Liberty Lion

With 3 New Qualifications Added, Sam Sloan Suggests The LP Leadership Should Just Cut The Crap & List Gary Johnson As The Only "Approved" LP Presidential Candidate That Gets To Be Listed At LP.ORG

2012-01-26T01:00:00.003-05:00

Before January 24, 2012, Libertarian Party Presidential Candidates needed to meet the following criteria to be listed on the national party's website:

•Filed to run for president with the F.E.C. as a Libertarian
•Seeking the nomination of the Libertarian Party exclusively
•Dues-paying member of the National Libertarian Party
•Campaign website is current with contact information

Carla Howell refused to list Sam Sloan and Mosheh Thezion despite their having met all four conditions. Mr. Sloan received as e-mail from Ms. Howell telling him he needed to meet another unpublished criterion, that being approval from 5 Libertarian National Committee members. Suspecting Ms. Howell just made up the additional condition to keep him off the website, Mr. Sloan demanded she release the names of those LNC members who voted for the listed candidates. In response, the website was updated on January 24, 2012 to add the following criterion:

•Obtained the approval of five members of the Libertarian National Committee. Until February 3, 2012, exception is granted to candidates who met prior approval requirements and were posted at this web site. After this date, all listed candidates must have obtained the approval of five LNC members.

Sam Sloan told Liberty Lion:

I met prior approval requirements and my name was listed at lp.org as a Libertarian Presidential Candidate. Then after my support for the decriminalization of polygamy was published, my name was taken down. I demand my name be re-listed pursuant to the new published rules that say "an exception is granted to candidates who met prior approval requirements and were posted at this web site". Refusal to immediately restore my name to the list will only further expose the fact that the LP Leadership is not neutral as it should be but is in the business of giving certain "approved" candidates with "insider" support an advantage over others seeking the nomination.

The lp.org website also now announces two additional qualifications that will take effect as follows:

•As reported at the web site of the Federal Elections Commission, candidates must have raised and reported donations of a minimum of $2,500 raised through February 29, 2012. Donations may not include those made by candidate or his/her immediately family members.

•As reported at the web site of the Federal Elections Commission, candidates must have raised and reported donations of a minimum of $5,000 raised through March 31, 2012. Donations may not include those made by candidate or his/her immediately family members.

Sam Sloan, an announced Libertarian Party Presidential Candidate, said:

I think it is outrageous that in order to be listed as a Libertarian Presidential Candidate at lp.org, candidates will not only have to be "approved" by "insiders" in the leadership but will also need to spend their time soliciting donations to be considered a serious candidate. I recognize how difficult it is to solicit donations. That is why it has been my intention to finance my own candidacy until I win the Libertarian Party Presidential Nomination. At that point, I expect I will be able to raise the funds I need to run a vibrant and active campaign for the Presidency.

I want to spend all my time attending State Affiliate Conventions, participating in debates and seeking the support of potential delegates. If my message resonates with the delegates and I get the Presidential Nomination, raising money will be a lot easier than it would be now. In addition, by financing my own campaign at this point, LP members can be saved from expending funds they may not have. I'd rather they donate that money to whomever is the eventual nominee. That would be a better use of those campaign contributions.

To deny Libertarian Party members the opportunity to see my name on the national LP website and to visit my website and read my platform takes away vital information the membership and delegates need to make up their own minds about who to support. Shortcutting that process by establishing these new barriers to being listed helps those candidates who have the support of those in the leadership. In this case, I suspect that person is Gary Johnson. I'd like to believe that a pure, ideological libertarian like myself has a chance to snatch the nomination away from yet another former Republican Party elected official and, in this case, a bitter Johnson-come-lately who only came to the Libertarian Party because he himself was frozen out of the Republican Presidential Debates due to another list of criteria he could not meet. I do not want to be frozen out.

I am not ashamed to proudly proclaim my Libertarian Philosophy. Dr. Tom Stevens, former LPUS Judicial Committee Member 2006-2010, has often told me, "We must never compromise our Libertarian Principles for short-term popularity. We must never be embarrassed about promoting Libertarian Perspectives on Public Policy Issues. We must never water down our message or people won't know what we stand for". I am in complete agreement with him.

Mark Hinkle Tells Jim Burns The Libertarian National Committee Passed The New Rules With Respect To The Listing Of LP Presidential Candidates On LP.ORG

2012-01-25T17:42:00.003-05:00

Jim Burns, an announced Libertarian Party Presidential Candidate, reports he personally spoke with Mark Hinkle, Chair of the Libertarian Party, who told him the Libertarian National Committee was directly responsible for the passing of the new rules regarding which announced Libertarian Party Presidential Candidates could be listed at lp.org. The reason offered by Mr. Hinkle for the adoption of the new rules was to keep "kooks and non-serious people from being associated with the LP". Mr. Hinkle also told Jim Burns that he has been the only person "who asked about this issue or showed any concern".

Jim Burns' full report was:

Mr. Hinkle, National Chairman of the Libertarian Party (LP), informed me, because I asked him, who was responsible for the change in the rules for listing the names and links, on the Website of the LP, of those seeking the LP nomination for president. The new rules removed about half of the names that were there before the new rules. See: http://www.lp.org/blogs/staff/2012-libertarian-presidential-candidates

Mr. Hinkle told me that it was the National Committee that passed the new rules. He told me that the reason was to keep the kooks and non-serious people from being associated with the LP: the same reasoning used by the establishment to keep Libertarian candidates out of the debate and contest.

If the committee was concerned about association with kooks, they solved that problem with the disclaimer: http://www.lp.org/blogs/staff/2012-libertarian-presidential-candidates

It seems to me that those who voted for this measure must believe and act as if they were elected to Congress not to office in the Libertarian Party. Just as Congress almost always over reaches, so too it is with committees even those that call themselves libertarian. This rule will harm those who want to know more about people seeking the LP nomination, discriminates against the poor, and implies support and gives credence and collaboration to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and adds requirements that even the FEC does not have.

Libertarians not only believe in free markets but also free minds. Information is necessary for rational choice and having more people on that page gives to members and interested parties more information at no extra cost to the LP. Artificial and arbitrary restrictions harm and give the appearance that the LP has something to hide, the appearance of tyrants.

The requirement to be a dues-paying member in the national LP discriminates against the poor, violates the 24th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, and violates the libertarian principle of equal rights under the law.

The FEC is the enemy!!! The authority for the FEC was unconstitutionally given by congress and the president to form an organization that writes their own rules which are enforced with guns and are designed to keep the incumbents in power. The LP giving aid and comfort to the FEC is repugnant and an abomination: shame. It should be pointed out that this idea was advocated and defeated at the 2008 LP convention. To learn some of the reasons why I have not filed with the FEC take about one minute and read: http://jimburnsforpresident.com/joomla/index.php/pledge-support

Some in the LP believe that because the LP is a private voluntary organization the LP members and officers are not subject to the ideals of libertarianism when acting on behalf of the LP. They are incorrect. Libertarianism opposes fraud. If anyone acts in an anti-libertarian manner while acting in the name of the LP, they commit fraud.

You may e-mail the officers of the LP and ask them about this matter. Mr. Hinkle informed me that I was the only person who asked about this issue or showed any concern. If you wish to make a difference you may contact the members of the National Committee of the LP listed below:

Mark Hinkle, chair@lp.org

Mark Rutherford, vicechair@lp.org

Alicia Mattson, secretary@lp.org

William Redpath, treasurer@lp.org

Randy Eshelman, Randy.Eshelman@lp.org

Kevin Knedler, Kevin.Knedler@lp.org

Wayne Allyn Root, Wayne.Root@lp.org

Mary Ruwart, Mary.Ruwart@lp.org

Rebecca Sink-Burris, Rebecca.Sink-Burris@lp.org

Doug Craig, Doug.Craig@lp.org

Stewart Flood, Stewart.Flood@lp.org

Daniel Wiener, Daniel.Wiener@lp.org

Scott Lieberman, Scott.Lieberman@lp.org

Guy McLendon, Guy.McLendon@lp.org

Brad Ploeger, Brad.Ploeger@lp.org

Vicki Kirkland, Vicki.Kirkland@lp.org

David Blau, David.Blau@lp.org

Andy Wolf, Andrew.Wolf@lp.org

Sam Goldstein, Sam.Goldstein@lp.org

Norman Olsen, Norman.Olsen@lp.org

Brett H. Pojunis, Brett.Pojunis@lp.org

Dr. James W. Lark, III, James.Lark@lp.org

Marakay Rogers, Marakay.Rogers@lp.org

Daniel Karlan, Daniel.Karlan@lp.org

Audrey Capozzi, Audrey.Capozzi@lp.org

Dianna Visek, Dianna.Visek@lp.org

Sam Sloan Demands Carla Howell Release The Names Of The 5 Libertarian National Committee Members Who Voted In Favor Of Listing Each Of The Other LP Presidential Candidates At LP.ORG

2012-01-24T22:26:00.005-05:00

Sam Sloan, an announced Libertarian Party Presidential Candidate, who met all the published criteria for being listed on the national party's website at lp.org, was told by Carla Howell, LP Executive Director, on January 24, 2012 that "all presidential candidates must obtain the approval of at least five LNC members to be listed at the lp.org web site".

Currently, the following six candidates are listed as 2012 Libertarian Party Presidential Candidates at lp.org:

Roger Gary
R.J. Harris
Gary Johnson
Carl Person
Bill Still
Lee Wrights

Sam Sloan has demanded Carla Howell "release the names of the Libertarian National Committee members who voted for the listing of each of the presidential candidates, the dates on which said votes were cast and proof of the manner in which said votes were cast".

Sam Sloan added:

I have observed such chicanery before where officials in power abuse their authority, ignore bylaw provisions, or outright lie to obtain a result they seek, no matter what means they need to employ to bring about their desired goal. It reminds me of a story I heard about Jim Davidson, who when Chair of the Boston Tea Party, closed the voting on an important motion early by unilaterally announcing he was shifting the time zone from Eastern to Atlantic so as to prevent some National Committee members from casting a vote in a manner not acceptable to him. That particular abuse of power resulted in all the members of four chartered chapters resigning en masse.

This situation is not very different. I met all the criteria for being listed as a 2012 Libertarian Party Presidential Candidate and simply because some in the party might not want me listed (and I believe I know who they are), a new barrier was announced to justify my exclusion. Let me be clear. I do not believe the other listed candidates were formally approved in the manner described by Carla Howell. To quote George Phillies of the Massachusetts Libertarian Party, "She has made up a new criterion, one which she is not applying to other candidates".

It is my belief that all Libertarian Party members seeking the Presidential Nomination should be listed on the national website. If they wish to require some objective criteria such as that a candidate be a member of the national LP or have a website with contact information, that is reasonable. However, when the LP starts to take sides in the contest and only lists candidates with "insider" support, they deny Libertarian Party members the opportunity to get the information they need to decide who to support. As for who should be allowed to participate in Presidential Debates at the upcoming Libertarian Party National Convention, I would again set the bar low, perhaps allowing all candidates to participate in an initial debate followed by a requirement that a candidate get 20 delegates to support their candidacy before being permitted to participate in future debates.

This whole issue is one of philosophy. If you believe in top down control where your Libertarian National Committee members are the guardians of promoting a particular, purified, public imagine, then you have the result. If you support, as I do, an open process, maximum participation, principled positions on issues and bottom-up activism, then I am your man.

Carla Howell, LP Executive Director, Tells Sam Sloan All Libertarian Party Presidential Candidates Now Need The Approval Of 5 LNC Members To Be Listed At LP.ORG

2012-01-24T20:08:00.003-05:00

There are four published criteria for declared Libertarian Party Presidential Candidates to be listed on the national party's website at lp.org. These are:

•Filed to run for president with the F.E.C. as a Libertarian
•Seeking the nomination of the Libertarian Party exclusively
•Dues-paying member of the National Libertarian Party
•Campaign website is current with contact information

Sam Sloan, a declared Libertarian Party Presidential Candidate who was runner-up for the New York State Libertarian Party's Gubernatorial Nomination in 2010, has met all four conditions and is still not listed at lp.org. Mr. Sloan filed FEC Form 1 and FEC Form 2 to run for President with his party affiliation being Libertarian. He is seeking the nomination of the Libertarian Party exclusively. He has been a dues-paying member of the National Libertarian Party and has been registered to vote as a Libertarian Party member in California for over six years. Finally, he has a campaign website with current contact information.

This information was forwarded to national and after two days passing without his being listed as a Presidential Candidate, Mr. Sloan wrote them an e-mail in which he said:

I am still not listed as a Libertarian Party Candidate for President on the lp.org website.

Kindly explain why I am not listed?

On January 24, 2012, Carla Howell, Executive Director of the Libertarian Party, wrote Mr. Sloan back with an explanation, which included new hurdles that have been established to keep only "acceptable" candidates listed on the website. Ms. Howell wrote:

All presidential candidates must obtain the approval of at least five LNC members to be listed at the lp.org web site. I will forward your request to them today to inform them that you are seeking such approval.

If and when we receive five approvals, we will immediately post your name at our web site.

Thank you for your interest.

Sam Sloan was contacted for his reaction to this new listing barrier. He told Liberty Lion:

The Libertarian National Committee has an obligation to be neutral when it comes to party members seeking the Libertarian Party's Presidential Nomination. It is fine for the webmaster to put up a disclaimer saying the views of the various candidates do not necessarily reflect the views of the party but it is totally inappropriate to list only those candidates who five LNC members believe should be listed. If the LNC unites around Gary Johnson, would it be appropriate to only list his name on the website? Of course not!

It is the delegates who decide who should receive the nomination of the Libertarian Party. All candidates should have the opportunity to be listed on the national party's website so all Libertarian Party members can read their various positions on the issues and decide for themselves who to support. The LP should not be in the business of only listing "approved" candidates or those with "insider" support.

The Libertarian Party loses the moral high ground when they continue to seek to exclude candidates they don't like. The LNC first set objective criteria and when I met all their conditions for being listed, they then set up a new subjective barrier no candidate can possibly meet. How will LNC members decide whether I should be listed? Will it be based on my ideological purity? Will it be based on whether I might be an embarrassment to the LP because I support decriminalizing polygamy? Will I not be listed because some think Muslims can't be Libertarians or because I sued the New York State Libertarian Party for the serious improprieties I observed during the 2010 gubernatorial nominating process?

Well, you get my point. The front runner for the Libertarian Party's Presidential Nomination is Gary Johnson, someone who was excluded from the Republican Presidential Debates for not meeting certain standards and now the Libertarian Party seeks to exclude legitimate, announced candidates for the Libertarian Party Presidential Nomination and to deny them a fair chance to reach LP members. I have also just learned that many state affiliates intend to exclude from upcoming Libertarian Presidential Debates those candidates not listed at lp.org. This is a great injustice to all Libertarian Party members.

Gary Johnson Trounces Harris, Person & Still In Manhattan Libertarian Party Presidential Straw Poll

2012-01-21T21:47:00.012-05:00

On Saturday, January 21, 2012, the Manhattan Libertarian Party held its Annual Convention during which a Presidential Candidate Forum & Straw Poll was held. Gary Johnson, R.J. Harris, Carl Person and Bill Still were the featured Presidential Candidates. Sam Sloan, an announced Libertarian Party Presidential Candidate who previously served as Media Director and State Representative for the Manhattan Libertarian Party, was denied the opportunity to participate and was told not to purchase a plane ticket from California, where he currently resides. 53 people voted in the Presidential Straw Poll.

The results were the following:

Gary Johnson - 35 votes (66%)
R.J. Harris - 11 votes (20.8%)
Carl Person - 5 votes (9.4%)
Mary Ruwart (Write-In) - 1 vote (1.9%)
Ron Paul (Write-In) - 1 vote (1.9%)
Bill Still - 0 votes (0%)

Dallwyn Merck, Secretary of the Libertarian Party of Queens County, who attended the Manhattan LP Annual Convention reported the above results and commented as follows:

This was a significant victory for Governor Gary Johnson and the very first test of his strength amongst rank-and-file Libertarian Party members who are likely to be delegates to the Libertarian Party's National Convention scheduled to be held May 4-6, 2012 at the Red Rock Casino, Hotel and Spa in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Libertarian Party of Queens County became the first chartered chapter in the New York Libertarian Party to have endorsed Gary Johnson. We are very pleased with the results of the Straw Poll.

R.J. Harris came in with the support of Gigi Bowman, the Suffolk County Libertarian Party Vice-Chair & State Representative, who rallied support for Mr. Harris at a special reception/fundraiser held at her house the night before so it is not surprising a contingent of supporters showed up to give him a second place finish.

The big loser of the evening was Carl Person. Mr Person's Law Office/Campaign Headquarters are located within a mile of where the Presidential Candidate Forum was held. In addition, he went in with the support of Mark Axinn, the Chair of the New York State Libertarian Party who is also Secretary/Treasurer of the Manhattan LP. Given that geographic advantage and the fact that the only qualification to vote was the purchase of a ticket, Mr. Person still was unable to garner more than 5 votes, which presumably included his own and Mr. Axinn's.

Bill Still's message failed to resonate with convention attendees and he received no votes at all.

The Manhattan Libertarian Party's Annual Convention was held at the Ukrainian East Village Restaurant located at 140 2nd Avenue in Manhattan (New York County), New York.

New Policy Regarding Listing Of 2012 Libertarian Presidential Candidates At LP.ORG Cause Some Candidates To Be De-Listed

2012-01-19T16:08:00.005-05:00

Effective immediately, a new policy has been put in place to determine which announced Libertarian Party Presidential Candidates can be listed on the national Libertarian Party's website at lp.org.

The four criteria a Libertarian Presidential Candidate must meet are the following:

•Filed to run for president with the F.E.C. as a Libertarian

•Seeking the nomination of the Libertarian Party exclusively

•Dues-paying member of the National Libertarian Party

•Campaign website is current with contact information

The six candidates who currently meet that criteria are:

* Roger Gary
* R.J. Harris
* Gary Johnson
* Carl Person
* Bill Still
* Lee Wrights

Sam Sloan and Mosheh Thezion's F.E.C. filings are not visible due to a week's delay in the F.E.C. processing submissions and in the case of Thezion, according to Robert Kraus at LP National Headquarters, he still has "a picture of an elephant" on his website. Other announced Libertarian Party Presidential Candidates who had their names removed were Jim Burns, Miss Joy Waymire, James Ogle, Robert Milnes and Dave Redick.

Mr. Kraus assured me all declared candidates for the Libertarian Presidential Nomination who meet the above stated criteria will be listed as candidates at lp.org

LPQC Elects New Officers At Annual Convention

2012-01-17T20:01:00.001-05:00

The Annual Convention of the Libertarian Party of Queens County was held on Saturday, January 14, 2012 at Bohemian Hall at 29-19 24th Avenue in Astoria, New York.

The following officers were unanimously elected at the LPQC Convention to serve during the remainder of 2012 and until the next Annual Convention is held:

Chair - John Clifton
Vice-Chair - John Procida
Secretary - Dallwyn Merck
Treasurer - Ronald S. Ramo
Membership Director - Dr. Tom Stevens
State Representative - Dr. Tom Stevens

Congratulations to all who were elected!

Dr. Tom Stevens Elected To Serve As LPQC State Representative To The New York Libertarian Party

2012-01-17T19:47:00.000-05:00

At the Annual Convention of the Libertarian Party of Queens County held on Saturday, January 14, 2012 at Bohemian Hall in Astoria, New York, Dr. Tom Stevens was unanimously re-elected to serve as the LPQC State Representative to the New York Libertarian Party.

Dr. Stevens served as LPQC State Representative from April 24, 2004 to June 27, 2010, when he resigned his Life Membership in the New York Libertarian Party. John Clifton then served as LPQC State Representative from June 27, 2010 through November 13, 2010 followed by Carl Person, who served from November 13, 2010 to January 8, 2011. At the LPQC Annual Convention held on January 8, 2011, Dr. Tom Stevens was again unanimously elected by the delegates in attendance to serve as LPQC State Representative to the New York Libertarian Party..

Because of ongoing political battles within the New York Libertarian Party, Dr. Stevens will not be able to vote on the State Committee. However, the Libertarian Party of Queens County continues to protest the lack of due process that led to the current impasse and has formally taken the position that Dr. Stevens should be recognized as a voting member of the NYLP's State Committee.

This is the second time attacks on the Libertarian Party of Queens County have prevented its State Representative from voting on the NYLP State Committee. The first such instance occurred from December 3, 2006 when the State Committee de-chartered the LPQC to April 28, 2007 when the delegates in attendance at the 2007 NYLP Annual State Convention re-chartered it.

Sam Sloan, Candidate For The Libertarian Party's Presidential Nomination In 2012, Includes Support For The Legalization Of Polygamy In His Platform

2012-01-17T01:17:00.000-05:00

Sam Sloan, who announced his candidacy for the Libertarian Party's Presidential Nomination on January 13, 2012, has included in his platform support for the legalization of polygamy and, specifically, polygyny, polyandry and group marriage.

I also support allowing men to marry more than one woman and women to marry more than one man. I have no problem with a man or woman marrying multiple partners of any gender.

Sam Sloan converted to Islam and is also known as Haji Mohammed Ismail Sloan. He has been married three times and has eight children by five women. He has not practiced polygamy and has no intention of doing so. His full stand on this issue is contained in context in his Gay Rights & Marriage Equality platform stand, which is reprinted here:

Anybody who knows my history knows that my record on supporting gay rights is second to none. I was the President of the Campus Sexual Rights Forum, an on-campus student organization at the University of California at Berkeley in the 1960s. As a Libertarian, my long term goal is to get the government out of the marriage business. However, so long as the government continues to issue marriage licenses to opposite-sex couples, I believe the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution requires it to issue licenses to same-sex couples on "equal protection" grounds. I also support allowing men to marry more than one woman and women to marry more than one man. I have no problem with a man or woman marrying multiple partners of any gender. I couldn't care less if a person wanted to marry their cat or dog. It is simply none of the government's business.

To read Sam Sloan's Statement of Candidacy and full Platform, go to:
http://drtomstevens.blogspot.com/2012/01/samuel-howard-sloan-aka-haji-mohammed.html

Polygamy is a marriage which includes more than two partners. The relationship is called Polygyny when a man is married to more than one wife at a time and where there is no marriage bond between the wives. The relationship is called Polyandry when a woman is married to more than one husband at a time and where there is no marriage bond between the husbands. If a marriage includes multiple husbands and wives, it is called Group Marriage.

Occupy Wall Street: Pro & Cons For The Libertarian Activist

2012-01-16T17:01:00.002-05:00

Libertarian Party activists seem to be divided as to whether Occupy Wall Street demonstrations present an opportunity to spread and market the libertarian message or in no way reflect libertarian ideals. This deep division was in evidence at the Libertarian Party of Queens County's Annual Convention held at Bohemian Hall in Astoria, New York on Saturday, January 14, 2012.

Rocco Fama, a former member of the Libertarian Party of Queens County, who now lives in Staten Island, was the Guest Speaker. He spoke on the topic of "Mass Movements As Market Opportunities (for the Libertarian Party): Occupy Wall Street & Beyond". In attendance at the meeting was Ed Konecnik, a current member of the Libertarian Party of Queens County, who held a different opinion about Occupy Wall Street. A summary of Rocco Fama's presentation and an Open Letter written by Ed Konecnik appear below.

Rocco Fama - "Mass Movements As Market Opportunities: Occupy Wall Street & Beyond"

The main political theme unifying most OWS demonstrators is Socio-Economic & Political Inequality. The basic belief that the more money you have, the more you can influence government and the more regulations will favor them at the expense of consumers and laborers. There would, therefore, be less inequality by just opening up the free market. Many demonstrators would argue they are not against capitalism but only against crony capitalism.

Many Occupy Wall Street demonstrators voted for Obama and are now quite disillusioned. These individuals are ripe for recruitment into the Libertarian Party. Dallwyn Merck, LPQC Secretary, has been in Zuccotti Park since the beginning spreading libertarian principles. He is well-spoken and with time on his hands. More libertarian activists need to be there.

Occupy Wall Street is a community with a great deal of organization and there are rules all demonstrators must follow. The "Good Neighbor Policy", arrived at after negotiations with the Local Community Board, includes rules against drinking, doing drugs or drumming (before 11:00 a.m. or after 5:00 p.m.).

There is the General Assembly, a decision making body open to anyone. They make decisions on a consensus basis. As a voter, you can step back and abstain or you can vote "no" and decide to end your association with Occupy Wall Street. In some cases, majority decisions are allowed. The General Assembly votes on the allocation of funds. While they once had up to a million dollars in their account, they now have $200,000.00. As examples, money is given out for Metro Cards, $10,000.00 a week for food, and to pay churches for letting demonstrators sleep there overnight.

The second body is called the Spokescouncil, which includes representatives from all the Working Groups. Some of the Working Groups deal with Sanitation, Anti-War, Kitchen, Comfort, Lending Library, Medics Professionals, other Policy & Philosophy Groups and a Demands Working Group that has not yet made any demands since demands open the door to negotiations and they don't feel the government would be a reliable partner in said negotiations. Spokespeople do not generally have the authority to make a decision on behalf of their group. If they do agree to an action, they must go back to their group to get the action ratified. Working groups are required to rotate representation.

Many meetings of the General Assembly, the Spokescouncil and the Working Groups meet at 60 Wall Street (a public atrium) in Manhattan. All decisions only affect New York Occupy Wall Street. Occupy Movements in other cities are independent.

While it is true that some Occupy Wall Street demonstrators seek greater government regulation and more government benefits, many want to End The Fed, bring an end to Foreign Military Entanglements and other issues with which libertarians would agree. Demonstrators include Progressives, Socialists, Libertarians and Communists. The communists there believe in a classless, stateless society where everyone pitches in and helps and where all decisions are made communally. Marxism is dying in radical politics. Marxists active in OWS are considered either very stupid or very old.

About a quarter of OWS demonstrators would identify as some type of anarchist and OWS is organized along anarchist principles. While it may seem a contradiction that anarchy is order, it really is people coming together to form groups they wish to join without the interference of government.

Zuccotti Park is privately owned public space. In a 1968 agreement with U.S. Steel, the government allowed them to build 9 extra floors on its building in return for their donating to the city a park that was supposed to remain accessible to the public 24 hours a day. However you feel about the government coercion that led to that agreement, a contract was signed and the demonstrators have a constitutional right to express themselves. Recently, the barricades have been removed and the demonstrators have returned to Zuccotti Park but park regulations against sleeping bags and requirements to keep circulating paths open are being enforced.

In the future, some have argued the physical occupation is coming to an end because it is exhausting OWS resources and that in the future, OWS actions will be more targeted such as actions to squat at foreclosed homes or at the headquarters of particular corporate entities. Blockades so the military industrial complex cannot get their goods out of the factory are also being considered. When and if donations dry up, some are considering getting land, growing food and squatting. Other ideas include using their money to make micro-loans to demonstrators to go out and start their own businesses.

The goal of Occupy Wall Street demonstrators is to bring attention to a lot of issues. Many have no interest in lobbying. Others, himself included, have argued in favor of revolution, forming the community they would like to see in the country. What they have done is set up a prototype for a "Temporary Autonomous Zone". You can then take that model and apply it in other contexts.

Occupy Wall Street demonstrators are energetic, engaged people the Libertarian Party should market to.

Ed Konecnik wrote the following Open Letter to the LPQC in response to Rocco Fama's presentation:

I’m not sure why anyone would nurture the delusions of an OWS protester who thinks people who defecate on cars, urinate in the streets, inconvenience businesses causing some to close, express disdain for wealth and the wealthy, foment class warfare have something in common with libertarians and Libertarianism. His equivocation on a number of issues, subtle disregard of the Constitution, predilection for anarchy and revolution, and a gross misunderstanding of economics neither added anything nor enlightened those present. He claims he is an anarchist yet considers himself a leader; hypocrisy of the highest order.

He confirms the OWS occupiers have no main grievance or “central message” except inequality. Protesting “inequality” is akin to protesting weather. Inequality is a part of life, of nature, our existence. It is clear that the occupier’s lexicon defines “greed” as those with a lot of money must have stolen it, “social justice” requires the wealthy share since they have more than they need, “fairness” means redistribution to each according to his needs.

This confused young man may have been educated beyond his ability to learn and in no way reflects the libertarian ideals I hold dear, in spite of his declarations. He is under the illusion that by occupying Zuccotti Park, he is enabling “hope and change” and publicizing his misguided conception of libertarianism. His occupation of Zuccotti Park does not make him a libertarian any more than my standing in a garage makes me a car.

Samuel Howard Sloan a/k/a Haji Mohammed Ismail Sloan Announces Candidacy For Libertarian Party's Presidential Nomination In 2012

2012-01-16T13:46:00.009-05:00

On January 13, 2012, Samuel Howard Sloan a/k/a Haji Mohammed Ismail Sloan, a member of the national Libertarian Party, who has registered his candidacy and his campaign committee with the Federal Election Commission, announced (in an exclusive to Liberty Lion) his intention to seek the Libertarian Party's Presidential Nomination in 2012.

Below is the Statement of Candidacy and Platform submitted by Sam Sloan:

"I have decided to become a candidate for President of the United States. My main reason for taking this step is that I am deeply disappointed with the field of candidates that have announced thus far. None of them are suitable to become President, in my opinion. I know I can do better.

I most recently was runner-up for the New York State Libertarian Party's Gubernatorial Nomination in 2010 and have been an enrolled "Libertarian Party" member for many years. I maintain residences in New York and California. I am a member of the Libertarian Party of Queens County.

Here is my basic campaign platform:

End The Drug War

As President, I will work to abolish all laws making criminal the use or possession of any drug. I will also release from prison anyone convicted solely of such offenses. I believe as a constitutional and human right everybody has the right to decide on what drugs they will use. I am a book publisher and within the last week I have published two books on alternative medicine. The government simply does not have the right to stop anybody from using these drugs. I mention this point first because, in my view, this is the litmus test for being a Libertarian. Anybody who does not agree on this point should not, under any circumstances, be considered for the Libertarian Party as a candidate for any office. Yet, all too often in the past, candidates have received the Libertarian Party nomination without being able to pass this litmus test or without even being asked this question.

Drastically Reduce The Size of Government

Every candidate since I was a kid has promised to reduce the size of government but, once they were elected, did the opposite. I will keep the promise that nobody else has kept. I promise to run a surplus until the national debt has been paid off. I will never bail out anybody. I will never ask for the debt ceiling to be increased. At the same time, I am a Libertarian. I am not an anarchist. I do not want to abolish paper money. I will simply cut spending and use the surplus to pay off the national debt. This is a promise often made but
never kept.

Gay Rights & Marriage Equality

Anybody who knows my history knows that my record on supporting gay rights is second to none. I was the President of the Campus Sexual Rights Forum, an on-campus student organization at the University of California at Berkeley in the 1960s. As a Libertarian, my long term goal is to get the government out of the marriage business. However, so long as the government continues to issue marriage licenses to opposite-sex couples, I believe the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution requires it to issue licenses to same-sex couples on "equal protection" grounds. I also support allowing men to marry more than one woman and women to marry more than one man. I have no problem with a man or woman marrying multiple partners of any gender. I couldn't care less if a person wanted to marry their cat or dog. It is simply none of the government's business.

Incarcerated Prisoners

A high percentage of all prisoners in the jails around the country are either completely not guilty or were charged with offenses that should not be crimes. There are also a lot of illegal aliens in jail. When I take office as President, I intend to order a massive release of prisoners. Those who came from other counties will be sent back home after being told if they come back to the USA they will be put back in prison to serve the remainder of their sentence. This huge release of prisoners will relieve the burden they create on taxpayers.

End Foreign Wars

Make no mistake, I am no pacifist. There are times when the USA must intervene. However, those times are few and far between. We did the right thing by eliminating Osama bin Laden. I am strongly opposed to bombing any country that has not bombed or threatened to bomb us first. It is not our duty to defend foreign countries although we should do so under extreme and rare circumstances. Three of my uncles saw the heaviest fighting in World War II. My uncle Edward Sloan participated in the Invasion of Iwo Jima. Another uncle, Newell Jacobson, fought in the Battle of the Bulge. A third uncle Alden Jacobson, was a B-29 Bomber pilot who flew 30 bombing missions over Japan and was the pilot of a support aircraft to the aircraft that dropped the A-Bomb on Nagasaki. He saw the bomb go off. I have eight children. One daughter served four years in the U.S. Marines including the War in Iraq. Two of my sons are in the U.S. Army now preparing for deployment in Afghanistan. I understand the costs of war and entering into it should not be a decision taken lightly.

Habeas Corpus

The constitutional right of habeas corpus has been virtually abolished in the last two decades. Recent legislation passed by Congress and signed by the President allows Americans to be abducted and held
without any right to challenge their detention. This reflects a general loss of civil liberties in this country. It is a trend I would reverse once elected President."

Sam Sloan welcomes all invitations to participate in debates and/or to attend Libertarian Party State Conventions. You can e-mail Mr. Sloan at SamHSloan@gmail.com or you may call him directly at 1-415-349-6116.

Libertarian Party National Convention Room Rates At Red Rock Casino Reasonably Set At $119.00 Per Night

2012-01-15T01:29:00.007-05:00

The Libertarian Party's National Convention will be held from May 4-6, 2012 at the Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa (also known as Red Rock Station) in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Convention Room Rate has been reasonably set at $119.00 plus tax per night. You may book your reservation online using the following link and Discount Code "RCILNC":

https://rooms.stationcasinos.com/cgi-bin/LANSAWEB?procfun+rn+Resnet+RRS+funcparms+UP%28A2560%29%3A%3BRCILNC

After you book and print out your receipt and confirmation number, you will see a double asterisk next to your Estimated Total With Tax and if you glance at the fine print at the bottom of that page, you will see a note saying the Estimated Total With Tax does not include a Resort Amenity Fee of $24.99 plus tax per day. Initial follow-up with two reservation agents referencing my confirmation number confirmed this $24.99 fee was a mandatory fee and could not be waived.

After getting feedback to my initial blog article saying this was untrue, I again called the Red Rock Casino Reservations Line and was told that the e-mail confirmation sent out is generic and they do not remove the reference to the Resorts Amenity Fee from it but this time I had them look into the matter further and was able to confirm the Resorts Amenity Fee will NOT be charged to guests attending the Libertarian Party National Convention.

The Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa is located 11 miles from the Las Vegas Strip at 11011 West Charleston Boulevard, Las Vegas, Nevada 89135. There is free Shuttle Service offered to and from McCarran International Airport (8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.) and to and from the Hotel and the Fashion Show Mall just off the Las Vegas Strip (11:40 a.m. to 9:40 p.m.). The hotel has a pool that is open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. For more information about the hotel, you can visit: http://www.redrocklasvegas.com/

Sam Sloan Blasts Carl Person For His Tepid Position On The Repeal Of Gun Control Laws Calling Him A Milquetoast Libertarian Candidate For President

2012-01-13T11:37:00.010-05:00

Sam Sloan, the runner-up for the New York Libertarian Party's gubernatorial nomination in 2010, criticized Carl Person, a candidate for the Libertarian Party's Presidential Nomination, for taking a general stand in favor of the Second Amendment and for repeal of gun control laws without being specific regarding what he would support and what he would not support. Mr. Sloan, a staunch libertarian activist, said he was "disgusted by the many socialist positions on issues Carl Person has taken over the past few months" and "that Libertarian Party delegates will not be fooled by this last-ditch effort to revive his candidacy by stating obvious libertarian positions on issues". Referring to Carl Person, Sam Sloan said, "A cracked Liberty Bell doesn't ring, no matter how many times you strike it!"

In a Press Release dated January 11, 2012 forwarded to Independent Political Report by Chris Doscher, Carl Person's Campaign Manager (who couldn't even catch that throughout the release Tucson, Arizona is spelled "Tuscon"), Carl Person is quoted, in part, as saying::

Gun control activists have used the one-year anniversary of the Tuscon, Arizona shootings as a springboard for their agenda of stripping away our Second Amendment right to bear arms. Years of threats to our right to bear arms have produced zero evidence that increased gun control prevents violence.

The Tuscon shootings, while tragic, were the result of one mentally disturbed individual’s actions and should not be taken as a sign that our Second Amendment rights should be further restricted...

Americans clearly will have to take more responsibility for keeping themselves, their families and their neighbors safe. As president, I will robustly defend our right to bear arms and repeal gun control laws that restrict our ability to defend ourselves and our property.

Sam Sloan responded as follows:

It is certainly true that gun control activists use every shooting of an innocent person, accidental or not, as a springboard to argue for more gun control and it is also true that increased gun control has not reduced violence but look carefully at Carl Person's position on this issue. He says the shootings in Tucson "should not be taken as a sign that our Second Amendment rights should be further restricted". From that quotation alone, one might conclude Mr. Person is O.K. with the restrictions the Second Amendment, as interpreted by the Courts, currently place on gun ownership and use.

