Monday, August 31, 2009

OPNY Celebrates Individual Rights Day By Distributing Video From The Movie "Cabaret"

On Saturday, August 29, 2009, the Objectivist Party of New York celebrated Individual Rights Day by urging people to see and distribute the following video of "Tomorrow Belongs To Me" from the movie Cabaret: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMVql9RLP34&feature=related

Dr. Tom Stevens, President of the Objectivist Party of New York, stated:

This video is a chilling reminder of how fanaticism can stir people up in a way that would make them more willing to trample upon the individual rights of some for the alleged greater good of all. Respect for the individual rights of all people must never be compromised.

Individual Rights Day is celebrated on August 29th, the birth date of John Locke, the philosopher who first prominently argued that a human being has a basic property right based upon his status as a sovereign human being and that it is the government's role to protect that right and not to treat its citizens as slaves.

People are urged to celebrate Individual Rights Day by doing one or more of the following:

1. Read about John Locke and his political philosophy that respects man's sovereignty over his own body.

2. Read about Ayn Rand and her basis for recognizing that every man is born with "individual rights" that cannot be trampled upon by government or by others.

3. Contrast the concept of "individual rights" with those of "collective rights".

4. Run a seminar, hold a meeting, or sponsor a debate on the importance of "individual rights" as the basis for man's liberties and freedoms.

John Locke stated in "The Second Treatise On Civil Government":

Every man has a property in his own person this no body has any right to but himself. The labour of his body, and the work of his hands, we may say are properly his...The great and chief end therefore, of Mens uniting into Commonwealths, and putting themselves under Government, is the Preservation of their Property.

John Locke quotations on "Individual Rights":

Reason...teaches all Mankind, who would but consult it, that being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his Life, Health, Liberty, or Possessions.

Government can never have a Power to take to themselves the whole or any part of the Subjects Property, without their own consent.

'Tis a Mistake to think this Fault [tyranny] is proper only to Monarchies; other Forms of Government are liable to it, as well as that. For where-ever the Power that is put in any hands for the Government of the People, and the Preservation of their Properties, is applied to other ends, and made use of to impoverish, harass, or subdue them to the Arbitrary and Irregular Commands of those that have it: There it presently becomes Tyranny, whether those that thus use it are one or many.

Whenever the Legislators endeavor to take away, and destroy the Property of the People, or to reduce them to Slavery under Arbitrary Power, they put themselves into a state of War with the People, who are thereupon absolved from any farther Obedience, and are left to the common Refuge...against Force and Violence. Whensoever therefore the Legislative shall transgress this fundamental Rule of Society; and either by Ambition, Fear, Folly or Corruption, endeavor to grasp themselves, or put into the hands of any other an Absolute Power over the Lives, Liberties, and Estates of the People; By this breach of Trust they forfeit the Power, the People had put into their hands, for quite contrary ends, and it devolves to the People, who have a Right to resume their original Liberty.

Ayn Rand quotations on "Individual Rights":

A 'right' is a moral principle defining and sanctioning a man’s freedom of action in a social context. There is only one fundamental right (all the others are its consequences or corollaries): a man’s right to his own life. Life is a process of self-sustaining and self-generated action; the right to life means the right to engage in self-sustaining and self-generated action - which means: the freedom to take all the actions required by the nature of a rational being for the support, the furtherance, the fulfillment and the enjoyment of his own life. (Such is the meaning of the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.)...Thus, for every individual, a right is the moral sanction of a positive - of his freedom to act on his own judgment, for his own goals, by his own voluntary, uncoerced choice. As to his neighbors, his rights impose no obligations on them except of a negative kind: to abstain from violating his rights.

The right to life is the source of all rights - and the right to property is their only implementation. Without property rights, no other rights are possible. Since man has to sustain his life by his own effort, the man who has no right to the product of his effort has no means to sustain his life. The man who produces while others dispose of his product, is a slave. Man holds these rights, not from the Collective nor for the Collective, but against the Collective - as a barrier which the Collective cannot cross...these rights are man’s protection against all other men.

The source of man’s rights is not divine law or congressional law, but the law of identity. A is A - and Man is Man. Rights are conditions of existence required by man’s nature for his proper survival. If man is to live on earth, it is right for him to use his mind, it is right to act on his own free judgment, it is right to work for his values and to keep the product of his work. If life on earth is his purpose, he has a right to live as a rational being: nature forbids him the irrational. Any group, any gang, any nation that attempts to negate man’s rights, is wrong, which means: is evil, which means: is anti-life.

