December 2014 - Lnc-business - Moellman Enterprises Email

Electronic meeting rules
by Sam Goldstein 22 Dec '14

22 Dec '14

Alicia, Could you please email the rules that we passed for video conferences to me and the other committee chairs when you get a chance? I know we made some changes to the proposal and we will probably need them before the minutes and/or policy manual revision is posted. Thanks, Sam Goldstein

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draft minutes of 12/13/14 LNC session
by Alicia Mattson 21 Dec '14

21 Dec '14

Attached are the first draft minutes of last weekend's LNC session in New Orleans. Be the first to find Waldo and earn a point! I was going to send this draft last night when I sent the other documents, but I decided that more people would have a chance at Waldo if I sent it mid-day today. Alicia Mattson LNC Secretary

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J. J. McCurry's mother passed away on Saturday, December 13th.
by Vicki Kirkland 21 Dec '14

21 Dec '14

Former State Chair, Orange County Chair and current Brevard County Chair, J. J. McCurry's mother passed away last weekend. The services were yesterday, and a reception was held at Fiddler's Green Irish Pub in Winter Park. Wayne Jackman, Kyle West and myself were able to attend. For those who would like to send condolences, J. J.'s contact information is: J. J. McCurry 1502 University Lane #712 Cocoa, FL 32922 JeansBrother(a)gmail.com 407 645-5034

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Proposal
by Joshua Katz 20 Dec '14

20 Dec '14

I've spent some time thinking about this one, spurred by a few recent events. We purchased a non-building in Washington to be close to the 'seat of power.' I don't know that we're making effective use of that fact. I'd like to see a few uses for it, but right now I'm just talking about one that I find interesting. As we know, obtaining appointments is frequently easier than winning elections - I've been encouraging my members to seek appointments, and having been appointed to fill a vacancy on the Zoning Board of Appeals, in conjunction with then being allowed to attend ABA land use training, is part of what gave me credibility in running for Planning Commission - I could point to past offices held and training that is closed to the general public. Obviously, federal government appointments won't lead to being elected to offices at the same level, or at least aren't likely to, but service at the federal level gives increased credibility when running at the local or mid-level (by mid level I mean between local and state.) It gives access to people and support that can translate to endorsements. Most of all, it gives real experience governing, and the public does not believe that most Libertarians understand the act of governance. On this, I agree with the public - a lot of Libertarians believe that having the ideology correct and being able to recite the mantras is what makes for a good candidate, demonstrating that they do not understand what the art of governance is. If they did, they'd be looking for candidates who can convincingly explain how they'll actually move government in a freedom direction, and far too many of our candidates can't explain that, or even how they'll govern effectively and keep basic operations running - because we haven't done a great job on providing that education, and because a lot of our members don't have experience in government, or similar experience that can give those skills. Anyway, this leads me to think that we should make an effort to place our members into federal-level appointments, just as affiliates should endeavor to do the same there. Here is my action plan: 1. Create a database of members interested in federal appointments, organized by demonstrated skill - to be put into the database, the person needs experience and/or education that clearly make them qualified for appointment. This can be done and maintained by volunteers with oversight from a couple interested LNC members - that is, a working committee with a few LNC members and a lot of volunteers, with the LNC members explicitly responsible for ensuring that we're keeping only serious, qualified candidates on the list. 2. Instruct staff to foster relationships, by direct office visits, with those responsible for making appointments, particularly the staffers (rather than politicians) who make the lists to present to the politicians. 3. Instruct staff to keep aware of appointments below the cabinet level that are vacant, particularly boards and commissions, but underunderunderunderunderSecretary could work too, and less desirable ambassadorial posts. 4. When an eligible appointment comes up, contact the database members with the correct skill set, and see who wants it. This again can be done by the committee above. The LNC can then vote, with input from the committee, on selecting one or two candidates to put forward. 5. Staff works their contacts in Washington and promotes those names to the responsible staffers. If this is something we want to do, I will personally do two parts - put together the committee and build the database, and provide training to everyone on the list regarding the art of governance. I'll want to ask a few others to help me on this, and have a few people in mind. Joshua A. Katz Westbrook CT Planning Commission (L in R seat)

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approved convention minutes
by Alicia Mattson 20 Dec '14

20 Dec '14

Attached are the now-approved minutes from the national convention. Staff, please use these to replace the draft version currently posted on the website when you get a chance to do so. Thanks! Alicia Mattson LNC Secretary

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updated policy manual
by Alicia Mattson 20 Dec '14

20 Dec '14

Attached is a new version of the policy manual, updated with the changes made during last weekend's meeting. Staff, please post to the website when you get a chance to do so. Alicia Mattson LNC Secretary

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Logo Committee Appointments
by Nicholas Sarwark 18 Dec '14

