January 2017 - Lnc-business - Moellman Enterprises Email

Convention Oversight Committee Appointments
by Nicholas Sarwark 15 Jan '17

15 Jan '17

Dear All, After receiving many excellent applicants for the open positions on the Convention Oversight Committee, I have selected the following three people to fill the non-LNC positions on the committee: BetteRose Ryan Erin Adams William Brackeen Many of the other applicants have volunteered to be on the larger convention team and help with coordinating volunteers, setting up A/V, and the myriad other tasks required to put together a great convention. Many thanks to all who applied and to the Convention Oversight Committee members who took the time to evaluate the many applicants and share their recommendations with me. Yours in liberty, Nick

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Gary Johnson emails - Fwd: RE: Will you join the Libertarian Party?
by Wes Benedict 12 Jan '17

12 Jan '17

I'd like to thank Ron Nielson and the Gary Johnson campaign for sending a couple of emails like the one below. I don't have exact numbers here, but I think the original email along with the follow-up recruited close to 300 new members, and raised probably over $12,000, and cost us very little. The exact numbers aren't 100% provable due to the way our donation page works. The campaign was not required to send these as part of any agreement. This is separate from the efforts we're using to reach out to the donor list directly. I just asked Ron if he could please do it to help us out (for technical reasons I won't get into here it was a lot easier for him than for me), and he agreed. Wes Benedict, Executive Director Libertarian National Committee, Inc. 1444 Duke St., Alexandria, VA 22314 (202) 333-0008 ext. 232, wes.benedict(a)lp.org facebook.com/libertarians @LPNational Join the Libertarian Party at: http://lp.org/membership ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: *Ron Nielson* <info(a)johnsonweld.com <mailto:info@johnsonweld.com>> Date: Fri, Jan 6, 2017 at 10:04 AM Subject: Will you join the Libertarian Party? To: We will have our best America yet... View this email in your browser <https://u1312327.ct.sendgrid.net/wf/click?upn=G0ca4RSewD5icfRIZrspq8EEmtD82…> Johnson/Weld Logo <https://u1312327.ct.sendgrid.net/wf/click?upn=G0ca4RSewD5icfRIZrspq4D3-2BHK…> Friends, This is Ron Nielson. Did you see this note from Wes Benedict? I hope you'll consider his request to join the Libertarian Party <https://u1312327.ct.sendgrid.net/wf/click?upn=Jf72Yc0IwO2lZn4CXCM1-2B6l-2BM…> to help continue the fight for liberty. Once again, I want to thank you for all that you did for our campaign. I've been taking some time off to focus on normal life outside of politics, but I remain committed to an America that is friendly and free, and hope you'll stay involved in our important work for liberty. By the way, I'm a Lifetime member of the Libertarian Party, and I encourage you to join today. Thanks, and have a great New Year! Ron Nielson National Campaign Manager Johnson Weld Campaign #### Hello! I'm Wes Benedict, Executive Director of the Libertarian Party. On behalf of the party I extend our thanks and gratitude for your support of the Gary Johnson / Bill Weld campaign, and invite you to join <https://u1312327.ct.sendgrid.net/wf/click?upn=Jf72Yc0IwO2lZn4CXCM1-2B6l-2BM…> the Libertarian party. Libertarian Pary Membership <https://u1312327.ct.sendgrid.net/wf/click?upn=Jf72Yc0IwO2lZn4CXCM1-2B6l-2BM…> Moreover, we declare our respect and appreciation to Govs. Johnson and Weld, alongside the campaign's groundbreaking volunteers, donors, and staff--some of whom worked for years leading up to election day Although Johnson and Weld were excluded from the debates, they tripled the all-time Libertarian Party record for President. In fact, Johnson's 4,401,551 votes so far--they're still counting--is the highest vote total for an alternative party presidential candidate since Ross Perot in 1996. While this campaign is for President is over, the fight for liberty remains critical. If you're not already a member of the Libertarian Party, I hope you'll consider joining <https://u1312327.ct.sendgrid.net/wf/click?upn=G0ca4RSewD5icfRIZrspq5oZNH57l…> today. Your membership will propel the Libertarian Party to a stronger position in future campaigns, and aid our efforts regarding current issues between campaigns. If you have questions, or would like to discuss this in greater detail, contact me at wes.benedict(a)lp.org <mailto:wes.benedict@lp.org> and I'll set up an appointment to speak with you. America needs people to defend free markets and civil liberties, to promote peace, and to share the blessings of liberty. That's what the Libertarian Party does. Join Us <https://u1312327.ct.sendgrid.net/wf/click?upn=G0ca4RSewD5icfRIZrspq5oZNH57l…> With sincerity, Wes Benedict wes <https://u1312327.ct.sendgrid.net/wf/click?upn=G0ca4RSewD5icfRIZrspq-2FEtljN…> <https://u1312327.ct.sendgrid.net/wf/click?upn=G0ca4RSewD5icfRIZrspq-2BnbGJ-…> <https://u1312327.ct.sendgrid.net/wf/click?upn=G0ca4RSewD5icfRIZrspqyXtVUvEx…> <https://u1312327.ct.sendgrid.net/wf/click?upn=G0ca4RSewD5icfRIZrspq4D3-2BHK…> <https://u1312327.ct.sendgrid.net/wf/click?upn=G0ca4RSewD5icfRIZrspq384mS9RK…> /Copyright © 2016 Gary Johnson 2016, All rights reserved./ You signed up on JohnsonWeld.com! *Our mailing address is:* Gary Johnson 2016 PO Box 4422 Salt Lake City, UT 84110 Want to change how you receive these emails? Paid for by Gary Johnson 2016

