Our Dr. Schoenberg strikes again, with a review of how past and recent Presidents have dealt with pandemic threats. His article summary can be found right here, and is the shorter version of a treatise he expects to publish in 2020. He also will be presenting a talk on this issue at a Queens Libertarians meeting this summer. He points out Trump’s over-reliance on advice from hawkish interventionists and knee-jerk confrontational foreign policy experts may have contributed to a flawed COVID-19 response:

“…President Donald Trump has hindered the fight against the Coronavirus in 2020 by choosing to follow the bad advice of John Bolton, the head of National Security Council (NSC), in 2018, when he disbanded  the Obama protocols, a pandemic watchdog team inside the NSC and recalling the observer in China were eliminated. Trump’s own Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Republican Congress refused to replenish PPE stockpile.  As a result, Trump was unprepared  when he was blinded by China’s lies, censorship, and coverup of how bad the coronavirus outbreak was.” See more.

Dr. Phil has also just written on Earth Day, see here: Earth Day in the Balance and also this follow-up article.

As the pandemic world turns, Queens Libertarians have adapted. The group met by teleconference in April for a brief Executive Committee meeting, and will hold another in May, after which time the stay-at-home restrictions may be finally lifted in New York. Details:

May 9
QL General Meeting via Teleconference

Note: This will be a phone meeting, planned for 30-45 minutes, to touch base on general matters relating to the Queens Libertarians. We plan to resume our physical meetings in Forest Hills on June 13.

Dial-in using your phone to:
United States: +1 712-832-8330
Access code: 994 3970

Join in on May 9 at 11:30 am by phone to hear a quick summary of our post stay-at-home plans, meeting ideas, primary issues, and more. Tell us how you’re coping with the great American Lockdown of 2020!

June 13:
Jay Sanchez on Corruption, Cronyism and Political Duopoly in Queens

Join us at our June 13 Meeting: Saturday, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm, at the Irish Cottage Pub in Forest Hills, 72nd Ave (corner of Austin St, 2-3 blocks from the Continental Ave E/F train station, LIRR, and Q60 bus) to hear Jay Sanchez, legal reform advocate and Libertarian candidate for Congress (CD5) discuss current massive corruption issues in our borough that motivated him to run for Rep. Meeks’ seat. His profile can be found at https://ballotpedia.org/Jay_Sanchez#Campaign_themes.

As Sanchez has put it, “The increasing power of monopolies (or duopolies and oligopolies) is killing competition in this country. The immense market power of huge companies allows them to eliminate potential competitors and to squeeze their workers, customers, and suppliers (smaller companies). It enables them to pay for the influence in government that allows them to, again, increase their market power so that they can even more easily eliminate potential competitors and squeeze their workers, customers, and suppliers. It is a vicious cycle that, if not stopped, will turn us all into something like the Serfs of medieval times.”

Finally, a second opinion: The former LP and GOP Presidential candidate cuts loose on the “worst case” claims continually being made by White House spokesman Dr. Anthony Fauci on the COVID-19 outbreak. As noted by the Gateway Pundit, “Paul has been extremely outspoken about his belief that the coronavirus is “a big hoax” being used to strip Americans of their constitutional rights.” He recently expressed these concerns on his podcast:

The heroic Ben Swann reports on the shady use of numbers by the WHO, that is over-inflating the lethality of the COVID-19 virus:

Our own Dr. Philip Schoenberg has written a large blog entry reconsidering aspects of the Judge Kavanaugh confirmation episode of 2018. Below is the introductory section to the essay, the rest of which can be downloaded here.

In my education career, I have been the victim of kangaroo courts and selective interpretation of eyewitness evidence.  Therefore, I know from personal experience that eyewitness testimony is not necessarily the most reliable and justice often serves the needs of the administration rather than the truth.

I would like to think that I am impartial in regard for this.  I was a supporter of Bill Clinton when the bimbo eruption occurred in 1998 but one bimbo one too many proved too much for me to believe him not guilty of what was alleged against him, especially when he had to admit he did have sex with that woman.

