Alabama Freedom Fest?

December 28th, 2007 by Steve

A little bit CPAC and a little bit YearlyKos — at an Alabama level.

I’ve had various groups of people asking me to assist or organize several freedom- or libertarian-oriented activities in Alabama. Some want a big libertarian party (probably along the lines of a Reason Magazine Happy Hour. On a related theme, some want a party for state bloggers.

Less directly related to alcohol consumption, people have also suggested several political panel discussions, some highlighting libertarian issues and others who wish to use a libertarian stage to create a balance between the traditional left and the traditional right on issues of importance to Alabamians. Other requests have been to find opportunities for political or media speakers, most of whom are in the state or federal limelight.

I don’t see any reason why all of the above can’t be accomplished. Additionally, I don’t see why the event needs to be exclusively libertarian. Enough people have expressed enough interest to get an event off the ground, but I’d like to ensure that the event is not only fun, but provides plenty of media, networking and political opportunities for a wide group of people.

What if, perhaps in Birmingham sometime in the late spring, an event is planned for all day one Saturday — with perhaps some events on Friday evening and Sunday morning?

Here’s a totally hypothetical schedule; I’m merely picking these at the moment because I can probably twist friendly arms to get them to speak or otherwise participate:

Friday night: Sponsor dinner with an interested key note speaker. I’ve got national contacts who might be willing to participate.

Friday night: The group of people interested in these sorts of activities will be drinking after dinner, so we might as well plan out the location in advance.

Saturday morning: Panel on that state of Constitutional Reform. Various people on each side of this issue could be represented on the panel.

Saturday morning: Speech by some elected state official on the state of the State of Alabama.

Saturday morning: Panel on election reform issues, perhaps sponsored by Independent Alabama or various political third parties.

Saturday lunch: Perhaps a lunch speaker. Loretta Nall would certainly keep people from falling asleep as their food begins to settle.

Saturday afternoon: Some sort of panel or debate on immigration which includes both general sides of the issue.

Saturday afternoon: A media panel. I’d like to see Alabama media personalities as well as state bloggers participating in this event. Perhaps a debate between “the old media” and “the new media” would be of interest.

Saturday afternoon/evening: A couple more speakers, panels or debates. Issues might range from the presidential elections to debate over national security issues or the Iraq War to local issues ranging from taxes to education to medicinal marijuana to “Taking Back Our Highways” to “Freeing the Hops.”

Saturday evening: A panel consisting of state bloggers.

Saturday dinner: Another speaker — perhaps even a presidential candidate might be able to schedule the event. If not, I’m sure plenty of state politicians would be willing to speak.

Saturday night: Party, party and more party. Find sponsors for the party so people don’t have to drink and drive.

Sunday: Perhaps some sort of prayer breakfast or related event for the people who stayed overnight, followed by a business meeting to handle necessary financial and organizational details from the event.

If you have ideas (speakers, venues, topics) for this sort of event, would be interested in co-sponsoring the event, or have other comments about the general idea I’m trying to put together, please drop a comment. If there is enough interest in this or some similar event, I’d like to hold a meeting sometime in January to form the necessary committee to get this off the ground.

Let’s turn Alabama politics back to the people of Alabama! 

Posted in Alabama Politics, Libertarian Movement




11 Responses to “Alabama Freedom Fest?”

  1. LittleJim wrote on 12/28/07 at 11:54 pm :

    Count me in and make sure you call me for an organizational meeting.

    Possible speakers: Alabama’s most famous basketball player (I can work on this one)
    Matt Murphey so we can find out why he was fired
    Bob Barr (you two are friends, can you get him)
    That Helen woman from Marta Alonzo issue in Athens — she’d be great on immigration and not at all right wing nut
    Definately Loretta Nall, maybe Rob Kampia, the Huntsville legislator who sponsored Compassionate Use
    Dick Brewbaker since he doesn’t have to pander anymore
    John Killian and John Rogers — do a sex toy panel just for fun

    I’ll think of more

    I heard you moderated a great blogger/national meida panel in Florida

  2. LittleJim wrote on 12/28/07 at 11:55 pm :

    Bad typing, I meant “media”

  3. Alice T wrote on 12/29/07 at 12:07 am :

    If you need pro-bono work to form your committee, you have my number.

  4. paul wrote on 12/29/07 at 12:58 am :

    Good idea. If I’m still in town I’ll help in whatever way I can.

    Meantime are we doing anything in Alabama for New Years eve?

    http://ronpaulmarch.com

  5. Steve wrote on 12/29/07 at 1:10 am :

    Paul — I’m beginning to think you’ve turned into a Ron Paul supporter.

  6. paul wrote on 12/29/07 at 2:46 am :

    Yeah, I have been for quite a while.

    That doesn’t mean I agree with him about everything, there are important issues we don’t agree about.

    But he’s getting a lot more traction than the LP.

    So he’s bringing a lot of issues to the national debate like ending the drug war, curtailing imperialism and the military-industrial complex, reining in the fed and no more multi-trillion dollar budgets.

    So, certainly worth supporting.

  7. Dan wrote on 12/29/07 at 3:54 am :

    I’m game.

  8. Chris Bennett wrote on 12/30/07 at 2:04 pm :

    If you guys can get Charles Barkley to speak at this gathering, I will definitely bring my happy rear down to Alabama to attend!

  9. Tom wrote on 12/30/07 at 8:41 pm :

    Sign me up! Let me know what I can do!

  10. Russ Fine wrote on 12/31/07 at 12:15 pm :

    Great idea. Missed seeing / speaking with you. Please say hello to your Mrs. and parents. I’ll try to stop by if invited ;-)
    Russ

  11. paul wrote on 01/1/08 at 9:52 pm :

    So any concrete plan for when/where?

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