Libertarian Party Files Friend-of-the-Court Brief in D.C. Gun Case - Page 8 Members Sound-Off in “The Mailbox” - page 3 Committee Updates - page 13 February 2008 The Official Monthly Newspaper of the Libertarian Party Volume 38 / Issue 2 Torch Club Breakfast Ballot Access Status Increasing for Libertarian Party at Convention to By Sean Haugh cycle. The LPNC is joined in Honor Patrick Henry n Jan. 30, Wake Coun- this lawsuit by the NC Green ty Superior Judge Leon Party, as well as several Lib- By Andrew Davis O Stanback shocked ertarian candidates who were both sides of the lawsuit filed denied a spot on the ballot in his year’s Torch Club by the Libertarian Party of the 2005 elections. The trial Breakfast at the Na- North Carolina regarding bal- will probably take place in Ttional Convention is set lot access law in the state. The March, after which, either side to honor Patrick Henry, an in- ruling denied mutual motions may appeal to the NC Court of strumental figure of the Ameri- for summary judgment and Appeals and eventually the NC can Revolution. The “Patrick scheduling the case for trial. Supreme Court. Henry Breakfast” for Torch Although both the LPNC and Richard Winger of Ballot Club members will feature the state’s attorneys agreed the Access News commented, “It Gary Aldrich, president and facts of the case are not in dis- is encouraging that the judge founder of the Patrick Henry pute, the judge said he wants wants a trial, because it indi- Center for Individual Liberty. to hear more about the Consti- cates he is the type of judge Aldrich will deliver an address tutional issues surrounding the who will be influenced by ac- explaining how this founding case. tual evidence.” According to LPNC member Bob Ritchie counts petitions for ballot acces in North Carolina. father was actually a libertar- “We’re elated by this devel- Winger, North Carolina’s high ian. The Torch Club Breakfast opment,” said Sean Haugh, Stanback admitted openly Currently, the state of North signature requirements make it will be held on Monday, May lead plaintiff in the case. that a signature requirement Carolina requires signatures among the top three most dif- 26, and all Libertarian mem- Haugh was the LPNC’s Execu- of 5,000 or 10,000 signatures equaling 2 percent of the vote ficult states in the country to bers who have donated at least tive Director at the time the seemed more than fair. All he in the last contest for Gover- get on the ballot. $1000 in the past year are eli- suit was filed and has since be- needs from us is a solid legal nor, which translates into al- Meanwhile, the North Caro- gible to attend. come the political director for foundation to justify ruling in most 70,000 valid signatures Aldrich founded the Patrick the Libertarian Party. “Judge our favor.” for ballot access this election See Access on Page 11 Henry Center in 1998 as a non- profit that supports citizens with participation in ethical LP Voter Freedom Act Petition Delivered to Ron Paul dissent, as well as promoting access requirements across the na- the U.S. Constitution and the tion. Should the bill pass, it would Chairman’s Bill of Rights. Adrich, moved make the democratic system in the Corner by Henry’s commitment to U.S. much more fair and equal to .................Page 2 free speech and call to arms, all candidates and voters. founded the Fairfax, VA center “Ballot access is critical for fair The Mailbox in order to assist citizens who and free elections,” says the peti- ................Page 3 endure high amounts of risk in tion. “Now, therefore, I sent to you speaking out against political my full support of H.R. 3600, the Inside Look corruption. Voter Freedom Act of 2007, which ...............Page 4 The Patrick Henry Center sets a reasonable national standard was brought to life from funds for Congressional candidates to be Affiliate News coming from Aldrich’s best- on ballots in all 50 states.” .................Page 6 selling book Unlimited Ac- Currently, the Voter Freedom cess- An FBI Agent Inside the Act of 2007 is in the House Com- Politics 2008 Clinton White House. Prior to mittee on House Administration, ...............Page 8 Aldrich’s work at the Patrick where it has been since it’s intro- LP National Media Coordinator Andrew Davis stands with Paul staffer Rachael Mills. Henry Center, Aldrich served duction. The bill must first pass Communicating 26 years with the Federal Bu- By Andrew Davis Texas Congressman Ron Paul, of- the committee before it is present- Liberty reau of