by Bill Gelineau, Organizer 2010 LPM Convention [main]:

Convention turnout bodes well for liberty in 2010

The Libertarian Party of Michigan state convention proved once again that liberty is alive and well. The Okemos event on Saturday, May 22, showed that many fresh faces and enthusiastic candidates are ready to take on big government this year.

Many activists worked together to provide members with one of the most successful conventions of recent years. Political Director Bill Hall worked tirelessly throughout the day to get our candidates organized. Hats off to Bill and Leonard Schwartz for spending most of the day Saturday filling out forms for dozens of candidates and organizing our filings.

Members were treated to a mixture of regular business and light-hearted entertainment. LEC officers provided reports on the status of various initiatives, financial matters, and other routine business. In addition, Platform Chair Nathan Allen presided over discussion of our platform for 2010. Afternoon elections saw some new faces joining the LEC.

The luncheon event offered an effort by an ad-hoc acting group of LPM members in what was branded "The Pork Grinders." This humorous look at the first day of the new Congress with a Libertarian majority offered some fun as a break in the regular business. Many thanks to the following who were members of the troupe:

"Speaker of the House" Andy LeCureaux, "Ways and Means" Chairman Greg Creswell, "Representatives" Michael Moon and Rich Hemstreet, "Reading Clerk" Dan Johnson, and Sargent-at-arms Nathan Allen (who doubled as a cue card prop artist). Special thanks to Denee Moon, who played the unenviable role of Nancy Pelosi, also Al Chia, who played the Republican protagonist Representative Gravy of Georgia....and Jim Rogers, whose portrayal of Democratic protagonist Representative Hamm of Illinois brought down the house with laughter. All of these folks deserve a nod for their effort to make the event fun.

The event organizing was a multi-person event which included Teresa Rogers and Lis Larsen, who assisted with registration. Many thanks to the Credentials Committee, Erin Stahl (who also helped with the accounting matters), Ben Bachrach, and especially Credentails Chair Andrew Hall, who maintained the check-in at the door all throughout the day.

Special thanks to Will White, who jumped in at the last minute to manage the Hospitality Suite and Banquet beer/wine service and added to the fun of the event. One of the things that made the whole event work was the ability of folks to register on-line in advance. Many thanks to Brian Wright for suffering the expectations of the Convention Chair and making it work for all of us. Thanks, too, to the dozen or so members that jumped in to do something to help out on Saturday. We needed everyone with such a turnout!

The biggest contributors were the silent co-chairs Donna Gelineau and Emily Salvette, who helped keep all the pieces and parts on track throughout the year.

If you weren't there for the banquet, you missed a rare event indeed. Larry Reed, President of the Foundation for Economic Education, once again delivered a memorable presentation that we in Michigan have been so fortunate to know. It was an event that brought the nearly 100 banquet attendees to their feet and won't be soon forgotten by any. Donors gave life to plans for a big outreach effort this year. Thank you to all!

I speak for all the volunteers with hope that you consider attending next year's convention, as this year was an inspiration to both new and seasoned members. Our efforts clearly got a kick of juice.....and it reminds us why we do this. Our members. It is our members that give the LPM life....and the 130 people in the hall on Saturday certainly walked away ready to take on the forces of big government.

These events take alot of people to make a success. If you would like to help out in some capacity next year, we need your help. Contact Bill Gelineau at freedomlover59@hotmail.com. Your feedback or comments on the 2010 convention is always appreciated.

by Bill Hall, Political Director
whall@wnj.com
[main]

It’s Time to Support Your Favorite Libertarian Candidate!

Our Libertarian Party of Michigan state convention has come and gone. By now you’ve heard that we nominated 83 candidates for office, 46% more than in 2006, the last non-presidential election year. You’ve probably also heard we had a tremendous turnout at the state convention – 105 credentialed delegates, plus many family and friends.

But the fun isn’t over. You may not have met the deadline to file your paperwork and run for office this year as a Libertarian. However, you do have a choice among 83 Libertarian candidates to support. Our candidates need your help – as a campaign manager, media coordinator, event scheduler, webmaster, writer, fundraiser, contributor, or in some other task, great or small.

