Topic: Libertarianism
Phillies slams Paul and Barr at state meeting Former candidate calls Ron Paul "the candidate of the party of racism," accuses Bob Barr of trying to instigate a "pogrom", and claims the national Libertarian Party is "in the grip of southern white bigots".by George Dance
(libertarian)
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
On June 30, libertarian blog Last Free Voice (LFV) released a statement, by former Libertarian Party presidential candidate George Phillies, to a Massachusetts LP State Committee meeting in May. In it Mr. Phillies calls Ron Paul "the candidate of the party ... of racism," accuses LP nominee Bob Barr of once attempting to incite an "army pogrom," describes those who recruited and nominated Barr as "southern white bigots," and charges LP National Chair William Redpath with trying "to identify our party with right wing conservative bigotry."
However, Phillies also stated that, as an LP elector in Massachusetts, he intends to vote for Barr "until such time as my state committee or state party invokes my prior commitment to them and instructs me otherwise".
Phillies called the selection of conservative direct-mail guru Richard Viguerie as keynote speaker at the LP National Convention "an espousal of white racism." He noted that Viguerie opposed segregationist Lester Maddox for the American Independent Party presidential nomination 12 years ago, and that his organisation has raised funds for "such right-wing racists and bigots as Jesse Helms, Sun Young Moon [sic], Oliver North, George Wallace, and Donald Wildmon." He added: "Viguerie advised Jerry Falwell on the formation of the Moral Majority. His presence as keynote speaker can only be viewed as a conscious decision by our national chair William Redpath to identify our party with right wing conservative bigotry."
Phillies then assailed the Libertarian National Committee decision last December to rent its New Hampshire donors list to the Ron Paul campaign: "Earlier this election cycle, our party national committee used party resources to assist in the presidential campaign of the candidate of the George Bush party of conservative racism." Later, he also spoke of "LNC resources [being given] to a Republican presidential candidate whose current position is that 'don't ask don't tell' is all right with him."
(In fact, Paul criticized both racism and "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" at different times in his campaign.)
Phillies then noted "that our presidential candidate, Bob Barr, not ten years ago attempted [to] organize an army pogrom against the Wicca faith. To its credit, the army refused to cooperate." He added: "Having a presidential candidate who attempted to drive members of any faith out of the army will not be a positive selling point for our other candidates."
(In fact, Barr's press release said nothing about organizing a "pogrom", or about attempting to drive Wiccans out of the army.)
Phillies then announced his intention to stay on the ballot as the LP candidate in New Hampshire (while intending to vote for Barr as an elector in Massachusetts), explaining that "I do not feel that keeping both sets of promises at the same time is contradictory."
Phillies concluded:
The underlying difficulty, which we will need to resolve, is that our national party is in the grip of southern white bigots who gave us a candidate who addressed the Council Of Conservative Citizens.... It remains my duty, a duty as heavy as a mountain, to support our presidential candidate. However, I do not believe it can be said to be in the best interests of the libertarians of Massachusetts to avoid some correction in circumstances relating to a national party whose national chair de facto just endorsed white racism by having a former George Wallace and Donald Wildmon fundraiser, a man who ran against Lester Maddox for national office nomination, as a keynote speaker. [stress added]
Andrew Sullivan, "Ron Paul on 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell’", The Daily Dish, July 20, 2007. http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2007/07/ron-paul-on-don.html
"BARR DEMANDS END TO TAXPAYER-FUNDED WITCHCRAFT ON AMERICAN MILITARY BASES" (press release), May 18, 1999. http://www.witchnet.org/barr.cfm
The views expressed in this
article are those of George Dance only and do not represent
the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates. George Dance is
solely responsible for the contents of this article and is not an
employee or otherwise affiliated with Nolan Chart, LLC in his/her role as a columnist.
Posted By: Walt Thiessen
Date: 2008-07-01 08:27:46
That's a distorted presentation of what Phillies wrote regarding Ron Paul in the article you cited. He called the Republican Party racist, not Ron Paul himself. Insinuating otherwise lowers your commentary to the level of his commentary.
I don't personally approve of or agree with what Phillies wrote, but let's try to maintain a little balance in our perspective.
Posted By: Coming back to the LP
Date: 2008-07-01 08:28:51
Now is not the time for sore losers like George Phillies to whine about the Barr campaign. This is the best opportunity that Libertarians have had to build the LP since the 1980 Clark campaign.
Since the 83 convention in NY City, the party has been in the hands of either purists driving out sincere, hardworking regular libertarians or opportunists looting the party for their personal financial benefit.
Now, finally, we have the chance to grow again. It's time for all Libertarians to get back to work recruiting individuals who are in the Libertarian Quadrant of the Nolan chart. Later we can "educate" them to be more "pure" like such perfect libertarians as George Phillies.
Really George P. if you want people to follow you when you lead, you need to show that you have the interest of Liberty in your heart. You should support the Barr campaign, take your name off the New Hampshire ballot, and get to work building the LP. You can then explain to the new recruits, and us old timers as well, why your vision of liberty is the right one. We might surprise you and follow your lead.
And, by George, why don't you run for some other office like state rep. and show us how it's done. Get yourself elected and make a difference.
