FW: How did this happen?

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From: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 2, 2026 1:19:56 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: LNC Public <lnc-p...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Fw: How did this happen?

Anyone know how this happened? 

Alfa Shaw

Region 6

"Relationships begin with Understanding"

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From: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>
Sent: Wednesday, July 1, 2026 10:05:13 AM
To: LNC Confidential <lncb...@lp.org>
Subject: How did this happen?

Greetings. 

Somehow LPMI decided to nominate this person as the Libertarian candidate for Senate for Michigan. 

Is this person even registered as a libertarian, or a member of state/national party? 

This is just embarrassing. 

In Liberty, 

Alfa Shaw

Region 6

"Relationships begin with Understanding"

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From: Sonja Feintech <sonja.f...@lp.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 2, 2026 1:21:57 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>; LNC Public <lnc-p...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: How did this happen?

I too am trying to wrap my heads around it. Don't we have an imperative to reject candidates that are completely against our party, on principle? 

If endorsing Trump was egregious as he was not a libertarian by any means, does this candidate not also merit the same response? 

Get Outlook for Android

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From: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>
Sent: Wednesday, 01 July 2026 18:19:56

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From: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 2, 2026 1:30:29 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Sonja Feintech <sonja.f...@lp.org>; Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>; LNC Public <lnc-p...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>

Subject: Re: How did this happen?

Ua mau ke ea o ka ʻāina i ka pono

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From: Sonja Feintech <sonja.f...@lp.org>
Sent: Wednesday, 01 July 2026 15:21:57

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From: Tyler Danke <tyler...@lp.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 2, 2026 1:51:08 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>; Sonja Feintech <sonja.f...@lp.org>; Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>; LNC Public <lnc-p...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>

Subject: Re: How did this happen?

It seems like based on LP Oregon's statements about affiliate autonomy you might want to be asking the Libertarian Party of Michigan that question instead of the national committee?

There was a group of Michiganders who desired to play kingmaker with the Republican party candidate instead of running a libertarian party candidate at all. 

The National Committee doesn't have an imperative to reject Michigan candidates.

Endorsing Trump was egregious because the Libertarian Party had its own candidate and the national committee bylaws are clear about what party's candidates this party's officers and affiliates should not endorse.

Tyler Danke

Representing the Libertarian Parties of Illinois, New Jersey, New York and Wisconsin

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From: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>
Sent: Wednesday, 01 July 2026 20:30:29

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From: Amanda Griffiths <amanda.g...@lp.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 2, 2026 1:54:42 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Sonja Feintech <sonja.f...@lp.org>; Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>; LNC Public <lnc-p...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>

Subject: Re: How did this happen?

Hi, all--

There are valuable points being raised here.

State and local parties have significant leeway to choose the candidates they intend to run, as Libertarians, in state and local races.

To call forth Sonja's example regarding the Trump endorsement: While I would not have been happy about such a scenario, the matter would have been quite different had Trump been nominated, to run as a Libertarian, by a local party, for a local office. So would the response from National.

So, while we can express our displeasure about it individually, and take measures far less intensive than disaffiliation if local candidates contravene the platform egregiously while on the trail, I would urge that we abide by the spirit of the affiliate autonomy resolutions newly passed and recognize that local Libertarian candidates for local offices are largely the purview of local parties. If National desires to police local Libertarian nominees more stringently, that is a matter for the bylaws and quite likely the JC, not this LNC.

In Liberty,

Amanda

Sent from Outlook for iOS

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From: Sonja Feintech <sonja.f...@lp.org>
Sent: Wednesday, July 1, 2026 8:22 PM

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From: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 2, 2026 1:59:13 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Tyler Danke <tyler...@lp.org>; Sonja Feintech <sonja.f...@lp.org>; Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>; LNC Public <lnc-p...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>

Subject: Re: How did this happen?

Dear CATO-alliance,

Perhaps someone should answer who isn't aligned with the CCP, Ukraine, European "allies", Antifa, the DNC, or CATO. 

The captured LNC has empowered the breakaway factions, including in Michigan, who seem to support this communist traitor, justifying it by defaming Libertarian candidates as "white nationalists" (a racial slur). 

