THE LIBERATOR ONLINE
November 2, 1999
Vol. 4, No. 21
Circulation: 32,929 in 83 countries
Mailing list of the Advocates for Self-Government.
Created and edited by Paul Schmidt, mailto:paul@self-gov.org
Co-edited by James W. Harris, mailto:james@self-gov.org
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_________________________________________________________________
CONTENTS
PRESIDENT'S CORNER
WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE ADVOCATES
GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS, UNBELIEVABLE NEWS
* Congressman Ron Paul Gets Top Rating
* Rand Declared One of Century's Best Writers
* Washington Goes To Mr. Smith
* Fed Official: Put Tracking Devices In US Bills
* The Late "Moderate"
ON THE WEB
* Editor's Choice: SelectSmart.com
ASK DR. RUWART
* Kosovo: To Intervene or Not?
* Handling the "Neighbor From Hell"
* Utilities: Government or Private?
PERSUASION POWER POINT
* The Neglected Art of Listening
by Michael Cloud
PRODUCT REVIEW
* "Marijuana Myths, Marijuana Facts"
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PRESIDENT'S CORNER
Dear friends,
Perhaps you know about Peter McWilliams. You may have read his
best-selling self-help books, like the "Life 101" series. You may have
read his wonderful book "Ain't Nobody's Business If You Do," a great
argument against victimless crime laws.
You may have met him at a libertarian gathering. And you may know him
as the key figure in what is perhaps today's most important medical
marijuana case.
Peter McWilliams is literally being murdered by the U.S. government,
which is denying him the use of medical marijuana. His doctor
prescribed marijuana to enable him to fight off nausea so he can take
the anti-cancer and anti-AIDS medicines which he desperately needs to
stay alive.
He is fighting for his life, and for the health and lives of other
desperately ill Americans. And he's fighting for everyone's liberty.
He's a libertarian and Libertarian Party member.
His case goes to trial in less than two weeks - and YOU might be able
to help. It won't cost you anything but a few minutes of your time.
And you may be able to help strike a blow for liberty.
Here's how. Peter McWilliams sent the following letter out. Read it,
and if you can help, please do as he suggests.
Together, we can make a real difference.
* * *
FROM PETER McWILLIAMS
Dear Friends,
Many of you have been kind enough in the past to offer your help, and
I've responded that, when help was needed, I would let you know.
That time is now.
The help I need is getting my case before the American public by way
of the media.
I am something of a "poster boy" for medical marijuana, in that my
case is arguably the most egregious example of Drug War "zero
tolerance" (scorched earth) policy and federal deception versus
medical compassion and scientific fact. But there's no point being a
poster boy if no one circulates your poster. That's why your help is
invaluable, and most important right now.
I have specifically set up the www.petertrial.com site so the media
can get what they need to create a story. The media, however, needs to
be directed to it, with a brief personal note from you telling them
why you think my story is important.
Please contact the media you personally relyon for news and
information -- the newspapers you read, the magazines you subscribe
to, the news programs you watch, the talk radio you listen to. Story
ideas from actual readers, viewers, and listeners mean a great deal to
the media.
All media have Web sites with e-mail addresses you can write to.
Usually the editor, publisher, or editor-in-chief is a good place to
start. Also, e-mail directly specific reporters, commentators, and
talk-show hosts you admire.To begin a letter, "As a longtime
subscriber (viewer, listener, admirer)..." makes a world of
difference.
Don't underestimate the power of the telephone. It is not that
difficult to get an editor, reporter, or talk-show producer on the
phone. At the very least, you can leave a message, and messages do
make a difference.
In all cases, please refer them to www.petertrial.com
Your e-mail or phone call need not be elaborate. Something simple will
do. For example, "As a longtime subscriber to _______________, I think
there is an important story you have yet to cover. It concerns a
cancer-AIDS patient who lies near death because the federal government
refuses to let him use the medical marijuana his doctor recommends.
Please go to http://petertrial.com for the full story. Sincerely,"
then give your full name, address, and phone number.
Please don't spam news organizations, but personalize each e-mail.
Please send out dozens, hundreds of e-mails, but one at a time. If you
feel my cause worthy, please ask others on your e-mail list to contact
the media they use to gather news.
