new mexico liberty, may 2009
TRANSCRIPT
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May 2009 http://lpnm.us v.2.2 N
NEW MEXICO LIBERTY“Let Freedom Ring”
The Official Newsletter of the Libertarian Party of New Mexico
Table of Contents
Page 1 – Notes from the Editor
Page 2• Field Reports / Calendar •
Page 3 – A Lesson in Politics
Page 4• Voters Won't Board Streetcar II
Page 5• Montana Governor Signs New Gun
Law• Hostile bloggers facing fines, jail?
Page 6• Why Did it Have to be . . . Guns?•
Page 7 – Contacts / Internet Resources
Page 8•
Administrivia• The Unanimous Consent Challenge Page 9 – Enrollment / Renewal Form
Page 10 – Authorization for AutomaticTransfers
2010 Annual State Convention
This year's State Convention will be hosted by the Otero County LP in Alamogordo aHoliday Inn Express. The schedule will include speakers, the banquet and the Satuafternoon business session, including but not limited to election of officers and the CeCommittee. The new Central Committee will have its first meeting immediately followinDie-Hard Breakfast speaker on Sunday morning.
Openings in the LPNM
County Contacts (20)
Catron / Chaves / Cibola / Curry / De Baca / Eddy / GrantGuadalupe / Harding / Hidalgo / McKinley / Mora / Quay
Rio Arriba / San Miguel / Sierra / Socorro / Taos / Torrance / Union
College Contacts (4)
Eastern New Mexico University (Portales)New Mexico Tech (Socorro)
University of New Mexico (Various Campuses)Western New Mexico University (Silver City)
Contact the state chair if you're interested in filling a slot.If you don't, who will?
Candidates to Date
U.S. House of Representatives
District 1 – Alan Woodruff – alanwoodruff.com
State Legislature
State Representative, District 16 – Mike Blessing – mikewb1971.xanga.com (Exploratory committee at present)
State Senate, District 26 – Mike Blessing – mikewb1971.xanga.com (Exploratory committee at present)
New Mexico Liberty – May 2009 – Pa
Notes from the Editor by Mike Blessing [ [email protected] ]
YOUR ADVERTISING HERE?
CONTACT THE EDITOR OR
SEE PAGE 9 FOR DETAILSor EMAIL
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Calendar
Special Events
2010 Annual State Convention
The 2010 LPNM State Convention is scheduled for the weeke16-18 April 2009 for the greater Albuquerque area. More detafollow soon.
Bernalillo County LP Convention
Will run concurrent with the 2010 State Convention. Contact
Blessing for details.
LPNM Central Committee Meeting – 14 June 2009
The LPNM's Central Committee will have its regularly schedmeeting on Sunday, 14 June 2009. Lunch at 12 PM, meeting 1 PM to 3 PM. For location, contact State Chair Ken Cavanau505-489-8099 / [email protected] ]. County and CamContacts encouraged to attend!
Libertarian Media from New Mexico(not necessarily endorsed by LPNM)
Speaking Freely hosted by Paul Gessing and Jim Scarantino
Saturdays 9 – 10 AM on KJOY 1550 AMriograndefoundation.org/pg_rp.html
tinyurl.com/dcnpwm
Hemp TV – Tuesdays at 7PMmyspace.com/nmhemptv
The One Party State – Wednesdays at 11PMContact Lance Klafeta [ [email protected] ] for details
Reeferhead – Saturdays at 6PMmyspace.com/reeferheadtv
The Fringe Element thefringeelement.net / postpubco.com
New Mexico Liberty – May 2009 – Pa
Field ReportsFrom County Contacts
Bernalillo – The BCLP is hosting two meetings per month, onThursday, 7 May and Thursday, 21 May, 6:00 to 7:00 PM atFiesta's Restaurant & Lounge (Carlisle & Montogomery NE).Contact Mike Blessing for details [ [email protected] / 505-918-6567], or see the BCLP website – lpnm.us/bernalillo. Seexanga.com/kcufmedia for more information concerning The Weekly Sedition and New Mexico's Consumer Advocate.
Paul Gessing and Rio Grande Foundation have just established asocial-networking site for small-l libertarians called New MexicoLiberty – newmexicoliberty.com is the URL. This is in addition toother activities, which can be found at the RGF's site –riograndefoundation.org. Paul Gessing and Jim Scarantino havelaunched a radio show on JOY 1550 AM, along the lines of thelibertarian-oriented show that Bob Finch was seeking sponsors for.
Mark Curtis has taken over manning a table at the NMGCA gunshows at the Manuel Lujan Building at the State Fairgrounds.
