Freedom Home Page of the Week Archive Fall 1998

Only recently did I begin to keep a copy of the constitution handy, and only then because the Cato Institute was giving them out for free. I keep it in a pocket in my shoulder bag, and whip it out whenever I hear someone tell me about "our constitutional right to health care" or some other such nonsense.

But, I don't always have my bag with me. Sometimes I walk around bagless and, for all I can tell, rightless.

No one can deny that there is widespread ignorance of the actual content of our U.S. Constitution. This might be remedied if, like me, everyone was carrying a copy. But, barring a constitutional amendment forcing everyone to carry around a copy of the Constitution, how might this be achieved?

The students of Liberty Middle School and Patrick Henry High School in Ashland, Virginia have a truly remarkable idea. Why not print an abridged version of the document on a piece of paper that most Americans typically carry around anyway? Why not print it on the back of the dollar bill?

At the students' official Web site, the Liberty Bill Project, you can read the full transcript of the students' presentation to Rep. Thomas Bliley and a timeline of the events leading up to Rep. Bliley's introduction to Congress of HR 3792 "The Liberty Bill Act," and its subsequent activist support.

Be prepared to get a little jealous. I think the most important thing I did in grade school was vote to pick our new school mascot. But on further reflection, maybe I don't mind having to say things like "These kids today. They're so ... involved, going around making positive changes. In my day we played Space Invaders and we liked it!"

After a fraternity and a sorority hosted a "ghetto"-themed party at Dartmouth College several weeks ago, there followed, according to Dartmouth Review Editor Steven Menashi, "the predictable uproar, the usual suspects were rounded up, the ghetto party was branded as racist, classist and most likely sexist and anti-immigrant, and students organized two vigils, a rally, and a 'panel discussion' -- the partridge in the feelings crowd's pear tree."

This week's Dartmouth Review uses this recent incident as a launching pad into the broad issue of free speech vs. political correctness on college campuses. As the academic left's fanatical devotion to diversity in theory drives it farther and farther away from diversity in practice, (one Dartmouth professor recently made the made the argument that, "free speech is the last refuge of scoundrels"), free-thinking campus papers like the Dartmouth Review become ever more important.

At http://www.dartreview.com/ you can find out more about the ghetto-party incident and its subsequent backlash in the article, "I Don't Know What We're Protesting." Explore the broader issue further in "Free Speech and Colleges," an interview with Paul McMasters of the Freedom Forum, and more articles from the editors of one of this country's most prestigious campus papers. Don't miss this important issue.

Maybe you're one of the lucky ones. Maybe you travel in circles where libertarianism (or at least some strain of free-market conservatism) is the norm, where you can count your number of monthly "encounters" with democrats, liberals, and socialists on one hand.

Some of us are not so lucky. Some of us find ourselves talking to (or yelling at) them every day.

But, before you break down and concede all their points just to end the discussion ("Fine, I suppose libertarians DO believe in slavery!"), you might remind yourself and them that liberals and libertarians do have a lot in common.

Glen Raphael's trim site, Liberals and Libertarians is the perfect URL to e-mail to that liberal friend with whom the e-mail debate seems to rage endlessly. You'll be reminded exactly what ideals we share in common. There is a page of quotes from Gandhi, Thoreau, and the Tao Te Ching, a list of FAQs, and even a Top Ten List of things liberals and libertarians can agree on.

One warning though: this isn't PC stuff. I mean this really isn't PC. You might want to keep the kids in the other room.

If you plan on voting in the upcoming midterm US elections, then you'll probably want to know the candidates' stance on your favorite libertarian issues. Well, with just a couple keystrokes, Project Vote Smart can provide you on with all sorts of information about the people running for Congress, governor, or even your state legislature.

Project Vote Smart offers each candidate the chance to take the National Political Awareness Test, which asks straight-forward questions about major political issues. The answers are posted online, as well as voting records. And if you are interested in how a certain special interest group like the NRA rates a candidate, you can find that on Vote Smart as well.

Once the election is over, you can still keep track of the people in office by using Vote Smart's Congress Track. It tracks the performance of major bills in Congress, so that you can see the full text of the bills you are interested in as well as voting schedules and records.

Virtually all libertarians and conservatives agree that they want Clinton out of office, so it is not surprising that they are coming together to protest his presidency. The Free Republic website has been one of the best sources for information on Clinton's scandals, and now they are sponsoring a Halloween March for Justice at the Washington Monument.

If you are interested in going, the Free Republic site provides you with all the details - including what to bring and what to expect. You can even use the site to coordinate transportation arrangments with other people in your local area and find lodging. The Free Republic also provides a large resource of activism tips and advice, which are helpful for anyone looking to advance a political cause.

One of the greatest things about the Internet is that anyone with a computer can publish their ideas. SpinTech is an example of a grassroots online publication that provides an informative mix of writings on individual liberty and conservatism.