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Motion:
by Ken Moellman 12 Jan '17

12 Jan '17

The following is a motion seeking a sponsor and co-sponsors, to create the Historic Preservation Committee, tasked with preserving and publishing all historical documents of the Party. Add a line item to chart in subsection 1 of section 1.03 of the Policy Manual, which reads (column name in italics): _(Committee name)_ Historic Preservation Committee _(Size)_ Two (2) LNC Members or Alternates, plus up to five (5) non-LNC members. _(Member Selection)_ LNC Members or Alternates selected by LNC. Non-LNC members selected by the committee, which shall be accepted unless objected to by a majority of the LNC within 14 days of notification. _(Chair Selection)_ * Committee Selected Create a new subsection under section 2.02 of the Policy Manual, which reads: x) Historic Preservation Committee The goal of the Historic Preservation Committee is to preserve historical documents of the party. To that end, the committee shall: 1. With the assistance of staff and the Secretary, maintain all physical historic information in a safe and climate controlled environment. Any costs for document storage shall be presented to the LNC and shall be accepted unless objected to by the majority of the entire LNC within 14 days. 2. With the assistance of staff and the Secretary, collect all public electronic records. 3. With the assistance of the IT Committee and staff, provide and maintain a permanent public document archive in the form of a publicly-viewable website which is separate from the Party's primary website. 4. Make a good faith effort to preserve and publish all historical documents, and transform physical documents into electronic format toward that end. 5. Vote to recommend the destruction of any original document, or document for which no other copy is available. No such document shall be destroyed without the consent of the LNC, as outlined in Section 2.07(x). 6. At each LNC meeting, present a summary of physical document preservation mechanisms currently being utilized, and the number of documents preserved in electronic format. 7. Ensure that any document that would qualify for discussion under the rules of executive session for the LNC, as outlined under Section 1.02(5), remains private until such time that the Executive Committee, or the entire LNC, meeting in executive session, votes in the affirmative to make that information public. 8. Within one business day, inform the LNC of any committee appointments. 9. Publicly announce and permit a public audience for all meetings, other than those meetings held for the explicit purpose of discussing historic items that would qualify for Executive Session. Nothing listed in the responsibilities, powers, or scope of this Committee shall be construed to prevent or circumvent the normal operation of the Party's main website or to interfere in the duties of the Secretary as mandated by the Party Bylaws or this Policy Manual. Create a new subsection under section 2.07 of the Policy Manual, which reads: (x) All agendas, public meeting minutes, and public records of the Party shall be made available to the Historic Preservation Committee. No data shall be deleted or destroyed without a vote in the affirmative by no less than two-thirds of the entire LNC. -- Ken C. Moellman, Jr. LNC Region 3 Alternate Representative LPKY Judicial Committee