Also, considering the "six degrees of separation" between us all, you
might contact friends and friends of friends to see who they might
know in the media. A familiar name dropped at the beginning of an
e-mail or on a phone message can mean a lot.
With my trial but days away and my health rapidly fading, please use
whatever energy you have set aside for my eulogy to keep me alive. To
quote from the prophet in the film "Bullworth," "We need your spirit,
not your ghost." The medical marijuana movement has enough martyrs
(ghosts). We need some living spirits to manifest our just and
compassionate cause. I'd like to be one.
The media is our last, best hope. Please help me spread the word.
Thank you.
Take good care.
Peter McWilliams
* * *
Enjoy this issue of the Liberator Online.
Sharon Harris, President
mailto:sharon@self-gov.org
PS: The government's most powerful weapon in the War on Drugs is lies.
The best way to fight that is with the truth. The best single source
of accurate, easy-to-understand scientific information refuting the
most common myths and lies about the biggest part of the Drug War -
the war against marijuana - is the subject of our "Product Review" at
the end of this newsletter. It's a MUST for anyone interested in this
vital issue. Don't miss it!
_________________________________________________________________
WANTED: Copies of Ed Clark's book, A New Beginning
If you have a copy (or copies), please call the Advocates
at 800-932-1776. We'll buy, trade for merchandise, or
gladly accept as tax-deductible donation. THANKS!
_________________________________________________________________
WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE ADVOCATES
* Free "Libertarian Clips": "Libertarian Clips" is a daily (or weekly,
if you prefer) clipping service that brings you news stories from
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* Latest "Liberator" still available: The summer issue of "The
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* LP's "Success '99" workshops: The Libertarian Party is presenting
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There are three remaining "Success '99" events: Augusta, Maine,
November 6-7; Denver, Colorado Nov. 13-14; and St. Louis, Missouri
Nov. 20-21. more details, registration information, and a complete
listing of the cities, dates, and speakers for "Success '99," see:
http://www.self-gov.org/success99.html
* Advocates "Action Alert" Email: Too many journalists and other
opinion-shapers are still using the old "left vs. right" political map
- a map that leaves out libertarians. Now, using email, we can let
them know -- immediately -- that there's an alternative to the
left-right myth: the World's Smallest Political Quiz. Here's how.
If you read or hear of a journalist or other public figure using the
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print, fax us a copy or email it. (Use the address at the end of this
issue). If it's on the Web, send us the URL. If it's on TV and you've
taped it, a transcript would be great, but if you don't have that,
just tell us what you remember was said.
When appropriate, we'll send an "Action Alert" email bulletin out to
our email list. That bulletin will include email contact information
for the journalist. This will generate hundreds or thousands of
responses - and that in turn can mean a huge step forward in public
consciousness of the Quiz nd libertarianism.
* Communication Bargain of the Century: You can get the great 3-tape
audio course "The Essence of Political Persuasion" from us at the
*give-away* price of only $7.50 - that price includes handling and,
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mailed by bulk mail, but we found that too slow -- First Class will
get your order to you right away!) Libertarian Party Political
Director Ron Crickenberger says this Advocates offer is "...the
greatest gift the libertarian movement has received in years." Thanks
to "Persuasion" creator Michael Cloud for making this offer possible.
To order, see: http://www.reliablehost.com/self-gov/persuasion.html
This is a secure site, so you can order via credit card with
confidence. You can also call us or mail $7.50 to the Advocates. Our
phone number and address are at the end of this issue.
* 1999 Lights of Liberty Awards: You can win certificates, public
recognition, prizes and more for your vital activism for liberty.
Awards are given for: 3 libertarian letters to the editor; 3 sessions
working at an OPH booth; OR 3 libertarian-oriented public speeches.
Click here http://www.self-gov.org/lights/ to learn more.
New: Every "Lights of Liberty" winner will be entered in a drawing for
the autographed "Libertarian Presidential Library" collection - a $250
value!
* Now Available: Audio and video tapes of the entire Advocates 15th
Anniversary Celebration. You can buy individual tapes, or get the
whole set at a special low price. This event, held September 24-26,
featured top libertarian leaders and some of the very finest
libertarian speakers at their very best. In alphabetical order: David
Bergland, Ken Bisson, Walter Block, Harry Browne, Doug Casey, Michael
Cloud, Marshall Fritz, Karl Hess Jr., Jacob Hornberger, Vince Miller,
Charles Murray, David Nolan, Congressman Ron Paul, Carole Ann Rand,
and Mary Ruwart. Click here
http://www.reliablehost.com/self-gov/adv15.html for a complete list of
speakers, topics, and prices.
GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS, UNBELIEVABLE NEWS
by James W. Harris
Congressman Ron Paul Gets Top Rating
Congressman Ron Paul (R-Texas) - the only libertarian in Congress -
has been named one of the 50 most effective members of Congress by
Congressional Quarterly. Congressional Quarterly is one of the most
respected non-partisan political journals in America. The magazine's
list was picked from members of both the US Senate and the House of
Representatives.
In their article, entitled "50 Ways To Do the Job of Congressman,"
Congressional Quarterly notes Paul's effective advocacy of a strict
interpretation of the Constitution and his consistent application of
that standard through his votes on the House floor.
Paul's legislative accomplishments during the past year include
leading the Congressional effort to smash the infamous "Know Your
Customer" bank snooping regulation, and introducing amendments to halt
the pursuit of a national ID card. Paul has also introduced and
cosponsored numerous bills aimed at reducing federal taxes, and has in
the past introduced the Liberty Amendment to end the income tax
outright.
"I was obviously pleased to be recognized by this important
institution," Congressman Paul said upon learning of the honor. "It is
sometimes difficult to take a strong and principled stand in light of
how Washington operates, but I think my being included in this list
goes to show that a person can stick to his principles and still have
an effect on the direction of the country,"
We have frequently noted that Representative Paul has the best
pro-liberty voting record of any Congressman since the days of the
Founding Fathers. It's great to see that record not only acknowledged
as principled, but effective.
(Source: Congressional Quarterly)
Rand Declared One of Century's Best Writers
Ayn Rand has been named one of the 100 best writers of the 20th
century by "the readers, editors and editorial advisory board of
Writer's Digest." Writer's Digest is a leading magazine for writers,
and it is found at newsstands across America. This is an international
list of authors, making the honor an even greater one. The entire list
is in their November issue.
(Source: PRNewswire / Laissez Faire Books)
Washington Goes To Mr. Smith
Leo Smith is a living example of how some "campaign reform" efforts
can throttle free speech.
Last year Smith added a section to his business Web site. The new
section called for the defeat of Rep. Nancy Johnson of Connecticut,
his Congressional representative. Smith spent no money on the
addition, just his time, since he was already paying for the Web site.
However, shortly after the election, Smith was told by the Federal
Elections Commission (FEC) that, because of his use of his Web site in
the campaign, he was in violation of federal campaign law. His crime?
According to the FEC, by using his Web page as he did, he had spent
more than $250 in expressing his political views, without disclosing
his identity and filing the reports with the federal government that
such campaign donations require.
Smith was shocked. By his reckoning, he hadn't spent $250. In fact, he
hadn't spent a dime on the site - just his time. However, the FEC said
it determines the value of Web sites by counting, among other factors,
the cost of the computer hardware and software used to create the
site. If a computer cost more than $250, the FEC said, its owner would
have to meet the filing and disclosure requirements of federal law.
The ACLU points out that, using that logic, if the computer cost more
than $1,000, its owner would have to register as a political action
committee (PAC).
"Forget about free speech," Smith told the ACLU in an interview. "If
you can't advocate what you want for an election, that strikes at the
heart of our democracy."
Smith in essence has told the FEC to stuff it.
"I told them that I was definitely not going to take my site down, I
was not going to file the reports and I was not going to post my name
on the site," he said. "I told them that from a free speech
standpoint, they were totally out of line."
The FEC in turn has informed him he faces possible legal action.
"Leo Smith's story proves our fundamental point: you cannot divide
money and speech," says Laura W. Murphy, Director of the ACLU's
Washington National Office. "To argue otherwise, is to ignore reality.
The Internet allows anyone with a phone line, as the Supreme Court
said, to become a 'town crier with a voice that resonates further than
it could from any soapbox.' Congress must act to ensure that the FEC
does not gag the new town criers."
Smith's story has provoked some members of Congress to offer
legislation that would exempt political speech on the Internet by
individual citizens from regulation by the federal government.
