Also as part of the conference this weekend, we also celebrate Lew Rockwell’s 60th birthday. Sto lat!. Lew runs the best think tank in the country which has the best economics site in the world. His little hobby—LewRockwell.com—has turned into the best political site in the world. I say that as someone who was a reader of it before I was a writer for it. (Frankly, I try to put out of my memory whatever I used to do in the morning before LRC went online. Watch the Today Show?) That’s not all. Lew also manages to produce an endless stream of speeches and essays featuring some of the best prose in the libertarian corpus.There is a solid core of beliefs at Mises, often called “Austro-libertarianism,” but this is due to spontaneous order, not the provision of intellectual straightjackets or enforcement of a party line. Outside these core beliefs, there is a remarkable degree of intellectual, religious, and philosophical diversity, ironically more such diversity than some locales critical of the Mises Institute.
Personally, I can attest that no one at or around the Mises Institute ever asked me what I thought about any issue as if there was only one right answer or banishment awaited. Those bibliographically-challenged who toss around the word “cult” are perhaps engaging in “reaction formation,” accusing others of what they themselves are guilty of.
Lew is an example of Jefferson’s natural aristocracy in action. He is a leader because he commands respect, not because he commands armies or a billionaire’s checkbook. Good people stay by him and work for him, year after year, decade after decade. New people drift in; few drift out. Ever more young and talented libertarians vote with their feet for the Mises Institute.
In the end, this human capital will prevail over the greater financial capital flowing elsewhere because the best and the brightest are attracted to intellectual integrity; they can’t be bought. In turn, this talent and integrity does receive financial support from those who seek to further the core mission, not to manipulate or divert it.
When others cowered after 9/11, Lew and crew fought for their principles more boldly than ever. Unlike some others, Lew never has to wonder, “What did I get in return for selling out my principles, anyway?”
Lew reminds me of old Gen. Lewis Armistead, out in front of the troops, taking fire, but pressing on: “Come on boys, give them the cold steel! Who will follow me?”
Lew Rockwell is the worthy successor to Murray Rothbard as the leader of authentic libertarianism. Happy birthday, Lew!
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Many Happy Returns Lew. I am an avid daily reader of LRC and have learned so much and am so grateful. May you continue to educate us all and help to turn the tide of this once great nation.
Kay Stewart
Without the work that Lew has spearheaded at LvMI and LRC, we might end up starting from scratch. As if we were in the same situation as Rothbard or even Mises. And I don’t think any of us are smart enough to express ourselves or libertarianism as they did. Without Lew’s organisations, who will spread the word of Mises and Rothbard? And who for that matter will do it for those of us interested in places like Australia?
Mazel Tov
Mr Rockwell, As a former Intelligence Analyst I am disenchanted with the media bias, spin and disinformation reaching the public. I seek to dig deeper, think critically and act locally. Draw us together sir, like the anchor on Network telling us all to throw open the window and yell “I’m as mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore” You have developed an organization of thoughtful power here. Give us something to do… Happy Birthday~
Mr. Rockwell, Happy 60th; and may you enjoy many more!
Thank you for sharing your insights on a variety of topics; it is immeasurable comfort to find expression for my sentimemnts through your words.
In reading them, I’ve discovered I am libertarian at heart.
Happy Birthday Lew! Mises and Rothbard would be proud!
Happy Birthday: Thanks for all you do, ie, the Mises Institute, the Wisdom of Liberty, the forum. May it continue forever. Alfred Davie
Happy birthday, Lew. Spero te et hunc natalem et plurimos alios quam felicissimos acturum esse
Mr. Rockwell has taken his time to respond to my emails…
But supposing he hadn’t…LewRockwell.com provides me reassuarance that what I KNOW in my heart is right…is right. Thank you.
Happy Birthday, Mr. Rockwell!
We can all hope to live so long to see liberty dawn in the world. If anyone here is still alive when it does, we will remember you as one who showed the way. You have taught us not only the supreme virtue of liberty, but also of the importance of patience in achieving a just and lasting order.
Many happy returns.
Happy 60th Birthday To Lew Rockwell From Dixie Daily News- No man in America has done more to educate the public about the Southern viewpoint, a true and honest history of America and those who rule over us, free markets and a return to limited constitutional government than Lew Rockwell and the Ludwig von Mises Institute. God willing, we pray Lew and his important work for liberty will go forth far longer than the short 74 years our Constitution lasted from 1787 until Lincoln’s unconstitutional war and destruction of the Constitution beginning in 1861. Happy Birthday Lew and may God continue to bless your efforts. – Ron Holland, editor, Dixie Daily News
PS Please review the Mises Institute Blog at http://blog.mises.org/archives/002601.asp and post your birthday greetings and thanks for a job well done. Also send them a tax deductible contribution so their efforts can continue.
Glad you came along, Lew. You are one of the better gifts of creation. You’ve seen your duty and you do it admirably; but the battle is far from won. Carry on, soldier.
Dear Mr. Rockwell,
Happy, Healthy, and Hearty Birthday to ya from Texas!!! I most earnestly appreciate all your efforts to further TRUE Liberty and hope for multiple felicitous years for you to keep on doing the same.
Please take care and may God bless you always, sir.
DEO VINDICE!!!
Jay Leib
Yours is definitely a life worth celebrating Lew. Thank you for building an exquisite lighthouse for our foggy world.
Ah dear lew, 60 years and counting, how truly great! What more can be said? When RRR died and I was told that my money would be used for something, maybe on the net, I was not a happy camper!!! I loved RRR sooo much, and could not believe that it (and sir Rothbard) was gone!!!!
Well, was I wrong or what?? Out of that great loss, you brought forth the most important site on the net!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I speak for hundreds of thousands when I say that. There is NO SITE even close!!!
What has happened here will help change the world faster than all the other sites put together. Happy birthday Lew, and may you write for 60 more!!!!!!
best, tick
Best wishes and congratulations for the greatest Libertarian website-owner, Mr Lew Rockwell!
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