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Email Ballot 2017-01: Extend Bid Deadline
by William Redpath 12 Jan '17

12 Jan '17

I also vote Yes. Bill Redpath -------------------------------------------- On Thu, 1/12/17, Sam Goldstein <goldsteinatlarge(a)gmail.com> wrote: Subject: Re: [Lnc-business] Email Ballot 2017-01: Extend Bid Deadline To: lnc-business(a)hq.lp.org Date: Thursday, January 12, 2017, 7:37 AM Yes Sam GoldsteinLibertarian National CommitteeMember at Large8925 N Meridian St, Ste 101Indianapolis IN 46260317-850-0726 Phone317-582-1773 Fax On Thu, Jan 12, 2017 at 5:19 AM, Patrick McKnight <patrick.joseph.mcknight(a)gmail.com> wrote: I vote Yes. Patrick McKnightRegion 8 Representative On Thu, Jan 12, 2017 at 2:04 AM, Ken Moellman <ken.moellman(a)lpky.org> wrote: Region 3 Alternate - AYE --- Ken C. Moellman, Jr. LNC Region 3 Alternate Representative LPKY Judicial Committee On 2017-01-12 01:17, Alicia Mattson wrote: We have an electronic mail ballot. Votes are due to the LNC-Business list by January 21, 2017 at 11:59:59pm Pacific time. Co-Sponsors: Demarest, Katz, Mattson, Harlos Motion: Amend a motion adopted on December 11, 2016 as follows: "that the Libertarian National Committee establish a committee to take bids from political consultants for the task of extensively reviewing and making recommendations for the Libertarian Party's messaging (and modes of messaging), inclusion in the debates, fundraising and campaign finance, campaign mechanics, and state and local affiliates. Said agency will agree to present their findings to the public before December of 2017. The committee will take bids until the 10th30th of January." -Alicia ______________________________ _________________ Lnc-business mailing list Lnc-business(a)hq.lp.org http://hq.lp.org/mailman/listi nfo/lnc-business_hq.lp.org ______________________________ _________________ Lnc-business mailing list Lnc-business(a)hq.lp.org http://hq.lp.org/mailman/listi nfo/lnc-business_hq.lp.org ______________________________ _________________ Lnc-business mailing list Lnc-business(a)hq.lp.org http://hq.lp.org/mailman/ listinfo/lnc-business_hq.lp. org -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ Lnc-business mailing list Lnc-business(a)hq.lp.org http://hq.lp.org/mailman/listinfo/lnc-business_hq.lp.org

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EFC Update and Extension
by Larry Sharpe 12 Jan '17

12 Jan '17

Hi LNC Team, Happy New Year. We have found four possible vendors for proposals. Each has our request and is scheduled to provide us with a plan/proposal by the end of this week. We will whittle these down and perhaps have a Q & A and/or a 2nd round before selecting 2 or 3 of them to present (heir plans with details) to the LNC. As I mentioned in a previous note, we will need to extend our deadline. It was challenging to get the right vendors who are the right size, with the right backgrounds, that are willing to help us with flexible pricing options. And when you add on the Holiday Season, this was even tougher. Therefore, with respect, the EFC requests an extension to January 30th to confidently be able to present options to the LNC. -- Larry *Larry Sharpe* *The Neo-Sage Group, Inc.* http://TheNeoSage.com/ <http://theneosage.com/> <https://www.facebook.com/TheNeoSageGroup> https://www.youtube.com/user/TheNeoSage http://www.linkedin.com/in/neosage *https://www.facebook.com/neosage <https://www.facebook.com/neosage>* *212-307-3545 <212-307-3545>* *Instructing – Advancing – Inspiring*

