================================================ |*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*| Old Dominion Liberty Letter Issue #43 |*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*| ================================================
In this issue: 1. Time To Rest After The Election! 2. VIRGINIA NEWS: How Did Our Candidates Fare? 3. Don't Talk to the Police 4. Free Market Lets House Burn Down 5. Further Reading on the Obion Government Fire Failure 6. Obion Fire - Further Study 7. Reason Magazine: Government Employees Buy The Election 8. Porno-Scanners: Coming to a Local Government Near You? 9. The "Step In, Justify, and Kill" Procedure 10. Libertarians: in S Korea 11. NATIONAL NEWS: LP Issue Bumper Stickers 12. VIRGINIA EVENTS 13. Libertarian Radio in Virginia Interested in taking over ODLL? Contact us to volunteer. Click: <mailto:[email protected]?subject=volunteerodll> ODLL is archived at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html ************************************************************* FEATURED PRODUCT: "Libertarian Precinct Captain" sign, design #1, single sided, coroplast, 18" x 24" -- Send $35 via Paypal to <[email protected]> : https://pdf.buildasign.com/Proof.ashx?tcid=59796A45365257754E74383D&width=700&height=450&watermark=false&r=1287380036245 ************************************************************* ================================================ 1. Time To Rest After The Election! ================================================ Wait a minute -- the forces of statism never rest! Why should we? Or maybe the question should be, "why should we give those ________ a break? Let's go hammer on them some more!" The truth is, there isn't any "time until the next election". The 2011 election started on Wednesday, November 3, 2010. If you are interested in testing the bad guys at the ballot box, there's no time like right now to start putting your campaign together! To get started, visit http://Campaign.LPVA.com and let us know! And don't forget, I'm still looking for the right local campaign to drop a few nickels on: http://freevirginia.blogspot.com/2010/08/1000-challenge.html Below is a list of elections scheduled for 2011 in Virginia: MAY 3 ******************* Town Council (1 town - Vienna - 2-year term) NOVEMBER 8 ******************* Primary, if held: June 14 State-level races: Virginia Senate (40) (4-year term) House of Delegates (100) 2-year term) Soil and Water Directors (4-year term) Counties: *Commonwealth's Attorney (4-year term) *Sheriff (4-year term) Commissioner of Revenue (4-year term) *Treasurer (4-year term) Boards of Supervisors (95 counties) (4-year term) School Boards (86 counties) (4-year term) Cities: *Clerk of Court (8-year term) City Council (1 city) Charlottesville (4-year term) City School Board (1 city) Charlottesville (4-year term) Town offices: Town Council (7 Towns) (terms vary set by Charter) *If City shares these offices with a County, then City elects at same time as the County. The next General Election for County Clerk of Court is November 3, 2015. Remember to visit http://Campaign.LPVA.com ================================================ 2. VIRGINIA NEWS: How Did Our Candidates Fare? ================================================ Well, our guys were all out-spent and out-volunteered by factors of 100 to 1 -- or more -- but despite that obvious disadvantage, they managed to spread the message of limited government and personal liberty. ------------------------------------------------------------------ District 3 US House of Representatives - Total Votes: 163,900 ------------------------------------------------------------------ D - Robert C. "Bobby" Scott 114,754 70.01% R - C. L. "Chuck" Smith, Jr. 44,553 27.18% L - James J. Quigley 2,383 1.45% I - John D. Kelly 2,039 1.24% - - Write In 171 0.10% ------------------------------------------------------------------ District 6 US House of Representatives - Total Votes: 166,390 ------------------------------------------------------------------ R - Robert W. "Bob" Goodlatte 126,723 76.16% I - Jeffrey W. Vanke 21,649 13.01% L - Stuart M. Bain 15,309 9.20% - - write in 2,709 1.62% ------------------------------------------------------------------ District 10 US House of Representatives - Total Votes: 208,456 ------------------------------------------------------------------ R - Frank R. Wolf 131,116 62.89% D - Jeffery R. Barnett 72,504 34.78% L - William B. Redpath 4,607 2.21% - - Write In 229 0.10% ------------------------------------------------------------------ District 11 US House of Representatives - Total Votes: 226,951 ------------------------------------------------------------------ D - Gerald E. "Gerry" Connolly 111,720 49.22% R - Keith S. Fimian 110,739 48.79% I - Christopher F. DeCarlo 1,846 0.81% L - David L. Dotson 1,382 0.60% IG - David William Gillis, Jr. 959 0.42% - - Write In 305 0.13% To all of our candidates: THANK YOU for a job well done! ================================================ 3. Don't Talk to the Police ================================================ Don't be afraid -- and flex your rights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGRqlFw3RI0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIupHbRTpb8 ================================================ 4. Free Market Lets House Burn Down ================================================ NOT!! Here's the real story: --- The Tennessee Free