nobody's_hero
09-11-2008, 08:30 PM
I am not going to run from the Libertarian party, following yesterday's events. I have drafted a letter to be sent to Russ Verney and the Bob Barr campaign staff. I don't like the direction I see the party going, but I simply cannot see myself supporting any other 3rd party candidates at the moment. Honestly, I am still very confused. But, this is liberty: Raw, unedited, unscripted. Perhaps now, I will not participate in the 2008 presidential election (though I still fully intend to elect liberty candidates to congress). However, I have a plan:
Attn: Bob Barr and Campaign Staff
First and foremost, in response to your recent campaign update “Principled Leadership in Times of Crisis”:
I'll thank you cease and desist with the Bush praises and talk of his 'leadership.' By the time he got to New York to 'stand on top of firetrucks', the attacks were over. The real leaders were the sergeants, lieutenants, captains, and chiefs of the police and fire departments who were actually present when the shit was hitting the fan – those who died as a result of the collapse of the towers, and those who found themselves in reduced company during the chaotic moments immediately following the collapses. Do not dishonor those rescue workers by stretching the examples of "leadership" to include our president.
The name George W. Bush SHOULD NOT come to mind when using such terms. That CRIMINAL duped myself and a great number of Americans into believing all the hype about Iraq, and leading us into an unjust war on the coat-tails of a 'patriotic' euphoria. During such time, our Constitution has been ignored and our Bill of Rights bastardized. As long as there is air in my lungs, THAT is to be the legacy of this president (and congress). Praise him if you must, but do it on McCain's website where such crap is to be expected.
Secondly, if Barr does not take criticism well, he'd best brace himself; Ron Paul's supporters are among the most critical cats in the herd. You would not believe how often we'd hear that someone's grassroots idea was just plain stupid, and I don't think I need to repeat all the things said about news anchors during the MSM blackout. Even Ron Paul was not safe from criticism, as a few of us felt that his campaign update videos were somewhat 'cheesy,' with some young adults shown on video listening to what he had to say.
You think, perhaps, I am rude and condescending. Well, I have unfortunate news for you:
I am not leaving! This former Republican-supporter intends to join the Libertarian party now more than ever - because I won't stand by helplessly and watch another well-founded party be rammed into the ground by impostors. Of all the third parties, I still support the principles of the Libertarian party, because I believe such principles to be the healthiest for our country. Therefore, I believe it is time that the Libertarian party started behaving like a "party of principle."
I cannot speak for the people who renounced the Libertarian party following the events of September 10, 2008. I think, perhaps, these people were already orphans in a political world. The truth of the matter is: these people fully understand what is at stake, and they feel that Ron Paul is the best man for the job. They've had high hopes that he would run as a third-party candidate, and he has stated time and time again that he will not. Having said that, they can vote for whomever they choose. They’re also free to not vote at all. You need to stop acting like the ‘agenda of liberty’ is threatened if people have more choices. Pure liberty includes the right to make wrong political choices (and that of course, depends on one’s view of what is right or wrong).
The ‘3rd Party conference’ was about four basic principles. Supporters of a weak coalition of 3rd parties could stop strangling each other long enough to stand together on stage agree that some rights, which we all enjoy, have been flushed away. I cannot remember the last time Republicans and Democrats came together and it resulted in any actual benefit to the citizens of this country, and while the mere meeting of these 3rd parties is not enough to restore those rights, it was a huge step in the right direction. Unfortunately, the best excuse this campaign staff can provide for Barr's absence is that he basically couldn't afford to be seen on stage with socialists, or that Ron Paul is now a ‘cult of personality.’ Well, well, well: Bob Barr is threatened by 3rd party candidates. For a guy who is fighting tooth-and-nail to get on ballots in as many states as possible, doesn’t that just ring a bell?
Following this particular press release “Principled Leadership in Times of Crisis”, I no longer feel that Bob Barr is the best candidate for this party’s future – at least, not if it truly expects to make good on its principles. For this reason, I am signing the ipetition calling for the Libertarian party to remove Bob Barr from its 2008 ticket. I understand that to actually remove Barr from the ballot at this time is impractical, if not impossible, but I intend to “send them a message.” I certainly will not be sending any further donations to Libertarian presidential campaigns, until I can be convinced that the nominee fully supports the principles of the party. I am deeply resentful of Bob Barr and this campaign staff for compelling me to take this position, but I look forward to joining the Libertarian party.
