[Lnc-business] Fwd: Suggestion/Request from Region 7 Member
Starchild
sfdreamer at earthlink.net
Sat Dec 31 11:01:55 EST 2016
Forwarding this correspondence on which many LNC members were cc'd to the LNC list for the sake of transparency.
Love & Liberty,
((( starchild )))
At-Large Representative, Libertarian National Committee
(415) 625-FREE
@StarchildSF
Begin forwarded message:
> From: Starchild <sfdreamer at earthlink.net>
> Date: December 31, 2016 7:54:08 AM PST
> To: Caryn Ann Harlos <carynannharlos at gmail.com>, David Demarest <dpdemarest at centurylink.net>
> Cc: Whitney Bilyeu <whitneycb76 at gmail.com>, Andy Burns <Andy.Burns at lp.org>, Nick Sarwark <Chair at lp.org>, Daniel Hayes <danielehayes at icloud.com>, David Demarest <David.Demarest at firstdata.com>, George Phillies <phillies at 4liberty.net>, Larry Sharpe <lsharpe at neo-sage.com>, Laura Ebke <laura at lauraebke.com>, Sean O'Toole <sean at kingfieldcapital.com>, Trent Somes <tsomes3 at gmail.com>, Vohra Vohra <vicechair at lp.org>
> Subject: Re: [Lnc-business] Suggestion/Request from Region 7 Member
>
>
> A good question to ask of any proposal is, "Would this change tend to make the Libertarian Party a more centralized, top-down organization run by its leaders, or a more decentralized, bottom-up organization run by its members?"
>
> I think a lot unintended consequences are produced by failing to consider this question and others like it when determining the methods we use to try to get things done. One way of looking at methodological radicalism is this: A methodological radical is one who carefully applies such questions, either consciously or on an intuitive level.
>
> Love & Liberty,
> ((( starchild )))
> At-Large Representative, Libertarian National Committee
> (415) 625-FREE
> @StarchildSF
>
>
> On Dec 31, 2016, at 7:31 AM, Caryn Ann Harlos wrote:
>
>> I don't disagree David through "properly constraining" isn't a national strong point and it's mostly unintentional. The logo example is really a perfect one I think.
>>
>> No one told the affiliates they had to standardize logos yet most of us have and it certainly is not because we loved the chicken so much. It was because the national resources put into it compared to local scarcity or perceived local scarcity made it a deal that was hard to refuse.
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>> The sane thing can easily happen with talking points etc. Scarily easily. Through no one's direct intentions.
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>> No one intended to let one person effectively rebrand our image through website design and "lose" 83% data.
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>> Or another example- CO 's platform on taxation is worded world's stronger than national (though the SoP is the same). Some tax event happens and the national talking points come out. A busy chair is tempted to use something that might be different had she consulted what the state delegates passed in our own platform.
>>
>> We cannot underestimate the power of "but it came from national." Too much of that and state autonomy dies with a whimper. There is a reason there is an LSLA with separate mailing list outside of our control.
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>> As an aside, this would be an excellent LSLA project.
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>> But I hear your point and stated the merit right up front. But there are unintended consequences that we must always keep in mind.
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>> And the affiliates must remember - we don't really have some vast informational resources nor access to things that they don't have. We do have a few full time staffers. We can ask for volunteers to do this- but so can they. In the Information Age anyone can do this.
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>> So I am the curmudgeon. I don't have a rosy view of the butterfly effect and jealously guard any intrusion - and the unintentional ones are the worst
>> because they are absolutely innocent - into the autonomy of the affiliates.
>>
>> National should put out timely analysis of its own view and any state can take that into consideration and then there isn't the temptation to take some behind the scenes talking point, slap a State B name on it, and through no ill will, allow one's affiliate to be a satellite.
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>> I also see APRC review being bypassed as it will be argued this isn't a public communication.
>>
>>
>> On Sat, Dec 31, 2016 at 7:07 AM David Demarest <dpdemarest at centurylink.net> wrote:
>> Caryn Ann,
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>>
>>
>> Your excellent point is well taken. I believe that without an empowered bottom-up movement to build the farm team and get Libertarians elected at all levels, we will not achieve our goal of freedom, nothing more, nothing less.
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>>
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>> I would suggest that the explicit and documented primary objective of all national outreach efforts should be to encourage and facilitate an empowered bottom-up movement, not with top-down directives but with tools, information and responsive affiliate request fulfillment.
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>> What is the purpose of the LNC if not to provide properly constrained but effective empowerment outreach to affiliates and our critical bottom-up movement?
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>>
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>> Thoughts?
