Friends:
This is to confirm that I have resigned my position on the Libertarian National Committee.
I did not do this as a result of pressure from either Mr. Garris or the LNC. In fact, a few LNC members apologized for any part they may have played in this. However, as long as Redpath, Sullentrup and Starr remain in office, donors will continue to have serious questions about administrative competence, staff neutrality and most importantly ideological coherence.
While I won Saturday’s battle, I had no intention of sitting through yet another round of investigative nonsense only to be told that I was “unprofessional” because I dared say publically what so many of you say in private. While I have nothing but the greatest respect for so many of you, I was the one
who delivered the complaints to Redpath and his cohort directly. I was the one who took the brunt of purge. And a brunt it was.
This is not an HR issue. Actually, Eric Garris not only defended me as my employer but he was willing to do what only a dear friend would do: Save my life.
Eric was aware, as were some of you, that my physical health had begun to deteriorate rapidly after the last three months of harassment by the proxies of the Barr and Root factions. Vomiting blood should not be the reward for pointing out the inept, incompetent and insidious. I went to San Diego to demand that these saboteurs look me in eye. I stood up to the bullies and won but it came at a price. I refuse to give up another moment of my life to these bastards.
For those of among you that I count as my friends, today is my birthday. The greatest gift you can give me is to accept that I have done all I can do to save what remains of the Libertarian Party, and that you will continue our struggle.
Angela Keaton
@37 And the horse you rode in on, Drunkenmiller.
Vindex, just ignore Davidson (I call him “The Troll”) The Troll has little interest in constructive dialogue and is more interested in casting down lightning bolts from his Libertarian Mt. Olympus.
IOW, he needs to dismount his tall equidae.
@32 Very wise words, Paulie. Which is one of the many reasons that the counselor who represents himself has a fool for a client.
@26 “I’m a Republican neocon who isn’t a Libertarian”
Got it. Should I quote you on that, or were you expressing uncertainty?
@24 Got one of those when they first came out in the early 1970s. Insidious devices. Give a five year old a label maker and everything needs a verbose label.
“To start civil proceedings against an organization, you need to have standing, a cause of action.”
Who the fuck else has standing, but me? If this is nto standing, I don’t know what is.
Note to all potential civil litigants: many attorneys have previously advised me that discussing pending legal action on internet boards like this one is not in the best interest of the client.
Why is Rachel Hawkridge speaking out on the blogs, yet refused to speak to me about a very timely and serious subject matter that may have, had it been resolved, saved the LP from dropping 5 states’ ballot access?
Something very fishy and suspicious is going on here and I sure hope my attorney out in Massachusetts can get to the bottom of it when he commences litigation.
What are you about to do?
To start civil proceedings against an organization, you need to have standing, a cause of action.
Well, this is a good START, but not nearly enough. I’m pretty thoroughly disgusted with those who run this party on whole, after that report that came back from Andy on the LNC meeting. If gross misconduct can’t get disciplined in any way, and criminal threats can be bandied about in the name of the national party with no repercussions, then that leaves only two choices.
I have been sitting back and hoping this would get resolved on its own, but it’s apparent that it won’t, so going full speed ahead on an all-out legal war with the LP is, sadly and reluctantly, what I’m left with (because letting the bad guys win isn’t my forte).
Bill Redpath wouldn’t even talk to Andy in any substantive manner at the LNC meeting.
I hate to do what I’m about to do, but….
“Heaven forbid I attack the childish antics of the so called “intelligentsia†of the LP. I suppose it’s politically motivated though, and not out of embarrassment for the party or the movement? I’m not sure what’s keeping me from becoming an actual member of the party…those like Keaton, or the cult of personality that surrounds them.”
And you think you speak for everyone in the liberty movement?
Yeah, right, and I’m Ghenghis Khan reincarnated.
Yours in Liberty,
Todd Andrew Barnett
Vindex
FYI Jim is BTP, not LP.
Wow, Jim…
I’ve posted on here less than five times, mostly irrespective of politics, and now I’m a Republican neocon who isn’t a Libertarian?
Heaven forbid I attack the childish antics of the so called “intelligentsia” of the LP. I suppose it’s politically motivated though, and not out of embarrassment for the party or the movement? I’m not sure what’s keeping me from becoming an actual member of the party…those like Keaton, or the cult of personality that surrounds them.
I didn’t know dissent was indicative of political persuasion, especially when it was personally motivated. Thanks for the FYI, though.
I do tend to agree with Druckenmiller that Angela should consider seeking immediate medical attention if the blood vomiting thing was not hyperbolic in nature.
Cheers, Grand Chancellor Keaton!
“The greatest gift you can give me is to accept that I have done all I can do to save what remains of the Libertarian Party, and that you will continue our struggle.”
How’s about a label maker? 😀
Angela,
Thank you for all that you have done. Also happy birthday!
Angela, please have a happy birthday and many very happy returns of the day.