This is not an affiliate autonomy question, but a question of unfair double standards, contract violations based on institutional propaganda, and "Liberal" inequality. 

"Rules for thee, but none for me." 

How about a real answer from someone not in bed with our enemies? 

Austin Martin 

R1

Ua mau ke ea o ka ʻāina i ka pono

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From: Tyler Danke <tyler...@lp.org>
Sent: Wednesday, 01 July 2026 15:51:08
To: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>; Sonja Feintech <sonja.f...@lp.org>; Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>; LNC Public <lnc-p...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>

Subject: Re: How did this happen?

It seems like based on LP Oregon's statements about affiliate autonomy you might want to be asking the Libertarian Party of Michigan that question instead of the national committee?

There was a group of Michiganders who desired to play kingmaker with the Republican party candidate instead of running a libertarian party candidate at all. 

The National Committee doesn't have an imperative to reject Michigan candidates.

Endorsing Trump was egregious because the Libertarian Party had its own candidate and the national committee bylaws are clear about what party's candidates this party's officers and affiliates should not endorse.

Tyler Danke

Representing the Libertarian Parties of Illinois, New Jersey, New York and Wisconsin

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From: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>
Sent: Wednesday, 01 July 2026 20:30:29

To: Sonja Feintech <sonja.f...@lp.org>; Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>; LNC Public <lnc-p...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: How did this happen?

Ua mau ke ea o ka ʻāina i ka pono

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From: Sonja Feintech <sonja.f...@lp.org>

Sent: Wednesday, 01 July 2026 15:21:57

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From: Amanda Griffiths <amanda.g...@lp.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 2, 2026 2:00:24 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>; Tyler Danke <tyler...@lp.org>; Sonja Feintech <sonja.f...@lp.org>; Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>; LNC Public <lnc-p...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>

Subject: Re: How did this happen?

Good evening, Austin—

I do agree that double standards are quite an issue.

In Liberty,

Amanda

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From: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>
Sent: Wednesday, July 1, 2026 20:59

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From: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 2, 2026 2:05:26 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Amanda Griffiths <amanda.g...@lp.org>; Tyler Danke <tyler...@lp.org>; Sonja Feintech <sonja.f...@lp.org>; Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>; LNC Public <lnc-p...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>

Subject: Re: How did this happen?

Then you should do something to mitigate your severely conflicted situation. 

I'm quite uncomfortable with 5013c3 operators who engage in insurgency, fraud, militancy, and subversion against partisan institutions to skirt the law, essentially using tax-advantaged funds to pay HR costs for partisan architects who "incidentally" carry out the will of their principles in partisan organizations.

Perhaps we should begin to look at whether these undisclosed institutional control vectors are a liability. 

Austin Martin

Ua mau ke ea o ka ʻāina i ka pono

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From: Amanda Griffiths <amanda.g...@lp.org>
Sent: Wednesday, 01 July 2026 16:00:24

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From: Amanda Griffiths <amanda.g...@lp.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 2, 2026 2:12:51 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik

To: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>; Tyler Danke <tyler...@lp.org>; Sonja Feintech <sonja.f...@lp.org>; Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>; LNC Public <lnc-p...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: How did this happen?

Austin,

I confess that I have never even heard of a 5013c3—I wasn't aware they went to four digits!

If you wish to spend your weekend prompting another dossier, that is your business entirely. 

Enjoy your evening,

Amanda

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From: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>
Sent: Wednesday, July 1, 2026 21:05

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From: Rose Leatherman <rose.le...@lp.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 2, 2026 2:13:52 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>; LNC Public <lnc-p...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>

Subject: Re: How did this happen?

Mr. Shaw,

If I had to guess “how this happened,” I’d imagine it had something to do with the fact that the alternative was an unapologetic white nationalist named David Franklin, who openly advocates positions such as "deport 100 million people" and "deport all non-white people whose ancestors moved to the US after 1965,” and regularly expresses the desire to murder perceived political enemies by throwing them out of helicopters. Meanwhile, a former LP chair encouraged members to vote NOTA in order to help a Republican candidate she wanted them to support instead.

