February 2018 - Lnc-business - Moellman Enterprises Email

Business E-mail Compromise Scam Warning
by Tim Hagan 12 Feb '18

12 Feb '18

Please forward this to the State Chairs list and ask them to read and also forward to their State and County Treasurers. I read that one of the affiliates has fallen victim and lost some of its funds to a Business E-mail Compromise scam. According to the FBI, thousands of businesses have been taken by this type of scam and about a billion dollars have been lost. The scammer will spoof the e-mail of an executive and request the person responsible for processing payments, such as the Treasurer, send a wire transfer. There is also a version where the scammer will spoof a vendor and ask that future payments be changed to a different account. As the National Treasurer, I have received a few e-mails spoofing to be from the Chair requesting that I transfer a payment to a vendor or consultant, usually by wire. In one case they wanted a cashier's check sent overnight. The scammers got our names, e-mails, and titles from the LP website. The Libertarian National Committee has procedures in place so the national party has never fallen for this type of scam, although I will have fun stringing along the scammer for awhile. Once I get their bank routing and account numbers, I file a complaint with the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center. I recommend the state and local parties implement procedures to protect themselves from this scam. Have a policy of no payments without an invoice or receipt. When I ask for a copy of the invoice, the scammer replies that he's in a meeting and will get it to me later but the payment is urgent. Confirm requests for transfers of funds, especially wire transfers and payments needing to go out that day. Use a known phone number of the vendor, the Chair, or the requester to verify the request. Scrutinize e-mail requests for transfer of funds to determine if the requests are out of the ordinary. In the scams I've received, the "From" has the Chair's e-mail address but the "Reply to" is different. For potentially sensitive e-mails, use your address book instead of the Reply. If you fall victim to a scam, do not delay contacting your financial institute and you local FBI office to see if they can help return or freeze the funds. Complaints can be filed with the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov More information is available at: FBI Public Service Announcement on this scam: www.ic3.gov/media/2015/150827-1.aspx and www.ic3.gov/media/2015/150122.aspx FBI News Story: www.fbi.gov/news/stories/business-e-mail-compromise Please contact me at treasurer(a)lp.org if you have any questions. Tim Hagan Treasurer, Libertarian National Committee P.S. Here is the thread from the latest Business E-mail Compromise sent to me starting last Friday, request $5,700 be sent to an account with the Bank of Montreal. My replies went to president_info(a)mail2world.com. Best to start at the bottom to see the flow of the story. The protest went well, except for spending the night in jail. We even got on the local news. Jail wasn't too bad. They even had the Olympics on the TV. Did you know that Nigeria sent a woman's bobsled team? --- Tim Hagan Treasurer, Libertarian National Committee On 2018-02-10 19:02, Nick Sarwark wrote: > > Oh! Am so sorry for the late response, am just picking this up now. I have been out all day and just getting home. Hope you have sorted things out and you should have been home by now. How does the protect went? Am sorry once again for not been at help and i hope you understand. > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Well, some of us got arrested for trespassing at the protest. The bond is only $274, which is $200 plus $74 court cost. The jail won't take my credit card to post the bond, but can take Western Union. Can you send $274 to the DC Detention Center? I will get the details of where to send it from the officer. > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > Got it, Nick. I'm at a protest right now. I will send the payment as soon as I get home. > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > Kindly Acknowledged you received my previous email and get back to me once you are done with the payment. > > I look forward to your prompt reply. > > > Nick. > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > Hi Tim- Here is the Bank account with the Swift Code below : > > > > Name: Elaine Smeader > Address: 606 ave. K .N > City: Saskatoon > Province: Saskatchewan > Zip: S7L2M9 > > Acct no: 3966309 > Swift Code: BOFMCAM2 > Trabsit no: 20649 > Institution no: 001 > Bank name: BMO > Bank Address: 101 2nd Ave N, Saskatoon, SK S7K2A9 > > Amount: $5,700 CAD > > > Let me know once done. > > Thanks. > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > The bank said I need the SWIFT code for Elaine Smeader's bank. Please send me her phone number or e-mail address so I can get it from her. Thanks. > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > Hi Tim- Good morning and how are you doing? I want you to please contact our bank this morning to find out how to do the transfer or drive down to the bank to make this payment completed. Get back to me as soon as you possibly can. > > I await your quick response. > > > Nick. > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > I'm having problems transferring the payment to the bank in Canada. Apparently Canadian banks use a transit number that's different from US routing numbers. I may need to either call our bank in the morning to find out how to do the transfer or call Elaine Smeader to see if she will