Dear All,
Here are the minutes of the LPSF Meeting of 5/12/07, which I took in
Francoise's absence. Please let me know if you see any corrections
that need to be made. I will print a final copy for Francoise on
Monday, and she will also post the final copy on the LPSF Activist
Files.
Marcy
Minutes for the LPSF Monthly Meeting of May 12, 2007
Members present: Phil Berg (Chair) presiding, Marcy Berry
(recording), Bryce Bigwood, Mike Denny, Michael Edelstein, Ron
Getty, Jawj Greenwald, Tim Kuklinsky, Jeremy Linden, Starchild
Guests present: Anthony Gregory (guest speaker), Peter Schoewe
(Alameda County LP), Martin Burger.
Officer Reports
Treasurer: Justin Sampson out of town; Marcy Berry read Justin's
report - Starting Balance $3,472.22. April Pizza Jar excess $20.85,
Anonymous donation $5.00, Market St. Mailhouse 12 months ($240.00),
Web Hosting Logic 3 months ($44.85), Dues received by LPSF forwarded
to LPC ($180.00). Ending Balance $3,033.22.
Secretary - Françoise Fielding out of town; Starchild read
Françoise's report: $75.00 should be allocated to purchase
libertarian literature for distribution at the Gay Pride booth.
Research is needed regarding investing part of the LPSF funds in an
investment account. Members of Activists List whose e-mail are
bouncing should be removed from the list.
Vice Chair - Starchild had no report as Vice Chair.
Chair, Phil Berg - Requested the Web Committee to look into low-cost
or free web hosting. Will find out from the leadership of Outright
Libertarians plans for an LP booth at the Gay Pride Festival.
Committee Reports: None
Announcements:
Phil Berg announced plans for an LP Fundraiser on June 14, venue to
be confirmed later. Plans are for LPC Chair Kevin Takenaga and LP
Northern Vice Chair Richard Newell to present goals for LP California.
Michael Edelstein announced Free State Project's PorkFest on June 22,
information on www.freestateproject.org.
Michael also called the membership's attention to Second Life, a
virtual community in which a Libertarian presence could be used to
demonstrate libertarian ideas. Website is www.secondlife.com.
Peter Schoewe announced a White Water Rafting outing for all ages
organized by East Bay LP. Cost is $75.00.
Old Business: None
New Business: None
Guest Speaker Anthony Gregory: Anthony is a research analyst at The
Independent Institute in Oakland, regularly writes for numerous news
and commentary web sites, and is a recipient of the Ron Paul Liberty
in Media Award.
Anthony's excellent presentation was entitled "Talking to the Left,"
do's and don'ts when communicating libertarian ideas to left-leaning
people.
Expose ideas of liberty; explain why liberty provides a better
approach to challenges
Focus on the ends commonly shared, such as equal rights and freedom
from oppression. For example, if agreement can be obtained in the
arbitrary justice of incarceration, the premise of not jailing
people for victimless crimes could also be agreed upon.
Give examples where government is oppressive, with its power to jail
or kill, to counter the left's view of government's benevolence.
Concentrate on the "good reachable left" (believes in freedom from
authority), since the "bad unreachable left" (believes is rigid
rules, control) is more challenging.
Seize opportunities, such as occurring at present, given number of
voters dissatisfied with the current Administration.
Use cognitive dissonance to inject confusion in left-leaning
beliefs. For example, not consistent to vilify Bush, but not Fidel
Castro, for anti gay stances.
Stay principled. Don't equivocate. Your listener will detect any
fake accommodation.
Anthony took numerous questions from the audience after his
presentation.
After the meeting's adjournment, everyone enjoyed the Pizza Social.