Re: Libertarian Natl Comm, Inc. v. Michael Saliba, et al, CA No. 23-1856
MEDIATION PROPOSAL FROM THE SALIBA GROUP
As the dispute between the Libertarian National Committee and the defendants, Michael Saliba, et al, is rooted in the disagreement within the Michigan Libertarian Party between two groups claiming party leadership as the legitimate LEC and the LNC choosing to recognize one of these groups claim, and the Michigan Libertarian Party’s bylaws do not allow for a convention that would allow its members to settle the dispute with an election, it is requested that the court consider the following proposal for Michigan Libertarian Party convention for party members to settle the dispute for party leadership and end the need for the LNC to choose which Michigan Libertarian Party members are granted use of the LNC trademark and logo.
As the two parties are disputing which is the legitimate leadership group of the Michigan Libertarian Party and the party bylaws currently not allowing for a statewide convention for party members to settle the dispute with an election, this proposal requests that the court mandate a statewide convention that would settle the Michigan Libertarian Party leadership dispute thus rendering the dispute between Libertarian Natl Comm, Inc. v. Michael Saliba, et al unnecessary. The proposed convention would be held under the following conditions:
To ensure an effective convention with maximum member participation the following is expected:
- The convention is being held for the members to elect all party officers, district representatives and judicial committee members
- To avoid conflicts with the holiday season the Convention will be held in a Central Michigan location on the first available Saturday following a 90 day member notification period
- The convention organizing committee will consist of three members from each of the two groups disputing party leadership
- The convention will be funded with money raised by party members for the convention
- The convention will be chaired by an agreed-upon third party until officers are elected and the newly elected chair assumes the role of convention chair. (I suggest Parliamentarian Josh Martin for this role as he has been seen positively by members of both of the disputing groups)
- All paid members of the state party who were also paid members on July 9th 2022, the date of the convention that originated the dispute, are eligible to vote at this convention, eliminating the requirement that affiliates appoint delegates to vote for the membership.
- Any and all actions taken by either LEC group outside of necessary operational requirements since July 9th 2022 are vacated. This includes any actions regarding party bylaws and platforms as well as any actions taken against state party members and/or affiliates. These actions may be considered by the entire membership at the convention.
- As the mandate for this convention is court ordered, it supersedes the party bylaw requirements and online voting will be permitted for members unable to attend the convention in person.
- Bylaw and platform changes from both groups, at their 2023 conventions, will be voted on by the members
- If time allows, delegates to the 2024 national convention may be chosen by members vote.
- The convention agenda will be set by a committee of three members from each of the disputing groups with approval, and tie breaking vote, from the agreed upon chair.
- Nominations for all officers and committee positions will be made from the floor at convention. District Representatives will be selected by a vote of members residing in the district during a breakout session where members will caucus based on the congressional district of their residence
- There will be no communications to the party members, from the LNC or either LEC group that solicit support or or condemn either of the disputing factions prior to the convention.
“They would rather destroy that state party than allow him to lose.”
If by “they” you mean the Mises-PAC-dominated LNC, destroying state parties is part and parcel of their core mission. Republican “infiltrate and neuter” operations are not the LP’s friends.
Looks like a great plan, but I bet it goes nowhere. Most of the members in Michigan already voted for someone other than Chatterdon as chair. The LNC knows he can’t win an election, which is why they have gone and are still to great lengths to avoid one that they can’t control. They would rather destroy that state party than allow him to lose.
The Saliba group could have gone to the special convention in Wixom in April 2023, for which most of the members had petitioned. They did not.
The Saliba group could have gone to the regular convention in Pinconning in July. They did not.
Now that they are facing increasing likelihood of losing in court, they want to have a meeting. They should have gone to Wixom.
“There will be no communications to the party members, from the LNC or either LEC group that solicit support or or condemn either of the disputing factions prior to the convention.”
Pure fantasy. First Amendment aside, adding the following ALL CAPS words is all that could possibly happen (unless the court benefits from the services of the NSA (or any of the many similar organizations around the globe that monitor every email, landmail, personal conversation, phone call, etc)).
“There will be no OBVIOUS PUBLIC communications to the party members, from the LNC or either LEC group that solicit support or or condemn either of the disputing factions prior to the convention.”
I think we all realize there will be backchannel communications aplenty (and in the case of this commenter, the hope that some whistleblower rats that out to the court).
Or as Stewart said in an earlier comment: “Never trust a scorpion. It will always try to sting you.” Thanks Stewart.
Excellent idea and solution.
Interesting proposal. It makes sense, which is why the LNC will be unlikely to want to agree to it.
The LNC should be the ones forced to fund this, since they are the group creating the problems and wasting everyone’s time and money.
And even if the group the LNC alleges to have disaffiliated wins, the LNC will probably just disaffiliate them again.
Never trust a scorpion. It will always try to sting you.