Report on the Jan 25, 2017 Libertarian meeting of Allen County

1-25-2017 - Robert Enders, chair, Jeannette Jaquish-Vice Chair, Alec Smith- Secretary and Kristi Avery-Treasurer, Mike Tront, a new guy - Stuart, and Brian Stoner attended.  The promised live stream had technical problems and would not go up.
No votes were taken or money expended but many events were launched.
The group agreed with Alec's idea to organize a trash pickup on the southeast side of Fort Wayne. Alec has a friend their whose home is a gathering place. We talked about serving food after the pick up and playing music and getting to know the neighborhood and set a good example.
We talked about doing booths and 4 people volunteered. Kristi ordered a poster sized grid for people to score their World's Smallest Political Quiz from the Politically Homeless kit from the Advocates for Self Government. This will be good to use at booths at fairs and gun shows and farm shows and similar events.
Mike said maybe he could speak at the morning shift when Robert, Jeannette and Alec speak at a social studies/political science class at Concordia Lutheran High School, March 10.
Alec postulated we could get Democrats and Republicans to send a representative to do live or videotaped debate/conversations. We proposed various locations such as Wunderkammer or Calhoun Soups and Subs.
Someone mention the live streamer/blogger Tom Woods who will mention libertarian websites on his blog, which, it is reported, result in many hits.
As for website, Jeannette said she would call the person in charge of our website and get it going again.  Also find our old copy of our bylaws and platform, though we could revert to the state LP's version.  Our local LP was inactive for a few years, and our records suffered.
Robert will try to track down some other old records from a relative of an LPAC officer who died.
The group enjoyed pizza and Chinese food and snacks and discussed terrorism and news items.  Our newest member, Stuart had conversations with everyone.  Later, those left played "What do you Meme?"

Politics in the Current Year

1. Everybody lies. Sometimes it's okay, like a gay man lying to his homophobic parents. Sometimes it's unethical but still routine, like politicians who make campaign promises that they know they can't keep. Politicians who don't lie, don't get elected. A typical successful Republican will promise one group of voters that he'll cut taxes, a second group that he'll boost military spending, and a third group that he'll fight for a balanced budget. A typical successful Democrat will promise to cut CO2 emissions and save the auto industry. Throw some promises to protect Social Security into the mix, and it's impossible to keep all of these promises. As it stands now, voters will not support an honest man. This country needs to learn how to accept hard truths before any of that can happen.

A shrewd politician tells the truth on a regular basis to make his lies more credible. The Obama Administration was good at this. The Trump Administration is bad at this. Sean Spicer has claimed that record crowds have attended the 2017 inarguration, and Kellyanne Conway has defended his statement as "alternative facts". It is easier for me to believe that William Shatner knows how to run a starship when I watch Star Trek reruns than it is for me to believe that Donald Trump can run a country when I watch the news. Trump could learn some lessons from Hollywood writers in keeping the narrative consistent and maintaining continuity.

2. Neo-Nazis have been around since the real Nazis surrendered in 1945. They aren't organized enough to replicate the horrors of the past. Some of them commit acts of violence and belong in jail. Most of them are just trying to make their parents upset and aren't really serious about this. If they are sincere about their beliefs but haven't hurt anyone yet, they need mental health care more than they need jail time. Letting them express their delusional beliefs is our country's way of letting people identify themselves as crazy to everyone else.

But then we have the Antifa movement. The Antifa are a bunch of pinkos who are mad that they lost the Cold War, so they want to go back and refight World War 2 all over again. So Antifa have been attacking Neo-Nazis in the streets.

I would like to remind these two groups of poseurs that the Eastern Front was the grimest, harshest theater of the Second World War. It's something to learn from, not to be nostalgic for. Stop fighting in the streets and go read a history book. Or play old school Call of Duty. Go do something remotely educational, or at least less dangerous than what you're doing.

First 2017 Libertarian Party of Allen County meeting, 1/25

Everyone is welcome to join the Allen County Libertarians at their first meeting of the New Year, to analyze and discard the ghosts of 2016 and plan a successful new year.
Dinner provided but feel free to bring food or drink to share. 
The home has two small dogs. Children are welcome.
7pm, Jan. 25, 2017
1423 Louisedale Dr., Ft. Wayne, IN 46808 -- home of Jeannette Jaquish, LPAC Vice Chair
260 750-9013
- By the way, our latest regular 2nd Wednesday, 7pm get-together at Deer Park Pub had its largest crowd - 6 people.  Join us next month!

