LIBERTY DOLLAR NEWS: March 2007 Vol. 9 No. 3
Welcome new Readers, Associates, Merchants and RCOs!
CALL TO ACTION:
What a month it has been! It is not every day that one sues the US
government. And as the former Mintmaster of the Royal Hawaiian Mint, this
has special significance. Who would have thought I would sue the Mint that I
thought so much of? Well, as we all know, things change. Sometimes for the
worst, like the US dollar. It is the duty of the good citizen to keep the
government accountable and in line with the US Constitution. So there is
never a dull moment with the Liberty Dollar. We need your support and
donations to defend your right to use gold and silver between consenting
adults... or heaven help us!
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
1. Liberty Dollar sues the US Mint
2. Test of Wills & New Defense Liberty Dollar
3. California “Silver Bear” roars! Who’s next?
4. LDU-13 in Evansville April 11-14
5. AIER and PorcFest in June
6. ALD Surges / Advertising Update
7. Berkshares Local Currency debuts
8. Letter / Article to the Editor
9. Success Story / Incident of the Month
10. Question of the Month
11. Liberty Associate of the Month
12. Quote of the Month
1. Liberty Dollar sues the US Mint
Liberty Dollar filed suit against the U.S. Mint on Tuesday, March 20 in
U.S. District Court in Evansville, Indiana, and asked the court to declare
that the use of the Liberty Dollar is not a “federal crime,” as claimed by
the U.S. Mint. We further asked the court to enter a permanent injunction
against the U.S. Mint requiring it to remove any reference that the use of
Liberty Dollars is a federal crime from its website.
The Liberty Dollar organization denies that its more than 100,000
proponents are federal outlaws. It identifies them as law-abiding citizens
who “legally have made the inflation-proof Liberty Dollar America’s second
most-popular currency.” And the organization demands that the federal
government cease and desist from threatening them.
The Liberty Dollar group maintains it is protecting the right of every
American to use or barter any “money” they may voluntarily agree to utilize.
They point out that anybody can lawfully barter a dozen eggs for five pounds
of sugar without fear of government interference, as an example. The group
even quotes Andrew Williams, a spokesman for the Federal Reserve in
Washington, D.C., as saying, "There is no law that says goods and services
must be paid for with Federal Reserve notes. Parties entering into a
transaction can establish any medium of exchange that is agreed upon."
We have labeled the U.S. government/U.S. Mint’s allegation that the use
of the Liberty Dollar is criminal as completely misguided. “The Liberty
Dollar organization has never claimed that its new gold and silver currency
was a ‘coin’ or ‘legal tender.’ For over eight years, the Liberty Dollar has
prospered from the fact that people could use any ‘private voluntary
currency’ they chose. The Liberty Dollar organization has simply benefited
from the differences between the debt-based U.S. dollar and a value-based
currency.” Von NotHaus concludes, “There is absolutely no violation of U.S.
law.”
Actually the government forced the lawsuit upon itself. As we said, “We
had to sue the U.S. Mint, because this unfair and illegal warning was
killing the Liberty Dollar and the ideals it represents. We’re a relatively
small group that can’t afford to be smeared by the umpteen billion US
dollars of the federal government. It has seriously impacted our business.”
The Liberty Dollar organization finds hope in the fates of other
companies who withstood attacks from the federal government and won. “Just
like FedEx, I expect the Liberty Dollar to win this suit, re-establish sound
money, and have the U.S. government as its biggest customer.”
2. Test of Wills & New Defense Liberty Dollar
If you were one of the few who responded to our urgent call for a
donation to help us fight the US government... THANK YOU! We greatly
appreciate every dollar you sent... even if it was those dreaded,
depreciating US dollars... every dollar counts!
This “test of wills” with the US government will not be decided
overnight. The government now has 60 days to respond to our lawsuit. We
don’t expect them to be in much of a hurry... as they have every reason to
be slow. Then a schedule will be set for discovery, briefs, orals and
finally a judgment. All this takes time and money...
Unfortunately, as I mentioned in my first announcement... “most people
are not very responsive.” In fact, we even got some hate mail... from our
own list when we announced the lawsuit!
So let me be blunt, honest and to the point: We need your help, please.
The US Mint would have us believe that it is illegal for Americans to
exchange gold and silver (such as the Gold and Silver Eagles minted by the
US Mint or any other gold and silver for that matter) on a voluntary basis
between consenting adults. Just imagine that at a time when “consenting
adults” can legally exchange “fluids” between themselves, the US Mint would
have us believe that you and we cannot trade gold and silver between
ourselves. This is ridiculous and an assault on the concept of a free
market.
