Bill Maher's Religulous

This movie has been the talk of the town in Seattle. Take a peek and tell me what you think.

Washington State's Primary Problem

Top Two Forward!!!

The Washington State Libertarian Party is at the forefront of a critical legal battle to preserve the fundamental right of free association.

We’ve been in court against the State of Washington and the Grange sponsored I-872 - Top-Two primary.

With this new election system, any candidate can say they prefer the Libertarian Party on the public ballot.

This is a problem because privacy - for the individual and whomever they choose to associate - should be protected in the United States. With the Top-Two election, the State of Washington has, in effect, put our party’s name in the public domain.

As a private association, Libertarian Party members have gone through the process of drafting and ratifying our platform - which is a statement to voters about our values and policy goals.

Good and freedom loving people volunteer time and resources to our organization.

If Washington’s new Top-Two election is allowed to continue, there will likely not be a Libertarian Party anymore. Why have a private political association when any candidate - regardless of what they really believe - can claim our party’s name as a preference on the ballot? We have no say at all preventing any interloper or opportunist from usurping our good name for the public ballot.

We have been waging a battle for some time to protect our associational right to privacy. We’ve already gone all the way to the US Supreme Court. Now the case has been remanded to lower courts and that’s why we’re contacting you.

We are standing in the courtroom next to two unusual partners - the Washington State Democratic Party and the Washington State Republican Party. We have issues in the case exclusive to our party regarding the legal trademark of the name Libertarian. We must fund our own legal team. We need to stay in this fight or our side of this case may never be heard!

And for this we need every ounce of support you can give.

We must act immediately to present our case in the strongest possible way.

Please help us get the resources we need to protect private association. If we don’t fight this intrusion from The State, there very well may not be a Libertarian Party - or any other grassroots political organization - anymore.

Please give now to http://lpwa.org/contribute/

Scott~



For more details please visit: http://www.rankedchoice.blogspot.com/

Cato Article on the recent blaming of libertarians for the collapse of humanity

This Cato Article makes some solid points about the recent state of affairs in America.

To summarize, he talks about how the libertarians have hardly been a strong player in the political system (see how Ron Paul and other libertarians have been treated by the majority of Republicans and by the corporate media). It is almost laughable to say that you could point the finger at libertarians for American economic instability when the ideas they promote are NOT the ones the people of America live with.

Another interesting CATO article.

The Whims of the Majority

Disaster Capitalism- Disaster Democracy

Author Naomi Klein from The Nation runs down the problems with the American Market. One issue I have, it appears she's aiming at the wrong target or at least exempting the parts of the American system that conform to her acceptable -ism's-.

Her book "Disaster Capitalism" is one of my selected readings with my political group of friends. So far it is a historical, though biased, report on the Chicago school of Capitalism. She brings up a lot of good perspectives, but the villain she is addressing is only, at worst, a co-conspirator in the myriad of abuses going on in the American government. If the 'free market' were exclusively the system America uses, Ron Paul would likely be our next president [gasp].



"We now have evidence that this market model is broken."

This market model is a complex system made up of socialism (government runs education, social security, central banking or federal reserve, etc), fascism (corporate exemptions and no bid contracts, no accountability for corporate abuse, etc), capitalism (small and big business flexibility and opportunity) and a few traces of other systems like religious authoritarianism.

She is correct that this market model is broken. However, to say that the part of the system that has failed is the 'free market' side is quite a stretch. The banks have had extraordinary and exclusive rights and abilities on top of the corporate structure they enjoy which limits accountability. Special rights, exemptions (tax and otherwise), and loopholes are NOT the residue of free market capitalism. They are the result of fascism.

In Argentina she says it was a revolt against the 'Expert Class'. The is a reflective remnant of the communist idea that there will be a group of elites who are smarter than the average people and they will choose how things run and what things will flow and what things will not.

She promotes the idea of nationalizing (or internationalizing) the oil companies. I would agree that we could offer some type of standards to be sure that they are not polluting the environment in production, but why stop with nationalizing the oil companies. What about the plastic, drug, banking, media, and gun companies. Don't they all have dealings with the public in some way? Why not nationalize ALL business? To each according to their need, from each according to their worth.

