Welcome Aboard, Matt Welch!

I'm happy to post the following press release from Reason Foundation, the nonprofit that publishes the print and online versions of reason and reason.tv and runs a fantastic policy shop too.

Welcome aboard, Matt Welch!

Reason Magazine and Reason.tv Announce New Editors

Nick Gillespie moves to Reason.tv, Matt Welch takes over Reason magazine

Los Angeles (November 27, 2007) - After seven years as editor-in-chief of Reason magazine, Nick Gillespie is shifting his focus to Reason's Internet content. Gillespie will direct Reason.com and Reason.tv, which debuted in October featuring short documentaries hosted by The Price Is Right and Power of 10 host Drew Carey.

Matt Welch, a former Reason editor and author of the new book McCain: The Myth of a Maverick, leaves his post as assistant editorial page editor at the Los Angeles Times to take over as editor-in-chief of Reason magazine. 

"Reason.tv is the most exciting platform we've created yet in terms of demonstrating the ability of 'free minds and free markets' to create a world that routes around politics as usual and lets people pursue happiness in any way that's peaceful. Between Drew Carey's immense contributions and the other original content we are developing, Reason.tv is a great stage for showing all that is right - and wrong - in American politics and culture," said Gillespie.  "I'm absolutely thrilled that Matt Welch will be leading the print magazine into its next 40 years. There's no better person to head up one of the few magazines that's still dedicated to long-form journalism and that takes the world as its subject."

Welch will be joining Gillespie in Reason Foundation's Washington, DC, offices in January.  The April 2008 issue of Reason magazine will be Welch's first full issue as editor-in-chief.

"I'm excited to be handed the baton at a time when the future of the magazine and Reason Foundation has never looked brighter or more dynamic," declared Welch. "Nick Gillespie and his staff - and their predecessors - have helped create a rare bird in publishing - a magazine about politics that's actually interesting and unpredictable. At a time when Americans despise their elected leaders in record numbers, when party membership is declining all around and the only dark-horse presidential candidate generating anything resembling enthusiasm is a guy nicknamed 'Dr. No,' there's never been a better time for Reason's message of choice versus control, free thinking versus partisan water-carrying."

"This is an unprecedented and pivotal moment for Reason Foundation, our supporters and our ideas," said Reason Foundation President David Nott. "Drew Carey is hosting a video journalism series for us and has just joined Reason's board of trustees. Nick Gillespie's relentless pursuit of quality, thought-provoking journalism will take our websites to new heights. And as Reason magazine heads into its 40th year, Matt Welch brings a fresh perspective that will expand Reason's status as a must-read for anyone interested in the political and cultural landscape of this country. This prepares us better than ever to help bring about change based on individual liberty, limited government and choice."

About Reason magazine

Reason magazine is the award-winning monthly magazine of "free minds and free markets." It covers politics, culture, and ideas through a provocative mix of news, analysis, commentary, and reviews. Reason provides a refreshing alternative to right-wing and left-wing opinion magazines by making a principled case for liberty and individual choice in all areas of human activity. For more information, please visit http://www.reason.com/.

About Reason.tv

Reason.tv is an online community showcasing the best libertarian ideas and videos on the Internet. Reason.tv gives you the opportunity to create videos, share videos and suggest topics for Drew Carey's upcoming documentaries. For more information, please visit http://www.reason.tv/. 

About Reason Foundation

Reason Foundation is a nonprofit think tank dedicated to advancing free minds and free markets. Reason Foundation produces respected public policy research on a variety of issues and publishes the critically acclaimed monthly magazine, Reason, and its website http://www.reason.com/.  Reason Foundation recently launched Reason.tv, an online community featuring short documentaries hosted by The Price Is Right host Drew Carey. For more information, please visit http://www.reason.org/.

Contact

Chris Mitchell, Director of Communications, Reason Foundation, [phone]

Comments

[Episiarch]

What, no staged cage match to prove the "victory" of the new top dog? Maybe you should have hired Vince McMahon instead of Welch. We need more bullshit pageantry here.

