Current Newsletter

Click here for a printer/email friendly version of our event schedule...

Click here for a printer/email friendly version of the current issue of LPM Online...

Michigan Libertarian: June 29, 2009

--Michigan Libertarian Online--
July 2009

Online newsletter for the Libertarian Party of Michigan
Subscribe/Unsubscribe Instructions

Inquire

Volunteer

Donate

Join Up

In This Issue

Welcome Notice
Michigan Tea Parties on July 4
Michigan Libertarian Goes Electronic
Volunteers Needed for A2 Art Fair
Another Elected Libertarian
Quote of the Month
Articles/Columns
Book/Movie
Past Blast
Feedback
Calendar

Welcome Libertarian Party of Michigan Members

[main]
In anticipation of the Michigan Libertarian transition to an electronic format (see article below), we have added all Libertarian Party of Michigan member email addresses to the online newsletter list. You may manage your subscription by going here or visiting our Web site www.mi.lp.org (same as www.michiganlp.org).

July 4 Tea Parties Chance for Libertarian Outreach

by Emily Salvette [main]

The Tea (Taxed Enough Already) Party movement is a congregation of diverse folks from all political persuasions who are fed up with the overreaching and overspending of our elected leaders. These people are looking for new options in politics, and undoubtedly the Libertarian Party is the right choice for them. We need to get our message out to them, so I hope many LPM members are planning to attend a Tea Party on Independence Day. Whether you wave a sign, pass out literature, or just talk to others there, you'll be helping your party and the country!

Our message is simple: Vote Libertarian in 2010 and even run for office yourself as a Libertarian. Encourage people to go to the national web site www.lp.org and sign up to get more information, volunteer their time or fill out an application to run for office. We will get their contact information here in Michigan and will follow up promptly. It may still be possible to get LP literature to you for
July 4. Contact me at chair@mi.lp.org to make arrangements.

List of Michigan Tea Parties[main]

Notes:

The Metro Detroit Tea Party at Gibraltar Trade Center has been cancelled.
The Capital Area Libertarian Party will be distributing the World´s Smallest Political Quiz on July 4th from 1pm to 3 pm at the Tea Party at the Capitol. To help email Bob Broda at bob-broda@comcast.net.
State Chair Emily Salvette will be at the Northville Tea Party. Contact her if you want to help pass out literature at chair@mi.lp.org.

Big Rapids (Pending Information)
Contact - Karen Huhtala, 702-813-4089, kjhuhtala@gmail.com.

Clare
1:00- 3:00
5th St. Park near post office
Contact- Adele Allen- (989) 386-9030
dallen@glccomputers.com

Farmington Hills
11 am
City Hall
Info: alice@leefree. net

Flint
12:00 noon
County Court House
Contact- Charles Cosby- (248) 933-2933
ccosby01@baker.edu

Grand Rapids
1:00 - 3:00
Riverside Park, Band Shell, located next to the northern Little League baseball fields
http://www.teapartyofwmi.org/

Holland
12:00
Centennial Park across from City Hall
Contact- Bart Spencer- (616) 218- 5118
pastor@lighthousebaptistofholland.com

Hudsonville
(Pending Information)

Kalamazoo
6:00- 8:00 PM
Bronson Park downtown
Contact- Gene Clem
gene.clem@gmail.com

Lansing
1:00- 3:00
State Capitol, 100 N Capitol

Ludington
4:00- 6:00 pm
Mason County Courthouse
Info: Rod Merrill, 231-690-1936, rod.merrill@hughes.net

Manchester (Washtenaw Co)
11am
American Legion Post 117, 203 Adrian St.
Info: Bruce- cell: 734-972-1844; home: 734-428-9573

Midland
6-8 pm
Court House
Contact - Jaime Hazen mcshazen@sbcglobal.net

Monroe
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Loranger Square
Intersection of Washington St and First St.
Charles J. Barger, 734 242 0264 or Dennis Milosch dennisma@charter.net

Niles
9:30-11:30 a.m.
Riverfront Park Amphitheater
Contact- Jo Flock- (269) 683-4242

North Branch
1 pm (after parade)
Main St. (M 90) on the old Orr Lumberyard property
Contact: Danette Starr Lowery (organizer)
(810) 614-8878

Northville
12:30 - 3:30
Northville Community Park (Beck & 5 Mile)
Contact: Maribeth Schmidt, patriots04freedom@yahoo.com

Owosso
12:00- 2:00
Weekly´s Lot, 2355 E. Main St (M-21),
Owosso- just West of State RD.
Contact- Bea Vajgart- (989) 729-8897
beayoung1@verizon.net

