Mac Johnson, regular contributor for Human Events Online, is frequently featured on "Against the Grain". His articles also appear at his own website. Check it out, whatever your political persuasion!

James Bovard, recognized as one of the most respected writers defending individual liberty and the US Constitution, recently joined Gardner Goldsmith on "Against the Grain" to discuss his latest book. This new work is a searing indictment of politians in the Bush Administration, and their supposed foes in Congress and the Senate. Hear the conversation here, and in part 1.

Attention Deficit Democracy

James Bovard, recognized as one of the most respected writers defending individual liberty and the US Constitution, recently joined Gardner Goldsmith on "Against the Grain" to discuss his latest book. This new work is a searing indictment of politians in the Bush Administration, and their supposed foes in Congress and the Senate. Hear the conversation here, and in part 2.

Attention Deficit Democracy

On January 17, 2006, the United States Supreme Court ruled that Oregon's 1997 "Death With Dignity Act" could stand, that a federal law did not supercede the rights reserved to the states to control "medical matters".

The following is a look at the ethics of physician assisted suicide, and the constitutional questions involved. Please refer to the longer written piece on the matter at the Liberty Conspiracy.

On January 17, 2006, the United States Supreme Court ruled that Oregon's 1997 "Death With Dignity Act" could stand, that a federal law did not supercede the rights reserved to the states to control "medical matters".

The following is a look at the ethics of physician assisted suicide, and the constitutional questions involved. Please refer to the longer written piece on the matter at the Liberty Conspiracy.

On January 17, 2006, the United States Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision, ruled that Oregon's 1997 law entitled the "Death With Dignity Act", was not subject to the federal Controlled Substances Act of the 1970's. Despite John Ashcroft's protests, and Alberto Gonzales' attempt to portray the act of a state legislature legalizing doctor assisted suicide as contrary to US law, the majority on the Supreme Court ruled that federalism trumps federal law. This ruling is unusual, since the minority, composed of Antonin Scalia, John Roberts, and Clarence Thomas, is typically seen as supportive of states' rights, while the majority - Breyer, Souter, Ginsberg, O'Connor, Kennedy, and Stevens - is often on the side of broader federal power over the states. The majority ruled that the Bush Administration lacked the legal and medical authority to step in and overturn a state law regarding medicine. The Bush administration argued that the use of drugs to commit suicide was not a legitimate medical prupose, and thus was not protected by "traditional" recognition of states' rights over medicine laws.

Faith in Freedom: Libertarian Principles and Psychiatric Practices

On January 17, 2006, the United States Supreme Court ruled that Oregon's 1997 "Death With Dignity Act" could stand, that a federal law did not supercede the rights reserved to the states to control "medical matters".

The following is a look at the ethics of physician assisted suicide, and the constitutional questions involved. Please refer to the longer written piece on the matter at the Liberty Conspiracy.

The music comes to you via the talents of the Damned.

Faith in Freedom: Libertarian Principles and Psychiatric Practices

Damned Damned Damned

Smash It Up: The Anthology 1976-1987

Machine Gun Etiquette

On January 16, 2006, "Against the Grain" investigated the debate over the legacy of Martin Luther King. In addition to establishing in popular culture the principle that a man should be judged by the content of his character, rather than the color of his skin, King espoused socialism, was proven a documented plagiarist, and cheated on his wife. It is sad that a balanced investigation of a man's ideas and actions is seen as verboten in current American culture, and instead, the "cult of the personality" rules. This is the fourth of five parts discussing the legacy of King's work for social change, and his less than rosy scholarly and economic ideals.

Plagiarism and The Culture War : The Writings of Martin Luther King, Jr, and Other Prominent America

Vivid

On January 16, 2006, "Against the Grain" investigated the debate over the legacy of Martin Luther King. In addition to establishing in popular culture the principle that a man should be judged by the content of his character, rather than the color of his skin, King espoused socialism, was proven a documented plagiarist, and cheated on his wife. It is sad that a balanced investigation of a man's ideas and actions is seen as verboten in current American culture, and instead, the "cult of the personality" rules. This is the fourth of five parts discussing the legacy of King's work for social change, and his less than rosy scholarly and economic ideals.

Plagiarism and The Culture War : The Writings of Martin Luther King, Jr, and Other Prominent America

Vivid

On January 16, 2006, "Against the Grain" investigated the debate over the legacy of Martin Luther King. In addition to establishing in popular culture the principle that a man should be judged by the content of his character, rather than the color of his skin, King espoused socialism, was proven a documented plagiarist, and cheated on his wife. It is sad that a balanced investigation of a man's ideas and actions is seen as verboten in current American culture, and instead, the "cult of the personality" rules. This is the third of five parts discussing the legacy of King's work for social change, and his less than rosy scholarly and economic ideals.

