LP Fundraiser In Kansas Stopped By Dirty Pigs

Kansas über alles, kids.

I’m too dumbfounded at such a fundamental violation of our First Amendment rights to give you guys anything but a copypaste. Just… read the sucker for yourself:

Topeka “” What started out as a fundraising weekend for the Kansas Libertarian Party turned into a showdown with the law.

A wall of Shawnee County Sheriff’s Officers met party members as they tried to enter the Lake Edun facility, where their event was scheduled to take place.

“It’s very simple. We have to stand up to the government when the government is wrong,” Rob Hodgkinson, Kansa Libertarian Party Chairman, said. “The government is wrong in this situation.”

Judge Terry Bullock placed a court order on the property in 2005. The order prohibited any activities from taking place on the property without a permit.

And of course, the silver lining:

Police did not arrest anyone at the confrontation. Members of the Libertarian Party said they will still hold their fundraiser this weekend, but they moved the event to Ron Lessman’s Truck Henge property in Northeast Topeka.

I did a little more digging and found out why the local government is giving them so much shit over this Edun place. Turns out that there’s a nudist festival on that property once a year. So, for daring to bring their “liberty” into the Bible Belt, they get a smackdown from the local theocratic funstomping apparatchiki. God knows what they’d do if the LPKS published a cartoon about Jesus.

Clearly these guys need a major fundraiser or six if this is the kind of local government they’re up against. So (and I’m not getting paid for this, I don’t even know them), give a bit if you can spare the cash.

Update by Stephen VanDyke: Wonkette jokes “How many naked Libertarians can you fit in the back of a squad car?”

Okay, that’s pretty damn funny.

posted Jul 10th, 2006 by Stuart Richards
  • http://freelancify.com Nigel Watt

    Unfortunately, trying to win that battle that wasn’t worth fighting just got us more bad publicity.

  • http://www.bostontea.us Murray Rothbard

    How is that bad publicity? It was a fair and acurate article. Why should Libertarians run from a local government gone Taliban?

    Why are nudists private property rights less valuable than anyone elses?

  • http://www.ilovephysics.com Chris Moore

    Opps. That last post was really me. I signed as Murray Rothbard in a previous post as a joke and forgot to change the field.

  • http://freelancify.com Nigel Watt

    It’s bad publicity because in the minds of the residents of Kansas City, Libertarians == nudists.

  • http://www.steveperkins.net Steve Perkins

    … you guys AREN’T nudists?!?

  • Daniel

    I am always of the philosophy that there is no such thing as bad publicity.

    Granted, in Kansas City the people may equate Libertarians with nudism, but this article is all over the net, read by people all over the country who may be more open minded, people who may think it’s better equated with nudity than war and destruction (GOP, Dems).

  • http://UnCivilDefence.blogspot.com MRJarrell

    Bad publicity? Yeah, standing up for property rights is bad. Of course in avoiding distasteful subjects for the sake of electoral expediencey seems to be the new watchword. The day ANY LP shy’s away from a property rights issue so they don’t look bad is the day to fold the last chair and turn off the lights. Oh, Nigel? We’re already at the point where..let’s see:

    Libertarians=Dopers
    Libertarians=Anarchists(yeah, we are..so what?)
    Libertarians=Gun nuts
    Libertarians=Sexual deviants
    Libertarians=Republicrats

    And you’re worried someone might think we’re nudists?
    The Kansas LP did the right thing…maybe next time they’ll all come armed, tho. The political thing just isn’t working out too well.

  • Daniel

    ”¦ you guys AREN’T nudists?!?

    Comment by Steve Perkins ”” 2006-07-10 @ 9:23 am

    Talk about getting gov’t off your back, literaly!

    Dis the Party have a nudity plank before the “summer cleaning” ?

  • http://freelancify.com Nigel Watt

    MRJarrell, how will this help the LPKS get people elected, and how won’t it hurt it?

  • http://www.libertyforsale.com Timothy West

    I’m nude RIGHT NOW! It’s against my principles to wear cloths
    so early in the morning.

  • http://www.ilovephysics.com Chris Moore

    Nigel, it shows voters that the LPKS is the only party that cares about EVERYONE’S private property rights. Most people respect someone for standing up for what they believe, and that can translate into votes.

    What’s the point of getting elected if you won’t fight for EVERYONES private property rights?

