world...to assume the blessings and security of self-government." -- Thomas Jefferson, June 24, 1826.  

 


 
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