NEW MEXICO LIBERTY
“Let Freedom Ring”
The Official Newsletter of the Libertarian Party of New Mexico
April 2008
Table of Contents
Page 1 – Notes from the Editor
Page 2 – Field Reports / Calendar
Page 3 – Voice of the Chair
Page 4 – LPNM 2008 State Convention
Page 5 – The 2008 LPNM Road–To–
Freedom Motorcycle Raffle
Page 6 –
• The LPNM's Candidates to Date
• The Unanimous Consent Challenge
• The Idiocy of “Left vs. Right”
• Former U.S. Senator Mike Gravel joins
Libertarian Party ranks
Page 7 –
• John Stossel Event!
• Bob Barr Weighing Presidential Run
Page 8
• A Ring of Truth
• Richardson the Farmer?
Page 9 – Administrivia
Page 10
• Contacts / Internet Resources
• Obama the Bridge-Builder?
Page 11 – LPNM Enrollment /
Renewal / Donations
Page 12 – Authorization for
Automated Transfers
== == == == == ==
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CONTACT THE EDITOR OR
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libertarian-party-nm.org v.2.1 #16
Notes from the Editor
by Mike Blessing [ kcufmedia@gmail.com ]
2008 LPNM State Convention
The 2008 LPNM State Convention will be held on the second weekend of April (11-13 April 2008)
at the Radisson Hotel Albuquerque (2500 Carlisle Boulevard NE, Albuquerque NM 87110). See
page 4 for more information. The Saturday banquet will be an Italian-style buffet, and the Sunday
morning Die Hard Breakfast will be a traditional-breakfast buffet.
Bernalillo County LP Convention
The BCLP convention will take place concurrent with the state convention on 12 April 2008.
Contact myself [at email address lpbcnm@gmail.com, the one I've set up for the BCLP] or Jay
Vandersloot to put items of business on the agenda.
MORE ACTIVISTS NEEDED!
The subtitle is self-explanatory, or at least it should be. The LPNM can never have enough
activists. And when I say “activists,” I mean people who can take some initiative in getting going.
What I do NOT want to hear on the phone or see in my inbox –
• “Mike, I'd really like to get going as an activist. Can you tell me what to do?”
• “Mike, I want to start speaking out for the cause. Can you provide me a venue? What do you
want me to say?
• “I'd like to get involved, but I don't have the time. Here's my idea for a project for you to do.”
Been there, done that already – see my article titled “Getting Started,” first published in the
December 2005 edition of New Mexico Liberty, and reposted elsewhere.
What I DO want to hear on the phone or see in my inbox –
• “Hey, Mike, I wore my LP button when I went to the recent neighborhood association meeting.
Some of the people there asked me what it's all about and we're having a meeting next week.
We might end up forming a precinct committee out of it!”
• “I went to the range with some friends, they saw my LP bumpersticker, and one asked me for a
sticker. Next time I went shooting, I had some on hand and passed out a couple to people
passing by my car.”
• “I made up some flyers for a meeting of those interested to be held at a local bar. The first
time, no one showed, but the second time, there were three people, and the third, five showed
up. Can you give us a little publicity in the newsletter?”
MORE CANDIDATES NEEDED!
Hey, folks, it's that time again – Election Season! The LPNM needs candidates for public office, as
political campaigns are one of the ways that we can get the libertarian message out to the public.
Specifically, I'm calling for everyone who can to run for State Representative or Senator. State
Legislature races are the easiest for which to get your name listed on the ballot – at most, you
would need to turn in 300 signatures for either a House or Senate candidacy, as comapred to 800
for county commissioner, 2500 for U.S. Congress, and 8000 for U.S. Senate.
Finally, it's getting kind of lonely (and depressing) for me to be the LPNM's ONLY candidate in this
election cycle. It sure would be nice to have some company on the ballot.
New Mexico Liberty – April 2008 – Page 1
 Field Reports
From County Contacts
Bernalillo – The BCLP County Convention will take place concurrent
with the state convention, on 12 April 2008. More details to follow.
The BCLP is hosting two meetings per month. For more information,
see the BCLP website – libertarian-party-nm.org/bernalillo. The
Weekly Sedition will resume on 2 April 2008, on Albuquerque
Comcast Channel 27, and New Mexico's Consumer Advocate will
resume on 2 July 2008. See myspace.com/weeklysedition and
myspace.com/nmconsumers for more information.
Jay Vandersloot continues to be active in staffing at table at blade and
gun shows at the State Fairgrounds in Albuquerque and could use
some help at the shows – any assistance would be welcome, even if it
is only for a couple of hours. Anyone interested in helping at the table
at the gun show, providing literature to hand out, loaning us an LP
banner, or a projection screen should contact Jay at either
yprocrastinate-emailme@yahoo.com or call 505-362-1733.
Paul Gessing and the staff of the Rio Grande Foundation have been
getting columns and letters to the editor printed in the local
newspapers, including the Albuquerque Journal. on a regular basis.
Some of those have been printed here in New Mexico Liberty. Others
are available at the RGF's website – riograndefoundation.org.
Dona Ana – The LPDAC Central Committee has been having monthly
meetings, as well as an information table at the Las Cruces Farmer's
Market. See the LPDAC website for details – libertarian-party-
nm.org/dona-ana.
The Dona Ana County Convention took place on 16 February 2008, in
the Dresp Room of the Branigan Library.
Otero – The Otero County LP was recently organized by Dr. Gilberto
Heredia. Their first two meetings were attended by 13 people and
garnered coverage by the Alamogordo Daily News – see page 6 for
more information..
San Juan – The San Juan County LP is sponsoring a new fundraising
drive for the LPNM in addition to the annual rifle raffle that they run.
This new effort will raffle off a new, limited-edition Harley Davidson
motorcycle for Ø100 per ticket, with a maximum of 399 tickets
available. More information on the motorcycle raffle is available here –
tinyurl.com/2fu72e or tinyurl.com/22z3yp. See the events page on the
SJCLP site for more information on the San Juan county LP's
activities – sjclp.org/events.htm.
Sandoval – The LPSC is having its monthly meetings on the fourth
Tuesday of each month.
Santa Fe – Ed Nagel is working on organizing an LPNM county
affiliate for Santa Fe County. Contact him at ed123nagel@aol.com or
call him at 505-471-6928. He'd appreciate any help he can get.
On 4 February, the SFCLP hosted its first meeting at the LaFarge
Library (between St. Michaels and Siringo). The feature presentation
was a documentary concerning the legality of the current federal
income tax.
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Rational Anarchy and Capitalism for the Masses
New Mexico's Consumer Advocate
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Calendar
Special Events
LPNM 2008 State Convention
The 2008 LPNM State Convention will be in the greater Albuquerque
area on the weekend of 11-13 April 2008 at the Radisson Hotel
Albuquerque (2500 Carlisle Boulevard NE, Albuquerque NM 87110).
Planned Banquet Speaker is libertarian science-fiction writer and
columnist L. Neil Smith. We are currently soliciting suggestions for
other speakers. We hope to have another presidential candidates'
debate, and maybe a debate between the vice-presidential
candidates. The LPNM Central Committee has named Secretary Mike
Blessing as the Convention Coordinator.
LP 2008 National Convention
The LP's 2008 National Convention will take place at the Adam's Mark
Hotel in Denver on Memorial Day weekend (23-26 May 2008).
Speakers, business sessions and the presidential nomination are on
the agenda. Contact Jay Vandersloot if you're interested in being a
delegate from the LPNM.
See lpconvention.org and denverlpcon.com for details as they
develop.
Regular Events
Wednesday, 2 April – Otero County LP meeting. Contact Dr. Gilberto
Heredia for more information – 575-439-8234.
Thursday, 3 April and 17 April – Bernalillo County Liberty Forum
meets in Albuquerque, 6:00 to 7:00 PM at Fiesta's Restaurant &
Lounge (Carlisle & Montogomery NE). Contact Mike Blessing for
details [ lpbcnm@gmail.com / 505-918-6567 ].
Wednesday, 9 April – The Dona Ana County Libertarians will meet.
Those interested are invited to attend and to contact Siebert Ickler [
lpdac@peoplepc.com / 505-541-9079 ] for information on location and
time.
