Brian Irving

About The Author

Yankee by birth, Southerner by choice … American by the grace of God.

I was born in The Bronx, New York on January 2, 1949, the day before my mother’s birthday. Our family moved to North Massapequa on Long Island in the early 50s, where I grew up.

I've beenintereested in politics all my life. As a teen, I wasinvolved with the TeenAge Republicans (TARs) and a fervent Barry Goldwater supporter. That was my first introduction to libertarianism, although I don't recall every hearing the word. I also enjoyed science fiction, including Robert Heinlein. But again, I do not recall him as a libertarian.

So you might say I've been a closet libertarian all my life.

After graduating high school in 1967, I joined the U.S. Air Force and served 12 years as an enlisted man, mostly in the public affairs field. During my first assignment to the Philippines, I met and married by wife of 40 years, Maria Elisa (Lisa) Quiambao.

In 1980, I was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant and served as a public affairs officer at bases in Italy, the United Kingdom and Florida, and North Carolina, where I spent five years at Pope AFB in Fayetteville.

When I retired in 1992 after 25 years service, my wife and I choose to move back to Fayetteville and North Carolina. I decided to devote my “second career” to work in the non-profit field and to being a freelance writer. My jobs included working as communications director for the United Way of Cumberland County and as an administrative assistant for Catholic Social Ministries, and later St. Ann Catholic Church.

I also began my political career in Fayetteville, helping form a Libertarian Party chapter and running as the Libertarian candidate for Cumberland County commissioner (twice) and NC Senate District 21. I also ran twice for the non-partisan Fayetteville city council and was appointed to two terms on the Fayetteville City Planning Commission from July 2000 to July 2004, including two years a chair.

Lisa and I decided to move to Wake County in 2006 to be near our two married children, Annalisa and Daniel, and our six grandchildren. We live in Cary.

While serving my second tour at Clark Air Base in the Philippines, I earned a bachelor’s degree in social studies from the University of the Philippines. Later, I received a master’s degree in public administration from Webster University and a master’s degree in pastoral studies from Loyola University (New Orleans).

Currently, I’m the state Libertarian Party communications director.

TANSTAAFL 

About The Column

This column is about practical and principled politics for libertarian.

Libertarians can engage in practical politics without compromising our principles — and we should — because just by doing so, we can change the debate, impact the political process far greater than our numbers might otherwise allow, educate people about our ideas, and advance the cause of liberty.