In light of these facts, I’m guessing a candidate who *appears* to share a number of libertarian positions on social issues, yet is misguided when it comes to the best way to solve the problem of healthcare being unaffordable for a lot of Americans (likely due to not yet being sold on the superiority of free markets and voluntary solutions over state welfare), probably seemed like the best option of the three.

But I strongly suspect that you and some of the other respondents know this already, and are just hoping this email chain will be read by people who don’t.

Rose Leatherman 

Region 8 Alternate 

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From: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>
Sent: Wednesday, 01 July 2026 21:19:56

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From: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 2, 2026 2:34:39 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Rose Leatherman <rose.le...@lp.org>; Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>; LNC Public <lnc-p...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>

Subject: Re: How did this happen?

Cultural communists on the LNC defending actual communists as candidates — all apparently in bed with foreign governments... 

Oh but no, the problem is "racism" and "white nationalism" — NPR, CNN, Atlas, CATO, NATO, and Schwab have spoken, and shall not be questioned. 

You guys get the joke, yet?

Lol, the propaganda around the LNC is absolutely Orwellian. 

I don't suggest the LNC should intervene, save perhaps for some counter-messaging to protect our brand. But I would remind the peanut gallery that the LNC just brazenly and fraudulently denied due process to an entire state for something arguably less offensive — because they were on the "wrong" side of the institutionally-manufactured faction war, not because of any particular thing they did or didn't do.

It's just another witch hunt, straight out of Salem. 

All modern "Liberals", without exception, are simply miseducated bigots projecting their toxicity and envy onto healthy people; they are fit only for rehab, institutionalization, prison, or as fodder to feed their own war machine. 

🫳🎤

Austin Martin

R1

Ua mau ke ea o ka ʻāina i ka pono

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From: Rose Leatherman <rose.le...@lp.org>
Sent: Wednesday, 01 July 2026 16:13:52

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From: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 2, 2026 2:36:21 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Amanda Griffiths <amanda.g...@lp.org>; Sonja Feintech <sonja.f...@lp.org>; LNC Public <lnc-p...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>

Subject: Re: How did this happen?

Greetings. 

Vice Chair Griffiths,

I'm a bit concerned about the obvious and numerous anti Libertarian political positions this candidate has promised to implement if elected. 

I suspect that this would not be tolerated if the candidate were from a right wing background instead of a  Sub Rosa 🥀socialist. 

Additionally, the candidate is running for federal office to become a US Senator.

To make laws that the entire nation would be saddled with.

Mr. Danke, 

The question of autonomy is an important one, as evidenced by the steady stream of resolutions from states including the one that you and the Vice Chair are from. 

The question about whether or not its the national party's business is also an important one. 

If it were for the state house in Michigan,  unquestionably No.

However doesn't it seem like the national party may rightfully be concerned with federal offices, where the positions are served in the capital and make laws that effect the entire nation?

There is a lot to consider here.  

Personally, I wonder if someone from Michigan can tell us why the decision to nominate this candidate was made, and whether they examined the political positions and affiliations of the person before nominating. 

Thank you. 

In Liberty, 

Alfa Shaw

Region 6

"Relationships begin with Understanding"

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From: Amanda Griffiths <amanda.g...@lp.org>
Sent: Wednesday, 01 July 2026 21:54:42
To: Sonja Feintech <sonja.f...@lp.org>; Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>; LNC Public <lnc-p...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>

Subject: Re: How did this happen?

Hi, all--

There are valuable points being raised here.

State and local parties have significant leeway to choose the candidates they intend to run, as Libertarians, in state and local races.

To call forth Sonja's example regarding the Trump endorsement: While I would not have been happy about such a scenario, the matter would have been quite different had Trump been nominated, to run as a Libertarian, by a local party, for a local office. So would the response from National.

So, while we can express our displeasure about it individually, and take measures far less intensive than disaffiliation if local candidates contravene the platform egregiously while on the trail, I would urge that we abide by the spirit of the affiliate autonomy resolutions newly passed and recognize that local Libertarian candidates for local offices are largely the purview of local parties. If National desires to police local Libertarian nominees more stringently, that is a matter for the bylaws and quite likely the JC, not this LNC.

