Texas and Wisconsin Libertarians are having their state conventions this weekend. If anyone in any of these states is able to provide live updates please do so in the comments here. Please also post links to any twitter feeds, photos, videos, livestreams, blogging or news coverage elsewhere, etc., in the comments. Some information about the conventions can be found at http://www.lp.org/blogs/staff/2014-state-conventions by clicking on each state’s name.
I will be reporting in the comments from Temple, Texas, where I am right now.
Good idea!
“paulie Post authorApril 15, 2014 at 12:34 pm
What I said was that I did not know how big it would be, but I guess it was pretty big!”
Maybe there should be an Independent Political Report correspondents fund set up, as in a fund for expense money for people to attend political events if they work as correspondents for IPR at said events.
What I said was that I did not know how big it would be, but I guess it was pretty big!
Paul said: “Me too. And in email from Andy Craig he says Wisconsin also had their biggest convention ever with close to or over 100 attendees.”
I had no idea that the LP of WI Convention was going to be that big. If I had known that, I’d have gone, considering I’m currently within a day’s drive from where that convention was held. I thought that it would be a rinky dink affair, and given the distance, cost of attending, and opportunity cost from lost work time, I decided to not go.
For anyone looking to minimize national convention attendance costs:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/LNC2014Roomshare/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/LNC2014Roomshare/
Libertarian National Convention Rideshare, Roomshare, and Babysitting
This group is to organize roomshares, rideshares, and volunteer babysitting for the 2014 Libertarian National Convention.
AC
4:10 AM (5 hours ago)
to me
This was my first convention, but by all accounts everybody agrees it was the most successful convention the LPWI has ever put on, and this year is our biggest slate of candidates ever (we just got another State Assembly candidate today, who isn’t on that list yet). I don’t have an exact number, but I’d guess our turnout was in the triple digits, if not then it was close. Getting to not just meet, but actually spend the day with Gary Johnson was an incredible experience, and our other guest speakers (Amanda Billyrock, Karen Straughan, and Josh Tolley) were also amazing.
Speaking of which, I really love that Gary is going around doing state conventions. That was probably the biggest thing that made ours a success, and it shows a real commitment to helping build the party and not just using it as a personal vehicle, like some of our past national candidates who shall now and forever remain nameless. ;^)
I see now that you’re with Our America Initiative. They don’t really have anything going in Wisconsin from what I can tell, I’d love to possibly serve in a state-level capacity for Wisconsin. I put in an “Become a state coordinator!” application thing on the website a few months ago, but never heard back. I’m a polisci/pre-law student, so campaigns and the Libertarian Party and election strategy and all that is the sort of stuff I nerd out on, lol.
Thanks for the reply, hopefully I’ll have the chance to work with you in the future. I’m still considering maybe coming to Columbus this June as a WI delegate, if I can afford the travel.
Andy Craig
Libertarian for WI Secretary of State
AC
4:43 AM (4 hours ago)
to me
You mentioned having gone to the Arkansas convention. I’m originally from Arkansas, before I moved to Milwaukee, and I have to say I was quite shocked and impressed when I saw the news about the LPAR convention, how they got ballot access, and they the nominated a full slate of 26 (26!) candidates. I tried to get involved in the LPAR back in around 2008 or 2009, and they were basically up to a whole lot of nothing. I got told off by a frustrated party officer when I mentioned the poor shape the website was in, and that was it. They’ve never even been on the ballot for anything other than President- in 2010, I had to vote for a mixed slate of LP and GP members all running on the Green ballot line. I couldn’t be more happy to hear what they’ve been up to, there really is momentum in the LP this year. There’s a new life to the party, and one can feel it.
re: party business. I see how the TX Convention, and many others, were largely concerned with settling contested nominations. We luckily didn’t have anything like that. None of our candidates were opposed (the one race where two people had filed was in mine for SecState, but then the other fellow amicably agreed to run for State Senate instead), and the party platform is well-liked so it’s remain unchanged pending a few possible minor tweaks from the platform committee. So we were able to really spend the whole day boosting the Party and our candidates and enjoying our guest speakers, instead of getting bogged down in business matters. In Wisconsin we’re not allowed to nominate by convention though, so that was probably part of it. Technically we just passed a single resolution listing and “endorsing” our whole slate of candidates. But we will be on the ballot as “Libertarian”, so that’s good.
-Andy Craig
Awesome, thank you Shane!
Me too. And in email from Andy Craig he says Wisconsin also had their biggest convention ever with close to or over 100 attendees. Besides Gary Johnson, Amanda Billyrock, Karen Straughan, and Josh Tolley also spoke in WI and they nominated their largest ever slate of candidates.
Coupled with the growing LP voter registration while all other national parties are declining these conventions are further evidence that the LP is on the rise, despite the stagnant national party membership and fundraising numbers. The party is clearly growing at the state and local level in most states.
That would be much appreciated it. Freedom isn’t free 🙂
From Neenah, WI: Gary Johnson meets with some of our slate of Libertarian candidates in WI. I’m the goofball in the blue tie and the suit jacket that doesn’t fit, second from the right.
http://s10.postimg.org/a52pqt2a1/0000000000000.jpg
“Shane April 14, 2014 at 11:25 pm
I just checked Lee’s page. That’s pathetic.
If Ford makes a car, hypes it and consumers “ooh and aah” but in the end, don’t buy, whose fault is that?
Lee, learn how to build affinity with your supporters and learn how to fundraise. Your failure to generate support is your failure and yours alone.
Learn from that and grow. By blaming others, you’re sending a clear message that you refuse to accept your lack of acumen in campaigning and will likely never be able to advance the LP beyond rhetoric.”
I almost hate to say it, but I told ya so.
Thanks, Andy. I just sent in a gift.
Who can send in the next $100?
You don’t have to agree with Paul or even like him, but I do believe it’s fair to say that he provides straightforward coverage of LP events and allows us to stay informed without the haze of biased reports.
This information helps us bond, learn, and grow from each other’s victories and mistakes.
What value do you place on Paul’s work, extensive travel, long bus rides, and countless nights on couches and even hotel floors?
$100, $500, or more?
I say MUCH more but I can only get away with donating $100 at the moment.
I hope after you read this comment, you’ll chip in via Paypal with whatever amount you can afford — whether $5 or $500.
And if you know Paul, you know he’s a “cheap date” (no offense Paulie) and will stretch every dollar donated.
Thanks, everyone!
paulie Post authorApril 14, 2014 at 11:03 pm said: “As big as the Texas convention was, they would have had to have had a THOUSAND people to have had as many attendees as the Arkansas and Mississippi conventions compared to the population of their states, which had a hundred people each in states with less than 3 million in population per state! Imagine a LP state convention with a thousand people?”
I didn’t know that the Libertarian Party of Mississippi had a convention that was that big. Way to go LP of Mississippi!
I hope that the momentum that the LP of Arkansas and Mississippi have continues, and spreads into other states.
“Shane April 14, 2014 at 11:29 pm
And Paulie, thanks for the report. Post a way that people can offset your expenses and I’ll match the first $100 donated.”
I’ve been saying for a while that people who appreciate Paul’s coverage here ought to consider donating to a fund for him to be able to afford to attend these things, or at the very least let him know when there is Libertarian/libertarian petition work somewhere (like Ohio earlier this year) so he can earn enough money to be able to afford to attend these events.
Thanks Shane!
[email protected] works as paypal account (make sure to copy and paste the email address or put two Ls in travelling)
I can discuss other options for anyone who would like to contribute in some other form.
Gotta agree with Shane. I liked Lee’s written commentaries as well, but you can’t run a campaign on facebook likes; you have to actually individually ask supporters for money. That means everyone giving likes and get even a minimum contribution right away, it’s worth more than a large pledge for later on which may or may not be fulfilled.
In a different exchange with Lee on LNC list…
On Sun, Apr 13, 2014 at 8:17 PM, Scott L. wrote:
[…]
I’m confused.
Scott Lieberman
On Sun, Apr 13, 2014 at 10:50 PM, R. Lee Wrights wrote:
LMAO! No kidding!! This has got to be THE understatement of the last decade at least! Oh my… ROFLMAO!
Good one, Dr. LIEberman!
Lee Wrights
LNC Vice Chair
[email protected]
Apr 13 (1 day ago)
to lnc-discuss
Very clever [Lee]!
-pauLIE, Kinneret Day School (K-8) Class of 1985
And Paulie, thanks for the report. Post a way that people can offset your expenses and I’ll match the first $100 donated.
I just checked Lee’s page. That’s pathetic.
If Ford makes a car, hypes it and consumers “ooh and aah” but in the end, don’t buy, whose fault is that?
Lee, learn how to build affinity with your supporters and learn how to fundraise. Your failure to generate support is your failure and yours alone.
