If you care about freedom, the place to be this weekend was the New Hampshire Liberty Forum.
I arrived here Thursday afternoon and there was already a small crowd of early arrivals socializing, even though the conference officially started Friday. It’s difficult to convey the excitement and enthusiasm that you feel when you’re in the same room with dozens or hundreds of committed liberty lovers, but perhaps I’ll try.
Among the first people I met, after I’d barely gotten checked into my hotel room, was Michael Badnarik, who also arrived early and has been attending the whole conference. I was privileged to have worked on his 2004 presidential campaign in Iowa but had never met him up to this point. He’s absolutely dedicated to the cause of liberty. And Friday night he endorsed Ron Paul for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination.
I’ve also met George Phillies, who is pursuing the Libertarian Party presidential nomination. He’s no less committed to the cause of liberty.
I have been amazed and thrilled to meet many of the listeners of the Free Talk Live radio talk show, as well as its hosts, Ian, Wayne, Julia and Mark. FTL listeners tend to be a younger crowd who are no less committed to the cause of restoring and establishing liberty, and their excitement is contagious.
I’ve been even more amazed to meet people at random and find that they’ve already heard of me and of Homeland Stupidity and that they enjoy the site. Thanks for reading, and here’s to liberty.
And it’s not over yet. Shortly I will go to hear ABC host John Stossel, also author of Myths, Lies and Downright Stupidity (I like this guy already!) speak on “Enemies of Liberty.” There are so many of those that I can’t begin to guess which ones he will address. Again, it promises to be exciting, as the rest of the weekend has been already.
And finally, Sunday morning, Ron Paul himself will deliver the closing address.
All of these things I will cover here when time permits me to get them posted.
But I want to leave you with one note: People generally think of libertarians as staunch individualists who have no sense of community. Nothing could be further from the truth, and that has been impossible to miss here. The community is strong, vibrant and growing, and we’re going to win back liberty in our lifetime.
If you haven’t already, come and join us.
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JT
Feb 25, 2007
i used to think Stossel was a libertarian until his piece friday night blaming anti-vaccine folks for all the world’s ills, glorifying the FDA, etc. he should’ve spent his time talking about things like the dangers of government guaranteed markets, how mandatory vaccination is tyranny, etc. you know, things true libertarians actually believe in…
Denis Goddard
Feb 26, 2007
JT, anyone who has started down the path of understanding that government “solutions” don’t solve problems is an ally and a friend of the freedom movement. Our response should be to further support their libertarian thinking, not shut them out.
Personally, I find the Philosophy of Liberty animation to be useful in this regard — I gave a copy to both of the “small-government” State Reps on the Working Together panel, and to some of the employees of the Holiday Inn that expressed an interest in our ideas.
Drive away potential allies, and you make the fight harder. Strengthen potential allies, and ensure victory.
Margie
Feb 26, 2007
I am so happy to have discovered Homeland Stupidity today. I feel like I have had a visit with the “home folks.” Thanks so much to Michael Hamptom for sharing his experiences over the week-end. It must have been grand to have been there face to face. I have had the pleasure of meeting Michael Badarik and John Stossel before and have known Ron Paul as my US Rep. and my friend for the past 10 years. To be in the company of those 3 all at once had to be a thrill. Yes, I am sorry and surprised to hear Stossel supports government required vaccinations or that Phillies thinks fiat money is helpful to our economy. However, I cannot believe these gentlemen would not be open to hear opposing views. We have to be so strong in our evidence and our power of persuasion as to win others to our side…I agree we cannot afford to to just write off any liberty minded individual. Thanks for the job that is being done here. Each of us needs to do our part no matter how small to get out the message for Ron Paul in ’08. When the talk becomes a “buzz” and the buzz becomes a shout and the media has to acknowledge it…then the next thing you know all the commentators, will be saying, “I told you, this was the year of the outsider, or dark horse or whatever. We can make it happen.