Wayne Root takes on Occupy: I am the One Percent!

Those One Percent are the Heros of Capitalism

From Eric Dondero:

2008 Libertarian VP candidate Wayne Root says proudly he's part of the 1%. Takes Occupy Wall Street to task for criticizing those who produce the wealth, and pay the vast majority of taxes.

MAJOR NEWS!! British Historian and Worldwide Libertarian Human Rights activist Niall Ferguson endorses Mitt Romney for U.S. President

He's the Pro-Business, Pro-Capitalist Choice

Niall Ferguson is a professor of history at Harvard Universityl. He is also a senior research fellow at Jesus College, Oxford University, and a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. His Latest book, Civilization: The West and the Rest, has just been published by Penguin Press.

From the Daily Beast, "Niall Ferguson Endorses Mitt Romney for President" Nov. 29:

From the Tea Party to Occupy Wall Street, America is angry at elites. But Mitt Romney’s business success makes him the best candidate by far.

Actually, the best case for Mitt Romney was just made by the other side. In an unintentionally hilarious piece, The New York Times attempted a hatchet job based on his time as the founder and CEO of Bain Capital: “After a Romney Deal, Profits and Then Layoffs.”

You know what this evil bastard did? Yes, that’s right. He used borrowed money to take over failing companies. And that’s not all. He fired some of the folks who worked at those companies. Wait, it gets even worse. He restored those companies to profitability. I know, I know. And—to cap it all—he made hundreds of millions of dollars doing it... that’s exactly the business model of private equity and leveraged buyouts

In Europe these days, the answer to fiscal crisis is to put a technocrat in charge... what the U.S. government really needs is a private-equity guy in the White House

Editor's note - Niall Ferguson is married to Pro-Liberty/Anti-Islamist activist and former Dutch Parliamentarian Ayann Hirsi Ali.

Economist, Author & LR Senior Editor Clifford F. Thies on national radio podcast

They were opposed to Adam Smith and classical economics. They were proposing a new theory of economics, which was a lack of a theory called historicism... [Ely] he went to Germany and studied all sorts of German ideas. And the Germans they didn't like the Austrians [economists - Mises, Hayek], and they didn't like the English either. They developed a theory, or lack of a theory, where you would compile statistics, endless statistics... all the government needed to do was recognize what needed to be done, and to do it. It opposed what we now call the indirect effects, unintended consequences... these things resulted in horrible consequences in mid-century, and that should temper us in regard to wanting to do good. We should be at least mindful of the unintended consequences... - Dr. Thies

Econ Journal Watch radio broadcast Nov 28

The American Economic Association takes pride in celebrating its founder Richard T. Ely.

This pride is strange, given the character of Ely’s thought, which is revealed in the EJW article “Richard T. Ely: The Confederate Flag of the AEA?” by Clifford F. Thies and Ryan Daza.

In this podcast, Thies explores Ely’s ideas, values, and impact. (Ely is viewed as a founding father of modern-day left-liberal/progressive economic ideals) Excerpt:

He was a proto-Nazi... he was advocating the German agenda of racial superiority, organize society... segregation... eugenics... To redefine freedom as obedience to the state.

Clifford Thies is the Eldon R. Lindsay Chair of Free Enterprise and Professor of Economics and Finance at Shenandoah University. He is a contributor to six books and author or coauthor of more than six dozen articles in scholarly journals.

Interviewed by Lawrence H. White

Other Econ Journal podcasts

INTERVIEW WITH GREG BUCCERONI: ALLEGES CHILD SEXUAL MOLESTATION COVER-UP BY FORMER DEMOCRAT GOVERNOR ED RENDELL

A "Joe Paterno Bill" making it a National Crime not to report Child Sex Abuse

BACKGROUND: My true story begins back in January 1977 while I was a troubled adolescent youth associating with other at-risk youth in the Center City area of Philadelphia. I was originally introduced to Mr Ed Savitz thru political election campaign social events on behalf of Ed Rendell for Philadelphia District Attorney. These political events were in the South Philly and the Center City area where I worked cleaning up tables and supporting local elected officials. At these political social events I was introduced to Ed Rendell and other local political types by Ed Savitz. These social political events were also a social magnet for wealthy politically connected pedophiles being introduced to unknowing adolescent boys working or socializing at these events. They were openly allowed to socially drink alcohol and unknowingly socialize with these various adult wealthy politically connected pedophiles. Initially Savitz pretended to mentor various boys purchasing alcohol for these various kids. Then while the kids were intoxicated, Savitz (who was subsequently convicted of child molestation and died in prison of AIDS), and other pedophile types attending these political social events, would fondle and sexually exploit these adolescent victims. He offered the intoxicated youth money and gifts in return for sexual acts. All of the warning red flags were up, but unfortunately ignored by many city officials including Philadelphia District Attorney Ed Rendell attending these political social events in the name of politics.

BACKGROND ON CHILD MOLESTOR ED SAVITZ: Edward Isadore Savitz (also known as Uncle Ed, Fast Eddie and Dr. Feel Good) (February 22, 1942 – March 27, 1993) was an American businessman who was arrested for paying thousands of young men for either engaging in anal and oral sex or for giving him dirty underwear and feces, which he kept in pizza boxes in his apartment. Ed Savitz was one of four sons by Russian immigrants Paul and Ann Gechman Savitz. The Savitzes ran an amusement arcade in downtown Philadelphia. Ed ranked first in his class of 278 students, and voted most likely to succeed. He won a full scholarship to study economics at the University of Pennsylvania, but dropped out after two years. His brother, Joseph, a lawyer who once served as a Deputy Pennsylvania Attorney - via FreeBase.com

From Eric Dondero:

Greg Bucceroni contacted Libertarian Republican early this week, after being shunned by local media in the Philadelphia area. He brought his story to LR because of our past articles on former Governor Ed Rendell, and accusations of the Democrat Governor using services of a prostitute.

