28 March 2007

March Newsletter

Welcome new Readers, Associates, Merchants and RCOs!


CALL TO ACTION:


What a month it has been! It is not every day that one sues the US government. And as the former Mintmaster of the Royal Hawaiian Mint, this has special significance. Who would have thought I would sue the Mint that I thought so much of? Well, as we all know, things change. Sometimes for the worst, like the US dollar. It is the duty of the good citizen to keep the government accountable and in line with the US Constitution. So there is never a dull moment with the Liberty Dollar. We need your support and donations to defend your right to use gold and silver between consenting adults... or heaven help us!


TABLE OF CONTENTS:


1. Liberty Dollar sues the US Mint

2. Test of Wills & New Defense Liberty Dollar

3. California “Silver Bear” roars! Who’s next?

4. LDU-13 in Evansville April 11-14

5. AIER and PorcFest in June

6. ALD Surges / Advertising Update

7. Berkshares Local Currency debuts

8. Letter / Article to the Editor

9. Success Story / Incident of the Month

10. Question of the Month

11. Liberty Associate of the Month

12. Quote of the Month


1. Liberty Dollar sues the US Mint

Liberty Dollar filed suit against the U.S. Mint on Tuesday, March 20 in U.S. District Court in Evansville, Indiana, and asked the court to declare that the use of the Liberty Dollar is not a “federal crime,” as claimed by the U.S. Mint. We further asked the court to enter a permanent injunction against the U.S. Mint requiring it to remove any reference that the use of Liberty Dollars is a federal crime from its website.


The Liberty Dollar organization denies that its more than 100,000 proponents are federal outlaws. It identifies them as law-abiding citizens who “legally have made the inflation-proof Liberty Dollar America’s second most-popular currency.” And the organization demands that the federal government cease and desist from threatening them.


The Liberty Dollar group maintains it is protecting the right of every American to use or barter any “money” they may voluntarily agree to utilize. They point out that anybody can lawfully barter a dozen eggs for five pounds of sugar without fear of government interference, as an example. The group even quotes Andrew Williams, a spokesman for the Federal Reserve in Washington, D.C., as saying, "There is no law that says goods and services must be paid for with Federal Reserve notes. Parties entering into a transaction can establish any medium of exchange that is agreed upon."


We have labeled the U.S. government/U.S. Mint’s allegation that the use of the Liberty Dollar is criminal as completely misguided. “The Liberty Dollar organization has never claimed that its new gold and silver currency was a ‘coin’ or ‘legal tender.’ For over eight years, the Liberty Dollar has prospered from the fact that people could use any ‘private voluntary currency’ they chose. The Liberty Dollar organization has simply benefited from the differences between the debt-based U.S. dollar and a value-based currency.” Von NotHaus concludes, “There is absolutely no violation of U.S. law.”


Actually the government forced the lawsuit upon itself. As we said, “We had to sue the U.S. Mint, because this unfair and illegal warning was killing the Liberty Dollar and the ideals it represents. We’re a relatively small group that can’t afford to be smeared by the umpteen billion US dollars of the federal government. It has seriously impacted our business.”


The Liberty Dollar organization finds hope in the fates of other companies who withstood attacks from the federal government and won. “Just like FedEx, I expect the Liberty Dollar to win this suit, re-establish sound money, and have the U.S. government as its biggest customer.”


2. Test of Wills & New Defense Liberty Dollar

If you were one of the few who responded to our urgent call for a donation to help us fight the US government... THANK YOU! We greatly appreciate every dollar you sent... even if it was those dreaded, depreciating US dollars... every dollar counts!


This “test of wills” with the US government will not be decided overnight. The government now has 60 days to respond to our lawsuit. We don’t expect them to be in much of a hurry... as they have every reason to be slow. Then a schedule will be set for discovery, briefs, orals and finally a judgment. All this takes time and money...


Unfortunately, as I mentioned in my first announcement... “most people are not very responsive.” In fact, we even got some hate mail... from our own list when we announced the lawsuit!


So let me be blunt, honest and to the point: We need your help, please.


The US Mint would have us believe that it is illegal for Americans to exchange gold and silver (such as the Gold and Silver Eagles minted by the US Mint or any other gold and silver for that matter) on a voluntary basis between consenting adults. Just imagine that at a time when “consenting adults” can legally exchange “fluids” between themselves, the US Mint would have us believe that you and we cannot trade gold and silver between ourselves. This is ridiculous and an assault on the concept of a free market.

