Greeting
LPM Convention 2012
From the Vice Chair
Big Turnout for Liberty Fest
Fired up for recruiting new members

LPM News and Announcements
  
   LP National Convention in Vegas (May 2-6)
   Join the Lakeshore Libertarians
   Libertarian State Leadership Alliance

Image of the Month
Quote of the Month
Past Blast
Letters
Contacts
Calendar

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Welcome to the April 2012 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).

LPM Convention set for Embassy Suites, Livonia, June 2
Renee Lewis
livingstonladyliberty@gmail.com

Main Business of Convention
We will be nominating the Libertarian Party of Michigan slate of candidates for the 2012 general election in Michigan. Be sure to inform the LPM political director Bill Gelineau (politics@michiganlp.org) of your intentions to run for office in this important year.

Banquet Speaker — Adam Kokesh
Mr. Kokesh is an American activist and has a radio talkshow, Adam vs. the Man in Albuquerque, NM. Kokesh was a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps Reserve and is a veteran of the Iraq War. He is an outspoken opponent of the U.S. military intervention in Iraq and has received media attention related to anti-war protest activities. He is a leading organizer of a veterans' march on the Republican National Convention in Tampa, late August.

Online Information and Registration Form
[You may register and pay for the event through this page, as well as make a donation or pledge to the LPM. Note: for donations (not including payment for Libertyfest) over $100, please contact our treasurer for supplying other information required by the elections law.]

Timothy Keirnan
mailtim@sbcglobal.net

I'd like to thank everyone who welcomed me in my visits to meetings of the Libertarian Party of West Michigan, the Capital Area Libertarian Party, and the Libertarians of Macomb County. And thanks to the Moon family and Dan Goebel for joining me in Lansing, and to Karl Kiefer for joining me on the Macomb visit. I'm learning all kinds of good things to share with everyone in this column. This month's topic is "Agendas: Don't Keep Yours Hidden."

An agenda is a one-page document consisting of date & time and the structure of a meeting's discussion points in the order you want to discuss them. The best agendas I've seen also include contact information for the Chair or membership director, so that any visitors can take away that piece of paper and get in touch to ask questions about the Libertarian Party or to (hopefully) volunteer their time or money to one of your affiliate projects.

So, my first suggestion to affiliates is to bring a printed meeting agenda to each meeting. In the affiliates where an agenda has been distributed at the beginning of the meeting, I noted a smoothly flowing, business-like polish throughout the evening. An agenda instantly transforms "hanging out" into "conducting political party business". It impresses newcomers that we are not just fun to eat with and discuss liberty with, but that we are also going somewhere with a serious intent. Don't worry that an agenda might appear too formal or take the fun out of meeting with your fellow liberty lovers--the agenda enables the officers to allow for spirited discussion and fun, while maintaining a focus for what each meeting is supposed to accomplish. In particular, I noted very effective use of an agenda at the Oakland County affiliate, but other affiliates are using them as well. Give it a try and let me know how it goes for you.

In liberty,

Tim Keirnan

Clawson, Haas, Rockman-Moon honored with Libbies
Presidential candidates compete in Michigan straw poll
by Bill Hall

The Delhi Café was the place to be in Holt, Michigan, on Saturday, March 10. An excited crowd of 80 packed the Libertarian Party of Michigan’s annual LibertyFest Banquet to honor activists with Defender of Liberty awards, hear from Libertarian presidential candidates Gary Johnson, Bill Still and Carl Person, and participate in the Michigan Presidential Straw Poll.

After a quiet non-election year in 2011, LibertyFest went a long way to fire up the Libertarian faithful in Michigan. Old friends renewed acquaintances and many new faces were introduced in the social hour prior to dinner. Everyone had the opportunity to speak one-on-one with the presidential candidates.

Following a tasty banquet, Party Chair James Lewis served as the Master of Ceremonies as three of the candidates for the Libertarian Presidential nomination spoke to the audience. Bill Still, a writer from Virginia, led off. He came out swinging, characterizing front-runner Gary Johnson as ill-informed on the Federal Reserve and with strong ties to the Republican Party. Still touted his own libertarian credentials. Carl Person, an attorney and past Libertarian candidate for New York Attorney General, talked about the need to deregulate education, and the positive effect that would have on the supply of jobs and cost of education.