[Taktix?]

So, does Matt get a leather coat now?

[TLB]

Translation: subscriptions dropped from five drinkers of copper tinctures to three. Panic!

[sage]

Congrats, guys. I've been a subscriber for about five years now, and I'm glad to see Reason get as much exposure that it does on the MSM. Hopefully you guys can keep it up and make the libertarian voice a bit louder.

[Alan Vanneman]

I'm happy to post the following statement: Libertarian press releases read just like everyone else's press releases.

[joe]

Hooray!

I've always thought Gillespie was great on TV, and I just might have to start subscribing to the print edition, now that Welch is back.

Any chance of bringing back Tim C, too?

[ChicagoTom]

Congrats to Mr. Welch.

Matt Welch, ..., leaves his post as assistant editorial page editor at the Los Angeles Times to take over as editor-in-chief of Reason magazine.

That's too bad though, it was nice having a libertarian voice/POV on the editorial page of the LA Times.

[Pro Libertate]

Damn you, Taktix?, damn you to hell. I already made the jacket joke before the Hit & Run announcement. My seconds will call on your seconds.

Congratulations to both Matt and Nick, and welcome back, Matt!

[Johncjackson 3rd]

Reason has offices? I always figured you guys worked at home like I do.

[JW]

Congrats Matt!

[Warren]

This place was much better when Nick Gillespie was in charge. CANCEL MY SUBSCRIPTION!

[sage]

Drink!

[Captain Chaos]

Taktix-I've seen photos of Postrel in a black leather jacket, so I'm pretty sure it's a sort of badge of office passed on to each Editor. That, and the really superspecial decoder ring. And the set of photos documenting Dondero's visit to a Tijuana donkey show.

[John-David]

I'm very happy. No offense to Nick, but I may have to re-subscribe.

[BakedPenguin]

And the set of photos documenting Dondero's visit to starring in a Tijuana donkey show.

[Captain Chaos]

BakedPenguin-The best part is when Ewik dresses up as Osama Bin Ladin and fellates the donkey, which is dressed as Saddam Hussein. For educational purposes, you know.

[lunchstealer]

Did Postrel have a leather coat? I don't recall. For some reason I'd expect her to be more of a camelhair or cashmere person, myself.

I think Matt's thing is gonna be maybe replacing that straw hat of his with a black leather sombrero.

[Jennifer]

Congratulations to all, and I'll be glad to read Matt here again.

[Paul]

I've always thought Gillespie was great on TV, and I just might have to start subscribing to the print edition, now that Welch is back.

Joe, so you can cancel in outrage (again)? For a magazine called...

[thoreau]

Congrats, guys!

It figures that you'd leave the LAT as soon as I moved back to LA.

[Paul]

I missed Matt. Welcome back, Matt! That stalking thing is totally behind me, I promise.

[thoreau]

This place was much better when Nick Gillespie was in charge. CANCEL MY SUBSCRIPTION!

Yep. And remember how good it was when Julian Sanchez was writing for Reason? Man, those newbies are just sending the place to hell!

[Matthew]

I second the motion to do whatever it takes to get Cavanaugh back--suck.com wasn't the same without him and neither is reason.com. If MattW can return, so must Tim!

[NoStar]

RE: Donderooo's visit and participation in a Tijuana Donkey show.

1. The donkey Dondy fellated was wearing a Rudy Ghouliani mask.

2. I strongly urge the new Reason EiC, Matt Welch, to commission Peter Bagge to illustrate this adventure. Lest anyone fear a lawsuit, remember Jerry Falwell lost his suit against Larry Flynt.

[MikeP]

Translation: subscriptions dropped from five drinkers of copper tinctures to three. Panic!

No need to panic, Lonewacko. Immigrants will do the subscribing that Americans won't do.

