RichmondLiberty.org

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/06/20/bloomberg.ap/index.html

With the funding he's got could he tip the scales as an independent candidate? If he makes it to the presidential debates will that undermine giving up our ticket to back Ron Paul or create incentive for Ron to run as a Lib? How will this affect Guiliani whose support put him over the top in his mayoral run? Does this mean more rats will leave the sinking ship of the GOP?
Send your opinions to henrico@richmondliberty.org

Posted by Robert Russo at 08:39 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

by Robert Russo

The apparent takeover of the Gaza Strip by Hamas broke on CNN Thursday along with most other news services, but not AOL News which is sort of like getting your news from Late Night. They ran the Duke rape case instead, and the current top stories as I write this are Storm Swamps Mobile Homes, Wal-Mart Dumps Familiar Icon, Cops Round Up 700 in Global Online Pedophile Ring, Sextuplet Births Spark Debate About Fertility Drugs, Fashion Journalist Faces Sentencing for Bizarre Attack, Airport Security Counters Mom's 'Sippy Cup' Claim.* A coup d'etat in an important part of the world is certainly more newsworthy to me than this week's domestic issues, but perhaps not the best scoop for an internet provider greeting its members with new features. Are libertarian forums like this? Is foreign affairs just presumed to be one of the least items on the agenda? It's true that we have more domestic issues than anyone because we question every part of our society that otherwise goes unthought. In the nations of Europe being informed seems to equate with global events because there is relatively less groundbreaking local news in a small overcrowded culture-state. We libs would be fighting tooth and nail against the public surveillance cameras in Britain, religious persecution in France and educational persecution in Germany.** (Although I say this with little knowledge of how activists in Europe are doing right now.) Unfortunately in our country being informed means getting the gossip. Relevance is minimized to how it affects the people and products that matter, success dependent on their favor. What the rest of the world thinks isn’t common knowledge.

The Palestinian Conflict is a textbook on how not to fight for independence, just as the American Revolution is a discourse on its success. Because they don't respect government, the terrorists are the only ones who seem to understand revolution must be swift or it doesn't work! The side to which we are allied likes the legislative process and committees. The slow, staggering, "let's make it economically feasible", never gonna happen strategy. A revolutionary abandons doubt and fear. We would not be activists if everyone already agreed with us, it has to be rallied in one united positive action that influences culture and ideals like the Declaration of Independence. Everyone wants peaceful, problem-free transition, and this normally practical savvy must be cast aside for one paradigm idea. It requires spitting in the face of law, government and responsibility. It is far more precarious to try to maintain a constituency over a long process, everyone splitting off into their own camps. There is far more violence in the hopelessness of stagnation than there is in a decisive agreement people will come to accept. (The fight for American independence was not a mutual land dispute and agreement lost to infighting, but there's no such thing as a perfect analogy.)

Having never been to the Middle East, I believe our concept of terrorists vs. the moral majority doesn't exist there except to diplomats who have adopted American-speak. The state of our nation in 1776 is what Palestinians feel they are in right now. We had our own terrorist group, the Sons of Liberty, who went around tarring and feathering tax collectors. That is how they see Hamas. How can a nation broker its independence when an inseparable chunk of its constituency uses terrorist measures and has the support of everyone's friends and neighbors? We are self-righteous to think its easy to draw a line. A recent survey "shocked" the nation (or at least the reporters) that one out of four American Muslims under 30 agree martyrdom is acceptable in some cases to defend one's religion, leading the New York Post to publish "Time Bombs in Our Midst: 26% of Young U.S. Muslims Back Killings", dehumanizing and misinterpreting them. Muslims see their religion as under assault. The article "Who Are Terrorists?" provided by Bill Walker considers all anti-government groups, issues and beliefs "domestic terrorism" (next to what appears to be an image of the Swamp Fox).***

A gang of faceless, nameless gunmen running a state is the ultimate perversion of independence. They represent neither the people nor themselves. Guerilla government is a product of desperation, along with tactics like suicide bombing and child soldiers. Desperation and despair come from stagnant social, economical and political establishments that do not turn with the wheel of frequent, healthy revolutions. Stagnancy is confused for stability but all it comforts is the mob. It pacifies fear, uniting our fears into one huge oversight. Ignorance is what makes people nameless and faceless, incapable of governing. Revolution leaves no concern unnoticed, even if one is not on the winning side it provides hope that things continuously change. I look for updates on this conflict at cnn.com.