The fact that we had well over 100 participants at our state convention, and probably no more than half of them are running for office, tells me there are a lot of libertarian activists available to pitch in and help out. Do it now! Go to http://www.mi.lp.org/Shared%20Documents/candidates.aspx for a list of our candidates and contact information, and give your chosen candidate a call.

How Would You Like the Public to Perceive the Libertarian Party?

If you attended the state convention banquet, you know that Bill Gelineau gave an impassioned plea for contributions to fund a campaign to build recognition of the LP as the Party of character. A Party of individuals willing to stand up for their principles. Folks who believe that our government should be fair, open and honest.

The idea is that we could use a chunk of the non-campaign funds we have to promote a Libertarian “brand”, without actually saying “Vote Libertarian”. And raise an equally large chunk of funds to continue that branding campaign, and also ask the public to vote Libertarian. This would benefit Libertarian candidates up and down and ballot.

What do you think? If you wanted to build a Libertarian brand, what should that brand be? Something short, sweet and memorable. That reflects both the “character” you find in Libertarians and Libertarian political principles. If you’d like to see your Libertarian Party of Michigan advertise and promote its brand, then please join those who contributed at our convention banquet! Write and mail a check or visit www.mi.lp.org and charge your contribution today.

Freeland Freedom Fest June 19, 2010

... sponsored by the Tri-City Libertarian Party, 10010 Midland Rd Freeland, MI 48623

Ticket price $8 Kids 13 and under free.

Gates open at 5pm
Event ends at 11pm
Performing live on stage at 8pm Featured Band:
Brody and The Busch Road Trio

Come Meet the Candidates:

State of Michigan Legislative Candidates
Brandon Dickhausen
Jay Longtain

United States Congressional Candidate
Michael Moon

Tickets on sale at Mainstreet Tavern, Frankenmuth.
Or call Michael Moon 810-241-5801
moon4congress@gmail.com

From a news release 12/02/09...
Complete report: http://www.MichiganElectionReformAlliance.Org/2006MIVoterPurge.pdf

A recently completed state program to cancel Michigan voter registrations was flawed and may have violated state law and the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Unprecedented in Michigan, the program was poorly planned, mismanaged, often hidden from local clerks, mostly invisible to the media, and unaccountable to the public.

The Michigan Election Reform Alliance.Org (MERA) reached these conclusions after investigating the program for more than two years. MERA is a nonprofit and non-partisan organization dedicated to strengthening the integrity of Michigan elections. With the aim of purging invalid voter registrations, the program was conducted by the Michigan Bureau of Elections from July 2006 until June 2009.

The program was the first voter list maintenance to be centrally administered in Michigan. It began when the Bureau sent more than 7 million Michigan voters a purportedly “educational” postcard. When the U.S. Post Office returned cards and indicated a wrong address, the voters’ registrations were marked for possible cancellation. “By using ‘educational’ postcards, the Bureau effectively masked the fact that the postcards were part of a voter list purge,” concluded the report.

MERA’s investigation revealed that the state program was very likely a response to partisan political pressure from the Voting Rights Section of the Bush administration’s Department of Justice. The MERA report concludes that “under pressure from the Department of Justice, Michigan’s state-level election officials chose by mounting the program to participate in a partisan attempt to manipulate the election system with minimal regard for voters’ rights or the responsibilities of local clerks."
...

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According to White: MERA has also found evidence of third party votes being miscounted and other polling place problems, like prohibited recording devices, which is being followed up with a suit...

You ask why I make my home in the mountain forest,
and I smile, and am silent, and even my soul remains quiet.”
— Li Po

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Courtesy Jay Longtain, LPM candidate for House District 98.

Note: Please submit photos and cartoons for inclusion in the monthly newsletter by sending them to E-Newsletter@michiganlp.org

The following review excerpts are courtesy LPM Webmaster Brian Wright's commentary and review site, The Coffee Coaster. If you would like to submit book or movie reviews please notify the editor.

