The official results for the 2006 general election show our campaign received more than 7,600 votes. My deepest appreciation to those who cast a vote for liberty and supported our message.
My congratulations to winner Lohra Miller, and my sincere thanks to both her and Sim Gill for their courtesy, good humor, and exchange of ideas during our joint campaign appearances.
When I entered the race for Salt Lake County District Attorney I said that I would consider every vote in addition to my own a moral victory, and I do.
Moreover, I'm grateful knowing that the messages our campaign carried -- concerning jail overcrowding because of the prosecution of victimless crimes, eminent domain abuse, and jury powers -- reached not just Salt Lake County residents who voted for me, but for many of those who chose Mrs. Miller or Mr. Gill, and who didn't vote at all.
Being gracious in defeat does not mean, however, servility to those who hold political power.
So long as injustices continue to plague Salt Lake County, the work of the liberty movement remains unfinished.
Two years ago, after passing through airport security en route to Philadephia, and then again being searched and scanned while walking from the Liberty Bell to Independence Hall, my former colleague Alex Tabarrok remarked, "It seems to me that the price of eternal vigilance is liberty."
Therefore, if you want to become one of the growing number of Utah Libertarians working to reclaim our personal dignity from those who arrogate the authority to protect us from ourselves, please join us.
We may lose many battles in the struggle for liberty, but we should never surrender.
Yours in liberty,
Rob Latham
P.S.: Enjoy the inspirational video clips below to help you keep these thoughts in mind. ;-)
Thursday, November 9, 2006
Monday, November 6, 2006
Vote Rob Latham for Salt Lake County District Attorney
Election Day is tomorrow, Tuesday, November 7th.
Recent polls published in weekend editions of the Deseret Morning News and Salt Lake Tribune show support from four percent of Salt Lake County voters for my candidacy.
Although four percent is about double the average showing by non-incumbent political party candidates, and exceeds the margin of difference between polling results for my incumbent party opponents, I will fall just short of helping the Libertarian Party of Utah retain ballot access if my percentage of the vote stays at four percent.
Therefore, if I have your vote on Election Day, please also encourage others -- person-to-person, by calling in to talk radio programs, or posting to local online bulletin boards -- to cast their vote for me to signal our preference for a freedom-friendly change in the priorities of the District Attorney's Office.
I invite you to visit the "News" section of my web site for the most complete online coverage of the district attorney's race.
Because of early voting, I am grateful to and humbled by those who have told me that I already have their vote.
And I would be honored to have your vote as well.
Yours in liberty,
Rob Latham
Libertarian candidate for Salt Lake County District Attorney
P.S.: Ken Schoolland, a professor of economics and political science, is the author of one of my favorite books, The Adventures of Jonathan Gullible, and helped create the eight-minute animated feature, "The Philosophy of Liberty."
It deserves your thoughtful attention, either now or after you vote.
Recent polls published in weekend editions of the Deseret Morning News and Salt Lake Tribune show support from four percent of Salt Lake County voters for my candidacy.
Although four percent is about double the average showing by non-incumbent political party candidates, and exceeds the margin of difference between polling results for my incumbent party opponents, I will fall just short of helping the Libertarian Party of Utah retain ballot access if my percentage of the vote stays at four percent.
Therefore, if I have your vote on Election Day, please also encourage others -- person-to-person, by calling in to talk radio programs, or posting to local online bulletin boards -- to cast their vote for me to signal our preference for a freedom-friendly change in the priorities of the District Attorney's Office.
I invite you to visit the "News" section of my web site for the most complete online coverage of the district attorney's race.
Because of early voting, I am grateful to and humbled by those who have told me that I already have their vote.
And I would be honored to have your vote as well.
Yours in liberty,
Rob Latham
Libertarian candidate for Salt Lake County District Attorney
P.S.: Ken Schoolland, a professor of economics and political science, is the author of one of my favorite books, The Adventures of Jonathan Gullible, and helped create the eight-minute animated feature, "The Philosophy of Liberty."
It deserves your thoughtful attention, either now or after you vote.
Monday, October 30, 2006
News Room
Audio of the District Attorney candidates' debate hosted by KCPW radio on October 30, 2006.