Angela, please ignore these Republican neo-conservative jerks (Vindex, Drunkenmiller, etc.) who aren’t libertarians, don’t have any idea what you’ve invested in your involvement in the LP, and are unaware of your many important contributions to the freedom movement. Pearls before swine, etc.
Obviously, you have been saying publicly what some few of us have said publicly. The LP is not representing the party’s own platform. The LNC is not willing to make decisions in a courageous and meaningful fashion, but refers to committee – and to infinite duress – a matter that should have been voted down promptly. The LP headquarters staff are despicable Republican scum, and I refer specifically to Kraus and to Davis in this matter.
In short, the LP is not a libertarian party in its actions (specifically, those concerning Angela, those concerning Mary Ruwart in the Spring) and has nominated candidates, including Bob Barr, who are not libertarians. It is thus a significant embarrassment to the liberty movement.
Moreover, among its many critical shortcomings, the LP fails to conduct its affairs in an open and transparent manner. When the importance of doing so is brought up, the LNC spends its time on a thought crime prosecution of Angela, for, among other supposed “crimes” breaching the confidentiality of matters that are not properly confidential. To cap this absurdity, the staff jac wipe, Kraus, demanded that the members of the governing body of the LP, the members of the LNC themselves, sign confidentiality agreements as if they were merely volunteers working for Kraus.
I believe that the LP has been corrupt in its behavior toward candidates prior to the nominations convention, for some time. This matter was of substantial concern in 1996 and again in 2000. It is obviously a concern this past year. Other corruption has also plagued the LP.
As a result of these scandals, effective fund raisers such as Angela are not able to stomach raising money for the LP. The budget is a mess, and the LNC deserves that mess. People like myself and many others (on the order of 84% of those who have ever been members of the LP) are withholding our dues from national because we don’t want to participate in its garbage.
Others, including many of my friends in the Boston Tea Party, have never joined the LP because it is such an embarrassment to the freedom movement.
I’ve always known that the future is a boot smashing a human face, forever. I had no idea until this year that the boot would be worn by the representatives of the LP.
I regret very much that it was Angela’s face that boot was smashing. I have no doubt that leaving the LP behind means better days ahead, Angela.
Please be happy, be safe, and be well. May freedom and prosperity accompany you all the days of your life.
Hematemesis is an “emergency room” situation, here, folks. Come on now.
If there was bad treatment (which, frankly, I am not inclined to wade into because it looks like a tempest in a teapot), then let that be said.
Vomiting blood? Please.
Angela was the conscience of the LP. She kept the LNC’s feet to the fire.
The LP is a more sordid organization without her.
I hope she still plans to run for president. She needn’t ramp up her campaign until 2011, so there’s time for her to think about it.
Yes, that can happen from a combination of stress and other health issues.
Vomiting blood from harassment?
Are we dramatic much?
“For those of among you that I count as my friends, today is my birthday.”
Not a friend, but not an enemy, so: Happy Birthday!
“Vomiting blood should not be the reward for pointing out the inept, incompetent and insidious. I went to San Diego to demand that these saboteurs look me in eye. I stood up to the bullies and won but it came at a price. I refuse to give up another moment of my life to these bastards.”
ah-ha. Charming.
You know I’ve said it before, and I’ll repeat, I don’t really know any of these players, so you would think only hearing one side of the story, I would favor that side, but I don’t.
Angela in her own words…I got the impression she is a little imbalanced.
Happy birthday, Angela!
Happy Birthday Angela, hopefully other aspects of your life are going OK despite this silliness.
I don’t think any less of you for resigning, and I sincerely doubt anyone else here does either, so no worries!
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday, dear Angela,
Happy birthday to you.
Hope you get some tonite,
Hope you get some tonite,
Hope you get some ……….. cake and ice cream!
Hope you get some tonite.
Thanks, Angela for everything! There is still much work to do, of course, and I have no doubt that you will be working every day doing your share – and more.
I hope Keaton continues her amazing work at AntiWar. Thanks to Eric for looking out for her health, thanks to Keaton for occasionally commenting here (Eric too), and thanks to Eric for linking us on the LRC blog.
Chuck, it’s literal.
I may not agree politically with Angela but the actions/inactions of a majority of the LNC are indefensible.
Happy Birthday Angela.
“I refuse to give up another moment of my life to these bastards.”
I really like her one-liners.
Happy Birthday Angela
Mr. Garris, I owe you a public apology and I offer it here. I have received the information I was waiting for, and I was wrong. You were looking out for her in a way we weren’t seeing. I publicly apologize to you here and now. I am sorry.
The tiniest violin plays for you.
Angela,
Thanks for all your work for liberty. I hope your health improves.
I’m a little unclear whether the birthday reference was figurative or literal, but if the latter: happy birthday!
Good for her. This stupid, juvenile (this is coming from a 15 year old, mind you!) drama has gone on for long enough.
Ms. Keaton thank you for the effort you put in.
You are much appreciated.
Thank you,
MHW
Sometimes you have to do what ya have to do.
Major props to Keaton.
Here, here!