Badnarik Arrested

Badnarik Website ^ | October 8, 2004 | News from the trail

[diabolicNYC]

8:38PM CST

The first report from St. Louis is in - and presidential candidates Michael Badnarik (Libertarian) and David Cobb (Green Party) were just arrested. Badnarik was carrying an Order to Show Cause, which he intended to serve the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD). Earlier today, Libertarians attempted to serve these same papers at the Washington, D.C. headquarters of the CPD - but were stopped from approaching the CPD office by security guards.

Fred Collins reported to me from the ground that Badnarik and Cobb are in great physical condition and great spirit.

As soon as more details are available, they will be posted here immediately.

[LibertyRocks]

New article available with more information on the arrest can be found at: http://www.rationalreview.com/announcements/10092004.html

Article text follows...

NEWS FLASH: Badnarik arrested trying to crash debate

Libertarian Presidential candidate Michael Badnarik and Green Party Presidential candidate David Cobb were arrested Friday evening when they crossed police lines in an attempt to gain entry to the presidential debate they had been excluded from at Washington University in St. Louis, MO.

Reached by mobile phone at approximately 11:30PM Central time Friday, Badnarik campaign Communications Director Stephen Gordon reported being in a hectic rush to gather, verify and distribute information on the situation.

“Michael Badnarik is currently imprisoned at an undisclosed location in the St. Louis area. I've gotten a report from our man John Airheart out in the field saying that law enforcement officials are unable to provide info on his exact whereabouts, but he is believed to probably be in a St. Louis municipal lockup. We intend to get him out as soon as we can find out more, as he has campaign appearances scheduled in St. Louis, Champagne-Urbana and Kansas City on Saturday.”

Gordon went on to stress that Badnarik was doing far more than merely protesting his exclusion from the debates when arrested. He was attempting to serve process papers on Commission on Presidential Debates officials.

“Michael had process papers in his pocket related to our suit in Arizona against the CPD. Two previous attempts this afternoon to serve papers to the CPD at their facility in Washington, DC were thwarted by guards they recently set up. We expect to be releasing more information on that as it becomes available”

The Badnarik campaign said they also made attempts to serve process via email and facsimile to the Commission on Presidential Debates and others involved in the suit, which may soon take a turn for the dramatic.

“We will be in court Tuesday morning to stop the third debate. Public money is being used illegally to promote only certain candidates” said Gordon, who also mentioned that photos and audio of process papers being served to Arizona State University officials for their role in the upcoming third debate will be made available by the Badnarik campaign shortly.

Asked about the mainstream media blackout of Badnarik and Cobb's arrest, Gordon was undaunted. “Americans know now they can not trust the mainstream media to cover real events in real time. The Internet is taking over because it has to. Americans have no place to go for the truth anymore but the Internet.”

[af_vet_rr]

Who do they think they are? These third parties can't be allowed into the debates, they will only take votes away from the main parties, and we can't allow that. If Bush and Kerry had to debate with these schmucks, these third party/single issue candidates might force Bush or Kerry to address very specific issues, and then that throws the election up into the air. I am speaking only for myself, but I'd prefer that the candidates talk about the big picture and not get into details (getting into details would probably hurt Bush more than Kerry, because he might say the wrong thing). The last thing we need is Kerry elected.

The GOP and DNC decided at the early part of the last century that a two party system was the best thing for America, and so far they have been proven right - every third party candidate since Roosevelt has been a nutcase.

I'm sure somebody will say "The GOP and DNC don't have the right to dicate who I vote for or listen to" and flame me, but now more than ever we can't be distracted - Bush needs to win this election.

[WildTurkey]

That be a hell of a lot better than trying to ram anything thorugh say the 9th Circus.

The 9th seems to be very close to Libertarian issues.

Pro-drug, anti-Patriot act, etc.

[WildTurkey]

I have more hope for our Libertarians than our Democrats.

