Entering Chester Brown's red-light district

Entering Chester Brown's red-light district - The Globe and Mail - James Adams:

Apr. 30, 2011 - "Libertarian Party candidate for the federal riding of Trinity-Spadina ... Chester Brown is [not] expecting to be Ottawa-bound Tuesday morning.... Brown ran for the same party in the same riding in 2008, earning 490 votes. 'Pathetic, of course,' he admits.... 'But pretty good for a libertarian.'

"Brown does, in fact, have a pretty substantial following; just not as a politician. Among the Canadian mainstream, he’s famous as the creator of the astonishingly successful illustrated biography of Métis leader Louis Riel. Originally released as a series of pamphlets in 1999, Louis Riel has gone on to sell more than 50,000 copies in the U.S. and Canada since its publication as a book in 2003 by Montreal’s Drawn & Quarterly. It earned Brown two Harveys (comicdom’s Oscars)."

Read more:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/books/entering-chester-browns-red-light-district/article2003899/

Libertarian Party of Canada     http://libertarian.ca

Could Ron Paul 2012 Outperform Ron Paul 2008? - NYTimes.com

Could Ron Paul 2012 Outperform Ron Paul 2008? - NYTimes.com - Michael D. Shear, Apr. 26, 2011:

"As a potential candidate, Mr. Paul has a larger national profile in 2011 than he did in 2007, when he ran for the Republican nomination as a largely unknown lawmaker. His important issues — concern about federal debt, spending and the size of government — are front and center this year. And his passionate, libertarian followers are, if anything, better organized as part of the Tea Party movement.

"'I think he’ll play a bigger role this time than he did four years ago,' said Trey Grayson, the director of the Institute of Politics at the Harvard Kennedy School. 'You can’t underestimate someone who has a passionate following who can raise money.'"

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/26/ron-paul-2012-could-outperform-ron-paul-2008/?partner=rss&emc=rss

For fringe candidates, it’s the message, not the votes - thestar.com

For fringe candidates, it’s the message, not the votes - thestar.com - Carola Vyhnak, Apr. 27, 2011:

"A month ago, Blaize Barnicoat contacted the Libertarian Party of Canada to offer her services as a volunteer. Next thing she knew, she was their candidate in Durham.

“'They said, "No one’s running there, so why don’t you?"’ says the 20-year-old university student.

"Barnicoat, who’s up against heavy hitters Bev Oda and Grant Humes (Conservative incumbent and Liberal challenger, respectively) has no illusions about getting elected — she doesn’t even want the job. 'I don’t believe in sitting around in Ottawa, wasting other people’s money,' declares Barnicoat, in her third year of legal studies at the University of Oshawa Institute of Technology.

"But she says that by putting her name on the ballot she’s offering another option...."

http://www.thestar.com/federalelection/article/981550--for-fringe-candidates-it-s-the-message-not-the-votes

Libertarian Party of Canada     http://libertarian.ca

Does Ron Paul Stand A Snowball's Chance In Hell?

Does Ron Paul Stand a Snowball's Chance in Hell? - James Ellis, Business Insider, Apr. 27,2011.

"Dr. No brings some significant strengths to this campaign that were lacking in his previous efforts. Most important, he is a proven fund-raiser and should be able to raise enough money to run real campaign operations in the early states. Second, he has a much wider political network than he did in 1988 or 2008. His son Rand is the new US Senator from Kentucky. He helped out a large number of Tea Party candidates in the 2010 GOP Congressional landslide. Third, as Joe Weisenthal pointed out earlier this week, the issues that Rep. Paul has been talking about for years are much more 'mainstream' today....

"The key for Rep. Paul will be to use issues to expand his appeal. Princip[al] among these is a call for a rapid wind-down of the three wars (Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya) and a much more pragmatic foreign policy. None of the 'major' GOP presidential candidates want to talk about this at all (and they don't). It's something Republican primary voters are dying to hear someone say. If Paul says it, he will gather more support."

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/does-ron-paul-stand-a-snowballs-chance-in-hell-2011-4

Who is John Kittredge? Canadian Libertarian candidate speaks out - Toronto Headlines | Examiner.com

Who is John Kettridge? Canadian Libertarian candidate speaks out - Toronto Headlines | Examiner.com - Andrew Moran, Apr. 25, 2011.

Kittredge "first became politically active during the 1960s when he 'fell in love with objectivism' during his academic days in university....

