Libertarian Party of California (LPC) Communications Operations

Volunteers around California are working to spread the message of libertarianism to internal and external audiences, both by authorized publications and via individual initiatives. Many of our readers may not know the extent of these operations, so this month we are featuring a few of them in eFlyer. The LPC authorized publications include:

• The official print publication of the LPC is California Freedom, a monthly 8-page newsprint newsletter for paid subscribers edited by Thomas Sipos. An electronic version is posted to the party website where anyone can download and read it at no cost. The best way to subscribe to the print version is to become a dues-paying member of the LPC.
  
  
• This email distribution list, which is used for the monthly California Libertarian eFlyer (this electronic newsletter) and occasional single-topic notices, e.g., announcing an upcoming convention. The eFlyer is edited by Richard Newell. If this copy of the eFlyer was forwarded to you, you can self-subscribe to this free list here.
  
  
• The Libertarian Perspective, weekly op-ed columns. Now in its 106th week, the LPC distributes a roughly 700-word op-ed column on various state and national topics of interest, penned by our highly qualified writers' bureau. The Libertarian Perspective is managed by Dan Minkoff, the LPC's media relations chair. It is distributed to over 3000 reporters, editors, and publishers in the state of California by email. The Libertarian Perspective columns have been published in over 40 California print publications.
  
  
• Occasional Press Releases and Media Advisories. The LPC puts out one to two press releases per month to our email media list and/or a commercial news wire service.The public is free to self-subscribe to the LPC media list and receive our op-eds and press releases at the same time as the press.

Perhaps less well-known are the accomplishments of individual Libertarians around the state to promote their own vision of liberty via home-grown radio and television shows. (Unfortunately, we do not have the time or space to list all the libertarian bloggers in California). The programs below are not connected to the Libertarian Party of California.

• Perhaps the grand-daddy of all these efforts is The Libertarian Alternative television talk show produced by former Southern Vice-Chair Mark Selzer in Hollywood. It airs on dozens of cable stations around California and some other states. Several archived shows can be viewed over an Internet connection at Libertarian TV.
  
  
• Another talk-show format is Libertarian Counterpoint, produced by Richard Fields,
  David Long Henderson and other members of the Sacramento county Libertarian Party. The half-hour program is live every Thursday at 8pm on Access Sacramento Channel 17, and repeats at noon on Fridays and 4am on Saturdays. It is available streaming on the Internet during show times only (no archives). It is also shown on stations in the cities of Davis and Roseville, as well as Calavaras and Butte counties and on the Sierra College Television cable network, reaching another dozen Sierra communities.
  
  
• Don Cormier hosts a radio talk show called "Free and Clear" on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays from 6-8am on KKUP 91.5 FM (Cupertino, CA). Free and Clear features interviews with movers and shakers that stimulate the "organ between your ears".
  
  
• Longtime LP member Jeffrey Sommer is DJ Zippy The Yippie on "The Libertarian Party Show" every Monday 2-4pm on Berkeley Liberation Radio 104.1 FM. Streaming audio is offered.
  
  
• With more of a national flavor there is our own LPC Executive Director, Angela Keaton, hosting "Liberated Space" live on Anomaly Radio 5:30-6pm (PDT) Thursdays. See BlogTalkRadio for the upcoming schedule, streaming audio, and for archived shows.

We all owe these volunteers our gratitude for producing these quality print and other media products, donating their time and money to advance the cause of liberty here in California. Tens of thousands of Californians are touched each month by these communications.

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Operation Breakthrough

Operation Breakthrough is a program to get registered Libertarian Party members elected to non-partisan offices across California. Preliminary Operation Breakthrough results show the following twelve Libertarians were elected to office in the 2006 general election:

These are the true heroes of the Libertarian Party. We wish all of them success in bringing Libertarian ideas to their respective school, fire, water, and health care districts.

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California Freedom is the official print newsletter of the Libertarian Party of California.

The June issue is online for your reading pleasure (pdf). 

