LIBLET

CONTENTS

DISTRIBUTION

Introduction

Submission

Appeal

Distribution

Response

LIBLET Short Cycle Procedures (within 72-hours):

1. Libertarians email LTEs, PRs and ARTs they want distributed to LIBLET National.
2. LIBLET National distributor
   1. Trashes the LTEs that are non-libertarian (non-libertarians may try to use the service).
   2. Copies the body of the message, pastes it into a new message, and distributes it internationally and nationally as a blind copy* without LL or F, N, S, A, P or R (see Invite) in the Subject field.
   3. Forwards F- or N-coded messages to all LIBLET State distributors for further domestic distribution.
   4. Forwards S-, A- and P-coded LTE to only the state indicated by the return address.
   5. Optionally modifies S-coded LTEs to make them appropriate for all states.
3. LIBLET State distributors
   1. Copy the body of the message, paste it into a new message, localize** it, and distribute it to their state-wide media as a blind copy* without LL or F, N, S, A, P or R in the Subject field.
   2. Forward the F-, N- or S-coded messages to all of their Area code distributors for further distribution.
   3. Forward A- and P-coded LTEs to only the Area code indicated by the return address.
   4. Optionally modify A-coded messages to make them appropriate for more Area codes.
4. LIBLET Area code distributors
   1. Copy the body of the message, paste it into a new message, localize** it, and distribute it to their Area code-wide media as a blind copy* without LL or F, N, S, A, P or R in the Subject field.
   2. Forward the F-, N-, A- or S-coded messages to all of their Prefix distributors for further distribution.
   3. Forward P-coded LTEs to only the Prefix indicated by the return address.
   4. Optionally modify P-coded messages to make them appropriate for more Prefixes.
5. LIBLET Prefix distributors
   1. Copy the body of the message, paste it into a new message, localize** it, and distribute it to their Prefix-wide media as a blind copy* without LL or F, N, S, A, P or R in the Subject field.
   2. Distributors and ghost authors respond to telephone inquiries from the media confirming that they are the source of the LTE. If the media employee asks if the distributor is the author, the distributor may explain that he/she are the conduit for the LTE acting on behalf of the author. If the media employee insists on talking to the author, the distributor may volunteer to forward the request to the author. If the author is unavailable or unwilling to call the media employee, the distributor may resort to other methods to convince the media employee that it's OK to print the LTE. After a number of such confirmation efforts, the media will become accustomed to the distributor and cease the confirmation inquiries.
6. Distributors may adapt a message and send it to their local, state or national representatives as appropriate. I have a list of 560 congressional and white house, 71 California and 42 San Diego email addresses, fax numbers and addresses available as of 8 August if you are interested. Else you can visit the Electronic Activist at http://www.crocker.com/~ifas/activist/ to get the government email addresses of interest to you.

* Blind copy: Many email reader programs will send separate messages to a list of addressees such that only one addressee listed as the recipient. With AOL one must include each such addressee in parentheses. Many media don't like to be on large lists. If blind copies are not available on your email system, a scripting facilities like AppleScript can be used to generate individual email messages from a list of addresses. Email me for the AppleScript.

** Localize: Some media will only publish LTEs with local address/telephone number, so we must substitute the address and telephone number of a local ghost author or organization (Sam Adam's Committee for Practical Correspondence, Citizen's Government Oversight Committee, Libertarian Benevolent Society ...) for the author's address and telephone number. If the local media insists on a signature on faxes, collect a set of scanned signatures from trusting friends and substitute their name, address and telephone number for that of the author. In this case, the ghost author should be made aware of the contents of the LTE before it is faxed or emailed. The same author must be on both the faxed and emailed versions of the LTE.

LIBLET Long Cycle Procedures (monthly or longer):

1. Distributors periodically solicit additional and backup distributors to increase the size of the LIBLET hierarchy to reduce individual workload, increase coverage and increase localization so the LTE appears to be targeted rather than broadcast. Until the LIBLET is fully covered by distributors, LIBLET National may assume some LIBLET State distributor responsibilities, LIBLET State distributors may assume some LIBLET Area distributor responsibilities and LIBLET Area distributors may assume some LIBLET Prefix distributor responsibilities. In some cases the delay caused by a layer in the hierarchy may not be worth the cost savings or localization value, e.g. an Area distributor may not seek Prefix distributors.
2. Distributors maintain the media email/fax number list for the media in their area. Updates my come from any level. Changes should be emailed down the hierarchy to provide the best coverage. Changes should be cumulated and emailed up the hierarchy to provides backup should any LIBLET distributor or their list disappear. The Subject of all such email should be prefixed with "LIBLET LIST UPDATE.
3. Distributors periodically poll their mailed media to determine if faxed LTE submission is available.
4. Distributors periodically poll their faxed media to learn if email LTE submission is available.
5. Distributors periodically update their local government list.
6. LIBLET National will email additions to State, Area code and Prefix lists as they become available. Many of the new email addresses will result from testing what are presumed to be OK for national distribution and learning that the media insists on some level of local sources. Many of the fax numbers will not have been so tested and classified. That is left to the State and Area code distributors.

Media list legend (fields added to accommodate fax fields and facilitate correlation):

Column and description:

A: Communication (C)

F = Fax only.
E = Email OK.

C: Media Receptivity (R) --may be multiple entry, e.g. LP = LTE and PR, but no ART

A = Article or Opinion piece
B = Book (excluded from LIBLET list)
L = LTEs OK, ARTs mayber, no PRs.
P = PRs only.
R = Response to statement in article or editorial only.
U = Unrestricted.

B: Media Localization (L)

F = Foreign
N = National
S = State
A = Area code
P = Prefix
I = Individual

D: Media (M)

A = Alternative or weekly newspaper or magazine
C = Computer publication (encription, net censorship issues)
D = Daily newspaper
I = Individual
M = Monthly magazine or journal
N = Newsletter
P = Publishing houses (seldom used)
R = Radio broadcasting station or network
S = Speciality magazine (seldom used)
T = TV broadcasting station or network
U = University news paper. Note: Ohio State has a R and a T
W = Wire service

E: Media ORGANIZATION

F: Media contact FIRST_NAME

G: Media contact LAST_NAME

H: Media contact TITLE

I: Media CITY

J: Media STREET

K: Media STate or province

L: Media ZIP_COUNTRY

M: Media EMAIL ADDRESS

N: Media AREA CODE ["1," included to facilitate bulk loading into fax programs.]

O: Media FAX telephone number [Kept separate to facilitate sorting and bulk loading into fax programs.

P: Media VOICE telephone number

Q: STATE DISTRIBUTOR email address

R: AREA CODE DISTRIBUTOR email address

S: PREFIX DISTRIBUTOR email address

T: COMMENTS (responses to email queries) - This currently includes "Talk Shows", which distinguishes music radio stations from those that spend some time on political issues. It is useful information to reduce fax charges, but all stations my indulge in a press release or two. I leave it to you to decide to which to fax.]

U: Web address