Saturday, 12 April – The (official) monthly San Juan County LP
meeting in Farmington will be cancelled in favor of the 2008 State
Convention – contact Gary Wood [ zang5775@msn.com ] to see if the
SJCLP will cmeet while at the State Convention.
Tuesday, 29 April – The Sandoval County Libertarian Party will meet –
contact Ron Bjornstad [ rbjornstad@earthlink.net / 505-288-4228 ] for
details
TV Shows – Channel 27 in Albuquerque
(not necessarily endorsed by LPNM)
The Weekly Sedition – Wednesdays at 8PM
myspace.com/weeklysedition
Hemp TV – Tuesdays at 7PM
myspace.com/nmhemptv
The One Party State – Wednesdays at 11PM
Contact Lance Klafeta [ lklafeta@yahoo.com ] for details
Reeferhead – Saturdays at 6PM
myspace.com/reeferheadtv
The Fringe Element
thefringeelement.net / postpubco.com
New Mexico Liberty – April 2008 – Page 2
Voice of the Chair
Jay Vandersloot
yprocrastinate-emailme@yahoo.com
Buying Gas, School Lunches, and Flying
Now what possible connection can there be among these three
seemingly separate issues? Read further. There is!
A couple of months ago I read an article telling us how Shell gas
stations would be starting to allow customers, on a voluntary basis, to
pay for their gas by use of their fingerprint. Right away my cynical,
critical, skeptical, paranoid side kicked into high gear.
When I broached the subject with other Libertarians I was chided for
my stance on the matter. I was told that as this is a “voluntary”
program, it is definitely in line with Libertarian views on issues. I stood
my ground, saying that I foresee this as the beginning of an insidious,
creeping incrementalism.
I saw this as the beginning of a step by step move to get the citizenry
used to using their fingerprint for more and more aspects of their daily
life. To paraphrase (and shorten), I referred to a quote that states they
came for the first group, the second group, the third group, etc, and
each time no one spoke up. Then when they came for me there was
no one left to speak up. Besides, I asked, who wants to have there be
a chance that their finger might be cut off by someone else to use as a
means to pay for something. Still, my stance was viewed with
skepticism by others.
Then, on March 18th, I read another article. This time West Virginia’s
Wood County schools moved to institute a program whereby students
pay for their school lunch by pushing their thumbs against a touch pad
– and with that small movement, they’ve paid for their meal. It was
hailed, saying the days of dealing with lost lunch cards or forgotten
identification numbers are over. No more worry about forgetting lunch
money. And the Wood County schools are not the only schools that
are implementing bio-identification systems. The article identifies
others that are moving in that direction.
We also need to meet together at our LPNM Annual State Convention
in Albuquerque, on the second weekend in April to discuss and vote
on the direction we need to move with the Planks of the LP Platform.
This is a critical time. We need to ensure we are prepared for what
will occur at the LP National Convention. To do so we need everyone
to attend the LPNM State Convention. You need your voice to be
heard, and we need to hear your position on the issue. I see this as
the continuation of an insidious, creeping incrementalism.
Now, in an article dated March 25th, I read that the Homeland Security
Department is on the verge of issuing a rule that would require airlines
to take the fingerprints of most foreigners leaving the country via air.
Naturally, the airlines are fighting this. I’m sure many will see this
isolated issue as a means of controlling our borders, and therefore a
necessary procedure. Of course, those who are in favor of open
borders (most Libertarians) will have a different view on this. Me, I see
this as another continuation is the saga of an insidious, creeping
incrementalism.
So, why am I making all this fuss? As one writer put it, “…once again,
our society inches just a little closer to the world that George Orwell
imagined in his novel 1984 – a world utterly without any privacy.” Are
the pieces of the puzzle starting to fall into place? Do we want to let
them slowly anesthetize us by a step by step program of getting us
used to less and less privacy, and more and more control over our
lives? Do we want to allow the continued movement of our country
toward becoming more and more a “police state,” a “surveillance
state?” Was that a resounding “NO” I just heard from you? If so,
good for you!
We need to be every vigilant against insidious, creeping
incrementalism, in whatever form it tries to sneak by us. Don’t forget
the tale of the frog placed in a pot of cold water. When the heat was
slowly turned up, the water gradually became warmer and warmer,
until the frog, not having noticed the change in its situation, became
cooked.
"In matters of principle, stand like a rock; in matters of taste, swim
with the current." – Thomas Jefferson, third president
My comment, “Know the difference.” – Jay Vandersloot, Chair, LPNM
Let’s not let this bio-identification and other such programs slowly
“cook” us. Be on the watch, and speak up at every opportunity. You
have to watch carefully, but if you do, you will be able to ferret out
these issues.
We have a number in the LPNM and in other State LP parties who
continually write letters to the editor and phone in to talk radio shows
to identify and take a stand against these invasions from within. How
about you? What will you do?
Write letters to the editor, and letters and emails to you Congress
Critters, both at the national and the state level? Phone in and identify
these issues on talk radio programs—in spite of the tendency of a
number of talk show hosts to cut you off and hang up on you—keep
trying, anyway. Speak up to others you know to educate them on
these issues—they may not be as astute as you in identifying
insidious, creeping incrementalism when it occurs.
LPNM 2008 Annual State Convention
In a few days we’ll be at our LPNM 2008 Annual State Convention.
Although Robert’s Rules of Order are only a guideline, and are not a
law by which we must comply, we have bound ourselves to conduct
LPNM business meetings in accordance with those rules. Therefore,
let’s review a few of the more commonly use rules. The following are
based on version 10, the most recent published (version 11 is still
being compiled).
First, the assembly rules – they have the final say on everything,
although they might need to amend the bylaws to allow for what they
want to decide. And, silence means consent.
• Obtain the floor (the right to speak) by being the first to stand
when the person speaking has finished state Mr./Madam Chair.
While raising your hand normally means nothing, we recognize
that some are unable to stand, and therefore recognize the raised
hand as a means of requesting recognition. Standing or raising
your hand while another has the floor is out of order! With only a
few of exceptions, such as a question of privilege, call for the
orders of the day, point of order, appeal from the decision of the
chair, parliamentary inquiry, point of (request for) information, or
objection to consideration of the question, you must be
recognized before speaking.
• Debate can not begin until the Chair has stated the motion, or had
the secretary do so. If no one rises, the chair calls for the vote!
• Before the motion is stated by the Chair, members may suggest
modification of the motion; the mover can modify as he or she
pleases, or even withdraw the motion without consent of the
seconder; if mover modifies, the seconder can withdraw the
second.
• The member moving the “immediately pending question” is
entitled to preference to the floor!
• No member can speak twice to the same issue until everyone
else wishing to speak has spoken to it once.
• All remarks must be directed to the Chair. Remarks must be
courteous in language and deportment – avoid all personalities,
never allude to others by name or to motives!
A longer 5-page summary, taken from the LP Delegation Chairs
Manual-2008, will be printed and available at the Convention.
New Mexico Liberty – April 2008 – Page 3
 Libertarian Party of New Mexico
2008 State Convention
11 – 13 April 2007, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Radisson Hotel Albuquerque – radisson.com/albuquerquenm
2500 Carlisle Boulevard NE, Albuquerque NM 87110 – See tinyurl.com/2fm6tj for directions
All events FREE except Banquet Program and Diehard Breakfast Program
PUBLIC WELCOME but only members can participate in the Business Meeting