In Liberty,

Amanda

Sent from Outlook for iOS

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From: Sonja Feintech <sonja.f...@lp.org>
Sent: Wednesday, July 1, 2026 8:22 PM

To: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>; LNC Public <lnc-p...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: How did this happen?

I too am trying to wrap my heads around it. Don't we have an imperative to reject candidates that are completely against our party, on principle? 

If endorsing Trump was egregious as he was not a libertarian by any means, does this candidate not also merit the same response? 

Get Outlook for Android

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From: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>
Sent: Wednesday, 01 July 2026 18:19:56

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From: Steven Nekhaila <steven....@lp.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 2, 2026 3:18:25 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>; Amanda Griffiths <amanda.g...@lp.org>; Sonja Feintech <sonja.f...@lp.org>; LNC Public <lnc-p...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>

Subject: Re: How did this happen?

I don’t like it, but I don’t see how this is the LNC’s fault or responsibility.

Off platform candidates occasionally run for office as Libertarian, the only thing the LNC can do is be good apologists and evangelicals for libertarianism.

Does R1 still include Michigan?

If so, that's where any inquiry should start as it likely won't be solved by committee.

However, I too, privately, would like to know the candidate selection process in Michigan.

Sincerely,

Steven Nekhaila

At- Large, LNC

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From: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>
Sent: Wednesday, 01 July 2026 22:36:21

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From: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 2, 2026 3:24:11 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Steven Nekhaila <steven....@lp.org>; Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>; Amanda Griffiths <amanda.g...@lp.org>; Sonja Feintech <sonja.f...@lp.org>; LNC Public <lnc-p...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>

Subject: Re: How did this happen?

It is quite certainly your fault, Mr. Nekhaila, with plenty of shared blame with the other institutional racketeering operatives on this committee.

You may recall I warned you this would happen, and your captured committee publicly censured and censored me for it. 

Don't insult the LP by pretending this isn't your fault. You helped set the responsible group up to seize power and helped them take down their political opposition from the inside, then played the dictator, doubling down and committing your own offenses to protect them. 

You want to pretend like all that didn't happen now? 

How's Mr. Crevaux doing, by the way? 

Austin Martin 

R1

Ua mau ke ea o ka ʻāina i ka pono

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From: Steven Nekhaila <steven....@lp.org>
Sent: Wednesday, 01 July 2026 17:18:25

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From: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 2, 2026 3:24:28 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik

To: Amanda Griffiths <amanda.g...@lp.org>; Sonja Feintech <sonja.f...@lp.org>; LNC Public <lnc-p...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: How did this happen?

Greetings. 

Ms. Leatherman, 

Misguided is a very creative way to characterize that. 

"Well the candidate is good on LBGT stuff, and thinks the United States is a global commons, so gets a pass on everything else" ?

Its not just economics. 

The candidate is campaigning on expanding government control over the purchase of firearms.

Thank you.

In disbelief, 

[lnc-public_forward]

 

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From: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 2, 2026 3:32:47 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik

To: Amanda Griffiths <amanda.g...@lp.org>; Sonja Feintech <sonja.f...@lp.org>; LNC Public <lnc-p...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: How did this happen?

Greetings. 

I believe Michigan is part of region zero. 

Which complicates communication on the matter.

Thank you.

Alfa Shaw

Region 6

"Relationships begin with Understanding"

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From: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>
Sent: Wednesday, 01 July 2026 23:24:28

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From: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 2, 2026 3:51:14 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik

To: Amanda Griffiths <amanda.g...@lp.org>; Sonja Feintech <sonja.f...@lp.org>; LNC Public <lnc-p...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: How did this happen?

Greetings.

Definition for a term I used earlier in case anyone is unfamiliar with it: 

https://grok.com/share/c2hhcmQtNA_17680f3b-314c-4bbd-9e81-bb87827f6a21

Thank you. 