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approved minutes of 12/10/16 LNC session
by Alicia Mattson 11 Jan '17

11 Jan '17

Attached are the now-approved minutes of the December 10-11 LNC session in Alexandria, VA. This contains a correction to a simple typo found on page 4 of the staff report. Staff, please post these to the website when you get a chance to do so. -Alicia

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Affiliate Support Committee Meeting Log-in and meeting reminder
by Daniel Hayes 11 Jan '17

11 Jan '17

The Affiliate Support Committee will be meeting at it's regularly scheduled time. Date: Thursday, January 12th, 2017, 8PM Eastern Dial in Number:(712)775-7031 Access Code: 571-973-866 The meeting is open to LNC Members, LNC Staff, State Chairs, Party Members, Libertarians, libertarians and invited guests. We are a service oriented committee so we encourage attendees to participate in an orderly manner. If you have a matter you wish us to consider please contact me in a advance if possible. I can be reached at Daniel.Hayes(a)LP.Org or by phone at 504-258-6176. TENTATIVE AGENDA Review the Affiliate Support Survey and create action items for the ASC in 2017, Daniel Hayes LNC Affiliate Support Committee Chairman

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Re: [Lnc-business] FW: Marijuana Resolution - Request for Co-Sponsors
by Caryn Ann Harlos 10 Jan '17

