Eric Sundwall

After those three hours on the road the frustration of not being able to check in until 3 PM was dampened by the buzz of people packed in the lobby and hallways of the hotel. Rooms with podiums and seating made for temporary succor. As I was flipping through the packet at a table a pair of students from New Paltz entreated me into a conversation. I noted their appearance on the podcast the night before and declined a generous offer to 'party' a bit. After all I'm representing the LP on the LNC now and discretion is always the better part of Occidental valor, despite whatever stories of Ron Crickenberger the lad had. I'll hook up with Igor at some point for the college tour about my ballot access story. Just before that I bumped into Hardy Machia upon arrival (the Region 7 LNC rep) and also saw our secretary Bob Sullentrup, Tony Ryan (Region 1 Rep & LEAP speaker) and Pat Dixon, chair from Texas and LNC At-Large_Rep. The Libertarian National Committee was there in full force, soaking up the rays of Liberty in the Granite state. Liberty is so prevalent in NH even the motherly like serving staff didn't quibble or pass judgement when a certain Secretary choose something besides the fish originally allotted. 'It's your body' they echoed.

While enjoying some rare reading time (in this case something on the B-list, Carnage & Culture by Victor Davis Hanson), I took in the talk from Mr. McQuaid, publisher of the Union Leader and watched him fend off an irate gentlemen claiming that a prosecutor was out to kill him. Despite a lack of security detail, an armed Free Stater is as persuasive as any Pinkerton substitute might be in that circumstance. Apparently the guy got his story out with the podcast guys, despite irately stomping out muttering 'just shut up and sit down'. Mr. McQuaid went on to note that former Governor Carl Benson did one thing right when he welcomed the Free Staters to New Hampshire. He also noted that Rudy Giuliani and John McCain both opted out of the debate in April that the Union Leader and CNN are conducting. No doubt the result of Dr. Paul's presence and the possibility that a 'good' Republican might be called out about the occupation in Iraq.

Before being able to check into a room, I also took in Rob Kampia's talk about the Marijuana Policy Project. Mr. Kampia self proclaimed libertarian, has initiated a lobbying effort in Washington that has been quite successful in prompting states to adopt better medical marijuana laws and also presses for openings in the de-criminalization effort. With a budget of 8 million dollars, the MPP enjoys a great deal of legislative success. He deftly deflected a question about Mr. Barr's new position on the LNC, suggesting that during a recent dinner, that Mr. Barr acknowledged that despite being a former federal prosecutor, that prohibition may have cost far more in terms of lost civil liberties through an ever expanding government than any perceived losses within the 'drug' culture itself. He also said that Barr was one of the good guys.

Jack Cole of LEAP also fielded a Bob Barr question during his presentation. He likewise attested to the value of Mr. Barr's pro-liberty decisions and didn't feel that Barr would disagree about the effects of prohibition. As Mr. Cole outlined throughout his presentation, prohibition has done little to curb addiction problems and has simply wasted valuable resources throughout it's thirty year history. I watched Howard Wooldridge give a similar talk at a roadside with his horse. Howard's now the Washington goto guy, congrats partner, give 'em hell. I couldn't catch the whole talk, having finally gained entry to a room and preparing for the dinner and Stossel event. If I have an extra half hour before my celebrity dinner it is better spent in the comforts of the bar.

I met Shamus from New Jersey soon after and heard about his FreeState experience. Shamus was at least in his late thirties. He told me he was a management consultant in the real estate business. Turns out he grew up in Schodack, a Rensselaer county boy ! Shamus got a good chuckle out of the Christopher Walken spoof with a reference to Schodack. Mayor ? He's basically tired of taxes and regulations and has started in on a commitment within two years. I didn't catch his marital and children status, but he was excited about the prospects and fighting the good fight with good people. He figures he can restructure his job so he can work at home most of the time. It's still America, thank goodness. A beer later . . .

Stossel spoofed the hardcore by confessing his ephinany around a copy of Mises or Hayek. Rather, he said, Reason magazine was the source of his conversion from a Princeton grad to consumer reporter to government critic. This new synthesis to Libertarian has taken its toll on his Emmy awards apparently, but he seems non-pulsed by it. The real epiphany for some was the acceptance that their story wasn't TV worthy. Whether it rogue cops, Cops for ending prohibition, or pressure to read the bills in Congress and even the Free State Project itself. Fortunately a young filmmaker named Tom Caruso is doing just that in a documentary about the project.

btw . . somebody get Tom Caruso a half million so the world can really see what's happening here. It might changes lives and get people proactive and involved. That's what Tom needs to tell a kisk ass story. Seems like a small price for Liberty. Tom did a great commercial for me and Libertarian perpetuity. Sorry I couldn't get back out dude. I'll catch you next time. I kept my cameras in the car.