But why just the Internet? Why should citizens - no matter what media
or form of expression they choose to use -- be limited or severely
burdened regarding how they can spend their own money to express their
political opinions?
(Source: ACLU press release / Thanks to Richard Tomasso)
Fed Official: Put Tracking Devices In US Bills
A Federal Reserve official says that tracking devices should be added
to US bills.
It's all for our own good, of course.
Marvin Goodfriend, a senior vice president at the Fedral Reserve Bank
of Richmond, proposes that a magnetic strip be placed on US currency.
"The magnetic strip could visibly record when a bill was last
withdrawn from the banking system," Goodfriend said in a paper
presented at a recent Federal Reserve System conference in Vermont.
By using the information on the magnetic strip, what Goodfriend calls
"a carry tax" could be imposed on people who don't handle their money
the way the government thinks they should. The "carry tax could be
deducted from each bill upon deposit according to how long the bill
was in circulation," Goodfriend says.
The longer you hold onto your money without putting it into a bank,
the less the money would be worth. In essence, it's a tax on storing
dollar bills outside of government institutions.
Or, as Wired News puts it, "greenbacks will get automatic expiration
dates."
What's the point? Goodfriend says this will discourage hoarding (after
all, we can't just let people stuff their money into mattresses
instead of using banks), fight the Drug War and other black market
activities, and give the government a powerful new tool it can use to
battle deflation.
Goodfriend says the Federal Reserve already has technology to make the
proposal entirely feasible (though he refused to give details on that
technology, according to Wired News).
"Systems would have to be put in place at banks and automatic teller
machines to read bills, asess the carry tax, and stamp the bills
'current,'" he writes.
Congress would have to pass legislation allowing such a tax. No such
legislation has been introduced... yet.
Congressman Ron Paul (R-Texas), who serves on the House Banking
committee, expressed outrage at the scheme.
"The whole idea is preposterous," Paul said. "The notion that we're
going to tax somebody because they decide to be frugal and hold a
couple of dollars is economic planning at its worst."
Such a program would give government virtally total control over the
economy and over every American's income.
One can only speculate what other uses such a magnetic strip might be
put to - especially in conjunction with "Know Your Customer"-type
financial spying legislation...
(Source: Wired News: "Cash and the 'Carry Tax'" by Declan McCullagh,
Oct. 27)
The Late "Moderate"
Obituaries are describing the late Republican Sen. John Chafee of
Rhode Island as a "moderate." Oh, really? In 1992 Chafee introduced
legislation to completely outlaw the private possession of handguns.
All Americans would have been ordered to turn over their handguns to
the government. Anyone subsequently found with a handgun would have
faced up to $5,000 in fines and five years in prison.
When Chafee introduced this legislation, he acknowledged there were
about 66 million handgun owners. About one in four US households had
one or more handguns. Almost none of these owners used their guns in
any criminal activity. Yet Chafee would have made them turn in their
guns or become instant felons, to be hunted down by a Gun Gestapo and
punished with severe fines and lengthy imprisonment. Given that so
many Americans passionately support their Second Amendment right to
own handguns, one shudders to imagine the consequences of a government
attempt at mass confiscation.
Furthermore, a large and impressive body of scholarly research - most
notably that of John Lott of the University f Chicago - indicates
that private firearm possession is a major crime deterrent. Thus
Chafee's legislation would have left millions of Americans exposed to
criminal predators, and would have unquestionably driven up the
numbers of robberies, murders, and rapes nationwide.
This was police-state legislation, and it would have required a police
state to enforce it. A person who could seriously propose such a thing
might deservedly be called many names, but "moderate" is not one of
them.
(Sources: Associated Press, Gun Owners of American, Independence
Institute)
* * *
Bull-headed on Gun Control
"Gun control? It's the best thing you can do for crooks and
gangsters. I want you to have nothing. If I'm a bad guy, I'm always
gonna have a gun. Safety locks? You pull the trigger with a lock on
and I'll pull the trigger [without a safety lock]. We'll see who
wins." -- mobster Sammy "The Bull" Gavano, interviewed by Howard
Blum in the September issue of Vanity Fair magazine.
_________________________________________________________________
ON THE WEB
Editor's Choice: SelectSmart.com
What's the best wine?
What breed of dog or cat best fits your lifestyle?
What is the best college for you?
You can find out these answers at http://SelectSmart.com along with
many more.
