View source for Harding Institute for Freedom and Democracy

'''HOAX WARNING RE: HARDING INSTITUTE FOR FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY'''

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The '''Harding Institute for Freedom and Democracy''' proclaims that it is a Washington, D.C.-based [[think tank]] that states  on its website that it believes "in American ingenuity, a special role for America in the world, the manifest destiny of the American dream, and the importance of American leadership in the cause of freedom and liberty."<ref>[http://www.hardinginstitute.org/5.html "The Harding Institute for Freedom and Democracy"], Harding Institute for Freedom and Democracy, accessed February 2008.</ref> The group's website states that it is headed by "[[M. Thomas Eisenstadt]]", who serves as a "Senior Fellow".<ref>.[http://www.hardinginstitute.org/3.html "The Harding Institute for Freedom and Democracy: Staff"], accessed February 2008.</ref>  

The domain name for the website was registered in early November 2007 by an internet registration company based in Pennsylvania, according to Joker.com.<ref>"[https://joker.com/index.joker Hardinginsistitute.org"], accessed February 2008.</ref> The website claims in a blog posting that the group's website predated this: "Due to a hard-drive crash, we've had to rebuild the website from scratch. Apologies to everyone who has contributed over the years, but sadly it may take some time to reconstruct the archives."<ref>[http://www.hardinginstitute.org/2.html "News"], November 2, 2007 post, accessed February 2008.</ref> However, there are no links that 

As of June 2008, the Harding Institute for Freedom and Democracy is not listed with Guidestar.org as a U.S.-based [[501(c)3]] non-profit group.

In June 2008 blogger William K. Wolfum concluded that "M. Thomas Eisenstadt (who originally started a blog named www.michaeleisenstadt.com and was referred to as "Michael") was a hoax. As was his "think tank" called "The Harding Institute for Freedom and Democracy" (which seems to be a joke, being that Warren G. Harding is widely considered to be one of the worst Presidents in U.S. history)."<ref>William K. Wolfum, [http://shakespearessister.blogspot.com/2008/06/when-abrad2345-exited-m-thomas.html When Abrad2345 exited, M. Thomas Eisenstadt entered"], ''Shakesville'' (Blog), June 10, 2008.</ref>

==Funding==

A blog posting from January 2008 states that funding from the [[Harding Family Trust]] will make it possible for the institute to  move into a new office.<ref>[http://www.hardinginstitute.org/2.html "News"], January 10, 2008, accessed February 2008.</ref> However, there is no record of a "Harding Family Trust" in the Foundation Center database of funders.<ref>[http://dynamodata.fdncenter.org/990s/990search/ffindersearch.cgi?foundationname=Harding+Family+Trust&foundationstate=&go.x=0&go.y=0&go=Go&foundationzip=  "Foundation Finder"], Foundation Center website, accessed June 2008.</ref>

== Personnel ==
===Staff===
* [[M. Thomas Eisenstadt]], Senior Fellow
* [[Eli Perle]], Associate Fellow
* [[Stanley Rubin]], Associate Fellow
* [[Marwan Al Rahat]], Associate Fellow

===Advisory Board===
*[[Clifford Harding III]]
*[[Pauline Harding]]
*[[Paul Horowitz]]
*[[Elliot Dundee]]
*[[Josiah Bush]]
*[[Hershel Smith]]
*[[Lois L. Marshall]]
*[[Erskine Carter]]

== Contact ==
On its website the group provides no office or postal address or phone of fax numbers. It states that this is "for security reasons" and only provides an email and web address.<ref>[http://www.hardinginstitute.org/6.html "The Harding Institute for Freedom and Democracy: Contact"], accessed February 2008.</ref>

Email: info AT  hardinginstitute.org <br>
Website: http://www.hardinginstitute.org

==Articles and Resources==
===Sources===
<references/>

===Related SourceWatch Articles===
*[[Think tanks]]

===External Articles===
* William K. Wolfum, [http://shakespearessister.blogspot.com/2008/06/conservative-blogger-m-thomas.html "Conservative blogger M. Thomas Eisenstadt is a hoax, fraud, an identity thief and perhaps more"], ''Shakesville'' (Blog), June 4, 2008.
* William K. Wolfum, [http://shakespearessister.blogspot.com/2008/06/when-abrad2345-exited-m-thomas.html When Abrad2345 exited, M. Thomas Eisenstadt entered"], ''Shakesville'' (Blog), June 10, 2008.
* William K. Wolfum, [http://www.williamkwolfrum.com/2008/06/27/narcissist-abrad2345-releases-newest-video-as-hoax-martin-eisenstadt/ "Narcissist Abrad2345 releases newest video! As hoax “Martin” Eisenstadt"], ''William K. Wolfrum'' (blog), June 27th, 2008.
[[Category:United States]][[Category:Think tanks]]