Prelude to Ruby Ridge by Randy Weaver .~------!!!!!!!!~ ,..------------------------........ I'- "Education is a better safeguard ofliberty than a standing army_ " -Edward Everett ==== (((jive Me II Libert~ or (jive Me 'Death. JJ -Patrict:JlenryJ 1776 Old Pat really was an extremist ... especially when it came to Christmas presents! The odds are good that your friends are less fussy about the gifts they receive ... And chances are excellent that they would genuinely appreciate a gift of Liberty! This winter, why not give a special friend This is the ideal gift ... it is so easy, and so the sheer pleasure of individualist thinking inexpensive: and living the state-of-the-art in libertarian analysis the free-wheeling writing of today's Spedal!Jfofilfay Offer! leading libertarians ... the joy of pulling the To encourage you to give gifts of Liberty rug out from under the illiberal establishment. this holiday season, we offer gift subscriptions These are a few of the little pleasures we at a special rate: twelve issues (one year) for provide in each issue. Wouldn't it be fun to over 40% off the newsstand price! share them with a friend? First Gift (or your renewal) ... $29.50 In the past year, Liberty has published the Second Gift. ................ $27.50 writing of Thomas Szasz, Peter McWilliams, Each Additional Gift. ........ $26.50 David Brin, Wendy McElroy, David Friedman, Act Today! These special rates are availa­ Loren Lomasky, David Boaz, Jane Shaw, Rich­ ble only through January 15, 1999. And re­ ard Kostelanetz, Ron Paul ... The most excit­ member, your own subscription or renewal ing libertarian writers providing a feast of qualifies as one of the subscriptions. good reading! Use the handy coupon below, or call this You pay a compliment when you give the number with your gift and credit card instruc­ gift of Liberty. Send us your gift list today, and tions: we'll send your greeting with every issue! We'll also send a handsome gift card in your name 800-854-6991 to each recipient. What could be easier - or better! r-----------------------------,' Pat Henry was right! Please send Liberty to I•Yes my gift list as directed below. Enclosed Narne I you will find my check (or money order) for the full Address amount. ------------- I City _ I I o First Gift 0 Renewal State Zip _ I I Name _ I I Name :..-- _ Address _ Address _ I I City _ City _ I I State Zip _ State Zip _ I I I Send to: Liberty Gift Department, 1018 Water Street, Suite 201, Port Townsend, WA 98368. L -----------------------------~ January 1999 Inside Liberty Volume XIII, Number 1 4 Letters Our readers get the first word. 7 Reflections Liberty's editors comment on the world at small. The 1998 Election 13 No Issues, No Winners, No Losers R. W. Bradford explains why the pundits got it wrong and tells what the election really means. 17 The Mystery of Bill Clinton Stephen Cox discovers why Americans forgive Bill Clinton. 21 The Politician Who Came In From the Cold Jonathan Ellis tells how the Republicans and Democrats got the lutefisk beat out of them in Minnesota. 24 Letters From a Campaign That Failed Biker Paul Rako mounts his Harley and races for office. 28 Preparing for Y2 K Harry Browne mobilizes the troops for the next election. Features 29 That Budget Deal Stephen Moore surveys the biggest budget in history and explains how "fiscal conservatives" became profligate pork barrellers. 31 Devolving the Drug War Daniel Benjamin proposes a de-escalation in the War on Drugs. 34 Handguns Are a Girl's Best Friend Barbara Goushaw tells why the most important women's right is the right to self-defense. 37 The Road to Ruby Ridge Randy Weaver tells why his family moved to Idaho. 39 Whores vs. Feminists The days when prostitutes' rights groups and feminists were allies are over. Wendy McElroy explains the divorce. 45 To live Kimberly Ayn Ryan tells a tale of overcoming tyranny - the tyranny of an abusive husband who seemed to have everything on his side. 47 Facing Up to Coercion Thomas S. Szasz wonders why libertarians won't confront the truth about psychiatry. 49 Flight Plans A short story by Rita Popp. Taking family baggage. Reviews 53 I Hear America Sinning Terrence Campbell is outraged at Bill Bennett's outrage. 56 Ruby Ridge, From the Inside R. W. Bradford ponders the testimony of the members of the Weaver family who lived to tell the story. 57 One Brief, Shining Moment Bruce Ramsey reviews the memoir of the classical liberal who briefly brought political liberty to the Hong Kong. 59 From the Jungle to Civilization Leland Yeager explores how virture evolved by natural selection. 62 The Argument Against Argument Deborah Tannen argues against our contentious culture. Michael Drew disputes her thesis. 64 The Logic of Nationalism Martin Tyrrell considers the question: Can nationalism be transformed into something bright, shiny and liberal? 