Make no doubt about it... The very idea of a free market is at risk due
to the US government’s assault on our right to use anything of choice in the
marketplace. While we have never asked for a donation in over eight years,
we need it now. Donations are accepted in Liberty Dollars: metal, paper or
digital, even those dreaded Federal Reserve Notes that pass themselves off
as US dollars are accepted, and credit cards.
Yes, a special Defense Liberty Dollar will be sent to you for every $20
you donate... after we win. This Defense Liberty Dollar is only available to
those who donate $20 or more. This special Defense Liberty Dollar will not
be “sold.” If you don’t donate... you will not be able to get one. We really
need your support, please.
NEW DEFENSE LIBERY DOLLAR:
Plus a specially hallmarked one ounce $20 Defense Silver Liberty is
available for only $25 each plus S&H (while silver is under $15 spot). Each
Defense Silver Liberty will feature two special hand stamped hallmarks: the
“Scales of Justice” and my personal Mintmark. This issue is strictly limited
to only those Defense Silver Libertys issued during this fund-raiser. They
will not be available after we win...
And if you like gold... there is a special Defense Gold Liberty auction
on eBay. Please click
HERE for more info.
Again... my most heartfelt thanks for those of you who actually sent in a
donation. You have been wonderful... and I only hope you might donate again.
And for those who have not joined the party... we are only asking for $10,
but you can send just a dollar from your eLD account. But remember... you
will receive a special Defense Liberty Dollar for every $20 you donate while
we fight for your right to use any money of choice in the marketplace.
3. California “Silver Bear” Roars! Who’s next?
In the February Newsletter I asked if the Liberty Dollar was about to
explode, and so it would appear. The fuse has been lit by the California RCO
Association’s new “Silver Bear” – certainly one of the strongest Liberty
Dollar designs to date... a true classic. And a half dozen other custom
projects are working their way through the design/die cutting process. Got
an idea? Want to have your own money for your business, community, family?
Please call or email your idea to us.
Meanwhile, please check out the California Silver Bear at: http://www.hchq.biz
4. LDU-13 in Evansville April 11-14
Are you coming to Liberty Dollar University #13 (LDU-13) in Evansville,
Indiana? Centrally located and bristling with all the info about the latest
lawsuit against the US Mint, this is the place to get all your questions
answered, and your opportunity to meet the best people involved with the
Liberty Dollar. And as it is being held at the Fulfillment office, it costs
only $100, half the usual price. So if you are considering opening a
Regional Currency Office, interested in having your own custom money
developed, or just want to get the inside info on what’s happening with the
Liberty Dollar, this LDU-13 is the place to be. It begins with a Meet/Greet
on Wednesday at 6:00 and concludes with lunch on Saturday, April 14. As
registration is limited to only 25, please register so we can be prepared.
No walk-ins please. Hope to see you there! For more info, please call the
office: 888.LIB.DOLLAR or 888.421.6181.
5. AIER and PorcFest in June
I am pleased to announce that the prestigious American Institute for
Economic Research (AIER) in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, has invited me
to make a major presentation on: “Private Money - The solution to our
monetary quagmire." As the focus is much larger than just the Liberty
Dollar, it promises to be a very dynamic event. I will cover five major
fields for discussion and devote the majority of time to addressing the
issues and objections of a very astute audience including Federal Reserve
employees, hard money devotees, economists, and students attending the AIER
Summer Fellowship Program.
“Private Money” by Bernard von NotHaus: 3:00, Thursday, June 21, 2007.
If you are not familiar with the AIER, one of our country’s oldest and
strongest supporters of the money and ideals that made our country great,
please visit:
www.AIER.org. AIER in Great Barrington, MA 01230. Phone
413.528.1216.
info@aier.org.
Immediately follow the AIER presentation I will journey over to the Free
State Project’s annual 2007 Porcupine Freedom Festival, June 18 - June 24,
2007, at the Gunstock Mountain Resort, in Gilford, NH. Like all of New
Hampshire, Gunstock is a very beautiful ski resort and a much better place
than the previous venues. The title for this fourth year is: "Discover New
Freedoms, New Communities, and New Beginnings!" So I invite you to discover
the Liberty Dollar at PorcFest and join myself, Charles Hampe, and dozens of
other Liberty Dollar supporters on Saturday, June 23. For more info please
visit: http://freestateproject.org/festival/ . Hope to see you there. PorcFest is always a blast!
6. ALD Surges / Advertising Update
First, let me thank all the suggestions, leads and advise on advertising.