*www.aol.com
**http://www.richmondliberty.org/mt/2007/01/homeschooling_now_an_internati.php
***http://www.pa-aware.org/who-are-terrorists/domestic-6.asp

Question of the Week: It was announced yesterday and today that the Palestinian authority having separated itself from all Hamas activity is backed by both the U.S. and Israel and will continue to receive aid. This is a good sign. Any group fighting for its independence has the difficult task of allying its members or cutting loose detractors. Are we libertarians in the same boat? Send your thoughts to henrico@richmondliberty.org.

If you have topics of interest to Libertarians please let us know. We welcome your input!

Posted by Robert Russo at 11:57 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

http://www.timesdispatch.com/cva/ric/news.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2007-06-14-0164.html
 
Check out this brief update on our state's garbage-importing monopoly.  I was employed for a short time by Campaign Virginia against this issue (those ads in the Sunday paper that say "help save our natural resources").  At that time 25 states were importing their trash into Virginia, making us the second-largest importer of waste behind Pennsylvania.  This report says that gap has narrowed by 8.7 million tons, after the building of new landfills in Prince William County and Norfolk.  There are plans to increase the number of barges on the James River to include Charles City as a trash port.*
When a grassroots organization canvasses key precincts all over the state for years (in conjunction with other lobbying to ensure relevancy) collecting a high volume of signatures and it has no effect, its a sign that public opinion is meaningless. Landfills are just one of many pet projects that each county bureaucracy has to fund their private ambitions.
 
"The landfill has enabled the county to build three schools and hold down taxes."* Urbanization complicates and swindles the life of everyone living in a given area, attracting special interests to manipulate zoning and enforce eminent domain, confusing the true role of government and spending. Rural counties promote a straightforward life of personal responsibility where all a legislator has to do is represent the people who live there, not encourage new business or play the markets. The more rural and pristine a county is the less money is needed.

"We are really taking on other states' environmental and financial responsibilities,"* -Jim Sharp, Campaign Virginia

One of the posts at the end of the article is mine. It's amazing that waste management employees etc. post their emphatic support, thinking as long as the editor looks for a "range" of opinions to post, it will appear that the public is split down the middle on the issue (as if waste management employees make up half the populace). Thinking that just because they are the ones paid to do this dirty work it means they as citizens are being considered by local government and not its own private ambitions. That kind of "consideration" is fleeting.

*http://www.timesdispatch.com/cva/ric/news.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2007-06-14-0164.html

Posted by Robert Russo at 06:03 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

We've got two Democratic and two Republican Primaries in the area:

Democrat 9th Senate

Sen. Ben Lambert vs Del. Donald McEachin.
Donald McEachin is one of the most energetic anti-freedom Delegates in the House. If the Democrats ever want to stand for freedom again, people like him must be stopped. Admittedly, Lambert isn't anywhere close to being a libertarian, but do you want a highly energized anti-freedom person or a non-energized anti-freedom person. I live in this district and I'll be voting for Sen. Ben Lambert

Democrat 74th House

This is a tough one...
Morrissey would be amusing just to see who he'll physically attack next.
Goodall ran two years ago as an independent.
Lambert is the son of Sen. Lambert. Lambert also has answered the VCDL survey.
Miles was defeated by McEachin last time for this seat. His record in the General Assembly wasn't great but it was better than a lot of Democrats.
Jackson has been the only one we've been able to contact.

A high ranking local Democrat pointed out they all want to do the same things and that the choice really boils down to who you think will provide the best service. Of course none of them have a pro-freedom agenda.

Honestly I haven't made up my mind yet. I'm considering Jackson, because she's the only one that has her contact information easily available. However I'm also considering Lambert because he answered the VCDL survey really well for a Democrat. Miles should also be considered since he had a very slightly ok record in the General Assembly, and while he seems to be generally anti-freedom he is another low energy anti-freedom guy.

Republican 12th Senate

This is a no brainier. Sen. Stosch is one of Virginia's Least Wanted. Blackburn is running on lowering taxes. He also strongly supports restoring our 2nd amendment rights and has been endorsed by some of the better small government Republicans. On issues where libertarians and Republicans agree, he'll be a strong advocate (He is a Republican so he won't go far enough, but he will be an improvement over Stosch). If I could vote in the 12th Senate District Primary, I'd vote for Joe Blackburn.

Republican 72nd House

I got a call yesterday from Sen. John Warner asking me to vote for Wheat (someone must have given them a bad list since I'm in the heart of the 74th district). However if the likes of Mr. "repeal the posse comitatus act" supports Wheat, we can be sure that Wheat is the wrong man for the job.
Well what about Jimmie Massie? His website brags that Supervisor Dave Kaechele and Supervisor Dick Glover have endorsed him. He might not share Kaechele's and Glover's love of higher taxes and big government micromanagement, but why take a chance.
This leaves Subramaniam about whom I have no useful information. Without more info, None of the Above might be the best choice.