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The Rob Latham for Salt Lake County District Attorney campaign expresses its sincere thanks to the Salt Lake County Bar Association for inviting our candidate to participate in its very well-attended candidates' debate on October 25, 2006!
See also "Possible Illegal Donation to SL Candidate," KUTV, October 25, 2006.
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News coverage of the District Attorney candidates' participation in the Hinckley Forum at the University of Utah on September 26, 2006.
See also "District Attorney race is a dead heat," Deseret Morning News, October 3, 2006, and "DA hopefuls focus on experience," Deseret Morning News, October 1, 2006.
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The Rob Latham for Salt Lake County District Attorney campaign expresses its sincere thanks to the Salt Lake County Deputy Sheriffs Federation for inviting our candidate to participate in its very well-attended candidates' debate on July 11, 2006!
---
The advertisements below ran on electronic billboards on I-15 in Salt Lake County during the campaign.
---
MySpace page launched!
Go to http://www.myspace.com/Latham4DA, which includes this video produced by Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP).
---
The Rob Latham for Salt Lake County District Attorney campaign expresses its sincere thanks to the Salt Lake County Bar Association for inviting our candidate to participate in its very well-attended candidates' debate on October 25, 2006!
See also "Possible Illegal Donation to SL Candidate," KUTV, October 25, 2006.
---
News coverage of the District Attorney candidates' participation in the Hinckley Forum at the University of Utah on September 26, 2006.
See also "District Attorney race is a dead heat," Deseret Morning News, October 3, 2006, and "DA hopefuls focus on experience," Deseret Morning News, October 1, 2006.
---
The Rob Latham for Salt Lake County District Attorney campaign expresses its sincere thanks to the Salt Lake County Deputy Sheriffs Federation for inviting our candidate to participate in its very well-attended candidates' debate on July 11, 2006!
---
The advertisements below ran on electronic billboards on I-15 in Salt Lake County during the campaign.
---
MySpace page launched!
Go to http://www.myspace.com/Latham4DA, which includes this video produced by Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP).
Friday, October 6, 2006
Open letter to KUTV/CBS2News
Tanya Vea, News Director
KUTV/CBS2News
299 South Main Street
Suite 150
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
(801) 415-2222
Dear Ms. Vea:
I understand that KUTV/CBS2News will host a debate between the incumbent party candidates for Salt Lake County District Attorney this Sunday, October 8, 2006 at 11:00 A.M. on its public affairs program "Take Two," moderated by reporter Rod Decker.
Mr. Decker has a history of excluding Libertarian candidates from his political coverage. In 1998, Mr. Decker told our candidate for Salt Lake County Commissioner, Cabot Nelson, that KUTV doesn't "include third parties." In 2004, when he asked a group of gubernatorial candidates who was available to be interviewed and was approached by Libertarian candidate Richard Mack, Mr. Decker replied "not you."
After the incident with Mr. Mack, I contacted your predecessor, Steve Charlier, about Mr. Decker's exclusion of Libertarian candidates from his political coverage. Mr. Charlier told me he asked Mr. Decker about this and that Mr. Decker denied excluding Libertarians from his political coverage. But Mr. Charlier invited me to notify him if I became aware of any future exclusion by Mr. Decker, and I am doing so to Mr. Charlier's successor -- you -- now.
I claim no right to nor do I seek to force myself into any broadcasted political debate.
And I think KUTV/CBS2News has every right to present its viewers with a false choice for political contests. But, like Fox News, its lack of journalistic fairness and integrity speaks for itself.
So far during this election season, I've participated in two debates with Ms. Miller and Mr. Gill, and I believe my presence in those debates has helped voters clarify the differences among the candidates. And Mr. Decker is scheduled to moderate our debate before the Salt Lake County Bar Association on October 25th.
Libertarians didn't design the two-party electoral system that makes it so difficult for our candidates to win elected office. But we are working to raise awareness of important ideas, such as the more inclusive, representative, and competitive multi-party systems used in most of the world's democracies.
I look forward to hearing from you if KUTV/CBS2News changes its mind about my exclusion from this weekend's program, or wants to inform its viewers in some future news broadcast about the issues that motivated me to enter the District Attorney's race -- such as jail overcrowding because of the prosecution of victimless crimes, eminent domain abuse, and jury rights.
