Freedom 21 Conference Report

eco-logic report - July 19, 2001

from http://eco.freedom.org/el/20010702/f21.shtml

"Your principles are right and your cause is noble", says John Fund, Wall Street Journal editorial writer, "but your message has to be presented differently if you're going to win the battle for public support."

Fund was the keynote speaker at the Freedom 21 National Conference which ended Saturday night (July 14, 2001). "Your message about international influence on land use policy, and the unfairness of foundations funding the green agenda - all require too much explanation," Fund advised.

"But the American people tend to support the underdog. And the farmers in the Klamath Basin who are being crushed to protect a sucker fish, are now the underdogs. The injustice in this situation is the story you must tell," he said.

When asked if the Wall Street Journal would be reporting this story, Fund replied: "you bet we will, until the last of the 1400 farmers go bankrupt."

Jene Robinson, a 33-year veteran executive of the electricity generating industry, validated the need for a long-term energy policy that will meet the growing need for electricity throughout the world. "Coal," he said, "must play the primary role in supplying electricity well into this century. There just aren't any other sources of energy out there that can replace the 55% of our requirements supplied by coal."

Marlo Lewis, now with the Reason Foundation, who formerly worked for the House Sub-Committee on Natural Resources and Regulatory Affairs, provided a brilliant analysis of the energy situation and said that the Kyoto Protocol, if adopted, would have no beneficial effect on climate, but would have a major adverse impact on the economy.

Representative Jo Ann Emerson spoke by telephone hook-up to the more than a hundred leaders of grassroots organizations from across the country. She encouraged the group to support the President's energy policy, stressing that even though the Kyoto Protocol appears to be dead, the real challenge is to develop a long-term energy policy that will meet our energy needs and reduce our dependence on foreign sources.

When asked what could be done to help the Klamath farmers, she said to take whatever legal activies may be necessary to focus public attention on the situation: demonstrations, protests - whatever it takes - so long as it is legal.

J.J. Johnson, editor of Sierra Times, recently drew a parallel between Klamath farmers, and the "civil disobedience" of Rosa Parks, who, because she was tired, disobeyed the law and started the civil rights revolution which made her a celebrated American hero.

Perhaps the "civil disobedience" of the Klamath farmers, who, because they are fighting for their homes, their property and their livelihoods, will launch a new revolution in which American people insist that our inalienable rights, guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, be honored and protected by our government as diligently as are Rosa Park's civil rights.

Througout the day, reports of the stand-off between Klamath farm families and federal marshals were passed to the conference participants from telephone updates with people on the scene.

Friday's planned banquet speaker, Representative Ron Paul, cancelled to be by his mother's side at her death.

Representative Roscoe Bartlett stepped in to substitue. His inspiring, articulate presentation on the Constitution and Bill of Rights came as a surprise to many participants. Bartlett is also a member of the Liberty Study Committee, chaired by Ron Paul.

Phyllis Schlafly, President of Eagle Forum, stirred the group with a rousing presentation on how the conservative movement is gaining strength by using alternative media, particularly, the internet. As evidence, she ticked-off the advertisements that support the network news, in a hilarious demonstration that all three alphabet networks target the geritol generation because that's all that remains of their former audience.

Dr. Michael Coffman, publisher of Discerning the Times, and author of several books, including Saviors of the Earth, made a graphic presentation tracing land use regulations to a series of international treaties.

The theme of this year's conference, "Advancing the principles of freedom in the world, in Washington, and at home," highlighted the development of the Freedom 21 Agenda. Last year's conference adopted the Principles of Freedom. This year, two working groups have been developing the Freedom 21 Agenda.

A workshop conducted by the working group on Environment and Property Rights, co-chaired by David Rothbard, President of the Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow (CFACT), and Fred K. Grant, of Stewards of the Range, clearly demonstrated how the Freedom 21 Campaign should unfold. The working group, consisting of about 20 members, had developed a preliminary working draft which was reviewd by the participants. Several participants offered insights and suggestions to be incorporated into the document as it evolves.

Tom Deweese, President of the American Policy Center, and co-chair of the working group on Education and Family, brought Pennsylvania State Representative Sam Rohrer, and the Reverend Ray Moore as panelists in his workshop. The working group starts with the belief that government schools are deliberately refusing to teach children the critical information needed to become responsible, productive, creative individuals. Instead, the national curriculum has evolved to produce a generation receptive to the collectivist ideas of a government-managed society.

Their work product, "It takes a village to destroy a child," documents the need to develop a Freedom 21 Agenda on Education and Family.

David Winkler, of the Washington State Farm Bureau, and Karen Budd-Falen, a noted attorney from Big Piney, Utah, presented a workshop on "County Empowerment." Documents and procedures which are designed to assist local elected officials in claiming the status authorized in fedral law, necessary to participate in the development of any federal regulation that impacts a local community were presented. A special 196-page workbook has been developed to provide a blueprint for local organizations and local officials.

Daniel New, father of Michael New, who attracted national attention by refusing to wear the U.N. insignia, presented his ideas about a new "U.N.-Free Zone" ordinance for cities and counties. The idea, he said, comes from the experience in Berkeley, California, and the "Nuclear-Free Zone" that was adopted there a generation ago.

"At the time, this ordinance was thought to be a silly publicity stunt," New said. "But count the number of nuclear power plants that have been built since then." New said that even though the ordinance, adopted by a small town in Utah, is drawing criticism from the media and U.N. supporters, it has certainly refocused the debate.

Ray Cunio, President of Missouri's Citizens for Private Property Rights, Howard Hutchinson, Executive Director of Arizona/New Mexico Alliance of Counties, and Jay Walley, of the Paragon Foundation, presented a workshop on effective activities at the local level. Hutchinson's group was instrumental in defeating a "Smart Growth" referendum in Arizona, promoted by the Sierra Club. Cunio's group prevented the designation of a U.N. Biosphere Reserve in the Ozarks. And Walley described how information can help prevent the spread of conservation easements and acquisition of private property by land trusts.

Four new books were introduced at the conference, three of which were presented by the authors. How the West Was Lost, by William Hayward; The Birth of World Government, by Dr. Michael Coffman; Natural Precess: That Environmental Laws May Serve the Laws of Nature, By Mark E. Vande Pol; and Reinventing Government: Fast Bullets and Culture Change by Robert P. Hillman.

Hayward's book has already been reviewed (M) by eco-logic; all the books will be reviewed in future issues.

A conference highlight was the inaugural presentations of the Gielow Family Foundation "Friend-of-Freedom Award."

In presenting the awards, Fred Gielow said "the awards are presented to recognize and honor those individuals and/or groups who, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, are particularly deserving for their dedication to the cause of freedom in America today." This year's recipients were:

Dr. Michael Coffman, publisher of Discerning the Times
Tom DeWeese, President, American Policy Center
Reed Irvine, Accuracy In Media
Henry Lamb, Chaiman, Sovereignty International
Representative Ron Paul, Chairman, Liberty Study Committee
Phyllis Schlafly, President, Eagle Forum

Dave von Kleist, co-host of the PowerHour with Joyce Riley radio program on the Genesis Radio Network, provided patriotic music at the Thursday night reception and throughout the conference. His contributions added a new dimension to the conference, which ended with him leading the group in a tear-filled rendition of "God Bless America."