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Old Dominion Liberty Letter Issue #25
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This issue distributed on Monday, October 19, 2009.
CONTENTS
1. HARRISONBURG NEWS: Speech Code of the Month: James Madison University
2. SPRINGFIELD AREA NEWS: Matt Cholko For Delegate - The Home Stretch
3. NATIONAL NEWS: LP Issue Bumper Stickers
4. MUST-SEE TV: Whole Foods' CEO John Mackey: Conscious Capitalism
5. EXPLORING LIBERTY: The LP's "Government Finance and Spending" Plank
6. LPVA: Next SCC Meeting: Sunday, October 25th, 2009
7. STATE NEWS: The "Government Behaving Badly" Files: This week's Criminal
Bureaucrats
8. THE LIGHTER SIDE - VIDEO: The Day ObamaCare Died
9. QUOTABLE QUOTES
10. TWO-WEEK VIRGINIA EVENT HORIZON - Libertarian Events Around the State
11. Deep Thoughts
12. P.E.S.T. - "Portable Electro-Shock Torture" Devices
13. VIRGINIA TASER TALLY: Something for the Police State to be proud of
THIS PUBLICATION NEEDS A PERMANENT EDITOR! Volunteer by leaving a message @
703-715-6230, or by writing to:
[email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]?subject=odllvolunteer>
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1. HARRISONBURG NEWS: Speech Code of the Month: James Madison University
================================================
>From Samantha Harris at Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE):
>James Madison University (JMU) has made a seemingly small change to one of its
>policies that actually has significant implications for student expression.
>Last year, JMU's policy on "Obscene Conduct" stated that: "No student shall
>engage in lewd, indecent or obscene conduct or expression on university
>property or in university-owned or operated buildings."
This year, the policy states that: "No student shall engage in lewd, indecent
or obscene conduct or expression, regardless of proximity to campus."
Given that "lewd" and "indecent" are - unlike "obscene" - terms that do not
have a clear legal definition, this policy could easily apply to expression
that is crude or vulgar but still constitutionally protected (as most crude and
vulgar expression is.)
Read more at:
http://www.thefire.org/article/11147.html
http://www.thefire.org/article/11077.html
================================================
2. SPRINGFIELD AREA NEWS: Matt Cholko For Delegate - The Home Stretch
================================================
JUST OVER TWO WEEKS LEFT!
Please take a few minutes and visit Matt Cholko's campaign website. Matt is
working hard to bring the message of smaller less intrusive government to
voters this fall; help him out with some of your time or a donation or three:
http://www.MattCholko.com
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3. NATIONAL NEWS: LP Issue Bumper Stickers
================================================
And now, a word from our sponsor: Wear the LP colors! Check out these bumper
stickers:
http://www.zazzle.com/immigration_is_also_called_moving_bumper_sticker-128096227542326068
http://www.zazzle.com/abolish_the_irs_vote_libertarian_bumper_sticker-128151456887305334
http://www.zazzle.com/repeal_prohibition_libertarian_party_sticker_bumper_sticker-128231895702692440
http://www.zazzle.com/abolish_the_fed_bumper_sticker-128034935072085282
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4. MUST-SEE TV: Whole Foods' CEO John Mackey: Conscious Capitalism
================================================
http://reason.tv/video/show/918
John Mackey's Conscious Capitalism: The Whole Foods CEO on health care,
veganism, and free markets.
When he started his first organic food store in Austin, Texas in 1978, Whole
Foods Market CEO and co-founder John Mackey had no idea that he would
eventually usher in not just a revolution in how we shop but what we buy. If
you dig being able to buy dozens of types of once-exotic apples, or cheese, or
wine, or soaps, or countless other items, you can thank Mackey in part for
helping to create cathedrals of commerce that have vastly enriched our
day-to-day lives and vastly expanded our palates. (Full disclosure: Mackey has
contributed to Reason Foundation, the nonprofit that publishes this website.)
In August, Mackey became one of the most controversial businessmen in America
when he penned an op-ed for The Wall Street Journal outlining his company's
free-market-oriented health care system and offering eight concrete reforms
that would reduce costs and improve access. Noting that health care is not "a
right" as that term is properly understood, Mackey forcefully argued that
increasing government intervention into health care is precisely the wrong
thing to do: "The last thing our country needs is a massive new health-care
entitlement that will create hundreds of billions of dollars of new unfunded
deficits and move us much closer to a government takeover of our health-care
system. Instead, we should be trying to achieve reforms by moving in the
opposite directionâtoward less government control and more individual
empowerment."
