RECORD CROWD OF 2,157.....PRESIDENT OBAMA DISRUPTS SPECIAL EMERGENCY SESSION! 

	Highlights:   -  A record 2,157 people attend this year’s special “emergency” session at FreedomFest (30% increase over last year), with nearly 200 showing up at the door.     -  President Obama’s arrival in Vegas disrupts Greg Mortenson’s keynote speech….Mortenson gets standing ovation for peaceful solution to Middle East.    -  All Star Prediction Panel forecasts more trouble ahead, including a “killer wave” on Wall Street (Bert Dohmen).  -  Fraser Institute offers hope:  the story of how Canada overcame its own financial crisis in the mid-1990s and restored fiscal sanity without raising taxes.  -  Steve Moore (Wall Street Journal) demands “repeal, repeal, repeal” of ObamaCare.  The next day, he entertained the audience and delivered a surprise verdict on “Religion on Trial” debate.  (Over 10 great debates this year.)  - Sovereign Society’s “Escape from America” series is SRO. - 17 year old libertarian Jeffrey Nadel address FreedomFest and demands equal rights for teenagers.  - Steve Forbes appears in wig and breeches as Gen. George Washington and dances the Bubble Wrap Hop at the Saturday night banquet.  (Libertarians know how to party!)  - Over 160 speakers, 100 exhibitors, and all the major free-market think tanks and freedom organizations represented (Reason, Cato, Heritage, Fraser, FEE, Mises, Newsmax, among others).  - The American Eagle Silver Dollar became the official symbol of FreedomFest.  - Media coverage by C-SPAN 1 & 2, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Investor’s Business Daily, Fox Business, Arizona Republic, American Spectator, Human Events, Reasontv, Newsmax, Daily Bell, MoneyShowTV, and more! Click here or call 866.254.2057 to order individual sessions or the complete set of FreedomFest 2010 audio recordings.

Dear friends of liberty,

Attendees are calling this year’s big show “unbelievable,” “priceless,” and “monumental.”  The Washington Post called it “the greatest libertarian show on earth.”  Over 160 speakers, 100 exhibitors and 2,157 attendees showed up at “the world’s largest gathering of free minds” July 7-11, 2010, at Bally’s Events Center in Las Vegas -- a record turnout, 30% ahead of last year.

They got their money’s worth.  The agenda was crowded with 164 speakers and more than 100 talks, debates and breakout sessions on geo-politics, the economy, investments, philosophy, science & technology, art & literature, and healthy living--with plenty of food and entertainment, debates, music, videos, dancing, and skits. 

"I do not think I have a single adjective to describe how truly monumental FreedomFest was,” stated Joel Stern, an international professor who teaches finance at six graduate schools, including Chicago, Columbia, and Cape Town.  (He flew in from Moscow to attend.)  “You had people from such varieties in background it is hard to imagine anything like this happening with any other organization.” 

FreedomFest is truly libertarian from beginning to end -- full of choices and competition.  With breakout sessions galore in a variety of topics, everyone experience is unique.  You create your own conference.  Thus the theme of FreedomFest 2010:  “Declare Your Own Independence!”

People are calling FreedomFest many things:  A Live Wikipedia for libertarians; a Renaissance gathering for free thinkers; the Trade Show for Liberty; the New Mecca for free minds, the Focal Point for freedom lovers, the Gathering of the Tribes, the blow-out conference of libertarian gold bugs, the Libertarianism’s Church of What's Happening Now, and the Greatest Libertarian Show on Earth.  There’s something for everyone at FreedomFest. 

For many attendees, FreedomFest was their second or third time, an annual reunion of freedom lovers, but a large number of new people came, having heard about it from friends. 

The conference began with a special “emergency” session to address the monstrous increases in deficit spending, entitlements (ObamaCare), and financial regulations.  Steve Forbes, which makes a point of attending every FreedomFest, told a packed audience to think big and push for “true independence” by promoting a flat tax, personal savings accounts, school choice, and health savings accounts.  Several speakers were critical of both political parties.  “The Democrats are terrible, but so are the Republicans,” declared Tom Woods (Ludwig von Mises Institute).  “I still have the stab marks in my back."  He blamed George W. Bush for restricting civil liberties, running up the deficit, bailing out big business, usurping local control of schools, passing a costly prescription-drug plan and launching two interminable wars.  "In a way, Bush sort of burned the brand," Dinesh D'Souza said. "He made it difficult to trust the Republicans as (champions of) small government." 