This ingenious site asks you a series of questions and, using
statistics from other sources, finds the best match for you.
The most interesting selection tool is the political selector. You can
answer the same questions the candidates get sent for surveys on
issues. Then it will calculate the best matched candidate in the
presidential race.
They also include a link to the World's Smallest Political Quiz.
_________________________________________________________________
ASK DR. RUWART
How can you answer difficult questions about libertarianism -- in
short, positive, persuasive soundbite-sized responses? It's a
challenge every libertarian communicator faces.
Dr. Mary Ruwart is a leading expert in libertarian communication and
author of the international bestseller "Healing Our World." Her new
book is "Short Answers to the Tough Questions." In this column she
provides Liberator Online readers with "Short Answers to the Tough
Questions" that libertarians are frequently asked.
If you'd like Dr. Ruwart to provide effective answers for YOUR "tough
questions" on libertarian issues, just email the questions to her at:
mailto:ruwart@self-gov.org. *Due to volume, Dr. Ruwart can't
personally answer or acknowledge all email queries.* But we'll run the
best questions -- and Dr. Ruwart's answers -- in upcoming issues.
Extra Tip: Dr. Ruwart suggests that answers are often best preceded by
a "Ransberger Pivot" statement, to establish common ground with the
questioner. (Example: "Like you, I too want to live in a world where
the environment is clean... Like you, I too want to see greater
abundance for all people...") For more on the Ransberger Pivot
communication technique, see previous issues, or contact the
Advocates.
Dr. Ruwart's past answers are archived in searchable form at the
http://www.self-gov.org/ruwart/
Short Answers to the Tough Questions:
by Dr. Mary Ruwart
* * *
Kosovo: To Intervene or Not?
Question:
"I confess that I cannot make a good libertarian decision about the
intervention in Kosovo. If we have the power to save lives by
intervening, which is the greate evil: imposing our will on others or
the destruction of lives? Yes, it is correct that we tend to ignore
civil strife in areas where we would either get bloodied or areas we
don't care about like (Rwanda), but should we intervene where we can
do so at little physical cost if a net balance of lives can be
gained?"
My short answer:
"Ah, the age old question, 'Can the ends justify the means?' I've come
to the conclusion that when we use bad means to obtain good ends, our
efforts backfire every time. Rather than supporting a war funded with
taxes, I chose to help the refugees.
"Naturally, when you, as an individual, feel that you can do good by
supporting a fight, you should follow your conscience by supplying
your own time, money, and effort. If you force your neighbor who feels
differently to participate, however, you'll jeopardize your cause.
After all, by using taxes to support the fight, you are first
attacking your peaceful neighbors to save others from tyranny. You
become the tyrant in order to save others from oppression. The
contradiction should be obvious.
"Many people applaud our entry into World War II as an example of how
good (e.g., defeating Hitler) can come out of bad (e.g., taxes and the
draft). With the advantage of historical hindsight, let's see if this
is an accurate description of what happened.
"Hitler offered to let the Jews leave Germany if other countries would
accept them. Few nations would alter their immigration quotas,
however. If you visit the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C., you can
see a picture of a shipload of Jews being turned away from U.S.
shores. They eventually had to return to Europe, where most of them
were killed. Without the aggression of immigration laws, we could have
saved the Jews without spilling the blood of our young men.
"Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor probably wouldn't have occurred
without the aggression of a U.S. oil embargo, saving the lives of our
servicemen there.
"Hitler's finest were already trying to assassinate him by the time
the U.S. entered the war, and probably would have succeeded
eventually. Instead, the U.S. entered the war, took Stalin as an ally,
and gave Stalin most of Eastern Europe. Stalin proceeded to kill
millions, without offering to let them migrate elsewhere, making
Hitler look benevolent in comparison. Those who survived these purges
were forced to live in constant fear, poverty, and strife. Did our
aggression against our own neighbors to make war on tyrants save lives
or take them? The body count suggests that our aggression cost more
lives than it saved."
* * *
Handling the "Neighbor From Hell"
Question:
"How should a libertarian city council handle the case of Elena
Gustin, the infamous 'neighbor from hell' in Huntington Beach,
California?