The dog eat dog world of bare knuckle capitalism has always had elements I despise. Same with the leach of others we're all brothers, redistribution of wealth system promoted by many.

To be honest, I despise corporate abuse equally to the waste and abuse of big government. They are both wholly unacceptable.

The Greenspan legacy (another case where many are pointing to this breakdown as a failure of capitalism) is actually a case of a person who abandoned the free market ideals and joined the fascist control of the market. ONE MAN with has his finger on the pulse of interest rates for the nation (actually much of the world) can, in NO WAY be construed as Free Market Capitalism. It is the result of long stretches with a two party system.





When it comes to her book there is a missing link as well. She talks about how the Friedmanite school of thought evolved into a plan where they wait for a disaster and then swoop in and install free market programs I have not yet heard her address the opposite theories stemming back to Karl Marx about a violent uprising, killing off the rich and the elites and then installing their particular -ism- creating a central government that eventually dissolves (on the tongues of the people?) into small democracies across the land (America started of just inches away from that).

So 'Disaster Communism' is one in which the communists create the disaster and then there is no one to rebuff the install of communism.

We must abandon the idea of authoritarian government.

Should there really be an agency telling us how many peas and carrots to have on the shelf?

Shouldn't education be determined by the region and not the reigning president of the U.S. of A.???

What system best teaches charity and regard for our fellow man? That is a research assignment I would love to see done without political bias. As long as it supports my narrow view of the world.

If people are naturally bad then how can we trust one group of people to regulate another group of people?

Shouldn't the governemnt focus on the rule of law instead of enforcing fears and desires on the whims of the majority?

Ron Paul on the Future of America

I will reserve comment till some time has passed.

Israel and Palestine? Can't we all just get along?

I don't know if a multi state solution is the ideal, or perhaps having it be overlapping borders. I just know that this is MY side of the bed and if any idiot puts his toe on my side I will cut it off.

TVW interview with me about third parties

I was interviewed by TVW a few months ago and had thought little of it till I happened to come across a post it note in my office reminding me to check up on the interview.

Here it is:



Tell me what you think!!!

Can A Bis be A Cure?!?

As many of my friends that do use pot can attest to, I do not use pot. I am not advocating for the end of the war on drugs and hemp so that I can get high.

I simply have never believed that the proper role of government in a free country is to limit the choices one (and one's doctor) make about personal issues including health and recreation.

People who use drugs around kids, sell drugs to kids, or involve children in the creation, shipping, or sale of drugs should be behind bars. By the way, I also have a poor opinion of people that smoke the drug you can buy at every gas station around children.

Obama Translated

Okay, I actually think this is pretty funny, though it stretches a few points. I have friends that support O'bama, and I am sure they will get a kick out of this too! (Is that like saying, "I have black friends?")

In a free coutry, Dreams stay with you. . .

What is the nature of the free country in America???

I am free to post this blog, but not to do some of the following:

http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2008/09/01/protests/index.html

I.O.U.S.A.

The United States of America is facing many critical issues.

The economy has always been assumed to be stable and reliable. But ask yourself this question, is there NOTHING that we can do wrong?

I Call Penn Jillette!!!

Glenn Beck has Penn Jillette on his show the other night.

Hmm, strange bedfellows???

This reminds me of the phone call I got from my conservative brother when he said he found himself in a position to vote for a third party when he heard Bob Barr (L).


I have MAD respect for jillette and my folks have a deep fondness for Beck.

Civil Defense Videos from 1965

The Top Two Works, How?

If the public had a state sponsored race and everyone could run would you go for it?

Maybe? If you thought you were a good runner.

But what if, regardless of how skilled or poor a runner you were the same two runners trade off winning every other race for the past few decades?

Would you still run?

Maybe if you thought you were really good.

What if you all pay the same entry price just to run in the race, but halfway through the race whichever two in are in the lead, who likely will be the ones that always win, are allowed to continue on to the finish line would you still run?

