By popular demand:

As a delegate to the Libertarian National Convention, one of my obligations was to take part in the by-laws and platform debates.

As someone who enjoys writing, I am profoundly concerned with the details of our language.  And I understand how nuances can affect the responses of people exposed to what has been written. 

However.

I don’t know how the other parties handle this part of their management, and I don’t much care.  There were obviously people there at mine who thrive on debating (and debating and debating) the precise wording of every sentence.  And I would not for the world take away from them the right to have a say in the matter.  I admit to not being present for the entire debate on every word.

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Speaking of being absent from some of the main activity, there was a constant stream of breakout sessions available.  The official business of the convention was held in a large ballroom where the delegations were seated.  Adjacent to that was another and equally large room containing booths rented by vendors, candidates, and other organizations.  Around the edges of THAT room were smaller meeting rooms where the delegates could attend hour-long seminars on such topics as “Introduction to Economics for Libertarians,” “Bordering on Chaos” (about immigration), “Campus Organizing,” and “How Almost Any Libertarian Who is Reasonably Presentable Can Get Into Public Office.”  I attended several, and found them very helpful.

I’m hoping that in 2010 Kansas has enough delegates that I can go as an alternate and attend more breakout sessions without guilt.

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I was an alternate on the Credentials Committee.  As such I did not attend their meetings, but I could work at the desk.  I now have a t-shirt identifying me as a volunteer, with the convention logo on the back.  On the front it says “The One Who Must be Obeyed.”

Anyone familiar with Rumpole of the Bailey will enjoy that even more.

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At their booth, The Advocates for Self Government were selling a large button saying “Courtesy and Respect for Everyone Here.”  I brought back a handful, and gave them to attendees at the Libertarians of Northeast Kansas meeting last night.  I wore mine to work yesterday.

I plan to wear it lots of places.

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I have to go to work now.  More gibberish later.

Posted by Sharon under Libertarianism | 1 Comment »