Dona Ana – The next scheduled Dona Ana County CentralCommittee Meeting is 13 January 2010 at 6:30 PM to plan for thecounty convention. Contact chair for more information. Thecommittee would be delighted to meet before then with any DoñaAna County Libertarian wishing support in running for office or with
any ideas to advance the party or political issues that the partyshould address. Please contact the chair – [email protected] /575-541-9079, or check the LPDAC website – lpnm.us/dona-ana.
Otero – The Otero County LP meets on Wednesday, 6 May –contact Dr. Gilberto Heredia for more information [[email protected] / 575-439-8234 ], or see the OCLP website for details – lpnm.us/otero. The OCLP hosted this year's stateconvention in April.
Sandoval – The LPSC is having its monthly meetings on the fourthTuesday of each month. Tuesday, 26 May – The Sandoval CountyLibertarian Party will meet – contact Ron Bjornstad [[email protected] / 505-288-4228 ] for details.
Santa Fe – Ed Nagel is working on organizing an LPNM county
affiliate for Santa Fe County. Contact him at [email protected] call him at 505-471-6928. He'd appreciate any help he can get.
Monday, 11 May – The Santa Fe County LP meets at the SouthLibrary at 6:30 PM. Contact Ed Nagel for details [[email protected] / 505-474-0300 ].
Ed specified these directions for the South Library –
Although the mailing address is on Jaguar St, the best wayto get there is to turn south off Airport Rd onto Country ClubRd (by the golf course), proceed 6 tenths of a mile toValentine Way, and make a left (heading east), and animmediate right into the parking lot of the South Library.
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should be able to suggest something. Refrain from simply saan option is a bad idea, as we don’t want to be associated withparty of NO, instead, the party of ‘there is a better way’.
By doing this, over time, a person can gain the support of fellow citizens. For instance, when a good counter-proposal isforward, the citizens will ask for more thoughts on that subjecwell as look to us for further proposals. At some point in timmight even be suggested to you that you run for the city or cooffice yourself. Whether you want to run for office or not, thisbuild support for the libertarian movement.
For those that might be interested in running for office, youenjoy a higher degree of success by participating in this waywill create your own local support. Obviously, we encourunning for office, but I understand that many don’t want to do job. Still, we cannot advance our platform without it, except to dslowly. It is still possible to accomplish change by merely constsuggesting good alternatives. Over time, piece-by-piece, evencan change the approach of our governments.
From the models of the two major parties, we should consrunning and WINNING local office, even those that aassociated with a party designation. After doing a good job, msupport will be gained as well. This will create the opportunity tofor higher office, as a base level of support will already be in pFundamentally, I disagree of the “move up the ladder” as be
required approach, but that is the model, and we neeacknowledge that.
A key element that we need to focus upon is to attract the youcrowd. Though our government adversely affects all of usyoung people are already seriously damaged from governpolicies, and would be most receptive to the libertphilosophies. Though college campuses will be full of libertarians, these are generally short-lived relationships asstudents move on after graduation. This requires an ongstrategy of turnover. Most campuses require a staff membendorse our presence, with a number of students willing to supus in order to establish ourselves as an approved on-camgroup.
I would refrain from a lot of direct mail outreach, as it doesn’t
give us the return on investment that we would like. Insteaddirect mail to promote the “fun” activities that you might plan time. Planning “fun” events is fun in itself, and can include the efamily, without any political pressures included. It isn’t necessaschedule speakers at such events, as we are usually preachithe choir anyway. At the event, the political discussion will geneon their own, merely by attendees knowing that the Libertaorganized it. Leave it at that. Our opportunities will grow on own.
Lastly, when discussing our platform, it is usually more effewhen we inquire about the other persons’ opinion, long beforepropose our solutions. I have found over the thousands that I spoken with, that some of our positions will scare people awainstead, we let them steer, we can suggest moderation in
direction, and often they will be willing to move slightly, if not in our direction.
An example that I have found to be consistent, is our drug poWhen we propose the full legalization of all drugs, I have foundeven the pro-marijuana crowd will reject it as being dangerousmight consider talking about legalizing marijuana, and let the operson take it from there. I have heard a lot of support onpremise, but lose such support when I discuss all the substances. Leave it to say that America isn’t ready to legalizdrugs at this time. By stepping back a bit, we can gain a laportion of the voting populous, and not limit ourselves to the smpercentages.
[ Continued on Pag
New Mexico Liberty – May 2009 – Pa
New LPNM State Chair
Greetings. My name is Ken Cavanaugh, and I was recently electedas the new State Chairman of the Libertarian Party of New Mexicoat our State Convention. This was held in Alamagordo, OteroCounty, hosted by the Otero County affiliation. They did a fantastic job all around. I myself am pleased and thankful for this opportunityto work towards a stronger LPNM as we move forward.
