Since we're still debating the appropriateness of inviting Gen. James Mattis to join the #Libertarian Party, it got me reminiscing about my old friend and colleague Admiral Michael Colley. Adm. Colley joined the party in 2003 and won a seat on the national committee in 2004. 1/n
As it turned out, Adm. Colley and I tied for the 5th spot for At-Large. He won the tiebreaker, and I must say that turned out well. He served three terms on the LNC, benefiting us not only with the incredible administrative experience that comes with being an Admiral... 2/n
but also his incredibly kind and jovial spirit. He humbly helped any way he could. At one state convention we both attended, he looked at me with big grin and shouted out from the podium, "Hey, I voted for you!" I replied, "I voted for you too! And I'm glad I did!" 3/n
When Admiral Colley got on the board, Lee Wrights was Vice Chair. Lee was an Air Force veteran himself and took a special shine to him. Lee got a real kick out of how he, an enlisted man, could take an Admiral under his wing and show him the ropes. 4/n
And being the humble servant he was, Admiral Colley also got a big chuckle out of that. Colley brought to us a level of life accomplishment well beyond anyone in the room, he was emotionally incapable of putting on airs. 5/n
Colley's military record is pretty wild. He commanded submarines, served in the first Gulf War, and eventually became one of the main architects of America's nuclear war strategy. I came to the party via Greenpeace, so y'know I could've said something about that. 6/n
Talk about the horrors of the American war machine! Figuring out how to drop nuclear bombs is something I don't want to have anything to do with. That was his life before he joined us. Still, no one who ever met the man could doubt his commitment to Libertarian ideas. 7/n
Here's a link to his military record. It's not like the Admiral had some sudden Road to Damascus experience. Michael Colley was the exact same man as an Admiral that he was as a Libertarian. He was proud of it, and I'm proud of him. 8/9?navy.togetherweserved.com/usn/servlet/tw…
Here's a little more about Admiral Colley and his service to the party. I'll always remember getting lost in listening to him and Jim Lark talk ACC basketball. The man was so sharp he remembered every play from every game he saw. 9/ok, 10 lp.org/blogs-staff-th…
The Libertarian Party advanced so very much, not just because we won a high profile recruit, but because we welcomed him, listened to him and benefited from his wisdom and experience. I'm still kinda in awe of everything he did for us. But mostly I miss that sly grin. -30-