The response from the left to Mackey's op-ed was swift: Advocates of
single-payer health care, union activists, and others called for protests at
and boycotts of Whole Foods, despite the fact that the company provides
affordable and well-regarded coverage to its employees.
As a cutting-edge entrepreneur who is comfortable quoting astrological signs
and Ludwig von Mises, who practices veganism and sells some of the best meat in
America, and who chases profits and is an outspoken advocate of charitable
giving, Mackey confounds conventional political categories. As an advocate of
what he calls "conscious capitalism," Mackey is that rarest of businessman: an
articulate and passionate defender of free enterprise and free individuals.
In late September, Mackey sat down with Reason's Matt Welch and Nick Gillespie
to talk about health care reform, corporate social responsibility (on which
Mackey has written for Reason), why government interventions rarely achieve
their goals, and how Mackey came to his unstinting belief in free markets.
================================================
5. EXPLORING LIBERTY: The LP's "Government Finance and Spending" Plank
================================================
This issue, we bring you an exploration of the Libertarian Party's platform
position # "2.5: Money and Financial Markets", which reads:
--------
We favor free-market banking, with unrestricted competition among banks and
depository institutions of all types. Individuals engaged in voluntary exchange
should be free to use as money any mutually agreeable commodity or item. We
support a halt to inflationary monetary policies, the repeal of legal tender
laws and compulsory governmental units of account.
--------
Just as a reminder, there's a nice-looking sticker you can buy that expresses
the "Abolish the Fed" sentiment right here:
http://www.zazzle.com/abolish_the_fed_bumper_sticker-128034935072085282
=======================================
6. LPVA: Next SCC Meeting: Sunday, October 25th, 2009
================================================
The next meeting of the state committee will occur on Sunday, October 25, 2009
at 12:00 pm, with an 11:00 am lunch preceding.
October 4th is backup date, depending on the availability of a couple of SCC
members who may have scheduling conflicts with the later date. As soon as
those scheduling uncertainties are resolved, the date will be finalized.
The meeting will be at:
Pronto Italian Bistro & Pizzeria
5625 W Broad St
Richmond, VA 23230-2614
(804) 288-8300?
Directions:
http://maps.google.com/maps?oe=UTF-8&sourceid=navclient&gfns=1&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=prontos+pizza+west+broad+st+richmond+va&fb=1&split=1&gl=us&view=text&latlng=11217045210820111340
The manager is from Palermo Italy, so those who like Italian food should be
pleased -- this is the real thing. Of course they have other American fare
available as well. PLEASE Remember -- if we don't purchase meals, we won't be
able to continue meeting in the private sector. Please buy a meal from the
restaurant SO THAT THEY CAN AFFORD TO KEEP GIVING US A FREE MEETING ROOM.
Minutes of previous meetings are posted at:
http://www.LPVA.com/Archives/SCCMinutes/Minutes.php
Bring your appetite, your ideas, be ready to roll up your sleeves, and help us
win a free country!
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A MEMBER OF THE SCC TO ATTEND!! In fact, we encourage
all Libertarian Party members to attend, as we are always interested in ideas
and **especially** new volunteers to help with ongoing projects. If you're not
e current member, you are free to join or rejoin at the meeting.
ALSO NOTE: We are currently seeking one or more volunteers for the newsletter,
including selecting a new editor. If you are interested in the job, please
attend! Bring your resume and a sample or two of your desktop-publishing work.
================================================
7. STATE NEWS: The "Government Behaving Badly" Files: This week's Criminal
Bureaucrats
================================================
Seen any government employees facing justice for crimes committed while
collecting a government paycheck? Let us know about it! Send announcements
and news to <[email protected]> or
<mailto:[email protected]?subject=criminal_bureaucrats> !
By the way, you won't be able to get any reports (other than judical records,
when the crime is prosecuted) from government about any of its employees who
have been fired or disciplined for breaking the law. Government considers
criminal 'crats to be protected by the rubric "confidential personnel matter".
They claim it isn't subject to FOIA.
