| ——Michigan Libertarian—— July 2011, Volume 40: No. 07 |
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Greeting
From the Chair
Mingle with LP Leaders in Columbus
With Respect: Kevorkian and Hospers
Other LPM News and Announcements
Great Lakes Bay LP Big .50 Raffle
West Michigan LP Sizzlin' Summer
Great Lakes Bay affiliate to host 2011 Freedom Festival
LPM Affiliates Contest
Gearing up for the 2012 Convention
Washtenaw on a roll
Motor City Pride Festival attended
Greg Stempfle working on the LPM archives
Nathan Allen RIP
Image of the Month
Quote of the Month
Past Blast
Letters
Book and Movie Reviews
Contacts
Calendar
[main]
Welcome to the July 2011 issue of the online newsletter of the Libertarian Party of Michigan, the Michigan Libertarian. The newsletter is our main vehicle for sharing what's happening for Libertarians in Michigan. You may manage your subscription by going here or visiting our Web site www.mi.lp.org (same as www.michiganlp.org).
Spread the Word!
My fellow Libertarians,
With this month we look towards the holiday to celebrate our nation's birth. I want to take a moment to remind you that our work to continue to keep the flame of liberty burning is not done.
We know the message. We know that our argument is logical. We also know that we must become zealots to share the message. So as we enjoy this holiday and you are mixing it up with our neighbors:
- Make sure to share with them what we are and what we stand for.
- Educate 5 new people about our message this month—that is just one a week.
That is my challenge to each of you. Because your neighbors need what we have to tell them. Our state needs what we have to tell them. So spread the word. And have a great holiday. In liberty and for the republic
In Liberty and for the Republic,
James H Lewis II
Chair.
Emily Salvette salvette@ameritech.net
The Libertarian State Leadership Alliance (LSLA) will be meeting in Columbus, OH on Friday, August 19. This meeting is in conjunction with a Libertarian National Committee meeting at the Columbus downtown Hyatt on August 20-21. Michigan Libertarians are invited to both events--luckily events within driving distance!
The LSLA is an organization of state LP leaders designed to coordinate activities and share knowledge among Libertarian Party State Chairs and Affiliate Parties. The meeting will feature speakers and workshops helpful to local and state LP leaders plus a box lunch. The cost is $35.
In the evening there will be a reception with the Libertarian National Committee members. LNC meetings are open to any LP member and you are welcome to sit in. The Columbus Hyatt is offering a special rate of $109/night to attendees. You can even join the group for a baseball game on Saturday night. Tickets cost $18, but make your reservations with Kevin Knedler today as his deadline is July 1. Kevin's email is chair@lpo.org. See the LSLA web site for more details and reservation information: http://lsla.lpin.org/
Dr. Jack Kevorkian dies of natural causes
Dr. Jack Kevorkian died last Friday June 3rd. His name became a household word as a result of his work in performing assisted suicides, and his campaign to legally put end of life decisions in the hands of patients. Most people, however, are not familiar with his relationship to the LPM:
In 1993, he was given the “Freedom Fighter of 1993” award by the LPM. His late sister, Margo, accepted the award on his behalf. This award began the annual tradition that came to be called the “Defender of Liberty Awards.” Kevorkian also provided end of life services for a sister of Libertarian author and activist Mary Ruwart.
A public memorial service was be held in his honor at White Chapel Cemetery in Troy, MI at 9:30 AM Friday June 10th:
John Hospers, 1st LP presidential nominee, dies at 93
WASHINGTON - John Hospers, the Libertarian Party's first presidential nominee in 1972, died on June 12, 2011 in Los Angeles, California at the age of 93. Full story here.
Hospers became the Libertarian Party's first nominee for U.S. President at its first national convention in Colorado on June 18, 1972. Hospers and his running mate, Tonie Nathan (1st woman to receive an electoral vote), each received one electoral vote in the 1972 election from Roger MacBride, a renegade elector in Virginia. Hospers was a professor of philosophy at several universities, including the University of Southern California.