10 Jan '17

Hello everyone I am bumping this for further comment before Chair Watts submits something revised to me. On Thu, Dec 22, 2016 at 4:52 PM, Jon Watts <jon.watts(a)alaskan.com> wrote: > Thanks! > > Jon > > > > Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S7 active, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone > > -------- Original message -------- > From: Caryn Ann Harlos <carynannharlos(a)gmail.com> > Date: 12/22/16 2:25 PM (GMT-09:00) > To: Ken Moellman <ken.moellman(a)lpky.org>, Jon Watts <jon.watts(a)alaskan.com> > > Cc: David Demarest <dpdemarest(a)centurylink.net>, "Demarest, David P." < > david.demarest(a)firstdata.com> > Subject: Re: FW: [Lnc-business] Marijuana Resolution - Request for > Co-Sponsors > > I am bumping this for further input before Chair Watts submits a revised > proposal for me. > > -- > *In Liberty,* > *Caryn Ann Harlos* > Region 1 Representative, Libertarian National Committee (Alaska, Arizona, > Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Washington) - Caryn.Ann. > Harlos(a)LP.org <Caryn.Ann.Harlos(a)LP.org> > Communications Director, Libertarian Party of Colorado > <http://www.lpcolorado.org/> > Colorado State Coordinator, Libertarian Party Radical Caucus > <http://www.lpradicalcaucus.org/> > > > On Sun, Dec 18, 2016 at 4:12 PM, Ken Moellman <ken.moellman(a)lpky.org> > wrote: > >> >> I will be happy to give input. I am currently a little bogged down >> with cracking the whip to get the website fixed and to get the IT committee >> filled out, but the CBD decision is absolutely ridiculous. There are tons >> of stories of kids who are getting help with CBD, when no other medicine >> from the pharma companies helped, and this new rule is sentencing kids to >> having seizures. I mean, seriously, WTF? >> >> >> >> >> When I used to do my radio show, I used to emphasize the three different >> categories: Recreational, Medicinal, and Industrial. I think we should >> engage MPP or some other outside group like them to give us some stats. # >> of states with full-legal. # of states with medical THC. # of states with >> medical CBD. # of states with Industrial Hemp. That's a very good place >> to start. >> >> We could tie in the DEA's latest action as to why full legalization is >> necessary; because we can't trust the DEA to discern what's "legitimate" >> and what's "illegitimate" if they're taking CBD away from kids. >> >> Industrial Hemp is very good from a "green" perspective, too. Hemp paper >> is stronger and better. The Constitution is written on hemp, which is why >> it still exists (unlike tree paper, which is not environmentally friendly >> and not as long-lasting). >> >> We can talk about the violence caused by prohibition. Racism. >> Incarceration. Making people felons and destroying lives. >> >> And all of this nonsense to keep some people from blowing off steam? >> Personally, I reject the entire notion that it's required to "keep people >> being productive". Who the hell is anyone to claim what I must produce, or >> not? I'm an individual, not a cog in a machine. >> >> And that's what offends me, as a non-user of marijuana. I am an >> individual. I am an adult. I make my own damn choices. >> >> --- >> >> Ken C. Moellman, Jr. >> LNC Region 3 Alternate Representative >> LPKY Judicial Committee >> >> >> >> On 2016-12-18 17:44, Caryn Ann Harlos wrote: >> >> Ken, I would really love to see your proposed amendments, and Chair Watts >> would as well. I agree with you, and would love to see a more solid policy >> statement. Will you assist in making this better? >> >> -- >> *In Liberty,* >> *Caryn Ann Harlos* >> Region 1 Representative, Libertarian National Committee (Alaska, >> Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Washington) - Caryn.Ann. >> Harlos(a)LP.org <Caryn.Ann.Harlos(a)LP.org> >> Communications Director, Libertarian Party of Colorado >> <http://www.lpcolorado.org/> >> Colorado State Coordinator, Libertarian Party Radical Caucus >> <http://www.lpradicalcaucus.org/> >> >> >> On Sun, Dec 18, 2016 at 3:42 PM, Ken Moellman <ken.moellman(a)lpky.org> >> wrote: >> >>> >>> I do want to reiterate that I'd love to see us bring out a solid policy >>> statement in this regard. >>> >>> >>> The recent DEA action to reclassify CBD as Schedule I is completely >>> inexcusable. CBD, beyond other potential health benefits, is medicine for >>> kids with seizures. The DEA claims that this totally ridiculous action is >>> to enforce some UN mandate. >>> >>> This is an opportunity to once again tell the public that the >>> consumption of marijuana, regardless of the THC content, is a peaceful, >>> voluntary act. For some people, it's about material (industrial hemp). For >>> other people, it's medicine (CBD, THC). And yes, for some, it's relaxation >>> (recreational). None of these are violent. Violence is introduced by the >>> state, when laws are written to prohibit these otherwise peaceful actions. >>> >>> I don't consume marijuana, but I don't have to be personally affected to >>> support the life and liberty of others. >>> >>> Despite popular opposition to full legalization, this latest action by >>> the DEA matters to us here in Kentucky -- a state that continues to expand >>> its industrial hemp production and passed a medical CBD bill in the past >>> couple of years. I've already contacted congressmen in KY, two of which >>> support Industrial Hemp and CBD (Massie-R, Comer-R). I'm hopeful that >>> they'll be successful in overturning the FDA on the CBD classification. >>> You have to be one special kind of sick jerk to deny kids medicine that >>> stops them from having seizures. >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> --- >>> >>> Ken C. Moellman, Jr. >>> LNC Region 3 Alternate Representative >>> LPKY Judicial Committee >>> >>> >>> >>> On 2016-12-18 14:28, Caryn Ann Harlos wrote: >>> >>> Thank you David. I have sent this google link to the Alaska Chair to >>> follow along, and he plans on tweaking the resolution. On behalf of the >>> Alaska Affiliate, I thank my fellow committee members for their attention >>> to this. It is important to the affiliate. >>> >>> - Caryn Ann >>> >>> On Sun, Dec 18, 2016 at 12:21 PM, David Demarest < >>> dpdemarest(a)centurylink.net> wrote: >>> >>>> Ken: Points well taken and I agree with both. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Caryn: I have the following additional suggestion: >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> "Whereas, the enforcement of cannabis and other drugs laws has been >>>> racist and represents the new Jim Crow, disproportionately targeting and >>>> impacting people of color and minorities; >>>> >>>> Suggested revision: Whereas prohibition has never worked, is almost >>>> universally ignored, serves primarily as job security for public law >>>> enforcement and is often applied in an arbitrary *discriminatory* >>>> manner; >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> *Justification*: >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> I would note that racism may well be a factor in prohibition being >>>> enforced "in an arbitrary discriminatory manner". However, racism is a >>>> separate but even more important issue that has no place in government and >>>> would be better handled privately by the application of the more powerful >>>> tools of economic and social ostracism (boycotts, free-speech editorials, >>>> shunning, et cetera). >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> In the long run, there is nothing that government can do that we cannot >>>> do better by using our rational-self-interest developed social contracts >>>> starting with the Golden Rule and axiomatic action prohibitions based on >>>> the Non-Aggression Principle. I trust the average person to handle these >>>> issues in a far more effective and moral manner than self-serving elected >>>> officials that all too often cave in to the election-driven cronyism >>>> inherent in *non-competitive* governance. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> ~David Pratt Demarest >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> *From:* Lnc-business [mailto:lnc-business-bounces@hq.lp.org] *On >>>> Behalf Of *Caryn Ann Harlos >>>> *Sent:* Sunday, December 18, 2016 12:14 PM >>>> *To:* Ken Moellman <ken.moellman(a)lpky.org> >>>> *Cc:* Libertarian National Committee list <lnc-business(a)hq.lp.org> >>>> *Subject:* Re: [Lnc-business] Marijuana Resolution - Request for >>>> Co-Sponsors >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Thank you Ken, I will do that. If you want to privately email me other >>>> things you would change the Alaska Chair is actively seeking feedback. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> -Caryn Ann >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> On Sun, Dec 18, 2016 at 11:11 AM, Ken Moellman <ken.moellman(a)lpky.org> >>>> wrote: >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> While you are providing AK feedback, I would like to suggest the >>>> removal of a couple of things.... >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> "Whereas, cannabis is less harmful than alcohol and tobacco;" >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> I don't like the use of "comparatives". Saying that cannabis is less >>>> harmful than tobacco and alcohol only encourages the nanny-statists to ban >>>> tobacco and alcohol. IMO, we should be framing all arguments from a >>>> "people have the right to do what they want to do", not a "well those guys >>>> are allowed to do that and that's worse." >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> "Whereas, existing cannabis laws have not had a significant impact on >>>> cannabis availability;" >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> This should also be removed. There are many people who would use >>>> cannabis as a medicinal who are forbidden from doing so. For that matter, >>>> the DEA just reclassified/clarified CBD as Schedule I. It suggests that >>>> the laws don't work anyway so why is there a need to change them? >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> There are some other things I'd change, and re-arrange, but the two >>>> above should be removed IMO. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> --- >>>> >>>> Ken C. Moellman, Jr. >>>> LNC Region 3 Alternate Representative >>>> LPKY Judicial Committee >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> On 2016-12-18 09:08, Caryn Ann Harlos wrote: >>>> >>>> That is a fair point I will bring to Alaska's attention. Thanks! >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> -Caryn Ann >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> On Sun, Dec 18, 2016 at 6:29 AM Sam Goldstein < >>>> goldsteinatlarge(a)gmail.com> wrote: >>>> >>>> Caryn Ann, >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Other than being entirely too long, I cannot support any resolution >>>> that "calls on federal and state legislators to develop new >>>> programs". Our goal is to shrink government at all levels, not to increase >>>> it. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Live free, >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Sam Goldstein >>>> >>>> Libertarian National Committee >>>> >>>> Member at Large >>>> >>>> 8925 N Meridian St, Ste 101 >>>> >>>> Indianapolis IN 46260 >>>> >>>> 317-850-0726 <(317)%20850-0726> Phone >>>> >>>> 317-582-1773 <(317)%20582-1773> Fax >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> On Sun, Dec 18, 2016 at 3:01 AM, Caryn Ann Harlos < >>>> carynannharlos(a)gmail.com> wrote: >>>> >>>> I withdrew this from the agenda and deferred to ask by email vote. The >>>> Alaska affiliate requested me to bring this before the LNC - requesting >>>> co-sponsors >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Whereas, cannabis is less harmful than alcohol and tobacco; >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Whereas, existing cannabis laws represent vast government over >>>> >>>> -- *In Liberty,* *Caryn Ann Harlos* Region 1 Representative, Libertarian National Committee (Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Washington) - Caryn.Ann. Harlos(a)LP.org <Caryn.Ann.Harlos(a)LP.org> Communications Director, Libertarian Party of Colorado <http://www.lpcolorado.org> Colorado State Coordinator, Libertarian Party Radical Caucus <http://www.lpradicalcaucus.org>