Bucceroni is a former NJ police ofcr. and currently a youth crime ofcr. in Philadelphia. He explained to LR how he was a victim of convicted pedophile (deceased) Ed Savitz. He was molested on numerous occasions by Savitz sometimes in the presence of top Philadelphia politicians.

We interviewed Greg this morning:

ERIC: Greg, thank you for allowing Libertarian Republican to bring your story to a national audience. Can you tell us why it is that you decided to step forward at this time?

GREG: Well, with everything that is going on at Penn State right now. I just saw former governer Ed Rendell as a commentator on some TV news show. NBC or something. I forgot what it was. And this son-of-a-bitch is out there talking about how horrible the Penn State cover-up is. But he was part of a similar cover-up in the late 1970s, 1980s. He was the Joe Paterno. He was in the same position as Joe Paterno is right now. And just like how Penn State covered it all up, that son-of-a-bitch protected Savitz and the internal politics of the Philadelphia Democrat Party.

The reason I am stepping forward is that I don't want this happening to other young people who may get throwin into the same position I was as a youth.

ERIC: What do you hope will come of this?

GREG: I want to make it a crime to have knowledge of pedophile behavior and not doing anything about it. I want to push national legislation.

ERIC: This is all very brave of you to do this. Are you willing to name names?

GREG: Absolutely. In addition to that scumbag Rendell, there were other witnesses. They decided to look the other way, and throw those kids under the bus, because those pedophiles were wealthy politically-connected businessmen, who were extremely generous to the Philadelphia Democrat Party.

I am willing to name names. You wanna hear names of witnesses. Congressman Bob Brady (photo) who was a political committee person at the time. He is the Chairperson today for the Democrat Party in Philadelphia. He was the one who introduced me to Ed Savitz to be my mentor.

ERIC: Our readers are particularly interested in the politics of the whole situation. How has this affected your view of the Democrat Party?

GREG: I am disgusted with the whole Democrat machine in Philadelphia. I have left the Democrat party. I am a Republican now...

ERIC: Thank you Greg. God Bless. And we hope to have more interviews with you as this story develops in the coming weeks.

GREG: No problem. Contact me any time.

Bucceroni also told LR that he is planning to contact two Republican congressional offices in the Philadelphia area this week, former Eagles linebacker Rep. Jon Runyan who represents a district in South Jersey, and Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (photos), to urge them to support such legislation.

DISCLOSURE: We here at LibertarianRepublican were early and enthusiastic supporters of both Congressmen Fitzpatrick and Runyan in 2010.

Photo credits - PressofAtlantic.com and PhillyBurbs.com Blippit.com Planetware.com

Libertarian Gary Johnson makes most definitive statements to date: He's going Third Party

LP Chair Mark Hinkle says Johnson switching now very likely

Video News report from Channel 4 KOB Albuquerque:

Johnson told Eyewitness News 4 in a phone interview from New Hampshire that he is almost certainly going to drop out of the race for the Republican presidential nomination and run for the Libertarian Party's nomination instead.

He continues his grassroots campaign for smaller government, less spending, debt reduction, legal marijuana and gay marriage.

"From what I see and hear on the ground, I think a lot more people embrace this message than not, and the Republicans certainly aren't even letting me be heard," Johnson said.

Johnson also said leaders of the Libertarian Party have made overtures and he thinks he has a fair chance of winning the nomination.

From Politico:

“My understanding is that some time before the New Hampshire primary Gary Johnson will say goodbye to the GOP and re-register with the Libertarian Party,” Hinkle said.

Karl Rove to NewsMax: There will not be a Third Party candidate

From NewsMax interview, Nov. 28 "Rove: There Won't Be a Third-party Candidate":

“I think there will be talk about it. But at the end of the day you have to have people who are willing to get behind that particular candidate, and I think there are too many people who feel so passionately about the necessity of removing President Obama from office that while in normal times they might be infatuated with a third party candidacy, this time around they’ll be very reluctant to do it."

“As I travel around the country I talk with a lot of tea party leaders. Ross Perot is in front and foremost of their minds. He gave us Bill Clinton for eight years. They don’t want to have a third party candidate split the center-right vote and give us another four years of President Obama.”

Texas Editorialist: Elizabeth Warren right; Ayn Rand dead wrong

Rand's followers in the GOP spout callousness - "Let 'em all die"

Excerpted, Freethought San Marcos: The sophistry of Ayn Rand Libertarianism, San Marcos Mercury, Lamar W. Hankins, Nov. 29:

it is echoed in the callousness of the current Republican presidential campaign, where Herman Cain states that if a person doesn’t have a job, it is that person’s fault; where Ron Paul suggests that if a person needs health care but has chosen not to purchase health insurance, then it is perfectly acceptable to let that person die; where all undocumented immigrants should be immediately shipped back to their country of origin, and electrified, military-guarded fences should be erected to assure that they cannot return; where the crowd applauds all of Gov. Perry’s executions, even if some of those executed were innocent; where waterboarding is torture that makes Republicans feel good (they like to call it “enhanced interrogation”); where gay servicemen are booed; and where “no work, no food” is an honored value. It’s chilling: even George W. Bush claimed to have compassion, but Tea-party-leaning, Ayn Rand-spouting Libertarians have none.

There may be as many varieties of Libertarianism as there are religions in the US. Lately, though, many in the political class identify themselves as Any Rand Libertarians, so I will focus on their brand of Libertarianism. After all, it is the kind extolled by Paul Ryan, Rand Paul, Ron Paul, Clarence Thomas, Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, and most of this year’s crop of Republican presidential hopefuls, though I don’t claim that any of them follow Ayn Rand’s philosophy (Objectivism) in any systematic way.

Ayn Rand extolled the virtues of individualism, sometimes called rugged individualism, as a lynchpin of her beliefs. Individualists are glorified as ambitious, fiercely independent people who succeed spectacularly in life solely because of their own actions, resources, intellects, and willpower. In Ayn Rand’s world, the masses of people don’t fit this description. They are largely miserable souls who occasionally overcome their misery thanks to the exceptional abilities of a few individualists, who do great things because of their creativity and intellectual acumen.