In liberty,
Rob Latham
Libertarian candidate for Salt Lake County District Attorney
KUTV/CBS2News
299 South Main Street
Suite 150
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
(801) 415-2222
Dear Ms. Vea:
I understand that KUTV/CBS2News will host a debate between the incumbent party candidates for Salt Lake County District Attorney this Sunday, October 8, 2006 at 11:00 A.M. on its public affairs program "Take Two," moderated by reporter Rod Decker.
Mr. Decker has a history of excluding Libertarian candidates from his political coverage. In 1998, Mr. Decker told our candidate for Salt Lake County Commissioner, Cabot Nelson, that KUTV doesn't "include third parties." In 2004, when he asked a group of gubernatorial candidates who was available to be interviewed and was approached by Libertarian candidate Richard Mack, Mr. Decker replied "not you."
After the incident with Mr. Mack, I contacted your predecessor, Steve Charlier, about Mr. Decker's exclusion of Libertarian candidates from his political coverage. Mr. Charlier told me he asked Mr. Decker about this and that Mr. Decker denied excluding Libertarians from his political coverage. But Mr. Charlier invited me to notify him if I became aware of any future exclusion by Mr. Decker, and I am doing so to Mr. Charlier's successor -- you -- now.
I claim no right to nor do I seek to force myself into any broadcasted political debate.
And I think KUTV/CBS2News has every right to present its viewers with a false choice for political contests. But, like Fox News, its lack of journalistic fairness and integrity speaks for itself.
So far during this election season, I've participated in two debates with Ms. Miller and Mr. Gill, and I believe my presence in those debates has helped voters clarify the differences among the candidates. And Mr. Decker is scheduled to moderate our debate before the Salt Lake County Bar Association on October 25th.
Libertarians didn't design the two-party electoral system that makes it so difficult for our candidates to win elected office. But we are working to raise awareness of important ideas, such as the more inclusive, representative, and competitive multi-party systems used in most of the world's democracies.
I look forward to hearing from you if KUTV/CBS2News changes its mind about my exclusion from this weekend's program, or wants to inform its viewers in some future news broadcast about the issues that motivated me to enter the District Attorney's race -- such as jail overcrowding because of the prosecution of victimless crimes, eminent domain abuse, and jury rights.
In liberty,
Rob Latham
Libertarian candidate for Salt Lake County District Attorney
Tuesday, October 3, 2006
Libertarians who lay down the law
In memory and honor of the late Norman L. Vroman, Mendocino County District Attorney. December 14, 1936 to September 21, 2006.
One of the myths repeated by the political class is that electing Libertarians to office would lead to a parade of horribles.
But as the experience of San Miguel County (CO) Sheriff Bill Masters and Mendocino County (CA) District Attorney Norman Vroman shows, life is good for citizens who elect Libertarians to protect their communities.
The county seat of San Miguel County is Telluride, Colorado. Home of the famous bluegrass festival, Telluride received a second place ranking in the "50 Best Places to Live" list in the 2002 issue of Men's Journal.
Sheriff Masters is well-known to Libertarians, and an outspoken critic of the war on drugs. His law enforcement philosophy involves trying to limit governmental involvement in our everyday lives, promoting the idea that laws should be simple and few in number, and giving people as much personal liberty as possible. But Sheriff Masters also insists that people accept full responsibility for their actions when they hurt someone or damage someone's property.
On America's West Coast, District Attorney Vroman's office in Mendocino County (PDF file) boasts increased productivity, and generated more income than it spent on operations. The Libertarian D.A. realized these achievements while fulfilling his constitutional obligation to protect the public's safety.
In his famous essay, "On Liberty," philosopher John Stuart Mill (1806-1873) stated the "no harm principle":
[T]he sole end for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively, in interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number, is self-protection. That the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant.
Or, to paraphrase Thomas Jefferson, if another person's behavior neither picks your pocket nor breaks your leg, you haven't suffered a sufficient harm from that person to justify retaliation.
Some local law enforcers are understandably frustrated because they recognize that, despite short-term headlines, sting operations against consensual crimes seem to generate more problems than solutions.
