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by Bill Hall, Chair
Libertarians from across Michigan will assemble for a three-in-one Michigan Libertarian Summit on Saturday, March 10, 2018. We will be gathering in the beautiful meeting facilities at the Eagle Eye Golf Course, 15500 Chandler Road, Bath, Michigan (near East Lansing). Sign up today at https://michiganlp.org/2018-spring-convention. The venue has requested our meal reservations by February 28 at noon, so sign up today at https://michiganlp.org/2018-spring-convention.
The morning will feature an intensive and valuable series of candidate and campaign workshops, starting at 9 a.m. and lasting until 2 p.m. If you plan to run as a candidate or volunteer for a campaign, don’t miss this opportunity to sharpen your campaign skills and network with other activists eager to run for office and assist campaigns. Senator Laura Ebke will assist at the campaign workshops. A professional photographer will take candidate portraits. At lunch you will have the opportunity to hear short stump speeches from a variety of the candidates who participated in the workshops.
The convention business session for elected delegates and alternates will start at 2 p.m. with short speeches from visiting Libertarian Party personalities. Joe Hauptmann, candidate for Vice Chair of the Libertarian National Committee, and Elizabeth Van Horn, Michigan’s (Region 3) representative to the LNC plan to attend. Libertarian Party of Michigan officers will report. The convention will elect 36 delegates, plus alternates, to represent the Libertarian Party of Michigan at the Libertarian Party National Convention in New Orleans, July 1-3, 2018. If you cannot attend the convention, but are an LPM member and would like to have your name listed on the national delegate ballot, please advise LPM Secretary Emily Salvette at secretary@michiganlp.org. The convention may also pre-endorse candidates for Attorney General, Secretary of State and/or Justice of the Supreme Court to be formally nominated at the fall convention, and may adopt resolutions. A meeting of the LPM’s executive committee will follow the convention.
A cocktail reception will precede the LPM’s annual LibertyFest banquet, which will start at 6 pm and offer a meal buffet and cash bar. At the banquet, we will present Defender of Liberty awards to our Spokesperson for Liberty, Promoter of Liberty and Producer of Liberty.
You won’t want to miss our featured speaker Nebraska State Senator Laura Ebke. In June, 2016, she left the Republican Party to become a Libertarian. At the time, she told the Omaha World-Herald “I got frustrated with some of my colleagues who don’t recognize civil liberties and don’t seem to agree with getting government out of people’s business.” Since then, she’s continued as an important member of Nebraska’s unicameral “nonpartisan” legislature, serving as chair of its Judiciary Committee. This will be a great opportunity to hear her experiences as an elected Libertarian State Senator.
Silver Package: $85. Includes Campaign Training Materials, Convention Packet, Lunch, and the Banquet, plus a limited edition button and priority seating for the speech and buffet.
Bronze Package: $75. Includes Campaign Training Materials, Convention Packet, Lunch, and the Banquet.
If you cannot attend the entire program, we are offering the following a la carte registrations:
Our Deadline to submit Meal Reservations to the venue is February 28 at noon, so sign up today!
While the venue has promised some flexibility, it will not accept meal reservations any later than March 5 at noon. If you sign up for a meal after February 28, but the venue won’t accept your reservation, we will refund the a la carte price of the meal. Sign up at https://michiganlp.org/2018-spring-convention, or mail your registration check to Libertarian Party of Michigan, P.O. Box 3685, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49501-3685.
If you have any questions, please email convention@michiganlp.org.
By Greg Stempfle, Political Director
There will be a candidate training workshop during the morning session of Libertarian Party of Michigan State Convention on March 10. We encourage all candidates, campaign managers, treasurers, or anyone else interested in learning about running a campaign for public office to attend.
The workshop will run from 9:00 until 12:00 followed by a two hour luncheon. Below is a list of speakers and campaign topics that will be discussed. A more precise timeline will be published as the convention draws closer.
During the luncheon, candidates are encouraged to practice their campaign speeches
A professional photographer, Pat Griffin, will be available for candidate head shots between 12:00 Noon and 2:00 PM.
By Bill Hall, Chair
Spring is almost here, and the political climate is heating up! Over the next few months, there are many things we can do to support the Libertarian Party of Michigan and its candidates in their mission to promote personal liberty and responsibility:
For details on how to accomplish many of these important tasks, read the articles in this newsletter, and visit your local affiliate meetings.
