NEW MEXICO LIBERTY

“Let Freedom Ring”

The Official Newsletter of the Libertarian Party of New Mexico

May 2009 http://lpnm.us v.2.2 N.9

Table of Contents Notes from the Editor

by Mike Blessing [ mikewb1971@gmail.com ]
Page 1 – Notes from the Editor

Page 2
2010 Annual State Convention
• Field Reports / Calendar
• This year's State Convention will be hosted by the Otero County LP in Alamogordo at the
Holiday Inn Express. The schedule will include speakers, the banquet and the Saturday
Page 3 – A Lesson in Politics afternoon business session, including but not limited to election of officers and the Central
Committee. The new Central Committee will have its first meeting immediately following the
Die-Hard Breakfast speaker on Sunday morning.
Page 4
• Voters Won't Board Streetcar II
Openings in the LPNM

Page 5 County Contacts (20)

• Montana Governor Signs New Gun
Law
• Hostile bloggers facing fines, jail?
Page 6
• Why Did it Have to be . . . Guns?
• New Mexico Tech (Socorro)
Page 7 – Contacts / Internet Resources
Page 8
• Administrivia
• The Unanimous Consent Challenge
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 (4)
Eastern New Mexico University (Portales)
University of New Mexico (Various Campuses)
Western New Mexico University (Silver City)
Contact the state chair if you're interested in filling a slot.
If you don't, who will?
Candidates to Date

Page 9 – Enrollment / Renewal Form U.S. House of Representatives

District 1 – Alan Woodruff – alanwoodruff.com

Page 10 – Authorization for Automatic
Transfers State Legislature

State Representative, District 16 – Mike Blessing – mikewb1971.xanga.com

(Exploratory committee at present)
YOUR ADVERTISING HERE?
State Senate, District 26 – Mike Blessing – mikewb1971.xanga.com
(Exploratory committee at present)
CONTACT THE EDITOR OR
SEE PAGE 9 FOR DETAILS
or EMAIL
mikewb1971@gmail.com

New Mexico Liberty – May 2009 – Page 1

 Field Reports Calendar
From County Contacts
Special Events
Bernalillo – The BCLP is hosting two meetings per month, on
2010 Annual State Convention
Thursday, 7 May and Thursday, 21 May, 6:00 to 7:00 PM at
Fiesta's Restaurant & Lounge (Carlisle & Montogomery NE). The 2010 LPNM State Convention is scheduled for the weekend of
Contact Mike Blessing for details [ mikewb1971@gmail.com / 505- 16-18 April 2009 for the greater Albuquerque area. More details to
918-6567], or see the BCLP website – lpnm.us/bernalillo. See follow soon.
xanga.com/kcufmedia for more information concerning The Weekly
Sedition and New Mexico's Consumer Advocate. Bernalillo County LP Convention

Paul Gessing and Rio Grande Foundation have just established a Will run concurrent with the 2010 State Convention. Contact Mike
social-networking site for small-l libertarians called New Mexico Blessing for details.
Liberty – newmexicoliberty.com is the URL. This is in addition to LPNM Central Committee Meeting – 14 June 2009
other activities, which can be found at the RGF's site –
riograndefoundation.org. Paul Gessing and Jim Scarantino have The LPNM's Central Committee will have its regularly scheduled
launched a radio show on JOY 1550 AM, along the lines of the meeting on Sunday, 14 June 2009. Lunch at 12 PM, meeting from
libertarian-oriented show that Bob Finch was seeking sponsors for. 1 PM to 3 PM. For location, contact State Chair Ken Cavanaugh [
505-489-8099 / phloyd113@cableone.net ]. County and Campus
Mark Curtis has taken over manning a table at the NMGCA gun Contacts encouraged to attend!
shows at the Manuel Lujan Building at the State Fairgrounds.
Dona Ana – The next scheduled Dona Ana County Central Libertarian Media from New Mexico
Committee Meeting is 13 January 2010 at 6:30 PM to plan for the (not necessarily endorsed by LPNM)
county convention. Contact chair for more information. The
committee would be delighted to meet before then with any Doña Speaking Freely
Ana County Libertarian wishing support in running for office or with hosted by Paul Gessing and Jim Scarantino
any ideas to advance the party or political issues that the party Saturdays 9 – 10 AM on KJOY 1550 AM
should address. Please contact the chair – lpdacnm@lpnm.us / riograndefoundation.org/pg_rp.html
575-541-9079, or check the LPDAC website – lpnm.us/dona-ana. tinyurl.com/dcnpwm
Otero – The Otero County LP meets on Wednesday, 6 May – Hemp TV – Tuesdays at 7PM
contact Dr. Gilberto Heredia for more information [ myspace.com/nmhemptv
thrill@zianet.com / 575-439-8234 ], or see the OCLP website for
details – lpnm.us/otero. The OCLP hosted this year's state The One Party State – Wednesdays at 11PM
convention in April. Contact Lance Klafeta [ lklafeta@yahoo.com ] for details