Though relatively new to New Mexico (1½ years), I haveconsiderable experience from my year in southeast Pennsylvania inMontgomery County. A brief overview includes running for Montgomery County Commissioner in 1999 (did not make theballot), and U.S. House (13th – PA) in 2000, where I was on theballot. I garnered over 4000 votes in a district which had fewer than1500 registered libertarians. Though still only about 2% of theoverall vote, I clearly convinced some to vote for me that were notlibertarian.
Going beyond that, I was the County Chairman for Montgomery
County from 2001-2002, after which I relocated to Alabama. Hardto get things going there in that harsh Republican State.
Enough about me. At the State Convention, I pledged to put mostof my effort into building the local organizations, at whatever effortrequired. It has been said that “all politics is local”, and I firmlybelieve that. When reviewing the successes of the LNC over it’s 38years, we have failed to make it to Washington, or even a StateGovernors’ office. Even the Reform Party has managed to get intoMinnesota. I will point out that Jesse Ventura (true, with prowrestling name recognition) had been an elected mayor prior to hisvictory there.
What I feel we need to do is build our presence at the local level, sothat when we do run for the higher offices, we have alreadyestablished ourselves within as many local communities as
possible. Besides, it is far easier to win a local race than shootingfor U.S. House, or other high profile offices. This is not to say thatwe will not run for the higher offices, this also helps our visibility.
Though it is admittedly difficult to apply our platform at the locallevel, invariably there are opportunities if we are listening at the cityand county meetings. We would find, for example, that manyauthorities out there have invested in private enterprise, and aretaking losses when doing so. These are clear opportunities. Wehave to be there to give our input. This will take time and effort, Iunderstand. If we make headway in local communities, we stand abetter chance at winning at that level. Once we accomplish that, thevoters in those districts will be more inclined to support us at higher endeavors.
So, I encourage all of us to be attending meetings of the local and
county governments, in order to be in tune with the local issues.There will be occasion where we can suggest remedies to issueswhich are founded in libertarian concepts, and thus get the public tostart thinking that there ARE alternatives beyond that which theexisting elected officials think and propose. The key here is tosubmit thoughtful alternative that can accomplish the goals of whatever issue is on the table. Obviously, there are too manyvariables to address specifics here, but such issues will arise inthese meetings.
There may be times when a proposal doesn’t have an obviousalternative that can be readily suggested, yet the people inattendance may still display misgivings over their options. This willhappen often enough to give us the opportunity to create analternative solution. If one cannot be created at that time, please
send the issue upward through county and state affiliates, and we
Voice of the Chair by Ken Cavanaugh[ [email protected] ]
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Trains are indeed useful. For example, they move thousandtons of freight every day in this country. But all modetransportation should be judged based on an open and reacost-benefit analysis, not unrealistic expectations. Most citknew that the streetcar was not a good idea back in 2006. I bevoters are smart enough not to fall for the unrealistic prommade by a few train buffs.
Paul Gessing is president of New Mexico's Rio Grande Foundaa non-partisan, tax-exempt research and educational organizadedicated to principles of limited government, economic free
and individual responsibility.
[ Continued from Page 3 ]
Another is the IRS. This agency simply cannot be turned off llight switch, and New Mexico enjoys better than a two-topayback from this function. Take our shots at that which shoultransferred to the States (Federal Interstate Highway Taxesconverted to private enterprise. True, in the long run, elimingovernment agencies which are not authorized is the goalrequires a lot of discussion in order to describe how we waccomplish that.
I am NOT suggesting that we change our planks in any waysoftening the message to accommodate the larger percent opeople. If interested, they will read our planks, and come bac
clarification. This is still a good thing.
From the State level, I intend to keep a close eye on the activitiSanta Fe, in order to provide our feedback not only there, butinto the media to increase visibility in that way. Also, I expekeep our followers posted on potential issues there so that weensure that our local citizens are aware of such issues. As fonational level, I invite all of you to compose your own op-edvoice our opinions on those subjects. We pretty much all awhere we stand there.
Bottom line, visibility! Better yet, positive visibility! We need to sthat we are interested, and watching out for the best interest ofPeople, with our libertarian label. They will migrate towards us time.
So, I encourage all of us to attend the meetings, and conrunning for these local and county offices as time goes by. Fopart, I am readily available for support, and assistance in achiethese objectives.
Thank you for your time in reading my first message to all of yalso invite you contact me directly when you feel the need. I wreaching out to you often.
Ken CavanaughLPNM State Chairman 2009-2011
New Mexico Liberty – May 2009 – Pa
Back in 2006, the Rio Grande Foundation wasone of the leading opponents of the originalstreetcar. Since then, the issue has been “belowthe radar screen,” still on the agenda of many
policymakers, but lacking the momentum tomove forward due to public opposition. So, it waswith great interest that I read J.W. Madison's
article on these pages [ Albuquerque Journal – MWB] in which helaid out the case for a scaled-back “Streetcar II.”