Of course all these races lack a true libertarian voice. If you want to change that, now is the time to contact your local LP affiliate about the elections in 2009.

Posted by Leonard Harris at 10:28 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

by Robert Russo

There are important social issues which never come up in political debates because no candidate aspires to be a cultural leader. Presidents who become cultural icons like JFK or impact moral issues like Bill Clinton do so unintentionally, waiting for "history to judge them" in its own time. Their effect on our national culture means nothing to them, and so no one takes responsibility for the increasing demoralization and decay in civic involvement and spirit. President Bush attends church every Sunday but leaves the citizen to guide himself in the lifestyle of citizenship with the help of religious and social leaders that have no government responsibility. He considers it forbidden territory, even though his own decisions impact our moral and civic territory.

I have never written in criticism of the world's greatest youth organization, being a scoutmaster and lifetime member of the Heart of Virginia Council (formerly Robert E. Lee Council), but it is a good vantage point to observe the continuing drop in community participation everywhere and lack of moral direction in the lives of young people. The Scout Oath and Law are the basis for good citizenship (perhaps the only written ones left), and outdoorsmanship itself is a guide to freedom and personal responsibility. Our council is a microcosm of the Richmond area. It is made up of individual troops, every one of them unique, run by the individual scouts, and the council bureaucracy is a detached body increasingly mistrusted for having the wrong priorities, making poor decisions and appointing people that do not represent its members. This separation increases every year. Sound familiar? My unit which is the oldest in our county has watched the scouting movement transform from helping old ladies cross the street to what it is today. See if you can spot the parallels in our greater society:

1. The scout handbook was amended to make it more concise, cutting out parts of our written traditions reducing them to oral traditions. Periodical publications are no longer in printed form, so not having information physically in hand lessens discussion and increases confusion. Going online reduces the need to commune with others.

2. Survival skills are watered down for fear of liability. Sheath knives are outlawed, campfires forbidden on most trips, wilderness areas now off-limits for being too wild. The Order of the Arrow has lost its mystery as a secret brotherhood now that induction ceremonies are held indoors and ordeals are called "service weekends". When boys are unimpressed what incentive is there to join? Apparently being able to survive on your own is not needed in today's world.

3. The camp staff has not been replaced by a new generation but retired volunteers, females and other non-scouts hired off the street. It was once a fraternity with advancement earned through the trust of peers as a scout advances in his patrol, but the wheel is no longer turning. There has not been a recruiting drive in years. Why would anyone in authority knowingly give up their control?

4. Programs are catered more toward entertainment than the betterment of young men. Each year more boys are disinterested in summer camp because there is not enough thrill-based activity to compete with civilization. Without the creature comforts they are used to it has no appeal. This immaturity is passed on to the administration who instead of kindling scout-like interests, caters to whatever will get more business. This year the activity schedule has been increased replacing the troop's time in the campsite and daily rest period at the hottest part of the day. A week-long canoeing excursion is also being offered in lieu of camp, so the entire experience of outdoor living, being part of a community and learning a variety of skills has been replaced by a single sport. (Ironically most available spots were filled up immediately, so it is an ambition most boys will not actually get to have like the Nintendo Wii.) Changing the incentives changes society and the individual. It makes them dependent, transforms competition from productive sport to a mob.

5. The most valuable and knowledgeable people with 30+ years under their belt wouldn't be caught dead at "official" BSA gatherings. The monthly scoutmasters' roundtable in our district is like a ghost town. Representatives do not come to the troops, they demand we come to them, and so the decisions are made without our consent.

Because of this dilution newer boys require extra effort and attention, but there are fewer people to give it. Everywhere you look, at public events, libertarian gatherings and charitable causes there seem to be fewer contributors. And people have legitimate reasons, but they tell me they have never been busier in their lives. Why is this? As the Richmond area grows it increases the number of bodies in schools, churches, on the road and all public places increasing the workload of the same small number of servicemen. Non-English speakers often have large families to bring to parks and the classroom but may not know how to volunteer (which is not to say they can't, but even English-speakers don't settle here to contribute to the community, they come for their own purposes). People just assume community service is being done. Their busy lives are directed toward one area of interest just as young boys.