accept a cheque. Please e-mail me the invoice so I will have her contact information. > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > How is the payment going? Kindly get back to me with a copy of the confirmation receipt > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Ok Tim, The payment is requested is for professional services rendered to initiate the organization as a whole. > > --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > I need a better description than "professional services". That won't be descriptive enough for the accounting and the FEC report. What type of professional services? > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Tim- What is the payment status? Still waiting for your response. > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > The payment is for professional services. > > > --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Got it. What's the purpose of the payment? > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Ok graet, Kindly proceed with the details below: > > > Name: Elaine Smeader > ADDRESS: 606 ave. K .N > City: Saskatoon > Province: Saskatchewan > Zip: S7L2M9 > Bank name: BMO > Acct no: 3966309 > Trabsit no: 20649 > Institution no: 001 > Amount: $5,700 CAD > > Kindly acknowledge you receive the details and get back to me with the confirmation receipt once done. > > > Nick > > --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Yes, like I said, I can get the transfer done. > > --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > I am tied up in a meeting now, I will email you a back up documentation of the invoice at a later date for your record purpose. we'll discuss this officially when we meet. Let me know if you can handle this right away so i can forward you the bank details. > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Yes, I can do a bank transfer. Send me a copy of the invoice and I'll get it done. > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Tim, This is not a cheque payment, We are to send the payment by bank transfer. Please confirm to me if this can be done as soon as you possibly can so I can get back to you with the necessary details. > > > Your quick response will be highly appreciated. > > > Thanks > Nick. > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > Nick, > We have $47,494 in the checking account. Let me know where to send the check to and I'll get it out. > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Hi Tim, > > How are you doing? We have a payment of $5,700 that needs to go through, I need you to please check if we have enough funds to cover the amount requested. Kindly email back to confirm how soon you can get this done, so i can forward you the bank details. > > Regards > > Nick Sarwark. > > > Sent from my iPhone Please forward this to the State Chairs list and ask them to read and also forward to their State and County Treasurers. I read that one of the affiliates has fallen victim and lost some of its funds to a Business E-mail Compromise scam. According to the FBI, thousands of businesses have been taken by this type of scam and about a billion dollars have been lost. The scammer will spoof the e-mail of an executive and request the person responsible for processing payments, such as the Treasurer, send a wire transfer. There is also a version where the scammer will spoof a vendor and ask that future payments be changed to a different account. As the National Treasurer, I have received a few e-mails spoofing to be from the Chair requesting that I transfer a payment to a vendor or consultant, usually by wire. In one case they wanted a cashier's check sent overnight. The scammers got our names, e-mails, and titles from the LP website. The Libertarian National Committee has procedures in place so the national party has never fallen for this type of scam, although I will have fun stringing along the scammer for awhile. Once I get their bank routing and account numbers, I file a complaint with the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center. I recommend the state and local parties implement procedures to protect themselves from this scam. Have a policy of no payments without an invoice or receipt. When I ask for a copy of the invoice, the scammer replies that he's in a meeting and will get it to me later but the payment is urgent. Confirm requests for transfers of funds, especially wire transfers and payments needing to go out that day. Use a known phone number of the vendor, the Chair, or the requester to verify the request. Scrutinize e-mail requests for transfer of funds to determine if the requests are out of the ordinary. In the scams I've received, the "From" has the Chair's e-mail address but the "Reply to" is different. For potentially sensitive e-mails, use your address book instead of the Reply. If you fall victim to a scam, do not delay contacting your financial institute and you local FBI office to see if they can help return or freeze the funds. Complaints can be filed with the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov More information is available at: FBI Public Service Announcement on this scam: www.ic3.gov/media/2015/150827-1.aspx and www.ic3.gov/media/2015/150122.aspx FBI News Story: www.fbi.gov/news/stories/business-e-mail-compromise Please contact me at treasurer(a)lp.org if you have any questions. Tim Hagan Treasurer, Libertarian National Committee P.S. Here is the thread from the latest Business E-mail Compromise sent to me starting last Friday, request $5,700 be sent to an account with the Bank of Montreal. My replies went to president_info(a)mail2world.com. Best to start at the