Gary Johnson - Just Say "Hello," Just Say "Good By"

MeanMesa has to ask.  Did you ever feel compelled to share one of those embarrassing stories about yourself?  Maybe it was an innocent impulse to "lubricate" the conversation at a cocktail party or even some suspiciously dark, inner yearning for a little cathartic humility, but there you went.

MeanMesa now confronts the same prospect.  Although a little self critical at first blush, we'll just forge ahead and see if some of the distress is relieved by this unexpected honesty.

A couple of months ago MeanMesa received an email from ex-NM Governor, Gary Johnson.  It was an invitation to subscribe to Mr. Johnson's political web site which already promised to, in practically no time at all, start throwing the pitch for his 2012 Presidential run. 

Normally, any "link" to a GOPCon political site would immediately be stowed in the gmail humor section of "all mail," but, amid the over flowing cess pool of GOPCon rhetoric,  Johnson's pitch had a strangely fascinating odor of rationality about it.  Curiosity piqued, the subscription was made.  At least, MeanMesa thought, if there were, actually, any of this rare substance, that is, if there were actually any sort of actual GOPCon revival of more or less objective thought to be seen here, we didn't want to miss it.

You know, for a Republican, Johnson was beginning to look, well, stable. The humility side of the question comes from MeanMesa's frantic, desperate, strange appetite to find something respectable in a Republican Presidential candidate, possibly some remnant of the "ghosts in the closet" desolation of MeanMesa's troubled childhood or something.

Here, we must pause for a tiny bit of explanatory background.

Years ago, the wonderful wife of one of MeanMesa's Fourth Way teachers, Mary, may God rest her soul, found it necessary, during the course of a routine conversation, to comment on some Germans who has just rented an apartment from MeanMesa in Anchorage.

Mary, a delightfully British woman, had lived through the Luftwaffe's relentless bombing attack on London during WWII.  However, years later, she had not only re-established her fundamental confidence in the "good of humanity" in general, but had also developed the habit of always encouraging both a positive thought and a constructive, good hearted comment about every possible foible of mankind which might surface in one of these conversations of hers.

So, responding so optimistically to the very casually mentioned news that these Germans had rented MeanMesa's apartment, Mary commented, "Well, they tend to be very clean, you  know."

What does this stiff old tale have to do with Gary Johnson's Presidential site?

Well, after "cruising through" some of the content to be found there, MeanMesa felt a strange, growing interest in something along the lines of "Giving him the benefit of the doubt" or "Let's reserve judgement until we know a little more" or even, in the wonderfully positive tradition of Mary, "Let's just try to think of something nice about what he's doing."

Of course, Johnson's "newsletters" kept rolling into MeanMesa's inbox.  They included an account of Johnson's pre-primary journey to all the "early states" which any Republican candidate must "soften up" before the real "bite and scratch" begins.  Remarkably, Johnson seemed to be continuing to, sort of,  "make sense," at least for a Republican, in all the fluff and feathers comments being reported in the "newsletter."

See MeanMesa post:  Gary Johnson, New Mexico Governor 1994-2001, Emerges

However, the inevitable once again proved to be inevitable.

Ex-Governor Gary seems to have grown, well, a little "thirsty" somewhere between New Hampshire and Iowa.  Stopping off for a quick, refreshing beverage at one of the many "Kool Aide" stands along the way, Johnson found himself drinking deeply from the local GOPCon well of "Health Care Hatred."

By the time it was necessary to "pay fealty" to the oligarchs in charge of the health insurance industry at his next "pre-primary" stop over, Johnson had become a full fledged "Health Care Hater,"  probably just in time to open a few nice campaign contribution checks from United Health Corpse.

So, in terms of "happy endings," Johnson has taken his place in line.  We can now expect those early hints at possibly being something different than the other GOPCon Vampires now eyeing each other's necks have been set aside.  Gary, equipped with every talking point from Kenya to Socialism, will now show his true colors.

Just as Gary is now "off" to the races for a choice seat in the GOPCon wet dream of another "looting festival," MeanMesa is now "off" Gary's Presidential Newsletter's mailing list.  

