A few months ago, I posted about how 15% of the general population now has political beliefs that fall within the definition of "libertarian", and how one of their preferred talking points should be the legalization of online gambling.

Well, as it happens, actual libertarians seem to agree with me.

The June edition of Reason Magazine is out, and it features a great article by Jacob Sullum titled Some Bets Are Off, which I consider to be a must-read for anybody looking to update themselves on the various political hypocrisies that are being used to keep online gambling from thriving in America.

It reads like a Jason Bourne movie, with new enemies poping up left and right to each take a shot at the good guy. The story starts with a re-hash of the arrests of the BetOnSports leaders, follows through with the ludicrous passage of the UIGEA, peaks with the dispute between America and Antigua, and then mellows out with a semi-positive outlook of the future. Really, this is pure Hollywood fare.

There's no way you can read the article and come out with any opinion other than "How can so many people make some many bad decisions?"

If HBO can turn the 2000 election into a movie as good as Recount, then I can't imagine what they could do with this subject.

And I'm glad to see it turn up in Reason Magazine, with it's tagline of "Free Minds and Free Markets". As mentioned, libertarian principles are becoming a bit of a fad right now, and reading Reason is about as libertarian as you can get without being the bastard child of Dennis Miller and Ayn Rand.

The only thing I can't figure out about the Libertarian Party?

They actually just selected Wayne Allyn Root as their vice-presidential candidate as Bob Barr's running mate.

You read that correctly. Wayne Root. Bob Barr's running mate. Same sentence.

If you don't know who Wayne Root is, he is this guy. And this guy. And this guy. And even this guy, who some might consider a patent troll.

I'll say this for the Libertarian Party... they might know their rights, but they sure as hell don't know how to do background checks on their presidential candidates.

According to my sources, Root's campaign is going to use the slogan, "Free Minds, Free Markets, and a Free 10-Star Play for Anybody Who Calls My Pick Line in the Next 10 Minutes!"