Sandoval – The LPSC is having its monthly meetings on the fourth Reeferhead – Saturdays at 6PM
Tuesday of each month. Tuesday, 26 May – The Sandoval County myspace.com/reeferheadtv
Libertarian Party will meet – contact Ron Bjornstad [ The Fringe Element
rbjornstad@earthlink.net / 505-288-4228 ] for details. thefringeelement.net / postpubco.com
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.

Monday, 11 May – The Santa Fe County LP meets at the South

Library at 6:30 PM. Contact Ed Nagel for details [
ed123nagel@aol.com / 505-474-0300 ].
Ed specified these directions for the South Library –
Although the mailing address is on Jaguar St, the best way
to get there is to turn south off Airport Rd onto Country Club
Rd (by the golf course), proceed 6 tenths of a mile to
Valentine Way, and make a left (heading east), and an
immediate right into the parking lot of the South Library.

New Mexico Liberty – May 2009 – Page 2


Voice of the Chair
by Ken Cavanaugh
[ phloyd113@cableone.net ]
New LPNM State Chair
Greetings. My name is Ken Cavanaugh, and I was recently elected
as the new State Chairman of the Libertarian Party of New Mexico
at our State Convention. This was held in Alamagordo, Otero
County, hosted by the Otero County affiliation. They did a fantastic
job all around. I myself am pleased and thankful for this opportunity
to work towards a stronger LPNM as we move forward.
Though relatively new to New Mexico (1½ years), I have
considerable experience from my year in southeast Pennsylvania in
Montgomery County. A brief overview includes running for
Montgomery County Commissioner in 1999 (did not make the
ballot), and U.S. House (13th – PA) in 2000, where I was on the
ballot. I garnered over 4000 votes in a district which had fewer than
1500 registered libertarians. Though still only about 2% of the
overall vote, I clearly convinced some to vote for me that were not
libertarian.
Going beyond that, I was the County Chairman for Montgomery
County from 2001-2002, after which I relocated to Alabama. Hard
to get things going there in that harsh Republican State.
Enough about me. At the State Convention, I pledged to put most
of my effort into building the local organizations, at whatever effort
required. It has been said that “all politics is local”, and I firmly
believe that. When reviewing the successes of the LNC over it’s 38
years, we have failed to make it to Washington, or even a State
Governors’ office. Even the Reform Party has managed to get into
Minnesota. I will point out that Jesse Ventura (true, with pro
wrestling name recognition) had been an elected mayor prior to his
victory there.
What I feel we need to do is build our presence at the local level, so
that when we do run for the higher offices, we have already
established ourselves within as many local communities as
possible. Besides, it is far easier to win a local race than shooting
for U.S. House, or other high profile offices. This is not to say that
we will not run for the higher offices, this also helps our visibility.
Though it is admittedly difficult to apply our platform at the local
level, invariably there are opportunities if we are listening at the city
and county meetings. We would find, for example, that many
authorities out there have invested in private enterprise, and are
taking losses when doing so. These are clear opportunities. We
have to be there to give our input. This will take time and effort, I
understand. If we make headway in local communities, we stand a
better chance at winning at that level. Once we accomplish that, the
voters in those districts will be more inclined to support us at higher
endeavors.
So, I encourage all of us to be attending meetings of the local and
county governments, in order to be in tune with the local issues.
There will be occasion where we can suggest remedies to issues
which are founded in libertarian concepts, and thus get the public to
start thinking that there ARE alternatives beyond that which the
existing elected officials think and propose. The key here is to
submit thoughtful alternative that can accomplish the goals of
whatever issue is on the table. Obviously, there are too many
variables to address specifics here, but such issues will arise in
these meetings.
There may be times when a proposal doesn’t have an obvious
alternative that can be readily suggested, yet the people in
attendance may still display misgivings over their options. This will
happen often enough to give us the opportunity to create an
alternative solution. If one cannot be created at that time, please
send the issue upward through county and state affiliates, and we
should be able to suggest something. Refrain from simply saying
an option is a bad idea, as we don’t want to be associated with the
party of NO, instead, the party of ‘there is a better way’.
By doing this, over time, a person can gain the support of their
fellow citizens. For instance, when a good counter-proposal is put
forward, the citizens will ask for more thoughts on that subject, as
well as look to us for further proposals. At some point in time, it
might even be suggested to you that you run for the city or county
office yourself. Whether you want to run for office or not, this will
build support for the libertarian movement.
For those that might be interested in running for office, you will
enjoy a higher degree of success by participating in this way, and
will create your own local support. Obviously, we encourage
running for office, but I understand that many don’t want to do that
job. Still, we cannot advance our platform without it, except to do so
slowly. It is still possible to accomplish change by merely constantly
suggesting good alternatives. Over time, piece-by-piece, even that
can change the approach of our governments.
From the models of the two major parties, we should consider
running and WINNING local office, even those that aren’t
associated with a party designation. After doing a good job, more
support will be gained as well. This will create the opportunity to run
for higher office, as a base level of support will already be in place.
Fundamentally, I disagree of the “move up the ladder” as being a
required approach, but that is the model, and we need to
acknowledge that.
A key element that we need to focus upon is to attract the younger
crowd. Though our government adversely affects all of us, the
young people are already seriously damaged from government
policies, and would be most receptive to the libertarian
philosophies. Though college campuses will be full of pro-
libertarians, these are generally short-lived relationships as the
students move on after graduation. This requires an ongoing
strategy of turnover. Most campuses require a staff member to
endorse our presence, with a number of students willing to support
us in order to establish ourselves as an approved on-campus
group.
I would refrain from a lot of direct mail outreach, as it doesn’t often
give us the return on investment that we would like. Instead, use
direct mail to promote the “fun” activities that you might plan over
time. Planning “fun” events is fun in itself, and can include the entire
family, without any political pressures included. It isn’t necessary to
schedule speakers at such events, as we are usually preaching to
the choir anyway. At the event, the political discussion will generate
on their own, merely by attendees knowing that the Libertarians
