- Upcoming Events
-
August 11, 1998
- The Shiawassee County Fair runs from August 11-16. The LPSC will host a booth at the fair, which will be manned the entire time. Please come by and visit if you can.
- Location: Shiawassee County Fairgrounds, Hibbard Road, Corrunna
- Contact: Ben Steele III Phone: (517) 288-5616 E-mail: bsteele1@tir.com
-
August 12, 1998 - 6:30 PM
- Meeting - Libertarians of Macomb County
- Location: Fire Station Restaurant, 31185 Utica Road, Fraser (on the southwest corner of Utica Road and Groesbeck, just north of 13 Mile Road.
- Contact: Paul Soyk Phone: (810) 977-3523 E-mail: LNUSGMB.ZZYQNH@GMEDS.COM
-
August 13, 1998 - 7:00 PM
- Monthly meeting of the LPWM
- Location: Brann's in Grand Rapids
- Contact: haas Phone: (616) 942-7674 E-mail: haas@iserv.net
-
August 21, 1998
- The Libertarian Party of Washtenaw County will have a booth at the Ypsilanti Heritage Festival from Friday, August 21 - Sunday, August 23. For Information contact Geoff Foster (734 481-3044) or Brett Cashman (734 481-1354).
- Location: Ypsilanti Heritage Festival
- Contact: Geoff Foster Phone: (734) 481-3044
-
August 22, 1998 - 10:00 AM
- The Libertarians of Macomb County Adopt-A-Road clean up day. We will be cleaning up our assigned stretch of Metro Parkway, all volunteers are welcome.
- Location: Southwest corner of Schoenherr and Metro Parkway in Sterling Heights (bank parking lot).
- Contact: Rosemary Racchi Phone: (810) 776-2214
-
August 28, 1998 - 6:30 PM
- Brass Roots' Brass Cajones Awards Dinner Cocktails will begin at 6:30 p.m., dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m., and the awards will be presented at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.
- Location: Vladimir's, 28125 Grand River at 8 Mile Road in Farmington Hills (248)477-8050.
- Contact: Brass Roots Phone: (800) 555-GUNS
-
September 1, 1998 - 6:30 PM
- Monthly Meeting of the LP of Wayne County. Optional Dinner at 6:30pm. Program starts at 7:45m.
- Location: La Trattoria Restaurant, Michigan Ave. Dearborn West of Schaeffer across from City Hall
- Contact: Bill Shotey Phone: (313) 278-3673 E-mail: ben45@aol.com
-
September 9, 1998 - 6:30 PM
- Meeting - Libertarians of Macomb County
- Location: Fire Station Restaurant, 31185 Utica Road, Fraser (on the southwest corner of Utica Road and Groesbeck, just north of 13 Mile Road.
- Contact: Paul Soyk Phone: (810) 977-3523 E-mail: LNUSGMB.ZZYQNH@GMEDS.COM
-
September 10, 1998 - 7:00 PM
- Monthly meeting of the LPWM
- Location: Brann's in Grand Rapids
- Contact: haas Phone: (616) 942-7674 E-mail: haas@iserv.net
-
September 12, 1998
- Campaign Guerilla Tactics: Last minute things to do on the campaign trail, including debate tactics, press interviews, and poll lit.
- Location: TBA, but probably at the office in Ferndale
- Contact: Barbara Goushaw Phone: (248) 399-9177 E-mail: BGoush@aol.com
- More
- For more events, see the online calendar at:
- http://www.michiganlp.org/lpmonline/events.php
- Defend the 1st Amendment -- Immediate Action Needed
by Paul Jacob
Dear Friend of the First Amendment:
The US House of Representatives will be voting on a
bill that politicians consider campaign finance reform.
Once you scratch the surface of this cleverly crafted
legislation you see what it really is.
Shays-Meehan, the so called "campaign finance reform"
bill, is an all-out attack on the First Amendment.
Politicians are taking away the peoples' power to openly
speak out regarding the issues of the day. Under the guise
of reform, the career politicians in Washington are trying
to prevent groups from holding them accountable for their
record and deeds.
This bill violates our freedom of speech by preventing
issue discussion 60 days prior to an election, trying to
intimidate donors to political groups and ultimately placing
the speech of groups like ours under the regulation of the
FEC, which means in the end -- prohibition of speech. So
Congress could raise your taxes, give themselves a payraise,
or pass any legislation in the months of September and
October and a group can not spend any money to identify the
members of Congress voting for it, or educate the voters
that these bills are under consideration.
Please contact your Congressman at: (202) 225-3121 and
tell them to vote NO on Shays-Meehan.
For more information of the myths of campaign finance:
http://www.ustermlimits/research/finance.htm
I hope you can act swiftly and prevent this injustice.
Paul Jacob
P.S. For a list of your congressman's email:
http://www.house.gov
Back to Contents
- League of Women Voter's To Hold Teleconference
by Doug Hull
Libertarians,
You may be interested to know that the League of Women
Voters is putting together a Teleconfrence Town Meeting on
September 19th that will be used to discuss "campaign
finance reform" They appear to be looking for people to be
on this panel. I have been invited to be one of the panel
members in an attempt to get a students perspective.