Mr. Person's second relevant quotation says, "I will robustly defend our right to bear arms and repeal gun control laws that restrict our ability to defend ourselves and our property". Here he says he will repeal those "gun control laws that restrict our ability to defend ourselves and our property". But what about other gun control laws that restrict ownership of guns not directly tied to the defense of ourselves and our property?

Will he support open-carry and concealed carry laws that allowing peaceable citizens to carry firearms without a permit?

Will he allow citizens to own semi-automatic weapons for pleasure?

Will he allow Americans to own whatever guns they want for sport?

Will he oppose legislation placing further restrictions on the sale of weapons at gun shows?

Will he support repeal of the background checks currently required by the Federal Government?

Does he support or oppose the registration of weapons?

Does he support or oppose licensing requirements to own or carry firearms?

On these and other issues, Carl Person does not tell us where he stands, and this is, probably, by intention. I know Carl Person personally and I can assure you he is no libertarian and, in my opinion, when he sought the nomination of the Green Party for Attorney General of New York in 2006 and 2010, he espoused positions on issues not in any way consistent with the Libertarian Party's National Platform.

Taking a tepid position in support of the repeal of gun control laws does nothing to change Carl's image as a Milquetoast Libertarian Candidate for President with more Socialist than Libertarian leanings. If his candidacy is any reflection of the current state of affairs in the Libertarian Party, I would say they are in significant trouble.

Sam Sloan is a member of the national Libertarian Party and the Libertarian Party of Queens County. He maintains residences in California and New York State.

Mosheh Thezion a/k/a Luis Correa, Candidate For The Libertarian Party's Presidential Nomination In 2012, Publishes Brief Biography

2012-01-12T19:04:00.001-05:00

Mosheh Thezion (a/k/a Luis Correa) has published a brief biography so Libertarian Party members can get to know him better. I recommend you read it. I found it quite interesting. One conclusion you will draw is Mosheh Thezion is a very honest man.

In his biography, you will learn how in college, he "suffered the pain of being in love with a wild and loose lesbian (named Tonya) he could not win" and how during his teens and twenties, he smoked "pounds and pounds of marijuana", drank alcohol, did cocaine and was, for seven years a methamphetamine addict. He admits to being a "very sinful young man" who has been convicted of numerous crimes, including car theft, drug possession, trespassing and endless petty traffic offenses". He says he engaged in "loose sexual and moral behaviors with friends" and "had the habit of listening to his own personal devil and when he consulted his own personal angel for a difference of opinion, his angel was stoned out of his mind".

In the end, his is a story of redemption. He has "repented for his past behavior and sins", formed The Empirical Church (of which he is the only active member), and obtained an Associates Degree in Electronic Engineering from the ITT Technical Institute. He admits he is not worthy and "is less than the dirt on the bottom of your shoes". Nevertheless, he is willing to serve if you find his candidacy compelling.

Mosheh Thezion's biography is reprinted here:

"I was born on July 16, 1969 at 12:36 in the afternoon. When I was born, my parents, immigrants from Colombia, had not chosen a name for me as yet, and having no choice my mother gave my father's middle name, and so they put Fabio Correa on my birth certificate, and then, five minutes later, my father showed up and I was renamed Luis Edwardo Correa, because my Grandmother told everyone in the family that my name would be Luis, but they never fixed the birth certificate, and yet somehow got all my records as Luis, including Social Security, which while supposedly impossible was somehow done without changing the birth certificate, meaning I have two legal identities. And learning this as a teenager, it caused an identity crisis, and then, a Jewish Girlfriend's mother, who did not like the fact that I was not Jewish, insisted that my name was Moshe, and called me Moshe everyday, and always asked, "Where is Moshe?" and if asked, she would insist that my name was not Luis, but was instead, Moshe, and eventually it grew on me, and I eventually adopted it, as Mosheh (sounds better) as a third name, to solve for my lack of clear identity.

The other name of Thezion, comes from Don Mclean's, American Pie album, and eventually, I adopted the name of Mosheh Thezion, which eventually became Mosheh Eesho Muhammad Al-faraj Thezion, because more often than not, people assumed I was Jewish, and while there is a family rumor of some Jewish ancestors, it is so distant that I can never claim any Jewish heritage and would never be accepted as a Jew, and am for the most part a mutt with Spanish, Portuguese, South American Indian, and perhaps some unconfirmed Jewish blood.

As a young man, I grew up with an Atheist Father who is responsible for inspiring my interest in the sciences by always handing me credible popular science magazines, and a Religious mother, who tried her best to inspire the basic concepts of religion, yet, I was as a child, rather naive and absorbed little of any of it, while sure I remember the stuff, and it did affect me, but I lacked any real understanding of it other than to say I knew what the words meant, and rarely absorbed cultural things unless it came from repetitive influences from my best friend, which was the Television, and as such I grew up ignorant of most concepts of religious morality, even though my mother and grand-mother would often drag me to Catholic Church, yet in doing so, I was unable to absorb much of anything from it other than a few key ideas which have stuck with me. And having extreme Asthma as a child, I could not go out and play, and spent most of my childhood channel surfing the Television, and at one point had the entire TV guide memorized, and I watched not only cartoons, but the news, and various TV programming of the 70's all of which left me woefully ill equipped to deal with my own adolescence, as I was most often, a shut in, due to my asthma.

At the age of 9-10, I remember asking God, in tears, why there is so much trouble in the world, and it was for myself as if the lord had reached down and removed the cover from my eyes, which I now identify as an Epiphany of understanding, where by the clarity of the problems of our world was made clear, however the solutions were still very lacking.

As a teenager, with the development of raging hormones, and surging testosterone, I got in trouble often enough, and can honestly say, I was a very sinful young man, and I began to use drugs. In fact the truth is, I have used more drugs than I can possibly describe, pounds and pounds of Marijuana, Cocaine, Methamphetamine, and Alcohol etc... and intoxication became a daily norm, which continued into my twenties, and along the way, I fell victim to my own personal devil time and time again, and am guilty of many many sins, in many forms, and was convicted of numerous crimes, including car theft (Convicted of Joy riding, however, I never intended to steal a car, but as I ran away from home, having a heavy bag, and no money, I happened to find a car with keys in it, and wrongly took the opportunity.), then also drug possession, trespassing, and endless petty traffic offenses, to name a few.

(But I have never hurt anyone! I don't even like killing bugs.)

So basically, I was never a perfect citizen, and was lost in a drugged haze of confused perverted freedom and loose sexual and moral behavior with friends who more often than not were just as loose in standards as I was, and in decision making was all too often in the habit of listening to my personal devil, and when I turned to my personal angel for a difference of opinion, more often than not, my angel was stoned out of his mind, and could only shrug his shoulders, and gave no arguments to the proposals of my devil. And so, I tell you, the American people, that indeed, I am not worthy of office, and I make no claim of being such, and can only express to you, that eventually, I saw the light and found religion, and repented for my sins, and gave up my sinful ways.

I GREW UP A LOOSE LIBERAL, which, IS WHY I'M A CONSERVATIVE TODAY.

In my late teens and early twenties, being completely bored and frustrated with the slow pace of College, and because of the pain of being in love with a wild and loose lesbian who's love I could not win, I began to use Methamphetamine (7 years) in a daily effort to lose myself in the pursuit of the only thing more interesting than her, which was mother nature herself (science), and while having no hope of success, I adapted myself to the OCD condition of pursuing all her secrets, by attempting to develop a Unifying Field Theory, to which I had no real hope of attaining, and for myself, it was the pursuit which mattered, because as long as I pursued nature and science as a love, I was free of my obsession with Tonya the lesbian. Eventually To my utter shock, after spending years in libraries, and writing 7000 pages of hand written notes, I developed what I believe to be that Unifying Field Theory, the ramifications of which has lead me here to build this web site, to run for office, and work on world wide solution plans for the problems which plague humankind. And in 2000 / 2001 I ventured to get an Associates degree from ITT Technical Institute, and graduated Valedictorian in electronic engineering, for use in developing personal projects.

This recognition of the potential for a God as a creator, had a profound effect on my mind, and led to the further study of religion, and my repentance for my past behaviors and sins, and provided the essence of strength to which I used to begin an analysis of behavior and the how and the why I had been so weak in the past and had sinned so often, and this resulted in marked changes in my beliefs, and thus my attitudes, and so my behavior, to which I am most grateful. Faith, can be a very powerful thing, and with the development of Unifying Field Theory, faith became a matter of evidence, and not just acceptance, and with it, doubt, can be removed in volume.

Eventually, I was walking in Hollywood CA, and as I walked, a wheel chair bound, crippled homeless woman, stopped in the middle of a side street, on Sunset Blvd, right besides a large Catholic Church, And crawled down from her wheel chair onto the floor of the side street, and she screamed to the passing Mercedes and other cars, "arrggghh.... I don't care!!!!" And then to my horror, she bent down, and began to drink from the gutter.

At that moment, all the words of Jesus came flooding back to me, and began to reverberate in my skull, and at that moment I knew what I must do, and that was to dedicate myself to finding a long term solution to this very real problem of not only our own nation but the entire world. That night, I began to form a new church, so as to address this core issue, of compassion and love and family, as described by Jesus, the Bible and most world religions... See---- > http://empiricalchurch.org/

To be able to embrace the whole world, I created a pluralist religious order, based on a foundation of science and religious faith, as derived from consideration of my Unifying Field Theory, and organized it, to fulfill the sacerdotal function of love and family, instead of the typical effort of worship, prayer and preaching.

To this day, it is but infantile in it's form, and as of yet, I am it's only active member, yet I am hopeful for it's long term eventual development.

Immediately, after writing it's foundation and building it's web site, I came to quickly see it's limitations, as while it could serve one percent 1% of our nation, it could not solve the underlying problems of our stagnant economies, and the entrenched problems of our world, and if it was to grow in size, and attempt to do so, it could only do so, by replacing the governments of our world, and in doing so, would become a problem in itself, and always there would be those who desire and deserve the free market and the non-religious freedom of the secular world economy, and would see such a church order, as a theocratic oppressive force, and since my concern is for all human kind, I began to consider larger scale solutions for the vast world wide problems of economic poverty and how we as a whole could solve not only the problem of the poorest of the poor but of the whole world, and eventually, I believe I developed an adequate solution for these problems as well. Which if implemented would end all world poverty, and allow such a church to serve it's core function of helping the meekest of the meek, rather than attempting large scale control and solution efforts.

After several years of writing abundant (sometimes insulting) letters to every nation on earth, concerning these economic solution plans, and being completely ignored, it has dawned on me, that if such solution plans are to be implemented then I must do so myself, as I cannot expect the politicians as they stand to do much of anything. Since, for the past 80 years, they have allowed the robbing of our freedom, and have sold our people out to foreign powers, and on the whole seem to suffer from a complete lack of vision. The same of which can be said of the International Bankers, and whom ever is advising them, since their methodology is nothing more than an extension of the same old world enslavement tactics, under the disguise of world wide corporate nation status out of the U.N. and funded by complicated banking schemes of power and control. All of which is highly flawed and limited to say the least. And I have devoted myself to the effort of offering the powers that be a much more effective means of accomplishing the same goals of world government, but using polar opposite methods such as ending all world debt, ending all world poverty, expanding the free market, restoring real freedom, and building a proper future destiny of prosperity for our species, and making money doing it.

So let it be clearly known, that I do not consider myself as being worthy of public office, in fact it will not be difficult for my opponents to attack me and to degrade my image, as the truth be told, rather than suggest to you that I am morally superior, or an intellectual elite, or deserving of leading you, I prefer to humble myself and say clearly, that I am less than the dirt on the bottom of your shoes, and should not be considered as being anything but that, and I would make no claim of being better than any other human, or worthy of being your leader.. no.. If anything I am applying for the job of President in 2012, so that I may be your humble servant, literally. I ask to be your servant, not your leader, and everything I try to do is to try and help my people.

I am running for office, simply because I have no choice, because we have lost the Constitution as law, and our present politicians seem completely incapable of solving for these many entrenched problems, and I am compelled beyond my ability to stop myself to stand and try and do something about it.

The truth is, I lived my life as a foul sinner, and I am still technically a sinner, but I have found God in my life, and I have repented for my sins and past behavior and I can only hope it is enough to save my soul. And in this life, I recognize Jesus as lord of this earth, and feel that it is the role and purpose of the religious people of our earth to take steps to wrestle it away from the hands of Satan, which all too often has been in charge.

Today, I am engaged to marry the most wonderful, kind, and beautiful woman I have ever met on earth, and I would express that I quit smoking Tobacco cold turkey, over 4 years ago, and will never under any circumstances smoke again, as these substances bring no benefit to a persons life, and are literally like chains which enslave us, either to chemicals, or bad habits of behavior, and knowing the pains of addiction, I honestly feel, I can help others in dealing with their consumptive problems.

The key to overcoming addiction is to recognize how it stands in the way of doing better things, and to want those better things, and to learn to hate the chains which bind us to our failures. And break those chains.

For considerations in recognition of the challenge of overcoming personal evil. It will not be an easy battle, and it cannot happen over night, but together human kind as a species, can learn to lock up our personal devils, and set humanity free of the burden of sin, while at the same time, allowing for the freedom of the individual to make their own decisions, without force, or needing abundant legislation to enforce morality, since those values should be taught as common place, and easily promoted in our schools, prisons, and on every street corner in a general sense, by the media at large.

So, while I have indeed lived as a sinner, with very loose liberal values, it is that life and the recognition of it's flaws, which has converted me, and turned me into the conservative which I am today, because loose liberal values has lead our nation into social norms of heavy drug abuse, loose sexual behavior, open sin, the killing of the un-born, a degradation of marriage, and the promotion of values and concepts which are themselves inherently satanic, meaning in essence, the concept of freedom has been perverted into meaning freedom from responsibility, shame, and guilt, and God, and that is NOT freedom, and is instead, enslavement to Satanic concepts and bad brainwashing by our loose media and secular educational systems.

But I am here to say, it's not too late.

I do not stand before you, and come to you as a worthy man, and you should know that instead, I come before you as a man, who is humbled by my own faults, shamed by my own sins, and guilty of my own crimes against myself, my God, and my people, and I can never wash away those sins, and they are like black stains on my soul which can never be washed away. But, the bad behavior, and bad habits, CAN be overcome, and I promote very clear ways to help all my brothers and sisters overcome their negative tendencies and habits.
All I can do, is try to be my best, by fighting for what I know to be right, and that is why I run for office, as an attempt to do and be the best I can be, by helping my people, instead of just hiding in a corner, or standing in public office like most politicians, and accepting things the way they are. (Things today, are not as they should be or could be.)

Just because we have sinned, and made mistakes, does not mean we should give up, give in, and accept what is wrong, in our lives, our environment, or our nation and politics. We must fight on.

The Constitution must be restored as the rule of law, and with it, the common law freedom it provides, where our government has limits, and where people are expected to be gentlemen and ladies, and where morality is common place, and sin and loose ways are no longer mainstream in our schools, our media, and most especially in our daily lives, and the lives of our children.

I may not be very strong, but I will try as I am able, I will try to help solve our worlds problems, and if anyone has a problem with that, then let them challenge the worth of my proposals for solution, and if they cannot find real flaw, then by all that is reasonable and logical, they, you, and all human kind should support these efforts, for if you elect someone else, you will get what you vote for."

Mosheh Eesho Muhammad Al-faraj Thezion a/k/a Luis Edwardo Correa Announces Candidacy For The Libertarian Party's Presidential Nomination In 2012

2012-01-11T19:22:00.010-05:00

On January 11, 2012, Mosheh Thezion (a/k/a Luis Edwardo Correa), a member of the Libertarian Party who has registered with the Federal Election Commission as a candidate for President in 2012 (F.E.C. Candidate ID #P20002135; Campaign Committee #C00480657 Mosheh For President), announced (in an exclusive to Liberty Lion) his intention to seek the Libertarian Party's Presidential Nomination in 2012. His slogan is "A Better Deal For America = Restore The Constitution!"

On his website, Mosheh Thezion writes:

In 1933, our servant, told us, that if we make the servant OUR master, that it can serve us better, but 80 years has shown that when the servant becomes the master, that servant becomes a ''tyrant'' over what was its master, the People and States and constitutional law.

We got ripped off by the NEW DEAL OF 1933, and I say...THAT DEAL IS OFF.

The Constitution must be restored, and anything less is un-acceptable.

As a candidate, when I win office, it will be my duty by OATH of office to uphold, defend and protect that Constitution, and I promise to do exactly that!

In conjunction with his announcement to seek the Libertarian Party's Presidential Nomination in 2012, Mosheh Eesho Muhammad Al-faraj Thezion published the following letter:

My fellow Americans:

I run for President and seek the nomination because I believe that I truly understand what the American people need and want from the next President.

And that is not a HEAD OF STATE - we need a Head of Government.

Most candidates run as Head of State - they look good and make good speeches but that is all they do.

I run to be Head of Government, and sit in the White House and actually lead our nation to solution, and let someone else run around making lame speeches.

I offer detailed economic plans to save our sovereignty.

On my PLATFORM website, I explain, exactly what I will do, how I will do it, why I will do it, and why you all should be happy that I was able to do so.

I run for office, because I offer A LIST OF REAL DEMANDS, AND REAL DETAILED SOLUTIONS. (All of which I would do in my first Ten days.)

WE DEMAND TO PAY OFF THE ENTIRE NATIONAL DEBT, permanently.

--> http://mosheh.org/Currency.html

WE DEMAND TO RESTORE REAL COMMODITY BASED MONEY, and end the use of Fiat debt currency.

--> http://mosheh.org/Currency.html

WE DEMAND TO expand the E.D.D. and make it possible to provide true long term JOB SECURITY for all Americans, which will end all welfare programs.

--> http://mosheh.org/people-and-jobs.html

WE DEMAND TO establish a NEW ECONOMIC SYSTEM, literally, to solve for the problems of debt, excess taxation, and economic debt slavery.

--> http://mosheh.org/Banks-47-Credit-Cards.html

WE DEMAND TO RESTORE THE CONSTITUTION as the rule of law as written, requiring amendments to grant powers.

--> http://mosheh.org/The-Constitution.html

WE DEMAND TO END THE MODERN FEDERAL RESERVE, and nationalize it, so that Congress may Audit/control and dismantle it as it sees fit over time.

--> http://mosheh.org/Excessive-Taxation.html

WE DEMAND TO Abolish the I.R.S. (Reduce or eliminate income taxes!)

--> http://mosheh.org/Excessive-Taxation.html

WE DEMAND TO restore true PROPERTY RIGHTS to all Americans.

--> http://mosheh.org/Property-Rights.html

WE DEMAND TO restore true constitutional Common Law Freedom!

--> http://mosheh.org/Freedom-and-THE-LAW.html

WE DEMAND TO set up deliberate long term FREE MARKET EXPANDING DEVELOPMENT GOALS, with the Military, the Banks, NASA, states, counties, and cities, as we work to transform our nation, and build up its infrastructure for the next several centuries.

--> http://mosheh.org/Fixing-the-Economy.html

WE DEMAND TO free our own nation from debt slavery, and providing the means for economic prosperity for the next several centuries, AND then work to lead the U.N. into a simple and clear economic plan, which will make it possible to actually END ALL WORLD POVERTY, and make money doing it.

--> http://mosheh.org/Message-for-Bankers.html

and...

WE DEMAND LEADERS WHO CAN GET IT DONE...AND NOTHING LESS.

I call it A NEW DEAL FOR 2012!

-- > http://mosheh.org/A-New-Deal_2012.html

I offer.. a TEN DAY PLAN... to get ALL OF IT DONE.

----> http://mosheh.org/THE-ISSUES.html

I run, because my nation needs me too.

-Mosheh Thezion
Libertarian Candidate for U.S. President in 2012
http://mosheh.org/Home.html
1-818-397-1352
campaign@mosheh.org

Mosheh Eesho Muhammad Al-faraj Thezion (a/k/a Luis Edwardo Correa) was born in Queens County, New York and currently lives in Burbank, California. He was born July 16, 1969 at 12:36 p.m.. His parents were immigrants from Columbia although he claims to be "a mutt with Spanish, Portuguese, South American Indian and perhaps some unconfirmed Jewish blood".

Quotations from"The Age Of Rand: Imagining An Objectivist Future World" by Frederick Cookinham (Part 1)

2012-01-10T21:58:00.001-05:00

Dr. Tom Stevens, Objectivist Party Founder & Chair, has obtained permission from Frederick Cookinham, the author of The Age Of Rand: Imagining An Objectivist Future World, to reprint selected quotations from his book.

In this first installment, quotations were taken from the Introduction, Chapter 1 & Chapter 2. To enable you to research the context of each quotation, page numbers have been provided. These quotations do not necessarily reflect the ideas of Dr. Tom Stevens or the Objectivist Party.

If you like what you read, you can purchase the book at Amazon.com here: http://www.amazon.com/Age-Rand-Imagining-Objectivist-Future/dp/0595351530

Introduction

This is not a biography of Ayn Rand. Nor is it a learned treatise on her philosophic system, Objectivism. It is a speculation on what the world might be like if Objectivism catches on worldwide. (pg. 1)

I have been on a mission for thirty-seven years to dispel the stereotype of Objectivists as humorless, blue-suited atheist versions of Mormon missionaries. (pg. 1)

My interest is history, not philosophy. What has always fascinated me is the process by which ideas percolate through a culture and cause concrete changes. (pg. 1)

I will not go so far as to claim that the 21st century will be the Age of Rand, but I do not think it too reckless to say that it could be. (pg. 1)

It is tough to write about the future Age of Rand because there is simply no model for the triumph of a new moral system. It has never happened before. Every religion, philosophy and political system so far has included a re-hash of the moral system of Altruism. Without a model to guide us, we are flying blind into the future. (pg. 2)

The cultures of the world are merging into a single culture, due to the Internet, on top of radio and television and jet travel. Where Europe and America have been dominated by Christianity and the Middle East by Islam up to now, it is likely that some idea system, either a religion, a philosophy, or something, will soon come to dominate, not just a regional culture, but the emerging culture of Earth. To whatever extent Man moves into space, that move too will reflect some dominant view. Why not Objectivism? (pg. 2)

…an era of daily transformations of all our lives by technology will certainly favor a philosophy that celebrates science and invention. The message of this volume, then, is The Age of Rand may be coming. Join in preparing for it. (pg. 4)

I have capitalized the word “Objectivism” because it is the name Rand chose for her total philosophic system. In dictionaries, you will find it uncapitalized. Without the capital O it means the objective theory of reality, that is, the theory that when I close my eyes, the universe does not cease to exist, it goes on without me. That is the basis of Rand’s system, so she named the whole system after its most basic premise. (pg. 4)

Relating, integrating, finding the connections – between Rand’s past, present and future, her place in the lost perspective of history – that is the purpose of this book. (pg. 7)

Chapter 1

The Boy On The Bicycle

Rand wrote that the noble soul demands of himself that he be able to explain rationally his every thought, feeling and action. He makes sure of his facts before he opens his mouth. (pg. 11)

Face the facts! Set a goal and strive for it! The world makes sense, even if many of the people in it don’t. Your world makes sense if you do. Don’t panic! Cultivate your own garden! Make of your life a work of art! These are the messages of Ayn Rand. (pg. 12)

She was not well-informed. She got many facts wrong about the world outside her Murray Hill apartment. But she forged an iron chain connecting Aristotle’s laws of logic, Egoism, and free market economics. (pg. 13)

Anti-TribalThink TribalThink

In the 1960s, Nathaniel Branden was a young psychotherapist and Rand’s foremost protégé, and, for a while, her lover. After his break with Rand in 1968…Branden wisely said…“The Break” had been over a personal matter, not a philosophical one…And, he added, “The Break might even lead to good consequences, if it gets students to separate ideas from personalities. And if it gives them a feeling of being more on their own, so much the better”. (pgs. 13-14)

The Rand camp and the Branden camp have been completely on their own since Ayn Rand died on March 6, 1982. On one side were Nathaniel and Barbara Branden, no longer married, but equally banished from Rand’s circle, and now, free of her spell, getting some distance and perspective on the whole experience. On the other side were Dr. Leonard Peikoff, heir to Rand’s money and copy-rights, and his fellow philosopher Dr. David Kelley: The keepers of the flame. Kelley would have his own Break from Peikoff in 1989, and this time it was over a philosophical difference. Peikoff founded the Ayn Rand Institute in 1985, and Kelley the rival Institute for Objectivist Studies (now called The Objectivist Center) in 1990. (pg. 14)

The Brandens did not, of course, dare to show up at Rand’s calling hours or interment, but I was there, at Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, Westchester County, New York. There was a light snowfall and no wind as I stood in the crowd at her graveside, listening to Kelley read Rand’s favorite poem – Rudyard Kipling’s “If” – and to Peikoff as he said: “Ayn Rand wanted no stone. Her achievements are her monument. She changed the course of history, and those who knew her, or knew her through her books, loved her, and do….” (pg. 14)

What Rand’s circle of the 1960s discovered painfully over many years will be re-discovered by new generations of Rand readers – the need to make that separation between ideas and personalities. Hopefully, all the subsequent books about Rand will make it unnecessary for every generation to go through all the same process of disillusionment that the first did. Those who pick up and read Rand’s books after this point will be…spared exposure to all the mishigoss; the cultlike aspect of the Ayn Rand circle. They will benefit from the ideas of Rand without getting enmeshed in the personality of Rand. But there is enough, and more than enough, of that personality in her novels that the cult-joining personality – who will make a cult out of anything, even a philosophy of thinking for oneself – will still be attracted, through her novels, to what he will call the philosophy of Objectivism, but which is really a game of aping Rand’s personality, especially its aspect of heretic-hunting. (pgs. 14-15)

Chapter 2

Who Was This Rand Person, Anyway?

Ayn Rand was born Alice, or in Russian, Alisa, Rosenbaum on February 2, 1905. She came to the United States in 1926, took the pen name Ayn (rhymes with swine, she used to say) Rand, and started writing screenplays. She sold one to Cecil B. DeMille, but it was never produced. She wrote a play, Night of January 16th, which was produced in Hollywood and then on Broadway, in 1935. Moving to New York with her husband, Frank O’Connor…she oversaw a successful run for her play and then published her first novel, We The Living, in 1936…Her success came with her novel The Fountainhead, 1943, which became a Warner Brothers movie in 1949 starring Gary Cooper. She wrote a dystopian future fantasy novelette called Anthem, published in 1938, as a vacation from writing The Fountainhead. She labored for twelve years, 1945 to 1957, on her magnum opus, Atlas Shrugged. (pg. 22)

Rand put that new philosophical system very succinctly when one of the Random House salesmen asked her, at a pre-publication sales conference, “Can you explain your philosophy while standing on one foot?” She replied by naming the four main branches of philosophy and giving a one-or two-word summary of her position in each: “Metaphysics: objective reality. Epistemology: reason. Ethics: self-interest. Politics: Capitalism”. (pg. 23)

Go to www.nathanielbranden.net and he will explain the problem with Rand’s use of the word “capitalism” to describe her politics. In Jefferson’s time, the word for Rand’s politics and Jefferson’s was “liberal”. Today the word “libertarian” is gaining currency for the politics of severely limited government, and of free enterprise. (pg. 23)

This ethical system of Rand’s is not about sacrifice of one person to another, or cheating, or the pious hypocrisy of telling the other guy you are doing him a favor when you aren’t. It is about two people who respect each other, and who both reject the ethics of Altruism and self-sacrifice. (pg. 24)

Respect. No illusions. No cheating or favors or lies, but more than that: no perceived need for cheating or favors or lies. That is the result of two people respecting each other’s right to live for his own sake – and of knowing that rational people are of value to each other. (pgs. 24-25)

Branden (originally Nathan Blumenthal) had written Rand a fan letter in 1949, when he was nineteen. She invited him to write, then to call, then to visit, then, with his girlfriend Barbara Weidman, to read as much of the Atlas manuscript as she had written. Nathan and Barbara transferred from UCLA to NYU to finish their schooling, and Ayn and Frank followed them to New York. The Brandens were married in 1953, both taking, as their nom de plume for their expected future writing, the name Branden. (pg. 25)

In New York, Nathaniel and Barbara introduced a series of friends and relatives to Rand, and they all met at Ayn’s (thirty-six East Thirty-sixth Street) every Saturday night, to read and discuss each freshly completed chapter of Atlas. Leonard Peikoff, destined to inherit Rand’s money and copyrights, was Barbara’s cousin (and fellow philosophy student under Sidney Hook at NYU), and Joan Mitchell was her childhood friend. All three came from Winnipeg. (pg. 25)

Another member of Rand’s inner circle in those days, and later a fellow lecturer at NBI, was economist Alan Greenspan, who went on to become President Gerald Ford’s Chief Economic Advisor in 1974, and was made Chairman of the Federal Reserve System by President Reagan in 1987. Greenspan has taken some ribbing from “serious” economists for his former association with Rand, and for his articles in Rand’s magazine The Objectivist in favor of the gold standard and against the Federal Reserve System he later headed. Joan Mitchell was briefly married to him, and since then to Branden’s cousin and fellow Toronto native, psychotherapist Allan Blumenthal. Greenspan hailed from Washington Heights, Manhattan, but otherwise Branden had surrounded Rand with a sort of a Canadian Mafia. (pgs. 25-26)

She died in 1982, three years after Frank. She left her money and copyrights to Peikoff, by now a philosophy professor, who had stayed loyal to her after most of her old friends had (according to Barbara’s and Nathaniel’s books) gotten tired of putting up with her crankiness. (pg. 26)

Most of the intelligentsia probably hope she will simply be forgotten, as the writer of a couple of bad novels, a supporter of Wendell Willkie, Richard Nixon and Barry Goldwater, and as one of the “scoundrels” and “reactionaries” who persecuted those poor, dear, innocent Communists in Hollywood. (pg. 26)

Rand As Faust

Whether by accident or design on Rand’s part, though, she did end up with people around her who got more and more cult-ish as she got older. Today, these people make some breathtaking statements. Harry Binswanger, editor of The Ayn Rand Lexicon and the number two man in the Peikoff faction, has said in public lectures that even We The Living was one of the greatest novels in world literature, there were no negative elements in Rand’s character, praise of Atlas is probably impossible because there is no greater thing to which to compare it, all Objectivists should re-read all of Rand’s books at least once a year, and Rand was a once-a-millennium genius. (pg. 29)

Sometime during Atlas’s notes-and-outline phase, January 1, 1945 to September 2, 1946, Rand got the integration bit between her teeth, and never stopped running with it for the rest of her life. (pg. 30)

After meeting Branden, she decided that she could integrate a lover into her marriage and see no contradiction. She had already decided that she could integrate Frank, who was not heroic, into her insistence that she could love only a hero, and see no contradiction. Then Ayn insisted to Nathaniel that the two of them would be totally honest with their spouses and clear the affair with them before beginning their beguine, after which the four of them had to lie systematically for years to their friends about their “design for living.” She somehow integrated the micro-honesty with the macro-dishonesty, and saw no contradiction. Her strength, and her weakness, was that she had become an integration junkie. (pg. 30)

The pity is that Rand wrote no more fiction after Atlas. She wrote a brief sketch of a new novel, with the theme of “unrequited love” (this was during her post-Atlas-partum depression, when Nathaniel was slipping away from her as a lover after the first lustful couple of years), but then she started writing articles for The Objectivist Newsletter and never made any progress on the novel. (pg. 30)

After being repeatedly reminded of her promise to write a full treatise on Objectivism some day, she reportedly said, finally, “Oh, can’t Leonard do that?” Years after her death, Peikoff did write the long-awaited treatise. But Rand neither wrote the technical philosophical stuff she was not professionally qualified to write (she had no Master’s in philosophy, or any other subject, let alone a doctorate), nor the possible novels that she was. If she had delegated the non-fiction to, first, Branden, and, after her break with him, Peikoff, and had turned back to fiction herself, and if she had written novels in a reasonable amount of time – not the twelve years of Atlas, but a year for each of a series of simple, non-philosophical novels (mysteries, perhaps; she liked those) then we could have had, between Atlas in 1957 and her death in 1982, as many as twenty-five new Ayn Rand novels! (pg. 31)

Branden…says, “Rand has a right to be wrong sometimes. No need to turn bitterly against her, like petulant eight-year olds who have just discovered that Mommy and Daddy are not the omniscient beings they thought they were”. That’s Branden’s leavening of the Rand message: the distance and perspective gained through painful experience. (pg. 32)

Objectivism will be Stone Soup – that’s the story about the three lost soldiers who ask villagers for food. The villagers refuse to give them any, so the soldiers tell the villagers that they will make stone soup. The villagers’ curiosity is aroused as they watch the soldiers gather stones and boil them in a vat of water. The villagers bring vegetables, spices, and other ingredients to add to the stone soup, and soon they are having such a good time preparing a feast for the whole village that no one notices that the soldiers have in fact contributed nothing to the soup but stones. The very fact of Rand’s having been nothing but a cult guru who didn’t know a thing about philosophy will itself be the best proof of her philosophy: she will have proved that a bunch of amateurs – her readers – could write our own philosophy, but tapping into the best within us. (pgs. 32-33)

From Kerensky To Reagan

She became a naturalized U.S. citizen, and cast her first vote in 1932: for FDR. He did run, it surprised me to learn, on the most conservative platform the Democrats had pushed in fifty years. In fact, he ran against the New Deal, not on it. Hoover was already “priming the pump”: making government loans to business, in the hope that business would hire the unemployed. It did not work when Hoover did it and it did not work when Roosevelt continued it under the name “the New Deal,” but it was that Hoover policy of pump priming that Roosevelt ran against. Then he got elected and continued it. (pg. 34)

Needless to say, FDR lasted about as long as Kerensky on Rand’s hero roster. Barbara Branden reports that Rand’s reason for her first vote was that Roosevelt was more “libertarian” than Hoover. (Later, that word became associated with a certain minor party, so Rand announced that it now meant…well, read Peikoff’s ally Peter Schwartz’s whole article “Libertarianism: The Perversion of Liberty” in The Voice of Reason and see how many implications are now supposed to lurk in that word.) (pg. 35)

Wendell Willkie was an Indiana power company executive and a lifelong Democrat when he snared, in a political upset, the Republican nomination for President in 1940. Ayn and Frank took six months off to work full-time, unpaid, on the Willkie campaign. Rand made speeches and fielded questions in a theater in New York, and on the street, sometimes dealing with unfriendly crowds. When the campaign was over and Willkie had lost, Rand asked him why he had not taken a more outspoken stand on individualism, when he had written so well about it before. Willkie said “Individualism? Well, I’m for it.” And walked off. Rand experienced a “horrible shock of disgust.” (pg. 35)

In The Objectivist Newsletter, in 1964, Rand at first cautiously recommended Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater as a presidential candidate. But in later issues that year she reported that Goldwater’s message, like Willkie’s, was getting watered down. After Election Day, she gave her postmortem. She wrote that Goldwater, given a chance to speak from the highest platform in the world, the doorstep of the White House, had nothing to say. (pg. 35)

Then the Libertarian Party was formed, in 1971, and since Rand already knew Murray Rothbard, its intellectual godfather, and disapproved of his “Anarcho-capitalism,” she never had a good word to say about it. (pg. 35)

Along came Ronald Reagan. By this time, a very cautious “buy” signal was all Rand could manage. Even that lasted no longer than it took Rand to decide that, as an abortion opponent, Reagan clearly know nothing about rights, and would therefore disappoint Objectivists in all other realms sooner or later. By Reagan’s time, no mere ideological commitment to “small government” would have made any difference. Rand had been burned too many times by political alliances. (pgs. 35-36)

In a way, though, Rand’s political instincts were shrewd. It never pays to get mixed up with a minor party (look at their lack of a record of accomplishment), and it never pays a writer to get mixed up with any political group, because a writer cannot control a real-life group the way she can the fictional characters in her novels. Rand’s lifelong pattern in political involvement was disappointment and withdrawal. But what an impact it might have had if she had endorsed the Libertarian party and guided it, and lent it the hard-hitting polemical style she wielded elsewhere. Any political application of Rand’s ideas, though, will have to overcome the obstacle of the essentially apolitical mentality of the typical Rand reader. It is hard to build a John Galt movement, because John Galt just was not a movement kind of guy. Can you see Galt quitting his regular profession and running for office, like Arnold Schwarzenegger? Can you see him wearing a boater at a political convention, handing out leaflets on the streets, or asking pass-ers-by to sign a petition allowing a Libertarian Party candidate, or an “Objectivist Party” candidate, on the ballot? You may say that Galt is supposed to be a physicist, not a politician, but even in the Age of Rand, there will have to be some people who do decide on a career as a professional politician. We can’t all be physicists. This will be one of the big conundrums of any individual influenced by Rand, and of any Age influenced by Rand: to the extent that that Age takes the novels literally as guides to action, that Age will have a hard time producing all the different kinds of people it takes to make a world. Someone will have to find a way to look up to Galt as a role model and still content himself with a career as a politician, or a mortician, or a janitor, or any number of other un-Galtlike things. He will have to ask his parents and teachers and the resident philosopher in his local Objectivist Community Center how to reconcile his admiration for Rand’s heroes with his own penchant for shaking hands and making deals in the coatrooms of Congress. He will be told that the virtue of Galtishness lies not in what you do (within the Non-aggression Principle) but in how well you do it, and in your integration of your self-interest with the rights of others. (That is, legislate all you like, as long as you do not violate the Non-aggression Principle.) (pg. 36)

Fountainhead Author. Four Letters.