Individual rights are not subject to a public vote; a majority has no right to vote away the rights of a minority; the political function of rights is precisely to protect minorities from oppression by majorities (and the smallest minority on earth is the individual).

The concept of individual rights is so prodigious a feat of political thinking that few men grasp it fully - and two hundred years have not been enough for other countries to understand it. But this is the concept to which we owe our lives - the concept which made it possible for us to bring into reality everything of value that any of us did or will achieve or experience.

A Facebook Group for Individual Rights Day is located at:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=56751815780

Individual Rights Day was started by Dr. Tom Stevens, the Founder of the Objectivist Party.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Merck Credits Stevens With Inspiring People To Use Reason To Set Goals, Develop Skills & To Become Producers

Dallwyn Merck, a Governing Board Member of the Objectivist Party, has credited Dr. Tom Stevens, the party's Founder & Chair, with inspiring people to use reason to set goals, to develop skills and to become producers.

Mr. Merck made the following statement about the efforts Dr. Stevens has made to help worthy individuals:

I have known Dr. Stevens for decades. Over that period of time, I have seen him help many individuals of all ages and genders. He does not do this because he is altruistic. He is a trader by nature who has a keen eye for identifying potential in others who may be hungry to change their lives for the better or who may be going through difficult times. In return for his time and effort, he expects things in return that are valuable to him. It is a great example of a trade resulting in mutual benefit for both parties involved.

Dr. Stevens does inspire people to use reason to set goals, to develop skills and to become producers but he has also helped people with more tangible support as well. I have seen Dr. Stevens find housing for homeless people, advance college tuition payments, use his influence as a former President of the Hofstra University School of Law Alumni Association to get people into law school, advance two-months security for individuals moving into apartments, hire people for odd-jobs paying them up to $50.00 an hour, move people to New York who were facing abusive situations in their home life, and provide office space in his law office to help people launch new business ventures.

In return for this help, Dr. Stevens requires each individual to enter into a contract with him and since it is usually an oral contract, he requires all recipients to give him their word that they will fulfill their part of the bargain. What is asked for differs with each individual depending upon what they have of value to trade.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that Dr. Stevens has helped hundreds, if not thousands, of people in the time I have known him. A number of people have let him down and reneged on their commitments to him but I have always seen him bounce back because he does not believe that future worthy individuals should be discriminated against because a handful of others turned out to lack integrity and character.

The unfortunate truth is that most individuals are not prepared to make the changes necessary in their thinking, attitudes, beliefs and values to achieve the goals they have set for themselves. Most people are not worthy of his time and even though Dr. Stevens tries to help people clarify the process of goal-setting through the use of reason, the reality is that most people are where they are because of the past decisions they have made. It is very hard to change people's habits and internal dialogues. Any individual who wants to change their life must be highly motivated to do so.

Dallwyn Merck has been a member of the Objectivist Party since it was founded by Dr. Tom Stevens on February 2, 2008.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Neil McGettigan Sets New Direction For "In Galt We Trust" Campaign For A Secular America

On August 18, 2009, Neil McGettigan, Coordinator of the "In Galt We Trust" Campaign For A Secular America, set a new direction for the effort. He now plans to use the group to build secularly-oriented coalitions with other organizations committed to the separation of religion from the state.

In his new Home Page message located at the campaign's Facebook Group, Mr. McGettigan says:

The "In Galt We Trust" Campaign For A Secular America seeks to build and join secularly-oriented coalitions with a common interest in a strong separation of religion from the state. People can believe whatever they wish but it is outrageous that in a supposedly secular America, the government places "In God We Trust" on its money and in its courtrooms. The country's government and justice system should trust in the rule of law and respect for individual rights. It should not trust in God or Zeus or even jolly ole Santa Claus.

The "In Galt We Trust" campaign was started by Objectivists who wished to point out that reason and respect for individual rights should be the guiding principles behind our government and justice system, not trust in God.

Support the "In Galt We Trust" campaign by crossing out "God" from "In God We Trust" on your U.S. paper currency and replacing it with "Galt" so it reads "In Galt We Trust".