Rather than laying out a clear and compelling case for thestreetcar, the author makes a series of points without citing wherethe data come from or how the supposedly positive traitsassociated with rail transit will manifest themselves here inAlbuquerque. His initial point about the relative efficiency of busesand train travel is indicative of this problem. He states that trainsare three times as efficient as buses, but fails to back this assertionup with any citation or data.
With a few Internet searches, I found this from transportation
analyst Randal O'Toole, “U.S. data show that buses consumeabout the same energy, per passenger mile, as SUVs. Buses andSUVs use about a quarter more energy than cars, which are aboutthe same as light rail.” So, the streetcar would be about as energyefficient as an automobile per passenger mile. That last phrase isthe key because a fully-loaded train is indeed very efficient, buttrains are almost never full outside of peak hours. Worse, whentransportation analysts say “full,” it means that you are cheek to jowl with your fellow passenger and standing, not just that everyseat is occupied.
Without going through each of Madison's points, each of whichcould be attacked individually with greater space, his concludingpoint that rail transit returns $4 to $8 for every dollar spent seemsdubious at best. There is no mention of how this number is derived
or justified, simply an assertion. According to the U.S. Departmentof Transportation, for every thousand passenger miles, transitreceives $118 in subsidy while highways actually subsidize other modes to the tune of negative $2. In other words, highway userspay more than they get back through gas taxes, vehicleregistrations, etc. If transit returns $4 to $8 for every dollar spent, itwould seem that $1 spent on a highway returns an exponentiallygreater amount.
The fact is that Albuquerque's bus system, which is based on“express” Rapid Ride buses operating on a few major arteries and“local” buses in other areas of town, serves the community quitewell and at a cost that is several times lower than the proposedstreetcar ever could, even in a limited area. An expensive newstreetcar could jeopardize this system, not complement it.
Los Angeles found this out the hard way in the late 1990s. That iswhen the city was sued by the NAACP and a coalition of bus riders,angry that expensive light rail projects were eating up scarceresources and causing the city to cut back on bus routes. The samething could easily occur in Albuquerque as resources would have tobe shifted and taxes would be raised in order to fund theconstruction and operation of a rail project benefitting one smallarea of town.
Ultimately (and unfortunately), for many people, rail is no longer justa method of moving people from one place to the other. Instead,advocates assert it will solve our environmental problems by beinggreen, renew our city centers, make us thinner by encouraging usto walk more, and improve our moods by eliminating traffic. Giventhese outsized expectations, it is no wonder that such projects don't
live up to expectations.
Liberty, Opportunity, Prosperity
Voters Won't Board Streetcar IIby Paul Gessing [ riograndefoundation.org ]
8 April2009 – tinyurl.com/cvoftx
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(via Carl Worden)
Executive Summary – The USA state of Montana has signed intopower a revolutionary gun law. I mean REVOLUTIONARY.
The State of Montana has defied the federal government and their gun laws. This will prompt a showdown between the federalgovernment and the State of Montana. The federal governmentfears citizens owning guns. They try to curtail what types of gunsthey can own. The gun control laws all have one common goal –confiscation of privately owned firearms.
Montana has gone beyond drawing a line in the sand. They havechallenged the Federal Government. The fed now either takes themon and risks them saying the federal agents have no right to violatetheir state gun laws and arrest the federal agents that try to enforce
the federal firearms acts. This will be a world-class event to watch.Montana could go to voting for secession from the union, which isreally throwing the gauntlet in Obama's face. If the federalgovernment does nothing they lose face. Gotta love it.
Important Points – If guns and ammunition are manufactured insidethe State of Montana for sale and use inside that state then thefederal firearms laws have no applicability since the federalgovernment only has the power to control commerce across statelines. Montana has the law on their side. Since when did the USAstart following their own laws especially the constitution of the USA,the very document that empowers the USA.
Silencers made in Montana and sold in Montana would be fullylegal and not registered. As a note silencers were first used beforethe 007 movies as a device to enable one to hunt without disturbing
neighbors and scaring game. They were also useful as devices tocontrol noise when practicing so as to not disturb the neighbors.
Silencers work best with a bolt-action rifle. There is a long barreland the chamber is closed tight so as to direct all the gases thoughthe silencer at the tip of the barrel. Semi-auto pistols and revolversdo not really muffle the sound very well except on the silver screen.The revolvers bleed gas out with the sound all over the place. Thesemi-auto pistols bleed the gases out when the slide recoils back.
Silencers are maybe nice for snipers picking off enemy soldierseven though they reduce velocity but not very practical for hit menshooting pistols in crowded places. Silencers were useful tools for gun enthusiasts and hunters.
There would be no firearm registration, serial numbers, criminal
records check, waiting periods or paperwork required. So in a shortperiod of time there would be millions and millions of unregistereduntraceable guns in Montana. Way to go Montana.