Before everyone's favorite elected libertarian came in, former presidential candidate Michael Badnarik was to counter Bill Westmiller in a discussion about the future of libertarian progress. As they both essentially agreed on principal, the only thing left was why not join the RLC and what they might do with more money. Apparently Westmiller gave up on the LP in 1984 and felt victory or accomplishment could be achieved better elsewhere. Badnarik's basically supporting Ron Paul and says he was not being enriched by his congressional campaign. He claimed the only thing keeping him from pushing carts is the sale of his book. Perhaps once Mr. Hacker is done with closing the campaign committee we'll see how much the LNC financed those stylish black bags in Portland.

The George Phillies question was directed more at the sponsors of the non-debate and the lack of participation from somebody representing the Libertarian Party. Phillies asked Sorens to check with somebody about the possibility of this at the MPP reception on Saturday night. There were five LNC representatives available. It's fine if Badnarik wants to support Paul. Mashed potato analogy aside, one can still put green beans on top of them if the host actually lacks the tact to ask about your preferences. It's fine that he'll support the LP choice too. It is the Free State's choice not to be politically affiliated and to invite to speak whom they choose. But it would also be nice to hear from a point of view that included a 'party' view. Regardless of the omnipotent winning percentage the success of the Socialist Party was also pointed out.

My question for Westmiller would be their endorsement policy. It's fine to have a relationship and common working goals. but when push comes to shove, sometimes you gotta go out swinging with your shipmates, not your temporary romance. If his hope for passion in the Liberty community is so lacking, perhaps it is the ruse that one percent is fought over in the center that dulls the passions in old age. No cry for fairness in ballot access ? Timid about the drug war or foreign occupation ? Unabashed about tolerance of gay bashing ? This is why third parties continue to fight. Not the prospect of attaining power, but driving those in power to something reasonable for the rest of us not in power. I'm glad that George got up and raised the issue and let Badnarik & Westmiller respond. Mike Hampton's version is sound enough, but it only takes in Badnarik's caustic response better than George's purpose of the question. Buy hey Ron Paul stands for Liberty as the guy in the hat screamed at George clapping loud and arrogantly like a hooligan. George Phillies stands for Liberty too, just not the abolishment of the Federal Reserve.

Ron Paul suffers not from admiration of a small sect of Austrian bound eclectics and devotees. The second amendment gets 'em on their feet every time and a story about a young doctor working at a religious hospital should be told more often then treatises about fiat currencies. Guns on the plane should be for insider lunches.The faithful get it, you've got them already, staffers ya listenin' ? Get it ? Declaring war, the real threat to Liberty and the dismissal of chicken little reasoning in the Mideast are all good stump fodder. Figured he wasn't going to announce about halfway through. If you support Ron Paul get it to him now. He'll simply be overwhelmed by the Big Folk. Got it ? The LP will have their fun all the way 'til May 08 anyway. Relax people. Good.

Whether it is a specific issue or a series of educational programs the Free State is doing it as happy well adjusted people in a close knit community that shares more than just ideology. They help each other and socialize with each other on a daily basis. Not just a group of freakish middle age guys railing about guns and pot. They have those too though. And there are women ! Mothers, sisters and girlfriends who share an equal burden in organizing events, promoting key issues and otherwise making life the happy pursuit that freedom and liberty bring. They are lead by the god father of Liberty in NH, Don Gorman and the boy-professor hero Jason Sorens, whose short essay in a small online journal sparked a movement that is just smoldering, waiting to catch.

One LP Presidential candidate wonders if Libertarians will be the Amish of the future. Perhaps New Hampshire will be the place with the highest concentration. From June 18th to the 24th The Free State Project will be hosting The 2007 Porcupine Freedom Festival in Gilford NH. I went up last year during the campaign and didn't regret the diversion one bit. Nothing charges the soul of a Liberty advocate as much as 300+ people out there doing it. If only there were that many in Kinderhook.

It's good to know it's only about three hours to Hopkinton.

Please note that I swiped the porcupine swilling beer from the Minnesota Free State Project. If anyone has a problem with that I can fix it. The guy from the Minnesota house in Deerfield didn't think the land of a thousand lakes had as much chance as his Malamute did of pulling his arse up a hill while being strapped to his bike.