Losgone Party Report

J. Kent Hastings reports:


Our Saturday night Loscon 46 memorial party honored deceased science-fiction, fantasy and horror pros and fans with some connection to L.A. fandom or libertarianism (LASFS or the KHC). I called it "LosGone."

Some of the remembered departed have been gone for years, but too many left us recently. Karl Hess Club alums J. Neil Schulman and Brad Linaweaver died this very year. Samuel Edward Konkin III, Chuck Hammill (and his father), Ray Bradbury, Virginia Heinlein, Ray Harryhausen, Kevin McCarthy, Richard Hatch, Jerry Pournelle, Harlan Ellison and others were remembered in our flyer or in the Mondo Cult zines on display.

My 17" laptop video and audio was anemic for playing old interview videos or episodes created by the fallen, but the hotel room TV was much bigger, louder and thankfully connected to YouTube.

The most requested media playback was audio of Ronald Reagan before he was POTUS reading Brad's account of an encounter with a socialist coed with commentary including "How right he is..."

We also watched an interview with Richard Hatch, Brad Linaweaver and others associated with Silicon Assassin.

The first hour or so of the SEK3 memorial video from 2004 was played. J. Neil Schulman was ringmaster for the likes of Brad, me, Jeff Riggenbach, Victor and Vanessa Koman, Sam's brother Alan, and others giving tribute to SEK3. A nice time capsule of that time.

Also played a good Reason interview with Neil about his movie projects including Lady Magdalene's and Alongside Night. One person likely not a libertarian said he was leaving when I played a clip of Ron Paul and Neil. My response was "But you're going to miss the Alex Jones video!"

Neil's Twilight Zone episode "Profile In Silver" about a time-traveler stopping the JFK assassination attracted more people from the hallway.

The party was well received by the convention operators, who lent us a doorstop to let passers-by on the party floor know we were actually open. The room was pretty crowded even before that though. Refreshments were served including a variety of Sam Adams beer (of "bheer" in fandomese). I also brought a case of Chico bottled brews from Sierra Nevada including cans of "Old Chico." Also freshly picked tangerines from my family's tree in Tustin.

I didn't get to print out the tributes from the Mondo Cult website before the event as I had hoped, but filmmaker Ed Plumb saved the day by bringing a box of physical Mondo Cult magazines featuring the departed as writers or subjects of articles. They were perused and taken away by attendees.

We closed our party after others had finished around 12:30 am.

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Losgone Memorial Party for Brad Linaweaver, J. Neil Schulman

If you're coming to Loscon 46, the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Convention, come visit the Losgone Memorial Party on Saturday, 8 p.m. Hosted by J. Kent Hastings, the event will honor our recently departed KHC attendees, Brad Linaweaver and J. Neil Schulman. Both men were science fiction professionals and frequent Loscon guests. Libertarian author Jerry Pournelle will also be honored.

The day before that event, be sure to attend the Tabloid Witch Film Festival, also at Loscon. The Tabloid Witch will be screening new horror shorts and features on Friday, 8 p.m., hosted by KHC attendee Thomas M. Sipos. Guest filmmakers will be in attendance for audience Q&A.

What else is up at Loscon? Check out all the guests and the program schedule.

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Libertarian Sci-Fi Fans, Come to Loscon 46

Come this November, I will once again be returning to Loscon, Los Angeles's premiere science fiction & fantasy convention, to host a screening of select horror films on the night of Friday, November 29th. Films will be chosen from among the winners of the 2019 Tabloid Witch Awards, which I manage.

Loscon has long been a favorite venue for KHC members, many whom have since passed on. Samuel E. Konkin used to publish a daily newsletter at Loscon for libertarian sci-fi fans. J. Neil Schulman screened Alongside Night at Loscon. Both were frequent participants.

As was Brad Linaweaver. I had a long conversation with Brad at one Loscon. I told him that no matter what else he wrote, he'd always be remembered for Moon of Ice. He agreed that was probably true.

