C reedom July 2004 The official publication of the Libertarian Party of California LPC Treks to Atlanta Helps Select Pres. Nominee Photo: Elizabeth C. Brierly Photo: he 2004 convention of the books and tapes in the vendor Libertarian Party, held area. T May 27–31, in Atlanta, The LPC once again had Georgia, was one of the most many spots left open in its del- exciting in recent years. The egation, so everyone is heartily California delegates in atten- encouraged to run for a dele- dance found ourselves being in- gate slot in 2006, and to absorb spired by libertarian speakers that year’s convention and the and celebrities, learning new joys of a long weekend im- political tactics in myriad in- mersed in like–minded philoso- formative workshops, dancing phers, activists, friends, and to lively rock and blues music, teachers. and grudgingly but happily The national LP convention opening our wallets to support is the ideal occasion at which the Party and our hard–working to renew our resolve, to share candidates. And joined by what’s working in our state and about a thousand fellow what’s not, collect great ideas Libertarians from all over the and new ways of looking at our country, of course we debated issues and goals, and to just • On the convention floor, LPC delegates hold a quick vote to credential a fellow delegate, by day on the convention floor, plain have fun. • May 30. and by night waxed philosoph- ical with the diehards among us. We worked hard to carry out California–Based Libertarian TV Talk Show the business of the convention, voting for new Platform planks, new Party leadership, and most Tapes Interviews at National Convention enthralling of all, electing the 2004 Presidential candidate of the Libertarian Party. We “ n politics, if it does not shown on cable television for several years and recently the LP’s 1996 and 2000 cheered for our eloquent and happen on TV, it doesn’t throughout California. has been expanding rapidly Presidential candidate, who has enthusiastic candidates, such I happen at all.” The program features inter- throughout Califonia and even since cofounded American as Judge James Gray and That is the conviction of views with a wide variety of lib- other states. Liberty Foundation, where he is Sheriff Richard Mack, and we Mark Selzer, an LPC officer, ertarian guests, from American The show recently welcomed Director of Public Policy. fed our brains browsing for and producer and host of “The Indian activist Russell Means, a windfall when a fellow Browne also served as a gra- Libertarian Alternative,” a lib- to gun rights advocate Anna Z, California Libertarian made a cious M.C. for the convention’s ertarian talk show which is and has been broadcast in L.A. large investment in a complete Sunday evening banquet. set of recording equipment, en- Browne commented on how big abling Selzer to tape the show the government would become outside the constraints of the if we tried to make abortion il- local cable studio he’d been legal, and discussed his latest using, where booking time and book, Liberty A–Z: 872 Mixed feelings labor could prove challenging. Libertarian Soundbites You Can At the LP’s national convention Use Right Now, available on President Reagan in Atlanta in May he took great through Advocates for Self National convention advantage of this investment, Government, at www.Self- in pictures assembling a pseudo–studio de- Gov.org. The book should be an fined by a semicircle of arm- invaluable tool for LP candi- California’s chairs in the foyer of the main dates who want to knowledge- presidential ballots convention hall, and inter- ably answer questions from viewed a raft of Libertarians, reporters or talk show hosts. Inside the legislative literally amidst the buzz of When Selzer con- sausage factory convention activities. Serving ducted this, his second inter- as director and camera operator view of Sheriff Richard Mack, Market–oriented was Doug Scribner, a profes- this guest was being lauded for alternative to current LP • Mark Selzer, host of Libertarian Alternative, interviews sional videographer and former his very serious gubernatorial environmental plank Rachel Mills (center), creator of the 2004 Ladies of Liberty LPC Executive Committee mem- race in Utah. When they met fund raising calendar, and calendar model Kate O'Brien, an ber. three or four years ago, says Catch up with US Senate LPC member and elected public official from Simi Valley. Selzer’s many conventioneer candidate Gray Photo: Elizabeth C. Brierly guests included Harry Browne, • See TV Talk Show page 8 PAGE 2 • California Freedom • July 2004 © 2004 All rights reserved Some Freedom is Free Vol. 2 • Issue 7 • July 2004 bigger