[Eric Dondero]

Welcome Matt. You seem like a level-headed and balanced guy. Remember there are TWO wings of the libertarian movement: Pro-Defense and Anti-Defense. So long as you stay in the middle on that front, you'll win nothing but praise from my side.

(I'll post a note of your appointment over at MainstreamLibertarian.com)

[NoStar]

Remember there are TWO wings of the libertarian movement: Pro-Defense and Anti-Defense.

Donderoooo, Every libertarian supports defense. It's this military adventurism cum empire building along the lines of Johnson/Nixon foreign policy supported by neo-cons that all libertarians object to.

[Pro Libertate]

Eric,

I'm in the pro libertate wing, myself 🙂

As I recall, VP predates the blog. Therefore, Nick's new role is totally un-VP. Therefore, he can longer be compared to her. However, Matt can. He can also be compared to former E-in-C, Nick Gillespie. My point? The drinking game has grown more complex.

[Eric Dondero]

NoStar, hiding your head in the sand and pretending that Islamo-Fascisn doesn't exist is not what I call "Pro-Defense."

Paris is burning today. Thousands of Muslim youths are rioting in the streets.

Do you see any discussion of this here at the Reason Blog? Libertarian websites? Libertarian Discussion Groups?

Nope, just denial. "It can't happen here."

[Warren]

Eric,
Pretending that Isloamo-Fascisn(sic) justifies the military adventurism cum empire building along the lines of Johnson/Nixon foreign policy supported by neo-cons is what makes you pathetic.

[Baylen]

Very cool. Congrats to both.

[thoreau]

People in Parisian suburbs are rioting because of alleged police misconduct, Eric. Maybe the allegations are true, maybe they're false.* Either way, they aren't rioting to establish a Caliphate or whatever.

*Even if the allegations are true, that obviously doesn't excuse violence and destruction of property. But there's a big difference between immigrants rioting over alleged police misconduct and Eric's fears of a mass Islamofascist movement. Two very, very different problems, and the only way they might ever converge is if we stoke the grievances by wrongly conflating them.

[Fluffy]

http://www.reason.com/blog/show/123665.html#comments

In this thread, Eric Dondero said that Saddam Hussein was behind the Oklahoma City bombing.

That tells you all you need to know about the value of his insights into "Islamofascism".

[Nash]

Welcome Matt,

I hope you help spread the message of liberty and help promote our "policy shapers": Rudy Ghouliani, Glenn Beck, Dennis Miller and Neal Boortz. But not that wacko Ron Paul, he's icky and doesn't think we can spend a trillion dollars on the military overseas and lower taxes without running up a deficit. What a silly.

- Eric Dondero

[NoStar]

Dondy, So Paris is burning. Even granting that is true and that it can happen here (I'm sure it can), your espoused foreign policy would have us invade France.

With the majority of our active and ready military defending Japan, S. Korea, and Europe, and engaged in a futile and expensive exercise of "nation building" (Remember when GW was agin it, because Clinton was for it?" they are in no position to defend the US when it does happen here.

[Brandybuck]

Paris is burning today. Thousands of Muslim youths are rioting in the streets.

So you're saying the rioting wouldn't have happened if France had invaded Iraq? Silly me, I thought it was their funky immigration mess that was at fault...

[miche]

Paris is burning AGAIN?

[J sub D]

In this thread, Eric Dondero said that Saddam Hussein was behind the Oklahoma City bombing.

Fluffy, I couldn't believe that anybody would make a statement that fucking stupid. Really. So, I "went to the videotape" and checked it out. Jesus Fucking Christ, he really is THAT FUCKING STUPID!!!

Rudy m'boy, he's all yours. Enjoy.

[Cesar]

Eric Dondero said that Saddam Hussein was behind the Oklahoma City bombing.

No, you idiot. It was the AustrianPrince Metternich. Who is plotting the destruction of RepublicanGovernment world wide by subsidizing CatholicImmigrants to the United States. Moron.

[David E. Gallaher]

Nick has the leather jacket/face for TV!

