Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.PCS 1/10/84; site hocsj.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxj!houxm!hogpc!pegasus!hocsj!ecl
From: ecl@hocsj.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.politics
Subject: Re: Comments on the Libertarian Platform, part 3
Message-ID: <248@hocsj.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 12-Nov-84 08:12:16 EST
Article-I.D.: hocsj.248
Posted: Mon Nov 12 08:12:16 1984
Date-Received: Tue, 13-Nov-84 08:12:06 EST
Organization: AT&T Information Systems Labs, Holmdel NJ
Lines: 58


Reference: <47@cbsck.UUCP>, <2775@ucbcad.UUCP>

There seem to be some serious problems with parts of the platform, I agree.
O
For example,
>> We hold that all individuals have the right to exercise sole dominion over
>> their own lives, and have the right to live in whatever manner they choose,
>> so long as they do not forcibly interfere with the equal right of others
>> to live in whatever manner they choose.
>> ...
>> Children are human beings and, as such, have all the rights of human beings.
>> 
>> We oppose all legally created or sanctioned discrimination directed at any
>> other artificially defined sub-category of human beings.  Specifically we
>> oppose ordinances that outlaw adults-only apartments.

Unravelling the negatives here, the platform is in favor of allowing
adults-only apartments.  But that is sanctioned discrimination against
children!

>>                                                    We further favor the 
>> abolition of the juvenile court system, so that juveniles will be held fully 
>> responsible for their crimes.

>	This is absurd! How can you hold a ten-year-old responsible for
>	actions that he doesn't even understand? 

Absolutely!

>> Children should always have the right to establish their maturity by assuming
>> the administration and protection of their own rights, ending dependency upon
>> their parents or other guardians and assuming all the responsibilities
>> of adulthood.

>	What if they really aren't mature enough for this? Just saying,
>	"Sure, I'm mature enough" doesn't make it true.

And what happens when a three-year-old runs away from home because his mother
wanted him to drink his milk?  He's entitled to do this to assert his maturity?
Or better yet, a ten-year-old runs away from home.  He gets by for a day or so,
then decides to go home.  Has he "established his maturity..."?  Do his parents
have to take him back?  What rights do parents have in all this?

>> Whenever parents or other guardians are unable or unwilling to care for their
>> children, those guardians have the right to seek other persons who are willing
>> to assume guardianship, and children have the right to seek other guardians
>> who place a higher value on their lives.

This seems to assume that parents have some responsibility toward their
children.  If they have responsibilities, they have rights.

(This is the only part of the platform that really seems ill thought out; the
rest may have problems, but it's not completely illogical.  This part is.)

					Evelyn C. Leeper
					...ihnp4!hocsj!ecl