Category Archives: Libertarian

Thursday, April 20, 2017 10:58 p.m. CDT

Libertarian Party logo.

TOMAHAWK, WI (WSAU-WXPR) -- The Libertarian Party of Wisconsin is bringing their convention and liberty retreat this weekend to Treehaven near Tomahawk.

Founded in 1971, Libertarians run on the platform that the government should not interfere in any personal, family, or business decision.

Phillip Anderson ran in last year's U.S. Senate race and is the interim Wisconsin party Director. He believes Libertarians have positioned themselves for the future.

Anderson said, "We had a lot of people that joined the Libertarian Party. We had a lot of people who identified as Libertarians already but hadn't been engaged in politics. In particular, because of the two candidates that were offered up by Republicans and Democrats, was an opportunity to open up people's eyes to see what's wrong with government, what's wrong with the two big parties. We were able to do that relatively successfully, grow our ranks and increase our visibility."

Anderson says the party is being seen more frequently on the ballot.

"Not because the ballot access laws have changed, that's the unfortunate part, but we're getting better organized and people are more willing to have more choices on the ballot. As I was campaining for U.S. Senate, there were a lot people who identified as Republicans and Democrats but were happy to sign my petition because they felt that regardless of how they voted, they wanted more choices for everybody on the ballot."

Anderson says they will be electing new state officers and representatives this weekend for the state's Congressional districts. The convention is Friday evening through Sunday.

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Libertarian State Convention this weekend | News | WSAU - WSAU

Ken Krall and Phillip Anderson

A state political convention is coming this weekend to the Northwoods.

The Libertarian Party of Wisconsin is hosting a convention and liberty retreat this weekend at Treehaven near Tomahawk. Founded in 1971, Libertarians strongly oppose any government interference into their personal, family, and business decisions.

Phillip Anderson ran in last year's U.S. Senate race and is the interim Wisconsin party Director.

He says among the speakers is the party's national leader...

"....Libertarian national party chair Nick Sarwark is the keynote speaker. We also have Professor Joseph Daniels, Economics Professor at Marquette University and the radio show host Glenn Klein(Milwaukee radio) will also be speaking...."

Anderson says he thinks Libertarians have positioned themselves for the future....

"...we had a lot of people that joined the Libertarian Party. We had a lot of people who identified as Lilbertarians already but hadn't been engaged in politics. In particular because of the two candidates that were offered up by Republicans and Democrats was an opportunity to open up people's eyes to see what's wrong with government, what's wrong with the two big parties. We were able to do that relatively successfully, grow our ranks and increase our visibility....."

Anderson says the party is being seen more frequently on the ballot...

"....not because the ballot access laws have changed, that's the unfortunate part, but we're getting better organized and people are more willing to have more choices on the ballot. As I was campaining for U.S. Senate, there were a lot people who identified as Republicans and Democrats but were happy to sign my petition because they felt that regardless of how they voted, they wanted more choices for everybody on the ballot...."

Anderson says they will be electing new state officers and representatives in the Congressional districts. The convention is Friday evening through Sunday at Treehaven.

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Libertarian Party State Convention This Weekend At Treehaven ... - WXPR

Being Libertarian

Bitcoin 101 For Morons Being Libertarian If you're an idiot and you want to know what Bitcoin is, you're in the right place. Some time ago, I became more engaged with the libertarian community and kept hearing about Bitcoin; so, I decided to investigate. The only problem is that I'm an idiot ... and more »

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Bitcoin 101 For Morons - Being Libertarian

The Harbinger of Hope Being Libertarian David Leyonhjelm is Australia's answer to Rand Paul and our last hope for a world which isn't bogged down by the gritty fallout from the Frankfurt School touching down on our soil. As a senator in New South Wales, Leyonhjelm espouses libertarian ...

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The Harbinger of Hope - Being Libertarian

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By: Elias J. Atienza

Mass Effect: Andromeda has only been out for a couple of weeks, but the game already has me thinking about its libertarian themes. It is set 600 years after the events of the original Mass Effect trilogy, which centered around Commander Shepard and his efforts to stop a galaxy-wide extinction from the mysterious Reapers, bypassing the controversial ending of Mass Effect 3.

