Attribute to L. Neil Smith’s The Libertarian Enterprise

In October of 1995, a feisty little newsletter first appeared on a shoestring and a prayer, the brain-child of the inestimable L. Neil Smith, noted author, gun guy, and general all-around mensch.

Twenty-three years later, “The Libertarian Enterprise” (TLE) is celebrating her 1,000th issue. I wonder what her first naysayer, who labeled her “redundant” in a letter to the editor in Issue #2, would say of her now.

No, she’s never become mainstream, even in libertarian circles. And there’s a very good reason for that. She never aspired to ‘greatness’, serving merely to spread “… genuine and unabashed libertarian opinions on the internet and elsewhere” and to “… tell the world what libertarians think about things”, as El Neilyo wrote in Issue #1. Overall, I’d say she’s done a pretty good job of that.

Over the years, TLE has displayed some of the better work of some excellent authors, many of whom are professional writers, and almost all of whom, of all ages, are thoughtful, demonstrative, skillful proponents of individual liberty.

If I started naming names of all who have made TLE the consistent light of libertarian thought that it is, I would inevitably slight someone, and so I will not even attempt to set down that long list of superb talent—people from whom I have learned so much, and who have so encouraged me in the face of the relentless onslaught from the ever-declining and suicidal empire in which we attempt to peacefully exist.

That said, I would be mortally ashamed were I not to take note of two factors that are critical to TLE’s success and her very life support. First, of course, is L. Neil, Cathy, and Gio, the core of TLE’s family group. In it full-bore from the beginning, they are her vital organs. And a very close second to the Smith clan are Ken and Pat Holder, the long-suffering skeletal system that has supported TLE’s life functions from the very beginning. To these two groups TLE’s primary and secondary audiences owe an immeasurable debt of gratitude.

So, to all of TLE’s many readers, writers, critics, friends and enemies, on the occasion of TLE’s 1000th issue, I send a famous (not created by Stan Lee!) one word clarion call that L. Neil was at one time fond of using, as a toast to the spirit of TLE past, present, and future: “Excelsior!”

Mr. Taylor was editor of this here little cyberzine from some date to another date (I had it written down somewhere and now can not find it!)