FW: Newsletter Name issue

[lnc-public_forward]

 

---

From: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, October 17, 2026 10:22:01 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: LNC Public <lnc-p...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Fw: Newsletter Name issue

Greetings.

Ms. Hogarth, sounds like you're implying that the choice of what list to bring this up in was inappropriate.  Somehow.  

With that in mind, I'll bump this over to public. 

The chairs of my region would be interested to view the discussion anyway, 

As far as whether my region has concerns over the name, Yes they do. 

My job is to voice their concerns, and that's exactly why this is being brought up. 

The choice of name is provocative.  

We are interested to know who exactly suggested it. 

Thank you. 

In Liberty,  

Alfa Shaw

Region 6

"Relationships begin with Understanding"

---

From: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, 17 October 2026 02:21:57
To: Kelly Nguyen <kelly....@lp.org>; Susan Hogarth <susan....@lp.org>; LNC Confidential <lncb...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Newsletter Name issue

 

I think he's got a great point.  Maybe if the board were consulted before rather than after, a change wouldn't be necessary. 

Instead, everything is shoved forcefully down our throats no matter how overtly or covertly communist.  

After all, I'm partly on trial for saying socialism and Antifa don't belong in the LP and should be removed. 

It's not a stretch to think the foreign-backed covert-communist infiltrators on this board would do something this stupid and embarrassing. 

It's objectively less embarrassing than the newsletters and much less destructive (so far) than the outrageous emails going out. 

Really, the Show Trials scream "communist" more than the name "the spark", imho. 

Austin Martin 

R1

---

From: Kelly Nguyen <kelly....@lp.org>
Sent: Friday, 16 October 2026 20:14:37
To: Susan Hogarth <susan....@lp.org>; LNC Confidential <lncb...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Newsletter Name issue

 

Hi Alfa,

Thank you for bringing up this topic. I believe the name refers to a spark that ignites the flame of Liberty. Even the newsletter says, “igniting the flame of Liberty”. The possibility of the name referencing a socialist Russian newspaper from over a century ago is a big stretch. The word “spark” is fairly generic, and socialists don't have a monopoly on generic words. This comes from someone who objected to the term “mutualism”.

I’ve worked in the digital marketing space for a long time, and I have concerns about the name for different reasons. LP National should maintain consistent branding and messaging. We already have an established publication, LP News, and we should build on that. A new name could confuse our audience and stray away from marketing best practices. There’s no need to reinvent the wheel.

LP National should adhere to its original platform, messaging, terminology, and branding.

In Liberty,

 

Kelly

Kelly Nguyen At-Large Representative Libertarian National Committee kelly....@lp.org lp.org/nguyen

---

From: Susan Hogarth <susan....@lp.org>
Sent: Friday, October 16, 2026 7:05 PM
To: LNC Confidential <lncb...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Newsletter Name issue

 

Also, while I appreciate the desire to not have what sounds like squabbling over minor stuff on the business list, I’m not sure I agree this is a ‘confidential’ matter. Why did you bring it up in this list rather than the public one?

Susan Hogarth

Region 5 Representative 

---

From: Susan Hogarth <susan....@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, 17 October 2026 01:03:04
To: LNC Confidential <lncb...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Newsletter Name issue

 

What does 'at least three of my states' mean? Three people, from different states? More than three? Were the three complaints completely separate? It just seems really weird that your region would be so historically fascinated by expat socialism. 

At any rate, APRC reviewed the publication. The name didn't come up. I personally don't see the issue. Our logo is a torch, after all. 

Susan Hogarth

Region 5 Representative 

---

From: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>
Sent: Friday, October 16, 2026 11:11 PM
To: LNC Confidential <lncb...@lp.org>
Subject: Newsletter Name issue

 

Greetings. 

There are complaints concerning the name of the email newsletter. 

Apparently its also the name of another somewhat infamous publication that served a similar but diametrically opposed purpose. 

Who was responsible for choosing and approving the publication name? 

I don't seem to remember anything about this publication coming up in any internal communications, and dont remember any board actions associated with its creation. 