Based on a Press Release by his campaign Secretary Marcus Polus
Editor’s note: This article concernes a candidate seeking the Libertarian Party nomination for President. The Michigan Libertarian provides fair coverage, without endorsing one candidate over another.
Adam Kokesh, is running for the Libertarian Party nomination for the President of the United States on the platform of dissolving the entire federal government. He is touring the country attending LP state conventions on the 'Community & Unity Tour.' This includes a visit to the Libertarian Party of Michigan March 10th Summit.
During this tour Adam will be promoting a few points. This includes:
Adam Kokesh is an Iraq veteran against war. He is a published author and a long-time Libertarian activist. He has appeared in numerous films and starred in Adam vs The Man. For the last two years he has toured the nation, spreading the word of liberty and asking people to stand for their right to be free.
By Scotty Boman, Editorial
I begin this editorial with the assumption that every reader is aware of the tragedy that took place this past St. Valentine’s Day at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
I firmly believe we Libertarians have a chance to save lives, by applying our principles to the public conversations that shape public policy. Consider, first, the ground in which we plant the seeds of change.
Each tragedy is as unique as the individual lives that were taken, but there is too much in common between this, and so many other, mass shootings to ignore. People’s reactions have also been very similar. On past occasions pundits and politicians have held back on exploiting such tragedies until some time had passed, but that time has become progressively more brief. Like a broken record, the Democratic left has blamed civilian access to guns, and their solution has been to legally restrict it. Like a broken record, the Republican right has fallen back on the Second Amendment and slippery slope arguments with very little to offer in the way of solutions.
Conservative Republicans will pay lip service to the tragedies and offer heartfelt prayers. They may offer to give up other rights like people’s privacy or due process. They may just lament that this is the price we must pay for a free society. Some will dodge questions by saying it isn’t the time to discuss politics. Then there have been the “moderate” Republicans who helped bring us legislation like the Brady Law and the (since-expired) ban on the import of assault-style weapons. [Recently there was a notable exception, but I will get back to that]
With this narrative playing out, it is no wonder that opponents of civilian gun ownership have been able to seize the moral high ground. I recently saw a post that read, “If children are slaughtered in their school and your reaction is ‘Don’t you dare think about taking my guns!!’ rather than ‘How do we stop this from ever happening again??’ then we don’t have a difference in political opinion, we have a difference in morality.” I couldn’t help but agree. Appeals to pieces of parchment and one’s love for sporting goods, rings hollow when contrasted with the efforts of grieving people who appear to only be interested in saving lives.
In this election year Libertarian candidates will have an opportunity to support policies that will save lives. Michigan’s Libertarians stand to get unprecedented media exposure in their first state-wide primary. They will be faced with questions about guns, and they will have answers.
Mass shootings have had a couple things in common; the major news networks have primarily focused on the most obvious: Mass shooters used guns. One thing is only slightly less obvious to people who are paying attention, but I spent almost a week watching network and local news without hearing a thing about it; these shootings almost always happen in venues designated to be “Gun-Free Zones.” Between 1998 and 2015 96.2% of mass shootings have been in gun-free zones. If viewed over a longer period this pattern is even more pronounced. Data supporting this assertion was compiled by the Crime Prevention Research Center Between 1950 and 2015 98.4% of these mass shootings have been in such venues. It is worth noting that Federal Law only started making schools into Gun-Free Zones in the 1990’s in spite of statistical evidence that this was a bad idea.
Now it’s time to give some credit where it’s due. No significant air time was granted to any pro-gun solution until Donald Trump brought up the idea of arming teachers. Clearly he was one voice they couldn’t ignore. It remains to be seen, however, how long he will stand firm on this position and whether he will have any help from other Republicans. It also remains to be seen if he understands the proper Federal role of getting out of the way, and allowing these policies to be worked out at state and local levels. He has already pandered to the anti-gun crowd with his bump-stock-ban idea. But one thing is for sure, Libertarians can do better than this; schools aren’t the only gun free zones, and Libertarians stand on principle.
Candidates have plenty they can do at both the Federal and local level.