Discussion – Let us see what Obama does. If he hits Montana hardthey will probably vote to secede from the USA. The governor of Texas has already been refusing Federal money because he doesnot want to agree to the conditions that go with it and he has beensaying secession is a right they have as sort of a threat. Things areno longer the same with the USA. Do not be deceived by Obamaacting as if all is the same, it is not.
[The text of the act cited above can be found at the article's WebURL, included above – MWB ]
1st AMENDMENT ON TRIALHostile bloggers facing fines, jail?
Proposal 'comes close to making it federal offense to log onInternet'
By Bob Unruh, WorldNetDaily – 06 May 2009worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=9725
A new proposal in Congress is threatening fines and jail timwhat it calls "cyberbullying" – communications that include e-mand text messages that "cause substantial emotional distress."
The vague generalities are included in H.R. 1966 by CalifDemocrat Linda Sanchez and about a dozen co-sponsors.
But it already is being condemned as unconstitutional, unreaand probably ineffectual.
At Wired.com, in a report labeled "Threat Level," writer DKravets criticized the plan to demand "up to two years in prisothose whose electronic speech is meant to 'coerce, intimiharass, or cause substantial emotional distress.'"
"Instead of prison, perhaps we should say gulag," he wrote.
Such limits never would pass First Amendment muster, "unlesU.S. Constitution was altered without us knowing," he wroteSanchez, and the 14 other lawmakers who signed on toproposal are grandstanding to show the public they care a
children and are opposed to cyberbullying."The plan is labeled the Megan Meier Cyberbullying Preventionafter the 13-year-old Meier, whose suicide last year reportedlyprompted by a woman who utilized the MySpace social netwosite to send the teen critical messages.
Speak out now against limits on your speech!
The defendant in the case, Lori Drew, was accused undeComputer Fraud and Abuse Act.
"Sanchez's bill goes way beyond cyberbullying and comes clomaking it a federal offense to log onto the Internet or usetelephone," Kravets wrote. "The methods of communication whostile speech is banned include e-mail, instant messaging, bwebsites, telephones and text messages."
"We can't say what we think of Sanchez's proposal," he "Doing so would clearly get us two years in solitary confinemen
Wrote a contributor to the Wired forum page, "If passed,legislation could be easily abused with the effect of criminalizincriticism. You probably [couldn't] even criticize the legislation because it would cause Sen. Sanchez emotional distrespossibly be considered a form of intimidation."
The bill, which has been referred to the House Committee onJudiciary, states, "Whoever transmits in interstate or focommerce any communication, with the intent to coerce, intimiharass, or cause substantial emotional distress to a person, uelectronic means to support severe, repeated, and hostile behashall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than
years, or both."It states: "Cyberbullying can cause psychological harm, includepression; negatively impact academic performance, safetythe well-being of children in school; force children to chschools; and in some cases lead to extreme violent behaincluding murder and suicide."
New Mexico Liberty – May 2009 – Pa
Montana Governor Signs New Gun LawErnest Hancock [ ernesthancock.com ]
Date: 03 May 2009tinyurl.com/cct7qp
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County Contacts
Bernalillo – lpnm.us/bernalilloMike Blessing – 505-918-6567 / [email protected]
ColfaxRichard Moore – 575-377-6849 / [email protected]
Dona Ana – lpnm.us/dona-anaSiebert Ickler – 575-541-9079 / [email protected]
LeaChristina Groth – 575-397-9366
LincolnRichard Obergfell – 575-378-8025 / [email protected]
Los AlamosAllen Cogbill – 505-662-7833 / [email protected]
LunaMarilyn Steffen – 575-531-2556 / [email protected]
Otero – lpnm.us/otero Gilberto Heredia – 575-439-8234 / [email protected]
RooseveltKen Sanders – 505-749-2085
San Juan – sjclp.orgGary Wood – [email protected]
SandovalRon Bjornstad – 505-288-4228 / [email protected]
Santa FeEd Nagel – 505-471-6928 / [email protected]
Valencia
Abran Gabaldon – 505-864-6870 / [email protected]
LPNM Vacancies
Central Committee (1)
District 3 Representative, Seat A
County Contacts (20)
Catron / Chaves / Cibola / Curry / De Baca / Eddy / GrantGuadalupe / Harding / Hidalgo / McKinley / Mora / Quay
Rio Arriba / San Miguel / Sierra / Socorro / Taos / Torrance / U
College Contacts (3)
Eastern New Mexico University (Portales)New Mexico State University (Las Cruces)
New Mexico Tech (Socorro)University of New Mexico (Various Campuses)Western New Mexico University (Silver City)
Contact the state chair if you're interested in filling a sloIf you don't, who will?
