Independent Political Report Disparages The Very Third Parties It Seeks To Cover

Independent Political Report, a website that claims to have reported on "Third Parties & Independent Candidates Since 2008", often disparages the very third parties it reports on in "news articles" that are little more than hit pieces designed to place a number of third parties in a bad light. Krzysztof Lesiak, one of the main contributors, is the most egregious offender.

The Personal Freedom Party's New York City Nominating Convention held on Saturday, May 11, 2013 at Boulder Creek Steakhouse in College Point, New York nominated Sam Sloan to be its candidate for Mayor of New York City. Mr. Sloan recently spent $22,900.00 on a petition drive to get his slate into the Republican Party Primary for Mayor, Comptroller and Public Advocate. The Personal Freedom Party petition drive is still ongoing.

In writing an article about this situation, Krzysztof Lesiak, a contributor to Independent Political Report, referred to the Personal Freedom Party as an "essentially nonexistent political party in New York State" "without more than a handful of legitimate members". He said Sam Sloan's nomination took place "at what was termed a nominating convention" and called the party a "frivolous political organization...without state recognition of any kind or anything else". Mr. Lesiak placed the party's name in quotation marks to further denigrate its legitimacy and later in the article referred to it as "a paper organization".

Dr. Tom Stevens, National Chair of the Personal Freedom Party objected to these characterizations. Thane Eichenauer, commenting on the article at the Independent Political Report site, wrote:

I agree with Dr. Tom Stevens in his objection to the description of the Personal Freedom Party (of New York State) as "virtually non-existent", a "frivolous political organization" and a "paper organization."

The Libertarian Party and its candidates (not to mention most third parties in the last 3 decades) have in the past been labelled with similar terms that disparage the passionate, principled and very real efforts that people put into its behalf.

So long as a person is willing to attempt to place a political party and its candidates on the ballot, it should be given fair and dispassionate coverage on IPR or any other media. An aspiring political party may not have a "website, formal organization, bylaws, more than a handful of legitimate members, state recognition of any kind" but so long as it is possible for it to qualify it should not receive coverage of this sort.

"State Recognition"? Come on now, that is what the bureaucratic endeavor is intended to accomplish.

If your contribution to IPR is to write articles that are clearly biased about certain people and their political endeavors, then you have done that and done it well.

Several of the disparaging terms in your article are only true in some people's opinion, some, perhaps most may be true and yet still be clearly biased in their use. How many of the terms are relevant when it comes to discussing, describing and covering the issue of the quest for ballot access for a new political party in New York? I would asset that few to none of the terms are topic relevant. If any of the disparaging terms are relevant as far as ballot access and the legal hurdles involved certainly your article does nothing to point out which are and which are not. Those terms that are potentially not relevant should either be omitted or modified so they are neutral and descriptive and not clearly disparaging.

You then further comment that the "Personal Freedom Party is a bullshit organization that exists in theory only." There are two claims packed into that sentence. I would assert that a person could argue either side of "is the PFP or is not the PFP a bullshit organization?" and have a 50%+ chance of persuading any given audience as to the truth or falsity of the claim. As for "exists in theory only", I would say that as soon as someone hired two paid petitioners that the Personal Freedom Party ceased by any reasonable measure to exist in theory only.

I believe it would be possible to write an article on the effort of Stevens to qualify the PFP for the New York ballot which accurately describes the party and the likelihood of success (or lack thereof) of its ballot access effort without using terms that Stevens or I would object to. What is it that prevents you from doing so? Are you unable or just disinclined? If you are capable of writing an article full of facts such that neither Stevens nor I can dispute the accuracy of then I strongly encourage you to do so.

I live in Arizona and have minimal first hand knowledge of New York state ballot access laws. I haven't met Dr. Tom Stevens. I would prefer to read unbiased new reporting on any political party especially those that claim to wish to advance freedom so as to accurately identify people and groups worth supporting. Your article and comments only muddy the water in this regard due to your mix of what may well be facts and other information which is clearly included because of your personal opinion.

In case there was any doubt about the defamatory intent of Krzysztof Lesiak, who wrote the "news article", in the comments section, he defended himself by saying, "'Doctor' Stevens is a dangerous person to the LP and he needs to be ostracized from it at all costs". Mr. Lesiak also referred to Dr. Tom Stevens as a "deranged moron".

Matthew Kelly, a member of the Personal Freedom Party of New York who was the elected Secretary Pro Tem of the party's New York City Nominating Convention held on May 11, 2013, reacted as follows:

The Personal Freedom Party has been a pro-liberty activist organization in New York State for over three (3) years with many committed members and none of the infighting often present in other political parties and organizations. It is not as the IPR contributor Krzysztof Lesiak said, "essentially nonexistent" nor is it a "frivolous political organization". It is outrageous that a site committed to reporting on the activities of third parties would disparage the reputation of those very parties. Krzysztof Lesiak should be immediately dismissed as a contributor to Independent Political Report. To me, he appears to be nothing more than an immature, pot-smoking pipsqueak who shouldn't be given serious responsibilities.   

Dr. Tom Stevens founded the Personal Freedom Party on June 6, 2010. Its initial focus has been to recruit candidates to run for public office as well as to seek out pro-liberty individuals willing to serve in leadership positions. The Personal Freedom Party Platform (adopted on November 5, 2010) includes support for Legalization of Marijuana, Decriminalization of Prostitution, Legalization of Gambling, Lowering of the Voting Age, Legalization of Gay Marriage, Elimination of Excessive Taxation and Elimination of Excessive Regulation. On November 11, 2010, the Personal Freedom Party adopted the slogan, "Tell Your Children! Fight The Menace! Kill The Devil! Save The Country!" The phrase was used in the song "Reefer Madness" from Reefer Madness: The Musical, which is a musical satire of the 1938 cult movie classic Tell Your Children (now commonly referred to as Reefer Madness).

Casey's Revenge (Sequel to Casey At The Bat) by Grantland Rice

Casey's Revenge, a sequel to Casey at the Bat: A Ballad of the Republic, Sung in the Year 1888, was written in 1906 by Grantland Rice (1880-1954). Its first known appearance in print was in the quarterly magazine The Speaker in June, 1907 published under the pseudonym of James Wilson.

The original version of the poem is the following:

There were saddened hearts in Mudville for a week or even more;

There were muttered oaths and curses - every fan in town was sore.

"Just think," said one, "how soft it looked with Casey at the bat,

And then to think he'd go and spring a bush league trick like that!"

All his past fame was forgotten - he was now a hopeless "shine."

They called him "Strike-Out Casey," from the mayor down the line;

And as he came to bat each day his bosom heaved a sigh,

While a look of hopeless fury shone in mighty Casey's eye.

He pondered in the days gone by that he had been their king,

That when he strolled up to the plate they made the welkin ring;

But now his nerve had vanished, for when he heard them hoot

He "fanned" or "popped out" daily, like some minor league recruit.

