LPM Online

December 12, 2006

1. Upcoming Events

   December 12, 2006 - 7:30 PM

   Monthly meeting of the Capital Area Libertarian Party. Check out the new office and plan for 2007 officer elections and open house. Everyone welcome! Chip in for pizza, subs and beverages.

   Location: LPM Lansing office, 2722 E Michigan Ave., ste 22. Lower level - park and enter in back.

   Contact: Will Tyler White Phone: 517 349-3806 Email: whitewi5@msu.edu

   
   

   December 14, 2006 - 6:00 PM

   We will be discussing the topics of the day. Public is welcome. Food is optional. Come if you have the time and enjoy the company!

   Location: The Benton Harbor "International House of Pancakes" (IHOP) on Pipestone Road by I-94. Its just 100 yards West of the interchange.

   Contact: Bill Bradley Phone: (269) 637-4525 Email: wbradley@i2k.com

   
   

   More...

   For more events, see the online calendar at:

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

   
   

2. Tragedy Presents Opportunity for Federal Candidates — by Scotty Boman
   
   “Meet the new boss, same as the old boss”
   -Won't Get Fooled Again- The Who
   
   Well it looks like our Federal candidates will have an issue to run with, if any are up to the challenge.
   
   Yes the LPM is a state party, with a platform focused on state issues, but we also nominate candidates for US Senate and the US House of Representatives. We also send delegates to a convention that nominates a candidate for president, so here I go thinking globally on how to act locally.
   
   In the recent election, the votes cast for federal candidates became a referendum on the war (I mean police action) in Iraq. Most voters who opposed a continuation of the US occupation did what they always do: Vote for the “other” party. In this case the “other party” was the Democrats.
   
   Within the first few days, Democrats started hedging on their campaign promises. Some even advocated a return to draconian practices like the draft. Now the house majority leader to be, Nancy Pelosi, says she opposes any cuts in funding to the war with Iraqis. She still claims to be against it. This reminds me of the parent who is concerned about her teenager’s drug problem, but refuses to cut off the kid’s allowance.
   
   Finally, the Iraq Study Group report. They started out sounding like they opposed Bush’s policy, but when the veil of harsh rhetoric was lifted, it became clear that they were rubber-stamping Bush’s "Stay the course" approach. Sure they said we need to get out. So did president Bush. When the violence stops. Perhaps in two years when a new president picks up the torch.
   
   Now our federal candidates have a hot topic where (like the MCRI) neither Democrats nor Republicans agree with the majority. We can tell them “I told you so!” when this tragedy has escalated. The problem, as usual will be getting the word out. So federal candidates need to start planning on a plan to penetrate that media barrier.
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