Exercising your 1st Amendment rights in this manner will make an important political statement.

The "In Galt We Trust" Campaign For A Secular America formed as an outgrowth of the original "In Galt We Trust" grassroots movement.

We intend to make our mark!

The "In Galt We Trust" Campaign For A Secular America Facebook Group is located at:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=115958119641

Neil McGettigan has served as President of the Objectivist Party of New Jersey since December 29, 2008.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Jeff Grizlo Recommends Importance Of Objectivist Relationships

Jeff Grizlo, former Governing Board member of the Objectivist Party and Executive Vice-President of Rising Action, has recommended Objectivists enter into emotional, physical and intellectual relationships based on the mutual benefit that can be derived from them instead of entering into them based on issues of sexual attraction, prior conditioning, romantic considerations and cultural/societal norms.

Jeff Grizlo explained his reasoning as follows:

Too many Objectivists have not freed themselves from their societal and cultural influences when selecting who would be best to enter into relationships with. Instead of using reason to decide which relationship would be the most beneficial to them, most people still make initial decisions based on issues of sexual attraction and later justify that they selected those partners for reasons other than sex. This limits the pool of potential partners and restricts the benefits an Objectivist can gain from any number of possible relationships they reject up front because that person does not fit their ideal partner based on age, gender or any number of other factors.

I am not recommending that every Objectivist throw open the barn door and get into relationships with everyone and anyone who happens to come along. Nor am I suggesting a hedonistic lifestyle where an Objectivist has intimate relationships with anyone willing to provide them with sexual pleasure. What I am suggesting is that when a learned intelligent potential partner comes along and is interested in you, I believe you should be prepared to enter into a no-walls intimate emotional, physical and intellectual relationship with that person and obtain the great benefits that such a relationship can provide to your life. Age, gender, romantic considerations and attractiveness issues should be set aside and you should enter into such a relationship with a full commitment to give it your all. Reason should govern the decision here and you should not let social norms dictate how intimate you allow yourself to become with that person.

If you are young, like I am, you would benefit by entering into Objectivist relationships based on reason and for mutual benefit with individuals regardless of their age or gender. If you are open to this, I recommend you let that fact be known to Dr. Tom Stevens, Founder & Chair of the Objectivist Party. He has taught about such relationships in his Philosophy, Psychology and Critical Thinking classses. He would be in the best position to answer any questions you might have. His e-mail address is DrTomStevens@aol.com

Throughout the rest of my life, I will enter into relationships based on reason and not based on emotional factors or culturally dictated romantic expectations. I have Dr. Tom Stevens, a true Renaissance man, to thank for helping me to choose to live a more enlightened and purposeful life.

Jeff Grizlo has served as Executive Vice-President of Rising Action since August 18, 2005. Rising Action is an independent, grass-roots, pro-freedom activist network of freethinking, patriotic individuals who value liberty, challenge the accepted norms of society, think outside the box, and believe that people are sovereign over their own bodies and can make whatever choices they wish to make so long as they do not directly interfere with the right of others to do the same.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Mark Axinn Speaks On "The Consequences Of Rent Regulation In New York City"

Mark Axinn, a Libertarian Activist & New York City Real Estate Attorney, addressed a joint meeting of the Objectivist Party of New York and the Libertarian Party of Queens County on July 11, 2009 at Bohemian Hall located at 29-19 24th Avenue, Astoria, New York. He spoke on "The Consequences of Rent Regulation In New York City".

During his speech, Mr. Axinn discussed how Rent Control and Rent Stabilization creates "a disincentive for developers to build affordable middle class housing" and how "it discriminates in favor or those who already occupy property and against those not currently living in those apartments". He stated that "Rent Control creates a scarcity of housing stock and then that very scarcity is used to justify the continued need for Rent Control and Rent Stabilization". Mr. Axinn discussed how Rent Control harms the city and why it is a "good example of what can go wrong when government runs the show".

Mark Axinn's speech was so well received that the Manhattan Libertarian Party booked him to give the same speech at their General Membership Meeting that was held on Monday, August 10, 2009 at the Ukrainian East Village Restaurant in Manhattan. Before speaking there, Mr. Axinn thanked Dr. Tom Stevens, President of the Objectivist Party of New York, for suggesting he put together a presentation on this important topic.