…a long historical perspective on Rand will place her, in your grandchildren’s eyes, firmly in the multi-thousand year trend toward secularism and toward inclusion of all Mankind in everything our peasant ancestors were excluded from, mainly wealth and decision making. (pg. 38)

Rand found homosexuality personally disgusting, but on a much more fundamental level taught that human life is about that which makes us human and not about that which divides us, like sexual orientation. So the revolution she started has outrun even what she herself would have been comfortable with, as any revolution worth its salt will do…The problems over Gay versus Straight, Male versus Female, White versus Black, and so on will be sorted out and the excluded will be included, because all these differences are trumped in the end by our common humanness – and no one should realize that more vividly than the reader turned on to philosophy by “the greatest salesman philosophy has ever had.” Philosophy, by definition, is about the human: the consciously chosen. (pg. 38)

At The Starting Gate

Will the twenty-first century be the Ayn Rand Century? She is poised to cash in on the near future’s reaction against religion. I can think of nothing better to give all religion a black eye than for a generation to associate religion with the kind of fanaticism that crashes planes into buildings…but only if people have something with which to replace religion. A man has to believe in something. Why not himself? (pg. 40)

Building a “Museum of Capitalism” is not the answer. It will, though, be of interest once the Age of Rand has arrived. And it may, if handled creatively, rouse some interest in the benefits of free competition among the young in the meantime. But if it is just about the tycoons of the past, who were always first in line for government subsidies, and who “externalized” their pollution and other costs of doing business on all of us, no. The audience has already seen its fill of portraits of dead while male tycoons…But what the people of the world want and need is millions of micro-loans, to start millions of micro-businesses that will grow and make everyone into something of a tycoon. Then build a museum to celebrate that process. Some libertarians are already on top of this phenomenon. African economist George B.N. Ayittey, in his book Africa Unchained, expresses high hopes for an Africa empowered by micro-credit, cottage industries and a new generation of better-educated and more results-oriented leaders than the last generation, with its simple faith in socialist revolution. And Alan Greenspan has recently said that many small banks are better than one big central bank, even from the point of view of each bank’s own bottom line: it seems that small banks investing in innovative companies can actually get a better return on their investments than big banks in a sluggish, politicized economy. If Objectivists are the ones to champion micro-loans, Objectivism will see growth to put Rand’s recent book sales figures to shame. The Ayn Rand Institute and The Objectivist Center will need Yankee Stadium for meetings. The New York Times will start having Objectivist opinion on the editorial page, not in the right-wing ghetto on the Op-Ed page. Here’s the place to start: Three organizations that make micro-loans and give their first leg up to the James J. Hills and Cornelius Vanderbilts and Bill Gateses of the future: Accion New York, the Trickle Up Program (www.vita.org/trickle), and the Grameen Bank (www.grameen-info.org). Muhammad Yunnus, an economics professor, started the Grameen (“Village”) Bank in Chittagong, Bangladesh in 1983. The bank makes loans as small as $50 in the poorest villages in Bangladesh and guides the borrowers through something like American investment clubs or Junior Achievement. In the chapters ahead, you will see how this relates to the Adversarial Principle and alternative institutions, how it acts as a counter to the socialist assumption of a government monopoly in every industry, and how it will become the winning strategy for a future Objectivist Party. (pgs. 41-42)

Rand is poised to cash in on the near future’s reaction against ethnic tribal-think…What does the Internet do, but encourage the individual to think of the whole world as his domain, for him to communicate with freely, and from which to buy, and to which to sell? What has ever subverted national borders and language barriers and ethnic prejudice like the Internet? What is the computer mouse but a symbol of individual choice? (pg. 42)

Even if Rand is seen as a dilettante in philosophy, or as an amateur, or even as a phony and cult leader, she still said certain things that needed saying. (pg. 42)

South Carolina Libertarian Executive Committee Endorses Gary Johnson For President

2012-01-10T14:12:00.001-05:00

The South Carolina Libertarian Executive Committee has endorsed Gary Johnson for the Libertarian Party's Presidential Nomination in 2012.

The Resolution they passed was the following:

Whereas, the South Carolina Libertarian Party supports the libertarian principles demonstrated by Gary Johnson and appreciates the efforts the candidate has been making to bring the message of libertarian ideas of personal and financial freedom to the voting public.

Resolved, that the following South Carolina Libertarian Party Executive Committee members endorse Gary Johnson for his bid for the Libertarian Party’s nomination for the Office of President of the United States at the upcoming national convention in May of 2012 and we encourage our delegation to support him.

The Resolution was signed by:

SC National Delegate and Charleston County Committeeman, Stewart Flood

SC National Delegate and Anderson County Committeeman, Adrian Banks

SC National Delegate and State Chairman, Victor Kocher

SC National Delegate and State Vice-Chairman, Michael Carmany

SC National Delegate and Berkeley County Committeeman, Jeffrey Dimit

Richland County Committeewoman, Jennifer Schulz

Lexington County Committeeman, Dr. David Morris

York County Committeewoman, Marge Wakefield and her husband, Arch Wakefield

In commenting upon this action. South Carolina Libertarian Party State Chair Victor Kocher said:

The fact that Governor Johnson brings to the table his executive-level experience and a proven record of fiscal responsibility and that he left his term-limited post in New Mexico with a balanced budget and a $1 billion budget surplus, I believe that he would be the best candidate to represent the Libertarian Party on a national level.

The South Carolina Libertarian Executive Committee is the second Libertarian Party State Committee to endorse Gary Johnson for the Libertarian Party's Presidential Nomination. The first was the Nebraska Libertarian Party's Central Committee. The first Libertarian Party organization to endorse Gary Johnson was the Libertarian Party of Northampton County, Pennsylvania.

Sam Sloan Tied For The Lead After Two Rounds In The 2011 World Championship Of Chinese Chess Held At Hotel Borobudur In Jakarta, Indonesia

2012-01-09T14:00:00.006-05:00

Sam Sloan, the runner-up for the New York Libertarian Party's Gubernatorial Nomination in 2010, participated in The World Championship Of Chinese Chess (Xiangqi), which was held from November 20-26, 2011 at Hotel Borobudur in Jakarta, Indonesia.

78 players from 24 member National Federations contested the World Championship. Each Federation was entitled to enter one (1) team leader, two (2) male players and one (1) female player. This quota did not apply to non-Chinese/Vietnamese players.

Sam Sloan was one of the players who received an invitation to represent the United States. Regarding his invitation, Mr. Sloan said:

I am easily the strongest known player of Chinese chess in the USA who is non-Chinese. Therefore, I was entitled to receive and did receive an invitation to participate in this tournament.

It is true that there are 50 million players of Chinese chess in China and only two are invited to this event. In fact there are two former World Champions who are here only as spectators. They are Liu Da Hua and Zhow Go Rong. They are easily stronger than all but a few of the players in this event...Nevertheless, this is a real World Championship, as the current champion and highest rated player in China and the world is here, as is the number two player in China.

After two rounds of play, there were 13 players tied for the lead with scores of 2-0. Sam Sloan was amongst them, having defeated Dmitry Rumyantsev of Russia in the first round and Chein Kyi of Myanmar (Burma) in the second round. .

The 13 players who tied for first were:

庄宏明 CHONG Heung Ming Philippines

阮明昭 JUAN Ming Chao Chinese Tiepei commonly known as Taiwan

李锦欢 LEI Kam Fun of Macao

邝伟德 Kon ISLAND of Hong Kong

梁达民 LEUNG Tat Man of Hong Kong

黄俊铭 NG Jun Ming of Singapore

蒋川 JIANG Chuan of China

庄力铭 CHENG Kah Siong of Brunai

吴宗翰 WOO Tsung Han of Singapore

许银川 XU YinChuan of China

武明一 VU Minh Ngat of Vietnam

李必炽 Michael LEE of USA West

斯隆 Sam Sloan of USA West

Xiangqi (Chinese: 象棋; pinyin: Xiàngqí), also known as Chinese chess, is a two-player Chinese board game. It is one of the most popular board games in China. The game represents a battle between two armies, with the object of capturing the enemy's general (king). Distinctive features of xiangqi include the cannon (pao), which must jump to capture; a rule prohibiting the generals from facing each other directly, and areas on the board called the river and palace, which restrict the movement of some pieces. Pieces are placed on the intersections of the lines on the board, rather than within the squares. The name xiangqi means "elephant game", a reference to the bishops.

Sam Sloan is the author of the book 'Chinese Chess For Beginners' and was the winner of the 1988 World Championship of Chinese Chess for Non-Chinese in Beijing, China. He has been recognized as a "Foreign Master" of Chinese Chess by the World Chinese Chess Federation. In 2006, he served on the Executive Board of the United States Chess Federation. Sam Sloan is currently an active member of the Libertarian Party of Queens County. He ran for an At-Large Representative position at the Libertarian Party National Convention held in St. Louis, Missouri in 2010.

Tiffany Briscoe, Boston Tea Party's 2012 Presidential Nominee, Urges All Presidential Candidates To Focus On Serious Issues & Not On Efforts To Get Government To Promote Any Other Moral Value Except Peace

2012-01-08T15:33:00.006-05:00

Tiffany Briscoe, the Presidential Nominee of the Boston Tea Party for 2012, has issued a statement urging all Presidential Candidates to focus on serious issues facing our nation and not on unconstitutional efforts to get government to regulate sexual relations, to protect Judeo-Christian values or to promote any other moral value except peace.

In a statement submitted exclusively to Liberty Lion, Tiffany Briscoe wrote:

Millions of people are out of work. Millions of others are living under the level of poverty and are hit by inflation, high taxes, and social control on a daily basis. We are seeing Main Street ripped off by an alliance of Big Government and Big Business, while our children are being put in a failing educational system bound to hurt them more than anything else. Our federal government is growing larger every second, we're killing hundreds with a devastating foreign policy combining sanctions and embargoes against innocent people and military attacks against unsure enemies, and the Police State is being implemented without any sign of reaction from the media.

And we're talking about bestiality? Where in the Constitution does it say that the federal government has the power to regulate sexual relations? Some talk about morality, and the loss of Judeo-Christian values in America. This is the truth. Our governments should never promote any sort of moral values, besides peace.

We live in the greatest country in the world and we are facing one of the most challenging crises in our history. The future of humanity relies on the example that we shall set in this election cycle. We need to focus on the serious issues, and not be lost in the dangers of the small, irrelevant, and possibly unconstitutional pipes of social regulation.

I call on all candidates to focus on issues that really matter and that have nor risk to upset the principle of constitutionality.

John A. Dummett, Jr., a candidate for the Republican Party's Presidential Nomination in 2012, responded to Ms. Briscoe's with the following statement in support of governmental involvement in issues of morality:

It is a primary duty of any government to determine the laws by which we live. If this were not the case then slavery would still exist and women still would not have the vote. However there is a fine balance between liberty, freedom and total chaos. To say government has no place enforcing morality is ludicrous. Look around. The reason why we have such a huge crime rate has more to do with bleeding heart liberalism and social engineering than it does at all by Judeo/Christian meddling.

We must go back to running this nation as our founding fathers envisioned it would be ran and you can bet the bank that none of them would be happy to see the total divorcement of Christian morals and ethics from our everyday lives. The concept is freedom of religion not from religion and anyone who does not understand this truism is part of the problem and not the solution.

Presidential Candidates Mosheh Thezion (R), John A. Dummett, Jr. (R) & Don Cordell (I) Respond To Calls For The Decriminalization Of Bestiality

2012-01-08T01:26:00.003-05:00

Three Presidential Hopefuls have shared their strongly held opinions with Liberty Lion after learning that Carl Person, a candidate for the Libertarian Party's 2012 Presidential Nomination, and Tiffany Briscoe, the Presidential Nominee of the Boston Tea Party, both came out for the repeal of laws criminalizing bestiality.

Their comments were the following:

I...DO NOT support bestiality - alive or dead. I do support laws to protect animals from being enslaved as sex slaves to wacko perverts who clearly have mental issues. I favor the restoration of the Common Law legal system. I favor the restoration of freedom. I would favor a constitutional amendment to make bestiality illegal. The criminal penalties should fit the circumstances of the offence. All offences would not be equal and so punishment should not be equal.

- Mosheh Thezion
Republican Candidate for U.S. President in 2012
http://mosheh.org/About-Mosheh.html

Morality in America has become a joke. The issue of whether bestiality is a victimless crime should not even be addressed because everyone with morals would find the act unthinkable and disgusting. It is an affront to man and to God, as many of the immoral acts that pass as normal behavior in this world now...bestiality is not only a crime against nature but it is also a crime against man. A first offense should be treated in a mental institution. Another offense jail time is appropriate.

- John A Dummett Jr.
Presidential Candidate 2012 (R)
http://www.johndummett.us/welcome.html

We've had presidents that have destroyed our finances, our security from invasion, and the downsizing of our educational system, our morals, taxing churches to end religion, and you worry about a little thing, like fucking anything alive or not, what are you a communist or something. Hey they are just trying (and winning) to destroy our nation, and NOW you're concerned? That's why I am actually running for President NOW. If we do not step up to the bat and retake control of this nation, we will return to slavery. We have world wide traitors that are doing everything they can to take control of every nation in the world under the One World Government plan. Yes Yes Yes, I believe bestiality should be against the law, and our government screwing the American citizens should be against the law. We are all being screwed, Congress and the Senate are the screwee's. It is time to replace all of them. I'm against teaching our little children starting in Kindergarten that GAY is OK. We used to have morals in this nation, and Congress has shown us, there are no morals left.

- Don Cordell
Presidential Candidate 2012 (I)
http://www.doncordellforpresident.com/

Applause! Applause! Review of "Edgar Lee Masters' Spoon River Anthology" at the Musical Theatre Works by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens

2012-01-07T20:18:00.001-05:00

This review of "Edgar Lee Masters' Spoon River Anthology" at Musical Theatre Works was written and published by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens and appeared in Volume II, Issue 1 (March, 1998) of Applause! Applause!

"Edgar Lee Masters' Spoon River Anthology"
Directed by Marc Malamed
Musical Theatre Works (440 Lafayette Street, NYC)
Reviewed 3/1/98 at 7:00 p.m.

This play consisted of 11 women and 2 men performing slices of life as characters from Edgar Lee Masters' Spoon River Anthology. The two men played male characters and the 11 women played both male and female characters, with vocals by the extremely talented Marilyn O'Connell. This play needs to be re-excerpted and re-edited before it becomes the riveting emotional-rollercoaster-ride-through-the-tapestry-of-life it should be. The script for this current work should be buried "on the hill." However, most of the actors have tremendous talent. My favorite portrayals included Michael Vaccaro playing Howard Snively and Knowlt Hoheimer; Kristi Schultz playing Sarah Brown and Faith Matheny; Tonya Lester playing Dora Williams; Matt Lai playing Harry Wilmans; Amy Gile playing George Gray; and the entire Ensemble playing Jubilee Joe.

Applause! Applause! Review of "Smokey Joe's Cafe: The Songs Of Leiber & Stoller" at the Virginia Theatre by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens

2012-01-07T20:14:00.002-05:00

This review of "Smokey Joe's Cafe: The Songs Of Leiber & Stoller" at the Virginia Theatre was written and published by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens and appeared in Volume II, Issue 1 (March, 1998) of Applause! Applause!

"Smokey Joe's Cafe: The Songs Of Leiber & Stoller"
Directed by Jerry Zaks
Virginia Theatre (245 West 52nd Street, NYC)
Reviewed 2/19/98 at 8:00 p.m.

All of the songs in "Smokey Joe's Cafe" were written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller (alone or with others), except "Spanish Harlem" written by Phil Spector and Jerry Lieber. These numbers included such popular favorites as "Keep On Rollin'", "Fools Fall In Love", "On Broadway", "D.W. Washburn", "Saved", "Yakety Yak", "Charlie Brown", "Teach Me How To Shimmy", "Hound Dog", "Love Potion #9", "Jailhouse Rock", "I (Who Have Nothing)" and "Stand By Me".

Although the entire cast is extremely talented, my clear favorites were James Beeks, a true entertainer, and D'Atra Hicks, who has the looks, voice and talent to go all the way! I was also truly impressed by the near genius choreography of Joey McKneely. This musical, a pure tribute to the songs without the overlay of a fictitious story line, should not be missed!

Applause! Applause! Review of "Tennessee Williams: An Evening Of Four One Act Plays" at Love Creek Productions by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens

2012-01-07T20:09:00.001-05:00

This review of "Tennessee Williams: An Evening Of Four One Act Plays" at Love Creek Productions was written and published by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens and appeared in Volume II, Issue 1 (March, 1998) of Applause! Applause!

"Tennessee Williams: An Evening Of Four One Act Plays"
Love Creek Productions (412 West 42nd Street, NYC)
Reviewed 3/13/98 at 8:00 p.m.

Love Creek Productions provides a great service to up-and-coming stars. Talented actors seeking experience both on the stage and off can audition and, if accepted, will be given the opportunity to be cast in a variety of productions, as well as obtaining other experience such as directing. The time commitment required by Love Creek is minimal thus allowing members to seek other work. Although the standards for acceptance into Love Creek are not high, I have been generally pleased with the quality of their productions. In addition, you cannot beat the value you get for your money, especially in light of the recent news that the price of an orchestra ticket to a Broadway show is once again rising. This particular evening, I paid only $12 for the opportunity to see four excellent plays, which boils down to $3 per play. Where in New York can you get a better deal?? The only negative experience I had all evening was when I went to purchase my ticket for the plays. The man who was selling the tickets on behalf of Love Creek had no personality and failed to handle his duties in a friendly and professional manner. This man should not be allowed to interact with the public until somebody properly trains him in social etiquette.

All four of the Tennessee Williams' one-act plays selected for this particular production were expertly directed and superbly acted. In my opinion, they were all well written, except for "Portrait of a Madonna" which is in dire need of a re-write. None of the plays have lost their relevance or emotional impact.

"Lord Byron's Love Letter", directed by Winni Troha, led off the evening. It is about an old woman and a spinster who show strangers a love letter written by Lord Byron in return for small donations which they rely upon to financially survive. The matron and her drunk husband come to hear the spinster read portions of her "grandmother's" diary recalling the feelings she had upon meeting Lord Byron. The couple leaves without making a donation and the kicker is the last line of the play when the old woman, commenting upon the fact that the spinster has dropped the letter, says "you dropped your grandfather's letter." Sue Glausen-Smith, the recipient of the 1997 Leonardo daVinci Award for Best Actress in a Play for "Makes You Want To Go Home And Take A Bath", played the old woman. Ms. Smith gave another brilliant performance, although she was on stage for only a few minutes. Most of the time, she was acting from behind a curtain which is not an easy task. Sue Glausen-Smith is ready to break through to higher ground and to obtaining national recognition for her talents. I don't know exactly how she will achieve this, but I do know that it will not happen by relying exclusively upon Love Creek Productions to feature her talent. Ms. Smith must use her recent award as a wedge to get her into auditions for the roles she deserves. Joanie Schumacher gave a superior performance as the Spinster and Winni Troha was excellent as the interested and amazed Matron. Tor Stave, played an adequate drunk, but the role did not permit him to exhibit any hidden talents he may have.

"Moony's Kid Don't Cry", directed by Cynthia Granville-Callahan, is a play about Moony, a restless man tired of the daily drudgery of working in a factory, and his wife Jane, with whom he recently had a baby. Moony is considering leaving his wife and new-born child in order to hop a freight train to a freer existence that would allow him to appreciate life and "look at the stars" without feeling restless and trapped. Just before leaving, his wife wraps up his main possession, the infant, and gives it to him saying that if he is leaving, she will have to go to work to survive and that she won't be able to be bothered with the child. The point is made and Moony decides to stay and fulfill his responsibilities to his family. Francis Callahan, who plays Moony, is a powerful actor with a great stage presence. Although not conventionally handsome, I found him quite attractive, especially given his piercing eyes and his rugged outdoors blue-collar boy-next-door body. Laura Shapanus, who played Jane, was dutifully homely and was very convincing in her role as the wife who cared more about her child than she did for herself.

"The Long Goodbye", directed by Artemis Preeshl, is about a writer named Joe, who is moving out of the apartment where he grew up with his sister, Myra, and his mother. As four movers take out the furniture and his friend, Silva, stands by, Joe experiences flashbacks to interactions he had with his sister and his mother in the apartment before his sister moved away and before his mother committed suicide to save her children from spending their inheritance on her medical bills. The play was so named because Joe, while reflecting, says to Silva "that's what life is -- just one long good-bye to one thing after another until one day, you say good-bye to yourself." I was brought to tears more than once during this performance. John Stanbury, who played Joe, has a great future as an actor. He is good-looking and talented which is not a bad combination. Joseph Arnone was superbly proficient as Joe's Italian buddy, Silva. Elysabeth Kleinhaus played the perfectly supportive, caring, loving mother which enabled me to tap into the feelings of love I have for my own mother, as well as the love she has shown me throughout my life. Laura Stevens, who played Myra, was perfectly cast for the role of the slightly slutty working class woman wishing to better her station in life. Christopher Noll portrayed Bill, Myra's sexually aggressive upper class preppy date. He was born to play that role and definitely should be cast in any future sequels to the movie "Metropolitan." The movers, Bob Handler, Greg Kalfayan and Frank Marzullo were all proficient in there roles, but Brant Spencer stood out as someone I would like to see again in a more substantive role.

"Portrait of a Madonna", directed by Whitney Chaiet, is about Lucretia Collins, a southern lady, who calls her landlord, Mr. Abrams, to tell him that a man has repeatedly broken into her apartment to "indulge his senses with me." Mr. Abrams, realizing that Ms. Collins has finally gone off her rocker, calls the doctor and a nurse to take her away to a mental institution. Meanwhile, he sends the Porter and the Elevator Boy up to her apartment to watch over her until they come. The Porter is respectful to the lady as she recalls aspects of her life and reveals that the man visiting her is an old flame who married someone else. The Elevator Boy is disrespectful to the old woman and makes fun of her. Eventually, Mr. Abrams comes with the doctor and a nurse to take her away. None of the characters written into this play have any depth to them and the boring monologues written for the main character, Lucretia Collins, are unnecessarily long. Despite these problems, Ginger Chapman did the very best she could with the character of Lucretia Collins. Ms. Chapman is an excellent actress and was totally on target in her portrayal of this pitiful southern lady. Peter Pecora was very believable as the sympathetic landlord, Mr. Abrams. Barbara Sauermann and Joel Steven Horwitz were proficient in their small roles as the Nurse and Doctor, respectively. The interactions between Daniel Brennan, as the Elevator Boy, and C. Richard Cranwell, Jr., as the Porter were unbelievable and did not come off well. C. Richard Cranwell, Jr., who I have seen and liked in other productions, was totally miscast in the role of the Porter. The Porter should have been someone much older whose age and experience would have caused him to have more patience with Lucretia Collins and more authority in dealing with the Elevator Boy, who at first wanted to take some records out of the apartment to play for his girlfriend. As relative contemporaries, it was not believable that the Elevator Boy would have listened to the Porter's instructions not to steal the records. Although Daniel Brennan may be a talented actor, better direction could have improved his performance by making him a bit more aggressive in his movements and actions throughout the apartment. I think it would have worked best had the Elevator Boy been more of a disrespectful, cocky out of control youth, and the Porter, an adult with the power to command respect. Despite these criticisms, the memorable performance of Ginger Chapman as Lucretia Collins made my watching this play well worth the time and effort.

Applause! Applause! Review of Judy Kreston & David Lahm's "My One And Only Love" by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens

2012-01-07T19:56:00.001-05:00

This review of Judy Kreston & David Lahm in a show entitled "My One And Only Love" at Judys' was written and published by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens and appeared in Volume II, Issue 1 (March, 1998) of Applause! Applause!

"My One And Only Love" - Judy Kreston & David Lahm
Judys' (49 West 44th Street, NYC)
Reviewed 3/14/98 at 9:00 p.m.

Judy Kreston and David Lahm, her accompanist, musical director and husband, are both superior performers who are more than deserving of their international reputations. Andre Sitov of TASS wrote, "Out from under the fingers of the guy with the beard, unrestrained life flies helter-skelter: melodies tenderly cheerful, elegantly melancholy. For the lady with the rose in her hand, it seems more natural to sing than to talk and she sings about everything in the world: about walking through the city, about love, about music." That review, written in 1990, could have been written about their current show, "My One And Only Love". David Lahm still has his beard and Judy Kreston still holds her rose, a pink one this time, and Judy is still singing about love and life. When Judy asks herself rhetorically, "What or who is "My One And Only Love?", she responds, "It's life. Simply life. It's all the things I'm passionate about in my own life. That means singing, people, cooking, sewing, decorating -- even household wiring, which I'm passionately studying now." Judy Kreston sings about all of these things in her show including the household wiring which is handled in a cute little number entitled "A Song For Judy" written by her husband, David Lahm.

Judy Kreston and David Lahm are so professional and talented that they would be successful performers anywhere in the world. You can catch them here in their home town at Judys', one of the most elegant, beautiful and intimate cabaret rooms in New York City; a hidden oasis of friendly, serious lovers of live entertainment amidst the hordes of often rude and boisterous tourists who generally do not have the same respect for performers that native New Yorkers have. The flower of this hidden oasis is Judy Kreston. In fact, I learned that Richard Hendrickson, the owner of Judys' who also directed Judy Kreston's current show, wanted to name his then newly purchased club "Judy's" (singular) in honor of Judy Kreston because he was such a great fan of hers over the years. When the modest Judy Kreston refused to allow her friend to do so, he decided instead to name his club "Judys'" (plural) as a tribute to all the singing Judy's including Judy Kreston. For all these reasons, catching Judy Kreston at Judys', her familiar stomping ground, is a unique experience that should not be missed!

"My One And Only Love", a virtual feast of songs, is a departure from last season's format where each of three shows focused on a single theme: "In The Center Ring", a collection of circus songs; "Cabaret a Trois", a look back at the 17-year collaboration of Judy Kreston, David Lahm and impresario Jan Wallman, who got Judy and David started in cabaret and who was present in the audience this evening; and "Newley Discovered", a pastiche of songs by the British composer Anthony Newley. I am truly sorry I missed those shows. But you don't have to miss this one, which contains unexpected treats and an almost perfect execution of some old and new favorites.

My favorite numbers from the show included "Life Is A Wonderful Thing" (Jay Kerr & Arthur Kirson, who was also in the audience this evening); "My Kind Of Town" (Sammy Cahn/Jimmy Van Heusen); "Here's That Rainy Day" (Johnny Burke/Jimmy Van Heusen); "Buyer Beware" (David Lahm/Dexter Gordon); "Angels Among Us" (Alabama); "What I Did For Love" (Ed Kleban/Marvin Hamlisch); and "That's Entertainment" (Howard Dietz/Arthur Schwartz). Ratzo Harris on bass and Eddie Caccavale on drums provided additional music, and given their proficiency and that of David Lahm, there were times I felt I was at a concert performance instead of in a cabaret room.

Judy Kreston won me over with her honest, powerful renditions as well as by her technical perfection. I urge you to catch their last remaining shows on Saturday, March 28, 1998 and Saturday, April 4, 1998 at 9:00 p.m. in the cabaret room at Judys'. There is a $15 music charge per person plus a $10 minimum purchase of food and/or drinks. Dinner is available in the cabaret room prior to the show beginning. Don't forget to call for reservations!!

Applause! Applause! Review of Angela LaGreca & Mark Nadler at Eighty Eight's by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens

2012-01-07T19:49:00.001-05:00

This review of Angela LaGreca & Mark Nadler at Eighty Eight's was written and published by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens and appeared in Volume II, Issue 1 (March, 1998) of Applause! Applause!

Angela LaGreca & Mark Nadler
Eighty Eight's (228 West 10th Street, NYC)
Reviewed 3/16/98 at 8:00 p.m.

In case you missed the two-hour version of "Angela LaGreca & Mark Nadler" at the 1998 Brownville, Nebraska Concert Series this year, you can catch their one-hour version at Eighty Eight's and enjoy pure magic. Find yourself transported to Nebraska since Angela and Mark perform their show as if they were still in Nebraska. Julie Wilson look-a-likes and all!!

Angela LaGreca and Mark Nadler are two of the most talented performers in cabaret today! Their show is one of the finest and funniest I have ever seen. Fast-paced, hilarious and exhilarating are just a few of the adjectives that come to mind when I think of them. They make the perfect team, like Martin & Lewis, Abbott & Costello and Burns & Allen. They should seriously consider permanently packaging themselves as a comedy team and literally taking their show on the road. If they eliminate some of the cruder references from their repertoire, I see no reason why they cannot find themselves booked first in Atlantic City, then in Las Vegas, and finally on their own television show. They already have the costumes!! Beautiful matching white tie and tail tuxedos with white vests and shirts covered with jewels which Mark sewed on while flying out to Nebraska, which prompted one male homophobic passenger sitting next to him to finally comment "You all ain't from Omaha, are you!?" Things apparently got real hairy when Mark started to use his flotation device as a pin cushion!!

When LaGreca & Nadler are first introduced, the announcer states that "Angela & Mark are the two most successful performers in New York. They let them out in order to give other people a chance." While this was meant as a joke, I can only say that after seeing their show, they deserve to be the two most successful performers in New York, or anywhere else for that matter! Their opening and closing medleys are so brilliant they must be seen to be believed. In fact, every song, whether performed solo or together, work. Even though Angela has borrowed for the show some of her favorite numbers so often used during her successful Monday Night Madness shows, they seemed to take on new life when performed in the context of this show. The energy and patter between the new comedy team of LaGreca & Nadler never ceases to amaze and please.

I urge you to make every effort to get yourself down to Eighty Eight's on Monday, April 6, 1998 at 8:00 p.m. for their last show. Call for reservations first and remember that for only a $12 cover and a two drink minimum, you will be able to experience one of the most enjoyable evenings of entertainment you will ever have the pleasure to see!

Applause! Applause! Review of Sigrid Sunstedt's "Illusions: The Songs Of Marlene Dietrich" by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens

2012-01-07T19:24:00.011-05:00

This review of Sigrid Sunstedt in a show entitled "Illusions: The Songs Of Marlene Dietrich" at Don't Tell Mama was written and published by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens and appeared in Volume II, Issue 1 (March, 1998) of Applause! Applause!

Illusions: The Songs Of Marlene Dietrich - Sigrid Sunstedt
Don't Tell Mama (343 West 46th Street, NYC)
Reviewed 3/15/98 at 7:00 p.m.

Sigrid Sunstedt is a class act - from the large white boa she wears on stage, to the two dozen roses she tosses into the audience at the end of her show, to the absolutely perfect musical arrangements that have been written for every song she sings. During "Illusions", she successfully evokes the spirit of Marlene Dietrich in a more successful way than any mere impersonator could ever accomplish. Through the use of intelligent well-placed patter and historical notes both on the life of Marlene Dietrich as well as the history of many of the songs she sang, Sigrid Sunstedt uses her own grace, elegance and charm to pay high tribute to the lady she once had the privilege of meeting in Wiesbaden.

As Sigrid tells the story, Marlene Dietrich was doing a concert in Wiesbaden, when, in the middle of singing "One For My Baby" (Harold Arlen & Johnny Mercer), Marlene walked toward the edge of the stage near the audience, tripped and fell into the footlights. Although this was obviously an accident which required the calling of an intermission, Sigrid likes to think that Marlene tripped because she was so in character with the woman in the song who is taking one drink "for my baby and one more for the road." After it was determined that Marlene Dietrich was not seriously injured, she returned to the stage and finished the song. "That night," Sigrid said, "she fell in love with her and went backstage to meet her idol." After greeting her, Sigrid asked Marlene Dietrich "When shall we meet again?" to which Ms. Dietrich responded, "Darling, one always meets again."

"Illusions" is more like a one-woman show than it is a cabaret act. Her very talented musical director, Paul Greenwood, backed up by Peter Compo on violin and Bill Conway on bass, actually offer up an overture at the beginning of the show. A black and white enlarged picture of Marlene Dietrich graces the stage, and while with an average performer or impersonator, such a prop would invite unwelcomed and uncomplimentary comparisons, in Sigrid's case it enhances the illusion she aims to create both because Sigrid and Marlene look very much alike and because they both present themselves as strong, independent, mysterious, sexual women that remain aloof and just beyond reach. In a very true sense, both Marlene Dietrich and Sigrid Sunstedt are vamps who offer men varying degrees of frustration.

While all the numbers you'd expect are here such as "Falling In Love Again", "Jonny", "Peter", "Illusions" (Friedrich Hollander); "The Boys In The Backroom" (Friedrich Hollander & Frank Loesser); "The Laziest Girl In Town" (Cole Porter); "Marie, Marie" (Gilbert Becaud); "Makin' Whoopee" (Gus Kahn & Walter Donaldson); and "One For My Baby" (Harold Arlen & Johnny Mercer), Sigrid delights her audience by singing English lyrics she wrote herself to the songs "Alone In A Bigh City" and "Mein Blondes Baby" (Friedrich Hollander). My favorite song of the evening, however, was Sigrid's rendition of "Lili Marleen" (Norbert Schultze & Hans Leip) which she states was the song of Marlene Dietrich played by Radio Belgrade during the war at exactly 9:55 p.m. every evening just before they signed off the air. What an appropriate choice for Sigrid to make as her last selection of the evening!!

Marlene Dietrich died on May 6, 1992. Were she alive and able to see Sigrid Sunstedt's affectionate tribute to her at Don't Tell Mama, I think she would have been honored. I encourage you to get yourself down to see Sigrid's last show which will be held on Sunday, March 29, 1998 at 7:00 p.m.. You will not be disappointed!!

Applause! Applause! Review of Brian Gens at Don't Tell Mama by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens

2012-01-07T19:10:00.001-05:00

This review of Brian Gens at Don't Tell Mama was written and published by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens and appeared in Volume II, Issue 1 (March, 1998) of Applause! Applause!

Brian Gens
Don't Tell Mama (343 West 46th Street, NYC)
Reviewed 3/22/98 at 2:00 p.m.

Brian Gens is a major talent who is one of the most underrated cabaret performers on the eastern circuit. I was mesmerized by his honest, emotional, sensual portrayal of the songs he selected for his current show. I was swept away by his style, especially by his perfect hand gestures, body movements and tonal delivery. His powerful, pleasing voice and youthful yuppie look combine to create an experience you should not miss!!

There were no bad numbers in this show and although some numbers stood out such as "Catch A Falling Star" (Words and Music by Paul Vance and Dean Pockriss); "Make Me A Kite" (Words by Michele Brourman, Music by Amanda McBroom); "Singin' In The Rain" (Words by Arthur Freed, Music by Nacio Herb Brown); "A House Is Not A Home" (Words by Hal David, Music by Burt Bacharach); "Museums" (Words and Music by Steven Lutvak); and a Big Time Medley of songs which included "Broadway Baby" from Follies, "Don't Rain On My Parade" from Funny Girl, "Tomorrow" from Annie, and "Everything's Coming Up Roses" from Gypsy, I would be hard pressed to suggest the possible exclusion of any of the remaining numbers since they were all so well delivered.

Steven Wing, Brian's musical director, was a great asset to the show both as a pianist and a back-up vocalist. While I have not yet seen Steven Wing's new individual cabaret show, I am extremely pleased to see that they have abandoned, at least for the time being, their former joint shows which were entitled "Steven Wing and Brian Gens". Those shows did not allow each of these very talented men to feature their individual styles and abilities. The joint shows, quite simply, did not work.

While I feel the patter could have been more insightful and revealing, the show better themed and the performer warmer, friendlier and more engaging in his public personality, there is nevertheless enough magic and talent here for me to highly recommend that you catch this "boy singer" at his last show which will take place on Sunday, April 19, 1998 at 2:00 p.m..

Applause! Applause! Review of Janis Siegel at The D Lounge by Andrew Martin

2012-01-07T18:47:00.001-05:00

This review of Janis Siegel at The D Lounge was written by Andrew Martin and appeared Volume II, Issue 1 (March, 1998) of Applause! Applause! published by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens.

Janis Siegel
The D Lounge (Delmonico Hotel; 502 Park Avenue, NYC)
Reviewed 3/15/98 at 7:00 p.m.

The show got off to such a casual start, you almost couldn't believe you were there to see Janis Siegel, best known as lead vocalist for The Manhattan Transfer ("The Boy From New York City", "Here In The Twilight", "Ray's Rockhouse", etc.). But from the moment the thrush's silky voice descended over the tiny crowd of die-hard jazz enthusiasts, fans of the group were falling hook, line and sinker, and with good reason -- Siegel and the new space at the Delmonico Hotel are as perfectly matched as Mabel Mercer and Upstairs at the Downstairs in cabaret days gone by.