I would suggest that we choose a different name for it, as Im getting complaints about it from at least 3 of my states. 

Thank you. 

In Liberty, 

Alfa Shaw

Region 6

"Relationships begin with Understanding"

[lnc-public_forward]

 

---

From: Richard Longstreth <richard.l...@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, October 17, 2026 11:20:55 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: Newsletter Name issue

Colleagues,

Ms. Hogarth has indicated that this went through APRC and was approved. That is a confidential committee to prevent these exact types of witch hunts against volunteers and staff.

If anyone would like to take an action, propose it and gather your sponsors. Share feedback and hopefully things improve.

Sharing who came up with what is absolutely improper. Let's move forward instead of questioning why "sparking liberty" is a bad thing.

Respectfully,

Richard Longstreth

At-Large Representative 

Libertarian National Committee

Richard.L...@lp.org

865.321.1130

www.lp.org/donate

---

From: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, October 17, 2026 6:22:09 AM

[lnc-public_forward]

 

---

From: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, October 17, 2026 12:11:59 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Richard Longstreth <richard.l...@lp.org>; LNC Public <lnc-p...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>

Subject: Re: Newsletter Name issue

Greetings. 

Mr. Longstreth,  

The mandate of that committee has absolutely nothing to do with shielding  decisions behind a wall of confidentiality. 

It exists to protect the public image of the organization.  

Who made what decisions is relevant to the topic, and frankly is an area of transparency that the national membership as a whole expects of us. 

Thank you.

In Liberty,  

Alfa Shaw

Region 6

"Relationships begin with Understanding"

---

From: Richard Longstreth <richard.l...@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, 17 October 2026 07:20:55

[lnc-public_forward]

 

---

From: Susan Hogarth <susan....@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, October 17, 2026 2:01:20 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: LNC Public <lnc-p...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>

Subject: Re: Newsletter Name issue

Staff instigated a brief email update, ran the form and content by the APRC, got approval, and it's out now. It looks fantastic, incidentally. There was no conspiracy, no secret desire to fan the flames of socialism by resurrecting a name that wasn't even used (it looks from your Wikipedia reference that the Russian word was used for the historical newsletter you're referring to), just an obvious reference to our logo and the flame of freedom. It astonishes me that you've found three people with the same concern over an historical coincidence, and from that can infer that it's a concern of your entire region. 

To address another concern, this doesn't replace LP News; it's a different product. 

Not every operational decision is voted on by the full LNC. Of course oversight is one of our key functions, and if you, Mr Shaw, think your region is solidly affronted enough and believes this is a harmful action by the LP, I urge you to simply call for action rather than spend a bunch of time, energy, and goodwill of the body asking for 'answers' about who did what and why. 

Ask for cosponsors for a motion to change the name (assuming the Chair doesn't find that out of order). I don't think you will find enough of them, and for that reason I suspect you may continue ' just asking questions' rather than calling for decisive action and just moving on. 

Susan Hogarth

Region 5 Representative 

---

From: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, 17 October 2026 06:22:01

[lnc-public_forward]

 

---

From: Susan Hogarth <susan....@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, October 17, 2026 2:26:33 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik

To: LNC Public <lnc-p...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Newsletter Name issue

An alternative to jumping to a motion to undo a staff action is indicated in the policy manual - it may be a more appropriate path:

“All public communications may be subject to later review or reconsideration upon receipt of a credible written complaint from any Party member that is emailed to staff or an LNC member.”

If you can share these written complaints (anon is fine as long as you affirm they are individual party members) with the APRC we can review them and respond. 

Susan Hogarth

Region 5 Representative 

---

From: Susan Hogarth <susan....@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, 17 October 2026 10:01:20

[lnc-public_forward]

 

---

From: Richard Longstreth <richard.l...@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, October 17, 2026 2:27:53 PM (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: Newsletter Name issue

Mr. Shaw,

The policy manual lays out a procedure to questions things approved by the APRC and is not simply a mandate. I direct your attention to 1.04(2) which reads,

"... All public communications may be subject to later review or reconsideration upon receipt of a credible written complaint from any Party member that is emailed to staff or an LNC member. All complaints should be promptly forwarded to the LNC Chair and the APRC Chair. Upon receipt of such complaint, the APRC shall have twenty-four (24) hours to make a recommendation whether or not to remove the communication from the public sphere to the extent possible or make other recommendations by a majority vote of the entire APRC. The LNC Chair may override such recommendations. 