FRIDAY, APRIL 11
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Registration / No-host cash bar, appetizers and short order from bar menu
7:00 PM - 9:30 PM Paul Gessing of the Rio Grande Foundation – riograndefoundation.org

SATURDAY, APRIL 12
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM Registration, County Conventions or Caucuses, as needed
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM Bill Koehler, LPNM Press Secretary and Host, New Mexico's Consumer Advocate
Socialism is Perfect
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM Candidates' and Activists' Panel
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM No-host Lunch and movie showing (V For Vendetta)
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM State of the Party Address and LPNM Annual Business Meeting – Jay Vandersloot, State Chair Presiding
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM Sala Chapman, New Mexicans for Ron Paul Organizer
National Health Care
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM Charles McLaughlin, from the Irish Freedom Committee – irishfreedomcommittee.net
The US–UK Extradition Treaty
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM County Conventions or Caucuses, as needed
7:00 PM Banquet Program (see below), Key Note Address, Fundraiser Auction and Concert (?)
L. Neil Smith, libertarian science fiction writer and columnist – lneilsmith.org

SUNDAY, APRIL 13
8:00 AM – 10:00 AM Die Hard Breakfast Program
Mike Blessing, LPNM Secretary, Bernalillo LP Chair and Host, The Weekly Sedition
The Best of Times, The Worst of Times (working title)
10:00 AM Convention ends, After-convention Central Committee meeting
===================================================================
REGISTRATION DEADLINE – MUST be received by TUESDAY, APRIL 10

____BANQUET: $35 – All-you-can-eat Italian-style buffet

____DIEHARD BREAKFAST: $25 – All-you-can-eat traditional-style buffet

____BOTH Banquet and Diehard Breakfast, $50 – save $10

____Check here if you are a member and plan to attend the business meeting

NAME & PHONE __________________________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS & E-MAIL _______________________________________________________________________________

Return to:
Mike Blessing, Convention Coordinator
7200 Georgetown Ave NW
Albuquerque, NM 87120-1672
Please make checks and money orders payable to “LPNM”

New Mexico Liberty – April 2008 – Page 4

 Libertarian Party of New Mexico
2008 Road–to–Freedom Motorcycle Raffle

2008 Harley-Davidson Softail Rocker

• 96 cubic inches! • 6-speed! • Lowest solo saddle on a production motorcycle!
• Fat 240mm rear tire! • 5-spoke wheels! • Stretched 5-gallon tank!