The special session included a panel on “geo-politics” lead by Richard Rahn (Cato Institute) with Alexander Landia (international business leader with offices in London, Berlin and Moscow), former Congressman Bob Bauman, Money Map editor Keith Fitz-Gerald, and FSU professor Jim Gwartney (author of the Fraser Institute’s Economic Freedom Index). 

The audience enthusiastically endorsed former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson’s call for the U.S. to leave Afghanistan and Iraq. 

Even President Obama Couldn’t Stop Greg Mortenson at FreedomFest

Greg Mortenson’s keynote address was postponed because President Barack Obama made a trip to Las Vegas, keeping Mortenson’s plane from landing.  Obama came to counter Sharron Angle’s talk at FreedomFest and to give support to a floundering Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. 

We quickly rescheduled Mortenson’s talk for the next morning, which he gave before a SRO audience on the theme, “Stones into Schools:  Promoting Peace with Books, not Bombs.”  Greg Mortenson, author of the bestseller, “Three Cups of Tea,” is the most honored American in the Middle East, and the Taliban won’t touch him.  His main theme was that there was no military solution in Afghanistan, but to quote an old African saying, “If you educate a girl you can educate a community” and change it for the better.  His Central Asian Institute that builds schools for girls in Afghanistan and Pakistan received no federal funds.  Afterwards, he signed books for three hours, and told us that he was so impressed with FreedomFest that he would come back next year to speak.  (He is in huge demand as a speaker, and turns down most invitations.) 

Financial Freedom is a Must

The conference offers nine conferences in one, including a financial conference.  (What would freedom be without wealth?)  “The All Star Prediction Panel” -- a popular feature -- was decidedly pessimistic about Wall Street and the US economy.  Bert Dohmen, Peter Schiff, Ty Andros and Dennis Slothower were negative, leaving John Dessauer the lone bull. 

None of them had anything good to say about the Obama agenda or Federal Reserve policy, which they considered inflationary.  Other speakers included Rick Rule (Global Resource Investments), Frank Trotter (Everbank), tax and estate planning attorney Jeffrey Verdon, several energy experts, and John Mackey (CEO, Whole Foods Market), who talked about his controversial op-ed on ObamaCare in the Wall Street Journal. 

One of the highlights of the financial conference was Burt Malkiel, Princeton finance professor and author of the classic “Random Walk Down Wall Street.”  In his luncheon talk and debate with Alex Green, Bert Dohmen, and New York hedge fund manager Donald Smith, he demonstrated that you can make good money without trying to time the market. 

In a 3-hour pre-conference seminar, I gave a presentation “What Every Investor Should Know about Austrian and Keynesian Economics.” 

Other timely general sessions included a panel on “Is there Any Justice in America?” with Brian Walsh (Heritage Foundation), attorneys Robert Bernholt and Robert Barnes, and Scott Bullock (Institute for Justice). 

The Future of Freedom:  A Call to Action

The conference ended with two major panels, “The Future of Financial Freedom,” led by Steve Moore (Wall Street Journal) with Peter Schiff, Eric Singer, Wayne Allyn Root (chairman of the Libertarian Party), and Peter Zipper (Caye Bank); and “The Future of Freedom” with Steve Forbes, Richard Viguerie, Gov. Gary Johnson, Morton Blackwell (Leadership Institute), and Tom Woods (Mises Institute).  The panelists tried to be upbeat, but recognized major obstacles to a return to sound money and free markets. 

I tried to inject some optimism by telling the Fraser Institute’s story on how Canada reversed its big government/welfare state in the mid-1990s without raising taxes.  Niels Veldhuis, Director of Fiscal Studies at Fraser, held an entire session on the topic (available on CD). 

Chip Wood kept action moving as master of ceremony and Karen Gibbs as mistress of ceremonies -- both tops in their fields. 

The exhibit hall (often called the Trade Show for Liberty) was packed with excitement during the breaks and even when sessions were going on.  A hundred exhibitors displayed their wares (coin dealers, libertarian merchandise, freedom organizations, and financial services).  You could feel the electricity as soon as you walked into the Exhibit Hall and the giant Laissez Faire Bookstore, run by Jim Peron and Jim Elswood.