Make no doubt about it... The very idea of a free market is at risk due to the US government’s assault on our right to use anything of choice in the marketplace. While we have never asked for a donation in over eight years, we need it now. Donations are accepted in Liberty Dollars: metal, paper or digital, even those dreaded Federal Reserve Notes that pass themselves off as US dollars are accepted, and credit cards.


Yes, a special Defense Liberty Dollar will be sent to you for every $20 you donate... after we win. This Defense Liberty Dollar is only available to those who donate $20 or more. This special Defense Liberty Dollar will not be “sold.” If you don’t donate... you will not be able to get one. We really need your support, please.


NEW DEFENSE LIBERY DOLLAR:


Plus a specially hallmarked one ounce $20 Defense Silver Liberty is available for only $25 each plus S&H (while silver is under $15 spot). Each Defense Silver Liberty will feature two special hand stamped hallmarks: the “Scales of Justice” and my personal Mintmark. This issue is strictly limited to only those Defense Silver Libertys issued during this fund-raiser. They will not be available after we win...


And if you like gold... there is a special Defense Gold Liberty auction on eBay. Please click HERE for more info.


Again... my most heartfelt thanks for those of you who actually sent in a donation. You have been wonderful... and I only hope you might donate again. And for those who have not joined the party... we are only asking for $10, but you can send just a dollar from your eLD account. But remember... you will receive a special Defense Liberty Dollar for every $20 you donate while we fight for your right to use any money of choice in the marketplace.


3. California “Silver Bear” Roars! Who’s next?

In the February Newsletter I asked if the Liberty Dollar was about to explode, and so it would appear. The fuse has been lit by the California RCO Association’s new “Silver Bear” – certainly one of the strongest Liberty Dollar designs to date... a true classic. And a half dozen other custom projects are working their way through the design/die cutting process. Got an idea? Want to have your own money for your business, community, family? Please call or email your idea to us.


Meanwhile, please check out the California Silver Bear at: http://www.hchq.biz


4. LDU-13 in Evansville April 11-14

Are you coming to Liberty Dollar University #13 (LDU-13) in Evansville, Indiana? Centrally located and bristling with all the info about the latest lawsuit against the US Mint, this is the place to get all your questions answered, and your opportunity to meet the best people involved with the Liberty Dollar. And as it is being held at the Fulfillment office, it costs only $100, half the usual price. So if you are considering opening a Regional Currency Office, interested in having your own custom money developed, or just want to get the inside info on what’s happening with the Liberty Dollar, this LDU-13 is the place to be. It begins with a Meet/Greet on Wednesday at 6:00 and concludes with lunch on Saturday, April 14. As registration is limited to only 25, please register so we can be prepared. No walk-ins please. Hope to see you there! For more info, please call the office: 888.LIB.DOLLAR or 888.421.6181.


5. AIER and PorcFest in June

I am pleased to announce that the prestigious American Institute for Economic Research (AIER) in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, has invited me to make a major presentation on: “Private Money - The solution to our monetary quagmire." As the focus is much larger than just the Liberty Dollar, it promises to be a very dynamic event. I will cover five major fields for discussion and devote the majority of time to addressing the issues and objections of a very astute audience including Federal Reserve employees, hard money devotees, economists, and students attending the AIER Summer Fellowship Program.


“Private Money” by Bernard von NotHaus: 3:00, Thursday, June 21, 2007.


If you are not familiar with the AIER, one of our country’s oldest and strongest supporters of the money and ideals that made our country great, please visit: www.AIER.org. AIER in Great Barrington, MA 01230. Phone 413.528.1216. info@aier.org.


Immediately follow the AIER presentation I will journey over to the Free State Project’s annual 2007 Porcupine Freedom Festival, June 18 - June 24, 2007, at the Gunstock Mountain Resort, in Gilford, NH. Like all of New Hampshire, Gunstock is a very beautiful ski resort and a much better place than the previous venues. The title for this fourth year is: "Discover New Freedoms, New Communities, and New Beginnings!" So I invite you to discover the Liberty Dollar at PorcFest and join myself, Charles Hampe, and dozens of other Liberty Dollar supporters on Saturday, June 23. For more info please visit: http://freestateproject.org/festival/. Hope to see you there. PorcFest is always a blast!


6. ALD Surges / Advertising Update

First, let me thank all the suggestions, leads and advise on advertising. There was simply no way to respond to all the input... but we gratefully appreciate all of it. Unfortunately, many sites do not accept advertising, just as the Liberty Dollar does not. And many others’ rates are over the moon. And there are a good number of sites like Human Events who refused our ads because of the US Mint warning. What happened to innocent until proven guilty? What happened to Human Events? Now totally co-oped by Bushism.