"Although [Kittredge] feels libertarianism isn’t a 'total knockoff of objectivism because it’s much looser,' he is a 'practical realist” and believes that anytime there is a 'minimal movement towards less rather than more, it has demonstrably always been beneficial.'...

"The St. Paul’s candidate feels politics is not a 'rational exercise,' but from his perspective when they executive things politically it is an awful experience and he understands this from first-hand experience because he has worked with government organizations.

“'Their performance system is very poorly structured in getting things done,' said [Kittredge]. 'I see that, but it’s hard to get into quantitatively. I go back to the opportunity-loss thing; we human beings have a very difficult time understanding something that isn’t within our own experience.'”

Continue reading on Examiner.com: http://www.examiner.com/headlines-in-toronto/who-is-john-kettridge-canadian-libertarian-candidate-speaks-out

Libertarian Party of Canada     http://libertarian.ca

Box-office power of Rand's Atlas Shrugged baffles insiders - Chicago Sun-Times

Box-office power of Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged baffles insiders - Chicago Sun-Times - Paul Bond, Apr. 21, 2011:

"The power of Ayn Rand devotees has impressed some Hollywood distribution executives, who took note of the hefty $5,640 per-theater average scored by Atlas Shrugged: Part 1 during its opening weekend.

“'Shocking,' one executive said about the healthy business the low-budget film has been doing, considering its 'awful' marketing plan.

"Awful or not, business has been brisk enough for producers Harmon Kaslow and John Aglialoro to expand from 299 theaters to 425 this weekend and to 1,000 by the end of the month. They don’t have enough film prints to fill all the orders.

“'Things have turned for us,' Kaslow said. 'When we started, exhibitors were not embracing the film like we thought they would. Now, we can pretty much go into as many theaters as we want. It’s just a matter of logistics.'...

http://www.suntimes.com/4935704-417/box-office-power-of-ayn-rands-atlas-shrugged-baffles-insiders.html

Libertarian Paul Geddes wants freedom from government intervention

Libertarian Paul Geddes wants freedom from government intervention - Jennifer McFee, Coquitlam Now, Apr. 20, 2011:

“The other parties are all trying to run my life in different ways. The Conservatives are impinging on my personal life. They’ve locked up the Canadian Libertarian hero Marc Emery. He’s in the United States right now because the Conservative government believes that they have a right to tell you what to do in your personal life,' said Geddes, who once ran as a Marijuana Party candidate.

"'I can’t vote for the NDP and Greens because they want to do the same thing the Conservatives are doing to my pocketbook. They think that I don’t have a right to keep what I earn. They want to regulate my whole life and how I earn my living, so I’m opposed to both of them.

"'I have no idea what [the Liberals] stand for. We just know that whatever they run, they won’t do it when they get in.'"

Read more:  http://www.thenownews.com/news/Libertarian+Paul+Geddes+wants+freedom+from+government+intervention/4648990/story.html

Libertarian Party of Canada     http://libertarian.ca

Canadian 'Small parties' to hold joint forum

Sudbury Local News - 'Small parties' to hold joint forum - Apr. 22, 2011:

"Canada's small political parties will hold a joint press conference and public forum on April 23.... Thirteen of the 18 registered parties will participate in the event.... Party leaders and representatives will address their party programs as 'the forum is organized not as a debate, but to inform participants about the parties and their programs'....

"The Animal Alliance Environment Voters Party, Canadian Action Party, Christian Heritage Party of Canada, Communist Party of Canada, First Peoples National Party of Canada, Libertarian Party of Canada, Marijuana Party, Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada, Pirate Party of Canada, Rhinoceros Party and Online Party of Canada (in process of registration) will all participate....

"The forum and press [conference] is open to the public and will be held at 252 Bloor St. W in Toronto. The Canadian Parliamentary Affairs Channel (CPAC) will televise the event."

http://www.northernlife.ca/news/localNews/2011/04/smallpartyforum-220411.aspx

Ex-N.M. governor Gary Johnson announces for president - USATODAY.com

Ex-N.M. governor Gary Johnson announces for president - On Politics: Covering the US Congress, Governors, and the 2010 Election - USATODAY.com - Catalina Camia:

Apr. 21, 2011 - "Former New Mexico governor Gary Johnson said today he is running for president in 2012.