Market Fire Failure That Wasn't by James W. Harris Anti-free-enterprise commentators were all ablaze recently over the shocking story of a Tennessee fire department that refused to put out a burning home because the homeowner hadn't paid a required $75 annual fee. The anti-market left has used this horrific tragedy to denounce privatization, limited government, and markets. They've blamed everyone from conservatives to libertarians to tea party activists for the horror. In fact, they've blamed just about everyone except the actual people responsible for the decision -- who we'll reveal in just a moment. A typical example of the kind of commentary seen is this blog headline at the Kansas City, Missouri publication Pitch: "Libertarian fire department lets house burn because owner didn't pay $75." Or this from the progressive website AlterNet: "Ayn Rand Conservatism at Work -- Firefighters Let Family's House Burn Down Because Owner Didn't Pay $75 Fee." AlterNet's subhead sums up the core message of these commentaries: "Talk of limited government is appealing until you see what it actually means in practice: a society in which it's every man for himself." But wait a minute. What, exactly, did libertarians, limited government and the free market have to do with this tragedy? Exactly nothing. Here are the facts. The fire department in this case is a tax-funded city government fire department in South Fulton, a city in Obion County, Tennessee. It is not a private fire-fighting company, and there has been no privatization of fire services. The house that burned down is in Obion County, but outside the city limits of South Fulton. Obion County has no fire department; the county government has refused to provide one. To deal with this lack, the city of South Fulton has for years offered county residents outside the city limits the option of receiving fire protection from the city, for $75 a year. The house that burned down was one of these. The city firefighters who let the house burn were following a policy adopted by the city government to deal with the problem of out-of-city-limits residents who didn't pay the $75 annual fee. In short, this tragedy was the result of government agencies, government decisions and government failures, from start to finish. All blame therefore surely must be placed upon government, not to the marketplace or a "libertarian fire department." Blaming free enterprise for this tragedy is like blaming capitalism for the failures of Soviet socialism. Of course, libertarians advocate the private provision of fire protection. So would we see such terrible and ruthless decisions from a private firefighting company? No, says the Cato Institute's Thomas Firey: "It's not difficult to imagine what a private fire service would do in an event like the Obion fire: they likely would extinguish the blaze and then send the homeowner a bill. There are plenty of examples of this sort of practice in private marketplaces. And it's what the government fire company in Obion should have done. Instead, the firefighters stood by and watched the house burn." History strongly backs up this argument. According to Iain Murray of the free-market Competitive Enterprise Institute, writing in the Washington Examiner (hat-tip to Reason magazine): "Histories of firefighting in both America and England (where the practice of insurance companies fighting fires began) show that [letting uninsured houses burn] never happened. Indeed, the reason insurance companies began to get out of the fire fighting business and passed the hot potato to municipalities was precisely because of the free rider problem -- their fire brigades were routinely putting out fires in buildings that held no policy with the company... "It is hard to see a fire brigade employed by a private insurance company simply sitting by and letting a house burn to the ground for the sake of an unpaid $75 fee. If it had, the company would have been accused of greed. What other word should we use to describe the motivation of a municipality in such circumstances?" Jeez, what's next? Will anti-market writers start blaming free enterprise for the failures of government schools, government roads, government regulations, and other government disasters? Sources: Pitch: http://blogs.pitch.com/plog/2010/10/libertarian_fire_department_lets_house_burn.php AlterNet: http://www.alternet.org/story/148407/ayn_rand_conservatism_at_work_--_firefighters_let_family%27s_house_burn_down_because_owner_didn%27t_pay_$75_fee?page=1 Cato Institute: http://www.cato-at-liberty.org/hot-heads-and-government-failure/#more-21700 Competitive Enterprise Institute / Washington Examiner: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/Examiner-Opinion-Zone/iain-murray-Burn-baby-burn-104358224.html#ixzz11aBNpOMA ) --- [Note from ODLL Editor] >>> Jacob Hornberger also wrote a similar article in "reaction to the reaction": http://www.lewrockwell.com/hornberger/hornberger183.html ================================================ 5. Further Reading on the Obion Government Fire Failure ================================================ Here's a few choice "picks" from the overactive mouths of run-of-the-mill college degreed professional journalists: Huffington Post: "The Obion County fire incident is symbolic of the moral and economic bankruptcy of the Tea-Party-Republican vision of government and the economy. And it poses the stark choice facing