Freedom Home Page of the Week Archive Summer 1996

Sometimes it's easy to overlook the best sites and organizations -- simply because I think that everyone already knows. The Cato Institute belongs on everyone's bookmark list. Their agenda? Promoting public policy based on "individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace." Their impact? TREMENDOUS. Republicans use Cato's research to justify all sorts of great initiatives they'll never actually pursue, but which make great campaign promises. Democrats studiously ignore the Institute's existence (a good sign that Cato presents a danger to the status quo). You can turn to Cato for good data and policy papers. Check them out!

The Free Radical is a libertarian publication originating in New Zealand. The site is beautifully done, with extensive use of frames, and the content is 100% freedom-oriented, well-written and nicely presented. This site was independently recommended by Mike Vardoulis of FOCUS PAC, who calls it "the finest example of how libertarianism should be presented in the modern world."

The first libertarian chat site on the Web! FreeSpeech.Com was created for discussion of the Libertarian Party platform, but the topics are much broader than that, and it is open to people of all persuasions. There are live chat rooms plus threaded discussions that you can participate in, after signing up for free. Technically and graphically advanced, this is a great place to spend some time.

If you listened only to the mainstream media, you'd think that the world is perpetually on the edge of collapse. There is a distinct bias towards reporting the negatives. And all too often, supposed "crises" lead to more government intervention. But the world is not that bad off -- human ingenuity makes it a better place all the time! If governments weren't constantly constraining them, people could do even more. That is the premise of this new Web site from the free-market Athens Institute. They report good news, every day, demonstrating the creative, intelligent, generous nature of man.

Limiting the time period politicians can "serve" may be the most viable way to decrease their power. This Web site is a great way to explore the issue for yourself, get the big picture on the often-confusing state of the term limits movement, and keep up on the latest term limits news.

Harry Browne is the 1996 Libertarian Party candidate for president. His performance at the C-SPAN-televised Libertarian convention showed that he is an eloquent speaker. Whether you support him and the Libertarian Party or not, there's no denying that Browne could shake up the campaign season with the ideas of liberty -- if given the chance. Giving Browne that chance is what this Web site is all about. It's a well constructed on-line petition to get Browne included in the presidential debates.

Any number of philosophies could be said to underlie much of modern libertarian thought, but Ayn Rand's Objectivism presents one of the more fully realized and detailed visions of a free society. Ironically, the "orthodox" Objectivism promulgated by Leonard Peikoff's organization -- the Ayn Rand Institute -- disowns libertarianism as a political movement. Nonetheless, ARI'S web page is a good starting point for those seeking an introduction to Rand's ideas.

Before the Declaration of Independence, there was Common Sense. Those who doubt that the The United States was born of libertarian aspirations would do well to read Thomas Paine's masterpiece. It was instrumental in setting George Washington, the Continental Congress, and the American people on their course of revolution. The text is provided by The University of California at San Marcos as part of their historical documents collection.

June 30-July 6, 1996
From Deep Inside the Binary Bunker (No longer available)

"The Rantings and Ravings of a Slightly Paranoid, Militant Libertarian." Lewis Napper's page is a tasteful compendium of essays with a consistent pro-freedom take on the issues they address. Of particular interest is "The Bill of No Rights," a laundry list of rights we don't have.

SALVO is an online magazine produced by the Big Gun Project. These guys call themselves a "socio-anarchist commune," supposedly work from a reclaimed offshore oil rig, and believe that "the future [sic] of Communism and Capitalism are inherently intertwined." They are, nonetheless, stolid civil libertarians, and SALVO takes on gun-banners, internet censors, V-chip advocates and murderous government agencies with elan. Finally, the Web work is incredible.

ISIL is an international libertarian outreach organization. Their web presence includes online books (Spooner, Bastiat, Locke, etc.) and constitutional research materials, as well as a series of pamphlets that expound libertarian positions and philosophy.

When debate centers on issues, liberty wins. But when it comes to politics, it never hurts to know as much about your opponents as possible. (After all, politicians and scandals go hand-in-hand.) Opposition Research Sources tells you how to effectively investigate a candidate. The site includes several relevant links as well as archived issues of its useful "how-to" newsletter. An invaluable tool for the prepared candidate or the political researcher.

Laissez Faire Books is the ultimate libertarian book source on or off the net. Browse reviews of the best in philosophy, political discourse, and freedom-oriented literature of all kinds. Then order off-line or by email or web form!

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edited by Eric C. Johnson

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