Mark Axinn is a partner in a boutique real estate law firm, specializing in co-op and condominium development and representation. He has argued in all courts from the landlord and tenant parts in Queens to the Court of Appeals in Albany. He was also an arbitrator in the small claims part in the Bronx in the early 90's.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Joseph Rivera Resigns As A Governing Board Member & As Vice-Chair Of The Objectivist Party

On August 11, 2009, Dr. Tom Stevens sought and obtained the resignation of Joseph Rivera from his position on the Governing Board and as Vice-Chair of the Objectivist Party. Dr. Stevens made this request in order to prevent formal action by a united Governing Board concerned with Mr. Rivera's failure to handle the responsibilities he accepted in his role as Vice-Chair.

As part of this informal resolution to the conflict, Dr. Stevens convinced the Governing Board to allow Mr. Rivera to remain as President of the Objectivist Party of Massachusetts but he has been forewarned that the Governing Board will be keeping a close eye on his performance in that capacity.

Dr. Stevens said:

I would like to see Joseph Rivera do a great job as President of the Objectivist Party of Massachusetts. Now that he has been freed from his other duties and responsibilities, I hope he will be able to focus on the task at hand in recruiting new members into the party and encouraging students to form Objectvist Party Clubs on campuses throughout the Commonwealth.

Joseph Rivera was first appointed to the Governing Board on February 17, 2009. He was designated Vice-Chair on June 1, 2009.

Mike LeVine, OPCT President, Starts "Free Thinking In Connecticut" Blog

On Tuesday, August 11, 2009, Mike LeVine, President of the Objectivist Party of Connecticut, started a blog entitled "Free Thinking In Connecticut". He explained that the purpose of his blog is to "present one man's critical analysis of ongoing issues throughout America and provide a platform for the reader to begin to question his or her own assumptions and beliefs about the government and it's real place in society".

His blog can be found at: http://freethinkinginconnecticut.blogspot.com/

Mike LeVine joined the Objectivist Party on November 2, 2008. He was appointed Executive Vice-President of the Objectivist Party of Connecticut on November 12, 2008 and appointed OPCT President on June 5, 2009.

Monday, August 10, 2009

OPNY Celebrates Skyscraper Appreciation Day By Viewing Frank Lloyd Wright's Plans To Build A Mile-High Skyscraper Called "The Illinois"

The Objectivist Party of New York celebrated Skyscraper Appreciation Day (August 10th) by visiting the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum located at 1071 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan to view Frank Lloyd Wright's plans to build a mile-high skyscraper, which he called "The Illinois". It was proposed as a government building for county and state government officials in Illinois. Unfortunately, "The Illinois" was never built.

Display of the architectural plans for "The Illinois" was part of the Frank Lloyd Wright: From Within Outward exhibit at the Guggenheim that runs through August 23, 2009. Mr. Wright was not a fan of the New York skyline as was Ayn Rand and his proposal for a mile-high skyscraper was made with the purpose of creating more green space around it by mopping up all those county and state government officials in Illinois who needed to work together. Nevertheless, Frank Lloyd Wright did have libertarian social views and should be credited for having designed a viable mile-high skyscraper.

The Facebook Group for Skyscraper Appreciation Day is located at:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=41259490414

Skyscraper Appreciation Day was founded by Dr. Tom Stevens, Founder of the Objectivist Party.

Stevens Addresses Joint OPNY/LPQC Meeting On The History Of The Objectivist Party

On Saturday, August 8, 2009, Dr. Tom Stevens, Founder & Chair of the Objectivist Party, was the Guest Speaker at a joint meeting of the Objectivist Party of New York and the Libertarian Party of Queens County held at Bohemian Hall in Astoria, Queens. The topic of his speech was the History of the Objectivist Party.

Dr. Stevens informed those in attendance that the Objectivist Party was founded on February 2, 2008 on Ayn Rand's birthday and that the party seeks to promote Ayn Rand's philosophy of Objectivism in the political realm. He mentioned that the Objectivist Party held its National Convention on May 25, 2008 at The Buckhorn Exchange in Denver, Colorado and that he was nominated to run as the party's Presidential candidate while Alden Link was nominated to run as the party's Vice-Presidential candidate. Dr. Stevens mentioned that the Objectivist Party was able to obtain ballot access for its national candidates in Colorado and Florida.