Learn from that and grow. By blaming others, you’re sending a clear message that you refuse to accept your lack of acumen in campaigning and will likely never be able to advance the LP beyond rhetoric.
As disappointing as that comment was the shallow and unfounded labeling thrown at your previous competitor. If you expect to beat your competition each time by calling them “republican” you’re underestimating the intelligence of our demographic.
Ironically, that separation tactic is the PRIMARY tool the RNC and NRCC uses to gain and maintain support. It’s a weak tactic and used by people/organizations who offer no real solutions and only appeals to the low-information voter.
Lee, I know for a fact that you’re better than that. You’re a good man with a great heart — just start using your head.
http://txcann.com/2014/04/14/libertarian-party-of-texas-nominates-cannabis-friendly-candidates/
This past weekend the Libertarian Party of Texas held their state convention to nominate state-wide candidates. Staff with the Texas Cannabis Report was on hand to not only cover, but also participate in the convention itself.
Support for cannabis legalization has always been strong in the Libertarian Party and this year it was unmistakeable.
DFW NORML was invited to the convention to put up a booth, which both Adam Hess and Ed Maddox operated. They also brought the 420 Truth Enforcement car with them as well, a former police car which now has marijuana emblems on it complete with green lights to replace the red and blue.
Running around the convention and taking photos was DFW NORML’s executive director Shaun McAlister, who was hired by the Libertarian Party to officially photograph the event. He also gave away free headshots to people at his I Am Shaun booth.
Editor in Chief of the Texas Cannabis Report, Stephen Carter, was on hand as a delegate from McLennan County to participate in the nomination process along with Texas NORML’s deputy director, Jax Finkel. Over 200 delegates cast votes at the convention.
After the dust had settled, two strong friends of the cannabis movement were nominated to represent the party in state-wide races, that being Jamie Balagia, who is running for Attorney General, and David (Rocky) Palmquist, the Agriculture Commissioner candidate.
Photo by Shaun McAlister, http://www.iamshaun.com
There was strong support and applause for both candidates, and Balagia quipped that if he got pulled over and arrested for marijuana, that they planted it on him, to which there was much clapping and laughter. Texas Cannabis Report has an in-depth interview with Balagia which will air on the next podcast episode. He has also confirmed that he will be speaking at DFW NORML’s Global Marijuana March in Fort Worth on May 3.
Palmquist stated to Texas Cannabis Report, “Isn’t it high time that we Texans get off our collective butts and get with the program and legalize marijuana and hemp? Or, will we sit around while other states pass us by? Our farmers deserve freedom, our farmers deserve to grow what they want. Our farmers deserve to live life as they choose. Will we allow giant mega corps like Monsanto and ADM and big pharma to control our crops from the field to our pharmacy and to our kitchen? I say NO! I say legalize marijuana and put the private prison systems acting as revenue agents for the government out of business. We must cut the head off the beast now! I don’t want to just reform marijuana laws, I want the prohibition laws gone completely!”
Rocky and Jaime after winning their nominations.
Photo by Shaun McAlister.
The governor slot went to Kathie Glass, who managed to grab the nomination by one vote. Robert Butler handily won the Lt. Governor nomination, Mark Miller became the Railroad Commissioner nominee, Justin Knight will be the Land Commissioner nominee, Ben Sanders is running for Comptroller, and the US Senate seat up for grabs this year will be sought by Rebecca Paddock.
While cannabis legalization tends to be a default position for libertarians, in the coming weeks each candidate will get a full profile on the topic.
The party also elected new officers including Kurt Hildebrand as chair, Ben Farmer as vice chair, and John Wilford as treasurer. The addition of these three add an immense amount of youth leadership to a party which is already seeing a strong amount of support from young voters. Gary Johnson was re-elected as secretary.
The Libertarian Party seems to be ahead of the curve when it comes to stances on cannabis, will this give them an edge over the Democratic and Republican candidates?
By: Stephen Carter
Contact Stephen via email at [email protected]
Stay up to date with the latest cannabis news from across Texas by liking Texas Cannabis Report on Facebook and following on Twitter
Listen to our podcast at txcann.podomatic.com
[email protected]
5:49 PM (5 hours ago)
to Independent, iprtwo, lnc-discuss, AC
Thanks Andy [Craig]!
I am passing this along and may post it myself if time allows and if no one else gets to it first, which I would appreciate if someone does. In the meantime please share any additional thoughts, impressions etc in the comments at https://independentpoliticalreport.com/2014/04/texas-wisconsin-libertarian-conventions-this-weekend
I find it notable that the LP state conventions I have attended this year (Virginia, Arkansas, Mississippi and Texas, so far) are all either the biggest LP convention in their states ever or the biggest in many years. It sounds like yours was as well!
i just got back from Texas and it rocked! 280 people in attendance including 219 delegates and observers from many other states. This is the biggest state LP convention in ANY state that I have seen or heard of in 10-15 years. I talked to several long term LP members such as Mark Hinkle and they all said the same thing.
As big as the Texas convention was, they would have had to have had a THOUSAND people to have had as many attendees as the Arkansas and Mississippi conventions compared to the population of their states, which had a hundred people each in states with less than 3 million in population per state! Imagine a LP state convention with a thousand people?
I have to say there is a lot of power that comes from seeing so many active Libertarians together in one place and time.
Paul Frankel
*Alternate, Region 7 LNC (AL, MS, TX, OK, LA)
*Alabama Director, Our America Initiative
*Ballot Access Petition Contractor
*Volunteer Reporter, IPR
I don’t think it was a joke, at least not an intentional one.
Meanwhile in Wisconsin…
Libertarian Convention dedicated to Tonie Nathan
[NEENAH] Wisconsin Libertarians held their annual state convention Saturday at the Bridgewood Resort in Neenah. Delegates conducted the annual business meeting, who dedicated the convention to honoring the life and memory of the late Tonie Nathan, a founding member of the Libertarian Party, the Party’s first candidate for Vice President of the United States, and the first woman in U.S. history to ever receive an electoral vote.
The convention endorsed a slate of candidates for public office in 2014, including:
Robert Burke – Governor
Joseph Brost – Lt. Governor
Andy Craig – Secretary of State
Tom Nelson – Attorney General
Jerry Shidell – State Treasurer
Joseph Kexel – Congress (1st)
Gus Fahrendorf – Congress (6th)
Rob Taylor – Congress (7th)
Terry Virgil – State Senate (13th)
George Meyers – State Assembly (66th)
Jerry Seifert – State Assembly (84th)
Chuck Schilling – State Assembly (97th)
Delegates were delighted to have the opportunity to hear the keynote address at the banquet by Gov. Gary Johnson, 2012 Libertarian presidential candidate, whose enthusiastic remarks about the future of freedom inspired the crowd to its feet.
The Libertarian Party of Wisconsin is Wisconsin’s third political party, founded as an alternative to the two main political parties. LPWI principles promote a government that is fiscally conservative and socially liberal.
###
Congrats to Kathy!
I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Kathy for about 15 years now. She and I worked together with a government watchdog group in the late 90’s. Kathy was willing to set aside her corporate legal career to pursue the fight for Liberty.
At the time, I had no idea about her involvement with the LP but can credit her with molding my stances toward Liberty with subtle yet convincing stories and conversations.
Kathy is a committed and valuable ambassador for the party and Texas should be proud of their decision.
As for R. Lee’s comments, I hope that was a joke.
I asked them about that. The guy told me he got harassed one time by an off duty cop and successfully told the cop to go pound sand. He has yet to be harassed by on duty cops in six months of driving this vehicle, which does have working all-green flashing lights on top, all over the place.
The platform did pass including the secession and arms planks.
There was controversy over whether the previous immigration plank was deleted in 2012 or not due to a quorum controversy. The state committee ruled it had not been properly deleted, but the parliamentarian at this convention ruled that it had.
A stripped down immigration plank passed (it says we are for “legal and lawful” immigration and encourage more legal immigration). A second section about “border control” got the “border control” crap stripped out of it thanks to an amendment by Art DiBianca, but continues to be headlined “border control” because time was not extended a second time and the convention adjourned.
So do you and thank you 🙂
You do awesome work Paulie! Thanks!!!
Paulie, thanks again for the detailed coverage of the Texas LP convention, and Sarah as well for the photos.
I am curious about whether people driving that NORML “Truth Enforcement” vehicle have been hassled by police, if it is driven around with that siren-looking thing on top (is that a working siren?) If so, major props to the NORML folks for sticking their necks out for freedom.
Also curious about the outcome of the Texas platform, if anyone knows and can comment. Paulie wrote (April 13, 2014 at 10:26 am):
Debate over considering the platform committee report as a whole (minus immigration) rather than plank by plank. Some of the changes include endorsing the right of Texas to secede from the US and expanding right to bear arms from handguns to all guns.