organized it. Leave it at that. Our opportunities will grow on their
own.
Lastly, when discussing our platform, it is usually more effective
when we inquire about the other persons’ opinion, long before we
propose our solutions. I have found over the thousands that I have
spoken with, that some of our positions will scare people away. If
instead, we let them steer, we can suggest moderation in our
direction, and often they will be willing to move slightly, if not fully,
in our direction.
An example that I have found to be consistent, is our drug policy.
When we propose the full legalization of all drugs, I have found that
even the pro-marijuana crowd will reject it as being dangerous. We
might consider talking about legalizing marijuana, and let the other
person take it from there. I have heard a lot of support on that
premise, but lose such support when I discuss all the other
substances. Leave it to say that America isn’t ready to legalize all
drugs at this time. By stepping back a bit, we can gain a larger
portion of the voting populous, and not limit ourselves to the smaller
percentages.
[ Continued on Page 4 ]
New Mexico Liberty – May 2009 – Page 3
 Liberty, Opportunity, Prosperity
Voters Won't Board Streetcar II
by Paul Gessing [ riograndefoundation.org ]
8 April2009 – tinyurl.com/cvoftx
Back in 2006, the Rio Grande Foundation was
one of the leading opponents of the original
streetcar. Since then, the issue has been “below
the radar screen,” still on the agenda of many
policymakers, but lacking the momentum to
move forward due to public opposition. So, it was
with great interest that I read J.W. Madison's
article on these pages [Albuquerque Journal – MWB] in which he
laid out the case for a scaled-back “Streetcar II.”
Rather than laying out a clear and compelling case for the
streetcar, the author makes a series of points without citing where
the data come from or how the supposedly positive traits
associated with rail transit will manifest themselves here in
Albuquerque. His initial point about the relative efficiency of buses
and train travel is indicative of this problem. He states that trains
are three times as efficient as buses, but fails to back this assertion
up with any citation or data.
With a few Internet searches, I found this from transportation
analyst Randal O'Toole, “U.S. data show that buses consume
about the same energy, per passenger mile, as SUVs. Buses and
SUVs use about a quarter more energy than cars, which are about
the same as light rail.” So, the streetcar would be about as energy
efficient as an automobile per passenger mile. That last phrase is
the key because a fully-loaded train is indeed very efficient, but
trains are almost never full outside of peak hours. Worse, when
transportation analysts say “full,” it means that you are cheek to
jowl with your fellow passenger and standing, not just that every
seat is occupied.
Without going through each of Madison's points, each of which
could be attacked individually with greater space, his concluding
point that rail transit returns $4 to $8 for every dollar spent seems
dubious at best. There is no mention of how this number is derived
or justified, simply an assertion. According to the U.S. Department
of Transportation, for every thousand passenger miles, transit
receives $118 in subsidy while highways actually subsidize other
modes to the tune of negative $2. In other words, highway users
pay more than they get back through gas taxes, vehicle
registrations, etc. If transit returns $4 to $8 for every dollar spent, it
would seem that $1 spent on a highway returns an exponentially
greater amount.
The fact is that Albuquerque's bus system, which is based on
“express” Rapid Ride buses operating on a few major arteries and
“local” buses in other areas of town, serves the community quite
well and at a cost that is several times lower than the proposed
streetcar ever could, even in a limited area. An expensive new
streetcar could jeopardize this system, not complement it.
Los Angeles found this out the hard way in the late 1990s. That is
when the city was sued by the NAACP and a coalition of bus riders,
angry that expensive light rail projects were eating up scarce
resources and causing the city to cut back on bus routes. The same
thing could easily occur in Albuquerque as resources would have to
be shifted and taxes would be raised in order to fund the
construction and operation of a rail project benefitting one small
area of town.
Ultimately (and unfortunately), for many people, rail is no longer just
a method of moving people from one place to the other. Instead,
advocates assert it will solve our environmental problems by being
green, renew our city centers, make us thinner by encouraging us
to walk more, and improve our moods by eliminating traffic. Given
these outsized expectations, it is no wonder that such projects don't
live up to expectations.
Trains are indeed useful. For example, they move thousands of
tons of freight every day in this country. But all modes of
transportation should be judged based on an open and realistic
cost-benefit analysis, not unrealistic expectations. Most citizens
knew that the streetcar was not a good idea back in 2006. I believe
voters are smart enough not to fall for the unrealistic promises
made by a few train buffs.
Paul Gessing is president of New Mexico's Rio Grande Foundation,
a non-partisan, tax-exempt research and educational organization
dedicated to principles of limited government, economic freedom
and individual responsibility.
[ Continued from Page 3 ]
Another is the IRS. This agency simply cannot be turned off like a
light switch, and New Mexico enjoys better than a two-to-one
payback from this function. Take our shots at that which should be
transferred to the States (Federal Interstate Highway Taxes), or
converted to private enterprise. True, in the long run, eliminating
government agencies which are not authorized is the goal, but
requires a lot of discussion in order to describe how we would
accomplish that.
I am NOT suggesting that we change our planks in any way, just
softening the message to accommodate the larger percent of the
people. If interested, they will read our planks, and come back for
clarification. This is still a good thing.
From the State level, I intend to keep a close eye on the activities in
Santa Fe, in order to provide our feedback not only there, but also
into the media to increase visibility in that way. Also, I expect to
keep our followers posted on potential issues there so that we can
ensure that our local citizens are aware of such issues. As for the
national level, I invite all of you to compose your own op-eds to
voice our opinions on those subjects. We pretty much all agree
where we stand there.
Bottom line, visibility! Better yet, positive visibility! We need to show
that we are interested, and watching out for the best interest of The
People, with our libertarian label. They will migrate towards us over
time.
So, I encourage all of us to attend the meetings, and consider
running for these local and county offices as time goes by. For my
part, I am readily available for support, and assistance in achieving
these objectives.
Thank you for your time in reading my first message to all of you. I
also invite you contact me directly when you feel the need. I will be
reaching out to you often.
Ken Cavanaugh
LPNM State Chairman 2009-2011
New Mexico Liberty – May 2009 – Page 4