================================================
8. THE LIGHTER SIDE - VIDEO: The Day ObamaCare Died
================================================
>From a Republican activist (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Shanklin or
>http://www.paulshanklin.com/ ), but oh well -- it's kinda funny:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3KDmEvNmJ0
================================================
9. QUOTABLE QUOTES
================================================
"A liberal is someone who feels a great debt to his fellow man, which debt he
proposes to pay off with your money." G. Gordon Liddy
================================================
10. TWO-WEEK VIRGINIA EVENT HORIZON - Libertarian Events Around the State
================================================
FOR COMPLETE DETAILS ON ANY OF THESE EVENTS, SEE:
http://lpva.com/Calendar/events08.asp
Friday, September 25, 2009 - 5:30 PM: LPVa information booth at the Patrick
County Fair.
Saturday, September 26, 2009 - 5:30 PM: LPVa information booth at the Patrick
County Fair.
Monday, September 28, 2009 - 7:00 PM: LP of the District of Columbia.
Tuesday, October 06, 2009 - 6:00 PM: Richmond's "Patrick Henry Supper Club".
Thursday, October 08, 2009 - 6:00 PM: Chesterfield County Libertarians
Meeting.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009 - 6:00 PM: 7th District Libertarians Quarterly
Dinner Meeting.
Sunday, October 25, 2009 - 11:00 AM: State Committee Meeting in Richmond.
------------------------------------
OTHER IMPORTANT DATES
------------------------------------
November 3, 2009
General Elections
Remember to Vote, and Vote Libertarian!
------------------------------------
December 2009 - February 2010 -
congressional district committee conventions
- consider formal endorsements of candidates
for 2010 election
- elect LP congressional district officers (chair, etc).
------------------------------------
Jan 29-31, 2010
Annual meeting of LP activists from every state
See: http://StateChairsConference.org/about
Also sit in on the Libertarian National Committee,
the Bylaws and Platform committees.
Location will be Austin, registration information
to follow in future newsletters
------------------------------------
March or April, 2010
LPVA State Convention
Exact location & Date TBA.
------------------------------------
May 4, 2010
Municipal Elections
Remember to Vote,
and Vote Libertarian!
------------------------------------
May 28 - May 31, 2010
LP National Convention
Renaissance St. Louis Grand and Suites Hotel, in Missouri.
------------------------------------
================================================
11. Deep Thoughts
================================================
"Whenever I start getting sad about where I am in my life, I think about the
last words of my favorite uncle: 'A truck!'"
================================================
12. P.E.S.T. - "Portable Electro-Shock Torture" Devices
================================================
A writer on LewRockwell.com recently suggested that Tasers be renamed
"P.E.S.T."'s - "Portable Electro-Shock Torture" Devices. Excellent advice.
It's now simply a matter of recorded history that tobacco companies lied about
the hazards of smoking. Not that I care -- people generally knew the risks
beginning in the forties, and many decided to smoke anyway. Had there not been
the possibility that people who ignored the risks of cigarettes for their
entire lives then later running to trial lawyers to get money when the risks
bore fruit, it is likely that cigarette manufacturers wouldn't have continued
lying for so many decades after the game was widely known as being rigged; but
liability concerns are mostly a function of our inept government. Smoking is a
voluntary choice anyone should be able to make; and they should be allowed to
live with the consequences of doing so.
On the other hand, being tasered (PEST'ed) isn't a voluntary thing. Yet
despite the lessons of history, PEST manufacturers, such as Taser
International's Tom Smith (see
http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/news/photos/2008/01/30/smith-cp-4259614.jpg ) have
taken pages from the old tobacco playbooks and have been lying through their
collective teeth for over a decade about the dangers of hitting people with
PEST's:
http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/11338
Now, I'm not a fan of get-rich-quick litigation schemes by any stretch. I
think a huge percentage of lawsuits are outright fraudulent (like those that
made Democrat John Edwards rich); and the ones that are legitimate often win
outrageous awards. However, PEST manufacturers by overstating the safety of
PEST's are simply *begging* to be dragged into court and stripped clean of all
wealth. And eventually, trial lawyers are also going to start winning
liability cases against PEST *users* - police departments. And that puts
taxpayers on the hook.
Tasers should be banned until:
1) Manufacturers are willing to admit their dangers; and,
2) Police forces that use tasers are likewise willing to accept full liability
for deaths and injuries due to PEST's; and,
3) Individual LEO's are criminally charged with assault, manslaughter, and
murder when they taser anyone who wasn't directly threatening them with
life-threatening harm.
If these reforms aren't accepted, Portable Electro-Shock Torture Devices should
be banned. Law enforcement officers can wait for the arrival of a *truly* safe
product.