Contents:

• Monterey Libertarians Join AntiWar Protest
• Indie Film Lampoons IRS, Homeland Security
• From the Chairman: Make a Difference Every Single Day
• From the Editor: Working to Solve Old Problems
• From the Executive Director: Activism Without Ideas
• Raise your Cup to New Coffee Club Members!
• The Environmentalist Church of Gaia
• Libertarians Make a Good Showing at JSA Convention
• Welcome, New American!
• Youth Outreach in Classrooms
• Tap Into the Power of Endorsements
• Iraq and the Roots of War
• David R. Henderson's Address Honoring a Congressman for his Peace Activities
• GPS Eases Signature Gathering

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AB 1634: Spay and Neuter Statism

Establishes a $500 fine for each violation of possessing a cat or dog older than 4 months that has not been spayed or neutered. Establishes a paid permit system for dogs and cats held by licensed commercial breeders, or an approved purebreed, or as a police or medical assistance (e.g., "seeing eye") dog.

Californians have the constitutional right to be secure in their homes and property, including their pets. This bill interferes with that right. Many responsible pet owners do not want to "alter" their animals, esp. at such a young age, for various valid reasons including the health of the animal, desire for offspring, cost, etc.

This bill will have the unintended consequence of discouraging proper pet care, such as rabies shots, for fear of being caught with an unaltered pet. The Libertarian Party of California has gone on record as opposed to AB 1634.

AB 881: Child Automobile Seat Nannyism

Increases requirements for the use of child car seats, seat belts, and etc. Removes a current 60 lb exemption for the use of rear-seat car seats, requiring all children up to 8 years old and under 4'9" to use the front-facing seats regardless of weight, (except those under age 1 or 20 pounds which have to use rear-facing seats). Further, all children up to 16 must be belted into the back seat. This bill makes violation a primary offense meaning that a police officer may detain a vehicle solely for this offense. There are fines per passenger, and for the driver of the vehicle. The driver will pay $100 for the first instance and $250 for each thereafter.

Parents have the highest incentive of anyone to protect their children. Only a seriously irresponsible parent would be swayed more by the possiblity of a fine than the potential injury to or loss of their child. That said, the new limits are absurd. Having children almost as tall as adults still required to use the safety seats is unreasonable. Ironically, California allows a learner's permit at 15 years, six months; so at that age you are old enough to drive (while supervised), but not old enough to ride in the front passenger seat. This law does not pass the "common sense" test, unless your object is to raise more revenue by fines.

AB 1260: Tax Collector's Protection Act

Under current California Law, certain taxes can only be raised with the consent of the voters. Well, some jurisdictions either haven't figured out the law yet, or are blatantly violating it. And, when they do, the people have the privilege of taking them to court for up to one year after any illegal payment. The backers of this law want to change the statue of limitations to just 120 days from the date an illegal fee is first enacted!

Allowing unconstitutional laws to become insulated from judicial review is bad public policy and for tax and fee payers it would be a disaster. The government, more than any entity, should be held accountable to the constitution. There is no justification for tying the hands of the courts so that they can't provide a remedy when the government breaks the law. For more on this monstrosity of a law, see the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

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Op-Ed Columns

Click the title or thumbnail picture to read the full article.

To receive The Libertarian Perspective each week, along with all LPC Press Releases and Media Advisories, you may subscribe to the LPC media list.

Terrorism, Global Warming and Fear

Politicians have an innate talent for scaring neurotic people who are prone to believe whatever government tells them about potential threats. According to right-wing neoconservatives, we should fear hordes of Islamic militants who fly aircraft into buildings. On the opposite side of the political aisle, the big threat to the world is global warming. Whatever position politicians take on an issue, rest assured they will politicize it. (Tue, 29 May 2007)

Surely, This Is a Victimless Crime

It is clear that America's immigration quota system is badly broken. The national quota system favors nonworkers at the expense of young, willing workers. It is actually an issue that ought to be decided at the local, individual level by families and by employers. (Mon, 21 May 2007)

Soft Pedaling Coercion

When someone from the government says, "Your cooperation is much appreciated," they don't really mean it. It is a ruse, because when something is a government mandate, cooperation is not relevant. Compliance is. (Tue, 15 May 2007)

Can't Afford a House? Pay for Someone Else's!

Housing defaults and the subprime mortgage crisis are driving down home prices. Good news for those responsible lower- and middle-income people who don't borrow more than they can repay, right? Not so fast. State governments are stepping in to keep home prices artificially high by issuing taxpayer-subsidized loans to people already proven to be a bad risk. (Tue, 8 May 2007)

To receive The Libertarian Perspective each week, along with all LPC Press Releases and Media Advisories, you may subscribe to the LPC media list.