Alfa Shaw

Region 6

"Relationships begin with Understanding"

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From: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>
Sent: Wednesday, 01 July 2026 23:32:47

[lnc-public_forward]

 

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From: Barbara Engelhardt <barbara.e...@lp.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 2, 2026 3:59:03 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>; Amanda Griffiths <amanda.g...@lp.org>; Sonja Feintech <sonja.f...@lp.org>; LNC Public <lnc-p...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>

Subject: Re: How did this happen?

It seems at this point in time that the only reasonable course of action is to encourage the Michigan affiliate who promoted Ms. Christensen‘s candidacy to further educate her on libertarian principles with the hope that she will become better aligned with our Platform. 

Best,

Barbara Engelhardt

Reg 4 Alt Rep

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From: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>
Sent: Wednesday, July 1, 2026 8:32 PM

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From: Rose Leatherman <rose.le...@lp.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 2, 2026 4:30:14 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik

To: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>; Amanda Griffiths <amanda.g...@lp.org>; Sonja Feintech <sonja.f...@lp.org>; LNC Public <lnc-p...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: How did this happen?

Mr. Shaw,

You are free to ignore most of the context I provided in my previous response if you like. The bottom line remains that when you give Libertarians a choice between running someone who promotes "blood and soil" type nationalist positions as their Senate candidate (see attached images for reference), and a candidate who is bad when it comes to welfare state policies and the second amendment, but who doesn't advocate using the state to violently round up peaceful people trying to live their lives and kick them out of the country solely for being the "wrong" ethnicity, don't be surprised when they choose the latter.

If you don't want to see a situation like this happen again, then I recommend you spare us the faux disbelief, and instead attempt to understand why an affiliate might not want an individual like Mr. Franklin publicly representing their party by running for political office under the Libertarian banner. Maybe then this won't be an issue going forward. 

Rose Leatherman 

Region 8 Alternate 

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From: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>
Sent: Wednesday, 01 July 2026 23:51:14

To: Amanda Griffiths <amanda.g...@lp.org>; Sonja Feintech <sonja.f...@lp.org>; LNC Public <lnc-p...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: How did this happen?

 

Greetings.

Definition for a term I used earlier in case anyone is unfamiliar with it: 

https://grok.com/share/c2hhcmQtNA_17680f3b-314c-4bbd-9e81-bb87827f6a21

Thank you. 

Alfa Shaw

Region 6

"Relationships begin with Understanding"

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From: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>
Sent: Wednesday, 01 July 2026 23:32:47

[lnc-public_forward]

 

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From: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 2, 2026 5:09:44 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Rose Leatherman <rose.le...@lp.org>; Amanda Griffiths <amanda.g...@lp.org>; Sonja Feintech <sonja.f...@lp.org>; LNC Public <lnc-p...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>

Subject: Re: How did this happen?

Greetings. 

Ms. Leatherman, 

>

Thank you. 

In Liberty, 

Alfa Shaw

Region 6

"Relationships begin with Understanding"

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From: Rose Leatherman <rose.le...@lp.org>
Sent: Thursday, 02 July 2026 00:30:14

[lnc-public_forward]

 

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From: Amanda Griffiths <amanda.g...@lp.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 2, 2026 8:42:28 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>; Rose Leatherman <rose.le...@lp.org>; Sonja Feintech <sonja.f...@lp.org>; LNC Public <lnc-p...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>

Subject: Re: How did this happen?

A quick note—

The visual Mr. Shaw provides is one of my favorite oft-confused items to discuss; so, rather than attack Mr. Shaw's interpretation of it specifically (which I do not presume to know), I would like to provide a brief explanation of where the image comes from and what it arguably means. (Apologies in advance for derailing the thread.)

The image is taken from a study interrogating the general "scope of moral concern" that individuals on the left vs. right have for entities thought to be closely vs. distantly related to the individuals in question. You can read the article from which the study is drawn here, the relevant portion of which begins just above Figure 5: 

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-019-12227-0#Fig1

The study "assessed the heatmaps [cited in Mr. Shaw's email] generated by participants' clicks on the rung they felt best represented the extent of their moral circle" (emphasis added). 