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>>
>>
>> From: Caryn Ann Harlos [mailto:carynannharlos at gmail.com]
>> Sent: Saturday, December 31, 2016 4:59 AM
>> To: David Demarest <dpdemarest at centurylink.net>; Whitney Bilyeu <whitneycb76 at gmail.com>
>> Cc: Andy Burns <Andy.Burns at lp.org>; Chair at lp.org; Daniel Hayes <danielehayes at icloud.com>; Demarest, David P. <David.Demarest at firstdata.com>; Larry Sharpe <lsharpe at neo-sage.com>; Trent Somes <tsomes3 at gmail.com>; vicechair at lp.org
>>
>>
>> Subject: Re: [Lnc-business] Suggestion/Request from Region 7 Member
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>>
>>
>> And please interpret my words as cautionary notes, nothing more.
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>> I am not opposed but mission creep and inadvertent top down dependence is something to be ever-vigilant about.
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>> On Sat, Dec 31, 2016 at 3:49 AM Caryn Ann Harlos <carynannharlos at gmail.com> wrote:
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>> David,
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>> I will always be the cautionary voice. And when it comes to platform positions things get squirrely because each affiliate has their own platform. Until this year, national had no death penalty plank. CO did.
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>> I will just always be advising caution and restraint - things coming from top down often promote a top down attitude, even when not the intent. And national is at times - in the opinion of some -far less consistently libertarian than some affiliates.
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>> When I see things like Being Libertarian's piece on how national needs to take control of affiliates and that kind of thought process becoming very common, I will always be the concerned voice.
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>> That is all I am doing here. I would rather see empowered groups do this within their own states or some other model - it is so easy to slip into the idea of the master corporation giving its branding marching orders to its franchisees.
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>> This is what happened with the logo after all. Even CO succumbed.
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>> On Sat, Dec 31, 2016 at 2:20 AM David Demarest <dpdemarest at centurylink.net> wrote:
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>> Whitney, Caryn Ann:
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>>
>> The proposed national think tank could dovetail nicely with the project that the ASC is working on to have Andy Burns disseminate similar information mixed with best practices in a newsletter type format to help state affiliates grow and prosper. Propaganda is not the intention. The idea is not to create or “interpret” established LP principles. That is the responsibility of the Platform Committee subject to approval of convention delegates. However, that does not mean that we should muzzle national outreach to affiliates to provide state affiliates with tools and information that affiliates can pick and choose from, interpret and apply as they see fit. The proposed think tank would function as a service, not as a propaganda tool.
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>> Thoughts?
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>> ~David Pratt Demarest
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>> Region 6 Representative, Libertarian National Committee (IA, IL, MN, MO, ND, NE, WI)
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>> Secretary, Nebraska Libertarian State Central Committee
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>> Secretary Pro Tem, LNC Affiliate Support Committee
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>> Member, LNC Empowered Future Committee
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>> Board Member and Nebraska State Coordinator, LP Radical Caucus
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>> Cell: 402-981-6469
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>> Home: 402-493-0873
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>> Office: 402-222-7207
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>>
>>
>> From: Caryn Ann Harlos [mailto:carynannharlos at gmail.com]
>> Sent: Friday, December 30, 2016 11:33 PM
>> To: Whitney Bilyeu <whitneycb76 at gmail.com>
>> Cc: David Demarest <dpdemarest at centurylink.net>; Demarest, David P. <David.Demarest at firstdata.com>
>>
>>
>> Subject: Re: [Lnc-business] Suggestion/Request from Region 7 Member
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>>
>>
>> BTW, via the State Chairs list would be a natural communication channel
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>>
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>> On Fri, Dec 30, 2016 at 8:44 PM, Caryn Ann Harlos <carynannharlos at gmail.com> wrote:
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>> I understand and see the value. But the influence of national steering the discussion inordinately is a caution.
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>> On Fri, Dec 30, 2016 at 8:43 PM Whitney Bilyeu <whitneycb76 at gmail.com> wrote:
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>> Not the intent of this at all...
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>>
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>> There would be NO suggestion that the affiliates use the information at all. It would just be made available to them...via e-mail, I suppose. They can choose to use it for that week's messaging or not. It is meant to be EDUCATIONAL/INFORMATIVE, solely.
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>> This is meant for those affiliates who want it, and want to use it...no requirements. An effort to give them tools, and empower them to be vocal and engage with the public as Libetarians.
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>> On Fri, Dec 30, 2016 at 9:02 PM, Caryn Ann Harlos <carynannharlos at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> This is an excellent suggestion but I have one concern. Many members seem to want the LNC to be the mothership and don't have a good understanding of the relationship between affiliates and the National Party. Many affiliates, including CO, have arguably "stronger" platforms than the National Party does and I'm concerned that this places pressure on the affiliates to follow "the Party line."
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>> However the point about many state parties not having the knowledge resources is well-taken.
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>> On Fri, Dec 30, 2016 at 7:57 PM Whitney Bilyeu <whitneycb76 at gmail.com> wrote:
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>> The intent was to have clear, concise, LP position statements sent strictly to state affiliates regarding issues of the day....within 3 days of the incident/announcement/action/appointment in question.
