Well written! I agree that transparency about courting Trump would've been preferred and it irks me that misappropriation (ahem, illegal?) contracts were attained. Not cool.
My thoughts on the obviously fractured Libertarian party haven't changed - there is little if no unity amongst most self-identifying Libertarians. I have mentioned countless times my desire for us to infiltrate other parties as Libertarians to get a foothold in the major parties, whether that be the Democrat Party or the Republican party - preferably the Republican party. I made several attempts to appeal to Larry Sharpe and Mark Molinaro to work together as candidates for New York State Governor when they were both running. Virtually begging one of them to bring on the other as the lieutenant governor, and vice versa.
While I have no patience for clandestine partaking from some of our higher ranking Libertarian elected officials, I really feel the way the party needs to move and grow is to get into key positions with the two major parties and grow from there - but do it with total transparency and with support from our party.
I admit there is no principled defense against some of the allegations here if true, and likely they are. But sometimes bad acts can be excused, not forgiven.
The war between idealism and practicality. The distinction between the art and the artist.
I reminded of the hypothetical -- that if an advocate for a movement/organization administers it competently, accomplishes great strides and more for the organization, and in good faith successfully prosecutes advancement of the organization, then that is to be lauded and cheered.
But if on the way to those successes, and goals achieved, incidentally that person profits from the situation, and/or they they do not adhere to the strict rules of administration, and doesn't publicly reveal those actions, do we pillory them as inherently despicable or corrupt, or punish them despite the successes they achieved?
McArdle's behind the scenes wheeling and dealing, throwing jobs to friends/family, promoting the party in dubious ways and keeping it secret, not advocating for a candidate she was officially obligated to.
Yes, these were wrong things to do. They are crimes mostly of malum prohibitum, and administrative wrongs.
Would I ever countenance such actions? Nope. Would I want such a person in my corner fighting for me, probably.
fyi, The link to the McArdle joining the Trump administrations is broken, so I can't read that article.
If she misappropriated campaign funds or violated campaign finance laws, could she be prosecuted by the state?
Yes she could.
Thank you for writing this up so clearly.
Well written! I agree that transparency about courting Trump would've been preferred and it irks me that misappropriation (ahem, illegal?) contracts were attained. Not cool.
My thoughts on the obviously fractured Libertarian party haven't changed - there is little if no unity amongst most self-identifying Libertarians. I have mentioned countless times my desire for us to infiltrate other parties as Libertarians to get a foothold in the major parties, whether that be the Democrat Party or the Republican party - preferably the Republican party. I made several attempts to appeal to Larry Sharpe and Mark Molinaro to work together as candidates for New York State Governor when they were both running. Virtually begging one of them to bring on the other as the lieutenant governor, and vice versa.
While I have no patience for clandestine partaking from some of our higher ranking Libertarian elected officials, I really feel the way the party needs to move and grow is to get into key positions with the two major parties and grow from there - but do it with total transparency and with support from our party.
I will be the lone voice here, so far.
I admit there is no principled defense against some of the allegations here if true, and likely they are. But sometimes bad acts can be excused, not forgiven.
The war between idealism and practicality. The distinction between the art and the artist.
I reminded of the hypothetical -- that if an advocate for a movement/organization administers it competently, accomplishes great strides and more for the organization, and in good faith successfully prosecutes advancement of the organization, then that is to be lauded and cheered.
But if on the way to those successes, and goals achieved, incidentally that person profits from the situation, and/or they they do not adhere to the strict rules of administration, and doesn't publicly reveal those actions, do we pillory them as inherently despicable or corrupt, or punish them despite the successes they achieved?
McArdle's behind the scenes wheeling and dealing, throwing jobs to friends/family, promoting the party in dubious ways and keeping it secret, not advocating for a candidate she was officially obligated to.
Yes, these were wrong things to do. They are crimes mostly of malum prohibitum, and administrative wrongs.
Would I ever countenance such actions? Nope. Would I want such a person in my corner fighting for me, probably.
fyi, The link to the McArdle joining the Trump administrations is broken, so I can't read that article.
Kennedy is not a dues paying member, unless there is a fec donation with his name on it.
Being a dues-paying Libertarian doesn't make Kennedy a libertarian any more than Michael Moore became pro-gun after buying an NRA membership.
McArdle's alleged job in the administration has never been announced or clarified. Does anyone have any confirmation that she has actually been hired?