PRO-LIBERTY SUPERHERO PAMELA GELLER STRIKES AGAIN

Ayn Randist Pamela Geller of Atlas Shrugs guest appearance on Mike Huckabee's Fox News show, expressing opposition to the Muslim Mosque to be built 600 feet from the spot of the 9/11 attacks.

Geller takes the explicitly libertarian view: The government should not be involved forcing the Mosque out. However, she implores the peaceful Muslim community to consider the pain and suffering such a Mosque built so close to the 9/11 site, would cause the victims and their families.

Dynamic Tea Party Duo together in Columbia

From Eric Dondero:

Republican sweetheart Sarah Palin made a swing through South Carolina on Friday in support of libertarian-leaning State Rep. Nikki Haley for Governor. Haley early on, showed an economic libertarian streak as a budget cutter in line with Gov. Mark Sanford. (Haley had been a staunch supporter of Sanford in his earlier campaigns.)

Haley has been particularly critical of some of her GOP primary opponents for their past support of bail-outs and the introduction of new revenue sources such as VAT. In response, she's caught criticism herself for her strident libertarian views.

From GreenvilleOn-line:

Greenville public affairs consultant Chip Felkel said Haley, as the Republican with the least name recognition and smallest campaign bank account, may be trying to earn free media exposure and stir up her base, the “Sanford-libertarian wing of the party.”

Palin for her part, told the story of how she herself ran against 4 men of the "ole' boy network," emphasizing tax cuts and fiscal conservatism.

From WCIV-TV Columbia:

Columbia, SC - More than a thousand supporters stood State House (web | news) to hear Sarah Palin endorse Nikki Haley to be the next governor of South Carolina. Palin called Haley a fighter and a winner and also compared the republican candidate for governor to herself. Palin's rally was the end of a busy day for Nikky Haley as she crisscrossed the state.

Halley also has the support of the economic libertarian Club For Growth, and notably Erick Erickson of RedStatewho wrote back in August:

I would say that libertarians and conservatives both need the GOP and need each other. They are not always going to agree. There will be fights over the drug war, marriage, etc. But at the end of the day, both conservatives and libertarians are, or at least must be, committed to smaller government.

I bring this up to point out Nikki Haley. She’s unapologetically pro-life, but she is first and foremost known as a fiscal conservative. She is the type of candidate conservatives claim they want. She is also the type of candidate libertarians claim to want.

A second libertarian Republican is in the race: Lt. Governor Andre Bauer. He is running a race, "against government entitlements."

From The State:

Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer is seeking those who oppose big government entitlements; Attorney General Henry McMaster is a former S.C. GOP chairman and is also opposing the health care law supported by President Barack Obama; Lexington state Rep. Nikki Haley is courting Tea Party activists who want to trim government spending and clean out the good ol' boy network.

Bauer supported such drastic cuts that he was labeled a "Social Darwinist," and garnered national media attention for controversial anti-welfare remarks at a candidate forum.

It is not yet known if the "Sanford/libertarian wing," will rally behind Halley or end up with Bauer. The most recent polls found Bauer in 2nd place to McMaster, with Halley behind in 4th place.

Halley has also picked up the endorsement of Jenny Sanford, former wife of the Governor.

The Republican Liberty Caucus has not made an endorsment in this race.

From the Editor: As with nearly all endorsements, this website follows the lead of the RLC. But we hope for the best for either Ms. Halley or Lt. Gov. Bauer.

NATIONAL SECURITY FIRST!

"Jan Brewer did what she had to do as CEO of that State, to protect the citizens of her State."

(H/t Memeo)

MOVEMENT NEWS

From Eric Dondero:

Two weeks ago, the Republican Party of Maine helds its annual convention. By all accounts the Party, most especially the platform committee, was virtually taken over by a coalition of libertarians affiliated with the Republican Liberty Caucus, Ron Paul supporters and Tea Party Patriots. The resulting platform was hardline libertarian, with a de-emphasis on divisive social matters, but a hardline stance on economic conservatism.

Now another development out of the Pine Tree State. WCSH6 - Portland reports:

PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- The newly reconstituted Libertarian Party of Maine held its first meeting in Portland Saturday.

The Libertarians advocate for smaller government, less spending, and more emphasis on the individual. Maine's Libertarian party lost ballot status in 1992, but now it's easier to stay on the ballot, so the party is hoping to be recognized again.

Libertarians will have to collect petition signatures from at least 5 percent of the voters who cast ballots in the most recent gubernatorial election.

