Originally posted at mises.ca on February 28, 2013

The following is adapted from a recent presentation at a Mises Toronto Pub night.

Let me start off by saying I have a lot respect for Robert Wenzel.

Robert Wenzel is the editor and publisher of EconomicPolicyJournal.com, a very popular–and very Austro-libertarian–finance and economics blog. Mr. Wenzel hosts “Morning Coffee with Murray Rothbard”, and his posts are littered with quotes from Mises, Hayek, Rothbard, and many others. He seems to always have a great quote from a great thinker ready. He is also a very interesting person. He is full of stories, from fending off muggers, to picking up women, and making $100,000 with drunken homeless bums.

Wenzel is a ruthless defender of Austrian and libertarian ideals. He has viciously (and correctly, in my opinion) attacked prominent figures many consider to be libertarian, on the grounds of them holding decisively unlibertarian, or even anti-libertarian ideas. Some people he has attacked on these grounds include Megan McArdle, Gary Johnson, Bruce Bartlett, Tyler Cowen, and Rand Paul. Many criticize him for it, but I believe it necessary to distinguish between libertarian and non-libertarian ideas, so when those who are new to libertarianism hear new ideas, they can better distinguish between libertarian and non-libertarian values. He has also compiled the very useful 30 day reading list on becoming knowledgeable libertarian. Continue reading “Cleaning up after Robert Wenzel’s Drive-by against IP” →