Alcohol and Libertarians -- What could go wrong?

Find out this Wednesday, January 11, 2017, at 7pm, for a friendly libertarian get together.
Beer and Liberty at Deer Park Irish Pub:  1530 Leesburg Rd, Fort Wayne IN.

www.the1A.org -- Amazing Libertarian theme show on NPR daily, 10am to Noon M-F

NPR (WBOI 89.1 FM ) has a new radio show: "The 1 A" http://the1a.org/, that has taken my breath away with its Libertarian themes (without saying the "L" word).
It is new, just began Jan 2, to take the place of the retiring Diane Rehm (who usually sent me tuning into Glenn Beck on WOWO). "1 A" stands for 1st Amendment, and their first show was all about the 1st Amendment's meaning and how it is a prohibition on Congress not on private property. Its host, Joshua Johnson, interviews people with opposing opinions -- a feature usually scarce on NPR.
Today's guests dazzled me with their clear logic and facts in explaining  what Libertarians have been saying since forever, that US government intervention in troubled countries usually makes it worse by destroying their economy and structure of government and leaving them in turmoil and open for another invasion, though US voters rarely notice, but those countries do, and the resentment against the US builds for generations.  And they explained that a LOT better than I just did.  I was so thrilled that I went on WBOI's website and gave a donation with a comment praising the new show.
If you go to The 1A's website http://the1a.org/ and click SHOWS you can play past shows. Today's show is Is the Era of American Humanitarian Intervention Over? 
Coming up Jan 5 is "Order in the Classroom: From Hall Monitors to Handcuffs".
I believe we need to let WBOI know that we love this show by donating with a comment or at least emailing them. Right now, their liberal staff is probably in shock as they hear this "government is over-reaching its power message"  and searching for a replacement show.  Please listen to past shows or the live show and let WBOI (www.wboi.org) know what you think.

25 years ago today

Twenty-five years ago today, Mikhail Gorbachev had resigned his position as President of the Soviet Union.* The Soviet flag was lowered from the Kremlin for the last time. Russia's experiment with communism had ended after only 74 years.

Today there are young adults all over the world who don't remember the Cold War. Among them are those who think that socialism can still work, if only everyone participates. These aren't just ironic hipsters who say this, but sincere fools who learn about history from the darker, dumber corners of the internet. They use computers that the Soviets could have never invented to access websites that they would have never allowed, and yet come to the conclusion that the economic system that has endured for centuries is somehow inferior to the system that lasted for mere decades.

Kids, if you are reading this, you should understand that communism cannot work on a national scale. If you and 20 of your best friends want to set up your own commune, you go right ahead. But no group of people is competent enough to manage the economy of an entire nation. This country does not hold the free market to be sacred or perfect. We simply use it because it allows us more choices and flexibility in how we live our lives. We don't have to stand in line for bread, we don't have to wear the same clothes as everybody else, and we can even pay money ironic merchandise featuring dead pinkos who would be horrified at the idea of being featured on a consumer product.

* The office of President of the Soviet Union was created in 1990. The official title of the Soviet head of state had varied greatly throughout its brief history.

Libertarian Holiday-Christmas Party
was Wed. Dec. 21
Technical problems -- which turned out to be Firefox preventing an outdated Adobe Flash to function, and didn't notify me for hours.
We did go live around 9:30 to 10:30pm.
We instead recorded much of the meeting and will post it at this link by Friday, Dec. 23:
http://www.ecstatic-theatrics.com/LPIN/Video.html
Starting at 7pm, Wed., Dec. 21, 2016.
Call in your comments or sing carols to 260 484 594six,
or come on by: 1423 Louisedale Dr., Fort Wayne, IN 46808

Sorry, Jesus and Starchild will not be at the party,but if they were, they'd be in the spirit.
Kids are welcome.  The home has 2 small dogs.
Food and drink provided but feel free to bring something to share.
We'll play games like Political Charades [now that is redundant] and plan our projects for 2017!

