Ridgefield Liberty Cooperative

Our past programs are listed below with links to posts that applied at the time.

Justin Raimondo of Antiwar.com Program:

On November 10, 2010, Justin Raimondo, co-founder and managing editor of Antiwar.com, made a presentation at Western Connecticut State University on the antiwar movement.  Here is a description published at the time:

Original Post (11/14/10):

There was tension in the room last Wednesday night (11/10) when Justin Raimondo, managing editor of Antiwar.com, was the featured speaker at a program sponsored by Western Connecticut State University and the Ridgefield Liberty Cooperative. His topic: The Antiwar Movement.

We managed to get through it without insults or punches.  In the process, and in the midst of high tension, a lot of great issues were raised.  Where do rights come from?  What is the meaning of patriotism?  What is the difference between patriotism and nationalism?  Are the current wars fundamentally different from WWII or the Revolutionary War?  It was, we believe, a great start for additional discussion.

You can learn more about the program (which included a $1,000 essay prize for students) and a video of Justin’s presentation here: The Raimondo Program Including Link to Video.  Also here: Antiwar Presentation and Essay Contest.

The program received good press coverage including this opinion piece (pdf) written by Richard S. Land of the Ridgefield Liberty Cooperative:  Danbury News Times Opinion Piece.

Federal Reserve Program:

On November 19, 2009, Gene Epstein, economics editor of Barron’s magazine, delivered an address on the Federal Reserve System: Epstein on the Federal Reserve System.  The program was at the Ridgefield Playhouse.

You can see a short version of the program here:  Partial Video of Epstein Presentation on the Fed.

You can see the complete program here: Partial Video of Epstein Presentation on the Fed.

We offered a $1,000 award to the student who submitted the most thoughtful question to Mr. Epstein.  You can see the top five questions here: Federal Reserve Program: The Five Most Thoughtful Questions.  Jesse Nadel of Quinnipiac University won the award with Question.  You can see all the questions that were submitted here: Federal Reserve Program Student Questions Received.

Economist Nick Perna, who was a member of our panel of judges, wrote a critical article of Mr. Epstein’s presentation in the Ridgefield Press.  We responded and Mr. Epstein responded and Mr. Epstein also responded with an invitation to debate.  Mr. Perna declined. You can find the Epstein and RLC responses via links here: Federal Reserve Program: Gene Epstein’s Response to Nick Perna: Let’s Debate.

Gary Johnson and Peter Schiff Ridgefield Playhouse Program:

On April 2, 2010, we hosted an event at the Ridgefield Playhouse with Gary Johnson (former Governor of New Mexico and possible candidate for the Republican nomination for U.S. president in 2012) and Peter Schiff (then candidate for the Republican nomination for the senate seat being vacated by Christopher Dodd’s retirement).  A description of that program is here: Meet Governor Gary Johnson and Senate Hopeful Peter Schiff April 2.  Regrettably, we have not yet been able to post the video of that program.

Reception for Gary Johnson:

Later in the year on June 22, 2010, Gary Johnson once again visited Ridgefield for an intimate gathering with approximately 30 supporters at the home of Bill and Barb Costello.  Mr. Johnson spent the evening getting to know all of us on a personal level and fielding questions and facilitating lively conversation late into the evening.

Gathering at SAGI Restaurant:

We held an informal gathering at SAGI Restaurant in Ridgefield on March 1, 2010 (originally scheduled for February 25 but postponed because of snow).  Here are some postings regarding that program: SAGI Gathering and A Conversation with a Progressive Friend.  We discussed issues dealt with in videos displayed at that link: the Hayek vs. Keynes rap video; Christopher Hedges on corporatism, militarism and the debasement of the currency; Ron Paul’s comments on the state of the Republic; and Howard Zinn on foreign intervention.

Lecture by Professor Kevin Gutzman:

On April 22, 2009, we hosted Professor Kevin Gutzman, author of the New York Times bestseller, The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Constitution and co-author of Who Killed the Constitution?, for a lecture at the  Ridgefield Community Center (Lounsbury Hall).  Regrettably, we have not yet been about to post the video of that program.

Fiat Empire (the movie) at the Ridgefield Library:

On February 19, 2009, at the Ridgefield Library (the Dayton room) we offered the movie Fiat Empire, an eye opening, thought provoking movie about the history and the activities of the Federal Reserve System, and its role (with large banks and Congress) in the creation of booms and busts and the destruction of the dollar.

Pre-Primary Citizens Forum:

On January 31, 2009, we hosted a Pre-Primary Citizens Forum at the Ridgefield Playhouse offering “Films and presentations you will want to see before you vote in the Presidential Primary on February 5” and open mics so that all who attended would have an opportunity to express their opinions and concerns before voting in the primary.