It sounds like the momentum was generally toward making the platform more radical rather than less on the secession and right to bear arms issues, which is a positive indicator even if the efforts failed for whatever procedural reasons. Was the same true for immigration, i.e. was this a push to be more supportive of freedom of movement, or less? Did any of the efforts succeed?
* * *
Incidentally, I just finished one libertarian book I’ve been wanting to read for a while, “The Real Lincoln” by Thomas DiLorenzo, and started another, “Radicals For Capitalism” by Brian Doherty.
“The Real Lincoln” is relatively short, and while I wouldn’t call it masterfully written, its subject matter is very important. I came away with an increased awareness of how Lincoln’s presidency was really a negative turning point in this country, and how little accuracy there is to modern perceptions that the War Between the States somehow pitted racists on one side vs. anti-racists on the other. Racism was rampant on both sides
Doherty actually mentions DiLorenzo’s book in one of Chapter 1’s footnotes to “Radicals For Capitalism”, noting that some in the libertarian movement have been reluctant to criticize Lincoln for fear of being cast as defenders of slavery. But libertarian-oriented individuals at the time were not so hesitant. DiLorenzo relates that British freedom advocate Lord Acton (famous for the “Power corrupts…” maxim) wrote to Confederate General Robert E. Lee after the war to express his regrets on the crushing of the right to secede, seeing the outcome as a serious setback for the entire world (I’m paraphrasing), and anarchist Lysander Spooner who had been an abolitionist before the war when abolitionism was still highly unpopular even in the North, was nevertheless harshly critical of Lincoln and his policies.
It seems to me that the false and intermingled notions that the Confederate states’ secession was mainly about preserving slavery, and that Lincoln’s intent in waging the “Civil War” was mainly about ending it, are so harmful to a correct understanding of history and to the libertarian cause, that these myths must be fought and overturned despite the fact that this will necessitate an uphill struggle against prevailing current opinions and taking on the “sacred cow” of Lincoln being the “Great Emancipator”.
Another more recent case where I think it is similarly vital to the libertarian movement that we get the historical record corrected is in overturning the myth that it was the U.S. government’s entry into World War II which brought the United States out of the Great Depression. In fact, as the Independent Institute’s Robert Higgs (see http://www.independent.org/pdf/tir/tir_01_4_higgs.pdf ) and others have documented, the economic recovery did not really get going until after the war.
It is vital that people understand that (a) libertarian-minded people both then and now both support secession AND oppose slavery and racism, and that this is in no way contradictory, and (b) that war and central planning do NOT help an economy, in fact just the opposite. Both those lessons remain painfully relevant now and going forward.
A couple quotes from the beginning of “Radicals For Capitalism”, one cautionary, and the other with a note of caution but also highly inspirational:
“For radicals to deny their own past is to insure their future defeat.”
– David DeLeon
And this from nobel laureate Frederich Hayek, whom “Radicals For Capitalism”identifies along with Ludwig von Mises, Ayn Rand, Murray Rothbard, and Milton Friedman as one of the five most important figures in the history of the modern libertarian movement:
“We must make the building of a free society once more an intellectual adventure, a deed of courage. What we lack is a liberal Utopia, a program which seems neither a mere defense of things as they are nor a diluted kind of socialism, but truly liberal radicalism which does not spare the susceptibilities of the mighty… which is not too severely practical and which does not confine itself to what appears today as politically possible.”
Amen!! And to relate this back to my remarks about the Texas Libertarian convention, this is why I hope the Texas delegates managed to take bold, forward-looking stands on immigration, secession, and allowing ordinary people to be as well-armed as the powerful and wealthy who control the governments, and those who serve them.
Mark Wester posted in Collin County Libertarian Party
Mark Wester
Mark Wester 2:33pm Apr 14
The State Convention has come and gone, and as a first time State delegate I thought it might be worthwhile to describe the experience.
Since I am running for an office (SBOE district 12) I wanted to be sure about my nomination and the entire (L) Convention process. The first step was to show up to the Collin County precinct convention in March. This was a surprisingly small event with plenty of room for others. At this meeting I was made a County Delegate and a District Delegate. I went to all of the local conventions and gained a solid understanding of how the nomination process worked and received a light introduction to Roberts Rules (parliamentary procedure). Each of the conventions were enjoyable and short in time. The District convention was longer and further away (out side of the county) and was comprised of a number of counties whose members I would see again at state.
The delegates appointed took the time and effort to make all the conventions and it was good getting to know them over the span of several months. I can not describe how unique it was to come together from different points of view to move towards Liberty.
State took place in Temple TX this last weekend. It kicked off with sessions and debates Friday and business was conducted Saturday and Sunday. Formal business involved registering on time to be a delegate, working on party rules, voting on state wide candidates and creating a party plank (the beliefs of (L) Tx).
I am a Gov and Econ teacher so I had a pretty good idea of how things were going to proceed at the convention, but vastly underestimated the depth of parliamentary procedure as used as a form of rules and also did not intend to have as much fun as I did. I honestly dont have the words to describe the enjoyment I took in sharing a common cause with so many people with similar, but not identical ideas. The polling and voting was enjoyable and crafting the plank showed so much team work. I had originally looked at this trip as a burden, but after the experience of State, I am determined to be a participant in the process again in 2 years.
A special highlight came from being able to meet and speak with the candidate who is running for Atty General, a Senatorial candidate and the candidate for Governor. It was amazing to see the potential for growth in the party and a pleasure to have Ed Kless to ask a multitude of questions to.
Look forward to seeing everyone at a monthly meeting!
Mark
Rocky Palmquist and Jamie Balagia:
Conversation started today
Andy Craig
4:06pm
Andy Craig
Hi Paulie. I’m a huge fun of IPR, and a Libertarian candidate myself this year (for WI Secretary of State). We just had an incredibly successful convention, I thought you might find this something hopefully worth sharing on IPR. We nominated a full slate of statewide candidates, a first for LPWI, plus several legislative candidates both state and Federal.
http://www.lpwi.org/news-views/59-libertarian-convention-dedicated-to-tonie-nathan
Libertarian Convention dedicated to Tonie Nathan – Libertarian Party of Wisconsin
http://www.lpwi.org
The convention endorsed a slate of candidates for public office in 2014, including: Delegates were delighted to have the opportunity to hear the keynote address at the banquet by Gov. Gary Johnson , 2012 Libertarian presidential candidate, whose enthusiastic remarks about the future of freedom inspi…
Maybe some people. Not me. Although I would not have been surprised either way.
I heard a few people say he could have won the nomination if he just showed up. I don’t know whether that is true.
As it was, the only effect he had by refusing to either be there himself or, alternatively, formally withdraw and say he would decline nomination, was to drag things out for an extra ballot that would otherwise have not been necessary.
The ultimate effect was that the convention ran out of time for an item of housekeeping – it could have been extended but delegates were tired and wanted to go to lunch or go home. A plank entitled “border control” had the “control” crap stripped out of it, but because the delegates did not get around to changing the title of it, it is still called “border control” in the state platform.
She has some tendencies in that direction and comes off that way at times. She did not do so in the convention debate, though.
Thanks for the reporting Paulie. I’m curious, do you agree with the characterization of Glass as a “far-right Tea Party” candidate that someone posted on the LP Radicals page?
via https://www.facebook.com/melyssa.hubbard of http://www.spankingcityhall.com/
Interesting reply to Ben Swann at the Texas convention…
Alexander McCobin wrote:
https://www.facebook.com/mccobin/posts/10101187589253417
@Nicholas Sarwark –
Thanks! Defending People is the site I read. I got there from Simple Justice and Popehat. Always excellent sites!
I seem to recall one mention of Lee Wrights. Were people surprised he wasn’t there?
OK Folks I am out of here….thanks to all those who red along and especially commented. Hopefully some other people who were actually to here but too busy to comment while this has been going on will do so when they get home. In the meantime for those of you who are not here please feel free and encouraged to discuss anything that has been posted or any coverage of this convention you may find anywhere else.
I ran out of power in the convention hall, I did have the table again today but no power strip like yesterday to plug in to. The convention has now been adjourned with a modified immigration plank adopted. They are having the lunch now but I am out in the hall. Sarah is now here so we will be heading out soon.
Platcom report has passed minus immigration and borders.
Reconsideration motion has passed.
Now a counted vote on reconsideration. I am going for coffee.
Ruling is overturned. No counted vote. Now vote to reconsider (adopting platform report minus immigration).
Now having a counted vote on whether to have a counted vote LOL
Appeal of ruling of the chair that counted vote is in order. Others threatening roll call vote if there is no counted vote. Others saying that the call for a counted vote was not made in a timely way.
Motion for a counted vote (in effect a revote).