Bring Family and Friends to
The New Year's Day 
"Free Brunch 'Cuz There Ain't No Free Lunch"
 hosted by the Libertarian Party of Allen County, 
11am to 1pm, Jan. 1, 
at the home of LPAC Vice Chair Jeannette Jaquish and husband Tom, 
1423 Louisedale Dr., Ft. Wayne, 46808.
A hot cooked 2nd Breakfast will be served with friendly conversation and overly optimistic plans for the New Year.   
Children welcome. Home has 2 small dogs. Call ahead or just show up.  260 484-5946

Libertarian Christmas Party, Allen County

7 to 10pm, Wed., Dec. 21, 2016

1423 Louisedale Dr., 

at the home of Tom and Jeannette Jaquish, off Sherman or Wells -- go west.
260 484-5946
Bring anything to eat or drink to share. Bring guests.
Kids welcome. Two small dogs in home.
We will play Political Charades and "What Could Go Wrong" Political Improv, listen to political parody Christmas Carols, and make a Wish List of Libertarian events, offices to run for, and projects for 2017. This is a good time to bring new people as we analyze the past and begin new projects.

Libertarian Meeting - Allen County -- All welcome!
7pm, Wed., Nov. 23, 2016
1423 Louisedale Dr., 46808, home of Tom & Jeannette Jaquish, 260 484-5946.
Grub provided; feel free to bring more.
Kids welcome. House has 2 small dogs.
We'll hash out what worked, what didn't, and what we learned from the 2016 Election Campaigns.
We'll talk about 2017 events we want to outreach at, and what issues to focus on. And what skills and equipment our group has and how to make the most of our abilities. And when we do this, it's fun!

The Black Swan President

After the 3rd presidential debate, Fivethirtyeight.com gave Donald Trump an 11.9% chance at winning. This is 11.9 more percentage points than I ever gave him. Trump had no experience in politics, the military, or in civil service. He said things that any one of us would get fired for saying. All he had was name recognition and an ego to match. Don't write off Charlie Sheen for President just yet.

1) Don't write off Libertarians. If Trump can win just by spouting nonsense, then a intelligent candidate running on a well-thought out platform can also win.

2) Progressives, before you ever mention single payer in a serious policy discussion again, try to imagine Mike Pence in charge of your health care. This is why we support smaller government: because we have no clue which incompetent, corrupt clowns are going to be in charge in four, eight, or 20 years. America has survived worse leaders than Trump because their power was limited. It's great to want to help people who lack access to basic needs. But be very wary about asking the government to help. There are other institutions better suited to solve these issues.

3) America has survived and thrived under mediocre and terrible presidents. This is why we have checks and balances. And this is why we have to start getting ready for the midterms.

Libertarian Election Night Party!

Everyone is invited to:

The Election Night Party 

for the Libertarian Party of Allen County.

7pm, Nov. 8, 

at the home of Tom and Jeannette Jaquish, 1423 Louisedale Dr.   

Everyone is welcome to enjoy food, games and conversation.  Food provided but feel free to bring booze, beverages or more food.

The house has dogs.  Kids are welcome.

260 484-5946 or 260 750-9013

---

At our October meeting we practiced our public speaking with a mock 3-camera TV talk show.

Robert Enders interviews Marty Bender, Brian Stoner, with Kristi Avery pretends to operate a camera and Mike Tront runs the switcher with help from Laika.  Jeannette Jaquish set up the equipment and Tom Jaquish observes.   

We plan to shoot more news-gathering and issues investigation and humorous videos in the future, for outreach and to undo the fear of public speaking to make us better candidates.

Trump doesn't want to be President

First of all, I hate writing about Trump. I think he is obnoxious just to get attention, and even the smallest amount of publicity would only serve to encourage him.

Donald Trump has said so many shocking things over the past month that at first I didn't think the 2005 Billy Bush Bus video was any more of a big deal than any of the other nonsense that he says. I finally got around to watching the video.

I have heard people say worse things than that, but none of those people ever plan on running for President. The people that I know who do want to serve in elected office some day try to manage their tone. This particular video was more than Trump saying the word "pussy". He was bragging about being able to grope women without any consequences. We can't prove that he was boasting about something he actually did. But for him to say things that imply he is a sexual predator who hides behind fame and wealth like Bill Cosby suggests that in 2005, a political career was the furthest thing from Trump's mind.