The Manhattan Transfer, arguably the most in-demand vocal group in pop music since the Ink Spots, have managed to remain at the very top of their pinnacle since their earliest origins. Comprised of Cheryl Bentyne, Tim Hauser and Alan Paul in addition to Siegel, the group has done everything from Diet Coke endorsements to songs that have now become pop classics. Their latest album, "Swing" (on the Atlantic label) cements the group's success as top jazz artists, and an upcoming concert appearance at the Westbury Music Fair is merely gravy for the foursome's devotees.

Janis Siegel, however, who has knocked around cabaret as a solo act for the last several seasons (including SRO appearances at Rainbow & Stars with pianist Fred Hersch), comes up swinging with an Ella Fitzgerald tribute at the Delmonico. A re-creation of "A Tisket A Tasket" is masterfully performed, and without the Transfer as recorded on the aforementioned "Swing". Her treatment of composer Billy Strayhorn is particularly sensitive, as evidenced on "A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing", "Lotus Blossom", "I Want Something To Live For", and "Love Has Passed Me By Again".

As if that wasn't enough, the legendary Jon Hendricks came out of the audience to join the lady on "Lady Be Good"! And Kenny Werner on the ivories plus Drew Gress on bass only serve to heighten what is already musical genius on the part of the lady.

Applause! Applause! Review of Phillip Officer's "Yip & Gersh" by Rita Sola

2012-01-07T18:42:00.000-05:00

This review of Phillip Officer's "Yip & Gersh" at the FireBird Cafe was written by Rita Sola and appeared Volume II, Issue 1 (March, 1998) of Applause! Applause! published by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens.

"Yip & Gersh" - Phillip Officer
FireBird Cafe (363 West 46th Street, NYC)
Reviewed 2/24/98 at 9:00 p.m.

An old Hollywood legend has it that when Yip Harburg first heard Harold Arlen play "Over The Rainbow" on the piano, he said, "That's not for little Dorothy. That's for Nelson Eddy." It is a tribute to the song that regardless of the type of voice possessed, a gifted singer can make it his or her own. As he proved at his recent engagement at the FireBird, Phillip Officer is one of these singers.

Essentially a singing actor (and his acting credits are considerable), Phillip Officer is a master interpreter of song. When he sings of "cows jumping over," you can hear those cows jump. Phrases are often spoken rather than sung and always appropriately and effectively. His range is extensive, from the wistfulness of "Over The Rainbow" to the playfulness of "Let's Take A Walk Around The Block". Phillip's delight with Harburg's rhymes, particularly in the latter, is infectious: "...Vladivostok where Bolsheviks flock..." and "...in Caracas on a jackass...".

Many years ago, screenwriter Charles MacArthur overheard two young women discussing a film that he had co-authored and which had just been released. But all their praise was for the star, Robert Montgomery, and Montgomery's clever dialogue. After his initial dismay, MacArthur realized that this was as it should be: the lines should sound like the character's own. It is this spontaneity that one finds in Phillip Officer's singing of "It's Only A Paper Moon" which he punctuates with interpolated rests as if he were searching for the right word. "Say it's only a (rest) canvas sky hanging over a (rest) muslin tree..." Yip would have been very pleased.

Some singers, particularly in opera, use their voices to make beautiful sounds that become part of the musical whole. The listener hears only the music, for the voice becomes another orchestral instrument, like a cello or a trumpet. This can be a pleasing aesthetic experience but it is not a dramatic one and, after a while, not a very interesting one. Phillip Officer's art is diametrically opposite. His voice is always at the service of the words; it commands you to pay attention to the words. It is understandable why his shows have so often had as their themes the works of particular lyricists rather than composers. On this occasion, there were two lucky lyricists: Yip Harburg and Ira Gershwin.

Although recognized as one of the most prolific writers on the American musical scene, Ira Gershwin once complained to his brother that he couldn't possibly write lyrics to a melody that George had just completed. "Still," said Ira, "it is a fascinating rhythm." With this, we can see a light bulb flash over his head. Although in 1924, many considered "Fascinatin' Rhythm", which was the biggest hit in their show "Lady Be Good", to represent the hallucination of a drug addict, Phillip sings it with a respect and concentration that reflect his genuine fascination with the rhythm.

Besides this piece and other standards, such as "A Foggy Day in London Town", and "Nice Work If You Can Get It", both from the Fred Astaire film "Damsel In Distress", and "They Can't Take That Away From Me" from "The Barkleys of Broadway", the last Astaire-Rogers film, it was a pleasure to hear such rarities as "It Happens Every Time", written with Burton Lane, and "One Life To Live", written with Kurt Weill.

Unfortunately, circumstances on the evening covered by this review were less than inspiring. Albeit a lovely venue, the FireBird's cabaret room is separated from the dessert kitchen by a very thin partition so that those seated at the north end were subjected to distracting noises. Moreover, there were problems with the sound system as the speaker in the northwest corner of the room periodically fell into a coma. Worse still, the audience that evening seemed, in large part, to consist of diners from the restaurant who had decided to have their Nesselrode with a little music on the side. Phillip handled their rudeness with remarkable good humor, commenting, after his opening numbers ("If This Isn't Love" and "Swonderful" sung back to back) that he hoped the coffee and the chit chat were out of the way. They were. Thanks to his charm and way of communicating a song, the audience sat entranced for the rest of the evening. For when Phillip Officer tells you he's got a secret, he's got a little secret, not only do you believe it, but you are convinced that you are the only person who's going to hear it.

Applause! Applause! Review of Tommy Femia's "I Will Come Back" by Rita Sola

2012-01-07T18:33:00.001-05:00

This review of Tommy Femia's "I Will Come Back" at The Players Theatre was written by Rita Sola and appeared Volume II, Issue 1 (March, 1998) of Applause! Applause! published by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens.

"I Will Come Back" - Tommy Femia
The Players Theatre (115 MacDougal Street, NYC)
Reviewed 2/28/98 at 8:00 p.m.

Many years ago, on a television talk show, Liza Minnelli told the story of her mom's appearance at a night club where the performers had to share the lavatory facilities with the patrons. One evening, while Judy was doing so, a woman in the next stall gushed, "Oh, Miss Garland, you even tinkle beautifully." Judy replied, "Thank you, but stars should twinkle, not tinkle."

Apart from the pain and the heartaches that informed her life from childhood, Judy Garland is remembered by those who knew her off-stage as a very funny lady. "You know, behind every cloud there's another little cloud waiting to break through," she once told Jack Paar. It is this Judy that Tommy Femia with his impeccable comic timing captures so wonderfully in "I Will Come Back."

In it, he narrates what has become arguably the show business legend of the century, the life and career of Judy Garland. But it is a skeletal narration; the flesh is made up of some very droll commentary and it never ceases to amuse. Most of the script is original although some of the anecdotes may be apocryphal. For instance, Tommy as Judy tells how Louis B. Mayer chose her over Deanna Durbin (they had appeared together in a short feature which was really a screen test) by instructing his minions to "get rid of the fat one." Later, he met Judy on the studio grounds and, in vociferous dismay, declared that by the "fat one" he had meant her. According to other versions, Mayer did want Judy but he wanted Deanna. too, and was furious to hear she had been let go while he was in Europe. Whichever story is true, the one in "I Will Come Back" is funnier. Throughout the evening, you somehow feel this is just what Judy would have said and how she would have said it if she were still with us. This is not surprising since the show was written by Timothy Gray who, himself, worked with Judy as far back as 1952 when she appeared at the Palace.

Punctuating the narrative are the songs with which she is so closely associated including "The Trolley Song", "The Boy Next Door", "Rock-A-Bye Your Baby", plus four originals by Gray and Hugh Martin, who wrote the music for Meet Me In St. Louis. A happy highlight of the evening is the appearance of talented cabaret artist Kristine Zbornik (a very funny lady in her own right) as a FOB (Friend of Barbra, that is). She and Tommy recreate the famous Garland-Streisand coupling of "Get Happy" and "Happy Days Are Here Again" first done on Judy's TV show in 1963.

The staging, also by Timothy Gray, is witty, particularly a bit with a boa that would make Julie Wilson envious. Another number features a short staircase, the steps of which light up as Judy ascends and descends them. Needless to say, the cues go awry forcing her to scurry about as she sings, a metaphor for the constant calamities she had to deal with throughout her life.

The only flaw in the show is the opening. The house lights go down, and you hear a voice, sounding very much like Judy's, but you are aware, acutely aware, that this is not Judy. Tommy in his impersonation of Judy Garland captures her body language to such perfection that when watching his performance, you believe you are hearing the unique Garland voice. Unfortunately, this doesn't work in the dark.

What does work is the ending. It is Judy's traditional ending: "Over the Rainbow", sung while sitting at the edge of the stage, and all her magic and vulnerability are there.

Other performers have done excellent impersonations of Judy Garland, notably Richard Skipper (famed for his Carol Channing). But whereas Richard's Judy is like a John Singer Sargent portrait, Tommy's is comparable to an Al Hirschfeld caricature. This is not faint praise. Edward Albee once said of Hirschfeld's drawing of Colleen Dewhurst in Eugene O' Neill's "A Moon For The Misbegotten" that looking at it, he could see in his mind's eye every facet of her performance. For those who never saw Judy in person, as well as for those of us who did, "I Will Come Back" is a feast for the mind's eye.

Applause! Applause! Review of the CD "George Bettinger's Mom & Pop Variety Shop" by Marle Becker

2012-01-07T18:18:00.000-05:00

This review of the CD entitled "George Bettinger's Mom & Pop Variety Shop" was written by Marle Becker and appeared in Volume II, Issue 1 (March, 1998) of Applause! Applause! published by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens.

"George Bettinger's Mom & Pop Variety Shop" - George Bettinger, Lizette Amado & Ron Dyszler
(Original Cast Records, OC-9803)

In what's very often referred to as the "Golden Age Of Comedy", in order to get a good laugh, great comedians never relied on performances showered with obscenities or tasteless material intentionally offensive to some parts of a population already predisposed to differential treatment. Laughgetters back then often included a roll of the eyes, the twirl of a Havana cigar, the fluttering of a pair of out-of-control eyebrows, or the perfect delivery of just one word, such as Jack Benny's long, drawn out "Weeeellll". Coupled with strong material and split-second timing, it was more than enough to elate audiences and keep them coming back for more.

Curious as to how great comics of yore might react to modern day situations? Wonder no more! Here's where impressionist George Bettinger comes into the picture. The result is "George Bettinger's Mom & Pop Variety Shop" and, thanks to Bettinger's talent and know-how, it works like a charm. Other impressionists are probably popping their fists against their foreheads in bewilderment wondering why they hadn't thought of the idea first!

With the variety shop as the common denominator and young Bettinger as the soda jerk/proprietor cum jack-of-all-trades, the impressionist's alter egos romp through a series of clever routines complete with sound effects and appropriate musical backgrounds. We find W.C. Fields relating to health food, Curly of the Stooges involved with gourmet coffee, and Laurel and Hardy not only facing down a gang in the Bronx, but also questioning what a CD might be. Favorite cuts are bound to be the whole gang getting into a rousing rendition of "Jeepers Creepers" and his almost perfect guest spot on the Joe Franklin Show with the infamous blue ribbon panel consisting of George Jessel, Jack Benny, and Jackie Mason.

While some of the characters come off better than others, he's pretty consistent and most of his pals are right on target. Where Jerry Lewis and George Burns perhaps could use a little fine tuning, his W.C. Fields, Jack Benny, Ed Wynne, Jackie Mason, and Joe Franklin are right on the money; we even get a few bars of Groucho doing "Lydia The Tatooed Lady" to unqualified perfection by this impressive impressionist.

While Bettinger is deftly supported by Ron Dyszler as Action Hero Arnold Ham'n Egger and Lizette Amado in the female parts, it is clearly Bettinger's show and steal it he does! It's unclear just how popular comedy CD's are these days, but one thing is certain - particularly if they're good - they deserve a life of their own. Better than chicken soup, "George Bettinger's Mom & Pop Variety Shop" is good for what ails you. No one who enjoys a good laugh should be without this one.

Sam Sloan, Runner-Up For The New York Libertarian Party's Gubernatorial Nomination In 2010, Wins Silver Medal In World Memory Championships In Guangzhou, China

2012-01-06T23:14:00.004-05:00

The 2011 World Memory Championships, sponsored by the World Memory Sports Council, were contested in Guangzhou China on December 7-10, 2011. Sam Sloan, who was the runner-up in the contest for the New York Libertarian Party's Gubernatorial Nomination in 2010, won the Silver Medal (Second Prize) in the Senior Division of the World Memory Championships losing to 73-year-old grandmother, Kuang Liqun (who goes by the name "Lily"). In coming in second, Sam Sloan, aged 67, earned 306 Championship Points while Kuang Liqun, accumulated 634 Championship Points. Two of Ms. Liqun's grandsons won the Grandmaster Title and one of them won the World Junior Memory Championship.

Mr. Sloan competed in nine categories of memory, including the ability to remember random numbers, random words, binary digits, abstract images, names and faces, dates of events and decks of cards. The formal category names were the following: 30 Minute Binary Numbers, 15 Minute Abstract Images, 15 Minute Names & Faces, 15 Minute Random Words, 5 Minute Historic Dates, 5 Minute Speed Numbers, Hour Cards, Hour Numbers & Spoken Numbers.

Sam Sloan reported:

There was wide variation among the abilities of the contestants to perform various memory tasks. For example, 16-year-old Sri Vyshnavi Yarlagadda of Hydrabad, India won the "Names and Faces" contest by a wide margin by being able to remember 92 names and faces in five minutes, but she finished near the bottom in the test of speed cards by being able to remember only five playing cards in five minutes.

Girls tended to do better in Names and Faces and dates and historic events whereas men did better in remembering random numbers.

To win the grandmaster title one needs to be able to memorize a complete deck of cards in less than 60 seconds and to memorize 200 random numbers in 15 minutes, among other tasks.

The event was organized by Chess Grandmaster Raymond Keene and Tony Buzon. Jennifer Goddard did all the work especially in calculating the prize winners.

Sam Sloan is currently an active member of the Libertarian Party of Queens County. He ran for an At-Large Representative position at the Libertarian Party National Convention held in St. Louis, Missouri in 2010.

Nebraska Libertarian Party Central Committee Endorses Gary Johnson For President

2012-01-06T22:01:00.003-05:00

The Nebraska Libertarian Party's Central Committee has endorsed Gary Johnson for the Libertarian Party's 2012 Presidential Nomination becoming the first State Party to do so. The first Libertarian Party organization in the nation to endorse Gary Johnson was the Libertarian Party of Northampton County, Pennsylvania.
http://drtomstevens.blogspot.com/2011/12/libertarian-party-of-northampton-county.html

Gene Siadek, Nebraska Libertarian Party Chairman, issued the following statement on January 1, 2012:

After Governor Johnson’s December 28th announcement that he was going to seek the Libertarian Party’s nomination for President of the United States, I called a meeting of the State Central Committee in accordance with our Party bylaws to discuss and vote on endorsing his candidacy.

I am happy to announce today, the Libertarian Party of Nebraska’s Central Committee has voted to endorse Governor Johnson as the Libertarian candidate for President of the United States. I believe we are the first state committee to do so and we are happy to announce our endorsement on Governor Johnson’s birthday.

Governor Johnson brings to the table two-terms of executive-level experience in New Mexico and a proven record of fiscal responsibility and social tolerance. In 2002, Governor Johnson left his term-limited post with New Mexico being one of only four states in the country with a balanced budget. He vetoed 750 bills during his time in office; more than the other 49 Governors combined. He also cut over 1,200 government jobs without firing anyone and cut taxes 14 times while never raising them.

While America suffers under a “government knows best” administration that has utterly failed on its promises of both hope and change, and while our neighbors in Iowa prepare to caucus on big-government Republicans, (minus one non-GOP-supported candidate), we are encouraged to have a strong Libertarian running under the Libertarian banner.

We feel that the red-Republicans and blue-Democrats have essentially become one Purple Party that no longer represents the vast majority of Americans. Further, we agree with Governor Johnson’s statement, “Sadly, neither the Republicans nor Democrats will offer this agenda [of fiscal conservatism and social tolerance] to the American people. The Republicans talk about cutting spending and taxes but insist on government regulating our personal lives. The Democrats support more liberal social policies but they will tax and spend and borrow us into bankruptcy. America needs a third way."

We are hopeful that Nebraska Libertarian Party membership and all minimum government, maximum freedom Nebraskans will come out in droves for Governor Johnson’s campaign. We feel he is the only alternative to the Purple Party status quo of wars, inept fiscal stewardship and infringements on individual rights.

Note: The State Central Committee of Nebraska’s vote had one abstention: Mr. Randy Eshelman, Vice Chairman of the Nebraska Libertarian Party abstained due to his position on the Libertarian National Committee.

The Libertarian Party of Nebraska’s chartered purpose is to maintain a representative government that protects the inalienable rights of individuals. You can find out more at www.lpne.org. Visit Gary Johnson website http://www.garyjohnson2012.com

Tiffany Briscoe, Boston Tea Party's 2012 Presidential Nominee, Condemns All Anti-Bestiality Laws & Blasts The Libertarian Party For Showing A Loss Of Freedom-Based Principles

2012-01-06T01:11:00.002-05:00

Tiffany Briscoe is the Boston Tea Party's Presidential Nominee for 2012. She has weighed in on the "bestiality is a victimless crime" debate by sharing with Liberty Lion her views on the subject:

Let me be clear. I strongly believe bestiality is anti-natural. But if an individual wants to engage him or herself into such an activity, it is entirely up to this individual. I condemn all anti-bestiality laws, just like I condemn bestiality itself. But this should be a decision taken by the person involved, rather than the government.

The issue of whether bestiality is a victimless crime became an issue when Carl Person, a candidate for the Libertarian Party's Presidential Nomination, wrote the following on or about November 8, 2011:

The victimless crimes are prostitution, bestiality, sodomy, drugs, abortion, and the principles are that we shouldn't be regulating what people do to themselves, and the cost of the regulation should be saved and returned to taxpayers, to reduce taxes, and enable the economy to grow with commerce instead of with prisoners, private jails and private jail guards...Bestiality as a victimless crime would center on two elements: 1. "property rights" - limiting the practice to one's own animals or with wild animals (not owned by anyone) and 2. "consent" and/or "non-injury" - if the animal is willing and is not injured in the process. If the animal is already dead, the victimless crime would become a variant of necromancy, and have to be analyzed in a similar fashion. I'm not a practitioner or advocate of bestiality and am only trying to apply Libertarian principles to a seldom discussed victimless crime.

Tiffany Briscoe criticized Carl Person for raising this issue in a campaign for the office of President of the United States and says it reflects "the loss of freedom-based principles" by the Libertarian Party. Specifically, she said:

Strictly on a philosophical standpoint, bestiality is probably consistent with the reasonable theory that rights apply only to humans and not animals or plants. But this should not be an issue to be discussed on the federal level. The federal government has no business in making such decisions and the fact that a big-L Libertarian presidential candidate is mentioning this shows the loss of freedom-based principles by the Libertarian Party.

Tiffany Renee Briscoe received the Boston Tea Party's nomination for President on December 23, 2011 through the party's online nominating convention. Ms. Briscoe is an American businesswoman who owns Tiffany of Elegance, a retail store specializing in apparel, handbags, and perfume. She was recognized by Cambridge Who's Who in 2011 for "demonstrating dedication, leadership and excellence in retail." Ms. Briscoe resides in Laurel, Maryland and earned an Associates Degree in General Studies from Howard Community College. Ms. Briscoe's website is at http://tiffanybriscoe2012.weebly.com/

The Boston Tea Party was founded in 2006 and has the following one sentence platform: “The Boston Tea Party supports reducing the size, scope and power of government at all levels and on all issues, and opposes increasing the size, scope and power of government at any level, for any purpose.”

Libertarian Party Of Queens County Becomes First LP Group In New York State To Endorse Gary Johnson For President In 2012

2012-01-02T22:48:00.006-05:00

The Executive Committee of the Libertarian Party of Queens County (LPQC), the largest and most active chapter chartered by the New York Libertarian Party, voted on December 29, 2011 to endorse Gary Johnson for the Libertarian Party's Presidential Nomination thus becoming the first Libertarian Party organization in New York State to get on board in support of his campaign. This endorsement is particularly significant since the Libertarian Party of Queens County is the home base of Carl Person, who is also seeking the Presidential Nomination of the Libertarian Party in 2012.

John Clifton, LPQC Chair, made this statement regarding the endorsement:

Queens Libertarians lament the savage media suppression of Governor Johnson from Republican Presidential primary coverage, and his exclusion from most of the debates. That they would treat such a credible figure who recently held a senior elected office in such a way is a saddening reminder of how alternative candidates and parties are structurally suppressed in this country. This fate clearly could have also befallen Ron Paul, had he not established a broad grassroots base of support beforehand. Johnson displays a generally excellent libertarian grasp of the issues and commitment to them. The LPQC applauds his decision to seek the LP nomination for President, and encourages him to pursue it by our endorsing his candidacy.

Dallwyn Merck, LPQC Secretary, provided the following background information:

Although Carl Person lives in Manhattan and has been a member of both the Manhattan Libertarian Party and the Libertarian Party of Queens County, his home base over the years has been the Queens LP, having once been appointed to serve as its State Representative. When he announced his intention to seek the Libertarian Party's Presidential Nomination on June 5, 2011, a few club members were favorably disposed to support him. John Procida, LPQC Vice-Chair, endorsed his candidacy and I decided to wear his campaign button at the Occupy Wall Street Protests in Zuccotti Park. Other officers and members remained uncommitted.

Dr. Tom Stevens, LPQC Political Director who served as Carl Person's Campaign Manager, did everything within his power to convince Carl Person to run on issues solidly based upon libertarian principles. However, Mr. Person ignored all his advice and continued to put out press releases so Socialist, Leftist and Green in ideological perspective that Dr. Stevens told Carl he would resign whenever a replacement could be found but would stay on in an advisory role until that point.

Carl Person lost my support as well as the support of most club members because of his socialist tendencies and the statist solutions he was offering with respect to the country's problems. The Libertarian Party of Queens County also refused to endorse Carl Person's candidacy. Tension continued to increase between Dr. Tom Stevens and Carl Person. A little known fact is Dr. Stevens, although serving as Carl Person's Campaign Manager, refused to endorse his candidacy.

When Gary Johnson announced on December 28, 2011 his intention to seek the Libertarian Party's Presidential Nomination, a motion was made to put the Executive Committee of the Libertarian Party of Queens County on record in support of his efforts. By December 29, 2011, all Executive Committee members' votes were tallied and the result was the unanimous endorsement of Gary Johnson's candidacy.

The Libertarian Party of Queens County was founded on October 6, 1994.

Thomas Granger Day Organized By Zoosexual Rights Advocates Who Credit Carl Person For Sparking The Modern Zoosexual Rights Movement

2011-12-31T22:06:00.003-05:00

On December 30, 2011, Zoosexual Rights Advocates organized Thomas Granger Day to be celebrated on September 8th of each year to remember Thomas Granger and to seek the reclassification of bestiality as a victimless crime. These advocates credit Carl Person, a candidate for the Libertarian Party's Presidential Nomination, for making comments that sparked the modern Zoosexual Rights Movement.

The description on a Facebook Page for Thomas Granger Day is the following:

"Thomas Granger, a teenager living in Plymouth Colony and charged with bestiality, was executed by hanging on September 8, 1642 — in accordance with the law of the Pentateuch. On September 8th of each year, we mourn his death and recommit ourselves to the repeal of all laws criminalizing bestiality.

The account of Thomas Granger as related by William Bradford was as follows:

And after the time of the writing of these things befell a very sad accident of the like foul nature in this government, this very year, which I shall now relate. There was a youth whose name was Thomas Granger. He was servant to an honest man of Duxbury [note: Love Brewster, son of Pilgrim William Brewster], being about 16 or 17 years of age. (His father and mother lived at the same time at Scituate.) He was this year detected of buggery, and indicted for the same, with a mare, a cow, two goats, five sheep, two calves and a turkey. Horrible it is to mention, but the truth of the history requires it. He was first discovered by one that accidentally saw his lewd practice towards the mare. (I forbear particulars.) Being upon it examined and committed, in the end he not only confessed the fact with that beast at that time, but sundry times before and at several times with all the rest of the forenamed in his indictment. And this his free confession was not only in private to the magistrates (though at first he strived to deny it) but to sundry, both ministers and others; and afterwards, upon his indictment, to the whole Court and jury; and confirmed it at his execution.

And whereas some of the sheep could not so well be known by his description of them, others with them were brought before him and he declared which were they and which were not. And accordingly he was cast by the jury and condemned, and after executed about the 8th of September, 1642. A very sad spectacle it was. For first the mare and then the cow and the rest of the lesser cattle were killed before his face, according to the law, Leviticus xx.15; and then he himself was executed. The cattle were all cast into a great and large pit that was digged of purpose for them, and no use made of any part of them.

While we question whether his confession was “free” (especially with respect to having sex with a “turkey”), there is little question Thomas Granger was observed in the process of having sexual contact with a mare and was executed for it.

The modern Zoosexual Rights movement was sparked by a comment made by Carl Person, a candidate for the Libertarian Party’s Presidential Nomination, who on November 8, 2011 said the following:

The victimless crimes are prostitution, bestiality, sodomy, drugs, abortion, and the principles are that we shouldn't be regulating what people do to themselves, and the cost of the regulation should be saved and returned to taxpayers, to reduce taxes, and enable the economy to grow with commerce instead of with prisoners, private jails and private jail guards.

When questioned with respect to this position, Carl Person issued the following statement:

When I mentioned "bestiality" I was referring to animals, not humans (Note: some statutes prohibiting bestiality include children within the definition.) Bestiality as a victimless crime would center on two elements: 1. "property rights" - limiting the practice to one's own animals or with wild animals (not owned by anyone) and 2. "consent" and/or "non-injury" - if the animal is willing and is not injured in the process. If the animal is already dead, the victimless crime would become a variant of necromancy, and have to be analyzed in a similar fashion. I'm not a practitioner or advocate of bestiality and am only trying to apply Libertarian principles to a seldom discussed victimless crime.

When his position started receiving too much attention, Carl Person apologized for the “detour” his campaign had taken but did not explicitly retract his statement, but even if he did so, you can’t unring a bell or unlight a fire. Advocates for Zoosexual Rights are now speaking up and we have Carl Person to thank.

Help us to decriminalize bestiality!"

The Facebook Page for Thomas Granger Day is located at:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Thomas-Granger-Day/152233754886162

Carl Person's campaign for the Presidential Nomination of the Libertarian Party has been endorsed by Lexxi Stray. On November 17, 2011, Lexxi Stray, a proud Zoosexual, endorsed Carl Person for President of the United States and encouraged others to do so as well.

On her blog, she wrote:

"There’s a political candidate running in the coming elections who has definitely got my favor - one Carl Person. He is in favor of focusing our national resources on REAL issues - and not squandering them chasing ‘criminals’ who aren’t hurting anyone else or interfering with other people. He plans to do this by focusing funds on creating jobs as well as by having the police force working to keep people safe, which they cannot do when they are spread thin chasing after people involved in victimless crimes...He is completely right. We spend millions of dollars trying to stop people from bending over for their dog or taking a puff of weed while men beating their wives or people drinking themselves into comas hardly get a second glance. It’s time to focus on making change that helps people, not waste more tax money trying to stop people from engaging in actions that don’t harm anyone else.

Finally, for the first time in far too long politics are openly discussing the reality of bestiality - that if the animal is ready and willing there is no harm done by allowing them to satisfy their urges. While the Libertarian Party may be much smaller than either Democrats or Republicans, you can bet those groups keep their eyes on the support levels of different candidates so they know what policies to implement in order to get more support for themselves.

One thing you can do to support bestiality and bring the positive views to light is simply support Carl Person and his fellows either online or in person and, if you plan on voting, vote for some of them come election time. Every vote they get is another sign that bestiality is slowly coming into the minds of the mainstream in a more realistic way - the illogical prejudices of the past are slowly being stripped away so that things may be looked at objectively, and this is one change I am proud to say I will be a part of.

Remember, exercise your right to vote!"

Libertarian Party Of Northampton County, Pennsylvania Becomes The First Group To Endorse Gary Johnson For The Libertarian Party's Presidential Nomination In 2012

2011-12-31T17:32:00.003-05:00

Seconds after former two-term New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson announced he is seeking the Presidential Nomination of the Libertarian Party in 2012, the Executive Committee of the Libertarian Party of Northampton County, Pennsylvania voted unanimously to endorse him, becoming the first Libertarian Party group in the nation to do so.

Gary Johnson held a news conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico on December 28, 2011 during which he formally joined the Libertarian Party and announced he "is seeking the Libertarian Nomination for President of the United States". He described himself as "a successful two-term governor, elected and re-elected as a Republican in a Democratic state, who vetoed 750 spending bills to shrink government - while refusing to play the special interest game or impose a social agenda on people who prefer to make their own judgments about values".

Some quotations from Gary Johnson's announcement follow:

I am a Libertarian - that is, someone who is fiscally very conservative but holds freedom-based positions on many social issues.

I think America's government should be smaller and less intrusive...let people make decisions for themselves.

I'm a Libertarian in belief. I successfully governed as a Libertarian in everything but the name, and I am running for president as a Libertarian.

A credible Libertarian candidate for president is the real path to liberty, opportunity, and a government that is put into its proper and limited role.

This election needs a libertarian voice. While Ron Paul is a good man and a libertarian who I proudly endorsed for president in 2008, there is no guarantee he'll be the Republican nominee.

Patrick R. Killy, First Vice-Chair of the Libertarian Party of Northampton County, speaking on behalf of the group, made the following comment with respect to the endorsement:

The Libertarian Party is very lucky to have a successful two-term Governor as its potential nominee for President of the United States in 2012. We thought it important to endorse him right after his announcement to show him that many Libertarian Party members and organizations are enthusiastic about his candidacy and ability to promote libertarian principles to Americans eager for an alternative to the two existing, statist, big government political parties.

Executive Committee members were generally pleased with the following points in Gary Johnson's announced Agenda for America:

- I want to end deficit spending and cut federal spending by 43%.

- I want to end the manipulation of our money by the Federal Reserve.

- I support the Second Amendment and oppose gun control.

- I want to enact the Fair Tax to stimulate real economic growth and jobs.

- I oppose expensive foreign wars in places like Libya and Afghanistan.

- I support a woman's right to choose.

- I support marriage equality for gay Americans as required by the Constitution.

- I support legalization of marijuana, which will save us billions and do no harm.

- I support returning strict adherence to Constitutional principles to our government.

Some opposition was voiced regarding Gary Johnson's support for a Fair Tax and the usual disagreements were present with respect to abortion and the need for national defense but, overall, there was unanimous support for the Libertarian Party of Northampton County going on record in support of Gary Johnson's candidacy for the Presidential Nomination of the Libertarian Party.

The Libertarian Party of Northampton County, Pennsylvania was formally organized on September 21, 2011. On October 3, 2011, Vernon Etzel, LPPA Secretary, reported the following: "It appears that a quorum was met and, lacking any dissenting votes, the motion is passed. Northampton County will be seated at the next board meeting...the intentions of the board are clear, and the recognition of the Northampton County chapter is settled." On November 12, 2011, the Board of Directors of the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania confirmed the status of the Libertarian Party of Northampton County as a recognized "County Committee".

John H. Lewis II, Michigan Libertarian Party Chair, Reviews Carl Person's Blog & Concludes He Is Not A Valid Candidate & Has Zero Understanding Of Libertarian Principles

2011-12-30T21:59:00.004-05:00

In his formal capacity as Chair of the Michigan Libertarian Party, James H. Lewis II made an "official recommendation" on December 24, 2011 suggesting "all concerned" take Carl Person's "lack of understanding of the party ideas and principles into account before any nominations" are made for the Libertarian Party's Presidential Nomination in 2012.

His full statement on the matter was the following:

After reading Carl's blog, I too would concur with the good Dr.s assessment. He is not a valid candidate or at least has zero understanding of the Libertarian principles. I would highly suggest the party seriously take his lack of understanding of the party ideas and principles into account before any nominations.

This is my official recommendation as Chair of the State of Michigan.

On December 26, 2011, Ken Mosher, former Secretary of the State Central Committee of the Libertarian Party of Connecticut, drew a similar conclusion, when he wrote:

His "brand" of libertarianism is like Stalin's brand of compassion! Carl Person shouldn't even be let into the convention hall. Libertarians don't traffic with collectivists.

Despite the negative reactions to many of Carl Person's campaign issues, he nevertheless remains a candidate for the Presidential Nomination of the Libertarian Party in 2012.

Carl Person Renegs On Offer To Pay The Airfare Of All Delegates Pledged To Support Him At The Libertarian Party's National Convention In Las Vegas, Nevada

2011-12-29T17:53:00.008-05:00

On December 19, 2011, a Liberty Lion Blog Article entitled "Carl Person To Offer Free Airfare To All Delegates Attending LP National Convention Who Have Pledged To Support His Candidacy" was posted containing the following information:

Carl Person, a candidate for the Libertarian Party's Presidential Nomination, has offered to pay the airfare of any delegate attending the Libertarian Party's National Convention in 2012 who has pledged in advance to support his candidacy for the Presidential Nomination. The first two delegates to accept this offer were Alden Link and his wife. Both have been elected as New York State delegates to the Libertarian Party National Convention, which is to be held May 4-6, 2012 at the Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa in Las Vegas, Nevada and both have pledged to support the candidacy of Carl Person for President.

On December 20, 2011, one day after the above referenced article was posted, Karl Dickey, a writer for the West Palm Beach Libertarian Examiner, spoke to Carl Person personally, who confirmed the offer was on the table. Karl Dickey wrote:

Carl Person, a Presidential Candidate for the Libertarian Party's nomination for President of the United States has said he has been permitted by the Federal Elections Commission to pay low-cost airfare for his supporters to get to the national convention.

The Libertarian Party's national convention is in Las Vegas in May of 2012 and apparently many will be flying in on Person's dime. I spoke with Mr. Person this afternoon and confirmed the rumor. In fact two people have already taken him up on the offer.

Dr. Tom Stevens, who previously served as Campaign Manager for Carl Person, reported the following:

While serving as Campaign Manager for Carl Person's Presidential Campaign, I had first hand knowledge of Carl's offer to pay for the airfare of all delegates committed to support his candidacy. This expense was cleared with the Federal Election Commission. The money was never intended to purchase support for Carl Person's campaign but merely to enable previously committed Carl Person delegates to be able to afford to attend the Libertarian Party's National Convention. I, for example, although serving as Carl Person's Campaign Manager, did not request the financial assistance he was offering. Neither did I personally endorse him for the Libertarian Party's Presidential Nomination.

It has now come to my attention that Carl Person is telling people he made no such offer. I suspect he is doing so because some have criticized him for making the offer just as he tried to distance himself from his position in support of reclassifying bestiality as a victimless crime after being criticized by some at the Libertarian Party's 40th Anniversary Barbecue Bash held in the Veranda Room of the Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa in Las Vegas, Nevada on December 10, 2011.

Carl Person is now saying the offer was "only intended for a close circle of friends living in New York" who were "already predisposed" to support his candidacy, that "the offer to pay for their airfare on a budget airline was not tied to their support", was "non-binding" and was "only offered to make up for their geographic disadvantage in attending a convention in Nevada all the way from New York".

An individual living in Pennsylvania, who supported Carl Person's candidacy but who could not afford the airfare to attend the upcoming Libertarian Party's National Convention, was told by Carl Person on December 29, 2011 that the offer was now off the table.

Liberty Lion has learned that Carl Person is now offering, as an alternative, to travel to Libertarian Party State Affiliates to host fundraisers to help pay for the airfare of delegates who cannot afford to pay for it themselves. So far, there are no takers.

Stonewall Libertarians Members Encouraged Gary Johnson To Come Out In Favor Of Gay Marriage

2011-12-29T02:10:00.003-05:00

Gary Johnson, the former two-term Governor of New Mexico, has long argued for Civil Unions for gay couples but on December 2, 2011, he came out in favor of Gay Marriage. His statement on the issue was the following:

As a believer in individual freedom and keeping government out of personal lives, I simply cannot find a legitimate justification for federal laws, such as the Defense of Marriage Act, which ‘define’ marriage. That definition should be left to religions and individuals – not government. Government’s role when it comes to marriage is one of granting benefits and rights to couples who choose to enter into a marriage ‘contract’. As I have examined this issue, consulted with folks on all sides, and viewed it through the lens of individual freedom and equal rights, it has become clear to me that denying those rights and benefits to gay couples is discrimination, plain and simple.

