Is Johnson/Weld just the ticket for Libertarians?

A Libertarian Ticket Sane Republicans Can Get Behind - David Boaz, Cato Institute:

May 20, 2016 - "Lots of Republicans are looking for a sane alternative to Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, and it looks like the Libertarian Party has just given it to them, now that former Massachusetts Governor William Weld has joined former New Mexico governor Gary Johnson’s ticket.

"It’s the first time two governors have shared a presidential ticket since ... 1948. Many observers think experience as a governor is the best preparation for the job of president. Johnson and Weld would bring 14 years of gubernatorial experience to the White House.... Johnson and Weld were both elected and re-elected in Democratic states, and dealt with heavily Democratic legislatures.

"Neither Johnson nor Weld is a purist libertarian, and both have come under fire within the Libertarian Party, which will nominate its candidates in Orlando over Memorial Day weekend. Johnson displeased many libertarians (including me) by saying that government should ban discrimination on the basis of religion, including requiring a Christian baker to bake and decorate a cake for a same-sex wedding. Weld has supported some gun control measures.

"But they will present a clear alternative to Trump and Clinton: strong and coherent fiscal conservatism, social liberalism, drug-policy reform, criminal-justice reform, reining in mass surveillance, ending executive abuse of power, and a prudent foreign policy that is neither promiscuously interventionist nor erratic and bombastic — all grounded in a philosophical commitment to liberty and limited government.

"They acted on those ideas as governors, with the usual accommodations to political reality. Johnson was called 'America’s boldest governor' by the Economist for his push for school choice. And that was before he came out for legalizing marijuana and moving away from the war on drugs. He vetoed more than 700 spending and regulation bills and left the state with a $1 billion surplus. Weld cut taxes, constrained state spending, and created a domestic partners program for gay state employees.

"In the Cato Institute’s biennial Fiscal Policy Report Card on America’s Governors, both Johnson and Weld earned A’s and B’s each time they were graded. Cato’s fiscal policy analysts are tough graders, and very few governors ever get an A....

"But neither Johnson nor Weld is a celebrity on the order of Trump or Ross Perot.... Neither has ... the kind of money that can buy national television ads and large staffs. Johnson has not yet shown an ability to draw huge crowds.... Johnson has already hit 10 percent in a couple of polls, but right now that’s probably a 'none of the above' vote. He still has to convert it into actual support.... Johnson and Weld have a steep hill to climb.

"But Trump and Clinton are the least popular major-party nominees in memory. In some polls a majority of voters say they’d like to vote for someone else. That’s the golden opportunity awaiting some alternative candidate, and it looks increasingly as if Gary Johnson will be the only alternative on all 50 ballots."

Read more: http://www.cato.org/publications/commentary/libertarian-ticket-sane-republicans-can-get-behind
'via Blog this'

Unlicensed hair-washers face jail in Tennessee

Shampooing Hair Without A License Could Mean Jail Time In Tennessee - Forbes - Nick Sibilla, Institute for Justice:

May 5, 2016 - "When Tammy Pritchard was a young mother, shampooing hair provided much-needed income and even helped put her through college. Today, this part-time police officer wants to wash hair at a beauty salon operated by her friend in Tennessee.

"Unfortunately for Tammy, unlicensed shampooing is a crime, punishable by up to six months in jail. The Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners can also impose civil penalties as high as $1,000 for those who dare to lather, rinse and repeat without a license.

"On Monday, Tammy partnered with the Beacon Center of Tennessee and filed a civil rights lawsuit against the Board in order 'to vindicate the right of Tennesseans to pursue an honest living.'

"Before she can legally wash hair at a salon, Tammy must finish 300 hours of training on 'the practice and theory of shampooing'.... [P]rospective shampooers learn about the 'chemistry and composition of shampoos and conditioners,' 'shampooing and rinsing foreign material from hair,' and 'shop management,' which covers remedial skills like 'answering phone, scheduling appointments, ordering supplies.' After completing the class, shampooers then have to pass two exams... One school that previously taught the course charged $3,225 for tuition, books, kit, uniform and other fees....