There was simply no way to respond to all the input... but we gratefully
appreciate all of it. Unfortunately, many sites do not accept advertising,
just as the Liberty Dollar does not. And many others’ rates are over the
moon. And there are a good number of sites like Human Events who refused our
ads because of the US Mint warning. What happened to innocent until proven
guilty? What happened to Human Events? Now totally co-oped by Bushism.
For everyone who suggested Joseph Farah and WorldNetDaily... He is the
worst. Talk about being out of touch and having one’s head in a dark
place... I don’t think Farah is who he appears to be... He is certainly not
a Liberty Dollar supporter... And this has been evident since the very
beginning of the Liberty Dollar... no support... no mention... no news
coverage... ever. And when Farah launched his monthly print issue that was
devoted to the Federal Reserve, not only was it the same old tired
articles... never a word about the Liberty Dollar... nor has WorldNetDaily
ever posted a single word about the Liberty Dollar... weird? Yes.
Conspiracy? Your call. Personally, I trust the Liberty Dollar more than WND.
Meanwhile: Liberty Dollar Surges Forward in New Hampshire
Posted by: Charles Hampe
This past weekend the Free State Project hosted the NH Liberty Forum at
the Holiday Inn in downtown Concord. John Stossel of 20/20 was the keynote
speaker. Libertarian presidential candidate Mike Badnarik and Congressman
Ron Paul (Texas) were also featured.
Turnout was more than double of what was expected! It was a fantastic
experience for all and an exceptional opportunity for the Liberty Dollar. We
had a small exhibit table but attracted way more than our fair share of
interest. LOTS of Silver Libertys and Silver
Certificates were exchanged at full face value.
Three RCOs as well as several Associates were active at the exhibit.
Fritz Schrom from Pennsylvania and Mike Eck from Virginia drove up and
shared the table with me. Fritz
is a great explainer with a laid-back style and sold out some of the
items he brought.
I was invited to speak on a panel on Friday afternoon and took advantage
of the opportunity to promote our hard/real money cause. That went over
really well also.
A poll was taken during our panel discussion to see where all the people
were from. They were from states all across the country with only a few
locals. It was great to see that so many people made such a great effort to
be there.
The enthusiasm of the organizers was overwhelming. This event was the
first of its kind but will now be annual. Maybe you will be there next year?
The next big event for the Freestaters is the annual Porcupine Festival
in June. Bernard von NotHaus has attended these in the past. This next one
will be at Gunstock Ski Resort in Gilford, NH, and promises to be the best
one yet. More info at www.NHfree.com.
Charles Hampe
llleeellleee1@yahoo.com
7. Berkshares Local Currency debuts
New England Town Prints Up Its Own Currency
'Berkshares' Are Intended to Encourage Local Commerce
By Stephanie Sy
Susan Witt is an unassuming middle-aged woman who drives a Volvo around her
quaint Rockwell-esque town and has somehow managed to foment a small
revolution.
After years of planning, Witt started printing her own money and spending it
around town. She is not a counterfeiter. She is the founder of Berkshares, a
local currency that was introduced last fall in Southern Berkshire, Mass.
(where Norman Rockwell lived out his later years).
"The Berkshares are pretty simple to operate," she said. "You walk into a
local bank, put down $90 federal and get 100 Berkshares, and then those
Berkshares are spent at full value at regional stores."
$835,000-worth of notes were printed on fine-grain paper and distributed to
banks that agreed to participate. The notes are now accepted at 225
businesses in the area, and the program continues to grow.
[Space does not permit including the whole article. Please click
HERE for the complete article.
Berkshares was also featured on
ABC television.
8. Letter / Article to the Editor
[Editor note: Due to the length of the Newsletter, no letter will be
posted this month.]
9. Success Story / Incident of the Month
Success is ours if we stay the course
Posted Friday, March 16, 2007 by: "Daniel Doering"
Reporting from the city of The Golden Gate in the fabulous Haight-Ashbury
District of San Francisco. From a shop called "Coffee to the People
Empowerment" at the corner of Masonic & Haight Streets, one block east of
Haight-Ashbury.
I have a big legal problem. I am fighting a driving without seatbelt
charge in Woodland, CA, no points on my license of course, but a hefty $91
dollar fine. I needed to get the judge's oath to the constitution. I left
Sacramento this morning at 8:30 for S.F. Bound for the State Bar of
California on Howard Street, S.F.