I would have also if it weren't for them coming back from a recruting drive at a NORML convention in gay, socialist San Francisco with glowing reports about how they had so much in common and thought it was a fertile recruiting ground for new LP'ers.

[risk]

I think a lot of San Franciscans think of themselves as libertarians but they're really democrats. They haven't thought carefully enough about it. They just know they don't want to be told what to do. They don't mind forcing their views of political correctness on others, though. They don't mind gun grabbing. They don't mind draconian zoning laws and utopian development restrictions.

[Dead Corpse]

The 9th seems to be very close to Libertarian issues

Only shows how ignorant of libertarian positions you are. The 9th Circus stances on things like the 2nd amendment alone make you a liar. Not to mention private property rights.

Get a clue joker...

[WildTurkey]

I think a lot of San Franciscans think of themselves as libertarians but they're really democrats. They haven't thought carefully enough about it. They just know they don't want to be told what to do. They don't mind forcing their views of political correctness on others, though. They don't mind gun grabbing. They don't mind draconian zoning laws and utopian development restrictions.

That's what is confusing about the Libertarians; that they would thing the drug crowd in SF would make good recruits.

[WildTurkey]

Only shows how ignorant of libertarian positions you are. The 9th Circus stances on things like the 2nd amendment alone make you a liar. Not to mention private property rights.

Please be civil. The 9th has been praised by Libertarians here for their stands on issues related to civil rights. I agree that they have a anti-2nd amendment stance but, nevertheless, Libertarians look to them for guidance on search and seizure, God and government and drug issues.

[BOOTSTICK]

No the Libertarian mindset as well as some of the party big wigs have made it clear that 10 year old having sex, and shooting heroine is ok do-key. I would steer your attention to the Harry Browne interview with O'Reilly before the 2000 election ;" yes Bill I do agree a 10 year old should be allowed to go to his local Rx, and purchase heroin and shoot up if he wishes". Also the Platform which states that children if they desire to take on the responsibilities of adulthood , should be allowed to do so, if they so desire. {sex}

[o_zarkman44]

The real kooks are the people who believe that two presidential candidates in a debate are getting a fair choice. There are issues that both candidates will not answer directly so not to offend the smallest amount of voters. Dancing in circles or as the media calls it "spin" is a very accurate description of sidestepping the real issues with vage, confusing "plans" with no accountability when nothing happens.

I have noticed that bloodline politics are becoming like royalty. How many political families have succession of offspring and sibling entering into politics? Bring into the vast financial resources those now wealthy and connected families have, it is no wonder that John Kerry can look down at his viewing audience as if they are pieces of poo because in his opinion they probably make less than $200k a year.

Afghanastan just conducted presidential elections with 12 candidates. Each candidate had the same opportunity to present their platform and real people actually showed up to listen and question the candidates. Staged, scripted non inclusive presidential debates are trickery and a facade. Obviously it is evident because 50% of eliglble voters in America DO NOT VOTE because they do not feel they have representation. It is a sad state when people have to vote for the lesser of two evils because other candidates and platforms are repressed by the major media.
There will never be a strong alternative candidate because of political payoffs and media bribery with big money. Unless those candidates are given one single chance to be in the spotlight. But of course a candidate who looks down on the people is not going to allow a commoner to join him in debate. I think presidential candidates should not have made over $200k a year. That brings them down to the level of the vast majority of Americans who would welcome an opportunity to be represented by a non millionaire lawyer brand name caviar fed politician.

[Dead Corpse]

The 9th has ruled you have no absolute Right to your Property, very anti-libertarian. The 9th has ruled that certain types of drug user should get their paraphenalia free of charge, also very anti-libertarian. They have ruled that religious symbols must be expunged from public life, also anti-libertarian as long as no one elses tax money is going to fund it. Drug, yes? And? What you put in your body should be your own business. Get in trouble, ruin your life, and take to theft to feed your habit would get you quite quickly SHOT in a more libertarian society.

