Konieczny resigns from Stanley campaign

(The following is available in slightly different format on the Colorado Freedom Report website. More information on this publication can be found on the site.)

Date: Tue, 2 Jul 2002 16:59:26 -0600
To: ari@co-freedom.com
From: "Ari Armstrong"
Subject: COFREE: Stanley Responds to Charges of Racist E-Mail

C O L O R A D O * F R E E D O M * R E P O R T *

Friends,

It is with great sadness that I bring you the following article. However, I believe I have a responsibility to do so. Following my piece is Michelle Konieczny's letter of resignation from the Stanley campaign.

Sincerely,
Ari Armstrong

Stanley Responds to Charges of Racist E-Mail

by Ari Armstrong, July 2, 2002

On June 21, Rick Stanley, the Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate, sent out an e-mail to his "Stanley Scoop" in which he forwarded racist comments. Stanley did not himself author the comments. The "Scoop" is described as "The official newswire of the Stanley for U.S. Senate Campaign." I cited sections of the e-mail in an article at .

On June 25 [30th is the correct date - see letter. MK], Michelle Konieczny resigned her position with the Stanley campaign, citing the e-mail as the main reason for her decision (http://www.co-freedom.com/2002/06/konieczny.html).

On July 2, Stanley's campaign issued the following press release.
-----------------------------

From MediaList-owner@stanley2002.org Tue Jul 02 11:02:07 2002
Date: Tue, 2 Jul 2002 13:01:08 -0400
From: "Rick Stanley"
Reply-To:
To:
Subject: Response to Racism Allegations
Sender: MediaList-owner@stanley2002.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 2, 2002

MEDIA RELEASE

Stanley For U.S. Senate
Contact: Rick Stanley
Campaign Office: 303-329-0481
E-mail: rick@stanley2002.org

======================================================

Rick Stanley, U.S. Senate Candidate and Libertarian Nominee, Activist/Organizer of the National Bill of Rights Rallies, Activist/Organizer of the Million Gun March Petition, and Activist/Organizer of the Patriot Files made the following media release:

Regarding the story by the Associated Press where a website volunteer was alleging that I was a racist because of the forwarding and commentary on an email that I had passed onto the Stanley Scoop, this allegation is absolutely a lie and I urge everyone to go to my website: www.stanley2002.org and decide for themselves.

In a media release dated June 12th, a full 7 days before the June 19th email, entitled "Libertarians Blast Unlawful Detention of Jose Padilla," why would I be defending a Mexican American citizen's rights if I was a racist?

This allegation is all about my position on the Libertarian platform of "open borders," which I don't agree with. My position is that the United States of America is a sovereign nation and must constitutionally protect its borders. This defending of our borders is our absolute, sovereign right.

-------------------------------------

I have been unable to locate a copy of the cited Associated Press story. I have verified that John Sarche wrote the story, "Stanley Staffer Resigns, Citing Racist E-Mail," on July 1 for the AP. The lead paragraph, as read to me on the phone by an employee of the AP, states, "A volunteer campaign staffer for Libertarian U.S. Senate candidate Rick Stanley resigned Monday, saying she was shocked and insulted by what she called a racist e-mail he sent to some supporters."

Stanley's July 2 release misrepresents the comments of Konieczny. Stanley's release claims a "volunteer was alleging that I was a racist," which is "absolutely a lie."

However, what Konieczny actually criticized was Stanley's "recent forwarding of disparaging comments directed towards people of Mexican-American heritage." That Stanley sent the e-mail is not in dispute.

What seems to be in dispute was whether the e-mail contained racist remarks. I am torn -- on one hand, by simply reproducing the e-mail here, everyone could read it and easily see it contains racist remarks. On the other hand, the e-mail disgusts me and I do not want to publicize it more than necessary.

I have decided to quote some of the most egregious lines, and not reproduce the entire e-mail. If any reader is not satisfied by this account, and wishes to read the entire e-mail for him or herself, please contact me.

The forwarded material is a "poem" supposedly written from the perspective of a Mexican immigrant. It asserts that when Mexican immigrants come, "white guy moves away." One line states, "Send for family (they just trash)." Yet another line asserts, "We have hobby--it's called breeding..." The e-mail falsely portrays Mexican immigrants as people who subside solely by welfare payouts.

The e-mail obviously contains overtly racist comments. I condemn those comments. Stanley should not have forwarded the comments in the first place. Given he did so, he had a moral obligation to issue a denunciation of the racist comments contained in them. He failed to do so.