Occupy cares about the little people; libertarians just selfish self-centered, greed-mongers (who hate puppies, and make meanie faces at little children)

Additionally:

One of the most succinct statements in opposition to Ayn Rand’s philosophy came recently from Senatorial candidate Elizabeth Warren at a house party in Massachusetts:

“There is nobody in this country who got rich on his own. Nobody. You built a factory out there — good for you! But I want to be clear. You moved your goods to market on the roads the rest of us paid for. You hired workers the rest of us paid to educate. You were safe in your factory because of police forces and fire forces that the rest of us paid for. You didn’t have to worry that marauding bands would come and seize everything at your factory, and hire someone to protect against this, because of the work the rest of us did. Now look, you built a factory and it turned into something terrific, or a great idea — God bless. Keep a big hunk of it. But part of the underlying social contract is you take a hunk of that and pay forward for the next kid who comes along.”

Warren’s message is one well-understood by the Occupy movement, whose members are driven by a profound commitment to democratic principles and to an economic system that will assure a decent life for all, rather than just the 1%.

Ayn Rand viewed the misery of many of the world’s people as a failure of their will. She would not acknowledge that our government, through opportunism, the taking of natural resources, militarism, and exploitation of the labor of third world people, made possible much of our prosperity. Rand’s philosophy is grounded in selfishness and greed disguised as virtue. The needs of others, including those starving and homeless, are not worth her consideration. As far as Rand was concerned, these weak, defective people could just die...

Editor's comment - Illegal immigrants electrocuted? Hmmn, wasn't aware that we libertarians were in favor of that one. Actually, a simple bus ride back to the border with a free bologna sandwich and bottled water, would be much more to our likings.

Durban, South Africa, Climate Talks Going Nowhere

by Clifford F. Thies

The Italian newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore indicate that the Durban round of climate negotiations looks to be in deep trouble. Emerging economies such as Brazil and India oppose mandatory controls, and Canada, Japan and Russia have signaled their refusal to join in the next round of controls.

Separately, the English newspaper The Guardian says that the rich nations of the world, beset by budget problems, are reluctant to agree to any further controls for the next decade.

Let me see,who does that leave wanting controls? General Electric, General Motors, climate scientists, ideologically-committed greens, and the non-developing countries of the world who want their compensation payments.

Oh, this just in: a new batch of "climategate" emails have been leaked (they say "stolen"). The media says there's nothings newsworthy about it. Everybody already knows the evidence has been manipulated.

Source: Italy Ilsole

Tonight! Live Town Hall with Gary Johnson and GOProud E.D. Jimmy LaSalvia

Governor Gary Johnson and GOProud Executive Director to Host On-Line Town Hall on LGBT Issues

November 30, 2011, Santa Fe, NM --Presidential candidate Gary Johnson and GOProud Co-Founder and Executive Director Jimmy LaSalvia will co-host a live national on-line Town Hall Thursday, December 1. The Town Hall will focus primarily on social and human rights issues. The Town Hall will be conducted on Yowie.com from 8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. EST.

It will be an interactive live video chat, and anyone who wishes to participate can do so by going to www.garyjohnson2012.com.

PC comes to Boston U. - Foot baths installed in bathrooms to appease Muslim students

ISLAMIZATION OF AMERICA

From Eric Dondero:

Reporter notes at the end of the segment, public taxpayer dollars are being used to install facilities to accomadate Muslims. ACLU does not object, even though they object to tax dollars being used for Jewish or Christian rituals at similar public facilities.

Muslim Turks acknowledge 1930s massacre of Kurds

Still no acknowledgement of Armenian Genocide

From Eric Dondero:

A genuine apology or an attempt to garner more favor as the EU contemplates admitting the former Ottoman Empire into the Union, perhaps?

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan last Wednesday acknowledged and apologized for past Turkish atrocities committed against Kurdish minorities.

According to the Washington Post, "Turkish PM offers 1st apology for killings of nearly 14,000 Kurds in the 1930s" Nov. 23:

“If there is need for an apology on behalf of the state, if there is such a practice in the books, I would apologize and I am apologizing.”

But so far, no acknowledgement of the even greater atrocities by Turkish Muslims against Armenians in the early 1900s. Armenian Christians were raped and butchered en masse; hung, beheaded, gassed, burned to death, and some even skinned alive.

Continuing:

Turkey is also under pressure to acknowledge other dark pages in its history, including the mass killings of Armenians in 1915, a special wealth tax imposed on Jews in the 1940s and attacks on its Greek minority in 1955.

The killing of up to 1.5 million Armenians and their forced migration under the Ottoman Empire has been the main barrier to Turkey’s reconciliation with Armenia. Armenians have long fought to persuade other governments to call the killings a genocide. Turkey rejects the term genocide, contending the figures are inflated and saying there were many deaths on both sides as the Ottoman Empire collapsed during World War I.

Photos courtesy of the Armenian Genocide Museum

Good news out of Turkey; Christian church will be allowed to be rebuilt

From Clifford Thies:

A Christian website that usually reports on atrocities against Christians around the world, most of the time by Muslims, has included an item of good news. The Turkish government has allowed the re-construction of a 16th century Armenian church.

We, at Libertarian Republican, remember the tolerance of the Ottomon Empire with regard to religious diversity, and the working relationship, sometimes better than others, of Turkey with Israel. As sick as we are of continued religious bigotry and violence in the world, we are happy to spotlight this event. It is better to light a candle, we say, than to curse the darkness.

Source: CompassDirect.org

SEXUAL ABUSE ALLEGATIONS SURFACE INVOLVING POTENTIAL COVER-UP BY FMR. PENN GOV. ED RENDELL

LR EXCLUSIVE!! DEVELOPING!!!