government measure go Some rules for writing argu- ballot arguments in prior elec- California Freedom unanswered. ments and rebuttals: tions for style tips. Those too is the official monthly FROM THE CHAIR A ballot argument is FREE You’re limited to 300 words are FREE! newspaper of the Libertarian advertising (there’s that word for arguments, and 250 words Here’s a fun idea. Sometimes Party of California. Opinions, again) to every registered voter for rebuttals. Up to five people the government will pay for a articles, and advertisements kay, I admit it...I can be in the area. can sign each. Ask for more de- poll, testing which arguments published herein do not a bit cheap. Sometimes I The instant you finish read- tails from the elections office. are most persuasive for and necessarily represent official O stretch a dollar so far ing this, call your local city and They have to provide those to against proposed tax and bond party positions unless so that George Washington actu- county elections offices. Ask you for FREE. measures. These are public doc- indicated. ally grimaces. I find it hard to for the election calendar for There are uments. You are entitled to pass up a good deal. And I es- measures going on the ballot in two schools of look at them for...yes, FREE. PUBLISHER pecially like the word FREE— November. thought on Use them to create effective Libertarian Party of California even if Milton Friedman says it Here are the deadlines, for how Libertar- ballot arguments opposing the 14547 Titus Street, Suite 214 doesn’t apply to lunch. instance, for Ventura County ians should measure. Panorama City, CA 91402-4935 So here is your chance to in- (they had to give me this infor- write the ar- And don’t forget to include Web site: www.LPC.org dulge in a little frugality and mation for FREE): guments. One the 1–800–ELECT–US phone Telephone: (818) 782-8400 frighten your local officials July 13 – Last day government says, “write number so voters can get more Facsimile: (818) 782-8488 for...FREE. can place a measure on the purist positions” (e.g., “all tax information on the Party. That Many local governments are increases are bad”). The other, way they can call to be FREE. EDITOR ballot placing bonds and other awful “write whatever is going to per- And if you need some advice Elizabeth C. Brierly July 14 – Publication by County things on this November’s bal- suade the most people” (e.g., on a particular measure, e–mail E-Mail: [email protected] Clerk of date for submission lot. And because few are paying “here’s why this tax increase is me and the other members of of arguments STATE CHAIR attention, the proponents write a waste of money”). I prefer the the Executive Committee. Aaron Starr, CPA their ballot arguments while July 14 to July 21 – Analysis latter approach. It’s our best Did I mention that this was Telephone: (805) 583-3308 potential opponents are nap- prepared by Legal/County hope of protecting the 15–20% FREE? E-Mail: [email protected] ping. Counsel of the population who agree When voters read their bal- July 22 to July 29 – Period in with us. Toward liberty! lot pamphlets and see no op- which to submit arguments Whichever you choose, write GRAPHIC DESIGN AND LAYOUT posing argument, they often for and against the measure clearly. Use short sentences. Muffet Laurie Brown E-Mail: [email protected] assume that the proposal must July 30 to Aug. 6 – Period in Use short paragraphs. Use bul- be a good thing. We let points, if they’re allowed. Aaron Starr, Chairman WEBMASTER which to submit rebuttal ar- Bruce Dovner Libertarians should never let a guments That’s more readable. Examine E-Mail: [email protected] ADVERTISING SALES E-Mail: [email protected] Telephone: (818) 782-8400 Gems from Jefferson for 4th of July CONTRIBUTORS Joseph Henchman Brian Holtz Richard Newell n July, America commemo- communist “The last hope of human lib- Allen Rice rates and celebrates our experiments erty in this world rests on us. Richard Rider birth as a nation—the na- such as the We ought, for so dear a state Mark Selzer I Aaron Starr tion which has more closely U.S.S.R. There to sacrifice every attachment Pardis Zadeh than any other aligned itself was some col- and every enmity.” with natural law, human na- laboration SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: ture, and man’s unalienable among –Thomas Jefferson, Libertarian Party as conveyed to William Duane, 2600 Virginia Ave. NW, Suite 100 rights. Our founding fathers Jefferson and Washington, D.C. 20037 FROM THE EDITOR were brave and visionary men his peers and some negotiating, Mar. 28, 1811 (202) 333-0008 x223 who risked much for their free- which led to the final version dom and ours.