Welcome to the Top Two system in Washington State.

This "Top Two" system has the potential to give voters only two Republicans or two Democrats showing up in the general election. It also will more commonly cripple third parties in the general election because you will have to miracle yourself enough support to knock out the democrats and republicans. Many voters think the general election is the only one that really matters. What do you think?

Net Neuterreality

Save the Internet | Rock the Vote

I am still trying to understand how the big corporations want to have control over the net.

It is not hard for me to fathom that the media controllers wish to have an edge on delivering the net to the people, but at the same time, they should NOT have the power to block the communications of we the people.

I will definitely be looking out for more on this topic.

Olberman on Mccain's Comments About Iraq and 'Context'

How much did Ron Paul supporters really know about him???

This study shows the length of time that people spent at his sites compared to the other competing candidates.

It is VERY interesting that much of his popularity, though briefly mentioned, was mostly dismissed by the media and therefore by people who may have taken his campaign seriously. You know, those people that TRUST the media.

Don't forget that trust and integrity are some of the media's highest held banners, but not always the highest held value.

Media Blog: Review of Ron Paul web study

Born Again Bob Barr Borat

On the floor of the 2008 LPCon when Barr was nominated, there was a lot of emotion and some contention between the contrast of long time activists Libertarian choices for President and the recent slate of 'newcomers' to the race.

Candidates like Dr. Mary Ruwart, Professor George Phillies, Steve Kubby, W.A. Root among others in the 'libertarian-o-meter' were compared in contrast to some long standing nationally known figures Bob Barr and Mike Gravel, who have long and considerable records serving in Washington DC who have, or had, some positions that Libertarians vehemently oppose.

In the end, Barr was considered by the majority to hold the most potential for media coverage and ability to run a strong and well organized campaign.

Many say this is an attempt to run a 'right' leaning campaign instead of a more centrist campaign in order to appeal to the McCain weakness on conservative issues.

At this point my answer to that is, 'Well, Duh!!!"

The task now is to keep Born Again Barr soaking in 'Liberty's Brine' so that he continues to redeem himself (as he states he wishes to do) and to keep working on other campaigns in each individual state.

More to come. . .

Oil- interests - money

Whose interest did we go into Iraq to protect???

Catch me I'm Falling

I hear the call for a system that will catch us when we fall.

The need for some type of welfare state.

I am happy to talk about it, but should we not also not make a system with so many legs to trip us up in the first place?

The Clintons, making bucks, and giving too (once the campaign began)

For people who have grand ideas for America, wouldn't it be nice if they were philanthropic before they were running for office?

Come on Hillary, give till it hurts.

Link for article

Why Ron Paul Scares the GOP~ Time article

Quote from the article:

Under Bush's leadership, of course, the Republican Party has been anything but frugal and anything but isolationist. The congressional Republican revolutionaries seemed to lose their zeal for shrinking the federal government once they controlled it, which is one reason voters expelled them from power in 2006. And these days, it's usually Democrats who call for a humbler foreign policy. Paul's leave-us-alone libertarianism hasn't fit in with a party anxious to read our e-mail, improve our values, assert American power abroad and subsidize friendly industries at home. The party's recent mix of "national greatness" neoconservatives, evangelical theoconservatives and K Street careerists has had many goals, but leaving people alone hasn't been one of them. That's why Paul was the one getting booed at G.O.P. debates. And that's one reason why Paul's fervent followers were banned from the activist Republican website RedState.

top two forward

The Supreme Court has spoken and I hope that Washington acts and brings about RCV ASAP!!!

http://www.moresoftmoneyhardlaw.com/news.html?AID=1221

Rising Tide!!!

Also worth revisiting: Ron Paul on the Morton Downey Jr. Show in the Eighties

Ron Paul from Nov 2007 (decent reporting on his campaign was hard to find)

I liked most of the article, though it painted with broad strokes sometimes, it caught a lot of his positions. I think the photo is one of the most telling of RP.

