Daniel, Thank you for writing to members of the Libertarian National Committee, and for your kind words and calm and measured council. As expressed in a recent message to this list, I agree with you about not removing the vice-chair from office. Although our reasoning is different – I wouldn't want someone with strongly anti-libertarian views on this body for instance, and so can hypothetically imagine an expression of personal views that I might feel would warrant a member's removal – in this case I have seen nothing from Arvin Vohra which I felt falls into that category, and he has generally conducted himself in office to the credit of the Libertarian Party. I think there was actually a much stronger case to be made for the removal of Bill Weld as our vice-presidential candidate for remarks such as the one you mention, which are clearly contrary to our values, but for better or for worse, we took no such action. Ultimately you are right that those who believe we are offending too many people – or not offending people we should be offending! – or otherwise failing to live up to expectations or act in a libertarian manner, have the recourse to come to convention and participate as delegates and make the appropriate changes, so that the party continues to function as a bottom-up organization. As the saying goes, politicians like diapers should be changed frequently, and for the same reasons! ;-) Love & Liberty, ((( starchild ))) At-Large Representative, Libertarian National Committee RealReform@earthlink.net (415) 625-FREE On May 19, 2017, at 6:25 AM, daniel lutz wrote:
Distinguished members of the LNC,
As always I would like to begin by saying thank you to each and every one of you for the amazing work you all do. Your volunteer efforts are inspiring more and more new Libertarians everyday.
I saw that a fellow Libertarian and veteran has asked for a motion to dismiss Vice Chair Vohra regarding his recent comments made about veterans. While I understand and sympathize with Mr. Sharpe's ire, no one likes being broad brushed or insulted, I cannot agree with the action of removing Mr. Vohra for several reason. Firstly these comments were made on his personal page, and when requested were clarified as such. Secondly Mr. Vohras comments while poorly framed were targeted at a very small population of veterans, a population that while sickening does exists. and finally because removing him would be as disingenuous to libertarian principles as Bill Weld wanting to grow the FBI by 1000 agents.
Mr. Vohra spoke loudly from his personal pulpit with a great amount of ignorance on his subject matter. This is not a crime but an opportunity for growth. I believe Mr. Vohra has made an honest effort to learn more about the veteran community and that he has made an honest effort to apologize while remaining principled. If we start to remove and nuke prominent Libertarians for having personal opinions then we can no longer pretend to be a Party of principles. Veterans are proud people, but we are no more a special segment of society than anyone else, we must be open to scrutiny and ridicule lest we become an untouchable pillar of the state.
I would urge you all to allow Mr. Vohra to continue his term as Vice Chair. I would also encourage every Libertarian, that if you don't like someones personal views or beliefs to either reach out to that person and offer an exchange of knowledge and experience. If they still feel they are unfit then get they should get their ass to convention. Had Mr. Vohra violated the SOP or governing documents then there may be a case but using the authority of the LNC for policing individuals personal views just because they offended a certain group is not us, it is not libertarian and I would hate to see it become Libertarian.
In Liberty Daniel Lutz Proud Libertarian Sgt. USMC 05-13