Hi, I'm Ken. Good to be here. Let me give a short introduction.
After 20 years as a registered Democrat, someone handed me a copy of Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, and it literally changed my life. Since then I've run for public office eight times, most notably as the Libertarian candidate for Governor of Pennsylvania in 2002. That experience demonstrated to me that there are a few holes in Miss Rand's philosophy, politically speaking, and that prompted me to write my first full-length novel, Atlas Snubbed, an unsanctioned pastiche parody sequel to Atlas Shrugged highlighting my solutions to those holes. Yesterday I was doing some web research regarding book signings, and I stumbled across this forum. It seems one of the forum members has read my book and had some nice things to say, but also some questions. So I figured I'd join and join in on the discussion.
There's a lot more I could say about myself, but I thought for now I'd stick to the basic reason I'm here. There's always Google if anyone wants to know more.
Again, good to be here. I look forward to the discussions!
- Ken
Your name sounds familiar - were you active with the LP?
Welcome.
I worked on Ken's Libertarian party campaigns for governor of Pennsylvania before I moved to NH.
Hi Ken. I don't know if you remember me, Jerry Lynch. I met you at the airport in Erie and then drove you around to a few campaign stops.
You should visit NH this month for Porcfest. They are your kinda folks.
[quote author=jerry link=topic=6468.msg60469#msg60469 date=1339197820]
Hi Ken. I don't know if you remember me, Jerry Lynch. I met you at the airport in Erie and then drove you around to a few campaign stops.
You should visit NH this month for Porcfest. They are your kinda folks.
[/quote]
Well,well, well! Jerry Lynch! How could I forget?? Been a few years, ain't it? Hope all is well with you and Barb–and since you say you're up in NH, I can only assume you're doing well indeed.
We were just talking about you the other day. The Pennsylvania LP is looking to record some of our history before more of the old timers die off, and a few of us remember how you used to record entire LPP conventions back in the day when no one did large-scale recordings. Might you still have some of the old tapes lying about? Have you digitized them? Hate to lose all that history. Our current chair may feel otherwise–he just deliberately deleted the party archives from 2003 through 2010, hence the sudden interest in saving party history.
I was just up there in February for the Liberty Forum in Nashua, but I doubt I'd make it up to PorcFest. I'm starting a new gig next week, so it'd be a bit presumptuous to take vacation so soon, and it's a bit of a haul to drive up there just for the weekend. One of these years!
My best to Barb,
- Ken
[quote author=FTL_Ian link=topic=6468.msg60464#msg60464 date=1339186223]
Your name sounds familiar - were you active with the LP?
[/quote]
Indeed I am (not "was") active in the LP, at least here in Pennsylvania. You may remember me from 2000 when I sought the LP's vice presidential nomination. Came in third behind Art Olivier and Steve Kubby, but it was still a great experience. There were also some rumblings to have me run for president in 2004, but I dropped that idea in 2003 when I took a long-term professional assignment. Hard to work for a living and do national politics at the same time. Can't say I've done much on the national scene lately–my last national convention was in 2004. Still, I do get out and about. This year I'm running for state rep, assuming I can get on the ballot. The D's and R's have been aggressively pushing the use of a court case that allows them to fine candidates who try to get on the ballot and fail. In fact, in 2010 they challenged every single statewide independent and third party candidate and threatened them with fines of over $100,000 if they didn't withdraw. Well, they all withdrew. In fact, I ran for governor in 2002, and I remain the LAST third party or independent candidate on the ballot for governor in Pennsylvania. Most of my political time is spent these days lobbying to have the law changed to eliminate the fines, and I just filed as a co-plaintiff on a federal suit to have the law overturned. What else can I do? Hate to lose the house to a big fine!
In any case, thanks for the welcome! Hope we'll meet someday soon.
- Ken
[quote author=KenKrawchuk link=topic=6468.msg60470#msg60470 date=1339203098]
Well,well, well! Jerry Lynch! How could I forget?? Been a few years, ain't it? Hope all is well with you and Barb–and since you say you're up in NH, I can only assume you're doing well indeed.
We were just talking about you the other day. The Pennsylvania LP is looking to record some of our history before more of the old timers die off, and a few of us remember how you used to record entire LPP conventions back in the day when no one did large-scale recordings. Might you still have some of the old tapes lying about? Have you digitized them? Hate to lose all that history. Our current chair may feel otherwise–he just deliberately deleted the party archives from 2003 through 2010, hence the sudden interest in saving party history.
I was just up there in February for the Liberty Forum in Nashua, but I doubt I'd make it up to PorcFest. I'm starting a new gig next week, so it'd be a bit presumptuous to take vacation so soon, and it's a bit of a haul to drive up there just for the weekend. One of these years!
My best to Barb,
- Ken
[/quote]
I'm doing OK here in Grafton, NH. Unfortunately Barbara is stuck in PA for a few more years until retirement, due in part to the hoops that the state podiatry licensing board here in NH has to change states. Not to worry, at my age long distance marriages can work.
I'm certain I have a file box full of LPP convention tapes and am delighted that someone is interested in preserving them.
When asked at the convention why I was doing it I said "After we win, the History channel will want them."
Large format is right! These young whippersnappers with their iPhones have no idea what is like lugging around a camera large enough to record on fullsize VHS tapes. I'll PM you after I locate them.
Sorry I missed you at the Forum. It's the first one I've missed; due to a small medical problem.
But Porcfest is much more fun, so I want you to pencil in two weeks on your calendar next year for Porcfest.
Why two weeks? Because we here in Grafton host an alternative to Porcfest the week following. www.BurningPorcupine.org
There aren't any motels in Grafton, but I have reserved a room for you at Jerry's Place. http://nhunderground.com/forum/index.php?topic=19284.0
Ain't it a small world?
Welcome, Ken! And, +1, Jerry!