I have finished taking notes on PBS Frontline Program of “The Great Divide: From Obama to Trump” (2020),The Education of Brett Kavanaugh: An Investigation by Robin Pogrebin and Kate Kelly, two Washington Post reportersof the liberal-leaning Washington Post (2019), and Justice on Trial: The Kavanaugh Confirmation and the Future of the Supreme Court (Washington, DC, 2019) by Mollie Hemingway, senior editor at The Federalist, a conservative blog, and Carrie Severino, chief counsel of the judicial Crisis Network, a conservative lobbying group. I have listened to some of the eight hours of testimony of Christine Blasey Ford and Brett Kavanaugh. I also listened to the speech of Senator Susan Collins. I also read Jodi Kanto and Megan Twohey, She Said: Breaking the Sexual Harassment Story that Helped Ignite a Movement (New York: Penguin Press, 2019) in which many of those that gave the book five star reviews felt that the section devoted to the accusations against Kavanaugh was not as well done or developed as the rest of the book and should been left out.  I am now ready to give my judgment on the Kavanaugh case.

Prologue

I remember seeing Advise & Consent, a 1962 American political drama film based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Advise and Consent by Allen Drury, published in 1959. The film was adapted for the screen by Wendell Mayes and was directed by Otto Preminger. Allen Drury was prescient in observing how politicians justify the means they use by the noble ends they intend to achieve.  Henry Fonda is nominated as Secretary of State by a dying president to bind the foreign policy of his successor.  He is too liberal for a senator played by Charles Laughton.  He digs up Burgess Meredith who alleges that Fonda belonged to a commie cell.  His testimony is disproved but things go downhill when a US Senator commits suicide because he will be outed as gay unless he votes a certain way.   In the end, the vote is a tie in which the vice president votes no because he has learned that the president has died, and he wants to appoint his own Secretary of State.

Today, when a Supreme Court justice is nominated, he or she can expect the most outrageous things will be said about him or her while his family, his supporters, and senators who will vote for or against him will be harassed far beyond the bounds of decency. The more things change, the more they remain the same.

I also remember reading Up Country by Nelson DeMille.  A highly decorated officer is asked to assume an important executive position within the president’s administration.  Rumors swirl about that he may have committed war crimes while serving in Vietnam. Although he has regretted his action and made contrition, he still found out and is punished for his crimes.

Thus, we have a real-life version of these novels in the case of Brett Kavanaugh, did he or did he not engage in a series of inappropriate sexual actions and assaults? …More

Join us at our March 14 Meeting: Saturday, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm, at the Irish Cottage Pub in Forest Hills, 72nd Ave (corner of Austin St, 2-3 blocks from the Continental Ave E/F train station, LIRR, and Q60 bus) to hear Brianna Coyle, Irish Libertarian, and webmaster for the LP of Queens discuss the need for more outreach to attract young activists, and her efforts to launch a new Libertarian Club in Queens (https://golden-quills.com/). Queens Libertarians is assisting her in setting up a meetup.com group for the club.

In Coyle’s words, “I am a 19 year old member of the Libertarian Party, well educated politically, and I have tons of energy that isn’t being put to use otherwise. I am a website editor on the Queens Libertarian Party website (http://queenslp.org/), Larry Sharpe’s website, as well as other out of state candidates. I am the NYC Coordinator for Vermin Supreme’s 2020 Campaign, an active member of Young Americans for Liberty, and I have recently joined the team for the National Youth Rights Association. I run a blog https://the-liberal-libertarian.com/ which is slowly growing on Facebook, just hit 500 likes today. I am a resident of the Howard Beach & Ozone Park area. My personal mission is to bring more libertarians from the left, balance the party, and allow for a more tolerant space. Although I am a radical libertarian, I want to bridge alliances with democrats and republicans where due, as well as grow the party.”

Note: This disturbing story excerpted from Liberty Conservative News shows the nanny state wants no competition. So much for wanting women to “make their own  health decisions”—that appears to apply only if they are killing babies in abortion. The lady in question has a GoFundMe account for those who would like to help her meet her legal expenses.

A midwife is facing life in prison and being charged with an astounding 95 felonies for delivering babies against government regulations in the state of New York.

The case has serious ramifications for religious freedom as well, since midwife Elizabeth Catlin is a Mennonite and provides birthing services for people who share her religious beliefs.