". . . U.S. Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) sticks to serious principles and says what he thinks. Someone is listening he raised millions in one day on the Internet . . . "

My Response to the Total Lack or Response from the BBC

After a year of amazing record breaking support Ron Paul will always be remembered as the leader of a revolution that could have been, and one that may still rise from the ashes.

Anyone that dismisses him for being kooky, or flaky, or like any other baked good, really misses the mark when it comes to the importance of his campaign.

At one time in America we held a high value on state and individual rights. We have moved far from that. We also used to shun foreign entanglements, but we now meddle forcefully in the markets and governments of countries all over the world.

Ron Paul suggested with a surprisingly controversial campaign that we should return to the simpler America. One where we may not have all the same services from the central government, but we would also not be bound to a central planning nightmare.

Each state could practice education, healthcare, and the like on their own, and or Oregon figured out how to do math in a way that was ten times better than any other state then other states could mimic that process and learn from the experiment. Currently our education in America is a static nightmare of administrative and regulatory burdens. Try changing anything in the current system and you may take ten years to be heard. Our system here is Not dynamic and flexible and it is NOT because of 'no child left behind'. It is because George Bush has an easier time influencing the public schools than the parents who are bound to pay for and submit their children to its clutches.

Ron Paul suggests protection of our unalienable rights (the ones that all humans have) instead of the here today gone tomorrow attitude that most of our current elected officials have.

He suggests sound money and economic policies. balanced budgets.

He was the last boyscout in D.C. Everyone else seems to have graduated to something darker, something that involves man ruling over man. Man deciding what other men can do.

The media gave him about 2% coverage and he still was able to get second place and respectable third places all across the nation. Just on internet buzz and grassroots support alone.

He raised more money in day than anyone had ever done before.

He spoke bold faced truth in the debates.


Remarkable?

Apparently not.


How unremarkable is the media that let him stand there alone. Pointing only at his wallet.

Scott~

P.S. I have said before and will repeat, the BBC'c lack of real coverage of his campaign is regrettable.

________________________

Link to this: BBC:America:RonPaul

What Are We Doing Over There?

Democracy Now

Health Care for All

Article about the American flirtation with a socialized medicine program. The article offers some serious concerns for the blueprint of a potential behemoth.

Ron Has the Best Lines of the Night!

Ron Paul Behind the Scenes

North American Union

Never Give Up!!!

You always have a choice.

Reply to Hillary Article

Oh please, Congressman Paul gets about 1% of media coverage (look it up folks) and he gets at least half of that saying he is a nutjob (because HE adheres to that ole Constitution (the one that gives Hillary and Obama a job) and I am supposed to cry a tear over How Hillary feels about the trillion articles that don't show her in the most favourabvle light. Politics is not a vanity fair, it is the role of protecting our rights and our economy. And the media is an entity of spite and neglect which may or may not reflect the same trivial attitudes in society. We have a lot of growing up to do and it has little to do with whether we are 'ready for a woman or a black man' in office. It is more like, 'are we ready for someone who trusts us to make choices for ourselves, or demands that the government be in charge of our choices. Please people, wake up and smell the state of the nation.

Vote For. . .

In my precinct here in Seattle there were two for Paul and one for Huckabee. So Ron Paul won MY precint. WOO HOO!!!

Published Again

Eat The State is a Washington (and online for the world) treasure for progressives.

They have very similar positions to Ron Paul and Libertarians in many ways but they also staunchly oppose Ron Paul and his ilk. Click on the 'Published Again' title above to read my article and their reply.

They say he favours corporations- Um, he is the only candidate talking about limiting the power that corporations have been given in the past few decades.

They say he is a hardcore private property advocate, this is true, but that is what he bases his environmental stance on. Protecting the lungs and and of the people downstream. Noone should be allowed to pollute their neighbours property. The repubs and dems grandfather in the right to do so, not to mention the military industrial complex which has troops and bases all over the world. Did Clinton bring the troops home from Japan, Korea or other places in Asia or Europe? Nope.

