[Lnc-business] Request for Co-Sponsors

[Caryn Ann Harlos]

The bylaws limit our power.  Just as the constitution was supposed to limit
the state.  They have had many good reasons to violate it - and we now see
the result.

I think the mistake you are making is viewing this as about any particular
person rather than the objective action.

Our dogma and everything about our beliefs anathematizes the act of the
victimization of children.  The act can be condemned objectively and that
is the Party position.

There are also acts that many of us do in secret that are condemned (from
minor to major).

It is the same way the party doesn’t judge whether someone is libertarian
enough - only whether a particular belief or act is consistent with
libertarianism.

If this were not so, anarchists could theoretically claim the pledge as an
anarchist blood oath as some have claimed and call everyone else a statist.

That is obviously not the correct path.

All membership confers is the status of member in minimal compliance.  It
does not declare any person clean.

We must respect that the delegates knew of these kinds of issues for
decades and never gave us that power.

They can choose to do so in Austin.

I will not grasp power not explicitly given to us.  That was my raison
d’être for being on the LNC to begin with.

-Caryn Ann

On Mon, Dec 23, 2019 at 2:57 PM <john.phillips at lp.org> wrote:

> That question was a cut and paste from a member.
>
> I see both sides on this.  So I am debating my next step.
>
> My motion was a compromise one to attempt to reconcile both sides.
>
> I will point out that under the logic presented Hitler and Stalin could
> sign the form and be members were they still alive.  So it is not the
> weightiest of responses to me, though I will not say it is wrong, just
> carries less weight.
>
> The question will come, are we a haven for those who prey on children? Or
> do we flatly reject those actions?
>
> It will also come, do we believe in second chances, and if so what must be
> done to earn that?
>
> Are we as Libertarians so bound in the dogma of our bylaws that we will
> not look at interpretations to do what is right?
>
> Those questions will weigh heavily on my soul, and then in which priority
> do I place them?
>
> If we are to be a haven for predators, I do not know if I will be able to
> wrap my conscience around that enough to continue to represent this party.
>
> This will take some thought.
>
> John Phillips
> Libertarian National Committee Region 6 Representative
> Cell 217-412-5973
>
> On Dec 23, 2019 3:36 PM, Caryn Ann Harlos <caryn.ann.harlos at lp.org> wrote:
>
> Mr. Phillips please allow me to give some history here.  The pledge WAS
> never intended to be a gatekeeper to exclude people from the Party because
> as David Nolan said, bad people will lie.  While it legitimately reflects
> our beliefs and it is hoped it is signed in sincerity of internal beliefs,
> its purpose was to protect the Party from the government and to educate
> members.  Further, if any evil person reformed themselves, they could
> legitimately sign the pledge.  I doubt any of us are free from past
> aggression.  I have no idea of this individual's current state of
> repentance, but such difficulties are exactly why that was never the
> purpose of the pledge as originally intended.
>
> http://lpedia.org/Libertarian_Membership_Pledge
>
> Just recently we had a few members calling for the expulsion of any parent
> that spanks their children - that is not a fallacious slippery slope, it is
> one supported with evidence.  I am NAPster purist as they come, but we are
> not the judgment throne of God.
>
> -Caryn Ann
>
> *In Liberty,*
>
> * Personal Note:  I have what is commonly known as Asperger's Syndrome
> (part of the autism spectrum).  This can affect inter-personal
> communication skills in both personal and electronic arenas.  If anyone
> found anything offensive or overly off-putting (or some other social faux
> pas), please contact me privately and let me know. *
>
>
>
> On Mon, Dec 23, 2019 at 2:21 PM john.phillips--- via Lnc-business <
> lnc-business at hq.lp.org> wrote:
>
> I question whether someone who has engaged in child prostitution can
> legitimately sign the NAP.  Would we have to accept Jeffrey Dahmer or
> Timothy Mcveigh's applications?
>
> John Phillips
> Libertarian National Committee Region 6 Representative
> Cell 217-412-5973
>
> On Dec 23, 2019 2:35 PM, Nicholas Sarwark via Lnc-business <
> lnc-business at hq.lp.org> wrote:
