It started out with an invitation to speak before a group called the Wisconsin Forum, whose origins go back decades. It is a private group composed of libertarians and conservatives who invite speakers to address the club on issues relating to liberty.

I was invited to speak on "The Case for Open Borders."

But before I addressed the Wisconsin Forum, I received invitations to speak on the same subject to students at two different schools in Milwaukee: Brookfield Academy and the Academy of Excellence.

Brookfield is one of the finest private schools in Wisconsin. Among the founders was a man named Bill Law, who was president of a Milwaukee company named Cudahy Tanning Company. I first encountered Bill when I attended a summer seminar at The Foundation for Economic Education (FEE) in 1979. He was one of the speakers.

I have never met anyone who could explain the virtues of free trade better than Bill. He was also one of the most principled libertarians I have ever met. When competition from Japanese leather producers was costing Cudahy Tanning Company large market share, Bill stood steadfast against the push by other leather companies for protectionist legislation.