'Eat the State' also accuses Ron Paul of 'surrounding himself' with brownshirts (nazi's fyi), militia members, racists, neo-fascists, etc. Why would Ron speak critically of fascists in interviews and even declare America as having a soft form of Fascism? This strikes me more as mudslinging than actual factual reality.

MLK jr had clingons of all stripes too. Communists and other radicals surrounded him and attempted to latch on to his popularity. But you don't hear that thrown at him every time we celebrate his day, nor should you. Ron Paul has spoken clearly about his perspective on racism and more importantly the political and social fallacy that IS racism. He has voted in all ways to improve civil liberties for all. The opposite of what a racist vote would be, but he gets no credit for that. In fact, his voting record jives ONLY with the Constitution, no matter what his personal views of others are (but what does a voting record matter mean anyway?).

Lastly, 'Eat the State' declares that Ron Paul does not care at all for the poor, the less fortunate. I say they are dead wrong on that account. He is seeking to maintain the economic power of the individual.

He is in full support of decreasing the gigantic size of the federal government and restoring financial power to the individual. People would be in less need of welfare if the government did not take so much from us in the first place.

You could pay for all the progressive programs, healthcare, welfare and the like and STILL not have an IRS and high taxes. See the problem is the way the government does things is via the most expensive possible method. Ron Paul even spoke about shoring up medicare and social security by bringing home the troops.

Ron Paul and his many level headed supporters have said, despite what you think of him, they will not go quietly in the night. They have fought for and promoted the desire to have a simple Constitutional form of government. We are not perfect. But why wet blanket the fire of Liberty?

Scott~

BTW-

Almost every morning since moving to Seattle in 1999 I have woken up to KEXP. On the weekends I wake up to the political news programme put on in part by Mike McCormick. HE often has guests on that cover issues that really matter to me on a local and national level. It is always thoughtful and interesting, and though it is the progressive ying to my libertarian yang, I almost always learn something about an issue and I learn, each weekend, how progressive and libertarian ideas sync up (oppose NAFTA, civil rights abuses, etc) it is also brought out how we differ (Property rights, free market economy).

One of Mike's regular guests (when available) is Geov Parrish who is with the printed and online paper 'Eat The State' : A forum for anti-authoritarian political opinion, research, and humor.

I find this paper at coffee shops and other places where people usually gather to gather and chat, and it is often read.

Though the concept of, "Eat the State" sounds Libertarian. Eat the state as an idea, makes me think that you want to state to be smaller. Then they talk about being the a forum for anti-authoritarian political opinion. That is what I thought the Libertarians want? To NOT have an authoritarian form of government.

Does it make sense to say, "We are staunchly anti-authoritarian. . . EXCEPT for the areas we want the government to be authoritative!"?

Once again, Ron Attempts to Prioritize the Discussion

An article that captures much of the joys and frustrations many share with the current (R) race for nomination. Ron Paul Gets Cheers and Jeers The more I read, the more I see that there is a media blackout of Ron Paul. And I can cite many articles that show the total lack of coverage despite phenomenal support online and with cold hard cash. If a candidate ever had grassroots support, regardless of what you think of him, HE has it.

I call B.S. (Something smells funny about this)

Wesley Snipes was acquitted of evading the IRS because he was misled by some tax deniers?

Wait a sec. . . you're telling me that the IRS lost the claim against Snipes but it was because he was misled by the 'tax deniers' who are now facing charges? Is this a crack in the shell of the most heinous method of taxation since the King's of England took what they would from the . . . what is that group called??? OH the poor.

I know we HAVE to have taxes to have a government, but that does not mean we have to have the IRS. We CAN and in fact MUST come up with a better way to pay for the services our government provides*.

The NY Times article ends with this, "The Snipes case is the fourth significant loss by Justice Department prosecutors who brought felony charges against people who were leading figures in the tax denier movement.

Mr. O’Neil, the prosecutor, was asked whether Congress needs to revise the tax laws to deal with people who follow scam artists."