Gary Johnson focused on his practical experience as a former handyman who built a construction business with 1,000 employees, and then served as a popular and successful two-term Republican Governor of New Mexico. He emphasized his libertarian policies as Governor, including vetoing more than 700 bills, most of which would have increased the size of government, and supporting the legalization of marijuana. He did not shy away from his controversial support of the Fair Tax, characterizing it as a good first step to cutting the size and intrusiveness of government. While acknowledging his fiscal policy is very similar to Ron Paul’s, Johnson noted that unlike Ron Paul he supports marriage equality for gays and lesbians, is pro-choice and supports a more open immigration policy.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Defender of Liberty Awards by awards committee chair Emily Salvette. Pat Clawson, former LPM executive board member, Libertarian candidate and CNN reporter received the Spokesperson for Liberty Award, given to a member of the community whose patriotism and conviction have inspired contributions to the cause of liberty. Emily made special note of Pat’s efforts that exposed the award of millions of dollars in tax incentives by the Jennifer Granholm administration to a convicted felon and scam artist.

Dr. Erwin Haas received the Promoter of Liberty award, given to a Libertarian whose efforts have done the most to promote the Libertarian Party and Libertarian principles. Emily noted that for many years Erwin has produced libertarian-themed cable television programming in West Michigan, and run for office as a Libertarian Party nominee. Hard-working activist and current LPM Treasurer Denee Rockman-Moon received the Promoter of Liberty award. This award is given to a dedicated, behind-the-scenes Libertarian whose quiet labors over the years exemplify the backbone of the LP, a description that fits Denee perfectly.

Once again, the LPM held a Michigan Straw Poll, designed to benefit the campaigns of the candidates for the Libertarian Party presidential nomination, by counting as a vote each dollar cast by an LPM member as a contribution for a candidate’s campaign. Governor Gary Johnson was the clear winner, with the following Michigan Straw Poll results: Gary Johnson $6,489; Lee Wrights $198; Bill Still $118; Carl Person $15; R.J. Harris $3; James Ogle $2.

The 2012 LibertyFest was a great success, not only in honoring our Defenders of Liberty and promoting the candidates for the Libertarian Party presidential nomination, but also in energizing many Libertarians from across the state for the upcoming campaigns and elections. Kudos to LibertyFest Chair Andrew Hall, principal organizers Bill Gelineau, Denee Rockman-Moon and Emily Salvette, and the many activists and attendees who made it such a rousing success!

C'mon affiliates, let's grow membership!
by Denee Rockman-Moon

With the economy in the state that it is in, we as Libertarians need to make sure we stand up and let our voices be heard! Over the last three years we have had over 680 people in the state of Michigan contact us for information about our party, wanting to volunteer, or even run for an office position as a Libertarian. The more people we come in contact with the more our message gets out to those that know nothing about us.

If you are member and need literature to pass out please contact me thru email at denee.rockman-moon@live.com or you can visit http://www.lpstuff.com/shop/. I would like to say "Thank you" to all those that have recently renewed their memberships, or have become a new member! Please keep spreading the word.

2012 LPresidential Nominating Convention May 2-6—Las Vegas

The national Libertarian Party convention is just a month away. Have you made your plans yet to be in Las Vegas? Don’t delay, because you won’t want to miss the stars of the Libertarian Party re-uniting in Las Vegas to celebrate the LP’s 40th birthday:

• Ed Clark, 1980 LP Presidential Candidate
• David Bergland, 1984 LP Presidential Candidate
• Robert Poole, Co-founder of REASON
• Sharon Harris, President, Advocates for Self-Government
• Many more long-time friends of liberty from around the country.

The convention will be held at the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas. Find out everything about the convention and register here (http://www.libertywillwin.com/) It’s still not too late to become a delegate to the convention from Michigan so you can help select our 2012 presidential nominee and national party officers. Here’s how:

• If you’re not already an LPM member, join by April 3 here (www.mi.lp.org)
• Send a message of your interest that includes your name and residential address to the LPM State Secretary, Mary Buzuma, at secretary@mi.lp.org.
• The Libertarian Executive Committee will fill our 39 delegate slots and submits those names to the national LP

Picking a presidential candidate along with hundreds of other Libertarians from around the country is exciting and special--you'll want to be part of this! Whether you can only come for the weekend and presidential selection on Saturday, or you can take a week to enjoy all the convention has to offer plus the fun of Las Vegas, don’t miss this great event. It’s your chance to meet the stars, learn the history, and celebrate the 40th year of your Libertarian Party.

Join the Lakeshore Libertarians

Do you live in either Muskegon or Ottawa counties?  Do you want to meet with other Libertarians, but don’t want to drive to Grand Rapids?  Then come on out to the first meeting of the Lakeshore Libertarians.  Our first meeting will be at the Grand Haven Community Center on Tuesday April 24 at 7pm.  Refreshments will be served.  The Community Center is located at 421 Columbus (corner of Columbus and Fifth) in downtown Grand Haven.  If you have any questions please contact Mary Buzuma.  Email:  mary.buzuma@att.net  Phone:  616-607-7064.  Or contact Nick Sundquist.  Email: lpwmsecretary@yahoo.com Phone:  231-780-3364.

