Mike Mayakis, RIP, a few additional words

Virtually all long-time Libertarians in the Bay Area knew Mike — I knew him for, good lord, almost 20 years, starting with working on the Russell Means’ libertarian presidential campaign, of all things. What I loved about Mike was how endlessly enthusiastic he was: “If people really understood, they’d certainly be for freedom.” “If people thought a little harder, they’d be more self-empowered.” “If people were a little more educated, they’d throw off the shackles of group think.” And he pretty much worked contstantly in support of these beliefs, even to the extent of writing a book on how to take charge of your own welfare in the emergency room when his health became more problematic. And I’ll greatly miss his humor and sense of other people: I had to laugh when I just reread the email he sent me on Justin’s birthday this past fall, reminding me of that fact: “I think Justin turns 52 today, (like me, Justin is finally playing with a full deck:-)). Justin shares his Birthday with Mickey Mouse who turned 75 today….” We’ll miss you, Mayakis! Who else do we have to help us keep things in perspective?

Defending the Imam Ali Shrine


A crowd of unarmed volunteer human shields made up of Shi’ite Muslim followers of radical Iraqi cleric Moqtada al Sadr, chant anti-government slogans in the courtyard of Imam Ali’s shrine in Najaf August 16, 2004. With his militants and human shields holed up inside one of Shi’ite Islam’s holiest shrines, radical cleric al-Sadr is playing a shrewd waiting game ahead of an expected American-led offensive. Photo by Chris Helgren/Reuters

  • “We will not leave the shrine until the Americans get out of Najaf. We will kill,” said Ugil Abdel Hussein, 32, a member of the Turkmen minority from the northern city of Kirkuk.
  • Hundreds of tribesmen met inside the shrine and vowed their support. One of them called on all of Iraq’s tribes to hold a national conference Wednesday to end the Najaf crisis.

    “All Iraqi tribesmen are invited to try and end this bloodbath in Najaf,” said Sheikh Kassim Khafaji, addressing more than 100 tribesmen.

  • “These people are a deterrent to the Americans because they are civilians. They are here so that the Americans won’t attack the Imam Ali shrine,” said Sheikh Ahmed Shaibani, a senior Mehdi Army commander and top aide to Sadr.
  • “I will lie on the ground in front of the tanks, or I will kill the Americans to defend Sadr and Najaf,” said Fadil Hamed, 30, standing among a group of men who said they walked to Najaf from the southern city of Basra.

Mike Mayakis, RIP

My best friend for the past 26 years died this evening. He was 54 and finally gave up his long battle with leukemia. I saw him yesterday and he was in so much pain. I am glad that pain is gone, but very sad that Mike is gone.

Some of you knew Mike. Without Mike, there would be no Antiwar.com. I would have long ago given up political action if it weren’t for his constant prodding and pep talks.

Mike insisted I use my political time efficiently and get on the Web, urging me to secure the Antiwar.com domain back in 1995.

Mike gave me constant input and advice to help build Antiwar.com. He wrote one article for us, Superman vs. the War Party.

Mike was very active in the Libertarian Party, and held many positions and ran for office once or twice. His views on the LP are most notable in his "Turning Burnout Into Victory."

I love Mike and I will miss him so much.