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Libertarian Talk Radio Show Explores Controversial Subjects

September 2nd 2005

The Libertarian oriented FreedomWorks radio show will begin a series looking at the problem of battered men and other lesser known areas of domestic violence starting September 4th.

Many experts feel that abuse of husbands by their wives is far more common than wife-beating, but is little recognized due to social prejudices. Guests will include spokespersons from RADAR (http://www.mediaradar.org ) a group that tracks domestic violence reporting.  Abuse by women of children is also under-reported, critics say

Libertarians have proposed that abuses should be handled outside the criminal system and prevented by more vigorous action by voluntary groups, and say government programs actually contribute to the problem. Libertarians in 1977 were the first group to note that much of the data was woefully inaccurate and driven by political agendas and gender assumptions. They point to public ridicule of and assaults on scientists who have questioned government data, and definitions of abuse so vague they make even complaining about a spouse's adultery grounds for arrest. Libertarians have been key in promoting and initiating help lines for battered men and women both in the US

The show tunes in Tuesdays at 9 PM EST, and is called FreedomWorks! ...the Libertarian Perspective.

Broadcasting from Clearwater, in Pinellas County Florida on 3 stations--1340, 1350 and 1400 AM--it can be heard simulcast at the website http://www.TheFreedomWorks.org.

The show looks at things from an individual rights, non-government perspective, and attracts an international audience of not only Libertarians but activists of all groups from around the world.

The show guests activists, commentators and thinkers using voluntary means to advance their agendas and making a difference. It also has a wide array of unusual takes by national guests, from ABC's John Stossel ruminating on his creative process to Patriot Act reservations by former Republican Congressman Bob Barr.

Officials, authors and local activists from across the spectrum are frequent guests in the call in show. Calls can be made nationwide in the USA at 1-866-TAN-1340 during the show.

Recent topics included election reform, civil liberties in Florida, and growing anger over the Supreme Court's eminent domain ruling.

Activists and authors who would like to be on the show or have a public service announcement should contact it via its website.

If you would like to comment on this article or write your own article submit it here.

St Petersburg, FL-- On Tuesday night--Wednesday morning his time--student Toni Rotger of Barcelona, Spain, tunes in with numerous other listeners there to hear, webcast at the site, the hard hitting Libertarian word from distant Florida.

FreedomWorks! ...The Libertarian Perspective (http://www.thefreedomworks.org/ ) has over nearly 3 years established a reputation as not only a delightfully quirky show looking at what Libertarians, and people using Libertarian ideas and tools, are doing to better their communities--but one with a parade of unusual and intriguing guests in both local and national affairs.

LONG-LIVED SHOW

Founded over lunch and a yellow pad by media personality Paul Molloy and Libertarian figure Michael Gilson-De Lemos (known familiarly as "M.G."), it broadcasts in a guest/call-in format from the Pinellas County, Florida resort city of Clearwater. Now on 3 local stations that cover St Petersburg, Tampa, and parts of Sarasota as well, it has added Eileen Heischmann as co-host as MG has recently taken a commentator role, with an array of Libertarian tidbits of information in the last 10 minutes.

"This is not a negative show," says MG, "We look at things positively and invite people to get inspired and take action. We encourage our guests to take a chance, and know listeners take it in the spirit in which it's given."

The contrarian formula in an age of attack-radio works. A growing group of faithful listeners tune in to hear guests from across the spectrum say the most surprising things. Republican Congressman Bob Barr came on the show to reveal his dismay with the Patriot Act, John Stossel explained how he created his shows, a modern Florida Republican Party founder explained why he bacame a Libertarian, and an author spoke on what it was like to be married as an American wife of an abusive husband in the Middle East, broadcast as US tanks rolled about Baghdad.

Sometimes the guest topics are heart rendingly simple, as when they interviewed a disabled man explaining his difficulties in the US government disability system and the callous attitudes there. An attorney phoned in to comment that in his experience the system was mostly a sham designed to gull the public that government was responsive but avoid paying benefits while enriching administrative judges who decide the cases. "Now government regulation is detroying private disability policies for the average person," he warned.

LOCAL FIGURES

Once a month they have cutting edge Libertarian thinkers from CATO, Heartland and other Libertarian think tanks challenge popular media wisdom on everything from trade with China to Eminent Domain. But for many listeners, the best part is hearing from and talking to guests who are normal citizens like themselves, quietly creating community change that major media often ignores.

Local figures, government officials and community groups now regularly announce their initiatives on the show and field listener questions, finding their appearance there prods larger mediia to pay attention.

And one never knows when Molloy and MG will start zinging a derisive but deadpan riff on a news article that has attracted their attention--ranging from a puff-piece on the wonders of privatizing executions in Uganda, Kaddafi's recent announcement that the problem with Africa is dictators, and Molloy yawningly explaining US government warnings on TV that "sleeping pills could cause drowsiness" as MG hummed "rock-a-bye baby."

"This is an experiment in listener supported Libertarian community radio. We don't get a dime from the Libertarian Party, corporations, or anyone but our listeners. We're creating an audience of community leaders who tune in to get ideas and find out what's really going on," says Molloy.

Rotger agrees, saying he's been inspired while creating a group to study Libertarian successes and free market solutions.

Libertarians on the Air! in Florida  The hosts of the talk shows and other programs on the mushrooming list below are significant because: They're either self-proclaimed as "libertarian" or "Libertarian", or, if they're marked with an asterisk (*), they've simply been known to advocate more libertarian ideas than most and/or support libertarian candidates. Self-labelled or not, the hosts listed here demonstrate they can rise above the pack, see beyond short-sighted "conventional wisdom" and (even the funny ones) take reason -- and liberty -- very seriously.

• Clearwater / Bradenton / Sarasota / Tampa: "FreedomWorks!" "The Libertarian Perspective" with MICHAEL GILSON-DE LEMOS 
• HOSTED BY: PAUL MOLLOY & EILEEN HEISHMAN  WTAN-AM 1340, 1350 AND 1400, NEW TIME! Tues 9-10PM. 
• Call-in: 1-866-TAN TALK.
• Listen-in: 
  

FreedomWorks!
The Libertarian Perspective.
**New Time** "Now airing 9 PM-10 PM every Tuesday night.  Paul Molloy, along with Eileen Heishman and Mike "MG" Gilson, take a (sometimes humorous) look at what's going on in the world and how  Libertarians can make it better! www.thefreedomworks.org