He soon began to sulk and loaf, his batting eye went lame;

No home runs on the score card now were chalked against his name;

The fans without exception gave the manager no peace,

For one and all kept clamoring for Casey's quick release.

The Mudville squad began to slump, the team was in the air;

Their playing went from bad to worse - nobody seemed to care.

"Back to the woods with Casey!" was the cry from Rooters' Row.

"Get some one who can hit the ball, and let that big dub go!"

The lane is long, some one has said, that never turns again,

And Fate, though fickle, often gives another chance to men;

And Casey smiled; his rugged face no longer wore a frown -

The pitcher who had started all the trouble came to town.

All Mudville had assembled - ten thousand fans had come

To see the twirler who had put big Casey on the bum;

And when he stepped into the box, the multitude went wild;

He doffed his cap in proud disdain, but Casey only smiled.

"Play ball!" the umpire's voice rang out, and then the game began.

But in that throng of thousands there was not a single fan

Who thought that Mudville had a chance, and with the setting sun

Their hopes sank low - the rival team was leading "four to one."

The last half of the ninth came round, with no change in the score;

But when the first man up hit safe, the crowd began to roar;

The din increased, the echo of ten thousand shouts was heard

When the pitcher hit the second and gave "four balls" to the third.

Three men on base - nobody out - three runs to tie the game!

A triple meant the highest niche in Mudville's hall of fame;

But here the rally ended and the gloom was deep as night,

When the fourth one "fouled to catcher" and the fifth "flew out to right."

A dismal groan in chorus came; a scowl was on each face

When Casey walked up, bat in hand, and slowly took his place;

His bloodshot eyes in fury gleamed, his teeth were clenched in hate;

He gave his cap a vicious hook and pounded on the plate.

But fame is fleeting as the wind and glory fades away;

There were no wild and woolly cheers, no glad acclaim this day;

They hissed and groaned and hooted as they clamored: "Strike him out!"

But Casey gave no outward sign that he had heard this shout.

The pitcher smiled and cut one loose - across the plate it sped;

Another hiss, another groan. "Strike one!" the umpire said.

Zip! Like a shot the second curve broke just below the knee.

"Strike two!" the umpire roared aloud; but Casey made no plea.

No roasting for the umpire now - his was an easy lot;

But here the pitcher whirled again - was that a rifle shot?

A whack, a crack, and out through the space the leather pellet flew,

A blot against the distant sky, a speck against the blue.

Above the fence in center field in rapid whirling flight

The sphere sailed on - the blot grew dim and then was lost to sight.

Ten thousand hats were thrown in air, ten thousand threw a fit,

But no one ever found the ball that mighty Casey hit.

O, somewhere in this favored land dark clouds may hide the sun,

And somewhere bands no longer play and children have no fun!

And somewhere over blighted lives there hangs a heavy pall,

But Mudville hearts are happy now, for Casey hit the ball.  

Casey At The Bat: A Ballad Of The Republic, Sung In The Year 1888 by Ernest Lawrence Thayer

Casey at the Bat: A Ballad of the Republic, Sung in the Year 1888 is a baseball poem written by Ernest Lawrence Thayer (1863-1940) that first appeared in San Francisco's The Daily Examiner on June 3, 1888. The poem was originally published anonymously (under the pen name "Phin") based on Thayer's college nickname "Phineas".

The original text is the following:

The outlook wasn't brilliant for the Mudville nine that day;

The score stood four to two with but one inning more to play,

And then when Cooney died at first, and Barrows did the same,

A sickly silence fell upon the patrons of the game.

A straggling few got up to go in deep despair. The rest

Clung to that hope which springs eternal in the human breast;

They thought if only Casey could but get a whack at that -

We'd put up even money now with Casey at the bat.

But Flynn preceded Casey, as did also Jimmy Blake,

And the former was a lulu and the latter was a cake;

So upon that stricken multitude grim melancholy sat,

For there seemed but little chance of Casey's getting to the bat.

But Flynn let drive a single, to the wonderment of all,

And Blake, the much despis-ed, tore the cover off the ball;

And when the dust had lifted, and the men saw what had occurred,

There was Johnnie safe at second and Flynn a-hugging third.

Then from 5,000 throats and more there rose a lusty yell;

It rumbled through the valley, it rattled in the dell;

It knocked upon the mountain and recoiled upon the flat,

For Casey, mighty Casey, was advancing to the bat.

There was ease in Casey's manner as he stepped into his place;

There was pride in Casey's bearing and a smile on Casey's face.

And when, responding to the cheers, he lightly doffed his hat,

No stranger in the crowd could doubt 'twas Casey at the bat.

Ten thousand eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt;

Five thousand tongues applauded when he wiped them on his shirt.

Then while the writhing pitcher ground the ball into his hip,

Defiance gleamed in Casey's eye, a sneer curled Casey's lip.

And now the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air,

And Casey stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there.

Close by the sturdy batsman the ball unheeded sped -

"That ain't my style," said Casey. "Strike one," the umpire said.

From the benches, black with people, there went up a muffled roar,

Like the beating of the storm-waves on a stern and distant shore.

"Kill him! Kill the umpire!" shouted some one on the stand;

And it's likely they'd have killed him had not Casey raised his hand.

With a smile of Christian charity great Casey's visage shone;

He stilled the rising tumult; he bade the game go on;

He signaled to the pitcher, and once more the spheroid flew;

But Casey still ignored it, and the umpire said, "Strike two."

"Fraud!" cried the maddened thousands, and echo answered fraud;

But one scornful look from Casey and the audience was awed.

They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain,

And they knew that Casey wouldn't let that ball go by again.

The sneer is gone from Casey's lip, his teeth are clinched in hate;

He pounds with cruel violence his bat upon the plate.

And now the pitcher holds the ball, and now he lets it go,

And now the air is shattered by the force of Casey's blow.

Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright;

The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,

And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout;

But there is no joy in Mudville — mighty Casey has struck out.

Sam Sloan Switcheroo Sinks Slate

The Personal Freedom Party held its New York City Nominating Convention on May 11, 2013. Sam Sloan was nominated for Mayor, Thomas Robert Stevens was nominated for Public Advocate, and Richard Bozulich was later nominated for Comptroller. John Clifton, Chair of the Libertarian Party of Queens County, was hired to be Petition Coordinator and liaison to Darryl Bonner and Gerald Bundy, the two paid petitions who were required by contract to obtain 7,000 signatures in support of the drive. Matthew Kelly, Vice-Chair of Long Island Libertarians, agreed to serve as Treasurer of the Committee to Elect Sam Sloan Mayor and opened a checking account on behalf of Sam Sloan's campaign. Payment for the first week of two weeks lodging for the petitioners was paid out of that account and the petition form was carefully scrutinized and approved by all involved. Sam Sloan, Darryl Bonner and Gerald Bundy signed a written contract detailing the obligations of all parties.  

