Greeting
From the Chair(s)
Report: LPM Convention 2013
Rosanne Koss: New Libertarian Southfield Trustee!
10 Libertarian Rules of the Road
LPM News
Smart Meter Rebellion Brewing

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

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Welcome to the July 2013 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 Website www.michiganlp.org).

Denee Rockman-Moon handing baton to Mary Buzuma
chair@michiganlp.org

From Denee

Good day fellow Libertarians,

I would like to first say “THANK YOU”, to all of those people that came out to Grand Rapids to our 2013 Convention, it was a very successful event. For those of you that were not able to attend, there has been a switch of hands with our State Committee Team. Most of you know that I announced my stepping down back in April to further pursue my education and career goals. I will be staying on as a LEC member handling Membership.

With that said, you have been elected an outstanding new Chair in my place, Mary Buzuma from the Grand Rapids area. She has served as our Secretary over the last few years and has done an outstanding job! Please give her a warm Welcome as your New Michigan Libertarian State Chair.

Denee

From Mary

To the members of the Libertarian Party of Michigan I’m honored to be able to serve as your state chair and thank you for your confidence in me. Our new LEC is a talented and dynamic group of people whom I’m privileged to have on my team as we move liberty forward this year and into the next. The first week has already seen two important events:

1. Our new website michiganlp.org is up and running. Many thanks to our webmaster extraordinaire Brian Wright and his team for their hard work.
2. Southfield Township Trustee, Rosanne Crowley Koss, a sitting Republican officially announced her switch to the Libertarian Party. This is huge and will be an excellent springboard for us in our efforts to get Libertarians elected to public office. The media is sitting up and taking notice that the Libertarian Party of Michigan is a force to be reckoned with and we need to take advantage of this.

We libertarians are a diverse bunch and there are as many different ideas on what it means to be libertarian as there are, well, libertarians. I welcome different ideas. They keep me grounded and from straying from our core principles. However, I feel we need to concentrate more on what unites us rather than what divides us.

Individual liberty, free markets and peace.

I would like to thank everyone who has donated their time, talent and money to further the cause of liberty in Michigan. I would also like to thank those who have recently reached out to us and those who will in the future. The future’s bright and we’re wearing shades!

Mary

Liberty Moving Forward—Splendid Event
by Mary Buzuma

Assembly in Grand Rapids at the Hilton Grand Rapids Airport on Saturday June 15, 2013. Scott Haggerstrom, Director of Americans for Prosperity Michigan addressed us on “Michigan Right to Work.” Changes to the LPM Platform and Bylaws were made. New officers were elected: Mary Buzuma, Chair; Steve Mace, Vice Chair; Jim Fulner, Secretary; Kim Moore, Treasurer. Five Directors At Large were elected: Chris Sharer, Tim Keirnan, Denee Rockman-Moon, Brad Wheelock, and Scotty Boman. Three Judicial Committee Members were elected: Emily Salvette, Bill Gelineau, and Bill Hall. Resolutions were passed which included a tribute to David C. Irons, a steadfast member of the LPM who passed away this year. Lunch, Cocktails and Banquet, Christie Diaz, “Mommynomics” was the banquet speaker. Food and drink service was outstanding.

On a beautiful day in West Michigan approximately 55 Michigan Libertarians gathered under the benevolent gaze of Lady Liberty in Grand Rapids. Although not a nominating convention, what was lacking in numbers was more than made up for in enthusiasm. New LEC members are shown front left to right Steve Mace, Brad Wheelock, Tim Kiernan, Jim Fulner. Back l to r Scotty Boman, Chris Sharer, Denee Rockman-Moon, Kim Moore.

New Judicial Committee members l to r: Bill Gelineau, Emily Salvette, Bill Hall

On Friday night, conference attendees and others were treated to a special advance viewing of the Libertarian movie “Alongside Night.” The movie was well-received, and author J Neil Schulman as well as producer/financier Pat Heller (Liberty Coin Service) led a Q & A discussion after the movie. Many thanks to Brian Wright for organizing this event.

Scott Haggerstrom of Americans for Prosperity was the Saturday morning speaker. He talked about the organization and is goals. His address focused on the controversial Michigan Right-to-Work law. A brief Q&A session followed.

