LIBERTARIAN PARTY OF COLORADO BLOG

New LPCO newsletter available

http://lpcolorado.org/coloradoliberty/HTML/colib039-05.html

$40,000 to man who cops attacked

The Denver City Council is poised to pay $40,000 to settle a federal lawsuit that contends police brutalized a man after mistaking him for someone who had caused a disturbance at a LoDo nightclub.

Here is the kicker:

Winfield, who denies any aggression, initially was arrested on suspicion of resisting arrest and assaulting an officer. The charges later were dismissed.

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_15000139

The charge was "suspicion of resisting arrest", what kind of bogus charge is that? Real criminals are arrested for a crime other than resisting arrest, because the police have to have a reason for arresting the person before the person can resist the arrest in the first place.

Christine Smith on "Declare your independence"

Christine Smith, LPCO candidate for HD60, was interviewed live on the "Declare Your Independence with Ernest Hancock"morning show broadcast (04/30/2010).  Jet Lacey conducted the interview which discussed libertarianism and the path Christine's life took to it.  Her campaign and the LPCO was also talked about. (One hour audio.)

Listen Here.
http://www.freedomsphoenix.com/Uploads/191/Media/2010-04-30-ernie-a.mp3

If you like this show you can find the archives here, Ernie and Jet have lots of interesting guests on and talk about activism in Arizona, and libertarianism in genral. I listen to the show a couple of times a week:
http://libertynewsradio.com/shows/dyi/

HB1284 Passes - Sad Day for Colorado Patients

Sent in by the Cannabis Therapy Institute

{Denver} -- The Colorado state Senate Local Government Committee took hours of testimony yesterday on HB1284. One of the bill's sponsors, Sen. Chris Romer (D-Denver), was quoted in several articles yesterday saying that the bill is designed to shut down 80% of caregiving businesses in Colorado. The Committee hearing started at 2pm and finally adjourned at 11:30pm. The Committee voted in favor of HB1284 and some of its last minute amendments by a vote of 6 to 0, with Senator Cadman absent.
 
Laura Kriho of the Cannabis Therapy Institute says, "This is a sad day for patients. Not only have they been sold out by their lawmakers, but they have been sold out by well-funded dispensaries, and they have been sold out by so-called patient rights groups. This bill will destroy patients' access to their medicine, drive prices up, and force patients back into the blackmarket. The will of the voters has been ignored once again by lawmakers, and sick and dying Colorado citizens will suffer."
 
"This is taking patient rights back over 100 years," says Timothy Tipton, a patient advocate with the Rocky Mountain Caregivers Cooperative "Things are going in the wrong direction. Patients in the 1800s had better access to cannabis medicine than they will under this new law."
 
In a departure from hearings in other committees, the Local Government Committee Chair, Sen. Gail Schwartz (D-Snowmass), allowed disabled patients to testify first. This was followed by several hours of testimony from law enforcement, including the District Attorney for Adams and Broomfield Counties, the District Attorney for El Paso and Teller Counties, the District Attorney for Jefferson and Gilpin Counties, the County Sheriffs of Colorado, the Colorado Chiefs of Police Association, the North Metro Drug Task force, and more. Most of the law enforcement testified against the bill, saying that they didn't believe the "dispensary model" was allowed under Colorado's medical marijuana constitutional amendment.
 
Several representatives of Coloradans for Medical Marijuana Regulation, a lobbying group hired by a handful of well-funded dispensaries who have been "working with" Senator Romer on gaining concessions friendly to big business. CMMR testified in favor of HB1284, but was against a dozen or so last-minute amendments to the bill that Senator Romer surprised them with that morning. Also testifying on the CMMR team was Brian Vicente from Sensible Colorado, an organization which claims to be in support of patient
rights. Sensible asked for several amendments, but overall was satisfied with the bill that would eliminate 80% of patient's caregivers, force prices up, and force patients to use only one dispensary for their
medicine.
 
Laura Kriho, the director of the Cannabis Therapy Institute, urged the Committee to kill HB1284 and urged lawmakers to form a statewide commission to study programs that have been working locally and recommend a bill that had a broad base of support. Mark Simon, an activist with the disabled community, testified that neither Sen. Romer nor anyone else had reached out to the disabled community to get their input on the bill.
 
