By Michael Cloud via the Advocates for Self Government:
Make Your Christmas Joyous — and Libertarian
Would it take a miracle to win your family or friends to libertarianism?
Christmas is the season of miracles. And you just might cause one by giving your loved one stimulating and fun libertarian gifts this Christmas.
Does your family member or friend like movies? Why not buy him a DVD of an entertaining movie with a libertarian theme: "The Americanization of Emily" or "The Day the Earth Stood Still" (the 1950s original) or — if you're a practicing capitalist — "Atlas Shrugged, The Movie" Parts 1 and 2, and "Other People's Money."
Unsure of which movie to select? Buy yourself "Miss Liberty's Guide to Film and Video" from the Advocates this year. It contains over 250 reviews of films that deal with subjects such as free speech, the draft, drug laws, taxation, regulation, sexual liberty, immigration, and many more.
Does your sister or brother like fiction? Buy them Give Me Liberty edited by Martin Greenberg and Mark Tier. This collection of libertarian short stories might jump-start a lifetime love affair with liberty. Have them read And Then There Were None by Eric Frank Russell first. You haven't read it? Get yourself a copy, too.
Or try these libertarian classics:
* The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein.
* Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand.
* The Last War (Ferret Chronicles) by Richard Bach.
Do they prefer non-fiction books?
* How I Found Freedom In an Unfree World by Harry Browne can shatter their prejudices and open their minds. It's available as an ebook at HarryBrowne.org
* Why Government Doesn't Work and The Great Libertarian Offer by Harry Browne are simple and direct, engaging and readable books. They make great presents — and you CAN give YOURSELF a Christmas present, too. Also available at the Harry Browne link above.
* Libertarianism in One Lesson by David Bergland. A short and elegant read, hailed by many critics as "the best short guide to libertarianism available."
* Healing Our World by Dr. Mary Ruwart. Do you have progressives or New Agers in your life? This book really connects with them.
* Secrets of Libertarian Persuasion by Michael Cloud. This is the gift that keeps giving the gift of liberty. It will multiply the effectiveness of every libertarian conversation. This is the perfect gift for the libertarians in your life. Including you. Available from the Advocates.
* One suggested CD set: "Personal Responsibility is the Price of Liberty," a 2-CD set that makes a powerful case for the libertarian concept of individual responsibility. Many people who are NOT receptive and responsive to our message of individual liberty open their hearts and minds to personal responsibility.
These are a few popular libertarian Christmas gifts. The Advocates has many more at their Liberty Store, and until the end of the year, they're available at a huge 30% discount! See editor's note at the end of this column.
These are Christmas gifts that may well make a difference in your brother's or sister's or friend's life.
Christmas gifts they will cherish for years to come.
Make this season one of glad tidings and hope for your loved ones.
Make their Christmas joyous — and libertarian!
EDITOR'S NOTE: All Advocates products mentioned by Michael in this column are discounted 30% now through the end of the year — our holiday gift to you! Just visit our Liberty Store and use this special coupon code at checkout: DEC2013.
* * * * * * * *
Michael Cloud's latest book Unlocking More Secrets of Libertarian Persuasion is available exclusively from the Advocates, along with his acclaimed earlier book Secrets of Libertarian Persuasion.
In 2000, Michael was honored with the Thomas Paine Award as the Most Persuasive Libertarian Communicator in America.
Stewart! Excellent question! No, you do not need a Kindle to read Mistress of the Waves. You can also download Kindle simulation software, and read my novel on your computer screen.
In addition, you can buy Mistress of the Waves from SmashWords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/323812 in a range of formats. Furthermore, there are a series of book outlets, including Apple, Baker & Taylor Blio, Baker-Taylor Axis360, Barnes & Noble, Diesel, Flipkart, Kobo, Library Direct, Oyster, Page Foundry, Scribd, and Sony, through which you can get the volume in various formats.
George
So you have to have one of those kindle thingies to read it? What about real tablets, like Androids or iPads? 🙂
For small children, note The Libertarian Party coloring book. For small children interested in politics, note Claudia Hart’s The Machiavelli Primer. Rathe4r than talking about teaching young adults, I wrote a science fiction novel http://www.amazon.com/Mistress-of-the-Waves-ebook/dp/B008J4NLWI Mistress of the Waves, in which the heroine advances not by being The Red Napoleon but by being an effective businesswoman.
Spend six years at the mast and you learn how the ship feels when it hits a reef.
They won’t respond, so sending the question will serve no purpose. Besides, the people who need to see my questions read IPR. They will understand why I left several obvious possibilities out of the list.
As you said I can’t confirm or deny anything.
And as I said I would advise against assuming anything.
Somene could at least put the question to all LNC members and see whether anyone responds.
If they were going to try to remove him it would have happened at the meeting.
This is not in the form of a question, since any discussion of what might have been said in executive session is confidential. One or more of the following may have happened, again no response or even acknowledgement of this is expected from any LNC members reading it:
There could have been something discussed/revealed that would have made further action against Mr Cloud put the LNC at risk with the FEC regarding filings or put other staff at risk for improper action; (possible)
A straw poll could have been taken, but insufficient support (less than 2/3) was present so those for removal felt it unwise to proceed; (likely)
Because of the lack of adherence to the Policy Manual, action against Mr Cloud could expose the LNC to legal retaliation from him. He may have made this type of threat behind closed doors; (very likely)
My guess is that we’re stuck with him until the convention, where he’ll announce that his booming business prevents him from seeking re-election.
Must be somewhere in the dark web. I think you can get to it through the onion router, but I’m not sure how. I’ve heard the silk road is a good place to start.
You could write the motion and email it to LNC members. Probably won’t go anywhere, but it is possible it could get enough co-sponsors to get people on the record. I would recommend against assuming anything.
You missed the sarcasm (what is that html tag anyway?)
Sorry, but right now I’m at what some would call defcon 1 regarding Mr Cloud’s ethics and overall stature as a supposed libertarian. Since I’m not on the LNC, where I would make a motion to remove him, I’m forced to vent (somewhat quietly) in other venues.
Stewart, many of IPR’s articles have had a commercial aspect in which the author, candidate or party was hoping to profit financially in some aspect. Since Cloud mentions a list of other items people may be interested in I would not characterize this as an ad, although that is one of its aspects.
The rest of the stuff on the list? Pretty good list.
So IPR has devolved into posting advertisements as articles? This is an ad for CLOUD’S OWN BOOK! Notice how his book is the only one listed as “This is the perfect gift for the libertarians in your life. Available from the Advocates.” Other books are suggested, but his book is the (not a) “perfect” gift. Phhhhht!!!
I’ve read the book. For some reason, the party bought copies and sent them to people. I wonder why? (I know why, but that’s a rhetorical question designed to get people to trace the “compensation” related to the convention)
Anyway, the book stinks. Boring. Bad writing. I kept falling asleep trying to read it. This was before the current controversy, so my reaction to the book was unbiased.
Rex Bell’s book Stinky Shorts is a collection of short stories that provide a light-hearted look at the serious problem of government overreach. Very entertaining.
http://www.stinkyshorts.com/
I don’t know that it is recycled either, I just don’t know that it it is not.
It is still a fine list of books.
Hadn’t thought of that. It was in the latest Advocates e-mail newsletter, but they may have recycled it from a past year.
Is this a new article, in other words, written by Cloud for 2013?
http://www.coloringbook.com/libertarian-book-coloring.aspx
A fine seasonal message.
And for much younger readers, from coloringbook.com “The Libertarian Party”