Walt: I suppose my summary up top can be called a distortion of Phillies' words, but not of his meaning. He wanted, and wants, his hearers to hear the message: If you support Ron Paul, you're supporting racism, irrespective of what you or Paul say or believe. (I think you realize that was Phillies' meaning and intent, too, when you say I'm bringing the discussion down to Phillies' level.
If I'd given only that clip, yes, there'd be room for a reader to misinterpret the charge; but I did give the full quote later in the article. In case that is still unclear, to any reader, I'll be happy to clarify yet again, with another quote. Here's how Phillies addressed the charge today (in the LFV discussion):
"When you support a Republican candidate, your support counts twice, once for the candidate, and once for his party. That’s the refutation of the wasted vote fallacy, and it continues to apply here to the LNC support for Ron Paul. That was support for the whole Republican party, because that is how partisan politics actually works. So when I say that Paul is the candidate of the Republican racists, well, he consciously chose to run with them."
Another clarification, which I consider more urgent: Phillies made clear that his "southern white bigots" comment referred not to the delegates who voted for Barr, but to the LNC. That's important enough for me to change the article text, which I'll do today. But I'm going to leave the "candidate of ... racism" quote in, as it sums up very well how Phillies himself sees things.
Thank you for reading and commenting. I don't want what I write to be misunderstood, and your letter (and this one I've had to write in reply) makes it far less likely that will happen.
I'm a newcomer to the libertarian party, so I don't profess to know much about Mr. Phillies. What little I have been exposed to his rhetoric and point of view gives me the impression that he is deeply frustrated that everyone doesn't share his far-left perspective on every issue. I probably fall considerably to the right of Phillies on a lot of issues, but I respect every LP member for his or her perspective. I get the impression GP doesn't respect anyone who disagrees with his extreme views--and that's a problem if we're going to build a party that can go toe to toe with the Republicrats. Does he actually believe that approach is going to resonanate with mainstream American voters? In order to build a stronger and bigger LP, we're going to have to moderate our rhetoric some, or we'll just be dismissed out of hand as the "kook fringe." Mr. Phillies comes across as a leftist bomb-thrower, which makes him part of the problem. He needs to become part of the answer.
Posted By: Walt Thiessen
Date: 2008-07-01 10:37:51
GD wrote: "I suppose my summary up top can be called a distortion of Phillies' words, but not of his meaning.....I don't want what I write to be misunderstood, and your letter (and this one I've had to write in reply) makes it far less likely that will happen."
Apparently not. Take a look at the comment above mine from NH. He thinks that Phillies called Ron Paul a racist, when in fact he didn't.
Posted By: Walt Thiessen
Date: 2008-07-01 10:55:57
By the way, I find it interesting that Phillies took the LP to task for having a keynote speaker at the convention with an allegedly racist background. I suppose, then, by your logic that Phillies was really implying that if you support the LP, you therefore support racism.
The racism card is a particularly nasty card to play, and it splashes poison and filth on everyone who happens to be nearby. Be careful about how you play it. Personally, I prefer not to play it at all.
I see what you mean, Walt. So let me make it clear.
NH: Phillies is not saying Paul is himself a racist (here, anyway). He is saying that Ron Paul is supporting racism just by running as a Republican -- just as he's saying Richard Viguerie supported racism just by running for the AIP -- and (by implication) that anyone who votes Republican supports racism.
Is there any difference in saying Paul's a racist and Paul supports racism? Not much, I think -- but there it is.
Republicans are not racist, they screw over everyone regardless of race just like the Democrats do. Regardless, Phillies is nothing important. His small wing of the LP is an example of why the LP is seen as a bunch of wackos, and Barr/Root will go along way in dispelling the negative stereotype a flake like Phillies rightfully calls to mind in the public.
Phillies needs to keep his mouth shut and stop the self-aggrandizing. I once thought he'd be a good candidate, but he seems to only have an axe to grind. He is as bad at partisan bigotry as the majority of Democrats and Republicans and needs to find another way to channel his negative energy.
I try to pay more attention to a speaker's content than his looks and voice, but the first time I heard George Phillies speak, while watching the Libertarian Presidential Debate on C-SPAN, I burst out laughing at his Larry "Bud" Melman-like looks and voice. I couldn't take him seriously. And, now I read that he dares to criticize Ron Paul, an experienced 10 term Congressman with an unblemished record who has done more for libertarianism than anyone else in our lifetimes??
Racist? when are people going to learn, It is not about race, black white, brown, Yellow, Red, Ya sure hate each other, While the 1% of 1% sit back and laugh at you As for Bob Bar, Who, you mean they angry little guy from Georgia who hated the Clintons, People are going to vote for this guy, Good and the othe grumpy little troll will lose just like loser he is.
Posted By: Daniel Patrick
Date: 2008-07-02 05:08:20
It's too bad Phillies is an abyssmal public speaker and one of the most socially awkward individuals I've ever encountered. His appearance during the LP debate was uncomfortable to watch.
Whether Barr's press release admits it or not, Bob Barr tried to drive Wicca out of the USA military. He is obviously not open minded where it comes to religion. Bob Barr is a disgusting bigot.
I'm working for the Charles Jay campaign, and with the Boston Tea Party. www.bostontea.us
Want to comment on this
article? Leave your comment here. Your email address is
required to track your comment. However, we will neither
publish your email address nor distribute it to other
organizations or persons. The only reason we might use
it would be if we needed to contact you regarding your
comment. All comments are subject to our
terms of use policy.