Plagiarism and The Culture War : The Writings of Martin Luther King, Jr, and Other Prominent America

Vivid

On January 16, 2006, "Against the Grain" investigated the debate over the legacy of Martin Luther King. In addition to establishing in popular culture the principle that a man should be judged by the content of his character, rather than the color of his skin, King espoused socialism, was proven a documented plagiarist, and cheated on his wife. It is sad that a balanced investigation of a man's ideas and actions is seen as verboten in current American culture, and instead, the "cult of the personality" rules. This is the second of five parts discussing the legacy of King's work for social change, and his less than rosy scholarly and economic ideals.

Plagiarism and The Culture War : The Writings of Martin Luther King, Jr, and Other Prominent America

Vivid

On January 16, 2006, "Against the Grain" investigated the debate over the legacy of Martin Luther King. In addition to establishing in popular culture the principle that a man should be judged by the content of his character, rather than the color of his skin, King espoused socialism, was proven a documented plagiarist, and cheated on his wife. It is sad that a balanced investigation of a man's ideas and actions is seen as verboten in current American culture, and instead, the "cult of the personality" rules. This is the first of five parts discussing the legacy of King's work for social change, and his less than rosy scholarly and economic ideals.

Plagiarism and The Culture War : The Writings of Martin Luther King, Jr, and Other Prominent America

Circuit Judge Samuel Alito withstood a second day of 'grueling' hearings before the US Senate Judiciary Committee, hearings that exemplified the "delicate" manner in which all constitutional questions are handled in Washington.

In this sound file from "Against the Grain", Gardner Goldsmith discusses the non-answers offered on important issues the hearings covered. One wonders why hearings need be held if no answers about general constitutional theory will be answered, but addressed instead with claims that one cannot comment on cases that may be "heard before the court". Even if they were to be the specific cases that might be heard before the court, the committee members have the right to ask questions pertaining to the cases, and Alito can answer them. But the answers are not forthcoming, even when specific cases are not mentioned, but only abstract, hypothetical situations brought to mind.

Founded by Marshall Fritz in 1985, the Advocates for Self-Government is one of the highest-profile libertarian organizations in the United States. Its staff and board of advisors are recognized as some of the most productive libertarian thinkers of our time. Here is what Congressman Ron Paul had to say about the organization:

"...The Advocates [has made] invaluable contributions to the freedom cause. For almost twenty years, the Advocates has worked tirelessly to help libertarians better communicate the ideas of liberty. I continue to be impressed by the Advocates' work."

-- U.S. Congressman Ron Paul

Libertarianism in One Lesson: Why Libertarianism Is the Best Hope for America's Future asin: 0975432648 binding: Paperback

Origially published in 1984, "Libertariansm in One Lesson" is a concise, very readable explication of the principles of libertarianism, also known as "classical liberalism". The originall "liberals" believed in the primacy of the individual, and the peaceful fostering of a productive society through peaceful market interactions. If they believed in government at all, they believed in small government, based on the protection of Natural Rights, and th principle of "negative reciprocity". Mr. Bergland's book covers these principles and how they are used in practice. It is a valuable book.

David Bergland, the 1984 Libertarian Party Presidential candidate, and author of the famous book "Libertarianism in One Lesson" spoke with Gardner Goldsmith on January 10, 2006. The conversation covered the fundamentals of the freedom philosophy, and how it works in practice. Hear Mr. Bergland in this, and the first part of the conversation on "Against the Grain". For more information on Mr. Bergland, his work, and the work of his associates, go here: http://www.self-gov.org/ or turn to the more detailed link provided in our links section...

Libertarianism in One Lesson: Why Libertarianism Is the Best Hope for America's Future

David Bergland, the 1984 Libertarian Party Presidential candidate, and author of the famous book "Libertarianism in One Lesson" spoke with Gardner Goldsmith on January 10, 2006. The conversation covered the fundamentals of the freedom philosophy, and how it works in practice. Hear Mr. Bergland in this, and the second part of the conversation on "Against the Grain". For more information on Mr. Bergland, his work, and the work of his associates, go here: http://www.self-gov.org/ or turn to the more detailed link provided in our links section...

Libertarianism in One Lesson: Why Libertarianism Is the Best Hope for America's Future

The Second Amendment Sisters are a group of women (and the men who like to support their efforts) who are devoted to the preservation of our Second Amendment Rights, both here in New Hampshire, and across the US.

The Sisters keep tabs on legilation in the US and in NH, and inform their members about the good, the bad, and the ugly. If you would like to become active with the organization, we at the Conspiracy heartily recommend joining their very friendly and dedicated group.

Named after one of the most influential and important economists in history, the von Mises institute is known world-wide as a home of rigorous intellectual thought in support of individual liberty. Mises was in the vanguard of what is now known as the "Austrian School" of economics. He escaped to the United States at the time of Hitler's expansion through Austria, and brought his breakthrough thinking on freedom and markets to the US, where he published numerous books, including his opus, "Human Action".

Part two of our interview with Sheldon.

Separating School & State: How to Liberate America's Families