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19 December 2011There are currently 2,232 (non-blocked) members of the Boston Tea Party. The largest Facebook group has 1,299 members.
The Presidential Nominating Convention will be held here and begin at 3:30AM (GMT) on December 22, 2011 [10:30 PM (EST) December 21, 2011].

AND per BTP precedent, new member registration is closed during the convention.

12 May 2011There are currently 2,148 (non-blocked) members of the Boston Tea Party. The largest Facebook group has 1,407 members.
Presidential & Vice-Presidential nominations are open - please leave a comment on http://bostontea.us/node/963 to make your nomination.

22 December 2010 The National Committee voted to hold the 2012 National Convention from May 1-7, 2012. With a separate convention to select the Presidential & Vice Presidential nominees to begin on December 22, 2011 and lasting as many days as needed to chose the nominees.
To make Presidential & Vice-Presidential nominations, please leave a comment on http://bostontea.us/node/963

There are currently 2,078 (non-blocked) members of the Boston Tea Party. The largest Facebook group has 1,484 members.

7 December 2010 Today marks the 69th anniversary of the attack of Pearl Harbor.
There are currently 2,071 (non-blocked) members of the Boston Tea Party. The largest Facebook group has 1,483 members.
If interested in serving on the "National Ballot Access Coordination Committee" - please go to http://bostontea.us/node/928 and post in the comment section.

19 November 2010 the Boston Tea Party National Committee passed resolutions; opposing the TSA, naked porno-scanners & enhanced pat-downs and supporting the 2nd & 9th Amendments to the Constitution of the United States of America 5-0 (with 2 no voting).

15 November 2010 There are currently 2,065 active (non-blocked) members of the Boston Tea Party. The largest Facebook group has 1,481 members.
If interested in serving on the "National Ballot Access Coordination Committee" - please go to http://bostontea.us/node/928 and post in the comment section.

4 November 2010 The mid-term elections are over & the BTP's endorsed candidates surpassed 1 million votes^{note}

The 2009/2010 Voter Guide has been updated to display results from the various elections.

2 November 2010 Today is mid-term election day - if you are inclined to vote, please take another look at the list of endorsed candidates here.
There are currently 2,057 active (non-blocked) members of the Boston Tea Party. The largest Facebook group has 1,488 members.

The BTP was featured quite nicely in an article by The Repository/CantonRep.com.

16 October 2010 There are currently 2,041 active (non-blocked) members of the Boston Tea Party. The largest Facebook group has 1,485 members.
If interested in serving on the "National Ballot Access Coordination Committee" - please go to http://bostontea.us/node/928 and post in the comment section.
View the endorsed candidates here

21 September 2010 The National Committee has announced the endorsement of over 80 candidates across the country. View the endorsed candidates here

15 September 2010 There are currently 2007 active (non-blocked) members of the Boston Tea Party. The largest Facebook group has 1,496 members.
The Boston Tea Party National Committee established the "National Ballot Access Coordination Committee." If interested in serving - please go to http://bostontea.us/node/928 and post in the comment section.

1 September 2010 There are currently 1997 active (non-blocked) members of the Boston Tea Party. The largest Facebook group has 1,491 members.
The Boston Tea Party National Committee established the "National Ballot Access Coordination Committee." If interested in serving - please go to http://bostontea.us/node/928 and post in the comment section.

24 August 2010 Michael Shanklin has been confirmed as Parliamentarian of the National Committee.
The National Committee passed a resolution opposing a national ID "or any other bill that would establish a National ID card that includes biometric scanning or tracking devices" 5-0 (with 2 not voting).

20 August 2010 There are currently 1983 active (non-blocked) members of the Boston Tea Party. The largest Facebook group has 1,511 members.

8 August 2010 The National Committee has voted 4-0 (with 1 abstentions & 2 not voting) to endorse Nick Coons for US House - (AZ 5). The National Committee also voted 5-0 (with 2 not voting) to join the Coalition Against War Spending ( http://caws.us )
There are currently 1971 active (non-blocked) members of the Boston Tea Party. The largest Facebook group has 1,508 members.

27 July 2010 Michael Shanklin won the Special Election (Doug Gaking 9 - Michael Shanklin 10) to fill a vacant At-Large seat on the National Committee.