Certainly, religions and people of various faiths have the right to view marriage as they wish, and sanction marriage according to those beliefs. Just as government shouldn’t interfere with individual rights, government should not interfere with how marriage is treated as a ceremony, a sacrament or a privilege within a set of religious beliefs. However, when it comes to the rights of individuals and couples under the law, government’s promise should be to insure equal access to those rights to all Americans, gay or straight.

For a very long time, society has viewed gay marriage as a moral and, yes, religious issue. Today, I believe we have arrived at a point in history where more and more Americans are viewing it as a question of liberty and freedom. That evolution is important, and the time has come for us to align our marriage laws with the notion that every individual should be treated equally.

Dallwyn Merck, who has served as President of Stonewall Libertarians New York since July 27, 2009, commented as follows:

Stonewall Libertarians had a few weeks advance notice that Gary Johnson was considering leaving the Republican Party to seek the Presidential Nomination of the Libertarian Party in 2012. A number of our members told him his candidacy would be a non-starter for us unless he came out full-throttle in support of gay marriage. We told him that while our ultimate goal was to get the government out of the marriage business, if the government was going to continue to grant licenses to heterosexual couples, then to deny such a certificate to gay couples was discrimination and a violation of the 14th Amendment's guarantee of "equal protection" under the law.

We are pleased Gary Johnson responded to our concerns and we wish him well in his quest to become the Presidential Nominee of the Libertarian Party in 2012.

Stonewall Libertarians is an independent organization of libertarians that promotes smaller government, lower taxes and more individual freedom. They welcome all libertarians who are perceived to deviate from the norms of society and work to promote tolerance and equality in the Libertarian Party and in society at large.

Chris Edes, Immediate Past Chair Of The New York Libertarian Party, Endorses Carl Person's Brand Of Libertarianism Which Holds That The Power Of Banks & Large Corporations Is Too Great & Must Be Restrained

2011-12-29T01:05:00.006-05:00

Liberty Lion received an e-mail from Chris Edes, the Immediate Past Chair of the New York Libertarian Party, in which he argued that Carl Person's positions regarding Banks & Large Corporations are consistent with free market & libertarian principles. The contents of that e-mail were, in part, as follows:

I'll be supporting Gary Johnson and/or Ron Paul, but I have to admit, you changed my mind about Carl Person. I thought he was just an empty suit, but he really thinks about things and tries to find creative solutions.

Banks have not been part of the free market in this country since 1913. I'm not certain whether it's more accurate to say that government has taken over the banks, or vice-versa, but it has been almost a century since banks were private enterprises operating solely on the basis of free market economics. For that matter a corporate charter is an instrument of the state, not a natural feature of the free market; as opposed to a simple partnership or like form of business, which can be bound by private contract.

Carl Person would go further than I would, but when you look at the situation we're in, where many feel forced to reward failure, because the perceived alternative is failure of the entire system, a system that is supposed to be based on rewarding success and punishing failure -- you can see we're already off course, and it's because the power of the banks and large corporations is too great. Or to put it another way, the State-sponsored entities called banks and corporations have corrupted the free market, and must be restrained to save the free market.

When did Libertarians start believing groups have rights? It in no way infringes the natural rights of human beings to regulate what exists solely due to privileges granted by the State. You don't have to incorporate; if it's a devil's bargain, don't take it!

So, I don't think Carl's proposals are inherently against libertarian principles.

Chris Edes currently serves as a voting member of the State Committee of the New York Libertarian Party. In 2011, he ran for a position as Monroe County Legislator (24th District) on the Green Party line.

Gary Greenberg, Biblical Archaeology Society President, Lectures On The First Libertarian Freedom Fighters In Ancient Israel & Regarding The Existence Of A Hebrew Free State

2011-12-28T00:47:00.007-05:00

Gary Greenberg was President of the New York Libertarian Alliance and one of the first At-Large Representatives elected to serve on the State Committee of the New York Libertarian Party. For nearly two decades, he has served as President of the Biblical Archaeology Society of New York. Gary Greenberg is a full-time criminal defense lawyer for the Legal Aid Society of New York City. He has published a number of books including "101 Myths of the Bible: How Ancient Scribes Invented Biblical History", "The Moses Mystery: The African Origins of the Jewish People", and "The Judas Brief: Who Really Killed Jesus?".

At the invitation of Dr. Tom Stevens, Political Director of the Libertarian Party of Queens County, he addressed that group on Saturday, December 10, 2011 on the topic of The First Freedom Fighters: Ancient Israel vs. the Empire of David. That lecture addresses the existence of a Hebrew Free State and its libertarian tendencies. His lecture notes (a draft copy subject to future revision) has been re-printed, with his permission, here:

The First Freedom Fighters: Ancient Israel vs. the Empire of David
The Hebrew Free State

In this talk, I want to discuss what I refer to as the Hebrew Free State, a term of my own invention. This Hebrew Free State, I suggest, was history’s first long-lasting wide-spread political enterprise that endorsed the rights of the individual over the State. More specifically, it was militantly anti-state, anti-draft, anti-tax, anti-census, anti-imperialist, pro-democracy, religiously tolerant, decentralist and pro-private property. It lasted more than 200 years, from some time prior to 1220 BCE to approximately 1000BCE, when King David defeated the Hebrew Free State, seized control of the nation, and imposed a centralized political dictatorship that was widely despised by the people of Israel.

The leaders of the Hebrew Free State remained in opposition to David, and to David’s successor, the more brutal tyrant, Solomon. About 80 years after David seized power, at the end of Solomon’s reign, the Hebrew Free State broke free of the Davidic dynasty and established an independent kingdom. The Davidic Dynasty ruled over what would be approximately the southern half of the nation, and the territory was known as the Kingdom of Judah. The breakaway Hebrew Free State, allegedly representing ten or eleven of the original twelve tribes, came to be known as the Kingdom of Israel.

The revived Hebrew Free State, unfortunately lasted only about 25 years, ending with the assassination of the ruling king, and the pro-freedom nature of the Hebrew State began to deteriorate into a standard state-monarchy.

The northern kingdom of Israel lasted for about two hundred years, from the end of Solomon’s reign to 722 BCE, when the Assyrians conquered Israel and dispersed its inhabitants into the outer parts of the Assyrian empire, never to be heard from again. This had given rise to many legends about the ten lost tribes of Israel. Many of the northerners, however, escaped to the southern kingdom of Judah and continued to have some influence on the Judean population.

Let me begin with a brief historical archaeological and biblical overview of the period involved. First, however, I need to explain a little something about the evolution of the biblical histories. What needs to be understood, as acknowledged by all serious biblical historians, in contrast to religious beliefs, all of the books about the history of Israel prior to the time of David and Solomon were actually written long-after the time of David and Solomon, and they were pieced together from various source texts representing a variety of competing viewpoints from different political and religious factions in ancient Israel. The final versions of these texts were pieced together after the destruction of the kingdom of Israel in 722 BCE and written under the guidance of the Kingdom of Judah. Many of the stories in the pre-Davidic history actually reflect the conflicts between the Davidic monarchy and the Hebrew Free State, as well as other factions. And much of that invented history is political polemic, which often distorts and misrepresents opposing views.

One of the nice things about political polemics, however, is that if the opposition is large and influential, the polemic has to acknowledge its existence and offer countervailing evidence. The anti-Davidic northern Kingdom of Israel was extremely powerful and influential during the period in which many of the source texts were written, and these earlier sources were known and had to be responded to.

That said, let me begin by addressing the first major problem in discussing the history of the Hebrew Free State, the so-called Canaanite conquest in which Israel allegedly drove other nations out of their homelands. The story of this conquest appears in the biblical book of Joshua. The story is almost certainly false and contradicted by other biblical evidence, and more importantly, by archaeological evidence.

The biblical book of Judges tells of events that occurred in the period that I describe as dominated by the Hebrew Free State. It begins with a claim that the only nation that successfully conquered non-Hebrew nations was Judah. The other tribes conquered nothing. Now, this book was written several hundred years after the events described within, mostly likely after the disappearance of the northern kingdom of Israel. Its claims about the relevant roles of Judah versus the remaining tribes suggest a propaganda point to indicate that the god of Israel favored the more militant Judeans. But, as propaganda, we can’t be sure of it historical value as a factual account. Archaeology gives us a very different picture.

The earliest mention of Israel in the historical record occurs on an Egyptian monument dating to about 1220 BCE. It describes an alleged Egyptian military campaign into Canaan in which Egypt defeated several Canaanite nations, one of which was Israel. But there is one unusual feature of this Egyptian inscription that is of interest to us. While it makes reference to several allegedly defeated nations, the Egyptian grammar describes only Israel as a people without a particular territory of their own. Clearly, then, this is not a nation that has established rule over other nations, and the other nations in Canaan seem to exist without any form of Israeli domination.

There is more evidence, at about the time of this inscription or not long after, the archaeological evidence shows that a wave of immigrants moved into the central highlands that form the heart of ancient Israel, approximately what we refer to as the West Bank today. These immigrants moved into previously uninhabited sites in these hills and established numerous small villages. An unusual feature of these many villages is the absence of pig bone. While we have no direct inscription referring to these immigrants as Israel, the circumstantial evidence is quite strong that we are dealing here with early stages of the Hebrew nation.

One more remarkable piece of archaeological evidence: After the appearance of this Egyptian inscription, we have no other direct reference to Israel or any of its tribes for another four hundred years, completely by-passing the monarchies of David and Solomon. If Israel had forcibly ruled over the Canaanite nations as alleged in Joshua, how come we have not a shred of evidence for this conquest? Sherlock Holmes might have remarked, “Curious Watson, the dog didn’t bark.” How likely is it that a Kingdom as allegedly powerful as David and Solomon ruled over leaves no archaeological or inscriptional traces contemporaneous with these two monarchs or their predecessors.

There was no Israelite conquest of Canaan. They arrived in peaceful waves into uninhabited areas and established no political states or domination over foreign territories. As to David and Solomon, whatever territories they ruled over, if these two existed at all, must have been small and local in nature, far from what is described in the bible.

On the other hand, at about the same time that Israel allegedly went around attacking other nations, we have evidence of a different invasion of Canaan by outside groups, probably Greeks from Mycenaean territories, one of which was the Philistines. The invasions are noted on Egyptian monuments and the pictorial evidence shows that these were full-scale invasions designed to settle into these new territories, with families and cattle being brought along. The Egyptian records describing the invasion, possibly inaccurately, say none of the Canaanite nations could stand up to the invaders. No mention of Israel exists in these Egyptian accounts, on one side or the other.

In the second century, after the third major Jewish revolt against Rome in a sixty year span, the Romans renamed the territory of Judea as Palestine. For modern context, the area now known as the Palestinian West Bank, was the Jewish heartland, peacefully settled. The western coast of what is now known as Israel, was Palestinian territory.

Back to our story.

The Book of Judges, is a biblical account of the period that falls somewhere between the Egyptian reference to ancient Israel and the years leading up to the Davidic monarchy.

It is mostly a collection of legends about various Canaanite heroes, allegedly Israelites, who “Judged” Israel. It presents some intriguing images if you read between the lines. There are no Israelite conquests in this account. Instead, it depicts various occasions when Israel comes under attack by powerful neighbors and suffers oppression at their hands. During these various oppressions in various locales, a charismatic hero rises up, some male and some female, and they administer stinging defeats to the oppressors. The text then says these heroes judged Israel for some lengths of time and Israel had peace during these periods.

The remarkable thing about these so-called Judges, is that they don’t do any actual judging, at least in the stories. They just go on with their lives. Samson, the most famous of the judges, for all practical purposes, lived among the Philistines, hung out with the Philistines, married a Philistine, and was not particularly well-liked by the Hebrews. These Judges appeared to have no ecclesiastical role in formulating God’s law.

The Book of Judges describes this period as one in which “In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes (Ju 17:6).” In this description we can see some evidence of a philosophical hostility to the state. In context, the biblical author of this book, from the Davidic side of the picture, doesn’t see this as a good thing.

In Judges we also have some more specific evidence of an anti-state philosophy. It is in the story of Gideon, who is also known as Jerubbaal. Because the story uses two different names for Gideon, it is thought that there were separate stories that merged together. The last part of Jerubbaal’s name, B-A-A-L, is that of a Canaanite deity other than that of the God of Israel. Several other Israelites had Baal names and it proved to be an embarrassment to later biblical writers, who sometimes changed the Baal name to Bosheth, meaning shame.

Gideon’s clan actually appears to be actively worshipping Canaanite deities and has a shrine dedicated to one of them. In any event, Gideon’s clan and many others, we are told was being menaced by a war-like nomad group known as the Midianites, who swooped in on their camels, the high-tech tanks of their time, and seized the property of the various Israeli villages.

Gideon is depicted as receiving God’s call to fight back against these enemies, but we can probably safely assume that he just wasn’t going to take it anymore. He put out a call for volunteers to join with him. The story says that he attracted 30,000 volunteers but made a speech saying this was going to be a tough ride and if you want to back out it’s okay. Allegedly 10,000 remained. He winnowed these down to 300 and launched a counter-attack. Biblical numbers can rarely be trusted and here we should probably assume that 300 men was all he could raise.

In any event, he defeated the Midianites and his military success led to appeals to him to become king. He explicitly rejected this petition, saying “I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you; the LORD shall rule over you.” This strikes me as quite a libertarian point of view, and an explicit rejection of statism and authoritarianism. Remember, it was a time in which each man did that which was right in his own eyes.

Gideon that went back to his village and fashioned a Canaanite idol that he worshipped. Think about what this means for religious tolerance. He rejected monarchy, told the people that only God could rule them, and worshipped a Canaanite deity. The final biblical author/editor was somewhat distressed by this point and wrote, “and all Israel went thither a whoring after it: which became a snare unto Gideon and to his house.” Well, maybe all of Israel didn’t worship at this alter, but many appear to have. Nevertheless, God allowed Gideon to guide Israel for 40 years and bring peace to the nation.

Gideon had 71 sons and one of them, Abimelech had monarchist ambitions. He was from the major Israelite city of Shechem, modern Nablus on the West Bank, and he went to the people of Shechem and convinced them that it was better for them to be ruled by one person, namely him, rather than having the 70 sons of Gideon judge them. Upon being granted the throne, he set out to kill all of Gideon’s sons. But one of them escaped, a man named Jotham, who issued an intriguing curse on the Shechemites. It is known as the Parable of the Trees. (Ju 9:7-15.)

When it was told to Jotham, he went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim, and cried aloud and said to them, “Listen to me, you lords of Shechem, so that God may listen to you.

8 The trees once went out to anoint a king over themselves. So they said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’

9 The olive tree answered them, ‘Shall I stop producing my rich oil by which gods and mortals are honored, and go to sway over the trees?’

10 Then the trees said to the fig tree, ‘You come and reign over us.’

11 But the fig tree answered them, ‘Shall I stop producing my sweetness and my delicious fruit, and go to sway over the trees?’

12 Then the trees said to the vine, ‘You come and reign over us.’

13 But the vine said to them, ‘Shall I stop producing my wine that cheers gods and mortals, and go to sway over the trees?’

14 So all the trees said to the bramble, ‘You come and reign over us.’

15 And the bramble said to the trees, ‘If in good faith you are anointing me king over you, then come and take refuge in my shade; but if not, let fire come out of the bramble and devour the cedars of Lebanon.’

Consider the point made. Productive people take pride in their achievements and wouldn’t want to rule over other people. But if you appoint a ruler not out of justice, but out of power lust, may you burn up. Seems like quite a strong Randian-Libertarian sentiment.

Abimelechy’s reign lasted about three years and then there was a struggle for power between Abimelech and other ambitious leaders in Shechem. War broke out between the opposing sides, Abimelech crushed the rebellion but died in battle when a woman on a tower dropped a rock on his head. The experiment with monarchy then ended.

When we come to the end of the Book of Judges, we have the following indications of political attitudes among the Israelites. Israel was militantly opposed to political states. They had no king and every man did that which was right in his own eyes. In times of peril, the leaders resisted military conscription, relying on a volunteer army. Religious tolerance was wide spread and many Israelite leaders even worshipped deities other than the Hebrew God.

The chronological narrative picks up again in the First Book of Samuel. We are still in the pre-monarchal period and, as we shall see, there is a strong philosophical opposition to a state and strong support for individual freedom. But there appears to have been some sort of evolutionary shift in the nature of the political structure.

We have Judges in leadership positions, and these Judges are also military leaders, but they also appear to be aligned with a particular priesthood centered in the city of Shiloh. The Shiloh priesthood appears to have become deeply influential among the ancient Israelites and there is a Shilohite thread running through much of the following history. Being priests, they position themselves much more closely in touch with God and his word then that of the earlier Judges. They make pronouncements as if they were coming directly from God. They act as if God is working through them at times. Sometimes miracles occur. Israel is embarking on a slippery slope.

Israel is still decentralized and anti-state. These Judges appear to ride a circuit and get a fee for their services. Whether they were the only judges or one group among many others we don’t know. But corruption has set in to the Shiloh priesthood and it leads to significant problems.

The first of these judges that we encounter is Eli, who is now very old, and his sons are perceived as corrupt and God is angry with them. We are told about these sons of Eli that, (I Sam 2:12-17) the sons of Eli were scoundrels; they had no regard for the LORD (13) or for the duties of the priests to the people. When anyone offered sacrifice, the priest’s servant would come, while the meat was boiling, with a three-pronged fork in his hand, (14) and he would thrust it into the pan, or kettle, or cauldron, or pot; all that the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. This is what they did at Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there. (15) Moreover, before the fat was burned, the priest’s servant would come and say to the one who was sacrificing, “Give meat for the priest to roast; for he will not accept boiled meat from you, but only raw.” (16) And if the man said to him, “Let them burn the fat first, and then take whatever you wish,” he would say, “No, you must give it now; if not, I will take it by force.” (17) Thus the sin of the young men was very great in the sight of the LORD; for they treated the offerings of the LORD with contempt.

Samuels two sons soon die in battle, allegedly as a punishment for their deeds, and the Ark of the Covenant is lost to the Philistines.

When Eli hears the news he keels over and his protege, Samuel, takes his place as chief priest in Israel and Judge. According to the text, “He went on a circuit year by year to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah; and he judged Israel in all these places. (17) Then he would come back to Ramah, for his home was there; he administered justice there to Israel, and built there an altar to the LORD.”

But in Samuel’s old age, his sons also became corrupt. We are told that they took bribes and perverted justice. So the Israelite’s came to Samuel, and said in essence, “get rid of the kids and appoint us a king, like the other nations have.”

This greatly distressed Samuel, who took this request as a rejection of his leadership and he went out to commiserate with God. But God said to Samuel, they didn’t reject you, they rejected me. Go back and tell them what it will be like if they have a king. This leads Samuel to deliver what I believe to be the first great Libertarian political speech in history.

“These will be the ways of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and appoint them to his chariots and to be his horsemen, and to run before his chariots; (12) and he will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and some to plow his ground and to reap his harvest, and to make his implements of war and the equipment of his chariots. (13) He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. (14) He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive orchards and give them to his courtiers. (15) He will take one-tenth of your grain and of your vineyards and give it to his officers and his courtiers. (16) He will take your male and female slaves, and the best of your cattle and donkeys, and put them to his work. (17) He will take one-tenth of your flocks, and you shall be his slaves. (18) And in that day you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves; but the LORD will not answer you in that day.” (1 s 8:11-18.)

Parenthetically, I should note that this prophecy comes true during the reign of Solomon, which we will get to shortly.

What actions follow from having a king, according to this speech?

• Military Conscription

• Forced labor for the king’s benefit

• War machines and militarism

• Taxation at the then alarming rate of 10% of all your property

• Eminent Domain for the king’s benefit

• Utter misery

Samuel’s speech gives quite a good description of the guiding principles of the Hebrew Free State. But the corruption of his sons and other priests were more than the Israelites were prepared to tolerate. And they turned to another military hero to be their king and they asked Samuel to consecrate him. This hero was named Saul, and when he heard that the Israelites wanted him to be king he went into hiding, thinking this was a terrible idea.

But the people insisted and he was elevated to the kingship, but this wasn’t quite your traditional kingship. It was more like a limited constitutional state where the king was subject to removal and had to follow guidelines. We are told that Samuel actual wrote about a book of rules for the king to follow. Israelite society changed very little under his guidance. It remained pretty much as it had been under the priesthood. There is no evidence that Saul engaged in any confiscation of wealth or great monumental building programs. He appears to have lived in the family home and lived off the family farming business. And circumstantial evidence suggests he remained popular and widely loved by the people. In fact, only three main charges were raised against him by the biblical editors of the various books in the bible.

• He didn’t consult the Ark of the Covenant for guidance,

• He didn’t follow Samuel’s instructions to murder all the men, women, children, and cattle belonging to the Amalekites,

• He had a paranoid and erroneous fear that David wanted to usurp his throne.

The first two issues reflect political and religious differences between the theocratic Samuel and the democratic Saul as to the source of authority over the people of Israel, priestly direction or democratic vote. As to the third charge, paranoia with regard to David’s ambitions, Saul was right on the money. David clearly sought to displace Saul as king, and, in fact, actually pulled Judah out of union with Israel while Saul was on the throne, made himself king of Judah, and allied himself with the Philistines against Saul and Israel.

Nowhere is there any biblical evidence that Saul was unpopular with the people, or that he was an unjust or oppressive ruler, or that he did anything to infringe upon the doctrines of the Hebrew Free State.

The corrupt Shiloh priesthood became quite concerned over the loss of their perks and prestigious status and sought an ally against Saul. No longer worried about allowing a king to rule, they were more concerned with having a king who would take direction from them. They formed an alliance with the charismatic David and sought to replace the house of Saul with the House of David.

On Saul’s death, which may have been arranged by David, but we won’t go into that here, civil war broke out between David’s allies and the Israelites, the latter led by Saul’s uncle, Abner, who placed Saul’s son, Eshbaal on the throne of Israel.

The civil war lasted two years and ended with the assassinations of Abner and Eshbaal.

Defeated, the Israelites surrendered to David and he became king over Israel. David immediately began to consolidate power, centralizing authority under his reign, hiring two mercenary armies to keep him in power, instituting forced labor, collecting taxes, waging war, and engaging in monumental building programs. He appointed a Shiloh priest to be one of two chief priests in Israel.

The biblical editors acknowledge two great sins by David. One was the murder of Bathsheba’s husband in order to cover up the fact that David got her pregnant while her husband was away fighting for Israel, surely a universal sin in all societies. The other was the conducting of a compulsory census, a sin so venal that one biblical author said the devil seized control of David, and the bible even quotes David’s homicidal henchman, Joab, as saying David takes too much pleasure in this trespass against Israel. The census appears to have triggered a brief civil war that left portions of Israel uncounted. That a compulsory census was sinful, the devil’s work, was a message unique to the ancient Israelites among the ancient Near Eastern neighbors, and reflects a truly libertarian viewpoint. After all, the purpose of a census was to arrange for taxes and the confiscation of the people’s property. The opposition to a census was based on the idea that a king had no need to know what taxable resources there were as God would provide the people with what was necessary. A census, then, was an insult to God.

David had a widespread reputation as a murderer and for lacking justice in his reign. This led to two almost successful revolutions that nearly toppled him from power. One came from the house of Saul, which believed David responsible for murdering Saul, Abner, and Eshbaal. The other was led by David’s son Absalom, who appealed to the people’s sense of justice for support and who managed to chase David from Jerusalem. Absalom raised his support among the Israelies by sitting in front of the Jerusalem gate and telling people coming to David to resolve legal disputes that if he Absalom, were king, there would be justice in the country. David backed by a Philistine army and his two mercenary armies eventually defeated Absalom and retained the throne. Although David was driven out of Jerusalem by Absalom, David considered the revolt by Saul’s house to be far more dangerous to him. Nevertheless, he contained that revolt also.

Upon David’s death, the palace guard, led by Solomon and the two mercenary armies, staged a military coup against the legitimate heir to the throne. Solomon subsequently murdered the heir and several of his allies. Unfortunately, for the Shiloh priesthood, they backed the legitimate heir and when Solomon won out he kicked the Shilohites out of office and unified the religious leadership under the other chief priest, who had backed Solomon against the legitimate heir.

Solomon was a far more brutal thug than David and far more oppressive. He escalated the degree of forced labor and taxation and lived a luxurious lifestyle. Despite his reputation for wisdom, he appears to have been pretty much of a vainglorious jerk, whose self-centered extravagance plowed the way for the collapse of the United Monarchy. The biblical editors and theologians were hard-pressed to make a case for him as the legitimate leader of Israel and relied primarily on David’s reputation to justify continuing the Davidic line in power after Solomon died.

During Solomon’s reign, the Shiloh priesthood sought new allies and formed an alliance with Jeroboam, a popular leader who had been appointed to head the labor force in the Joseph tribes. He staged an initial rebellion against Solomon but lost and fled to Egypt for protection when Solomon sought to kill him. On Solomon’s death, Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, claimed the throne but Jeroboam returned to lead the Israelites in negotiations with the House of Judah over a successor to Solomon. Although, the biblical editors tried to cover up Solomon’s oppression of Israel, the true story seeped through the editorial committees. Portions of the negotiations were preserved in the biblical text.

The Israelites said to Rehoboam: “Thy father [that is, Solomon] made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee.”

Rehoboam asked for some time to consider their offer. He went to the older advisors, and they said, “tell them what they want to hear and they’ll be loyal to you.” (Clintonistas)

Then he went to his young buddies, and they said “crush the bastards” or at least words to that effect. (Team Obama.) Rehoboam liked what the second group had to say and returned to the negotiations and made the following suggestion:

"My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions."

This wasn’t quite the deal-maker he thought it would be. And the Israelites replied:

"What portion have we in David? Neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: To your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents."

And the Israelites chose Jeroboam as their leader. This cry of the Israelites, by the way, about no share in David, is the same battle cry used when the House of Saul revolted against King David.

Rehoboam responded by sending a tax collector into Israel and the Israelites replied by promptly stoning him to death. (Rehobam was heard to remark “Those tea party bastards refuse to compromise, they want to see the people’s government fail.)

When Jeroboam became king over Israel, allied with the Shilohites, he faced a number of problems. For one, the Judahite kingdom had a large professional standing army while the Israelites had a decentralized volunteer muster. Still, they continuously held off the Judahite army and never succumbed, despite Rehoboam’s continuous wars against Israel.

In addition, the centralization of religion in Jerusalem at Solomon’s temple created a major difficulty. Despite corruption in the Shilohite priesthood, the general religious principles held great sway, even if not scrupulously adhered to by all. Jeroboam feared that once the Israelites made their journey to Jerusalem for the annual religious festivals and obligations, they would fall back under the sway of the non-Shilohite Temple priesthood. So, Jeroboam built two new temples, one in the south of Israel and one in the north of Israel. And he changed the dates of the festivals via calendar reform. And, ever the free-thinker, he placed a golden calf at each of the temples and said “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.” Note the plural form here, as well as the subtle challenge to the monotheistic deity of the Israelites.

Here, you might be reminded of the story about Aaron and the Golden calf during the Exodus and think that Jeroboam must have been pretty foolish to go up against that biblical injunction. However, when the Aaron story is read more carefully, it is evident that the Aaron story is based on Jeroboam’s actions rather than the other way around. Aaron says in that story, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” Note the problem here. Aaron uses the same words as Jeroboam, using the plural form “gods”, but he has only one calf.

But Jeroboam didn’t stop there. Despite his support from the Shilohite priesthood, he opposed their religious monopoly and decreed that anyone who wanted to be a priest could be one, and he, himself, engaged in priestly duties. This, of course, once again ticked off the Shilohites. They denounced Jeroboam as wicked despite his apparent popular and lengthy reign of 22 years.

After Jeroboam successfully split the ten tribes away from Judah, Israel became the more financially successful, powerful and dominant of the two kingdoms for about two centuries. Jeroboam was succeeded by his son, Nadab, who ruled only about two years. Interestingly, some dictionaries translate the name Nadab as “liberal”, I prefer to think that refers to classical liberalism. Make what you will out of it.

Nadab’s reign came to an end when he was assassinated by his successor. The assassin also killed off all the remnant of Jeroboam’s family. I suggest, admittedly on only a small amount of very inconclusive evidence, that the Shilohite priesthood was behind the assassination.

The Shilohite priesthood remained influential and their writings appear to have played a key role as source material for the later biblical writers who condemned Jeroboam for his wickedness, and who measured the wickedness of other kings against Jeroboam, the man who most directly challenged the priestly monopoly on religious thought.

Not long after the fall of the House of Jeroboam, the kingdom of Israel became a major military and possibly expansionist power under two of its most famous kings, Omri and Ahab, both of whose names appear in extra-biblical contemporaneous records. The kings ruling after Jeroboam’s brief dynasty appear to have reverted to traditional forms of monarchy, undermining Jeroboam’s legacy, although Jerobaom appears to have remained a popular northern hero as one of the later kings took Jerobaom as his throne name. From the time of Omri, mid 800s, to the destruction of Israel in 722 BC, the kingdom of Israel was known in foreign records as the House of Omri, even after Omri’s dynasty ended.

This leaves us with very little time to discuss a very big question, how did things go wrong for the Hebrew Free State. To give only an initial simple explanation, I suggest that the corruption of the Shiloh priesthood, and the concomitant loss of power, led the Shiloh priests to an abandonment of principle. They tried to form coalitions with unprincipled allies. (A message here for modern libertarians, hint, hint.) They gave in to the idea of kingship in the hope that they would be able to control the king. When that didn’t work, they sought to find a king who would take religious guidance from them rather than a leader who would maintain the political principles of the Hebrew Free State.

Had the Shiloh priesthood remained loyal to Saul and to their opposition to the principle of formal kingship, the history of the last fifteen hundred years may have been radically different.

David would have been thought of as a monarchist thug. A decentralized but unified libertarian-oriented Hebrew kingdom may have lasted in office through the centuries, the idea of a Davidic messiah may never have arisen, Christianity may have never infected western civilization, and Judaism might have taken a radically different historical turn.

In the days of the Alexandrian and early Roman empires, Judaism served as the primary and somewhat influential intellectual opposition to the Hellenistic world. Imagine what might have been if that intellectual model had remained libertarian instead of theocratic.

Interestingly, in the time frame surrounding Jesus, the Pharisees were one of the most influential forces in ancient Israel, champions of the poor and opponents of monarchy. A militant faction of the Pharisees, known as the Fourth Way, waged guerrilla war against Rome under the slogan “No King but God.” Josephus, the Jewish historian , wrote that they were extremists on the issue of freedom (Extremism in defense of liberty, etc..) and draws a direct line between their guerrilla activities and the first great Jewish revolt against Rome in the year 66.

Ken Krawchuk, Libertarian Candidate For Pennsylvania Governor In 1998 & 2002, Announces Release Of "Atlas Snubbed", A Pastiche Parody Sequel To Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged"

2011-12-26T00:48:00.001-05:00

Ken Krawchuk, the Libertarian candidate for Pennsylvania Governor in 1998 and 2002, has announced the release of his first novel, "Atlas Snubbed," a pastiche parody sequel to Ayn Rand's epic, "Atlas
Shrugged." The new novel is available in print and several e-book formats via www.AtlasSnubbed.com.

"The novel is a pastiche in every sense of the word," explained Krawchuk. "Not only is it meant to be a tribute to Ayn Rand and written in her style, it also sports a patchwork of 'sampled' phrases and situations excerpted from her novels and other writings. Devoted fans of Rand will recognize how I relish taking the words of one character and placing them plausibly into the mouth of another, usually one who is likely to be a philosophical opposite. No surprise, then, that this novel is also a parody; and not merely a lampooning of Ayn Rand's writings and writing style, but also her Objectivist philosophy. Nevertheless, it is a respectfully serious parody, oxymoronic though the concept may seem."

Weighing in at approximately half the size of Atlas Shrugged, Atlas Snubbed is structured as a 368,000-word trilogy. The first book focuses on the outside world, the second on the world inside Rand's philosophical enclave of Galt's Gulch, and the third, what happens when worlds collide. The work features a number of Rand's B-level characters, several new characters, plus cameos from a handful of Rand's A-level characters. Like Atlas Shrugged, the parody is set in a fictional 1950s era where Socialism is prevalent. Its genre spans commercial fiction, literary fiction and science fiction.

The parody commences with the precise state of affairs that existed at the conclusion of Atlas Shrugged. The story is a fast-paced, apocalyptic tale of the bloody collapse of Rand's United States, the handful of American cities which survive, and on the subsequent altercations between them. Each city embodies a different philosophical archetype, one of which develops a brand new political concept -- the separation of Society and State -- an approach which overcomes the shortcomings of all the other archetypes, including many of those of modern day America. And of course our hero gets the girl in the end.

"This novel is something that had to be written," continued Krawchuk. "Its genesis came on the heels of my 2002 gubernatorial campaign, spawned and spurred by two key items. Firstly, Ayn Rand is the philosophical matriarch of the Libertarian Party; and secondly, as a high-profile Libertarian candidate I repeatedly found myself in situations where I was forced to defend her philosophy to the public at large. It was a task I ultimately found in part to be impossible, because, to be frank, some of her ideas are simply indefensible. Based on that experience, Atlas Snubbed chronicles as fiction some of the shortcomings of Rand's Objectivist philosophy and presents the story of my solutions to them. And it's a rousing science fiction adventure tale as well."

Ken Krawchuk, 58, is a Philadelphia native and long-time political activist who has run for political office eight times, including two record-breaking campaigns for Governor of Pennsylvania. He is an entrepreneur, an Information Technology professional, and holds three U.S. patents related to computer database theory. He is also a professional public speaker and an award-winning Distinguished Toastmaster. He and his wife Roberta have three grown daughters and two grandchildren, and live in Abington Township, a Philadelphia suburb. More information about Mr. Krawchuk can be found on Wikipedia. The parody is published by Ken Krawchuk & Associates, Ltd., and distributed through Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and via http://www.atlassnubbed.com/.

Chris Costanzo, Past State Chair Of The Vermont Libertarian Party, Tells State Committee Members That Carl Person's Candidacy Has Nothing To Do With Libertarianism & Likens Him To An Upholstery Flea

2011-12-25T01:08:00.016-05:00

In direct response to Carl Person's view that Town Attorney Generals should use their prosecutorial power to sue corporations to obtain "Corporate Clawbacks" to finance Free Healthcare, Free Dental Care and Free Prescription Drugs for all citizens, Doug Richmond, VTLP Underhill Town Chair, who claims to know "Socialists and Commune wishers intimately" wrote:

This has NOTHING to do with Libertarian Thought. You need the Green/Greed Party, or Socialist/Commune-ists ideology.

Chris Costanzo, Past State Chair of the Vermont Libertarian Party, then wrote the following to all VTLP State Committee Members, to warn them against supporting Carl Person for the Libertarian Party's Presidential Nomination:

Doug is right. This man's candidacy has nothing to do with libertarianism. It illustrates my complaint over the years that all kinds of people on the left and on the right come to the LP claiming to be "libertarians," by which they mean the liberty of having the government do what they want, instead of what other people want. Some of these people (on the left) would be more at home among the socialists or social democrats, or (on the right) among the John Birchers or Christian Coalition.

They come out of the upholstery like fleas every election season, seeking LP support and wanting to avail themselves of the party podium. What's scary is that there are always some party members, alas even a large number of party members, who look at some of these guys and their anti-libertarian positions, and say "Oh, we can't demand ideological purity, after all he is very libertarian in other things." I beg the state committee not to fall for it this time.

I would add to Doug Richmond that libertarian antipathy towards this guy's liberal scheme should be matched by libertarian antipathy towards conservative desires such as establishment of religion and religious liturgies in official government procedures. Libertarianism is neither conservative nor liberal but an ideology in its own right, in an across-the-board support of liberty and government non-involvement in our lives, be it in conservative or liberal areas.

Relevant Links:

Carl Person Calls For Wolf-Pack Justice Against Major Corporations By Town Attorney Generals To Obtain Corporate Clawbacks To Finance Free Healthcare, Free Dental Care, Free Prescription Drugs & Reduced Real Estate Taxes:

http://drtomstevens.blogspot.com/2011/12/carl-person-calls-for-wolf-pack-justice.html

Carl Person To Bring Corporate Downsizing & Outsourcing To A Screeching Halt:

http://drtomstevens.blogspot.com/2011/12/carl-person-would-bring-corporate.html

Objectivist Party Governing Board Terminates Membership Of Carl Person For Exhibiting Socialist Tendencies:

http://drtomstevens.blogspot.com/2011/12/objectivist-party-governing-board.html

Carl Person Calls For Wolf-Pack Justice Against Major Corporations By Town Attorney Generals To Obtain Corporate Clawbacks To Finance Free Healthcare, Free Dental Care, Free Prescription Drugs & Reduced Real Estate Taxes

2011-12-23T17:21:00.007-05:00

Carl Person, a candidate for the Libertarian Party's Presidential Nomination, issued a Prosperity Plan on October 24, 2011 encouraging Towns with populations between 7,500 and 12,500 to appoint Town Attorney Generals. Point 15 in that Prosperity Plan read, in part, as follows:

"The Town’s Mayor Will Be Encouraged To Have The Town’s Lawyer Function As The Town Attorney General to protect the rights of the Town, its residents and small businesses at public expense, and obtain refunds (or “clawbacks”) from entities that have breached their contracts with the Town."