  • http://www.lpks.org Rob Hodgkinson

    The property is owned by Webb & Julie Garlinghouse – not a naturist group. Webb lets the Edun foundation (nude reversed) use the property. The Edun group is secondary to what we were trying to do ”“ the press latched onto the “nudists” as a way to sensationalize the story.

    We tried to get the Judge to allow this event (June 29th) – however he would not go into session to discuss the possibility. The injunction that is on the property is that no commercial or recreational activity may take place. Anyone who has been active in politics knows that it neither category fits.

    As far as the press ”“ this happening has been very good (so far) for us. It has raised awareness of the KSLP (hits on the LPKS web site) and the fact we have been spending much time working towards reform in eminent domain abuse (Kansas is one of the worst states in the nation for ED abuse) and other property rights battles – people are sympathetic to the property rights violations that happened last Friday.

  • R. E. Lee

    I don’t understand. Would the LP have been granted a permit or not? If not, then a protest is clearly in order.
    If so, why not apply for it? How does the LP propose public parks be run – with or without permits? If without, then what is to be done if some group, say the anti-globalists, take over a park permanently as their campground?

  • http://freelancify.com Nigel Watt

    Look, I agree that the county’s way out of line here. I just think y’all are giving way too much credit to the average voter here. If you read the article, sure, you’ll understand that the LPKS is in the right. But just seeing the headlines, the majority of Kansans are going to think, Libertarians == nudists.

  • http://knappster.blogspot.com Thomas L. Knapp

    This one should be simple:

    - Look up the race in the last election in which the largest number of Kansans voted for a Libertarian candidate (probably Jack Warner’s 23,995 votes for Congress). Estimate that number as a reasonable maximum attendance of the event.

    - Be even more reasonable on the take — make the average expected contribution just half of the maximum allowed by Kansas law (the limit for party committees is $15K, so $7.5K).

    - Sue the involved thugs personally, and their department, for the damages.

    I suspect that the Kansas LP could make good use of a $180 million endowment of that sort, even after lawyer contingency fees were taken out of it.

  • http://knappster.blogspot.com Thomas L. Knapp

    R.E. Lee,

    “I don’t understand. Would the LP have been granted a permit or not? If not, then a protest is clearly in order. If so, why not apply for it? How does the LP propose public parks be run – with or without permits? If without, then what is to be done if some group, say the anti-globalists, take over a park permanently as their campground?”

    First of all, the event was to be held on private property, not in a publc park.

    Secondly, the right to peaceable assembly is not something for which a “permit” is to be “granted.”

    Thirdly, the Kansas constitution specifically guarantees that: “The people have the right to assemble, in a peaceable manner, to consult for their common good, to instruct their representatives, and to petition the government, or any department thereof, for the redress of grievances.”

  • http://www.ilovephysics.com Chris Moore

    “But just seeing the headlines, the majority of Kansans are going to think, Libertarians == nudists”

    I think you don’t give enough credit to the average voter. People aren’t stupid. They are not “sheeple”.

    I’ve read posts from reformers railing about how LP members refer to the public as “sheeple”. Then, when a news story like this comes out, their first reaction is how voters will see it in a negative way — basically insulting the intelligence of the readers because they will undoubtedly miss the entire point of the incident.

    If the LPKS can frame the incident in terms of private property rights and (de facto) eminent domain abuse, then they can turn it into a huge political win.

  • http://www.libertyforsale.com Timothy West

    On the face of it, I think Knapps right. I’d sue the fuckers. I’ll donate money to a lawsuit.

  • http://freelancify.com Nigel Watt

    If the electorate were intelligent, Michael Badnarik would be president.

  • Devious David

    Nigel seems to think that we only fight when we come out looking good off the line in the newspaper. Not going to happen. They will always sensationalize. Furthermore, if we only fought when that is the circumstance, then we would never fight. The greatest triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. We should fight every time an injustice occurs. Injustice should not be hidden from the public. They should be made aware, activated and radicalized.

    Nigel would rather we play pattycake with the Republicans… “PLEASE OH PRETTY PLEASE, let us run against your incumbent, and by the way… say only NICE thing about us.. won’t you pretty please treat us with some respect. We sure hate to be misunderstood or mischaracterized. Awwww please please please”. Go join the Whiners, Wimps, Complainers and Statist Appeasers Party, Nigel. I know it’s a long name, so you can use the acronym WWCSA.

