Dear Readers,
Michael Gryboski, a writer for the 'Christian Post', called upon the Libertarian Party for its reaction to a new "revenge porn" law being proposed by Democratic Delegate-elect Marcus Simon (D/53rd (see the district map at http://www.vpap.org/elections/district_redistricting/158 ).
The full article is here:
http://www.christianpost.com/news/states-look-to-ban-revenge-porn-110060/
If you have a few minutes this morning, please take 5 and contact your state legislator and ask him to vote 'NAY' on HB 49. Here are a few talking points, if you need them:
----------
The most obvious problem with a law like this is that it is too broad. Although it is advertised and 'intended' to address 'revenge porn', the language doesn't really distinguish what is or isn't 'revenge porn'. Lawyers -- like those who are employed by the state in prosecutorial offices -- often use statutes like this to ruin the lives of people who were never the intended targets of the bill's patron.
But on a more basic level, it interferes with freedom of speech. As FOX News Senior Judicial Analyst Judge Andrew Napolitano correctly points out: "The Government has no business deciding which speech should be heard…spoken or, in printed or digital form should be viewed. Criminalizing that which was freely given and freely received would be invalidated under the First Amendment. The First Amendment is not the guardian of taste."
The Libertarian Party strongly supports the First Amendment.
Libertarians believe that individuals should be free to make choices for themselves and to accept responsibility for the consequences of the choices they make. We must accept the right of others to choose for themselves if we are to have the same right. Our support of an individual's right to make choices in life does not mean that we necessarily approve or disapprove of those choices.
Libertarian policies would promote a society where people are free to make and learn from their own decisions. Personal responsibility is discouraged by government denying individuals the opportunity to exercise it. In fact, the denial of freedom fosters irresponsibility.
Only freedom truly solves the issues that come up in civilized societies. Trying to solve those issues using the blunt-force trauma governments inflict does little to solve anything. Instead, it often makes problem areas even worse and ruins lives in the process.
Government should not "combat" revenge porn. It should, however, assume people are adults and allow them to learn from their mistakes and otherwise take responsibility for their own behavior.
There are ways to minimize the problem. Government can mediate disputes over images by fairly enforcing and arbitrating contracts, when private mediators and arbitrators cannot bring the parties in a dispute to a resolution.
Education is the only thing that will truly work to reduce instances of destructive behavior. Nonprofit groups and educators can help by teaching youth on the possible consequences of sending graphic photos of themselves to friends. Educated young people mature into educated adults.
We hope reason will prevail and measures like this will be treated as the affronts to adulthood they are. However, with a large majority in the House of Delegates, big-government Republicans playing to their "law-and-order" constituency, and Democrats itching for every opportunity to expand The State, it might pass. Neither of them votes according to whether their laws are constitutional or morally right; they vote according to how the political winds blow behind their backs.
Lawmakers have a duty to protect the rights of everyone, even the unpopular.
----------
-- Marc Montoni, Secretary
Libertarian Party of Virginia
P.S. Have you seen an article that quotes a Libertarian in Virginia? Send us the link to each article, and pen a few words to introduce it to your fellow Libertarians!
P.P.S. Disagree with the author? Have a different perspective? Think there is a better Libertarian answer? Are you a Virginia resident? Then publish your op-ed in response on a blog or your website and let us know the URL, and we will notify our members of it just like we did here.
============================================
RUN FOR OFFICE!
The Libertarian Party of Virginia is currently seeking candidates to run for public office for the 2014 season. Let us know:
http://Campaign.LPVA.com
============================================
-- end --
#############################################################
Have an announcement you'd like to post? SCC members & many
committee heads are all authorized to post; or you may send
your announcements to the List Master: <Webmaster@LPVA.com>
<mailto:Webmaster@LPVA.com?subject=Announcement>.
#############################################################
Unsubscribe: Send an email to STServ@LPVA.com with no subject
and "Unsubscribe Announce" as the text.
#############################################################
Libertarian Party of Virginia http://www.LPVA.com
Phone: 703-715-6230
#############################################################
Want to see past messages? Check the Archive:
http://www.Mail-Archive.com/announce@lpva.com/
#############################################################
No comments:
Post a Comment