Dr. Stevens mentioned that the Objectivist Party currently has 27 chartered affiliates which include the following:

New York (June 7, 2008)
Pennsylvania (June 8, 2008)
New Jersey (June 9, 2008)
Florida (July 2, 2008)
Texas (July 17, 2008)
Illinois (July 20, 2008)
Maine (July 21, 2008)
Massachusetts (July 22, 2008)
Kentucky (July 23, 2008)
Vermont (July 25, 2008)
Arizona (July 26, 2008)
Colorado (August 6, 2008)
California (August 9, 2008)
Connecticut (August 12, 2008)
North Carolina (October 1, 2008)
Indiana (October 10, 2008)
Michigan (October 11, 2008)
Utah (November 11, 2008)
Tennessee (November 12, 2008)
Washington (November 21, 2008)
Ohio (November 26, 2008)
Georgia (November 27, 2008)
Virginia (November 29, 2008)
Nevada (December 10, 2008)
Alberta, Canada (January 1, 2009)
Montana (February 7, 2009)
Tyre & Wear, U.K. (May 4, 2009)

He also mentioned that the party celebrates the following holidays:

AYN RAND'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
February 2nd

FREE TRADE DAY
May 8th

SPACE EXPLORATION DAY
JULY 20th

SKYSCRAPER APPRECIATION DAY
August 10th

INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS DAY
August 29th

Dr. Stevens discussed the following Statement of Principles that is posted to the party's website:

STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES

I. INDIVIDUALS HAVE A RIGHT TO LIFE

We believe that all human beings have an individual right to life and are born with freedoms based upon this right. These freedoms include one's right to free thought, free action and the freedom to keep what is produced. It is the role of government to protect these rights, but to never encroach upon them. Living in society benefits man only if that society recognizes and protects these rights and freedoms.

II. INDIVIDUALS HAVE A RIGHT TO THEIR OWN THOUGHTS

We believe that all human beings have a right to their own thoughts and have the potential to use reason to realize their rational self-interest and to live productive lives. It is the role of government to protect an individual's right to think or act against the initiation of force by others.

III. INDIVIDUALS HAVE A RIGHT TO THEIR OWN PROPERTY

We believe that all human beings have a right to their own property and to keep what they produce. This includes the right and responsibility to decide what to do with all that is created. All individuals have a right to trade freely with others. No government should interfere with any transaction or trade involving individuals.

IV. INDIVIDUALS HAVE A RIGHT TO PROTECT THEMSELVES

We believe that all human beings have the right to protect themselves from any initiation of force against their rights or liberties. To enhance this individual right, citizens entrust to their government the right to protect them from domestic and foreign threats. As a result, it is a proper role of government to protect a nation's borders and to protect a nation's citizens from other people and/or governments.

Dr. Stevens used the following Platform adopted by the Objectivist Party of New York to discuss some of the policy implications that flow from the party's Statement of Principles:

OBJECTIVIST PARTY OF NEW YORK
PLATFORM

VICTIMLESS CRIMES – We believe the government has no right to criminalize conduct consensually agreed to between adults that cause no direct harm to others. We believe in people taking responsibility for their own lives and oppose paternalistic government. As a result, we seek the immediate decriminalization of marijuana, prostitution, pornography, gambling and other victimless crimes in New York State.

MONETARY POLICY & TAXATION – We believe the government has no right to cause inflation and devalue our currency by permitting the Federal Reserve to "print money" or by borrowing money in order to balance the budget. We also oppose the large percentage of people's earnings the government takes through taxation. As a first step toward the goal of drastically reducing taxation on a federal, state and local level, we support the institution of a 10% federal flat tax and the elimination of the New York State income tax and all local property taxes.

GAY ISSUES – We believe the government should not discriminate against anyone on the basis of that person's sexual orientation. On a federal level, we support the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act and the military's policy of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell". On a New York State level, while our ultimate goal is to get the government out of the marriage business, we support full recognition of gay marriages so long as the government continues to issue marriage certificates to heterosexual couples.

IMMIGRATION - We support the right of all countries to control their own borders and to set the conditions immigrants must meet in order to obtain permanent residence and citizenship. We would give New York State law enforcement officials the power to enforce immigration law and to deport illegal aliens. We would grant immigration preferences to those with special skills; to those who would create jobs; to those who ideologically support free enterprise and respect for individual rights; to those who are committed to the use of science and reason instead of faith and mysticism when evaluating and discovering objective reality; and to those who believe in self-reliance and the pursuit of productive and purposeful lives.

