Although this is the second issue of Freedom Flyer, it is really our first newsletter that is indicative of a working, functioning political party.

Our being a little late in getting it out to you is another definite sign of that activity. So much has happened since we launched Freedom Party from our newly established headquarters in London last January, that it has had a direct effect on our ability to get this newsletter printed and distributed according to our originally anticipated schedule. But over the coming months, we fully expect to be back on that schedule, now that a lot of the preliminaries have been removed from our way (see ... From the President).

In our outline on the function of Freedom Flyer last issue, we stated that it was our intention to use the newsletter as a forum to provide political instruction and direction, to distribute membership forms and issue papers, and to profile individuals active in the pursuit of freedom. This issue includes content relating to all of these functions. For my comments on our literature and profiles of freedom activists, see the column ... From the President. Right now, though, I'd like to introduce you to those individuals who have offered their service, advice, time, and effort to the content of this newsletter. Our 'advice' columns, incidentally, are just that --- advice columns. They are by no means meant to be accepted as party policy, but are included here (and in future issues) because the advice being offered is directly related to experience. Naturally, differing experiences and knowledge will result in differing opinions on how to best advocate freedom, as Alan Wheable's criticism of some of Marc Emery's advice appearing last issue clearly demonstrates.

Alan Wheable's article School Boards in the Real World, is a lawyer who served as past chairman of the London Board of Education and as past president of the (federal) London East Progressive Conservative Association. A believer in less government and an ardent opponent of censorship, Mr. Wheable recently earned front-page attention in our local press when he publicly criticized the 'vote buying' practices of the London East P.C. Association as not being 'fair, open or credible,' and again when he appeared before London city council to protest the arbitrary regulations the city was about to (and did) impose on retailers of 'sexually-oriented' books and magazines. Mr. Wheable's advice is particularly valuable in helping to establish a proper perspective on what action and advocacy is or is not politically viable within his given political medium: that of municipal school boards.

The object of some of Mr. Wheable's criticism was the advice of Marc Emery, a downtown London businessman and publisher. Mr. Emery has twice entered the political forum as a candidate, most recently as aldermanic candidate for London's Ward 3. Marc's article on the benefits and disadvantages of running as a municipal candidate continues in this issue, and will continue in future issues of Freedom Flyer as well.

On a more philosophic note, Mark Pettigrew's suggestions on when to avoid unnecessary 'political debates' come from his own experience at the retail sales level. An employee of downtown London's City Lights bookstore, he has seized upon his daily opportunity to spread the philosophy of freedom to anyone who appears responsive. Mark may not always be aware of it, but his presence at City Lights and his contributions to Freedom Party play a critical role in the balancing of responsibilities here at provincial headquarters. His input, combined with his ever-increasing understanding of (and commitment to) objectivism, is an indication that freedom has gained another formidable ally.

Freedom Party's Chief Financial Officer, Murray Hopper, is a self-employed musician (teaching and playing jazz piano) and landlord. A practising socialist for forty years, Murray's conversion to laissez-faire was accompanied by his critical insight into the workings of socialist philosophy, or in other words --- he knows the 'enemy'. ('I have seen the enemy and he was me!'). Murray has been spending at least three days a week on party activities and his efforts have thus far resulted in the organization of our research and information files, and in the creation of some startlingly effective pieces of literature. Murray is currently, without doubt, our most prolific issue paper writer.

Another contributor to our pool of issue papers is John Cossar, a full-time chemist at the University of Western Ontario. John has been involved with the growth of Freedom Party in the London area since the establishment of our first Unparty constituency association in 1982. His talent as a writer, combined with his free-market insight to many complex issues (particularly on environmental and energy concerns (John was once an activist with the Safe Energy Coalition) gives us yet another perspective from which to promote freedom.

Finally, as president and chief spokesman for Freedom Party (on an effectively full-time basis), I've discovered that radical changes in career are accompanied by a mixed bag of benefits and costs (the most immediate cost being an over-all decline in the level of personal income). My former six-year experience as a regional accounting and administrative supervisor for Canada Permanent Trust Company has proven to be an asset in the re-organization of Freedom Party. Since I left that company in late 1982, I've privately contracted out my organizational services, served as writer and editor of the London MetroBulletin, and assumed the responsibility of being president of a provincially registered political party.

All of these activities have helped to increase my over-all effectiveness in communicating ideas, and most specifically, in promoting freedom. Between the writing, public speaking, addressing of public committees and commissions, and my day-to-day contact with individuals interested in our philosophy and ideals, I've been convinced that there is a definite market out there, just waiting to buy our product of freedom. Hopefully, Freedom Party will become one of its best-known retailers.

With that noble goal in mind, allow me to close off my introductions with a rather blunt appeal for your support. There's no point in pretending that the goals we've set for Freedom Party (see ... From the President) will simply accomplish themselves. Over the past few months, we have formulated an approach to marketing freedom that we believe to be (1) measurable, in terms of success or failure, (2) consistent, in terms of marketing strategy and creating party identity, and (3) effective, both in terms of the message we hope to convey and in terms of our chances for ultimate political success.

But everything we hope to accomplish depends directly upon your support --- either in the form of time or money --- and it doesn't have to be a lot. As Freedom Party member Kathleen Crawford, of Toronto, wrote us:

'...As [your] political beliefs are similar to my own, it is my wish that groups such as your continue, [so] I am sending enclosed a series of post-dated cheques. Although it is not a substantial sum, it is the part I am capable of doing. My motto in regard to finances has always been 'Better a steady dime than a seldom dollar.'

So, here are your 'dimes', and I sincerely hope, that along with them, you may get a steady torrent to obtain the things that you and I share and value.

Live long and prosper.

So while you're holding this newsletter in your hands, take a little time to fill out one of the appropriate enclosures and send it, along with your contribution, to our attention. We have many plans and projects slated for the upcoming months, projects that will simply never get off the ground without your continued support. Don't put it off till tomorrow --- do it right now!

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Page last updated on April 28, 2002