Candidates for House of Representatives and US Senate can support getting the Federal Government out of the way by repealing any legislative descendants of the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990, which was initially over-turned, but has been revived by dubious loopholes based on amazingly creative references to the interstate commerce clause. These candidates will be able to put this forth as being a principled application of libertarian philosophy, which is also expressed in National Platform plank 1.9
“The only legitimate use of force is in defense of individual rights—life, liberty, and justly acquired property—against aggression. This right inheres in the individual, who may agree to be aided by any other individual or group. We affirm the individual right recognized by the Second Amendment to keep and bear arms, and oppose the prosecution of individuals for exercising their rights of self-defense. Private property owners should be free to establish their own conditions regarding the presence of personal defense weapons on their own property. We oppose all laws at any level of government restricting, registering, or monitoring the ownership, manufacture, or transfer of firearms or ammunition.”
But again, the emphasis needs to be on saving human life. Our principles are demonstrably sound because, when applied most conscientiously, they will have good outcomes. The tragedies we repeatedly see unfolding are not failures of liberty, they are failures of government. In Parkland, Florida this was especially evident. The killer had previous encounters with local law enforcement that showed violent tendencies. He even announced online that he planned such action, and it was reported to the FBI. Scott Peterson, who was in charge of school security, chose personal safety over heroic action. Law enforcement can’t always be there, and there is no guarantee that they will be helpful when they are. The victims are guaranteed to be there, and we can count on them doing their best, because their lives depend on it.
We may have candidates running in a majority of state legislative districts. This is where we can really make an impact. Michigan is a shall-issue Concealed Pistol License (CPL) state, but every CPL has a list of “Prohibited Premises,” printed on the back, which includes schools, colleges, places of worship and large entertainment venues. Libertarian candidates can pledge to amend MCL 28.425o to remove these premises from CLP restrictions, while recognizing the right of specific institutions and venues to establish more restrictive policies. This could work around the existing Federal law because it allows for states to license some persons to be armed at schools for security purposes. These people are licensed. Nothing here precludes a candidate from also supporting constitutional carry policies, or nullification if they wish.
This straightforward change would not only clear the way for more school staff to protect children, but would also allow responsible gun-owners to save lives in other venues. Consider the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando. The shooter spent 4 hours killing people. Dozens could have been saved if just one of his victims had a chance to fire a well-placed shot back. Removing the “Prohibited Premises” clause would not change the requirement that armed persons be abstinent of mind-altering drugs while carrying.
Candidates for state office would be able to emphasize that this is an application of libertarian principles which is also expressed in The Libertarian Party of Michigan Platform Section IV 1.
“Law enforcement cannot guarantee individual safety. Self-protection is a personal responsibility. All individuals have the right to defend themselves and to possess the means to do so, as guaranteed by the state constitution Article I, Section 6.”
Since requirements for carrying would now be under the control of local institutions and businesses, local candidates would be able to play a role in supporting standards in local school districts that would allow more people to be able to protect children. While complete openness to all CPL holders is unlikely, policies that would allow some of these people to carry (after careful screening and training), might catch on. In Detroit, for instance, the local police Chief has been receptive to the idea.
We have the moral high ground. Now let liberty save some lives!
Upcoming Events
Some events are also posted by their hosts at the Meetup.com site. It is recommended that you contact an officer for an affiliate or check the Website (or Facebook page) associated with the meeting host (if they have one) before arriving at a meeting. Some meetings can get canceled, or locations can change with short notice. Contact information connected to most events can be found by expanding the item on the "Agenda view" of the Events page of our website.
March 1, 2018 - Libertarian Party of Livingston County monthly social meeting, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Cleary’s Pub, 117 E Grand River Ave, Howell, MI 48843
Catch up with each other at 7 while we order food and introduce any visitors. Occasionally, we will have a guest speaker.
March 1, 2018 - Libertarian Party of Wayne County monthly meeting, 6:30 PM social, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM meeting
Gubernatorial Candidate John Tatar & Highland Park School Board candidate Mark Ashley Price may be speaking
Tijuana Mexican Kitchen (West of Southfield Rd.) 18950 Ford Rd. Detroit, MI 48228
March 6, 2018 - Libertarian Party of Southwest Michigan, 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Contact Jason Brandenburg. swmi4liberty@be-innovative.net to confirm location
March 7, 2018 – Libertarian Party of Huron-Raisin (Washtenaw), 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Classic Cup Café, 4389 Jackson Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
March 8, 2018 – Capital Area Affiliate monthly meeting, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
AW Body Shop. 3303 N East St. Lansing, MI 48906.
