THIS POST IS COMPLETELY OPEN AND OFF TOPIC

This post is being written to establish part of our new format on this blog forum.
There will now be better use of the Label/Category System for distribution between the different types of post.
You may quickly visit any new post from this point forward that is labeled as a following category:
Social, Federal, State, Local, US History, Civic, and Libertarian Party,

This post is established herein between now through June of 2009 for any information and topics that you wish to discuss or bring to our attention or ask our opinion on. After June 2009 we will review and see if this post is necessary still.

PLEASE LEAVE ANY COMMENTS OR CONCERNS BELOW THAT ARE NOT COVERED ON OR BY OTHER POSTS AND WIDGETS ON THIS BLOG FORUM, THANK YOU. ~ THE OFFICERS OF LPAC.

The Bill of Rights: Preventing Government From Usurping The Peoples' Rights For 217 Years

George Mason, a member of the Continental Congress/Constitutional Convention, wrote, "The Eyes of the United States are turned upon this Assembly and their Expectations raised to a very anxious Degree." Mason had earlier written the Virginia Declaration of Rights that strongly influenced Thomas Jefferson in writing the first part of the Declaration of Independence. He left the convention bitterly disappointed, however, and became one of the Constitution's most vocal opponents. "It has no declaration of rights," he was to state. Ultimately, George Mason's views prevailed. When James Madison drafted the amendments to the Constitution that were to become the Bill of Rights, he drew heavily upon the ideas put forth in the Virginia Declaration of Rights. (Government Archives) They were originally introduced by James Madison in 1789 as a set of twelve amendments and came into effect on December 15, 1791, when they had been ratified by three-fourths of the States.(WIKI)

As most are aware one of my absolutely favorite of our previous Presidents of the United States is Honorable James Madison, Jr. of Virginia. His quote regarding religion and politics and civil society separation is on the header of my personal blog. He was the father of the Constitution, which we are currently allowing to be left on the floor like used bathroom tissue, as well as co author of the Federalist papers. It was his work during his time in the Colonial Legislature of Virginia and his strong oratory skills which gave us the benefits of the strongest ten protections from government intrusion into our lives and placing limits on the Constitutional authority or force that Government could exude against We The People without getting bitch slapped back in place by the Courts or the citizens.



Please take time to review and memorize these jewels of our liberty in law:

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment II

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment III

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment V

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

Amendment VII

In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment VIII

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment IX

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment X

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

We need to pay better attention to these Rights before we loose them, as they have already begun to be withered away and we have sat idly by and let it happen, for the sake of our national security and political stupidity. As Benjamin Franklin wrote in the Historical Review of Pennsylvania (1759), "Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." If you don't believe me that we are getting ready to loose our rights or the Constitution all together read the article at the bottom that this latest resolution by the Libertarian National Committee is in response to:

RESOLUTION CONDEMNING DOMESTIC DEPLOYMENT OF THE U.S. MILITARY

WHEREAS, the domestic deployment of 20,000 uniformed military personnel planned by the United States government undermines the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, which forbids the use of the military for domestic policing; and,

WHEREAS, such a deployment is an alarming example of the increasing militarization of our society; and,

WHEREAS, the increasing use of active duty military personnel, has led, and will lead, to the abuse of American civil liberties, such as violations of the Fourth Amendment; and,

WHEREAS, a state's National Guard – not active duty members of Army combat units – is the appropriate authority to handle local emergencies and disasters should they arise; and,

WHEREAS, the use of the 3rd Infantry Division 1st Brigade Combat Team during a time of war puts further tension on an already strained U.S. military.

THEREFORE, be it resolved, the Libertarian National Committee and its undersigned members hereby condemn the plans of the federal government to deploy 20,000 active duty members of the U.S. military to serve, for whatever reason, domestically in the United States. Furthermore, the Libertarian National Committee calls for the immediate abandonment of these plans, and instead suggests that should an emergency response team comprised of members other than local emergency responders (fire, police, HAZMAT) be developed and trained, it consist of members of the National Guard – not active duty personnel of the United States military.

The Libertarian National Committee calls for the citizens of the United States to oppose this militarization of our society, and its encroachment on American civil liberties, to their local, state and federal representatives.

Pentagon to Detail Troops to Bolster Domestic Security
By Spencer S. Hsu and Ann Scott Tyson Staff Writers

The U.S. military expects to have 20,000 uniformed troops inside the United States by 2011 trained to help state and local officials respond to a nuclear terrorist attack or other domestic catastrophe, according to Pentagon officials.

The long-planned shift in the Defense Department's role in homeland security was recently backed with funding and troop commitments after years of prodding by Congress and outside experts, defense analysts said.