ONLY 399 CHANCES OFFERED

The Libertarian Party of New Mexico encourages motorcyclists to consider the use of helmets and other safety
equipment. However, we believe those who ride should decide and we oppose mandatory helmet laws for motorcyclists.
Odds depend on the actual number of chances sold, but no more than 399 chances will be available. Drawing will be at
approximately 8:00 PM, on Bill of Rights Day, Monday December 15, 2008 at the Farmington Civic Center, in Farmington,
New Mexico. The Libertarian Party of New Mexico (LPNM) reserves the right to draw prior to this date in the event all
chances are sold early. In the event of an early drawing, notice will be posted at www.lpnm.org at least two weeks prior
to the drawing. LPNM will make every effort to notify the winner using the contact information provided. In the event the
winner cannot be contacted within 30 days of the drawing, the prize will be awarded to a backup winner. Winner is
responsible for tax, title and license fees.
For Raffle Tickets, send $100 per ticket and your contact information, including name, mailing addresses, phone
numbers and e-mail address to
LPNM c/o Ron Bjornstad
918 Ivory Road SE
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
rbjornstad@earthlink.net
The official raffle page – sjclp.org/Rocker_raffle.htm
For more details about the motorcycle, see tinyurl.com/2fu72e
New Mexico Liberty – April 2008 – Page 5
 The LPNM's Candidates to Date Former U.S. Senator Mike Gravel
joins Libertarian Party ranks
President of the United States
Believes Democrats are out of touch with American citizens
From the “Liberty Decides” section at the LP's national site
lp.org/media/article_573.shtml
[ lp.org/libertydecides ]
Washington, D.C. – Mike Gravel, a former Alaskan Senator and
Jim Burns – jimburnsforpresident.com
Democratic candidate for president, has joined the Libertarian Party.
John Finan – johnmfinan.com
Barry Hess – [ No website – MWB ] "I'm joining the Libertarian Party because it is a party that combines a
Mike Gravel – gravel2008.us commitment to freedom and peace that can't be found in the two
Dave Hollist – ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/constitution major parties that control the government and politics of America,"
Daniel Imperato – imperato2008.com says Gravel. "My libertarian views, as well as my strong stance
Bob Jackson – bobjackson.org against war, the military industrial complex and American imperialism,
Michael Jingozian – resetamerica.com seem not to be tolerated by Democratic Party elites who are out of
Steve Kubby – kubby2008.com touch with the average American; elites that reject the empowerment
Alden Link – link-for-pres.org of American citizens I offered to the Democratic Party at the beginning
George Phillies – phillies2008.org of this presidential campaign with the National Initiative for
Wayne Allyn Root – rootforamerica.com Democracy."
Mary Ruwart – votemary2008.com
Christine Smith – christinesmithforpresident.com Gravel served in the United States Senate from 1969 to 1981. Most
recently, Gravel was a Democratic presidential candidate, though
Daniel Williams – thenewlibertarian.org
forced out of national debates by Democratic Party leadership and the
Vice-President of the United States media. Gravel officially became a member of the Libertarian Party
today.
Chris Bennett – chrisbennett2008.blogspot.com
Karen Kwiatkowski (?) – tinyurl.com/27t38q Gravel is the most recent former member of Congress to switch to the
Greg Raymer (?) – tinyurl.com/2bb2hx Libertarian Party. In 2006, former Republican Congressman Bob Barr
joined the Libertarian Party.
State Legislature
"It is a distinct honor to have another former member of Congress
Mike Blessing – State House District 16
within the Libertarian Party," says Barr. "Just as Senator Gravel
myspace.com/mikewbnmh16
believes Democrats have lost touch with the American public, I too
THE UNANIMOUS CONSENT CHALLENGE concluded Republicans had lost their core principles, and could no
longer associate myself with the GOP. While coming from opposite
CASH Ø10,000 PRIZE sides of the aisle, Senator Gravel and I definitely agree on the
To the first person to write a logical and documented essay showing fundamental need for systemic change in our political system, and that
one of the following to be compatible with the Declaration of the only way we have of effecting that change is by supporting and
Independence: working in the Libertarian Party, which is the only political party in
America that consistently works in word and deed to maximize
Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890 individual liberty and minimize government power."
Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906
Federal Communications Act of 1934 "We're honored to have a former member of the United States Senate
National Firearms Act of 1934 join our ranks," says Libertarian Party Executive Director Shane Cory.
Banking Act of 1935 “Senator Gravel has a sincere dedication to empowering the American
The Internal Revenue Code people and eliminating the corrupting influence of the two major
Controlled Substances Act of 1970 parties. His switch from the Democratic Party, as well as former
RICO Act of 1970 Congressman Barr’s abandonment of the GOP, shows that the
Federal Elections Act of 1970 Libertarian Party is truly a big tent organization moving firmly in the
Plumbing Products Efficiency Act of 1992 direction of Liberty.”
Anti-Money Laundering Act of 1992 The Libertarian Party is America's third largest political party, founded
USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 in 1971 as an alternative to the two main political parties. You can
Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 find more information on the Libertarian Party by visiting www.lp.org.
To claim your prize, contact The Libertarian Party proudly stands for smaller government, lower
Mike Blessing at 505-918-6567 or taxes and more freedom.
send an email to kcufmedia@gmail.com For more information on this issue, or to arrange a media interview,
please call Andrew Davis at (202) 333-0008 during normal business
The Idiocy of "Left vs. Right" hours, or at (202) 731-0002 during any other time.
by Mike Blessing [ kcufmedia@gmail.com ]
tinyurl.com/35v3xl
We hear it all the time – "___________ is a left-winger,"
"___________ is a right-winger," etc. While most people rely on these
"standards" as Gospel, in reality, it's just a pile of crap.
The whole "left vs. right" game isn't based upon any rational or
objective analysis of the respective philosophies, doctrines, platforms,
manifestos, etc., involved, but upon the seating arrangements of the
1791 French National Assembly.
After all, why should you think for yourself in examining the group or
issue in question, when you can rely on some newspaper or TV pundit
to think for you, using a 200-year-old seating chart as the basis of that
analysis?