On Monday, July 8, 2013, Sam Sloan, Darryl Bonner and John Clifton met in Queens to discuss the implementation of the contract in anticipation of the collection of signatures on behalf of the slate nominated by the Personal Freedom Party. That evening, Sam Sloan told Darryl Bonner he had a side-contract he wanted him to execute first, namely, the collection of petition signatures to get his Personal Freedom Party slate on the ballot as Republican Party candidates. Darryl Bonner and John Clifton confirm Sam Sloan told them they were not to tell anyone about this side-contract, which included his candidates, Richard Bozulich and Tom Stevens, the State Chair of the Personal Freedom Party. Sam Sloan provided Darryl Bonner with Republican Party petitions to circulate and had opened a separate checking account to write checks for expenses associated with this side-contract without the knowledge of Matthew Kelly, who was under the impression the petition drive was to get the Personal Freedom Party nominees on the ballot in November.

Given that the deadline for the submission of petition signatures for Republican Party candidates was midnight on July 11, 2013, there was only a window of 3 days to obtain the required 3,750 signatures. Darryl Bonner and John Clifton confirm that Sam Sloan told Darryl Bonner to just go out and get whoever he could to sign the petitions, without asking whether the signer was a registered Republican or even a registered voter. Sam Sloan spent $22,900.00 to pay for the expenses of paid petitioners, a number of whom were flown in from out of state. He contends Darryl Bonner was paid for 5,200 petition signatures while 4,517 signatures were actually filed.

The petition signatures were objected to by a challenger (who counted 4,269 signatures) and at a Hearing held at the New York City Board of Elections on Tuesday, July 30, 2013 at 1:30 p.m., all petitions submitted on behalf of Sam Sloan's slate were rejected because the witnesses to those petitions were not registered Republican Party members. Sam Sloan has three days to challenge the decision in Court. 

It is not yet clear whether Sam Sloan will still finance the Personal Freedom Party petition drive. As a result, the Personal Freedom Party is currently looking for alternative sources of financing. 

Christian Cameron Russell Appointed President Of Objectivist Party Of California

On July 30, 2013, Christian Cameron Russell was appointed to serve as President of the Objectivist Party of California.

In accepting the appointment, Mr. Russell said:

I am looking forward to taking on the responsibilities of President of the Objectivist Party of California (OPCA). I am committed to promoting Objectivism and will do all I can to make the Objectivist Party a major player in promoting liberty and respect for individual rights in California.

I thank Dr. Tom Stevens, Founder & Chair of the Objectivist Party, and the Governing Board for having confidence in my ability to fulfill my duties as OPCA President. I consider myself a leader and have served in a number of leadership roles in various small groups and volunteer organizations.

I look forward to working with my fellow officers and all OPCA members to bring reason and logic to the political debates in California and to offer the citizens of this state real solutions to the problems we face.

The Objectivist Party of California was chartered on August 9, 2008. The following individuals have served as President:

Nicholas Huber - August 9, 2008 to August 12, 2010
Maxfield Bern - August 12, 2010 to May 14, 2013
Luis Rivas - May 14, 2013 to July 30, 2013
Christian Cameron Russell - July 30, 2013 to Present

The Objectivist Party was founded by Thomas Robert Stevens on February 2, 2008, Ayn Rand’s birthday. It seeks to promote Ayn Rand’s philosophy of Objectivism in the political realm.

Lower The Voting Age To 14, Says Alun Michael, Former Labour Party MP & Current Police & Crime Commissioner For The South Wales Police Area

Alun Michael, who served as a Labour Party MP for Cardiff South & Penarth in Wales (U.K.) and who currently is Police & Crime Commissioner for the South Wales Police Area, has repeatedly spoken out in favor of lowering the voting age to 14 as a way to increase voter turnout and to encourage young people to engage with politics. He hopes that by starting them out at this age, young people will get into the habit of voting and become life long voters.

In various publications, Alun Michael has said the following statements in support of lowering the voting age, not to 16 as the Labour Party Platform calls for, but to 14:

14 (is) an age which I find young people far better informed and sensibly engaged than was the case in the past. Young people are under-represented and I believe people as young as 14 should be able to vote in general elections. Lowering the voting age by 4 years would increase voter turnout as well as encourage youngsters to engage with politics. They will then know how to vote if and when they come to engage with political issues later in life.

My experience, going into schools is that young people are very acute at picking up on social issues, environmental issues, and all the things that are important. I find that young people are more capable of making intelligent decisions than many other people and as the decisions taken by MPs affect their world just as much, it makes sense to include them.

Currently, there is only a 50/50 chance of first-time voters actually using their vote. Something surely needs to be done. We have the opportunity to engage young people at exactly the time when they are learning how the world works, and not just those who go to college. Once they know how to vote and are registered, they are much more likely to vote again in future elections. Hopefully, they will get into the habit of voting and become life-long voters.

Politicians would have a new impetus to engage with young people at election time if votes were at stake. I am absolutely sure the knowledge that young people would have the chance to vote would affect the way parties thought about issues. My guess is that candidates will change how they campaign if they have to ask for the support of people who will have to live with the effects of our legislation for the longest.

Liam Preston, chairman of the British Youth Council, commented:

I am delighted Alun Michael recognizes young people are both better-informed and more engaged than they were in the past. Locking young people out of the political system is patronising: it relies on out-dated views about young people's capacities.

Alun Michael served 16 years as a Youth & Community activist in his early career.

Patrick Lembo Appointed Chair Of Downstate Libertarians

Effective July 24, 2013, Patrick Lembo was appointed Chair of Downstate Libertarians, a chartered chapter of Empire State Libertarians, responsible for organizing libertarians and for promoting libertarian activism in Richmond, New York, the Bronx, Westchester & Rockland counties.

In accepting the appointment, Patrick Lembo said:

It is an honor and a pleasure to be appointed as Chair of Downstate Libertarians. Being an American in the 21st century involves great civic responsibility; the nation has been smacked with a tidal wave of liberal thinking, guided by an intelligentsia which has no concept of the American middle class and is dead set on turning the United States into a social democracy. The City of New York beholds a microcosm of the bureaucratic, paternalistic, liberal, and unconstitutional future in store for the entire country. As a New York Libertarian, I will take action to fight liberalism by reducing government, regulation, laws, and taxes. Above all, I pledge to take action to defend the United States Constitution. I thank Dr. Stevens for the opportunity to espouse Liberty and look forward to helping the impetus of the Libertarian movement grow and ultimately take back the nation.

On July 7, 2010, the Governing Board of Empire State Libertarians chartered Downstate Libertarians. Dodge Landesman served as Chair from July 7, 2010 to July 24, 2013. Patrick Lembo has been a member of the Libertarian Party of Queens County since February 9, 2013 and has served as its Youth Outreach Coordinator since that date. On July 26, 2013, Mr. Lembo became a dues-paying member of the national Libertarian Party.