Unfortunately, on June 27, Stanley forwarded another e-mail to the "Stanley Scoop" that also contained bigoted statements concerning immigrants. Again, I do not see the point in reproducing the entire e-mail. A woman was attempting to respond to my article at http://www.co-freedom.com/2002/06/notribalism.html. Her comments, as forwarded by Stanley to his "official newswire," are as follows:

"Don't let your younger age an immaturity cause you to disrespect people who are older, profoundly wiser, more educated, more experienced and of AMERICAN decent longer than you! These things really DO matter... Did your parents come here illegally? ...Are you speaking for ALL AMERICANS when you have only been here for one or two generations and are a product of the government's school agenda, welfare programs including tuition and scholarships?"
------------------

Again, the comments Stanley forwarded are bigoted toward immigrants. I condemn those comments, as does any libertarian worthy of the title. The July 2 release states, "I urge everyone to go to my website... and decide for themselves." Of course, the web page does not contain the text of the e-mails in question. The release also references a previous release (found at http://stanley2002.org/release6_12_02.htm), but that release from Stanley's campaign team hardly excuses his recent behavior.

Stanley acted grossly irresponsibly in forwarding those e-mails, particularly without any kind of negative review or condemnation. His July 2 press release hardly compensates for his immoral, disgusting, and outrageous behavior. Stanley should fall on his knees and humbly beg the forgiveness of every libertarian and every immigrant in Colorado. Then he should resign in shame. Rick Stanley is a disgrace to himself and to decent Libertarians everywhere.

* * * * *

Konieczny Resigns from Stanley Campaign

June 30, 2002

RE: LETTER OF RESIGNATION

Dear Mr. Stanley,

I, Michelle Konieczny, hereby resign from the position of Coordinator and Webmaster of the Stanley for Senate campaign, effective immediately.

Although I have several concerns that are preventing me from participating further in your campaign, the most egregious is your recent forwarding of disparaging comments directed towards people of Mexican-American heritage. Especially heinous is the fact that these remarks were sent to your supporters under the guise of addressing the issues of immigration and open borders.

My adopted sister whom I consider my "blood" is of Spanish and/or Native American descent -- blessed with beautiful dark features -- and too often have I witnessed, and experienced first hand, the horrible effects of racism. I am shocked, insulted, and greatly disappointed by your actions.

Your email, (Friday, June 19, 2002, Subject: Illegal), contained what I believe to be a blatantly obvious example of racist political propaganda. I cannot ethically, nor morally support a candidate for public office who would use, condone the use of, or fail to see the harm in forwarding material of this nature. Statements of this type have no place in rational and intelligent debate concerning sensitive matters of national and international policy.

Perhaps the greatest obstacle to true freedom and peaceful existence that humanity has ever faced, and continues to face presently, is that of tyranny and oppression based on a person's appearance, culture or beliefs - both spiritual and political. In these days of ever-increasing threats to the principles of freedom, liberty, and justice for all we must be especially vigilant when it comes to matters of racial intolerance. Racism is just as surely a threat to American citizens' safety and freedom as a rogue terrorist cell.

I trust that you have truly meant what you have said about loving our country, and believing in the principles of truth, justice, and freedom. I hope you will take this opportunity to further your understanding on the topic of respect -- it is an essential part of guaranteeing the inalienable right of liberty. Until that time however, I cannot ethically remain a part of your campaign.

Sincerely,
Michelle T. Konieczny,
American Adoptee of unknown heritage

CC: John Berntson, State Chair, Libertarian Party of Colorado
Norm Olsen, Campaigns Director, Libertarian Party of Colorado
James W. Lark, III, Chair, Libertarian National Committee
Ken Bisson, Vice-Chair, Libertarian National Committee
Ed Hoch, Regional LNC Representative
Steve Dasbach, National Director, Libertarian Party of America
Ron Crickenberger, Political Director, Libertarian Party of America
George Getz, Press Secretary, Libertarian Party of America

[Konieczny also sent the letter to the "lpco-chat" e-mail list.]

****************

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To all of my friends at Free Republic,

I appreciate your support for what was a difficult personal decision.

Thank you,
Michelle Konieczny aka LibertyRocks

As much as you and I have gone back and forth on the Stanley candidacy, I do admire you for standing on your principle. I know first hand the passion you had for this campaign and how difficult it must have been for you to quit. What is really sad is how often people of spanish/mexican heritage are subjected to such bigory. The whole Tancredo crew makes me want to puke when I see the levels to which they stoop to denigrate people with brown skin. So to that extent we are in the same camp. Good luck Michelle. Even from someone that has been an arch opponant of yours here, I have to give you my complete respect on this one.

I'm sorry to hear of the difficulties you faced with the Stanley campaign. It's really tough to pour heart and soul into something (as a volunteer, yet!) and then have it undone by the poor judgement of the person for whom you're working so hard.

At the same time, I am impressed by your letter, and your obvious dedication to the real principles of liberty.

Perhaps you ought to consider whether it's worth your time to pour your considerable talents into supporting a series of unworthy candidates -- I'm guessing that you'd make a far better candidate yourself.

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