Port Huron
4:00- 7:00 PM
4730 Smiths Creek RD at I-94 in Kimball Twp. 48074
Contact- Lee Sheldon- (810) 385-4406
porthuron.taxdayteaparty@gmail.com, www.porthuronteaparty.com
Mary Beth (810) 982-8062

St. Joseph
Noon-3:00
Berrien County Courthouse steps (701 Main St)
Contact: Paul Peterson 269-605-4490

Traverse City
4:00 PM
Civic Center Northeast corner (inside fencing) and disperse along Munson Ave and Fair Street

Tawas
Monday, July 6th
Harbor Park, at intersection of US 23 and Newman St. at the heart of downtown East Tawas right on the Bay next to the state dock.

Michigan Libertarian Goes Electronic

[main]

The Michigan Libertarian, the official newsletter of the Libertarian Party of Michigan, will transition to an online format starting after the next issue, which is due out shortly. The Libertarian Executive Committee voted to make the format change at its June 27 meeting due to cost and timeliness concerns.

The new online Michigan Libertarian will debut on August 1 and will replace the monthly LPMOnline. It will go out on the first of every month and will be distributed free to anyone who signs up, which can be done at the LPM web site www.mi.lp.org (or www.michiganlp.org).

The deadline for submissions of articles or calendar events will be the 25th of each month. Greg Stempfle will remain as editor, with Brian Wright, our Webmaster, doing the layout. LPM members who need a hard copy may request one be mailed to them by contacting Greg Stempfle, or 313-929-1789.

Volunteers Needed for Ann Arbor Art Fair
by Larry Johnson[main]

The Libertarian Party of Washtenaw County is sponsoring our annual booth at the Ann Arbor Art Fairs again this year. We need help staffing the booth as well as set up and take down. We will be partnering with the Washtenaw Campaign for Liberty this year for our double booth.

Please go to http://home.comcast.net/~michlibertarian to see the open time slots and email me to let me know when you can help.

Also, we will be changing the LPWC meeting schedule for July to the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays to accommodate my attendance at an Art Fair meeting on the 1st and the Art Fairs on the 3rd Wednesday. So that makes the business meeting the 8th and the social meeting the 22nd.

Another Elected Libertarian
[main]
Just heard from LPM member Kurt Perron that he was elected to a 2-year term as Secretary of the Tribal Council of the Bay Mills Indian Community. Congratulations, Kurt! [For a list of LP of Michigan public officeholders, please access this page on the Website.]

Quote of the Month

[main]

The state is the great fictitious entity by which everyone seeks to live at the expense of everyone else.
- Frédéric Bastiat

Articles and Columns

[main]

The following article is lifted from a news report on MLive.com regarding the shooting of a young man, Derek Copps, during a drug raid by police at Grand Valley State University (GVSU), in Allendale, Michigan, on March 11, 2009.

Hearing Wednesday (July 2) on whether Deputy Ryan Huizenga carelessly fired gun during drug raid on GVSU student Derek Copp´s apartment

[Posted by John Tunison | The Grand Rapids Press June 30, 2009, 9:50 AM] HOLLAND --

Ottawa County Sheriff´s Deputy Ryan Huizenga´s career may rest on whether a jury thinks he was careless when his gun fired during a March 11 drug raid, hitting Grand Valley State University student Derek Copp in the chest.

Some of the evidence a jury could hear is expected to emerge Wednesday during a probable-cause hearing for Huizenga, who is charged with the high-court misdemeanor of careless discharge of a weapon causing injury. Huizenga´s hearing comes less than a week after Copp, 20, pleaded guilty to a four-year felony of delivery or manufacture of marijuana.

Police allege he sold about 3 grams of marijuana to an undercover officer just hours before the raid at his off-campus apartment. Court records indicate, however, that officers with a multijurisdictional drug-enforcement team originally were targeting Copp´s roommate, Conor Bardallis. Bardallis also is charged with marijuana delivery.

At Wednesday´s hearing, testimony is expected from state police Lt. Curt Schram, who investigated the shooting; Copp, now recovered from his wound; and West Michigan Enforcement Officer Nicole Hamberg. In an earlier affidavit, Schram alleged Huizenga had his finger on the inside of his gun´s trigger guard when the WEMET team entered Copp´s apartment.

He said the deputy´s finger should have been outside the guard. If Huizenga eventually is convicted of the two-year misdemeanor, he almost certainly will lose his 12-year job with the Ottawa County Sheriff´s Department. Huizenga remains on paid desk duty at the department.