23 July 2010 The Boston Tea Party National Committee has voted 5-1 (with 1 not voting) to endorse Barry Hess for Governor of Arizona; 3-0 (with 3 abstentions & 1 not voting) to endorse Dr. Cisse Spragins for US Senate in Missouri.
The committee failed to pass a resolution titled the "No More Drama Act" by a vote of 1-5 (with 1 not voting)

21 July 2010 There are currently 1964 active (non-blocked) members of the Boston Tea Party. The largest Facebook group has 1,504 members.
There is currently a Special Election to fill the seat vacated by Todd Andrew Barnett. Election will close at 9:42PM (CDT)on July 27, 2010.

11 July 2010 There are currently 1945 active (non-blocked) members of the Boston Tea Party. The largest Facebook group has 1,508 members.

5 July 2010 There are currently 1930 active (non-blocked) members of the Boston Tea Party. The largest Facebook group has 1,502 members.
The National Committee has voted 5-0 (with 1 abstention & 1 not voting) to endorse J.J. McCurry for Lt. Governor in Florida. The National Committee has also passed a resolution opposing "top two" 6-0 (1 not voting).

2 July 2010 Happy Independence Day *
The Special Election to fill the final seat on the National Committee has closed, Neil Kiernan takes the final At-Large seat.

7 June 2010 There are currently 1899 active (non-blocked) members of the Boston Tea Party. The largest Facebook group has 1,533 members.
A new National Committee was been elected during the convention that closed on 2 June 2010.
Officers
Chair - Darryl W. Perry
Vice Chair - Dan Kilo
Secretary - Brandi Duncan

National Committee At-Large
Todd A. Barnett, Michelle Luetge, Kimberly Johnson, Neil Kiernan

31 January 2010 Our chairman reports that the total membership on this site is now 1,656 active (non-blocked) members. Hurray! Our largest Facebook group has 1,467 members. Planning has commenced for our national convention in May 2010. It takes place here on this site.

26 August 2009 Our vice chairman reports that the total membership on this site is now 1,480. Our largest Facebook group has just over 1,400 members.

Two new caucuses have been formed by members. You can find out more about them by reading some of the blog entries.

4 July 2009 Since our last update, we've had our national gathering. Lots of fun. Don't miss next year's in St. Louis. We're also planning an October gathering in Indiana.

The national committee of the Boston Tea Party has passed a resolution supporting self-determination for Puerto Rico. Party chair Douglass Gaking has updated the voter guide for this site, and the committee has endorsed John Wayne Smith for Governor of Florida, 2010. Boston Tea Party of New Mexico has endorsed Adam Kokesh for Congress, New Mexico's 3rd district, 2010

Membership on this site has grown to 1,423. Membership on our Facebook group is down to 1,349. So please invite your friends.

24 May 2009
Today I'm informed the membership on this site is 1,396. The Facebook group is 1,374. Please invite your friends.

Please make plans to attend our second annual Meatspace Gathering next Saturday (30 May) in Kansas City. Speakers include presidential candidates Angela Keaton and Tom Knapp. Chris Bennett, Brad Spangler, and Jim Davidson also to speak.

Last week, 14 May, we were able to get the Motorhome Diaries crew out of jail in Mississippi. The Campaign for Liberty, Boston Tea Party, and other networks jumped into action, raised $2,580 in about eight hours, got it all to Allison Gibbs by Western Union, and she got the guys out of jail. This may become a model for future action. Special thanks to Darryl Perry for sending funds and calling the matter to my attention.

3 May 2009 Today we have 1,375 members who have joined on this site. Facebook reports our largest group there has 1,352 members. Please invite your friends to join the party.

Be sure to check the Social Networking page (menu above) to find all our updates on Twitter.

14 April 2009 It is with a heavy heart that I report that one of our vice presidential candidates in 2008, Marilyn Chambers, has passed away.

Her story here:
www.independentpoliticalreport.com/2009/04/third-party-candidate-and-adu...

Today we have 1,339 members on this site. We have 1,297 members of our largest Facebook group. Please ask your friends and family to join our party - committed to a smaller government on all issues and at all levels.

Many Tax Day Tea Parties are planned for this week, and another round of End the Fed rallies are planned next week. Get involved. The freedom you save might be your own.

2 April 2009 We now show 1,311 members have joined the party on this site. Facebook shows 1,286 members on our largest group there. Please invite your friends to join. Congratulations to Raymond Lady, our new national committee member. Don't forget our event in Kansas City on Saturday 30 May 2009.

21 March 2009 We now show 1,236 members have joined the party on this site. Our main Facebook group has 1,271 members. The party has two vacancies to fill on our national committee, nominations should be open soon. We expect to see many members at the Campaign for Liberty event in St. Louis later this month.