Then it was time for the eagerly anticipated bylaws and platform amendments. Many thanks to Chris Sharer and the Platform committee; Jim Fulner and the Bylaws Committee; and Bill Gelineau (cat-herder in charge) for holding it all together as these things can be a little chaotic at times. The amended bylaws and platform can be found on the website at michiganlp.org.

During officer elections Will White, Legislative Committee, provided a report on the “goings on” in Lansing. His report was divided into the “Good, the Bad and the Ugly.” The “Ugly” iterating the need for a part time Legislature. Please note: Will is currently a committee of one. Political junkies, Poli Sci students, etc. contact the LEC or Will at whitewi5@msu.edu.

After the day’s business was over it was time to relax and unwind at the cocktail party and banquet. Bill Gelineau presented the “Guardian of Liberty” award to Vern Verduin on behalf of the West Michigan Libertarians. Mr. Verduin, a local farmer successfully fought “city hall” when they tried to prohibit a political message sign on his truck at his farm this past year.

The banquet speaker, Christie Diaz gave a tremendous presentation that brought the crowd to their feet. According to Brian Wright she “presented an absolutely delightful unraveling of the absurd statist forces that interfere with personal fulfillment of unique individuals such as ourselves.”

Kudos and credits to those (who haven’t been mentioned) for making this year’s convention fun and successful: Sulema Kiekintveld and the staff of the Hilton Grand Rapids Airport, Arnis Davidsons and crew for getting “The Lady” to the convention, Andrew Hall for volunteering to do credentials for yet another year, Registration Crew (Kipp Welch, Arnis Davidsons and Kim Horton), Emily Salvette and the ballot counters, and especially to Denee Rockman-Moon for her outstanding leadership as LPM Chair and at the convention.

Big News! Welcome Aboard: Rosanne Koss, Trustee (L),
Southfield Township

On June 21st, Southfield Township Trustee Rosanne Crowley Koss informed the Board of Trustees that she has joined the Libertarian Party. Koss will no longer be sitting as a Republican Board Member and instead, will sit as a Libertarian for the remainder of her term. Koss served on Village Council in Beverly Hills, Mich. from 2004 to 2012, serving as Council President Pro Tem from 2007-2010 and Council President from 2010-2012. In 2012, Koss was elected to the Southfield Board of Trustees receiving the highest number of votes in both the primary and general elections. She is known by former colleagues at the Village Council for her hands-on, proactive and thorough consideration of all issues.

“I put a great deal of thought into my decision. I discussed it with family and friends for some time. I was encouraged by them to put what I felt is right for our community and myself before anything else. This decision was not made overnight,” Koss said. Media release located here.

10 Mistakes Libertarians Make
Richard Lorenc, August 21, 2012
Republished from the May newsletter
richard.lorenc@gmail.com
[Note this is totally in line with the New Year's resolutions—from Harry Browne (LP presidential candidate 1996 and 2000)—we've been running in this spot; mainly as LPMers, we want to take a page out of the Dale Carnegie book and start winning friends and influencing people rather than the trying to resurrect the Late Great Libertarian Macho Flash. (How many out there in Michigan Libertarian Land remember Michael Emerling's (now Michael Cloud) classic video series, The Art of Political Persuasion?]