LR FOLLOW-UP

From Eric Dondero:

More and more news websites and blogs are commenting on the new movie Robin Hood and the connection to Tea Party/libertarian views.

From Jared Keller, The Atlantic, The Wire "Is Robin Hood a Tea Partier?":

Robin Hood the Libertarian The New York Times' A.O. Scott concurs, declaring Russell Crowe's Robin Hood a medieval libertarian rather than a proto-socialist. "This Robin is no socialist bandit practicing freelance wealth redistribution, but rather a manly libertarian rebel striking out against high taxes and a big government scheme to trample the ancient liberties of property owners and provincial nobles. Don’t tread on him!" In contrast to O'Sullivan's analysis, Scott stops short at declaring Robin Hood an avatar for the Tea Party movement. "So is 'Robin Hood' one big medieval tea party? Kind of, though that description makes the movie sound both more fun and more provocative than it actually is. The film’s politics, in any case, are more implicit than overt, so that the filmmakers can plausibly deny any particular topical agenda," notes Scott.

I watched the film on premiere night Friday. Libertarian and Anti-Tax themes are explicit in at least two scenes.

Fanatically Jeffersonian

Jordan Mason, a 25-year old Navy Veteran and current student at South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, is running for the City Council of Rapid City. He was recently featured in The Rapid City Journal:

Mason, a 2003 graduate of Rapid City Central High School, has been thinking about running for public office ever since he returned to Rapid City in 2007, after four years in the U.S. Navy. He served on the USS Klakring, stationed out of the Jacksonville, Fla., area and saw ports in Europe and South America. He is a year away from earning an interdisciplinary studies degree at the School of Mines and, once again, is spending a lot of time at Devereaux Library to maintain his 3.8 grade point average. He also works a part-time job as a custodian to help pay bills.

His views are decidedly Constitutionalist. Continuing:

If Mason could have dinner with any historical figure, Thomas Jefferson would be at the top of his list. "I follow after the heart of Thomas Jefferson," Mason said.

A self-described conservative, Mason said many people who know of his libertarian leanings might be surprised to learn that he is a registered Republican. "I am a hard-core constitutionalist and will fight for those rights, no matter what it takes," he said.

Jordan Mason Facebook.

by Eric Dondero

He's at it again. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's raising the hopes of libertarians by promising what's being called in the media "severe" cuts to Welfare and other bloated State Government programs.

From the SacBee:

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger asked lawmakers Friday to eliminate the state's welfare program starting in October and dramatically scale back in-home care for the elderly and disabled as part of his May budget revision to close a $19.1 billion deficit.

The Republican governor also proposed cuts to state worker compensation. Besides asking for a 5 percent pay cut, 5 percent payroll cap and 5 percent increased pension contribution, Schwarzenegger has proposed cutting one day per month of pay in exchange for leave credit.

We've heard this all before from Arnold. Last year he promised the same "dramatic" cuts, and then caved to the Democrat-controlled legislature.

More likely, the consumate dealer is just doing a bit of positioning ahead of negotiations with his Democrat buddies.

Let's hope the the next Governor, be it Meg Whitman or Steve Poizner, has a bit more of Chris Christie's backbone, and less of Schwarzenegger's jelly belly.

(H/t Memeo)

LR FOLLOW-UP

Before a House Committee last week, Attorney General Eric Holder could not utter the words "Islamic Terrorism," in response to repeated questions from Republican members whether Islam could have been a partial motivator for Times Square bomber Faisal Shazhad.

On Fox News, Friday (via The Hill), Congressman Peter King of New York said the following:

"An attorney general who eight and a half years after Sept. 11 does not realize our enemy is radical Islam is either so politically correct or so out of touch that he doesn't deserve to be attorney general. I mean, this is why he wants to have the terror trials of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in Lower Manhattan — he just doesn't get it."

Note - King was a guest on LR's "Libertarian Politics Live," in 2008.

Federal Deficit chart from 1901 to present. It aint pretty! See comparisons of current deficit with that of World War 2 below.  Read the full article here.

by Eric Dondero

I attended Rand Paul's rally for US Senate in Paducah, Kentucky today. I was there to both cover the event, and to show support for Rand's effort from the libertarian wing of the GOP. About 70 Rand Paul supporters were also there to cheer him on. The audience was varied with conservatives, libertarians, independents and even a few interested Democrats sprinkled in.

Paducah is in far Western KY, right on the border with Illinois. The weather was on and off light rain. But Paul gave a good speech despite the weather, emphasizing that his campaign was a "Tea Party effort."

We will have a full report tomorrow morning on the event, as well as a number of exclusive photos.

