LP Monday Message: Veterans Day

Dear Friend of Liberty,

2013 Veterans Day at the Vietnam War MemorialToday I visited the Vietnam War Memorial to observe a Veterans Day ceremony.

I am thankful for the men and women, some of whom are Libertarians, who have been brave enough to fight for our freedoms.

I’m also thankful for the men and women who have been brave enough to question our politicians and their military actions, hopefully with the ultimate affect of helping to prevent some military conflicts.

A retired admiral called me on Tuesday and chewed me out for running Libertarian Robert Sarvis for governor in Virginia. I didn’t get the Admiral’s name. I told him I disagreed with him, among other things.

I’m thankful to live in a country that still mostly respects free speech — a country where we can disagree publicly with powerful people without worrying about personal safety or getting thrown into jail (most of the time). I realize there are exceptions, but we have many freedoms, and I think we have freer speech than people in most other parts of the world.

As far as I’m concerned, our military has done a completely thorough job of protecting us from external threats. The biggest threats to our freedom are here at home, and require political action, not military action.

I’d like to dedicate the remaining part of this message to the memory of Admiral Michael Colley, a former board member on the Libertarian National Committee who passed away early this year. Click here to read more about Admiral Colley.

Yours in liberty,

Wes Benedict

Wes Benedict
Executive Director
Libertarian National Committee