Top Ten Debates in 2010

Debates on the burning issues of the day are a highlight at every FreedomFest.  This year we had ten: 

"FDR: Were His Economic Policies Good Deal or Raw Deal?” pitted Lawrence Reed (president of FEE) against UNLV Keynesian economist Bernie Malamud.  Reed has the last word:  “America finally recovered when FDR didn’t.” 

"Illegal Immigration: Should America Have Open Borders?" "No!" said Jim Green, UN lobbyist and staunch conservative; "Yes!" said Professor Ken Schoolland (Hawaii Pacific University). Few minds were changed on this hot topic. 

"Should America be Energy Independent?" "Yes!" argued David Fessler, Director of Energy Studies at the Oxford Club; "No!" said Rick Rule, president of Global Resource Investments.   Surprisingly, the majority of attendees sided with Rick Rule.   

"Ayn Rand and Her Philosophy" attract a large crowd.  David Kelley (Atlas Society) and Nathaniel and Barbara Branden defended Rand and Objectivism as liberating, while critics John Mackey (Whole Foods Market) and Orson Scott Card (America's #1 science fiction writer) argued that Rand’s brand of capitalism was divisive and wrong-headed.  Card shocked the audience when he said he loved “The Fountainhead” but hated “Atlas Shrugged.”   

"Which Served America Better -- the Articles of Confederation or the Constitution?" Bill Buppert made the case for the Articles, while Pulitizer Prize historian Daniel Howe (UCLA) defended the Constitution.  

"Global Warming, Real Danger or Dangerous Hoax?" with James Taylor (Heartland Institute).  This is one where the audience concluded overwhelming that global warming was a dangerous hoax. 

"The Future of Israel, Pro and Con." George Gilder made the case for Israel while anti-war activist Jon Basil Utley took the side of the Arabs. 

"What Drives the Economy? Consumer Spending or Business Investment?" David Fessler (Oxford Club) supported Keynes's Law (consumer spending), while I made the case for Say's Law (productivity).  The majority sided with me on this issue, though few changed their minds.   

“Anarchy vs. Limited Government” was, like last year, a SRO affair. Tom Palmer (Atlas Foundation) and Doug Casey made the case for no government, while John Mackey and I defend limited government.  A major debate ensued over whether Somalia was a good example of anarchy, while Hong Kong was given as a good example of limited government.  A third of the audience fell into the anarchist camp, and few changed their minds.   

“How Effective Are Non-Profits” was debated by Jack Pugsley (US), Richard Rahn (Cato), and Niels Veldhuis (Fraser).  Dan Mitchell and Richard Rahn (Cato Institute) discussed the virtues of “Hong Kong: the World’s Freest Economy.”

Surprise Result of the Mock Trial on Religion

Last year’s “Capitalism on Trial” was the highlight of the conference (still available at www.booktv.com).   This year the mock trial focused on the debate, "Religion on Trial: Is God the Problem?"  Prosecuting attorney/atheist Steven Landsburg (author of "The Big Questions" and top economist) and his two witnesses Michael Shermer (Skeptic Magazine and Scientific American columnist) and Doug Casey blamed religion on the world's troubles and for being anti-science.  Shermer promised to tell the truth with his hand on Darwin’s “Origin of Species” rather than the Bible, and Casey swore on a copy of “Atlas Shrugged.”  Dinesh D'Souza (author "Life After Death, the Evidence") and his two witnesses, Charles Murray (American Enterprise Institute) and Dr. Patrick Fagan (Family Research Council) defended religion and especially Christianity.  Murray referred to his book, “Human Accomplishment,” and concluded that Christianity had a strong positive influence on the West.  Fagan showed data demonstrating that religious people in America live longer and have fewer social problems.  Surprisingly, the jury and the audience sided 70-80% with the pro-religion side. 

Special “Day” Events

FreedomFest prides itself in having special days devoted to think tanks or topics.  This year we offered rooms for:

The 25^th Anniversary of the Advocates for Self-Government, with sessions by Sharon Harris, followed by a reception and celebration. 

Mises Circle with presentations by Jeff Tucker, Doug French, Tom Woods, Tom DiLorenzo, Peter Klein, and Mark Thorton. 

