Date: Thu, 20 Apr 2000 22:51:14 -0700
From: Joshua Houk <jlhouk-AT-uswest.net>
Subject: Re: question re Young Americans for Freedom




catkawin wrote:

> You might have guessed - there's another discussion between our
> federation and some -AT-crapitalists who say that one group who
> contributed to founding the Libertarian Party in the 60ies was the
> Young Americans for Freedom. Can anybody help me out with info re
> this group, their ideology etc. etc. Thanks a lot,

Sure enough. The below is from http://www.yaf.com/history.html - they
are obviously a fine, fine group of individuals worthy of our support.

joshua h
jlhouk-AT-uswest.net

***

1960's

About 90 young people at the Sharon, Connecticut estate of William F.
Buckley, Jr.to lay the groundwork for a new national conservative youth
organization. It is here that Americans for Freedom is born and our
statement of principles, the Sharon Statement, is drafted. New Guard
magazine makes its debut as the official magazine of YAF. 

YAF spearheads the campaign of Barry Goldwater for president.
Goldwater's run for the White House catalyzed YAF more than any other
event in its history. A highlight of YAF's movement to make Goldwater
the Republican nominee is an astonishing rally in New York's Madison
Square Garden where 18,500 conservatives gather to show their support
for Senator Goldwater. Lee Edwards, former New Guard editor, said "Barry
Goldwater made YAF, but YAF also made Barry Goldwater." 

Ronald Reagan joins the YAF National Advisory Board in 1962 and
continues today, 39 years later, as Honorary Chairman.

"STOP RED TRADE" becomes a hallmark of YAF's 30-year history. IBM, Mack
Truck, and Firestone Tire and Rubber are targeted for engaging in high
visibility trade with the Soviet Bloc. YAF successfully stops
Firestone's attempt to build a synthetic rubber plant in Communist
Romania through letter-writing campaigns, boycotts, and demonstrations.
YAF's plan to distribute 500,000 flyers at the Indianapolis 500 is seen
as a key to the decision by Firestone executives. 

YAF goes on the offensive against radical left-wing groups like Students
for a Democratic Society (SDS) and New MOBE in support of a U.S. victory
in Vietnam. These fights carry YAF into its second decade.


1970's

YAF begins and continues a number of projects to support Vietnam
veterans and their causes. "Project Appreciation" gives YAFers the
opportunity to write, visit, and provide needed supplies to hospitalized
veterans. YAF works on various POW/MIA issues and treasonous "Hanoi"
Jane Fonda becomes a target of YAF attacks. While U.S. soldiers are
fighting in the fields of Vietnam, YAF is fighting on the college
campuses and in communities across the country. YAF, though opposing the
draft, supports the move to resist communism in Southeast Asia and in
American classrooms. 

YAF goes on the offensive when President Nixon sells out the free
Republic of China and opens relations with communist Red China. A number
of YAF projects are started as ad hoc committees and affiliated groups
to address specific issues. These groups include Youth for the Voluntary
Prayer Amendment, Student's Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear
Arms, Young America's Foundation, Free Campus News Service, STOP-NSA
Committee, and the National Student Committee for Victory in Vietnam.
Today some of these organizations still exist, and continue "to fight
the good fight." 

In 1974, YAF, along with the American Conservative Union, sponsors a
modest but ambitious gathering called the Conservative Political Action
Conference (CPAC). CPAC has become the largest annual gathering of
conservatives and is still growing 25 years later. 

The Carter Administration is an easy target of YAF. With huge,
unprecedented government growth the order of the day, Carter's policies
fly in the face of all that YAF stands for. YAF is active in opposing
the give away of the Panama Canal and the SALT treaties. The Iran
Hostage Crisis opens the eyes of many people to the failures of the
Carter Administration and provides YAF a rallying point in 1979. YAF
holds a campaign to generate thousands of letters of encouragement to
the hostages and presses the Administration to take action. 


1980's

YAF's long time friend and advisor Ronald Reagan becomes the 40th
President of the United States. The election of Reagan ushers in the
conservative decade. YAFers around the nation mobilize in support of
Reagan's agenda. 

Many YAFers receive appointments to the Reagan Administration. Reagan
Administration officials and prospective appointees who are targeted by
the radical left are strongly defended by YAF. YAFers rally to the
support of Labor Secretary Raymond Donovan, Interior Secretary James
Watt, Circuit Court Judge Dan Manion, Supreme Court nominee Robert Bork,
and NSC staff member Lt. Colonel Oliver North. 

The conservative decade also brings a new resurgence of left-wing
intolerance on college campuses. Radical left-wing administrators,
faculty, and students go on the rampage in their attempts to silence
conservative student organizations and publications. YAF continues to
fight to bring First Amendment rights to our college campuses.

YAF scores a victory for free speech when the Supreme Court renders its
decision in Boos vs. Barry. The ruling overturns an ordinance in our
nation's capitol that forbids demonstrators against a foreign government
to carry their protest within 500 feet of the nation's embassy. YAF
stands solidly behind the Reagan Doctrine and supports Freedom Fighters
around the globe through campus activities. YAF sponsors a variety of
speaking tours by representatives of the Nicaraguan Resistance, the
Mujahaddin of Afghanistan, UNITA from Angola, and the ARENA Party of El
Salvador. 


1990's

YAF Opens the decade after launching the most successful Fall Offensive
in recent history. YAF recruiters were active in 16 states and on over
75 college campuses. The drive centered on a push to pardon Oliver North
and generated tremendous response in support of this American hero.

In August 1991, YAF held its 16th National Convention in Washington D.C.
YAF members from around the country gathered to reaffirm our commitment
to conservative principles and heard such speakers as William F.
Buckley, Jr., Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney, and G. Gordon Liddy. 

YAF National Chairman meets with Vice President Dan Quayle and delivers
over 40,000 petitions in support of the Vice President. 

YAF launches Anita Hill truth Squad to expose the lies of Anita Hill.
YAFers confront Anita Hill on college campuses across America. 

YAF pushes 1992 Republican National Convention to continue strong
support for conservative issues.

YAF's New Guard touts Quayle's accomplishments and lauds Pat Buchanan's
contributions to the conservative movement.