Ladies and gents, we had a great time Sunday night. By my count, at least 21 people showed up representing no fewer than 11 states. Of these states, four are existing affiliates, one was informally recognized at the convention (Colorado) and four more are potentially organizing affiliates.

In attendance were George Phillies, Alden Link, and Tom Stevens. All three were nominated during the informal convention for president, thus qualifying them to be considered by the members of the several state affiliates for either president or vice president.

To speed things along, owing to ballot access deadlines, the national committee voted to leave open the nominations process until 10 June 2008 (23:59) and allow additional nominees to be proposed. To be proposed, a prospective nominee must be nominated by a member of a recognized affiliate in one state and seconded by a member of a recognized affiliate in another state.

As well, we are eager to seat additional state affiliates. Currently New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee are accepted affiliates meeting all the requirements. Colorado is in process of being accepted, and we have interest in California, Texas, Massachusetts, Wyoming, Kansas, and North Carolina.

The nominees for president and vice president are to be selected in an online convention to take place on this site on 14 June 2008 at 9 p.m. eastern time, 6 p.m. Pacific. We will also have a national committee nominating convention and undertake other business on 24 October, as previously announced.

For the record, the New York affiliate nominated George Phillies, whose nomination was seconded by both New Jersey and Tennessee. Alden Link was nominated by New York and seconded by Pennsylvania. Tom Stevens was nominated by New Jersey and seconded initially by a gentleman from the New York affiliate, who later insisted that it was the booze talking, so I record for future reference that Stevens was seconded by Maker's Mark.

Two things about the Libertarian Party's convention struck me as worth noting, both at our convention and here online. First, there was a large light display behind the podium, featuring 2008 above a windmill. This symbolized, for me, that the LP is now blowing whichever way the prevailing wind blows. Those who believe they can build a solid structure on a foundation of shifting sand - in the windstorm of expedience - are welcome to try.

Second, there was a speaker who nominated Wayne Root for vice president. He mentioned Root's parents had formed the Conservative Party in New York to address difficulties they had with the Republican Party of New York back when it was Nelson Rockefeller's home in the 1960s. The speaker said that Root's parents knew that the way to reform a major party was not from within, being constantly frustrated by those with the power and positions, but by leaving the party to form a better party. That way, they were more free to criticize what was really wrong with the party they found no longer acceptable. A more obvious and palpable case for the Boston Tea Party could not have been stated.

Finally, I would like to close by suggesting that those who wish to donate to Ballot Access for the Boston Tea Party should send the check or money order payable to Ballots for Boston Tea Party to:

attn: Jim Davidson
Ballots for Boston Tea Party
2040 West 31st Street, Suite G169
Lawrence, KS 66046

We can accept private courier deliveries at that address if you refuse to use the socialized post office.

We believe that we can secure 5 state ballot access with our existing organization and about $5,000. We would like to have 50 state ballot access as soon as possible, but that would cost at least 100 times as much.