“These women need resources, they need help,” Melissa Carman said to Yahoo News. Carman is the President of NY CPM, a non-profit that works to change New York laws to more readily allow the certification of midwives in the state.

Carman believes that Caitlin’s case is an indicator that “the heart of midwifery — the compassionate care that was given, the relationships built and the trust in a provider — is gone.”

Caitlin is even being charged with criminally negligent homicide, an allegation that she finds to be “the most devastating.”

“What they’re trying to do, I guess, is make some kind of crazy example of this person — for what, I’m not exactly sure,” said Vicki Hedley, president of the Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA).

“The fact that she is being indicted for negligent homicide is way over the top, since the baby died six hours after being in her care,” she added.

“Criminalizing women for helping other women have babies tells us all that women still are not free to make our own health care decisions — even about something so extremely personal,” said Cristen Pascucci, founder of the organization Birth Monopoly….

Read more

Note: New Decade, More Liberty! QL moves to its new meeting location in February. Details:

Join us at our February 8 Meeting: Saturday, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm, at the Irish Cottage Pub in Forest Hills, 108-07 72nd Ave (corner of Austin St, 2-3 blocks from the E/F train station, LIRR, and Q60 bus)

Frederick Cookinham, author of THE AGE OF RAND: IMAGINING AN OBJECTIVIST FUTURE WORLD, and MAN IN THE PLACE OF THE GODS: WHAT CITIES MEAN, will speak to the Queens Libertarians on February 8 on “Monopoly and Free Enterprise in Early New York.”

According to Cookinham, “The Dutch government and the Dutch West India Company tried both monopoly and monopsony before they allowed settlers to practice free enterprise. I will show what worked and didn’t work, and show how New York City and State began and how New York City became the greatest boomtown in the world. I will include the economics of the Revolution and the building of the Erie Canal, and show how this history has been twisted into socialist propaganda.”

For our meetings, while we will pass the hat, there is no mandatory donation. However, all attendees should purchase $10.00 in food and drink over the two hour period. There is some parking available, and nearby subway and bus transportation along Queens Blvd at this more central location. Join us on our continuing journey towards liberty in the new decade!

Join us on our January 11 Meeting:  Saturday, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm,  at the Takara Sushi located at 150th and 14th Avenue, Whitestone (Q15a, Q76 to 150th St and 14th Ave)  Note: this is to be our last meeting at Takara. Please spend $10 in food or drink to support the venue.

John Clifton, Chair of Queens Libertarians and past LPNY Chair, leads a ‘Junto“ style open discussion about the 2020 Presidential primary race, and candidates for President, especially regarding to foreign policy issues, entitled, “Which 2020 Candidate is Truly Anti-War?” The situation with Iran, Iraq and Syria are among the items to be explored.

PS: In addition, a lucrative petitioning opportunity is available for those inclined to help a certain Presidential candidate, who has been critical of US interventionism, get on the ballot in the upcoming NY Democratic primary. Those interested in participating are encouraged to attend, or contact Mr. Clifton at mrjclifton@yahoo.com.

QL Toy Drive Coordinator Michelle Yaskel and QL Chair John Clifton donated over 140 toys to New York Families of Autistic Children at their annual Christmas event in Howard Beach on December 15. These toys were collected over the course of the fall season by the Queens Libertarians, who have conducted the annual drive since 2001. Yaskel distributed many of the dolls, puzzles, action figures and other items to kids attending the affair, with the remainder to go to more children over the holiday period.

Toys will also go to some programs affiliated with NYFAC such as the Wounded Warrior Project. Yaskel is very appreciative of foundation Chair Frank Scafo, who readily agreed for the group to be a recipient. Yaskel advises she may not be able to continue to lead the drive due to several logistical complications, so other Queens members are invited to offer to participate as a coordinator in 2020 and onward. Step up and exercise individual responsibility via promoting charity by example, and Merry Christmas, everyone!

Note: In a blatant attempt to nullify the ballot access achievement of the LPNY and other third parties in the state, Governor Cuomo (through his flunky Jay Jacobs) has had a Campaign Finance Reform Committee approve rule changes that will make it over 300% harder for a third party to obtain or retain “permanent ballot status” in New York. The changes raise the required statewide vote threshold from from 50,000 to 130,000 votes, and would require parties to qualify every two years. The rules become law if the Legislature does not object by Christmas, as summarized by the NY Daily News:

…the Public Finance Commission released a report laying out an unprecedented overhaul of the state’s campaign and election laws and creating a $100 million taxpayer-backed matching funds program for state races. 