[Joshua Holmes]

Lord, I do remember the days when Matt Welch was around. Hoo-boy, I couldn'ta been much more than a pup in them days.

[Kevin Parker]

"Paris is burning today. Thousands of Muslim youths are rioting in the streets."

Paris, Texas?! Holy merde!!!

Is it the case that you believe we can, over years stretching into decades, through our actions and subsidies build up massive global demand for revenge against the U.S. and then use colossal, debt-ridden government programs (aka military) to stop, in Whack-A-Mole fashion, any market movers from supplying that service? I wouldn't take that bet and would much rather stop feeding the demand: shift to a truly defensive, non-meddlesome, non-subsidizing posture. Big government doesn't eliminate demand for drugs or prostitution. It certainly won't discourage terror sympathizers from funding startups. Why don't you jump on the team and come on in for the small win?

[JLM]

I noticed the other day in the "Reason writers about town" piece that the linked WaPo article listed Matt Welch as an editor at Reason magazine. I thought it was a mistake....

http://reason.com/blog/show/123639.html

[M]

NoStar, recalling that I'm still new to this and arrived via Rothbard, does your

Every libertarian supports defense

- by which I take you to mean non-private defense - exclude anarcho-capiatalists who commnoly call themselves libertarians (since the term "anarchism" was largely corrupted by violent agitators)?

Asked in sincerity.

[Pink Pig]

Hey, maybe if you guys shout at each other about foreign policy enough, everybody will forget what libertarianism is supposed to be about, and libertarianism can become even more marginal than it is today.

[ElamBend]

WooHoo!
Welcome back Matt!

[highnumber]

M,

I can't speak for NoStar, but I will anyway.
I think he means that every libertarian, minarchist or anarchist, feels that self-defense can be justified. (I may be excluding pacifists. Someone else will have to speak for me regarding that.)

[Swen Swenson]

Welcome back Matt!!

And good luck with that "Every libertarian supports" and "all libertarians object" stuff. Such devotion to free minds! What a way to make friends and influence people! "Marginal" doesn't begin to describe it. Try narrow-minded and authoritarian. Not good traits in a "libertarian", no?

[M]

highnumber - If I have it right, a pacifist cannot with consistency force his views on others, so a pacifist response to aggression must by definition be optional rather than compelled (which on many accounts is what gives it any ethical value). The only agent that could prescribe pacifism, thereby exempting himself from fulfilling the requirement, would be a tyrant.

Speaking of which, I believe it's the privation of the right to opt out of supporting an action that defines a state's rule over its subjects, which is why I asked about "public," ie compelled, vs. private, say, militias.

Again, all this from a novice.

[highnumber]

Also, all libertarians, free-thinkers and lipservicers, think Swen Swenson is a goofball.

[highnumber]

M,

But we agree that defense does not have to mean "defense of the state," so you're a pro now.
Go get 'em, tiger!

[M]

high - Is not defense by the state the contentious issue distinguishing gradients along the libertarian spectrum?

Thank you for the certainly premature induction; I'll practice velveting my nascent claws, as all the truly big cats do.

[Terrorific]

Bitchin'!

[Terrorific]

...now we can look forward to a slew of pieces about the Czech Republic. Where did we leave off Matt?

[Swen Swenson]

Ooooh! Masters of the quick and witty, if entirely ad hominem retort always win extra points in any debate. Makes people respect your point of view and adds to your reputation as a deep thinker!

[highnumber]

M,

The mere existence of the state bothers a lot of folks, so...um, it's late. I have to do some dishes before I retire. Go read Doherty's book. 🙂

Seriously, if you haven't read Radicals for Capitalism, dear lord, don't wait for Christmas, order it now. That's a great place to get started.

[Wreck of the Zach B.]

Congrats Nick & Matt, I look forward to seeing how each of you do in your new endeavors. Matt'll probably keep me subscribing for another 17 years (just don't change the logo again), and Nick will make me very happy if I could get a frigging video content RSS feed of reason.tv

[Mike Laursen]

Woohoo! Matt is back!