18 Dec '14

All, I hope you had safe travels back from New Orleans. The following LNC members are appointed to the special committee created at the meeting to solicit logo proposals and make recommendations back to the entire LNC: Brett Bittner Arvin Vohra Norm Olsen I anticipate that they will seek input from the broader Libertarian Party membership as well as input from non-libertarians when conducting the search and that the proposals they bring back to the committee will be excellent. Yours truly, Nick

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Fwd: Google Alert - "Libertarian Party"
by Carla Howell 17 Dec '14

17 Dec '14

Nice placement of your fine op-ed, Josh. (nice article about LPF too). Carla Howell Political Director National Libertarian Party 202-333-0008 x 222 ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Google Alerts <googlealerts-noreply(a)google.com> Date: Wed, Dec 17, 2014 at 12:19 PM Subject: Google Alert - "Libertarian Party" To: 4smallgov(a)gmail.com [image: Google] <https://www.google.com/alerts?source=alertsmail&hl=en&gl=US&msgid=MTYxNjUzN…> "Libertarian Party" As-it-happens update ⋅ December 17, 2014 NEWS Op-Ed: The two-party duopoly has corrupted our government <https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=http://ctmirror.org/op-ed-the-two…> The CT Mirror *Libertarian Party* stands with the oppressed, speaks for those who society cannot hear, and offers hope for those who have given up any belief that the ... [image: Google Plus] <https://www.google.com/alerts/share?hl=en&gl=US&ru=http://ctmirror.org/op-e…> [image: Facebook] <https://www.google.com/alerts/share?hl=en&gl=US&ru=http://ctmirror.org/op-e…> [image: Twitter] <https://www.google.com/alerts/share?hl=en&gl=US&ru=http://ctmirror.org/op-e…> Flag as irrelevant <https://www.google.com/alerts/feedback?ffu=http://ctmirror.org/op-ed-the-tw…> South Florida Libertarians join forces to feed the homeless today <https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=http://www.examiner.com/article/s…> Examiner.com On November 9, 2014, the *Libertarian Party* of Palm Beach County (LP Palm Beach) drafted a resolution to defy a Fort Lauderdale ordinance which ... [image: Google Plus] <https://www.google.com/alerts/share?hl=en&gl=US&ru=http://www.examiner.com/…> [image: Facebook] <https://www.google.com/alerts/share?hl=en&gl=US&ru=http://www.examiner.com/…> [image: Twitter] <https://www.google.com/alerts/share?hl=en&gl=US&ru=http://www.examiner.com/…> Flag as irrelevant <https://www.google.com/alerts/feedback?ffu=http://www.examiner.com/article/…> Edit this alert <https://www.google.com/alerts/edit?source=alertsmail&hl=en&gl=US&msgid=MTYx…> You have received this email because you have subscribed to *Google Alerts*. Unsubscribe <https://www.google.com/alerts/remove?source=alertsmail&hl=en&gl=US&msgid=MT…> | View all your alerts <https://www.google.com/alerts?source=alertsmail&hl=en&gl=US&msgid=MTYxNjUzN…> [image: RSS] Receive this alert as RSS feed <https://www.google.com/alerts/feeds/09511017953038161957/156504239096821904…> Send Feedback <https://www.google.com/alerts?source=alertsmail&hl=en&gl=US&msgid=MTYxNjUzN…>

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Final 2015 Budget
by Tim Hagan 16 Dec '14

16 Dec '14

The final budget approved at the meeting is attached, in Excel workbook and XML Paper Specification format. Tim Hagan

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Re: [Lnc-business] Libertarian Party calls for shutting down CIA, criminal prosecutions
by Scott L. 16 Dec '14