Ben Pleasants attended a Tabloid Witch screening at Loscon, at my invite. We later discussed ways to promote his recently self-published books.

Those men are no longer with us. But John DeChancie and J. Kent Hastings are, and they too are frequent Loscon attendees. John will be on some panels at this upcoming Loscon.

I invite all KHC attendees to come to Loscon this Thanksgiving Day weekend, at the LAX Marriott Hotel. And drop by the Tabloid Witch Film Festival in the Los Angeles 1 Room on Friday night, 8 p.m., for some good horror short films, plus a feature.

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Brad Linaweaver, R.I.P.

Prometheus Award-winning author Brad Linaweaver died August 29 after a long battle with cancer. He would have been 67 on Sunday.

I met Brad long ago through other Libertarian fans and knew about his good sense of humor – he attended the satirical Hogu Ranquets organized at Worldcons by Elst Weinstein and John Novak. His goal was a pro writing career and he made his mark with some noteworthy sff. ... read the rest at File 770.

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Geoffrey Church's New Novel: Europa

Michael B. Everling writes:

Congratulations to Geoffrey Church on the publication of his novel Europa.

Set in the future, scientists set out to explore a vast ocean discovered beneath Europa's surface (Europa being one of Jupiter's moons).

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News on Brexit

Michael B. Everling writes:

If you are interested in British politics, especially as regards Brexit and the immediate leadership race -- and very likely a General Election in the not too distant future -- visit The Brexit Party to find out who's who and what's what.

The Brexit Party pledges to “Change Politics for Good.”

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J. Neil Schulman, R.I.P.

Thomas Knapp reports:

J. Neil Schulman died earlier today in Colorado Springs after a day or two in the hospital. He suffered a pulmonary embolism and cardiac arrest, then multiple organ failure.

I never physically met Neil, but I've "known" him for about 20 years or a little longer, and hosted his blog for about 10 of those years.

Best wishes to Neil's loved ones. I'm sure that I'll be sharing some Neil memories as time goes on, and that others will too.

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Stephan Kinsella writes a more extensive obit.

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Neil's parents lived into their 90s, or nearly so, thus it's a surprise that he died at the relatively young age of 66. It seems that many libertarians I know have been dying these past 15 years.

I first met Neil in the mid 1990s, so I'd known him for about 25 years. He was a good libertarian, and loyal and supportive to his friends. He will be missed by many.

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Citizens Redistricting Commission Seeks Members

LPC Chair Mimi Robson writes:

The State of California is giving everyone an opportunity to "Shape California’s Future." They are currently seeking individuals to be on the 2020 Citizens Redistricting Commission and there's only nine days left to get your application in.

This is a great opportunity for Libertarians to insure that fair districts are created for the upcoming decade.

Every ten years, after the federal census, California must re-establish the boundaries of its Congressional, State Senate, State Assembly, and State Board of Equalization districts to reflect new population data and shifting populations.

In the past it's been the politicians that have drawn these districts but the Voters FIRST Act, which passed in 2008, gave this power to California citizens ensuring that new and fair political boundaries are drawn without special interests, politics and political influence.

California citizens who are eligible may submit an online application to the California State Auditor's Office during the initial 60-day application period from June 10, 2019, to August 9, 2019. To apply go to: https://shapecaliforniasfuture.auditor.ca.gov/.

You are eligible to apply for a position on this commission if you are a registered voter that has been continuously registered in California with the same political party (or unaffiliated with any political party) since July 1, 2015 and have voted in two of the last three statewide elections, with the following exceptions:

1. Under contract with, serving as staff or a consultant to, or in a family relationship with the Governor, member of the Legislature, California member of Congress or a member of the State Board of Equalization

2. Contributed $2,500 or more to any California congressional, state, or local candidate for elective public office in any calendar year

3. Served as a paid California congressional, legislative, or State Board of Equalization Staff

4. Been a registered federal lobbyist

5. Been a lobbyist registered with the State of California or a California local Government

6. Been appointed to, elected to, or a candidate for California congressional or state office

7. Served as an officer, employee, or paid consultant of a California political party or of the campaign committee of a candidate for California congressional or elective state office

8. Served as an elected or appointed member of a political party central committee in California

I believe many of you will be able to qualify and submit an application unless you've been a candidate (or Treasurer for a candidate) for state office, or have been elected as a state or county officer, or contributed more than $2,500 to a California candidate in any calendar year.