10 Mistakes Libertarians Make When Speaking to “Undiscovered Libertarians”

1. Replying to a concern, “The market will handle it.” This tired phrase is like a crutch for free marketeers. For many of us, it’s like our last line of defense when we expect to deal a winning blow and have no backup when it fails. The only time you should say this is as a joke to your libertarian friends.
2. Blurting, “XYZ doesn’t matter.” Just because we don’t think government should do a thing doesn’t mean we don’t think that thing doesn’t need to be done. We should never give them impression someone’s concern is unimportant. Mind your words carefully.
3. Using jargon. Most people have never thought conceptually about the spontaneous order. Quoting passages from The Fatal Conceit in a casual political conversation won’t plant the seeds of a true believer.
4. Being cliquey. We tend to hang out with people who “get” us and who “get” what we’re talking about. The problem is we sometimes make libertarianism seem like an exclusive club that only certain people can join. Welcome the newbies. We need them.
5. Acting holier-than-thou. Libertarians are overly convinced that our consistency and principle are superior. Truthfully, we each have many things to learn and we’re each inconsistent in our beliefs and actions. Libertarianism may be better than any alternative political philosophy, but it’s not perfect, so speak humbly.
6. Telling people not to vote. This is an important question, but telling a Republican or Democrat activist that their vote doesn’t matter is like telling someone their work at the homeless shelter is worthless. People put time into causes in which they believe and don’t appreciate you implying their efforts don’t matter.
7. Raising your voice. Someone said the reason we shout during arguments is because we lack confidence in what we’re saying. Avoid saying things you only just heard and didn’t take the time to verify. You’ll find your tone of voice becomes a lot friendlier and your arguments become a lot stronger.
8. Thinking you’ve heard it all. U of I professor Deirdre McCloskey explains: “Over the front door of the late-medieval city hall in the Dutch city of Gouda is the motto of the first modern economy, the first large society in which commerce and innovation instead of state regulation and social status were honored. It says, Audite et alteram partem—Listen even to the other side. It’s good advice for a society of the bourgeoisie, and for a classroom for students of philosophy.” And it’s good advice for libertarians.
9. Calling anyone a statist. Few people know what that means, and unless you’re arguing with a Stalinist, nothing constructive ever comes from using the term. Most people will walk away believing you insulted them. Use “statist” at your own peril.
10. Digging in. Stay loose. Politics is the art of the possible. If you want to play, prepare to negotiate the things you value least for those you value the most.

Boman makes mark at Detroit City Clerk candidate forum

The Event was held at 2:00 PM at the Second Baptist Church of Detroit, 441 Monroe Street Detroit, near Greektown. Scotty reports good attendance and citizen interest in improving the functions and response of the clerk's office: "The Independent Political Report does a good job covering my campaign... and other non-duopoly parties." Ref. http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/?s=Scotty+boman. Further, for those interested in helping Scotty and in attending his upcoming events: http://boman4clerk.com/2013/06/28/upcoming-events/.

Libertarians on ballot in Kentwood

Libertarian Party of West Michigan members William R. Wenzel and Erwin Haas are on the ballot for City Commissioner of Kentwood. Wenzel is a candidate for City Commissioner - Ward 1 in the August 6th Primary. Haas is a candidate for City Commissioner - Ward 2 in the November 5th General Election. Thank you both for running. Now let’s help them get elected!

Detroit election ballots produced late

Detroit, MI – Absentee ballots for Detroit’s Primary Election are over a week past due. Michigan election law (168.714) requires the ballots to be available a minimum of 45 days before the election. Under the heading “2013 Official Municipal Candidate List,” the Detroit Department of Elections Webpage has a link that reads, “Download the list.” As of the afternoon of June 28th That link opens a PDF document that is blank except for the words, “Updated List Will Be Posted June 28th.”

Officials of the Detroit Department of Elections and a spokesperson at the Michigan Secretary of State office both indicated that this delay was the result of a court order, but the Secretary of State representative denied knowledge of the case number, judge’s name, or case title. Detroit Department of Elections officials had no additional information either. Representatives of the Wayne County Clerks office suggested means of finding the information, but did not acknowledge awareness of the case...

Scotty Boman goes on to say, “If a situation like this arises on my watch, I will be sure to post the court order along with the acknowledgement of the delay. The public has a right to know, lest the process be hijacked by secret deals behind closed doors.” Full media release here.

Keeping open the New LPM Logo Contest

Calling all graphic designers!! The LPM is looking for your help in designing a new logo for the state Party. We are looking for something fresh and new to help get the word out to voters that the LPM is the future. While there are no specific requirements, we are hoping for submissions that are modern, but that hold true to the traditions of the LPM. Please send your submissions to media@michiganlp.org. It was originally intended for the winner to be selected by the membership at the state convention on June 15th, but we ran into time pressure. So the contest is still open through the month of July, please send your entries for the "New LPM."

