May 14, 2002

FEE FEST 2002 A HISTORIC SUCCESS

Here is what people are saying about FEE Fest 2002, the first annual FEE National Convention:

"Thank you so much for having me there. I am not at all surprised at the great response. It was a great event with a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of thought."--Ben Stein

"What a super, fantastic, great convention FEE put on, a very energizing 3 days. I loved it!!!!"

"Keep me posted on all FEE happenings. Thanks for all you do in the name of Liberty."

"Excellent FEE Fest last weekend in Las Vegas. I am delighted that I was able to be a part of it."

"I shall certainly make plans to reserve time next year for FEE Fest 2003!"

"A great group of participants and a well-run and organized conference."

"I have done nothing but talk about the convention for the past four days."

We at FEE headquarters have talked of nothing else for the past four days either--FEE Fest 2002, as everyone is calling it, was a fantastic success. We couldn't have been more pleased with the way our first annual national convention turned out, from the huge turnout for our pre-conference FEE Course in Sound Economics Friday to the closing remarks and announcement of Mark Skousen's "Big Idea" on Sunday at noon. Over 850 paid registrants
attended, nearly doubling our original target. The biggest complaint? Too much to see, too little time! How was one to choose? At least no one was bored.

Nathaniel Branden, keynote speaker at the Saturday night banquet, described the atmosphere well when he said, "I feel an electricity here that I haven't sensed at libertarian meetings for a long time." And he was right. Many commented on the sense of reunion they felt as they met with old friends, listened to speakers whose writings they have read for years, and basked in the enjoyment of being among like-minded people who love liberty and intellectual pursuit. It was electrifying and invigorating. And over far too soon.

Ben Stein, character actor, game show host, former Nixon speechwriter, and economist, charmed the audience with a poem he wrote for FEE on his way to Las Vegas (the poem will be printed in the next issue of Ideas on Liberty; to subscribe, go to www.FEE.org ) Stein opened with a few jokes, then discussed the problem of Business as Bad Guy in Hollywood. He pointed out the irony of this very wealthy industry being so critical of business people, and suggested that envy on the part of Hollywood writers is the main source of this negativity. During the Q & A, Stein was asked what advice he might give to a 20-year-old Ben Stein. His response was moving: "Thank your parents more," he stated. "I don't think I ever appreciated my parents enough, or told them enough."

Over 600 people arrived early to attend the preconference FEE course in Sound Money and Economics. Respected economists Roger Garrison, Harry Veryser, Richard Ebeling, and Charles Baird joined FEE president Mark Skousen in presenting the course, which focused on such principles as Accountability, Economics, Investment, Opportunity, and Universality (AEIOU). Next year we plan to add the Genius Course, a series of advanced presentations on economics, science, and philosophy to run concurrently with the basic FEE course. Choices again!

Famed Las Vegas magicians Penn and Teller arrived to hear Harry Browne's presentation, "How I Found Freedom in an Unfree World--Thirty Years Later." Active libertarians themselves, they are friends of Harry's. Unfortunately, they were touring the Exhibit Hall during Harry's panel! They did spend some time with science fiction and screen writer Neil Shulman, however.

C-Span Book Notes videotaped Harry's presentation, as well as those presented by authors Gerald O'Driscoll, "The World Map of Economic Freedom-A Startling Revelation"; Michael Ledeen, "The Brilliance of Alex de Tocqueville and America's Fatal Weakness"; Mark Skousen, "The Big Three in Economics--Smith, Marx, and Keynes"; Dinesh D'Souza, "What's So Great About America?"; and Charles Murray, "The Growing Controversy of the Bell Curve." These presentations will be broadcast on C-Span several times over the next few weeks. For scheduled broadcasts, check www.FEE.org or www.feenews.org.

Roberto Salinas and Manuel Ayau headed the Latin America panel, which not only had a standing-room-only crowd but continued for nearly an hour after it was supposed to end. The debate between Dinesh D'Souza and David Kelley, "Is Selfishness a Virtue?" was also a big draw, and seemed to be leaning in D'Souza's direction (perhaps because moderator George Gilder leaned in D'Souza's direction) until Kelley's conclusion with the moving story of a
woman fighting AIDS who says, "I do this for myself. I don't do it for my children, or for my doctor, or my social worker. I do it for myself." Nathaniel Branden added to the debate later that evening when, in his keynote address, he quoted Charles Murray's explanation of why he would go to the trouble of returning an overpayment: "I am motivated by self-love. And I wouldn't love my self as much if I didn't act honestly."