In the moral circle heat map, the smallest concentric circles represent entities closely related to the study’s subjects—things like their family or neighbors—and the circles furthest out represent more distant ones—extending, at the furthest rungs, even to non-sentient objects. "Hot" colored areas represent where the highest proportion of individuals, in either group, "maxed out" on their sphere of moral concern. They do not represent the intensity of moral concern individuals in those groups feel for each area, although the constraints of the study at first allocated a finite number of "concern units" for subjects to distribute across the schematic (once again, however, the heat map does not reflect the average individual concentration of those units, merely the average individual extent thereof). As a result, there was initially an artificial limitation placed on how many units participants could allot per rung if they wished to extend their circle of concern. To follow up, a second survey allotted participants an infinite number of units to distribute, and found that the results, so far as relative scope of moral concern went, were consistent. In short: The map reflects scope, not intensity, of moral concern. 

Nevertheless (and I am not certain that the following represents Mr. Shaw's reading per se), the graphic in question is sometimes touted as a meme demonstrating that those on the right are more ethically attached to or concerned with their families than they are, say, rocks or wildlife; whereas those on the left are of the converse persuasion. However, this is inaccurate. Again: The “heat map” pictured does not represent the strength of attachment felt by the respective groups to the categories in question, but rather the concentration of individuals whose scope of moral concern terminates at objects at varying degrees of nearness to or distance from those individuals’ immediate circles. 

What the graphic purports to show (accurately or not) is that individuals on the right tend to have narrower scopes of moral concern—stopping perhaps at close friends or family or countrymen—and individuals on the left tend to have broader ones, incorporating friends and family and countrymen but also more distant entities. The graphic does not reflect the relative level of concern individuals feel between various entities. It does not necessarily show that the left cares more about, say, sea lions than about their own families. It merely shows that more people on the left are likely to care about sea lions as well as their own families.

In Liberty; and a Happy, Rambly 3AM to You All,

Amanda

Sent from Outlook for iOS

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From: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>
Sent: Thursday, 02 July 2026 00:09:44

[lnc-public_forward]

 

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From: Sonja Feintech <sonja.f...@lp.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 2, 2026 9:47:39 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Amanda Griffiths <amanda.g...@lp.org>; Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>; Rose Leatherman <rose.le...@lp.org>; LNC Public <lnc-p...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>

Subject: Re: How did this happen?

A quicker note in response—

Your clarification is appreciated Amanda. You're correct that the heatmaps mainly show scope of moral concern rather than pure intensity, and your example of the crude meme of "libs love sea lions more than their kids" I agree is a bit of an overreach.

However, although you are clearly well versed in the art of the spin, in your endless stressing of "scope not intensity," and "broader is just including family too," you have shown your cards as a classic left-liberal apologist. I could be wrong in my assessment, but your framing liberal expansiveness as enlightened inclusivity is a pretty routine practice among those on the left. 

The study specifically shows clear allocation differences; conservatives/narrow circles can reflect grounded reciprocity and duty, prioritizing proximate humans (self, family, local community, national cohesion, etc.)

While on the flip side liberals/expansive circles signal virtue or spread more to distant/non-human categories and diluted proximate responsibilities. In the real world of finite time, resources, attention, and trade-offs, where one places peak moral priority does shape real behavior and policy preferences.

That is simply a meaningful ordering of preferences, not a harmless and benign difference in the meaning of "extent."

Your clever-yet-incorrect dissertation bends over backward to neutralize a politically inconvenient takeaway while soft-pedaling any trade-offs. 

This reads like a classic motte-and-bailey (logical fallacy) applied to moral psychology.

In liberty (and with less 3AM cope).

Sonja Feintech 

LNC Region 1 Alt

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From: Amanda Griffiths <amanda.g...@lp.org>

[lnc-public_forward]

 

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From: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 2, 2026 12:05:37 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Sonja Feintech <sonja.f...@lp.org>; Amanda Griffiths <amanda.g...@lp.org>; Rose Leatherman <rose.le...@lp.org>; LNC Public <lnc-p...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>

Subject: Re: How did this happen?

Greetings. 