Contact Martin Mashon at (517) 894-7157 or emailmartinmashon@yahoo.com to confirm location.
Times and locations may very from month to month.
March 8, 2018 – Northeast-Lower Affiliate monthly meeting, 3:00 PM
Cabin Creek Coffee 201 N Second Ave, Alpena, MI 49707
Contact Zach Boyle, livovivo@gmail.com, 989-255-4521.
March 10, 2018 – Libertarian Party of Michigan Summit, 9:00 am – 9:30 pm
15500 CHANDLER RD. EAGLE EYE GOLF CLUB. BATH, MI 48808-9611 9:00 AM to 1:55 PM: Campaign Training 2:00 PM to 5:45 PM: Convention 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM: Liberty Fest Banquet
March 11, 2018 – Straits Area Affiliate Business Meeting, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
For more information, contact Andy Evans at (231) 625-8403 or amevans_1968@yahoo.com
Great Lakes Grill. 817 E State St. Cheboygan, MI 49721
March 14, 2018 – Libertarians of Macomb County monthly meeting, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Ike’s Restaurant, 38550 Van Dyke, Sterling Heights
For more information, contact Mike Saliba at macomblp@gmail.com
March 20, 2018 - Northwest Michigan Libertarians, 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Schelde's Grille and Spirits. 714 Munson Ave. Traverse City, MI 49686
Check for updates here: https://www.facebook.com/events/470271686703499/
For more information, please contact District 1 Rep: Donna Gundle-Krieg. dokrieg@gmail.com
March 21, 2018 - Libertarian Party of Oakland County monthly meeting, 6:30 PM dinner, 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM meeting,
Shield's Pizza 1476 W Maple Rd. Troy, MI 48084
For more information contact Political Director Greg Stempfle at gregstempfle@gmail.com
March 21, 2018 – Jackson-Hillsdale Libertarian Party monthly meeting, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Steve’s Ranch Restaurant, 311 W. Louis Glick Hwy. Jackson, MI 49201
Speaker – Bill Gelineau, Libertarian Primary candidate for Governor and former State Chair.
liberty4gov.org
March 25, 2018 – Mid-Michigan Group, 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Oscar's Bar and Grill, 140 E Main St. Midland, MI 48640
For more information, contact Tim Coon at timothycoon1982@aol.com
March 25, 2018 – Genesee County, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Jan's Bar and Grill. 7499 Miller Rd. Swartz Creek, MI 48473
For more information, contact Alex Cooper at alexcooperliberty@gmail.com or Dustin Reamer at olddrumbelly@gmail.com
March 28, 2018 – Libertarians of West Michigan monthly business meeting, 6:45 PM - 8:30 PM
There will be no March social meeting. Business will be conducted on the Zoom App.
For details contact Jacob Andrews at jwandrew@mtu.edu
April 3, 2018 - Libertarian Party of Southwest Michigan, 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Confirm location with Jason Brandenburg. swmi4liberty@be-innovative.net
April 4, 2018 – Libertarian Party of Huron-Raisin (Washtenaw), 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Classic Cup Café, 4389 Jackson Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
April 5, 2018 - Libertarian Party of Livingston County monthly social meeting, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Cleary’s Pub, 117 E Grand River Ave, Howell, MI 48843
Catch up with each other at 7 while we order food and introduce any visitors. Occasionally, we will have a guest speaker.
April 5, 2018 - Libertarian Party of Wayne County monthly meeting, 6:30 PM social, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM meeting
Tijuana Mexican Kitchen (West of Southfield Rd.) 18950 Ford Rd. Detroit, MI 48228
April 8, 2018 – Straits Area Affiliate Business Meeting, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
For more information, contact Andy Evans at (231) 625-8403 or amevans_1968@yahoo.com
Great Lakes Grill. 817 E State St. Cheboygan, MI 49721
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If you are new to the Michigan Libertarian, you can link to 2016 issues here, http://michiganlp.org/category/newsletters . Older issues are preserved in our historical archives here: http://old.michiganlp.org/resources-2/newsletter.
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