Montana Governor Signs New Gun Law
Ernest Hancock [ ernesthancock.com ]
Date: 03 May 2009
tinyurl.com/cct7qp
(via Carl Worden)
Executive Summary – The USA state of Montana has signed into
power a revolutionary gun law. I mean REVOLUTIONARY.
The State of Montana has defied the federal government and their
gun laws. This will prompt a showdown between the federal
government and the State of Montana. The federal government
fears citizens owning guns. They try to curtail what types of guns
they can own. The gun control laws all have one common goal –
confiscation of privately owned firearms.
Montana has gone beyond drawing a line in the sand. They have
challenged the Federal Government. The fed now either takes them
on and risks them saying the federal agents have no right to violate
their state gun laws and arrest the federal agents that try to enforce
the federal firearms acts. This will be a world-class event to watch.
Montana could go to voting for secession from the union, which is
really throwing the gauntlet in Obama's face. If the federal
government does nothing they lose face. Gotta love it.
Important Points – If guns and ammunition are manufactured inside
the State of Montana for sale and use inside that state then the
federal firearms laws have no applicability since the federal
government only has the power to control commerce across state
lines. Montana has the law on their side. Since when did the USA
start following their own laws especially the constitution of the USA,
the very document that empowers the USA.
Silencers made in Montana and sold in Montana would be fully
legal and not registered. As a note silencers were first used before
the 007 movies as a device to enable one to hunt without disturbing
neighbors and scaring game. They were also useful as devices to
control noise when practicing so as to not disturb the neighbors.
Silencers work best with a bolt-action rifle. There is a long barrel
and the chamber is closed tight so as to direct all the gases though
the silencer at the tip of the barrel. Semi-auto pistols and revolvers
do not really muffle the sound very well except on the silver screen.
The revolvers bleed gas out with the sound all over the place. The
semi-auto pistols bleed the gases out when the slide recoils back.
Silencers are maybe nice for snipers picking off enemy soldiers
even though they reduce velocity but not very practical for hit men
shooting pistols in crowded places. Silencers were useful tools for
gun enthusiasts and hunters.
There would be no firearm registration, serial numbers, criminal
records check, waiting periods or paperwork required. So in a short
period of time there would be millions and millions of unregistered
untraceable guns in Montana. Way to go Montana.
Discussion – Let us see what Obama does. If he hits Montana hard
they will probably vote to secede from the USA. The governor of
Texas has already been refusing Federal money because he does
not want to agree to the conditions that go with it and he has been
saying secession is a right they have as sort of a threat. Things are
no longer the same with the USA. Do not be deceived by Obama
acting as if all is the same, it is not.
[The text of the act cited above can be found at the article's Web
URL, included above – MWB ]
1st AMENDMENT ON TRIAL
Hostile bloggers facing fines, jail?
Proposal 'comes close to making it federal offense to log onto
Internet'
By Bob Unruh, WorldNetDaily – 06 May 2009
worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=97257
A new proposal in Congress is threatening fines and jail time for
what it calls "cyberbullying" – communications that include e-mails
and text messages that "cause substantial emotional distress."
The vague generalities are included in H.R. 1966 by California
Democrat Linda Sanchez and about a dozen co-sponsors.
But it already is being condemned as unconstitutional, unrealistic
and probably ineffectual.
At Wired.com, in a report labeled "Threat Level," writer David
Kravets criticized the plan to demand "up to two years in prison for
those whose electronic speech is meant to 'coerce, intimidate,
harass, or cause substantial emotional distress.'"
"Instead of prison, perhaps we should say gulag," he wrote.
Such limits never would pass First Amendment muster, "unless the
U.S. Constitution was altered without us knowing," he wrote. "So
Sanchez, and the 14 other lawmakers who signed on to the
proposal are grandstanding to show the public they care about
children and are opposed to cyberbullying."
The plan is labeled the Megan Meier Cyberbullying Prevention Act,
after the 13-year-old Meier, whose suicide last year reportedly was
prompted by a woman who utilized the MySpace social networking
site to send the teen critical messages.
Speak out now against limits on your speech!
The defendant in the case, Lori Drew, was accused under the
Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.
"Sanchez's bill goes way beyond cyberbullying and comes close to
making it a federal offense to log onto the Internet or use the
telephone," Kravets wrote. "The methods of communication where
