John Perry Barlow 2.0

After reading Brian Doherty's interview with John Perry Barlow ("John Perry Barlow 2.0," August/September), I was left wondering what Barlow's definition of a libertarian is. He states that "most of the people in the think tanks behind the Bush administration's current policies are libertarians." I would have appreciated some examples; I have seen little but criticism of the Bush administration from the Cato Institute. And where is this "dismantling of government" he refers to? I see only growth of government, at all levels.

For this reason, I encourage the "Thomas Jefferson of cyberspace," and others with a similar point of view, to become active in the Libertarian Party, even if they do not yet see it as credible, as Mr. Barlow mentioned that he did not. John Kerry may be a marginal improvement over George W. Bush in some ways, but switching allegiance back and forth between corrupt Republicans and corrupt Democrats makes as much sense to me as paying off one credit card by borrowing off of another.

Scott Frost

Kenmore, WA

John Perry Barlow leaves me with the distinct impression that this aging baby boomer has taken, as they say in scientific circles, "n plus I" tokes too many, For a supposed libertarian to say that "we need something--and I think it's government--to reregulate the market and make it free" is mind-boggling.

Peter Skurkiss

Stow, OH

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