"She lives in a $500,000 house among other $500,000 houses, but she
allows her property to go to pot. She never paints or maintains the
building, throws trash and junk in her front and backyards, never
cleans the interior or throws out old newspapers. In short, she lives
in a dump.
"Her neighbors have used every persuasive form they can think of to
get her to shape up, but she kept resisting until they started
attacking her with lawyers and zoning inspectors. It still took
several YEARS to bring the issue to a close. The city is finally
seizing the property and selling it at auction to a developer who
specializes in remodeling run-down properties.
"I admit I'm stumped. How could a libertarian city council protect
Elena's property rights while still protecting the NEIGHBOR'S property
rights, too?"
My short answer:
"In a libertarian society, people would move into a community with
deed restrictions, covenants, or condominium associations that
required their preferred level of upkeep. Violating such an agreement
would result in a breach of contract and well-defined remedies.
Without such a contract, no one's rights are clearly defined.
"Zoning ordinances usually require a certain level of upkeep, and were
probably in place when Elena purchased her home. Thus, the neighbors
felt justified in taking action against her, since technically she was
breaking the law.
"However, from a libertarian perspective, such a law infringes on
Elena's right to do with her property as she wished. Elena didn't sign
a contract with anyone to keep her property clean and neat, yet when
she failed to do so, the city government forcibly took her home from
her. Had Elena signed a contract, covenant, or condo regulation
requiring upkeep when she purchased the property, she probably would
have felt more obligated to comply.
"So what do we do when rights are poorly defined? My preference is to
err on the side of individual liberty. For example, Elena's neighbors
could have held an occasional clean-up party for Elena and helped her
restore her home. Perhaps such neighborly good will would have brought
out the best in Elena, who in turn could have arranged to hire some
help to keep her home up.
"If Elena refused this generosity, the neighbors could have built an
attractive fence around her property to hide the eyesore from view.
Funds for this fence would come from neighbors who felt that Elena's
property threatened the value of theirs.
"Since the fence would actually stand on neighbring property or on
the city's road easement in front of her house, Elena would have no
grounds to object. She might even prefer to clean up rather than
become enclosed.
"The neighbors might also find a way to buy Elena out, fix up her
property, and sell it at a profit.
"All of these options protect Elena's right to do with her property as
she sees fit. Instead of using the guns of government, the neighbors
would need to invest some time and money, instead of imposing all of
the cost on Elena as they actually did. If Elena had improved her home
and enhanced her neighbors' property values, they wouldn't have wanted
to share her costs, either.
"If we were Elena's neighbors, why would we choose the libertarian
route over the convenience of having government enforce zoning
restrictions? The answer is simple. By setting a precedent for
liberty, we protect ourselves from potential problems later.
"For example, what if most of the neighbors upgraded their property
and voted that we must do the same? If we failed to comply, we'd risk
losing our home, too, *even though our level of upkeep hadn't changed
at all.*"
"We reap as we sow. If we want liberty's protection, we must first
grant it to others."
* * *
Utilities: Government or Private?
Question:
"My question is on public utilities. Do you advocate that no business
have any government regulation? I think business running itself in all
ways is as frightening as a government dictatorship. Competition is
supposed to keep business in line, but it does not. Witness the
deregulation of the telephone companies, a complete disaster. I have
been constantly annoyed with all kinds of ads, including phone calls.
I am unable to talk with a person without waiting 15 minutes while
having to listen to ads for things that do not interest me, and when I
finally talk to a person, I get mostly gobbledy-gook. When I finally
seem to be getting to a solution, I am cut off. I am charged for a
service I do not want or use. If I make at least $3 worth of long
distance calls, there is no extra charge. If I do not make any, I have
to pay $3. I have two lines, and make no long distance calls, so have
to pay $6 for NOTHING. I would rather it went into taxes that might go
for something worthwhile. Will all our public utilities start charging
for things we do not use? Is that okay with libertarians?"
My short answer:
"In a libertarian society, we wouldn't have public utilities or the
problems with them that you are encountering. While the price of
long-distance service has decreased dramatically with deregulation and
the resulting competition, public utilities still have a monopoly on
local service. Monthly rates and fees have gone up, while service has
often gone down.
"If you don't want monthly fees for calls that you don't make, shop
around for a long-distance carrier that won't charge you that way.
With all of the options available today because of deregulation, you
have other choices."