From Eric Dondero:

Was former Philadelphia District Attorney Ed Rendell aware of a cover-up of charges of sexual molestation in the 1980s?

A sexual abuse victim has stepped forward with details of alleged rapes by a known child sex abuser who was a supporter of Rendell and numerous other top Democrats in the Philadelphia area. The top Democrats include at least one former congressman. The allegations involve teenage boys who worked as bus boys and attendants at various downtown Philly campaign events.

The Philadelphia media is aware of the story. At least two major Philly media outlets were contacted days ago. They are unwilling to report on the allegations. The individual making the allegations has told LR, that the two media outlets told him that those involved are "too powerful" in Philly politics.

The individual stepped forward on Nov. 24. He was motivated to finally tell his story after seeing the Penn State scandal unfold, and after heartwrenching consultations with his family. He is a former criminal law enforcement officer from a neighboring state.

LR reports allegations of Rendell's past alleged sexual misconduct

Here is LR's past reporting on related allegations regarding the former two-term Democrat Governor:

Excerpt, LR, July 26, 2009, "Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell once compared Legalizing Prostitution with "contract killings":

An increasing number of on-line news sources are concluding that Governor Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania, is the mysterious "Governor 'X'" hinted by Escort Service CEO Kristin Davis as a client of one of her Female Escorts.

But Rendell's public views on prostitution, appear to be in conflict with his private habits...

Excerpt, LR, July 25, 2009, "Governor X" Sex Scandal Update: It may be "Fast Eddie" Rendell?":

Some respectable Right blogs and media are now zeroing in on Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell as the mysterious "John" mentioned by Madame Kristin Davis. She had asserted in a recent magazine interview that Elliot Spitzer wasn't the only client of her escort firm who was a Governor. Davis said that one of her "courtesans," had multiple visits from another prominent head of state. The escort described her client as polite, and a real gentleman. Further, she hinted that Client II was relatively quick in finishing his business, unlike the somewhat kinky, overly demanding Spitzer.

Now, on Friday on the rambunctious Opie & Anthony Sirius radio show, Davis let out some more hints. As recounted by Right blog DeusexMacontent:

I don't normally listen to Opie & Anthony looking for breaking news, but astonishingly that's what I just got. A few minutes ago, the cast of the show on Sirius XM radio were interviewing Kristin Davis -- not the one from Sex and the City, the former Manhattan Madam who spent four months in Rikers in connection with the Eliot Spitzer hooker scandal from last year. There's been quite a bit of speculation that her operation at one time serviced another high-profile governor, besides Spitzer, and up until now she's been largely quiet about just who that governor is.

Well, during the interview, she admitted that someone she called "Governor X" employed her services at least ten times during a year-and-a-half period. She apparently wrote his name down on a piece of paper and showed it to Opie and Anthony, who then proceeded to spend the next ten minutes dropping hints that a 4-year-old could've deciphered.

"What, did he pay her in coal and steel?"

"I guess he had a little filly on the side."

"Did he used to be an Eagles scout?"

Excerpt, LR, July 26, 2009, "Gov. Rendell Sex Scandal, Was it him?":

The Rightosphere continues to speculate as to the true identity of Governor 'X'. Overnight, two more blogs picked up the story: Conservatives for Change, and Dirty Democrats.

But a bigger news source, once again delved into the scandal. The NY Daily News, partly responsible for orginally breaking the story, published an update in its gossip section.

While many Democrat bloggers have been hoping to catch a Republican Big Fish, one very big name has just been definitively ruled out.

From the NY Daily News, July 26:

Meanwhile, people have been speculating with vengeance since we told you about the former Davis escort who contends Spitzer wasn't the only governor she romped with. On Friday, when Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell's spokesman Chuck Ardo resigned, Ardo insisted his retirement had nothing to do with Gawker and other sites putting Rendell on their short list of pols who may be Governor X. Ardo told The D.C. Write Up that Rendell is not the new luv guv - "no way, no how, no place, no time."

From LR, Feb. 8 2011 "Gov. "Fast Eddie" Rendell splits from Wife: Even more Proof he was the Madame's mysterious client "Mister 'X'"?"- Democrat Rendell's suspected dailliances with Call Girls went un-reported by the national Media"

Governor essentially had an open Swingers Style marriage...

Now this morning, with the former Governor out of office now for 3 weeks, the media is reporting he and his wife of 42 years are "splitsville."

From Philly.com, "Ex-Gov. Rendell splits with wife after 40-years of Marriage":

Gov. Rendell and his wife, U.S. Appellate Judge Marjorie “Midge” Rendell, announced in an e-mail to friends today that they will be “living separately” now that they have left the Governor’s Mansion in Harrisburg.

But don’t let that prevent anyone from sending them invitations to the same party, the parting couple advised. The split after four decades of marriage is “amicable” and they won’t find it awkward or uncomfortable to socialize together.

We hope to have further details later this evening...

Norwegians now resorting to separate education facilities to protect native Nord schoolchildren from Islamic immigrants

Whites fleeing public schools

From Eric Dondero:

An interesting development out of Norway.

Native white families, alarmed by the increasing Muslim-ization of the inner cities, are now sending their kids to exclusively white schools, in guarded, gated surroundings.

From the UK Daily Mail, "Apartheid row at Oslo school as teachers segregate ethnic students so white children don't feel 'in a minority'" Nov. 28:

The move, at Bjerke Upper Secondary School in Oslo, divided students and parents, sparking an protests across the city.

Teachers at the school claim the segregation in one of the three general studies classes was a result of many white Norwegians changing schools after feeling they were in ‘the minority’ in classes

Currently there are 420,000 ‘non-Nordic’ citizens who immigrated between 1990 and 2009, and who make up 28 per cent of Oslo's population.

'She said straight out that the school had experienced ethnic Norwegian students dropping out if they weren't grouped together in smaller classes,' he told the Dagsavisen newspaper.