"Johnson, a Republican who was governor from 1995 to 2003, made his announcement on the steps of the State House in Concord, N.H. On Twitter a short while ago, his staff tweeted for him:

First time to say it. 'I am running for president.'"

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2011/04/gary-johnson-president-new-mexico-governor-/1

Also read: "The Gary Johnson Wild Card," by George Dance
http://www.nolanchart.com/article8574.html

Sixth candidate in Delta-Richmond East

Sixth candidate in Delta-Richmond East - Sandor Gyarmati, Delta Optimist, Apr. 18:

"In the Elections Canada final list of candidates for the May 2 vote is Libertarian candidate Jeff Monds, a Vancouver resident. He previously ran for the Libertarian Party of Canada in Vancouver, and most recently, in 2008, ran in the riding of Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge-Mission, finishing fifth in a seven-candidate race....

"The Libertarian Party proposes to reduce taxes to a minimum and the size of government. It says it would also remove restrictions on personal and economic freedoms and seek to remove government interference from as many areas of people's lives as possible.

"When it comes to welfare and health care, for example, the party's position is the 'moral issue here is that Libertarians believe that it is not right to take forcefully from one person in order to provide for another's needs.... Taxation is robbing people of their wealth and the ability to invest that wealth in new business, which would benefit the poor.'"

Read more: http://www.delta-optimist.com/Sixth+candidate+Delta+Richmond+East/4634741/story.html#ixzz1K2uhIk1J

Libertarian Party of Canada     http://libertarian.ca

Ron Paul's "Liberty Defined"

Ron Paul's "Liberty Defined - Becky Ayers, The New American, Apr. 19, 2011:

"Maybe you’ve studied political philosophy extensively; Liberty Defined, though as “accessible” and “easy to digest” as its publisher promises, will still thrill you. Here is a Congressman of 12 terms who spouts such condemnations of government as, “Do our leaders in Washington believe in liberty? They sometimes say they do. I don’t think they are telling the truth.” A page later, he briefly reviews the wars and genocide of the 20th century to warn that “the threat of government today, all over the world, may well present a greater danger than anything that occurred” then. All this, and we haven’t even left the Introduction!

"One of the good doctor’s greatest services to liberty is his evangelizing. His principled, consistent, and breathtakingly courageous stance for freedom over the decades, his integrity, his courtesy and gentlemanliness, under even the rudest, most ignorant attacks, have converted legions from their faith in Leviathan."

http://www.thenewamerican.com/reviews/books/7174-ron-pauls-qliberty-definedq

Canadian Libertarian federal candidate talks issues, election | Examiner.com

Canadian Libertarian federal candidate talks issues, election - Toronto Headlines | Examiner.com: - Apr. 17, 2011:

"Judi Falardeau will be running as the Libertarian candidate in the Toronto Centre riding for the upcoming Canadian federal election. Falardeau will be the face of limited government and personal liberty in the electoral district election.

"The Libertarian Party of Canada doesn't have any seats in the House of Commons in Ottawa, but it is trying to get the message out to Canadians.... Falardeau is not political by nature, but with so much talk from politicians saying they want to help or improve something, 'especially something in the name of the "common good," it is always the bureaucrats and the machinations of the state that benefit most....

“'With the advent of so much alternate (non-mass media) information, we are privy to enough information to correctly ascertain the frightening powers of government,' said Falardeau. 'Waste in government is staggering. And government hypocrisy is even more so.'"

http://www.examiner.com/headlines-in-toronto/canadian-libertarian-federal-candidate-talks-issues-election

Libertarian Party of Canada     http://libertarian.ca

Atlas Shrugged movie boosts book to #4 on Amazon bestseller list

Atlas Shrugged Movie Boosts Book to #4 on Amazon Bestseller List - Marc E. Babej - Strategic Marketing - Forbes - Apr. 17, 2011:

"The $10 million film Atlas Shrugged Part 1 has hit the big screen in a relatively small way, with distribution on 300 screens in 80 cities.

"Expect opening weekend box office figures to be at least decent: the book has a fan base that is not only millions wide, but also runs deep in terms of passion. Atlas fans will likely flock to cinemas if only to see whether the long-awaited movie adaptation lives up to their expectations....