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>> This would not be press releases, calls to action, etc...this would be simple statements on the matter-at-hand, with basic explanations of any relevant background/history...sent directly to state affiliates....not membership, not media...
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>> Then, affiliates can use that information to create their own public messages and campaigns...
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>> An example might be...
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>> ...a quick bullet list of Trump's cabinet appointments, citing each individual's creds/experience and whether or not they are likely to help 'drain the swamp'
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>> Or...
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>> ...a 'cliffsnotes' version of the TPP, or other such issue, so those in state leadership have some talking points to share as they see fit.
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>> Not all affiliate leaders are experts in every matter that makes the news, but we want them to be able to speak/write on the matters from the LP perspective, as appropriate when the opportunity arises.
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>> Whitney
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>> On Dec 28, 2016 10:10 AM, "Demarest, David P." <David.Demarest at firstdata.com> wrote:
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>> Hi Whitney,
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>> Good to see you at the recent LNC meeting. I just rediscovered your email below. I echo Caryn Ann’s sentiments and would love to participate in the think tank
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>> you have proposed. Do you need help organizing it? Would your suggested think tank take a big tent Libertarian approach or be more narrowly focused on a particular LNC perspective? I am game to participate regardless.
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>> Thoughts?
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>> Celebrate Life, Set the Bar High and LIVE FREE
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>> ~David Pratt Demarest
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>>
>> Region 6 Representative, Libertarian National Committee (IA, IL, MN, MO, ND, NE, WI)
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>>
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>> Secretary, Nebraska Libertarian State Central Committee
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>>
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>> Secretary Pro Tem, LNC Affiliate Support Committee
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>> Member, LNC Empowered Future Committee
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>> Board Member and Nebraska State Coordinator, LP Radical Caucus
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>> Cell: 402-981-6469
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>> Home: 402-493-0873
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>> Office: 402-222-7207
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>> From: Lnc-business [mailto:lnc-business-bounces at hq.lp.org]
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>> On Behalf Of Caryn Ann Harlos
>>
>>
>> Sent: Monday, November 28, 2016 8:28 AM
>>
>>
>> To: lnc-business at hq.lp.org
>>
>>
>> Subject: Re: [Lnc-business] Suggestion/Request from Region 7 Member
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>> Love it.
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>> On Monday, November 28, 2016, Whitney Bilyeu <whitneycb76 at gmail.com> wrote:
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>> Colleagues, please consider the suggestion/request below from a Region 7 member...
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>> ----
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>> The media essentially works in favor of the old parties by pumping out constant talking points that feed into the public. This is created out of the never-ending churn of political events and
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>> legislation. An example is the TPP.
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>> The idea I have is to create a group of people committee/think-tank at the national level that could discuss and research issues that come up. As libertarians we talk a lot and have resources that we look at like CATO and Reason, but we do not have something
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>> like this of our own. A core group of people that could respond quickly if needed and do the research required to give a solid LP response to the issues of the day. These could be compressed into short briefs with talking points to the state parties that could
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>> use them as they wish.
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>> Many of us get the newsletter from national but a chair or ED cannot respond quickly to everything nor to detailed research on all issues that arise. This group would have that goal. These releases would be internal and the party structure could use them as
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>> deemed fit. The team would need to have people capable of looking more deeply into legislation than just a cursory overview and be committed to turnaround times that made us responsive to ongoing events.
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>> This group would allow us to speak with a more singular and united strong voice against the hailstorm of media people are inundated with every day.
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>> In general, each brief would be a short synopsis of the subject and the LP position on it. For, Against, Neutral (pro/con). Talking points should be listed. Details can be given further after that as needed but the goal would be to be brief. People simply do
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>> not look into the details of the constant stream of information we have in front of us. It's too much. We need to get out a quick tool that can be trusted and add a counter voice in a news market that we are forced to compete with.
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>> ----
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>> Thoughts?
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>> Whitney Bilyeu
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>> Region 7 Representative
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>> --
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>> In Liberty,
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>> Caryn Ann Harlos
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>> Region 1 Representative, Libertarian National Committee (Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Washington) -
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>> Caryn.Ann. Harlos at LP.org
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>> Communications Director,
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>> Libertarian
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>> Party of Colorado
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>> Colorado State Coordinator,
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>> Libertarian
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>> Party Radical Caucus
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>> The information in this message may be proprietary and/or confidential, and protected from disclosure. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, or an employee or agent responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify First Data immediately by replying to this message and deleting it from your computer.
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>> --
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>> In Liberty,
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>> Caryn Ann Harlos
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>> Region 1 Representative, Libertarian National Committee (Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Washington) - Caryn.Ann. Harlos at LP.org
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>> Communications Director, Libertarian Party of Colorado
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>> Colorado State Coordinator, Libertarian Party Radical Caucus
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