In Honor Of The Victims Of 9-11 & To Protest Radical Islam, Dr. Terry Jones Has Announced A Worldwide Burning Of 2,998 Korans Will Take Place On September 11, 2013

Dr. Terry Jones, Founder and President of Stand Up America Now, will burn 2,998 Korans on September 13, 2013 at 4090 Laurel Crest Court, Mulberry, Florida (which is in the Tampa Bay area) to raise public awareness regarding the threat of Radical Islam and to honor the victims of 9-11.

In a statement issued in conjunction with the announcement, Dr. Terry Jones wrote:

The radical hand of Islam shows itself with violence against anyone who dares to stand up and speak the truth. We at Stand Up America Now will not back down. We will not be silent. 

On September 11, 2013, to remember those who were murdered by radical Islam, and to send Islam a very clear warning that they will not get their foothold in America as they have done in Europe, we will be holding an International Burning of 2,998 Korans, representing one for each individual who was murdered in the September 11, 2001 attacks.

President Obama is aggressively working to convince the American public that civil rights laws are violated by those who make "inflammatory" statements about Islam. However, peaceful speech and expression is fully within our civil rights. Criticism of Islam cannot be avoided in light of its violent and oppressive nature. It is unjust that this scrutiny is to be considered "inflammatory" while the murderously inflammatory words of the Koran and the teachings of Islam's leaders are protected by corrupt politicians and political correctness. We are on an extremely dangerous path as a nation.

In an associated YouTube video, Dr. Terry Jones went a bit further in revealing his motivations for sponsoring this event. In it, he said:

Our liberties are being taken away from us. Our Freedom of Speech is being watered down to such a degree that it is becoming devoid of power. The 2nd Amendment is being altered - the result - the disarming of our nation. In order to stand up for the Constitution and honor the victims of 9-11, we will be having a Worldwide Burning of 2,998 Korans - one Koran for every victim of 9-11.

Islam is a religion devoid of human rights, women's rights. It is a religion of murder, rape, persecution. They continue to kill Christians and anyone else that dares to criticize Islam, Mohammad or the Koran. 

Let us during 9-11, send them a very clear message that we shall not bow down to their intimidation and we shall stand and we shall protect our Liberty and the Constitution of the United States.

Stand with Liberty. Stand Up America Now!

Stand Up American Now with Dr. Terry Jones is a political organization using the United States Constitution's First Amendment to stand against radical Islam. It leads a growing network of activists in America and around the world who are determined, as people of free societies, to speak truth to power and to a generation deceived by liberalism and political correctness. Dr. Terry Jones is the Pastor at Dove Outreach Center in Florida and has announced he will be an Independent Presidential Candidate in 2016.

The World Is A Better Place Without A Thug Like Trayvon Martin In It, Says Luis Rivas, President Of The Objectivist Party Of California

Luis Rivas, President of the Objectivist Party of California, wrote the following article regarding the George Zimmerman/Trayvon Martin case:

"Justice was served with George Zimmerman obtaining a 'not guilty' verdict but, in my opinion, there never should have been a trial. Zimmerman observed someone suspicious while doing his duty as a Neighborhood Watch volunteer. He properly called in his observations, followed Trayvon Martin so he could tell the police the location of the suspect and was confronted and attacked by a violent criminal thug, who broke George Zimmerman's nose and repeatedly slammed the back of his head into the concrete sidewalk. The act of shooting Trayvon Martin was clearly self-defense, as the jury determined, since George Zimmerman had already suffered serious bodily injury and his life was in danger. Trayvon Martin got what he deserved and the world is a better place without a thug like Trayvon Martin in it.

The photos posted by the media of 'little Trayvon' were from when he was much younger. In reality, at the time of his death, this 17-year old muscular thug stood 5'11" towering over the shorter George Zimmerman, who the Seminole County Sheriff's Office Inmate Booking Information Sheet reports being 5'7" tall, a full four inches shorter than Trayvon Martin. Not a single paper or media outlet published a current photo of Trayvon Martin because it didn't suit their narrative of a 'racist assassin who targeted an innocent little black boy'. The media hid the true image of this 'No_Limit_Nigga' (one of Trayvon Martin's Twitter handles) and, in so doing, engaged in journalistic malfeasance.

Trayvon Martin had been suspended from school three times for drugs (a marijuana pipe and a baggie with drug residue in it), truancy, graffiti, possession of what was apparently stolen property (12 pieces of women's jewelry) and for possession of a burglary tool (a large flathead screwdriver). The jewelry was turned over to the police by the school. As for the marijuana, the evidence leads to the conclusion he was a marijuana user and most probably, a marijuana dealer. He texted many messages regarding marijuana and described how he hid it during a bus ride to Orlando. His friends on Facebook all said he 'had the best plants' and a photo on his cell phone showed him with a gun and what appears to be a potted marijuana plant.

Trayvon Martin was on suspension from school the day of his confrontation with George Zimmerman. There is also evidence he was almost arrested five days before his death for smacking a bus driver in the face because the driver refused to let him ride for free. Confirmation for this is found in his Twitter account. According to WAGIST.com, a message was sent to Trayvon Martin on February 21, 2012 that read, "yu ain't tell me yu swung on a bus driver." He was also a mixed martial arts fighter who told friends he wanted a rematch with one of his opponents because 'he didn't bleed enough, only his nose'. Trayvon Martin was not a good kid. He was a juvenile delinquent.

There is strong evidence from Trayvon Martin's Facebook posts that he was a Purple Drank/Lean (also known as "Skittles") and DXM (a PCP-like substance) user since at least June, 2011. The autopsy showed his liver had "focal patchy yellow discoloration" due it being in the early stages of an unusual degrading known as "mild fatty metamorphasis" and his brain tissue appeared compromised, both conditions symptematic of DXM use. Reported side effects can include breaks with reality, extreme paranoia and fits of violence. His girlfriend testified Trayvon Martin appeared to be "paranoid" when she spoke to him on his cell phone minutes before his death. Trayvon Martin didn't purchase 'ice tea and candy' at the 7 Eleven the night he fought with George Zimmerman. Instead, he purchased skittles and Arizona Watermelon Fruit Juice Cocktail, which when mixed with cough syrup, makes Purple Drank/Lean. Was Trayvon Martin drinking Lean on his way back from the 7 Eleven? If he was, that might explain his 'extreme physical aggression' and 'paranoia'.