16 Dec '14

I don't like opining on the State Chairs list because I am not a State Chair, but this topic cries out for a reply. Although I would have taken a somewhat less strident tone than the Chair of the LP of Nevada, I agree with Mr. Pojunis's point. Gathering intelligence on foreign leaders and foreign countries is something that the United States must do as a legitimate function of defending the country from foreign invaders. Perhaps a better way of phrasing the press release would have been to ask that the CIA limit itself to the function stated in its name. In other words - although negative phraseology like that used by the LNC Chair in that press release certainly appeals to a small segment of the population, if you want to make the Libertarian Party a real political partyT it is better to be as positive as possible and yes - sound "reasonable." Just because an antiwar.com might eat up such a press release does not mean such releases will increase our membership, or increase our vote totals. You have to look at the number of members and potential voters that you turn off, as well as the ones who love that kind of strident verbiage. Scott Lieberman _____ "I just started an opinion poll on the LP Oregon facebook group... too early to tell but on a scale of 1 to 5, 5 being love it, 1 being hate it... there are 3 votes for 5 and one vote for 3. I will report back in a few days. Wes" GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG On Tue, Dec 16, 2014 at 4:56 PM, Brett H. Pojunis <brett(a)pojunis.com> wrote: State chairs, Has anyone else in the party been contacted by their members/leaders about this email from national calling for abolishing the CIA. This is 100% crazy and whoever put this out should have their head examined. Americans do NOT want to read nonsensical stuff like shutting down the CIA, they just don't. This is placating to a very small audience and this is EXACTLY the type of thing that hurt us, all of us. If this is what you really believe, then keep it to yourself and deliver a broader message that resonates with more people. Example, "The LP is applauded at the actions taken by the CIA and the elected officials who enable them. We intend to push this issues as torture is something that goes against Libertarian Philosophy. THEN TALK ABOUT SOMETHING POSITIVE and turn a negative into something people will relate to." At this point I am requesting that no more members in Nevada be contacts by the National office under any circumstances. I do not have the time to field phone calls, upset members stopping by the office, private messages on Facebook, talking our leadership off the edge, etc. This type of "official position" is killing us in Nevada and I am sure other states as well. If it doesn't stop then we are going to focus our efforts on identifying how confused National "leadership" is and we will do our own PR campaign against the this type of craziness. Anyone who thinks this type of communication to the public is helping should resign from a leadership as they are clearly confused. I agree that we need to take a radical approach like we do in Nevada on many issues, but we must pick and chose our battles carefully. Brett H. Pojunis Chairman of the Libertarian Party of Nevada GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG Libertarian Party <http://lp.org/files/EmailHeader6.jpg> For immediate release December 11, 2014 Libertarian Party calls for shutting down CIA, criminal prosecutions Libertarian National Committee Chair Nicholas J. Sarwark released the following statement today: "The CIA's practice of torture confirmed by the Senate Intelligence Report released on December 9 shows the agency engaged in reprehensible and illegal behaviors that were, in effect, war crimes. "The CIA and politicians redacted the bulk of the government's report, which remains withheld from public view. One can only speculate as to the additional horrors that lie within the rest of the report, given the gravity of what was revealed. "These acts of torture were immoral, disgusting, and un-American. And worse still, they were ineffective. "Yet the CIA and the Department of Justice, which sanctioned the torture, claim that it was legal and exhibit a shocking lack of remorse for the brutality inflicted on its victims. "Whether it's choking a man to death for selling loose cigarettes in New York or torturing prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, the government refuses to prosecute government employees who brutalize the vulnerable. When the government investigates itself, it almost always clears itself of any wrongdoing. "This is why we must shut down the CIA. Its 70-year history is littered with episodes of human rights violations, illegal activities, and deception, including: * Targeted killings and assassinations * Overthrowing democratically elected governments, * Human experimentation, including giving the hallucinogenic drug LSD to U.S. and Canadian citizens without their knowledge * Dealing heroin in Asia * Spying on Americans, members of congress, and foreign leaders * Shipping war prisoners to foreign countries where torture is permissible ('extraordinary rendition'). * Lying to Congress "The CIA is one of sixteen U.S. spy agencies that should have been severely downsized if not abolished during the alleged 'consolidation' of the U.S. government's spy apparatus in 2004. "But rather than downsize, politicians merely added another layer of bureaucracy, increased government spending, and expanded government authority. "Government-sanctioned torture is bipartisan. Republican President George W. Bush authorized the torture revealed in the senate report. President Barack Obama granted him full immunity. "Famed journalist Glenn Greenwald said 'The Obama administration's aggressive, full-scale whitewashing of the "war on terror" crimes committed by Bush officials is now complete.' "Whereas Democrats and Republicans have continually funded and encouraged CIA war crimes, the Libertarian Party has consistently and strongly opposed the use of torture, mass surveillance, and human rights violations by the U.S. government throughout the party's 43-year history. "The Libertarian Party calls for real accountability, including prosecuting all of those who authorized and performed these brutal acts. "The Senate Intelligence Committee released its report after this year's election - when it was safe, even though the report was finished four years ago. "Perhaps both Democratic and Republican politicians are hoping voters will forget about this disgrace before the 2016 election. "The Libertarian Party urges you to remember -- and to demand human decency by voting Libertarian." The Libertarian Party platform plank on Internal Security and Individual Rights states: "The defense of the country requires that we have adequate intelligence to detect and to counter threats to domestic security. This requirement must not take priority over maintaining the civil liberties of our citizens. The Constitution and Bill of Rights shall not be suspended even during time of war. Intelligence agencies that legitimately seek to preserve the security of the nation must be subject to oversight and transparency. We oppose the government's use of secret classifications to keep from the public information that it should have, especially that which shows that the government has violated the law." ###

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