* * *
Dr. Ruwart's book "Healing Our World" features persuasive arguments
for liberty, backed with *over 500 references* showing how liberty
works. You can browse the entire book online at:
http://www.cyberpop.com/ebooks
You can order it at a special reduced price of only $12.95 (plus
shipping) from the Advocates. Check out our online catalog at:
http://www.reliablehost.com/self-gov/opp.html
Dr. Ruwart's newest book is "Short Answers to the Tough Questions,"
also available from the Advocates for $12.00 (plus shipping).
_________________________________________________________________
PERSUASION POWER POINT #79
The Neglected Art of Listening
by Michael Cloud
"The Quick and Easy Guide to Public Speaking" by Dale Carnegie, "The
Sir Winston Method" by James Humes, "How to Write and Give a Speech"
by Joan Detz, "Speak Easy" by Sandy Linver, "Speech Can Change Your
Life" by Dorothy Sarnoff, and "What's Your Point?" by Bob Boylan.
These are very good books on how to speak.
There are thousands of books on public speaking. Thousands on how to
make your point.
But only a handful of books on the neglected art of listening.
Why?
Supply and demand. A higher supply of books on public speaking
reflects a higher demand for public speaking knowledge and skill. A
small supply of books on listening means few people want them.
Most people would rather talk than listen.
People want to be heard. Want to communicate. Want to connect.
Is anyone _really_ listening?
Not just remaining silent, but actually listening.
Not just half-listening, while watching TV or reading a book or
listening to music.
Listening raptly. Listening to what they say and how they say it.
Listening to the tones and tempo and emphasis and emotions. Reflecting
on the ideas and information. Listening with empathy.
Attentive listening is rare and precious. And desperately desired.
If you practice the neglected art of listening, people will seek you
out. They will treasure you.
Why listen?
To learn. To communicate. To connect. To grow.
Would you like to be sought out? Would you like people to tell you
what really matters to them and why? Would you like to have people
glad that they talked with you?
Here are 3 keys to high-impact listening:
1. Home in on phrases and words speakers emphasize -- and explore
them. They may repeat or return to them several times.
Naively or gently say, "I notice that you mentioned the word
`equality' several times. Could you explain it to me? Could you
tell me more about it?"
Or, "`The Social Good'. That's an interesting phrase. What do you
mean by it?"
2. Notice what they physically express and emphasize: the phrases and
words and ideas and concerns.
When people express things that are emotionally charged for them,
they usually demonstrate it physically. Their voices get louder --
or more passionate or more tender. They gesture more. Their faces
get animated and expressive.
When they get physically expressive, ask them to tell you more
about the concern or idea they emphasized.
Empathize with, "It sounds like that's very important. Tell me
about it."
Or, "You're very concerned with this. Please tell me more."
3. We listen with our eyes. Make warm eye contact with the speaker.
Open the windows to your soul. He will pour in his virtues and
values, his hopes and dreams.
Most people look away from time to time. This helps them process
what they're hearing.
But we need to return to friendly eye contact again and again.
To let the speaker know that we are paying attention. That we are
open to him. That we care.
* * *
Do these 3 things three times during your next conversation and you
will be stunned with the results.
The other person will feel understood.
The other person will tell you the things that matter to him.
The other person will reciprocate.
He will be receptive to you and your ideas. He will intensely listen
to you.
We reap what we sow. We receive what we give.
And it all starts with practicing the neglected art of listening.
**********************
Michael Cloud is the creator of "The Essence of Political Persuasion"
Training Tape Program. In 1999, Libertarian state Chairs voted Michael
Cloud "the best speaker in the Libertarian Party". They called his
speeches "electrifying" and "unforgettable."
His acclaimed 3-tape tape set "The Essence of Political Persuasion" is
available from the Advocates at the give-away price of only $7.50
postpaid; see "What's Happening" in this issue.
_________________________________________________________________
PRODUCT REVIEW:
"Marijuana Myths, Marijuana Facts" by Lynn Zimmer, Ph.D. and John P.
Morgan, M.D. 1997. Large-size paperback, 240 pages.
The Drug War propaganda machine continually churns out lies about
marijuana in order to justify a failed, foolish and tyrannical policy
that arrests over half a million people each year for marijuana
offenses.
Nationwide, more people are arrested for marijuana charges than for
murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault - combined! In some
states, the number of arrests have doubled during the past five years.