New Mexico Liberty – April 2008 – Page 6

 Liberty, Opportunity, Prosperity
John Stossel Event!
John Stossel Coming to Albuquerque on 30 April 2008
By Paul J. Gessing [ pgessing@riograndefoundation.org ]
riograndefoundation.org/pg_jse.html
Join the Rio Grande Foundation and the New Mexico Prosperity
Project for lunch with John Stossel, host of ABC's 20/20. Stossel, one
of the most prominent supporters of free markets and limited
government in the nation and perhaps their most prominent supporter
among the media, is coming to New Mexico to discuss the importance
of individual freedom and how government can be a force for liberty or
a hindrance to it, when it gets too big and powerful.
The event will be held on Wednesday, April 30th at noon at the
Marriott Pyramid in Albuquerque located at 5151 San Francisco Road
NE. The price for "early bird" registration is $30 which includes lunch.
This reduced price goes up to $40 after tax day, April 15. Credit card
registrations are being accepted online now by clicking here. Or, if you
prefer, checks can be mailed to the Rio Grande Foundation at P.O.
Box 40336, Albuquerque, NM 87196. Please note the names of each
of your guests (if any).
We are excited to bring Mr. Stossel to New Mexico as his unique
journalism shows millions of Americans every week that governments,
not "greedy" corporations, are usually at the root of everyday
problems and rip-offs.
In addition in-depth reports for 20/20 on subjects ranging from
government waste to parenting, Stossel does shorter pieces
debunking myths, like "record high" gas prices, the evils of
"sweatshops" and price "gouging". In addition, his "Give Me a Break"
commentaries take a skeptical look at a wide array of issues, from pop
culture controversies to censorship and government regulations.
John Stossel is one of America's leading lights of liberty. Seating is
limited for this event, so be sure to reserve yours today! If you have
any questions, contact the Rio Grande Foundation at 505-264-6090.
In addition to his work on 20/20, Stossel has written two best sellers:
Give Me a Break and Myths, Lies, and Downright Stupidity: Why
Everything You Know Is Wrong.
His most recent special, Stupid in America, suggested that the
government's monopoly on education cheats kids. John Stossel Goes
to Washington looked at how, under both Democrats and
Republicans, government keeps growing, while Tampering With
Nature suggested that most tampering is a good thing.
Stossel's first special, Are We Scaring Ourselves to Death, examined
exaggerated fears of things like chemicals and crime. It was followed
by The Blame Game, which looked at Americans' growing tendency to
blame their misfortunes on others, and Boys and Girls Are Different.
For Is America Number 1?, Stossel's most popular program in high
school classrooms (StosselInTheClassroom.org), he traveled the
world to compare American life with life elsewhere and ask, "what
makes a nation prosperous?"
In You Can't Say That!, he looked at the free speech battle and at the
science of happiness in The Mystery of Happiness; destructive
lawsuits in The Trouble With Lawyers; and bogus scientific claims in
Junk Science: What You Know That May Not Be So.
Freeloaders focused on how getting "something for nothing" appeals
to all of us, including rich people who use the power of government to
help themselves. Greed challenged conventional wisdom on how
Americans view business, while Sex, Drugs and Consenting Adults
questioned why Americans are jailed for voluntary non-violent
activities.
Stossel has received 19 Emmy Awards. He has been honored five
times for excellence in consumer reporting by the National Press Club.
Among his other awards are the George Polk Award for Outstanding
Local Reporting and the George Foster Peabody Award.
Register here – riograndefoundation.org/pg_dis.html
Paul Gessing is President of the Rio Grande Foundation –
riograndefoundation.org – a non-partisan, tax-exempt research and
educational organization dedicated to promoting prosperity for New
Mexico based on principles of limited government, economic freedom
and individual responsibility.
Bob Barr Weighing Presidential Run
tinyurl.com/2nb45z
Former Republican Georgia Rep. Bob Barr is considering a run for
president on the Libertarian Party ticket.
Barr told FOX News on Tuesday that he should know in the next few
days whether he is going to go for it.
If he does decide to make an announcement in the next few days,
Barr said it “would not be in either Washington or Atlanta.“
Another source todl FOX News that the announcement should happen
this weekend, probably on April 5. That is the day Barr is scheduled to
be the keynote speaker at the Heartland Libertarian Conference in
Kansas City, Mo.
Barr, who joined the Libertarian Party after leaving Congress in 2003,
is looking to attract conservatives who are unhappy with the choice of
John McCain as the expected Republican presidential nominee.
McCain and Barr are at odds primarily over the role of U.S troops in
Iraq, although both agree that tough interrogation methods should not
be permitted.
FITNews, who was first to report the possible presidential bid, wrote
that Barr will receive the endorsement of Texas Republican Rep. Ron
Paul, a GOP presidential candidate who is still technically in the race
but has not suggested he would throw his support to McCain. McCain
and Paul, who ran on the Libertarian Party presidential ticket in 1988,
also are at odds primarily over the role of U.S. troops in Iraq.
Barr, who represented Georgia’s 7th Congressional District in the U.S.
House from 1995-2003 and served as a House manager during
impeachment proceedings against former President Bill Clinton, told
the Atlanta Journal-Constitution last week that he identifies closely
with Paul’s outlook.
“Ron Paul tapped into a great deal of that dissatisfaction and that
awareness. Unfortunately, working through the Republican party
structure, it became impossible for him to really move forward with his
movement. But we have to have . . . a rallying point out there to
harness that energy, that freedom in this election cycle,” he said.
FOX News’ David M. Lewkowict contributed to this report.
New Mexico Liberty – April 2008 – Page 7
 A Ring of Truth Furthermore, anyone who ever referred to the infamous "No-Fly List"
by L. Neil Smith [ lneil@netzero.com ] to deprive Americans of their right to travel, or who helped to compile
ncc-1776.org/tle2008/tle462-20080330-02.html that list, will be subject to exactly the same sanctions as former TSA
employees. Substantial rewards will be offered to those willing to turn
Attribute to The Libertarian Enterprise [ ncc-1776.org ] fellow government or corporate employees over to the law.
You may have heard, recently, of a woman, undergoing security The ownership or use of weapons-detecting technology by any