"all signs point to the fact that the mere existence of the movie is causing interest in the book to spike to new heights. According to Google Trends, search volume for 'Atlas Shrugged' has never been greater. Even more impressively, the book has surged to #4 on the Amazon bestseller list as of this writing."

http://blogs.forbes.com/marcbabej/2011/04/17/atlas-shrugged-movie-boosts-book-to-4-on-amazon-bestseller-list/

Libertarian Party of Canada candidate Blaize Barnicoat running to represent Durham riding

durhamregion.com | Libertarian Party of Canada candidate Blaize Barnicoat running to represent Durham riding - Apr. 13, 2011:

"Ms. Barnicoat, 20, has been a member of the Libertarian party for several years. She became involved in the upcoming election as an interested volunteer, and instead accepted the unoccupied nomination for the Durham riding.

"'I originally wanted to volunteer for the campaign, then I found out there hasn't been a Libertarian in my riding since 1988,' said Ms. Barnicoat. She went knocking on doors and collected the 100 signatures needed to put her name on the ballot....'

"Ms. Barnicoat is a life-long Orono resident and a third-year student at UOIT in undergraduate legal studies."

http://www.newsdurhamregion.com/news/article/175341

Libertarian Party of Canada     http://libertarian.ca

Ron Paul takes step toward 2012 president bid; decision about race expected in May

The Canadian Press: Texas Rep. Ron Paul takes step toward 2012 president bid; decision about race expected in May - Apr. 15, 2011:

"Republican Rep. Ron Paul of Texas moved on Friday toward a possible second run for the presidency in 2012 elections by setting up a committee to help him sound out his prospects.

"Paul's spokesman, Jesse Benton, says the congressman is 'beginning to lean more strongly toward running.' Friday's development puts machinery in place to move quickly if Paul were to enter the race....

"Paul is expected to say in May whether he will run again."

Ontario court strikes down marijuana laws

Ontario court strikes down marijuana laws - CTV News -

April 13, 2011 - "Ontario Superior Court Justice Donald Taliano found that the marijuana program is failing to ensure that patients who need the drug can get the necessary approvals. So the St. Catharines, Ont. justice declared the 'Marihuana Medical Access Regulations' invalid.

"And, because the problems with the program force medical marijuana users to resort to illegal means to obtain their marijuana, Taliano also struck down two sections of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act that prohibit possession and cultivating marijuana.

"He deemed the sections unconstitutional because they can be used to charge medical marijuana users who haven't been able to obtain medical marijuana licences.

"'Rather than promote health – the regulations have the opposite effect. Rather than promote effective drug control – the regulations drive the critically ill to the black market,' he wrote.

"The ruling doesn't immediately make pot possession legal: the judge suspended his ruling for three months, giving Ottawa until July to fix the problems his ruling identified."

Read more: http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110413/medical-marijuana-laws-110415/20110413/?hub=BritishColumbiaHome

The Libertarian party: Smaller government, more freedom

The Libertarian party: Smaller government, more freedom - John Shaw, National Post

Apr. 11, 2011:   "Our goal is to leave Canadians as much responsibility for their lives as possible ... we aim to return control to the individual as fast as practicable with the least dislocation to society. We are not anarchists, as some label us, but we do propose that much of what is currently done by government does not - or should not - be done only by government. The Libertarian platform includes:

"Ending the war on drugs Current drug enforcement policies have cost thousands of lives and billions of dollars....

"Ending war, in general NATO, as with our military, should be used only for defence from attack....

"Full choice at the ballot box ... We would add "None of the Above" to the ballot at all federal elections....

"Legal Reform ... A Libertarian government would open negotiations with the provinces to add property rights and other limits on the powers of government...

"10-for-4 Our bottom line spending cuts average 10% annually, for each of the next four years.... Taxes would decline proportionately after the deficit is eliminated.... it would only roll spending levels back to those of 2004, after four years....

http://www.nationalpost.com/news/Libertarian+party+Smaller+government+more+freedom/4592942/story.html

Libertarian Party of Canada     http://libertarian.ca

Austin Cassidy: Ron Paul Should Stand Aside for Gary Johnson

Ron Paul Should Stand Aside for Gary Johnson - Uncovered Politics - Austin F. Cassidy,

Apr. 3, 2011:  "[D]uring the 2008 primary season ... Paul averaged only 5.58% in the Republican primaries he contested, and that figure actually exaggerates his appeal because it includes late season primaries where he was the only alternative on the ballot.... It wasn’t a lack of money that sank his campaign, Congressman Paul actually outraised and outspent Mike Huckabee.... the problem was that Republican voters weren’t interested. 