DEFENSE – We believe one of the primary purposes of the federal government is to provide for the national defense. Toward that end, we would support expanding the incentives offered to encourage citizens to join the military and the National Guard. However, we oppose any form of involuntary servitude including the reinstitution of a draft.

CIVIL LIBERTIES – We believe the government must respect the individual and constitutional rights of all citizens including the right to keep and bear arms. We oppose all forms of censorship and invasions of privacy. We believe in the strict separation of church and state and believe "In God We Trust" should be removed from the country's coins and courtrooms.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP & MONUMENTAL PROJECTS – We believe the entrepreneurial spirit should be encouraged by reducing corporate taxation and bureaucratic regulation. We support the identification and development of privately financed grand scale monumental projects that can inspire citizens to lead heroic lives and to contribute more to their civilization.

Dr. Tom Stevens also discussed the governing structure of the party and why the Objectivist Party has avoided the internal infighting present in many other new parties. He spoke for about 40 minutes and then took 40 minutes of questions. The discussion was lively and the presentation was well-received. Dr. Stevens handed out a fact-sheet to all who attended.

Many Libertarian Party members in attendance expressed their view that the Objectivist Party had the potential to attract more women than the LP because the founder of Objectivist philosophy was Ayn Rand. They also expressed their belief that the Objectivist Party may be on track to becoming a unifying force for all seeking to promote liberty in our nation.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Dr. Tom Stevens, OPNY President, "Humorous Yet Eloquent" At Independence Day Tea Party

Dr. Tom Stevens, OPNY President, addressed a Tea Party held on July 4, 2009 in Bowne Park in Queens, New York.

In an article entitled "Tea Party Held On Fourth Of July", which was published in the July 9, 2009 edition of the Queens Chronicle, AnnMarie Costella, a Chronicle Contributor, wrote the following about Dr. Stevens' speech:

In a humorous yet eloquent display, Tom Stevens, membership director of the Queens Libertarian Party and president of the Objectivist Party of New York, took out his official hand-carved Harry Potter wand and after each wave named a different goal like smaller government, lower taxes and more individual liberties.

"No, magic doesn't work," Stevens said. "Objectivism has a philosophy. It doesn't believe in magic and mysticism because it obviously doesn't work. We believe instead in reason and logic and taking action and personal responsibility for changing what is wrong by getting involved locally and making a difference."

John Procida, chairman of the Queens Libertarian Party, who organized the event, was quoted in the article as saying:

This country is going to the dogs. We are not the country that our forefathers fought for. We are not a country of free people anymore. Freedom is the key. Socialism is a disease. It causes people to become lazy.

Ronald S. Ramo, OPNY Treasurer, who spoke at the Tea Party was quoted as saying:

In this economic crisis, the Federal Reserve, in a counter-intuitive fashion, has decided it is best to keep printing money at the highest rate possible...I think it is time that we end this charade. It is time that we have an audit of the Federal Reserve to find out where the money is and where it is going.

Dan Halloran, an attorney specializing in constitutional law, who is running for the District 19 City Council seat, said "citizens need to take a pro-active approach to government and express their concerns and dissatisfaction". In a good summary of why people turned out to participate in the July 4th Tea Party, Mr. Halloran was quoted in the article as saying:

What better day than July Fourth, the founding of our nation, for us to come out and actually show not only that we care about these issues, not only are we aware of what's going on in our government or not going on in our government, but we are taking action to do something about it.

In similar Tea Party rallies held around the country this year, "tea" has become an acronym for "Taxed Enough Already".

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Jonathan Jakobsen Starts "Objectivist Denmark" Blog To Address European Issues From An Objectivist Perspective

Jonathan Damgaard Jakobsen, who was recently appointed as a member of the Governing Board of the Objectivist Party, has started a blog entitled Objectivist Denmark. It is his intention to write about issues arising in Denmark and in the rest of Europe and to do so from the perspective of a European Objectivist.