Credit: Roston Johnson/Mustang News

The majority of the libertarian themes within Mass Effect: Andromeda come from the Andromeda Initiative being a civilian project, not unlike SpaceX and our real life Elon Musk. It is built on the foundation of space colonization in a distant galaxy, with a 100,000 individuals of different backgrounds and species coming together to do so. It blazes a new frontier, one where governments have not been established and privatization rules the landscape. The objective of the Andromeda Initiative is to establish a foundation in the Heleus Cluster of the Andromeda galaxy, which is more than 2.5 million light years away from the Milky Way. It carries the brightest minds humanity and her allies have to offer: scientists, engineers, military specialists and traders, all of whom are dedicated to the mission of exploration.

The theme that resonates most with libertarians is probably that of diplomacy. The Tempest, which is the ship the Pathfinder uses, isnt heavily armored or armed, and the exploration vehicle, the Nomad, lacks a gun. The goal of the mission is to create new relationships with the species of the Andromeda galaxy, as highlighted by the extensive library and archives dedicated to teaching others. Of course there is a need for self-defense, so the Pathfinder does have access to high-end gear and weapons if necessary. However, the primary goal is to talk to the aliens inhabiting the cluster, not to shoot them.

Other libertarian ideas blossom throughout the game as well. Governments are portrayed as oppressive, as seen in the Kadara port and slums. The Angarans (the native species of Heleus) had been living under Kett occupation for decades. But the Kadara port is liberated by a band of Nexus exiles who were kicked off the station for rebellion. As a result, the Angaran are ruled by a pirate gang who extorts them just like the Kett. However, this new found corporate rule is in line with anarcho-capitalists, which are part of libertarian thought. The exiles charge protection fees and kick out anybody who doesnt pay them. Physical removal, so to speak, which would make libertarian anarcho-capitalist philosopher Hans Hermann Hoppe cry with joy.

However, the most prominent libertarian theme is that of self-reliance. There is no massive government, there is no welfare. Only the reliance on yourself, your friends and a lot of firearms. Unlike Commander Shepard, there is no military hierarchy you can fall back on for support, no massive fleet there to help save the day. It tells of the days of Mass Effect 2, when Commander Shepard had nobody but his crew and ship to rely on in order to take out the Collectors.

Mass Effect: Andromeda is probably the most libertarian game of the series. It reminds me of Firefly in a way, but much more nuanced and even more libertarian. Andromeda is filled with these little pointers. Its not as good as the other Mass Effect games, but it is still a fun way to waste time, just like the Libertarian Party.

diplomacyGovernmentgun rightslibertarianismMass EffectMass Effect AndromedaSci-FI

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'Mass Effect: Andromeda': A Libertarian Dreamscape - The Libertarian Republic

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By Paul Meekin

The best scene in the low-budget indie film A Better Place involves a conversation in a chapel between an evil banker and an evil police officer. Together, they outline just how easy it would be for a bank or government to seize the assets including thehome, of someone they dont like, just by having a single officer willing to corrupt their code for their personal gain.

This scene is intelligent, knowledgeable about its subject, speaksdirectly to libertarian ideals of property rights and their notion of too much government control, and comes from a place of authority.

Whoever wrote this scene knew enough about itto perk me up which is saying something because after 45 minutes of being very, very, very, confused, I was about ready to bail.

Why? Because A Better Place isnt a very good movie.

The plot follows Jeremy, a man who is suddenly all alone in this world after his mother dies unexpectedly from a heart-attack. Jeremy has never been allowed outside. In fact he was homeschooled and rarely allowed to associate with anyone but his mom.

Why? He has superpowers, sort of.

Essentially, anytime a jerkhurts Jeremy, that force is transferred to the person that jerk loves most.Which is about as convoluted as youd think, but leads to a cute moment involving a character who is literally in love with herself.

Theres also the aforementioned asset forfeiture subplot, a drunk mother, a romance, an affair between a reverend and a trophy wife, a jock thats a bully, and a sort of weird and muddled Jesus metaphor toward the end.

This is a busy movie and the super-power stuff doesnt really slot in with the mystery vibe the flick is going for. The good stuff involving big businesscontrol and bullying and power dynamics exists to serve the sci-fi plot, when in reality theyd be better off on their own especially when you consider Jeremys powers are by-design reactionary which is NAP friendly I suppose, but makes for a weird hero.

Ultimately the problems lie in editing, script, lighting, and pacing. The asset forfeiture stuff doesnt kick in until about halfway through the picture. Most every character is one-dimensional and holds no surprise.