American voters in the Mid-Term elections." http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-creamer/obion-county-fire-tragedy_b_753893.html AlterNet: "Ayn Rand Conservatism at Work -- Firefighters Let Family's House Burn Down Because Owner Didn't Pay $75 Fee ... Talk of limited government is appealing until you see what it actually means in practice: a society in which it's every man for himself." http://www.alternet.org/news/148407/ayn_rand_conservatism_at_work_--_firefighters_let_family%27s_house_burn_down_because_owner_didn%27t_pay_$75_fee ================================================ 6. Obion Fire - Further Study ================================================ A survey done by a local media outlet of the fire departments in the area sheds some light on fire department collection rates: http://www.nwtntoday.com/news.php?viewStory=47396 To it's credit, the local TV station that first covered the story openly and repeatedly identified the fire crew as that of the town (of South Fulton, TN) government: http://www.wpsdlocal6.com/news/local/Firefighters-watch-as-home-burns-to-the-ground-104052668.html Also to its credit, Time Magazine identified the department as a government unit: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2026445,00.html Even more interesting was that Time's article provided some talking points about subscription fire services: "Yet statistics show that in communities that have subscription fees for firefighting, less than 70% of people pay subscription fees, and that number is as low as 40% in the early years of a subscription campaign. In 2006, firefighters responded to 245 rural calls in Obion County. Assuming a 30% nonparticipation rate, Reavis said as many as 75 homes could have burned. The fire department of Rives, one of those responding as needed in Obion, does not charge a subscription fee but sends a $500 bill after it has rendered services. Reavis says, however, that half of the homeowners fail to pay." ================================================ 7. Reason Magazine: Government Employees Buy The Election ================================================ What the lamestream media told you: that the Chamber of Commerce was an evil empire because it is spending so much on the elections. What they aren't telling you: Far-left government-employee unions are actually the Big Dogs: http://reason.com/blog/2010/10/22/afscme-is-big-dog-takes-big-cr?ref=nf ================================================ 8. Porno-Scanners: Coming to a Local Government Near You? ================================================ Sounds like it's time to start investing in lead lining for your car, house, etc... http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=DB0gwxJ2rH0 ================================================ 9. The "Step In, Justify, and Kill" Procedure ================================================ Anyone who has ever watched "Cops" will have witnessed car-chase scenes where a suspect almost hurts a police officer, with a predictable police response of immediate deadly force. The first few times a casual viewer sees one of these sequences, he would probably think the force was justified. However, after dozens upon dozens of these events, it becomes clear that the escalation to deadly force is part of a predetermined pattern: 1. A "perp" is trying to get away from police in a car. 2. He aims to escape via escape route "A". 3. A cop walks calmly into the line of Route "A", placing himself in "harms way" just as the car begins or already is moving. 4. The car, as it is already moving in his direction, and regardless of whether the perp attempts to steer around or away from the cop, is now "evidence" that the cop's life is in danger. 5. The cop, "justified" by his own stepping in front of an object with intertia, SHOOTS -- often emptying his clip into the "perp". 6. Perp dies, back-slapping all around, everyone goes home a hero. I call it the "Step In, Justify, and Kill Procedure". Watch a "Cops" episode -- you'll be able to pick it out sooner or later. The SIJK procedure is invoked any time a person is *perceived* as attempting to elude police. Very simply, one or more of the police officers will carefully maneuver into a position that will put him (or them) directly in the path of a suspect's already-moving vehicle. This then gives them 'cover' -- the presumption that they now are in a situation where they must act in self defense; they were "in fear of life or limb". Once an officer is in position, the suspect is immediately shot in a hail of gunfire. It's always a hail, too -- never just a shot or two. Can't have the case go to court, after all. After seeing this in action multiple times in multiple jurisdictions, it becomes obvious that government police bureaucracies are actively training officers how to do it and get away with it. Think about it: A generation of officers has been trained to manipulate suspects into a position where they can be given an immediate death sentence. According to a whole bunch of non-government employed witnesses, it has apparently happened again -- with yet another young life ended prematurely and for no apparent reason. The money line: "An officer then 'ran in front of the car, weapon drawn, and started firing within seconds...'" Read more: http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/story/2010-10-21/witness-ny-police-overreacted-in-student-shooting?ref=2#ixzz13NSpT8po ================================================ 10. Libertarians: in S Korea ================================================ Yes, we are everywhere: http://www.koreaherald.com/business/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20101027000580 See the the Center's English site: http://eng.cfe.org/ ================================================ 11. NATIONAL NEWS: LP Issue Bumper Stickers ================================================ And now, a word from our sponsor: Wear the LP colors! Check out these bumper stickers: http://www.zazzle.com/immigration_is_also_called_moving_bumper_sticker-128096227542326068 http://www.zazzle.com/abolish_the_irs_vote_libertarian_bumper_sticker-128151456887305334 http://www.zazzle.com/repeal_prohibition_libertarian_party_sticker_bumper_sticker-128231895702692440 http://www.zazzle.com/abolish_the_fed_bumper_sticker-128034935072085282 "Libertarian Precinct Captain" sign, design #1, single sided, coroplast, 18" x 24" -- Send $35 via Paypal to <[email protected]> : https://pdf.buildasign.com/Proof.ashx?tcid=59796A45365257754E74383D&width=700&height=450&watermark=false&r=1287380036245 "Libertarian Precinct Captain" sign, design #2, single sided, coroplast, 18" x 24" -- Send $35 via Paypal to <[email protected]> : https://pdf.buildasign.com/Proof.ashx?tcid=716D6C69375A6A6D4637553D&width=700&height=450&watermark=false&r=1287379833352 "Repeal the Income Tax / Abolish the IRS" sign, single sided, coroplast, 18" x 24" -- Send $35 via Paypal to <[email protected]> : https://pdf.buildasign.com/Proof.ashx?tcid=4A6642496F71446C4B6D46617448367958687A374A513D3D&width=700&height=450&watermark=false&r=1287380112061 ================================================ 12. VIRGINIA EVENTS ================================================ To stay current on upcoming activities of Libertarians across the state, check out the Calendar: http://lpva.com/Calendar/events08.asp ================================================ 13. Libertarian Radio in Virginia ================================================ What's on your mind? Unlike those right-wing or left-liberal extremist shows, Free Talk Live is talk radio that ANYONE can take control of. Yes, even you. Free Talk Live is the next generation of issues oriented talk. What is the meaning of freedom? This show is about Liberty with a capital L. Check out some of the archives on the FTL Main Page http://freetalklive.com/ to get an idea of what this all means. FreeTalkLive ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Call Freq Band City Affiliate Live? Days Hours Sign Since On On ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WCHV 94.1 FM C'ville 2008-10-18 Yes Sat 7-10p ET WCHV 1260 AM C'ville 2008-10-18 Yes Sat 7-10p ET WSVG 790 AM Mt. Jackson 2008-08-23 Yes M-F Sat 8-10p 7-10p ET WTAR 850 AM Norfolk 2009-10-31 Yes Sat 7-10p ET ================================================ The editors of Old Dominion Liberty Letter are always seeking stories for our regular features: STATE NEWS: The "Government Behaving Badly" Files: This Issue's Criminal Bureaucrats VIRGINIA TASER TALLY: Something for the Police State to be proud of FEATURED LINK ================================================ ================================================ |*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*| Old Dominion Liberty Letter Issue #43 |*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*| ================================================ Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License by Marc Montoni. ================================================ Publishing Schedule: Every couple of weeks - But it depends on YOU! Publisher: LPVA Communications Committee Editor: Marc Montoni Distribution: 500 + readers, via LPVA-Announce ================================================ Sign up for the latest news from The Libertarian Party of Virginia: http://www.LPVA.com/html/EmailLists.asp ================================================ Got a news tip? Click: <mailto:[email protected]?subject=vlw> Allow me to emphasize this: We prefer Virginia news to news you can get elsewhere. If you have a good liberty-oriented story centered in Virginia, please alert us to it. ================================================ WHAT'S GOING ON where you live? Make sure all Virginia Libertarians are informed of your activities. Send announcements and news to <[email protected]> or <mailto:[email protected]?subject=vlw> ================================================ JOIN THE PARTY - Never been a member of the Libertarian Party of Virginia? There's no time like NOW to become a member of Virginia's third largest political party. http://Membership.LPVA.com ================================================ RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP - Have you been a member in the past, but for one reason or another chosen not to renew? Renew today and resume the fight for Liberty! http://Membership.LPVA.com ================================================ BEGIN YOUR PLEDGE - Are you ready to help with a regular commitment? Join the LPVirginia Pledge Program and help us promote our Libertarian ideas to all your friends and neighbors! http://Contribute.LPVA.com ================================================ -- end -- ############################################################# Have an announcement you'd like to post? 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