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THE VILLAGE CHOICE - Volume 4, Issue 33
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Manhattan Libertarian Party
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Aug 26, 2005 09:37 PDT
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THE VILLAGE CHOICE
A Weekly Rundown of News, Views and Events Affecting Freedom in NYC
Volume 4, Issue 33 * August 26, 2005
THE VILLAGE CHOICE is brought to you by the Manhattan Libertarian Party.
http://www.manhattanlp.org
In this issue:
* Too _few_ people on food stamps!
* Even cows get welfare!
* Judge overrules Bloomberg’s party pooping!
* Your calendar of pro-freedom events!
* Much more!
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* News Bites *
The War on Self-Sufficiency
The number of New Yorkers receiving food stamps in July declined by
18,110, the sharpest monthly drop in enrollment since Mayor Michael R.
Bloomberg took office. Advocates for the poor said that it was the third
decline in four months and that the Bloomberg administration had not
moved aggressively enough to remove application barriers to the
federally financed program. City officials said the drop was merely an
anomaly. The argument over food stamps, which are used to pay for
groceries by those poor enough to qualify, has been going on for years
in the city. The number of those enrolled in the program - 1,068,080
people citywide - is roughly one-third higher than it was when Mr.
Bloomberg took office in January 2002. Still, the local increase in
enrollment has lagged behind the federal increase, and the number of
recipients in the city is 390,220 fewer than it was at the time of peak
participation, in March 1995.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/24/nyregion/24stamps.html
Bovine Welfare
Upstate New York dairy farmers are growing increasingly anxious about
the future as a federal subsidy program that has helped them survive
tough times comes to an end. The Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC)
program that has brought more than $187 million to New York farmers
during the past three years is set to expire Oct. 1. New York's
congressional delegation is trying to win an extension of the program
for at least two years, when they hope to make it permanent as part of a
big 2007 farm bill.
http://www.stargazettenews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050822/NEWS01/508220304/1001/News
Block Party Unblocked
A federal judge ordered New York City to allow a block party this week
where 20 artists planned to spray-paint graffiti on models of subway
cars. The party was promoted by fashion designer Marc Ecko. He began his
career as a graffiti artist in New York. Lawyers for the city say the
demonstration could encourage people to vandalize actual subway cars.
The city revoked Ecko's permit for the party. But Judge Jed Rakoff of
Manhattan federal court says withholding a permit for the block party is
a violation of the First Amendment's guarantee of free speech.
http://1010wins.com/topstories/local_story_234164036.html
Buying Matching Funds
Margarita Lopez last week received public matching funds for her borough
president campaign — but she first had to make a payment equaling almost
half of what she was awarded. Two weeks ago, Lopez’s campaign was jilted
when the Campaign Finance Board, in its first round of allocations of
matching funds, withheld hers, claiming Lopez still owed them a
“significant amount” of unspent funds out of the $143,682 in taxpayers’
money she received for her 2001 City Council reelection campaign. Some
of Lopez’s qualified expenses weren’t adequately documented, according
to C.F.B., and so were classified as “unspent” and should be returned.
However, Tanya Domi, a C.F.B. spokesperson, said that last week an
agreement was reached under which Lopez paid the board $185,877, in
return for which she was awarded $382,239 in matching funds.
http://www.thevillager.com/villager_121/lopezpaystoplay.html
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* Rant of the Week *
No rant this week. Send your rants to village-@manhattanlp.org.
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* Upcoming Events *
Friday, August 26, 6:00 p.m.
Still We Speak rally
A rally to save our freedoms of speech and assembly
Union Square, South Plaza
http://www.stillwespeak.org
Friday, August 26, 7:00 p.m.
Critical Mass bike ride
Defend your right to ride without a permit
Union Square Park North
http://www.times-up.org/calendar/detail.php?calendarid=46
Monday, August 29, 10:30 p.m.
"The Libertarian Alternative"
A Libertarian political talk show
Time Warner Cable Ch. 34, RCN Cable Ch. 110, MNN Ch. 1
http://www.libertarianalternative.org
Thursday, September 1, 7:00 p.m.
NYC Junto monthly meeting
Guest speaker: Dr. Robert Higgs, Senior Fellow, the Independent
Institute
“War: Making Government Bigger Forever”
General Society Library, 20 West 44th Street
http://www.nycjunto.com
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* Manhattan Libertarian Party Honor Roll *
Benefactors (have given at least $1,000 to the MLP in 2005)
Ron Moore
Victor Niederhoffer
Founders (have given at least $500 to the MLP in 2005)
Your Name Here?
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* News tips, rants and events wanted! *
Help us improve THE VILLAGE CHOICE. Send news bites, rants and event
announcements to village-@manhattanlp.org. Please include a web
link whenever possible. We will occasionally consider broader topics,
but our strong preference is for items pertaining to freedom (or the
lack thereof) in New York City.
THE VILLAGE CHOICE is edited by Jim Lesczynski.
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villagechoic-@topica.com
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at:
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If you're offended by anything in this newsletter, you're obviously a
humorless socialist of either the right-wing or left-wing variety.
See you next week!
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