May 1998
News Briefs
HR2477 picks up second co-sponsor
Congressman Ron Paul's ballot access reform bills have gained a second co-sponsor: Rep. Bill Redmond (R-NM), according to Richard Winger of Ballot Access News.Redmond joins Steven LaTourette (R-OH) as a co-sponsor of HR 2477 and HR 2478, a pair of bills that would make the election system "more democratic and responsive to the American people," according to Paul, who ran as the Libertarian Party's presidential candidate in 1988 [1].
HR 2477 would reduce petitioning requirements for candidates for federal offices, and HR 2478 would open up presidential debates to include third-party candidates.
Both bills have been endorsed by the Libertarian Party as "essential in moving this nation toward greater citizen participation in our democracy," and have been the subject of a nationwide lobbying effort by Libertarians.
Nick Dunbar joins national HQ
Former LP National Director Nick Dunbar has been hired as the party's new office manager at its headquarters in Washington, DC.In his new position, Dunbar is in charge of the party's clerical staff, financial record-keeping, FEC reporting, and the LP database. He replaced Tiffany Rodney on March 9, when she left to pursue a career in the museum field.
Dunbar said he was "delighted" to be working for the party again. "The only thing I've ever wanted is to be a full-time Libertarian," he said. "I like the satisfaction of knowing that I can make a difference."
Dunbar served as National Director from 1989 until 1993; as State Chair of the Florida LP from 1996 to 1998; and the state Ballot Access Coordinator (in Florida and Virginia) and for the Ron Paul for President campaign in 1988 [1].
"Individualist" manuscripts wanted
LiamWorks Publishing is looking for books that promote "individualist solutions as a means to the best possible life" -- and has set up a web site to attract manuscripts.The company is "currently seeking manuscripts in the areas of philosophy, psychology, morality, finance/investment, lifestyle, relationships, careers, business, or government interference," said Art Matsko, the head of LiamWorks, a publishing company based in Great Falls, Montana.
For information on submitting a manuscript, see www.LiamWorks.com/wanted.html.
LiamWorks has also set up a web site to promote the 25th Anniversary edition of Harry Browne's How I Found Freedom in an Unfree World: A Handbook for Personal Liberty.
"This timeless classic is currently showing thousands of new readers how to break free from the constrictions imposed by traditional thought," said Matsko.
Excerpts, quotations, and more information about How I Found Freedom in an Unfree World can be viewed at: www.HowIFoundFreedom.com.
Drew Carey lights one for liberty
TV actor Drew Carey flaunted his "libertarian leanings" in West Hollywood last month, lighting up a cigarette in a restaurant in defiance of a new California law that bans smoking in most public places.His partner in crime: Jacob Sullum, a senior editor for Reason magazine and author of the forthcoming book For Your Own Good: the Anti-Smoking Crusade and the Tyranny of Public Health".
"Drew and I got to talking about the smoking ban, and he said he thought it was ridiculous," Sullum said. "It clearly deserves to be flouted."
Carey, the star of high-rated The Drew Carey Show on ABC television, conducted his "smoke-in" at Barney's Beanery. Variety magazine said that Carey's civil disobedience showed "his libertarian leanings," noting that the actor is "up in arms about constant encroachments on cigarette smokers' rights."
Corrections: [1] Printed edition said "1998".
