LPM OnlineJanuary 11, 2000 |
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The ownership of the restaurant that hosts the monthly meetings of the Libertarian Party of Shiawassee County has changed hands. Nancy's Restaurant, in Durand, is now Brenda's Bistro. The LPSC will continue meeting there on the third Saturday of each month at 7 pm. The next meeting is January 15th.
Time again for the LPM's Outstanding Affiliate of the Year contest! The deadline for this year's entries is Feb. 27th. Once again, the Affiliate which showed the most creativity, enthusiasm, resourcefulness, and good old-fashioned Hard Work during the past year will win a banner with the name of the Affiliate on it. Tell us how you spent 1999 working for Liberty! Here is a list of things the judges will be looking for: Membership: Growth, participation of members, outreach for new members, renewal program/success, database maintenance, inquiry packets, follow-up programs (inquiries, new members, new meeting attendees) Political Activity: campaigns/candidates, individual members participation in community, affiliate participation in community/government Newsletter: Published regularly, quality (appearance, style), content (pertinent, interesting, exciting -- does it make members proud to belong and nonmembers want to join?) Finance: Budget/plan, fundraising program/events, what is money being spent on Meetings: Held regularly, productive, social incentive, defined purpose of meetings (and is purpose achieved?) Media: Media plan, press releases, affiliate coverage, letters to editor (with L-word) Leadership: Organization, professionalism, strategy/goals, success, assistance to new or neighboring affiliates The form which your entry takes is entirely up to you! Send entries to: LPM Outstanding Affiliate Contest, 21835 Cherry Hill Road, Dearborn, MI 48124-1149 For more information, call or e-mail Ben Steele III: 517-288-5616 or bsteele1@tir.com
On Thursday, May 27, 1999, Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott, a victim of the Columbine High School Shootings in Littleton, Colorado, was invited to address the House Judiciary Committee's sub-committee. What he said to our national leaders during this special session of Congress was painfully truthful. It needs to be heard by every parent, every teacher, every politician, every sociologist, every psychologist, and every so-called expert! These courageous words spoken by Darrell Scott are powerful, penetrating, and deeply personal. There is no doubt that God sent this man as a voice crying in the wilderness. The following is a portion of the transcript: "Since the dawn of creation there has been both good & evil in the hearts of men and women. We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence. The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroic teacher, and the other eleven children who died must not be in vain. Their blood cries out for answers. The first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother Abel out in the field. The villain was not the club he used. Neither was it the NCA, the National Club Association. The true killer was Cain, and the reason for the murder could only be found in Cain's heart. "In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed at how quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the NRA. I am not a member of the NRA. I am not a hunter. I do not even own a gun. I am not here to represent or defend the NRA because I don't believe that they are responsible for my daughter's death. Therefore, I do not believe that they need to be defended. If I believed they had anything to do with Rachel's murder I would be their strongest opponent. I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy it was a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real blame lies! Much of the blame lies here in this room. Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves. "I wrote a poem just four nights ago that expresses my feelings best. This was written way before I knew I would be speaking here today.
Your laws ignore our deepest needs
Your words are empty air
You've stripped away our heritage
You've outlawed simple prayer
Now gunshots fill our classrooms
And precious children die
You seek for answers everywhere
And ask the question "Why"
You regulate restrictive laws
Through legislative creed
And yet you fail to understand
That God is what we need!"
"Men and women are three-part beings. We all consist of body, soul, and spirit. When we refuse to acknowledge a third part of our make-up, we create a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in and reek havoc. Spiritual influences were present within our educational systems for most of our nation's history. Many of our major colleges began as theological seminaries. This is a historical fact. What has happened to us as a nation? "We have refused to honor God, and in doing so, we open the doors to hatred and violence. And when something as terrible as Columbine's tragedy occurs - politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such as the NRA. They immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that contribute to erode away our personal and private liberties. "We do not need more restrictive laws. Eric and Dylan would not have been stopped by metal detectors. No amount of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre. The real villain lies within our own hearts. Political posturing and restrictive legislation are not the answers. The young people of our nation hold the key. There is a spiritual awakening taking place that will not be squelched! "We do not need more religion. We do not need more gaudy television evangelists spewing out verbal religious garbage. We do not need more million dollar church buildings built while people with basic needs are being ignored. We do need a change of heart and a humble acknowledgment that this nation was founded on the principle of simple trust in God! "As my son Craig lay under that table in the school library and saw his two friends murdered before his very eyes - He did not hesitate to pray in school. I defy any law or politician to deny him that right! I challenge every young person in America, and around the world, to realize that on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School - prayer was brought back to our schools." "Do not let the many prayers offered by those students be in vain. Dare to move into the new millennium with a sacred disregard for legislation that violates your God - given right to communicate with Him. To those of you who would point your finger at the NRA - I give to you a sincere challenge. Dare to examine your own heart before casting the first stone! My daughter's death will not be in vain. The young people of this country will not allow that to happen!" Be courageous enough to do what the media did not, let the nation hear this mans speech. Please send this out to everyone you can.!!! Have a Happy New Year.!!! |
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