Mike,
Willie Nelson and the Bayview. Now there's an interesting juxtaposition, huh? 8) But great news on both counts!
I posted about Terry Baum's play on here at the time it was happening, and saw it myself, but I don't think any other LPSF members went except for Richard Winger. You guys missed out, it was fantastic.
I should be able to hit h. brown's salon if it's happening tonight -- got the 411 on that?
* * *
One thing I've thought about for a while is that it could help us to start some local non-partisan civic groups. Even if they exist mostly on paper, their endorsements could be useful in giving our candidates the appearance of broader support. While we can't yet get the endorsements of groups like Plan C or the Harvey Milk Club, we should be able to get the endorsements of groups that we start ourselves. 8)
My favorite idea so far for such a group is Neighbors for Property Rights (NPR), and the context of the eminent domain issue strikes me as an excellent time to launch it.
Neighbors for Property Rights would exist to defend your right to peacefully use your own property as you choose, whether you're a merchant, a builder, a homeless person on the street, or somebody in a $5 million mansion in Pacific Heights.
Aside from endorsing pro-property rights candidates, NPR's main function would be as a kind of union advocating on behalf of its members, who would pay dues of $5 a year for individuals, $25/year for merchants, developers, and other organizations (membership would be free for low income, students, and the homeless). Membership would also require signing a statement along the lines of "I ('we' in the case of organizations) support the right of property owners to use their own property as they choose so long as doing so does not initiate force against others."
Members would be eligible to have NPR speak out on their behalf in cases affecting their ability to use their property. The group would send an official letter in support of any member requesting such support, and seek to mobilize its members and others to speak in favor of the property owner at public hearings on things such as people trying to build additions on their homes, merchants applying for liquor license or extended hours permits, people receiving citations for selling their belongings on the sidewalk, developers seeking to build, etc.
As I said, I've been thinking about NPR again lately in the context of the Eminent Domain Initiative. I'd like to sign people up for the group at the same time we get them to sign the petition. I can make buttons to give to people who join, but I need a logo. I'm thinking of a little animated house holding a megaphone, but open to ideas.
Anybody want to join NPR? 8) I'm going to have an organizing meeting next Wednesday at my house, 6pm -- 3531 16th Street between Market and Sanchez. If you plan to come, please RSVP to (415) 621-7932. Hopefully someone can bring some of the eminent domain petitions and we can schedule some petitioning.
Yours in liberty,
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