There are critics of the change, in the military and among civil liberties groups and libertarians who express concern that the new homeland emphasis threatens to strain the military and possibly undermine the Posse Comitatus Act, a 130-year-old federal law restricting the military's role in domestic law enforcement.

But the Bush administration and some in Congress have pushed for a heightened homeland military role since the middle of this decade, saying the greatest domestic threat is terrorists exploiting the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Before the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, dedicating 20,000 troops to domestic response -- a nearly sevenfold increase in five years -- "would have been extraordinary to the point of unbelievable," Paul McHale, assistant defense secretary for homeland defense, said in remarks last month at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. But the realization that civilian authorities may be overwhelmed in a catastrophe prompted "a fundamental change in military culture," he said.

The Pentagon's plan calls for three rapid-reaction forces to be ready for emergency response by September 2011. The first 4,700-person unit, built around an active-duty combat brigade based at Fort Stewart, Ga., was available as of Oct. 1, said Gen. Victor E. Renuart Jr., commander of the U.S. Northern Command.

If funding continues, two additional teams will join nearly 80 smaller National Guard and reserve units made up of about 6,000 troops in supporting local and state officials nationwide. All would be trained to respond to a domestic chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or high-yield explosive attack, or CBRNE event, as the military calls it.

Military preparations for a domestic weapon-of-mass-destruction attack have been underway since at least 1996, when the Marine Corps activated a 350-member chemical and biological incident response force and later based it in Indian Head, Md., a Washington suburb. Such efforts accelerated after the Sept. 11 attacks, and at the time Iraq was invaded in 2003, a Pentagon joint task force drew on 3,000 civil support personnel across the United States.

In 2005, a new Pentagon homeland defense strategy emphasized "preparing for multiple, simultaneous mass casualty incidents." National security threats were not limited to adversaries who seek to grind down U.S. combat forces abroad, McHale said, but also include those who "want to inflict such brutality on our society that we give up the fight," such as by detonating a nuclear bomb in a U.S. city.

In late 2007, Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England signed a directive approving more than $556 million over five years to set up the three response teams, known as CBRNE Consequence Management Response Forces. Planners assume an incident could lead to thousands of casualties, more than 1 million evacuees and contamination of as many as 3,000 square miles, about the scope of damage Hurricane Katrina caused in 2005.

Last month, McHale said, authorities agreed to begin a $1.8 million pilot project funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency through which civilian authorities in five states could tap military planners to develop disaster response plans. Hawaii, Massachusetts, South Carolina, Washington and West Virginia will each focus on a particular threat -- pandemic flu, a terrorist attack, hurricane, earthquake and catastrophic chemical release, respectively -- speeding up federal and state emergency planning begun in 2003.

Last Monday, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates ordered defense officials to review whether the military, Guard and reserves can respond adequately to domestic disasters. Gates gave commanders 25 days to propose changes and cost estimates. He cited the work of a congressionally chartered commission, which concluded in January that the Guard and reserve forces are not ready and that they lack equipment and training.

Bert B. Tussing, director of homeland defense and security issues at the U.S. Army War College's Center for Strategic Leadership, said the new Pentagon approach "breaks the mold" by assigning an active-duty combat brigade to the Northern Command for the first time. Until now, the military required the command to rely on troops requested from other sources. "This is a genuine recognition that this [job] isn't something that you want to have a pickup team responsible for," said Tussing, who has assessed the military's homeland security strategies.

The American Civil Liberties Union and the libertarian Cato Institute are troubled by what they consider an expansion of executive authority. Domestic emergency deployment may be "just the first example of a series of expansions in presidential and military authority," or even an increase in domestic surveillance, said Anna Christensen of the ACLU's National Security Project. And Cato Vice President Gene Healy warned of "a creeping militarization" of homeland security. "There's a notion that whenever there's an important problem, that the thing to do is to call in the boys in green," Healy said, "and that's at odds with our long-standing tradition of being wary of the use of standing armies to keep the peace."

McHale stressed that the response units will be subject to the act, that only 8 percent of their personnel will be responsible for security and that their duties will be to protect the force, not other law enforcement. For decades, the military has assigned larger units to respond to civil disturbances, such as during the Los Angeles riot in 1992.

U.S. forces are already under heavy strain, however. The first reaction force is built around the Army's 3rd Infantry Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team, which returned in April after 15 months in Iraq. The team includes operations, aviation and medical task forces that are to be ready to deploy at home or overseas within 48 hours, with units specializing in chemical decontamination, bomb disposal, emergency care and logistics.