>
> Dear All,
>
> I'm going to start with the relevant section of the Bylaws, since it makes
> it easier to reference for those reading:
> "ARTICLE 4: MEMBERSHIP
> 1. Members of the Party shall be those persons who have certified in
> writing
> that they oppose the initiation of force to achieve political or social
> goals.
> 2. The National Committee may offer life memberships, and must honor all
> prior and future life memberships.
> 3. The National Committee may create other levels of membership and shall
> determine the contribution or dues levels for such memberships.
> 4. “Sustaining members” are members of the Party who: a. During the prior
> twelve months have donated, or have had donated on their behalf, an amount
> of at least $25; or b. Are Life members."
>
> The person mentioned in the motion has met the conditions set forth in the
> bylaws (Art. 4, Sec. 1 and 4) to be a sustaining member of the Libertarian
> Party as of the date that the contribution and attached signed
> certification were processed.
>
> It may be in order to refund the person's contribution as part of the
> LNC's
> prerogative to issue directives overriding those of the Chair, though it
> would not be in order if it had the effect of denying that person a
> sustaining membership. Art. 4, Sec. 4 can be read as applying by the fact
> of the person making the donation, even if the donation was subsequently
> refunded.  That's a somewhat strained reading of it, so it would be better
> if the motion made it clear that it was a refund without a change in
> sustaining
> membership status.
>
> The latter half of the motion is out of order as the membership
> application
> has been processed.
>
> The mover has the option to rewrite the motion to fit within my
> interpretation of the bylaws outlined above, appeal from the ruling of the
> Chair, or ask for time on the agenda in February.
>
> Yours truly,
> Nick
>
> On Mon, Dec 23, 2019 at 11:47 AM john.phillips--- via Lnc-business <
> lnc-business at hq.lp.org> wrote:
>
> > A point I considered Caryn Ann and Alex, and appreciate.  I considered
> it
> > moot as someone else had already made the name public, but still had
> qualms
> >
> > I agree on not using it going forward.
> >
> > John Phillips
> > Libertarian National Committee Region 6 Representative
> > Cell 217-412-5973
> >
> > On Dec 23, 2019 7:40 AM, Caryn Ann Harlos <caryn.ann.harlos at lp.org>
> wrote:
> >
> > I would encourage you to add this to February agenda.  The chair has
> > indicated that discussion of non-public figures is not appropriate for a
> > public list.
> >
> > -Caryn Ann
> >
> > On Mon, Dec 23, 2019 at 5:58 AM john.phillips--- via Lnc-business <
> > lnc-business at hq.lp.org> wrote:
> >
> > Given that the nature of this is no longer as time sensitive, I disagree
> > with the interpretation that it is not a matter we can address, as was
> > pointed out no ruling of the chair was officially given, and I find the
> > situation in general disturbing, I will ask for co-sponsors for the
> > following motion.
> >
> > "The L.N.C. directs the Executive Director to refund the donation of
> Royce
> > Corley, and further not accept his membership application until after
> the
> > National Convention in May of 2020."
> >
> > This will allow the delegates, if they choose to address it, to make a
> > decision either in specific or in general about such situations, while
> > addressing the current objections of several members of this board and
> many
> > of the party members currently.
> >
> > As always I am open to suggestions and motions regarding alternative
> > wording.
> >
> > John Phillips
> > Libertarian National Committee Region 6 Representative
> > Cell 217-412-5973
> >
> > --
> >
> > *In Liberty,*
> >
> > * Personal Note:  I have what is commonly known as Asperger's Syndrome
> > (part of the autism spectrum).  This can affect inter-personal
> > communication skills in both personal and electronic arenas.  If anyone
> > found anything offensive or overly off-putting (or some other social
> faux
> > pas), please contact me privately and let me know. *
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
> --

*In Liberty,*

* Personal Note:  I have what is commonly known as Asperger's Syndrome
(part of the autism spectrum).  This can affect inter-personal
communication skills in both personal and electronic arenas.  If anyone
found anything offensive or overly off-putting (or some other social faux
pas), please contact me privately and let me know. *