For everyone who suggested Joseph Farah and WorldNetDaily... He is the worst. Talk about being out of touch and having one’s head in a dark place... I don’t think Farah is who he appears to be... He is certainly not a Liberty Dollar supporter... And this has been evident since the very beginning of the Liberty Dollar... no support... no mention... no news coverage... ever. And when Farah launched his monthly print issue that was devoted to the Federal Reserve, not only was it the same old tired articles... never a word about the Liberty Dollar... nor has WorldNetDaily ever posted a single word about the Liberty Dollar... weird? Yes. Conspiracy? Your call. Personally, I trust the Liberty Dollar more than WND.


Meanwhile: Liberty Dollar Surges Forward in New Hampshire

Posted by: Charles Hampe


This past weekend the Free State Project hosted the NH Liberty Forum at the Holiday Inn in downtown Concord. John Stossel of 20/20 was the keynote speaker. Libertarian presidential candidate Mike Badnarik and Congressman Ron Paul (Texas) were also featured.


Turnout was more than double of what was expected! It was a fantastic experience for all and an exceptional opportunity for the Liberty Dollar. We had a small exhibit table but attracted way more than our fair share of interest. LOTS of Silver Libertys and Silver

Certificates were exchanged at full face value.


Three RCOs as well as several Associates were active at the exhibit. Fritz Schrom from Pennsylvania and Mike Eck from Virginia drove up and shared the table with me. Fritz

is a great explainer with a laid-back style and sold out some of the items he brought.


I was invited to speak on a panel on Friday afternoon and took advantage of the opportunity to promote our hard/real money cause. That went over really well also.


A poll was taken during our panel discussion to see where all the people were from. They were from states all across the country with only a few locals. It was great to see that so many people made such a great effort to be there.


The enthusiasm of the organizers was overwhelming. This event was the first of its kind but will now be annual. Maybe you will be there next year?


The next big event for the Freestaters is the annual Porcupine Festival in June. Bernard von NotHaus has attended these in the past. This next one will be at Gunstock Ski Resort in Gilford, NH, and promises to be the best one yet. More info at www.NHfree.com.


Charles Hampe

llleeellleee1@yahoo.com


7. Berkshares Local Currency debuts

New England Town Prints Up Its Own Currency
'Berkshares' Are Intended to Encourage Local Commerce
By Stephanie Sy


Susan Witt is an unassuming middle-aged woman who drives a Volvo around her quaint Rockwell-esque town and has somehow managed to foment a small revolution.


After years of planning, Witt started printing her own money and spending it around town. She is not a counterfeiter. She is the founder of Berkshares, a local currency that was introduced last fall in Southern Berkshire, Mass. (where Norman Rockwell lived out his later years).


"The Berkshares are pretty simple to operate," she said. "You walk into a local bank, put down $90 federal and get 100 Berkshares, and then those Berkshares are spent at full value at regional stores."


$835,000-worth of notes were printed on fine-grain paper and distributed to banks that agreed to participate. The notes are now accepted at 225 businesses in the area, and the program continues to grow.


[Space does not permit including the whole article. Please click HERE for the complete article. Berkshares was also featured on ABC television.


8. Letter / Article to the Editor

[Editor note: Due to the length of the Newsletter, no letter will be posted this month.]


9. Success Story / Incident of the Month

Success is ours if we stay the course

Posted Friday, March 16, 2007 by: "Daniel Doering"


Reporting from the city of The Golden Gate in the fabulous Haight-Ashbury District of San Francisco. From a shop called "Coffee to the People Empowerment" at the corner of Masonic & Haight Streets, one block east of Haight-Ashbury.


I have a big legal problem. I am fighting a driving without seatbelt charge in Woodland, CA, no points on my license of course, but a hefty $91 dollar fine. I needed to get the judge's oath to the constitution. I left Sacramento this morning at 8:30 for S.F. Bound for the State Bar of California on Howard Street, S.F.


About half way to S.F., I haphazardly stopped at the city hall of Vacaville. I walked into the planning department where a professional draftsman was filing drawings for a client's building. I asked the clerk if Vacaville was a nice place to live. The draftsman said that it is a great place to live, he asked me why? I said "I'm a constitutionalist; I don't like the excessive regulation in California." He said, "Move to Montana." I said, "I don't like the snow."


He asked me what I do? I pulled out a $5 Silver Liberty saying "This is what I market."