The one-year domestic mission, however, does not replace the brigade's next scheduled combat deployment in 2010. The brigade may get additional time in the United States to rest and regroup, compared with other combat units, but it may also face more training and operational requirements depending on its homeland security assignments.

Renuart said the Pentagon is accounting for the strain of fighting two wars, and the need for troops to spend time with their families. "We want to make sure the parameters are right for Iraq and Afghanistan," he said. The 1st Brigade's soldiers "will have some very aggressive training, but will also be home for much of that."

Although some Pentagon leaders initially expected to build the next two response units around combat teams, they are likely to be drawn mainly from reserves and the National Guard, such as the 218th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade from South Carolina, which returned in May after more than a year in Afghanistan.

Now that Pentagon strategy gives new priority to homeland security and calls for heavier reliance on the Guard and reserves, McHale said, Washington has to figure out how to pay for it. "It's one thing to decide upon a course of action, and it's something else to make it happen," he said. "It's time to put our money where our mouth is."

Washington Post | 01 DEC 08

'Marks For Distinction' Left By Libertarians In Races This Year

Folks this election may not be over we are still missing up to a third of the nationwide and statewide race results across the State. If anyone knows of updates to these lists below please let me know promptly via comments on this post or email. There is more election information on my personal blog F6.

Thank you to all those whom put their honour on the line to make our State a beacon of Liberty! The fight doesnt end here it is just beginning. I have two questions for you all. Does this years results help or hurt us for 2010? What can we as a Party do to improve upon the presentation of our message, especially for 2010? We have a year to figure out a plan and work hard to implement it folks. Lets get to work and win!

Now for the NEW RESULTS!

They are still Tentative but please right click here and open the new chart into a new tab. If anyone knows of updates to these lists enclosed please let me know promptly. Again to the Citizens of Indiana, thank you for your vote and all the support of the party for the people!!

No votes? What happened?

There are several contest which do not have data yet on the Secretary of State's website among them are State Representative Districts 37, 41st, 99th, and 100, and the twenty Counties of Bartholomew, Crawford, Delaware, Hancock, Harrison, Jennings, Madison, Marion (INDY), Miami, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Noble, Parke, Posey, Putnam, Spencer, Tippecanoe, Vermilion, and Vigo.

LPAC JULY BUSINESS MEETING

MONDAY, July 28th
6:30-8:30p.m.
Little Turtle Branch
Allen Co. Public Library
2201 Sherman Boulevard
Fort Wayne, IN 46808
(1 block south of W. State Blvd.;
before the Speedway Station)

click here for a map

Come to the local Firehouse Theatre and show your support with the Libertarian Discount

Set in Rome City, Indiana an hour northwest of Fort Wayne on State Route 9, in 1929. A small ensemble of local actors present the love story of Max and Millie who are struggling to established a life together near Sylvan Lake amid the economics of the roaring twenties into the hardships of the Great Depression. Hope and despair, G-men and gangsters, radio, talkies and print all collide to unfold this presentation as a 1920’s film while also telling the concurrent story of Al Capone as it interweaves the societal fabric of early twentieth century Mid West America.

The Firehouse Theater, operated by former LPAC officer Jeannette Jaquish, is located 1245 East State Boulevard (just east of Crescent Avenue aka Stellhorn Road/State Road 37) is presenting the newest play Al Capone and Me by local award winning author and educator, Ruth Tyndall Baker, with four remaining shows on the 31st of May and the 1st, 7th, and 8th of June.

The shows on the 1st and 8th start at 3p.m.; while the shows on the 31st and 7th start at 7p.m., with the option of dinner (for an extra fee) an hour before the show. Please RSVP if you wish to attend the dinner @ 260-750-9013. Ticket prices for this show are normally $10 for adults and $6 for children ages 8-13 (children younger than eight are asked not to attend) but with the new Liberty Discount not only will you get $3 off normal adult ticket prices and $2 dollars of a child's ticket but an additional donation will be made to the Libertarian Party of Allen County.

For more information about The Firehouse Theater please visit their website.

Just A Friendly Reminder: May Business Meeting and Part 2 of our Annual Convention is Wednesday

May Business Meetings &
LPAC Annual Convention

The Annual Convention has been continued
from the April Meeting to the May Meeting
on WEDNESDAY, May 28th 7:00-9:00p.m.
Jack and Hillary Evans residence
4205 North Washington Road
(West of Ardmore near Noll Park)

Only State and National Members
may vote during LPAC Convention.

Vote For Bob

Former US Congressman Bob Barr is the 2008 Libertarian Candidate for President of the United States. I'll offer him the use of my signs.