bottom to see the flow of the story. The protest went well, except for spending the night in jail. We even got on the local news. Jail wasn't too bad. They even had the Olympics on the TV. Did you know that Nigeria sent a woman's bobsled team? --- Tim Hagan Treasurer, Libertarian National Committee On 2018-02-10 19:02, Nick Sarwark wrote: > > Oh! Am so sorry for the late response, am just picking this up now. I have been out all day and just getting home. Hope you have sorted things out and you should have been home by now. How does the protect went? Am sorry once again for not been at help and i hope you understand. > > > ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- > > Well, some of us got arrested for trespassing at the protest. The bond is only $274, which is $200 plus $74 court cost. The jail won't take my credit card to post the bond, but can take Western Union. Can you send $274 to the DC Detention Center? I will get the details of where to send it from the officer. > > > ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- > > > Got it, Nick. I'm at a protest right now. I will send the payment as soon as I get home. > > > ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- > > > Kindly Acknowledged you received my previous email and get back to me once you are done with the payment. > > I look forward to your prompt reply. > > > Nick. > > > ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- > > > Hi Tim- Here is the Bank account with the Swift Code below : > > > > Name: Elaine Smeader > Address: 606 ave. K .N > City: Saskatoon > Province: Saskatchewan > Zip: S7L2M9 > > Acct no: 3966309 > Swift Code: BOFMCAM2 > Trabsit no: 20649 > Institution no: 001 > Bank name: BMO > Bank Address: 101 2nd Ave N, Saskatoon, SK S7K2A9 > > Amount: $5,700 CAD > > > Let me know once done. > > Thanks. > > ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- > > > The bank said I need the SWIFT code for Elaine Smeader's bank. Please send me her phone number or e-mail address so I can get it from her. Thanks. > > ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- > > > Hi Tim- Good morning and how are you doing? I want you to please contact our bank this morning to find out how to do the transfer or drive down to the bank to make this payment completed. Get back to me as soon as you possibly can. > > I await your quick response. > > > Nick. > > ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- > > > I'm having problems transferring the payment to the bank in Canada. Apparently Canadian banks use a transit number that's different from US routing numbers. I may need to either call our bank in the morning to find out how to do the transfer or call Elaine Smeader to see if she will accept a cheque. Please e-mail me the invoice so I will have her contact information. > > ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- > > How is the payment going? Kindly get back to me with a copy of the confirmation receipt > > ----------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- > > Ok Tim, The payment is requested is for professional services rendered to initiate the organization as a whole. > > ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------- > > I need a better description than "professional services". That won't be descriptive enough for the accounting and the FEC report. What type of professional services? > > ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- > > Tim- What is the payment status? Still waiting for your response. > > ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- > > > The payment is for professional services. > > > ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------- > > Got it. What's the purpose of the payment? > > ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- > > Ok graet, Kindly proceed with the details below: > > > Name: Elaine Smeader > ADDRESS: 606 ave. K .N > City: Saskatoon > Province: Saskatchewan > Zip: S7L2M9 > Bank name: BMO > Acct no: 3966309 > Trabsit no: 20649 > Institution no: 001 > Amount: $5,700 CAD > > Kindly acknowledge you receive the details and get back to me with the confirmation receipt once done. > > > Nick > > ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------- > > Yes, like I said, I can get the transfer done. > > ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------- > > I am tied up in a meeting now, I will email you a back up documentation of the invoice at a later date for your record purpose. we'll discuss this officially when we meet. Let me know if you can handle this right away so i can forward you the bank details. > > > ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- > > Yes, I can do a bank transfer. Send me a copy of the invoice and I'll get it done. > > ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- > > Tim, This is not a cheque payment, We are to send the payment by bank transfer. Please confirm to me if this can be done as soon as you possibly can so I can get back to you with the necessary details. > > > Your quick response will be highly appreciated. > > > Thanks > Nick. > > ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- > > > Nick, > We have $47,494 in the checking account. Let me know where to send the check to and I'll get it out. > > > ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- > > Hi Tim, > > How are you doing? We have a payment of $5,700 that needs to go through, I need you to please check if we have enough funds to cover the amount requested. Kindly email back to confirm how soon you can get this done, so i can forward you the bank details. > > Regards > > Nick Sarwark. > > > Sent from my iPhone

