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Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Open Letter to Chris Matthews

http://www.openlettertochrismatthews.blogspot.com/

Please go to this blog and participate as much as you can in activities designed to make Christ Matthews and MSNBC apologize for calling Democrats terrorists.

Thank you.

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Bible bigot from Redmond interferes in Washington State Politics, again.

Rev. Ken Hutcherson, pastor of Antioch Bible Church of Redmond, has said he plans to call for a boycott of Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard and other businesses that openly support the gay rights bill which he claims to have pressured Microsoft out of supporting when it was narrowly defeated by only two votes in the Washington State legislature last year. He pulled the same crap May 9, 2005 and claimed he won when the measure was narrowly defeated.


He's announced on KIRO 7 television news' 11:00 p.m. broadcast on January 18, 2006, that he will be going on Focus on the Family radio Thursday January 19, 2006, to reveal how he plans to involve FOF members in attacks on pension plans, interfere with commerce of any company in Washington which supports the pending legislation in Washington. He's using Dobson's radio program to get people from outside of the state of Washington to interfere in our state's legislative process.

This is in response to events last week. Several companies, including Microsoft, Boeing, Hewlett Packard and Nike signed a letter urging passage of the measure, which would add "sexual orientation" to a state law that already bans discrimination.

This year, Republican state senator, Bill Finkbeiner, just stepped down as state Senate Minority Leader, will be voting "yea". He voted against the bill last year but has decided that it's unfair to the citizens of Washington not to vote for the legislation.

In 2005, the state House passed the bill 61-37. Six Republican state senators joined 55 Democrat state senators to pass it. The bill lost in state Senate, where two Democrats, Jim Hargrove of Hoquiam and Tim Sheldon of Potlatch, joined 23 Republicans in defeating the bill.
This year, the Washington state legislature appears to be going to pass the bill in both houses.

So why is Hutcherson pulling this crap? Hate. Pure hate.

You can contact Hutcherson to let him know he should focus on his church and not on interefering in the political process of Washington state, and not invite out of state interference from out of state based Focus on the Family.

Contact the Antioch Bible Church. Fax them if you can. Keep it clean, please. There's no reason to lower yourselves to his level of viciousness.

Antioch Bible Church of Redmond Washington Contact Information:

Address: 15135 NE 92nd Street Redmond, Wa 98052

Telephone: (425) 556-5905

Fax: (425) 556-1333

Information: Toll Free:1-877-BLKnWHT (877-255-6948)

Hours: Monday through Friday8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time)

While the coward's "missionaries" have published Email addresses on that website, neither the church itself nor the uber-right reverend has a published Email.

Also, it's time to revisit other ways to apply pressure on the not-so-loving Rev. Hutcherson. Don't forget the information which came to use via Karen of Kalifornia (thanks again).

Ken Hutcherson and Redmond Washington's Antioch Bible Churh, holds worship services in a public high school. The Lake Washington School District Human Dignity Policy takes a stand against such anti-human rights activities."Recognizing and valuing that we are a diverse community, it is part of our mission to provide a positive, harmonious environment in which diversity is respected and encouraged. A major aim of education in the Lake Washington School District is the development of a commitment to the core values of a democratic society. In accordance with this aim, the district strongly emphasizes a core value of mutual human respect for each person regardless of individual differences and/or, characteristics including for example, but not necessarily limited to race, gender, age, disability, physical condition, sexual orientation, ethnic group or religion. We expect this value to be manifested in the daily behaviors of students, staff and volunteers."

So, you can also write to the Lake Washington School District board and to the administration of Lake Washington High School. Ask them to explain why they allow this organization to meet on their campus, apparently in violation of their own Human Dignity Policy. Ask them to ensure that their resources aren't used to bring out-of-state pressure on the legislature of the State of Washington from outside lobbyists and money.

Ask them to explain to you how demanding that employees who support equal treatment under the law be fired from their jobs is 'respectful' or threatening their pension plan benefits, or interfering in the legislative operations of a state is fair.

Ask them to explain what is respectful about threatening not only Microsoft but Hewlett Packard and other employers, some of whom hire and provide income for some of their students is a benefit to their students or to to the tax base that keeps them in operation. Ask them again how allowing this bigot to use their facilities for operation is supporting equal treatment under the law for all residents of the state of Washington.Click here to send an e-mail to the following individuals.And please share you letters in the comments section.Lake Washington School District Board Members:Nany Bernard 425-702-3257Douglas Eglington 425-868-7218Robert Hughes 425-822-2604Jackie Pendergrass 425-821-1157Ravi Shahani 425-702-3257Lake Washington High SchoolPrincipal, Mark Robertson425-828-3371 x376425-828-3390 faxAssociate Principal, Brad Malloy425-828-3371 Ext 369Associate Prinicpal, Doug Wenk425-828-3371 Ext 368

Wednesday, September 14, 2005

ACTION ALERT: Call the US Senate - Ask GOP Senators why they hate America

John Aravosis at AmericaBlog has sounded the call for Americans to call and demand to know why the 54 GOP Senators voted to kill an independent, bi-partisan investigation of what led to the disaster preceeding and ongoing in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Seventy-six percent (76%) of the American public - that's "We the People" - want one.

Why did the GOP nearly unanimously vote to kill it?

Here's what John says:

54 US Senators today KILLED legislation establishing an independent, bipartisan commission to investigate what went so horribly wrong with Hurricane Katrina.

76% of Americans want an independent bipartisan commission, like the one that investigated the 9/11 attacks, to investigate what went wrong. In fact, according to the same poll, Americans of all stripes, Republicans and Democrats, are united behind their support for such a commission (64% of all Republicans and 83% of all Democrats want a commission) even though they were aware that the Republicans in Congress are doing their own biased and partisan investigation (see below).