EDITOR'S UPDATE:
Wayne Allyn Root also secured the Vice Presidential Candidacy @ the Libertarian National Convention

Libertarian Party of California and Presidential Candidates respond to Marriage Equality decisions

First let's start with the Libertarian Party of California (Courtesy of Third Party Watch):

The Chair of the Libertarian Party of California said today’s California Supreme Court decision regarding same-sex marriage was the right one, but that it is only a small victory in the larger battle against government interference in marriage.

Kevin Takenaga, chair of the Libertarian Party of California, issued the following statement:

“People who truly cherish freedom see today’s Supreme Court decision as a victory for liberty and common sense. There’s no reason why consenting adults should not be allowed to marry so long as their arrangement doesn’t interfere with any other individual’s ability to live their life in any way they want to.

“Many supporters see the decision as a repudiation of bigotry and narrow-mindedness. But Libertarians also see it as a step towards a revision of the larger public policy issue surrounding marriage. Californians should start asking their elected officials why government is involved in granting marriage licenses at all.

“Adults should be allowed to arrange their personal, financial and legal affairs in any way that best suits their needs. Businesses make private contractual arrangements all the time. Arrangements in the name of marriage should be no different.”

Now the Libertarian Party's POTUSA Candidates (also via Third Party Watch):

Bob Barr | Mike Gravel | George Phillies |

The following is a list of campaingers for the Libertarian Party Presidential Nomination

The National Convention will be held the 22nd-26th of May in Denver, Colorado.
Whom are your favorite contenders and why?

Mary Ruwart

Bob Barr

Mike Gravel

Wayne Root

Mike Jingozian

Barry Hess

Christine Smith

Daniel Imperato

Steve Kubby

George Phillies

Alden Link

John Finan

Jim Burns

David Hollist

Robert Milnes

Some details for LPIN State Convention Announced

Indiana Libertarian's Annual Convention

Friday, April 25th:
Complimentary Party @ Wingate Inn
by Marion County Libertarian Party

Saturday, April 26th:
Business Meeting:
+ select delegates for the LP national convention
+ choose candidates for state and national offices.
Forums:
+ campaigns, + candidates, + elections
Dinner Banquet:
with speeches from LP Presidential nomination seekers.

Where:
Wingate Inn
Airport inside I-465 (west side)
near the Rockville Road Exit #?
Use 1.800.228.1000 or www.wingateinns.com
to reserve your personal rooms and/or suites.
Mention LPIN for special rates.

What it costs:
The program fee is
$95 through MARCH 26th
$120 AFTER March 26th
Checks or credit card info,
plus attendee names, should go to:
Mail to:
LPIN HQ
156 East Market Street
Suite #405
Indianapolis IN 46204

Thanks to Mark Rutherford for the information
More information to follow!

New Links Section & General Update

I am sitting here in my office wondering what to talk about first as I mingle across my mind the words I am going to type here and the thoughts and ideas I want to express.

Over the last month, we have seen a lot of changes in our Allen County Libertarian Party. We have had three separate Chairs and that transition went as smooth and sweet as strawberry cheesecake (with a graham cracker crust of course) each time. As the officers and party prepare to take the next steps forward in 2008 as a united front for individual responsibility and limited transparent governance we are going to rely on the membership even more to get the chores done around here.

In an effort to boost morale of our membership, I took some inspiration from a post Robert Enders did a few days ago about the International Libertarian Groups. I did some digging and found all the State groups with active websites and/or blogs, they are posted on the right (6th section). As part of human nature one often forgets to look outside of our own sphere of influence and realize that we are not actually alone in the fight for liberty. The main goals for this preview and cross link of State and other County Libertarian Parties is two fold: can we borrow any of their ideas for marketing or outreach or voter turnout; and second, to serve as a constant reminder for us and a warning to those who doubt our message that we are not alone in this cause of freedom.

With a small political party like ours we definitely had an impact in not just the election but the public process and the media coverage. We turned upside down in a lot of peoples minds what it means to be a Libertarian and in record numbers people in Fort Wayne began to consider LPAC candidates as normal and a viable option in the voter booth. Even with the transitions that have recently taken place we also can not forget the success of last years municipal elections. At the same time we can just ride back on our haunches and rest on postural grunts. We need to go forward and do so fashionably. We have awesome opportunities ahead of us this year in County, State, and Federal elections let's make an impact on our future together!

I conclude with a salute to our former Party Chair, Mr. Mike Sylvester, who is a great asset to the history and friend to the posterity of LPAC. He departed our part of the blogosphere earlier today. We will also welcome to the blog for our readers enjoyment, Robert Fuller, 5th district City Council candidate (2007), He will be on as soon as he is done watching the Superbowl.

Blessings and thanks for reading,

MRev. Kenneth White, Jnr.
Secretary
Libertarian Party of Allen County