And there is a more serious downside to tasking law enforcement agencies with the prevention of conduct that does not directly harm others. As another Libertarian with a law enforcement background, Richard Mack, has noted: "today's law enforcement officers are overwhelmed by the demands placed upon them by special interest groups and their political enablers. As a result of these distractions, our children are at increased risk from real predators."
Sheriff Mack's observation is supported by many other commentators who also recognize that the trade-off for increased policing of consensual behavior among adults is decreased protection from assaults to our person and property (DOC file). In other words, getting tough on victimless crimes means getting soft on the criminals who produce victims.
Libertarians recognize that the incumbent parties' approach hasn't worked, nor will it work (MP3 file), and it's time to try something different.
Adapted from an essay originally published on March 2, 2006.
Wednesday, September 6, 2006
Stand up for yourself ... don't talk, don't walk, don't blow
In the course of defending Utahns accused of crimes, I watch a lot of police videos of DUI investigations. Too many times, I see people give away important constitutional rights that could protect them from criminal liability.
"Drinking alcohol and then driving, without more, is not a crime in Utah." State v. Lehi, 73 P.3d 985, 990 (Utah App. 2003).
But it's easy to get arrested and charged with DUI if you've done both those things.
Therefore, subject to the disclaimers below, please consider the following advice if you've consumed an alcoholic beverage within several hours prior to driving, and have been stopped by a law enforcement officer.
DON'T TALK
If an officer asks you for your license and registration, give them to the officer. But you can identify yourself to the officer without saying anything. If you're asked questions, you can always nod your head affirmatively or shake your head negatively. If the officer's question requires more than a "yes" or "no" response, you can hand the officer a note that reads "I have nothing to say. I don't consent to any searches. Am I free to go?"
If you don't have something to write on or write with, bite your tongue and stay mute.
If you are later arrested, you can always amend your note to read "I have nothing to say. I don't consent to any searches. I want a lawyer."
Talking not only gives away your right to remain silent. Opening your mouth also gives an officer the ability to testify that your breath smelled of alcohol or a controlled substance.
DON'T WALK
If you are asked by an officer to perform roadside maneuvers to investigate whether you are "safe to drive," you may decline to perform these maneuvers. ("[A] suspect or accused cannot be 'compelled' to perform roadside or field sobriety tests." Salt Lake City v. Carner, 664 P.2d 1168, 1173 (Utah 1983) (Durham, J. concurring).) These "standardized field sobriety tests" -- checking your eyes for horizontal gaze nystagmus, the walk-and-turn, and the one-leg stand -- merely give evidence that can and will be used against you.
A prosecutor with the Salt Lake County District Attorney's office recently arrested for investigation of DUI exercised his right to decline to perform these roadside maneuvers. Learn from his example.
DON'T BLOW (PRIOR TO ARREST)
There's also no legal requirement to take a portable breath test (also called a "preliminary breath test") prior to your arrest. Here are some examples of what portable breath testers look like.
IMPORTANT CAVEAT: If you are asked to give the officer blood, breath, or urine samples after you are arrested, there may be civil penalties for refusing to give such samples. Even if you are not eventually convicted of a crime, those civil penalties may include the suspension of your driver license for 18 or more months, and the requirement of an ignition interlock device on any vehicle you drive for three years. Although different facts in a particular situation might change my advice, if you've followed my advice up to this point and you've already been arrested and the officer has read the statutorily-required warnings to you, I recommend consenting to tests of your blood, breath, or urine.
You do not have the right to contact a lawyer before taking these tests, or to have your lawyer present with you during these tests. But you do have to right to obtain your own independent test after you have consented to the officer's tests, and you should demand your own independent test as soon as possible.
Be safe out there.
Yours in liberty,
Rob Latham
P.S.: In my last post, I mentioned clips from a video produced by the Flex Your Rights Foundation. The entire video is now available for viewing at no charge online here or by clicking on the picture below. It has more valuable information in addition to what you've read here.
And you can support the Flex Your Rights Foundation with your tax-deductible donation here.