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houseparty in Denver on April 20, 2018
by Lauren Daugherty 09 Feb '18

09 Feb '18

LNC members, When you book your travel to Denver for the April LNC meeting, please remember that we'll be hosting a houseparty the night before, on April 20. It will start at 6 PM. I'll post more details closer to the time. Lauren --- Lauren Daugherty Head of Development Libertarian National Committee

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Note about our electronic meeting
by Caryn Ann Harlos 05 Feb '18

05 Feb '18

I think we made an error. It doesn't affect the outcome but I have seen members comment on this (and big surprise, there are a vocal few who are seeing a conspiracy in it) but I don't think Arvin should have been allowed to vote on the censure motion. Our Bylaws supersede RONR on suspension (and I think our Bylaws are flawed there but it is what it is) but do not supersede RONR on censure. Thus I think it was in order for Arvin to vote on suspension but not in order for him to vote on censure. Thoughts? -- *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> Chair, LP Historical Preservation Committee A haiku to the Statement of Principles: *We defend your rights* *And oppose the use of force* *Taxation is theft* I think we made an error. It doesn't affect the outcome but I have seen members comment on this (and big surprise, there are a vocal few who are seeing a conspiracy in it) but I don't think Arvin should have been allowed to vote on the censure motion. Our Bylaws supersede RONR on suspension (and I think our Bylaws are flawed there but it is what it is) but do not supersede RONR on censure. Thus I think it was in order for Arvin to vote on suspension but not in order for him to vote on censure. Thoughts? -- In Liberty, Caryn Ann Harlos Region 1 Representative, Libertarian National Committee (Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Washington) - [1]Caryn.Ann. Harlos(a)LP.org Communications Director, [2]Libertarian Party of Colorado Chair, LP Historical Preservation Committee A haiku to the Statement of Principles: We defend your rights And oppose the use of force Taxation is theft References 1. mailto:Caryn.Ann.Harlos@LP.org 2. http://www.lpcolorado.org/

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Cool story on party archives
by Caryn Ann Harlos 04 Feb '18

04 Feb '18

I am going to write up something on this with pictures but this is a fantastic volunteer story. After the ad came out on the LP site for historical volunteers I received a note from a lady overseas who asked if she could volunteer - only time, no money. After clearing it with Wes we had a few discussions and she told me that she would be in CO in the beginning of Feb. I assumed this was a side project to an already planned trip or regular visits to the US. No, she came here specifically for three weeks to volunteer with the historical project. She lives in Italy and is involved in alternative parties there, and was involved with the Radical Party of Italy (we had some brochures from them in our records) - it is a libertarian organization. She is an archivist that has worked with medieval documents but was interested in working on modern political history. What a fantastic volunteer spirit. She learned about the US LP because she was visiting a friend in Florida in 2016 who asked if she wanted to check out convention. She met me there at the Radical Caucus booth - and then later when she saw the ad she remembered me and got in touch. In April, there are other folks that are coming to volunteer up to a week of time (David Pratt Demarest and his lovely wife and Michael Chastain). This is truly a labour of love. -- *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> Chair, LP Historical Preservation Committee A haiku to the Statement of Principles: *We defend your rights* *And oppose the use of force* *Taxation is theft* I am going to write up something on this with pictures but this is a fantastic volunteer story. After the ad came out on the LP site for historical volunteers I received a note from a lady overseas who asked if she could volunteer - only time, no money. After clearing it with Wes we had a few discussions and she told me that she would be in CO in the beginning of Feb. I assumed this was a side project to an already planned trip or regular visits to the US. No, she came here specifically for three weeks to volunteer with the historical project. She lives in Italy and is involved in alternative parties there, and was involved with the Radical Party of Italy (we had some brochures from them in our records) - it is a libertarian organization. She is an archivist that has worked with medieval documents but was interested in working on modern political history. What a fantastic volunteer spirit. She learned about the US LP because she was visiting a friend in Florida in 2016 who asked if she wanted to check out convention. She met me there at the Radical Caucus booth - and then later when she saw the ad she remembered me and got in touch. In April, there are other folks that are coming to volunteer up to a week of time (David Pratt Demarest and his lovely wife and Michael Chastain). This is truly a labour of love. -- In Liberty, Caryn Ann Harlos Region 1 Representative, Libertarian National Committee (Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Washington) - [1]Caryn.Ann. Harlos(a)LP.org Communications Director, [2]Libertarian Party of Colorado Chair, LP Historical Preservation Committee A haiku to the Statement of Principles: We defend your rights And oppose the use of force Taxation is theft References 1. mailto:Caryn.Ann.Harlos@LP.org 2. http://www.lpcolorado.org/

