[Lnc-business] Formal Complaint Against Mr. Arvin Vohra, Vice Chairman, per LNC Policy Manual Section 2.01 Subsection 4 Offensive Behavior Prohibition and Request for Removal as Vice Chair of the LNC

[Starchild]

Merissa, 
	
	Thank you for your detailed reply to my question. I believe I understand your points, but feel that such an interpretation would be a stretch of the Policy Manual language. I suspect that the term "offensive behavior" appears in the title of that section because "harassment" generally refers to a pattern of behavior occurring over a period of time (see e.g. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/harassment), whereas the authors presumably wanted to communicate that even a single instance of unreasonably offensive behavior toward another individual or individuals is unacceptable.

	I could be wrong, but I do not believe that Section 2.01, Subsection 4, was intended to require party leaders to be punished for expressing sincerely held opinions on behalf of the party which simply happen to be unpopular, unless those views also violate the Non-Aggression Principle or contradict our Platform. With regard to the N.A.P., I see Arvin Vohra's post in question as falling into a grey area of party doctrine. Just as opinions vary among Libertarians about when personhood begins, such that the views of some Libertarians on abortion are seen by other Libertarians as condoning the initiation of force (even murder), so too do opinions in the party (and the movement) differ when it comes to the ability of young people to give consent. If one believes that hebephilia sex can be consensual, there would seem to be no reason to conclude that consensual sex of this kind is more offensive, or morally different, than consensual sex of any other kind (e.g. consensual homosexual sex).

	The fact that there is honest disagreement among libertarians about when young people become capable of consenting to sex and whether this varies according to the individual, with the disagreement arising from conflicting but plausible interpretations of the Non-Aggression Principle based on different views or understandings of human development, suggests to me that as with abortion the question is not settled, and we should not simply pander to popular opinion on the matter. Appeals to what a "large majority of America agrees with" seem to me out of place when discussing whether an LP officer deserves to be punished for something he posted. We know that a "large majority of America" agrees with all kinds of unlibertarian views and is simply not a reliable authority in such matters.

	I have not seen or heard anything from Arvin Vohra promoting sexual violence against children. That is a pretty ugly charge, and I do not believe it reflects the character of the person I know and have served with on the LNC. I understand that you and many others feel strongly about what he posted, and his defense of that action, but I would urge you to restrain your rhetoric and avoid saying things we might all regret (as I'm sure we all wish Arvin had when posting the meme in question). The idea that an LP chair taking a stance on age of consent laws that is unpopular among the general public would necessarily cause the Libertarian Party to cease to exist also seems to me extremely farfetched. If the issue is as serious as I believe you believe it to be, surely this kind of exaggeration is unnecessary to make your case. 

Love & Liberty,

                                  ((( starchild )))
At-Large Representative, Libertarian National Committee
                       RealReform at earthlink.net
                                (415) 625-FREE


On Jan 13, 2018, at 4:19 PM, Merissa Hamilton wrote:

> Thank you Starchild for your question. 
> 
> The section is specifically titled "Harassment and Offensive Behavior" prohibits offensive verbal behavior. Based on the many calls for censuring and removing Arvin during the Veteran and Military Service members fiasco, many members of the Party and America in general agreed his speech was grossly offensive. He continued to use grossly derogatory against teachers, police officers, etc. even after it was made clear to him by public outcries across the nation and other LNC Members that his was obscenely offensive. He continued without retribution. 
> 
> Recently, in his statements he compared consensual homosexual sex to hebephilia sex as morally equal. This is grossly offensive. The large majority of America considers no moral distinction between hebephilia and pedophilia. He also condoned hebephilia and in one statement inferred sex between an adult and any child under the age of 16 as a pro-liberty or pro-libertarian position. Whereas, our Platform statement specifically refers to the term "consensual" in reference to adults. Children cannot consent to sex in the context of our Platform. The large majority of America agrees with this. Consequently, Mr. Vohra is promoting sexual violence against children which is a violation of the NAP, SoP and our Platform. It's also obscene and grossly offensive. 
> 
> The Libertarian Party Youth Caucus and the FSU College Libertarians actually declared Mr. Vohra's statements as being pro-pedophilia. I find these accusations reasonable. See screenshots below. 
> 
> 1. He offended a class group of people, homosexuals, by comparing them to sexual predators against children. This is grossly offensive. 
> 
> 2. He promoted what is largely regarded as sexual violence against children as liberty. Per the test highlighted below in the last paragraph, this clearly offends a reasonable person. 
> 
> 3. In fact, it's been regarded as highly offensive to many State affiliates and Caucuses. He responded to many members in an offensive and derogatory manner and he has been doing it for months with no consequences. 
> 
> 4. A victim exists from Mr. Vohra's behavior. The Libertarian Party affiliates have lost many members and crucial financial support for our Party and candidates. Many candidates have lost volunteers and donors specifically because of Mr. Vohra's past statements and behavior. His latest is absolutely indefensible by any reasonable person. 
> 
> 5. While Libertarians do support free speech, we accept all of our liberties in conjunction with responsibility. Mr. Vohra agreed to uphold our LNC Policy and his behavior for months has been grossly unbecoming of an officer of the LNC. 
> 
> 6. The Vice Chair functions as having the same powers as Chair when delegated. At any time a situation could arise where Mr. Vohra becomes acting Chair. Mr. Vohra being allowed to remain as an Officer in good standing is morally equivalent as if our Chair said such statements condoning hebephilia considering the Bylaws leave this possibility open. What consequences would the National Party, our affiliates, our candidates and the members suffer if it had been our National Chair that made these statements instead of a Vice Chair? Our Party would necessarily cease to exist. We would not survive such a blow.  
> 
> Finally, I am not making this argument in the letter, but since you asked, I will add if the Party and members were considered a "person", Arvin's behavior would by definition be harassment in addition to grossly offensive behavior. I consider this viewpoint a stretch which is why I didn't include it in my letter. 
> 
> Starchild, let me know if this answers your question of if you need any additional information. Thank you for your consideration. 
> 
> In Liberty, 
> 
> Merissa Hamilton
> 
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> 
> On Sat, Jan 13, 2018 at 2:32 PM, Starchild <starchild at lp.org> wrote:
> 
> Merissa,
> 
> 	Thank you for writing to members of the Libertarian National Committee, and for citing the LNC Policy Manual in reference to your complaint – relatively few people take the time to do this. However, having reviewed Section 2.01, Subsection 4 of the manual, I am wondering which specific provision(s) you believe the vice-chair has violated, because although the section is fairly extensive, it is generally about harassment, and none of the provisions appear to me to apply to this situation.
> 
> Love & Liberty,
>   
>                                     ((( starchild )))
> At-Large Representative, Libertarian National Committee
>                          RealReform at earthlink.net
>                                  (415) 625-FREE
> 
> 
> 
> On Jan 13, 2018, at 8:33 AM, Merissa Hamilton wrote:
> 
>> Mr. Sarwark,
>> 
>> I fear you are unaware of the official response required by the Policy. Your reply doesn't just require for you to acknowledge receiving my complaint. It requires a response that you WILL complete an investigation. This is not an option per the Policy.
>> 
>> Failure to act is dereliction of duty as Chairman of the LNC Board.
>> 
>> Please advise as to the steps you will take with the LNC per the Policy. 
>> 
>> In Liberty,
>> 
>> Merissa Hamilton 
>> 
>> On Jan 13, 2018 7:39 AM, "Nicholas Sarwark" <chair at lp.org> wrote:
>> Dear Ms. Hamilton,
>> 
>> I have received your letter and it appears that the entire Libertarian
>> National Committee has also received a copy.
>> 
>> Yours in liberty,
>> 
>> Nicholas Sarwark
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> On Fri, Jan 12, 2018 at 10:45 PM, Merissa Hamilton
>> <merissa at merissahamilton.com> wrote:
>> > To: LNC Committee, Regional Representative Region 1 Caryn Ann Harlos,
>> > Chairman Nicholas Sarwark, and the Judicial Committee Chairman of the LNC
>> >
>> > In reviewing the LNC Policy manual, it is clear Vice-Chair Arvin Vohra has
>> > violated LNC Policy Manual Section 2.01 Subsection 4. The Policy states that
>> > complaints against LNC Board Members should be brought to the LNC and
>> > Judicial Committee Chairman for review by the LNC. Please consider this
>> > letter as my formal complaint of violation of LNC Policy Section 2.01
>> > Subsection 4 by Vice Chairman Mr. Arvin Vohra.
>> >
>> > Please review the attached letter for the specifics of my complaint against
>> > Mr. Vohra. Thank you in advance for your review, appropriate action and
>> > response.
>> >
>> >
>> > In Liberty,
>> >
>> > Merissa Hamilton, Libertarian Party Member
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Merissa Hamilton, Libertarian Candidate for Governor

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