[Lnc-business] Suspension motion; Adam Mayer

[James Lark]

Dear colleagues:

     I hope all is well with you.  I am writing to provide some 
information about a couple of matters.

1)  In a separate message I shall send my vote on the motion to suspend 
Arvin Vohra.  While I believe several of Mr. Vohra's actions are 
reflective of poor judgment, I am not convinced that the recent MeWe 
post in question or his previous statements constitute a violation of 
the certification (also referred to as the "membership pledge").  In 
particular, I believe that the post in question was an attempt at humor 
(albeit an attempt that failed badly), and I accept his statements that 
he does not advocate violence against the state.  (I have some 
additional concerns about the wording of the motion, which I shall 
discuss if the need arises.)

     On Mar. 31, I sent a message to Mr. Vohra about the MeWe post. I 
stated my belief that the intentional posting of the message in such a 
place suggested questionable judgment, and perhaps an indifference to 
the negative effect such posts may have on the LP, especially with 
respect to some of our affiliate organizations.  I also requested that 
he resign from the LNC, preferably with immediate effect.

     For whatever it is worth, this is one of the most difficult votes I 
have cast during my service as an LNC member.  I am concerned that some 
of Mr. Vohra's statements have caused damage to the LP, and may cause 
damage in the future.  Thus, I understand very well why the motion is 
supported by many people whose character and judgment I greatly 
respect.  I am also concerned that passage of the motion may cause as 
many problems over the long term as it may alleviate.  In most cases 
when I have such uncertainty concerning a motion, I abstain.  However, 
in this case, since an abstention functions as a "nay" vote, I believe 
it is appropriate to vote "nay."

2)  A few days ago I received word that Adam Mayer, former chair of the 
Libertarian Party of Oregon, had passed away.  Mr. Mayer and his wife 
Christiana were stalwarts of the Libertarian Party of Oregon for many 
years.  On a personal note, they were extremely kind and hospitable to 
me when I had the honor of addressing the LP Oregon conventions in 2005 
and 2007.  I hope you will join me in offering condolences to the Mayer 
family on their loss, and in offering thanks for their work for liberty.

     As always, thanks for your work for liberty.  I look forward to 
seeing you soon.

     Take care,
     Jim

     James W. Lark, III
     Dept. of Systems and Information Engineering
     Applied Mathematics Program, Dept. of Engineering and Society
     Affiliated Faculty, Dept. of Statistics
     University of Virginia

     Advisor, The Liberty Coalition
     University of Virginia

     Region 5 Representative, Libertarian National Committee
-----

Motion (contained in e-mail ballot 2018-05) concerning Arvin Vohra:

WHEREAS, the Libertarian Party holds the non-initiation of force as its 
cardinal principle and requires each of its members certify that they 
neither advocate or believe in violent means to achieve political or 
social goals.

RESOLVED, that the Libertarian National Committee suspends Arvin Vohra 
from his position of Vice-Chair for sustained and repeated unacceptable 
conduct that brings the principles of the Libertarian Party into 
disrepute, including making and defending a statement advocating lethal 
violence against state employees who are not directly threatening 
imminent physical harm. Such action is in violation of our membership 
pledge. These actions further endanger the survival of our movement and 
the security of all of our members without their consent.

-----
-----

 From https://www.lp.org/membership/:

  * Certify Your Membership*
      o YES, sign me up as a member of the Libertarian Party. To
        validate my membership, I certify that I oppose the initiation
        of force to achieve political or social goals.




-------------- next part --------------
   Dear colleagues:
       I hope all is well with you.  I am writing to provide some
   information about a couple of matters.
   1)  In a separate message I shall send my vote on the motion to suspend
   Arvin Vohra.  While I believe several of Mr. Vohra's actions are
   reflective of poor judgment, I am not convinced that the recent MeWe
   post in question or his previous statements constitute a violation of
   the certification (also referred to as the "membership pledge").  In
   particular, I believe that the post in question was an attempt at humor
   (albeit an attempt that failed badly), and I accept his statements that
   he does not advocate violence against the state.  (I have some
   additional concerns about the wording of the motion, which I shall
   discuss if the need arises.)
       On Mar. 31, I sent a message to Mr. Vohra about the MeWe post.  I
   stated my belief that the intentional posting of the message in such a
   place suggested questionable judgment, and perhaps an indifference to
   the negative effect such posts may have on the LP, especially with
   respect to some of our affiliate organizations.  I also requested that
   he resign from the LNC, preferably with immediate effect.
       For whatever it is worth, this is one of the most difficult votes I
   have cast during my service as an LNC member.  I am concerned that some
   of Mr. Vohra's statements have caused damage to the LP, and may cause
   damage in the future.  Thus, I understand very well why the motion is
   supported by many people whose character and judgment I greatly
   respect.  I am also concerned that passage of the motion may cause as
   many problems over the long term as it may alleviate.  In most cases
   when I have such uncertainty concerning a motion, I abstain.  However,
   in this case, since an abstention functions as a "nay" vote, I believe
   it is appropriate to vote "nay."
   2)  A few days ago I received word that Adam Mayer, former chair of the
   Libertarian Party of Oregon, had passed away.  Mr. Mayer and his wife
   Christiana were stalwarts of the Libertarian Party of Oregon for many
   years.  On a personal note, they were extremely kind and hospitable to
   me when I had the honor of addressing the LP Oregon conventions in 2005
   and 2007.  I hope you will join me in offering condolences to the Mayer
   family on their loss, and in offering thanks for their work for
   liberty.
       As always, thanks for your work for liberty.  I look forward to
   seeing you soon.
       Take care,
       Jim
       James W. Lark, III
       Dept. of Systems and Information Engineering
       Applied Mathematics Program, Dept. of Engineering and Society
       Affiliated Faculty, Dept. of Statistics
       University of Virginia
       Advisor, The Liberty Coalition
       University of Virginia
       Region 5 Representative, Libertarian National Committee
   -----
   Motion (contained in e-mail ballot 2018-05) concerning Arvin Vohra:
   WHEREAS, the Libertarian Party holds the non-initiation of force as its
   cardinal principle and requires each of its members certify that they
   neither advocate or believe in violent means to achieve political or
   social goals.
   RESOLVED, that the Libertarian National Committee suspends Arvin Vohra
   from his position of Vice-Chair for sustained and repeated unacceptable
   conduct that brings the principles of the Libertarian Party into
   disrepute, including making and defending a statement advocating lethal
   violence against state employees who are not directly threatening
   imminent physical harm. Such action is in violation of our membership
   pledge. These actions further endanger the survival of our movement and
   the security of all of our members without their consent.
   -----
   -----
   From [1]https://www.lp.org/membership/:
     * Certify Your Membership*
          + [ ] YES, sign me up as a member of the Libertarian Party. To
            validate my membership, I certify that I oppose the initiation
            of force to achieve political or social goals.

References

   1. https://www.lp.org/membership/