Editor's note - Of course, the headline is entirely biased and mis-leading. As the article hints, Whites are fleeing inner-city schools not out of hatred or racism, but out of utter fear of crime and violence.

Top Democrat Strategists: Working Class Whites forever lost to the GOP

Not even worth trying to win them back...

From Eric Dondero:

John Halpin and Ruy Teixeira, co-authors of a new study on Democrat coalition strategies going into 2012, argue that the old Reagan Democrats are now completely lost to the GOP; and that resources and time would be better spent on boosting black and other minority turn-out.

According to the NY Times, "The Future of the Obama Coalition" Nov. 27:

All pretense of trying to win a majority of the white working class has been effectively jettisoned in favor of cementing a center-left coalition made up, on the one hand, of voters who have gotten ahead on the basis of educational attainment — professors, artists, designers, editors, human resources managers, lawyers, librarians, social workers, teachers and therapists — and a second, substantial constituency of lower-income voters who are disproportionately African-American and Hispanic.

“we battled to get them back. They were sizable in number and central to the base of the Democratic Party.” At the time, he [Texeria] added, “we didn’t know that we would never get them back, that they were alienated and dislodged.”

In Europe, it's the pro-sovereignty Right parties winning over working class voters; in the U.S. the Republican Party

Continuing:

In the United States, Teixeira noted, “the Republican Party has become the party of the white working class,” while in Europe, many working-class voters who had been the core of Social Democratic parties have moved over to far right parties, especially those with anti-immigration platforms.

[Dem Pollster Stan] Greenberg, speaking of white working class voters, said that in the period from the mid-1960s to the early 1990s, “we battled to get them back. They were sizable in number and central to the base of the Democratic Party.” At the time, he added, “we didn’t know that we would never get them back, that they were alienated and dislodged.”

Photo credit - nymag.com

Republican voters shy away from Ron Paul over foreign policy

They've "ruled out Mr. Paul... problem: anti-interventionist views on foreign policy"

Wall Street Journal on-line, Danny Yadron, "Paul's Iowa Rise Faces Hurdle" Nov. 28:

[Paul campaign worker Micah] Luethje... is well-positioned to see the potential limits to Mr. Paul's popularity. When he phones voters to seek support, they often say they have ruled out Mr. Paul. The problem: Mr. Paul's anti-interventionist views on foreign policy.

"That's probably the hardest part," said Mr. Luethje, whose regular job is making eyeglasses. "A lot of Republicans are of this Christian mind-set that we need to defend Israel."

"90% of people" contacted for the Iowa GOP primary "raise concerns about the congressman's foreign policy views"

Some political leaders and activists see Mr. Paul's devotion to his foreign-policy views limiting his potential support.

"It's that great mass of undecideds he needs to appeal to," said Ann Trimble-Ray, vice chairwoman of the Sac County GOP and an adviser to U.S. Rep. Steve King (R., Iowa).

Dusty Juhl, a supporter of Mr. Paul in Iowa... estimated that 90% of the people he contacts raise concerns about the congressman's foreign-policy views.

Big applause for his Econonic free market policies; muted response to his Non-interventionism

Mr. Paul illustrated the possibilities and limits of his campaign during a visit to a Warren County Republican breakfast here recently. He sent the room into broad applause when he reminded the audience that he has long called for closing the U.S. Department of Education—a pet cause of politically active home-schoolers. But the reaction was more muted when Mr. Paul switched to troop deployments.

"We spend way too much money overseas, so I'd start by bringing the troops home from around the world," Mr. Paul said. About half the audience clapped. The other showed no visible reaction.

To his foreign policy foes, Paul's views "equivalent of appeasement in the face of Naziism"

From columnist Steve Greenhut, Orange County Register, "Getting serious about Ron Paul" Nov. 23:

Conservative writer Warner Todd Huston wrote recently that Paul is not a serious candidate... Huston hurled unfounded accusations at Paul, charging his minions with anti-Semitism and surrender in the face of "Islamofascism." His diatribe against the mild-mannered physician/candidate touches on why most conservatives won't take him seriously – Paul's foreign-policy views.

To the hawks who dominate the modern GOP... Paul's focus on reducing military commitments and concentrating on defense rather than on nation-building is the equivalent of appeasement in the face of Nazism...

Photo credit - IowaCaucus.com

Republicans poised to pick up Washington State Governor

From Eric Dondero:

For 12 years Democrats have reigned supreme in Washington State. Now the GOP is looking good to at least take back the Governor's mansion.

Suvey USA via Hedgehog:

GOVERNOR – WASHINGTON STATE (Survey USA)
Rob McKenna (R) 44%
Jay Inslee (D) 38%

McKenna is a well-liked moderate Republican, with support that cuts across party line.

Unfortunately, the same polling shows the GOP behind by 7 in the Senate race against incumbent Dem Sen. Maria Cantwell.

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From the Editor:

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Wild, Crazy, Anything Goes, Strategic Voting in New Zealand

Copying the Kiwis could spice up American elections

by Clifford F. Thies

Elections in America are so boring. Two parties. As though everybody who agrees with Republicans on economic issues also agrees with them on social issues; and, as though everybody who agrees with Democrats on foreign policy also agrees with them on domestic policy.

Well, it’s not that way in New Zealand. In New Zealand, voting is more complicated. First, there are many candidates and political parties who actually have a chance of winning. There’s the main center-right party and the main center-left party. There are parties both to the right of the center-right party and to the left of the center-left party. And, there are several parties in the center. These parties differ in a variety of ways, such as having different combinations of positions.

You get to vote two times with no penalty

Second, each voter gets to vote twice, once for the representative from his district, and a second time for the preferred party. Those who finish first in the candidate election are directly elected to parliament; and, each party qualifying for parliament is awarded bonus members so as to approximate its nationwide percentage in the party election. Usually, voters simply cast their first vote for the local candidate of their preferred party. But, sometimes voting becomes strategic.