procedures at one of this once-free nation's airport gulags, who was agency or employee or government at any level, or by any
forced by Transportation Safety Administration goons to remove a pair corporation, or by its corporate personnel, will be treated as an
of decorative metal rings from her nipples with pliers, even though the equivalent to felonious assault. Aside from the presence of
jewelry demonstrably posed no threat to anybody – and she was unobtrusive, totally transparent "bomb-sniffing" devices, no searches
reportedly willing to show them to appropriate female security of passengers or their belongings (including the use of X-rays,
personnal. multispectral cameras, or any similar mechanism) will be permitted at
There was no reason for this treatment. It's the kind of routine violation America's airports by anyone, ever again.
and harrassment members of America's Productive Class have been Only two kinds of security "measures" will be allowed:
increasingly subjected to by otherwise unemployable minimum wage
thugs. (1) Armed professional peacekeepers (who will not be permitted to
enforce drug laws, or do anything but act in an onboard emergency);
It is, of course, only the latest in what the Founding Fathers would and
have called "a long chain of abuses and usurpations, pursuing
invariably the same object, evincing a design to reduce them (2) armed individuals who are willing to declare themselves to the
(meaning us) under absolute despotism." Of course that's from the airline, and will receive generous discounts on the prices of their
Declaration of Independence, and if you're not the big fan of Thomas tickets, provided they are willing to carry ammunition – supplied by the
Jefferson's beautiful and elegant prose that I am, it means that TSA's airline in several different calibers – that will not damage the aircraft.
mission is not safety, but to grind us down and make compliant slaves
There may be points here that you disagree with, but if we quibble
of all of us.
over details, the proposal will lose its force. We will go on being
I say enough is enough. treated like slaves at the airport by subhuman scum whose masters
have expressed gleeful willingness to have a hijacked airliner shot
Anyone with three gray cells floating in their skulls understands down by fighters, rather than allow passengers to carry weapons.
perfectly that armed citizens could have stopped the 9/11 hijackings Some scholars believe that's what really happened to United Airlines
easily, that the crimes were enabled by unconstitutional gun laws, and Flight 93 on 9/11, after which the government lied about the heroism
that we're living on dumb luck: it's now more dangerous to fly than of its doomed passengers.
ever. Forcing women to tear off their nipple rings with pliers only
makes the situation worse, betraying the unbelievable lunacy – and The alternative it to be treated with dignity and respect like free
power hungry depravity – of those who falsely claim to be protecting individuals. If you like the general idea, talk it up, pass this article
us. along, make the enemies of freedom as uncomfortable as you can. If it
seems like too much work, remember those genuine heroes who
Jefferson also made some remarks about altering or abolishing such pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor to establish our rights.
despotism, throwing it off, and providing "new guards" for our future
security. Can you do any less?
Understand from the very beginning that, even if TSA were sincere
about protecting airline passengers from terrorist nipple rings and
similar dire threats, they would still be an abject failure. The simple,
inescapable fact is that self-defense is an individual bodily function –
like eating, sleeping, making love, or going to the bathroom – that
cannot be delegated to anybody else. Every attempt to evade or
override that fact invariably winds up in tragedy. Sometimes the
tragedy is of monstrous proportions, as it was on September 11, 2001.
That's a very important concept, so I'm going to state it again: self-
defense is an individual bodily function that cannot be delegated. The
very notion is absurd. Every attempt to do so ends in tragedy.
"What's the alternative?", I pretend to hear you ask. Well to begin with,
for the sake of preventing any further violations of the rights and
dignity of individuals – and to avoid any more tragedies like 9/11 – the
TSA must be abolished, and for some reasonable interval, its budget
diverted to compensate its many thousands of victims.
Before they are entirely released from service, each TSA employee
must be individually investigated, scrutinized, charged, and tried for
his or her crimes against the Constitution for which the excuse –
exactly as it was established at the Nuremberg Tribunals following Richardson the Farmer?
World War II – that "I was just following orders" will not be acceptable. by John Trever of the Albuquerque Journal
Under the terms clearly mandated by the Fourteenth Amendment, no 25 March 2008
former TSA employee will ever be employable at any level of [ cagle.com/politicalcartoons/PCcartoons/trever.asp ]
government again (no government pensions should be payable to any
of these people), nor will he or she be permitted to run for or to hold
public office. Moreover, because many of their crimes closely
resemble (or actually are) sexual offenses, the residences of former
TSA employees, in any neighborhood, will be a matter of public
record, and whenever they move, their new addresses will be duly
reported to their new neighbors.
New Mexico Liberty – April 2008 – Page 8
 Administrivia
by Mike Blessing, Editor
If you have news, interesting stories, op-ed pieces, a letter to the
editor, or timely information that you think belongs in the newsletter,
please send it along. I can be contacted at 505-918-6567, or just send
it to email address kcufmedia@gmail.com.
When sending your submission as an MS Word (or Open Office Text)
file, send it single-spaced in 9-pt Arial – like this is. Margins should 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 want anything in bold
type, underlined, in italics, struck-through, different colors, etc. I’m not
telepathic here, so help me out. And NO Wordperfect files – I can't
open those.
Graphics (pictures, cartoons, etc.) – send the highest quality graphics
you can – email them to me at the address above, and I’ll do what I
can to get them in the next issue. In particular, what I want are
pictures of YOU the LPNM members, either at LPNM-sponsored
events or at other peoples' events.
Submission deadline for each issue – midnight, third Tuesday of the
month.
Articles
As for writing your article, It should be concise (no longer than a full
page) 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 on in