As I said, trying to shoehorn libertarian ideology into the 9th Circuits socialist leanings is ridiculous. If you ever bothering to try and have an hoenst conversation about the issues, you'd already know that.

[Dead Corpse]

BS... what has been said is that it is none of governments business. The parents are responsible for the upbringing of their offspring. Until they reach the age of majority, any and all actions of the child are the direct responsibilty of the parents. Unlike today where more and more of you are foisting your ill trained monkeys off on the public at large to try and train into reasoning adults.

So how much more Nanny State do we need in your opinion? How many more billions do we need to spend on a drug war that is no closer to being won than at anytime over the last 70 years?

We've done it your way for far too long and we've seen out entire society slipping right down the toilet as you continue to lose out to rampant socialism. Time to try something else. Something radical that you maky not like very much. It's called Freedom. Allowing people to suffer the pains of their mistakes.

I know... it is a hard pill for some of you to swallow. You already have the infininte wisdom to guide the rest of humanity. You personally have all the answers and we should all follow your shining example. After all, who really needs this freedom stuff anyway?

[WildTurkey]

They have ruled that religious symbols must be expunged from public [TAX-PAYED]life, also anti-libertarian as long as no one elses tax money is going to fund it.

I added this to show that they are completely consistent. Your inference is invalid.

[Dead Corpse]

I'm a Norse Heathen, would you want your tax dollars going to put a statue of Frigg or Thor on the Courthouse lawn? Neither do I want my tax dollars going to put your crucifix idolatry all over the place either.

However, if you want to foot the bill for such a thing, shouldn't the public buildings and meeting place be indicative and inclusive of those in the community? Instead of removing all such things from the public square, space should be made for all of the iconography.

Therein lies the difference that gives the lie to your bias. The 9th clearly states that all such religious items should be expunged. The libertarian stance would be inclusion of all as long as no tax money goes to pay for their placement or upkeep. A massive and vital difference. Get over it.

[WildTurkey]

But you said the 9th's position on this was anti-Libertarian and now you are saying it IS Libertarian. Whatever.

[Dead Corpse]

But you said the 9th's position on this was anti-Libertarian and now you are saying it IS Libertarian. Whatever.

Tht is because you are obviously too stupid to know the difference between judicial mandate EXCLUDING public symbols, and the libertarian stance of allowing anything as long as it is paid for by private parties.

[WildTurkey]

Therein lies the difference that gives the lie to your bias. The 9th clearly states that all such religious items should be expunged. The libertarian stance would be inclusion of all as long as no tax money goes to pay for their placement or upkeep. A massive and vital difference. Get over it.

Sorry. I was watching the ballgame (OT) so I will reply again. I understand what you are saying as the difference. But I would have to do a little more research to delve into it (the religious issue) in more detail at this time.

[RightWhale]

If he wants attention he has to get arrested and then go on the Art Bell Show. Funny, neither the RNC nor the DNC nor the big news media will give him the time of day.

[WildTurkey]

From the LP platform:

"Solution: In order to defend freedom, we advocate a strict separation of church and State. We oppose government actions that either aid or attack any religion. "

It appears from this statement that the LP proposes that government NOT allow any religious symbols on government property, whether paid for by public or private funds since the allowance of a religious symbol would "aid" that religion and also violate the "strict separation" clause. That would seem to be consistent with the 9th.

[Dead Corpse]

But I would have to do a little more research to delve into it (the religious issue) in more detail at this time.

Libertarians believe fully in people having their own beliefs. If you want to erect a 12 story high copy of the 10 Commandments out front of a courthouse... feel free to do so. But do it with your own money. Do not use the force of government to steal tax money from your neighbors to erect your golden calves.

This is contrary to the atheistic 9th Circus who would completely remove all such symbols from our public places, schools, and even our workplaces. This is most certainly a violation of First Amendment expression of our varying religious faiths.

My faith, such as it is, is strong enough to compete freely in the market place of ideas. Inclusion of others does not diminish mine in any way.