Another popular panel was the session on terrorism with Harry Browne, Larry Abraham, Joel Skousen, James Payne, and Michael Ledeen. Opinions were varied and heated, with an underlying consensus that promoting freer markets and greater tolerance would do more to eliminate terrorism than military action. (See Mark Skousen's World Map of Terrorism, FEE Today, May 2002, by calling 1-800-960-4FEE. You'll be amazed at what you learn and want to share it with your friends.)

Several attendees commented on how much they appreciated our inclusion of the arts in this intellectual event. Gary Alexander gave an excellent presentation on opera and jazz, pointing out that while opera is not generally considered libertarian (it deals with love, after all, not politics), the frequent story lines in which young lovers must reject the dictatorial expectations of family and class structure to marry outside of the mainstream is indeed an example of libertarianism. He also explained how Adam Smith's "invisible hand" guides the making of music, particularly jazz.

The Liberty in Film panel featured Conrad Denke, producer of the PBS series National Desk; Neil Shulman, libertarian science fiction writer; Stephen Cox, movie reviewer for Liberty magazine, and R.W. Bradford, publisher of Liberty. The room was packed and the discussion lively. At one point a comment was made about The Passion of Ayn Rand, a film that focuses on the relationship between Ayn Rand and Nathaniel Branden. The panelists were unaware that Branden was in the audience at the time! Branden was invited to join the panel, with delightful results.

Modern dancer Valerie Durham choreographed two dances for the Saturday night banquet, "Enter the Austrians" and "All Men Are Free," an interpretation of the breaking down of the Berlin Wall set to Beethoven's Ode to Joy. Both were spectacular, with the powerful second piece bringing the audience to its feet. She also presented a fascinating talk on American artist and feminist Isadora Duncan Sunday morning. "Most people remember Isadora for her love affairs and her brief flirtation with communism," Durham stated, "but she contributed so much more to art in all its forms, as well as to individuality, education and the role of women."

The Exhibit Hall was a busy place during the breaks, (and nearly empty during the breakout sessions, when everyone was listening to favorite speakers!) One feature everyone seemed to enjoy was the 1776 Club, a new FEE program that we hope others will join. Attendees were invited to join the club with a donation of 76 cents, $1.76, $17.76, or any increment of that famous number. After dropping a donation into the box, club members were then invited to ring our liberty bell and choose a prize. Those who donate $1776 become Founding Members of the 1776 Club, and were invited to ring the bell 21 times (the sum of 1 + 7 + 7 + 6). Our goal was to Let Freedom Ring throughout the conference. Film producer Conrad Denke became the first Founding Member of the 1776 Club, a number dear to his heart (his personal phone number and his cell phone both end in 1776). Bert Dohmen followed close behind with not only 21 chimes, but a salute to freedom with each ring of the bell. (Visit www.fee.org to see Bert Dohmen's 21-Bell Salute to Liberty.)

When we opened the doors to the Venetian ballroom for the Saturday night banquet, we knew it was going to be a success. The room was gorgeous, the staff accommodating, and the food delicious. Since this was also a celebration of Laissez Faire Books' thirtieth anniversary, cofounder Sharon Presley presented a history of LFB and a toast to Andrea Millen Rich, who headed LFB until her retirement this year. Ken Schoolland, professor of economics at the Hawaii Pacific University, received the first annual Leonard E. Read Book Award for Excellence in Economic Education, for his delightful satire, The Adventures of Jonathan Gullible (available for only $15.95 from Laissez Faire Books, 800-326-0996).

What did we like best about FEE Fest 2002? Every speaker was top-notch, every event exciting and uplifting. But what we liked best was the fact that it brought together over 70 organizations who are as passionate about liberty and free markets as we are. The work we do is vital to the economic progress and the physical safety of the entire world. Free markets break down barriers, not only in business but in politics, religion, arts, and education. We want freedom to ring from Philadelphia to Afghanistan, from Oslo to Aukland. And Mark Skousen's "Big Idea" is one way to do it. We want to continue bringing together these like-minded regional and national groups, through national conventions like this one, and through smaller regional gatherings as well. "Members of FEE who live in Arizona should also be members of the Goldwater Institute," Skousen urged in his closing remarks. "FEE members in Oregon should also be members of the Cascade Policy group, and in Michigan they should be part of the Mackinac Center. We are partners in this cause, not competitors."

In that spirit, the Institute for Humane Studies, Young America's Foundation, Intercollegiate Studies Institute, and FEE cosponsored an after-hours student party Friday night with FEE Trustee Tom Palmer as the featured speaker. About 70 students attended the event. We hope to have many more social events like this next time, for students and adults alike. Student events, the Genius Club, lunches with our sponsors, tickets to Cirq de Soleil, and many other innovations will make our next national convention even better.

FEE Fest 2003 is already underway. See you there!

-- Jo Ann Skousen

email: jaskousen@mskousen.com

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