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<\/a><\/p>\nA Mother’s day call to family back east involved several handsets, 9 family members, and lots of background noise. Hard to tell who I was talking with at times, and who was listening, amidst the hubbub. It was Mom, I think, who asked me what I thought of the current political circus. The lack of enthusiasm at their end felt palpable . . . possibly a few Bernie supporters there; the hushed silence among an often vocal group of left liberals seemed almost eerie, even a bit sad (hey, they’re family . . . what can I say. I love them, despite their politics, and I hope they’d say the same of me.)<\/p>\n
I’ve not willingly paid much attention to politics for years. For a time, I was active with the LP (as Vin has been, also.) The people involved were great, but — well, politics is nasty business. Since I “dropped out” of the LP, I’ve considered myself an anarchist and still do<\/a>, of the peace loving kind. But since I was asked point blank, I mentioned that I like what John McAfee has to say (“Who? Who’s he?”) and rather than letting our divergent views derail the friendly conversation, I offered to send them some links. Later.<\/p>\n Here (with some editing, since the original wasn’t written to be a blog post) is the email I sent them: (I’ll add some further thoughts of my own below.)<\/p>\n Hi folks,<\/p>\n It was fun to chat with you this afternoon . . .<\/p>\n Somehow, the subject of politics came up. Far as I could tell, no one sounds excited about the clownish crew of mainstream candidates this election cycle. It’s been years since I voted, I’m not even registered . . . but I do like the Libertarian candidate, John McAfee, very much. He’s smart as a whip, funny, refreshingly candid — although I liked Ron Paul, McAfee is the sort of firecracker in real life that Trump (IMO) is pretending to be — he’s a very colorful guy. \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n So here are a few short videos, in case you might be interested in hearing what a Libertarian candidate has to say . . . if you prefer reading to videos, here’s a starting place<\/a>. These are all short videos, many under two minutes — I could recommend longer ones, but it made sense to stick with short & sweet ones and give you a selection to choose from. Youtube will no doubt offer other suggestions. \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n Meet John McAfee<\/b>: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=hBEISf-KBiI<\/a><\/p>\n Prejudice may get us all killed<\/b>: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=E67l_p_CZRs<\/a><\/p>\n Every American is a libertarian<\/b>: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=h1y-mSa9KG4<\/a><\/p>\n Trump’s wall<\/b>: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UJAqcuc9U4Q<\/a><\/p>\n We the people<\/b>: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=wTj2lhFSYkA<\/a> (7+ min.)<\/p>\n FBI request to Apple, dangerous nonsense<\/b>: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=uJ7wyUkXPdE<\/a><\/p>\n On Libertarianism, & social security<\/b>: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=iJ9ZRPmEE00<\/a><\/p>\n Of the powerful, by the powerful, for the powerful<\/b>: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=mKjXHmWxqw0<\/a><\/p>\n I’m no longer an LP member, nor am I campaigning for McAfee, but I do like what he has to say — pro-freedom all the way, and he’s better (IMO) on libertarian principles than the LP itself. OTOH, neither Gary Johnson or Austin Petersen (other LP candidates) appeal to me much, though Gary Johnson is a nice guy . . . I heard him speak at an LP conference years ago. And he has experience as the governor of New Mexico — i.e., he’s more of a politician.<\/p>\n Anyway, that’s too many links, I’d be pleased if you click on one or two just to get the gist of what he has to say . . . who knows, you might like him. He’s also done some spoof\/comical videos on Youtube (the red smoking jacket is a clue) and his naughty humor reminds me of the old 1950’s Playboy cartoons, which won’t appeal to everyone (I love them. \ud83d\ude42 ) ADDED: He’s apparently a rather notorious prankster, but from what I’ve seen it’s WYSIWYG — when he’s earnest, he’s earnest . . . when he’s over the top, it’s pretty obvious. To those with eyes to see, and ears to hear. \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n It honestly never occurred to me before to send any such links, but in an all around rotten political climate, it’s worth looking at third parties if only as a protest vote. And the LP does have ballot access in all 50 states now, unlike the others (as I understand it.) At very least, if you’ve not paid much attention to the LP, perhaps you’ll understand why I was involved for a while. (Dad, too!)<\/p>\n I’m almost annoyed at John McAfee for getting me interested in the political drama again (holding my nose.) \ud83d\ude41<\/p>\n Love to everyone!<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n None of the folks have responded (not a surprise) and it seems a shame for that effort to be completely wasted, so Vin agreed I could share it here.