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Government censors Backpage.com - Request for LP press release
by Starchild 10 Jan '17

10 Jan '17

Today, classified ads site Backpage.com followed in the footsteps of Craigslist and reluctantly bowed to government pressure by closing the erotic services section of its website in the United States (see http://www.backpage.com/classifieds/Media ). Previously in 2016, the site had won a legal victory in the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, against an Illinois county sheriff who successfully pressured credit card companies Visa and Mastercard to stop doing business with Backpage by sending them threatening letters. The libertarian Institute for Justice weighed in on the importance of that victory here: http://www.forbes.com/sites/instituteforjustice/2015/12/14/posner-backpage-… Ironically, even many in law enforcement have commended Backpage for its cooperation in going after coercive human trafficking and child prostitution: http://www.backpage.com/statements/Support-from-the-Law-Enforcement-Communi… Some in Congress however, have a different agenda. The Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, part of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs, has been hounding the site, culminating in a hearing today at which representatives of the site were compelled to appear, and which precipitated the site's decision to self-censor in accord with the government's demands. As Backpage's legal counselors wrote to members of the subcommittee in a letter today: "Since mid-2015, the Subcommittee has, for reasons unrelated to the legislative responsibilities of the Congress, sought to compel Backpage, an online publisher of third party-created advertisements, to provide a virtually unlimited amount of information regarding the company's core editorial decisions: what material it would publish and what material it would not publish. Backpage strongly believes that this core activity lies at the very heart of the protection against government interference afforded to publishers of both print and on-line speech by the First Amendment. Backpage believes that the Subcommittee's quest for this information is not for the purpose of informing the legislative work of the Senate, but rather is part of a coordinated effort to drive Backpage out of business. As Judge Richard Posner has described efforts by others in government with whom the Subcommittee has coordinated, the goal is either to 'suffocate' Backpage out of existence or to use the awesome powers of the government to force Backpage to follow in the footsteps of Craigslist and to abandon its Adult advertising section." The letter from Backpage's counsel went on to effectively surrender, under protest: "...This Subcommittee and those with whom it has coordinated to subvert Backpage's constitutional rights have now achieved their objective. Today, throughout the United States, the entire Adult Section of the Backpage on-line classified advertising website has been censored and shut down." The counselors pointed out that in using its powers to compel five witnesses from the company to appear at its hearing, the Subcommittee "force(d) individual Americans to choose between acceding to your demand that they attend this hearing or attending an already-set court proceeding in an effort to promptly have – for the second time – the unconstitutional charges filed against them thrown out." http://www.backpage.com/statements/Backpage-Letter-to-Committee-20170117.pdf The letter concluded that the Backpage witnesses would comply by attending the hearing (audio of which can be found here – http://www.capitolhearings.org/Hearing/SSGA00201701101000/dirksen342.aspx ), but would not be testifying, and would not be waiving their "objections to the forced appearance and questioning". I believe this matter is highly deserving of a Libertarian Party press release, and urge the chair and/or staff to issue one (ASAP, since this is obviously very time-senstitive). Here is a statement from me which you are welcome and encouraged to include: "Libertarian National Committee At-Large Representative Starchild, an erotic service provider who has advertised on the now-censored Adult Services section of Backpage, called the Subcommittee's actions hounding the media platform an unjustified abuse of power in the service of an intolerant, puritanical moral agenda that has nothing to do with national security. 'Once again, as with the Department of Homeland Security's 2015 raid on the offices of adult website Rentboy.com, we see a government body that's supposed to be concerned with things like terrorism and threats from overseas using its powers to go after American adults guilty of nothing more than providing an online forum for consenting sex workers and their clients to connect. The consequences of driving such activity underground or out of the country will be more crime, more violence, less ability for law enforcement to go after the real bad actors, and a loss of American jobs in the media and tech industries. Starchild and other Libertarians participated in protests against the Rentboy raids, and have supported other efforts to end the government's crusade against consensual sex work, such as backing a lawsuit in federal court to overturn California's anti-prostitution statute as unconstitutional on privacy and First Amendment grounds (see http://decriminalizesexwork.com/)" Love & Liberty, ((( starchild ))) At-Large Representative, Libertarian National Committee (415) 625-FREE @StarchildSF