In this just conducted national election in New Zealand, voting in two districts involved strategic voting. In one district, the ruling party signaled to its members to vote for the candidate of a small party that on its own had no chance of qualifying for parliament. This signal was accomplished by the Prime Minister having a cup of tea with the candidate of that small party. Very subtle.

That small party only received 3 percent of the party vote in the district. But, the candidate of that party received 45 percent of the vote. It appears that almost two-thirds of those who voted for the ruling party in that district voted strategically for the candidate of the small party to represent the district in parliament.

Three Cheers for "conjectural variation"

But, the voters of the ruling party were not the only people to catch the signal. Almost 40 percent of the voters of the two main opposition parties also voted strategically; namely, they voted for the candidate of the ruling party. They did this thwart the strategy the ruling party. But, this counter-strategy wasn’t enough to overcome the efforts of the ruling party. Even with the support of a large number of members of the main opposition parties, the candidate of the ruling party only received 37 percent of the vote.

Turning to the other district that involved strategic voting, the counter-strategy was a bit different. This other district is normally a swing district. Therefore, the best way to try to thwart the strategy of the ruling party was for the voters of the smaller of the two opposition parties to vote for the candidate of the larger of them.

In this district, 37 percentage points shifted from the ruling party to the candidate of the minor party, giving him a total of 39 percent of the vote. And, 9 percentage points shifted from the smaller of the two opposition parties to the candidate of the larger opposition party, giving that candidate 34 percent of the vote. Again, the strategy worked.

In a close election, the ruling party held onto power by the exercise of strategic voting of many of its members and in spite of the exercise of strategic voting by many of the members of the two main opposition parties. This speaks well of the ability of many voters not only to differentiate among many competing political parties (not merely two), but also to engage in what is called strategic voting in politics, and what is called “conjectural variation” in game theory.

Most human beings, in appears, are smarter than is presumed by the American system of voting.

Photos victorious National MPs. Kiwi cartoon credit - New Zealand International Radio

Libertarian Republican wins recount for Kirkland, WA City Council

Anti-Tax/Pro-Pot Decriminalization

From Eric Dondero:

A belated election victory to report. Tea Partyer activist and former Seattle-area congressional candidate Steve Berens, reports to LR:

KING COUNTY: Kirkland City Council (likely victory) - As of November 23, Toby Nixon (50.30%) leads his opponent by 185 votes

Nixon is a former longtime member of the Libertarian Party of Georgia. In the late 1990s he moved to Washington State, and was elected to the State Legislature in 2002. During his stint in the House he was a staunch supporter of Marijuana decriminalization, and even was a guest speaker at a number of Hemp Fests (Seattle Times). He lost reelection in 2006. Nixon served as Republican Liberty Caucus State Chairman, and on the RLC Advisory Board.

Johnson concedes his Campaign in NH has completely failed

Accuses liberals at CNN and MSNBC of extreme bias

Just released...

from NMPolitics.net

“‘There’s no expectation, none whatsoever’ of a strong finish in the New Hampshire primary, which will be held in little more than six weeks (Jan. 10) Johnson said in an interview in Santa Fe Monday afternoon.

Holy Benedict! The Pope an anti-nanny state libertarian?

Believe it!

From Eric Dondero:

His Holiness regularly rides in parades in his Pope-mobile without a seat belt. Nobody has complained before. But now a concerned citizen in Freiburg has officially filed a complaint.

From the Washington Post "Pope Benedict XVI slapped with charges for not wearing seat belt" Nov. 28:

Attorney Christian Sundermann confirmed that the complaint was filed with authorities in Freiburg, the southern German city that was Benedict’s last stop during his German visit, according to the newspaper Der Westen.

The unnamed plaintiff, from Dortmund, argues that the pope was seen several times during the visit without a seat belt. The complaint offers several eyewitnesses, including the archbishop of Freiburg, the head of the German Conference of Bishops and the premier of the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg, where Freiburg sits.

The complaint refers to a “Mr. Joseph Ratzinger” — the German-born pope’s given name — and sightings of him on Sept. 24 and 25 riding in a vehicle without a seat belt “for more than an hour.”

Note - The Vatican City, an autonomous 2 square mile country wholly inside of Italy, has no laws requiring seat belt usage. Of course, there are virtually no streets open to car traffic in the tiny country either.

Photo credit - Answers.com

Nebraska's Ben Nelson; the next Big Dem to announce Retirement?

From Eric Dondero:

The AP is reporting (via AJC) "Nebraska Democrat wavering on whether to retire":

All the pieces are in place for a re-election bid, but Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson is wavering on whether he'll seek a third term in 2012 or retire — a decision that could have a big effect on Democrats' chances of holding their Senate majority.

Nelson told The Associated Press on Thursday that he'll make a decision over the holiday season

And this poll released just yesterday from Magellan Strategies:

Bruning (R): 45%
Nelson * (D): 39%
Other/und: 16%
* denotes incumbent

Pundit Press opines, "New Poll Has Nelson Trailing in Nebraska":

Looks like more good news in the GOP's chances of gaining back the Senate. Their chances in North Dakota and Wisconsin are also looking good. Victories here would place the party with 50 in the chamber, not withstanding the other races. With Obama as a drag on the ticket, this total may increase even further.

Editor's note - Of course, that's not even counting GOP chances at least even or even better in Florida, New Mexico, Missouri, and Virginia.

To good to be true... Barney Frank will not seek Re-election

Blowhard in more ways than one

From Eric Dondero:

Massachusetts lost a congressional seat in the latest census, down from 9 to 8 seats. The stage was set for a Boston-area battle between the ever-controversial Rep. Barney Frank and possibly one or two other Democrat incumbent Reps. But now that problem for Mass Dems may have just been solved.

From USA Today, "Reports: Rep. Barney Frank to retire" Nov. 28:

Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank, the former chairman of the influential House Financial Services Committee, will not seek re-election next year, several news outlets are reporting this morning.

Frank's office has not yet confirmed the reports. The Associated Press reports he will hold a 1 p.m. news conference in Newton, Mass.

