Dear Nicrivera, thanks. and great info you provided, esp the inisght into younger voters awareness; and Mr Kubby, and also what I call 'baggage blow-back,' from former fed. congress people running… that inhibits to some extent gaining a clear pathway through the Libertarians.

Dear Embarr: I'd agree that you are ESPECIALLY accurate about seemingly “flawless candidates”… alarms rather than stars ought be going off in most cases, I think. And you are also on the right track about transformations and learning from error. God knows we've all made enough of the latter and too few of the former, often enough.

In Mr. Barr's case, I ask your patience, for in this article I did not add in the severe criticisms from various sources at the convention who dont buy his 'change.' To put it more politely than they said it… they see his entire gestalt as pure career ambition.

However, I will let you know more as I rec'd an email earlier today from the media arm of the Libertarian National Convention, and they have been kind enough to have press credentials waiting for me in the morning. So, God willing and the crick don't rise, I will go see with 'me own eyes,' tomorrow. And I promise if I find out, see, note anything new, same 'ol, strange, funny or blessed, to let TMV readers know.

dr.e

An error in judgement need not be regarded as a personal failure within one's record of leadership quality. A change of mind may also be regarded as a testimony to the person's genuine spirit of truth, and can be seen in a very good way, as a means for transformation, to which this person is 'humanly' dedicated to. That Bob Barr is still visibly uncomfortable with his change of mind is also very human, and therefore, also a very good quality, in my mind, for a leader to possess.

I would also point out that included among the Libertarian Party presidential contenders are Steve Kubby, medical marijuana activist and former Libertarian candidate for governor of California, and George Phillies, a physics professor at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and former Libertarian candidate for congress in Massachusetts.

Fans of South Park may remember the political ad created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone featuring Steve Kubby as the Libertarian alternative to Democrat Gray Davis and Republican Dan Lungren during the 1998 California Gubernatorial race.

Back when I lived in New Hampshire, I actually had the chance to meet George Phillies at an evening “Meet the Candidate” type event. I attended the event completely expecting to find myself surrounded by a bunch of middle-aged to elderly voters. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that the majority of the people there were in their 20's and 30's. Perhaps stemming career as a college professor, Phillies pointed out just how crucial it is for the Libertarian Party to reach out to college-aged voters around the country.

With all due respect to former Republican Congressman Bob Barr and former Democratic Congressman Mike Gravel, voters should be aware of the Libertarian Candidates who have a long history in the Libertarian Movement and don't carry the baggage of having supported some rather unlibertarian positions (i.e. Bob Barr on the War on Drugs and Gay Marriage and Mike Gravel on Universal Healthcare).

You can download Dr. Ruwart's Healing Our World in an Age of Aggression online for free (the original version).