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Re: [Lnc-business] EFC Update and Extension
by William Redpath 09 Jan '17

09 Jan '17

No objection. Bill Redpath -------------------------------------------- On Mon, 1/9/17, Alicia Mattson <agmattson(a)gmail.com> wrote: Subject: Re: [Lnc-business] EFC Update and Extension To: lnc-business(a)hq.lp.org Date: Monday, January 9, 2017, 8:34 PM Yes, the motion adopted by the LNC specified a deadline (January 10, if memory serves) for the bids. Technically we would need another motion to amend it. In a face-to-face meeting we would very likely handle this by just asking, "Is there any objection to extending the deadline to January 30?" There would likely be no objection, and we'd be done. Rather than go through the formal exercise of an email ballot, why don't we just ask if there is any objection? If anyone objects to the deadline extension, speak up and then we'll do a formal email ballot. If not, then we're done. -Alicia On Mon, Jan 9, 2017 at 4:15 PM, Larry Sharpe <lsharpe(a)neo-sage.com> wrote: Hi LNC Team, Happy New Year. We have found four possible vendors for proposals. Each has our request and is scheduled to provide us with a plan/proposal by the end of this week. We will whittle these down and perhaps have a Q & A and/or a 2nd round before selecting 2 or 3 of them to present (heir plans with details) to the LNC. As I mentioned in a previous note, we will need to extend our deadline. It was challenging to get the right vendors who are the right size, with the right backgrounds, that are willing to help us with flexible pricing options. And when you add on the Holiday Season, this was even tougher. Therefore, with respect, the EFC requests an extension to January 30th to confidently be able to present options to the LNC. -- LarryLarry SharpeThe Neo-Sage Group, Inc.http://TheNeoSage.com/https://www.youtube.com/user/ TheNeoSagehttp://www.linkedin.com/in/ neosagehttps://www.facebook.com/ neosage212-307-3545 Instructing – Advancing – Inspiring ______________________________ _________________ Lnc-business mailing list Lnc-business(a)hq.lp.org http://hq.lp.org/mailman/ listinfo/lnc-business_hq.lp. org -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ Lnc-business mailing list Lnc-business(a)hq.lp.org http://hq.lp.org/mailman/listinfo/lnc-business_hq.lp.org

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