In any discussion of PEST's, it must be remembered that NO studies have been
done about whether there is increased likelihood to draw and fire the Taser
among government officers who carry them. Do such studies exist? It is
reasonable to assume that, of the 400 deaths attributable to PEST's, some
amount (possibly most) were situations that would NOT have involved escalating
to a gun (although these days one never knows).
Such information would reveal whether the true crime of the PEST is that it
tends to escalate, rather than mitigate, violence. Are any or all of the 400
deaths attributable wholly or in part to taser use since 1999 above and beyond
the already-gory background rate of police gun violence?
Many of the 400-plus deadly tasings are multiple tasings by several officers
against a single subject. Expecting the officers to report accurately what
happened, when hospitalization and/or death results, would be a idiotically
naive expectation. Police officers generally aren't stupid, and are very good
at colluding -- indeed, they're trained to collude.
If it is demonstrably true statistically, PEST's are just another tool to
enable the passive to get aggressive immediately and thus raise the overall
level of lethal violence. But government doesn't *need* any more tools of
violence -- it needs far fewer. But a more permanent solution is the single
best solution for overzealous triggers: get policing out of the hands of
government altogether. There are already thousands of private police providers
in every city in the country -- they're listed in your Yellow Pages under the
category "security". And unlike government police, private police providers
would be expected to be fully liabile for their employees' actions.
================================================
13. VIRGINIA TASER TALLY: Something for the Police State to be proud of
================================================
I don't think anyone else in the state is doing it so far -- there should be a
tally of deaths-by-taser for the state of Virginia. Each issue, this list will
be expanded as I find more references to them. Have one to add? Notify us at:
<mailto:[email protected]?subject=vlw>
------------------------------
1. 2009-01-08 - Martinsville: Derick Jones - 15 (?)
http://www2.godanriver.com/gdr/news/local/danville_news/article/martinsville_teenager_dies_after_police_taser_incident/8410/
Tasering officer: R.L. Wray, Martinsville PD. Martinsville Police Chief Mike
Rogers said "The officer was well within the guidelines of our policy when he
used the Taser."
------------------------------
Further reading:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i90UP_jVzIbDQUJ55_Y-7C1UgZHQD9BCF04G0
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091018/ap_on_re_us/us_california_taser_death
http://truthnottasers.blogspot.com/
http://nateo.blogspot.com/2008/02/taser-and-gun-use-statistics.html
Are there Taser carriers in your neighborhood? Chain mail: Don't leave home
without it.
http://theringlord.com/cart/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=96&cat=Chainmail+Clothing&websess=95792530192228
While you're at it, carry a stun gun of your own for protection:
http://www.personalarms.com/stun_gun/pretender-cellphone-stun-gun.htm
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Old Dominion Liberty Letter Issue #25
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Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share
Alike 3.0 United States License by Marc Montoni.
================================================
Publishing Schedule: Weekly - But it depends on YOU!
Publisher: LPVA Communications Committee
Editor: Marc Montoni
Distribution: 500 + readers, via LPVA-Announce
================================================
Sign up for the latest news from The Libertarian
Party of Virginia:
http://www.LPVA.com/html/EmailLists.asp
================================================
Got a news tip? Click: <mailto:[email protected]?subject=vlw>
Allow me to emphasize this: We prefer Virginia news
to news you can get elsewhere. If you have a good
liberty-oriented story centered in Virginia, please
alert us to it.
================================================
WHAT'S GOING ON where you live? Make sure all
Virginia Libertarians are informed of your
activities. Send announcements and news to
<[email protected]> or <mailto:[email protected]?subject=vlw>
================================================
JOIN THE PARTY - Never been a member of the
Libertarian Party of Virginia? There's no time
like NOW to become a member of Virginia's third
largest political party.
http://Membership.LPVA.com
================================================
RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP - Have you been a member in
the past, but for one reason or another chosen not
to renew? Renew today and resume the fight for
Liberty!
http://Membership.LPVA.com
================================================
BEGIN YOUR PLEDGE - Are you ready to make the
ultimate commitment? Join the LPVirginia Pledge
Program and help us promote our Libertarian
ideas to all your friends and neighbors!
http://Contribute.LPVA.com
================================================
NOTES: This newsletter will be migrated to a CMS with an RSS feed (which our
webmaster has been very generous in setting up!) sometime soon. This version
is primarily to guage interest. If you want it to continue, then participate!
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Have an announcement you'd like to post? SCC members & many
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your announcements to the List Master:
<mailto:[email protected]?subject=announcement>.
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Libertarian Party of Virginia
http://www.LPVA.com
Phone: 703-715-6230