Editor's comment - Did the passing gas incident last summer on national television (photo uptop) play into his decision? No doubt, even his most diehard supporters must have had a hard time sucking that one in.

NY Friend of LR: Interviewed by major Long Island political site

A Ronald Reagan "Pro-Life Libertarian Republican"

Excerpt, LIPolitics.com, "Political Insider Interview with Frank Seabrook – Publisher – Liberty Report"

Frank Seabrook is the publisher of the New York Liberty Report, and Chairman of the New York Liberty PAC. Frank could often be heard saying that his goal through both organizations is to help advance the cause of liberty in New York State. He resides in Wading River, NY with his wife AnneMarie and their three teenage children. Frank also is retired from the NYPD after twenty years of service, holds a BS in Architectural Engineering Technology

What party do you most associate yourself with? And why?

I grew up in a very conservative home. My father was a card carrying 1960′s William F Buckley NY Conservative Party city cop. Wow that’s a pretty long label, huh? Anyway, when I turned 18, Ronald Reagan was president. To this day, there is no other political figure in my lifetime that I more closely identify myself with. I’ve been a registered Republican ever since. I consider myself a Pro Life Libertarian Republican.

Would it be fair, however, to consider you to also be a Tea Party member?

Yes. I am also a proud member of the Tea Party.

New York Liberty Report

New Herman Cain Video for Volunteer Army

From Eric Dondero:

Just released days ago... A very well made, grass roots produced video "Rockin' with Herman Cain." Soundtrack instantly recognizable.

H/t Stacy!

Johnson says he'd "work for" the Libertarian Party nomination

A Pro-Defenser accepted by the LP?

From Eric Dondero:

All the buzz in the right political blogosphere and even mainstream political media such as Politico and The Hill, is about a potential third party candidacy by libertarian Republican former two-term New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson.

Many media are presuming him gaining the Libertarian Party nomination would be merely a formality. But as a veteran of three past LP nomination battles (Ron Paul vs. Russel Means in 1988, Rep. Don Gorman in 2000 and Bob Barr/Wayne Root '08), I can attest, LP fights can often times be brutal.

Johnson appears to recognize that he'd have to work hard for the nomination.

From the Daily Caller this morning:

“One thing I would make clear is that, if I did decide [to seek the Libertarian nomination], that’s nothing that’s pre-ordained,” Johnson told TheDC. “That’s something that I would have to go out and work for. And I would do just that, I would go out and work for that.”

And the Daily Caller suggests Johnson's moderately pro-defense views could pose a problem:

Unlike fellow libertarian Republican presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul, Johnson approves of humanitarian military intervention in some cases, such as President Obama’s recent decision to send American troops to Africa to help fight the brutal Lord’s Resistance Army.

Editor's comment - As for me? I'd support any Republican nominee enthusiastically, except Gingrich and Ron Paul. If either one of them somehow gets the GOP nod, I'd gladly support Johnson on the LP ticket.

Geller on Occupy: They can "go straight to hell"

"looters, moochers, and destroyers" of capitalism

From Eric Dondero:

Former NYC Punk Rock chic now Pro-Liberty/Anti-Islamist crusader Pamela Geller of Atlas Shrugs was recently interviewed by our libertarian-conservative pals at the New York-based blog Pundit Press.

Asked where the Occupy movement was headed, Geller had this to say:

Straight to hell. It is a movement of looters, moochers, and destroyers, bent on ruining capitalism, the greatest economic system the world has ever known, the most benevolent and the engine of the prosperity that led to our unqualified leadership and preeminence in the world. And the system that enabled these parasites to spend all their time demonstrating.

She was also asked about her greatest influence:

Ayn Rand, who best articulated the premise on which I think and act, individual rights.

Photo h/t - American Power blogspot

Party Switch? Top New York Jewish Democrat bolting to Republicans

Possible congressional candidate for new Jewish-majority district

From Eric Dondero:

We have the pleasure at this site of reporting on countless small-town and county-level Democrats switching parties to Republican mainly in the South from East Texas to Mississippi. But now here's one in the heart of the Big Apple.

From the NY Daily News, "Embattled city Controller John Liu's top adviser Simcha Felder may join GOP to run for new Brooklyn district":

Deputy Controller Simcha Felder, [Liu's] top Jewish aide, has met with Republican state Senate leaders to discuss running for a super “Jewish district” that is expected to be drawn up in Brooklyn, sources said.

“This is a very serious option,” said a source familiar with the talks.

The idea was broached by state Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, the insiders said. At the meeting, Felder indicated he’d be willing to change parties if the seat was created under the state’s divisive redistricting plan.

Of course, his decision to switch may have been helped by the recent election of Republican Bob Turner to the Brooklyn-based Anthony Weiner seat.

Ron Paul Campaign Aide in Iowa: Republicans have "obsession" with Israel

GOPers "seem to think U.S. has a responsibility" for their protection

From Eric Dondero:

John Bowery is a campaign worker for Ron Paul for President in Iowa. He is affiliated with Campaign For Liberty. He is from Shenandoah, IA.

He is quoted in the Wall Street Journal this morning, expressing frustration with Republicans' obsession over protecting Israel.

From the Wall Street Journal "Paul's Iowa Rise Faces Hurdle," Nov. 28:

John Bowery, a Paul campaign volunteer in Page County, said he usually makes progress with most voters he contacts. As for those that have a "real obsession about Israel and seem to think the U.S. has a responsibility not just to give them foreign aid but to come to their defense," Mr. Bowery said they "agreeably agree to disagree."

Ron Paul campaign hq, Ankeny, IA

Coulter: Newt endorsement by Union-Leader, effort to get Obama re-elected

Formerly granite rock solid conservative paper went liberal decade ago

From Fox News Sunday via GOP12:

The reason the Union Leader has been respected in its endorsements was that it was a solid, conservative newspaper -- back when it was Gerald Ford vs. Ronald Reagan, they went with Reagan, in 1996, they endorsed Pat Buchanan.

