LP: Making Lemonade with Two Lemons

On May 25, on the sixth ballot, the more conservative elements of the The Libertarian Party nominated two quasi-libertarian candidates who they hope will get them all the publicity, votes and power that haunt their wet dreams. Former Representative Bob Barr has been good on some civil liberties issues (first, second and fourth amendments, Waco massacre) and terrible on others (pro-war on drugs; pro-defense of marriage act), though he alleges he now would legalize medical marijuana and down play the war on drugs and just wants the states to enforce drug laws, and maybe a bit less vigorously, and decide on the definition of marriage. He says he'll get us out of Iraq and everywhere else.

For Vice President these same starry eyed libertarians chose hyperactive, egomaniacal and proudly Jewish Wayne Root, a rich Las Vegas odds maker seems to have become more libertarian since entering the race last year - but we'll see if the stays that way, especially when it comes to supporting his favorite colonialist apartheid state, Israel.

Some joke that the wacky Root is sufficient revenge for the more reserved Barr taking the nomination from more radical candidates. See radical photos. Others make plays on their names that are plainly penile allusions. "Barr-Root: Thrusting to the future."

The good news is enough radicals were elected to the Libertarian National Committee and Judicial Committee that both candidates will know their every utterance will be scrutinized. (I already have a dozen google alerts out for certain phrases and their names.) Article 12. Sec 5. of the Libertarian Party bylaws reads: "A candidate's nomination may be suspended by a 3/4 vote of the entire membership of the National Committee at a meeting."

Anyway, here's the Lemonade:

* Libertarians did not restore the 2004 platform but wrote a short one which isn't too objectionable, except on National Defense, Internal Security and Individual Rights and International Affairs! Just too many little loopholes that allow "libertarians" to claim the platform supports neoconservative wars of aggression and impositions on civil liberties. However, the platform almost makes up for it - and for deleting the "Secession" plank with a new plank:

3.7. Self-Determination: Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of individual liberty, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to agree to such new governance as to them shall seem most likely to protect their liberty.

That's what I call getting with the program! Let's make it HARD for Barr-Root to forget it.

* Maybe a lot of those annoyed radicals will join "Secessionists for Barr-Root" - if anyone gets around to starting it.