News from the Rob Latham for District Attorney Campaign
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Dear Friends,
Would you like to have some fun this election season?
Last month I became a candidate for Salt Lake
County District Attorney.
Among the many reasons I threw my hat in the ring
was my experience practicing law last year. In
January 2005, my longtime friend and fellow
Libertarian Willy Marshall hired me as a contract
prosecutor for the Town of Big Water, Utah, where
he was Mayor.
Upon assuming the duties of the town prosecutor I
reviewed every pending case and -- with Mayor
Marshall's full support -- dismissed every one
that lacked a victim. That meant I dismissed every
drug charge. I did take one case for disorderly
conduct to trial against a pro se defendant who was
causing his neighbors some restless nights, and the
judge delivered a guilty verdict.
So, I'm undefeated as a prosecutor. ;-)
And life went on pretty much as it always has in Big
Water.
In May 2005, I returned to the practice of
representing people accused of committing
crimes.
I believe in the principles of restorative justice.
Victimizers must account to victims. But in less than
a year's time, and more than 100 cases, less than
one-third of the people I've represented allegedly
engaged in conduct that directly harmed someone else.
Next month, the Journey for Justice -- composed of
several bicyclists and a support team advocating
safe access to cannabis for medical use -- will make
its way through Utah.
See more details about the Journey for Justice
at:
http://www.angelfire.com/planet/bikeride/
The fact that these peaceful petitioners must worry
about threats to their freedom posed by "peace
officers" illustrates why I'm concerned that the
priorities of the Utah legislature and many Utah law
enforcement officers are dangerously misplaced.
Studies show that the cost to civil society for
increased policing of consensual acts among adults is
a proliferation in violent and property crime.
As Salt Lake County District Attorney, I could serve
as an effective check against misguided priorities and
prosecutorial abuses by implementing the following
principles:
* No victim, no prosecution
* Your home, your castle
* Jurors: Judge the law
I'm asking you to join me in advancing the cause of
individual liberty, personal responsibility, and a safer
Salt Lake County by taking the following steps:
*Contribute to the Libertarian Party's election
campaign fund in Section 3 of your Utah income tax
return. For more information, see
http://www.LPUtah.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=29
*Promote my campaign and support the Libertarian
Party of Utah by purchasing (and wearing) clothing
and other items available through CafePress at
https://www.cafepress.com/Latham4DA
*Donate to my campaign directly at
http://www.RobLatham.org
As the Latham for District Attorney campaign raises
more money, the campaign will purchase more
advertising to inform more Salt Lake County
residents about how individual liberty and
personal responsibility fosters a safer community.
*And finally, please give me your vote on Election
Day.
I don't pretend that I have a strong chance of
becoming Salt Lake County's next District Attorney.
Despite the adoption of more competitive and
representative multi-party systems in most of the
world's democracies, the incumbent parties in
America jealously guard a winner-take-all, two-party
system that insulates them from most challenges to
their power.
But I will consider every vote in addition to my own
vote a moral victory.
With enough moral victories, the Libertarian Party of
Utah will retain its status as a ballot-qualified party
in Utah.
With even more moral victories, a great number of
Salt Lake County citizens will show that they are
intellectually inoculated against the emotional
manipulations of politicians who seek to bargain away
more of our freedoms for their illusory "protection."
And perhaps even more moral victories will translate
into an electoral victory and the ability for the liberty-
loving residents of Salt Lake County to reclaim our
lives.
If that happens, the fun we'll have had during the
campaign will have only just begun.
With warm personal regards and appreciation, I am
Yours in liberty,
Rob Latham
P.S.: The schedule at www.RobLatham.org should help you
find out where I'll be next. If you're in the neighborhood,
please come by and say hello!
P.P.S.: Even if you don't live in Salt Lake County,
you are probably receiving this email because you have a
connection to Salt Lake County. Wouldn't you love to see
liberty take root and blossom here? If so, please forward
this email.
Email:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Web:http://www.roblatham.org
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