That was under a different editor -- that was under William Loeb.

There's a new editor now, and he endorsed John McCain in the last election, so I think this is less about Romney; more about trying to get Obama reelected, 'cause they did a fantastic job in 2008.

Photo h/t - politdikto.com

New name for VP spot floated: Why not Toomey?

Working Class Allentown P-A

From Eric Dondero:

Jim Geraghty of National Review is floating a new potential candidate for the Vice-Presidential slot, be the eventual nominee Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Perry, Cain or whomever.

And as NR's ace campaign reporter points out, he's near perfect from every perspective - geographically, ideologically, temperment, personal background. Toomey has a moderately working class background. He originally hails from Allentown, PA. His father was a union worker.

From NR, Toomey for Veep?

The Republican nominee is likely to need a running mate who has impeccable free-market credentials, is admired by the tea partiers, and preferably comes from a swing state.

Of course, Toomey is the former long-term President of the economic libertarian Club For Growth.

Note - This website was an early and enthusiastic backer of Pat Toomey for US Senate in 2010. Withoug doubt, those of us in the libertarian wing of the GOP would be quite pleased with a Toomey selection. (Photo credit - Flickrivemind.com)

More to the story of Reggie Love's immediate departure from the White House?

DEVELOPING...

From Eric Dondero:

Normally, we wouldn't be publishing a story like this. But a number of pretty respectable blogs are running with it, including (centrist Democrat) HillBuzz and (moderate Republican) No Quarter. Over the weekend, the story moved from fringe sites, to more mainstream sources.

Our primary angle rests on the fact that a blog closely aligned with ours, the black libertarian-conservative (Tea Party) website Booker Rising appears now to be the very first to raise these questions way back in June of 2009:

You've surely seen him. He shadowed Barack Obama on the campaign trail. When you see President Obama, this guy is typically nearby. The Democrat even won Huffington Post’s recent “hottest White House employee” contest.

Who is this tall glass of hot chocolate? The Charlotte, N.C. native is Barry's "body man", or personal aide. You remember brotha Charlie Young on "The West Wing"? Mr. Love is him in real life. The 6'5", 27-year-old politico's job is to anticipate President Obama's needs and wants. If Barry craves a protein bar, brothaman has it. He relieves Barry of items. When President Obama needs to call someone, Reg has his briefing book and the phone number handy. If Barry wants to play pickup basketball, Mr. Love is there...

Reggie, all these tidbits are why we won't hold those embarrassing college photos that white frat boys took teabagging you against you (careful, the last link is NSFW). How do you pass out drunk at a University of North Carolina frat party when you're an athlete at a rival school? Not to mention that drunk-driving charge (he didn't get a sentence as his blood alcohol level was slightly below the limit). No wonder you got kicked off the Duke basketball team...

Gay Sex photo, a College prank?

That last link Booker's Shay Riley talks of is a rather inexplicable photo of Love lying on a couch with a college boy holding his exposed genitalia over his face.

As other right blogs surmised over the weekend, the timing of Love's departure couldn't have been more curious. From the Larry Sinclair site:

Almost immediately after the PENN State board fired its President and revered football coach Joe ‘Joe Pa’ Paterno over their failures in the child molestation allegations against former assistant coach Sandusky, the White House made the unusual move of announcing in a press release the departure of Obama “Body” man/personal assistant Reggie Love.

ESPN and ABC have to know of Reggie Loves past ”tea bagged” incidents and the reports that there are home-made porn video’s circulating from Love’s days of drunken frat parties at University of North Carolina and Duke University...

And this from reporter Wayne Madsen as relayed by the Tea Party site Give Us Liberty:

“The fallout from Penn State has universities and colleges across the nation checking their records for indications of child abuse and other sex scandals. The Citadel is now embroiled in a scandal involving child sexual abuse by a summer camp counselor. Past gay-oriented sex parties at Duke and the University of North Carolina involving then Duke basketball and football player Reggie Love reportedly cost him his job as President Obama’s ‘body man.’

Editor's comment - A controversial sex photo clear as day, a possible drunk driving charge. The mainstream media's reluctance to follow up on these stories, in light of the massive media attention given to Penn State, Paterno and Jerry Sandusky is the real scandal. If it had been a Republican stafer??

WARNING: The college frat party photo is clearly X-Rated. We will not run it at LR. But Booker T. has the link. Photo credit - Democratic Underground.

Yet one more reason to Abolish PBS: Sesame Street composer busted for Child Porn

DOUCHEBAG LOSER ALERT!!

From Eric Dondero:

That seeminly harmless Sesame Street jingle that your kids listen too over and over again, may just have been composed by a child molester.

Live5News reports:

Fernando Rivas was charged in federal court Monday. He faces charges of sexual exploitation of children, transportation of child porn and possession of child porn.

According to an affidavit obtained Tuesday, authorities found child porn on a computer, computer disks and other materials Rivas owned back in April. Two of the images on the computer showed a 4-year-old girl naked and bound by Velcro restraints in sexually-suggestive positions, the affidavit states.

North Charleston police arrested Rivas in April on charges of sexual exploitation of a minor, second and third degree. The case was later taken over by federal authorities.

Court documents indicate that Rivas "did coerce a person under the age of 18 to engage in sexually explicit conduct including the lascivious exhibition of the genitals for the purpose of producing depictions of such conduct.

Additionally:

Rivas' website states that he began to write for the Children's Television Workshop (now Sesame Workshop) and has written a number of songs for the show Sesame Street featuring singers such as Celia Cruz, Gloria Estefan and Cindy Lauper.

Note - Not a single one of the mainstream media reports mentions that PBS is a taxpayer-funded institution.

Important! Clarification: We cannot verify that this is the precise song composed by alleged Child Pornster Fernando Rivas. But there is only one other YouTube video featuring Ms. Cruz. Photo credit - Edmonton Sun..