Posts Tagged ‘vermont’

America lost a true hero of freedom this week with the passing of Hardy Macia.

He was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in August 2012. It’s typically a treatable form of cancer, but Macia’s did not respond the way he and his doctors had hoped. He was recently hospitalized in New Hampshire, then transferred to Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington to be closer to family.

Hardy was a long-time supporter of the Libertarian Party. He served as chair of the Vermont LP for several terms, and regional rep to the LNC for a term. He ran for office multiple times as a Libertarian, including for Governor of Vermont in 2004 (as a Libertarian). He served for several years as chair of the Selectboard of Grand Isle, VT. He also served on the Gary Johnson for President campaign.

Hardy’s passion for the cause of liberty was an inspiration to so many. Hardy even fought for liberty from the hospital bed, which is just one of many examples of his dedication.

Rest in peace Hardy. You will be missed.

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Before Hardy passed on, he released a video pleading with Gov. Maggie Hassan to support the legality of growing medical marijuana at home, a provision removed from a bill passed in March that allows the use of marijuana for medical purposes in New Hampshire.

The video is a heartbreaking personal message from Macia, who was diagnosed last August with Hodgkin’s lymphoma and says he probably only has weeks left to live. Medical marijuana is one of the few things that make the life he has left bearable.

“To get to sleep at night, sometimes it’s the only thing that helps put me out, versus some of the harsh drugs that they give me, like the oxycodone or vicodin,” Macia said in the video.

The video is below:

Please feel free to share your own comments/memories below in the comments section…

The following is a letter to the editor by VTLP member Ted Schaft:

The senseless furlough of Air Traffic Controllers should never have happened and wouldn’t have if Libertarian ideas were used as a guide to solutions for this type of problem. The cost of Air Traffic Controllers should be funded by all things airport. It should be reflected in the price of airline tickets, packages shipped by air and cost of doing business through air travel. It should be completely unconnected to a federal budget and out of the hands of politicians. The exact scheme of how to divvy up the cost can be left to experts, but it should be a user fee. There is no reason for people who don’t fly or buy things that are shipped through the air or send things overnight to pay those costs.

Ted Schaft
Proctor, VT

Upcoming Meeting Notice…

** When: Wednesday, April 24th, 6-7:30pm.

** Where: Shaws in South Burlington in the Meeting Room.  Map/directions: http://goo.gl/8Bfxr

** Contact: Jeremy Ryan, chair@vtlp.org, 802-735-2149

** Agenda:

- Discussion of future goals
- Other business.

General meeting to discuss where we want to go from here.

Please let me know if you plan to attend.

In liberty,

Jeremy Ryan
Chair, Vermont Libertarian Party

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Vermont Libertarian Party
PO Box 5475
Burlington VT 05402-5475
Phone: (802) 735-2149
Web: www.vtlp.org
Email: chair@vtlp.org
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Below are some updates/events for Loyal Ploof’s campaign…

WEBSITE, FACEBOOK, TWITTER:

His website, facebook and twitter pages are online: http://www.loyalploof.org. Please visit the site and show your support by liking is facebook page, following his twitter account.

DONATIONS:

You can also make a donation from the website. Loyal needs more funds for more yard signs and literature.  Please consider making a donation through:

http://www.loyalploof.org/donate/

YARD SIGNS:

If you are in Ward 4, Burlington, please volunteer to put up a yard sign as they are in. You can request one from the following page:

http://www.loyalploof.org/blog/298/loyal-ploof-yard-signs-now-available/

SIGN WAVES:

Loyal will be doing sign waves Tuesdays/Thursdays.  The first sign wave is tomorrow (Tuesday, February 18th) at the Shopping Center next to Leddy Park in Ward 4, Burlington from 4-6pm.

MEET & GREET:

Tuesday, Feb 26th from 8am-10am at the Bagel Café next to Leddy Park in Ward 4, Burlington. Come show your support for Loyal!

The Free Press today has a factual, and flattering, article honoring Jim Hedbor, along with his Wife Eloise, and Bill Wicker. He twice ran for US Congress as a Libertarian, and one of those times was actually Endorsed by the Free Press! and the Caledonia Record over Democrat and Republican candidates. He was that remarkable in Vermont Libertarian history. Jim, with Bill Wicker, who ran a credible campaign for Governor, and with the help of Bill McGuire had a credibility and message which have created the most memorable time in Libertarian actual Politics in my experience. There will likely be an obituary appearing in following days.

My recollections are of a very positive, and optimistic Libertarian and family man. He was an excellent salesman, always very knowledgeable, which helped his advocacy and campaign efforts. He was a truly remarkable communicator. He had prepared by attending the Cato Institute, the prime Libertarian think tank, and continued to support them for decades.

A memorial gathering will be held Sat, Feb 23d, at 1PM at the Inn at Essex, off Rt 15 in Essex Center.

Work for the Return of Liberty and Common Sense in his honor.

Doug Richmond

Please feel free to share your own comments/memories below in the comments section…