If I was advising Trump on his campaign, I would advised him to admit to the video early on back in 2015 and get it out of the way. Just say the whole thing was an incredibly bad joke and try to move on. If it cost him the primary, it would have saved him the trouble of a failed general election campaign. But voters have notoriously short memories, and this video could have been forgotten by now. I will never get involved in the campaign of a candidate who is as toxic as Trump.

Here is the thing that every political operative knows: if there is pictures, audio, or video of a presidential candidate, you have to assume that the opposition will find it. If they find it, they will leak it at a time that serves their purposes. I don't think it's a coincidence that the story about this 2005 video suddenly broke in early October. Just enough time to get the word out, and stay fresh in the minds of voters.

Trump knew this video was out there, and failed to mention it to his GOP handlers. If Karl Rove were advising Trump and Trump actually followed Rove's advice, this video might have washed right off. In the context of a competent, competitive, political campaign, Trump's actions up to this point make no sense. I have to wonder if Trump's real goal is to destroy the GOP or get Hillary elected. If that's the case, it says something that the GOP was tricked into letting him get this far down that path.

Six possible explanations for Trump's behavior

We expect politicians to lie. They also mix in just enough of the truth to make their lies more credible. But sometimes a politician′s actual intent, beliefs, and motivations are tough to pin down. Most politicians try to win over as many voters as possible, while everything out of Trump′s mouth seems calculated to excite a small number of people while upsetting everyone else. Trump′s strategy is completely contrary to everything we know about politics. Here are six theories on why he is going down this route.

The Strawman. Maybe this is wishful thinking on my part as a Gary Johnson supporter. But a lot of things that Trump says seem geared towards making people upset with him and distract from Hillary Clinton′s scandals. He’ll go through the motions by giving speeches and raising money, just so that the plan has plausible deniability. But if he starts leading in the polls, expect him to do something extraordinarily stupid later this month.

The Attention Whore. Running for President is a great way to sell books and get hits for your website. Maybe this is all part of a lucrative marketing strategy. Or maybe Trump loves being in front of the camera and the sound of his own voice.

The Figurehead. Trump has zero experience in government. Most aspiring future Presidents serve in the military or run for state and local offices before taking a shot at becoming the most powerful person in the world. Apparently, Trump is going to let Pence and other members of his administration do all the work and make all the decisions. The trouble with this is that I don’t think Trump even makes a good figurehead. Good figureheads manage their message better. Trump is like that friend of yours who will talk trash to the other thugs in the bar. And yes, America can kick the ass of every other guy in the bar, but when we go out to the parking lot we found our tires have been slashed and several of our allies have unfriended us. Trump has a 1st Amendment right to run his mouth all the time, but I don′t want his words to represent the country as a whole.

The Drunken Master. Trump may be trying to get Hillary Clinton and other progressives to believe that he is an idiot. He says all the wrong things on purpose so that he isn’t taken seriously. Liberal voters are less likely to turn out if they think victory is guaranteed. So look for Trump to start listening to his advisors and managing his message in late September.

It′s all for the lulz. Basically this is the plot of the movie ″Man of the People″. Wouldn′t it be funny to run for President and say whatever pops into your head when you are on camera and have half of the country eat it all up? I would have liked to do that if I ever got to be old, obnoxious, and rich. I′m just jealous that Trump got to do it first.

He′s telling like it is. Of all the possibilities, this one is the scariest. I hope that Trump is smarter than he lets on to be. I hope he is lying about wasting billions on a wall that won′t stop illegal immigration, ending key trade deals that keep the economy afloat, and using torture on people who have not even been convicted of a crime. If this really who Trump is and he really gets elected, we are in for a long four years.

The Aleppo Challenge

I'll be blunt. Syrians were a lot better off before Americans knew where Aleppo was. They were a lot better off before our President decided that their President must go. They were a lot better off before our government started providing weapons and funding to groups that behead Syrians.

Our country's recent history has involved Presidents surrounding themselves with Very Smart People like Henry Kissinger, Colin Powell, and She Who Shall Not Be Named who study the facts and come to the conclusion that launching missiles, dropping bombs, and sending troops to troubled regions will somehow make America safer and improve the lives of people living in the region that is being bombed. One of the reasons why I'm voting for Gary Johnson this year is because I'm hoping that Very Smart People won't start another Very Stupid War.

