Apocalypse 2001: The National Committee Acts

The National Committee Acts

The LNC met in August. It dealt at length with the Browne issue.

Willis sent a written apology. Jim Babka read it to the LNC meeting. Babka said that he had received the message by FAX from Willis the day prior to the meeting. By report, the FAX read:

“To the members of the Libertarian National Committee:

As you gather this weekend to do important work for the party, I wish to express my heartfelt regret for the distraction, stress and anxiety that my violation of the LNC employment policy has caused you.

I was motivated by a driving passion to see the party succeed, and I continue to believe that the policy that I violated was counterproductive to that success. At the same time I recognize the necessity of an organization such as ours to operate as a team and that my personal vision of how things ought to be cannot always carry the day. Likewise I understand that the LNC must demand respect for its policies.

As a former employee, I submit that I should have respected the employment policy, and I apologize to each of you individually and as a group for not having done so. Due consideration for the thoughts and reactions of many people – most notably Ken Bisson, Marshall Fritz, and Steve Dasbach – has helped me realize the full consequences of my willful disobedience and subsequent denial of that disobedience. My great fear is that the current controversy may serve to undo all that we have accomplished in the past few years, and nothing could cause me greater remorse. So I expand my apology to cover the unintentional contribution I have made to the potential unraveling of our past successes.

It is my sincere hope that the party will soon be able to move forward again, and that all of us will be able to concentrate on productive work for our cause.

Again, my deepest and humblest apologies for the strain this has caused and for my role in it.

I wish you my best as you pursue the work that has been entrusted to you.

Sincerely,

Perry Willis”

At 8:05 AM on August 26, 2001, the LNC began its debate on the Willis-Browne issue. Eli Israel moved adoption of a resolution. Dan Karlan seconded. The resolution in its initial form read:

“Whereas John Famularo has presented evidence to the Libertarian National Committee on April 21, 2001 that Perry Willis, while National Director of the Libertarian Party, performed work for the 1996 Harry Browne for President campaign in violation of LNC rules,

“And whereas Perry Willis subsequently admitted that he had indeed performed such work, in contradiction to his previous statements,

“And whereas no additional evidence has been presented to the Libertarian National Committee on this matter concerning Perry Willis or any other Libertarian.

“Therefore, the Libertarian National Committee hereby censures Perry Willis for performing said work on the 1996 Harry Browne for President campaign while employed as Libertarian National Director, and for denying to his employer that he had done so.

“We also resolve that neither the Libertarian National Committee nor the National Director shall engage Perry Willis directly as either an employee or a contractor for a minimum period of two (2) years.

“We further resolve that Perry Willis and organizations with which he may be affiliated may only purchase advertising in LP News and/or rent the Libertarian national mailing list subject to the terms and conditions required by the LNC Policy Manual for external customers.

“The Libertarian National Committee further resolves that this issue is closed, and no further action shall be taken unless additional credible evidence is presented to the committee.”

According to the LNC Minutes,

“Israel said that the purpose of the resolution is to make clear that the violation of LNC policy is unconscionable, unallowable, and that we do not approve of it. He said that the motion is intended to address matters where we have direct evidence, but not allegations where we have only speculation of wild claims. He said that this is intended to demonstrate that the LNC will not employ Willis until a time when it can be shown that his trustworthiness has improved. He said that we do not intend to stop other organizations which may employ him. He said that the motion intends to put this matter behind us.”

Discussion clarified that the penultimate paragraph had no time limit. Willis and affiliated organizations would henceforth be required to buy LP News ads and rent LP mailing lists as external customers.

Joe Dehn took strong exception to the motion saying according to the Minutes that “he considers the motion an insult to the work of the Chair as well as others that have put time and effort into investigating this issue. He said that the statement that no other evidence has been presented is blatantly false.” In response to questions, Lark indicated that he did not believe that the motion would be personally insulting.