Yawn.  If this "de-subscription" makes Gary feel lonely, he can stand between Trump and Palin.

Ex-NMGov (R!) Gary Johnson Speaks Out: Pfc. Manning's Treatment

MeanMesa received the following email from ex-New Mexico Governor, Gary Johnson.  So, what's the point?

The Point.

Not all Republicans are cast from the dismal freak show currently unfolding.

Ex New Mexico Governor, Gary Johnson (R)

The email.

Why Is It The Truth-Tellers Always Get Canned?

Some news stories give me pause about whether those in government have any concern at all for the rights of the American people. The detention of Bradley Manning is one of those stories. If he did what authorities claim he did, he most certainly broke some serious laws, and for that, there should be consequences. 

Regardless of his guilt or innocence, the seriousness of his actions, or whatever, one thing is clear:  No American should be stashed away in the brig, under questionable conditions and treatment, without a timely day in court.

An American accused of a crime should be innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This basic principle has been firmly established in our laws since the Founders, and has been hailed by Americans of all political stripes as a staple of a free society. If Bradley Manning is guilty of a crime, he will have to deal with the consequences of his actions. His guilt, however, is a matter for the judicial system. The rule of law works only as long as the government has to play by the rules set forth in the Constitution and proves its case in the judicial system. This case is no exception.

Last week, P.J. Crowley, a State Department spokesman, called Manning’s treatment, “ridiculous and counterproductive and stupid.” Three days later, the Obama Administration asked him to step down-- so much for this administration's promise of transparency.  A government spokesman who tells the truth, or even his own observation, about what the government is doing shouldn't be the one to 'take the fall' for yet another embarrassing example of Federal arrogance.

 We have a judicial system that works pretty well if we actually use it and make sure all have access to it.  This case is no exception.  If the facts and the evidence can't stand the light of day, then we have a much bigger problem than WikiLeaks. It’s a problem that that involves a lack of transparency, too much secrecy, and a general disregard of civil liberties.

It is clear that freedom and individual rights still have to be fought for every day before an overzealous government swallows them. Sadly, the Washington insiders and political commentators in the media, whom have all been silent on this scandal, will not do it for us. We have to fight for our rights ourselves.

Good governing is simple. I practiced it for 8 years while Governor of New Mexico. Government should protect us from individuals that do us harm, but should be out of our lives otherwise. 

 

The government should protect the value of individuals and their civil liberties. The government should not intervene in the private lives of individual citizens unnecessarily. Personal liberty and freedom from unwarranted governmental control or regulation should allow law abiding individuals to pursue their own desires as long as they are not causing harm to other people. 

There should be less government, greater liberty and lasting prosperity for America.

Transforming these simple ideas into the guiding principles of government is what the Our America Initiative is all about.  They are the motivation behind the fact that I have spent the past year and a half traveling to 32 states and appearing on countless news programs.  And our message of truth and freedom is resonating. 

This week, I am in California meeting with folks from all political persuasions – and they all agree with us that government is out of control. This weekend, I am headed back to Washington, DC, and next week on to Chicago. At every stop, heads are nodding in agreement that we can no longer stand by and watch as the government strips our freedoms, spends us into bankruptcy, and robs our potential for prosperity.

I can’t do this alone.  Our America is growing every day, with more and more like-minded Americans signing up to help. But we need YOUR help to keep the momentum going. Your contribution today, of any amount, provides the resources we must have to keep spreading our message and put the pressure on Washington to get out of our daily lives.

 One of my most important goals is to continue defending the rule of law and the civil liberties that you and I hold so dear. The Our America Initiative is growing every day, with more and more like-minded Americans signing up to get involved.  Our message is one that needs to be heard, and there has never been a more important time for our fellow citizens to hear it.

Thank you for all of your support. It is truly humbling to know that so many people are united in defense of freedom.

Your energy and support is what motivates me every day to stand tall as a spokesman for liberty: 

http://ouramericaInitiative.com/donate

In Liberty,

Gary Johnson

MeanMesa left the email links active for visitors wishing to know more about Johnson's new organization, Our America Initiative.