the LPNM – what YOU the membership are up to in spreading the
message. For example, an article about the stupidity, insanity and evil
of the UN might get put in, depending on available space and the
quality of the article. A group of LPNM members counter-protesting
the raising of a UN flag by the city council WILL get put in, 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 being
has the right – under any circumstances – to initiate force
against another human being, nor to threaten, incite or
delegate its initiation.
New Mexico Liberty holds that Libertarian candidates, officeholders or
appointed spokespersons at all levels of government or the Party
should refrain from advocating new or more restrictive laws, new or
more expensive spending programs, or new or higher taxes. To
paraphrase from the medical profession, “First, do no harm.”
Submissions Policy
The editor reserves the right to refuse service to anyone for any
reason. The editor will most often be willing to explain any such
reasons. Appeals of the editor's refusal to post an advertisement,
article, letter to editor, or anything else can be made to the LPNM's
State Chair, Central Committee and/or Judicial Council.
Copyright
Copyright © 2003–2008 Libertarian Party of New Mexico. All rights
reserved.
Permission is explicitly granted for subscribers to recopy New Mexico
Liberty for non-commercial purposes, specifically as use as an
outreach tool, provided that New Mexico Liberty is copied in its
entirety. Use your imagination here.
Websites
libertarian-party-nm.org/newsletter
xanga.com/nmliberty
groups.google.com/group/nmliberty
myspace.com/nmliberty
groups.yahoo.com/group/nmliberty
Subscriptions and Correspondence
To subscribe, send a blank email to
nmliberty-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Or go to groups.yahoo.com/group/nmliberty/join
To UNsubscribe: send a blank email message to
nmliberty-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
For a print subscription, contact Ron Bjornstad for details.
Finally, New Mexico Liberty will be posted to the web, in PDF format,
both to the Archives section of the page on www.lpnm.org, to the Files
sections of the Yahoo and Google groups I’ve set up for it –
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nmliberty
http://groups.google.com/group/nmliberty
The various articles, columns and other bits of each issue shall also
be posted in blog format to Xanga.com and Myspace.com –
xanga.com/nmliberty and myspace.com/nmliberty
If you are moving or change your mailing address, please use keep us
in the loop so we can keep your New Mexico Liberty coming to you –
contact Ron Bjornstad [ rbjornstad@earthlink.net ] if you're a print
version subscriber. Otherwise, contact the editor.
Advertising in New Mexico Liberty
Current rates for year-long spots
Full page Ø60.00
Half page Ø30.00
Quarter page Ø15.00
Business card Ø 8.00
Rates are subject to change at the discretion of the editor. The editor
will do his best to make any such changes only when absolutely
necessary.
Inserts – For an insert into the PDF version that goes out over the
internet, contact the editor at email address nmliberty-
owner@yahoogroups.com. For an insert into the print edition, contact
Ron Bjornstad at email address rbjornstad@earthlink.net or phone
number 505-288-4228.
Ø – The symbol for Federal Reserve Note(s), as used by Boston T.
Party in his books. In plain-text message traffic (such as email), the
acronym “FRN” will be used by the editor. See www.javelinpress.com
for more information. Also see the Wikipedia page for “Federal
Reserve Note” – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Reserve_Note.
THE LPNM OFFICIAL WEBSITES
libertarian-party-nm.org, nmlp.org and lp-nm.org
LPNM OFFICIAL MAILING ADDRESS
AND PHONE NUMBER
918 Ivory Road SE
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
505-288-4228
If the date on your mailing label reads before 05/01/08, it's
time to renew your LPNM membership.
New Mexico Liberty – April 2008 – Page 9
 LPNM Central Committee County Contacts
Chair Bernalillo – libertarian-party-nm.org/bernalillo
Jay Vandersloot Mike Blessing – 505-918-6567 / lpbcnm@gmail.com
505-362-1733 / yprocrastinate-emailme@yahoo.com
Colfax
Vice Chair Richard Moore – 505-377-6849 / myliberty@mail.com
Ron Bjornstad – 505-891-4541 / rbjornstad@earthlink.net
Dona Ana – libertarian-party-nm.org/dona-ana
Secretary Siebert Ickler – 505-541-9079 / lpdacnm@peoplepc.com
Mike Blessing – 505-918-6567 / kcufmedia@gmail.com
Lea
Treasurer Christina Groth – 505-397-9366
Richard Obergfell – 505-378-8025 / lplcnm@valornet.com
Lincoln
At-Large Representative, Seat A Richard Obergfell – 505-378-8025 / lplcnm@valornet.com
Joseph Knight – 505-330-7713 / nm_libertarian@yahoo.com
Los Alamos
At-Large Representative, Seat B Allen Cogbill – 505-662-7833 / acogbill@geopotential.com
Allen Cogbill – 505-662-7833 / acogbill@geopotential.com
Luna
District 1 Representative, Seat A Marilyn Steffen – 505-531-2556 / b_lamont5@hotmail.com
John Pfersich – 505-301-2601 / neoconssuck@att.net
Otero
District 1 Representative, Seat B Gilberto Heredia – 575-439-8234 / thrill@zianet.com
Mark Curtis – 505-256-1993 / macurtis@webtv.net
Roosevelt
District 2 Representative, Seat A Ken Sanders – 505-749-2085
VACANT
San Juan – sjclp.org
District 2 Representative, Seat B Gary Wood – zang5775@msn.com
VACANT
Sandoval
District 3 Representative, Seat A Ron Bjornstad – 505-288-4228 / rbjornstad@earthlink.net
Bob Ziesmer – 505-327-6681 / nm_bob@hotmail.com
Santa Fe
District 3 Representative, Seat B Susan Ruch – 505-466-4706 / suelib1@hotmail.com
Mike Moss – 505-564-4905 / mmoss@plumbersoft.com
Valencia
Press Secretary Abran Gabaldon – 505-864-6870 / abran_d@yahoo.com
Bill Koehler – 505-264-0835 / bkoehler8@comcast.net
Campus Contacts
University of New Mexico
John Pfersich (Acting) – 505-301-2601 / neoconssuck@att.net
LPNM Vacancies
Central Committee (2)
District 2 Representative, Seat A
District 2 Representative, Seat B
County Contacts (20)
Catron / Chaves / Cibola / Curry / De Baca / Eddy / Grant
Guadalupe / Harding / Hidalgo / McKinley / Mora / Quay
Rio Arriba / San Miguel / Sierra / Socorro / Taos / Torrance / Union
College Contacts (3)
Eastern New Mexico University (Portales)
New Mexico State University (Las Cruces)
New Mexico Tech (Socorro)
Western New Mexico University (Silver City)
Contact the state chair if you're interested in filling a slot.
If you don't, who will?
Internet Resources
Official Website – libertarian-party-nm.org Obama the Bridge-Builder?
[ Short URLs – lp-nm.org and nmlp.org ] by John Trever of the Albuquerque Journal
21 March 2008
LPNM Discussion – groups.yahoo.com/lpnm-discuss
[ cagle.com/politicalcartoons/PCcartoons/trever.asp ]
LPNM Activists – tinyurl.com/z7ug5
Myspace.com – groups.myspace.com/lpnm
The SW Region LNC list – tinyurl.com/e8khh