"Incredibly, no schools in Tennessee currently offer the shampoo technician curriculum. So to comply with the law, shampooers must instead acquire a broader cosmetologist license. That requires 1,500 hours of training, or five times as much coursework as the shampooer license....

"According to the Institute for Justice, only four other states even license shampooing, with training requirements ranging from a mere three hours of coursework in West Virginia to 150 hours in New Hampshire. In 2013, Texas decided to scrap its shampooer license after the agency that regulated the practice called for the 'elimination' of this 'unnecessary burden on Texans.'

"A 2012 study by the Institute for Justice found Tennessee to be the '13th most broadly and onerously licensed state'.... Many license requirements make little sense. Athletic trainers, auctioneers, opticians, barbers, massage therapists, makeup artists, manicurists and shampooers all need more experience for their licenses than emergency medical technicians need for theirs. In fact, almost a quarter of Tennessee’s workforce is licensed according to a report by the Brookings Institution.'"

Read more: http://www.forbes.com/sites/instituteforjustice/2016/05/05/shampooing-hair-without-a-license-could-mean-jail-time-in-tennessee/
'via Blog this'

Gary Johnson chooses Bill Weld for running mate

Bill Weld throws hat into ring as Libertarian VP | Boston Herald - Matt Stout & Kimberley Atkins:

May 19, 2016 - "Former Gov. Bill Weld has officially leaped into the race for the White House, joining the third-party Libertarian ticket led by Gary Johnson as the former New Mexico governor’s running mate.

"The prospect of such a move — floated this week when Johnson’s campaign confirmed that Weld was being 'seriously considered' — was initially met with skepticism in Bay State GOP circles yesterday.

"But Johnson scored headlines yesterday by landing Weld, telling the Associated Press the two 'shook hands on it.' A campaign spokesman later confirmed that Weld had agreed to join the ticket, saying a formal announcement was scheduled for today.

"'It brings an enormous amount of credibility to what it is I’m doing­,' Johnson said of Weld’s decision to run. 'I’m unbelievably­ flattered by this and humbled.'

"Weld ran as both a Republican and a Libertarian during an unsuccessful­ bid for New York governor in 2006 — but never made it to the primary vote and didn’t have to choose. A former federal prosecutor and 1996 Massachusetts U.S. Senate candidate, he’s remained in the private sector since, joining ML Strategies as a lobbyist, where he’s built a client list that includes casino mogul Steve Wynn.

"Weld has remained active politi­cally, endorsing candidates — including sometimes Democrats, to the chagrin of the state GOP — and had previously backed Jeb Bush and later Ohio Gov. John Kasich in the Republican presidential primary. Yesterday, former Weld aides responded­ with incredulity to the notion that Weld would accept the long-shot Libertarian veep slot....

"Johnson indicated that Weld could help drum up his fundraising. Johnson had raised roughly $279,000 through the first three months of this year, according to federal campaign filings.

"'He could be a huge influence when it comes to fundraising. Huge,' Johnson said. “That was something that he in fact volunteered — that he enjoys­ doing it.'"

Read more: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/local_coverage/2016/05/bill_weld_throws_hat_into_ring_as_libertarian_vp
'via Blog this'

Austin Petersen attracting conservative support

Austin Petersen, the Conservative's Libertarian Presidential Candidate? - Hit & Run : Reason.com - Brian Doherty:

May 11, 2016 - "Austin Petersen is a 35-year-old founder of the libertarian movement news and commentary site Libertarian Republic and a former staffer on Judge Andrew Napolitano's old Fox Business Network show Freedom Watch. Petersen is also one of the ... people seeking the L.P.'s presidential nomination, which will be decided over Memorial Day weekend at the Party's national convention in Orlando....