LPM Address and Phone

We now have a new address, which is the following:

LIBERTARIAN PARTY OF MICHIGAN
Box 27065
Lansing MI 48909-7065

Our phone number to the outside world will remain the same. But 1-888-FREE NOW (888) 373-3669 which was being transferred to 248-687-1470 which was Regus location number will now be transferred to our New Tracfone 517-507-9682. LEC member Andrew Hall will have possession of this phone and will continue to answer, screen and transfer calls to the proper person.

by Brian Wright
webmaster@michiganlp.org

Just another planned link in the chain—I had heard of the smart-meter issue, and I know our Oakland County affiliate had presented guest speakers on the subject—so-called smart meters are digital equipment installed by the energy company (DTE in Michigan) for purposes of energy and people control by the 'ruling families.' The devices are generally installed without informed consent or even the awareness of residence owners or renters. In the big picture, smart meters are a subproject of United Nations Agenda 21 (put into effect in America thru executive orders and most recently the federal Energy Policy Act of 2005)... though they are not federally mandated. Agenda 21 is a pure evil 'New World Order' program for total control of energy and environment

On Saturday June 29, I attended a meeting at the Livonia Civic Center announced on a circular I received from a liberty Republican leader, David Lonier. It bore the heading: "Stop the Corporate Mandate to Invade Your Home: Say NO to Smart Meters." The flyer cited issues of cost, health, privacy, safety, and reliability. Pauline and John Holeton are two leading activists in Michigan, they have a 'tea-party' site that deals with several concerns about our freedoms: http://www.w4ar.com. Check it out. I expected to see 100 people in attendance, but probably not even half that. Young and old, all kinds, basically just a cross-section of real people who are extremely angry and afraid about this bald assault on our persons by the corporate state.

In a word: smart meters are BAD NEWS. From all the angles listed on the flyer. Health issues alone, from the high and continuous RF attacks—the industy claims the meters poll data every several hours and at a low intensity, actual data shown in the presentation reveals extremely high and dangerous radiation density from smart meters that is continuously emitted—are completely scary. Of course, the Big Brother aspects that lie around the corner are terrifying to any rational person. I got a few DVDs, made a $5 donation, and spent an hour or so that night poring over it. Wow! Way too big a subject to go into here. Here's a great summary off a YouTube video from a gentleman who has the credibility and the demeanor of a Walter Cronkiite.

And I'll refer you back to John and Pauline's site, http://www.w4ar.com. I am going to become more knowledgeable of the RF and civil-libertarian threats of smart meters, and work with groups like the Holetons—who put the face on the term citizen patriot. Since I'm officially Michiganian again, the city of Novi will be feeling the stubborn ounces of my weight as I vie with the powers that be to remove my own smart meter and replace it with one of its former analog devices. I intend to come up to speed quickly; this is a PERFECT issue for Libertarians to embrace, because we are all about empowering citizens to run their own lives... as we disempower coercive governments and the big-money gangsters who buy them. If anyone has leading edge information to share with me, please email me at webmaster@michiganlp.org.

"Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom.
It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves."
— William Pitt

Take a stroll down memory lane with this excerpt from one of the longest-running state Libertarian newsletters. Today, check out the June issue of 1982. 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 (under construction).

Humor

When we get to thinking there's no hope consider this clever little visual and commentary from Larken Rose via Etienne de la Boetie:

Go to the link here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6b70TUbdfs&feature=player_embedded#!, then also read the Coffee Coaster guest column from July 2012, The Politics of Obedience. Get used to the following statement vis a vis the federales: WE MASTER, YOU SLAVE. Say it as many times as it takes for you to believe it. Then tell your friends. It's a numbers game.

Note: we're going to keep running this classic contra 'sanction of the victim' observation until we receive some letters or other submissions of humor. Send all contributions to webmaster@michiganlp.org.

[Submissions of reviews are solicited for this Michigan Libertarian Movie and Book Review feature.
Please contact us via webmaster@michiganlp.org -- ed.]