I have already informed them that I am a political
candidate, and that I am running for the Libertarian Party.
They were fine with this, and I believe a little impressed
with it.
This e-mail is to ask you for two things:
1.) Try to get on this discussion pannel yourself. I
do not want to be the lone voice of reason on this state
wide forum.
2.) If you have some information, horror stories, etc
to share. Possible research available, please contact me
immediately by e-mail. I want to be very informed for this
debate type atmosphere. Any research you already have would
be helpful.
I am planning on going to Heartlands, Cato, Reason
Magazine, but anything else you can suggest, or lend to me
would be great. This is my first public debate representing
the Libertarian party, I want to be ready!
Yours,
Doug Hull
hull@mtu.edu
pgp public key
http://www.me.mtu.edu/~hull/pubkeyunix.html
Challenge Big Brother: Use Encryption Today!
Back to Contents
- Mike Brinkman for State Rep. campaign kicks into full speed
News from The Committee to Elect Mike Brinkman
For Immediate Release: Aug 5, 1998
For additional information:
Darryl Schmitz, Press Secretary
Phone: (517) 224-1211
E-Mail: Darryl442@Voyager.Net
Mike Brinkman for State Rep. campaign kicks into full speed
EAST LANSING, MI — With 90 days left to go before the
November 3, 1998 general election, Mike Brinkman,
Libertarian candidate for State Representative in Michigan's
70th District stepped up his campaign on Wednesday, August
5, 1998. The 70th District covers all of East Lansing and
Okemos, and most of Haslett. Brinkman was also the 1996
Libertarian Party candidate for the same seat.
Brinkman has been spending most of the time prior to
the August 4 primary preparing for the race, recruiting
volunteers and raising much needed funds. "I'm very pleased
with where the campaign is at this point in time," said
Brinkman. "We're way ahead of where we were back in 1996,
in terms of campaign funds, volunteers, preparation and
organization."
"We wanted to make sure we were ready this time," said
Brinkman. "The 1996 campaign was a highly valuable
experience, and taught us a lot of things which have enabled
us to have a campaign which will be competing head to head
with the Democrat and Republican candidates."
"As far as campaign funds go, we're way ahead of 1996,"
commented Mark Owen, the Committee to Elect Mike Brinkman's
treasurer. "We've raised over $4,000, and expect to raise
at least $10,000 before the race is over." In 1996, the
Brinkman for State Rep. campaign had raised only $3,500 for
the entire campaign.
Brinkman currently has around a dozen volunteers and is
expecting more when Michigan State University classes begin
at the end of August. "We received a very good response
from students back in 1996." said Brinkman. "College
students seem to be more open to the Libertarian message."
Mike begins his door to door canvassing this week, and
will be meeting with voters one on one. "This will be vital
to our campaign, and it was something we didn't have the
experience with last time." According to Brinkman, "We
didn't have voter lists, and we didn't have precinct
maps—this time we have both. We spent a lot of time
knocking on doors of people who couldn't vote for us."
Mike will be spending his time speaking with people
about their concerns, and offer libertarian solutions to
issues that matter to people—education, the environment,
taxes, roads and less government interference in their
lives. "I believe that when people get a chance to hear what
Libertarians have to offer, they will gravitate toward our
positive message, and away from the typical politics as
usual of Democrats and Republicans," Mike said. In addition
to the valuable experience gained from his 1996 race, Mike
also honed his leadership and campaigning skills as the
first Libertarian ever selected for the Michigan Political
Leadership Program (MPLP) at Michigan State University.
Mike believes he was selected for the program because of his
performance in the 1996 State Rep. race, one which MPLP
Co-Directors Lynn Johndahl (former State Representative in
the 70th District) and late Ingham Co. Commissioner Bill
Snow had mentioned they payed attention to. Mike has several
reasons for running such a high profile campaign. "First
and foremost, I'm hoping the effort I put into this race
will help the Libertarian Party of Michigan to gain major
party status." If Diane Barnes, State Board of Education
candidate, and the Libertarian Party of Michigan's (LPM) top
of the ticket, gets 5 percent of the vote, the LPM will gain
major party status. Barnes narrowly missed the 5 percent
mark when running for the same position in 1996.
Brinkman hopes that letting voters know they can make
electoral history will make them more likely to vote for
Libertarian candidates. " Most people agree that there isn't
a dime's worth of difference between the Democrats and
Republicans. This is a way that voters can really have an
impact on the political process, by creating real
competition in the political arena."
Back to Contents
- LP Booth at Gibralter North Gun Show?
by Eric Wojciechowski
For those of you residing near (or willing to drive to)
the Gibraltor Trade Center located in Mt. Clemens, I have
been thinking of setting up a Libertarian booth or just
handing out literature to the hundreds of gun enthusiasts
that will be attending the gun and knife show coming up the
weekend of August 22nd.
