Inspired by Black American Patriot Crispus Attucks

Eric Dondero:

They're multi-ethnic, but share a common goal: Promoting liberty and limited government.

They held their first protest outside an NAACP event in downtown Los Angeles in late July. The organizer (up top), is Jessee Lee Peterson, often pitted against Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton representing a conservative point of view on cable news networks.

Some passers-by jeered them (you can see in the video), and called them "sell-out Negroes."

A similar group has been active in Houston for almost a year - Crispus Attucks Tea Party (website) headed by former ACORN whitle-blower Anita Moncrief.

Photo - Crispus Attucks, the very first American ever killed in a military action, Boston Massacre, 1775.

But he brought his Anti-Sexual Liberty values with him

by Eric Dondero

This one is rather unique. Rob McKenna is by all accounts the run-away favorite to be the next Governor of Washington State. He's a moderate-to-conservative Republican. Even the Democrats are conceding that he's the favorite. The State is plagued by "Christine Gregoire" fatigue. The fiery Democrat has been Governor since 2002.

But McKenna has just pulled a primary opponent. He's two-time loser for State House Shahram Hadian. But don't let the name fool you. Hadian coverted to Christianity.

From his campaign bio (photo - right):

Hadian, founder of the TIL (Truth In Love) Project, believes that political correctness has handcuffed our ability to address the critical issues that our country is confronting. A Christian pastor and former Muslim, Hadian has been traveling around the nation speaking on the threat of Shari’ah Law in America.

Born in Iran, Shahram and his family left in 1978 with a sense of urgency. Only a few weeks later, the government of the Shah of Iran was overthrown and an oppressive Islamic regime took over. Leaving with nothing but their suitcases, his family moved to America to seek freedom. After spending his childhood in Canada, Shahram moved back to the U.S., waiting over eight years to legally get his green card, and then another six years waiting to become a proud U.S. Citizen.

Shahram experienced a transformational life change over 12 years ago when he committed his life to Christ. When he became a Christian, he immediately faced persecution and disapproval from his family and culture and, according to Islam became an apostate.

Led effort to ban Bikini-clad Baristas at drive-up Cafes

His background is laudable. Hadian rants against attacks on political free speech. However, he's not at all afraid to support government intervention in other personal freedom areas.

Haidan's one claim to fame. He led a successful effort in Snohomish County, to ban bikini-clad baristas at the all-popular Washington State tradition of drive-up coffee bars. Haidan called the baristas "stripping for tips" even though there was no nudity involved, just the same as you'd see at the beach. He promoted himself in his campaign as the "barista watchdog."

Jalopnik.com (photo credit), a WA State blog explained in 2009 "Killjoy Tattles On Drive-Through Bikini Coffee Shop Customers":

The shops in question are in Snohomish County, Washington, just on the north side of Seattle, and serve coffee while providing eye-candy with bikini-wearing lady baristas. The stalker concerned citizen doesn't like this, thinks its crude and disgusting and offensive and probably hates puppies and the American flag too. Accordingly, he's set about surveilling these establishments, which have been spreading due to popularity and competition, and reporting on his cute little website any instances of a company owned vehicle pulling up for a fresh cup of joe, then advocating a wholesale boycott of those companies. We're pretty certain the term "asshat" isn't derogatory enough.

And we here at Libertarian Republican humbly agree. Hey Hadian, being an American also means you support American cultural values. Not necessarily gentleman's club, and porno shops. But even many American Christians are cool with women showing a little skin at the beach, beauty pageants, and risque cafes that serve mostly truckers and other working stiffs. And besides, the Islamists whom you separate yourself from, hate it. More than enough reason to be pro-bikinis for baristas.

Abolish Edu Dept.; Privatize Postal Service; Sell-off Amtrak; Completely eliminate Dept. of Energy; sharply reduce spending for EPA, HUD

From Eric Dondero:

The Nebraska GOP Senate primary is rich with libertarian-leaning candidates. Last week we highlighted State AG Jon Bruning. He spoke to a Libertarian Party sponsored event near Lincoln. He made a very libertarian statement comparing welfare moochers to racoons, who wanted to get food the easy way, instead of working for it. But Bruning may have met his match in Pat Flynn who wants to abolish the alphabet soup of federal agencies.