There is no disloyalty in saying this because the BSA is a volunteer organization and many members are outspoken critics. Troops are independently chartered and would continue to function even if there was no council. Unfortunately there is no effective forum to voice these opinions. The process of young people deprived of character-building interests becoming deprived adults who give nothing back to the community can be clearly observed.

Question of the Week: Whichever community group, events or service you lend a helping hand, does it seem to you that there is less public drive to participate than there used to be? Even emergency services? Who on the outside is responsible for encouraging community service in general? Send your thoughts to henrico@richmondliberty.org.

If you have topics of interest to Libertarians please let us know. We welcome your input!

Posted by Robert Russo at 01:01 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

http://www.cnn.com/2007/EDUCATION/06/06/graduation.decorum.ap/index.html

This ties in with last week's topic. An institution trains people in captivity for 12 years to be awarded a piece of paper they say is of great value, then withhold it on graduation day because the students' families are cheering. I particularly liked the phrase "keepsake diplomas"* given out just for show (that's right folks, diplomas are just printed paper). People are led to think a diploma is the product of their hard work and study, but you can't have rights to something that doesn't actually exist. The school system invented them and they can revoke them. Student pride only serves to keep students agreeable in captivity.

"The central Illinois school district... ...will continue efforts to make commencement a respectful and dignified occasion..."* Respect has to be deserved.

"...her daughter Amanda was handed the diploma by a high school secretary, not principal Tom Chiles. At least he could have come out and shook her hand and said congratulations."* You only congratulate someone if you think they've accomplished something.

*http://news.aol.com/topnews/articles/_a/school-relents-gives-out-diplomas/20070601155509990001?ncid=NWS00010000000001

Posted by Robert Russo at 12:39 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

The Patrick Henry Supper Club Presents:

Del. Jennifer L. McClellan (D-71)

As noted two months ago our usual location (Eastern Buffet) has had a "small" fire. It has reopened, however we already have reservations at another location. Therefore we will meet at:

Thai Diner
8059 W Broad St
Richmond, VA
(in Westland Shopping Center)

6:00pm Dinner 7:00pm main event.

The meeting after this one, we will return to our usual location.

More about the speaker:

Jennifer McClellan was elected to represent the 71st District in the Virginia House of Delegates in 2005. She serves on the House Commerce & Labor and Education Committees. In 2006, Governor Kaine appointed Jennifer to the Commission on Sexual Violence, and the Speaker appointed her to the Civil Rights Memorial Commission, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Commission, and the Board of Trustees of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Living History and Public Policy Center. Jennifer is a member of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus.

Jennifer is Assistant General Counsel Mid-Atlantic South for Verizon Communications, focusing on state regulatory matters for the District of Columbia, North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. She is Secretary of Virginia State Bar Young Lawyers Conference and Immediate Past Chair of the Virginia State Bar’s Corporate Counsel Section. Jennifer is a member of the Virginia Bar Association Administrative Law Section Council, the VBA Young Lawyers Division, the American Bar Association Legal Opportunities Scholarship Fund Committee and Young Lawyers Division, and the Old Dominion, Richmond, and Metropolitan Richmond Women’s Bar Associations.

Jennifer serves as Vice President of the State Board of the Sorensen Institute of Political Leadership, and is a graduate of the Institute’s 2001 Political Leaders Program and 2005 Candidate Training Program. Since 2004, Jennifer has served on the Board of the Richmond Metropolitan Authority. Jennifer also serves as Vice President of the Board of Trustees for the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia, and is a member of the boards of the Virginia Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs, Flagler Home at St. Joseph’s Villa, Boaz & Ruth, and the Oliver White Hill Foundation. Jennifer is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, the Junior League of Richmond, the Fan District Association, the Fan Women’s Club, the League of Women Voters, and the Richmond Crusade for Voters. She is a member of the 2004 Class of Leadership Metro Richmond.

Jennifer currently serves as 1st Vice Chair, Organization for the Democratic Party of Virginia, and is a member of the Democratic National Committee and the Association of Democratic Chairs. Jennifer previously served as Vice Chair for Outreach and Chair of the 3rd Congressional District Democratic Committee. She has been active with local Democratic committees in Richmond, Chesterfield County, and Charlottesville. She served three consecutive terms as president of the Virginia Young Democrats (1994-1997), and is the founding president of the Metro Richmond Area Young Democrats (1997-2004).

Prior to elected office, Jennifer served Governor Mark Warner on the Virginia College Building Authority (2002-2005), serving two years as Vice Chair.