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I assume this is Liberty Hangout's Republican Lies
by arvin.vohra＠lp.org 04 Feb '18

04 Feb '18

But since people are asking, I thought I'd seek clarification. http://libertyhangout.org/2018/02/libertarian-party-wont-let-ron-paul-speak…

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Is there a chat log kept from the electronic meeting?
by Elizabeth Van Horn 03 Feb '18

03 Feb '18

To all who attended the electronic meeting. Is there a chat log kept? I'd like a copy of it if so. Thank you. -- Elizabeth Van Horn LNC Region 3 (IN, MI, OH, KY) Secretary Libertarian Party of Madison Co, Indiana Chair-LP Social Media Process Review Committee Vice-Chair Libertarian Pragmatist Caucus http://www.lpcaucus.org/ To all who attended the electronic meeting. Is there a chat log kept? I'd like a copy of it if so. Thank you. -- Elizabeth Van Horn LNC Region 3 (IN, MI, OH, KY) Secretary Libertarian Party of Madison Co, Indiana Chair-LP Social Media Process Review Committee Vice-Chair Libertarian Pragmatist Caucus [1]http://www.lpcaucus.org/ References 1. http://www.lpcaucus.org/

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Instructions for LNC Electronic Meeting - Friday, 02/02/18 @ 9:00 p.m. Eastern
by Alicia Mattson 02 Feb '18