<\/p>\n I should add, I’ve not paid as much attention to other LP candidates — I’m familiar with Gary Johnson from years past, but I’m afraid (like many others) he lost me with the “Nazi wedding cake” (as if there aren’t bakers who’d be happy to bake a cake for any paying customer) during the debate moderated by John Stossel. I thought Larken Rose was a bit harsh re: Austin Petersen<\/a>, but (as Larken usually does) made excellent points. Darryl Perry is probably a great guy, I understand he’s popular with many Libertarians … but it’s only fair to admit that having listened to him talk for half an hour, probably his pithiest talking point was an Ernie Hancock quote: “Freedom is the answer. What’s the question?” However solid his ideas, I simply didn’t find Darryl compelling as a speaker or candidate, as a casual observer.<\/p>\n It’s nice to see some strong up and coming Libertarians, and perhaps a younger generation finds them exciting — that’s all good. However, it’s McAfee who has even a jaded old fart like me who burnt out on LP activism years ago paying attention.<\/p>\n Talking about it recently, Vin and I sadly suspect the LP will go the Gary Johnson “safe and predictable” route. McAfee strikes me as the only candidate likely to draw many votes from the disenfranchised, or the large number of non-voters — as Rob Loggia points out,<\/a> that’s some 60% of ‘We the People.’ To quote from Rob’s article:<\/p>\n It is simple: the kind of person that is anti-authoritarian and thinks people should be left alone are also much less likely to have an interest in politics, government or campaigns. We need to reach them in other ways.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n He’s right. If they can get a thoroughly disillusioned, been-there-done-that former (once or twice) voter and former campaign volunteer like me to pay attention, well, anything’s possible.<\/p>\n Recently I’ve had numerous reasons to re-think political abstinence on the local level — ironically, the recent Malheur Wildlife Refuge fiasco (we wish the Bundy family and their supporters all the best) in Oregon drew my attention to a few local Las Vegas political figures it’s hard not to like: Michele Fiore<\/a> gets the most press, of course, but there’s also John Moore (who I believe may be the highest ranking elected official to join the LP, sorry no link, I don’t have one bookmarked … this was going to be a QUICK blog post) and Shelly Shelton<\/a>,– I who dislike F***book often visit her page<\/a> there). Note, I am not endorsing anyone here or intending to\/eligible to vote for any of them — but seeing them in action can be heartening. Even if I may disagree on some issues (I do), so what … they’d probably be happy to discuss those issues, unlike most politicians.<\/p>\n I think John McAfee is the only one I can say I’ve found nothing substantial to disagree with so far. (That may yet change.) He can pull your leg with a straight face, but you can sense it when he’s serious … when he speaks from the heart (and maybe sometimes aims from the hip), it’s hard to mistake the man’s passion. And I do suspect he’s right — not that I know the first thing about cyber-security — that the next world war won’t be fought the old-fashioned way, and the U.S. is woefully unprepared for it. At least, the vast majority of U.S. that ostensibly elect the bastards . . . and no one on the political Merry-go-round will spare a second thought for people who aren’t on it. Unless they’re big time campaign donors. There will be no space for “we the people” in their underground bunkers, or their exotic bug-out locations (except maybe as slaves), even if we wished to join them there — live free or die!<\/p>\n Please understand that I do NOT believe that voting will change anything. What MIGHT well change things, and quickly, is a groundswell of indignation — a cultural shift toward freedom, away from tyranny. Toward self-ownership and self-reliance, away from top down control and dependency. Toward personal responsibility, and away from pointing fingers. Toward finding common ground, and away from divide-and-conquer. Toward coherence, away from cacophony. Toward love, away from war. Toward constructive criticism of error, and away from perpetuation of terror.<\/p>\n Intellectual arguments are just fine, but engaging in them — rather than winning new allies — tends to splinter an otherwise cohesive group. If the LP wants to be a debate society, so be it, it’s not my affair. If it aims to be a political party to compete with the R’s and D’s, it would seem tragic if the LP can’t come together now, while the mainstream parties increasingly appear becoming hopelessly fractured … again, not my affair. Except I live in this country and have no plans to leave, so it IS my concern what sort of government we’ll have, whether I like the idea or not. I’m rooting for McAfee (in case you hadn’t guessed.) \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n Opening eyes, reaching hearts and minds, bypassing entrenched beliefs and convictions creatively — that’s where the McAfee team seems to be going, in fresh and surprising ways. It’s not politics as usual, and that’s a welcome change. While it lasts. It’s been fun to watch so far, from a safe distance.<\/p>\n Is McAfee wanting to play the modern day Hercules, cleaning out the Aegean stables of American politics? I can only wish him luck! Godspeed, Sir John<\/a>. \ud83d\ude42 I’ll keep the popcorn on standby . . .<\/p>\n![\"McAfee](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vinsuprynowicz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/McAfee-2.jpg?resize=169%2C300&ssl=1\")
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