Mr. Jakobsen's blog is located at http://objectivistdenmark.blogspot.com/

Dr. Tom Stevens, Objectivist Party Chair, stated:

I applaud Mr. Jakobsen's initiative in starting this blog. There are many issues arising in Europe that need to be addressed through the eyes of a dedicated Objectivist. I hope this blog attracts new members to the Objectivist Party from Europe and helps us develop a committed core of activists there.

Jonathan Damgaard Jakobsen was appointed on August 4, 2009 as the first non-U.S. member of the Governing Board of the Objectivist Party.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Libertarian Party Of Queens County Rejects Joseph Rivera's Membership Application

On August 5, 2009, the Membership Committee of the Libertarian Party of Queens County rejected Joseph Rivera's Membership Application and returned his check for $20.00.

In explaining this action, Dallwyn Merck, Secretary of the LPQC, said:

Joseph Rivera's Membership Application was unanimously rejected by the Membership Committee because Mr. Rivera showed an insufficient commitment to libertarianism, the Libertarian Party, and especially to the Libertarian Party of Queens County.

Mr. Rivera lives in Granby, Connecticut in Hartford County and only recently joined the national Libertarian Party. He does not have a residence in Queens County or in New York State and is not a member of the Libertarian Party of New York. He has never attended a meeting of the Libertarian Party of Queens County and is, in fact, an active member of the Objectivist Party, serving that political movement as President of the Objectivist Party of Massachusetts. In the fall, he is attending Worchester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts, at which time he will be even more unlikely to become an active member of the Libertarian Party of Queens County.

It is my understanding that Dr. Tom Stevens, LPQC State Representative, had offered to submit Joe Rivera's name as a possible delegate from New York State to attend the LPUS National Convention in St. Louis, Missouri in 2010, as he had successfully done for others such as Michael W. Reid of Pennsylvania and Alex Fitzsimmons of New Jersey, both of whom attended the LPUS Convention in Denver, Colorado in 2008. However, the difference here is that Joseph Rivera never showed the dedication and commitment to libertarian principles that those other individuals did over a period of months and years.

It is unfortunate that we had no other choice but to reject his application for membership in the Libertarian Party of Queens County.

Besides serving as Secretary, Dallwyn Merck also serves as a member of the Membership Committee of the Libertarian Party of Queens County.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Jonathan Damgaard Jakobsen: First Non-U.S. Member Appointed To Objectivist Party Governing Board

On August 4, 2009, Jonathan Damgaard Jakobsen of Denmark was appointed to serve on the Governing Board of the Objectivist Party. This appointment reflects the fact that the Objectivist Party now has members in twelve countries including Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Greece, India, Israel, Italy, South Korea, Turkey, United Kingdom and the United States.

In accepting this appointment, Mr. Jakobsen said:

I am pleased to have been appointed as the first non-U.S. member to serve on the Governing Board of the Objectivist Party. I look forward to working with Dr. Tom Stevens, our charismatic and inspirational leader. I am honored to have been taken under his wing and to have this opportunity to grow and prosper. Being the first European on the board, I plan to set a good example, and further the international progress of Objectivism and the Objectivist Party.

In the country of Denmark, where I have residence, Socialism is an influential part of society and government. Many Danes see our government as very conservative, but the reality is, it's not. I would like to see this change and I will, of course, help this progress to the best of my ability.

I will begin attending college August 12th, and I plan on teaching about Objectivism to both fellow students, and to staff. The next generation of business owners and intellectuals will be more objectivist-minded and supporters of values that make up the core of Objectivism: property rights, free trade and the separation of church and state. All pressing issues in both Europe and the United States.

Dr. Stevens and I have agreed to work together to further the progress of the party on the international scene and to confront statist political views that impinge upon respect for individual rights. If we can help people to use reason and logic to make rational choices to live purposeful lives with their own happiness as their ultimate goal, the world will be a better place. I intend to use the Objectivist Party as a vehicle to achieving this result.

Dr. Tom Stevens, Founder & Chair of the Objectivist Party, stated:

Objectivists are present in every country of the world and many people who are inspired by Ayn Rand's philosophy feel compelled to do what they can to affect their culture and the political system in their nation. The Objectivist Party stands ready to help them achieve these goals.

Jonathan Damgaard Jakobsen's appointment to the Governing Board reflects the increasing international nature of our party. I have been extremely impressed with Mr. Jakobsen's intelligence and open-mindedness. He is a dedicated Objectivist and I look forward to working with him in the years ahead.