Others who gave testimony against HB1284 were attorneys Robert J. Corry, Jr. and Lauren Davis; Laurel Alterman, owner of Altermeds dispensary in Louisville; Miguel Lopez of Mile High NORML; Robert Chase of Colorado Coalition of Patients and Caregivers; and the Colorado Springs Medical Marijuana Council. The mountain contingent was well-represented with Kathleen Chippi, owner of One Brown Mouse dispensary in Nederland; Jessica LaRoux of Twirling Hippy Confections and Mark Rose of Grateful Meds dispensary in Nederland all testifying eloquently against the bill.
 
The bill now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee and then will be voted on by the full Senate. CTI is urging patient rights supporters to contact their state senators and urge them to vote No on HB1284.
http://www.cannabistherapyinstitute.com/advocacy/contact.colorado.state.legislature.html
 
---
Provided as a Public Service by the:
Cannabis Therapy Institute
P.O. Box 19084
Boulder, CO 80308
Phone: 877-420-4205
Web: http://www.cannabistherapyinstitute.com

Rob Mcnealy on HB 1284

Aurora, CO – April 26th, 2010 - Rob McNealy, Libertarian candidate for Colorado’s 6th Congressional District, expressed his opposition today to HB 1284 and Senator Chris Romer's (D-Denver) attempt to put a majority of medical marijuana dispensaries out of business.
 
“It should never be the state or federal government's job to decide which law-abiding companies or industries should be in – or out of – business. Colorado voters have approved the use of medical marijuana in our state-it’s in our constitution, and no legislator in Denver or Washington DC should ignore the will of the people of Colorado because something isn't to his liking.”
 
“HB 1284 is just another example of government meddling in another area of people's lives where it really doesn't belong. It's very arrogant of Senator Romer to believe he knows what's best for Coloradoans when it comes to their health and medical treatments. This is just one reason why I'm running for Congress - almost all Democrats and Republicans have limited people's freedoms and choices about how they live their lives.”
 
“Right now, our economy needs government to get out of the way so small businesses can rebuild our economy.  Senator Romer is trying to enact legislation which will put more people out of work, and that is irresponsible.”
 
McNealy remarked: “I also condemn the individual who left a death threat on Senator Romer's voicemail. I believe that you can disagree with someone in a reasonable manner, and should never threaten someone's life over a political disagreement.”
 
For more information:
Rob McNealy
[email protected]

LTE: I was impressed with Christine Smith's knowledge of the constitution

Letter To Editor Supporting Christine Smith's Campaign in Today's "Pueblo Chieftain"

You can read it here:
http://www.chieftain.com/opinion/tell_it_to_the_chieftain/article_f51dd7da-5031-11df-94e2-001cc4c03286.html

Colorado, Health Advocacy in the Public Interest (HAPI) - Back in force...

As things continue to heat up here in Colorado, Health Advocacy in the Public Interest (HAPI) is anxious to "get back to it" and fight back. For those who don't already know, Denver public schools have now become vaccination clinics as the result of a $1.6 million dollar pilot program grant. To see video or read about it:

 

http://www.denverpost.com/commented/ci_14290838?source=commented-#ixzz0e0medGM1

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHjiImtTJKI&feature=player_embedded  (WARNING: DIFFICULT TO WATCH)

 

Kids are receiving vaccinations AT SCHOOL that aren't even part of the school requirement list. It is unclear as to whether or not parents were being informed about their right to exemptions. However, that has now changed as a result of successfully amending SB056! Now "standardized immunization information" must be given to ALL parents of children in Colorado schools. The amendment dictates that exemption information MUST be included in that information.

 

When this pilot program is deemed a huge success, it will undoubtedly spread across the state and then the nation. The only information parents will receive regarding risks of vaccinations will be the VIS's (Vaccine Information Statement), which are horribly inadequate at best.

 

At this critical time, we believe that one of the most important things we can do is get information out to parents regarding the risks of vaccinations so that they may make informed decisions.  The People's Fair in Denver on June 5th and 6th is a huge opportunity to do just that. HAPI had a booth at the People's Fair a few years ago and it was a huge success. We believe it will be an even greater success this year and are committed to being there and disseminating as much information as possible. Please help us do this!!! We already have volunteers to man the booth and are coordinating with other organizations but we need to raise money to make it happen. We can always use more volunteers, so please let me know if you are willing and able for any duration of time. 