Ayn Rand Day, sponsored by the Atlas Society, with David Kelley, Fred Stitt, Kate Herrick, Anne Heller and Jennifer Burns (both authors of recent biographies of Ayn Rand), including a special luncheon featuring Nathaniel and Barbara Branden. 

Leadership Institute workshops with Patricia Simpson, Joel Mowbray, Brent Gardner and Morton Blackwell. 

Students for Liberty Seminar with Alexander McCobin, Matt Harrison and others.  (We had a record number of students at this year’s conference). 

A Variety of Panel Discussions

Successful Leadership Panel was especially well attended in the Events Center:  Top business leaders John Mackey, Steve Forbes, Ted Nicholas, Joel Stern, and David Reimer spoke on the importance of surprise changes, mentoring, and leisure time.  “A great leader challenges the convention wisdom and does an amazing feat,” declared Steve Forbes.  John Mackey said he was successful in creating Whole Foods Market “because I never took a business course in college.  I didn’t know it couldn’t be done.”

“Winning Hedge Fund Strategies,” with successful money manager Donald Smith, Andrew Redleaf, and Anthony Scaramucci. 

“Abolish the Fed:  Now What?” with Peter Schiff, Jerry Jordan, Richard Rahn, and a rare unexpected appearance by Rick Maybury (editor and publisher of U.S. & World Early Warning Report for Investors). 

Plus special sessions on:

Healthy Living Series, with alternative medicine expert Julian Whitaker, heart specialist Harry King, George and Mimi Murdock, Dr. Catherine Maloof, and John Mackey, who had an overflow session on “The Whole Foods Diet:  You Can Still Live to be 100 and Enjoy Life.” 

“Escape From America” Series, with talks about investing, living abroad tax free, and even changing citizenships.  Sponsored by the Sovereign Society, experts included Bob Bauman, Vernon Jacobs, CPA, Eric Roseman, Erika Nolan, and Thomas Fischer.  All sessions were well attended.   Other tax and estate planning speakers were Jeff Verdon, David T. Phillips, Joe Gandolfo, and Ron Holland. 

Financial gurus spoke on a variety of topics: 

Fox Business’s Dan Mangru Show was filmed at this year’s conference, featuring a panel on Alternative Investing with David McAlvany, Terry Coxon, Van Simmons (David Hall Rare Coins), and Jack Reed (one of the world’s experts on real estate), and “Where in the World to Invest?” with Frank Trotter, Adrian Day, and Lou Petrossi.

Dan Mangru also did an early-morning session with Rick Rule, John Browne, and Anthony Pulieri.

Each Room Dedicated to a Free-Market Patriot

At FreedomFest, we like to remember our heroes who have passed on.  Each room is dedicated to a free-market hero.  This year we had dedicated rooms to Paul Harvey, Art Linkletter, Robert Novak, Rose Friedman, Irving Kristol, Norman Borlaug, Edgar Gunther, Mike Zigler, Alexander Haig, Roy Disney…and Ted Kennedy (nominated by Orrin Hatch -- just kidding).   A picture and short biography of each was published in the souvenir program. 

Alan Charles Kors, controversial history professor at U Penn and founder of FIRE (Foundation for Individual Right in Education), on "Is there an After-Socialism?”

Joel Stern, CEO of Stern Stewart & Co., and finance professor at six graduate schools on “How to Fix Corporate Governance and Executive Pay for Good.” 

Pulitzer Prize winner Daniel Walker Howe (UCLA) on "What Hath God Wrought: The Transformation of America, 1815-1848." 

Jerry Jordan, former Fed Board member, on “What’s Really Going On Inside the World’s Most Powerful Central Bank.”

Leon Louw, president, Free Market Foundation (South Africa) on "Out of Darkest Africa: The Future is Bright.” (Which country has had the highest growth rate in 10 years?  Botswana!)

Wolfgang Muller on “Germany’s Green Agenda:  Is America Next?”  Let’s hope not. 

Brian Walsh, co-author of the new book “One Nation Under Arrest,” reported that Americans are subject to more than 4,400 federal criminal statutes, not counting “regulatory crimes.”

