LPM Online

Contents

1. Upcoming Events
   
   

   October 17, 2002 - 7:00 PM

   Among other things, we are planning to discuss priorities for 2002 and 2003. Plan on attending to learn more about the Libertarian Party. Everyone welcome.

   Location: 746 Lee St., South Haven (call for details)

   Contact: Bill Bradley Phone: (616) 637-4525 E-mail: bbradley@cybersol.com

   
   

   October 17, 2002 - 7:00 PM

   Libertarian Party of Washtenaw County hosts a speech by Raymond Warner, LP candidate for US House of Representatives, District 13. Warner, one of the founders of the LPM and a 1960's gay activists, is the only opposition to Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, mother of Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. Dinner at 7:00 pm, speech 7:30.

   Location: Cubs' AC Restaurant located in the Colonial Lanes Bowling Center, 1950 S Industrial Hwy, Ann Arbor.

   Contact: Emily Salvette Phone: (734) 668-2607 E-mail: salvette@ameritech.net

   
   

   October 23, 2002 - 6:30 PM

   LP of Oakland County General Membership Meeting. Public welcome. Meet for dinner at 6:30pm, business begins at 7:30pm.

   Location: Sila's Restaurant, 4033 W. 12 Mile Rd, Berkley. Sila's is 2 blocks west of Greenfield on Twelve Mile Road.

   Contact: Fred Martin Phone: (248) 738-9099 E-mail: Fredtmartin@aol.com

   
   

   October 24, 2002 - 7:00 PM

   Libertarian Party of Washtenaw County will host a speech by Dr. William Thomson. The speech is titled, "Human Rights in the Middle East--Persecution of the Palestinian". Dr. William Thomson is an Ann Arbor trauma physician and peace advocate. Dinner 7:00 pm, speech 7:30.

   Location: Cubs' AC Restaurant located in the Colonial Lanes Bowling Center, 1950 S Industrial Hwy, Ann Arbor.

   Contact: Emily Salvette Phone: (734) 668-2607 (days) E-mail: salvette@ameritech.net

   
   

   November 5, 2002 - 7:00 PM

   Libertarian Party of Michigan Election Night Party.
   All libertarians,supporters, and poll workers are invited over to the LPM HQ on election night to watch results come in. Pizza will be provided, but feel free to bring anything you wish.

   Location: LP of Michigan HQ.
   619 E. Nine Mile Rd.
   Hazel Park MI
   1/4 Mile East of I-75

   Contact: Greg Stempfle Phone: (313) 929-1789 E-mail: stempfle@hotmail.com

   
   

   November 7, 2002 - 7:30 PM

   Libertarian Party of Wayne County monthly meeting. Discussion of election results.

   Location: City Tavern Restaurant, 14316 Michigan Ave. in Dearborn between Greenfield and Schaefer Dinner orders taken will be taken at 6:30.

   Contact: Greg Stempfle Phone: (313) 359-3240 E-mail: stempfle@hotmail.com

   
   

   November 13, 2002 - 7:00 PM

   MACOMB COUNTY monthly meeting. Drinks and dinner at 6:30 PM, business begins at 7:00 PM.

   Location: Miles World Restaurant, 17689 Masonic, Fraser, MI 48026, (586)415-4500.

   Contact: Keith Edwards Phone: (586) 777-7468 E-mail: keithmarni@aol.com

   
   

   November 14, 2002 - 7:30 PM

   The Libertarian Party of Washtenaw will feature Michael Hoban, President of the Michigan gun-rights group, Brass Roots. Hoban will describe the purpose of Brass Roots, which is to remove by the electoral process those elected officials who do not support the Second Amendment. He will also discuss how guns save lives. Open to the public.

   Location: Cubs' AC restaurant in the Colonial Bowling Lanes, 1950 S. Industrial Highway, Ann Arbor.

   Contact: Emily Salvette Phone: (734) 668-2607 E-mail: salvette@ameritech.net

   
   

   November 27, 2002 - 6:30 PM

   LP of Oakland County General Membership Meeting. Public welcome. Meet for dinner at 6:30pm, business begins at 7:30pm.

   Location: Sila's Restaurant, 4033 W. 12 Mile Rd, Berkley. Sila's is 2 blocks west of Greenfield on Twelve Mile Road.

   Contact: Fred Martin Phone: (248) 738-9099 E-mail: Fredtmartin@aol.com

   
   

   December 8, 2002 - 1:00 PM

   Libertarian Party of Michigan Executive Committee Meeting. All dues-paying members are welcome.