  • Devious David

    Nigel, the electorate is no particularly intelligent, no, but they aren’t total morons either. Most of the electorate would say “who?” if you asked them who Badnarik is. Because they lack information more than intelligence. And most just don’t care – they have resigned themselves to what is happening because they feel powerless. So, who’s the next American Idol?

  • http://freelancify.com Nigel Watt

    David: Did I say that we should lie down and take it? No, but that was a stupid battle to fight, not to mention impossible to win. A better solution would have been to run candidates against the county officials who put this into place, using this as an example of their disrespect for property rights.

  • http://www.libertyforsale.com Timothy West

    It’s possible to be intelligent and simply believe other than what you or I do. Some of the smartest people I’ve ever met in my life are puree type folks, but they place way too much on reasoned results of thought.

    And by the way, all you MF’s, I’m the next American Idol, so toss off!

  • http://www.lpnm.org Joseph Knight

    There IS such a thing as bad publicity, but this ain’t it! Way to go, Kansas LP. It’s never wrong to stand up for the naked truth, to reduce government to its bare essentials, and to work for the erection of a free society. And oh yeah, there’s that property rights thing too!

    Joseph from New Mexico

  • IanC

    Nigel — I’m not so certain about the lost cause in this case. Sometimes, simply being seen to fight is the goal. ‘course, that fight must still be honest… but it’s more the “I fight not because I expect to win, but because to stand idly by is intolerable.”

    It’s the old “Death before dishonor” mentality transformed into the cause for freedom. Now, that’s dangerous when you accept the inevitability of defeat…

    That’s when you get mentalities I have seen that advocate statements like “By not voting LP the voting public is doing the freedom movement a favor. Always.”

    …

  • http://www.lpks.org Rob Hodgkinson – Chair LPKS

    Nigel, I understand your point – I gave it a lot of thought about even holding the event due to the Edun connection.

    The reality is this area gives search warrants to dog catchers – I am not kidding.

    We are going to continue this battle – the events Friday were simply the start of the positive press we will continue to get fighting a corrupt government. We taped the entire thing and every TV station in town was there.

    I have been contacted by bible thumpers (Topeka is in the middle of the bible belt) who don’t agree with the naturist activity – but are scared to death about where type of action this could continue to lead. The response so far has been very good! They understand this is a property rights issue.

    I appreciate Stuart linking to our Kansas LP donation page – if you want to donate specifically for the legal fees – just let us know and that is where it will be spent. We are working in that area (lawsuit should/will be filed when the paperwork is ready).

  • http://libspot.org/member/mlaursen/blog1/ Mike Laursen

    Rob, maybe I’m slow, but I’m unclear on one aspect of this story: was the LPKS hosting a clothed or clothing-optional event at this sometimes nudist farm?

  • http://UnCivilDefence.blogspot.com MRJarrell

    MRJarrell, how will this help the LPKS get people elected, and how won’t it hurt it? How does standing for the core principle of property rights NOT help someone get elected? And why does election matter? Would it have been different in your mind if the place had been a WalMart or a restaurant? Private property is private property. You wish to sacrifice morality, ethics and principle for a few pieces of paper in a box? To people who value property rights this issue will stand out. Not the fact that once in a blue moon some nudists gather there.
    The type of property involved doesn’t matter a whit. Restaurant, Mom & Pop joint, whorehouse, firing range..it just doesn’t matter. If you are willing to abandon the things that make you a libertarian all for the sake of what someone might think then you’re in the wrong party. Go become a Democrat. They’re all about looks and no substance, Nigel. If even one of the candidates I know ever took your view then they’d be finished in the LP.

  • http://freelancify.com Nigel Watt

    Rob, if it’s part of a larger campaign, then I understand perfectly.

    MRJarrell, you’re not making sense, so I’m not going to respond.

  • Devious David

    Nigel, running people to take office is just another part of the fight. Not the total sum of it. You’re so pragmatic that you endorse a strategy where liberty is lost through inaction. And when action does take place, it has but the most feeble foundation of ignorance to support it. The fight should be found on all grounds. The attacks should be vigorous and both head on and guerrilla in nature.

  • http://knappster.blogspot.com Thomas L. Knapp

    Nigel,

    You write: “Did I say that we should lie down and take it? No, but that was a stupid battle to fight, not to mention impossible to win.”

    Actually, they’ve probably won it big time already. The Kansas LP has probably already received more publicity over this than they’ve received all year — and their candidates will get more publicity between now and the election because of it, too.