Book Review
Evil Genes: How Rome fell, Hitler rose, Enron failed
and my sister stole my mother's boy friend
by Dr. Barbara Oakley

Oakley leads with the question of the book: Do genes have a role in the "successfully sinister" members of our society, and if so, what is the nature of that genetic pull?  She discusses recent developments in psychological assessment, some standard personality-type mapping documentation known as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, now in its fourth revision (DSM-IV).  From what I can gather, the psychologists use the term "Machiavellianism" and most "personality disorders" if not synonymously at least as all indicative of psychological characteristics in an individual that are bad news for the general public... [full review ] [main]

Movie Review
An Affair to Remember
Inimitable, retro romantic comic-drama ___ 8/10

The writers, director, and actors definitely hit the love-alchemy jackpot with An Affair to Remember. (Like Rick and Ilsa in Casablanca.) When Nick and Terry arrive in New York Harbor—again their relationship becomes one made in heaven when Nick takes her home to 'Nana' on the Mediterranean island for a special afternoon—we fully believe they're soulmates. It certainly is an affair to remember, and one to keep alive. With much angst, they take leave of each other at the NY pier, for their current partners, knowing the two of them, because they are so deeply in love, will meet up in six months at the top of the Empire State Building...
[full review] [main]

Take a stroll down memory lane with this excerpt from one of the longest-running state Libertarian newsletters. Today, check out the May-June issue off 2003. Click on this link for the full PDF version of this newsletter.

Newsletter editor Greg Stempfle has compiled the entire body of available Michigan Libertarian newsletters up on this page of the LPM Website.

Hello.

[Some questions on the LP's platform on immigration.]

.... As I said, I was excited about joining the Libertarian Party until I saw.... The Libertarian Party is about personal liberties but does this mean the we can't have borders or that we should have less rights as citizens to protect the rights of those that are not supposed to be here?

 Some Guy

Response From Webmaster

Most libertarians are in favor of easing immigration restrictions but restricting government "privileges" to those who become citizens. This blog by the LP national director expresses the common position most Libertarians hold on this issue:

http://www.lp.org/blogs/staff/lp-monday-message-dont-blame-immigrants

Most of us fear the National ID Card, which is advocated by many who want to restrict immigration. Fundamentally, most libertarians hold that the physical movement of a person from one side of a map boundary dictated by a central state to the other side of a map boundary dictated by a central state is not an act of aggression. Accordingly, as libertarians advocate the nonaggression principle, we cannot advocate aggression upon someone who has not initiated force.

Thanks for writing.

We would like to hear feedback from you, real people, on any little thing, preferably with something short and punchy. Please voice your comments or opinions to the newsletter editor, Greg, via email by the 25th of the month... and we will post them.

June 1 – LP of St Clair and Sanilac Counties Monthly Meeting - group meets the 1st Tuesday of the month starting at 6 pm at Military Street Music Cafe, 1102 Military Street (downtown), Port Huron. Contact Mark Byrne, 810-987-9856, iwantska@hotmail.com

June 2 – LP of Washtenaw County Monthly Business Meeting -7 to 9 pm at Classic Cup Cafe, 4389 Jackson Rd, Ann Arbor (In the Parkland Plaza west of Ann Arbor). Contact Larry Johnson, michlibertarian@comcast.net

June 2 – LP of South West Michigan Executive Committee Meeting – 6:00 – 6:50 pm at IHOP, 1981 Pipestone Rd., Benton Harbor. Guests are welcome. Followed by: Round Table Political Forum hosted by the LP of South West Michigan. 7-9 pm at The Livery, 190 Fifth St, Benton Harbor. Visitors are welcome to participate. Contact Bill Bradley, 269-637-4525, Dan Grow, grow.daniel@gmail.com.