   Location: LPM Headquarters, 619 E. 9 Mile in Hazel Park, 1/4 Mile East of I-75

   Contact: James Hudler Phone: (734) 475-9792 E-mail: chair@michiganlp.org

   
   

   More

   For more events, see the online calendar at:

   http://www.michiganlp.org/lpmonline/events.php

   
   

2. LPs of Oakland and Wayne Launch Battle to Defeat Proposal K by Greg Dirasian

   The LPs of Oakland and Wayne counties have joined forces to help defeat Proposal K. Proposal K is a half-mill property tax increase for ten years to support the "arts." The proposal is on the ballot in Oakland and Wayne counties only.

   The two organizations are cooperating in raising funds, funding an advertising campaign, and issuing press releases. Although still early in the process, we hope the joint effort will yield great results.

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3. Armenian-Americans Should Vote NO on Proposal K by Greg Dirasian

   Armenian-Americans in Wayne and Oakland counties should oppose Proposal K in the general election on November 5. Proposal K is also known as the "arts tax." It will levy a half mill tax on all property in Wayne and Oakland counties. This is similar to a tax proposal that was narrowly defeated in Oakland county 2 years ago and passed in Wayne county.

   Last year, Armenian-Americans raised about $400,000 to subsidize the production of the opera, Anoush. Not only did the Armenian-American community benefit from the performance of this opera, but the entire opera community enjoyed seeing this seldom performed opera (after all, even opera buffs can get bored seeing Carmen and the Marriage of Figaro year after year).

   With an estimated 20,000 Armenian-American households in Wayne and Oakland counties, a half-mill tax will generate $1,000,000 per year from Armenian-American households alone. One might think that with this kind of money, there would be 2 Armenian operas performed every year with money leftover to subsidize at least one other significant Armenian cultural event.

   The question then becomes, "Who decides?" Who decides which operas will be performed? Who decides which art exhibits will be displayed? Who decides which museums will be supported? Who decides which dance troupes will be invited? This question is not only important to Armenian-Americans, but to people of other cultural groups as well -- Jews, Arabs, African-Americans, Asians, Hispanics and so forth. Not to mention other constituencies such as Christians, gays, etc. The list goes on and on.

   I suspect that if Armenian-Americans want to see another Armenian opera performed, they will still need to raise another $400,000 even though they are already being taxed to the tune of $1,000,000 per year. Armenian-Americans just don't have the political clout to get this "arts tax" directed towards Armenian cultural events. Likewise with the other groups that have special interests and needs.

   The cultural institutions in this area have thrived without this "arts tax." Businesses and well-to-do citizens have always generously funded these programs. If one individual found a particular piece of art distasteful, there were many others who might consider funding the project. With government being the major financial backing of art, the bureaucrats will soon have a stranglehold on the definition of "art." I shudder to think what art will look like when we have a committee of bureaucrats deciding who gets money and who doesn't.

   Art is supposed to be representative of our society, not our politicians. The saying is, "Art Imitates Life," not "Art Imitates Politicians." Anybody who truly has an interest in the "arts" should oppose Proposal K. Art must not be determined by politicians, but by people.

   Please vote NO on Proposal K, November 5.

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4. Newsletter Editor Named by Greg Stempfle

   Last Sunday, the Libertarian Executive Committee named myself, Greg Stempfle as the new newsletter editor for the Michigan Libertarian. I will be replacing Greg Dirasian, who stepped down earlier in the year. I plan on continuing with the same professional format currently being used. In each issue, published bi-monthly, I would like to include the following…

   · Calendar of Events- A listing of state and affiliate meetings as well as upcoming events of libertarian interest.

   · Affiliate News- What is going on across the state; meeting places affiliate contact information, etc…

   · Current issues- Articles about issues in Michigan with a libertarian perspective. We have to make the newsletter interesting to non-members as well as members.

   · Legislative Watch- An attempt to follow bills in the state legislature and ballot proposals of interest to libertarians.

   · Letters to the Editor- I will not be shy about printing constructive criticism and the opinions of others.

   · State and National News- What’s going on at the National and State level Libertarian Parties.

   Please send articles or inquires to either newsletter@michiganlp.org or Stempfle@hotmail.com. My phone number is 313-359-3240. Any assistance or publishable material is welcome. The LPM Online newsletter will also serve as a feeder for news and events. Look for the next Michigan Libertarian in early December. I will begin working on the issue after the election results come in and after I have had time to work with the software. A tentative deadline for submission will be November 16th.

   In Liberty,

   Greg Stempfle

   Chair-LP of Wayne County

   15th Disrtrict US Congressional Candidate

   former newsletter editor for Wayne County

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