Libertopia (2010)
On the road to the Free State ___ 8.5/10
Liberty as compassion

You can make a good argument that Libertopia is the Matt Simon Story, where he represents the more representational and incremental approach to realizing liberty—with iron-man determination. The scenes from the capitol in Concord bring back a flood of warm memories while I was directly engaged there; the film follows Matt and his legislative-action team as the House debates, then votes overwhelmingly to pass HB 648 FN to make medical marijuana legal. I won’t tell you everything that happens to that point or after, because you need to watch this part of the film, especially, yourself. [Full Review]

Book Review
The Medusa and the Snail (1979)
More notes of a biology watcher
by Lewis Thomas

This original story gives the reader an idea of what most of Dr. Lewis’s pieces are about: he takes a common subject then looks at it from a special angle. For example, in The Wonderful Mistake, the author says this “…capacity to blunder slightly is the real marvel of DNA. Without the special attribute, we would still be anaerobic bacteria and there would be no music. Viewed individually, one by one, each of the mutations that have brought us along represents a random, totally spontaneous accident, but it is no accident at all that mutations occur; the molecule of DNA was ordained from the beginning to make small mistakes.” — page 29 [Full Review]

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Note: The party site has now officially moved to a Wordpress platform at michiganlp.org. The former hosted site may still be accessed at mi.lp.org, until the national LP changes the nameservers... we expect that to occur during the upcoming week starting July 1, 2013. -- bw

July 4 – HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY! Celebrate liberty today.

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July 4 – Wayne County LP Monthly Meeting – 7 p.m. - Will be a barbecue at Ray's place. Contact Ray Warner, 313-598-3666

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July 8 – Capital Area LP Monthly Meeting – 7 pm. Meets the 2nd Monday of the month at the 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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July 9 – LP of West Michigan Monthly Meeting – 6:30 pm. Join the LPWM on the second Tuesday of the month at Branns Restaurant, 401 Leonard St NW (at US 131) in downtown Grand Rapids. Contact Mary Buzuma, mary.buzuma@att.net, 616-607-7064

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July 10 – **MOVED DUE TO JULY 4 HOLIDAY** 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, or its Facebook page—“like” us at Libertarian Party of Washtenaw County! Contact LPWC Chair, Larry Johnson, michlibertarian@gmail.com

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July 11 – **MOVED DUE TO JULY 4 HOLIDAY** 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 James Weeks, Jr, uscw168s@gmail.com

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July 17 - Libertarians of Macomb County 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 3rd Wednesday of the month. Contact Keith Edwards, keithmarni@wowway.com

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July 17 – 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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July 21 – Libertarian Executive Committee Meeting – 4-6 pm by teleconference. Call 218-844-3366 and enter code 576532 (long distance charges may apply). All LPM members are welcome to listen in to the call. Contact LPM Chair Mary Buzuma, chair@mi.lp.org

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Kalamazoo Area LP Meeting is on hold - If you would like to help revive this affiliate, contact William Holden at williamkholden@gmail.com

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

August 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 Dan Goebel, Chair.LivingstonLP@gmail.com.

August 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 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, or its Facebook page—“like” us at Libertarian Party of Washtenaw County! Contact LPWC Chair, Larry Johnson, michlibertarian@gmail.com

August 12 – Capital Area LP Monthly Meeting – 7 pm. Meets the 2nd Monday of the month at the 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 13 – LP of West Michigan Monthly Meeting – 6:30 pm. Join the LPWM on the second Tuesday of the month at Branns Restaurant, 401 Leonard St NW (at US 131) in downtown Grand Rapids. Contact Mary Buzuma, mary.buzuma@att.net, 616-607-7064

August 21 - Libertarians of Macomb County 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 3rd Wednesday of the month. Contact Keith Edwards, keithmarni@wowway.com

August 21 – 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

Kalamazoo Area LP Meeting is on hold - If you would like to help revive this affiliate, contact William Holden at williamkholden@gmail.com

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More... For all events, see the full online calendar on the Website:
http://michiganlp.org/?page_id=61 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://old.michiganlp.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 (888-373-3669). Subscribe/Unsubscribe to Newsletter [Note: we are in transition, and if the forgoing link doesn't work, just send us a message via our Contact page, and we will add you to the list.] We respect all unsubscribe requests.

Newsletter URL (Webpage address for this issue of the ML):
201307_ML.html

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