June 3 – Livingston County LP Monthly Meeting - 7-8:30 pm. The newly re-organized Livingston County LP meets the first Thursday of each month at Cleary's Irish Pub, 117 E Grand River Ave, Howell 48843 (non-smoking area). The meeting will have 4 parts: Mingling (over dinner, if you want), studies in liberty, news and party business. Contact Tim Keirnan mailTim@sbcglobal.net

June 3 – Wayne County LP Monthly Meeting – 7 p.m. - Kiernans Steak House, 21931 Michigan Ave, Dearborn (at Monroe). Contact Ray Warner, 313-598-3666

June 7 - Tri-City LP Monthly Meeting – group meets on the 1st Monday of the month. Dinner at 6, meeting at 7 at Damon’s, 4960 Towne Centre Rd, Saginaw Township, MI 48604 (off Tittabawassee, just west of I-675 at exit 6). Everyone interested in liberty, from Bay, Saginaw, Midland, Genesee, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot and Isabella counties is invited. Contact Al Chia, chia4senate@gmail.com

June 8 – Capital Area LP Monthly Meeting – 7 pm at former LPM office, 2722 E Michigan Ave, Ste 22, Lansing (park and enter in back). Contact Will Tyler White, 517-349-3806, whitewi5@msu.edu

June 16 – LP of Oakland County Monthly Meeting – The LP of Oakland County now meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month. 6:30 pm dinner, 7:30 meeting. Sila's Restaurant, 4033 W. 12 Mile (2 blocks east of Greenfield), Berkley. Contact Jim Fulner, LPOC Chair, fulner@gmail.com, or Johnny Skosnik, LPOC Secretary, 248-840-8604.

June 16 – Libertarians of Macomb County Monthly Meeting - All members of the Libertarian Party, their friends and family, and anyone interested in learning more about the LP are invited to attend. The meeting begins at 7:30 but feel free to join us for good food and conversation at 6:30 pm at the Loon River Café, 34911 Van Dyke Ave, Sterling Heights. Contact Jim Allison, jim.e.allison@gmail.com

June 16 – LP of Washtenaw County Social/Work Meeting -7 to 9 pm at Classic Cup Cafe, 4389 Jackson (In the Parkland Plaza west of Ann Arbor). Contact James Hudler, 734-475-9792, or Larry Johnson, michlibertarian@comcast.net

June 19 – Freeland Freedom Fest sponsored by the Tri-City Libertarians – Gates open at 5, event ends at 11 pm—10010 Midland Rd, Freeland MI 48623. Come for food and fun! Brody and Busch Road Trio performing live on state at 8 pm. Come meet the candidates: Brandon Dickhausen (State House Dist. 97), Jay Longtain (State House Dist. 98), and Michael Moon (US Congress Dist. 5)

Tickets $8 (kids 13 and under free!) Tickets available soon at Mainstreet Tavern in Frankenmuth or by contacting Michael Moon 810-241-5801, moon4congress@gmail.com

June 22 – LP of Calhoun County Monthly Meeting - Executive Committee, 7 p.m. Please contact Jack Worsham for location. (269) 963-2679, WORSHAM74@aol.com

June 27 – Libertarian Executive Committee Meeting – 4 pm at our Troy office: Columbia Center II, 101 W Big Beaver, Ste. 1400, Troy 48084. All Libertarian Party of Michigan members may attend. Please RSVP to Emily Salvette, chair@mi.lp.org.

July 1 – Wayne County LP Monthly Meeting – 7 p.m. - Kiernans Steak House, 21931 Michigan Ave, Dearborn (at Monroe). Contact Ray Warner, 313-598-3666

July 1 – Livingston County LP Monthly Meeting - 7-8:30 pm. The newly re-organized Livingston County LP meets the first Thursday of each month at Cleary's Irish Pub, 117 E Grand River Ave, Howell 48843 (non-smoking area). The meeting will have 4 parts: Mingling (over dinner, if you want), studies in liberty, news and party business. Contact Tim Keirnan mailTim@sbcglobal.net

July 4 – CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE DAY!