New Mexico Liberty – May 2009 – Pag
Over the past 30 years, I've been paid to write almost two millionwords, every one of which, sooner or later, came back to the issueof guns and gun-ownership. Naturally, I've thought about the issuea lot, and it has always determined the way I vote.
People accuse me of being a single-issue writer, a single-issuethinker, and a single-issue voter, but it isn't true. What I've chosen,in a world where there's never enough time and energy, is to focuson the one political issue which most clearly and unmistakablydemonstrates what any politician – or political philosophy – is madeof, right down to the creamy liquid center.
Make no mistake: all politicians – even those ostensibly on the sideof guns and gun ownership – hate the issue and anyone, like me,who insists on bringing it up. They hate it because it's an X-raymachine. It's a Vulcan mind-meld. It's the ultimate test to which anypolitician – or political philosophy – can be put.
If a politician isn't perfectly comfortable with the idea of his averageconstituent, any man, woman, or responsible child, walking into ahardware store and paying cash – for any rifle, shotgun, handgun,machinegun, anything – without producing ID or signing one scrapof paper, he isn't your friend no matter what he tells you.
If he isn't genuinely enthusiastic about his average constituentstuffing that weapon into a purse or pocket or tucking it under acoat and walking home without asking anybody's permission, he's afour-flusher, no matter what he claims.
What his attitude – toward your ownership and use of weapons –conveys is his real attitude about you. And if he doesn't trust you,then why in the name of John Moses Browning should you trusthim?
If he doesn't want you to have the means of defending your life, doyou want him in a position to control it?
If he makes excuses about obeying a law he's sworn to uphold anddefend – the highest law of the land, the Bill of Rights -- do youwant to entrust him with anything?
If he ignores you, sneers at you, complains about you, or defamesyou, if he calls you names only he thinks are evil – like"Constitutionalist" – when you insist that he account for himself,hasn't he betrayed his oath, isn't he unfit to hold office, and doesn'the really belong in jail ?
Sure, these are all leading questions. They're the questions that ledme to the issue of guns and gun ownership as the clearest andmost unmistakable demonstration of what any given politician – or
political philosophy – is really made of.He may lecture you about the dangerous weirdos out there whoshouldn't have a gun – but what does that have to do with you?Why in the name of John Moses Browning should you be made tosuffer for the misdeeds of others? Didn't you lay aside the infantilenotion of group punishment when you left public school – or themilitary? Isn't it an essentially European notion, anyway – Prussian,maybe – and certainly not what America was supposed to be allabout?
And if there are dangerous weirdos out there, does it make seto deprive you of the means of protecting yourself from thForget about those other people, those dangerous weirdos, thabout you, and it has been, all along.
Try it yourself: if a politician won't trust you, why should you him? If he's a man – and you're not – what does his lack of trusyou about his real attitude toward women? If "he" happens to woman, what makes her so perverse that she's eager to rendefellow women helpless on the mean and seedy streets her pohelped create? Should you believe her when she says she wan
help you by imposing some infantile group health care programyou at the point of the kind of gun she doesn't want you to have
On the other hand – or the other party – should you beanything politicians say who claim they stand for freedom, but their feet and make excuses about repealing limits on your rigown and carry weapons? What does this tell you about theirmotives for ignoring voters and ramming through one infagroup trade agreement after another with other countries?
Makes voting simpler, doesn't it? You don't have to study eissue – health care, international trade – all you have to do isthis X-ray machine, this Vulcan mind-meld, to get beyond empty words and find out how politicians really feel. About you.that, of course, is why they hate it.
And that's why I'm accused of being a single-issue writer, thinand voter.
But it isn't true, is it?