All the evidence shows George Zimmerman wasn't a racist and did not target Trayvon Martin because he was black. He identified him as someone who was acting suspiciously. In his 911 call, Mr. Zimmerman said, "We've had some break-ins in my neighborhood, and there's a real suspicious guy...this guy looks like he's up to no good or he's on drugs or something. It's raining and he's just walking around looking about...looking at all the houses." There are no grounds for a federal civil rights lawsuit and they wouldn't even be considering filing such a case if the United States Attorney General wasn't under intense pressure by black activists whose only goal is to promote their own racist agenda.

Trayvon Martin's future was not at all promising. He was most certainly going to continue being a drug dealer and a thief. With his tendency to use physical aggression against people, it is almost a foregone conclusion he would have assaulted many others in his life. It is also extremely likely he would have killed someone, as he promised to do to George Zimmerman minutes before his death. President Obama recently said, "You know, when Trayvon Martin was first shot I said that this could have been my son. Another way of saying that is Trayvon Martin could have been me 35 years ago." Well, Mr. President, had you been a Trayvon Martin 35 years ago, you most likely would have ended up in prison or dead instead of living in the White House as President of the United States.

Trayvon Martin's death was not 'tragic' as some have described it. It was well-deserved and an overall benefit for civilized society."

Luis Rivas was appointed President of the Objectivist Party of California on May 14, 2013.

Hesham El-Meligy: The Man Who Cried When Barack Obama Was Elected President

Who was that bearded Eqyptian crying in joy and happiness when Barack Obama got elected President? Was he the same Hesham El-Meligy standing on the steps of City Hall on July 4, 2013 announcing a run for New York City Comptroller while surrounded by supporters who appeared to be Islamic fundamentalists? Was he the same man who said "I don't know much about Libertarianism, but I think it might be good" when he spoke at the Libertarian Party's New York City Nominating Convention held on April 9, 2013 at the New York Irish Center in Long Island City, New York? Was he also the man who said he was "definitely going to run for an office at some point, in some capacity, for some party" not particularly caring which party he was going to seek the nomination of?

Kristin Davis received the nomination of the Libertarian Party for New York City Comptroller at the New York City Nominating Convention held on April 9, 2013 and has been running an aggressive campaign ever since. At an illegal, rump convention held in June, a handful of people claiming to represent New York City Libertarians nominated for Comptroller Hesham El-Meligy, who Dallwyn Merck, Secretary of the Libertarian Party of Queens County, says looks like "an Al-Qaeda member or part of the Muslim Brotherhood."

The statements attributed to Hesham El-Meligy were overheard by Patrick Lembo, Chair of Downstate Libertarians, a chartered chapter of Empire State Libertarians, who was a delegate to the New York City Nominating Convention. Mr. Lembo identified this Mr. El-Meligy as "the man I fingered at the April meeting" and said "I sat behind this man and heard his idiocy first hand all night. He lacked a fundamental understanding of libertarianism and had no concept of elementary basics, for example wondering aloud 'what constituted a party member and what was involved in paying a due'. What a black eye it is for pro-liberty activists to have this man running around claiming to be a libertarian. When he spoke at the convention, he made a lousy pitch and I thought the man was a joke. That is why I was shocked to hear that even a secret, rump convention would nominate him for any office. He is not a libertarian. He is a buffoon!"

Hesham El-Meligy, a devout Muslim, was born in Cairo and received a bachelor's degree in accounting while living in Eqypt. He came to the United States in 1999, two years before the World Trade Center attacks, and on 9/11 2010, the 9th anniversary of those attacks, he participated in a demonstration as part of the Arab Muslim American Federation in support of building the "Ground Zero Mosque". El-Meligy is also the founder of the Islamic Civic Association - Staten Island and has been a vocal advocate for the Muslim community. He has said, "I am an Arab and I am an American. When I vote, I use my cultural background and religious ethics to lead me to the right candidate so I vote for who will bring us closer to justice...I would not vote for someone who supports injustice. I feel injustice for the Palestinians and, in general, for any Arab issue."

John Procida, LPQC Vice-Chair, Declares Edward Snowden A Patriot & A Hero

John Procida, Vice-Chair of the Libertarian Party of Queens County (New York), recently published an article declaring Edward Snowden A Patriot & A Hero. The unedited article is the following:

"The motivation of a traitor must be revenge or the promise of a better life by the enemy.

If we examine Snowden’s case you find none of the motivations mentioned above. Snowden shows only love for his country but distrust of his government. He recognized that what he was paid to do was unconstitutional and not permitted by the 4^th Amendment in particular. He, as a patriot, could not live in this contradiction of freedom so he told the American people what their government was doing and that is the secret he exposed. The press and the government keep screaming that he gave secrets to our enemies. That’s secrets plural. How many were there and if he did tell our enemies many secrets, what were they? Since they are no longer secrets, they, the government, should tell the American people what they were as they would not cause any further damage. But no, all you hear is an embarrassed government saying he told the enemy secrets.

Snowden, I have read had a high school diploma but somehow got a job with the government making $100,000.00 or more a year. Well how will a high school graduate make more then he was getting in another job? So by leaving his Government Job, he would probably not get a job paying as much as he was making (providing he was free to pursue another job). No he knew that he would destroy his life by doing what he did but he obviously yielded to his patriotism and told us the truth.

Now some people say that although what he was doing is unconstitutional it was good for our country. Benjamin Franklin once said that if you give up freedom for security you end up without freedom and without security. What is the Government doing? They are listening in to all phone calls and e-mails and searching for important key words that will allegedly help us avoid acts of terrorism. Short term it sounds good but long-term it is a road to slavery. What if they decide to use other key words like Catholic, Jew, Italian, Libertarian, Irishman, Democrat or Republican? How about charities, churches or race or any other group they want to persecute? Now can you see why we have the 4^th Amendment in our constitution? Our forefathers knew that there might be a down-side to what they wrote but the up side greatly out weighed the down-side."

Dr. Tom Stevens Emerges As The Sole Republican Party Candidate For New York City Public Advocate

Ten minutes before the deadline for filing petitions to run for New York City Public Advocate, approximately 5,200 petition signatures were filed on behalf of Thomas Robert Stevens to be the Republican Party nominee for that office. 3,750 valid signatures needed to be filed by midnight, July 11, 2013.

Dr. Tom Stevens previously served as acting Republican State Committeeman for the 25th Assembly District, as Law Committee Chair of the Queens County Republican Party, as President of the New York Young Republican Club, as President of the Federation of New York State Young Republican Clubs, and as founder of Stonewall Republicans, Red Republicans, Liberty Republicans and the Susan B. Anthony Republicans. He also worked in support of the Presidential Campaigns of Ronald Reagan, Steve Forbes and most recently Dr. Ron Paul. He has taught college classes since 1982 and twice served as President of the Hofstra University School of Law Alumni Association.