Motion passes. Now wrangling over whether any part of immigration and borders was part of the platform committee report.
Counter-proposal to adopt existing platfom en masse rather than platform committee report to deal with sunsetting issue. It is ruled that it can not be a motion at this time since they are currently under suspension of the rules to consider the present motion.
Motion to limit number of speakers on each side of any given question to 4 fails.
Argument is that sunset clauses will apply to current platform and not enough time to go plank by plank.
Plat com chair mentions that his committee was unanimous on all their proposed changes except for one person who resigned (he says for personal reasons).
BTW is anyone reading at the Wisconsin convention? I am looking for some updates from there also. I have been focusing on Texas since I am here. If no one reading was at the one in Wisconsin, I woud appreciate if someone besides me can research coverage of Wisconsin elsewhere (twitter, youtube, google news and so on).
Debate over considering the platform committee report as a whole (minus immigration) rather than plank by plank. Some of the changes include endorsing the right of Texas to secede from the US and expanding right to bear arms from handguns to all guns.
Dixon rules that it had been after parliamentary advice. Ruling is appealed and there will be a vote on this. Ruling is upheld.
Wrangling now over whether the immigration plank had in fact been deleted last convention or not.
Platform is next.
54 national convention delegates approved with what sounded like one single no vote.
District reps have been selected and announced but I did not keep up with the list. 50 names being now read off for 68 slots for national convention. There will be a vote to approve those.
Geoff Neale mentioned me at the banquet last night, that I have been all over the country and been to many state conventions and that I said this is the biggest LP state convention I have seen in any state in ten years, but it may have been more like 15.
More people are now adding themselves to the list of national convention delegates.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10202906567296701&set=vb.1578277310&type=2&theater
Not sure how to embed it off FB
More from Spivey
More from Spivey via FB:
That was last night at the Hilton Garden Inn. This time I made it over there for a bit and left a little after midnight but I have been told the party went on for many hours after I left. I usually stay for the whole thing, but this one was far from my hotel so I needed to get back while I had a ride and the three hours or so of sleep each night for the previous two nights had me too tired to really party. This time I got about 5 or 6 hours of sleep so I feel somewhat better. However I will probably be on the road back to Alabama tonight.
Via John Spivey on facebook: afterparty with Ben Swann, newly elected Vice Chair Ben Farmer and others
Correction, state senate districts and they are called district reps. Pat Dixon, who has retired as state chair but is still chair until the close of convention business, has admonished people who sign up as district reps to actually participate after they sign up. Traditionally many are never heard from again.
The other convention business today that I know of is platform debate and selection of national convention delegates.
Also happening today:
9:00am – 10:30am
BREAKOUT: WHY YOUNG PEOPLE MATTER
How do Libertarians attract and engage with the next generation?
Noelle Mandell (Students for Liberty)
10:30am – 12:00 noon
BREAKOUT: FREE BEER: Liberating our favorite libations.
These panelists will discuss the challenges of small business owners in a highly regulated environment.
Jon Airheart (Rogness Brewing), Mark Shilling (Revolution Spirits), Scott Hovey (Adelbert’s Brewery)
12:00 noon – 1:30pm
LUNCH: BITCOIN, BANKS, AND BAILOUTS – SOLD OUT
How do Bitcoin, the Federal Reserve system, and crony capitalism effect the economy?
John Bush, Mick Truitt, Dr. Lucas Rentschler, Ben Swann
2:00pm – 4:00pm
BREAKOUT: LIBERTARIAN ACTIVISM
A hands on exercise in activism from the International Student for Liberty student of the year award winner.
Noelle Mandell (Students for Liberty)
2:00pm – 4:00pm
BUSINESS SESSION: STATE COMMITTEE MEETING
The newly elected leadership will hold its first business meeting.
If it’s the court of criminal appeals spot, I believe he is. See here for his campaign site and here for his criminal defense blog.
Convention business has started today with the selection of district reps/chairs (I don’t remember what they are called here) in district caucuses by US House district. These reps will represent thir district on the state exec comm much like LNC region reps represent their regions, except that the regions here are determined by the state legislature, not internal LP politics. I believe there are 32 districts IIRC.
Does anyone know if the Mark Bennett nominated for a judgeship is the same as the criminal defense blogger?
Evening banquet raised a little over 13k, not including the ticket price to get in, which may have been as much again.
Great job by Paulie and Sarah.
Super photos.
Time to get a drink (or two) and some sleep.
Truly a fantastic turnout for a state convention.
In case anyone is wondering about the higher numbers of overall votes on the first Gov ballot it was an approval vote so some people voted for more than one candidate (but not more than one vote per candidate).
http://www.ballot-access.org/2014/04/libertarian-party-of-texas-chooses-nominees-at-well-attended-convention/
Looks like the Glass supporters were better at sticking around for a second vote while their opposition ran off to smoke, drink, eat, sleep or bullshit (or mabe drive home) in greater numbers.
I spoke too soon
2nd round
210 votes cast
Glass 107
Bell 96
NOTA 7
Looks like the races are turning out the way I would have voted if I had been voting here.
LOL I did not think about it that deeply. Just the first thing that popped in my head with “bell” in it.
Via Sarah Stewart
Congratulations to all the new Texas candidates!
Congratulations to all the other Texas Libertarians who appeared and ran for nomination!
Absolutely terrible pun. It required a truly twisted mind. You should be proud of yourself!
The prediction looks credible.
Runoff prediction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URAqnM1PP5E
Tie for Gov
Glass and Bell 113 each
Locke 8
Wrights 42
NOTA 16
There will be a runoff
US Sen Roland 105 Paruchuri 8 Paddock 117 NOTA 11
Governor especially…
Senate and Governor races are the remaining drama that we are still waiting on counts for.
Lt Gov Robert Butler 148 Ed Kless 33 NOTA 11
Commish of Public Lands
Justin Knight 160
Steven Childs 20
NOTA 27
Atty Gen Tom Glass 76
Belagia 137
NOTA 1
Ballot A results
Ag Comish
Donaldson 63
Palmquist 144
NOTA 4
Looks like we will probably run past the scheduled close of business and run into the banquet time.
District elections will be tomorrow morning. Tabulation still going on in public office elections.
Women are out in the hall having a group photo. VP race about to be announced. Total votes cast 213
Ben Farmer 116 Tom Glass 97
Alex Wukman ?@alexwukman 1m
Libertarian Party of Texas convention down to mood lighting so we can learn the ballots intimately #LPTexas
Alex Wukman ?@alexwukman 14m
Total attendance fig: about 280 with 219 delegates.
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Alex Wukman ?@alexwukman 16m
Long term Libertarian watchers saying this is the biggest state convention they’ve seen in “10 or 15 years” #LPTexas
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Alex Wukman ?@alexwukman 21m
Libertarian Party of Texas electing new officers only disputed position vice chair #LPT
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Retweeted by Alex Wukman
KHOU 11 News Houston ?@KHOU 56m
Feds abruptly end cattle roundup in Nevada http://bit.ly/Q1MZVU #US
View summary
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Alex Wukman ?@alexwukman 56m
Ballots cast at Libertarian Party of Texas awaiting results. #LPT
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Alex Wukman ?@alexwukman 1h
Libertarians are debating whether to nominate a candidate for gov who doesn’t want to serve. #LPT
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Alex Wukman ?@alexwukman 2h
Libertarian Party convention is very reminiscent of early 20th century conventions with multiple ballots to elect a nominee.
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Alex Wukman ?@alexwukman 4h
Heading over for gubernatorial vote at #LPT state convention
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Alex Wukman ?@alexwukman 18h
Star Locke, candidate for Libertarian nomination for gov., wants to create a 500.000 person standing army in Texas. #LPT
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Alex Wukman ?@alexwukman 22h
Interesting to see NPR issues in Texas ag commissioner race #LPT
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Alex Wukman ?@alexwukman 22h
Palmquist on fracking if it’s your land go ahead #LPT
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Alex Wukman ?@alexwukman 22h
Rick Donaldson and Rocky Palmquist LPT candidates for ag commissioner debated GMOs. Donaldson wants to expand Go Texan labeling. #LPT
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Alex Wukman ?@alexwukman Apr 11
Open Carry Texas preparing for rally at Libertarian Convention #LPT
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Alex Wukman ?@alexwukman Apr 11
Very vocal movement at Libertarian Party convention to deny Kathie Glass governor nomination #LPT
I think that is what we are doing. I spaced out for a minute though. Lack of sleep starting to catch up with me a bit.
Both public offices and Vice Chair closed and being counted; Pat Dixon recommends recess until tabulations are done because people who are tabulating or observing are also needed for next step (district offices).
More from Sarah
Sarah and me
https://twitter.com/alexwukman has live tweets of convention
Glass wants to have AG race results before Vice Chair election. Fails.