Among the changes is a measure that raises the vote threshold third parties need to maintain a spot on the ballot.

The new rule requires political parties to garner a minimum of 130,000 votes every two years to remain on the ballot — a significant jump from the current threshold of 50,000 every four years.

The move, championed by Democratic party chairman Jay Jacobs, Cuomo’s appointee to the panel, will essentially spell the end for minor parties such as the Green and Libertarian parties. Last year, only the state Conservative Party, which garnered 253,624 votes, would have met the new threshold.

Both Cuomo and Jacobs defended the requirement, suggesting it is needed to keeps costs down and to ensure only credible candidates receive public matching funds.

“Achieving a higher threshold will require minor parties seeking “permanent party status” to actually campaign and ask voters to vote for their party’s nominee on their minor party line,” Jacobs wrote in the final report released Sunday…

More here.   And use this form on the LP Queens site to complain to the state Legislature while there’s still time. Protect our ballot access!

Note: Meeting announcement for December will be done through the website notice and by direct email, as QL re-organizes its meetup.com and social media accounts.  Join us on December 14, 2019 at 11:30 a.m. at Takara Sushi located at 150th and 14th Avenue, Whitestone, New York to hear Nic Leobold discuss his write-in candidacy for President (see bio and video announcement below). In addition, John Clifton will provide further update on the plans for QL starting in 2020, and Michelle Yaskel will be collecting toys for the annual Christmas toy drive—please attend, and bring yours!

While we will pass the hat, there is no mandatory donation. However, all attendees must purchase $10.00 in food and drink over the two hour period. There is street parking and a reasonably priced parking lot across the street. You can travel there by taking the Q15A bus out of Main Street, Flushing (7 Subway Line) (which will let you off on the corner of 150th Street & 14th Avenue) or by taking the Q76 bus from either the 165th Street Bus Terminal or from the subway station at Jamaica Avenue & 179th Street (you should get off at the corner of Cross Island Parkway & 150th Street & walk to 14th Avenue).

Background note and Biographical excerpt: Nicolas ‘Nic’ Leobold is a Businessman/Artist/Athlete/Consultant/Coach and longtime libertarian Voluntaryist Anarcap Activist. Nic studied at numerous prestigious institutions including The Toyota Language Center of The Japan Society, The City College-CUNY, Harvard University and PersonalMBA.com. A native of East Village, Manhattan, New York, Nic has also lived overseas including in Japan and Thailand, Italy, New Zealand, Belgium, and his father’s country, France.

A prolific columnist, and outspoken advocate for Liberty, Individual Rights, Self-Defense Gun Rights as well as the Film and Performing Arts world and Sports world, Leobold has made important contributions in a wide and deep assortment of industries and disciplines. His innovations include the original concept for Verizon Fios to Verizon’s Ivan Seidenberg, creating The Ron Paul Dollar for NORFED Liberty Dollar, the originator of the NFL’s new Extra-Point and Field Goal Defensive Returns For Scores Opportunity rules, and many other leading edge contributions.

His campaign website is NL4PREZ.COM and his personal Contacts Web Portal is www.nleobold.com. Contributions of Cash/Charge/Gift Cert’s/Checks/Money Orders/Goods in any amount can be made by phone, email, in person, or mailed: +1-917-698-3507, Nicolas Leobold 210 East 9th St #2 New York NY 10003-7531.

Originally published by the Ron Paul Institute:

After completing six terms in the United States House of Representatives as a Democrat from Georgia, Cynthia McKinney was the 2008 Green Party nominee for president of the United States. In a Friday letter, McKinney announced her endorsement of Adam Kokesh for the 2020 Libertarian Party presidential nomination.

McKinney concludes her letter with a call to action for people who do not consider themselves Libertarian Party supporters. McKinney writes: “Therefore, I endorse Adam’s quest to become the 2020 Libertarian Party Presidential nominee and encourage supporters of other parties to take a good look at Adam Kokesh for President!!”

Read McKinney’s endorsement letter here.