Charles Murray on his next book, “Coming Apart at the Seams,” how the  upper middle class is growing apart from the lower class, which is displaying disturbing trends that include a sharp rise in out-of-wedlock births, more crime in their neighborhoods, less religious attendance and reduced work habits.  He argued that affluent families need to leave their gated communities and reconnect with other layers of American life. 

Bill Barker, the world's best Thomas Jefferson impersonator, on “The Radical Philosophy of Thomas Jefferson.”

Tom Palmer (Atlas Foundation) led a special Middle East panel with Peshwaz Faizulla and Mirsulzhan Namazaliev.

FSU Professor Jim Gwartney on "Adam Smith vs. Keynes: Is Free-Market Economics Dead in the Classroom?"

Professor Steven Kates came from Australia to talk about “The Age of Keynes: The Beginning of the End?”  (Yes.)

Doug Bandow (Cato Institute) on "US Foreign Policy: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly."

Michael Shermer (Skeptic magazine, Scientific American) on “Why People Believe Weird Things STILL.”

Dr. Patrick Fagan (Family Research Center) on “Why Religious People Do Best in America.”

Rob Kampia on “Is Marijuana Reform the Only Issue That’s Moving in a Libertarian Direction?”

Richard Viguerie, conservative direct mail pioneer, on “The Fourth Leg of the Conservative Movement: Tea Parties!”  He warned against starting a third party.  “If you want your grandchildren to live under socialism,” Viguerie said, “go with a third party. The big spenders will put themselves in power for generations if we divide ourselves into two parties.”

Larry Pratt, president of Gun Owners of America, on “New Threats to Your 2^nd Amendment Rights.”

Lee Edwards (Heritage Foundation) on his new biography, “William F. Buckley, Jr.: The Maker of a Movement.”

Jim and Renee Green on “Dangerous Undercurrents at the UN.”

John Taylor, president of the Virginia Institute, on “The Battle for the Soul of America: The Philosophy of the Founders vs. Progressivism.”

Wayne Allyn Root, author of "The Conscience of a Libertarian," on "Wall Street vs. Las Vegas: Which is a Better Gamble?”

Elizabeth Ames, co-author with Steve Forbes of “How Capitalism Will Save Us,” will lead a panel on “Persuasion in Politics: Best Libertarian Strategies.”

Terry Easton on his new book “Refounding America.”

Prof. Ken Schoolland on “The Adventures of Jonathan Gullible:  40 Translations!” 

Sheldon Jacobs (editor, The Freeman) on “Libertarianism--Anti Racist.”

Marty Cummins on “Enlightened Capitalism, 21^st Century Style.” 

William Federer on “Change to Chains:  The History of Global Power in Times of Crisis.”

Craig Huey had a good crowd for his “12 New Marketing Trends and Strategies in the Age of Obama.” 

And Now for a Little fun….

But FreedomFest isn’t all business. We also offer an incredible array of entertainment and fun sessions. FreedomFest is a Renaissance gathering of authors, professors, and professionals interested in philosophy, history, science & technology, art & literature, geopolitics and economics, religion and law, and music and entertainment. For example, this year we offered:

Orson Scott Card, America’s #1 science fiction writer today (“Ender’s Game” and dozens of other novels and short stories) on “Science Fiction or Fictional Science?”  A controversial but powerful speech.

Keith Fitz-Gerald, a five degree black belt speaking on "Ten Secrets of the Ancient Samurai," including a performance with Samurai knives.

Deborah Morin on “The Fundamentals of Yoga Asana,” including yoga exercises each morning.

Bill Jenkinson, America’s #1 authority on baseball on his new book, "Baseball's Ultimate Power: Ranking the All-Time Greatest Distance Home Run Hitters.”

Mark Lee Gardner and Rex Rideout on "The Wild West of Jesse James and Billy the Kid," including singing old West ballads with a banjo, guitar and fiddle. (Plus they played for us during the opening cocktail party and Saturday banquet.)

Robert Wolchuk on the libertarian band Rush, “the greatest progressive rock trio of all time.” 

UNLV Astronomy professor Stephen Lepp on “You and the Cosmos,” an update on findings of the Hubble Space Telescope.  The pictures were breathtaking. 

Gary Alexander on “Jazz: The Sound of Freedom – Featuring America’s Greatest Ambassadors: Satchmo, Dizzy & the Duke.”