hostile speech is banned include e-mail, instant messaging, blogs,
websites, telephones and text messages."
"We can't say what we think of Sanchez's proposal," he said.
"Doing so would clearly get us two years in solitary confinement."
Wrote a contributor to the Wired forum page, "If passed, this
legislation could be easily abused with the effect of criminalizing all
criticism. You probably [couldn't] even criticize the legislation itself
because it would cause Sen. Sanchez emotional distress or
possibly be considered a form of intimidation."
The bill, which has been referred to the House Committee on the
Judiciary, states, "Whoever transmits in interstate or foreign
commerce any communication, with the intent to coerce, intimidate,
harass, or cause substantial emotional distress to a person, using
electronic means to support severe, repeated, and hostile behavior,
shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two
years, or both."
It states: "Cyberbullying can cause psychological harm, including
depression; negatively impact academic performance, safety, and
the well-being of children in school; force children to change
schools; and in some cases lead to extreme violent behavior,
including murder and suicide."
New Mexico Liberty – May 2009 – Page 5
 And if there are dangerous County
weirdosContacts
out there, does it make sense
to deprive you of the means of protecting yourself from them?
Why Did it Have to be . . . Guns? Forget
Bernalilloabout those other people, those dangerous weirdos, this is
– lpnm.us/bernalillo
by L. Neil Smith [ lneilsmith.org ] about you, and–it505-918-6567
Mike Blessing has been, all along.
/ mikewb1971@gmail.com
lneilsmith.org/whyguns.html
Try it yourself: if a politician won't trust you, why should you trust
him?
Colfax If he's a man – and you're not – what does his lack of trust tell
you about
Richard his real
Moore attitude toward
– 575-377-6849 women? If "he" happens to be a
/ myliberty@mail.com
woman, what makes her so perverse that she's eager to render her
fellow
Dona Ana women helpless on the mean and seedy streets her policies
– lpnm.us/dona-ana
Over the past 30 years, I've been paid to write almost two million helped
Siebert create?
Ickler – Should you believe
575-541-9079 her when she says she wants to
/ lpdacnm@lpnm.us
words, every one of which, sooner or later, came back to the issue help you by imposing some infantile group health care program on
of guns and gun-ownership. Naturally, I've thought about the issue you
Lea at the point of the kind of gun she doesn't want you to have?
a lot, and it has always determined the way I vote. Christina Groth – 575-397-9366
On the other hand – or the other party – should you believe
People accuse me of being a single-issue writer, a single-issue anything politicians say who claim they stand for freedom, but drag
thinker, and a single-issue voter, but it isn't true. What I've chosen, Lincoln
their feet and make excuses about repealing limits on your right to
in a world where there's never enough time and energy, is to focus Richard Obergfell – 575-378-8025 / lplcnm@valornet.com
own and carry weapons? What does this tell you about their real
on the one political issue which most clearly and unmistakably motives for ignoring voters and ramming through one infantile
demonstrates what any politician – or political philosophy – is made Los Alamos
group trade agreement after another with other countries?
of, right down to the creamy liquid center. Allen Cogbill – 505-662-7833 / acogbill@geopotential.com
Makes voting simpler, doesn't it? You don't have to study every
Make no mistake: all politicians – even those ostensibly on the side issue
Luna – health care, international trade – all you have to do is use
of guns and gun ownership – hate the issue and anyone, like me, this X-ray machine, this Vulcan mind-meld, to get beyond their
Marilyn Steffen – 575-531-2556 / b_lamont5@hotmail.com
who insists on bringing it up. They hate it because it's an X-ray empty words and find out how politicians really feel. About you. And
machine. It's a Vulcan mind-meld. It's the ultimate test to which any that, of–course, is why they hate it.
politician – or political philosophy – can be put. Otero lpnm.us/otero
Gilberto Heredia
And that's why I'm– 575-439-8234 / thrill@zianet.com
accused of being a single-issue writer, thinker,
If a politician isn't perfectly comfortable with the idea of his average and voter.
constituent, any man, woman, or responsible child, walking into a Roosevelt
hardware store and paying cash – for any rifle, shotgun, handgun, But
KenitSanders
isn't true,
– is it?
505-749-2085
machinegun, anything – without producing ID or signing one scrap
of paper, he isn't your friend no matter what he tells you. San Juan – sjclp.org
If he isn't genuinely enthusiastic about his average constituent Gary Wood – zang5775@msn.com
stuffing that weapon into a purse or pocket or tucking it under a
coat and walking home without asking anybody's permission, he's a Sandoval
four-flusher, no matter what he claims. Ron Bjornstad – 505-288-4228 / rbjornstad@earthlink.net

