LPM OnlineOctober 10, 2000 |
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You can now find out all you need to know about the upcoming LibertyFest 2000 Awards Banquet on our website at www.mi.lp.org/libfest/ This years banquet features the awarding of our "Defender of Liberty Awards" with Master of Ceremonies, Ghazey Aleck and keynote speaker, Jacob Hornberger. Tickets are $35 per person if reserved before October 23, 2000, $45 after that date and $50 at the door. You can use our printable web page form, found at www.mi.lp.org/libfest/form.html, to mail in your reservations. The event will take place on November 11, 2000, 6:30 PM at Mile's World Restaurant, 17689 Masonic Blvd., Fraser, Michigan (just east of Groesbeck Hwy.) For directions and a map, go to www.mi.lp.org/libfest/map.htm.
DEARBORN. "We'll go all the way to the Supreme Court if we have to," vowed State Board of Education candidate Jon Coon as an appeal to the Michigan Court of Appeals was filed on behalf of both him and the Libertarian Party he represents. The appeal arises out of a ruling by the Bureau of Elections barring Coon from appearing on the November 7th general election ballot because he refused to sign a new form stating under penalty of perjury that he is in full compliance with every detail of campaign finance law. "We are challenging the constitutionality of this new ballot access requirement," said party executive director Tim O'Brien. "The legislature is empowered by the constitution to regulate the 'time, place and manner' of elections in order to ensure that the process is orderly," he continued. "They do not have the lawful authority to deny an otherwise qualified candidate, properly nominated by a bona fide political party, the opportunity to appear on the ballot at all as a method of enforcing an essentially unrelated law." But isn't campaign finance related? "No," O'Brien answers. "There may be good and compelling reasons why candidates should be required to disclose the sources and amounts of their campaign funding. But that is about how -- and on behalf of whom -- they conduct their campaigns. It has nothing to do with regulating 'the time, place and manner' of elections," he reiterated, "which is the only constitutional authority of the legislature in the area of elections." Both Coon and the LP were undaunted by an August 23, 2000 ruling by Ingham County Circuit Judge Michael Harrison that upheld the Election Bureau's decision. "The sum and substance of Judge Harrison's ruling was that the new law merely requires that candidates swear that they have filed every form, not that the information they provided is true and complete. That is a strained, if not just plain silly distinction," he concluded with more than a hint of exasperation. "I expect," said attorney Ghazey Aleck, "that the case will be remanded to Judge Harrison to rule on our main contention that the new law unconstitutionally makes compliance with the Michigan Campaign Finance Act a qualification for running for office." The appeal is expected to take months to complete and will not get Jon Coon back on the November 7th ballot.
Freedom 2000, Clare-Gladwin LP's first annual fundraiser stunned observers. A large crowd of people gathered at the Town & Country Restaurant in Clare to hear Michael Corliss for US Senate and others speak on the libertarian option in American politics. The news is the shock waves that Freedom 2000 is making. Since Clare-Gladwin LP was only formed in April of 2000, expectations by many were low. However, the turn-out was spectacular and the event itself was a inspiring. Billed as an all-American party and all-American event, Freedom 2000 put forward a convention style atmosphere with signs, ribbons, logos and banners hanging from the ceilings and on the walls advancing Harry Browne, Michael Corliss and the Libertarian Party. Literature was abundant. Clare-Gladwin LP custom signs (Keep Your Guns, Lower Your Taxes, Vote Libertarian) sold like hot cakes. About 50% of those in attendance were there for their 1st ever libertarian event. The feeling was electrifying! Earlier this summer the 2 major parties in Clare County had similar events that drew 50 and 70 people. Freedom 2000 blew right past them in attendance numbers. We put them on notice that we fully intend to be a force to be reckoned with. Besides hearing from a resoundingly inspirational speech by Michael Corliss, Richard Whitelock promoted his Congressional campaign while Tim O'Brien played the State LP radio ads for the audience and Diane Barnes was present to announce Liberty Fest. How did we do it was the question of the evening and will probably stay the question for a while. Our party has made it a policy to go to the people. We sent out flyers, made calls and contacted people in person. We started with people we knew and went out beyond that. Libertarian team work was apparent locally, regionally and from the State LP. Other affiliates were represented including a fine contigent of tri-city libertarians. This rally proved that it can be done.
To help enact , Ottawa County Libertarian's Jason Miller and Tim Campbell are fighting to repeal the City of Hudsonville's curfew ordinance. They will present their arguement at City Hall on Tuesday to the commission. This has already generated coverage for the OCLP and its candidate in the Grand Rapids Press and will generate even more after the event. To read the GR Press story, visit: http://gr.mlive.com/news/index.ssf?/news/stories/20001003ghudccurf105303.frm
Are there any gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered Libertarians working actively in the state party? If so, then we need to join together in an organization that will represent the Libertarian Party as a building force for free-thinking advocates of liberty and those with different sexual orientations. Are you tired of statist organizations like GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) or WRAP (Washtenaw Rainbow Action Project)? These GLBT organizations are run by statists who might as well be an extension of the Democratic Party. Of course the Republican Party has no love for those organizations, but they have no love for equal rights for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered communities either. Recently, a new Libertarian organization was formed by members of the Libertarian Party of Georgia in the state of Georgia called Outright Libertarians. It is a grassroots organization that speaks on behalf of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered Libertarian communities, and for all who are advocates of liberty for all. I recently joined the organization, and I believe that an Outright Libertarian of South-East Michigan chapter would gladly bridge the Libertarian Party of Michigan to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered communities. I believe that, if people are interested, we can begin protecting equal rights for all - including gays, lesbian, bisexuals, heterosexuals, the transgendered, etc. If you need any info, please contact me at abarn@earthlink.net, or call me at (810) 725-9218. In order to start a chapter, as few as five members of the Libertarian Party must appoint officers for the organization, set up a mission statement and charter, and adopt a set of by-laws for the regional (or city) chapter.
Thank you for your kind attention and understanding!
CHICAGO (AP) - Mindful of the city's history as a place
where elections have been bought, Chicago officials are
trying to shut down a Web site that offers votes to the
highest bidder. |
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