New Mexico Liberty – May 2009 – Pa
Why Did it Have to be . . . Guns?by L. Neil Smith [ lneilsmith.org ]
lneilsmith.org/whyguns.html
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LPNM Central Committee
Chair Ken Cavanaugh – 505-489-8099 / [email protected]
Vice Chair Jay Vandersloot – 505-362-1733 / [email protected]
SecretarySiebert Ickler – 575-541-9079 / [email protected]
Treasurer Richard Obergfell – 505-378-8025 / [email protected]
At-Large Representative, Seat AAllen Cogbill – 505-662-7833 / [email protected]
At-Large Representative, Seat BAttila Csanyi –
District 1 Representative, Seat AMike Blessing – 505-918-6567 / [email protected]
District 1 Representative, Seat BBob Finch – 765-412-2374 / [email protected]
District 2 Representative, Seat AGilberto Heredia – 575-439-8234 / [email protected]
District 2 Representative, Seat B
Kathleen Hodgkinson –575-437-6042 / [email protected]
District 3 Representative, Seat ARon Bjornstad – 505-891-4541 / [email protected]
District 3 Representative, Seat BMike Moss – 505-564-4905 / [email protected]
Membership Coordinator Ron Bjornstad – 505-288-4228 / [email protected]
Press SecretaryBill Koehler – 505-264-0835 / [email protected]
Media Director Bob Finch – 765-712-2374 / [email protected]
Campus Contacts
Central New Mexico Community College [CNM]groups.myspace.com/cnmlibertariansMike Blessing – 505-918-6567 / [email protected]
College of Santa FeMorgan Wells – [email protected]
New Mexico State University [NMSU]Kathleen Hodgkinson –575-437-6042 / [email protected]
Internet Resources
Official Website – lpnm.usLPNM Forum – groups.yahoo.com/group/lpnm-forum
Caucus membership required, per the Central Committee
LPNM Discussion – groups.yahoo.com/lpnm-discussOpen forum (unmoderated for the most part)
Blog – lpofnm.blogspot.com
Facebook groupfacebook.com/group.php?gid=20233114967
Ning.com social utility – lpofnm.ning.com
Myspace group – groups.myspace.com/lpnm
County Contacts
Bernalillo – lpnm.us/bernalilloMike Blessing – 505-918-6567 / [email protected]
ColfaxRichard Moore – 575-377-6849 / [email protected]
Dona Ana – lpnm.us/dona-anaSiebert Ickler – 575-541-9079 / [email protected]
Lea
Christina Groth – 575-397-9366LincolnRichard Obergfell – 575-378-8025 / [email protected]
Los AlamosAllen Cogbill – 505-662-7833 / [email protected]
LunaMarilyn Steffen – 575-531-2556 / [email protected]
Otero – lpnm.us/otero Gilberto Heredia – 575-439-8234 / [email protected]
RooseveltKen Sanders – 505-749-2085
San Juan – sjclp.org
Gary Wood – [email protected]
SandovalRon Bjornstad – 505-288-4228 / [email protected]
Santa FeEd Nagel – 505-471-6928 / [email protected]
ValenciaAbran Gabaldon – 505-864-6870 / [email protected]
LPNM Vacancies
County Contacts (20)
Catron / Chaves / Cibola / Curry / De Baca / Eddy / GrantGuadalupe / Harding / Hidalgo / McKinley / Mora / QuayRio Arriba / San Miguel / Sierra / Socorro / Taos / Torrance / U
College Contacts (4)
Eastern New Mexico University (Portales)
New Mexico Tech (Socorro)
University of New Mexico (Various Campuses)
Western New Mexico University (Silver City)
Contact the state chair if you're interestedin filling a slot.
If you don't, who will?
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Administriviaby Mike Blessing, Editor
If you have news, interesting stories, op-ed pieces, a letter to theeditor, or timely information that you think belongs in the newsletter,please send it along. I can be contacted at 505-918-6567, or justsend it to email address [email protected].
When sending your submission as an MS Word (or Open OfficeText) file, send it single-spaced in 9-pt Arial – like this is. Marginsshould be quarter-inch (0.25”) around, with no headers or footers. If you send it in a text-only format, make it clear to me if you wantanything in bold type, underlined, in italics, struck-through,different colors, etc. I’m not telepathic here, so help me out. AndNO Wordperfect files – I can't open those.
Graphics (pictures, cartoons, etc.) – send the highest qualitygraphics you can – email them to me at the address above, and I’lldo what I can to get them in the next issue. In particular, what Iwant are pictures of YOU the LPNM members, either at LPNM-sponsored events or at other peoples' events. Submission deadlinefor each issue – midnight, third Tuesday of the month.
Articles
As for writing your article, It should be concise (no longer than a fullpage) and topical. A bit of humor helps, especially for op-ed pieces.What I'm really looking for in the way of articles is what's going onin the LPNM – what YOU the membership are up to in spreadingthe message. For example, an article about the stupidity, insanityand evil of the UN might get put in, depending on available spaceand the quality of the article. A group of LPNM members counter-protesting the raising of a UN flag by the city council WILL get putin, and probably will get first priority.
Editorial Viewpoint
The basis for libertarian thought is the Zero Aggression Principle[ZAP] –
A libertarian is someone who believes that no human beinghas the right – under any circumstances – to initiate forceagainst another human being, nor to threaten, incite or
delegate its initiation.New Mexico Liberty holds that Libertarian candidates, officeholdersor appointed spokespersons at all levels of government or the Partyshould refrain from advocating new or more restrictive laws, new or more expensive spending programs, or new or higher taxes. Toparaphrase from the medical profession, “First, do no harm.”
Submissions Policy
The editor reserves the right to refuse service to anyone for anyreason. The editor will most often be willing to explain any suchreasons. Appeals of the editor's refusal to post an advertisement,article, letter to editor, or anything else can be made to the LPNM'sState Chair, Central Committee and/or Judicial Council.