TheIndependent.com (Central Nebraska):

Flynn said he would cut spending by federal agencies by completely eliminating the Department of Energy and Department of Education, while sharply reducing spending in agencies such as the EPA and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

He sharply criticized the lack of new U.S. oil refineries since the Department of Energy's creation... work done by the U.S. Department of Education should more properly be done "where it belongs," by parents...

Flynn said he would privatize the U.S. Postal Service, Amtrak and the government printing office, while also cutting U.S. spending for the United Nations by 50 percent.

The "rebels fighting against Ghadaffi are Islamo-Fascists"

But lest anyone mistake him for an isolationist Ron Paulist, Flynn takes a decidedly pro-defense libertarian/anti-Islamist stance on foreign policy. Continuing:

He said he favors an immediate withdrawal from the fighting in Libya. While he said he is no fan of Moammar Gaddafi, Flynn described the rebels fighting against Gaddafi as "Islamo-fascists." He said, "You can't pick a side in this issue."

Flynn said he favors a more gradual withdrawal of troops from Iraq and Afghanistan to prevent those countries from descending into chaos.

He's hardline on Immigration too. His campaign website lists his support for English as America's official language, Workplace compliance for citizenship status, No amnesty, and assimilation to Americanism before immigrants can gain citizenship.

Flynn is a native rural Nebraskan. He's now a Youth Pastor. But interestingly he comes straight out and lays it all on the line in his campaign bio:

Pat’s life was not always exemplary. He had encounters with the law regarding alcohol and marijuana; thankfully the law won regarding these situations.

"America's Jobs Governor"

He's Conservative to the core... As Governor he signed 6 Balanced Budgets and an historic Tax Cut...

More info RickPerry.org

A "key test" for GOP nomination

by Clifford F. Thies

Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachman edged Texas Congressman Ron Paul in the Iowa Straw Poll, 4,823 to 4,671. Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty finished a distant third, with 2,293. Following these three were (in order): Rick Santorum, Herman Cain, Rick Perry (in a write-in effort) and Mitt Romney.

Clearly, Bachman and Paul were the big winners in the straw poll. Mustering nearly 5,000 people to the poll is an indicator of hard core support, Bachmann with mainly the social conservatives and Paul with a great many libertarian conservatives. But, it is not clear whether the showing will translate for either candidate into broader appeal.

From VOA "Bachmann Wins Key Iowa Test Vote, as Perry Announces Candidacy":

Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann won a key test vote Saturday in the U.S. state of Iowa... She is a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and favorite of conservative Tea Party activists seeking lower taxes and a smaller U.S. government.

Nearly 17,000 people took part in the voting in the city of Ames, Iowa.

Finishing third, Pawlenty is in political no man's land. This may be a good enough showing to remain in the race until the Iowa Caucus. Finishing sixth when he was one of only five names on the ballot, does not exactly bode well for Romney. Perry was pretty savvy to hold back his announcement until after this straw poll was conducted.

Sidenotes; In her platform presentation at the straw poll, Bachmann said she was pro-life and will make sure you get to keep the fruit of your labor. Was she merely repeating herself?

Former Governor Gary Johnson didn't even make the cut for Thursday's televised debate. Bummer!!

UPDATE! Breaking news this morning... Reported by Fox News and various media. Tim Pawlenty has decided to drop out of the race.

by Eric Dondero

Michele Bachmann came out on top with 4,823 votes. Ron Paul placed second. Rounded out by Tim Pawlenty in third, Rick Santorum in fourth and Herman Cain fifth. Rick Perry who just announced his candidacy yesterday, soundly beat Mitt Romney, as a write-in.

A hearty congratulations to Congresswoman Bachmann, and to all the placers. (My own preferred candidates - Bachmann, Cain and Perry - did rather well)

But looking past the gala and media frenzy on the winning candidates, a bigger winner was the Republican Party on the whole.

Politico reported late yesterday:

On a mild summer day, 16,892 Iowans cast ballots on the campus here at Iowa State University. That was an increase of nearly 3,000 votes from the 2007 straw poll and an indication of the enthusiasm Iowa Republicans have going into next year’s election.

With my limited math skills, that's roughly a 30% increase in GOP participation.

Extrapolate that nationwide. Such an increase in GOP voter strength could certainly lead to Republican victories in swing states like Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Colorado.

All the candidates should be congratulated for generating enthusiasm not only for their campaigns, but for the whole process within the Republican Party, as well.

Image h/t our friends at PJ Media.