So I propose the Aleppo Challenge. Most of us have Very Smart Friends who post on Facebook and Twitter that Gary Johnson is not qualified to be President because he asked the wrong question during an interview. Make a screen shot of these posts, and save them in a folder. When your Very Smart Friend's favorite candidate goes on to start another Very Stupid War, post that old screenshot in their timeline and congratulate them for being too smart for peace.

TV Party - Gary Johnson & Bill Weld on CNN Wed., Aug. 3.

Join the Libertarians to watch Presdential and Vice Pres. candidates Gary Johnson and Bill Weld interviewed by Anderson Cooper on CNN.  
Wed., Aug. 3
1423 Louisedale Dr., Ft. Wayne, IN 46808 - home of Tom and Jeannette Jaquish.260 484-5946.
8pm -  Pizza and fruit salad, coffee, juice, soda.
9pm -  CNN Town Hall with Johnson & Weld. Feel free to bring TV snacks and BYOB. 

You may confirm if you like at /www.facebook.com/AllenCountyLibertarians
 
 http://reason.com/blog/2016/08/01/cnn-to-host-second-town-hall-with-gary-j

4th Wednesday LP meetings

Monthly Libertarian meetings are the 4th Wednesdays of the month at 7pm,
until further notice.  Locations may change.
Next LP meeting is Aug. 24, 7pm at the home of Vice Chair Jeannette Jaquish, 1423 Louisedale Dr., Fort Wayne, IN 46808, 260 484-5946 or 750-9013.

Join us to PRACTICE the 2nd Amendment Squirt Gun G'Zombie Challenge, this Sunday, July 31, 3-5pm at the Big Tent pavillion on the far west side of Franke Park.  (Another practice same time August 20)  We will test different trekkers vs g'zombie strategies and make the game as suspenseful and fun as possible. Afterwards we test the grill, cooking burgers, vegi-burgers, hot dogs, and eat potato chips, fruit salad and cold sodas.  Wear outdoor clothing.  We need more volunteers for the Sept. 3 actual event.  Show up, or call Jeannette at 260 750-9013.

You are invited to the 2nd Amendment Squirt Gun G-Zombie Challenge!

"Stop playing!  It's time for your Standardized Test!!!"

Travel the winding trails squirting dead brained Govt-Zombies spouting atrophied-brain nonsense!
Then compete in or watch:

The LOUD FOR LIBERTY Historical Speech Contest!

Any age may deliver a Liberty themed speech, song, quote, line from a movie, poem, or interpretive dance mime, or tell a story, from 1 sentence to 5 minutes.
Sponsors provide money and merchandise awards.

 Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016 

Franke Park, 1140 Sherman Dr., Ft. Wayne, IN 46808

at the west side Teepee Pavillion, north of the Day Camp buildings.

 SCHEDULE for these FREE EVENTS
3 to 5pm - G-Zombie Challenge
5:00 - BBQ Picnic & Games - Meet the Libertarians and their Candidates
5:30 - Check in for:
6:00 - Loud for Liberty Historical Speech Contest

Volunteers needed, especially G-Zombies!
Sponsor an Award of money or merchandise.

Contact Jeannette Jaquish, LPIN Vice Chair

260 484-5946 or 260 750-9013 or jeannettejaquish@yahoo.com

More info at:  http://www.ecstatic-theatrics.com/LPIN/GZombie.html

Business Meeting - Wednesday, July 27, 7pm

Libertarian Party of Allen County Business Meeting
Wednesday, July 27, 2016, 7pm
at the home of Robert Enders, LPAC Chairman
582 Courtney Dr., New Haven, IN 46774
------
This is a business and planning meeting.
- We need a new Secretary now, and a Treasurer by mid-August
- We are planning events
- We are working with candidates to help their campaigns
- Everyone is welcome
- There will be refreshments. Feel free to bring snacks and drinks to share.

Please call Jeannette Jaquish at 260 484-5946 if you have questions.

More info at https://www.facebook.com/AllenCountyLibertarians/
and
Info about the Sept. 3 "2nd Amendment Squirt Gun G-Zombie Challenge" at
www.facebook.com/livefreeplayfree

Robert's House on MapQuest:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/582+Courtney+Dr,+New+Haven,+IN+46774/@41.064503,-85.0397927,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x8815fbc592d7a9c5:0x70754663ae8c02d4!8m2!3d41.064499!4d-85.037604