The Objectivist Party was founded on February 2, 2008 and seeks to promote Ayn Rand's philosophy of Objectivism in the political realm.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

USS Rebel Crusader Leaves IFT To Join PPI

Effective August 1, 2009, the USS Rebel Crusader left the International Federation Of Trekkers to become affiliated with the Pride Power Imperium. The USS Rebel Crusader was originally commissioned as the USS Confederacy on July 14, 1999 and recently celebrated its 10th Anniversary. The ship has been in the International Federation of Trekkers since it was originally commissioned.

Just prior to the USS Rebel Crusader leaving IFT for PPI, the following information about the ship was listed on the Home Page of its Yahoo Group:

The USS Rebel Crusader (NFC-9902) is a Star Trek/Sci-Fi/Action Hero fan ship associated with the International Federation of Trekkers. We hold meetings, sponsor events, go to sci-fi related movies, attend conventions, discuss our experiences, share sci-fi related information, share hard science news and most of all know how to have fun. Even though we are Star Trek fans, many of our ship members enjoy watching Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis, Battlestar Gallactica, Firefly and other sci-fi shows. Whatever your personal favorite genre is, you are welcome here.

Slogan: "Rock Hard and Ready"

Motto: "Never Go Off Half-Cocked"

Quotation: "Wrong thinking is punishable; Right thinking will be as quickly rewarded!" (The Keeper - Talos IV)

The officers and crew members of the USS Rebel Crusader are the following individuals:

Commanding Officer -- Dr. Tom Stevens (Fleet Captain 3)
Executive Officer -- Philip Manners (Captain 2)
Second Officer -- Phil Schreiber (Junior Lieutenant 1)
Chief of Operations -- Cavin F. Studebaker (Lt. Junior Grade 3)
Chief Science Officer -- Nathan Schell (Lieutenant Junior Grade 3)
Chief Medical Officer -- Angela Davis (Lt. Junior Grade 3)
Engineering Chief -- Eric Slifkin (Ensign 2)
Security Chief -- Rocco Fama (Ensign 1)
Information Services Officer -- Richard Pollard (Lt. Junior Grade 3)
Crew Member - Dallwyn Merck (Junior Lieutenant 1)
Crew Member - Kirk Dolinski (Ensign 1)
Crew Member - Jesse Greene (Ensign 1)
Crew Member - Mark Lockwood (Ensign 1)

A number of changes will need to be made now that the USS Rebel Crusader is associated with the Pride Power Imperium. Ship members are looking forward to this new adventure!

Libertarian Freedom Council Will Dissolve Effective August 16, 2009

The Libertarian Freedom Council, founded by Thomas Robert Stevens on August 16, 2003, will dissolve effective August 16, 2009, six years to the day after it was organized. The group was formed as an independent libertarian political organization that promotes libertarianism, works with libertarian-leaning young professionals, students and entrepreneurs nationally and internationally, and helps support efforts to make the Libertarian Party a viable political entity in these United States.

Dr. Tom Stevens, who served as President of the LFC during its existence, recruited some of the most effective, charismatic young leaders in the nation to serve as officers and as Foundation and Associate members of the Libertarian Freedom Council. LFC Club Charters were granted to over 45 libertarian and liberty-oriented high school and college clubs that were formed under its auspices. LFC Members were active and influential at the Libertarian Party's National Conventions held in Atlanta in 2004, Portland in 2006 and Denver in 2008. The Libertarian Freedom Council was also a proud member of the Read The Bills Act Coalition.

The LFC maintained a website that was taken down on June 19, 2009. On it was its logo. On the left side of the logo was the group's name on blue letters on a yellow background. On the right side of the logo was a snake on a 'Don't Tread On Me' flag on a background of red and white stripes. The LFC also maintained a Yahoo Group that was taken down on August 2, 2009. All of the remaining references to the Libertarian Freedom Council are to be deleted by August 16, 2009.

While the Libertarian Freedom Council had the potential to continue to be an influential force within the Libertarian Party, many of its members recently became active leaders in the Objectivist Party, which was formed by Dr. Tom Stevens on February 2, 2008. Other LFC members began taking on projects run by Rising Action, a Freedom Activist Network. In the end, the officers and members of the Libertarian Freedom Council decided they would be more effective promoting liberty through other organizations and means.