69 Notes on Contributors 70 Terra Incognita The real world intervenes. cover art by Scott Chambers problems in her personal life and in the [~========================L lives of her benighted followers. e=====tt=====er=====s=========================::] As for definitions, well, I did consult a number of dictionaries. I am quite Dictionary to the Rescue the mainstream. aware of the numerous meanings given The next time Timothy Virkkala sets Virkkala criticizes Rand and Kelley to the terms, only a few of which Mr. out to criticize a Princeton University for using the word "altruism" to Thomas quotes. As an alternative to philosophy Ph.D. for his use of ethical describe the ethical doctrine that they trusting any account I might give, per­ terminology ("At the Altar of the Ego," oppose. The dictionary offers this guide haps Mr. Thomas should consult The September 1998), I suggest that he first to their meaning: Philosophy ofEgoism by James L. Walker, consult that remarkable book known as Altruism: unselfish concern for the a 19th century follower of Max Stirner, "the dictionary." welfare of others, selflessness. for its treatment of egoism and its rela­ Virkkala chides David Kelley sev­ Where "selflessness" is derived from: tion to the common usage of the words eral times for using the word "Egoism" Selfless: Having, exhibiting or moti­ such as "selfish" and "selfless," etc. to describe his and Ayn Rand's eth,ics, vated by no concern for oneself; Walker was far more respectful of com­ although oddly Virkkala offers no alter­ unselfish. mon usage than was Rand. For a native terminology. This lack arises Now it should be clear from this broader understanding of traditional because there is no other proper termi­ exercise that the ethical doctrine of altru­ conceptions of ethical egoism, one can­ nology, as my American Heritage ism can be customarily construed as not do better than John Hospers's dis­ Dictionary Third Edition (1992) indicates: being antithetical to that of egoism. cussion in the early sections of his most recent edition of While Egoism: la: The doctrine that Furthermore, it should be clear that Human Conduct. morality has its foundations in Kelley is quite right to argue that benev­ I do not wholly agree with either self-interest. b. The ethical belief olence, as he understands it, is not a spe­ Walker or Hospers, neither of them are that self-interest is the just and cies of altruism, since it is a virtue as prone to misinterpretation or (thank­ proper motive for all human "motivated by ... concern for oneself." fully) mindless worship as is Rand. conduct. It always detracts from a book In any case, one entry in one diction­ ary cannot demonstrate that there exists Self-interest: 2. Personal advantage review when the author makes poorly "no other proper" designation than or interest. grounded attacks on his subject. It is "egoism" for Rand's ethical position. Admittedly, Rand was attempting to worse than a distraction when the change a usage somewhat in claiming attacks are made in a churlish tone and Aborting Clinton that "Selfishness" is a virtue. The dic­ reveal the reviewer's own sloppiness In his report on the 1998 Libertarian tionary gives the following definition: more than any fault on the part of his Party National Convention ("Beltway Selfish: 1. Concerned chiefly or subject. And it is depressing when this Libertarians," September), Brian only with oneself. tone is applied to a book that is judi­ Doherty correctly states that I ran for Rand considered morality to be fun­ cious in its phrasing and attentive to the secretary because "[Platform Committee damentally concerned with one's own traditional usages of the key terms it member Steve] Givot-driven proposals life and happiness. In this sense (and employs. Objectivist philosophers to change the LP platform gutted the she was quite clear about it) selfishness deserve critical scrutiny, not the sort of party's principles." He failed to men­ is properly a virtue, not a vice. She sloppy attacks Virkkala offers. tion that my primary complaint, as argued that much of tradition's under­ William Thomas stated in my letter of intention to the standing of "selfishness" as excessive Albany, N.Y. delegates, was that "I was particularly attention to oneself in fact arose out of Virkkala responds: Thomas ignores my horrified" that the Platform Committee the exaltation of altruistic behavior. So central argument about the definitions supported making the party platform in a sense, the denotation of "selfish" in of egoism and altruism in the philoso­ neutral on the issue of women's control her usage is only somewhat different phy of Ayn Rand, apparently in the of their bodies in the issue of abortion.