The final exception is a little confusing, since most of our members are Central Committee Members (CCM), but the qualifications for being a CCM are membership, not being registered in another political party and accepting our pledge; the other recognized political parties in California elect or appoint their CCMs. Because it specifically states being "elected or appointed" as a CCM, I believe this would not apply to Libertarian members.

The way the law is written there are five commissioners picked from the two largest parties (Democrats and Republicans) with the final four being from another recognized party or no party preference. So let's get some Libertarians on this commission.

Again, you can go to https://shapecaliforniasfuture.auditor.ca.gov/ to fill out your application today.

Yours in Liberty,

Mimi Robson

Chair, Libertarian Party of California

chair@ca.lp.org

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Justin Raimondo, R.I.P.

Michael B. Everling writes:

Sadly we note the death of Justin Raimondo, 67, of cancer, on Thursday June 27, 2019 in Sebastopol, California.

An indefatigable warrior in the cause of liberty, describing his ideological position as “conservative-paleo-libertarian,” he was well known and respected among many long time members of the Libertarian Party of California.

Not without controversy on certain issues and in certain quarters, he nonetheless is recognized as being a person whose integrity was beyond question.

His perspective and intellect will be missed.

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KHC Is Not Affiliated with the Libertarian Party

Michael B. Everling writes:


With respect, we wish  to remind everyone that while some members of the KHC are dues paid, card carrying members of the Libertarian Party (including, so far, your humble Senior Facilitator), the Karl Hess Club is an independent, voluntary and volunteer unincorporated association not in any way officially affiliated with the Libertarian Party, nationally, statewide or locally, or with any other political party, society or group.

Karl Hess Club is completely unaligned in terms of political policy, though its ideology may justly be described as libertarian, or classical liberal, or paleoconservative or paleolibertarian, which is to state, the values held are consistent with those embodied in the Declaration of Independence and The Bill of Rights.

To reiterate, the KHC is not, has never been, and never will be an official constituent part of the LP on any level, or of any other political party, society or group, notwithstanding publication of club notices in various party, society or group communications, listservs, and the like. These should not be construed as endorsement in either direction.

The brief of the KHC is to provide a venue for open discourse on a wide and deep variety of subjects, entertaining ideologically diverse points of view, in a welcoming and civil environment (i.e., in an “Agora of Good Manners”), and in a way that our members will find to be informative, enjoyable and enlightening. All are welcomed.

We gratefully appreciate your understanding and forbearance.

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Karl Hess Club Turns 25

April 30 is WalpurgisNacht. It is also the twenty-fifth anniversary to the day that the Karl Hess Club was announced by the Founders, who were celebrating the WalpurgisNacht holiday at a dinner.

It is therefore the birthday of the KHC.

Our June meeting will commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of our first meeting, which took place on June 6, 1994.

All subsequent meetings have been held on the Third Monday of each month.

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Jay Beeber for L.A. City Council, District 12

Jay Jones reports:

Jay Beeber (right), a libertarian, is running for the Los Angeles City Council, from District 12.

Beeber is the person who got rid of the red light cameras in L.A.

If you live in Los Angeles, any donation to his campaign will be matched by the City six to one, but only until this Friday, April 19.

To learn more about him, and to volunteer and donate, go to his website www.jay4la.com.

If you have your own networks, please work through them get out the word about Jay Beeber's campaign. We have a chance here to do another Jeff Hewitt.

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Alongside Night Available on YouTube

KHC member J. Neil Schulman has now made his agorist film, Alongside Night, available for free viewing to all the world:



Enjoy!

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