He said, "That's real silver!” I said "Yeah." "Do you have more?" he asked. I said, "Yup, I have a whole car full of’em!" We walked to my car where I produced a handful of new $20s. At this point, we had not introduced ourselves. I explained to Kevin about the Federal Reserve and the income tax, and this PRIVATE MONEY. I made sure that Kevin knew this was a private money system.


Turns out, Kevin knows of Joe Banister, the tax honesty movement, the fight for honest government and money. He immediately pulled out his cell phone and called his brother. Kevin turned to me and asked, "How much do you have?" I said, "A couple of thousand dollars worth right in that old car!"


Kevin said, "Don't go away, I'm going home to get some cash." I waited about 10 minutes.


Kevin returned with a wad of $100 FRNs. Kevin purchased $600 face value in one ounce $20s, eight $10s and four $5s. A total of $700. Another believer in Silver Money. He then told me that there are many like-minded people in Vacaville.


I definitely intend to spend some time developing the Liberty Dollars in that town.


I finally made it to Haight-Ashbury and I showed the silver to several merchants. I have gotten positive responses. The people seem to be much more open-minded and educated than in other areas that I have encountered. I've been all over the USA with the Silver Libertys. >From Buffalo, New York, Cleveland, Iowa City, Las Vegas, Winslow-Arizona, Topeka-Kansas, Salt Lake City-Utah, Jackson-Mississippi, Nashville, Memphis, Cincinnati, Roswell-New Mexico. I have found merchants everywhere who have accepted the Silver Liberty.


Dan Doering

flyer298@yahoo.com

916-220-4775


[Editor note: Thanks, Dan, for your constant support and success with the Liberty Dollar.]


10. Question of the Month

QUESTION: Why is the Liberty Dollar tied to US dollar?

ANSWER: Of course, the quick answer is that it is NOT tied to the US dollar. It is tied to gold and silver. Often the circular logic goes that as the Liberty Dollar is tied to the
silver spot price that is quoted in dollars, that it is tied to the US dollar. This is simply not the case. The Liberty Dollar is tied to silver, which is also quoted in euros, yen, etc., and it is certainly not tied to the euro, yen, etc. The Liberty Dollar is tied to gold and silver, not the US dollar, please.


11. Liberty Associate of the Month

Some people who really like the Liberty Dollar... will go the extremes... drive wild distances... and take chances that angels would never consider. Of course, these are my favorite people and the reason the Liberty Dollar is successful. It is also the reason why this Associate is the Liberty Associate of the Month. Long before this Associate posted his latest Success Story, I had him on this list... and as we get so many good stories from him, I cannot say it is by pure chance that he is also mentioned above ... so it is my pleasure to acknowledge Dan Doering as the Liberty Associate of the Month. Dan has put forth an outstanding steady effort to inform people about money and to draw them into understanding that there is a peaceful, profitable solution to our fiat monetary system. And of course along the way the newly informed people usually get some Liberty Dollars. Congratulations Dan on being the Liberty Associate of the Month and for all your support! You are an outstanding example for our organization. Thank you.


12. Quote of the Month

“One should respect public opinion insofar as is necessary to avoid starvation and to keep out of prison, but anything that goes beyond this is voluntary submission to an unnecessary tyranny.” Bertrand Russell


Closing Remarks:

With the filing of the lawsuit, the Liberty Dollar enters a new era. This is a time when we really need your support and donations. This is a must-win for the Liberty Dollar. And while the US Mint is not saying the Liberty Dollar is illegal, only the use, the lawsuit is critical for us and the ideals the Liberty Dollar represents. Stay tuned for more amazing things to come.


Many thanks to all the Liberty Associates, Merchants, and RCOs for your continued support. For it is only by banding together and adopting a free and independent currency which provides us with “just weights and measures” will we be able to throw off the yoke of a manipulated monetary/tax system and generate a peaceful and prosperous society.


Thank you again for all your efforts to return America to value – one dollar at a time!


Bernard von NotHaus

Monetary Architect/Editor

www.LibertyDollar.org

888.LIB.DOLLAR

888.421.6181

20 March 2007

Liberty Dollar sues US Mint

Big news! Bernard von NotHaus and Liberty Dollar are suing the United States mint for its public statements declaring use of the Liberty Dollar to be a crime. For all the information, click here. To go straight to the legal defense fund to donate, click here.

More as the situation develops...

15 March 2007

Ron Paul announces bid for President

Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX14) just announced he is seeking the Republican nomination for President. He made the announcement on C-SPAN. Video can be found at:

http://www.veoh.com/videos/v298215hbS8htft