For example, Perry Thomas, playing Sheriff Bower, brings an intensity that is undermined by its obviousness. There are too many long gazes, deep stares, and snarls to take him as anything other than a cartoon character. Had he received notes on toning it down a little, there might have been a touch of mystery regarding his characters intentions.

Along those lines, the acting is mostly good, but sabotaged by scenes that languish too long, are over-the-top in their malice, or detour into the comically vulgar including scenes of nudity and oral fixation that seem to exist primarily to exist.

They say a sign of a bad porno is when you notice too many people walking through doors. The sign of a bad indie movie is when you notice too many scenes involving characters sitting at tables. Show, dont tell, as they say.

And thats the problem.This movie is flat. Like a TV pilot more than a film. Like a film-students college thesis more than a film. Theresnearly half-a-dozen fade to blacks, an on-the-nose musical number, flat angles, flat lighting and other amateur issues that could be rectified by a quality editor and some lighting to make things look a little lesscheap.

As a note to indie filmmakers; spend what limited budget you have on lighting, cinematography, and editing. Film is a visual medium and the human eye can and will immediately assume a movie ischeap if it doesnt look or feel like an actual release. If somethinglooks good, or at least unique, its easier to forgive quite a lot.

Look, Im not going to harp on the movie too much more other than to say if youre looking for an often-times unintentionally funny movie that also harbors some genuine Libertarian ideals, you could check it out even if I cant recommend it personally.

Besides, the ultimate message of A Better Place exists outside the movie; if you have gumption, drive, and willpower, you can literally literally do anything. Including making an well-intentioned but ultimately crummy movie.

The Director, producers, actors, funders, and promoters of this movie cared enough to get it made despite zero studio backing, a wonky plot, and very little name talent. This isnt a big-budget blunder, its an indie-film misfire that means well and misses the mark.

Say what you will about Hollywood, but filmmaking equipment, resources, and distribution channels are so abundant that if you have the actual capital and drive to make a movie, you can.

Entertainment Media is the free-market defined. Put your voice out there, and if people want to hear it, youll know. But you have to do it. Its the definition of libertarian gumption- Personal responsibility and drive.

Heck, even Director Dennis Hoshould take another crack at making a movie. Rumor has it hes really into energies and the third eye and things of that ilk. If he can write and direct a movie about that as well as he did the scenes involving the corporate scheming inthis movie, I think hell have a much better product on his hands at the end of the day and itmight actually teach you something, too.

But if theres one thing I know about making an indie film its nearly impossible to get everything you want. Mr. Ho may have been required to toss in the Sci-Fi stuff to get someone to fund him. May have run out of time. His lighting guy might have quit. Who knows.

I do know that on the relatively new Libertarian Republic Movie Rating System on a scale of Karl Marx to Ron Paul, A Better Place gets a rating of The Libertarian Partys Social Media Manager.

Like The Libertarian Party proper, A Better Place holds ideas and notions and thoughts that speak directly to a Libertarian mindset. Unfortunately all the confusing muck in between makes it almost impossible to recommend and mightjust put you off the good aspects entirely.

At the very leastA Better Place doesnt Hail Satan.

A Better PlaceDennis HoEntertainment Mediafree marketHollywoodLibertarian MoviesMovie Review

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'A Better Place': Indie Cinema's Libertarian Gumption - The Libertarian Republic

Being Libertarian

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The Liberty Conservative

Libertarian Party Of Nevada Endorses Sabotaging Own Party's Convention With Leftist Tactics The Liberty Conservative The Vice Chair of the Libertarian Party of Nevada has proposed an elaborate sabotage campaign based on far leftist tactics to take down their own conference! David Colburne, Vice Chair of the Libertarian Party of Nevada, used the official website of ...

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Libertarian Party Of Nevada Endorses Sabotaging Own Party's Convention With Leftist Tactics - The Liberty Conservative

Afraid theyll invite alt-right transphobes to campus

Wichita State Universitys student government will recognize a newly formed libertarian student organization, an about-face from its rejection of the clubearlier this month.

Student senators had blocked official recognition of the Young Americans for Liberty (YAL) chapter because of its dangerous free-speech agenda and the hateful behavior practiced by the national organization.

The senates decision drew nationwide scorn, with the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) warning the administration that the senates move violated the First Amendment.