Really folks, can we come up with a tax code (consider it a project for college students to tackle) that does NOT favour one over another and provides enough money for the proper role of government? AND does not provide any funds for the waste, abuse, and corruption? Can we do that?

*BTW- What are the odds that I spent over an hour over the last week disputing a claim by the IRS. We found out that the IRS owed us about $5,000 so we sent in an adjusted claim and next thing we know they send us a letter stating we owe them $5,000. They accepted that they received our amended returns but can take 6-12 weeks to process the claims and that until they agree to what our amended returns say they can come into our bank account and take funds and otherwise get the money we owe them.

I wonder why people watch- "America: Freedom to Fascism" and get upset at the IRS.

FOX: Fair and Balanced??? No!!!

I am truly amazed at the blatant ignoring of Ron Paul ignoring of Ron Paul coming in second place in Nevada.

I swear, if Ron Paul won a state they would only cover who came in second.

Interesting Online Polls, Not a Perfect Science, (but some interesting observations still)!

Have not heard NIN for a long time, here is a dose in relation to this pages theme:

Flight Instructor Gets 5 Million for Catching 20th Hijacker

Clarence 'Clancy' Prevost was the flight instructor that turned in Moussaoui, on of the 20 hijackers accused of the 9/11 attacks. He was offered 5 million dollars OR a six month contract with Blackwater.

(the blackwater part was a joke y'all)

The Pulp of Why So Many Adore Ron Paul

Maybe this is why RP took second in Nevada???



Notice how flippant the others and even the hosts treat this guy.

Next Money Bomb Day- MLK 2008

Awesome Lego Ron Paul Video

Okay, This is the best piece yet!!!

The second half is the most powerful pwning of a Senator in public I have seen in ages.




Honourable Mention -
http://www.youtube.com/v/KrpES1Lk7X4&rel=1

AND THIS ONE IS COOL TOO!!!

http://www.youtube.com/v/t-lxZmrqLxU&rel=1

Bill Moyer- Welcomes Ron Paul

Part 2 of the Bill Moyer Interview

Press Meeting After the ABC Debate

I thought Ron Paul Was the Only Cool (R) Out There

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: January 5, 2008
Contact: Fergus Cullen, Chairman, New Hampshire Republican
Party
603-225-9341 office, 603-520-5450 cell


NH REPUBLICAN PARTY WITHDRAWS AS FOX FORUM PARTNER

CONCORD – New Hampshire Republican Party Chairman Fergus Cullen
releases the following statement regarding Sunday’s Republican forum
on FOX:

“The first-in-the-nation New Hampshire primary serves a national
purpose by giving all candidates an equal opportunity on a level
playing field. Only in New Hampshire do lesser known, lesser funded
underdogs have a fighting chance to establish themselves as national
figures. Consistent with that tradition, we believe all recognized
major candidates should have an equal opportunity to participate in
pre-primary debates and forums.

“This principle applies to tonight’s debates on ABC as well as
Sunday’s planned forum on FOX. The New Hampshire Republican Party
believes Congressmen Ron Paul and Duncan Hunter should be included in
the FOX forum on Sunday evening. Our mutual efforts to resolve this
difference have failed.”

“While we understand that FOX News continues to move forward it is
with regret, the New Hampshire Republican Party hereby withdraws as a
partner in this forum.”

_____________________

I must say, that any (R) or (D) that works to support the Constitution are pretty darn cool. I do not mean any (R) or (D) that SAYS they support the Constitution and points to it when running for office, I mean people that use the actual document as a guide when voting.

Also, another interesting political site that rates how honest (HAH!!!) the candidates are. http://politifact.com/truth-o-meter/

I am this funny even with the writers strike!!!

Hispanic Business Online Covers Ron Paul

I imagine a media watchdog organization that reviews all the articles on a subject and considers if they are fair and balanced or severely biased.

Here is one from the Ron Paul race that seems like it was written by real people about real people. It is not all roses, but it is a glimpse of how dedicated some folks are for the cause of Liberty.

Here it is. . .

Hispanic Business Covers Ron paul