The primary is tomorrow. Latest polls show Paul comfortably ahead of his primary opponent Trey Grayson. It will be an exciting day tomorrow for libertarian Republicans across the Nation waiting on the returns.

Theo van Gogh style attack, now in the UK

From Eric Dondero:

A prominent British Member of Parliament was stabbed in the stomach by a Muslim woman during a constituency service meeting in his district. Towards the end of a routine meeting with constituents, the woman jumped over a desk and repeatedly lunged a long knife into the abdomen area of Labour MP Stephen Timms. He is said to be in critical but stable condition.

From a late night (US) report from the UK Daily Mail:

Stephen Timms was attacked by the 21-year-old, who appeared to be wearing Muslim dress, at his regular Friday afternoon surgery in his East London constituency.

She lunged at him and stabbed him twice before being wrestled away by a security guard and arrested.

An aide to Timms, 22-year old Andrew Bazeley, wrestled with the woman and took the knife away.

Attacker was wearing a long black Burqa

A witness described a crazed Muslim woman as the perpetrator:

'The security guard had grabbed this Asian woman. She was wearing a long black outfit like what Muslims wear and an orangey headscarf. I think she was a Muslim.

'She wasn't saying anything. They were just grabbing her to keep her still. She was really shaking.

'The Muslim woman seem shocked and distressed. It was the most shocking thing I've ever seen.

Note - in the British press Middle Easterners and most especially Pakistanis are often described as "Asian."

Ironically, Timms is a very popular politician in his East Ham (greater London) district. He is a self-described "Christian Socialist." And he is said to be a friend of the Muslim community.

UPDATE!!

Suspect: Muslim Woman from Bangladesh

OutlookIndia.com is reporting:

A 21-year-old Bangladeshi-origin Muslim woman Roshonara Choudhary was today charged with the attempted murder over stabbing of Labour MP Stephen Timms who escaped death narrowly, and will appear in the court on Monday.

by Eric Dondero

James Bovard is an author and self-proclaimed "scholar" who has been hanging around the fringes of the libertarian movement for decades. Lately he's penned a scathing editorial attacking the libertarian-founded Tea Party movement. Bovard complains that libertarians and conservatives in the movement are not sufficiently pacifist enough, and are too militaristic in fighting Islamo-Fascism. He also complains that Tea Partiers complain too much about foreigners entering the United States illegally.

From The American Conservative (sic), May 11:

Many “tea party” activists staunchly oppose big government, except when it is warring, wiretapping, or waterboarding. A movement that started out denouncing government power apparently has no beef with some of the worst abuses of modern times.

Unfortunately, there is scant evidence that most tea partyers have studied the copies of the Constitution they generously hand out to bystanders.

Tea Partiers have read the Constitution and our Founding Documents. We Tea Partiers understand "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness."

What about the Constitutional rights of those 3000 Americans who died on 9/11? What about the Constitutional rights of the 13 US Army soldiers who were killed by Radical Islamist Major Nidal Hassan at Ft. Hood last December? Don't they deserve that Life and Liberty?

Bovard, typical of Leftists masquerading as "Libertarians," offers no solution for dealing with the threat of Radical Islamism.

One has to wonder how much freedom Bovard would have under Sharia Law? He makes no mention of Islamist opposition to individual liberties; free speech, legalized prostitution, gambling, marijuana, gun rights, and capitalism. Does he really expect that a Muslim-run country will be more willing to grant these Rights?

He goes on to offer snarky remarks about speakers who attended a recent Maryland Tea Party rally. Continuing:

Jeffrey Kuhner, a local talk-show host, sneered that Obama “has found his inner Muslim” and raged against his bowing to foreign leaders and kings. He complained that Obama has “taken over college loans,” and warned that illegal immigrants could be “the shock troops of Obama’s socialist revolution.” The crowd ate it up.

Presumably, Bovard is just fine with American Presidents bowing to foreign leaders, Government-subsidized student loans, illegal aliens and even socialism.

Bottom line: The Tea Party is libertarian; Mr. Bovard is anything but.

From Steve Maloney, LR Contributor:

LR: What do you think most separates you from your eight primary opponents? What sets you apart?

JENERETTE: When you mix motherhood, a USC education with an army paratrooper and years of experience in Local State and Federal government in South Carolina you could end up with a Congressman who is more than just a pretty face in a skirt and high heels on C-span. That¡¦s pretty different.

LR: Specifically, what would be the first two or three things you would do in your first year in office, if elected?