[joshua corning]

MATT IS BACK!!!!

[joshua corning]

Lord, I do remember the days when Matt Welch was around. Hoo-boy, I couldn'ta been much more than a pup in them days.

Dude, it was like 6 months ago.

[joshua corning]

NoStar, hiding your head in the sand and pretending that Islamo-Fascisn doesn't exist is not what I call "Pro-Defense."

Do you see any discussion of this here at the Reason Blog? Libertarian websites? Libertarian Discussion Groups?

Nope, just denial. "It can't happen here."

How does that Wolfe quote go....

"Fascism is always looming over the US but it only ever lands in Europe"

or something like that.

[Stevo Darkly]

Welcome back, Matt!

And congratulations, guys!

----------------------

"Lord, I do remember the days when Matt Welch was around. Hoo-boy, I couldn'ta been much more than a pup in them days".

"Dude, it was like 6 months ago."

Which is the equivalent of several years, to a pup.

[asd]

I have to say that I'm sorry to see Gillespie go. While I have a great deal of respect for Welch, Gillespie helped turn this into one of the best American magazines around. You've got big shoes to fill, Matt.

Excuse me, a big leather jacket to fill, that is.

[Ken Shultz]

So this was all an elaborate ploy to trick Cavanaugh into moving to Los Angeles?!

...ingenious.

[Chucklehead]

'gratz to both Nick & Matt.

[ed]

Tribune Co. shares dropped $1.35 (4.72%) yesterday.
Coincidence?

[Rimfax]

Holy shinola! Welcome back, Matt. And congratulations on getting the big chair. I think that you can deduct the asbestos underwear on your taxes.

It sounds like congratulations are in order for Nick as well. I'm looking forward to what you do with your focus on the multimedia fora.

[Lenny Zimmermann]

Congrats!

However I had to comment on "At a time when Americans despise their elected leaders in record numbers". If we despise them (and I think the sentiment fits), then why would be call them "leaders" anyway? As if there weren't have enough swelled heads in politics already... maybe we'd be better off reminding them that they are not, necessarily, "leaders", but rather public servants.

[Russ 2000]

Welcome back, Matt. Get a coupla columns from Tim C. every now and again, please.

Also, the Angels overpaid for Torii. (And Li'l Sarge, too.)

[Jim Henley]

I'm pleased to report that I have already, at last night's happy hour, successfully pitched the new editor on a major cover story about privatizing the roads.

[Eric Dondero]

It's not "people" who are rioting in Paris, it's Muslim immigrants. "People" implies that they're just disenchanted Frenchmen angry at a misunderstanding with the Police. The major media is not giving us the full story.

Go to Jihad Watch or Little Green Footballs for the inside story of what's really going on there.

Amazing, that there's almost a complete blackout on libertarian websites about the biggest story of the day.

Doesn't quite fit the non-interventionist template I guess.

[Eric Dondero]

BTW, latest is that the rioting has spread to Toulouse in the south of France.

And shots have been fired at French Police from Urban Guerillas suspected of being backed by Hezzbolah.

They're now saying that it's worse than the riots of 2005.

[Jake Boone]

Nice use of the passive voice there, DONDEROOOOOOOOOO!!!

Suspected by whom? Who is now saying it's worse than 2005? And provide links, please.

[Jake Boone]

BTW, does LGF boast many French nationals on their boards, or does the "inside story" amount to a bunch of neocon basement-dwellers wanking off to fantasies of the French and the Muslims killing each other? Inquiring minds want to know.

[Rich Berger]

So the decline of the magazine will continue.

[Mike]

Welch will be joining Gillespie in Reason Foundation's Washington, DC, offices in January.

Can this really be a step up for Matt if he has to move to DC? And in the winter, no less. Egad.

[Nathan]

This is weird. I feel like my parents have told me we're moving to a new city.