 

Communications between the APRC, staff, and the LNC Chair are in the nature of confidential employer-employee communications. Official decisions of the APRC that are overridden shall be promptly reported to the LNC by the APRC Chair without revealing confidential employer-employee matters. However, the APRC may by majority vote agree to consult with other relevant individuals about matters which come before it, conditioned upon the prior agreement by such individuals to maintain confidentiality of the discussions."

The nature APRC absolutely exists to protect the confidentiality of staff or volunteers who may have written the piece and to ensure on brand messaging.

If there is a complaint, you are welcome to file it directly, or simply ask questions if that is prerogative, just don't expect answers outside of the established policy manual processes.

Respectfully,

Richard Longstreth

At-Large Representative 

Libertarian National Committee

Richard.L...@lp.org

865.321.1130

www.lp.org/donate

---

From: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, October 17, 2026 8:12:14 AM
To: Richard Longstreth <richard.l...@lp.org>; LNC Public <lnc-p...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>

Subject: Re: Newsletter Name issue

Greetings. 

Mr. Longstreth,  

The mandate of that committee has absolutely nothing to do with shielding  decisions behind a wall of confidentiality. 

It exists to protect the public image of the organization.  

Who made what decisions is relevant to the topic, and frankly is an area of transparency that the national membership as a whole expects of us. 

Thank you.

In Liberty,  

Alfa Shaw

Region 6

"Relationships begin with Understanding"

---

From: Richard Longstreth <richard.l...@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, 17 October 2026 07:20:55

To: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>; LNC Public <lnc-p...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>

Subject: Re: Newsletter Name issue

Colleagues,

Ms. Hogarth has indicated that this went through APRC and was approved. That is a confidential committee to prevent these exact types of witch hunts against volunteers and staff.

If anyone would like to take an action, propose it and gather your sponsors. Share feedback and hopefully things improve.

Sharing who came up with what is absolutely improper. Let's move forward instead of questioning why "sparking liberty" is a bad thing.

Respectfully,

Richard Longstreth

At-Large Representative 

Libertarian National Committee

Richard.L...@lp.org

865.321.1130

www.lp.org/donate

---

From: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>

Sent: Saturday, October 17, 2026 6:22:09 AM

[lnc-public_forward]

 

---

From: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, October 17, 2026 3:13:19 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik

To: Richard Longstreth <richard.l...@lp.org>; LNC Public <lnc-p...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Newsletter Name issue

Greetings.  

OK, so the identities of those who made the decisions surrounding the name choice are confidential as far as being prohibited from public communication due to internal policy adopted on May 7th, of 2023 by a vote of 15-1-1. 

Somewhat unrelated,  but a reminder:

While the LNC Policy Manual treats certain APRC communications as confidential “employer-employee” communications, a director’s statutory inspection right under D.C. law is independent of internal policy.

Moving on to the actual matter at hand:

Mr. Chair,

On behalf of Region 6 and other national members concerned about this matter I would like to request that the name of the email publication that is the subject of this discussion be changed to something that does not mirror the name of a famous Soviet publication.  

It Is the view of Region 6 and other concerned national members that the current name of the publication does not serve the interests of the Party. 

Thank you. 

In Liberty,  

Alfa Shaw

Region 6

"Relationships begin with Understanding"

---

From: Richard Longstreth <richard.l...@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, 17 October 2026 10:27:53

[lnc-public_forward]

 

---

From: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, October 17, 2026 5:02:35 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>; Richard Longstreth <richard.l...@lp.org>; LNC Public <lnc-p...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>

Subject: Re: Newsletter Name issue

This is a distraction from actual show trials. 

You folks are performative, not genuine 

Austin Martin 

R1

---

From: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, 17 October 2026 05:13:19