 

Please consider donating ANY AMOUNT to HAPI to help us cover the costs of the booth fee and related expenses. We estimate the entire two day event to cost between $300-$500. Obviously, the more money we raise, the more kinds of information we will be able to provide. Donations to HAPI are tax deductible and you will receive documentation of your donation if you provide your name and address. You may donate via PayPal with a credit card or send a check.

 

PayPal:

www.paypal.com

use [email protected]

 

Checks:

Made out to HAPI

PO Box 7068

Gunnison, CO 81230

 

Thank you!!! Donations of any amount are GREATLY appreciated!!!

 

In Health and Freedom,

Dawn Winkler

Executive Director, Health Advocacy in the Public Interest (HAPI)

www.hapihealth.com

970-641-7413

The Examiner discusses immigration and features Rob McNealy

Article on immigration from a moderate libertarian perspective at examiner.com features a video by Rob McNealy.

http://www.examiner.com/x-7039-Denver-Libertarian-Examiner~y2010m4d24-Libertarian-101-What-is-the-libertarian-position-on-immigration

Libertarians, I Urgently Need Your Help

from Christine Smith

Will you make a contribution to my political campaign?  Any amount you can contribute will help me.

I know many of you are living on budgets, most of us are, and that you contribute as you are able to causes/candidates you support.  I am asking for your help right now due to an urgent need for financial support to keep the excellent momentum my campaign has developed going.

This is a winnable race, and I want to fight as hard as possible to try and achieve a win because I know the good I will work diligently for once in the State House.  Regardless of the ultimate outcome, my campaign is advancing liberty, libertarianism, the LPCO, and building awareness and support for all of us who will continue to advance liberty. 

To those Libertarians who have contributed to my campaign, my deepest appreciation. 

Every one can contribute something, and any amount contributed helps. 

Colorado Libertarians (and those who value advancing liberty in this nation no matter where you may live) I need your financial help right now. 

As most of you are aware of, I am running for Colorado State House and my campaign is going very well.  Am maintaining the momentum begun and developed in January-March, with much more campaigning across the 6 counties of my district. You can learn about my plans for legislation in the State House, platform/issues, endorsements, media coverage and more at my campaign website: http://www.ElectChristineSmith.com As you'll see at my website, I seek to and will fight hard to bring greater liberty and respect to the rights of the individual and seek legislation standing up to the infringements of the federal government.

Without going into great detail in this letter, I'll just briefly share that I am continuing with strong advertising of my political campaign across my district.

In addition, hundreds more of my informative tri-fold full-color campaign brochures (which include the Libertarian Party of Colorado logo) communicating key points of my platform have just been printed for distribution, and more campaign yard signs. The expenses incurred to promote my campaign  is essential to reach as many thousands of the voters in my district as I can.  Reaching them, and repetition of exposure to my name/campaign, is how I may win this race for State House.  I'm campaigning hard. Such advertising is in addition to the excellent media coverage my campaign generates and my personal meeting of people in my district.

But I need financial help...and I need more right now due to the above expenses.  Will you help me? 

It is an urgent need for financial assistance at this time.

You can contribute online (or by mail) at this webpage:
http://electchristinesmith.com/contribute/

Any amount you contribute will help, is needed greatly, and I certainly appreciate it.

Thank you,
Christine Smith

-----------------------------------

Christine, running for Colorado House District 60, is waging one of the best campaigns that I have ever seen in Colorado. She is running in a 2-way race against a "Big Government" Republican who is out of touch with his constituents. Consequently, Christine has a good chance of becoming the first Libertarian elected to the Colorado State House. But she needs financial support to keep going. I urge libertarians everywhere to send her donations. ~ Richard Randall (former LPCO Legislative Director)

Law against "illegals" hurts Parker man who is not an immigrant documented or otherwise

DENVER (AP) - A law aimed at discouraging illegal immigrants from driving has snared a Parker man who lent a friend a motorcycle.

The Denver City Council will vote Monday on whether to pay Kevin Ehrich $11,843 in attorney's fees and damages after Ehrich's motorcycle sat in the city's impound lot for more than year.

http://www.kjct8.com/Global/story.asp?S=12336172

Who could have ever predicted that this ill-conceived law would effect more than just undocumented immigrants? Oh yeah, libertarians...