Great Lakes Bay LP Big .50 Raffle
The Great Lakes Bay Libertarian Party is conducting the "Big .50 for Liberty Raffle". Winner will receive an Armalite AR50-A1 rifle, outfitted with a Leupold Mark 4 optic and a Prince bi-pod. 2500 tickets will be sold. Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20. Winner need not be present to win. Those interested in purchasing tickets, may contact Jay Longtain at jlongtain@yahoo.com or (989) 573-0297. Drawing will be held September 5th, 2011, 7:30pm at Damon's restaurant - Saginaw, MI. In the event 2500 tickets are not sold by the draw date, winner will receive cash value of 50% of total ticket sales. Winner must be at least 18 years of age and be able to legally possess firearms. — Jay Longtain
West Michigan LP Sizzlin' Summer
There are efforts to be involved in a parade on the 4th of July in Grandville, if you are able to offer yourself as a volunteer for this event email: libertarianwmboard@gmail.com. Scouting has begun for candidates for next year. We are also looking for campaign managers and treasurers, these roles are equally important also. Why has the hunt started so early you ask? Well… we are planning to have some educational events starting this summer in the local area for candidates and campaign team members. We want our candidates and their teams educated and ready going into 2012. If you even have had the thought of running for office or being involved in a campaign and this sounds interesting to you please contact Josh Lillie. Joshlillie77@gmail.com
Great Lakes Bay affiliate to host 2011 Freedom Festival
The Great Lakes Bay Regional affiliate of the Michigan Libertarian Party will be hosting the 2011 Freedom Festival, charity event this summer. The formal event date and location will be announced later this month. We would like to extend our sincere condolences to Michael and Denee Moon for their loss of Michael's father. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. J. Longtain has been elected to succeed Al Chia Jr. as Chair. We thank Mr. Chia for his service to our organization. We look forward to strong affiliate growth in the coming year. We would also like to thank Mr. Pat Clawson for his service to the Libertarian Executive Committee from 2010 - 2011. His candid wisdom has been an asset to our organization. For more information: jlongtain@yahoo.com
LPM Affiliates Contest
Denee Rockman-Moon
denee.rockman-moon@live.com
810-241-8561
An anonymous donor to the Libertarian Party of Michigan is offering $500 to the affiliate that brings in the most NEW members (not renewals) to the LP from May 1, 2011 until October 31, 2011. The money may be used in any way the winning affiliate wishes to further the cause of liberty in its area. Here are the rules:
- Any brand new member (not renewal) to the LPM or national LP residing in Michigan counts. A member is defined as someone who has donated $25 or more to the LPM or LP and has signified his or her agreement with the LP statement of principles.
- Unless a new member indicates otherwise in writing, he or she counts for the affiliate that covers the address given on the membership application.
- New members may join any affiliate they wish and indicate where they want to be counted, but they may only be counted once for purposes of this contest.
The LPM membership director will tally the new member counts and report results in the Michigan Libertarian every month. The winner will be announced and a check awarded at the next LibertyFest Dinner. Affiliates, the contest is running. Start your engines.
Gearing up for the 2012 Convention
We're already gearing up for the 2012 State Convention next May, but we need your help to pull it off!! We're looking for a few great volunteers to join the MILP Convention Committee. The committee is responsible for developing the agenda, venue arrangements, promotion, registration, and on site logistics. Meetings will either be on line or via conference call. Please contact Renee Lewis at livingstonladyliberty@gmail.com if you are interested in helping out! — Renee
Washtenaw on a roll
The next meeting of the LPWC will be Tuesday of next week, July 5th, 7:00 PM at the Classic Cup Cafe, 4389 Jackson Ave, Ann Arbor. Look for us either in the back-room or at the square tables against the rear of the main dining room as we discuss the following agenda:
- -- Upcoming Art Fair booth volunteering
- -- Newsletter progress
- -- Social event planning
- -- Other new business!
(With regards to our newsletter, The Washtenaw Libertarian, a revival issue is nearing completion and there is room for your article! if you'd like to contribute, reply to this email and we can talk.) As usual, the first 30 minutes are typically a social meet-and-greet time. Please join us and don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. In addition, you can find out more at our new website, http://lpwc.wordpress.com Cheers, Paul Giuliano Chair, Libertarian Party of Washtenaw County paul.giuliano@gmail.com
Motor City Pride Festival
On June 4-5, the annual Motor City PrideFest was held at Hart Plaza, Detroit According to Raymond Warner, we have had an information booth at this event (which used to be in Ferndale) for more than twenty years. It’s our best outreach to the gay community. The weather was great and the outreach continues.