    I’ve been to Kansas. I know some Kansans. They’re not all morons by a damn sight. This issue will shake out quickly, and it won’t shake out to “oh, they must be nudists,” but to “do people besides Democrats and Republicans have the right to hold political events on private property without the cops busting them up, or not?”

    Additionally, the Kansas LP can raise funds and forge alliances if they play this card right. No, I don’t think they’ll win $180 million in a lawsuit, but I’m willing to bet that they’ll win if they do sue, and that the “naturists” and ACLU will join in — and remember.

  • Stuart Richards

    I think this is actually going to play out really well for the LPKS. They can probably manage to get the ACLU on their side, as Knapp mentioned… and they’ll squeeze more out of lawsuit damages than they ever would have with the fundraiser, and they should be able to be a credible political force for the near future.

  • http://UnCivilDefence.blogspot.com MRJarrell

    MRJarrell, you’re not making sense, so I’m not going to respond. Really? What part of property rights being a core principle is nonsensical to you? The fact is the Kansas LP did exactly the right thing and you, in the name politcal and electoral expediency would have them back away from an issue. Typical. My guess is that you DO understand exactly what I wrote. The LPKS was dead on and you’re wrong. Be a man, admit it and move on.

  • disinter

    I must agree with MRJarrell.

  • Stuart Richards

    Mike, I haven’t seen you around this blog for a good long while. Where’ve you been?

  • http://freelancify.com Nigel Watt

    “And why does election matter? Would it have been different in your mind if the place had been a WalMart or a restaurant?”

    My only point was that this was liable to give bad publicity to the LPKS, which is in fact worse than no publicity at all.

    “If you are willing to abandon the things that make you a libertarian all for the sake of what someone might think then you’re in the wrong party.”

    Once again, I didn’t say fighting it was wrong, just stupid.

    “Go become a Democrat.”

    Go sodomize yourself with an unlubricated hammer.

    There, I dealt with what you said, and I still don’t think I’m wrong.

  • http://freelancify.com Nigel Watt

    If you want me to say that what you interpreted me as saying was wrong, then there you go, but you misinterpreted what I said, I’m pretty sure.

  • http://freelancify.com Nigel Watt

    Does this sit better with y’all?

  • Quisling

    Dirty pigs? Is that anyway to talk about our government masters’ enforcers?

  • http://www.ilovephysics.com Chris Moore

    Nigel, you’re still wrong.

  • Stuart Richards

    Nigel, you’ve got balls and I salute you for that.

  • GreginOz

    Hmmm, well if Libos are going to have a PARTY they should have an anthem…mebbe Fred Astair and (sic) “Swinging in the rain”?. Am dazzled that a PRIVATE GATHERING ON PRIVATE PROPERTY CAN BE STOPPED BY THE GOVT! Regards.

  • http://freenewworld.blogspot.com Nick Wilson

    “this area gives search warrants to dog catchers”

    I’m confused…your county gives search warrants to elected libertarians?

    Seriously, I kid.

  • http://UnCivilDefence.blogspot.com MRJarrell

    Nigel ranted:Once again, I didn’t say fighting it was wrong, just stupid.
    Again…you’re wrong.
    The job of the LP in any state is to promote the LP and their candidates. This means tackling issues. In Nigels little world this means telling candidates and officers to STFU about little things like property rights, taxes, victimless crime, etc. Why? Because someone might get upset and not vote for a candidate? That doesn’t wash. Just own up and move on.
    Go sodomize yourself with an unlubricated hammer.

    There, I dealt with what you said, and I still don’t think I’m wrong My…there’s your age showing through. Wipe the foam off you mouth and grow up.

  • http://freelancify.com Nigel Watt

    The point of my hammer comment was to say something offensive, yet still less offensive than you telling me to go become a Democrat. You’re obviously not reading what I said, so I’ll ignore you.

  • http://UnCivilDefence.blogspot.com MRJarrell

    Sure it was, kid. Sure it was.

  • Stuart Richards

    Because if you say “kid” enough, anything can look stupid.

    Look, I’m unconvinced by Nigel’s opinion but it’s good to have people looking at this from all angles.

  • http://UnCivilDefence.blogspot.com MRJarrell

    Stuart, it hardly needs me saying, “kid” to make his remarks look stupid. He did a grand job of that himself.

    “Go sodomize yourself with an unlubricated hammer.”

    If that’s prgamatism at work you guys are doomed.