About half way to S.F., I haphazardly stopped at the city hall of
Vacaville. I walked into the planning department where a professional
draftsman was filing drawings for a client's building. I asked the clerk if
Vacaville was a nice place to live. The draftsman said that it is a great
place to live, he asked me why? I said "I'm a constitutionalist; I don't
like the excessive regulation in California." He said, "Move to Montana." I
said, "I don't like the snow."
He asked me what I do? I pulled out a $5 Silver Liberty saying "This is
what I market."
He said, "That's real silver!” I said "Yeah." "Do you have more?" he
asked. I said, "Yup, I have a whole car full of’em!" We walked to my car
where I produced a handful of new $20s. At this point, we had not introduced
ourselves. I explained to Kevin about the Federal Reserve and the income
tax, and this PRIVATE MONEY. I made sure that Kevin knew this was a private
money system.
Turns out, Kevin knows of Joe Banister, the tax honesty movement, the
fight for honest government and money. He immediately pulled out his cell
phone and called his brother. Kevin turned to me and asked, "How much do you
have?" I said, "A couple of thousand dollars worth right in that old car!"
Kevin said, "Don't go away, I'm going home to get some cash." I waited
about 10 minutes.
Kevin returned with a wad of $100 FRNs. Kevin purchased $600 face value
in one ounce $20s, eight $10s and four $5s. A total of $700. Another
believer in Silver Money. He then told me that there are many like-minded
people in Vacaville.
I definitely intend to spend some time developing the Liberty Dollars in
that town.
I finally made it to Haight-Ashbury and I showed the silver to several
merchants. I have gotten positive responses. The people seem to be much more
open-minded and educated than in other areas that I have encountered. I've
been all over the USA with the Silver Libertys. From Buffalo, New York,
Cleveland, Iowa City, Las Vegas, Winslow-Arizona, Topeka-Kansas, Salt Lake
City-Utah, Jackson-Mississippi, Nashville, Memphis, Cincinnati, Roswell-New
Mexico. I have found merchants everywhere who have accepted the Silver
Liberty.
Dan Doering
flyer298@yahoo.com
916-220-4775
[Editor note: Thanks, Dan, for your constant support and success with the
Liberty Dollar.]
10. Question of the Month
QUESTION: Why is the Liberty Dollar tied to US dollar?
ANSWER: Of course, the quick answer is that it is NOT tied to the US
dollar. It is tied to gold and silver. Often the circular logic goes that as
the Liberty Dollar is tied to the
silver spot price that is quoted in dollars, that it is tied to the US
dollar. This is simply not the case. The Liberty Dollar is tied to silver,
which is also quoted in euros, yen, etc., and it is certainly not tied to
the euro, yen, etc. The Liberty Dollar is tied to gold and silver, not the
US dollar, please.
11. Liberty Associate of the Month
Some people who really like the Liberty Dollar... will go the extremes...
drive wild distances... and take chances that angels would never consider.
Of course, these are my favorite people and the reason the Liberty Dollar is
successful. It is also the reason why this Associate is the Liberty
Associate of the Month. Long before this Associate posted his latest Success
Story, I had him on this list... and as we get so many good stories from
him, I cannot say it is by pure chance that he is also mentioned above ...
so it is my pleasure to acknowledge Dan Doering as the Liberty Associate of
the Month. Dan has put forth an outstanding steady effort to inform people
about money and to draw them into understanding that there is a peaceful,
profitable solution to our fiat monetary system. And of course along the way
the newly informed people usually get some Liberty Dollars. Congratulations
Dan on being the Liberty Associate of the Month and for all your support!
You are an outstanding example for our organization. Thank you.
12. Quote of the Month
“One should respect public opinion insofar as is necessary to avoid
starvation and to keep out of prison, but anything that goes beyond this is
voluntary submission to an unnecessary tyranny.” Bertrand Russell
Closing Remarks:
With the filing of the lawsuit, the Liberty Dollar enters a new era. This
is a time when we really need your support and donations. This is a must-win
for the Liberty Dollar. And while the US Mint is not saying the Liberty
Dollar is illegal, only the use, the lawsuit is critical for us and the
ideals the Liberty Dollar represents. Stay tuned for more amazing things to
come.
Many thanks to all the Liberty Associates, Merchants, and RCOs for your
continued support. For it is only by banding together and adopting a free
and independent currency which provides us with “just weights and measures”
will we be able to throw off the yoke of a manipulated monetary/tax system
and generate a peaceful and prosperous society.
Thank you again for all your efforts to return America to value – one
dollar at a time!
Bernard von NotHaus
Monetary Architect/Editor
Editor@LibertyDollar.org
www.LibertyDollar.org
888.LIB.DOLLAR
888.421.6181