Im relieved that people here understand the diagrams and know of the study that generated them. 

My purpose was to illustrate that we can often be talking about completely different things while addressing a topic. 

I wanted to know how Michigan decided to (possibly unknowingly by lack of vetting?) nominate a Sub Rosa 🥀 socialist to run for US Senate representing the party.

The response that Ms. Leatherman brought was (paraphrasing) "There was a closed borders candidate with terrible reasons for believing in closed borders also running". 

Priorities define a lot of the issues between Paleo and Progressive Libertarians.

They share a great deal in common, however which thing overrules which other thing in a priority stack can make a huge difference. 

The heat map is a gross oversimplification of the differences in what item overrules which other item when choices that satisfy all the priorities is impossible.

The meme of "prefers rocks over people" is ridiculous. 

However,

"Is willing to disadvantage their own descendants and those of their nation to serve a perceived moral humanitarian purpose for people we do not yet know" 

Seems accurate. 

In any case, the political positions of the candidate that is the real subject of this thread, are very problematic from a Libertarian point of view. 

Nobody who seeks to be taken seriously in this forum can dispute that. 

Thank you. 

In Liberty, 

Alfa Shaw

Region 6

"Relationships begin with Understanding"

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From: Sonja Feintech <sonja.f...@lp.org>
Sent: Thursday, 02 July 2026 05:47:39

[lnc-public_forward]

 

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From: Amanda Griffiths <amanda.g...@lp.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 2, 2026 2:25:09 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>; Sonja Feintech <sonja.f...@lp.org>; Rose Leatherman <rose.le...@lp.org>; LNC Public <lnc-p...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>

Subject: Re: How did this happen?

Hi Sonja,

I appreciate your willingness to be incorrect—no; I am not a left liberal, and was fairly forthright in what the study shows (admitting it may not even be true, and writing that the first round of the study did in fact force a condition in which left-leaners could be argued to prioritize immediate family less than right leaners, but not, for example, wildlife). Nothing about the study, or my response, makes a claim as to which outlook is better. 

Whether someone chooses to interpret a study discussing scope of moral concern as pro-right or pro-left is, in some ways, similarly revealing. I do not interpret it as either.

Alfa: I agree with much of what you write above, apart that because the chart does not indicate priority, I am not certain we can derive from it the conclusion you offer in paragraph 9.

I do appreciate you provoking an interesting, if not off-topic, discussion. 

In Liberty,

Amanda

Sent from Outlook for iOS

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From: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>
Sent: Thursday, 02 July 2026 07:05:37

[lnc-public_forward]

 

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From: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 2, 2026 3:58:49 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Amanda Griffiths <amanda.g...@lp.org>; Sonja Feintech <sonja.f...@lp.org>; Rose Leatherman <rose.le...@lp.org>; LNC Public <lnc-p...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>

Subject: Re: How did this happen?

Greetings Vice Chair Griffiths, 

Campaigning on positions such as: 

-Increasing government control over the purchase of firearms 

-Government financial protection against eviction, and government provision of resources while striking 

-Government providing healthcare 

-Fighting transition to a private alternative to social security 

These are all problematic for a candidate running to become a US Senator representing our party. 

They're literally positions we oppose across the party. 

Thank you. 

In Liberty, 

Alfa Shaw

Region 6

"Relationships begin with Understanding"

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From: Amanda Griffiths <amanda.g...@lp.org>
Sent: Thursday, 02 July 2026 10:25:09

[lnc-public_forward]

 

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From: Tyler Danke <tyler...@lp.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 2, 2026 4:04:04 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>; Amanda Griffiths <amanda.g...@lp.org>; Sonja Feintech <sonja.f...@lp.org>; Rose Leatherman <rose.le...@lp.org>; LNC Public <lnc-p...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>

Subject: Re: How did this happen?

If you want the national committee board to have an approval process of those running for Congress I would welcome you to submit a bylaws proposal to each of the state party bylaws and the national party bylaws. At present that just is not at all how it works. Affiliate autonomy and all that. 

