Greeting
Libertarians to Occupiers...

Other LPM News and Announcements
  
   LPM Affiliates contest winner
   The 2012 LPM Convention
   FBI to launch nationwide facial recognition service
   LPM opportunity in special election
   RIP 2011: Jack Kevorkian, John Hospers, Nathan Allen RIP

Image of the Month
Quote of the Month
Past Blast
Letters
Book and Movie Reviews
Contacts
Calendar

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Welcome to the December 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).

Libertarian Party Chair Mark Hinkle releases the following statement

I have been following the Occupy protesters, who call themselves the '99%', with interest.

It's true that 99% of Americans do not enjoy the special benefits of crony capitalism. Crony capitalism is very different from real capitalism. In crony capitalism, government hands out special favors and protections to politically well-connected businesses.

The TARP bailouts, Solyndra, and the military-industrial complex are all facets of crony capitalism. Libertarians love free markets and hate crony capitalism. Unfortunately, hypocritical Republican politicians have taught a lot of Americans to think that 'free markets' means freedom for government and big business to engage in crony capitalism.

That's not what free markets are. A free market is where the government leaves businesses alone, does not attempt to pick winners and losers, does not stifle competition, does not hand out corporate welfare, and does not absolve businesses of liability for their actions. Most of our economy today does not resemble a free market at all.

It's unfortunate that so many businesses today go to the government begging for handouts and special treatment. I wish they wouldn't. But the real problem is the politicians who choose to give those favors to them, at everyone else's expense. Full news release.

LPM Affiliates Contest, The Winner is...
Denee Rockman-Moon
denee.rockman-moon@live.com
810-241-8561

I am pleased to announce that the Libertarian Party of West Michigan Affiliate is the WINNER! There were 37 new members between national and state level, with West Michigan collecting 10. Please help me in giving them a CONGRATULATIONS on a job well done! Larry Warner is the affiliate Leader and will be contacted very soon on collecting their $500.00. Great Job West Michigan!

An anonymous donor to the Libertarian Party of Michigan offered $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 rules:

1. 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.
2. Unless a new member indicates otherwise in writing, he or she counts for the affiliate that covers the address given on the membership application.
3. 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 money may be used in any way the winning affiliate wishes to further the cause of liberty in its area.

Gearing up for the 2012 Convention

We're already gearing up for the 2012 State Convention in June, but we need your help to pull it off!! We're looking for a few great volunteers to join the LPM 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 join Renee Lewis (livingstonladyliberty@gmail.com) on a conference call January 10, 2012 at 7 p.m. to be part of the convention planning team or have input. See details in calendar below.

FBI to launch nationwide facial recognition service

Michigan, Washington, Florida and North Carolina will participate in a test of the new search tool this winter before it is offered to criminal justice professionals across the country in 2014 as part of NGI (Next Generation Identification). The project, which was awarded to Lockheed Martin Corp. in 2008, already has upgraded the FBI's fingerprint matching service. The planned addition of facial searches worries Sunita Patel, a staff attorney with the Center for Constitutional Rights, who said, "Any database of personal identity information is bound to have mistakes. And with the most personal immutable traits like our facial features and fingerprints, the public can't afford a mistake." FBI officials would not disclose the name of the search product or the vendor. Link.

Opportunity in Special Election

Looking for liberty-leaning folks up in the Grand Blanc area who'd be willing to run as a Libertarian. With Rep. Paul Scott being recalled, there will need to be a special election and a great opportunity to promote libertarian ideals in an election without a lot of other distractions going on. http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2011/11/paul_scott_recall_state_reps_s.html. Contact Jim Fulner at fulner@gmail.com.

LP RIP 2011: Jack Kevorkian, John Hospers, Nathan Allen

Dr. Jack Kevorkian died 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 held in his honor at White Chapel Cemetery in Troy, MI at 9:30 AM Friday June 10th.

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.

Nathan Allen passed away May 26 (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. Here is the resolution honoring Nathan passed at convention last month.

Things That Taste Like Chicken

Where is it written in the Constitution, in what section or clause is it contained, that you may take children from their parents and parents from their children, and compel them to fight the battle in any war in which the folly or the wickedness of government may engage it? – Daniel Webster

Take a stroll down memory lane with this excerpt from one of the longest-running state Libertarian newsletters. Today, check out the November/December 1988 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.

Courtesy Jon Addiss of Lansing (Humor)

Curtis & Leroy saw an ad in the Starkville Daily News Newspaper in Starkville , MS . And bought a mule for $100

The farmer agreed to deliver the mule the next day...

The next morning the farmer drove up and said, "Sorry, fellows, I have some bad news, the mule died last night."

Curtis & Leroy replied, " Well, then just give us our money back."

The farmer said, "Can't do that. I went and spent it already."

They said, "OK then, just bring us the dead mule."

The farmer asked, "What in the world ya'll gonna do with a dead mule?"

Curtis said, "We gonna raffle him off."

The farmer said, "You can't raffle off a dead mule!"

Leroy said, "We shore can! Heck, we don't hafta tell nobody he's dead!"

A couple of weeks later, the farmer ran into Curtis &Leroy at the Piggly Wiggly grocery store and asked. "What'd you fellers ever do with that dead mule?"

They said, "We raffled him off like we said we wuz gonna do." Leroy said, "Shucks, we sold 500 tickets fer two dollars apiece and made a profit of $998."

The farmer said, "My Lord, didn't anyone complain?"

Curtis said, "Well, the feller who won got upset. So we gave him his two dollars back."