Tom Stevens responded to the filing of petitions on his behalf by saying:

I was completely unaware that petitions were being circulated on my behalf. I was kept completely in the dark, did not seek this nomination, and never saw a petition with my name on it seeking the Republican nomination for New York City Public Advocate. When I was notified by the Board of Elections that petitions were filed on my behalf, I was honored. The only hint I had this might happen is that many months ago, I was asked by a candidate seeking the Republican Party's nomination for Mayor whether I would accept the GOP nomination for New York City Public Advocate if the opportunity arose. I responded I would accept. 

My being on the ballot in November as the Republican Party's candidate for New York City Public Advocate is not a done deal. Although no other GOP candidates filed for New York City Public Advocate, there is an objector to my petitions who may be filing line-by-line specific objections this week. I need 3,750 valid petition signatures and all of them must be Republicans with a valid current voter registration. Since I did not collect the signatures myself nor did I review the qualify of the work, I have no idea whether I will survive the challenge. If I do, I will run a vigorous and enthusiastic campaign.

Philosophically, I consider myself a libertarian and an Objectivist. I will advocate for smaller government, less bureaucratic red tape and lower taxes. I will seek the elimination of all bridge and tunnel tolls so free trade can take place throughout the metropolitan area. I will also advocate on behalf all who have a problem with the city bureaucracy and will be a true Ombudsman for all New York City residents.

Thomas Robert Stevens is an attorney who lives in Queens County. He graduated New York University with a B.A. in Political Science and graduated Hofstra University School of Law.

Northampton County Libertarian Party Becomes First County Organization In Pennsylvania To Hire An Executive Director

On July 18, 2013, the Libertarian Party of Northampton County (LPNC) became the first County Organization in Pennsylvania to hire an Executive Director. By vote of the Executive Committee, a contract was approved to engage the services of Dr. Tom Stevens, former LPPA State Chair and former Northampton LP County Chair, as Executive Director of the Libertarian Party of Northampton County effective August 1, 2013.

The three (3) year contract will be a salaried position and will involve the following duties and responsibilities as set forth in the contract:

...to recruit candidates to run for local office, to coordinate membership recruitment drives, to schedule and co-sponsor local events and meetings, to represent and speak on behalf of the Libertarian Party of Northampton County when dealing with outside organizations and the press, to propose motions to the Executive Committee, to run its Yahoo Groups, Meetup Groups, Facebook Groups and other social media outlets, to propose meeting times and locations to the County Chair, and to handle such additional responsibilities as he may deem appropriate or that are assigned to him by the County Chair and/or the Executive Committee.

Aaron Rosengarten, County Chair of the Libertarian Party of Northampton County, said:

We are extremely pleased that Dr. Tom Stevens, a former LPPA State Chair and a Founding Member of the Northampton County LP, has agreed to help our local chapter by serving as its Executive Director. To my knowledge, this is the first time any local County Organization chartered by the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania has hired an Executive Director. The Northampton County LP is proud to be making history in this regard. Our chapter has seen extraordinary membership growth and has been an extremely active pro-liberty organization during the time Dr. Stevens served as its County Chair. I am extremely optimistic regarding what we can achieve with him serving as our Executive Director. His political experience will be invaluable to me and to the chapter.

Thomas Robert Stevens served as State Chair of the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania from April 22, 2012 to April 5, 2013. He served as County Chair of the Libertarian Party of Northampton County from September 21, 2011 until July 18, 2013.

Aaron Rosengarten Appointed County Chair of the Libertarian Party of Northampton County (Pennsylvania)

On July 18, 2013, the Executive Committee of the Libertarian Party of Northampton County (Pennsylvania) appointed Aaron Rosengarten to serve as County Chair until the election of new officers takes place at the next Annual Meeting. Mr. Rosengarten replaces Dr. Tom Stevens, a Founding Member of the Libertarian Party of Northampton County, who has served as County Chair since the Organizational Meeting, which was held on September 21, 2011.

In accepting the appointment, Aaron Rosengarten said:

I am honored to serve the Libertarian Party of Northampton County in the capacity of County Chair. Dr. Tom Stevens did an amazing job of organizing our local county group, building membership and making us a significant force for liberty in Northampton County. Under his leadership, our group has always had 12 or more LPPA members so our State Representative maintained voting status on the state Board of Directors. We have a number of candidates committed to running for local office and our organization was the first in the nation to endorse Gary Johnson for President just minutes after he announced he was seeking the Presidential Nomination of the Libertarian Party. 

I am excited about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead and I hope to be able to rely upon the friendship and political advice of Dr. Tom Stevens, who recently served as State Chair of the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania from April 22, 2012 to April 5, 2013. I look to him as a Political Mentor and I will always do my best to protect the Libertarian Party of Northampton County and to increase its political influence both in the county and within the State Party.

Aaron Rosengarten has served as Secretary of the Libertarian Party of Northampton County since his election to that office on September 21, 2011. Mr. Rosengarten has also served as Youth Outreach Committee Chair.

Sam Sloan Threatens To Run His Own Libertarian Party Slate If Kristin Davis Doesn't Add Him As Her Mayoral Candidate

On Sunday, July 14, 2013, Sam Sloan, a declared candidate for New York City Mayor, tried to get Kristin Davis, the Libertarian Party nominee for New York City Comptroller, to add him on her petitions as the LP Candidate for Mayor and threatened, if she didn't agree, to run his own Libertarian Party slate of candidates and to get the "Libertarian Party" name by filing his Independent Body Petitions with the Board of Elections first.

In an e-mail to Kristin Davis, Sam Sloan wrote, in part:

I am sorry I missed you at the Saturday meeting of the Queens Libertarian Party. I arrived just after you left. They informed me that you are running as the Libertarian Party candidate for Comptroller with nobody else on your ballot line.

I would like to join you as the candidate for Mayor on your petitions. You can run anybody you want as the candidate for Public Advocate. 

If you do not agree to this then unfortunately I will run my own candidates for the Libertarian Party line and whomever gets there first wins.

Andrew Miller, Campaign Manager for Kristin Davis, formally responded to Sam Sloan as follows:

You are welcome to set up your own Slate...

I HAVE ALREADY GOTTEN ALL MY SIGNATURES AND THEN SOME.

WE ARE DONE!

The Mistake for me is to have you as my mayoral candidate.

I hate to be the one to say this but, you are not appealing as a candidate. You go out in dirty suits with dandruff all over your shoulders. We cannot and will not be associated with that. 

Do you know what that says? That says, "Hi, I'm Sam Sloan. I can't take care of my own personal hygiene but I would like to take care of your city."

Sorry Sam, can't do it.

Many e-mails were exchanged but eventually Kristin Davis, the Libertarian Party nominee for New York City Comptroller, responded to Sam Sloan, in part, as follows:

No Sam - I think you have made some very poor choices and delusional moves. I stand behind Mr. Miller 100000%.

You contacted me at 3:00 a.m. to try and blackmail your way onto my mayoral line. You also lied about Tom Stevens' desire to be on my LP line...he would have accepted an LP nomination from us.