JENERETTE: The first two or three things I intend to do is a list of about two-dozen things starting with the Economy and Jobs and a lot in-between. I don't have to tell the people what our problems are in South Carolina ¡V they know it, we're almost broke from too many taxes and a lot of people are plain scared of losing the jobs they have and the answer isn't in Washington except to get the Federal government red-tape-bureaucracy as far away from small businesses and stop taxing peoples hard earned money.

Second, we have to get our National Security Agenda on track and that starts with securing our borders because if we can send unmanned aircraft drones thousands of miles away to take out targets in Afghanistan we can certainly build a fence along our border with Mexico. Arizona is on the right track and the Federal Governments policies on borders, visas and immigration is screwed up.

Third, I intend to reintroduce my fellow Congressman - especially Speaker Nancy Pelosi - to the U.S. Constitution, and I figure after a while even Pelosi will get tired of me whistling Dixie to her and learn something about us Carolina girls ability to stand our ground up-close and personal.

LR: What do you consider your single most important experience that has prepared you to serve in Congress?

JENERETTE: I'd say the single most important thing was my years as a U.S. Congressional Field Representative for the First District which gave me a ton of experiences about our needs and the needs of the average person in the district. That experience shaped my principles: As a congressman I won't just be representing the right, left or either extreme or the people in the middle - I will represent all the people of my district and that includes the richest businessmen and it includes single-moms with kids who are trying to get them through school to educate them and the ordinary people like me who go to work and pay their taxes and wished their government wasn't so dang big.

Government is supposed to be about people. I've always thought that the bigger the government, the smaller the individual and that one small voice is always important, because when we lose that, we lose what the American dream is all about.

LR: What do you feel has been the most overlooked issue in this campaign?

JENERETTE: I think that when fifty percent of your jobs and working people are involved with the Tourism Economy which I call "Industry without Smoke Stacks." I figure that issue should be up there on the list with the Ports of Georgetown and Charleston harbors. I felt that issue was overlooked and it needs to be part of the conversation, it only came up in the context of the Louisiana Oil Spill and like it on not, tourism is what we do best: Carolina Sun, Sand and Food and Charleston hospitality is who we are.

http://www.jenerette.com

According to Republican Liberty Caucus National Committee member Aaron Bitterman:

The Republican Liberty Caucus has approved the endorsement of Jim Anderson in District 4.

Anderson is an outspoken Hard Right Republican.

Says Anderson on his campaign site:

I pledge to honor my conservative principles, my allegiance to my constituents, my country and the Constitution.

He adds:

No More Lawyers, Elitists, Career Politicians, People Trying to Buy the Office and Moderate RINOs! This election is about giving the voters in the 4th district a choice, where I stand alone as the people's candidate. We have learned that just because someone is a Republican that alone does not mean that they will represent you.

Anderson's top issues include: Emphasis on 2nd and 10th Amendments rights, Fair Tax Act, and The Federal Reserve Transparency Act.

Note - While there are a number of RLC members in Kansas, there is currently no organized chapter. Those wishing to help should contact Bitterman at rlc.org

“During my time in the state legislature, I have stood up to the Beacon Hill agenda of higher taxes and spending, never voting for a tax increase... and I look forward to continuing the fight against higher taxes and spending in the Massachusetts State Senate.”

From Eric Dondero:

There was a little noticed special election on Tuesday in Massachusetts. But in one important way the race had national ties. It was for newly-elected US Senator Scott Brown's former State Senate seat.

The race was by no means assured for the GOP. Brown's district had always been "swing," at best, and in registration totals "lean Democrat."

But the GOP scored a big win.

The Milford Daily News offered an analysis:

Boston — Rep. Richard Ross’s drubbing of Peter Smulowitz in the May 11 special election to fill the seat U.S. Sen. Scott Brown held until February sustained momentum and enthusiasm for Massachusetts Republicans, but left questions about its significance.

Perhaps most significantly, it was tough to read where the 24-point landslide fit into the two dominant strains of conventional political wisdom this year: whether it was a validation of Republican assertions that the electoral tides are flowing their way, or a chink in the notion that voters are bloodthirsty for incumbent scalp...

Ross will now join Libertarian Republican State Senator Bob Hedlund of Weymouth, and 4 other Republicans in the Senate Caucus. Only 5 out of 40 Senators on Beacon Hill are Republican.

Ross received the enthusiastic endorsement of Citizens for Limited Taxation.

