From: "Jason Auvenshine" <auvenj@mailcity.com>
On Fri, 04 Feb 2000 09:11:45 Thomas Oliver Martin wrote:
>What intentions do you have for the convention? Would you
>like to see some by laws changed or the election of different
>officers?
>
>I think it might be helpful if the language about changing the
>bylaws could be made clear enough to prevent the kind of instabilty
>the party has been experiencing without rendering it inflexible.
I would like to think that some clever bylaws could have avoided all the mess we've been through. I would also like to think that the US Constitution keeps the federal government from enforcing drug prohibition, seizing property without due process, etc. I would like to think that the ALP, Inc. constitution dictated they should have opposed the election laws in court. I've come to the conclusion that by-laws and constitutions are only useful in proportion to the willingness of those in power (or trying to get power) to interpret them as intended and abide by them. The major people involved in the "instability" can't even agree on the meaning of the non-initiation of force pledge; I doubt any by-law would prevent the fighting if that's what people decide to do. I would support any by-law changes designed to "stabilize" which seem good and reasonable, but I have no ideas to contribute in that direction right now and think the by-laws are less important than how (who) they are interpreted.
Regarding general party business, I have some ideas. I'd like to see the party ratify the judge's decision and not appeal. Not because I like the judge's decision regarding the election laws (I don't) but because I am convinced that further litigation will only harm the party. I would like to see ALP, Inc. merge into ALP under ALP's bylaws. This would give us one party, following the law, recognized by the state, and affiliated with national and all state county parties, with no pending litigation among its members. Obviously a big part of that equation is whether or not the ALP, Inc. leadership is willing. Whatever weight I have with them is pulling in that direction.
I'll have to evaluate the officers based on who runs. I will say quite honestly I have a bias against any current officer of ALP or ALP, Inc. Nothing personal - I just think we've got a better chance of getting past this with new leadership.
Also, I'd like to meet everyone in person and hopefully pick up more ideas like homeschooling: ways I can increase freedom no matter what the party(s) do.
--Jason Auvenshine