You bring nothing to the table. You contacted me on Sunday to ask for my mayoral line yet would not compromise with your Personal Freedom Party line. Politics is about compromise. I tried to work with you - you flat out said no.

So you cost yourself a TREMENDOUS media opportunity. Perhaps you haven't seen today's PAGE TWO OF THE NY POST. 

No one cares what you have to say. No media will cover you - EVER. Your ego is delusional, no one cares what you have to say regardless of what ballot line you are on. We tried to work with you and you said it was too late.

I am not about backstabbery, blackmail or games. From what I hear, you have totally screwed over your Personal Freedom Party candidates and not held to your contract with your petitioners. You can do whatever you want with whatever line you want. What you fail to grasp is the fact that NO ONE cares. Even if you are the Libertarian candidate for Mayor - NO ONE will care. They don't care about you or Michael Sanchez - you are not media worthy and are irrelevant.

I consider this conversation over. You have tried to go around Tom, incite arguments and blackmail/threaten us. I am not for any of that. And I can tell you one thing - as Mr. Miller said - we welcome your challenge.

Before the day was over, Sam Sloan reneged on his contract with the paid petitioners he hired to obtain signatures for his run for New York City Mayor on the Personal Freedom Party line. By not paying for their hotel for the coming week, his paid petitioners were thrown out of their room. Gerald Bundy, one of those petitioners, texted this evening, "Since I was kicked out of the hotel, I had to drive home." Mr. Bundy lives in Pennsylvania and he is unlikely to return given Sam Sloan's breach of the contract he had with him.

Applause! Applause! Review of In The Heights at Cultural Arts Playhouse by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens

This review of In The Heights performed at the Cultural Arts Playhouse was written by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens and published in Volume X, Issue 3 (2013) of the online edition of Applause! Applause!

In The Heights
Cultural Arts Playhouse (625 Old Country Road, Plainview, NY)
Reviewed 7/13/13

In The Heights is a musical with music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda and a book by Quiara Alegria Hudes.  The show opened on Broadway on March 9, 2008 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre.  The production was nominated for thirteen Tony Awards, winning four: Best Musical, Best Original Score,  Best Choreography and Best Orchestrations.  The musical played its final performance on January 9, 2011 after 29 previews and 1,184 regular performances. 

The story is set over the course of three days in Washington Heights, New York. It involves a number of characters who live on 183rd Street: Usnavi, the narrator who owns a small bodega; "Abuela" Claudia, the loving matriarch; Vanessa, Usnavi's love interest who works at Daniella's salon with Carla; Nina Rosario, the daughter of Kevin & Camilla, who is the first in her family to go to college but has dropped out after losing her scholarship; Benny, an non-Spanish speaking employee at Kevin Rosario's Car Service who has an interest in Nina; Sonny, a younger cousin of Usnavi who works at the Bodega; The Piragua Guy and Graffiti Pete. Missing from the ensemble are any characters who sell or use drugs, who are gay, lesbian or transgender, or who have had any children out of wedlock. The book has been scrubbed clean and even Graffiti Pete turns out to be a great artist who inspires Usnavi to stay in the neighborhood since he eventually recognizes it as his true home.

This production features an extraordinary cast of very talented people. Everyone more than holds their own both as actors and singers. George Anganostakos is appropriately low key as Usnavi, the central character of the show who owns the local bodega; Jojo Minasi goes the extra mile to fit into his new ethnicity in the role of Sonny, Usnavi's younger cousin; Taneisha Corbin hits a home run as the lottery playing "Abuela" Claudia, the beloved matriarch who effectively "brought up" Usnavi after his parents died and who made sure Nina Rosario always did her homework; Justin McAteer as Benny and Laura Laureano as Nina make magic on stage whenever they have scenes or sing together; Leigh Anne Muscarella as Daniella and Michelle Belio as Carla perfectly portray the local unisex salon hairstylists where gossip is traded on a daily basis; Steffy Jolin, also a salon worker, takes her character to another and more complicated level; Jonathan Ghandforoush and Camilla-Elisa Galindez, who play Kevin and Camilla Rosario, each have their moments to shine; Keith Weiss is the perfect Piragua Guy and Gregg Georges is in character as Graffiti Pete.

You will enjoy most of the musical numbers in this show. In The Heights, Breathe, It Won't Be Long Now, Inutil (Useless), 96,000, When You're Home, Sunrise, Everything I Know and When The Sun Goes Down are standouts.

I highly recommend you see this production. You are guaranteed a very enjoyable time. Greeting me at the box office this particular evening was Jesse Pimpinella, the dashing, young, charismatic House Manager. His welcoming smile was just an added benefit of seeing In The Heights at the Cultural Arts Playhouse.

Kristin Davis, The Libertarian Party's Nominee For NYC Comptroller, Thanks The Queens Libertarian Party For Its Support

Kristin Davis, the Libertarian Party's nominee for New York City Comptroller, has thanked the Libertarian Party of Queens County, for its support at the New York City Nominating Convention held on April 9, 2013 at which time she received the nomination and afterward for promoting her campaign. On Tuesday, July 9, 2013, a team of over 30 volunteers hit the streets to obtain the required number of petition signatures that will secure a place on the ballot for Ms. Davis, who may end up facing Eliot Spitzer, a former client of the escort service she once owned. Mr. Spitzer is seeking to become the Democratic Party's nominee for New York City Comptroller. This Saturday, Kristin Davis will attend the General Membership Meeting of the Libertarian Party of Queens County, the largest and most active chapter in the New York Libertarian Party, to thank its members in person.

Dr. Tom Stevens, LPQC Political Director, said:

Kristin Davis is a member and good friend of the Queens Libertarian Party and has been for some time now. I appreciate the loyalty she has shown to our chapter and the help she has offered it. At the New York City Nominating Convention, Ms. Davis received the overwhelming support of Queens LP delegates in her bid to obtain the nomination of the Libertarian Party for New York City Comptroller. She is very popular with our members, who respect her professionalism and intelligence.

Matthew Kelly, Secretary Pro Tem of the Libertarian Party's New York City Nominating Convention held on April 9, 2013 at the New York Irish Center, stated:

I took the Minutes at the New York City Nominating Convention and I can confirm that by a 2/3 vote the delegates in attendance gave the Libertarian Party's nomination for New York City Comptroller to Kristin Davis. The Minutes have since been published and are available for anyone who wishes to review them. 

It is my understanding some elements in the Libertarian Party opposed to Ms. Davis, formerly known as the Manhattan Madam, attempted to hold an illegal nominating convention on June 11, 2013 at which time a handful of people declared Hesham El-Meligy, a Muslim born in Egypt and a Steering Committee Member of the New York Neighbors For American Values Coalition, to be the LP's nominee for Comptroller. The results of that "rump" convention are null and void and have been unanimously rejected by the Queens Libertarian Party. 