July 5 - Tri-City LP Monthly Meeting – group meets on the 1st Monday of the month. Dinner at 6, meeting at 7 at Damon’s, 4960 Towne Centre Rd, Saginaw Township, MI 48604 (off Tittabawassee, just west of I-675 at exit 6). Everyone interested in liberty, from Bay, Saginaw, Midland, Genesee, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot and Isabella counties is invited. Contact Al Chia, chia4senate@gmail.com

July 6 – LP of St Clair and Sanilac Counties Monthly Meeting - group meets the 1st Tuesday of the month starting at 6 pm at Military Street Music Cafe, 1102 Military Street (downtown), Port Huron. Contact Mark Byrne, 810-987-9856, iwantska@hotmail.com

July 7 – LP of Washtenaw County Monthly Business Meeting -7 to 9 pm at Classic Cup Cafe, 4389 Jackson Rd, Ann Arbor (In the Parkland Plaza west of Ann Arbor). Contact Larry Johnson, michlibertarian@comcast.net

July 7 – LP of South West Michigan Executive Committee Meeting – 6:00 – 6:50 pm at IHOP, 1981 Pipestone Rd., Benton Harbor. Guests are welcome. Followed by: Round Table Political Forum hosted by the LP of South West Michigan. 7-9 pm at The Livery, 190 Fifth St, Benton Harbor. Visitors are welcome to participate. Contact Bill Bradley, 269-637-4525, Dan Grow, grow.daniel@gmail.com.

July 13 – Capital Area LP Monthly Meeting – 7 pm at former LPM office, 2722 E Michigan Ave, Ste 22, Lansing (park and enter in back). Contact Will Tyler White, 517-349-3806, whitewi5@msu.edu

July 21 – LP of Oakland County Monthly Meeting – The LP of Oakland County meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month. 6:30 pm dinner, 7:30 meeting. Sila's Restaurant, 4033 W. 12 Mile (2 blocks east of Greenfield), Berkley. Contact Jim Fulner, LPOC Chair, fulner@gmail.com, or Johnny Skosnik, LPOC Secretary, 248-840-8604.

July 21 – Libertarians of Macomb County Monthly Meeting - All members of the Libertarian Party, their friends and family, and anyone interested in learning more about the LP are invited to attend. The meeting begins at 7:30 but feel free to join us for good food and conversation at 6:30 pm at the Loon River Café, 34911 Van Dyke Ave, Sterling Heights. Contact Jim Allison, jim.e.allison@gmail.com

July 21-24 – Ann Arbor Art Fair – 10 am – 9 pm - LP of Washtenaw County will again be hosting an information booth during the Fair. Volunteers needed to work at this fun, well-attended event. Contact Larry Johnson, michlibertarian@comcast.net

July 27 – LP of Calhoun County Monthly Meeting - Executive Committee, 7 p.m. Please contact Jack Worsham for location. (269) 963-2679, WORSHAM74@aol.com

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More...

For all events, see the full online calendar on the Website:
http://www.mi.lp.org/Shared Documents/Calendar.aspx

The Michigan Libertarian ONLINE is distributed on the first of each month. Send calendar events and news articles by the 25th of the prior month to:
e-newsletter@michiganlp.org

Note: The final print edition of the Michigan Libertarian is available online at http://www.mi.lp.org/Past%20Newsletters/ Michigan%20Libertarian%2038.2%20summer%202009.pdf

The Michigan Libertarian is published/posted on the first of each month. Send calendar events and news/articles to e-newsletter@michiganlp.org by the 25th of the prior month.

The Michigan Libertarian is one of the longest-running Libertarian newsletters in the country, debuting in 1973 shortly after the founding of the Libertarian Party of Michigan. The "new" Michigan Libertarian (a predominantly online version) debuted on August 1, 2009 and replaced the monthly LPMOnline and the printed-and-mailed ML.  We will post on the Website and deliver via email on the first of every month. A printed version of the new Michigan Libertarian will be sent free to anyone who signs up, which you may do at the LPM web site www.mi.lp.org (or www.michiganlp.org).

LPM members who need a hard copy may request one be mailed to them by contacting
e-newsletter@michiganlp.org or calling the LPM toll-free number 888-Free-Now.

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Newsletter URL (Webpage address for this issue of the ML):
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