Ottawa County Undersheriff Greg Steigenga said any decisions about Huizenga´s future with the sheriff´s department will be made after the criminal charges are resolved. Department officials have done an internal review of the shooting that is "essentially complete" but must await the court outcome, he said.

Meanwhile, Copp likely will be sentenced under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act, which allows his record to be stricken if he successfully completes a probationary term. During last week´s plea, Ottawa County Circuit Judge Ed Post said he believed Copp fit the program. Copp said little during the hearing, according to an audio tape of the proceeding. "Did you deliver some marijuana to another person?" Post asked him. "Yes, sir," he replied.

Copp will be sentenced Aug. 10. E-mail John Tunison: jtunison@grpress.com.

[From a casual view of the incident, this may be one of those special cases where the state acting as the determiner of personal pharmaceutical choices has kinda sorta overstepped. (Tho like former LA Police Chief {and winner of the Mother Teresa Humanitarianism Award} Darryl Gates, we at the Michigan Libertarian city desk definitely feel that individuals who choose to defy the law and smoke or deal the demon weed should be shot, preferably fatally.) - ed.]

Flash!
Here´s an article just in from Jewish Voice for Peace:

"We have just learned that a few hours ago, Israel illegally, in international waters, seized the ´Spirit of Humanity,´ a boat carrying a cargo of humanitarian aid. The boat is being forcibly towed to an Israeli port.

"Also seized with the boat are 21 human rights workers from 11 countries, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mairead Maguire and former U.S. Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney. The boat holds medicine, toys, and other much needed humanitarian relief for the Palestinians living in Gaza under siege. Its cargo was searched and it received a security clearance by Cypriot Port Authorities before departure.

"Call your Congressperson and your Senators today. Ask them to call the Israeli Embassy and to call the U.S. State Department demanding that the boat and its occupants be released, together with their humanitarian cargo, and that they be allowed to dock in Gaza.

"Ask them what crime is being committed by giving the people in Gaza medicines, toys, and pencils?"

I know, let´s step up aid to our our "one true ally" in the Mideast, AIPAC... er the Israeli government, er the Jewish people, er "just sign the check, all right?"! --ed.

Book and Movie Review Feature

[main]

We plan to include a regular book and movie review excerpt with link in this section... for liberty-pertinent books and movies. The following reviews have been contributed from LPM Webmaster Brian Wright´s commentary and review site, The Coffee Coaster:

Movie
Snow Falling on Cedars
Awesome testament of an American holocaust
combined with deep truths of human nature

...Midpoint in the movie, the Japanese-American Internment is underway in a small Northwestern farming and fishing island in the Seattle, Washington, area. The Miyamoto family is visited by officials enforcing the expropriation and relocation of American citizens of Japanese ancestry. The officials rummage through the family´s entire home and grounds, turning up every manner of personal items, especially anything of sentimental value such as personal letters or keepsakes (which supposedly suggest Japanese-cultural sympathies)-all boxed and taken away before their tearful eyes.

The policemen find a container of dynamite, used by the Miyamoto men to clear the land, blow tree stumps. Turns out the law makes it a crime for people of Japanese ancestry to own explosives-a felony.... [full review] [main]

Book
The Revolution: A Manifesto
The undisguised truth about liberty in America
by Ron Paul

...On the key day of the Rally, several notable speakers addressed the assembled freedom fighters, including Dr. Paul and, most notably, Jesse Ventura-former professional wrestler, movie actor, governor of Minnesota, and author of Don´t Start the Revolution without Me. Well, in a matchup of charisma, Ron isn´t even in the same league with Jesse. But in the ability to lay down his own prose, Paul has few equals when it comes to message simplicity, focus, and persuasiveness. And, though I haven´t read Jesse´s book yet, I have to believe The Revolution: A Manifesto handles your basic elements of libertarian theory uniquely adroitly.... [full review][main]

Michigan Libertarian Blast from the Past

[main]

Take a stroll down memory lane with excerpts from one of the longest-running state Libertarian newsletters. Today, check out this lead article, "Jacobs to run for governor!," from our February 1982 issue. (Note the $1 price tag. )

Newsletter editor Greg Stempfle has compiled the entire body of available Michigan Libertarian newsletters up on this page of the LPM Website. [Note there is a gap between 1980 and 1982, so if anyone should have Michigan Libertarians from that period-Brian Wright editor?-please contact Greg.]