02 Feb '18

Below (and attached) is the information needed for participating in the meeting. Please actually READ this material in advance, not just skim it two minutes prior to the meeting. -Alicia ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *What*: Electronic Meeting of the Libertarian National Committee *When*: Friday, 02/02/18 6:00 PM Pacific / 9:00 PM Eastern *Purpose*: to consider the motions for censure and suspension of the Vice Chairman To join the meeting: *https://lp.adobeconnect.com/lnc/ <https://lp.adobeconnect.com/lnc/>* Adobe Connect will need to install a browser add-on before you can join the meeting. If your computer prompts you to give permission for the installation, you will need to allow it. Some users may need to close and then re-open their browsers after installation of the add-on before you will be able to successfully enter the meeting room. When joining the meeting, each person should reference the instructions in the attached PDF, which explain that you should *sign into the meeting as a guest* and then *run the audio setup wizard* to select which microphone to use and test audio input/output levels. If you have never attended an Adobe Connect meeting before, test your connection and software in advance here: *https://lp.adobeconnect.com/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm <https://lp.adobeconnect.com/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm>* ----------------------------------------------------------------------- For visitors: Meeting visitors are responsible for complying with the following policies adopted by the LNC: Policy Manual Section 1.02.4 says: "LNC meetings are open to Party members, except while in Executive Session. However, participation is not permitted except by majority vote of the committee." Policy Manual Section 1.02.7 pertaining to Electronic Meetings contains the following provisions that are particularly relevant to visitors: i) Each participant must accurately identify himself by name when joining the meeting. *Videoconference participants other than members or alternates of the committee must precede their sign-in name with “zz” so as to group them at the end of the alphabetical participant list.* j) Electronic meeting participants must try to eliminate, as much as possible, background noise, echoes, and call waiting interruptions. Participants shall not place their telephone connection on hold if the system has music or messages playing while in that mode. k) All participants legally consent to having the meetings recorded, should the committee opt to do so. n) If the committee permits, participants other than members or alternates of the committee may observe videoconferences using Adobe Connect (and not by a toll-free number) *with their web cameras off and their microphones muted*. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- For LNC members/alternates only: *Teleconference Backup Option*. As explained below, joining by computer videoconference is the best way to fully participate. If circumstances mean that you need to participate via telephone instead of via videoconference, you need to contact me *in advance* of the meeting so that I can: 1) provide you with the dial-in number, and 2) configure the videoconference to connect to the teleconference before the meeting starts There are several drawbacks to just using the telephone connection, so participation via internet is strongly encouraged. Phone participants can't raise a silent electronic hand to request recognition to speak. They just have to interrupt someone to let the chair know they want to speak. We use electronic status indicators to vote, so if someone is on the phone, we have to remember to get their vote verbally while others vote electronically. Phone users can't see chat messages from others. They can't see whose hands are raised. They can't see any materials displayed on the screen. You do miss information if you're telephone only, so please join via web if at all possible. *Special Rules*. The LNC’s rules for electronic meetings can be found in Policy Manual Section 1.02.7, and you should review them prior to the meeting. *Equipment*. To fully participate by web with both video and audio in an electronic meeting, you need the following: 1) a computer with high-speed internet access, with the aforementioned web browser add-in installed, and with your software versions tested and approved at the link in the meeting invitation above. If you have a slow connection (like a cell tower) the audio/video may cut in and out for you. 2) a webcam to transmit your video. It is possible to participate without a webcam, so long as you have a separate microphone. Even if you have a webcam, you're not obligated to turn on your video transmission if you're in your pajamas, or it's bogging down your internet connection, etc. You can turn on your microphone and your webcam independently in the Adobe Connect meeting room. You can still use the microphone on your webcam even if your video feed is off. 3) a microphone to transmit your audio when you speak. Most webcams have microphones built in, and that will work just fine. If yours is a video-only webcam, then you need a separate microphone plugged into the microphone jack on your computer. 4) It is *VERY IMPORTANT* that you use earbuds or headphones plugged into your computer's headphone jack to listen to the meeting. Yes, you can hear fine through your computer speakers, but the problem is that after the audio comes out through your speakers, it feeds back in through your open microphone and re-transmits the audio to other participants, creating an echo. Echoes are maddening and disruptive for the other participants. If you already have earbuds for a phone or iPod, that will work. Mine cost a whopping $5, and they work great. $5 ones are readily available in the gadget sections at many types of stores. You don't have to spend $50 on fancy headphones. If you attempt to participate via the web but without either webcam or a separate microphone, well, you will be able to hear us, but we won't be able to hear you, and that's a problem. You would be able to raise your electronic hand in the meeting, but your only means of communication would be to send us written messages in the chat window, which we may or may not notice, and I don't think that's adequate. If you have neither webcam nor microphone, you really should use the telephone connection instead, and as noted above, you must notify me in advance that you need it. *Mobile Participation*. Even though it is technically possible to use a mobile device to join one of these meetings, you are mistaken if you think you can participate meaningfully while driving down the road in your car and connecting with your iPhone/iPad. It's dangerous. You can't pay attention to anything shown on the screen, and even the audio won't have your full attention because you're driving. Raising your hand, or voting, or trying to adjust your microphone is the equivalent of texting while driving. You're much more likely to lose your connection as your signal is transferred from one cell tower to another. Etc. *Quiet Location*. You should make arrangements to be in a reasonably quiet location. Don't be in a bowling alley or a night club or a grocery store. Children should be supervised by someone else in another room. Barking dogs or other noise-producing pets should be put in another location where they won't be heard by the rest of