Tom Glass put forward this motion. It is being debated.
Vice Chair is the only contested race. Motion to recess to let public office ballots finish being counted before starting on Vice Chair election.
Elected by acclaim.
Wilford accepts.
John Wilford (sp?) nominated for Treasurer.
Johnson by acclaim. Next treasurer.
That’s it for VC. For Secy GJ of TX running again, nominated by self and others.
Tom Glass also being nominated for Vice Chair
Kurt Hildebrand elected Chair by acclaim.
Ben Farmer being nominated for Vice Chair.
Balloting closed. While tabulation is going on state party officers being nominated starting with Chair. Kurt Hildebrand being nominated by several people.
Meanwhile more photos from Sarah…
Ballots are now being turned in and counted.
All nomination speeches are now done.
Ballot A – choose one per race
Judge State Court of Criminal Appeals Place 9
William Brian Strange III
NOTA
Judge State Court of Criminal Appeals Place 4
Quanan Parker
NOTA
Judge State Court of Criminal Appeals Place 3
Mark Bennett
NOTA
Judge State Supreme Court Place 8
RS Roberto Koelsch
NOTA
Justice State Supreme Court Place 7
Don Fulton
NOTA
Justice State Supreme Court Place 6
Mark Ash
NOTA
Chief Justice State Supreme Court
Tom Oxford
NOTA
Railroad Commissioner
Mark A. Miller
Jason Kute (withdrew)
NOTA
Commissioner of Agriculture
Rick Donaldson
David (Rocky) Palmquist
NOTA
Commissioner of General Land Office
Steven Childs (withdrew)
Justin Knight
NOTA
Comptroller of Public Accounts
Ben Sanders
NOTA
Attorney General
Thomas Glass
Jamie Belagia
NOTA
LT Gov
Brandon De Hoyos (withdrew)
Ed Kless or Robert Butler (write-ins)
NOTA
Gov
Kathie Glass
Star Locke
Robert Lynn Garrett (withdrew)
Lee Wrights (will be counted)
Robert J Bell
NOTA
US Senate
Jon Roland
Tanuja Paruchuri (?)
Rebecca Paddock
NOTA
LPTX officers
Write in Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer
Paddock speaking to her nomination.
Nomination for Rebecca Paddock by Ed Kless and others…there may have been a nomination for Tanuja Paruchuri but I could not hear that person as they seemed to be very quiet and way on the other side of the room.
Another credential question … 219 delegates and 216 ballots distributed. US Senate nominations next. Question over adding ballot for Heather Fazio. She was busy as staff when ballots were distributed. Mary Ruwart nominating Jon Roland. Heater given ballot with one single objection and some time wasted on unneccessary nitpicking.
Ruling of chair is upheld and Wrighs will be a choice.
Robert Bell being nominated by a number of people who are saying they were previously for NOTA and/or Wrights.
More from Sarah in the vendor area
Question whether nomination for Wrights is in order. He did not submit a withdrawal form. Dixon rules it is in order. His ruling is appealed.
Very short nomination speech for Star Locke.
Sarah Stewart pics outside in the vendor area outside the convention hall
Ed Kless clarifies that he can’t run an active campaign but has decided to un-withdraw to give voters a choice.
Now nominations for Governor starting with Kathie Glass.
Not so, Tom Glass nominates Ed Kless
Whole boatload of people for Butler. I think he is running unopposed.
Jax Finkel again for Robert Butler … more people for Butler
Lt Gov speech….someone else for Robert Butler …
Belagia now speaking for himself.
Jamie Belagia, I have been incorrectly calling him Robert. He is being nominated by Jax Finkel. Most of the other candidates have been nominating themselves.
Also this is the first one where I am seeing multiple nominators speaking for a candidate.
Thanks Jill and Chuck!
Now AG ..Tom Glass speaking. I missed a couple while reposting photos etc.
I wish we could have a do-over of California’s 2014 convention.
From Sarah Stewart
Thanks for your coverage, Paulie!
This looks like an exciting, vital convention! Great job blogging, Paulie! I do love Texans!
Rocky Palmquist speaking ….
Ag Commish. Rick Donaldson…
Miller nominated by acclaim.
Jason Kute withdraws, endorses Mark Miller. For RR Commissioner
Now nomination speeches for Railroad Commission
I think credentials is still working?
More new photos from Sarah that she posted while I was reposting those
Sarah’s photos of Open Carry march following the rally, we drove by on the way to Fat Charlie’s
10 minute recess, credentials committee now saying there are 213 eligible delegates and 216 ballots issued.
214 ballots distributed; motion for approval voting passes. 2 people (I think) are added.
Sarah’s pics from Open Carry rally
More from Sarah
Breakout session earlier today
More from Sarah
Breakout session earlier today
Thanks Steven. I do not know the answer to that so hopefully someone else will.
To Paulie
Great job on the reporting. It is nice to see how others do it and perform during state conventions.
I also had a question. In Texas, one of the candidates for US Senate was Tanuja Paruchuri. Is this the same Tanuja that was working for Arvin’s campaign in Maryland?
Thanks again for the coverage!!
Hello from the media table…photo by Sarah
More from Sarah
Currenly 215 credentialed delegates, much more than ever before
Photos by Sarah Stewart
GOV: Robert Garrett has dropped out. Ballots distributed…
And to Eugene Flynn for pointing me to Jon Roland’s videos of last night’s debates!
Thanks to Rocky Palmquist for buying lunch for me and a whole bunch of people
RR Commissioner
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COY4ikON134
Ag Commissioner
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBFRr6CrxVo
Lunch speaker Alexander McCobin is the founder and current executive director of Students for Liberty (SFL). During college at the University of Pennsylvania, Alexander founded and ran the University of Pennsylvania Libertarian Association to promote discussion and education of libertarian ideas on campus and expand his horizons regarding the power of the message of liberty, as well as a nonprofit organization that promoted youth debate education to underserved students in the greater Philadelphia and mid-Atlantic region. In the summer of 2007, he was an intern at the Reason Foundation, where he researched privatization efforts around the U.S. In May, 2008, Alexander graduated from Penn with a B.A. in philosophy and economics and an A.M. in philosophy. He spent the following year working as a Koch Associate at the Cato Institute focused on marketing, development, and student programs. He is currently a fourth year graduate student at Georgetown University pursuing his Ph.D. in philosophy with areas of interest in political philosophy and business ethics.
US Sen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuJz2viOvkw
Gov
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bkvrc6KYk44
Videos from Jon Roland of last night’s debates
Atty Gen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGaZTIHKxcs
Originally from Siberia, USSR and grew up in NYC; and neither is nearly as car-centric as most parts of the US. However, I’ve gotten around on foot, bus, train, and other people’s cars all over the US as well (a majority of the nation’s 3,000 or so counties and every state except Hawaii).
Via Mike Shipley
Paulie is originally from New York. We don’t need no stinking cars to get around.
A few random thoughts:
1. Thanks as always to Paul Frankel, intrepid IPR reporter at the scene, whose reporting makes one feel like you’re part of the action.
2. LPNY Convention on April 26 will be at the very fancy-schmantzy (that’s a New York term) Albany Airport Best Western motel. The very good news is that they have a bar for the night before meet and greet and a there’s another bar next door for the after party!
3. Most importantly, kudos to Pat Dixon for a decade of fine work in building LP Texas into the superlative operation that it is today.
There was a party suite at a hotel several miles away where many of the delegates were staying. I started heading over there with Finkel and Hubbard but after discussion over dinner they reconsidered whether they would really be able to get me back to this end of town after drinking at a party (and in Hubbard’s case also driving straight through from Indiana just before, so she was very tired and did not know her way around). So they dropped me back off here and went to the party without me. I had to do the last bit on foot because it was easier than to keep getting lost in a car. They seemed shocked that I would be so brave to walk for a few minutes alone at night (ROFL).
Whatever the financial drawbacks of having conventions at, and staying at, nice/expensive hotels it does make the logistics of drinking at post-convention-business parties and stumbling back to the room much easier and safer.
Thanks for the coverage Paulie.
Unfortunately I missed
9:00am – 10:30am
BREAK OUT: THE LIBERTARIAN MESSAGE
For people brand new to the idea or a refresher for those difficult questions to answer, these two experiences leaders in the LP will discuss how to effectively spread the message of the LP.
Wes Benedict, Michael Cloud
That would have been more interesting than the bylaws debate I sat thru but I was mostly paying attention to finding coverage elsewhere and I had comfortable seating. Fortunately it turned out I found almost-as-good seating in the breakout room.
Michael Cloud is the “immoderate moderator” of the panel
10:30am – 12:00 noon
BREAK OUT: DRUGS, DATA, AND THE DOMINATRIX: Civil Liberties in Texas
Civil liberties are a core principle of the Libertarian Party, and they have never been more prominent than now:
• DRUGS: States are fighting back, the battle to legalize marijuana is being won, and the war on drugs is lost.