Greg Stempfle working on the LPM archives
I am taking the next three months off before I start working on my PhD at Wayne State. During this time I plan to tackle a bunch of project I have not had the time to work on until now. One of these projects is to deal with all of the LPM historical stuff I got from Bill Shotey and from the former LPM office in Hazel Park. When the office closed, I took a large file cabinet and box of VHS tapes.
I recently hooked up a VCR to my PC so it’s pretty easy to make digital copies of the tapes. I am not going to make DVDs of them as I am trying to steer away from most forms of physical media. Relevant content can be uploaded to Youtube or other places, otherwise I will be happy to transfer the data to anyone who asks. So far, most of the tapes contain television interviews with Harry Browne, Jon Coon, and Tim O’Brien. Once I transfer all of them, I will make a list of the programs. Anyone who wishes to know what I have come up with for archiving and/or wants to have access to any particular item, please review the document at this link and then contact me at stempfle@hotmail.com..
Nathan Allen RIP
It is with great sadness that I write you this evening that Nathan Allen passed away Sunday (after a long battle with cancer. Nathan was a long-time activist for libertarianism in Oakland County. He has served most ever position available for the LPOC over the past 10 years. He also spent one year at the chair of the Libertarian Party of Michigan, and just last year was a king maker receiving enough votes as a Libertarian to make up the difference between the Democrat and the Republican candidates in the State Rep. District 39 race. Our deepest condolences to friends and family, many of us would consider ourselves at least one if not both. For more information, including flowers etc., take a look at this resolution honoring Nathan passed at convention last month.
Jim Fulner
Communications Director and Past Chair
Libertarian Party of Oakland County
War as a racket. Who do you serve when you sign up?
World War II air combat veteran and historian Howard Zinn... On the difference between the government and the nation. And how "government" has hijacked patriotism in the service of the highest corporate bidders.
We Ain't Got Time To Bleed
You control our world. You’ve poisoned the air we breathe, contaminated the water we drink, and copyrighted the food we eat. We fight in your wars, die for your causes, and sacrifice our freedoms to protect you. You’ve liquidated our savings, destroyed our middle class, and used our tax dollars to bailout your unending greed. We are slaves to your corporations, zombies to your airwaves, servants to your decadence. You’ve stolen our elections, assassinated our leaders, and abolished our basic rights as human beings. You own our property, shipped away our jobs, and shredded our unions.You’ve profited off of disaster, destabilized our currencies, and raised our cost of living. You’ve monopolized our freedom, stripped away our education, and have almost extinguished our flame.
We are hit… we are bleeding… but we ain’t got time to bleed. We will bring the giants to their knees and you will witness our revolution!
— Jesse Ventura ... for President? — ed.
Take a stroll down memory lane with this excerpt from one of the longest-running state Libertarian newsletters. Today, check out the July-August 1996 issue. Click on this link for the full PDF version of this newsletter.
Former editor and LPM archivist Greg Stempfle has compiled the entire body of available Michigan Libertarian newsletters up on this page of the LPM Website.
Oversight (Humor)
A cowboy named Bud was overseeing his herd in a remote pasture when suddenly a brand-new BMW advanced toward him out of a cloud of dust.
The driver, a young man in a Brioni suit, Gucci shoes, RayBan sunglasses and YSL tie, leaned out the window and asked the cowboy, "If I tell you exactly how many cows and calves you have in your herd, Will you give me a calf?"
Bud looks at the man, obviously a yuppie, then looks at his peacefully grazing herd and calmly answers, "Sure, Why not?"
The yuppie parks his car, whips out his Dell notebook computer, connects it to his Cingular RAZR V3 cell phone, and surfs to a NASA page on the Internet, where he calls up a GPS satellite to get an exact fix on his location which he then feeds to another NASA satellite that scans the area in an ultra-high-resolution photo.
The young man then opens the digital photo in Adobe Photoshop and exports it to an image processing facility in Hamburg, Germany. Within seconds, he receives an email on his Palm Pilot that the image has been processed and the data stored.