Curtis and Leroy now work for the government. They're overseeing the Bailout Program.

Ed.— On the letters to the editor front, nobody sent one in this month, so true to my word, instead of the sexist, pandering Miss America photo, we once again display the horrifying image of 'Staties' Angels.' Better get on the stick and send those letters in to e-newsletter@michiganlp.org now. Don't wait another day.

The following review excerpts are courtesy LPM Webmaster Brian Wright's commentary and review site, The Coffee Coaster. If you are interested in receiving the e-newsletter for the Coffee Coaster, so you may receive notice of his site's reviews and commentary, please fill out the form link here then check the Email List box 0_Coffee_Coaster.

Movie Review
A Better Life (2011)
Touching portrait of the best of the invisibles ___ 9/10

This small bilingual movie is the ultimate send up of father and son love in the context of the Southern California 'illegal' culture. From the gitgo we follow Carlos (Demián Bichir) as he rides shotgun in landscaping bossman Blasco's (Joaquín Cosio) big ol' truck from the poor East LA neighborhoods across town to the homes of the extremely well-to-do. Carlos is the lead worker, and he shines in the major task of trimming palm trees: this entails actually walking up the tree a hundred feet in the air with a special harness and heavy spiked boots, quite dangerous. But Blasco and Carlos are two of perhaps millions of undocumented cash-economy day-labor/businessmen who don't bother with insurance or IRS reporting forms. [Full Review]

Book Review
Left, Right, and the Prospects for Liberty (2006)
Fresh look at the political spectrum
by Murray Rothbard

    ... It is true that the United States is doing its mightiest to suppress the very revolutionary process that once brought it and Western Europe out of the shackles of the Old Order; but it is increasingly clear that even overwhelming armed might cannot suppress the desire of the masses to break through into the modern world....    ...there is a burgeoning and inspiring moral ferment among the youth of America against the fetters of centralized bureaucracy, of mass education in uniformity, and of brutality and oppression exercised by the minions of the State.
    Furthermore, the maintenance of substantial degree of free speech and democratic forms facilitates, at least in the short run, the possible growth of a libertarian movement. The United States is also fortunate in possessing, even if half-forgotten beneath the statist and tyrannical overlay of the last half-century, a great tradition of libertarian thought and action. The very fact that much of this heritage is still reflected in popular rhetoric, even though stripped of its significance in practice, provides a substantial ideological groundwork for a future party of liberty. [Full Review]

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

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December 1 – 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

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December 7 - 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 meets the first Wednesday 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

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December 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, wbradley@i2k.com 269-637-4525, or Dan Grow, grow.daniel@gmail.com

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December 10– LP of Oakland County Yuletide Party (the monthly meeting on Dec. 21 has been cancelled), 7:30 'til Midnight, hosted by Randy and Dianne Szabla, 32034 W. 13 Mile, Farmington Hills, MI 48018. Pot Luck: bring a dish and your adult beverages. Information: Dianne Szabla, ph. 248.626.6322 dianneszabla@netscape.net

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December 13– LP of West Michigan Monthly Meeting – 6:30 pm. Join the LPWM on the second Tuesday of the month at Branns Restaurant on Leonard St. at US 131 in downtown Grand Rapids. Contact Nick Sundquist, Nicholas.sundquist@yahoo.com, 231-750-5468

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December 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.

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December 18–Libertarian Executive Committee meeting – 1 pm at the Troy office, Columbia Center II, 101 W Big Beaver, Suite 1400, Troy 48084. All affiliate leaders are encouraged to attend. [We want all the affiliates to send one person to this meeting.  [This should be considered a mandatory meeting for affiliates to attend if not in person then by phone. Phone-in information may be found on the LPM site (http://www.michiganlp.org).]   Members and newcomers are welcome, too! Contact Denee Rockman-Moon, 810-241-8561, denee.rockman-moon@live.com.

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Libertarians of Macomb County Monthly Meeting has been cancelled for the holidays - The group will resume meetings on January 18, 2012. Contact Dan Flamand, daniel.flamand@att.net.

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December 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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January 4 - 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 meets on the first Wednesday 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

January 4 – 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

January 5 – Wayne County LP Monthly Meeting – 7 p.m. - Kiernans Steak House, 21931 Michigan Ave, Dearborn (at Monroe). Contact Ray Warner, 313-598-3666

January 5 – 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

January 10–Conference Call to Help with LPM Convention Planning–7 p.m. It looks like convention will be June 2, 2012.  As soon as a venue is set, it will be posted on LPM site and in newsletter. Renee Lewis (livingstonladyliberty@gmail.com)is setting up a a conference call for those interested in helping with the planning on Tuesday, January 10th at 7p.  Check LPM site (http://www.michiganlp.org) for callin details.

January 10 – LP of West Michigan Monthly Meeting – 6:30 pm. Join the LPWM on the second Tuesday of the month at Branns Restaurant on Leonard St. at US 131 in downtown Grand Rapids. Contact Nick Sundquist, Nicholas.sundquist@yahoo.com, 231-750-5468

January 10 – 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

January 18 – 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

January 18 - Libertarians of Macomb County Monthly Meeting - 6:30 for dinner, 7:30 business meeting, 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. Contact Dan Flamand, daniel.flamand@att.net.

January 31 – 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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May 2-6, 2012 - Libertarian Party National Presidential Nominating Convention -Red Rock Resort, Las Vegas NV. [Ref. Wikipedia page.]

June 2, 2012 - Libertarian Party of Michigan State Convention.

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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 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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