Investigation. Dur- fering support for Paul’s bill, H.R. ed on the floor of the House for a ................Page 9 ing his career, Aldrich took a arlier this month, the Lib- 3600. Also known as the Voter vote. Unfortunately, many times, position at the White House ertarian Party delivered Freedom Act of 2007, the bill was bills do not make it out of com- UpComing Inside the CoverInside more than 2,500 petitions introduced in Sept. of last year by ..............Page 15 See Torch Club on Page 11 E See H.R. 3600 on Page 11 from Libertarian Party members to Paul, aiming to standardize ballot PAGE 2 • Libertarian Party News • February 2008 CHAIRMAN ’S CORNER New Updates to the National Convention that the ERP has, and they should By Bill Redpath By BetteRose Ryan be heartily congratulated for it. ome on; admit it: We’ve all Second, I would like to publicly ew events, speakers been there. Ninth—maybe respond to some of the emails that I and sponsors are being C10th grade. The teacher receive that can be consolidated into N added to the national walks into English Composition the following message: “So-and-so convention every week. “There class and says, “Over the next 40 is damaging the Libertarian Party or isn’t a week that goes by where minutes, you are to write an essay, the libertarian movement because we don’t get at least eight or which must be at least 200 words they are insufficiently libertarian.” nine new ideas sent to us. At in length.” “Two-hundred words!,” Not everyone is going to like ev- least three of those are worth seri- everyone, at least mentally, ex- eryone else’s cup of tea, and vice ous consideration, either because we claims! There are always a few kids versa. I will just about assure ev- had not yet thought of them, or we had who bellow their agony; I think one eryone that, even though we are all not thought about a new way of doing might have passed out, once. libertarians, no one reading this col- them,” says a spokesman for Denver LP- Well, it’s déjà vu all over again umn agrees with anyone else read- Con 2008. for me, when that ol’ teleo-phone ing this column on 100 percent of Indeed, one doesn’t have to look very far to the ballpark. Bob Sullentrup, the LNC secre- rings periodically and Shane Cory the issues. If you want to politically see some of the ‘new’ ideas. tary, has already scored a ticket for Wednesday is on the other end of the line asking associate yourself with only people There is a pass to the convention designed afternoon, May 21, 2008. “Get enough people for yet another Chairman’s column. who totally agree with you, you’re just for the non-delegate. This allows the non- interested in coming to the ballpark that day “How long does it have to be,” I in- going to be home, sitting alone. delegate to sample all the non-meal or special and they will put our group on the board for all quire. “About 700 words,” replies Let’s make sure that everyone in the events speakers without having to pay for the to see,” wrote the activist who suggested this Shane. “Seven-hundred words!,” Libertarian quadrant of the Nolan delegate paraphernalia that a delegate uses to event, “and they will seat us in the same area. I respond, followed closely on its Chart knows they are welcome in conduct his business. This gives a new person We could make lots of noise!” If there is enough heels by a Dave Chappelle “WW- the Libertarian Party, and that this a chance to learn about the libertarian philoso- interest, Denver LPCon will make arrangements WWHAAAAT!” Surely, Shane, party is their political home. phy. It gives a campaign worker or candidate to get reduced price tickets. you aren’t suggesting that I have Thirdly, the Libertarian Party is a chance to get training. It gives friends and At this convention, there will be more break- thoughts that will take 700 words to only what its members and support- family of a delegate something very interesting out sessions than have ever been offered in the elaborate! What a flatterer! ers make it, in terms of activism and to do. The Congressional Aide pass does all of past several conventions. “Because we are try- Yup, I just haven’t got it me this financial support. We have at least this while saving money. ing to appeal to the non-delegate as well as the time, I’m afraid. Yet, do you re- a nation to peacefully conquer. It’s A masquerade party is being planned for those delegate, we have worked hard to find good member the old Larry King col- a tall job, believe it or not. Please who come to Denver early.