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Libertarian Party of California Supports SB 1019

News release announcing the party's support for SB 1019, which affords greater public access to police misconduct records. (Fri, 25 May 2007)

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Californians Needed

If you want to help out with any of the communications activities we do, please go to the LPC website and fill out the inquiry form. In the notes section, briefly mention what you are interested in helping out with and we'll put you in touch with the heads of those areas.

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College of San Mateo Voter
Registration Drive

Harland Harrison, chair of the LP of San Mateo county set up a table for three days (May 1-3) at the College of San Mateo. Special thanks also go to T.J. Campbell (from Santa Clara county) Angela Keaton, and others who helped make sure Harland had the supplies he needed, and who helped man the table. LPC officer Beau Cain took the photo with (from left to right) fellow officers Newell & Takenaga, then Harland Harrison, and Tim (T.J.) Campbell.

Whole Earth Festival at UC Davis

Brian Jones of Yolo County, with help from At-Large Representative Lawrence Samuels and Sacramento County members Lee Welter and Janice Bonser set up an "Operation Politically Homeless" booth at the whole Earth Festival at UC Davis May 12 & 13. Jean Colgrove and David Long Henderson, also of Sacramento, helped with planning. Yolo is currently is not certified as an "active" county by the LPC, but with Brian's and everyone's efforts we hope to change to this status in the near future. Interested readers please contact Brian at briankentjones@gmail.com.

Festival of the Arts in San Diego

We have a report of a successful appearance on May 20 by the Libertarian Party of San Diego county at the Festival of the Arts Fair in North Park from Jesse Thomas, At-Large Representative to the LPC hailing from those parts. He thanks Anthony Knittel, Boyd Applegate, Dan Baehr, David Graham, Donna Orlando and Michael Benoit, and sent several pictures, including this one of Donna you see here.

 

Events in Chico

Casey Aplanalp reports the Butte County Libertarians have been participating at the local farmer's market most every Thursday during the summer as an outreach event.

Moderated by Jim Eyer of Alameda County, the Butte County Libertarians held a "Success Planning" event at chair Mike Wacker's home on May 20th. Afterwards, the action moved to Bill Lambert's home where a fine BBQ was held. Pictured you see Ferdinand Choss (seated) and Kent Fowler relaxing before dinner. Kent joined the California Coffee Club that evening. (Thanks, Kent!)

Mike Wacker has been leading a fight against the West Nile Virus which has claimed the lives of two of his neighbors. It seems the city, in their wisdom (and the urging of the local environmentalists), built a mosquito-infested swamp right across the street from Mike and the victims. "It used to be that the bureaucracy was humorous in their ineptness, then several decades ago they became significantly expensive and people started to notice. Now, they are literally killing us." We all hope that Mike and the local LP can get the city to act, before someone else dies.

Monterey Libertarians Join Anti-War Protest

The co-chairs of Libertarians for Peace, long-time Libertarian Party member and past LPC officer Lawrence K. Samuels, and well-known libertarian economist and author Prof. David R. Henderson helped organize and then participated in several anti-war events from May 17 to 19, 2007. See the full article in this month's California Freedom.

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Norm "Firecracker" Westwell

Norm Westwell shows us where perseverance can get you. Launched into his Libertarian career around the year 2000 by the relatively minor loss of liberty related to the prohibition of firecrackers and sparklers within city limits, Norm ran for Huntington Beach City Council in 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2006. Not only that, but he ran for Ocean View School District Trustee in 2002, 2004, and 2006, and for State Assembly in 2004! We don't call him Firecracker for nothing!

In 2006 his hard work paid off, and he was elected Trustee of the Ocean View School District for a one-year term, with a campaign budget of $160. His experience running a small business (producing competitive swimwear and athletic apparel for teams) will hopefully pay big dividends for the cash-strapped district and its overtaxed citizens.

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• June 9: LPC Executive Committee Meeting in San Diego
  

LAFAYETTE HOTEL & SUITES
2223 El Cajon Blvd
San Diego, CA 92104 

Cocktail Reception and Fundraiser following the meeting.

Come meet the new officers and members of the Executive Committee.

Cash bar. Cost: $15.

Call the LPC Office to RSVP.
(877) 884-1776

• June 23-24: San Francisco Pride Celebration and Parade
  
  Sponsored by Outright Libertarians of California, with
  generous assistance from the nearby LP county
  organizations.
  
  Booth both days. Parade on Sunday.
  

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