What his attitude – toward your ownership and use of weapons – Santa Fe
conveys is his real attitude about you. And if he doesn't trust you, Ed Nagel – 505-471-6928 / ed123nagel@aol.com
then why in the name of John Moses Browning should you trust
him?
Valencia
If he doesn't want you to have the means of defending your life, do Abran Gabaldon – 505-864-6870 / abran_d@yahoo.com
you want him in a position to control it?
If he makes excuses about obeying a law he's sworn to uphold and LPNM Vacancies
defend – the highest law of the land, the Bill of Rights -- do you
want to entrust him with anything? Central Committee (1)
If he ignores you, sneers at you, complains about you, or defames District 3 Representative, Seat A
you, if he calls you names only he thinks are evil – like
"Constitutionalist" – when you insist that he account for himself, County Contacts (20)
hasn't he betrayed his oath, isn't he unfit to hold office, and doesn't
he really belong in jail? Catron / Chaves / Cibola / Curry / De Baca / Eddy / Grant
Sure, these are all leading questions. They're the questions that led Guadalupe / Harding / Hidalgo / McKinley / Mora / Quay
me to the issue of guns and gun ownership as the clearest and Rio Arriba / San Miguel / Sierra / Socorro / Taos / Torrance / Union
most unmistakable demonstration of what any given politician – or
political philosophy – is really made of. College Contacts (3)