12 March 2009 We now show 1,190 members on this site. Our largest Facebook group has 1,250 members. Please check the "Resolutions" page for new resolutions.

3 March 2009 We might want to send a thank you note to Rick Santelli. Our party has grown by nearly 8% in just one week. We now show 1,104 members on this site. Our largest Facebook group now has 1,215 members.

This past week, the members of the party elected a new secretary to finish the term of Michelle Luetge who suspended her membership in February. Everyone in the party who knows Michelle and her hard work has the greatest respect and gratitude for her contributions to the party's success. The new secretary is Todd Andrew Barnett. If everyone can keep their seats, y'all get to choose new officers and new at large committee members in May 2010.

Also this past week, a very important resolution was passed by the national committee on the subject of the right to keep and bear arms.

24 February 2009 Nothing grows like controversy. The Boston Tea Party's largest Facebook group was created by then vice-chair Todd Andrew Barnett in June 2008. It has grown to 1,154 members. It remains the single most effective marketing tool we've got. Thanks, Todd!

The recent controversy seems to have encouraged many members to join the party for the purpose of voting in the current poll. We've crossed the milestone of a thousand! We now show 1,027 people have joined the party on this site. We encourage all members to get involved in their state and local affiliates, where politics happens.

18 February 2009 Our party grows. We show 986 people have joined the party on this site. Our largest Facebook group promoting the party now has 1,107 members. Please encourage your friends and family to join our party. Please get involved in your state or local affiliate.

The Boston Tea Party is holding a special election to replace our party secretary. Unfortunately, due to an error in the DruPal software, the automatic closing of polls is not functioning on this site. Our party chair has elected to issue a new poll, so if you voted, please vote again.

11 February 2009 Our party grows larger. So far 964 people have joined the party on this site. Our largest Facebook group has 1,034 members. We would like you to encourage your friends and family to join our party.

On this day in 1790, the Religious Society of Friends petitioned Congress to abolish slavery. In an unrelated move, also on this day in 1794, the USA Senate was in session open to the public, the kind of openness and transparency in government that would later be televised by C-SPAN, and become unpopular with vice presidents. In 1812, gerrymandering of political districts took place for the first time. Not to be outdone for political wickedness, this day in 1861, the US House unanimously resolved not to interfere with slavery in any state. In 1902, universal suffragists were assaulted by police in Belgium. The first ever gold record was presented to Glenn Miller in 1941. In 1964 the Beatles held their first ever concert in the USA on this day, and in 1990 Nelson Mandela was freed from prison. In 2006 on this very day, Harry Whittington disguised himself as a very large quail and was shot in the face by a presumably very drunk Dick.

The Boston Tea Party is holding a special election to replace our party secretary. Outgoing secretary Michelle Luetge has served very well and done excellent work keeping the party on track. Everyone involved in the several national committees on which she's served thanks her for her fine service.

The national committee is discussing the organisation of a newsletter for the party now on our national committee discussion list at Yahoogroups. See our social networking page for link. Angela Keaton, Tom Knapp, Chris Bennett, Darryl Perry, Jim Davidson, and others are expected to speak at our 30 May gathering, dinner, and dance party in Kansas City, Missouri.

4 February 2009 Our party is growing. So far 938 people have joined the party on this site, while 1,007 have joined our largest Facebook group.

Casual reports on the "tea party" indicate that dozens of members of Congress were inundated with bag and loose tea during our Bailout Tea Party.

We see that 47 coalition troops and about 1,226 Iraqi civilians have been killed since Obama was elected. People are still dying for change.

One of the new members of our Facebook group reports that discussion topics on another libertarian party's Facebook group have been eliminated by dictate of the group's admins. We appreciate the property interest that owners of a group have in choosing how to administer it, and we welcome the new members to our group.

Following up on news that a state affiliate of another libertarian party has been asked by the acting executive director of that party to dis-affiliate, the Boston Tea Party's national committee has issued an open invitation to county and state party groups to join our party. The resolution specifies the conditions in our bylaws for applying groups to qualify (running our presidential nominee every four years and agreeing with our party's platform). Groups interested in this proposal should contact Boston Tea Party chair Douglass Gaking.

28 January 2009 Our party continues to grow. So far 922 people have joined the party on this site, while 977 have joined our largest Facebook group.

