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When Libertarians Attack Free Software
binarybits writes 'I've got a new article analyzing the unfortunate tendency of libertarian and free-market organizations to attack free software. The latest example is a policy analyst at the Heartland Institute who attacks network neutrality regulations by arguing that advocates have 'unwittingly bought into' the 'radical agenda' of the free software movement. I argue that in reality, the free market and free software are entirely compatible, and libertarians are shooting themselves in the foot by antagonizing the free software movement.'
'Basically they don't want to label themselves as Libertarian because that would foolishly scare away potential non-Libertarians from reading their work. Instead they rely on their publications to speak for their views instead of a label with baggage'
Or because they're a rather blatant front organization rolling out astroturf for various vested interests, and their paymasters might not be terribly keen on the label:
http://mediacitizen.blogspot.com/2009/08/unmasking-astroturf.html
'The Heartland Institute, in particular, is a poster child for deception. This coin-operated "think tank" specializes in aping industry talking points to downplay global warming, oppose health care reform and attack Net Neutrality. Its Fortune 500 clients include Philip Morris USA, the ExxonMobil Corporation and major telecommunications companies...When asked to report the sources of its funding, Heartland President Joseph L Bast said Heartland "now keeps confidential the identities of all our donors" because revealing it would give fodder to those who want to "abuse a sincere effort at transparency."'
'Popular knowledge agrees.'
Looks more like they astroturfed their own wikipedia article, too. Why are we even taking their 'opinions' seriously?
No, it does not bear repeating because it is fucking stupid. I'm sure your liberal media/books/pundits want you to believe that the only path to liberty is more government interference. Pull your head out of Micheal Moore's crotch for 5 minutes.
Wow, there sure are a lot of comments by economic illiterates and leftists (but I repeat myself), not to mention people who know nothing about libertarianism. At least someone finally got around to mentioning ESR, who is not only a libertarian, but an anarcho-libertarian.