For more details with respect to what these Town Attorney Generals will focus on in their efforts to obtain "refunds" or "clawbacks" from corporations, Mr. Person writes the following on his "Town Attorney General" website at http://www.townattorneygeneral.com/index.php:

"A group of Town Attorney Generals, operating as a "wolfpack" in fashion similar to the states’ attorneys general, can decide to eliminate price discrimination in a specific industry, such as beverages or appliances or auto parts, and commence lawsuits throughout the United States against errant manufacturers until the effect of such lawsuits reaches the level of impact that the Federal Trade Commission had, before the Nixon Administration, in their rigid enforcement of the Robinson-Patman Act.

In effect, a group of Town Attorneys General can exercise for their respective communities the abandoned powers of the federal government to enforce the nation’s antitrust laws. "Wolfpack" combat was used successfully during the Second World War by the German submarine commanders who would operate as a "wolfpack" and gang up on individual convoys of ships from the United States (or elsewhere) attempting to resupply England. The United States was able to stop this by breaking the German Enigma Code.

Until the manufacturers stop their price discrimination, by switching back to a published price list from the current system of secret negotiations and secret pricing and below-cost selling, the towns and villages will make a substantial amount of money in their lawsuits to protect the interests of the town and its residents and local businesses. When the manufacturers stop violating the law, the town, and its residents and locally-owned businesses, will be able to make money the old fashioned way, through the financially-successful residents and local businesses that will result when the destructive price discrimination practices of the major retailers and their suppliers are brought to an end.

There are various other laws for profitable enforcement by the Town Attorney General, including:

a. State antitrust laws

b. State laws prohibiting deceptive or misleading advertising

c. Fraud, misrepresentation, and fraudulent omission

d. Allocation of sales tax revenues

e. Imposing employee healthcare costs on the community

f. Illegal hiring of immigrants

g. Illegal outsourcing which steals jobs from the community

h. Breach of representations and warranties made when obtaining zoning variations

i. Purchasing of jobs by one community, which unfairly deprives another community of its existing jobs, and provides huge sums of unearned money to corporations trafficking in local jobs

There are many more areas for profitable litigation, and each community needs to have a review of its relationship with major businesses operating in the area to determine what claims to bring in the lawsuits designed to take back what the multinationals are taking illegally from the town and its residents and local businesses."

Carl Person goes on to further describe his vision regarding the role Town Attorney Generals will play:

"Imagine the complexity of the U.S. tax code and the army of lawyers and CPA’s that provide legal and accounting advice to the multinational corporations enabling them to pay little if any income taxes to the United States in spite of their ever-growing revenues. Add to this the output of 180 some odd American Bar Association-approved law schools training thousands of lawyers each year to go to work for the major corporations, both as in-house counsel and with the major law firms in each U.S. city that provide outside legal representation to all of the large and most medium-size corporations operating within or engaged in transactions with companies and individuals located in the United States. The legal expertise involved to protect major corporations is so complicated that for the past 20 years or longer there has been a steady merger of law firms into ever-growing law firm giants because of the perceived need to have law firms handle all sorts of legal problems (as a "full service" firm), with the large law firm delegating portions of a problem on occasion to a smaller "boutique" law firm specializing in a narrow field of law.

What I’m driving at is that major corporations have become major corporations because they have used thousands of lawyers each year to protect the corporate interests and assets, as against smaller customers, regulatory agencies, and host communities which lack most of the legal expertise that has enabled the corporations to take assets from others under color of law, winding up as sales and profits, with little fear that anyone is going to recognize how the major corporations are violating the law or do anything about it if they do recognize violations of law.

In this context, we have had an influx of major retailers opening up retail stores throughout the United States and devastating the locally-owned businesses. The host towns and villages have been looking for tax revenue to replace the lost taxes and community income being stolen by the major retailers, and have done very little to investigate and deal with corporate wrongdoing because of the lack of the needed legal skills. The IRS, for example, has insufficient personnel or assets to make a complete review of the tax filings of the multinational corporations, and winds up instead looking (quickly and without much understanding) at perhaps less than 1/10th of 1% of the documents filed and generally letting the corporations determine for themselves that they owe no tax (based upon expensive opinions and planning done by the hordes of lawyers and accountants retained by the multinationals).

Continued growth by the nation’s largest corporations is relatively easy. They do whatever could be argued is "lawful" and recognize that nobody is going to challenge them, which enables the major corporations to take more than they should, and leave their suppliers and customers relatively impoverished, having transferred their wealth to the major corporations through a variety of business practices which, upon examination, can be proven are illegal.

Towns and villages throughout the United States are feeling the effects of the multinationals by reason of the decline in standard of living of the residents; the reduction in tax revenues received by the town/village; the increase in prices caused by the monopolies; the increased burden thrust on local communities by the federal and state governments that are also trying to cope with loss of income from the multinationals based upon their gray area operations and tax reporting with high-priced legal support.

Obviously, the cure for this loss of income and wealth is to have sophisticated legal assistance to determine the legality of the "gray area" operations that have been depriving the town or village and its residents and local businesses of jobs, higher-paying jobs, tax revenues, income (through higher prices), and decline in property and business values. This is the function of a "Town Attorney General", as I conceive this position to be."

Carl Person says his "corporate clawbacks" will result in a significant source of new income:

"Towns and villages know how to obtain revenue by setting up and working speed traps for motorists, but this is penny ante stuff. The towns and villages should be setting up "speed traps" for large corporations (being invisible or "incorporeal", or without body), to detect wrongdoing and commence appropriate litigation to recover money for the town. Community fines against individuals (for parking, speeding and smoking) will probably not amount to more than $200 per family per year (and this is just a guess), but going after errant multinational corporations can easily result in new income to the town amounting to about $5,000 to $10,000 per family per year, and probably with little or no outlay of money by the town. In fact, the town should be able to use a positive cash flow to increase these outlined civil enforcement activities."

What does Carl Person propose these Towns and Villages do with this increased income? He says candidates for Mayor or Town Supervisor will have an appealing argument when running for office, which will be the following:

"If elected, I will appoint and supervise a Town Attorney General to go after the monopolists and produce enough revenue from the lawsuits to provide FREE healthcare, FREE dental care, FREE prescription drugs, and REDUCED real estate taxes for residents of the town."

Carl Person To Bring Corporate Downsizing & Outsourcing To A Screeching Halt

2011-12-19T01:07:00.005-05:00

Carl Person is currently seeking the nomination of the Libertarian Party for President in 2012. During his campaign to obtain the nomination of the Green Party for New York State Attorney General in 2006, he pledged to use the office of New York State Attorney General to bring corporate downsizing and outsourcing to a screeching halt, as soon as possible:

"Corporate downsizing occurs when an employer (let's say in New York State) terminates the employment of a large number of employees, usually at the same time, often just before the end of the corporation's tax year. Some of the terminations can't be helped. The corporation has lost its market and has need of fewer employees, and has no intention of hiring replacement employees in a less-costly labor market (such as in Mexico, India or China). But other downsizings are accompanied by plans to hire as many, if not more, employees to do the same work in another country. Sometimes an intermediate company is hired in such country to manage the new operation, but the result is the same. The downsizing company gets rid of its New York employees including the higher hourly rate and the various benefits (such as medical coverage, pension contributions, vacation days, smoke breaks, etc.) and is able to get foreign workers to do the same work for about 1/5th to 1/3rd as much. These are formidable savings for businesses and such savings are driving the engine of outsourcing to get rid of jobs in the United States and create far lower-paying jobs in foreign countries.

I'm not going to discuss what needs to be done to stop outsourcing, other than to say that it is imperative that outsourcing be brought to a screeching halt, as soon as possible. You can't have Americans paying mortgages, rent, tuition, food costs, and saving for retirement without compensation that reflects the costs of living in the United States. Outsourcing companies are being given a free ride in the American economy with no advantage to Americans. They are given this free ride because they have the money to pay for the campaigns of your elected officials, who have let the free ride take place, as the United States is deteriorating into a third-world country. The multinational corporations don't care about this consequence. They go wherever they can make the most money and the local people be damned! The local people (meaning the voters in New York) can turn the tables on them by voting for someone who has the insight and tools to put a crimp in the plans of various companies seeking to pull up stakes and leave for greener (foreign) pastures.

The main way of attaching the outsourcing/downsizing problem is to review all dealings by the company that might have created obligations to stay, or stay in New York for a number of years. The company may have obtained governmental subsidies for opening up a plant in New York, with the full benefits of the subsidy not having been realized by New York. The company's employee handbook might have some promises actual or implied, which could be used as the basis for a lawsuit for breach of contract and/or fraud. There are various ways to skin a cat and the NYS Attorney General (as well as the Attorneys General in all other states) are the most appropriate governmental officials to do something about many improper downsizings/outsourcing."

Carl Person To Offer Free Airfare To All Delegates Attending LP National Convention Who Have Pledged To Support His Candidacy

2011-12-19T00:13:00.000-05:00

Liberty Lion has learned that Carl Person, a candidate for the Libertarian Party's Presidential Nomination, has offered to pay the airfare of any delegate attending the Libertarian Party's National Convention in 2012 who has pledged in advance to support his candidacy for the Presidential Nomination.

The first two delegates to accept this offer were Alden Link and his wife. Both have been elected as New York State delegates to the Libertarian Party National Convention, which is to be held May 4-6, 2012 at the Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa in Las Vegas, Nevada and both have pledged to support the candidacy of Carl Person for President.

Alden Link, who unsuccessfully sought the Presidential Nomination of the Libertarian Party in 2008, said:

I am grateful to Carl for his willingness to pay for or reimburse our airfare from New York State to Las Vegas, Nevada to attend the Libertarian Party National Convention in May, 2012. We have pledged our support to Carl Person's candidacy and will vote for him throughout the Presidential Nominating Process.

Those elected delegates interested in taking Carl Person up on his offer can call him directly at 212-307-4444 or e-mail him at CarlPers2@gmail.com

Objectivist Party Governing Board Terminates Membership Of Carl Person For Exhibiting Socialist Tendencies

2011-12-18T00:27:00.008-05:00

On December 15, 2011, the Governing Board of the Objectivist Party voted unanimously to terminate the membership of Carl Person for exhibiting socialist tendencies in his campaign to obtain the Libertarian Party's Presidential Nomination in 2012.

Carl Person recently issued a Press Release calling for the creation of government owned State Banks, which read as follows:

What we need in the U.S. (and perhaps the rest of the world), is competition for the commercial banking system, so that the banking activities can continue even if one or more of the largest banks is/are required to go through bankruptcy.

This can and should be done by encouraging every state, every major city, and many towns, villages and municipalities to create “North Dakota type state banks” for themselves, to be owned by the government (directly or indirectly) or in the case of city and local “state banks” by the local government or by local shareholders.

You may not remember but the federal statute (other than the 1913 Federal Reserve Act) that started this country on its banking decline was the elimination of laws which prohibited multi-state branch banking in the United States. States during the 1970’s and 1980’s passed statutes permitting the acquisition of local banks by out of-state banks or bank holding companies. Then, in the 1980’s, the Federal Bank Holding Company Act was enacted (called the “Douglas Amendment”) which permitted acquisition of local banks by out-of-state banks if state law governing the local bank permitted such acquisition. The Douglas Amendment was repealed in 1994 (effective 9/29/95) by the Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994, and acquisitions were permitted under federal law regardless of state law. The major banks then expanded with branches into every state and wiped out the local commercial banks.

With the nose of the camel already under the nation’s banking tent, the camel and its owners then spent enough money to encourage a money-hungry Congress in 1999 to rescind the Glass-Steagall Act of 1933, which thereafter allowed the camel to poke its nose into the more profitable (but risky business) of creating all sorts of esoteric investments, which has put the U.S. and world into its present financial crisis.

The North Dakota State Bank, for those of you who have not been paying attention, is owned by North Dakota and has the same banking privileges as any other commercial bank, which essentially is to create money out of thin air (at no interest cost) to lend to borrowers. North Dakota has disciplined itself to lend money at about 3% interest to local farmers, manufacturers, green-type companies and others under appropriate banking conditions, which has enabled North Dakota to be the only state of the 50 which doesn’t have an economic crisis.

North Dakota requires that all money paid to North Dakota be deposited in its state bank, which creates an amount that can be lent by the bank of almost 10 times the amount of average deposits in the bank.

Businesses can borrow money without having to pay usurious rates of interest, and small business is better able to expand and create jobs.

There is no reason that a “state bank” can’t be created at the city, county, town, village or municipality level, provided there is compliance with laws that may prohibit the activities if done directly, such as in New York State where the state and local governments are not allowed to lend money to anyone. In cases such as this, the bank should be set up to avoid any such laws, probably through a non-profit organization under state or local control.

These state banks should not be allowed to merge with out-of-state banks or to set up out-of-state branches (to stop at the outset any effort to have the state banks get involved in multi-state bank branching followed by bank mergers and “too big to fail” status).

The current complaint that businesses are not able to obtain bank loans would be addressed through the development of a state banking system. Usury would be eliminated. Small business would be enhanced and millions of new jobs would be created as a result. Also, there would be competition for the banks that are too big to fail.

Dallwyn Merck, speaking on behalf of the Governing Board of the Objectivist Party, said:

"After Carl Person came out in favor of the creation of government owned State Banks and criticized the repeal of laws governing banks and financial institutions, it became clear to us he lied about his alleged ideological conversion to Objectivism and was, in fact, still firmly rooted is his socialist oriented Green Party past. When the Governing Board of the Objectivist Party recognized this fact, it had no choice but to terminate his membership.

When Carl Person's membership was initially approved, he stated his strong commitment to the free market and to an end to government regulation yet his recent support for the creation of government owned State Banks shows he is not philosophically either an Objectivist or a Libertarian but is, in fact, ideologically Socialist Green.

After Carl Person obtained the nomination of the Libertarian Party for New York State Attorney General in 2010, he attended the Green Party State Convention and sought their nomination as well. In 2006, Mr. Person also sought the nomination of the Green Party for New York State Attorney General. In that race, he took the following stands on issues for which news releases were sent out:

Identify and deal with monopolies existing in NYS or any political subdivisions

Investigate legality of and possibilities for enjoining corporate downsizing in NYS

Require financial and other corporations to deal honestly with their customers

Enforce NY’s antitrust statute to stop illegal monopolies from overcharging New Yorkers

Consider reinstating limits on the life of corporations and require liquidation when reaching certain size

Assist towns and villages to set up $1/hour equivalency colleges (i.e., $500/year tuition)

Regulate vocational programs the same way as India’s world-class Technical Institutes

Help towns and villages set up neighborhood, low-profit casinos for seniors and others

Assist cooperating towns and villages in providing healthcare coverage to all their residents

Investigate and establish new-store policy for Wal-Mart and other big box retailers

Recover lost benefits and taxes from employers that move jobs outside of NYS

Require major corporations to pay their fair share of taxes to NYS

It must be very difficult for Carl Person to be seeking the support of Libertarian Party delegates when his gut-level ideological inclinations and tendencies are so solidly socialist-oriented. It is clear to me that if the light shines in just the right way on Carl Person, you can see a Green hue emanating from him, no matter what ideological suit he happens to be wearing at the time."

Applause! Applause! Review of Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Cultural Arts Playhouse by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens

2011-12-17T00:32:00.014-05:00

This review of Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat performed at the Cultural Arts Playhouse was written by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens and was published in the on-line edition of Applause! Applause!

Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Cultural Arts Playhouse (625 Old Country Road, Plainview, NY)
Reviewed 12/16/11

Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is a musical based on the "coat of many colors" story of Joseph from the Old Testament's Book of Genesis. Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote the music and Tim Rice the lyrics. It was the first Webber/Rice musical to be performed publicly. It was first presented as a 15-minute pop cantata at the Colet Court School in London in 1968 and was recorded as a concept album in 1969. Stage productions began in 1970. The musical was presented in the West End of London in 1973 and opened on Broadway in 1982.

This production of Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat on the Mainstage of the Cultural Arts Playhouse is a hit. During the run, different actors play the Narrator and Joseph. On the night I caught the show, Ariann Miller Forella played the Narrator and Nick Regueiro was Joseph. I was very pleased with both their performances.

Ms. Forella was flawless as the Narrator of the story and successfully facilitated the telling of the tale without being too dominant a presence on stage. She also has a powerful voice I found very pleasing to listen to.

Nick Regueiro was very convincing as the cocky, spoiled Joseph who believed he was destined for greatness. A boy with a dream, so to speak, although in the end, perhaps "Any Dream Will Do". Mr. Regueiro was well-cast in the role because it is certainly believable that Potiphar's wife would want to tear his clothes off and have sex with him. He is quite attractive and a talented actor. I would certainly like to see more of him in future productions.

The other cast member worthy of note was Tony Frangipane, the Director of the show who also played one of Joseph's brothers. Mr. Frangipane's shining moment came when he led Joseph's brothers in an excellent rendition of the song "Those Canaan Days" (reflecting on the famine), which contains the very funny line, "No one comes to dinner now; We'd only eat them anyhow".

Notable in the composition of the music by Andrew Lloyd Webber is the variety of styles he uses. "Those Canaan Days" is a parody of French ballads, "Song Of The King" is Elvis-inspired Rock & Roll, "One More Angel In Heaven" is performed as a Country Western Song, "Potiphar" is a 1920s Charleston, "Benjamin Calypso" is Reggae, and "Go, Go, Go Joseph" is Disco. I recommend you purchase the soundtrack to this musical. If it were an LP, I'd say you'd wear out the grooves but since you will probably purchase a CD, you will be able to listen to it for decades to come.

It is said this musical is family friendly. Perhaps that is because of the upbeat music, the colorful costumes, the joking around, and ultimately, the reunification of Jacob's family for a happily-ever-after ending. However, if you pay careful attention, you will see references in the story to polygamy, slavery, premarital sex, attempted murder, cannibalism, adultery, mysticism and bestiality. Still, those issues are all presented in a beautifully wrapped package so pretty you won't even notice what is inside.

I have so far enjoyed the shows I have seen at the Cultural Arts Playhouse and I understand many of the actors performing in the shows are taking or have taken classes there. As a result, many of the audience members are friends and family of the performers, which is fine. However, for those who are not "friends and new family" as Tony Frangipane, the Director, made reference to, I think a greater effort should be made to identify who is actually performing on stage in the major roles in each production. If that cannot be done in the program, then I think a head shot board should be hung in the lobby so everyone can identify the performers appearing on stage on any one particular evening.

I recommend you catch Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat during its run at the Cultural Arts Playhouse. You will not be disappointed!

Stevens Responds To Person's Attempt To Revive His Presidential Campaign By Throwing Him To The Wolves

2011-12-14T00:25:00.013-05:00

On December 13, 2011, Carl Person, a candidate for the Libertarian Party's Presidential Nomination sent out the following press release announcing his termination of Dr. Tom Stevens as his Campaign Manager:

I have terminated Dr. Tom Stevens as my Campaign Manager because of the direction my campaign was going, which was different from the direction I have intended. The material on bestiality published and emphasized by Dr. Stevens has nothing to do with my campaign, and I strongly dissociate myself from issues being promoted about bestiality. As I have repeatedly stated in my speeches and on my campaign website, my focus is job-creation through specific deregulation of small businesses and of vocational and higher education. I apologize for the unwarranted detour that has occurred, and will make sure that no other detours occur in my campaign.

I want to point out that this 2012 election campaign from the voters’ standpoint is going to be about jobs, jobs, jobs, and that there is not a single candidate from any party who has offered any specific, workable ideas for job creation other than me. I would hope that the Libertarian Party is going to capitalize on its great strength in this election, which is that through Libertarian ideals (of deregulating small business in certain specific areas) we can cure the nation’s job problem.

Dr. Tom Stevens responded as follows:

"It is true Carl Person never placed his stand in support of the decriminalization of bestiality on his website nor did he focus on this issue during his campaign appearances. Nevertheless, it was Carl who brought up the issue, provided a clarification of his position and stood by it when challenged. To recap the history for those who were not paying attention, Carl Person first wrote the following in response to a question asking him what "victimless crimes" he thought should be legalized:

The victimless crimes are prostitution, bestiality, sodomy, drugs, abortion, and the principles are that we shouldn't be regulating what people do to themselves, and the cost of the regulation should be saved and returned to taxpayers, to reduce taxes, and enable the economy to grow with commerce instead of with prisoners, private jails and private jail guards.

Liberty Lion then followed up with Carl Person to get a clarification with respect his position in support of legalizing bestiality. Carl Person then provided the following statement regarding the issue:

When I mentioned "bestiality" I was referring to animals, not humans (Note: some statutes prohibiting bestiality include children within the definition.) Bestiality as a victimless crime would center on two elements: 1. "property rights" - limiting the practice to one's own animals or with wild animals (not owned by anyone) and 2. "consent" and/or "non-injury" - if the animal is willing and is not injured in the process. If the animal is already dead, the victimless crime would become a variant of necromancy, and have to be analyzed in a similar fashion. I'm not a practitioner or advocate of bestiality and am only trying to apply Libertarian principles to a seldom discussed victimless crime.

These statements were quickly picked up by leaders in the Zoosexual community and many came forward to support Carl Person's campaign for President. They even adopted the following slogan:

What can you do
If you're a Zoo?
Support Carl Person
He'll fight for you!

Liberty Lion reported these developments because it was news involving a candidate seeking the Libertarian Party's Presidential Nomination. Carl Person decided to take what he perceived to be a "principled stand" on this controversial issue. While Carl has always been Captain of his Campaign Ship. I advised him not to place this issue on his Campaign Website and not to focus on it, which is advice he took.

Nevertheless, now that he has received some negative feedback from Libertarian Party members with respect to his stand on this issue, he is doing what any sleazy politician would do and that is to blame someone else for his situation.

In his Press Release, Carl Person now says:

I strongly dissociate myself from issues being promoted about bestiality.

What exactly does that mean? Does Carl Person no longer believe bestiality is a "victimless crime" or does he simply object to the published reports regarding his stand on the issue and those who have been endorsing him due to that stand? I also know of no "issues being promoted about bestiality" except for Carl's stand on the issue. Does Carl now "dissociate" himself from his own previously stated position? That is unclear.

I will reiterate what I have always said with respect to my position as Campaign Manager for Carl Person. I provided advice but Carl made the final decisions. Whatever Carl's intentions may have been, he made all of the decisions with respect to his campaign. When he was coming out in favor of the establishment of State Banks, I advised against it, yet he came out for them anyway. When he was coming out in favor of his Prosperity Plan for local communities, which called for more powers to be given to local Attorney Generals, I advised against it, yet he came out for it anyway. Carl has been the King of his Campaign and now, in order to try to salvage whatever is left of his Presidential Campaign, he believes that by sacrificing his Campaign Manager, Libertarian Party delegates will now flock to his corner. I believe Carl is mistaken in this belief and by throwing his friend to the wolves in an attempt to revive his campaign, he has now sacrificed his soul at the alter of his ego. I feel sorry for him."

Elks' Membership Numbers Continue To Decline As Alternative Social Networking Opportunities Continue To Expand

2011-12-12T23:20:00.008-05:00

According to membership numbers published for Lodge Year 2010-2011, membership in the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks continues to decline. The Annual Report of the Grand Secretary 2010-2011 indicated that Elks' membership for the year ending March 31, 2011 was 869,019 with a net loss for the year of 23,868 members.

The top five states in terms of Elks' membership all lost members. California recorded 83,147 members (a loss of 1,911); Florida recorded 61,351 members (a loss of 2,161); New York recorded 54,749 members (a loss of 1,112); Pennsylvania recorded 48,298 members (a loss of 1,408); and Massachusetts recorded 43,062 members (a loss of 586).

The only states to gain members were Rhode Island (6,199 members; a gain of 156), Hawaii including Guam & Republic of Philippines (4,143 members; a gain of 57), Kentucky (6,445 members; a gain of 30), Alaska (6,364 members; a gain of 15), and New Jersey (42,065 members; a gain of 10).

Dr. Tom Stevens, a member of the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks since March 19, 1980, commented about the declining membership numbers as follows:

"There was a time when the most influential professionals and politicians in a community belonged to the local Elks Lodge and when attendance at Lodge meetings and events presented excellent networking opportunities. This has not been the case for a long time and as social networking opportunities expand exponentially, brothers no longer need to go to Elks meetings to connect with influential movers and shakers living in their geographic area.

The main focus now is on community service, raising money for charity and other altruistic endeavors. All are worthy projects for those interested in such activities but unless the focus is returned to creating value for current members, I believe Elks Lodges will continue to close, consolidate and lose membership.

I addressed this issue on September 2, 2002 in a letter to Grand Exalted Ruler Roger R. True, in which I wrote:

I am currently a member of Elks Lodge #878 in Elmhurst, New York. Just last month, my Lodge sold their historically protected building to a church because even with a swimming pool, bowling alley, and a large building with an impressive past, the leadership there could not attract new members or keep many of their old members. I was previously a member of the Great Neck Lodge which was also sold and the Lodge nearest to where I work in Williston Park was just sold to the Knights of Columbus.

Over the years, I have done my part to try to introduce new prospective brothers to the Elks but I have always failed in my attempts. The reasons are numerous but I shall not delineate them here.

The reason for this letter is that I was inspired by your speech, especially when you said, "each individual in our Order has a part in controlling our destiny for membership growth". In addition to your new public relations campaign to inform the public about the good works that the Elks do, I believe more will be necessary to keep the new members we may attract through these efforts. Specifically, I believe every Elks Lodge needs to promote recognition, networking, courtesy and professionalism.

As for recognition, I believe each Lodge should offer a pin or small gift in recognition of a brother being a member for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 years and so forth to let them know that their continued service and loyalty is appreciated. This small gesture can go a long way to helping lodges keep their members.

Networking is also important. One of the reasons lodges like my own were successful in the past was that brothers had the opportunity to meet and network with brothers who were professionals and politicians. While it might be difficult to attract them back in this modern era, I do recommend that each lodge send out a questionnaire asking each brother to indicate their interests, hobbies, degrees, etc. and to give each lodge permission to publish this information together with their name, address, phone number and E-Mail address so that brothers can contact one another. This will lead them to want to meet and what better way to do so than to say, "Let's meet at the Lodge". This will increase attendance at meetings and social events.

Courtesy and professionalism really go together. My own Lodge Secretary frequently refers to members as "bud" and at the last meeting when a brother claimed that he was a member and had the paperwork to prove it, he was threatened with security if he didn't leave at once. When I addressed the lodge, prior to a vote on selling the building, I was abruptly cut off less than a minute into my comments because the Exalted Ruler was afraid I might convince some brothers to vote against the sale...No professional will put up with this more than once. When a membership issue came up with another lodge, in response to my letter, I received an obscene phone call from a brother who just happened to open the letter. In fairness, the Exalted Ruler at that lodge later apologized for that brother's behavior. The truth is that professional people are not going to waste their time when many lodges punish those who step forward to make suggestions and where the "elite inner corps" seek to discourage member involvement so they can keep control. Courtesy and professionalism should be the standard of conduct at all Lodges. No young person or young professional will want to spend an evening at the Elks Lodge unless this becomes the case...

Much work needs to be done if you are to stop the bleeding that threatens to destroy much of Elkdom. While your public relations campaign seeks to tell the world how wonderful the Elks are, you also need to focus inward so that the new brothers we recruit will stay with us. Recognizing their loyalty, providing networking opportunities, treating them with respect and courtesy and acting professionally toward them will go a long way in this regard.

Grand Exalted Ruler Roger R. True did not respond to or acknowledge my letter."

The Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks began in 1868 as a social club called the Jolly Corks established as a private club to elude New York City laws governing the opening hours of public taverns. Early members were mostly from theatrical performing troupes. After the death of a member left his wife and children without income, the club took up additional service roles and, eventually, a new name. Desiring to adopt "a readily identifiable creature of stature, indigenous to America", fifteen members voted 8-7 in favor of the elk over the buffalo. Former and current Elks members include Presidents Warren G. Harding, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S Truman, John F. Kennedy and Gerald R. Ford; Entertainers Lawerence Welk, Will Rogers, Jack Benny, Clint Eastwood and Gene Autry; and Sports Figures Vince Lombardi, Casey Stengel, Whitey Ford and Mickey Mantle.

Applause! Applause! Review of the CD "Midnight In The Garden Of Good & Evil" by Marle Becker

2011-12-11T21:07:00.001-05:00

This review of the CD entitled "Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil" was written by Marle Becker and appeared in Volume I, Issue 4 (February, 1998) of Applause! Applause! published by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens.

"Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil" - Various Artists
Music From And Inspired By The Motion Picture
(Malpaso/Warner Bros. Records - 9 46829-2)

Moviegoers who pay careful attention to detail will be among the first to extol the virtues of a powerful soundtrack and the everlasting impact it has on the finished product. Right up there for substantial quality with "Sleepless In Seattle" and Clint Eastwood's "The Bridges Of Madison County" a few years back, and more recently, "Titanic" (the movie!) and "L.A. Confidential" (reviewed in Applause! Applause! Volume I, Issue 2), is Eastwood's outstanding compilation for the movie version of John Berendt's best-selling book, "Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil". This time around Mr. Eastwood has put together a ripsnorting greeting card of distinct musical couriers who bring new life to the always surprising songs of Johnny Mercer, and the fruit of his labor turns out to be one of the most tantalizing and optimistic compilations you'll ever slip in to your CD player.

You can search far and wide, but when it comes to ability and know-how, you won't find a more accomplished collective anywhere: a warm blanket of unforgettable standards ("Autumn Leaves", "Skylark"), with remarkable performers (Rosemary Clooney, Cassandra Wilson), and exemplary musicians (pianists Alan Broadbent and Brad Mehldau, bassist Christian McBride, and guitarist Kevin Eubanks); all capable of shining individually, absolutely intoxicating interacting with each other! Could one or two be singled out as favorites? Well, there's Clooney's awesome "Fools Rush In" or, better yet, Kevin Mahogany's haunting "Laura", with outstanding support from Michael Brecker on tenor sax. Or k.d. Lang's meticulous "Skylark" (even though her phrasing sounds an awful lot like Bette Midler's in the '70's!), or how about Wilson's absorbing "Days Of Wine And Roses", both assisted and underscored dramatically by the saxophone of Joshua Redman. And then there's.....oh, hell, it just goes on and on! Add Paula Cole, Alison Kraus, Joe Williams, Tony Bennett, Diana Krall, etc., etc.. Get the picture? Even a delightful and perfectly charming cover of Mercer's "Old Black Magic" by the non-singing star of the movie, Kevin Spacey, works like a charm. This soundtrack is so good, one can almost - just barely, mind you - forgive Eastwood's stab at "Accentuate The Positive" or Alison Eastwood's "Come Rain Or Come Shine"; daughter, however, comes across much better than daddy.

The transition of "Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil" to the silver screen just misses and, what might have been a great movie, merely passes for mediocre. You might simply want to skip the movie, purchase the book (now in it's 185th astounding week on the N.Y. Times Best Seller list!) and the soundtrack, and enjoy them simultaneously in the privacy of your own little garden. With sterling performances almost all the way around, and the creme de la creme of the jazz world on one amazing CD, the soundtrack to "Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil" is the perfect valentine for that extra special someone in your life, besides it's not fattening and you won't have to toss it out in two weeks because it died! Simply put, soundtracks literally don't get any better than this. If you've set some strict standards this year for spending money wisely on only the best, here's your chance to indulge yourself in a big way. And, hey, Clint, don't sing anymore - just continue to put out these great CD's!

Applause! Applause! Review of Julie Budd's CD "Pure Imagination" by Marle Becker

2011-12-11T21:01:00.001-05:00

This review of Julie Budd's CD entitled "Pure Imagination" was written by Marle Becker and appeared in Volume I, Issue 4 (February, 1998) of Applause! Applause! published by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens.

"Pure Imagination" - Julie Budd
(Touchwood/After 9 Records, TWCD-2014)

It's been far too long between albums for veteran show-stopper Julie Budd, but her new CD on Touchwood brings Budd right back into the recording limelight where she belongs. While Budd's always found an effective way to flatter a good song, or any song for that matter, she appears to be singing a different tune these days. Much more passionate about her material and noticeably more connected to the heart of a song than she's ever been before, her message is now accurately focused and clearly heartfelt. Hence, a medley of "I've Got A Crush On You" and "My Romance" is not only thrilling vocally and technically, but emotionally as well, yet at the same time, "Blame It On My Youth" conveys an unlucky feeling of love gone awry. There's a swinging duet with Billy Stritch and "Where Am I Going" from "Sweet Charity" serves as a wake-up call to Broadway big shots to straighten up and take heed. Arrangements by Don Sebesky, Pete Moore, and Herb Bernstein are stimulating and right on target for Budd's crystal clear voice.

Julie Budd's "Pure Imagination" is pure pleasure. Pick this one up, take it home, and see why this Budd's for you!

Applause! Applause! Review of Marieann Meringolo's CD "Hold Me Close" by Marle Becker

2011-12-11T20:57:00.001-05:00

This review of Marieann Meringolo's CD entitled "Hold Me Close" was written by Marle Becker and appeared in Volume I, Issue 4 (February, 1998) of Applause! Applause! published by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens.

"Hold Me Close" - Marieann Meringolo
(Golden Chords Records, GCR-1001)

Solid vocals from singer Marieann Meringolo and expert musical support from pianist/arranger Daryl Kojak combine to make "Hold Me Close" one of the more exciting CD's to come out of the cabaret crowd in some time. From beginning to end - from a sizzling Latin-tinged "People Will Say We're In Love" to an inspired and effective "Threads of Time" (written by Kojak and Margaret Emory) - Meringolo's long-awaited debut CD turns out to be a well-balanced showcase for the vibrant cabaret diva.

Among the 13 cuts are a breathtaking "All The Things You Are", an emotional and delicate cover of "Chances Are" (a hold-over from her stunning cabaret tribute to Johnny Mathis a few years back), a bittersweet "My Funny Valentine", and a swinging, jazzy interpretation of "That's All", the latter two with some mighty fine finger work by Mr. Kojak. Buddy Kaye and William Reid's "I'll Close My Eyes" receives one of the most convincing and appreciative performances of this classic you'll ever hear. Meringolo's translation is riveting, her phrasing intimate and thought-provoking; Kojak's contribution, sensitive and engaging, glistens. On this standout, they come together and present a performance that is accomplished and controlled, well-focused, and musically satisfying. All the more reason why "Hold Me Close" is one of the 10 best CD's by a cabaret kid in 1997. If things click for Meringolo, and they should, she just may end up with an awfully nice recording career.

Applause! Applause! Review of Joy Bogen's "Weill's Women In Song Plus..." by Andrew Martin

2011-12-11T20:51:00.002-05:00

This review of Joy Bogen in a show entitled "Weill's Women In Song Plus..." at the D Lounge in Hotel Delmonico was written by Andrew Martin and appeared in Volume I, Issue 4 (February, 1998) of Applause! Applause! published by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens.

"Weill's Women In Song Plus..." - Joy Bogen
D Lounge (Hotel Delmonico; 502 Park Avenue, NYC)
Reviewed 1/24/98 at 9:30 p.m.

Translated from the French, boite means box. In cabaret phraseology, the term boite actually refers to a boite de bijou, a box meant to showcase gems; a golden chanteuse on a small stage in the middle of an opulent setting. A new boite in the truest sense of the word has opened at the legendary Hotel Delmonico, called the D Lounge. This sleekly designed, ultramodern space, gilded to the hilt in soothing blues and gold accents, will be showcasing some of cabaret's brightest lights within the next few weeks, under the auspices of booker Paul Katz and press dynamo Bryan Utman. Among these are Hanson Award winner Mary Foster Conklin, Rita Ellis Hammer, Barbara Lea, Paul Katz's own tribute to Peter Allen, and the Manhattan Transfer's own Janis Siegel. Your humble reporter was invited to catch the club's first-ever act, newcomer Joy Bogen, in "Weill's Women In Song Plus...", as homage to composer Kurt Weill, in preparation of her return engagement on February 20th. Not since the work of Angelina Reaux in the mid-80's has cabaret heard so glorious a soprano, who is perfectly matched with such classic numbers from the Weill catalog as a chilling "Pirate Jenny", as well as a short-but-stunning unpublished song entitled "Letter To Davy Crockett" (featuring lyrics by Charles Allen). The fact that Bogen was the sole student of the formidable Lotte Lenya (yes, Mrs. Kurt Weill) only serves to heighten the songstress's splendiferous gift for interpreting this composer.

