The 2nd Wednesday of every month will find the Pueblo Libertarian group enjoying the atmosphere of a local Pueblo restaraunt, sampling the food and drink, and talking non-stop about the ins and outs of our convoluted government. We all have a fondness for beer and enjoy tipping a pint or two. In fact, the quality of beer served has some influence on where we decide to meet.

I don’t think any of us are particularly concerned about the nutritional content of our beer, and I’m sure none of us are unaware of the fact that alcoholic beverages contain high calories, with little nutritional benefit. We enjoy the beer, drink it responsibly and don’t worry about the rest.

So, it came as some surprise to me to read that the “Center for Science in the Public Interest” has put forth a plan to have the government require nutritional labeling on wine and beer. You can read the details here.

I came across the information while reading a book about the “Nanny State”. The book covers a wide range of interesting ways in which the government contrives to protect us from ourselves. It’s an easy read and I recommend it. The “CSPI” was mentioned more than once, so I decided to look them up on the web and educate myself. I couldn’t quite take an organization that presumed to call itself “Center for science in the public interest” seriously but I discovered that they certainly take themselves seriously! As do any number of other people, including those in positions of governmental power.

The bottom line is–we will be seeing nutritional labels on beer and wine in the very near future. (For all the good that will do). I could thank the “CSPI” for their concern, but I think I prefer to say “Thanks, but no thanks”. Take a look at the CSPI website, and give a glance at “Nanny State”. Give it some thought. Are adults today capable of evaluating their own food and drink, and able to make educated choices about their lives? Do we really need an agency like this to look out for us?

ONE-MINUTE LIBERTY TIP

“Hey, What’s a Libertarian?”
by Sharon Harris, Advocates President

One day, you’re going to be asked: “Just what is a libertarian, anyway?”

It may happen while you’re calling into a talk radio show. “So tell us,”, the host may ask you. “What do libertarians believe, anyway?”

Or you may be running for office and a reporter gives you the opportunity to “define yourself” for his story.

Your answer could be very important. It might reach thousands. Or it might reach just one person who is very important to you.

Don’t hope for inspiration. Instead, be prepared.

Have a clear, short, persuasive and easy-to-understand definition on the tip ofyour tongue. I strongly suggest you *memorize* your favorite definition — and practice delivering it — so you don’t have to even think about it when asked.

That’s what two of America’s most successful libertarian communicators –presidential candidates Harry Browne and David Bergland — both told me they did.

You can write your own definition. You can also use someone else’s, or modify someone else’s to fit your own style. Here’s what I usually say: “Libertarianism is, as the name implies, the belief in liberty. Libertarians believe that you own your own life and property, and you have the right to make your own choices as to how you live your life — as long as you simply respect the same right of others to do the same. We believe in individual liberty and limited government.”

And here’s a great one from David Bergland: “Libertarianism is what you probably already believe. Libertarian values are American values. Libertarianism is America’s heritage of liberty, patriotism and honest work to build a future for your family. It’s the idea that being free and independent is a great way to live. That each of us is a unique individual, with great potential. That you own yourself, and that you have the right to decide what’s best for you. Americans of all races and creeds built a great and prosperous country with these libertarian ideals. Let’s use them to build America’s future.”

Find more great short definitions here:

http://www.libertarianism.com/definitions.htm

In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin

But, this is predicated upon the man’s becoming in very fact an American, and nothing but an American. There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn’t an American at all.

We have room for but one flag, the American flag … and this excludes the red flag, which symbolizes all wars against liberty and civilization, just as much as it excludes any foreign flag of a nation to which we are hostile. We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language. And we have room for but one sole loyalty, and that is a loyalty to the American people.”

Theodore Roosevelt 1907

“All of us are only as free as the least free among us.” That is the sentence that stands out in an editorial describing MySpace.com’s recent handover of names of registered sex offenders who had accounts on the site. The attorney generals of eight states violated federal law in their demand for the names, and equally important, somehow MySpace matched up registered sex offenders with MySpace accounts. What else is MySpace tracking about its users?

Read the editorial here: http://webserver.computoredge.com/online.mvc?article=hot&issue=2525&zone=CO&src=1

Although the “reform” of immigration in the amnesty bill is enough to cause alarm, other highly troubling provisions are tucked away that will serve to undermine our sovereignty and weaken our civil liberties. According to the most recent version of the Senate bill, the misnamed Security and Prosperity Partnership for North America is to be “accelerated.” It seems ironic that a project aiming to actually weaken US borders with Mexico and Canada would be added into a bill that purports to toughen border controls.

Full article here:

http://www.house.gov/paul/tst/tst2007/tst061107.htm

Cato Institute published an interesting editorial today in honor of the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown. What saved the starving settlers? Private property. Find out how at

http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=8236