Don't forget to mail protest letters to Congress and the president with bags of tea on February 1st as part of our participation in a nationwide "Tea Party" to protest the bailouts and other injustices. Here are a few to think on:

Today is the 813th day since the Democrats won majority control of Congress and failed to end the war on drugs, end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, repeal the USAPATRIOT Act the REAL ID act, the National Animal Identification System, the Military Commissions Act, abolish the Department of Homeland Security, restore freedom to our airports, or put the Bill of Rights back on sound footing. Forty-two coalition troops have been killed in Iraq since Barack Obama was elected, and Guantanamo has not yet been closed. Four thousand two hundred and thirty lives have been lost by coalition forces in Iraq since the war began, and by various estimates anywhere from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of civilian Iraqis. Tens of thousands of troops have been injured. People are dying for change.

Still.

20 January 2009 Yesterday was the anniversary of the birth of Martin Luther King, Jr., who often told people in government to stop doing bad things. Today, Barack Obama was inaugurated. Brother, could you spare some change?

Today is the 805th day since Democrats gained control of Congress and failed to: end the war on drugs, end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, repeal the USAPATRIOT act, abolish the department of Homeland Insecurity, and restore the Bill of Rights. Since Barack Obama was elected, 38 coalition forces have been killed in Iraq, out of a total of 4,226. As many as 1,107 civilians have been killed in Iraq since he was elected, out of an estimated 98,731. People are dying for change.

Our party continues to grow, reaching a new milestone today. On this site 903 people have joined our party by agreeing with our platform. Our largest Facebook group has 951 members.

13 January 2009 Our party continues to grow. On this site we have had 875 people officially join our party by agreeing to our party's platform. Our largest Facebook group has 925 members. The party's national committee has unanimously resolved to repudiate the national debt - check the resolutions section in the horizontal menu above, or the story below.

7 January 2009 Our party has a new vice chair. Congratulations to Mike Blessing, who is now in charge of all our vice! Mike is also our contact for New Mexico's state affiliate.

Our party continues to grow. Here on this site we have had 855 people officially join our party by agreeing with our party's platform. One of the reasons for the small surge in membership (up 20 party goers from a week ago) is the update message sent to members of our largest Facebook group. And, as seems to be typical, we lost a few members after that message went out. Our largest Facebook group is now 896 members. You can help by inviting your friends to the party here, or to one of our many social-networking sites. Or start a discussion on one of those sites, or add a video or image.

If you have not checked out our "marketplace" please look in the left-hand navigation column for a link to it. You can offer for sale goods or services, or offer to buy. It is a free, members-only, listing service.

31 December 2008 The Missouri state affiliate was unanimously approved today. Congratulations to our members in Missouri, and happy new year!

30 December 2008 Happy New Year to everyone. May 2009 be prosperous and full of greater freedom. On this day in 1903, the Iroquois Theater fire claimed 602 lives in twenty minutes, the deadliest single building blaze in American history. In 1972 Nixon stopped carpet bombing North Vietnam. In 2003, Ashcroft recused himself in the investigation into the Plame affair. In 2006, Saddam Hussein was executed by hanging. Today, about 152,000 coalition troops remain in Iraq.

Being the end of year message (now that I've gone weekly) I thought it well to report on some of our progress in this calendar year. We started 2008 with this site brand new, only five people having joined. The old site and membership going back to 2006 was lost in 2007. Today I am happy to report that a total of 835 people have joined the party on this site. We had 899 members of our largest Facebook group last I checked. Please invite your friends to be a part of our party.

We also had one state affiliate at the beginning of this year. We now have 12 state affiliates which have been officially recognised by the national committee. Fourteen more are being formed, and you are welcome to start one in your state. Check our social networking page to see if a group is being started, or contact Tom Knapp, myself, or any member of the national committee for help getting started (see the contact page for details). A thirteenth state affiliate, Missouri, has, today, applied for official recognition by the national committee.

During this election year we nominated one candidate for president, put him on the ballot in three states, registered him for write-in votes in ten states, and we're still getting in reports on the vote total. We endorsed another candidate for president in two states which illustrates our willingness to endorse an LP candidate for president. We also endorsed about three dozen candidates in various states, including some 22 LP candidates. Two of our candidates now hold office. This year was our first presidential election. We look forward to fielding many more candidates in 2010 and in 2012.

We are hosting a face to face gathering in Kansas City, Missouri, in late May 2009, roughly the anniversary of our first such meeting in May of this year in Denver.

Note the old news column became very long, and included a number of comments. I have archived it at http://bostontea.us/node/153 where it can be seen by anyone who cares about our recent history. External links, such as from our Wikipedia entry, to that page still work.

It being a new year, the news column now has a new node, 545. Reading you five for five. ("In Soviet Amerika, news reads you!")