Sick people who desperately need marijuana for medical reasons are
arrested and imprisoned. The government can seize the assets of those
merely under investigation for marijuana possession.
This book is a powerful weapon to combat that tyranny. Because it
simply tells the truth about marijuana in a non-inflammatory, highly
readable way.
Who should read this? Parents, teachers, politicians, candidates, and
anyone else who takes the radical position that our government's
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ignorance.
Twenty short, non-technical, fascinating and very readable chapters
deal with myths, lies, and facts about marijuana. To make it even more
useful, each chapter begins with a half-page summary of a
widely-spread myth, and then a half-page rebuttal of that myth.
Among the many topics covered:
* The harmful effects of marijuana
* Marijuana as medicine
* Is marijuana addictive?
* Is marijuana a "gateway drug?"
* Marijuana and the law
* The Netherlands policy
* Does marijuana cause crime?
* Marijuana and highway accidents
* Are marijuana-related hospital emergencies increasing?
* Is today's marijuana more potent than that of the past?
* Does marijuana kill brain cells?
* How does marijuana affect the young?
* Does the use of marijuana lead to lack of motivation and ambition?
* Is marijuana more damaging to the lungs than tobacco?
and there is much, much more as well. A treasury of essential
information.
The government's current Drug War ads call for "truth." Well, here it
is -- short, readable, and devastating to the misbegotten War on
Drugs.
* * *
ACCLAIM for "Marijuana Myths, Marijuana Facts":
"A remarkable book a miracle of intelligent concision Legislators
who write marijuana laws and judges who sentence marijuana users
should consult this little book." -- William F. Buckley, Jr.,
National Review
"A clearly written rebuttal of some of the exaggerated claims
offered in support of current U.S. marijuana policy." -- Wayne
Hall, Ph.D. Science magazine.
"An impressive attack on much of the mythology around marijuana."
-- Michael Farrell, M.D., British Medical Journal
"A brilliant book wise, sane and extraordinarily useful. Every
American should read it." -- Ira Glasser, Executive Director, ACLU
"The definitive manual a must read for anyone who wants an
objective analysis of current research on marijuana." -- Dr. Dean
Edell, Medical Journalist
"This is the most accurate book on the effects of marijuana that
has appeared to date." -- Andrew Weil, MD, Author of Spontaneous
Healing and 8 Weeks to Optimum Health
"The first in-depth examination of all the government's major
claims about pot a welcome document that will be useful in a policy
debate that has often been colored by hysteria." -- Jann Wenner,
Rolling Stone Magazine
"A measured meta-analysis of the science of grass." -- Esquire
Magazine
"Should be read by all substance abuse treatment and prevention
specialists." -- John de Miranda, Peninsula Health Concepts, San
Mateo, CA
"Accurate, timely and impressive clearly written and accessible to
all individuals who do not have scientific or technical training."
-- Louis Lasagna, MD Tufts University
HOW TO ORDER - PLUS, FREE GIFT!
We are pleased to offer "Marijuana Myths, Marijuana Facts" to our
readers for only $12.95 (plus shipping).
Plus...
FREE BONUS GIFT: With every order you'll also get a copy of "The Case
Against The International Monetary Fund" by Lawrence J. McQuillan. In
1944, delegates from 44 nations gathered to design a postwar monetary
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growth. However, the IMF grew into a financial "medic" for developing
countries and used a series of crises to expand its capital base and
financing. This booklet, from the Hoover Institution, examines this
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instead strengthen market-based alternatives.
This timely and provocative booklet is yours FREE with your order! (If
we run out, we'll substitute a gift of equivalent value.)
To order on the Web, via credit card, simply click here:
http://laissezfaire.org/cu7617.cfm?AssociateID=SG
This will take you to a site at the Laissez Faire Books catalog.
Laissez Faire Books is the world's largest seller of books on liberty,
and we are pleased to be able to offer this book in partnership with
them.
Fast shipping - most orders sent within 24 hours of receipt. And FREE
shipping on orders of $100 or more.
While placing your order for "Marijuana Myths, Marijuana Facts" be
sure to browse Laissez-Faire's wonderful selection of other essential
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contact information.
This offer is good through November 15, 1999.
Thank you!
_________________________________________________________________
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