LPM OnlineOctober 19, 1999 |
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Don't miss your last chance to reserve tickets for the upcoming LibertyFest awards banquet sponsored by the Libertarians of Macomb County! This is promising to be an exciting evening with the presentation of the LPM's "Defender of Liberty awards" and our keynote speaker, Libertarian journalist, James Bovard. After October 15 the price went up to $55 each, contact Marnie Edwards at 810-777-7468 ASAP to reserve your seat. For more information, see our web site at www.mi.lp.org/lf99.htm.
DEARBORN. The Libertarian Party of Michigan has entered the fray in the battle to change Michigan law by requiring government to show why a permit to carry a concealed weapon should be denied rather than requiring an applicant to prove a particular need. "Most of the country now operates on the traditional American principle of 'innocent until proven guilty' when people apply for a carry permit," observed Tim O'Brien, the LPM's executive director. "Thirty one of the fifty states have recognized that the illusion of 'gun control' is no substitute for an individual's constitutional right to self-defense." The party is launching a radio and internet petition campaign beginning Monday, October 11 in an organized effort to persuade the Michigan legislature to adopt what proponents call the "Shall Issue" standard. Objective, independent research such as the recent and exhaustive Lott study out of the University of Chicago has clearly demonstrated that allowing sane, law-abiding adults to carry the means to defend themselves results in a significant drop in violent crime with no corresponding increase in armed confrontations between average people. "The myth that otherwise peaceful folks will get into shootouts over traffic accidents and such simply because they are armed is just that," O'Brien added, "a myth." The Michigan constitution, lacking any qualifiers about well-regulated militias, is unambiguous on the subject: "Every person has a right to keep and bear arms for the defense of himself and the state." (Article 1, Section 6) "How can that plain sentence mean anything other than exactly what it says?" O'Brien asked. The Libertarian party has long been recognized as an unyielding champion of gun rights. Jon Coon, the party's 1994 candidate for U.S. Senate, garnered nearly 5% of the vote by making the issue a centerpiece of his campaign. Asked about the duration of the effort, O'Brien said the radio advertising will air on stations throughout the state for the next two weeks. "But," he added, "the campaign to restore our rights will go on until we win!"
The new web-based data entry system for building and maintaining a media database has been launched with the transmission of the LPM's first mass broadcast press release. Computer superstar and Indiana transplant to the LPM, Greg Dirasion and fellow technoguru and new Oakland County member, Hugh Fader, have created a new web-based data entry utility that has greatly expanded the party's capabilities. The previous system was created two years ago by Darryl Schmitz of Saint Johns to distribute then chairman and now executive director, Tim O'Brien's op-ed columns to approximately 75 newspapers across the state. The dramatically upgraded system can now transmit press releases to nearly 400 media outlets -- of all types -- by any criteria desired (such as print or broadcast only, all media within any designated geographical area, etc.) The new database can be updated by anyone with access to the web and a password to get into the system. Darrl Schmitz continues to retain primary responsibility for distribution. "A lot of people helped with all the data entry," said Executive Committee member and prime mover behind the enhanced capability, Nancy O'Brien. "And I'm really grateful for all the help in what was a very tedious job." The system got it's first real-world test in the distribution of a press release (all media throughout the entire state) announcing the LPM's radio and web-based petition lobbying effort to change Michigan's "Concealed Carry" laws to what is called the "Shall Issue" system (that puts the burden of proof back on government to show why an applicant ought to be denied). The text of that press release is in a separate item in this newsletter.
October 11, 1999 was a lucky day for David Rossi for it was his raffle ticket that was drawn for the $300 prize toward the purchase of a gun from B&J Sporting Goods in Brighton. Also, George Sise won a $50 gift certificate to Stillwater Grill in Brighton for having sold the most tickets -- 90. The Libertarian Party of Livingston County sold all 500 tickets and raised $585 to fund future LPLC activities.
Attention members in the LP of West Michigan. We have reserved 10 Dec 99 for volunteering for PBS TV fund raiser. I'll be leaning on various people to show up in December. Contact Erwin J. Haas, haas@iserv.net
Minutes of the 14 Oct 99 meeting of the LPWM held a Brann’s. Convened at 7 PM by Chair. Present were Bierma, Good, Bommarito, Haas, B Gelineau, Miller, Hollemans, B Hall, Bill Wenzel, and Karl Fransen. Haas would try to arrange our participation with the Fund-raiser at PBS affiliate Ch 35. The Banquet would cost 15 dollar per person. To be held at the Highlander, Bradley would MC. We should participate in Gun Shows. Probably D Westerhof could help arrange our participation. The Liberty Letter was typeset. Distribution was a problem, and several members discussed how we would get about 350 copies out to the general public. Bommarito would take Issues for the 2000 campaign and formulate them for debate. Bommarito discussed his recent participation with Advocates for Self government. It was the branch of Libertarianism for outreach. Speakers at the conference included Harry Brown, Karl Hess, Ron Paul, Mary Ruwart, C Murray, Bergland, Hornberger, and Others. Gelineau announced his candidacy for State Rep. He had several elements of his campaign in place already. The news was greeted enthusiastically. Next meeting 11 Nov 99 Adjourned at 9 PM Respectfully submitted Erwin J. Haas, Secretary. |
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