Copyright
Copyright © 2003–2009 Libertarian Party of New Mexico. All rightsreserved. Permission is explicitly granted for subscribers to recopyNew Mexico Liberty for non-commercial purposes, specifically asuse as an outreach tool, provided that New Mexico Liberty is copiedin its entirety. Use your imagination here.
Subscriptions and Correspondence
For a print subscription, contact Ron Bjornstad for details.Mexico Liberty will be posted to the web, in PDF format, to the section of the Google group I’ve set up for it –
groups.google.com/group/nmliberty
If you are moving or change your mailing address, please use us in the loop so we can keep your New Mexico Liberty comiyou – contact Ron Bjornstad [ [email protected] ] if youprint version subscriber. Otherwise, contact the editor.
Advertising in New Mexico Liberty
Current rates for year-long spots
Full page Ø60.00Half page Ø30.00Quarter page Ø15.00Business card Ø 8.00
Rates are subject to change at the discretion of the editor.editor will do his best to make any such changes only wabsolutely necessary.
Inserts – For an insert into the PDF version that goes out oveinternet, contact the editor at email address . For an insert intprint edition, contact Ron Bjornstad at email add
[email protected] or phone number 505-288-4228.
Ø – The symbol for Federal Reserve Note(s), as used by BostoParty in his books. In plain-text message traffic (such as email)acronym “FRN” will be used by the editor. See javelinpress.comore information. Also see the Wikipedia page for “FeReserve Note” – en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Reserve_Note.
THE LPNM OFFICIAL WEBSITE – lpnm.us
LPNM OFFICIAL MAILING ADDRESSAND PHONE NUMBER
918 Ivory Road SERio Rancho, NM 87124
505-288-4228
If the date on your mailing label reads before 06/01/09, it's to renew your LPNM membership.
THE UNANIMOUS CONSENT CHALLENGECASH Ø10,000 PRIZE
To the first person to write a logical and documented eshowing one of the following to be compatible with the Declarof Independence:
Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906
Federal Communications Act of 1934National Firearms Act of 1934
Banking Act of 1935
The Internal Revenue CodeControlled Substances Act of 1970
RICO Act of 1970Federal Elections Act of 1970
Plumbing Products Efficiency Act of 1992Anti-Money Laundering Act of 1992
USA PATRIOT Act of 2001Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002
This challenge is also on the web at tinyurl.com/hn982
To claim your prize, contactMike Blessing at 505-918-6567 or
send an email to [email protected]
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Libertarian Party of New MexicoEnrollment / Renewal / Donation Coupon
(Please print in all areas)
Name ___________________________________ Address ____________________________________
City ___________________________ State ________ Zip ______________ Phone _______________
Email _______________________ Employer ____________________ Occupation _________________
[ ] I am registered to vote as “Libertarian” in the State of New Mexico and wish to [ ] join or [ ] renew as a caumember. I am paying $25 annual dues. I will receive a one year (12 issues) subscription to the LPNM snewsletter “New Mexico Liberty” (the national “LP NEWS” IS NOT included) and I will have delegate status at sconventions. I oppose the initiation of force to achieve social or political goals:
Signed _____________________________________________
[ ] I am not registered to vote as “Libertarian” in the State of New Mexico and/or [ ] I do not wish to signstatement opposing the initiation of force to achieve social or political goals. I am paying $25.00 for a one yearissues) subscription to the LPNM state newsletter “New Mexico Liberty” (the national “LP NEWS” IS N
included). I understand that I will receive no other benefits.
[ ] I am making a DONATION to the LPNM in the amount of $ ________ to be applied as follows:
$_____ General Fund $_____ Chairman's Fund $_____ Major Player Fund $_____ Win One Fund
TOTAL of DUES or SUBSCRIPTION plus DONATION $_________ to be paid as follows:
[ ] by enclosed CHECK payable to “LPNM” (Sorry, we cannot accept corporate checks)
[ ] by CREDIT CARD (circle one): VISA / MASTERCARD
Number: __ __ __ __-__ __ __ __-__ __ __ __-__ __ __ __ Expires: ____/____
Signature: _____________________________________________
Government mandated notices:
● The US Postal Service requires us to notify you that the annual New Mexico Liberty subscription cost isincluded in your LPNM membership dues of $25.00.
● The Internal Revenue Service requires us to print “political contributions are not tax deductible” on alfundraising appeals.
● The Federal Election Commission requires us to ask for the employer and occupation of each individuawhose contributions aggregate in excess of $200 in a calendar year.
The preceding notices alone should be enough reason to join the Libertarian Party, the only political party worto increase your freedom.
COPY OR PRINT, FILL OUT, AND SEND TO:
LPNM c/o Ron Bjornstad918 IVORY RD SE
RIO RANCHO NM 87124
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