Not that the evening doesn't have a few problems. More than anything else, Bogen's sensational voice is at times so striking and awe-inspiring as to completely and utterly eclipse her acting abilities, which any devotee of the medium knows is as equally important in cabaret as possessing a voice -- indeed, many a favorite chanteuse on the New York cabaret scene are actresses first and vocalists second. A spoken opening in which Bogen portrays the Venus DeMilo before launching into a delicious "I'm A Stranger Here Myself" (lyrics here by Ogden Nash), is, unfortunately, just plain strange. And finally, one should remember an edict by the late Sylvia Syms to all cabaret singers that an essential aspect of the medium is to be able to convey sadness through song without benefit of actual tears. It seems she was right, given Ms. Bogen's achingly and unnecessarily wet reading of Weill's French ditty, "Je ne t'aime pas". On the flip side of this, however, and right on the heels of the song, is her lead-in to "Mon Dieu", prefaced by the news that Bogen's own father perished in the same plane crash that killed French prizefighter Marcel Cerdan, for whom Edith Piaf held her greatest love and affection.

Other highlights include a well-executed "Corcovado" by Jobim, and a duet with accompanist Paul Katz on "Anything You Can Do" which is nothing short of adorable; here, Bogen comes off much like an operatic Gracie Allen. (In fact, it makes one fervently wish that she'd try a whole host of comic material since the abilities for same are there in abundance).

Joy Bogen is wholeheartedly worth catching at the D Lounge on February 20th, but bear in mind that this act makes for a slightly bumpy ride on the cabaret train. Yet, in all fairness, the bumps are few and quite far between. In any case, cabaret has a new bonafide hotspot with the D Lounge, and we can only wish the owners and operators a hearty "bonne chance" with the running of New York's newest boite.

Applause! Applause! Review of Lewis Black's "Black Humor" by Rita Sola

2011-12-11T20:44:00.001-05:00

This review of Lewis Black in a show entitled "Black Humor" at the Cherry Lane Theatre was written by Rita Sola and appeared in Volume I, Issue 4 (February, 1998) of Applause! Applause! published by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens.

"Black Humor" - Lewis Black
Cherry Lane Theatre (38 Commerce Street, NYC)
Reviewed 1/29/98 at 8:00 p.m.

"If it weren't for my horse, I wouldn't have spent that year in college." What can this chance remark overheard by Lewis Black and related in his one-man show possibly mean? "Don't think about it for more than two minutes", he advises us, "or the blood will gush out of our noses." With this, he encapsulates the absurdities of life that assault our senses every day. Humorists from Aristophanes to Samuel Johnson to Mark Twain to Lenny Bruce have done this for centuries but with a facade of bemusement. Even Bruce, our most angst-ridden comedian, seemed to be laughing with us. But Lewis Black, currently at the Cherry Lane Theatre, is consumed with rage. Which raises an interesting question: How can a man apparently screaming in pain be screamingly funny? Perhaps we shouldn't think about it. But he is.

Black's show, entitled appropriately "Black Humor", is strong on the political: "In my lifetime," he says, "we have gone from Kennedy to Clinton and from Eisenhower to Bush. By the year 2012, we'll be electing a plant." Apart from the obvious remarks about Clinton, ("I thought we were electing a social president. I didn't realize how social.") he reminds us that one of the president's boasts when he first ran in 1992 was that he had raised Arkansas' standing in education from 50th place to 49th. "Wouldn't you have kept that a secret?" he asks. Black then suggests that Arkansas achieved that remarkable progress by shooting some of the dumber kids. Neither do cultural foibles escape his attention. He regrets the accidental death of Sonny Bono, but was appalled to find the funeral covered in its entirety on CNN. Black complains that even Hubert Humphrey's funeral did not receive that much coverage. So he called some friends and discovered they were also watching the funeral and it was being carried by two other channels as well. His conclusion: It was really The Cher Show featuring the funeral of Sonny Bono.

Black has little good to say about our great cities. In New York, he points out, the word fuck is a comma. And terrorism is redundant. Why do foreigners have to come here to do the job we do best? As for Las Vegas, our very own Gommorah, see it, he says, before it turns into salt. One of Black's funniest bits is his description of a Las Vegas casino at Christmas. There's nothing quite like the comments of gamblers accompanied by Christmas carols: "God damn it, Jesus Christ, Holy Fuck, a-rum-pa-tum-tum." And, of course, La-La Land is not spared. "The next time you feel like going to Los Angeles, sharpen a pencil and stick it into your eye instead." Black tells of how some years ago he was seen at Catch A Rising Star by a writer, a producer and a director from Hollywood. They offered him a part on a pilot for a sit-com and a short while later, he was sent a script. His part was that of a character named Lewis and every one of this character's lines was straight out of his own routine at Catch. This was all right with him, but then he was told he would have to fly out to L.A. because CBS wanted to audition him. Lewis Black was required to audition for the part of Lewis Black. P.S. Another actor got the part.

The absurdities he points out are funny, but as you think about them, you understand his rage: A woman's purse that costs $12,000. What could it be made of, he wonders. A rhinoceros' scrotum? Then there's the tie that costs $275. "There's an economy going on here and I'm not a part of it," he says. And worst of all are TV weathermen who earn $1.5 million dollars a year just to say "It's going to be a fine day. Back to you." If it is true that laughter is the best medicine, Lewis Black is certainly one of our best medicine men. None of his humor is sick - it is the society we live in that is. But perhaps it's best not to dwell on that too long...or the blood will gush out of our noses.

Applause! Applause! Review of Mark Ravenhill's "Shopping And Fucking" by Rita Sola

2011-12-11T20:36:00.001-05:00

This review of a play by Mark Ravenhill entitled "Shopping And Fucking" at the New York Theatre Workshop was written by Rita Sola and appeared in Volume I, Issue 4 (February, 1998) of Applause! Applause! published by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens.

"Shopping And Fucking" - A Play by Mark Ravenhill
New York Theatre Workshop (79 East 4th Street, NYC)
Reviewed 1/28/98 at 8:00 p.m.

In the first place, there is very little shopping in this play. And it consists, for the most part, of shop-lifting or shopping with stolen credit cards. The fucking is also purchased or stolen, and although there are graphic sex scenes, most of the sex is metaphorical -- the fucking over of three working class youths by their establishment "betters."

Although the title has received attention, more so because of the ellipsis used by most of the media, it will probably not cause the sensation it did in London where it was presented at the Royal Court Theatre which, despite its name, is famed for producing intensely anti-ruling class drama. In fact, it was the first to introduce the plays of John Osborne and his fellow angry young men back in the fifties, plays which portrayed disaffected, alienated youth. But the young characters of "Shopping And Fucking" are too busy scrounging for survival to afford the luxury of disaffection and alienation.

The play is the first by Mark Ravenhill and you will either love it or loathe it. You will definitely not be bored. Ravenhill has been greatly influenced by Caryl Churchill whom Tony Kushner ("Angels in America") has called the world's greatest living playwright and there are quite a number of us who agree. Among her plays are "Mad Forest", "Top Girls", and "Cloud Nine", but it is especially her last, "The Skriker", that resonates so potently in "Shopping And Fucking". But where Churchill can juxtapose the poignant with the bizarre to great effect, Ravenhill seems consumed with the gross to the point where one person with whom I attended the play said he wanted to run home and take a bath. You tend to wish someone had tapped Ravenhill on the shoulder and whispered, "Less is more; less is more." The performances, however, by Torquil Campbell, Jennifer Dundas Lowe, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Matthew Sussman and Justin Theroux are outstanding.

The play centers on Robbie and Lulu who live with Mark, Robbie's lover, an older man who apparently pays the rent, but is otherwise not much help because of his drug addiction. He does manage to muster up thirty pounds and goes off to hire a pathetic young hustler while Lulu tries to keep body, if not soul, together for herself and Robbie by shop-lifting small microwave dinners which she later explains to Mark are packaged so that they cannot be divided three ways.

The most moving character in the play is Gary, the very young hustler, who is desperate to find the man who will rescue him not only by supporting him but by controlling him, particularly with the roughest possible sex. Later in the play, Mark, who enjoys entertaining his young charges with stories, tells of the purchase of a young slave who is then set free by his benevolent new master. But he does not want to be free; he has never been free; he does not know how to be free.

"Shopping And Fucking" is not the England of Noel Coward, nor of Edina Monsoon and Patsy Stone of "Absolutely Fabulous". The subtext of the play is class warfare, hardly surprising since the subtext of life in Britain is class warfare. The conditions are intensified by the economics of the Thatcher years which created a wedge between rich and poor not known since the Victorian era.

Before we dismiss this play as a quaint, if not horrific, portrait of life in the contemporary U.K., let us not forget that in this country, one percent of the population controls seventy percent of its wealth, and these are conservative estimates. Had the play been written about this country, its setting undoubtedly would have been one of those trailer parks that are mushrooming all over the American landscape. Some sixty odd years ago, Sinclair Lewis wrote about the miseries of the depression and of a subsequent Fascist takeover of the country. The novel was called "It Can't Happen Here". Well, it can. Perhaps it has already begun.

Applause! Applause! Review of "New Talent Night" at Caroline's by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens

2011-12-11T20:25:00.001-05:00

This review of Assorted Comics at "New Talent Night" at Caroline's was written and published by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens and appeared in Volume I, Issue 4 (February, 1998) of Applause! Applause!

"New Talent Night" - Assorted Comics
Caroline's (1626 Broadway, NYC)
Reviewed 1/26/98 at 9:30 p.m.

Eddie Brill was the M.C. for this new talent night which featured Jim Wisniewski, Lisa Pearlman, Sam Berman, Deke Haylon, Dustin Chafin, Ben Bailey and Special Guest Star Jeffrey Ross. Eddie Brill is a talented comic and a good M.C.. The two shining stars from this pack were Deke Haylon and Dustin Chafin. Deke Haylon claims to come from an Irish Catholic family in Connecticut and has a mother who sounds like Katherine Hepburn. He claims to have been a former "Connecticut Crack Whore" who went to cooking school and who cannot convincingly say "I'm exhausted. I've been having sex with chicks all day. There was snatch everywhere." Deke has a unique style, perfect timing, good material and an endearing stage presence. He has charisma and an act unique enough to take him all the way on the comedy circuit! Deke Haylon is a bright new rising star that will not soon be extinguished!

Dustin Chafin is another comedian with a unique act that should not be changed. He too is on the road to national recognition. Dustin acts on stage as if he's stoned. He holds the microphone with both of his hands close to his mouth and delivers his gold. He tells a woman in the audience "you look good and I've got wood." Then he confesses that he "dated a Jehovah's Witness once, but we had a problem though. She'd knock on my door and I wouldn't let her in." Then he confessed to "dating a Korean girl. Now I can't find my dog." Dustin stated that he obtained a minority scholarship to Parsons School of Design because he was a "heterosexual white guy." Dustin stated that he was once told that "the key to picking up girls on the beach is to put a potato in your swim trunks." He stated "I tried it, but it didn't work. They forgot to tell me to put the potato in the front of my trunks and not the back." Each of Dustin's lines were perfectly timed and delivered. He should become a great success!

Jim Wisniewski, a good-looking, married, Polish-Catholic was perfectly dressed and wore an attractive red and blue shirt with black pants and a black turtle neck sweater. His material was sometimes deliberately gross as when he began discussing how his wife starts "popping blackheads" while giving him a massage. He also perpetuated the myth that New Yorkers are rude by saying "I gave a cab driver the finger, like most New Yorkers would." I would like to know where Wisniewski was born. I'll bet he isn't a native New Yorker because I don't know many native New Yorkers who treat other people rudely, and the few who do are just rude people who should leave our city without delay. In all fairness to Jim Wisniewski, he did have a few good lines in his material, as when he said that "90 % of what sister did to me in Catholic School is in direct violation of the Geneva Convention" or when he said that he thought "the movie "Titanic" sucked because it was totally unbelievable. A ship that size is not going to sink just because it hit a little iceberg." I'd like to see Wisniewski again after he re-thinks his material.

Lisa Pearlman is very attractive and has a good personality. She needs to speak louder and to better develop her material. She can play the perfect J.A.P. or anything else she chooses. I see a future for her in the comedy world. Ben Bailey needs to dispose of his husband and wife material. It is old and tired. His only great line was that he "drinks coffee and smokes a joint" which results in his "having all this energy, but no focus." I don't think he should give up being a comic. I only think he needs to re-think his direction and to develop a unique act. Sam Beamon has some good material, especially about mixing products together. After pointing out some examples of products that were mixed together, he laments that the corporate world hasn't started to mix together products he can get some real use out of like "Preparation H and toilet paper", "Yeast in his condom", and "penicillin with his prostitute". Beamon made the fatal error of saying "I'm Sorry" after mis-speaking a line, a sure sign of his amateur status. Nevertheless, this man has a great future in comedy.

Jeffrey Ross, the headliner, appeared to me to be somewhat lethargic. Perhaps he was overtired. After fumbling around on stage for a few minutes, he finally announced that we shouldn't worry because he did, in fact, have some jokes which he brought with him. Ross is a natural talent. Despite his unusual state, he delivered his lines well and gave the audience more than their money's worth. His funniest lines came when he was proposing some stupid answers he could offer to friends who asked the stupid question how his 104 year old Aunt Teek died. Some suggestions included saying "She was trampled at a Who concert", "Her Harley flipped over", "She died during childbirth", and "She scored some bad crack".

Attending New Talent Night at Caroline's is a great way to check out the up-and-coming comics who will be the stars of tomorrow. Don't miss them!!

Applause! Applause! Review of KT Sullivan & Jeff Harnar in "Two For Tonight" by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens

2011-12-11T20:16:00.001-05:00

This review of KT Sullivan & Jeff Harnar in a show entitled "Two For Tonight" at the FireBird Cafe was written and published by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens and appeared in Volume I, Issue 4 (February, 1998) of Applause! Applause!

"Two For Tonight" - KT Sullivan & Jeff Harnar
FireBird Cafe (363 West 46th Street, NYC)
Not Reviewed 2/10/98 at 9:00 p.m.

KT Sullivan and Jeff Harnar are both talented artists who deserve the very best. This publication was unable to review their show because our request for a reservation was not honored by Donald Smith, the publicist for the FireBird Cabaret. When I finally spoke to Mr. Smith, I was told that he was not familiar with Applause! Applause! and that, as a result, he was embarrassed when the management of the FireBird Cafe asked him about us. He went on to say that he couldn't understand why he wasn't one of the very first individuals to receive this publication since he "has been involved in cabaret for over 40 years." I apologized for the oversight, but Mr. Smith went on about how he still could not understand the oversight in light of the fact that many of our critics have been "the beneficiaries of his generosity" in the past. Mr. Smith then stated that the FireBird Cafe provides him with only a limited number of press comps per run and that, therefore, he couldn't accommodate me. This surprised me since I thought that a new Cabaret Room would be very interested in getting written about and receiving as much press as possible. I promised to send him future issues of Applause! Applause! and began to fax to him a copy of the current issue. Halfway through, there was an error in my fax transmission. I tried four more times to fax the remaining documents to no avail. I later learned that Mr. Smith had turned off or dismantled his fax machine and left a message on my telephone answering machine stating that to his knowledge, the mails were still working and stating that his fax machine is only used for "important" business that he is involved in. I was perplexed since I thought a fax from a cabaret-related publication was the business he was involved in.

At the invitation of KT Sullivan, a Distinguished Artist of the Beaux Arts Society, I went to see this show on the date indicated. I requested a Press Packet and was told that one would be obtained from Donald Smith, who was in attendance. By the time the show was about to begin, I was not visited by Mr. Smith nor was a Press Packet provided. I, therefore, canceled my request to avoid an embarrassing situation and did not review the show. (b.c.c note to readers: They're Wonderful!!)

Applause! Applause! Review of McHale, Saegesser & Zignego in "Way Out...A Fairy Tale!" by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens

2011-12-11T20:09:00.002-05:00

This review of Vincent McHale, Scott Saegesser & Brian Zignego in a show entitled "Way Out...A Fairy Tale!" at Don't Tell Mama was written and published by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens and appeared in Volume I, Issue 4 (February, 1998) of Applause! Applause!

"Way Out...A Fairy Tale!" - McHale, Saegesser & Zignego
Don't Tell Mama (343 West 46th Street, NYC)
Reviewed 1/31/98 at 6:30 p.m.

Brian Zignego wrote, directed and produced "Way Out...A Fairy Tale!" for which he deserves much credit. This musical revue starring Vincent McHale, Scott Saegesser and Brian Zignego is quite enjoyable to watch and contains some magical moments. The stars of the show alternately read from "Way Out...A Fairy Tale: The Book" which tells the stories of three "heroes" who are gay, as you might have guessed from the title of the show. I assume they are "heroes" because they have survived in the face of discrimination and ridicule by society. "Way Out...A Fairy Tale: The Book" needs to be re-written. The opening line from the book says "Once upon a time, in a city not unlike this one, there lived three young and handsome men! Their kingdom was vast and they had many powers, powers that most did not understand. But they were kind and gentle rulers. Patiently they waited for the right time to share their wealth of knowledge...The time has come!" I do not feel that the "heroes" shared any wealth of knowledge with the audience during the show, and other than having "gaydar," they failed to exhibit any special powers. This is a story about three boys learning that in many ways, they are just like everyone else, with the same feelings of loneliness and the same aspirations to be in loving relationships.

The first number of this musical revue did not work. It was "4 Jews in a Room Bitching" (Music & Lyrics by William Finn), sung as "3 Fags in a Room Bitching". The song was not cute. It was offensive and redundant. Offensive because it promoted the stereotyping of gay people and redundant because we already got the point that the "heroes" of the "fairy" tale were gay. The second number, "Who's Afraid Of The Big Bad Wolf?" (Music & Lyrics by Frank E. Churchill & Ann Ronell) was so badly received that half the audience did not applaud at the completion of the song.

The good news is that after the first two numbers, the show instantaneously took a turn for the better. Every number from that point forward was enjoyable and entertaining. My favorites were "I Know Things Now" (Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim) sung by Zignego; "I'm In Love! I'm In Love!" (Music by Jerry Bock, Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, Additional Lyrics by Brian Zignego) sung by Saegesser; "You're The Top" (Music & Lyrics by Cole Porter, Additional Lyrics by Brian Zignego) sung by McHale, Saegesser and Zignego; "Dressing Them Up" (Music by John Kander, Lyrics by Fred Ebb) sung by McHale; "What More Can I Say?" (Music & Lyrics by William Finn) sung by Saegesser; "I Went To A Marvelous Party" (Music & Lyrics by Noel Coward) sung by McHale; "Who Will Love Me?" (Music by Henry Krieger, Lyrics by Bill Russell) sung by McHale, Saegesser and Zignego; a medley of "Shall We Dance", "Ten Minutes Ago", and "Some Enchanted Evening" (Music by Richard Rogers, Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II) sung by McHale, Saegesser and Zignego; "Class" (Music by John Kander, Lyrics by Fred Ebb) sung by Saegesser and Zignego; "He's Here" (Music by Elmer Bernstein, Lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, Additional Lyrics by Scott Saegesser) sung by Saegesser; and "The Very Next Man" (Music by Jerry Bock, Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick) sung by McHale and containing the hopelessly out-of-date line "I shall marry the very next man who asks me...I'd gladly wear my arm in a sling, just for the privilege of wearing his ring".

Then just when you thought things couldn't get any better, Scott Saegesser comes out on the stage dressed as Cardinal O'Connor, sprinkling holy water on the audience, and singing "Did A Parade Go By?" (Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Additional Lyrics by Scott Saegesser) which apparently was a reference to what Cardinal O'Connor might say upon seeing the Gay Pride Parade march by St. Patrick's Cathedral. For the final number of the revue, Brian Zignego transforms himself into a beautiful woman named Rose and sings "Rose's Turn" (Music by Leonard Bernstein, Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Additional Lyrics by Brian Zignego) during which she strips down to striped underwear, leaving no doubt that while Brian Zignego may be a Queen, he is also all man. Brian is then joined on stage by his co-stars, who now themselves are dressed in drag. The audience has been lifted at this point to such heights of enjoyment that they readily join in singing "This Little Light Of Mine. I'm Going To Let It Shine", lines from a gospel favorite which was offered up as the cast's encore number.

The musical director of the production was the very talented Barbara Anselmi, who was accompanied by a band which never overshadowed the excellent performances of the cast. Scott Saegesser, an extraordinary talent who should be singing in a Broadway musical is currently wasting his time at the Round Barn Theatre in Northern Indiana doing a full season of musicals. My suggestion to him is to come back to New York City to showcase his talent. He can always return to Northern Indiana either as a star or as a never-was. Vincent McHale has talent to spare and will be around for a long time. Brian Zignego has now shown the world what he can do and will soon gain a loyal following for his works and performances. I know that I will return to see future shows written, directed and produced by this rising star!

Applause! Applause! Review of Michael Vaccaro's "Back To Broadway" by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens

2011-12-11T20:00:00.001-05:00

This review of Michael Vaccaro in a show entitled "Back To Broadway" at Eighty Eight's was written and published by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens and appeared in Volume I, Issue 4 (February, 1998) of Applause! Applause!

"Back To Broadway" - Michael Vaccaro
Eighty Eight's (228 West 10th Street, NYC)
Reviewed 2/1/98 at 10:30 p.m.

The flyer announcing this show reports that "He couldn't make it in Hollywood, so he came crawlin' Back to Broadway", an apparent reference to Michael Vaccaro's having moved back to New York City after spending eight years in Los Angeles searching for stardom. Vaccaro is full of energy, is very charismatic and has a good rapport with his audience.

"Back To Broadway" is a fun show which features many of the Broadway show tunes that were Vaccaro's favorites growing up in New York during the 1960's and 1970's. Jeff Klitz, the musical director, doubles as a back-up singer with Anne Lauterbach, who is so talented, I cannot wait to catch her in her own show. She even tap dances during a rendition of "You're Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile" from "Annie"! Klitz and Lauterbach are integral parts of many numbers. Their vocal talents made Vaccaro's rendition of "Hard Candy Christmas" (from "The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas") and "When I Get My Name In Lights" (from "Legs Diamond") my favorite numbers in the show.

"Back to Broadway" still needs a lot of work before it has the potential to be a vehicle to help get Michael Vaccaro to Broadway. The other numbers which worked well were: "St. Bridget" (from "Mame"); "Freddy, My Love" (from "Grease"); "A Boy Like That" (from "West Side Story"); "Little Lamb" (from "Gypsy"); "Lida Rose" (from "The Music Man"); "Bali Ha'i" (from "South Pacific"); "Come Down From The Tree" (from "Once On This Island") and "Tomorrow" (from "Annie"). After Michael Vaccaro left the stage, Jeff Klitz and Anne Lauterbach performed a spirited rendition of "Proud Mary" as their special good-bye to the audience. What an unexpected pleasure!

Despite these wonderful moments and some good props, there were times that Vaccaro failed to treat his material with the respect I thought it deserved. His pronunciation of the word "smile" in "You're Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile" came across as if he was making fun of the song. Then there were times when I felt that Vaccaro's selection of material was flawed. He insists on singing "Frank Mills" from "Hair", which he claims is his favorite song. I have no idea why. It certainly doesn't help to feature his vocal talent and contains no especially meaningful lyrics. He even tells a story about the manager of a comedy club who hired him as a singer praising his abilities and telling him that he "was going to be a star." After Vaccaro sang "Frank Mills" there, the same guy came up to him and said "Hey, kid. You're fired!" While you may suspect other reasons why that manager fired Vaccaro after he sang "Frank Mills", it is my suspicion that he was fired for inflicting that inane song on yet another audience.

Michael Vaccaro is enjoyable to watch and is clearly full of love for his chosen career and for his loyal fans who continue to support him. After having seen his audition videotape, I came to this show with low expectations. After seeing him perform live, I have new respect for his talent and his unique style of presentation. Call for reservations to see "Back To Broadway" which will be performed again on Sunday, March 1, 1998 at 10:30 p.m.. There are some brilliant moments here you should not miss!

Applause! Applause! Review of Scott Coulter's "Remember The Magic" by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens

2011-12-11T19:53:00.001-05:00

This review of Scott Coulter in a show entitled "Remember The Magic" at Don't Tell Mama was written and published by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens and appeared in Volume I, Issue 4 (February, 1998) of Applause! Applause!

"Remember The Magic" - Scott Coulter
Don't Tell Mama (343 West 46th Street, NYC)
Reviewed 2/2/98 at 9:00 p.m.

Scott Coulter has the looks, personality and talent to become a major star. He is so proficient and professional that it is difficult for me to believe that "Remember The Magic" is Coulter's debut solo show. It is so well-constructed, moving and flawless that, in my book, it rates as one of the best cabaret shows I have seen in my life. Scott Coulter has a magnificent future ahead of him. He doesn't need to "remember the magic." Coulter has magic within him that enables him to give his audiences a reality of unparalleled perfection! He has a commanding presence on stage and a very powerful voice. He can deliver in a variety of musical styles which is evident by his performance in this show. There is no limit to his potential!

"Remember The Magic" was inspired by the novel "Boy's Life" by Robert R. McCammon which comments on the magic we experience as children that we often lose touch with as adults. Coulter singers songs based on this theme. He has assembled a talented team of musicians that play far more than a mere functional role. They are an integral part of the magic of the evening. Jeff Waxman, on piano, Marco Brehm on bass, and Andy Perkowski on percussion play so well together that even Scott Coulter commented that they belong together perhaps under the suggested names of the "Jeff Waxman Trio" or perhaps "The Hot Wax Band." They never upstage Coulter, despite the fact that their considerable talent is evident. Shawn Moninger on lights and sound is also deserving of special mention. In the opening number, Moninger shines a single light on Coulter's blond hair from behind which allowed the audience to fully concentrate on his angelic voice. What a great way to introduce a singer! The lighting in "Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show", my favorite number, created the image of a preacher at a revival meeting spreading the "good news" to his flock.

Coulter's view of the magic we have inside us is that we all have a fist full of magic which influences us to a larger degree when we are children with small bodies, but that as we grow, the fist full of magic gets lost in our larger bodies, until we get old and our bodies get small again. Therefore, he believes that children and the elderly share a simpler, optimistic, awe-inspired view of life not shared by adults deeply involved in the daily drudgery and responsibilities of their lives. Reading from "Boy's Life", Coulter says that, nevertheless, "men and women are still children in their hearts. They like to feel free and that there is a mommy and a daddy at home to love them."

Scott Coulter brings an original perspective to every song. He is a major talent. There wasn't a single number I did not like. There wasn't a single arrangement that I thought could have been done better. There wasn't a moment I felt bored. Coulter's rendition of "Help?" (Music and Lyrics by John Lennon and Paul McCartney), brought me to tears. I "heard" the lyrics of that song as I have never heard them before. Scott Coulter succeeds in transporting you to a place where you can be in touch with "your inner child."

Scott Coulter's "Remember The Magic" is a show I will not soon forget. It is a memorable experience and I guarantee you will become an instant fan of this extraordinary new talent. Do not pass up the opportunity to see "Remember The Magic" which will be performed again at Don't Tell Mama on Tuesdays, March 3rd & 10th at 7 p.m. and on Wednesday, March 18th at 7 p.m.. Catch Coulter while you can!!

Applause! Applause! Review of Anne-Marie Karash's "2 Good 2 Be 4gotten" by Rita Sola

2011-12-11T19:35:00.001-05:00

This review of Anne-Marie Karash in a show entitled "2 Good 2 Be 4gotten" at Don't Tell Mama was written by Rita Sola and appeared in Volume I, Issue 3 (January, 1998) of Applause! Applause! published by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens.

"2 Good 2 Be 4gotten" - Anne-Marie Karash
Don't Tell Mama (343 West 46th Street, NYC)
Reviewed 12/13/97 at 8 p.m.

Moving to a new home, according to the magazine Psychology Today, is number one on the list of stressful events in the average person's lifetime, even higher than marriage (which, interestingly enough, is higher than divorce). But apparently, the parents of Anne-Marie Karash don't read Psychology Today. In "2 Good 2 Be 4gotten", Anne-Marie's show at Don't Tell Mama, she describes her trip back to her hometown of Memphis to help them move from the old family home to a new condo, a move which can be as melancholy to the adult children, no matter how far afield they may have strayed, as to the parents. To her complete dismay, she arrived to find them sitting complacently in an "empty" nest that was filled to capacity with the accumulations of a lifetime. Nothing had been sorted or arranged, let alone packed, perhaps their way of staving off the inevitable. To this day, her parents still refer to their new residence as "the condo." Never "home" or "our apartment." Just "the condo." It is a poignant story, familiar to many of us. Thanks to Anne-Marie's wit and style, it is also terrific comedy.

A footnote in the program reads "All events depicted in "2 Good 2 Be 4gotten" are 100% true. In some cases, however, the facts have been changed to make them truer." And as mirth provoking as it is, there is nothing in the monologue that is not believable. As one who throws away nothing but used mouse traps, I had no trouble understanding the myriad of pencil stubs she found scattered about (Doesn't everyone have that?). But I especially loved her description of the refrigerator door that had once been the home of pretty little bluebirds, all of which had flown away leaving their tiny magnets behind. Her portrait of her father is particularly strong. Here is a man, she tells us, for whom "alcohol" is a verb. Doorknobs, handles, etc. are first "alcoholed" with cotton before they are touched and no matter how great the detritus of decades that surrounded him, it was all germ-free.

Eventually, the parents were successfully relocated but they left behind a skeleton in the closet. Literally. A skull which had belonged to Anne-Marie's father, a retired dentist, and which they had searched high and low for, was discovered, they later learned, deep in the linen closet by the new lady of the house who greeted it with an appropriate outlay of hysteria.

These narrations are interspersed with recollections of her growing up (Hence, the title. How many of us do not have "2 Good 2 Be 4gotten" in our high school yearbooks?). There are anecdotes of her beginnings as a stand-up comic including a gig at a rib restaurant in New Jersey not far from the home of a very traditional aunt. Anne-Marie's nightmare was that the aunt, on the way to Atlantic City with some fellow seniors, might stop there to use the "facilities" only to discover her nice Jewish niece working in a pork pen of iniquity. The triumph of her aunt's life had been the fate of Mama Cass: "Jewish Girl Chokes to Death on Ham Sandwich."

Anne-Marie has deservedly won awards for her comedy: as part of the group Bitch! Bitch! Bitch! (two MAC awards two years in a row). "2 Good 2 Be 4gotten", which she performed this last fall and which will be revived shortly, incorporates much of her dry, sardonic delivery in what is essentially a one-woman theatre piece. Certainly there is no question that all the kvetching -- and very funny kvetching it is, indeed -- about her family's foibles is pure theatre. Although that particular visit was less than serene for her family, in this day of Sally Jessy, Geraldo, et. al., that is extraordinarily refreshing.

Applause! Applause! Review of Rita Ellis Hammer at Eighty Eight's by Andrew Martin

2011-12-11T19:28:00.001-05:00

This review of Rita Ellis Hammer at Eighty Eight's was written by Andrew Martin and appeared in Volume I, Issue 3 (January, 1998) of Applause! Applause! published by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens.

Rita Ellis Hammer
Eighty Eight's (228 West 10th Street, NYC)
Reviewed 9/18/97 at 8 p.m.

In the last four seasons since her debut at Danny's Skylight Room, Rita Ellis Hammer has emerged as a cabaret songstress to be reckoned with. Changes in musical directors and other staff have far from left their toll on the redoubtable Ms. Hammer, who still bursts onto any cabaret stage she inhabits and infuses the assembled crowd with unending vocal excitement. Not surprisingly, considering Hammer's history, a child star in her own right, with appearances on seemingly hundreds of kiddie shows on New York City radio and the then-newly-formed medium of television, Hammer fell easily into local fame as a featured singer at the famed Copacabana on East 60th Street and on 1950's TV's "The Galen Drake Show", wonderful training ground for a lady who'd later take the cabaret scene by storm.

With sensational pianist Paul Katz as her partner in crime, Hammer's latest evening of movie music is outstanding to say the least. Her selection of standards is topped deliciously by autobiographical exploits (and her story about Zippy the Chimp and legendary TV producer Don Appel is unto itself worth the price of admission!). To say any more would be to give away a gold mine. Suffice to suggest that when next Rita Ellis Hammer graces the stage of your friendly neighborhood cabaret, to say she's merely worth catching would be the understatement of the year!

Applause! Applause! Review of Barbara Fasano's "The Girls Of Summer" by Andrew Martin

2011-12-11T19:23:00.001-05:00

This review of Barbara Fasano in a show entitled "The Girls Of Summer" at Don't Tell Mama was written by Andrew Martin and appeared in Volume I, Issue 3 (January, 1998) of Applause! Applause! published by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens.

"The Girls Of Summer" - Barbara Fasano
Don't Tell Mama (343 West 46th Street, NYC)
Reviewed 9/5/97 at 7 p.m.

There is still one chance to catch Bistro Award-winning vocalist Barbara Fasano in the spectacular "The Girls of Summer", and cabaretgoers shouldn't miss the opportunity to catch the show by any circumstances.

Fasano has had a most interesting journey up the cabaret ladder to success. In the early 90's, she was unleashed upon the cabaret community as one of a handful of individuals recently graduated from a program called the O'Neill Cabaret Fellowship, and soon found herself entertaining everywhere from Eighty Eight's to Town Hall. Infinitely more entertaining on intimate cabaret stages than the boards of grand concert halls, Barbara Fasano soon found herself an in-demand attraction while combining an interesting blend of theatrical standards and pop hits (and her reading of Joan Baez's "Diamonds and Rust" remains emblazoned on the memory of all who were lucky enough to be in Fasano's audience at Eighty Eight's in '95).

Her latest effort, "The Girls Of Summer" at Don't Tell Mama, is quite simply one of THE reasons to venture out to catch a topnotch evening of cabaret, featuring a seasonal thread of reality that evokes salt air and ocean breezes right outside the cabaret door regardless of the climate outside. Only Fasano could balance a theatre number like "The Girls Of Summer" (from Stephen Sondheim's "Marry Me A Little") with Don Henley's "The Boys of Summer". It can only be a matter of time before Barbara Fasano is rightfully entertaining regularly at New York and America's finest venues for cabaret talent. To describe Barbara Fasano's intrinsic gifts for cabaret presentation means giving away information best experienced in person. By all means, readers, get yourselves to Don't Tell Mama on January 27th at 7 p.m.!!!

Applause! Applause! Review of Branom, Coris, Kurtzuba & Vreeland in "Our Life & Times" by Andrew Martin

2011-12-11T19:18:00.000-05:00

This review of Curt Branom, Hector Coris, Stephanie Kurtzuba & Walker Vreeland in a show entitled "Our Life & Times: The Year In Musical Review" at Rose's Turn was written by Andrew Martin and appeared in Volume I, Issue 3 (January, 1998) of Applause! Applause! published by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens.

"Our Life & Times" - Branom, Coris, Kurtzuba & Vreeland
Rose's Turn (55 Grove Street, NYC)
Reviewed 1/11/98 at 6 p.m.

The cabaret community and piano bar scene were far different in the 1980's from anything today's industry leaders have known since. Erv Raible and Rob Hoskins were running Don't Tell Mama, the Duplex (located at that time at the current home of Rose's Turn), and the popular Upper East Side piano bar, Brandy's (at 235 East 84th Street, where it continues to flourish under Joe Connell's auspices). Art D'Lugoff's administration of the Village Gate made the legendary Thompson Street spot one of THE places to play. Hot acts around town included Amy Coleman, Lois Sage, RSVP, LuRain Penny, Horowitz & Spector, the improv group ForPlay, and a then-unknown comedy duo calling themselves Kathy (Najimy) and Mo (Gaffney). Sought-after piano bar talent included Robert Bendorff, Timmy Moore, Scott Traudt, Peter Gloo, Karen Miller, and many more. And everybody's favorite place to finish the evening was Grove Street's own The Five Oaks, then governed by the restaurateur-team of Jeremy Burrell and Mary Virginia Regan. It was there, among such piano bar talents as the late, lamented Marie Blake and such perpetual favorites as Bobby Peaco and Steven Lowenthal, that pianist/composer/lyricist/comic Rick Crom was playing happy hours to throngs of patrons who couldn't hold back the laughter, particularly on such numbers as "Is There A Straight Man In The House?" and letter-perfect impressions of John Denver, Neil Diamond and scores of others.

Since that time, Rick Crom has achieved pinnacle upon pinnacle of success within the areas of both cabaret and standup comedy. Appearances on and off-Broadway ("The Goodbye Girl", "Merrily We Roll Along") as an actor, and comedic appearances everywhere from Atlantic City to Las Vegas to Aspen, are joined by Crom's penning of some of Off-Broadway and cabaret's favorite political revues, including the popular "Absolutely Rude" at the Comedy Cellar several seasons ago. The gentleman's latest effort in that regard, "Our Life & Times", now runs at Rose's Turn on Saturday nights at 8 p.m., and Sunday evenings at 6 p.m., with different casts depending on the evening.

The one-hour showcase of headline-based special material is directed by the formidable Terri White, who can wholeheartedly add another string to her bow with the commandeering of this vehicle. (For those who don't know, she was the original Joice Heth in "Barnum" at the St. James, and won an Obie for the Tommy Tune-directed "The Club" at Circle in the Square Downtown.) White's intrinsic gift for theatrical direction comes through loudly and oh-so-clearly on such numbers as the bouncy paean to prescription drugs, "Prozac, Ritalin, Fen-Phen", and the MAC Award-nominated "The Army Song".