"Within the larger parameters of a Party that doesn't get all that much press attention from left, right, or center, Petersen has lately been showing up more and more on right-wing radio where he insists he's close to bagging their full support (including Dana Loesch, Steven Crowder, and Steve Deace, and he's scheduled on Glenn Beck's radio show on May 20) and getting other bits of public sweet conservative love.

"Some cases in point:

• Leon Wolf, managing editor of the right-wing website Red State said on CNN (after painting Trump as too crazy to vote for) that 'Gary Johnson is a guy I would look at, he would not be my preference" but that Austin Petersen's 'more my speed' (specifically because of abortion). Wolf did a video interview with Petersen at Red State. 
• A diarist at the Red State site looked at the Stossel debate and found Petersen the best debater, especially compared to Johnson, and generally a knowledgeable fresh young face for the Party. 
• The RandPaulTv site (a media aggregator site about things of interest to Rand Paul fans, not affiliated with him directly) thinks hard and decides Petersen is the L.P. guy best able to pick up Ted Cruz fans. Former Cruz man and right-wing blogger Todd Hagopian agrees. 
• Michael van der Galien at Pajamas Media (another former Cruz man) says that the L.P. 'Can Have a Great Year, But Only if Gary Johnson disappears.' He identifies Petersen as 'basically a conservatarian who sees eye to eye with Ted Cruz on a great many issues. He is passionately pro-life, believes bakers have the right to choose what cakes they bake, and is a fervent supporter of the Second Amendment'.... 
• The Liberty Conservative website analyzes Petersen's positions and declares him 'leader of #nevertrump movement."  Similar praise and/or endorsements from right-wing sites can be found on Constitution.com and DailyWhig."

Read more: http://reason.com/blog/2016/05/11/austin-petersen-the-conservatives-libert
'via Blog this'

NB enforces beer monopoly despite court ruling

Why New Brunswick is vowing to keep busting anyone importing beer, even after judge said it’s legal | Financial Post - John Williamson:

May 16, 2016 - "Heads the province wins, tails you lose. This appears to be the response of the Gallant government to the recent court decision declaring unconstitutional New Brunswick’s longstanding restrictions on bringing alcohol for personal consumption into the province. The government has until the end of the month to appeal Provincial Court Judge Ronald LeBlanc’s ruling that the law violates the Constitution’s free-trade provisions by blocking the flow of goods within Canada. But already New Brunswick’s Public Prosecutions Office is — despite the court ruling — threatening legal action against residents that enter New Brunswick with more alcohol than is permitted by the provincial government’s liquor regulations.

"New Brunswick resident Gérard Comeau was charged by the RCMP in 2012 and fined $295 for illegally bringing in 14 cases of beer and three bottles of liquor from a Quebec border town into his home province. Under the New Brunswick Liquor Control Act, it is a crime to purchase more than one bottle of liquor or wine or the equivalent of 12 pints of beer from retailers outside of the province. Consumers are instead forced to purchase spirits from the New Brunswick Liquor Corp., a government-owned monopoly that charges double the price for beer as Quebec. "

"According to Luc Labonté, director of the province’s Public Prosecutions Services, the law restricting liquor imports remains in effect because 'in theory' the court ruling applies only to the person who brought the case — Mr. Comeau.... The Supreme Court of Canada has stated only superior courts — not provincial courts — can invalidate a law. Consequently, Judge LeBlanc’s decision is not a binding legal precedent....

"Judge LeBlanc’s ruling, however, makes any conviction under New Brunswick’s law unlikely. After the Comeau decision, anyone charged with the offence of importing alcohol will plead 'not guilty,' knowing his or her trial will rely on the newly established precedent.

"The Canadian Constitution Foundation supported Mr. Comeau in the beer case. The group’s executive director Marni Soupcoff explained, 'It’s true that "in theory’ the law remains on the books, but it would be ridiculous for New Brunswick prosecutors to go to court to enforce it now that one of their own judges has plainly assessed it as unconstitutional.' Ms. Soupcoff believes charging other New Brunswick cross-border beer consumers would be a waste of time and money.