• DATA: Edward Snowden revealed the degree to which our privacy is being violated.
• THE DOMINATRIX: Can we keep government out of our bedrooms?
This expert panel will cover a lot of ground in our efforts to defend self-ownership.
Jax Finkel (Texas NORML), Gregory Foster (Electronic Frontier Foundation-Austin), Matt Simpson (ACLU of Texas), and Melyssa Hubbard (Author, Spanking City Hall)
I hung out with dominatrix Hubbard and NORMLizer Finkel for a late dinner last night at Texas Roadhouse …we got horrendously lost with the construction around I-35 here but eventually I made it back to the Texas Inn (45 a night on weekends including tax, not a fine hotel but they have non-smoking rooms and walkable from convention center). My usual 3-4 hours a night of sleep at conventions last night at the Texas Inn as well as about the same amount on the Greyhound bus the night before.
I’m going over to check out the breakout session. I can’t force myself to pay attention to other states’ bylaws debates and I think I am pretty well caught up on everything I can find of coverage elsewhere for now.
Thanks Jed.
Break for 10 min
Certainly appreciate your coverage, Paulie! Glad Mr. Bell performed well, he certainly impressed me. Really hoping Paddock gets the Senate nomination over Roland. Bummed about De Hoyos’ withdrawal, but I understand his frustration over the Glasses. Wrights’ comments were mean-spirited, but I get his frustration.
http://www.tdtnews.com/news/article_f616685e-c1f3-11e3-a593-001a4bcf6878.html
Libertarian gubernatorial hopefuls address issues
Posted: Friday, April 11, 2014 10:38 pm
BY ALEX WUKMAN | TELEGRAM STAFF
Candidates for the Libertarian gubernatorial nomination debated issues ranging from the practical, what public education would be like in a Libertarian run Texas, to the philosophical, what separates Libertarians from conservatives, at the first night of the Libertarian Party of Texas’ state convention Friday at the Frank W. Mayborn Civic and Convention Center in Temple.
The four candidates — Robert Bell, Robert Garrett, Kathie Glass and Robert “Star” Locke — took the stage to a rowdy and boisterous crowd. The questions posed ranged from the candidates’ thoughts on the ongoing standoff between Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy and officers from the federal Bureau of Land Management. Bundy, 67, a lifelong rancher is involved in a dispute with the federal government over his refusal to pay grazing fees to allow his cattle access to Gold Butte, a 600,000-acre area of Bureau of Land Management controlled land near the Utah border.
Only the Libertrians and Greens are actually ballot recognized parties out of that list. I think maybe all the state parties are having conventions today by state law?
Apparently the Green Party of Texas is also having their convention today, in Austin. That is according to http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/dayton/opinion/commentary-third-parties-are-active-in-texas-as-are-fourth/article_3bc1d866-7052-50ce-9bfe-898af6631a31.html
Starchild
Thanks for reading and commenting! If other people like the coverage please let me know. It starts to feel kind of lonely when few or no people comment and makes me wonder whether I should bother continuing.
I fully agree with your comments regarding the rally.
Paulie, thanks for all the coverage! Besides the attendance numbers, particularly gratifying to see this…
“Made an open carry Texas event at the libertarian convention we had a pretty good turn out pic.twitter.com/OqpDM0j7Oj”
Every LP convention should try to schedule some local activism to take advantage of having a bunch of Libertarians together in the same place at the same time.
From the photo it looks like they may not have picked the highest visibility location though… on the flip side, taking photos/video and getting it online can be as important as where you are physically.
http://kdhnews.com/news/politics/libertarian-convention-begins-with-open-carry-rally/article_b52f1e14-c1fb-11e3-9190-0017a43b2370.html
Photo by Michael Miller, FME News Service
Libertarian rally
Army Master Sgt. Christopher “C.J.” Grisham speaks during a Libertarian rally at the Frank W. Mayborn Civic and Convention Center on Friday.
By Alex Wukman | FME News Service | 1 comment
TEMPLE — The Libertarian Party of Texas’ state convention got off to a strong start with the Come and Take it Rally, a pro-Second Amendment event, outside of the Frank W. Mayborn Civic and Convention Center on Friday afternoon.
The biennial convention was expected to bring about 200 delegates and candidates to the area for three days of workshops, debates and rallies.
The rally was hosted by Open Carry Texas, a loose-knit group advocating for the right to openly carry handguns in addition to the already legal right to openly carry rifles and shotguns.
Heather Fazio, membership director for the Libertarian Party of Texas, opened the rally with a literal call to arms.
“The Second Amendment is about more than just carrying weapons,” Fazio said. “It’s about self-defense.”
Fazio likened Texas’ prohibitions against openly carrying pistols to New York and California, states known for restrictive gun control laws. Fazio was followed by Kory Watkins, a well-known figure in gun rights and Liberty Movement circles and a member of Open Carry Texas.
Watkins, like many open- carry advocates, is opposed to any governmental involvement in gun ownership, a stance referred to as “constitutional carry.”
“We may have open carry, but (the government) will make us get a license, pay a tax and ask permission,” Watkins said. “You don’t need to ask your government for permission to bear arms.”
“People say that they don’t like the ‘in your face attitude’ carrying a long gun has,” Watkins said to the crowd, which ranged from retirees in wheelchairs to 20- and 30-year-olds with neck tattoos and facial piercings. “When is it ‘in your face’ to exercise your rights?”
Michael Cargill, owner of Central Texas Gun Works, an Austin-area firearms dealer that recently became the first gun store in the nation to accept the digital crypto-currency Bitcoin for transactions, also took the stage.
“When people mention me, the first sentence they usually say is ‘he’s that black, gay gun store owner,” Cargill said, as the crowd erupted in applause.
“Gun control laws in Texas were started as a way to keep guns out of the hands of newly freed slaves,” he said. “Gun control was started because some people were terrified by the idea of someone different from them carrying a gun.”
U.S. Army Master Sgt. Christopher “C.J.” Grisham was the rally’s headline speaker. Grisham gained the attention of gun-rights advocates and national media outlets after a cellphone video of his March 16, 2013, arrest by Temple police Officer Steve Ermis went viral.
Ermis arrested Grisham while he and his son were on a 10-mile hike for a Boy Scout merit badge. The elder Grisham carried an AR-15 rifle and a concealed handgun, for which he had a permit. Although Grisham would later claim that he was carrying the weapons for personal protection against feral hogs and coyotes, when Ermis initially asked him why he had the rifle Grisham said, “Because I can.”
Grisham addressed one of the lingering criticisms about his arrest and treatment by law enforcement officers.
“Law enforcement is still enforcing laws differently,” Grisham said. “I have no doubt that if I’d been a black man doing what I did with my son, I’d be dead right now.”
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/libertarian-party-of-texas-announces-ability-to-accept-bitcoin-donations-254875491.html
AUSTIN, Texas, April 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — In conjunction with their 2014 Libertarian State Convention, the Libertarian Party of Texas announces that supporters may now give donations in the form of Bitcoin.
“Accepting Bitcoin offers our members and donors another option when it comes to financial contributions to the Libertarian Party of Texas,” said Patrick Dixon, Chair, Libertarian Party of Texas. “I am very proud that our party is the first in Texas to accept Bitcoin.”
The Libertarian 2014 state convention is taking place April 11-13 at the Frank W. Mayborn Civic and Convention Center in Temple.
Bitcoin is a digital currency and payment system first introduced in 2009. It eliminates the need for banks as a financial middleman, operates without transaction fees and is beginning to gain traction as a viable and attractive currency alternative.
“As Texans lose faith in the American dollar’s value and reliability, they are looking for alternatives that will maintain the value of their hard-earned money,” said Libertarian Member Manager Heather Fazio. “Bitcoin, and other decentralized digital currencies, offer new opportunities for people to break free from the banking industry’s stronghold and, often punitive, monetary policies and options.”
The Sunday lunch speakers at the convention, Michael Cargill, John Bush, Mick Truitt, Dr. Lucas Rentschler, and Ben Swann, will discuss “Bitcoin, Banks and Bailouts: How do Bitcoin, the Federal Reserve System, and crony capitalism affect the economy?”
The Libertarian Party of Texas believes in principles that let people live their own lives as they want and get the government out of our business. The Libertarian Party of Texas bases its philosophy on the core principles of Constitutional rights, personal responsibility, and limited government.
The Libertarian Party is the third largest and fastest-growing political party in Texas and in the United States. It is the only political party to advocate truly limited government, especially as established in the U.S. Constitution by our Founders.
Click here https://www.lptexas.org/2014-schedule for the full convention schedule and here https://www.lptexas.org/convention-registration for registration information.