In closing, I re-affirm my DUTY to hold ALL elected officials accountable for their actions.
Signed,
Attn: Bob Barr and Campaign Staff
First and foremost, in response to your recent campaign update “Principled Leadership in Times of Crisis”:
I'll thank you cease and desist with the Bush praises and talk of his 'leadership.' By the time he got to New York to 'stand on top of firetrucks', the attacks were over. The real leaders were the sergeants, lieutenants, captains, and chiefs of the police and fire departments who were actually present when the shit was hitting the fan – those who died as a result of the collapse of the towers, and those who found themselves in reduced company during the chaotic moments immediately following the collapses. Do not dishonor those rescue workers by stretching the examples of "leadership" to include our president.
The name George W. Bush SHOULD NOT come to mind when using such terms. That CRIMINAL duped myself and a great number of Americans into believing all the hype about Iraq, and leading us into an unjust war on the coat-tails of a 'patriotic' euphoria. During such time, our Constitution has been ignored and our Bill of Rights bastardized. As long as there is air in my lungs, THAT is to be the legacy of this president (and congress). Praise him if you must, but do it on McCain's website where such crap is to be expected.
Secondly, if Barr does not take criticism well, he'd best brace himself; Ron Paul's supporters are among the most critical cats in the herd. You would not believe how often we'd hear that someone's grassroots idea was just plain stupid, and I don't think I need to repeat all the things said about news anchors during the MSM blackout. Even Ron Paul was not safe from criticism, as a few of us felt that his campaign update videos were somewhat 'cheesy,' with some young adults shown on video listening to what he had to say.
You think, perhaps, I am rude and condescending. Well, I have unfortunate news for you:
I am not leaving! This former Republican-supporter intends to join the Libertarian party now more than ever - because I won't stand by helplessly and watch another well-founded party be rammed into the ground by impostors. Of all the third parties, I still support the principles of the Libertarian party, because I believe such principles to be the healthiest for our country. Therefore, I believe it is time that the Libertarian party started behaving like a "party of principle."
I cannot speak for the people who renounced the Libertarian party following the events of September 10, 2008. I think, perhaps, these people were already orphans in a political world. The truth of the matter is: these people fully understand what is at stake, and they feel that Ron Paul is the best man for the job. They've had high hopes that he would run as a third-party candidate, and he has stated time and time again that he will not. Having said that, they can vote for whomever they choose. They’re also free to not vote at all. You need to stop acting like the ‘agenda of liberty’ is threatened if people have more choices. Pure liberty includes the right to make wrong political choices (and that of course, depends on one’s view of what is right or wrong).
The ‘3rd Party conference’ was about four basic principles. Supporters of a weak coalition of 3rd parties could stop strangling each other long enough to stand together on stage agree that some rights, which we all enjoy, have been flushed away. I cannot remember the last time Republicans and Democrats came together and it resulted in any actual benefit to the citizens of this country, and while the mere meeting of these 3rd parties is not enough to restore those rights, it was a huge step in the right direction. Unfortunately, the best excuse this campaign staff can provide for Barr's absence is that he basically couldn't afford to be seen on stage with socialists, or that Ron Paul is now a ‘cult of personality.’ Well, well, well: Bob Barr is threatened by 3rd party candidates. For a guy who is fighting tooth-and-nail to get on ballots in as many states as possible, doesn’t that just ring a bell?
Following this particular press release “Principled Leadership in Times of Crisis”, I no longer feel that Bob Barr is the best candidate for this party’s future – at least, not if it truly expects to make good on its principles. For this reason, I am signing the ipetition calling for the Libertarian party to remove Bob Barr from its 2008 ticket. I understand that to actually remove Barr from the ballot at this time is impractical, if not impossible, but I intend to “send them a message.” I certainly will not be sending any further donations to Libertarian presidential campaigns, until I can be convinced that the nominee fully supports the principles of the party. I am deeply resentful of Bob Barr and this campaign staff for compelling me to take this position, but I look forward to joining the Libertarian party.
In closing, I re-affirm my DUTY to hold ALL elected officials accountable for their actions.
Signed,