DISCLAIMER: ROB LATHAM CANNOT BE HELD LIABLE FOR THE CONSEQUENCES OF ANY PERSON'S RELIANCE ON THE INFORMATION ON THIS WEB SITE. THE LAW IS COMPLEX, MANY SIMILAR FACTUAL SITUATIONS ARE LEGALLY DIFFERENT, AND FEDERAL LAW DIFFERS FROM STATE LAW. THE INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THIS WEB SITE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR LEGAL ADVICE FROM A LICENSED ATTORNEY WHO KNOWS THE FACTS OF YOUR SITUATION. IF YOU REQUIRE LEGAL ASSISTANCE, YOU SHOULD SEEK THE SERVICES OF A LEGAL PROFESSIONAL.
"Drinking alcohol and then driving, without more, is not a crime in Utah." State v. Lehi, 73 P.3d 985, 990 (Utah App. 2003).
But it's easy to get arrested and charged with DUI if you've done both those things.
Therefore, subject to the disclaimers below, please consider the following advice if you've consumed an alcoholic beverage within several hours prior to driving, and have been stopped by a law enforcement officer.
DON'T TALK
If an officer asks you for your license and registration, give them to the officer. But you can identify yourself to the officer without saying anything. If you're asked questions, you can always nod your head affirmatively or shake your head negatively. If the officer's question requires more than a "yes" or "no" response, you can hand the officer a note that reads "I have nothing to say. I don't consent to any searches. Am I free to go?"
If you don't have something to write on or write with, bite your tongue and stay mute.
If you are later arrested, you can always amend your note to read "I have nothing to say. I don't consent to any searches. I want a lawyer."
Talking not only gives away your right to remain silent. Opening your mouth also gives an officer the ability to testify that your breath smelled of alcohol or a controlled substance.
DON'T WALK
If you are asked by an officer to perform roadside maneuvers to investigate whether you are "safe to drive," you may decline to perform these maneuvers. ("[A] suspect or accused cannot be 'compelled' to perform roadside or field sobriety tests." Salt Lake City v. Carner, 664 P.2d 1168, 1173 (Utah 1983) (Durham, J. concurring).) These "standardized field sobriety tests" -- checking your eyes for horizontal gaze nystagmus, the walk-and-turn, and the one-leg stand -- merely give evidence that can and will be used against you.
A prosecutor with the Salt Lake County District Attorney's office recently arrested for investigation of DUI exercised his right to decline to perform these roadside maneuvers. Learn from his example.
DON'T BLOW (PRIOR TO ARREST)
There's also no legal requirement to take a portable breath test (also called a "preliminary breath test") prior to your arrest. Here are some examples of what portable breath testers look like.
IMPORTANT CAVEAT: If you are asked to give the officer blood, breath, or urine samples after you are arrested, there may be civil penalties for refusing to give such samples. Even if you are not eventually convicted of a crime, those civil penalties may include the suspension of your driver license for 18 or more months, and the requirement of an ignition interlock device on any vehicle you drive for three years. Although different facts in a particular situation might change my advice, if you've followed my advice up to this point and you've already been arrested and the officer has read the statutorily-required warnings to you, I recommend consenting to tests of your blood, breath, or urine.
You do not have the right to contact a lawyer before taking these tests, or to have your lawyer present with you during these tests. But you do have to right to obtain your own independent test after you have consented to the officer's tests, and you should demand your own independent test as soon as possible.
Be safe out there.
Yours in liberty,
Rob Latham
P.S.: In my last post, I mentioned clips from a video produced by the Flex Your Rights Foundation. The entire video is now available for viewing at no charge online here or by clicking on the picture below. It has more valuable information in addition to what you've read here.
And you can support the Flex Your Rights Foundation with your tax-deductible donation here.
DISCLAIMER: ROB LATHAM CANNOT BE HELD LIABLE FOR THE CONSEQUENCES OF ANY PERSON'S RELIANCE ON THE INFORMATION ON THIS WEB SITE. THE LAW IS COMPLEX, MANY SIMILAR FACTUAL SITUATIONS ARE LEGALLY DIFFERENT, AND FEDERAL LAW DIFFERS FROM STATE LAW. THE INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THIS WEB SITE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR LEGAL ADVICE FROM A LICENSED ATTORNEY WHO KNOWS THE FACTS OF YOUR SITUATION. IF YOU REQUIRE LEGAL ASSISTANCE, YOU SHOULD SEEK THE SERVICES OF A LEGAL PROFESSIONAL.
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