He then accesses an MS-SQL database through an ODBC connected Excel spreadsheet with email on his Blackberry and, after a few minutes, receives a response.
Finally, he prints out a full-color, 150-page report on his hi-tech, miniaturized HP LaserJet printer, turns to the cowboy and says, "You have exactly 1,586 cows and calves."
"That's right. Well, I guess you can take one of my calves," says Bud.
He watches the young man select one of the animals and looks on with amusement as the young man stuffs it into the trunk of his car.
Then Bud says to the young man, "Hey, if I can tell you exactly what your business is, will you give me back my calf?"
The young man thinks about it for a second and then says, "Okay, why not?"
"You're an aide in the Obama Administration", says Bud.
"Wow! That's correct," says the yuppie, "but how did you guess that?"
"No guessing required." answered the cowboy. "You showed up here even though nobody called you; you want to get paid for an answer I already knew, to a question I never asked. You used millions of dollars worth of equipment trying to show me how much smarter than me you are; and you don't know a thing about how working people make a living - or about cows, for that matter. This is a herd of sheep.
Now give me back my dog.
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 (or commentary and articles for that matter) please notify the editor.
Movie Review
The King's Speech (2010)
Worth watching, Anglophile or not __ 9/10
No matter, movies such as The King's Speech—as everything else creative— must be judged in human terms. On that basis, and even on the grounds of exposing the soft underbelly of English Royalty, the movie is a magnificent accomplishment, richly deserving of its many awards (incl. Oscars for Best Picture, Best Actor (Firth), Best Director, and Best Screenplay). Colin Firth plays the unfortunate Albert (King George VI) to whom the throne of England falls thanks to his brother David's (Guy Pearce) decision to marry the screwball—at least that's how Eve Best devastatingly portrays her—American socialite commoner Wallis Simpson. [Full Review]
Book Review
Rancho Costa Nada (2003)
The dirt-cheap desert homestead
by Phil Garlington
"Hey, face it kid. You're screwed. Because of the aging population in Samland, in a few years there'll only be two of you actual wage peons to pungle up the ready for every codger sucking down Social Security benefits. The burger flippers and the car polishers, the poor young mopes working for shit wages—all are going to have to carry on their backs the burgeoning population of venerable gummers. You can be damned sure that today's young Burger King- or McDonald-ite will never collect a dime of Social Security himself. He's been tapped to spend his greasy life paying the tab for the rest of us already on the dole...." — page 23 [Full Review]
LPM Leadership Webmaster – Brian Wright - brian_r_wright@yahoo.com Libertarian Executive Committee At-large Directors: Judicial Committee: Affiliate Contacts (counties served) Calhoun County LP (Calhoun) Capital Area LP (Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, Shiawassee) Great Lakes Bay Region Libertarians (Arenac, Genesee, Midland, Saginaw, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Isabella; it is also covering Genesee and the Thumb area counties: Huron, Lapeer, Sanilac, Tuscola) |
Affiliate Contacts (counties served, continued) LP of Livingston County (Livingston) Libertarians of Macomb County (Macomb) LP of Oakland County (Oakland) LP of SW Michigan Berrien (Cass, Van Buren, Kalamazoo, Branch, St. Joseph) Straits Libertarian Party (SLaP) LP of Washtenaw County (Washtenaw) LP of Wayne County (Wayne, Monroe) LP of West Michigan (Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, Ottawa) |
July 4 – Happy Independence Day!
