Peanut Gallery Strikes Again

I received word from Portland that the convention flushed the vast majority of the platform over the weekend. Preliminary reports indicate that only four of the existing planks of the platform were retained. There were five planks, which were a combination and rewording of existing philosophy, that were added. Beyond that, if I understand correctly, the convention added ten planks that came out of the platform committee.

While no one outside the convention has yet to see what the new platform looks like, the squeals from the peanut gallery have begun. As I support reform or the platform, you may imagine my surprise, or lack thereof, to be labeled, castigated and ridiculed by the more radical. Here is but an example of the mindset that we must deal with. As always, my sources are at the bottom.

I just got the news that the neocon traitors who run this country infiltrated the Libertarian Party (under the guise of being moderates or libertarians-lite) and deleted most of the platform planks, including those against military interventionism and secession.

Well, how about that? Reformers who wish the LP to evolve into a relative force, as opposed to marginalized in the political process, are now labeled as neo-cons. I have spent the past couple of years waging my own battles against “neo-cons” in my own district. While I am sure that Ms. Moore, living in the Den of Corruption, has had the opportunity to actually meet many a neo-con, she has decided to cast a wide brush with her statement without knowing who voted for what, and their reasoning for doing so. I believe that she is correct on the secession plank, but I am unsure about the military interventionism plank.

I was one of hundreds of hard core libertarians who didn't even bother to put up a fight - or attend the bi-annual convention held in Portland, Oregon - because the party has proved itself to be a vehicle that attracts people willing to sell out principles for power.

Hard core, in this respect, means unwilling to debate an issue. I am truly grateful that Ms. Moore decided not to attend. Otherwise, supercilious planks, such as secession, would remain in the platform. The plank, which she so laments, was indefensible, as I will point out at a later in this article.

However, I'm not discouraged! That's just more ex-LP members available to join the growing secession movement. Of course, I guess we'll have to start a WASHINGTON DC LIBERTARIAN SECESSIONISTS group to make sure all the big politicians know where libertarians REALLY stand: LIBERTARIAN = SECESSIONIST.

Alas and as previously proven, we see the true spirit of those such as Ms. Moore. They neither believe in electoral politics or government at all. LIBERTARIAN does not equate to SECESSIONIST as Ms. Moore would have you believe. A libertarian is one who promotes libertarian principles. In the context of a political party, it refers to those who work within the framework of government, OUR government, and who promote individual liberty above the authority of the state. It is quite simple really. The government derives its authority at the consent of the governed. As I have no “right” to plunder, I can not grant that “authority” to the state.

But why keep secession to ourselves? We couldn't if we tried. The liberal Blue States were talking secession when Bush stole the 2004 election. Wait until Hillary wins in 2008 despite the best cheating the Republicans can do. The Red States won't just talk about secession, they'll do it! Only a neocon or an idiot would remove secession from the LP platform.

Okeydokey then. What can I say? Though secession may be within the “authority” of a state, that perception is hardly what our previous plank promoted. It, in fact, promoted the notion that an individual had the “right” to secede from a city, county, state or nation. To that effect, I suppose one does have the right to divorce themselves from a political unit. One does so by relocating. However, the suggestion that my neighbor may declare themselves independent from the United States, and establish their own nation on their quarter acre of land is ludicrous. Just as my previous post pointed out a principle reason why the LP is viewed as irrational, extreme and full of wackos. This too is a shining example of why few take the LP seriously. If Ms. Moore wishes to establish a secessionist group, so be it. However, please do so under your own banner. Perhaps you should consider seceding from the LP. I would wholeheartedly support your right to do so.

For me, I will reserve my judgement of the new platform when I have had the opportunity to read and study the document. This is the way rational people react to change. I for one am at a loss as to how these people ever gained any position of influence in the party

One final note. Brian Holtz, a member of the LP Platform Committee, recently noted on his site a statement made by anarcho-purist Paul Ireland. Mr. Ireland’s reputation precedes him in that his well-documented behavior resulted in his election loss at the California LP Convention. So mean-spirited are some of these folks that they would rather destroy the libertarian movement then to admit defeat due to their extremism. Upon losing his seat on the LPC ExComm, Mr. Ireland stated:

I am very tempted to do something so outrageous and horrific during a televised interview, it would give the California LP a black eye it might never recover from. I'd rather see the LP destroyed entirely than to see it misused and have its principles tossed out the window.

I am utterly dismayed at the level of perfidy displayed by people such as Mr. Ireland. I can only hope that we solidify our gains prior to the Convention in 2008. If we fail, people like Mr. Ireland and Ms. Moore will continue to destroy any chances the LP has to become a relevant political party for generations to come.

Carol Moore's Blog
Repository of Mr. Ireland's quotes
Mr. Ireland's lates splean vent