us. Below (and attached) is the information needed for participating in the meeting. Please actually READ this material in advance, not just skim it two minutes prior to the meeting. -Alicia ----------------------------------------------------------------------- What: Electronic Meeting of the Libertarian National Committee When: Friday, 02/02/18 6:00 PM Pacific / 9:00 PM Eastern Purpose: to consider the motions for censure and suspension of the Vice Chairman To join the meeting: [1]https://lp.adobeconnect.com/lnc/ Adobe Connect will need to install a browser add-on before you can join the meeting. If your computer prompts you to give permission for the installation, you will need to allow it. Some users may need to close and then re-open their browsers after installation of the add-on before you will be able to successfully enter the meeting room. When joining the meeting, each person should reference the instructions in the attached PDF, which explain that you should sign into the meeting as a guest and then run the audio setup wizard to select which microphone to use and test audio input/output levels. If you have never attended an Adobe Connect meeting before, test your connection and software in advance here: [2]https://lp.adobeconnect.com/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm ----------------------------------------------------------------------- For visitors: Meeting visitors are responsible for complying with the following policies adopted by the LNC: Policy Manual Section 1.02.4 says: "LNC meetings are open to Party members, except while in Executive Session. However, participation is not permitted except by majority vote of the committee." Policy Manual Section 1.02.7 pertaining to Electronic Meetings contains the following provisions that are particularly relevant to visitors: i) Each participant must accurately identify himself by name when joining the meeting. Videoconference participants other than members or alternates of the committee must precede their sign-in name with “zz” so as to group them at the end of the alphabetical participant list. j) Electronic meeting participants must try to eliminate, as much as possible, background noise, echoes, and call waiting interruptions. Participants shall not place their telephone connection on hold if the system has music or messages playing while in that mode. k) All participants legally consent to having the meetings recorded, should the committee opt to do so. n) If the committee permits, participants other than members or alternates of the committee may observe videoconferences using Adobe Connect (and not by a toll-free number) with their web cameras off and their microphones muted. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- For LNC members/alternates only: Teleconference Backup Option. As explained below, joining by computer videoconference is the best way to fully participate. If circumstances mean that you need to participate via telephone instead of via videoconference, you need to contact me in advance of the meeting so that I can: 1) provide you with the dial-in number, and 2) configure the videoconference to connect to the teleconference before the meeting starts There are several drawbacks to just using the telephone connection, so participation via internet is strongly encouraged. Phone participants can't raise a silent electronic hand to request recognition to speak. They just have to interrupt someone to let the chair know they want to speak. We use electronic status indicators to vote, so if someone is on the phone, we have to remember to get their vote verbally while others vote electronically. Phone users can't see chat messages from others. They can't see whose hands are raised. They can't see any materials displayed on the screen. You do miss information if you're telephone only, so please join via web if at all possible. Special Rules. The LNC’s rules for electronic meetings can be found in Policy Manual Section 1.02.7, and you should review them prior to the meeting. Equipment. To fully participate by web with both video and audio in an electronic meeting, you need the following: 1) a computer with high-speed internet access, with the aforementioned web browser add-in installed, and with your software versions tested and approved at the link in the meeting invitation above. If you have a slow connection (like a cell tower) the audio/video may cut in and out for you. 2) a webcam to transmit your video. It is possible to participate without a webcam, so long as you have a separate microphone. Even if you have a webcam, you're not obligated to turn on your video transmission if you're in your pajamas, or it's bogging down your internet connection, etc. You can turn on your microphone and your webcam independently in the Adobe Connect meeting room. You can still use the microphone on your webcam even if your video feed is off. 3) a microphone to transmit your audio when you speak. Most webcams have microphones built in, and that will work just fine. If yours is a video-only webcam, then you need a separate microphone plugged into the microphone jack on your computer. 4) It is VERY IMPORTANT that you use earbuds or headphones plugged into your computer's headphone jack to listen to the meeting. Yes, you can hear fine through your computer speakers, but the problem is that after the audio comes out through your speakers, it feeds back in through your open microphone and re-transmits the audio to other participants, creating an echo. Echoes are maddening and disruptive for the other participants. If you already have earbuds for a phone or iPod, that will work. Mine cost a whopping $5, and they work great. $5 ones are readily available in the gadget sections at many types of stores. You don't have to spend $50 on fancy headphones. If you attempt to participate via the web but without either webcam or a separate microphone, well, you will be able to hear us, but we won't be able to hear you, and that's a problem. You would be able to raise your electronic hand in the meeting, but your only means of communication would be to send us written messages in the chat window, which we may or may not notice, and I don't think that's adequate. If you have neither webcam nor microphone, you really should use the telephone connection instead, and as noted above, you must notify me in advance that you need it. Mobile Participation. Even though it is technically possible to use a mobile device to join one of these meetings, you are mistaken if you think you can participate meaningfully while driving down the road in your car and connecting with your iPhone/iPad. It's dangerous. You can't pay attention to anything shown on the screen, and even the audio won't have your full attention because you're driving. Raising your hand, or voting, or trying to adjust your microphone is the equivalent of texting while driving. You're much more likely to lose your connection as your signal is transferred from one cell tower to another. Etc. Quiet Location. You should make arrangements to be in a reasonably quiet location. Don't be in a bowling alley or a night club or a grocery store. Children should be supervised by someone else in another room. Barking dogs or other noise-producing pets should be put in another location where they won't be heard by the rest of us. References 1. https://lp.adobeconnect.com/lnc/ 2. https://lp.adobeconnect.com/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm

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The Challenge of Populism
by david.demarest＠lp.org 02 Feb '18

02 Feb '18

After exhausting the sports and editorial pages in the Omaha World Herald this morning while digesting my oatmeal, I gave up reading the cereal box for entertainment and picked up the latest quarterly Cato's Letter (Winter 2018, Volume 16, Number 1). The lead story 'The Challenge of Populism' immediately caught my eye. The article captured the discussion by Peruvian novelist and 2010 Nobel laureate in literature Mario Vargas Llosa and his son Alvaro Vargas Llosa during Cato's Joseph K. McLaughlin Lecture Series in November 2017. I wondered how populism might relate to ongoing concerns about the direction of the Libertarian Party. The Lecturers contend that communism, as the major threat to democracy and liberty in the past, is being replaced rapidly by a populist appeal to nationalism and xenophobic blaming of 'others' for a country's problems. Communism as an ideology failed to deliver on its promises. Populism, however, presents a more difficult challenge because it is neither an ideology nor a system of principles that can be refuted with rationality. The lecturers allege that the popularity of populism is fueled by the free-lunch fiction that "sacrifice" is not necessary to solve a country's problems. The article has much value regarding the evils of populism. My only objection is the misuse of the word 'sacrifice' that evokes an image of value-agnostic altruistic self-sacrifice for the good of others demanded by institutional leaders, at the point of a gun in the case of government, as a thinly disguised smoke screen for self-aggrandizement of leaders who rely on our willing self-sacrifice. Rather than the lecturers' version of populist fiction that sacrifice is not necessary for prosperity, I believe the lecturers could have more accurately described populist attempts to delude their listeners as a promise of prosperity without the necessity of embracing the rigors of the free market. Fortunately, most Libertarians know better, as epitomized by our past Libertarian Party 'earned-lunch' standard of 'TANSTAAFL' (There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch), popularized by Robert Heinlein and Milton Friedman. However, are there other concerns about elements of populism the might be relevant to the direction that the Libertarian Party is headed? Is the Libertarian Party gradually drifting in the direction of populism, characterized by unwarranted glorifying of statist nationalist symbols of adventurist protectionism, propagandizing of our children's intellectual maturation, and smothering our freedom with misguided laws; compounded by the degradation of our principles and dilution of our message to fool voters; and, finally, xenophobic purging of any who might offend voters by challenging people to think outside the box for themselves, reject populism, and exercise free speech in the pursuit of freedom? Perhaps the nationalist and xenophobic threats of populism are indeed something to be wary of in our LNC deliberations and initiatives going forward as we seek to differentiate the Libertarian Party from the other two major parties that have no moral compass beyond getting elected.

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approved 01/16/18 EC minutes
by Alicia Mattson 02 Feb '18

02 Feb '18

Attached are the now-approved minutes from the 01/16/18 Executive Committee meeting. This includes the spelling correction on the name of the Illinois Ballot Access Director. Staff, please post to the website when you get a chance to do so. -Alicia Attached are the now-approved minutes from the 01/16/18 Executive Committee meeting. This includes the spelling correction on the name of the Illinois Ballot Access Director. Staff, please post to the website when you get a chance to do so. -Alicia

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December End-of-Month Financial Reports
by Tim Hagan 02 Feb '18

02 Feb '18

The December End-of-Month Financial Reports are attached. The year ended with a deficit of $41,424 versus a budgeted deficit of $284,900. Total Revenues for 2017 were $1,585,994, which is $86,794 higher than the budget. Total Expenses were $1,627,418, which is $156,682 below the budget. The Policy Manual requires me to report to the LNC budget lines that exceed the budgeted expense amount by 10% or $100, whichever is more. The 50-Affiliate Support Expense was $55,356. Its budget was $45,000, so Affiliate Support went over budget by $10,356 or 23%. The LNC had $6,831 of prepaid convention expenses and $101,728 of deferred convention revenue in 2017, both of which will be booked in 2018. --- Tim Hagan Treasurer, Libertarian National Committee The December End-of-Month Financial Reports are attached. The year ended with a deficit of $41,424 versus a budgeted deficit of $284,900. Total Revenues for 2017 were $1,585,994, which is $86,794 higher than the budget. Total Expenses were $1,627,418, which is $156,682 below the budget. The Policy Manual requires me to report to the LNC budget lines that exceed the budgeted expense amount by 10% or $100, whichever is more. The 50-Affiliate Support Expense was $55,356. Its budget was $45,000, so Affiliate Support went over budget by $10,356 or 23%. The LNC had $6,831 of prepaid convention expenses and $101,728 of deferred convention revenue in 2017, both of which will be booked in 2018. --- Tim Hagan Treasurer, Libertarian National Committee

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