* PHOTO: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/14-0411-Pat-Dixon_300dpi.jpg
* Photo Caption: Patrick Dixon, Chair, Libertarian Party of Texas.
* LOGO: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/14-0411-libertarian_500x375.jpg
This release was issued through Send2Press(R), a unit of Neotrope(R). For more information, visit Send2Press Press Release Distribution at http://www.Send2Press.com
SOURCE Libertarian Party of Texas
RELATED LINKS
https://www.lptexas.org
http://kdhnews.com/news/politics/libertarians-to-gather-in-temple/article_402fc1de-c135-11e3-999f-0017a43b2370.html
http://www.pfhub.com/texas-libertarian-party-starts-accepting-bitcoin-donations-531/
Christopher Coleman ?@Soldiercowboy66
Made an open carry Texas event at the libertarian convention we had a pretty good turn out pic.twitter.com/OqpDM0j7Oj
And yes, this is bylaws going on now.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151967765156073
Photo posted by Cindy Welch
Alex Wukman ?@alexwukman 11h
Star Locke, candidate for Libertarian nomination for gov., wants to create a 500.000 person standing army in Texas. #LPT
Bitcoin On Reddit ?@BitcoinOnReddit 11h
Texas Libertarian Party is accepting bitcoin donations via /r/Bitcoin http://ift.tt/OPARpK
Open Carry Texas ?@OpenCarryTexas 11h
At the open carry rally to kick off the Libertarian Party of Texas Convention.
Peter Cox ?@Xenophore 11h
Libertarian Party of Texas State… (w/ Ken, Heather, & 4 others at Frank W Mayborn Civic & Convention Center) — https://path.com/p/2avN08
Tyler Malone ?@TyRy 1h
I posted 50 photos on Facebook in the album “Libertarian Party of Texas State Convention” http://fb.me/23cbaPFdO
Tyler Malone ?@TyRy 1h
I posted 14 photos on Facebook in the album “Libertarian Party of Texas State Convention” http://fb.me/3otwaYFqR
Libertarian News ?@LibertarianNooz 1h
Bitcoin Donations now accepted by the Libertarian Party of Texas http://dlvr.it/5NNm2q – #LP
Libertarian Party TX ?@LPTexas 2h
Local coverage: http://fb.me/1ganMIN5E
I think Pat said state platform will be tomorrow morning.
Gary Johnson elected convention secretary without objection.
Motion to add delegates fails. Now electing convention chair. Pat Dixon nominated. Nominations closed. Pat Dixon without objection.
http://www.tdtnews.com/news/article_75ebc90a-c129-11e3-ba98-0017a43b2370.html
Libertarian state convention starts today in Temple
Posted: Thursday, April 10, 2014 10:29 pm
BY ALEX WUKMAN | TELEGRAM STAFF
TDT Alex Wukman
Posted on Apr 10, 2014
by Alex Wukman
The Libertarian Party of Texas’ state convention kicks off today at the Frank W. Mayborn Convention Center, 3303 N. Third St. in Temple. The biennial event is estimated to bring about 200 delegates to the area for three days of workshops, lectures, debates and rallies.
“We’ll be voting on candidates for statewide office at the convention,” said Lauren Daugherty, executive director of the Libertarian Party of Texas. “Unlike other parties, we are a convention-based party.”
Credentials report: there are 280 delegates from 55 counties, 181 of whom have already registered. Additional people are also being added.
https://www.facebook.com/tyler.malone.7/posts/592021264650
Tyler Malone shared The Second Shooter’s album: Libertarian Party of Texas State Convention.
42 mins ·
Yesterday I photographed the 2014 convention for the Libertarian Party of Texas. It was everything I thought it would be. Plus, during the debates, booze was served.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.601452489968032.1073741946.406013952845221&type=1
Results for texas libertarian
Libertarian Party TX ?@LPTexas 1h
Local coverage: http://fb.me/1ganMIN5E
The Doge Report ?@Doge_Report 2h
Liberty Ideals ?@libertyideals 9h
Texas Libertarian Party is accepting bitcoin donations #libertarian http://bit.ly/1n1Tc1L
http://www.kcentv.com/story/25228388/temple-hosts-texas-libertarian-party-convention
Temple Hosts Texas Libertarian Party Convention
Posted: Apr 11, 2014 6:45 PM CDT Updated: Apr 11, 2014 6:45 PM CDT
By Matt Reed – email
(KCEN)– Libertarians have taken over Central Texas.
The Mayborn Convention Center in Temple is hosting the Libertarian Party of Texas Convention. The event starts Friday and goes through Sunday.
Libertarian Party of Texas Chairman, Patrick Dixon says the event is a great way to introduce the public to the party’s values.
“We’re the only political party in the state of Texas that truly understand and represents liberty,” says Dixon. “We present those options to people who have given up on democrats and republicans looking for a home and we want to be that home.”
The party will also be using the convention to select its candidates for the November elections.
“We’re in this game to win,” says Dixon. “We understand that overnight success may not occur but long term we want to win elections and be in office.”
There will be free sessions throughout the weekend. Anyone wanting to attend can register at the Mayborn Convention Center.
Robert Butler is now running for Lt Gov. Brandon de Hoyos has dropped out. Not sure why.
Pat Dixon says this is the biggest convention Texas LP has ever had. Pat has been around for a long time, 10 years as chair and another 20 years as a member before that, so he would probably be in a good position to know this for a fact.
Outgoing chair Pat Dixon introducing and thanking various people.
Meals are sold out.
They have a parliamentarian…Kay Crews (sp?)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jK-NcRmVcw&feature=kp
LOL They played “Final Coundown”
“1:30pm – 5:00pm
BUSINESS SESSION: CANDIDATE & PARTY OFFICER ELECTIONS”
This I can understand and will be covering.
But State Rules? Is that bylaws and/or platform? If so, I will be breaking out to the breakout.
9:00am – 12:00 noon
BUSINESS SESSION: STATE RULES
9:00am – 10:30am
BREAK OUT: THE LIBERTARIAN MESSAGE
For people brand new to the idea or a refresher for those difficult questions to answer, these two experiences leaders in the LP will discuss how to effectively spread the message of the LP.
Wes Benedict, Michael Cloud
10:30am – 12:00 noon
BREAK OUT: DRUGS, DATA, AND THE DOMINATRIX: Civil Liberties in Texas
Civil liberties are a core principle of the Libertarian Party, and they have never been more prominent than now:
• DRUGS: States are fighting back, the battle to legalize marijuana is being won, and the war on drugs is lost.
• DATA: Edward Snowden revealed the degree to which our privacy is being violated.
• THE DOMINATRIX: Can we keep government out of our bedrooms?
This expert panel will cover a lot of ground in our efforts to defend self-ownership.
Jax Finkel (Texas NORML), Gregory Foster (Electronic Frontier Foundation-Austin), Matt Simpson (ACLU of Texas), and Melyssa Hubbard (Author, Spanking City Hall)
Anyone know what is meant by “state rules”? From the sound of it I would rather be in the breakouts but I don’t know what “state rules” is supposed to mean here.
The business session starts in 20 min., and this time I do have a table and plugs. Much better than yesterday. I am more interested in the breakout sessions though, so we’ll see how that goes.
Here in the main hall they are seating people by county (just like they do with states at a national convention). I don’t think I have ever seen that at an LP state convention anywhere before. I was in the hotel where they had one other Texas LP convention, in 2010, but I was there for LNC and LSLA and did not actually observe the state convention itself that time.
Via email:
Fellow Texas Libertarians,
On the eve of our state convention, I have just received a candidate withdrawal form from Brandon De Hoyos for Lt Governor. Our rules state:
IV.5.j.1. Filing Procedures. (b) If a candidate who has made an application to be nominated withdraws, dies, or is declared ineligible, the filing deadline for applications for nomination for that office is reopened and extended until 11:59 PM of the day before the date of the Convention at which the nominee for that office is chosen.
The best way I can announce that nomination is re-opened for this office is through this email. I would need to receive a complete and notarized application for nomination form (located at https://www.lptexas.org/documents/forms/candidate-forms) by 11:59 pm this evening. If we do not receive an application for nomination form compliant with these rules, the Libertarian Party of Texas will not have a candidate for Lt Governor this year. My email address is [email protected] and my phone number is 512-771-3936.