"Was it the message or the quirky 72-year-old political gadfly they rejected?  Does it really matter?

"A second bid for the White House by Ron Paul would tie up money and grassroots resources that could be far more effectively used by another candidate with a similar message.  I’m speaking, of course, about former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson. If both men run, they will split an already small slice of votes and neither will be able to make a significant dent in the discussion. "

http://www.uncoveredpolitics.com/2011/04/ron-paul-should-stand-aside-for-gary-johnson/

Ron Paul may be a long shot, but he sure has moved the target

Ron Paul may be a long shot, but he sure has moved the target | NJ.com - Paul Mulshine

Apr. 7, 2011:  ""On the stage [in 2007] were 10 candidates. Nine seemed comfortable in the conviction that the eventual GOP nominee would cruise to victory on the strength of the Bush administration’s brilliance in foreign policy. Paul had a different view, and ... he [was] asked 'Are you out of step with your party?'...

"What’s different is that, this time, the game will be played on Ron Paul’s turf. Ideas that might have seemed nutty four years ago have now moved into the mainstream. Paul sounded obsessive, for example, with his lectures on monetary policy last time around. Now, everyone’s against trillion-dollar deficits and the Fed’s policy of 'quantitative easing,' i.e. printing money.

"But the real fun will be in foreign policy.... [Any candidate] might point to President Obama’s Libyan adventure and say something like, 'We shouldn’t go to war so carelessly. When we do, the wars don’t end.' That’s a direct quote from Paul in that 2007 debate. All assembled were aghast."

http://blog.nj.com/njv_paul_mulshine/2011/04/ron_paul_may_be_a_long_shot_bu.html

Ron Paul in South Carolina Republican Presidential Debate May 5

Ron Paul | South Carolina Republican Presidential Debate | The Daily Caller - Breaking News, Opinion, Research, and Entertainment - Apr. 8, 2011:

"Ron Paul is expected to participate in a primary debate in South Carolina on May 5, the state party announced Friday....

"Paul has filled out the paperwork for a presidential exploratory committee, a spokesman for Paul’s PAC Campaign for Liberty told The Daily Caller, although he has not officially announced his candidacy. PAC spokesman Jesse Benton said they have all the forms prepared so that Paul can “'flip the switch' as soon as he decides to run.

"'I’d say this is a sign that he’s giving a really strong consideration to [running],' Benton said of the debate.  'The money’s been great, the enthusiasm’s been great. … The polling in New Hampshire’s really strong so we’re feeling good.'"

http://dailycaller.com/2011/04/08/hint-hint-ron-paul-to-join-presidential-debate/

Gary Johnson Knows He'll be Labeled the "Pot Candidate" | Fox News (blog)

Gary Johnson Knows He'll be Labeled the "Pot Candidate" | Fox News (blog) - Kelly David Burke - ‎Apr 5, 2011‎:

"Johnson served as Governor of New Mexico from 1996 until 2002. He began advocating marijuana legalization during his second term when he realized the War on Drugs was inordinately consuming state and local resources.

"'I wanted to crack down on drinking and driving.... And ... law enforcement, the courts and the prisons ... all three said, "We are so busy, our dockets are so full that if you want to have this kind of initiative you better give us some more money, more resources"'

"Johnson says that half of the time and resources of state and local law enforcement, courts and prisons was being spent on drug related crime. To him it looked like just another failed government policy, throwing more and more money at a problem with little to show for it."


Read more: http://politics.blogs.foxnews.com/2011/04/05/gary-johnson-knows-hell-be-labeled-pot-candidate

Gary Johnson to launch presidential bid April 21 - Kendra Marr - POLITICO.com

Gary Johnson to launch presidential bid April 21 - Kendra Marr - POLITICO.com

Mar. 29, 2011: "Gary Johnson will formally announce his candidacy for president on April 21 in New Hampshire.... The former New Mexico governor will skip creating an exploratory committee ... to immediately start campaigning and fundraising in the first-in-nation primary state....

"Johnson’s campaign headquarters will be based in Salt Lake City, home to his longtime adviser Ron Nielson, who worked on his two successful campaigns for New Mexico governor. Nielson’s firm NSON Opinion Strategy has doubled as the base of operations for Johnson’s 501(c)4 group Our America Initiative."

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0311/52168.html