New Mexico Liberty – April 2008 – Page 10

 Libertarian Party of New Mexico
Enrollment / 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 caucus
member. I am paying $25 annual dues. I will receive a one year (12 issues) subscription to the LPNM state
newsletter “New Mexico Liberty” (the national “LP NEWS” IS NOT included) and I will have delegate status at state
conventions. 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 sign the
statement opposing the initiation of force to achieve social or political goals. I am paying $25.00 for a one year (12
issues) subscription to the LPNM state newsletter “New Mexico Liberty” (the national “LP NEWS” IS NOT 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 is
included in your LPNM membership dues of $25.00.
• The Internal Revenue Service requires us to print “political contributions are not tax deductible” on all
fundraising appeals.
• The Federal Election Commission requires us to ask for the employer and occupation of each individual whose
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 working to
increase your freedom.

COPY OR PRINT, FILL OUT, AND SEND TO:

LPNM c/o Ron Bjornstad

918 IVORY RD SE
RIO RANCHO NM 87124

New Mexico Liberty – April 2008 – Page 11

 AUTHORIZATION FOR AUTOMATED TRANSFERS
Charter Bank:
I authorize Charter Bank to initiate an electronic transfer via the Automated Clearing House (ACH) as noted below:
Customer Name (on account, please print): _________________________________________________________________

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CREDIT (deposit) Charter Bank, to the account of LIBERTARIAN PARTY OF NEW MEXICO, account number 0092040302

$______ LPNM General Fund $______ Chair's Contingency Fund $______ Major Player Fund $______ Win One Fund

TOTAL AMOUNT of electronic transfer $_________ MONTHLY on the _________ day of each month starting ____/____/____
I understand this authority is to remain in full force and effect until Charter Bank has received notification from me regarding termination in such
time and in such manner as to afford Charter Bank a reasonable opportunity to act on it. I also understand this transfer is not immediate and
could take up to two business days.

Signature: _________________________________ Date: ____________ Social Security Number: ___________________

BANK USE ONLY Bank Employee: ______________________________________________ Date: ____________________

Authorization processed by: ____________________________________________________ Date: ____________________

Alternately, if you prefer not to have our bank initiate an electronic transfer, you may have your bank initiate the transfer to Charter Bank,
Routing Number 307072427, to the account of LIBERTARIAN PARTY OF NEW MEXICO, account number 0092040302. Also, please fill out the
info section below, allocate your contribution on the “Funds” line above, and mail this form to LPNM.
MONTHLY CREDIT CARD PLEDGE
I authorize the Treasurer of the Libertarian Party of New Mexico to charge my credit card MONTHLY as indicated below:

CARD TYPE (circle one): VISA / MASTERCARD

Number: __ __ __ __ – __ __ __ __ – __ __ __ __ – __ __ __ __ Expires: ____/____

$_______ on the _______ day of each month beginning on ____/____/____ to be used as follows:

$______ LPNM General Fund $______ Chair's Contingency Fund $______ Major Player Fund $______ Win One Fund
I understand that this agreement remains in effect until I notify the Treasurer of the Libertarian Party of New Mexico, in writing, to cancel or alter
this agreement.

NAME (on card, please print): ______________________________________________________

SIGNATURE: _______________________________________________ DATE ____/____/____

FEDERAL INFO REQUIREMENTS, DISCLAIMERS, ETC.

Federal law requires political committees to report the name, mailing address, occupation and employer for each individual whose contributions
aggregate in excess of $200 in a calendar year. Political contributions are not tax deductible. Your contribution may be used to fund federal
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Name: ______________________________________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________________________

City: ________________________________________ State: ___________ Zip: _________

Phone (h): ______________________ (w): ______________________ E-mail: ________________________________

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This form is for monthly pledges only. Please pay dues and one time donations separately. Complete the AUTOMATED TRANSFER section or
the CREDIT CARD section and the INFO section. Mail the entire form to the address below. Thank You !!
LPNM c/o Ron Bjornstad
918 IVORY RD SE
RIO RANCHO NM 87124

New Mexico Liberty – April 2008 – Page 12