Letter from Brad Linaweaver

Dear Bill:

You may be interested to know that my article in the last issue, ‘A Man of Integrity,’ was reprinted in the popular fanzine, Fosfax. I received the expected amount of criticism for a piece that was so vigorously partisan, but some letters-of-comment were supportive. What pleased me most about my article, however was the personal responses from three readers of Prometheus. Letters from Virginia Heinlein and William. F. Buckley, Jr., and a postcard from Andrea Millen Rich were complimentary and much appreciated.

I've saved the bad news for last. Fosfax is a wonderful rough-and-tumble forum where almost anything may be said. I've been in quite a few debates in its pages. I figure if I give out a fair share of abuse, I should be prepared to receive some in return, but I never expected that the stupidest comment I would ever receive in Fosfax (on any topic) would be from a fellow libertarian over my discussion of Grumbles from the Grave. It was none other than Taras Wolansky who wrote: “BRAD LINAWEAVER: Avoiding cholesterol. You are obviously a Type A personality.”

One of the things that first attracted me to libertarianism was the notion that here was an intellectual community seriously devoted to the power of ideas. I also thought that science fiction was about experimention and breaking out of old habits of thought. I used to believe in the Easter Bunny, too. So what might I have expected from Taras Wolansky, SF fan and libertarian, huh? He might have questioned my facts or interpretation of same; he might have suggested that I was engaged in bad strategy or tactics; he might have done most nearly anything, and it would have had more value than this drivel about my body chemistry.

He's a pretty funny guy, I guess — the kind of libertarian fan who can be counted on to put the worst possible face on any new approach to libertarian ideas. He's downgraded L. Neil Smith. He's trashed New Libertarian. Now it's my turn. I wonder who's next? To hell with Taras Wolansky.

Brad Lineweaver letter