The cast seen by your humble reviewer was a mixed bag at best. Of the three young gentlemen and one young lady, it is only Hector Coris who seems to show an on-stage gift for revue presentation (as was similarly witnessed three seasons ago by your humble reporter during Hal Cohen's brilliant "The Musical Enquirer", directed by Leonard Jacobs at Rose's Turn). However, cast member Walker Vreeland receives more than just an ample opportunity to shine on the scrumptious "Trailer Park Paula" as the one-and-only Paula Jones, most often coming across like a musical version of Mark McKinney on "Kids In The Hall". Stephanie Kurtzuba scores not once but twice in particular; she manages to top the exquisite "Chelsea in College" (with herself as the First Daughter at Stanford) with what may well be the finest number of the evening, the more-than-simply-tuneful "El Nino". Only Curt Branom seems out of place -- his rendering of the otherwise marvelous "Dr. Jack Kervorkian" would most obviously have been better served with composer Crom's vocals, and his impression of Mike Tyson simply doesn't cut it. In fact, the overall problem with the show seems to be that the musical and lyrical material severely outshines the ability of the cast, and even that material manages to be a mite too predictable in scant spots (such as a bit about the knighting of Elton John).

However, as national headlines change, so too will the content of the material showcased in "Our Life & Times". The show, therefore, is not only worth seeing once for the experience, but returning later on to experience the collective genius of Rick Crom and Terri White. The show has the chance to run for a very, very long time -- make it thy business to get there while you can.

Applause! Applause! Review of "Comics Unplugged!" at The Waterloo Bridge Theatre by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens

2011-12-11T19:05:00.001-05:00

This review of Assorted Comics in a show entitled "Comics Unplugged!" at The Waterloo Bridge Theatre was written and published by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens and appeared in Volume I, Issue 3 (January, 1998) of Applause! Applause!

"Comics Unplugged!" - Assorted Comics
The Waterloo Bridge Theatre (203 West 38th Street, NYC)
Reviewed 12/17/97 at 8 p.m.

"Comics Unplugged!" promises "an evening of comedy in a smoke-free, alcohol-free atmosphere" and it succeeds in delivering big-time. For only $10, which included free soda, I was able to sample the work of 11 comics. It was a delightful evening which has tremendous potential to catch on and become a popular setting for comics to work. I only wish they had allowed the audience two ten-minute breaks, during which we could meet and speak with the comics that just completed their sets, as well as to have the opportunity to stretch our legs and get another cup of free soda.

Sue Horowitz was emcee for the evening. Her only funny line was that in her career as a teacher, she once asked a student who Magellan was. The student replied "Magellan had a giant clipper and circumcised the globe." The first comic up was Sheldon Wickowitz, who has great material and an understated presence on stage. He is wickedly funny and has perfect timing and delivery. Wickowitz says that when he was younger, he belonged to a Jewish gang in Brooklyn called "Sol's Angels". He says "late at night, we'd sneak into stores and mark down prices." He also commented that you know you have a serious cockroach problem "when you try to open your kitchen cabinets and its being pulled closed from the other side."

I cannot stress enough the importance of good material as the foundation for the success of a comic. It is also true that timing and delivery are essential to future success. Too many comics who are otherwise good-looking with a good stage presence have no clue how bad their material is. Perhaps they don't pay enough attention to audience reaction. Perhaps they don't have an instinct for what is funny. It is my observation that when a comic is smoking with the right material, almost all of the material is good. Yet when a comic is striking out, I usually can't find more than one or two lines that have the potential to hit a home run.

Julia G., who should re-think her stage name, was very pleasant and with the right material could be a success. Her funniest line was "my apartment is so small, I can't bring a black man home." David Tirado, who silenced the audience during his bits, also has potential. His one funny line was that if you were "sitting center court at a Ping-Pong match, you'd have to be on crack to follow the ball." Renee Pezzotta has a good strong stage presence and is obviously a very talented women. I expect that she will go far. She had a number of funny bits in her set. She stated that "sexual harassment in the army gives a whole new meaning to "Yes, Drill Sergeant!"." She also stated "I found my first gray hair -- it wasn't on my head -- maybe it was a cobweb." Renee Pezzotta will one day perfect her act and go far on the comedy circuit.

Alan Cove, an older comic, was crude and overbearing. More than new material, he needs a new personality. Joe Cochran was even worse. Cochran brought notes with him onto the stage which he referred to from time to time. If you cannot memorize your set, you don't belong on stage. I would have thrown him out of an amateur night competition. His one funny line was that his "family has been hassling him about preparing for his retirement," so he "took last summer off and worked on his golf game." The comments I wrote during his set were "poor material," "embarrassing performance," "who booked this guy," and "just horrible." Enough said!

Ralph Nieves-Bryant offered some of the brighter moments of the evening. He said he recently heard Ray Charles singing "America, The Beautiful". He wondered aloud "How does Ray Charles know how beautiful America is?" He also stated that now that his gay brother is dressing better than he does, he now knows why gays are in the closet. He said "They're trying to find out what to wear." His black sports announcer bit was brilliant, but he didn't develop its full potential. Caz is also a rising star. He did great impersonations of Bill Cosby, Jerry Seinfeld and Eddie Murphy. Caz supposedly means "comedy - from a to z." Here is another man with a great future!

Besides Sheldon Wickowitz, Buddy Bolton was the other major star of the evening. He confessed that he is "a bed wetter and a sleep walker." He "wets other people's beds." He also has a brilliant bit during which he does impressions of white, black and Spanish women fighting. Bolton needs the proper guidance for his career to soar. The energy, looks and stage presence are already there.

Gunslinger Thomas was the headliner for the evening. Half of Gunslinger's material is so brilliant and insightful that he should be immediately eligible for national recognition, an HBO special and big-money contractual deals. Unfortunately, the other half of his material is so political, offensive and serious as to guarantee that this level of success will never come. Either Gunslinger doesn't have a feel for where "the line" is or he doesn't care. Either way, the road to his success is being blocked by his stubborn desire for self-satisfaction. Some of his good bits involved a discussion about "white people disappearing off the planet," Tiger Woods, the East Indian baby killed by the nanny and his lines about Memphis, Tennessee where "intelligence is considered a birth defect." On the other hand, some of his worst moments came when he spoke of the "United Kingdom fucking up Africa," the lack of any legitimate analogy between the gay and black civil rights movements, and when he came out against space exploration saying we already know everything there is to know, namely that "it's cold and it's dark." I am not suggesting that Gunslinger should lose his edge or his perspective on the issues. I am only saying that if we have to hear his more controversial political opinions, he should at least feed them to us laced with insight and humor, not hit us between the eyes with a sledge hammer.

Next month, "Comics Unplugged!" is changing its name to "Comics Unclubbed!" which is a very witty name given that the comics at the Waterloo Bridge Theatre appear on a stage and not in a club. The number is the same, so call for reservations. I will see you there!

Applause! Applause! Review of "The Mario Cantone Christmas Show" at Caroline's by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens

2011-12-11T18:55:00.001-05:00

This review of "The Mario Cantone Christmas Show" at Caroline's was written and published by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens and appeared in Volume I, Issue 3 (January, 1998) of Applause! Applause!

"The Mario Cantone Christmas Show" - Mario Cantone
Caroline's (1626 Broadway, NYC)
Reviewed 12/15/97 at 8 p.m.

I was surprised to find the staff at Caroline's this particular evening to be more friendly and pleasant than they have been in the past. The room was well decorated for the Christmas Season. The warm up comic was Susan Campanaro, who was an embarrassment to both Caroline's and Mario Cantone. Caroline's for approving her and Mario Cantone because he had an amateur open for him. Perhaps with completely new material, she could be funny. However, this particular evening, she had a mouth like a sewer and a voice like a frog. I am not philosophically opposed to the use of curse words in a comedy act, but they must be used with wit and style, not just to shock and to get a cheap laugh. She knocked New York City in one of her songs perpetuating the myth that most New Yorkers are rude, which is certainly untrue and she failed to offer up anything that was humorous or entertaining. She was dressed in a tight green dress with gold tinsel, which was very cute. But the more disturbed and restless I became listening to her material, the more I started to think of her as a Christmas Tree that I could, perhaps, set on fire. For Susan Campanaro, it is time to hire a professional writer. She has no time to waste.

Mario Cantone is brilliant, intelligent, talented, funny, entertaining, warm and friendly. See him whenever and wherever you can. Even the dreadful movie "Mouse Hunt", which was the only movie released during this past holiday season which I gave no stars to, was redeemed for a few precious moments when Mario Cantone appeared as a representative of a corporate conglomerate. His star is rising! It is only a matter of time before the world recognizes his extraordinary talent.

Mario Cantone's shows are never second best. He can keep an audience laughing hysterically for the entire length of his act. In this particular show, he did over 20 flawless impersonations and characterizations of famous people, funny reflections on his family and a rap song as the character "Italian Ice". No one was disappointed. Even his most ardent fans. There was even some new material and a bit about a "Jim Morrison Christmas Special" which worked very well.

In recent shows, Mario Cantone has attempted to add musical accompaniment to some of his material. Sometimes, this works very well, but other times it is a disaster. During this particular show, the musical accompaniment did not work when Mario was giving his take on various Christmas stories. The synergy of the music and material has not yet been perfected. Sometimes, the piano becomes a distraction and other times it is a pleasant and relevant backdrop to his material. The proper balance must be found.

One of the funniest moments of the evening came when a fan yelled out a request from the audience. Mario Cantone responded "I'm not a video jukebox - stick a quarter up my ass and I'll do what you want." Mario also has a definite opinion as to whether Michael Jackson is a pedophile. In fact, he requires his audience to say out loud with him "Michael Jackson is a pedophile." Although Mario Cantone's show contains many references to his family and the characters in it, Mario makes few references to his own preferences, which is just as well given the fact that his strength lies in his impressions and characterizations of famous people, an area in which he doesn't need to use material from his personal life to give his act substance. One of the things we do learn about Mario Cantone during his act is that he prefers to watch "The Wizard of Oz" on holidays instead of watching football games.

Mario Cantone must release a videotape of his core material this year. I have no idea why this project hasn't become a high priority for him. His fans are waiting to purchase these tapes not only for themselves, but as gifts for their friends. His current act must be preserved for posterity and must be shared with those who have not been fortunate enough to catch him live. Mario, your fans need you to make this videotape. A talent as brilliant as yours should be used to lighten the load of the countless and faceless masses desperate for a little relief from their daily drudgery.

Applause! Applause! Review of Branom, Coris, Bascom & Macaione in "Our Life & Times" by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens

2011-12-11T18:45:00.001-05:00

This review of Curt Branom, Hector Coris, Jennifer Bascom & Michael Macaione in a show entitled "Our Life & Times: The Year In Musical Review" at Rose's Turn was written and published by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens and appeared in Volume I, Issue 3 (January, 1998) of Applause! Applause!

"Our Life & Times" - Branom, Coris, Bascom & Macaione
Rose's Turn (55 Grove Street, NYC)
Reviewed 1/10/98 at 8 p.m.

"Our Life & Times: The Year In Musical Revue" strives to present "all the news that's fit to sing about." Famous people, current trends, obscure but interesting news items are all grist for the mill. The Prologue warns that the intention of the cast and of the material is "to offend" and to leave "no reputation untarnished." The "politically correct" and the "easily offended" are asked to leave or at least to know that they have been forewarned.

I thoroughly enjoyed this revue with music and lyrics by Rick Crom, a previous Leonardo da Vinci Award Recipient for Best Comedian. This musical revue is a great showcase for his talent. I hope it runs for years. I have already started to recommend "Our Life & Times" to friends and plan to return myself. There is "something for everyone" here that will keep you engrossed and entertained. This musical revue contains a thousand laughs and is smartly directed by Terri White. The lighting was expertly handled and the musical direction and arrangements by Charles Lindberg were flawless. Whatever cares or burdens you may have in your life, seeing this show will help you forget them, at least for an hour.

Some of the great numbers in this musical revue were "Chelsea In College", "Dr. Jack Kervorkian", "Prozac Ritilin, Fen-Phen", "Trailer Park Paula", "Space Station For Sale", "Sexual Harassment", "New Definitions", "El Nino", "The Army Song", "Michigan Militia", "Lesbian Madness" and the final number "You Can't Stay Here". The cast I saw worked well as a team and were quite enjoyable to watch. Michael Macaione is talented, tall and good-looking. He also looks great in a dress and I look forward to seeing more of him. Jennifer Bascom was a pleasure to watch. She was a bundle of energy and was "right on the mark" in all her roles. Hector Coris was an essential participant in the rapport that makes this show work. The otherwise talented Curt Branom gave a dreadful impersonation of Mike Tyson which absolutely ruined "Mike's Lament" and "Marv & Mike". Although Branom also went up on a few lines, I do feel that he is redeemable as a cast member, as long as he never again attempts to impersonate Mike Tyson.

I do have a few more minor negative comments. "Marv's Lament" is too short to be a successful number in this revue. Hector Coris shouldn't close one eye when playing an elderly man in "Rollerbladers" since audience attention is focused on his ability to keep his eye shut. The lyrics to "Internet Love Song" are not accurate if you're speaking computer literacy and the lyrics to "Christmas In New York" reflect an old image of New York where rudeness, crime and drugs were the order of the day. This song is out of date and should be replaced with a new "Christmas In New York" which takes account of such news items as pedestrian barricades and the Disney influence in Times Square. These are minor quibbles. Overall, the show is quite a find and an excellent value! Make certain that you go to see it either on Saturdays at 8 p.m. or on Sundays at 6 p.m. Upstairs at Rose's Turn. There is a $12 cover charge plus a two drink minimum.

Applause! Applause! Review of Mr. Ruby Rims & Friends' "Teddycare" by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens

2011-12-11T18:31:00.002-05:00

This review of Mr. Ruby Rims & Friends in five (5) shows entitled "Teddycare" at Eighty Eight's was written and published by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens and appeared in Volume I, Issue 3 (January, 1998) of Applause! Applause!

"Teddycare" - Mr. Ruby Rims & Friends
Eighty Eight's (228 West 10th Street, NYC)
Reviewed 12/12/97 at 8 p.m. & 11 p.m.; 12/19/97 at 8 p.m. & 11 p.m.; 12/26/97 at 8 p.m.

In 1901, Theodore Roosevelt (nicknamed "Teddy") became President of the United States. In November, 1902, he embarked on a 4-day hunting expedition in Mississippi, during which he refused to shoot a bear that had been cornered for him. The incident prompted a cartoon by Clifford K. Berryman which appeared in the Washington Post on November 16, 1902; the title of the cartoon, "Drawing the Line at Mississippi", also referred to a boundary dispute which the President had set out to resolve. The popularity of the Teddy Bear began soon after Berryman's cartoon appeared. Morris Michtom, a Russian emigre, displayed a plush bear, made by his wife Rose and labeled "Teddy's Bear", in the window of his New York store. It was an instant success. The wholesalers, Butler Brothers, eventually bought the Michtom's entire stock, and, helped by the backing of Butler Brothers, Michtom established the Ideal Novelty & Toy Company, reputed to be the 1st United States teddy-bear manufacturer. The height of the teddy craze coincided with Teddy Roosevelt's second administration (1905-1909). In 1906, the United States toy trade magazine "Playthings" first referred to "Teddy's Bears" and this was soon abbreviated to "Teddy Bear".

For the remainder of the 20th Century, Teddy Bears have continued to be ideal gifts for children of all ages. Their popularly has led hundreds of thousands of people to collect and trade them. Teddy Bear Conventions are held every year and numerous books have been written detailing the history, designs and diversity of Teddy Bears manufactured throughout the world. It is hard to say exactly why Teddy Bears have sustained their popularity throughout the years. I believe it is because a stuffed bear covered with fur acts as a surrogate mother who continues to provide its owner with warmth, safety and a feeling of security for so long as it's being held. The holder of a Teddy Bear, embraced in a "bear hug", feels less tense, less anxious and less frightened, just as the holder would feel if being hugged by mother. I wouldn't be surprised if Teddy Bear owners lived longer, happier lives than those living without Teddy Bears.

Mr. Ruby Rims was a Teddy Bear collector who appreciated the therapeutic value Teddy Bears have for children, and especially sick children. One day he decided it would be a great idea to organize a Christmas Teddy Bear Drive for Hospitalized Children and to distribute Teddy Bears to children in hospitals, aids wards and hospices throughout New York City. He called his effort "Teddycare", a registered trademark, and proceeded to invite some of his talented friends to donate their time to put on a series of shows at which Teddy Bears would be collected and at which other monies raised would be donated to various designated charities. This effort has been going strong for many years and the shows I reviewed were part of the 7th Annual Teddycare extravaganza. The host for each show was Mr. Ruby Rims himself. The musical director for all the shows was the very talented John McMahon. The very "electric" Maryann Lopinto, strung with Christmas lights, helped collect the Teddy Bears and taped each of the shows.

The $6300 collected at the shows during this 7th Annual Teddycare Drive went to the Manhattan Plaza Aids Project, an aids service organization that was there to help Mr. Ruby Rims in his time of need. Mr. Ruby Rims states at each show that he is proud that none of the monies donated to the Manhattan Plaza Aids Project are used for administrative expenses. The nearly 1000 Teddy Bears collected at the shows are distributed to sick children in January and February by Mr. Ruby Rims who dresses in a bear suit to deliver them. For his efforts, NY1, the cable news service, designated Mr. Ruby Rims "New Yorker of the Week", the first time that a transgendered individual has ever received this honor. In my opinion, it was well deserved.

The many talented artists who agreed to donate their time to make the shows a success are deserving of thanks and praise. They include Aaron Lee Battle, Jenny Burton, Jack Donahue, Sean McNally, Terri Lynn Paul, Vivian Reed, Marta Sanders, Billy Stritch, Adrianne Tolsch, Mary Bond Davis, Steve Hayes, Michael Marotta, Maureen McNamara, Varla Jean Merman, Michael Murphy, Jane Schechter, Jon Kent Soleather, Marilyn Volpe, Bobby Belfry, Charles Cermele, Rick Crom, Gerry Dieffenbach, Karen Mason, Jeanne MacDonald, Georgia Osborne, Jacqueline Venable, Kelly Briggs, Mary Foster Conklin, Bill Daugherty, Judy Kreston & David Lahm, Jennifer Kruskamp, Sidney Myer, Maureen Kelly Stewart, Jonathan Tomaselli, Tom Andersen, Jeff Harnar, Carlos Martin, Jaymie Meyer, Rick McKay, Phyllis Pastore, Jerry Scott, Vie Tabaac, Margaret Wright, Steven Brinberg, Jim Caruso, Baby Jane Dexter, Thomas Diverniero, Paul Greenwood, David Gurland, Martha Lorin, Shirley Ritenour, James Beaman, Charles Busch, Tommy Femia, Bryan Murphy, Jay Rogers, Richard Skipper, Albert "Diva" Walsh and Miss Julie Wilson. Each performer contributed the equivalent of two numbers to the show they were participating in. Mr. Ruby Rims did an opening and closing number at each show with one encore. In light of the fact that many supporters of Teddycare come to all of the shows, I must say that Mr. Ruby Rims could have done a better job of diversifying his material and could have prepared a few additional numbers to perform. He has so many brilliant numbers in his repertoire. I wish he had used more of them! All of the shows I reviewed were well worth the effort I made to attend them. In light of the fact that all of the shows were benefits, I will not critique each performer's work as I would have had they been appearing in their own shows. Nor will I provide you with a list of songs performed. Instead, I will mention some of the lighter and more serious moments that took place during the shows I reviewed.

At the 8 p.m. show on December 12, 1997, Georgia Osborne said the first reference to PMS in the bible was the verse "And Mary rode Joseph's ass all the way to Bethlehem." Rick Crom told the joke about the "mute guy who goes into a drug store to purchase a condom. Not knowing exactly how to ask for one, he takes out his penis and puts it on the counter along with two dollars. The clerk sees this, pulls his own dick out of his pants, places it on the counter and since it was larger, he took the two dollars." Charles Cermele reiterated his claim that people think he looks like a cross between Michael Feinstein and John Gotti. Mr. Ruby Rims stopped singing in the middle of a song and asked a woman in the audience to close her legs saying "we're getting an echo in here." He also said "I have a frog in my throat. It used to be a prince." Finally, Mr. Ruby Rims told the joke about the "two blondes who froze to death at the drive-in movie. They went to see "Closed for Winter"."

At the 11 p.m. show on December 12, 1997, Sidney Myer sang the wonderful song "A Boy's Life" about what the activities of a boy scout might be. After singing the song, he said that "the closest he ever came to that song was a girl scout cookie." Mr. Ruby Rims stated that he "loves straight people. They're so obvious." To do a Bette Davis impression, Ruby asked for a cigarette. He said "I left mine in the machine." Then as Bette Davis, he said "We've had a request, but I'm going to sing anyway. I'm going to do a little number; no one you know." Mr. Ruby Rims proceeded to tell yet another dumb blonde joke: "Do you know what they call smart blondes?...Golden Retrievers." Finally, before singing "This Is The Moment", Mr. Ruby Rims stated that five years ago, he was diagnosed with aids and since then, he has "realized how precious life is and that you have to live each day as it comes and each moment as it comes."

At the 8 p.m. show on December 19, 1997, Tom Andersen came out in favor of Christmas Cards stating that he has learned over the years how important friends are and that you should send Christmas Cards to "let people know you are thinking about them." At the 11 p.m. show on December 19, 1997, David Gurland said it was odd he was about to sing a song about the infant Jesus since he is "really, really, really Jewish." Mr. Ruby Rims commented that the world has really changed in the past fifteen years. He said "now a cocktail is 22 pills."

At the 8 p.m. show on December 26, 1997, which together with the identical show at 11 p.m. was dedicated primarily to drag queen performers, Mr. Albert "Diva" Walsh stated that he had to take a "survival job" this year, so he didn't have a "church job" which would have allowed him to sing "O Holy Night". Therefore, Mr. Walsh seized the opportunity to sing it here. Mr. Bryan Murphy, who flew in from the north of London just to do this show, said "Never trust a country with only one Queen." Mr. Bryan Murphy also sang a song entitled "Living Next Door To Alice" which required audience participation in the form of their singing "Alice, who the fuck is Alice" at appropriate moments during the song. What a hoot! Extra points to Mr. Bryan Murphy for his large Christmas balls. Lypsinka made a surprise appearance and asked the audience if they knew "the difference between the Titanic and Mr. Ruby Rims?" When no one answered, he said "We all know how many people went down on the Titanic." Charles Busch said it was a long show and that it's getting a bit testy downstairs in the small dressing room. He said "downstairs is like a women's prison picture. Heads are being shaved as we speak."

Mr. Ruby Rims is a Distinguished Artist of the Beaux Arts Society, a community of artists founded in 1857 that is the original sponsor of the only authentic Beaux Arts Ball run in America. Mr. Ruby Rims was also the recipient of a Leonardo da Vinci Award in 1996 for Best Performing Artist for his show "I'm Still Here." If you wish to donate money to the Manhattan Plaza Aids Project or if you wish to donate Teddy Bears to Teddycare, I'm sure that Mr. Ruby Rims would be pleased to hear from you. You may call him directly at 212-279-6541. I encourage you to support Mr. Ruby Rims and Teddycare now and in the years to come!

Applause! Applause! Review of "Scorcia's Screamers" by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens

2011-12-05T23:45:00.001-05:00

This review of the Stand-Up Comedy Show "Scorcia's Screamers" at M.T. Pockets was written and published by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens and appeared in Volume I, Issue 2 (December, 1997) of Applause! Applause!

"Scorcia's Screamers" - Assorted Comics
M.T. Pockets (87-06 Queens Blvd, NYC)

"Scorcia's Screamers" is the "comedymark" of Joanne Scorcia, a very good-looking, talented, up-and-coming comic who coordinates "nights of comedy" featuring professional comics at some of the best comedy clubs in New York City. I caught this particular version of her show at M.T. Pockets during their regular Tuesday Comedy Night.

The star of the evening was Andrew Martin. He came across with perfect timing and a professional demeanor which commanded the respect of his audience. Against odds, he used his gay material in front of this almost exclusively straight, drunk audience and was nevertheless able to hit some home runs. He explained that he is writing a new play about a young man who falls in love with a figure skater. He is calling his work "Boy Meets Boitano." He also explained that he is not a pillow biter, one who bites the pillow during the throws of passion. He states that under some circumstances, he might have been a pillow biter, "if that leather gag wasn't keeping my mouth closed." Andrew Martin is a talented young man with a lot of guts who by his mere presence as a comic using gay material before a straight audience is in the forefront of the fight against homophobia and discrimination of gays by society.

Joanne Scorcia and Adam Lake are excellent comics who were not at their best this evening. Brendan Pattison told no jokes. Rey Cassese was full of energy and had a good, strong stage presence. Finally, Pete Dominick, the "comic" and "M.C." struck out. He had no timing, no enthusiasm, no jokes and no energy. His only redeeming virtue was that he knew that midgets are funny. He invited up to the stage as a "side-kick," a drunk midget named L.T. Smalls, who wiggled his hips and took out a "small" business card to show the audience.

Applause! Applause! Review of "Straight Out Of Vinnie's Closet" by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens

2011-12-05T23:40:00.001-05:00

This review of the Stand-Up Comedy Show "Straight Out Of Vinnie's Closet" at Stand-Up NY Comedy Club was written and published by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens and appeared in Volume I, Issue 2 (December, 1997) of Applause! Applause!

"Straight Out Of Vinnie's Closet" - Assorted Comics
Stand-Up NY Comedy Club (236 West 78th Street, NYC)

The first Sunday of every month at 6:45 p.m., Vinnie Costa M.C.'s a show with a great line-up of comics with varied sexual orientations and preferences, from homosexual men who claim they like men, to heterosexual men who claim they like having sex with their comatose grandmothers. Lesbians were well represented on stage, but were under-represented in the audience.

Far and away, the best comic of the evening was Linda Hershovic. She has excellent material, and perfect timing and delivery. She explained that she recently came out to her mom. She wrote her mom "a long note on flowered paper, folded it in three, and then threw it on her grave and ran." While on the beach in Provincetown, a young girl stole the unhooked bikini top of a woman sun-bathing and then ran down the beach. Of course, the woman had to get up to run after the child. Hershovic says she "got a good look and it only cost me a piece of candy." I look forward to catching her act the next time she appears as a headliner.

Vinnie Costa was also excellent both as an M.C. and as a comic. He refers to Lifetime Television as "television for women and gay men." He said that when he was younger, his mom "only let him have boys in his room." So he says, "Thanks mom, you're the best!" Costa did great impersonations of Louis Armstrong and Carol Channing from their roles in Hello, Dolly. He also stated that he "almost lost his gay membership card" because he "wasn't a good dresser." But people said, "Don't worry. You look like a lesbian. You're fine!!"

The "straight" John Viner had a powerful stage presence and I loved his material and his willingness to go where many comics fear to tread. However, he lost his guts in a confrontation with a black lesbian audience member. The only advice I have for him is "No Balls. No Glory!". Alex Sanez has tremendous energy and a great future. Deke Haylon and Sharon Williams can both carve out a niche for themselves and were a cut above the rest of the comic pack! Paul J. Williams, who will soon have a one-man show at Don't Tell Mama on Tuesdays in January told one hilarious joke. He is originally from Dallas and said he misses the grocery stores in Texas which are "so long that you can't see the back of the store because of the curvature of the earth." If he comes up with more material like this, his show will be a success. Also on the program were Janine Driver, Gabby Rubin, Rob Tyler, Ellen Rosenfeld, Poppi Kramer and Lorne Newman. Each had some funny bits to offer and while they might shine on another program, tonight they came in second best, which is not all that bad!

Applause! Applause! Review of Eric Jackson's "Tell-Tale" by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens

2011-12-05T23:34:00.001-05:00

This review of the play entitled "Tell-Tale" was written and published by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens and appeared in Volume I, Issue 2 (December, 1997) of Applause! Applause!

"Tell-Tale" - A Play by Eric Jackson
The Cherry Lane Theatre (38 Commerce Street, NYC)

"Tell-Tale", a Theatre Couture Production, is a delightful spoof of horror films, plays and short stories. It is an engrossing, well-written show complete with musical numbers, Latin dances, instant replays, and visual effects by Basil Twist which include moving severed body parts and a black raven, of course. Sherry Vine, a/k/a Keith Levy, plays Lenore Usher, a woman on the edge, who has just made bundles of money publishing a book entitled "Corpus" which has detailed drawings of the human body. Lenore subsequently divorced her husband, Buddy, leaving him with no portion of her fortune and then spent some time in a mental institution before returning to her penthouse and "loyal" servant, Cora Tripetta, played by Jackie Beat, a/k/a Kent Fuher. Juan, a pizza delivery boy, is played by Mario Diaz, who also plays the roles of Buddy Starcher and Detective Sanders. All three actors put in superior performances and are polished professionals.

This play is campy, funny, sexy, intriguing and never boring. The set is wonderful. The musical selections are always appropriate. The visual effects are inventive and the dance numbers are well-executed. The most interesting aspect of this production is what I shall call the "instant replay" which recalls a part of the show that you may or may not have seen and presents that segment in an abbreviated fast motion form so that you get the point without having to listen to all the dialogue that may have transpired. It is a brilliant technique and one that you must see to believe.

Since I dare not say more which might detract from your enjoyment of this excellent show, I will instead report to you some of my favorite lines from the play. After Lenore refuses to answer her door bell, the pizza delivery boy says "I'm holding a meaty twelve incher and I'm not leaving until you take it." After letting him in and seeing that he is wet due to the rain outside, Lenore says "You're soaked to the bone." Juan subsequently says "I'm a big boy with a big appetite." Lenore retorts "Dinner is served!" Lenore also frequently looks at her reflection in the window repeating to herself "Not Nuts! Not Nuts!" Eventually, Lenore dismembers a body while the song "Love Hurts" is played. Cora, helping Lenore dispose of the body parts says "Chop! Chop! Let's go Lizzy!" Buddy to Cora: "Don't shit me!" Cora to Buddy: "If done properly, I won't!" Cora to Detective: "Would you like a stiff one?" Detective: "Two fingers please." Cora: "I'm never satisfied with less than three."

Keith Levy's program note reports that "Ms. Vine can be seen regularly all over Manhattan." Mario Diaz's program note reports that "When not performing, Diaz enjoys taking long walks on the beach, fine dining and robbing convenience stores." Kent Fuher's program note states that he "dedicates this performance to his mother, Liliana, who taught him everything he knows about overacting, histrionics and being a martyr." Go see this fun show!!

Applause! Applause! Review of Perry Payne's "A Merry Perry Christmas" by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens

2011-12-05T23:28:00.001-05:00

This review of Perry Payne in a show entitled "A Merry Perry Christmas" at Eighty Eight's was written and published by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens and appeared in Volume I, Issue 2 (December, 1997) of Applause! Applause!

"A Merry Perry Christmas" - Perry Payne
Eighty Eight's (228 West 10th Street, NYC)

Perry Payne's Christmas Show, now in its second year, contains an interesting selection of not often heard material. Payne is pretty, pleasant and powerful. The showcase songs for her talent as a singer were clearly "Just In Time For Christmas" and her encore number "Choose A Star". However, the hit of her show, more than worth the full price of admission was her rendition of a hilarious song entitled "Which Team Are You On" written by Douglas Bernstein containing lyrics such as "You're best friend's a fat girl. I'd say that's a clue!". You can catch the rest on Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m. (December 16th & 23rd) and on Saturday, December 27th at 11:00 p.m.. Call 212-924-0088 after 4 p.m. for reservations.

Applause! Applause! Review of Baby Jane Dexter's "The Real Thing" by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens

2011-12-05T23:24:00.001-05:00

This review of Baby Jane Dexter in a show entitled "The Real Thing" at Eighty Eight's was written and published by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens and appeared in Volume I, Issue 2 (December, 1997) of Applause! Applause!

"The Real Thing" - Baby Jane Dexter
Eighty Eight's (228 West 10th Street, NYC)

Baby Jane Dexter has hit another home run with her all new show currently at Eighty Eight's. Every song performed in this "intimate opera" is flawless. Dexter fully deserves having won a Leonardo daVinci Award this year for Best Female Vocalist. All you have to do is see her current show to know why. It is of the highest caliber!!

Baby Jane wears an amazing technicolor "singcoat" throughout the opera. It is absolutely gorgeous! Ross Patterson is Dexter's musical director and is, in my opinion, one of the finest musical directors in the business. He is an integral part of this show. His piano solo during "You've Changed" written by Carey/Fisher caused me to reach a new level of appreciation for the music behind the songs.

While normally, I enjoy some reflections or insights between songs, Baby Jane Dexter made an excellent decision to sing all 13 numbers without interruption. The common theme of love and the excellent placement of each song made this show a complete delight!

Baby Jane Dexter informed the audience in the program that she incorporated, as part of her show, "about 15 minutes in the room - after the show - to greet, visit and say goodnight to help make the exit part of this experience a more comfortable one." Since the show started 30 minutes late, her 15 minutes were eaten up and the proposed comfortable experience turned into an uncomfortable one as Baby Jane tried four times to close the cabaret room door which was letting in noise from downstairs in the piano bar while the room's manager insisted the door remain open. However, we did learn during this period that Baby Jane Dexter grew up in Garden City and was the "only girl without a clothing allowance." Dexter explains that this is why she "has the right to sing the blues." We also learned that when she first appeared on a television show, the union wouldn't let her join as Jane Dexter since her mother was already in the union and was using that name. Since they wouldn't let them share it, she tried using Jane Dexter, Jr. and then Jane N. Dexter (which people mis-took to be a duo) and finally, upon a friend's suggestion, Baby Jane Dexter. She explained that rejected names included Bunny Dexter and Rolo Dexter. In my opinion, the 15 minutes of personal interaction she planned was a great idea. However, Baby Jane should base herself on the stage and then stroll out into the audience as the urge strikes her. That way, audience members will not feel left out as they did when she sat down at one particular table and in that way, she will be able to take questions from eager audience members.

Baby Jane Dexter's new show is a smash hit!! It will be playing at Eighty Eight's on Saturdays at 8:30 p.m. on December 13th, 20th & 27th. There is a $15 cover and a 2-drink minimum and is well worth the price. Call 212-924-0088 after 4 p.m. for reservations. Don't miss this show!!

Applause! Applause! Review of Michel Hermon's "Dietrich Hotel" by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens

2011-12-05T23:18:00.001-05:00

This review of Michel Hermon in a show entitled "Dietrich Hotel" at Don't Tell Mama was written and published by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens and appeared in Volume I, Issue 2 (December, 1997) of Applause! Applause!

"Dietrich Hotel" - Michel Hermon
Don't Tell Mama (343 West 46th Street, NYC)

Parisian born Michel Hermon successfully evokes the spirit of a dark, decadent, sexually ambivalent Berlin Cabaret in the pre-Nazi era. Appearing as "l'homme Dietrich," Hermon uses a bar stool, a wall, a chair, a piano top, a single high heel shoe and many other props and movements to re-create the image of Marlene Dietrich, vamp. Quentin Crisp defines a "vamp" as "a woman who offers men various degrees of frustration." While modern cabaret applauds shared intimacy, the Berlin Cabaret, as represented by Hermon, offers aloofness and a dark forbidding atmosphere that leaves you always just beyond a glimpse of the performer's true nature. All that is missing is the cigarette smoke!

Michel Hermon sings portions of 23 songs in this well-crafted, well-timed and well-structured show. Hermon has a commanding stage presence and shows feelings, emotions and passion in every muscle twitch, hand movement and verbal inflection. My favorite numbers were "Berlin", written by Lou Reed; "I Get A Kick Out Of You", "The Laziest Gal In Town", and "It's De-Lovely", all written by Porter; "Falling In Love Again" and "The Boys In The Backroom", both written by Hollander; and "Just A Gigolo", written by Caesar and Casucci.

A good number of the songs were sung in French and German. In fact, at one point, four numbers in a row were sung in German. While this helped to evoke the proper atmosphere, Hermon made little effort to set the songs up so that an English speaking audience could better appreciate the history and the story behind each of these numbers. By failing to do so, he left me wishing that I had made more of an effort to study French and German, which made this American momentarily feel culturally inferior; a small elusive victory for the French citizens who champion the superiority of French "civilization" throughout the world. My only other criticism of the show is that it could have done without three encores. Two solid encores would have been quite enough and the show should have ended with "The Boys In The Backroom", a real crowd pleaser, instead of "Miss Otis Regrets".

Michel Hermon is a true international cabaret performer of the highest caliber. The next time you learn that he will be performing in New York City, I urge you to catch the experience. It is quite different from the "run of the mill" cabaret shows that you are used to seeing. You will not be disappointed!