'But costly enforcement that wastes time and money could be exactly what the province intends....
The punishment for New Brunswick consumers wouldn’t be the conviction, but the lengthy and costly court process itself.... Most people will, quite sensibly, keep suffering overpriced alcohol in New Brunswick rather than risk having to fight for their rights."

Read more: http://business.financialpost.com/fp-comment/why-new-brunswick-is-vowing-to-keep-busting-anyone-importing-beer-even-after-judge-said-its-legal
'via Blog this'

Jillette moderates Vegas Libertarian debate

- courtesy Mimi & Eunice

Penn Jillette to Moderate Final Libertarian Party Debate - Elias J. Atienza, The Libertarian Republic:

May 11, 2016 - "Monday, May 16th, Penn Jillette will moderate the final Libertarian Party presidential primary debate in Las Vegas. Former Governor Gary Johnson, cybersecurity guru John McAfee, and TLR founder Austin Petersen will debate on a variety of topics ranging from the war on drugs to censorship....

"All proceeds will go to benefit Opportunity Village, a non-profit dedicated to serving children and adults in the southern Nevada with intellectual disabilities.

"The debate will take place at Opportunity Village- Engelstad Campus, from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm (PT). The event will be filmed for later broadcast, though Austin Petersen may stream it live like he has done with many prior debates."

Read more: http://thelibertarianrepublic.com/penn-jillette-moderate-final-libertarian-party-debate/
'via Blog this'

Captain America, libertarian and heterosexual

Captain America is Straight and Libertarian, Deal with It | Heat Street - William Hicks:

May 10, 2016 -"There is an epidemic of naval gazers in this country. People who take a nice piece of pop culture that they don’t really care about, then nitpick it to death while projecting their own political pet issues onto it. This is resoundingly true with the new Marvel film, Captain America: Civil War....

"Two habitual naval gazing rags, Salon and Vanity Fair, have done their jobs well, finding just the right jabs to take down a straight-white-male like Captain America.

"Salon’s piece, 'Captain America’s a douchey libertarian now', details Cap’s descent from lovable liberal globalist to vile Ayn Rand-reading individualist.

"In Civil War, Captain America refuses to sign a dumb UN accord that would basically neuter him as a superhero and make him unable to help his friend Bucky, who he believes was framed. The accord aimed to turn The Avengers into ineffectual UN peacekeepers, like the ones that did such a good job in Bosnia and Rwanda.

"'[W]e have this distracting plot where Steve suddenly turns from a level-headed liberal to a Ayn Randian libertarian douchebag who throws tantrums because he has to do grown-up stuff like share power instead of make unilateral decisions for other people,' says the Salon piece by Amanda Marcotte.

"Yes, we do get a bad-ass libertarian Cap, who makes his own judgements and fights for his own sense of justice. He tells the UN pansies to eat it and prevents his friend from being executed without trial by extra-judicial government agents.... Basically all superheroes have hints of libertarianism in so far as vigilantism is diametrically opposed to government oversight....

"And then there’s this Vanity Fair piece, 'Is This the One Flaw in the Otherwise Great Captain America: Civil War?' The one flaw is Cap’s outright heterosexuality.

"Apparently Cap’s love interest — who takes up, at tops, five minutes of the movie — was too much for the author, Joanna Robinson. A sexually ambiguous Captain would have played better into Robinson’s fantasy of a Cap + Bucky romance.  'If Disney isn’t inclined to give audiences a gay superhero, couldn’t they have at least left us the dream of Bucky and Cap?'...

"Robinson, if you want to make the Cap-Bucky romance a reality, write erotic fan fiction like a normal person. You can even throw in a steamy Security Council scene for good, liberal measure."

Read more: https://heatst.com/culture-wars/captain-america-is-straight-and-libertarian-deal-with-it/
'via Blog this'