Francis J. Faulkner, Executive Director of CLT’s 2 ½ PAC said MassBeacon.com:

“Rep. Ross has also taken the taxpayer protection pledge. This pledge asks candidates to ‘oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes’. Signing the pledge means he is serious about not raising taxes and will focus instead on better management of state revenues.”

by JB Williams

As Democrat New York Governor David Patterson sought to feather the nests of his closest aides and allies with lavish pay increases topping 29%, he was pushing for a furlough of 100,000 state employees in an emergency effort to keep New York state from bellying up under the weight of excessive government waste in one of the highest taxed states in the country.

NYDailyNews:

A federal judge in Albany on Wednesday temporarily halted Gov. Paterson's plan to furlough 100,000 state workers, saying employees could face "irreparable harm" from a 20% pay cut.

The Legislature reluctantly backed Paterson's furlough plan Monday, rather than risk a government shutdown.

Of course Government Employee Labor Unions were furious, taking to the streets of New York like Greek union thugs, threatening to make the streets of New York look like the streets of Athens if someone didn’t step in and stop Patterson from putting 100,000 state workers on the unemployment line.

In rides the knight in shining armor on silver steed, a federal court judge who immediately issues a stay blocking New York from laying off 100,000 workers on the basis of – “it wasn’t collectively bargained” – which means, the labor union objects… and on that basis alone, one man stopped the state of New York, its elected Governor and the state legislature from balancing their own budget before going belly up. End analysis? – Where did states rights go?

Where will that federal judge be when New York payroll checks bounce?

Meanwhile, one must ask, since government jobs are taxpayer funded, why do we even have public sector labor unions which can hold taxpayers hostage under thug collective bargaining rules, perpetually increasing the cost of government to the detriment of every taxpayer, until we hit the bottom of the resource well?

Many other US cities and states are in the same position as New York. Since we now think federal legal precedent is the new supreme law of our land, this judge single handedly established that no city or state has the right to self-govern, unless they clear it with labor union thugs first.

MANLY LIBERTARIAN REBEL

From the NY Times, Review by A.O. Scott, May 14:

You may have heard that Robin Hood stole from the rich and gave to the poor, but that was just liberal media propaganda. This Robin is no socialist bandit practicing freelance wealth redistribution, but rather a manly libertarian rebel striking out against high taxes and a big government scheme to trample the ancient liberties of property owners and provincial nobles. Don’t tread on him!

So is “Robin Hood” one big medieval tea party? Kind of...

From the Editor: I went to see the film this evening. It was indeed libertarian-themed in parts. The issue of taxes, was front and center throughout the entire movie. Taxes without representation was portrayed quite negatively. Two political scenes in particularly stand out; a Braveheart-like moment where Crowe cries out forthrightly "Liberty," and nearing the end, the injustice displayed by King John as he tramples on the Rights of Man. Outside of the politics, it was thoroughly enjoyable from beginning to end. It was a very complex story, much more in-depth than past Robin Hoods, and in some respects a bit difficult to follow. Two or more viewings may be best to full capture the plot.

Libertarians say Kagan is bad, but bigger problem exists

WASHINGTON - Wes Benedict, Executive Director of the Libertarian Party, issued the following statement today:

"Elena Kagan is another bad pick for the Supreme Court. If confirmed, it is likely that she will vote on cases with the intent of advancing political policy goals.

"Kagan will probably vote to advance liberal policy goals, just as some other justices vote to advance conservative policy goals. That is not the place of justices, who should be applying the Constitution, not trying to rewrite it to make society work better according to their views.

"However, the bitter battles over Supreme Court justices expose a more serious problem in our federal government: the legislative and executive branches simply refuse to take the Constitution seriously.

"Once upon a time, Congress felt it had a duty to legislate in accordance with the Constitution. Likewise, past presidents believed that they should veto laws that were not clearly constitutional. But in more recent years, both branches have thrown this crucial duty away. Now their attitude seems to be, 'We can pass anything we want to, and let the Supreme Court deal with it if they don't like it.' That was absolutely not what the American Founders had in mind.

http://www.lp.org

Obama Administration now openly defending Radical Islamists?

Congressman Lamar Smith persists in questioning of Attorney General Eric Holder; desperately tries to get an answer to his question - Could Radical Islam have been a factor in the Times Square Bombing and other similar recent Islamic Terrorist attacks on the US.

Right Pundit Michelle Malkin called Holder's performance "pussy-footing" and "dancing around," worthy of Dancing with the Stars.

(H/t Breitbart & Memeo Memeo II)

We are going to do a special blog series on the new http://www.lpin.org. We want to know WHY are you are a Libertarian Party member? Did you leave the GOP? Did you leave the Democrats? Were you politically homeless? How did you learn about the LP? Who was influential in bringing [...]