Feedback and Letters

[main]

On this maiden voyage of the electronic Michigan Libertarian, we have no letters or feedback to report. But as time goes on, please voice your (short-constructive) comments or (short-constructive) opinions to the newsletter editor, Greg, via email by the 25th of the month... and we will endeavor to post them.

July 2009 Calendar

[main]

July 1 - South West Michigan
LPSWM Executive Committee Meeting - 6:00 - 6:50 pm at IHOP, 1981 Pipestone Rd., Benton Harbor. Guests are welcome. Followed by:
Round Table Political Forum hosted by the LP of South West Michigan. 7-9 pm at The Livery, 190 Fifth St, Benton Harbor. Visitors are welcome to participate.
Contact Bill Bradley, 269-637-4525, secretary@lpswmich.org

July 2 - Wayne County
Monthly Meeting - Armando's, 4242 W Vernor, Detroit (in Mexican town). Dinner Orders 6:30, Meeting 7:30. Contact Ray Warner, raymondrand@yahoo.com

Ju ly 4 - All Over Michigan
Independence Day - Enjoy our legacy of liberty and go to a Tea Party near you!

July 7 - Macomb County
Monthly Meeting of the Libertarians of Macomb County. All members of the Libertarian Party, their friends and family, and anyone interested in learning more about the LP are invited to attend. The meeting begins at 7:30 but feel free to join us for good food and conversation at 6:30 pm at the Loon River Café, 34911 Van Dyke Ave, Sterling Heights. Contact Jim Allison, jim.e.allison@gmail.com

July 7 - St. Clair and Sanilac Counties
Monthly Meeting - LP group meets the 1st Tuesday of the month starting at 6 pm at Military Street Music Cafe, 1102 Military Street (downtown), Port Huron. Contact Mark Byrne, 810-987-9856, iwantska@hotmail.com

July 8 - Washtenaw County
LP of Washtenaw County Monthly Business Meeting -7 to 9 pm at Classic Cup Cafe, 4389 Jackson Rd, Ann Arbor (In the Parkland Plaza west of Ann Arbor). Contact James Hudler, 734-475-9792, or Larry Johnson, michlibertarian@comcast.net

July 8 - Oakland County
Monthly Meeting of the LP of Oakland County. 6:30 pm dinner, 7:30 meeting. Sila´s Restaurant, 4033 W. 12 Mile, Berkley (2 blocks east of Greenfield on south side of 12 Mile). Please join us in planning out and implementing the next phase of our Libertarian presence in Oakland County. Contact Jim Fulner, LPOC Chair, jim.fulner@parrot.com

July 14 - Capital Area
Capital Area LP Monthly Meeting - 7 pm at former LPM office, 2722 E Michigan Ave, Ste 22, Lansing (park and enter in back). Contact Will Tyler White, 517-349-3806, whitewi5@msu.edu

July 15-18- Washtenaw County
Ann Arbor Art Fair - the LP of Washtenaw County will host an information booth in the non-profit area of the Art Fair (on Liberty Street). Stop by to see them, or volunteer to work the booth (see article above). Contact James Hudler, 734-475-9792, or Larry Johnson, michlibertarian@comcast.net

July 22 - Washtenaw County
LP of Washtenaw County Social/Work Meeting -7 to 9 pm at Classic Cup Cafe, 4389 Jackson (In the Parkland Plaza west of Ann Arbor). Contact James Hudler, 734-475-9792, or Larry Johnson, michlibertarian@comcast.net

July 28 - Calhoun County
Monthly meeting of the LP of Calhoun County Executive Committee, 7 p.m. Please contact Jack Worsham for location. (269) 963-2679, WORSHAM74@aol.com

More...
For more events, see the full online calendar at:
http://www.mi.lp.org/Shared%20Documents/Calendar.aspx

About the Michigan Libertarian

[main]

The Michigan Libertarian is published/posted on the first of each month. Send calendar events and news/articles to newsletter editor Greg Stempfle-or to LPM Chair Emily Salvette-by the 25th of the prior month. [Note: Pressing the [main] button, which occurs throughout the newsletter, takes you back to the Main Menu (table of contents at the top of the newsletter).]

Subscribe/Unsubscribe to Newsletter
You are subscribed to a newsletter email list on: http://test.michiganlp.org.ns141.alentus.com Click here to modify your message preferences or to unsubscribe from any future mailings. We respect all unsubscribe requests.

Newsletter URL (Webpage address for this issue of the ML)

###

You are subscribed to an email list on: http://test.michiganlp.org.ns141.alentus.com Edit your subscription here