July 5 - LP of Washtenaw County Monthly Meeting -7 to 9 pm at Classic Cup Cafe, 4389 Jackson Rd, Ann Arbor (In the Parkland Plaza west of Ann Arbor). The LP of Washtenaw County has changed its meetings to the first Tuesday of every month. You can see more announcements and information regarding the LPWC at its new website, http://lpwc.wordpress.com. Contact LPWC Chair, Paul Giuliano, pgiulian@umich.edu
July 6 – 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, wbradley@i2k.com 269-637-4525, or Dan Grow, grow.daniel@gmail.com
July 7 – Wayne County LP Monthly Meeting – 7 p.m. - Kiernans Steak House, 21931 Michigan Ave, Dearborn (at Monroe). Speaker: Scotty Boman. Contact Ray Warner, 313-598-3666
July 7 – Livingston County LP Monthly Meeting - 7-8:30 pm. The Livingston County LP meets the first Thursday of each month at Cleary's Irish Pub, 117 E Grand River Ave, Howell 48843. Join them to discuss local and national news from a Libertarian perspective. Contact Todd Richardson chair.livingstonlp@gmail.com for details
July 11- Great Lakes Bay Region LP - Monthly Meeting – The monthly meeting is moved by one week due to the holiday. 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, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Isabella, Midland, Saginaw, Genesee, Huron, Lapeer, Sanilac and Tuscola counties is invited. Jay Longtain, jlongtain@yahoo.com
July 12 – LP of West Michigan Monthly Meeting – 6:30 pm. Join the LPWM on the second Tuesday of the month at Perkins Restaurant, 5121 28th St SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49512 (just off I 96). Contact Nick Sundquist, Nicholas.sundquist@yahoo.com, 231-750-5468
July 12 – 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 20 – LP of Oakland County Meeting – 6:30 pm dinner, 7:30 meeting -The LP of Oakland County meets the third Wednesday of the month at Sila's Restaurant, 4033 W. 12 Mile (2 blocks east of Greenfield), Berkley. Contact Jim Fulner, fulner@gmail.com
July 20 – Libertarians of Macomb County Monthly Meeting – 6:30 at Loon River Café, 34911 Van Dyke Ave, Sterling Heights. All members of the Libertarian Party, their friends and family, and anyone interested in learning more about the LP are invited for good food and conversation. The business meeting portion is on hiatus through the summer. Contact Dan Flamand, daniel.flamand@att.net
July 26 – LP of Calhoun County Monthly Meeting - Executive Committee, 7 p.m. Please contact Jack Worsham for location. (269) 963-2679, WORSHAM74@aol.com
August 1 – Great Lakes Bay Region LP - Monthly Meeting – The 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, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Isabella, Midland, Saginaw, Genesee, Huron, Lapeer, Sanilac and Tuscola counties is invited. Contact Jay Longtain, jlongtain@yahoo.com
August 2 - LP of Washtenaw County Monthly Meeting -7 to 9 pm at Classic Cup Cafe, 4389 Jackson Rd, Ann Arbor (In the Parkland Plaza west of Ann Arbor). LPWC now meets on the 1st Tuesday of the month. See its website at http://lpwc.wordpress.com. Contact Paul Giuliano, pgiulian@umich.edu.
August 3 – 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, wbradley@i2k.com 269-637-4525, or Dan Grow, grow.daniel@gmail.com.
August 4 – Wayne County LP Monthly Meeting – 7 p.m. - Kiernans Steak House, 21931 Michigan Ave, Dearborn (at Monroe). Contact Ray Warner, 313-598-3666
August 4 – Livingston County LP - 7-8:30 pm. The 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 Todd Richardson, chair.livingstonlp@gmail.com.
August 9 – LP of West Michigan Monthly Meeting – 6:30 pm. Join the LPWM on the second Tuesday of the month at Perkins Restaurant, 5121 28th St SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49512 (just off I 96). Contact Nick Sundquist, Nicholas.sundquist@yahoo.com, 231-750-5468
August 9 – 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
August 17 – Libertarians of Macomb County Monthly Meeting – 6:30 at Loon River Café, 34911 Van Dyke Ave, Sterling Heights. All members of the Libertarian Party, their friends and family, and anyone interested in learning more about the LP are invited for good food and conversation. The business meeting portion is on hiatus through the summer. Contact Dan Flamand, daniel.flamand@att.net
August 17 – 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, fulner@gmail.com
August 19-21 – Libertarian State Leadership Conference and Libertarian National Committee Meeting – Chestnut Hyatt Regency hotel, downtown Columbus, Ohio. More information: http://lsla.lpin.org/
August 23 – LP of Calhoun County Monthly Meeting - Executive Committee, 7 p.m. Please contact Jack Worsham for location. (269) 963-2679, WORSHAM74@aol.com
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.orgNote: 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
About the Michigan Libertarian |
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 weekly LPMOnline and the printed-and-mailed ML. We will post the newsletter 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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