I have been asked by readers for more analysis of what happened at the Denver Libertarian Convention. I have some more to say, but I need a few days to formulate my ideas (and I am busy with other things). For now, I will say that I am neither thrilled with the LP’s direction nor as crestfallen as many of my ideologically radical brethren. While we all must make our own choices about how to promote liberty, the struggle for liberty transcends party and faction, and we will also never agree on all the choices made by others. May we diplomatically and seriously offer constructive, principled criticism to our fellow travelers, may those of us who understand the centrality of principle never concede an inch to the state, may we reach out to the public as we also strengthen the remnant, may we resist the traps of both self-defeating sectarianism and impractical pragmatism, may we be civil and keep our eye on the real prize and the true enemy, and may we let a hundred flowers bloom for the cause of liberty. Our work for freedom is the cause of civilization, life, law and human flourishing. Whether people of good conscience see a given event as a setback or a breakthrough, let us remember that our struggle began many centuries ago upon the discovery of individual rights as an idea, our struggle continues in every small and large battle of the day, and our struggle shall not end until state oppression is abolished and all humanity is set free.
BELOW EXCERPT COPIED & PASTED FROM THIRD PARTY WATCH…….. Enjoy!
Eric Dondero Says:
May 28th, 2008 at 10:10 am
Bob Barr is libertarian on the most important issue of our time: Foreign Policy.
The libertarian movement was founded out of the Barry Goldwater for President campaign in 1964. Libertarians have always been Strong on Defense, like Goldwater, and his followers – Dana Rohrabacher, Dr. Jack Wheeler, John Hospers, Milton Friedman, Ayn Rand ect…
Aside……………..
DONDERO ET AL appear pleased w/ Barr to a degree – because he is NOT a Non – Interventionist.
Others are Okay with Barr because he is looking for a withdrawl from Iraq and a scaling back of our Empire…..
He can’t be both….. Specifically, what is his policy toward Iraq and also toward non – intervention in general.
Do we have a clear statement?
Good call Anthony. What we need is clear thinking and speaking like that.
Steve, We have nothing nearly so clear from Barr about … anything…
Remeber when Donderoo was helping Lieberman get re-elected in the last election? And when people challenged him on that he got very vytrolic (as the Fox bimbo would say).
The seizure of liberty from the people in all its forms is an act of war on the people, an assault on humanity’s natural and pristine state. It has been going on since the beginning of civilization. This is what we face.
Self defence can come in the form of use of the political system. The LP is one political saber. But it must fit who we are. Because we are not large or strong, it cannot be a giant battle axe. We might wish it were a +5 battle axe. But this +5 Battle Axe requires a roided out ogre level of strength. And that ain’t us. We have to work with what we’ve got. Bob Barr.
A bigger defence of liberty also arrives via the dynamic and infinitely creative ways in which free markets (or even black markets) run circles around the State. I think this is not just a battle axe, but heavy artillery.
Apologies folks for the military analogy…
I spoke with Bob Barr at the convention, for a few minutes. He told me that (1) the Iraq War was based on “faulty intelligence,” and (2) he does NOT support war with Iran. He said that he’d been to Iran, he knew the Iranian people, and he did not believe that war was necessary.
I hope that Barr speaks this message loud and clear, and states it repeatedly, in the coming months. I hope he will speak often and vigorously to mute the war drums.
I’m not optimistic. I don’t think that Barr (or Root) will put much effort into denouncing war with Iran. (At least not until it’s a “done deal.”) But I’d love to be proven wrong.
We have to work with what we’ve got. Bob Barr…….
No, we don’t…. I’d prefer CP guy Chuck Baldwin….but really, the whole thing is a waste of time.
I might not even vote this cycle…..
The clincher for me was WAR as VP….. Do you guys recall his first interview w/ AK…. Pro – interventionist…. No foreign aid – except for “special friends” like Israel….
Granted Ruwart – Barr was close, and Root supporting Barr could have predicated on him being named VP.