Kristin Davis is the Libertarian Party's nominee for New York City Comptroller and nothing can or will change that.  

The General Membership Meeting of the Libertarian Party of Queens County will be held on Saturday, July 13, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at VFW Post 4787 located at 19-12 149th Street in Whitestone, New York.

Richard Bozulich Is Not Dead But He Is The Personal Freedom Party's Nominee For NYC Comptroller

Not too long ago, a blog named Go Game Guru published a report that Richard Bozulich had died. It turned out reports of Mr. Bozulich's death were greatly exaggerated. He lives on and was recently nominated by the Personal Freedom Party to be its candidate for New York City Comptroller, during a time when the party was notified that Kristin Davis, its original nominee, was considering a run for Public Advocate and, therefore, needed to decline the Personal Freedom Party's nomination for Comptroller. Since the petition period had not yet begun, Ms Davis switched back to run for New York City Comptroller after former Governor Eliot Spitzer entered the race but by then, Richard Bozulich had accepted the nomination of the Personal Freedom Party. Kristin Davis remains the nominee of the Libertarian Party for New York City Comptroller.

Mr. Bozulich was born in Los Angeles, California in 1936 and obtained a B.A. in Mathematics from UCLA Berkeley in 1966. He has worked as a professor of math, physics and chemistry and is the author, translator or publisher of many popular books on the game of Go. Go is a board game for two players that originated in China more than 2,500 years ago. There are currently over 40 million Go players worldwide, the overwhelming majority living in East Asia. The International Go Federation has a total of 74 member countries. The game of Go is noted for being rich in strategy despite its relatively simple rules. According to Chess Master Emanuel Lasker, "The rules of Go are so elegant, organic, and rigorously logical that if intelligent life forms exist elsewhere in the universe, they almost certainly play Go."

Richard Bozulich has written or published more than one hundred books and magazine and newspaper articles about the game of Go. He is the world's most prolific author of Go materials in English. Mr. Bozulich is the publisher of Go World magazine and has a regular Go column in The Daily Yomiuri, Japan's largest English-language newspaper. He is the co-founder of Ishi Press and also founded Kiseido Publishing Company.

After hearing Eliot Spitzer had entered the race for Comptroller, Richard Bozulich said:

How am I supposed to compete against a stud like him, fucking whores left and right and fucking his wife at the same time?

I differ from the other candidates in that I am honest. If elected, I will quickly and anonymously donate my salary to charities that are close to my heart, such as those promoting the game of Go and encouraging students to study mathematics. 

Richard Bozulich obtained the nomination of Personal Freedom Party to run for New York City Comptroller on July 3, 2013. At the New York City Nominating Convention of the Personal Freedom Party held on May 11, 2013, Sam Sloan was nominated as the Personal Freedom Party's nominee for Mayor and Thomas Robert Stevens was nominated as the Personal Freedom Party's nominee for Public Advocate.

Pennsylvania Libertarian Alliance Applauds ACLU Lawsuit Seeking Full Marriage Equality For Pennsylvania Couples

Thomas Robert Stevens, the State Chair of the Pennsylvania Libertarian Alliance, applauded the decision of the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania to file a federal lawsuit today in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania on behalf of 21 Pennsylvanians who wish to marry in Pennsylvania or want the Commonwealth to recognize their out-of-state marriages.

In a statement issued on July 9, 2013, Dr. Stevens said:

Marriage Equality is one of the major civil rights issues of our generation. As long as the government is involved in licensing marriages and granting benefits to heterosexual couples, I believe the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution will eventually be interpreted and should be interpreted to require states to end all discrimination against gay couples who choose to get married. The federal lawsuit filed by the ACLU today (Whitewood v. Corbett) hits the mark by arguing that Pennsylvania's Defense of Marriage Act and Pennsylvania's refusal to marry lesbian and gay couples or recognize their out-of-state marriages violates the fundamental right to marry as well as the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

As the current County Chair of the Northampton County Libertarian Party, I am particularly proud that two of the plaintiffs in this lawsuit are Edwin Hill and David Palmer of Bangor, which is in Northampton County. The plaintiffs in this federal lawsuit are a diverse lot and include an emergency room doctor, a nurse, a teacher, university professors, a truck driver, a psychologist, retirees, lawyers, a dog trainer, state employees, an artist, a stay-at-home mom, and veterans. They are African-American, Caucasian, Latino, and Asian; they are Methodist, Baptist, Catholic, Quaker, Jewish, Buddhist, and secular. What they share in common is that they are being denied by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania the basic rights that are afforded to all married couples.

I am optimistic this lawsuit will be successful since denying Marriage Equality to same-sex couples in Pennsylvania does not further any legitimate government interest. 

Matthew Kelly, Vice-Chair of the Pennsylvania Libertarian Alliance, said:

When Dr. Tom Stevens was State Chair of the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania (April 22, 2012 to April 5, 2013), Marriage Equality for all Pennsylvanians was one of his top priorities. He worked closely with the Legislative Action Committee to make sure this issue remained as one of its top three priorities. As a result, he faced extraordinary opposition by those who hid their anti-gay hatred and homophobia by arguing that the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania should not support Marriage Equality for gay couples and that instead it should simply push for the government to get out of the marriage business. However, those same people did not advocate for an end to government benefits for heterosexual couples nor did they seek a cancellation of the licenses granted to those couples.

Although you might not expect it of self-identified Libertarians, I have personally witnessed an extreme and disturbing amount of homophobia and anti-gay sentiment in the Libertarian Party. The core of Libertarian Philosophy is the Non-Aggression Principle and it simply means you do not believe in using force to achieve political or social goals. It does not mean, however, that said Libertarians are not prejudiced, racist, homophobic or anti-Semitic. They can be that and still be Libertarians. Not everyone who claims to be a Libertarian holds a live-and-let-live attitude. Many, especially some rabid, religious fundamentalists, are on a crusade to save the world by doing everything in their power to deny equal rights for G.L.B.T. individuals and a good number of these extremists are active members of the Libertarian Party. 

I served as LPPA Membership Committee Chair until July 6, 2013 (during part of the administration of Dr. Stevens and during the entire term of office of LPPA State Chair Lawrence James Fryman). During my involvement, I observed members and leaders in the LPPA make the suggestion over and over again that gay men are pedophiles, that they are sick, demented perverts and that their mere existence in the Libertarian Party needs to be stamped out due to their conduct going against the natural order of things. This conduct and these opinions are reprehensible and have no place in civilized society. The more progress gays make toward equality, the hatred expressed and acted on behind the scenes against G.L.B.T. individuals increases. One must be vigilant to identify such homophobia and to aggressively confront it. 

The Pennsylvania Libertarian Alliance was founded by Dr. Tom Stevens on March 4, 2013. It exists to promote libertarian principles and policies in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.