Tyler Danke

Representing the Libertarian Parties of Illinois, New Jersey, New York and Wisconsin

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From: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>
Sent: Thursday, 02 July 2026 10:58:49

[lnc-public_forward]

 

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From: Richard Longstreth <richard.l...@lp.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 2, 2026 4:19:14 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Tyler Danke <tyler...@lp.org>; Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>; Amanda Griffiths <amanda.g...@lp.org>; Sonja Feintech <sonja.f...@lp.org>; Rose Leatherman <rose.le...@lp.org>; LNC Public <lnc-p...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>

Subject: Re: How did this happen?

Colleagues,

I echo the thoughts of several on here. While I may not agree with all the positions of any one candidate in any one state, it is up to that state to determine which candidates to support and put on the ballot. Motivations for candidate selection range from ballot access and electability to line holders and paper candidates, depending on state laws and including every rationale in-between.

The only exception to this, per our bylaws, is the presidential candidate which is chosen at the National Convention. Affiliated state parties are expected to put forth the agreed upon delegate selection, although they are technically not required to. This is further incentivized in the bylaws and factored into delegate allocations.

If anyone on this board or in the public are unhappy with a candidate, you may contact that affiliate directly or move to that state and run against them. Disparaging them is not the way to support them in any way, nor is it professional and becoming of members of the board of the third largest political party in the nation.

I believe our apparatus exists to support candidates where we can, not to offer a purity test, as a think-tank may. We will be populating the Candidate Support Committee soon in this effort and I expect them to offer universal support to candidates who seek it rather than gate-keeping.

I urge this body and its members to consider that decorum extends to our fiduciary duty to support our affiliate-selected candidates, focusing on the areas that resonate with our platform with those candidates, rather than those that do not.

As a former candidate, I emphasize that messaging that works in one part of the country or community may not resonate in another and that if someone is 70-80% libertarian, they are already miles better than a Republican or Democrat. Not all of candidates will be 90% or more; total alignment with a platform is rare in any political party.

Respectfully,

Richard Longstreth

At-Large Representative 

Libertarian National Committee

Richard.L...@lp.org

865.321.1130

www.lp.org/donate

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From: Tyler Danke <tyler...@lp.org>
Sent: Thursday, 02 July 2026 12:04:04

[lnc-public_forward]

 

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From: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 2, 2026 7:51:39 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Richard Longstreth <richard.l...@lp.org>; Tyler Danke <tyler...@lp.org>; Amanda Griffiths <amanda.g...@lp.org>; Sonja Feintech <sonja.f...@lp.org>; Rose Leatherman <rose.le...@lp.org>; LNC Public <lnc-p...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>

Subject: Re: How did this happen?

Greetings. 

To be clear, I didn't advocate for any sort of intervention in Michigan. 

I find it encouraging that it appears we have near consensus on the subject of Autonomy of state parties across the country.

Even in the event that a state makes choices that we may find problematic as to the candidates or official messaging (including official campaign websites). 

This Mirrors the thoughts on the matter expressed by numerous states with the resolutions they have sent to us. 

Thank you fellow LNC members for Affirming this important principle. 

In Liberty 🎉, 

Alfa Shaw

Region 6

"Relationships begin with Understanding"

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From: Richard Longstreth <richard.l...@lp.org>
Sent: Thursday, 02 July 2026 12:19:14

[lnc-public_forward]

 

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From: Sonja Feintech <sonja.f...@lp.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 2, 2026 8:20:59 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>; Richard Longstreth <richard.l...@lp.org>; Tyler Danke <tyler...@lp.org>; Amanda Griffiths <amanda.g...@lp.org>; Rose Leatherman <rose.le...@lp.org>; LNC Public <lnc-p...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>

Subject: Re: How did this happen?

I second Mr. Shaw’s remarks on the LNC members’ strong affirmation of affiliate autonomy. It is truly heartwarming and encouraging to see.

While we as a committee will naturally have differences of opinion on many issues, full LNC alignment on this core principle of affiliate autonomy is critically important to our work and our effectiveness on the LNC.

Good job everyone, gold stars all around! 

Get Outlook for Android

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From: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>
Sent: Thursday, 02 July 2026 12:51:39