He may lecture you about the dangerous weirdos out there who
shouldn't have a gun – but what does that have to do with you?
Why in the name of John Moses Browning should you be made to
suffer for the misdeeds of others? Didn't you lay aside the infantile
notion of group punishment when you left public school – or the
military? Isn't it an essentially European notion, anyway – Prussian,
maybe – and certainly not what America was supposed to be all
about?
Eastern New Mexico University (Portales)
New Mexico State University (Las Cruces)
New Mexico Tech (Socorro)
University of New Mexico (Various Campuses)
Western New Mexico University (Silver City)
Contact the state chair if you're interested in filling a slot.
If you don't, who will?

New Mexico Liberty – May 2009 – Page 7

New Mexico Liberty – May 2009 – Page 6
 LPNM Central Committee County Contacts
Chair Bernalillo – lpnm.us/bernalillo
Ken Cavanaugh – 505-489-8099 / phloyd113@cableone.net Mike Blessing – 505-918-6567 / mikewb1971@gmail.com
Vice Chair Colfax
Jay Vandersloot – 505-362-1733 / jayvandersloot@yahoo.com Richard Moore – 575-377-6849 / myliberty@mail.com
Secretary Dona Ana – lpnm.us/dona-ana
Siebert Ickler – 575-541-9079 / lpdacnm@lpnm.us Siebert Ickler – 575-541-9079 / lpdacnm@lpnm.us
Treasurer Lea
Richard Obergfell – 505-378-8025 / lplcnm@valornet.com Christina Groth – 575-397-9366
At-Large Representative, Seat A Lincoln
Allen Cogbill – 505-662-7833 / acogbill@geopotential.com Richard Obergfell – 575-378-8025 / lplcnm@valornet.com
At-Large Representative, Seat B Los Alamos
Attila Csanyi – Allen Cogbill – 505-662-7833 / acogbill@geopotential.com
District 1 Representative, Seat A Luna
Mike Blessing – 505-918-6567 / mikewb1971@gmail.com Marilyn Steffen – 575-531-2556 / b_lamont5@hotmail.com
District 1 Representative, Seat B Otero – lpnm.us/otero
Bob Finch – 765-412-2374 / nmlibertarian@gmail.com Gilberto Heredia – 575-439-8234 / thrill@zianet.com
District 2 Representative, Seat A Roosevelt
Gilberto Heredia – 575-439-8234 / thrill@zianet.com Ken Sanders – 505-749-2085
District 2 Representative, Seat B San Juan – sjclp.org
Kathleen Hodgkinson – Gary Wood – zang5775@msn.com
575-437-6042 / hodgkinson@cybermesa.com
Sandoval
District 3 Representative, Seat A Ron Bjornstad – 505-288-4228 / rbjornstad@earthlink.net
Ron Bjornstad – 505-891-4541 / rbjornstad@earthlink.net
Santa Fe
District 3 Representative, Seat B Ed Nagel – 505-471-6928 / ed123nagel@aol.com
Mike Moss – 505-564-4905 / mmoss@plumbersoft.com
Valencia
Membership Coordinator Abran Gabaldon – 505-864-6870 / abran_d@yahoo.com
Ron Bjornstad – 505-288-4228 / rbjornstad@earthlink.net
Press Secretary
Bill Koehler – 505-264-0835 / bkoehler8@comcast.net LPNM Vacancies
Media Director County Contacts (20)
Bob Finch – 765-712-2374 / nmlibertarian@gmail.com
Catron / Chaves / Cibola / Curry / De Baca / Eddy / Grant
Guadalupe / Harding / Hidalgo / McKinley / Mora / Quay
Campus Contacts Rio Arriba / San Miguel / Sierra / Socorro / Taos / Torrance / Union
Central New Mexico Community College [CNM] College Contacts (4)
groups.myspace.com/cnmlibertarians
Mike Blessing – 505-918-6567 / mikewb1971@gmail.com Eastern New Mexico University (Portales)
College of Santa Fe New Mexico Tech (Socorro)
Morgan Wells – mwells109@gmail.com
New Mexico State University [NMSU] University of New Mexico (Various Campuses)
Kathleen Hodgkinson –
575-437-6042 / hodgkinson@cybermesa.com Western New Mexico University (Silver City)
Contact the state chair if you're interested
Internet Resources in filling a slot.
Official Website – lpnm.us
If you don't, who will?
LPNM Forum – groups.yahoo.com/group/lpnm-forum
Caucus membership required, per the Central Committee
LPNM Discussion – groups.yahoo.com/lpnm-discuss
Open forum (unmoderated for the most part)
Blog – lpofnm.blogspot.com
Facebook group
facebook.com/group.php?gid=20233114967
Ning.com social utility – lpofnm.ning.com
Myspace group – groups.myspace.com/lpnm

