Journal of Post-Ralphaelite Thought

Much has been said by some of my Libertarian friends about Al Gore's career as a shill for the global-warming crowd after losing the 2000 election to George W Bush. Let's take a look at what Bob Barr, our latest losing Libertarian candidate for president, is doing now. CNN has a story today about former Haitian dictator "Baby Doc" Duvalier, who wants to use $5.7 million in frozen Swiss bank accounts belonging to a "family foundation" to help rebuild Haiti. Baby Doc, in case your Haitian history is a little rusty, inherited the position of President from his late father, "Papa Doc," in 1971 and held it for 15 years until his countrymen threw him out. While marginally better than Papa Doc, Baby Doc lived like a playboy, looted the struggling nation's treasury, and allowed his father's cronies to continue to run the country. Under his rule thousands of Haitians were killed or tortured. Now representing the Former President of Haiti is For...

In case you've been wondering, I've taken on a new hobby -- tweaking the local Libertarian crowd, mostly at the blog of my good friend, the Whited Sepulchre . While I don't always (or even often) agree, the debate is lively and intelligent. In fact, some of my best writing these days is at his site, not mine (irony of ironies). The other day, I accorded the distinct honor of being the token Democrat guest blogger while the Whited Sepulchre was on vacation. For the most part the local Libertarian crowd are an intelligent, thoughtful bunch, passionate about their cause and ready to talk, sort of like political Jehovah's Witnesses. While not agreeing with them, I admire their commitment to the cause. One thing I've noted on various occasions is their hang-up with my icon. "As your hero, Trotsky..." they'll begin, as they spin some long drawn-out rant property rights. (By the way, this is Trotsky . As I've pointed out numerous times, any resemblance i...

Of all the third party candidates in recent years, I have decided Bob Barr is my favorite. Third party candidates over the years have fulfilled many roles. Some have served to espouse unpopular ideas, some have provided an outlet for voter irritation or protest, some have provided much needed comic relief. Eugene Debs and Robert La Follette both pushed progressive agendas at the turn of the 19th century. Strom Thurmond ran as a "Dixiecrat" to protest the Civil Rights Act in 1948 and in 1968 former governor George Wallace, feeding off racial strife, polled 13.5% of the popular vote and won 45 electoral votes (primarily southern states). I confess I voted in 2000 for John Anderson, who ran against Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan as an independent. Ross Perot was a screeching wacko who may have cost Bush the elder the 1992 election and Ralph Nader is a cranky egomaniac that may have cost Al Gore the 2000. Bob Barr , in the few times I've caught him on Stephen Colbert ha...