Jennifer has received several awards in recognition of her dedicated community and public service. In 2007, Jennifer was named one of the Top Young Lawyers in Virginia by Virginia Super Lawyers Magazine. In 2006, Jennifer was named the Virginia Jaycees Outstanding Young Virginian. In 2005, Jennifer was awarded the Leadership Metro Richmond Servant Leader Award, and named to Style Weekly’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2005. In 2002, Jennifer was named the Virginia State Bar Young Lawyer’s Conference Edward R. Burnett Young Lawyer of the Year Award. She is also a three-time recipient of that organization’s Outstanding Service Award.

Jennifer was born in Petersburg and attended public school in Chesterfield County. She received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Richmond in 1994. In 1997, she received her law degree from the University of Virginia.

Posted by Leonard Harris at 08:04 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

"The National Conference of State Legislatures is asking the Homeland Security Department to allow states 10 years after Real ID rules are finalized to reissue existing licenses and to decrease costs by exempting military personnel and others with federal identification from the rigid screening process. If those conditions cannot be met by the end of 2007, NCSL plans to call for repeal of Real ID."

Full Story:
http://www.stateline.org/live/details/story?contentId=212719

Posted by Leonard Harris at 07:48 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

by Robert Russo

Today the Times-Dispatch reports that the Richmond School Board will not get an appeal of Mayor Wilder's decision to pass funds on to the school system at a time of his own choosing. This is a major wake-up call to the school system which believes it is an autonomous body that answers to no one. When taxpayer funds were available through the books of the Richmond City Council earlier this year, the school board demanded its cut as if the city had no jurisdiction (to decide how much goes toward housing projects, transportation etc.). Then when Mayor Wilder refused, the board sued him as if they were a private enterprise. Their legal counsel made $235 an hour out of the taxpayers' pocket.*

What prompted the decision to delay funds in the first place was a proposed examination of the school system by Mayor Wilder and Chief Financial Officer Harry E. Black, "when efforts to begin an external audit of the school district were rebuked".* Then in April the Mayor offered to hold back on outside assessment if school officials simply agreed to allow the next audit to have some clear definition, with unlimited access to school records.* Objectivity has always been what academicians fear most, because if funding were equated with performance then some other institution would be the dominant education provider in many districts, failing school systems would simply be shut down. Favoritism is their mainstay, spreading the culture that learning takes place in the classroom, instilling this faith over 12+ years and then releasing each student into the world to become parents themselves. To do this an institution must be exempt from examination unless they can conduct it themselves, but also have all the rights of an individual for their defense. Wilder says "the public deserves a complete disclosure of how taxpayers' dollars are being spent and wasted by the Richmond Public Schools", a position which School Board Chairman George P. Braxton called "obviously disingenuous".*

Keith West (who you might recall was the one progressive candidate I rated positively last year that actually won his seat) lambasted Braxton and called for his resignation, saying "(This) is only the latest in a string of unfortunate events authored by the Richmond School Board and its chairman, George Braxton.".* He adds that the Chairman "produced a budget that attacked our lowest wage workers but left intact huge areas (of) waste pointed out by studies and audits."*

Money is the only valve with which local government can balance the school system or any other state service. If that is taken away, we become the servants to whatever self-governing institution thinks is in its best interest. Does the DMV, FCC or Better Business Bureau ever close its doors to scrutiny in the hopes that people will just inherently trust them? (Is this "IRS employees week" on Wheel of Fortune? No, it's Teachers Week.) One would think an institution that takes another government institution to court at our expense would have no good faith left at all. Now they will at least learn they have no special privileges beyond any other public service. One day they will be dismayed to know they are only one of many education providers that share that service.

Having an elected mayor to watch the appointments of government and business has had so many perks so far. Appointment went straight to the top for so long its amazing to see one person actually making decisions, no matter who it is, interfering with these would-be unspoken deals we aren't always privileged to know about. Personally I am also impressed by the presence of an anti-establishment activist within the school board, putting out his own press releases as we libs do, not answering to anyone but the public. (And to think he only won by 15 votes!) The Mayor's antiacademic statements are almost unprecedented, they convey an inherent mistrust of the school board (as would anyone they have tried to cheat). Cooperation between city officials and a growing minority within its own ranks is incentive for our party to participate in the next election cycle. We should take a closer look into this. Kudos to Keith West.

Question of the Week: If the LPHC is represented at the June 18th session at Hermitage High School posted by Leonard Harris in the previous entry, what should be our party's contribution and goals? Send your opinions to henrico@richmondliberty.org.

If you have topics of interest to Libertarians please let us know. We welcome your input!

Posted by Robert Russo at 02:27 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)