I already have purchased 800 Libertarian brochures (100
of them directed towards gun enthusiasts) and need to hand
them out. I believe that this would be an excellent place
to start. I have attended a show a few months ago and found
that there were literally hundreds of potential Libertarians
in attendance. If all goes well, effort could be expanded to
the computer shows where we anticipate other Libertarians
are lurking.
So, who is interested and has anyone tried to set up a
booth at the trade center before? Please either reply to me
directly at ewojo@cac.net or just post to our e-mail list.
Back to Contents
- Harry Browne Begins Weekly Radio Show
Last Sunday, August 9, Harry Browne began a new weekly
radio program, broadcast on the 60 stations of the Talk
America Radio Network. The show will air:
11pm - 2am Eastern time
The show will be conducted in the normal call-in
format. Harry will discuss current events and
social/political issues -- approaching them from a
libertarian standpoint -- and callers will offer their
opinions, questions, and criticisms. The object is to
provide listeners with a better understanding of how
Libertarians are trying to set them free to control their
own lives and their own money. Harry hopes that, the
broadcast also will generate membership leads for the
Libertarian Party.
Harry guest-hosted the show in this time slot on July
19, and it proved to be a 3-hour discussion of how a
Libertarian America would improve the life of each listener.
There were calls from liberals, conservatives, and
libertarians. Callers raised good points, voiced
reservations, and made objections.
We encourage you to call in. The call-in number is
(800) 298-TALK (which is 298-8255). Raise questions, offer
objections, argue, whatever; help keep it lively.
Charter sponsors of the show are coin dealer Investment
Rarities, store chain Cigarettes Cheaper!, and the
anti-asset-forfeiture organization F.E.A.R. Additional
sponsors are being sought, and interested parties are
invited to contact Debbie Greeson at (615) 377-6482.
A unique feature of the Talk America Radio Network is
that all its shows are also broadcast live over the
Internet, and so are available to anyone who has a computer
with a sound board and speakers (as most computers have).
The show can be heard by going to the Talk America web site
http://www.TalkAmerica.com at the time of the broadcast, and
following the links to hear RealAudio1. You need to have
RealAudio installed on your computer in order to hear the
show; if you don't have it now, you can download it from the
Talk America site.
When appropriate, the list of radio stations carrying
the broadcast will be updated at
http://www.HarryBrowne2000.org.
Stations Carrying the Show
MI:
Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek, WKMI, 1360, 11pm-2am
Cadillac-Traverse City, WMKT, 1270, 11pm - 12
Back to Contents
- Anti-Religious Persecution Bill Dies In The Senate
by Glenn Whitt
I have just become an editor for the online MissionNet
news list. The mission for this list is to report on any
news having any direct or indirect influence on Christian
world missions. The following is a news piece I prepared
and was published online by the Chief Editor, Ron Smith,
M.D.
------------------------------------------------------------
Editor: trombonist1@juno.com (Glenn D. Whitt)
Source: Religion News Service,
Sun, Aug 2, 1998, 11:05 AM
Anti-Religious Persecution Bill Dies In The Senate
The New York Times reported that the anti religious
persecution bill sponsored by Sen. Don Nickles, R-Okla
has been effectively killed by the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee on 23 July 1998. If it had made it
to the president to sign as law, it would have given
authority to the U. S. president to choose from
a broad range of options to punish foreign governments
that allow religious persecution to occur within their
national borders. The list of options from which the
president could choose include strict economic sanctions.
Support for the measure came from several conservative
advocacy groups such as the Christian Coalition, the Family
Research Council, and several Catholic, Protestant and
Jewish groups, and the social conservatives of the GOP.
The opposing parties included the National Council of
Churches, the U. S. Chamber of Commerce, and any other
organization that strongly supports free trade and opposes
economic sanctions. Though not reported in the New York
Times, the U. S. Libertarian Party, America's third largest
political party, would also oppose this measure.
--
(C) 1998 MissionNet(R) Editors Unless Other Indicated
List Subscribe Address
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Urgent Prayer Needs
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The original news source did not mention anything about
the ibertarian Party. I felt that it would have been a good
idea to do so.
Glenn Whitt
Back to Contents
- Membership Cards
by Mark Heil
We've had some confusion over the LP membership cards
that the national party issues and membership renewals, so
I'd like to try to clear it up.
Since the LPM joined the National Party's unified
membership plan, we have not issued our own membership card.
Instead, if you are residing in Michigan, and you have a
National LP membership card, you are credentialed to vote at
state conventions and advisory council meetings. This would
also include lending your membership card to someone as
proof of proxy for the advisory council meetings.
The National LP office will issue cards to new members
shortly after they pay their dues for the first time. After
this, all members are sent new cards for each year usually
in February, provided they have made a contribution of
atleast $25 within the past 12 months.
Any cumulative contribution of atleast $25 to the
National Party will extend your membership for 12 months
from the date you made your contributions. Thus, if you are
in the monthly pledge program, you usually don't have to
worry about your membership expiring.
If you have any other questions, or have not received
your membership card on time, please e-mail me at
markheil@flash.net.
Mark Heil
LPM Membership Chair
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