SpinTech provides commentary on the latest news ranging from the Clinton scandals to little known threats to freedom. The site also provides the occasional book review as well as letters to the editor. One of SpinTech's most compelling features is the original poetry. While the poetry is largely non-political, it is included to encourage artistic experimentation (without funding from the NEA).

SpinTech has been around for almost a year now, so be sure to check out their past issues. They will keep you entertained for quite some time!

Who would better know the dangers of too much government control than someone who lived under the confines of Soviet Russia? Oleg Volk, the webmaster of RKBA has lived through the horrors of totalitarianism, and knows "what happens when citizens are reduced to the status of subjects." His Web site takes an insightful look at gun rights, with an emphasis on self defense and protection.

Mr. Volk's RKBA pages point out that guns can actually increase an individual's safety. The site encourages its readers to learn how to defend themselves. It especially encourages women to arm themselves, and provides an intelligent essay on the ethics of firepower.

And if you should decide that you would like to purchase a gun or two, you can find a primer on gun types and recommendations for what to buy.

Gun aficionados who are already convinced of the benefits of firearm ownership still have much to gain from Mr. Volk's site. His site is a wonderful visual tribute to guns and self defense, and he shares some of his great photographs in his image library.

Lysander Spooner has remained one of the key influences on libertarian and individualist anarchist thought for over one hundred years.

During the span of his life, Spooner worked as an activist lawyer and developed a prolific writing career on the side. His monumental work "No Treason" -- which challenges the validity of the U.S. Constitution -- remains widely read, while "Trial By Jury" has served as a catalyst for the fully informed jury movement. Spooner also provided further backbone for the anti-government movement by devising his own autonomous banking and currency system, challenging the monopoly of the U.S. Postal System, and speaking out against slavery and capital punishment.

Up until recently, it has been difficult to find a comprehensive source of information about Lysander Spooner on the Web. Thankfully, Boston University law professor Randy Barnett has changed things with his well researched site on this hero of liberty.

The Lysander Spooner Pages include a far reaching biography which provides an interesting account of Spooner's life. The pages also provide a bibliography of articles by and about Spooner (many of which are available on the Internet). And if you ever find yourself in Massachusetts, the site provides a listing of historical Spooner oriented attractions you can visit.

Whether you are an avid Lysander Spooner fan or a neophyte to his ideas, you are sure to find compelling and new information at this great resource.

Although the Internet has been a near perfect bastion of free speech since its inception, things may change if Congress passes the Child Online Protection Act which will restrict materials deemed "harmful to minors." While not as encompassing as the Communications Decency Act, this bill has been nicknamed as CDA II because of its vague language and potential to threaten freedom of expression on the Internet.

Since the CDA II is being supported under the guise of protecting children, it seems appropriate to highlight some teenagers who are fighting for free access of information on the web. Peacefire is a teen run organization that represents students' and minors' interests in the debate over freedom of speech on the Internet. They primarily focus is on the downfalls of blocking software, which often denies its users access to political and literary sites. You can find a comparative analysis of all of the different blocking software programs on Peacefire's site, as well as find out what kind of sites get blocked by these programs at the Blocked Site of the Day.

Peacefire also provides information about the latest local and national legislation threatening free expression. One of their most educational features is CRADLE, an interactive encyclopedia of terms related to free speech on the Internet. Simply search for a specific piece of legislation, and CRADLE will provide you with a hypertext summary of the information related to your topic.

If you've had enough of the mainstream press, then look no further for a liberty oriented, online alternative. Never shying away from controversy, the Laissez Faire City Times is a testament to free speech on the Internet.

Unlike other papers and e-zines, the Times covers the news that "others see fit to trample." The reporting ranges from political commentary to information about cryptography and free banking.

The site usually updates every week and features original writing, serials, and comics. A large archive of editions is also included, dating back almost a year. You can also check out the Button Shop, which is a graphical and topical index of the site's best content.

The Times is both an informative and entertaining publication, especially for those of us who like to share our opinions for fun and profit. You can interact with other readers on their message boards or even make a little cash by writing an award winning opinion.

Should Clinton be impeached? (Setting aside fears of "President Gore," at least for the moment.)

If you're unsure, consider the evidence presented by the National Impeach Clinton ACTION Committee. This site is affiliated with the ever-vigilant John Birch Society, best-known for their vehement anti-Communism and their conspiracy theories about the Council on Foreign Relations and the New World Order.

The ACTION Committee has been banging the drum for impeachment long before the Starr report. In fact, they argue that Monica Lewinsky and the other sex scandals are a distraction from Clinton's real crimes. Their evidence focuses bribery, obstruction of justice, and aiding foreign powers.

For a good summary of the serious charges against the president, this site is worth a look.

Stop by to read the latest opinion pieces from libertarian experts like Doug Bandow, Steve Moore, and Ralph Raico. The Index is updated nearly daily and takes on a wide range of political ideas and policy issues.