Libertarian State Leadership Alliance

The Libertarian State Leadership Alliance (LSLA) has been in touch with a pitch for helping them to grow more effective practices for affiliate organizations. The LSLA is continuing to grow to help our LP Affiliates! We are recruiting qualified and talented members to join the LSLA Support Committee. The short term goal of the LSLA Support Committee is to put together a guidebook (play book, manual, hand book, etc.) of best practices which will be distributed to all State Chairs. The Committee will reach out to all states to gather and aggregate anything and everything we can which will help build our Affiliates. Please check the LSLA out at http://lsla.org/.

The above is a photo of a rally for Ron Paul the editor attended—with a link to his column on the Freedom Philosophy. The Freedom Philosophy is what brings us all together and will restore the republic. The youth of America are responding to Dr. Paul because of his qualities as a man irrespective of party affiliation, but also because of his embracing of that philosophy, which is what the Libertarian Party stands for as a matter of principle. We're all part of the same revolution.

I hope we shall take warning from the example of England and crush in its birth the aristocracy of our moneyed corporations which dare already to challenge our Government to trial, and bid defiance to the laws of our country. — Thomas Jefferson

Take a stroll down memory lane with this excerpt from one of the longest-running state Libertarian newsletters. Today, check out the April-May 1982 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.

From our Friends at Campaign for Liberty
Stop Obamacare in Michigan

As the country awaits a decision from the Supreme Court on the constitutionality of ObamaCare, our state, in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Services, is working toward its implementation.

ObamaCare directs the states to establish Health Insurance Exchanges by the year 2014, and the federal government has already sent hundreds of millions of dollars to the states for implementation. Accepting the funds and creating state-run exchanges requires that the state relinquish sovereignty over all health care-related decisions to the federal government.

The rights of the citizens of our great state should be protected by our lawmakers, and they should guard our sovereignty jealously. Instead, too many of them are bowing to the whims of a federal government clearly out of control, and they are working toward complying with an expensive and unconstitutional law that will likely not survive the year. Please access this link (http://www.campaignforliberty.com/usa/MI/noexchange.php) then sign the petition at the page bottom to demand that Michigan cease all efforts to implement ObamaCare and act to immediately return all federal Early Innovator Grant funds. — Tony DeMott, Campaign for Liberty

April 3 – Membership Deadline for National Convention Delegates – If you have never been a member of the Libertarian Party, you must join by April 3 to be eligible to serve as a delegate from Michigan

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April 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.

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April 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.

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

April 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 Pam Sanderson chair.livingstonlp@gmail.com for details.

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April 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

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April 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

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April 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. This month, guest speaker will be John Philo, Legal Director of Sugar Law Center, who will be speaking to us about the Michigan Emergency Manager Law. Contact Jim Fulner, fulner@gmail.com

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April 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 on the third Wednesday of every month. Contact Dan Flamand, daniel.flamand@att.net.

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April 24 – 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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April 24 –Lakeshore Libertarians, a NEW group for Muskegon & Ottawa counties!! - The group’s first meeting will be held at 7 pm at the Grand Haven Community Center, 421 Columbus (corner of Columbus and Fifth) in downtown Grand Haven. Anyone from the area interested in liberty is welcome to attend. Refreshments will be served. Contact Mary Buzuma. mary.buzuma@att.net, 616-607-7064, or Nick Sundquist, lpwmsecretary@yahoo.com, 231-780-3364

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May 2-6, 2012 - Libertarian Party National Presidential Nominating Convention -Red Rock Resort, Las Vegas NV. More info here. Contact LPM State Secretary Mary Buzuma, secretary@mi.lp.org, if you would like to be a delegate or alternate.

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May 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). 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, Larry Johnson, michlibertarian@gmail.com

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

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May 3 – 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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May 3 – 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 Pam Sanderson, factorylady@yahoo.com, for details.

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May 8 – 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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May 14 – 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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May 16 – 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

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May 16 - 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 on the third Wednesday of every month. Contact Dan Flamand, daniel.flamand@att.net.

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May 22 – 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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June 2, 2012 - Libertarian Party of Michigan State Convention. Embassy Suites Hotel, Livonia. Candidate nominations, officer elections, guest speakers and more! See info above in this newsletter. Contact Renee Lewis livingstonladyliberty@gmail.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 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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