Currently (as of 2007) most of my political activity is on indefinite hold as I attempt to lay the ground for a fruitful career as a scientist. I am pursung my PhD in physics at the University of Arizona, with a concentration on single molecule biophysics, having picked up an MS en route.

I recently finished a three-year term on the ACLU-AZ Board of Directors, and a year's term as Assistant Secretary of the Arizona Libertarian Party, and continue to serve as a vice-chairman of the Pima County Libertarian Party. In 2006 I served as press secretary for the David Nolan for Congress campaign.

I don't have much time for activism but will gladly help any libertarian effort I deem worthy, time allowing, and will occasionally find a few minutes here and there to do press releases, help with canvassing, or write a guest opinion. I have also taken on a long-term project of writing a party-independent libertarian platform. Send me an email for more information or if you're interested in lending a hand.

'Blogging is not activism; I maintain the Goldwater State 'blog (http://goldwaterstate.blogspot.com) on Arizona issues and contribute somewhat frequently to the PCLP's blog. Since over the years I have come to the conclusion that ideas do matter, I am also, grudgingly, a minor player in the movement's internal culture war and write, on occasion, on matters of interest to libertarians.

I grew up in Justice, IL, a near southwest suburb of Chicago, and attended high school at Morgan Park Academy the southwest suburbs of Chicago, where I was introduced to the Libertarian Party and the libertarian point-of-view by fellow students. I joined the LP almost immediately after joining the workforce, in 1996, during the Harry Browne campaign, and first became active two years later.

My involvement in politics stepped up when I went off to Tulane University to study for my Bachelor's degree (BS, Tulane College, magna cum laude, 2003). There I organized the Tulane Campus Libertarians and served as campus contact/coordinator for the LP, representing the Browne campaign in on-campus debates in 2000. I cut my political teeth helping out Jack Simanonok's campaign for Congress in 2000 and it is to him I give the credit for introducing me to the notion that libertarianism and radical anarcho-capitalism are not inseparable and showing me the importance of answering, not dismissing, the concerns of the voter. I was a participant in or organizer of too many outreach activities to mention, including an Environmental Justice forum (a real chance for Libertarians to shine), and devised the "Liberty Condom" promotion for the now-defunct Mardi Gras Libertarians. It was during my later years at Tulane that I began my shift towards a pragmatist and progressive sort of Libertarianism.

A change in departments at the University of Arizona after my first year allowed me a little bit of time to run for the Pima County Board of Supervisors in 2004; running a $100 campaign on issues outside of the LP comfort-zone with no volunteer support to the left of an establishment Democrat, I picked up 22% of the vote. While not impressive, it's a sign of what could be done if things in the LP were done differently.

Outside of politics, I'm a cycle-commuter, an environmentalist, an amateur in the kitchen (in the amo, amas, amat sense) and still an active and competitive Judo player.

My goal is to increase liberty and to help build a political home for this country's currently politically homeless (classical-) liberals. That may involve moving the Libertarian Party in a more politically engaged direction, giving it a solid, politically viable and policy-oriented Platform to stand on, and making effecting change by electing Libertarians to public office, not philosophical sophistry, the focus, and it may involve supporting nonpartisan reforms such as those promoted by Americans for Limited Government while building a base for a more effective and sensible liberal movement or party. Either way, I see the Libertarian Freedom Council as having complementary goals and am happy to serve as Regional Coordinator for Region 9 (Arizona, Utah, Nevada, California & Hawaii) and as a Foundation Member of the organization.

Vital stats and other information:
DOB 23 February 1982
Height 5'8", weight 178 lb (81kg)
Marital Status: Engaged
AIM: Renrakuwaza
LiveJournal: thedesertmouse
E-mail: bkalafut at email dot arizona dot edu
Phone: (Five two zero) Three two five - six six five four