Ridefield Press Article:

When we were just getting started, the Ridgefield Press did an article about us.  You can see it here: Ridgefield Press Article (Page 1); Ridgefield Press Article (Continued).

Is the current “left” to “right” political spectrum becoming obsolete?

On April 2 at 6:30 PM at the Ridgefield Playhouse, members of the Ridgefield Liberty Cooperative are sponsoring a program that will challenge the way you think about current events.  Join us and meet citizen-advocates who are likely to spearhead a movement that will change the dialogue.

The message of Gary J. Johnson (former Governor of New Mexico) appeals to the anti-empire “old right” and the anti-war “left.”  His position on civil liberties appeals to civil libertarians, wherever they reside on the political spectrum.  Rumors are that Mr. Johnson may be running for the Republican presidential nomination.  Let us introduce you to him.

Peter Schiff also will be there.  He is running for the Republican nomination for the Senate seat to be vacated by Chris Dodd.  To many, including the Hartford Courant, Mr. Schiff appeared to be the clear winner of the recent debate with other Senate hopefuls, Rob Simmons and Linda McMahon.  During the debate, Mr. Schiff said, “If you send me to Washington, I promise you one thing: that town will never be the same again.”  After you meet him, you will be convinced he means it.

We admire serious candidates who take time from their successful careers to challenge the entrenched special interests that control Washington.  Although Mr. Johnson and Mr. Schiff are Republicans, do not assume they are clones of the Bush/Cheney crew.  In fact, they have been extremely vocal critics of the policies of both the previous and current administrations.  They challenge both party establishments for continuing to pursue flawed foreign policies, profligate spending, easy money and attacks against civil liberties.  The Republican national establishment appears to be very worried about the likes of Johnson and Schiff.  And, of course, you would expect the Democratic establishment to be wary.

In keeping with past practices of the Ridgefield Liberty Cooperative, we have set aside a great deal of time for Q&A.  We hope to see you there.

Students will not be charged.  Admission for non-students is $20.  The $20 admission includes a cocktail reception following the program.

We cancelled the meeting on February 25 (tonight) because of the threat of snow.  We are trying to re-schedule for next week (possibly Monday, March 1).  We will post a notice when the date, place and time are definite.

Below are videos to serve as food for thought before our February 25 meeting at Sagi’s Restaurant in Ridgefield, Connecticut (23 1/2 Catoonah Street).  We hope that much of the discussion can be interesting and fun in the nature of the first video which is in the form of a rap song.   We hope to see you there.  $20 covers appetizers and salads.  The management tells us that no one will leave hungry.  Sagi’s needs an accurate head count so please R.S.V.P. to Bill Costello at  wrcostello@sbcglobal.net by February 22.

(1) An entertaining debate between John Maynard Keynes and Friedrich von Hayek:

(2) Christopher Hedges on corporatism, militarism and debasement of the dollar:

(3) Ron Paul (anti-war libertarian Republican) on the state of the republic:

Video Part One

Video Part Two

Video Part Three

(4) Howard Zinn (anti-war civil rights activist) on foreign intervention:

We look forward to seeing you on February 25.

Rich

Richard Land

Ridgefield Liberty Cooperative, LLC

A Conversation with a Progressive Friend

Last April I wrote a Letter to the Editor of the Ridgefield Press about a conversation I had with a Progressive friend about the Constitution. I reported that we found agreement on a wide range of issues from foreign policy to the use of federal power for the enrichment of special interests.

I recently approached him to let him know that I have been thinking about what he said regarding the environment, agriculture, education, energy and health care. I want to know more about his views.

Surprisingly, he responded, “Rich, I’ve also been thinking about what you said about the connection between the Federal Reserve System, corporatism and militarism. We seem to agree more than we disagree. As I think about it more, I believe the solutions to our local problems require local action but federal needs drain away all the resources we need at the community level.”

As the conversation progressed I could see that he had begun to question some of the fundamentals of Keynesian economics; he could tell that I had become suspicious of de-regulation in an environment where special interests control economic policy.

We decided to keep talking. I invited him to a meeting the Ridgefield Liberty Cooperative is having at Sagi’s Restaurant in Ridgefield on February 25, 2010, at 7:00 PM.

My friend might not be able to make it to the meeting because he lives in Vermont but we would very much like to see other interested folks from Ridgefield and surrounding towns show up. We want to discuss areas where civil libertarian anti-war progressives and libertarian and conservative anti-war types agree.

Please join us at Sagi’s in Ridgefield, Connecticut (23 1/2 Catoonah Street) at 7:00 on February 25. $20 will be charged for appetizers and salads. We are toldby management that no one will leave hungry.  Sagi’s needs an accurate head count so please R.S.V.P. to Bill Costello at wrcostello@sbcglobal.net by February 22.

We look forward to seeing you on February 25.

Rich

Richard Land

Ridgefield Liberty Cooperative, LLC