>>6
Liberalism was originally much like libertarianism. Except it didn't concern itself with economy much. It was all about freedom and civil rights.
>>9
Actually both see government as the protector of rights. That's what libertarians and classical liberals believe to be only rightful job of government. You seem to be thinking of individualist anarchism or anarcho-capitalism. That's very different though many libertarians have anarcho-capitalist leanings. One should be careful using word liberal and make distinction whether referring to classical liberal, social liberal or whatever. For example current US "liberals" are hardly liberals, but more like social democrats of Europe.
I support libertarians cause they're only party out there who cares for civil rights. I don't give fuck if they fuck up whole economy besides I don't think they can do anything worse there than Clinton or Bush. I consider civil rights to be more important issue.