Steven Landsburg on his book, “More Sex is Safer Sex:  The Unconventional Wisdom of Economics.”  Interestingly, the program guide printed the title wrong, “More Sex is Better Sex,” which seemed to attract a bigger crowd. 

Jo Ann Skousen, English professor at Mercy College, on “Behind the Bricked Wall: The Creepy, Claustrophobic World of Edgar Allan Poe.”  She recounted the tragic life of Poe, and read his famous story “A Tale-Tale Heart.” 

Alex Green on “Creative Writing: How to Write a Bestseller.”   

Kudos to Tami Holland, our conference coordinator, for spending countless hours organizing the conference and all the details with the hotel, exhibitors, and speakers. 

Great Breakfasts & Luncheons

Every year we offer special luncheons with popular speakers.  This year we had Doug Casey on “Fast Money, Fast Cars and Fast Living Around the World”, Steve Forbes on “Inside Wall Street and the Financial Crisis,”  Burt Malkiel on “My 40 Year Walk Down Wall Street”, Nathaniel and Barbara Branden on “The Growing Influence of Ayn Rand”), Dinesh D’Souza on his new book on what makes Obama tick, and Peter Schiff on “The Three B’s: Debt, Dollar and Depression.”  Plus we had breakfasts with Jerry Jordan “Inside the Fed” and a celebration of 30 years of writing my investment newsletter, “My Seven Lessons After Writing 30 Years of Forecasts & Strategies.”  Afterwards, we took photos of attendees holding up American eagle silver dollars, symbol of FreedomFest. 

Missed a Session?  Don’t Worry:  Buy the CDs! 

Gala Saturday Night Banquet:  Steve Forbes Appears in Costume as the Father of Our Country!

Every year the highlight of FreedomFest is our closing Saturday night banquet. This year the theme was “Declare Your Own Independence,” beginning with a short musical skit “The Spirit of 76,” with Bill Barker as Thomas Jefferson, Mark Skousen as Ben Franklin, Gary Alexander as John Adams, David Phillips as Roger Sherman, and Steve Forbes as General George Washington.  Jo Ann Skousen produced and directed the performance, which got a standing ovation.   Cocho Arbes (who performs for Wayne Newton) played the piano numbers, and Christina Fletcher, a professional wig master, provided the wigs. 

Dance music and portrait painting of John Lennon and Thomas Jefferson was provided by “The Revolutionaries” (aka the Pink Flamingos).  “It was a triumph!” as John Adams would say.  Dancing followed immediately, and the stage was jammed until closing time, and dozens of attendees had their pictures taken with the Founding Fathers.  It was a night to be remembered.

FreedomFest 2011: “Keep the Revolution Alive.”

We’ve already set the dates for next year’s big show, which promises to be bigger and better than ever before: July 13-16, 2011, at Bally’s/Paris Resort in Las Vegas. Just think Bastille Day (July 14).  We will play off of the theme “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity.”  Yes, there is a libertarian vision for all three.  We are planning a special evening of entertainment both Thursday night on Bastille Day and the gala Saturday night banquet.  More details to come! 

We think next year’s FreedomFest will sell out (we have a maximum capacity of 3000). So you might want to take advantage of the “early bird” special ($100 off the retail price) by calling Tami Holland, 1-866-266-5101.   

FreedomFest is an Open Forum: Invite Your Friends and Your Favorite Freedom Organization

FreedomFest is an open forum, a one of a kind.  We encourage everyone in the freedom movement to join us. If you would like to speak about your new book, or sponsor your organization at next year’s FreedomFest, feel free to contact us about being on the program. 

And if you belong to a freedom organization or think tank that is not represented this year, why not encourage them to come and participate?

Other FreedomFest Events

We’ve also planned several other events for the coming year:

A world class South America cruise (Chile, Cape Horn, Uruguay, Argentina).  Last year’s cruise sold out, so get the details at  http://www.freedomfest.com/cruise/index.htm

Our post-Davos World Economic Summit February 16-20, 2011 at the Atlantis Hotel on Paradise Island in the Bahamas.   We can only handle 300 people, so register early.  For more information, call Tami Holland, our conference coordinator extraordinaire, at 1-866-266-5101, or email her at tami@freedomfest.com.