New Mexico Liberty – May 2009 – Page 7

 Administrivia Subscriptions and Correspondence
by Mike Blessing, Editor
For a print subscription, contact Ron Bjornstad for details. New
If you have news, interesting stories, op-ed pieces, a letter to the Mexico Liberty will be posted to the web, in PDF format, to the Files
editor, or timely information that you think belongs in the newsletter, section of the Google group I’ve set up for it –
please send it along. I can be contacted at 505-918-6567, or just
groups.google.com/group/nmliberty
send it to email address mikewb1971@gmail.com.
If you are moving or change your mailing address, please use keep
When sending your submission as an MS Word (or Open Office
us in the loop so we can keep your New Mexico Liberty coming to
Text) file, send it single-spaced in 9-pt Arial – like this is. Margins
you – contact Ron Bjornstad [ rbjornstad@earthlink.net ] if you're a
should be quarter-inch (0.25”) around, with no headers or footers. If
print version subscriber. Otherwise, contact the editor.
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, Advertising in New Mexico Liberty
different colors, etc. I’m not telepathic here, so help me out. And
Current rates for year-long spots
NO Wordperfect files – I can't open those.
Full page Ø60.00
Graphics (pictures, cartoons, etc.) – send the highest quality
Half page Ø30.00
graphics you can – email them to me at the address above, and I’ll
Quarter page Ø15.00
do what I can to get them in the next issue. In particular, what I
Business card Ø 8.00
want are pictures of YOU the LPNM members, either at LPNM-
sponsored events or at other peoples' events. Submission deadline Rates are subject to change at the discretion of the editor. The
for each issue – midnight, third Tuesday of the month. editor will do his best to make any such changes only when
absolutely necessary.
Articles
Inserts – For an insert into the PDF version that goes out over the
As for writing your article, It should be concise (no longer than a full
internet, contact the editor at email address . For an insert into the
page) and topical. A bit of humor helps, especially for op-ed pieces.
print edition, contact Ron Bjornstad at email address
What I'm really looking for in the way of articles is what's going on
rbjornstad@earthlink.net or phone number 505-288-4228.
in the LPNM – what YOU the membership are up to in spreading
the message. For example, an article about the stupidity, insanity Ø – The symbol for Federal Reserve Note(s), as used by Boston T.
and evil of the UN might get put in, depending on available space Party in his books. In plain-text message traffic (such as email), the
and the quality of the article. A group of LPNM members counter- acronym “FRN” will be used by the editor. See javelinpress.com for
protesting the raising of a UN flag by the city council WILL get put more information. Also see the Wikipedia page for “Federal
in, and probably will get first priority. Reserve Note” – en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Reserve_Note.
Editorial Viewpoint
THE LPNM OFFICIAL WEBSITE – lpnm.us
The basis for libertarian thought is the Zero Aggression Principle
LPNM OFFICIAL MAILING ADDRESS
[ZAP] –
AND PHONE NUMBER
A libertarian is someone who believes that no human being 918 Ivory Road SE
has the right – under any circumstances – to initiate force Rio Rancho, NM 87124
against another human being, nor to threaten, incite or 505-288-4228
delegate its initiation.
If the date on your mailing label reads before 06/01/09, it's time
New Mexico Liberty holds that Libertarian candidates, officeholders to renew your LPNM membership.
or appointed spokespersons at all levels of government or the Party
should refrain from advocating new or more restrictive laws, new or THE UNANIMOUS CONSENT CHALLENGE
more expensive spending programs, or new or higher taxes. To CASH Ø10,000 PRIZE
paraphrase from the medical profession, “First, do no harm.”
To the first person to write a logical and documented essay
Submissions Policy showing one of the following to be compatible with the Declaration
The editor reserves the right to refuse service to anyone for any of Independence:
reason. The editor will most often be willing to explain any such Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890
reasons. Appeals of the editor's refusal to post an advertisement, Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906
article, letter to editor, or anything else can be made to the LPNM's Federal Communications Act of 1934
State Chair, Central Committee and/or Judicial Council. National Firearms Act of 1934
Copyright Banking Act of 1935
The Internal Revenue Code
Copyright © 2003–2009 Libertarian Party of New Mexico. All rights Controlled Substances Act of 1970
reserved. Permission is explicitly granted for subscribers to recopy RICO Act of 1970
New Mexico Liberty for non-commercial purposes, specifically as Federal Elections Act of 1970
use as an outreach tool, provided that New Mexico Liberty is copied Plumbing Products Efficiency Act of 1992
in its entirety. Use your imagination here. Anti-Money Laundering Act of 1992
USA PATRIOT Act of 2001
Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002
This challenge is also on the web at tinyurl.com/hn982
To claim your prize, contact
Mike Blessing at 505-918-6567 or
send an email to mikewb1971@gmail.com

New Mexico Liberty – May 2009 – Page 8

 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 – May 2009 – Page 9

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New Mexico Liberty – May 2009 – Page 10