Ernie's messages seem to indicate you're expecting a contact from me, and from w hat I'm seeing you've decided to see what you can do to help resolve the feud here in Arizona. Great. My opinion is we can use all the help we can get from people with a commitment to freedom rather than ego/control/empire building. I've been trying to help resolve things for a few months now, unfortunately with little net effect. However, I have gained a pretty good understanding for the issues involved and secured good lines of communication and at least some respect from both sides.
A short history: I've known Peter Schmerl for over 10 years; he originally introduced me to the Libertarian party. I wasn't real involved with the party until I attended the 1999 ALP convention on Peter's side. I signed the ALP, Inc. application with national, and am a precinct committeeman here in Pima County, all of which by most objective measures puts me squarely on Peter's side. At the 1999 convention it became clear to me that there was a lot more going on here than met the eye, and I either had to get more involved or less involved with things to do it justice. I chose the former, but believe me sometimes I really wonder why. During the affiliation vote, I engaged the ALP side in dialog, originally intended to convince them that Peter and ALP, Inc. were "right". Since then, I've come to see that the ALP perspective on a lot of things is valid, and there are lots of things I disagree with Peter about. That doesn't mean I now think Peter's wrong about everything -- just that both sides have valid perspectives. And as you have mentioned, the two sides are alike in more ways than either cares to admit.
At the 2000 ALP convention I was elected a member-at-large of ALP, and yet I am still involved with the ALP, Inc. leadership here in Pima County as a precinct committeeman. So in a way, I'm an involved "rank-and-file" member of both organizations, but a leader of neither. I can talk peacably with the leaders of either side, and I'd really like to see a resolution to the feud. I've been attempting to arrange a meeting attended by leaders of both sides, but so far have been unsuccessful in doing so. Peter has agreed to meet, but has specified terms that appear to be unacceptable to many of the leaders, including the chair, of ALP. The dates originally agreed to for a meeting have passed without a meeting because of lack of agreement on terms.
It seems clear that if a settlement isn't reached soon, there's going to be more negative consequences for the party, likely resulting in a near-permanent rift that may even spread to other states. As you know, the LNC nominee may not appear on Arizona's presidential ballot. Even if ALP can't put someone other than the LNC nominee on the ballot (the likelihood of that is an unknown quantity at this time, but is not zero), the existance of two "Libertarian" Parties at the national level may be a distinct possibility. This is clearly a bad thing, both for Arizona and the national LP, but the two sides seem to be rushing towards it at high speed.
So, if there's anything else you think I can do to help bring about a negotiated settlement, let me know . I will help in whatever way I can, whether that' s actively communicating/attending meetings or passively staying out of the way so things that need to be worked on by others can do so. Frankly right now I'm at a bit of a loss as to how to proceed.
At the very least I might be able to answer any questions you may have, or provide a different perspective on things than you're likely to get from the leadership of the two factions. I'm personally committed and loyal only to the truth and to uniting the party so we can restore freedom, not to the personalities and egos present on either side.