A student senator still wants to censor the new chapter, asking colleagues in a senate meeting Wednesday how they would be able to block transphobic speakers if they allow YAL on campus.

YAL is perhaps best known for some of its chapters sponsoring appearances by Milo Yiannopoulos, the gay anti-feminist provocateur.

You discriminated against them

The student governments six-member judicial body unanimously overruled the senate, saying the chapters viewpoints were protected free speech and the public universitys bylaws explicitly prohibit blanket bans of organizations based on their affiliation.

Its decision prompted vigorous debate about 26 minutes into Wednesdays senate meeting.

MORE: Student government rejects YALchapter because its dangerous

Vice President for Student Affairs Teri Hall, who filed the complaint with the Supreme Court, told student senators they had violated everything youre supposed to stand for as student government, according to an archived video of the meeting.

You talk about not discriminating and you discriminated against them.

What if they invite a speaker from an alt-right entity where they express white supremacist ideas and transphobic thoughts, Sen. Debbie Ojeda asked Hall. How can we stop that from happening? Because I see this as being a disaster for this university.

Hall said speakers come to campus all the time that students may not want us to bring, even those less controversial than YAL, but Wichita State is built on freedom of speech. The administrator asked Ojeda not to judge this chapter for the actions of other YAL chapters.

Im not judging, said Ojeda. I think you are, Hall replied.

Im just scared, Ojeda said, citing legislation allowing concealed carry on campus starting in July. As a queer student of color, Im afraid.

KKK, Neo-Nazis, Young Americans for Liberty all in same league

Ojeda wrote on Facebook Saturday that she didnt expect those who are privileged to understand her view that YAL is against our very existence.

I don't expect those who are privileged to understand, quite honestly, I am not surprised of the comments stating that "

Posted by Debbie Ojeda-Leitner onSaturday, April 15, 2017

In my 29 years, this has been the hardest sense of minority stress I have ever experienced, Ojeda wrote in an op-ed in The Sunflower Friday. After YAL was approved, she came home in tears.

She also wrote that Hall had made her feel blatantly disrespected and said it was Halls choice to override the decision. The administrator is not a member of the Supreme Court.

YAL is like other hate groups like the Klu Klux Klan [sic], Neo Nazis, and the Westboro [Baptist] Church, Ojeda wrote. They use freedom of speech as a tool to condone violent language toward minority groups.

She angrily responded to Halls comparison of the senate rejecting YAL to its hypothetical rejection of Wichita States existing Muslim Student Association (MSA), which also faced opposition when it came to campus.

MORE: Student government restricts who can use inclusion pledge

Such a comparison adds a layer of racial injustice, Ojeda wrote. Those who are vehemently against MSA because of its ties with a terrorist organization are being racist and Islamophobic it is different from my opposition of [sic] YAL.

She had told the senate about 36 minutes into the meeting that being Muslim doesnt make you dangerous, which started a three-way argument among senators.

Halls comments on MSA may have touched a nerve with student senators. Last month the administrator fought off accusations that she had suggested Muslim students wash their feet in a janitors closet before prayer, in response to their request for a special wash station.

Ojeda did not respond to a Facebook query from The College Fix to elaborate about the difference between YAL and MSA.

Its agenda is helping you understand the tax code

YAL found an outspoken ally in Paul Raymond after the student senator attended one of the chapters meetings earlier last week. Some members were LGBTQ, he noted at the senate meeting.

[H]opefully their intentions are not to undermine their own identities for the sake of an agenda, said Raymond. They planned to take advantage of tax-filing season to educate students about the United States tax code, he told senate colleagues.

There seems to be a shift in campus culture, YAL Wichita State founder Maria Church told FIRE. We are encouraged by this small win, but there is still work to be done. At Young Americans for Liberty, we are committed to fighting for the First Amendment on campuses across the country.

MORE: Student government threatens papers budget for publishing crime reports

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Student government forced to recognize libertarian student group it called 'dangerous' - The College Fix

Being Libertarian

Entertainment Taxes Hurt Locals Being Libertarian No one has ever said that taxes are fun; but is it possible that taxes can be used specifically to fight fun? I live in a small town about an hour away from Pittsburgh, one of my favorite places to go for entertainment. The only problem is that ...

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Entertainment Taxes Hurt Locals - Being Libertarian