Yours in Liberty,
Pat Dixon
Chair, Libertarian Party of Texas
2010-2014
I thought Robert Bell positively surprised a lot of people who are sporting NOTA signs but I did not see them take the NOTA signs down. When I asked them why they are for NOTA rather than Bell the closest thing I have seen to an answer so far is that he did not do nearly as well in past appearances. No one I have talked to so far has been positively impressed with Garrett or Locke – I think the sense is that they are interlopers and/or kooks. Kathie Glass has her fans and did not stumble. She may have the majority support here but it’s hard to say. Her side dominates the signage but that may just be because she spent a lot more money than her opponents. The applause did not give me a clear signal whether she has a dominant lead. She sounded libertarian enough in the debate, but talking to some people afterwards they claim she sounds less libertarian (more conservative) when talking to different audiences. Whether that is true or not she may have picked up some support from fence sitters or new people if they were expecting the type of answers she has been demonized as always giving. Based on the debate perfomance alone I would probably vote for Bell if I was a delegate here.
I did not get very much impression in the Senate debate … the two candidates seemed very similar, both describing themselves as constitutionalist libertarians. If I was a delegate I would probably support the female candidate over the male, based again solely on the debate and not based on anything she said so much as my impression was that she had better stage presence.
In the other debates I was impressed with the perfomance of Robert Belagia and Rocky Palmquist, on style as well as substance.
It was not easy to get a good sense of everything. They are called “laptops” but without a table to set them on I don’t do as great with laptops literally in my lap, and I was having to swivel to let wheelchairs through the aisle. As previously mentioned I also saw nothing to plug into so relied only on battery.
The crowd definitely impressed me. I am guessing (and this is only a guess) 200-300 people, maybe more. It was the biggest crowd I have seen at any LP state convention in any state in qute a few years, and I go to a lot of them.
Would be interested to read your thoughts on the gubernatorial & senate candidates debate performances, Paul.
However a chunk of the crowd has now left.
Firing it up again briefly to let you know that Atty General debate will now be held.
Computer is running out of battery and I see no plug so I am done for now. Good news is we have wifi and I will be back. Hopefully others here will see this post and add more coverage to mine in the comments.
Bundy ranch issue being discussed
Debate starting with candidate introductions
Gov candidates: Robert Bell, Kathie Glass, Star Locke, Robert Garrett
Attorney General debate was not held because Robert Belagia was not here. Other candidate Tom Glass said Belagia is a great guy and that was that. 5 min break then “the main event” Gov Debate.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fat-Charlies/172622372884180
Good Libertarian owned fast food in Temple, TX
Currently U S Senate debate, Jon Roland and Rebecca Paddock. Tanuja Paruchuri, another candidate, could not make it.
If anyone has questions for any candidates in these debates text them to 214-675-8792
2014 Convention Schedule
2014 State Convention
FRIDAY (4/11/14)
Registration/Check-in Opens at 12:00 Noon
1:00pm – 3:00pm
BREAKOUT: DELEGATE TRAINING
An opportunity for state convention delegates to understand the process and procedures for the convention.
Kurt Hildebrand, Arthur Thomas, Kay Crews
3:00pm – 4:30pm
RALLY: COME AND TAKE IT!
A rally to defend the 2nd amendment and discuss what it means.
CJ Grisham, Kory Watkins, Michael Cargill
5:00pm – 6:00pm
HAPPY HOUR
Cash Bar
6:00pm – 7:00pm
DEBATE: RAILROAD, AGRICULTURE, LAND
Ed Kless Hosting
7:00pm – 7:30pm
DEBATE: US SENATE
Kurt Hildebrand Hosting
7:30pm – 8:00pm
DEBATE: ATTORNEY GENERAL
Kurt Hildebrand Hosting
8:00pm – 9:00pm
DEBATE: GOVERNOR
Ed Kless Hosting
9:00pm – 10:30pm
BUSINESS SESSION: RULES COMMITTEE MEETING
The rules committee will have a final public meeting to answer questions and discuss rules agenda items with delegates. This will be the last meeting opportunity before the Saturday Business Session.
SATURDAY (4/12/14)
Registration/Check-in Opens at 8:00am
9:00am – 12:00 noon
BUSINESS SESSION: STATE RULES
9:00am – 10:30am
BREAK OUT: THE LIBERTARIAN MESSAGE
For people brand new to the idea or a refresher for those difficult questions to answer, these two experiences leaders in the LP will discuss how to effectively spread the message of the LP.
Wes Benedict, Michael Cloud
10:30am – 12:00 noon
BREAK OUT: DRUGS, DATA, AND THE DOMINATRIX: Civil Liberties in Texas
Civil liberties are a core principle of the Libertarian Party, and they have never been more prominent than now:
• DRUGS: States are fighting back, the battle to legalize marijuana is being won, and the war on drugs is lost.
• DATA: Edward Snowden revealed the degree to which our privacy is being violated.
• THE DOMINATRIX: Can we keep government out of our bedrooms?
This expert panel will cover a lot of ground in our efforts to defend self-ownership.
Jax Finkel (Texas NORML), Gregory Foster (Electronic Frontier Foundation-Austin), Matt Simpson (ACLU of Texas), and Melyssa Hubbard (Author, Spanking City Hall)
12:00 noon – 1:30pm
LUNCH: THE FUTURE OF LIBERTY –
The founder of Students for Liberty will discuss how the young generation can carry the Libertarian message.
Alexander McCobin (Students for Liberty)
1:30pm – 5:00pm
BUSINESS SESSION: CANDIDATE & PARTY OFFICER ELECTIONS
5:30pm – 6:30pm
COCKTAIL HOUR
Cash Bar
6:30pm – 9:00pm
LPTEXAS BANQUET
Join us for a celebration with dinner and entertaining speakers.
Wes Benedict, Michael Cloud, Ben Swann
SUNDAY (4/13/14)
Registration/Check-in Opens at 9:00am
9:00am – 12:00 noon
BUSINESS SESSION: STATE PLATFORM
9:00am – 10:30am
BREAKOUT: WHY YOUNG PEOPLE MATTER
How do Libertarians attract and engage with the next generation?
Noelle Mandell (Students for Liberty)
10:30am – 12:00 noon
BREAKOUT: FREE BEER: Liberating our favorite libations.
These panelists will discuss the challenges of small business owners in a highly regulated environment.
Jon Airheart (Rogness Brewing), Mark Shilling (Revolution Spirits), Scott Hovey (Adelbert’s Brewery)
12:00 noon – 1:30pm
LUNCH: BITCOIN, BANKS, AND BAILOUTS – SOLD OUT
How do Bitcoin, the Federal Reserve system, and crony capitalism effect the economy?
John Bush, Mick Truitt, Dr. Lucas Rentschler, Ben Swann
2:00pm – 4:00pm
BREAKOUT: LIBERTARIAN ACTIVISM
A hands on exercise in activism from the International Student for Liberty student of the year award winner.
Noelle Mandell (Students for Liberty)
2:00pm – 4:00pm
BUSINESS SESSION: STATE COMMITTEE MEETING
The newly elected leadership will hold its first business meeting.
Final Message from the Chair, Pat Dixon
April 11, 2014
Fellow Texas Libertarians,
It has been an honor serving you for the past 10 years. I am delighted that we are attracting higher quality leaders that can take us into the future and do a better job than I. I hope that I have helped leave the party in better condition than before and that we continue to grow and achieve our goals.
Our mission is difficult but critical; we must succeed to preserve our liberty and bring peace and prosperity. I am very encouraged by our progress and optimistic about the future.
When I first joined the party in 1984, I would not have imagined the opportunity to serve as state chair. I thank all of you for your support over the years. You have made the office of chair for the Libertarian Party of Texas one that I will always treasure and will be highly sought by great leaders in the future.
Yours in Liberty,
Pat Dixon
Chair, Libertarian Party of Texas
2010-2014
Candidates are here https://www.lptexas.org/texas-statewide-offices
A group out in the hall is pushing “Keep Calm and Vote NOTA” for Governor, there are several Gov candidates but they are out to attack front runner and 2010 candidate Kathie Glass (who has much tabling and signage here) which is made clear by other paraphanelia on their table such as plastic cups that say No Glass Thanks and others that Identify Kathie Glass as a Republican, Bully, etc. Glass table is responding by playing bositerous music.
Convention will go 3 days.
Gary Johnson had discussed coming here but is going to Wisconsin instead.
Other Ag Commissioner candidate is last name Donaldson.
Thanks to Sarah Stewart for encouraging me to make last minute decision to go here and also giving me a ride the rest of the way from Shreveport.
Already happened in Texas:
https://www.lptexas.org/state-convention
https://www.lptexas.org/2014-schedule
* Delegate training, I was told about 80 people were present 1-3 PM
* Open carry rally 3-4 PM outside the Convention Center here followed by Open Carry March
* Now happening debate for contested statewide races (Railroad Commission was first, Jason Cue (sp?) endorsed Mark Miller and now Agriculture Commissioner…Rocky Palmquist and another guy whose name I missed who looks like a guy from Duck Dynasty.
* Also going on is Rules Committee meeting in another room and vendor tables
* Coming up will be contested Governors race and perhaps some others but Gov is main event