[External Relations] National Lavender Caucus Member Libeled On National List

[Owen Broadhurst]

I'm understanding that a contributing and active national Lavender Caucus 
member has recently been targeted (on the national list) for the most 
abominably libelous personal attack I have ever seen circulated outside of 
the national list (to which I do not have access).

Mr. Mitchel Cohen, a very dear friend of mine with whom I have enjoyed a 
personal correspondence for nearly fourteen years, recently suggested on a 
New York Greens related discussion list that one CC member who voted in 
dissent from the state party's other CC delegates should step down or be 
replaced. His reasoning for this was clear: He was not asking this CC 
delegate to be replaced merely for voting in a manner contrary to that which 
Mr. Cohen would have desired; He was asking that this CC delegate be 
replaced as she had not sought and was apparently not receptive to the views 
of state party membership regarding this resolution.

I should note that, regardless of how the GRP's own CC representatives may 
vote on the resolution in question, I know that they have indeed solicited 
input and indeed are receptive to the views of their constituency. However 
they may decide, I know that views expressed by members inform that 
decision. I have never requested that the views of other members should 
dictate that decision.

I find that a reasonable request, even if reasonable people disagree with 
the request. Although reasonable people may disagree with Mitchel Cohen's 
beliefs regarding both 1) the resolution, and 2) his request for the 
dissenting CC delegate to be replaced- it is not at all reasonable, but is 
in fact a gross libel, for Mitchel Cohen to be so characterized as he was on 
the national list.

He was so characterized on the national list by someone who surely knew 
better. Hence, by my reasoning, the comments indeed were deliberately 
calumnious and therefore libel.

Things are very much out of control at this point.

Owen R. Broadhurst