So why did every Republican US Senator (save the Senator from Louisiana, who simply didn't vote) vote AGAINST forming this independent, bipartisan commission to investigate what went so horribly wrong, and to find out how we avoid an even larger catastrophe the next time Osama attacks a major American city with a chemical, biological or nuclear bomb?

It's time to find out.

We agree. John says a bit more - go check it out here - but not before you help contact each GOP Senator and demand an answer to the question "Why?".

Here's how to contact them:

Alexander, Lamar- (R - TN) Class II
302 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4944
Web Form: www.alexander.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

Allard, Wayne- (R - CO) Class II
521 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5941
Web Form: www.allard.senate.gov/contactme

Allen, George- (R - VA) Class I
204 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4024
Web Form: www.allen.senate.gov/index.cfm?c=email

Bennett, Robert- (R - UT) Class III
431 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5444
Web Form: www.bennett.senate.gov/contact/emailmain.html

Bond, Christopher- (R - MO) Class III
274 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5721
Web Form: www.bond.senate.gov/contact/contactme.cfm

Brownback, Sam- (R - KS) Class III
303 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6521
Web Form: www.brownback.senate.gov/CMEmailMe.cfm

Bunning, Jim- (R - KY) Class III
316 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4343
Web Form: www.bunning.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Email

Burns, Conrad- (R - MT) Class I
187 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2644
Web Form: www.burns.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Home.Contact

Burr, Richard- (R - NC) Class III
217 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3154
Web Form: www.burr.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

Chafee, Lincoln- (R - RI) Class I
141A RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2921
Web Form: www.chafee.senate.gov/webform.htm

Chambliss, Saxby- (R - GA) Class II
416 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3521
Web Form: cwww.hambliss.senate.gov/Contact/default.cfm?pagemode=1

Coburn, Tom- (R - OK) Class III
172 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5754
Web Form: www.coburn.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

Cochran, Thad- (R - MS) Class II
113 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5054
Web Form: www.cochran.senate.gov/contact.htm

Coleman, Norm- (R - MN) Class II
320 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5641
Web Form: www.coleman.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.ContactForm

Collins, Susan- (R - ME) Class II
461 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2523
Web Form: www.collins.senate.gov/low/contactemail.htm

Cornyn, John- (R - TX) Class II
517 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2934
Web Form: www.cornyn.senate.gov/contact/index.html

Craig, Larry- (R - ID) Class II
520 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2752
Web Form: www.craig.senate.gov/email/

Crapo, Michael- (R - ID) Class III
239 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6142
Web Form: www.crapo.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm

DeMint, Jim- (R - SC) Class III
340 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6121
Web Form: www.demint.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

DeWine, Mike- (R - OH) Class I
140 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2315
Web Form: http://www.dewine.senate.gov/

Dole, Elizabeth- (R - NC) Class II
555 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6342
Web Form: www.dole.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactInformation.ContactForm

Domenici, Pete- (R - NM) Class II
328 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6621
Web Form: www.domenici.senate.gov/contact/contactform.cfm

Ensign, John- (R - NV) Class I
356 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6244
Web Form: www.ensign.senate.gov/forms/email_form.cfm

Enzi, Michael- (R - WY) Class II
379A RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3424
Web Form: www.enzi.senate.gov/email.htm

Frist, Bill- (R - TN) Class I
509 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3344
Web Form: www.frist.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=AboutSenatorFrist.ContactForm

Graham, Lindsey- (R - SC) Class II
290 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5972
Web Form: www.lgraham.senate.gov/index.cfm?mode=contact

Grassley, Chuck- (R - IA) Class III
135 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3744
Web Form: www.grassley.senate.gov/webform.htm

Gregg, Judd- (R - NH) Class III
393 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3324
Web Form: www.gregg.senate.gov/sitepages/contact.cfm

Hagel, Chuck- (R - NE) Class II
248 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4224
Web Form: www.hagel.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Offices.Contact

Hatch, Orrin- (R - UT) Class I
104 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5251
Web Form: www.hatch.senate.gov/index.cfm?Fuseaction=Offices.Contact

Hutchison, Kay- (R - TX) Class I
284 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5922
Web Form: www.hutchison.senate.gov/e-mail.htm

Inhofe, James- (R - OK) Class II
453 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4721
Web Form: www.inhofe.senate.gov/contactus.htm

Isakson, Johnny- (R - GA) Class III
120 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3643
Web Form: www.isakson.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Kyl, Jon- (R - AZ) Class I
730 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4521
Web Form: www.kyl.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Lott, Trent- (R - MS) Class I
487 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6253
E-mail: http://www.senatorlott@lott.senate.gov/

Lugar, Richard- (R - IN) Class I
306 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4814
E-mail: http://www.senator_lugar@lugar.senate.gov/

Martinez, Mel- (R - FL) Class III
317 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3041
Web Form: www.martinez.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactInformation.ContactForm

McCain, John- (R - AZ) Class III
241 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2235
Web Form: www.mccain.senate.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=Contact.Home

McConnell, Mitch- (R - KY) Class II
361-A RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2541
Web Form: www.mcconnell.senate.gov/contact_form.cfm

Murkowski, Lisa- (R - AK) Class III
709 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6665
Web Form: www.murkowski.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Roberts, Pat- (R - KS) Class II
109 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4774
Web Form: www.roberts.senate.gov/e-mail_pat.html

Santorum, Rick- (R - PA) Class I
511 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6324
Web Form: www.santorum.senate.gov/contactform.cfm

Sessions, Jeff- (R - AL) Class II
335 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4124
Web Form: www.sessions.senate.gov/email/contact.cfm

Shelby, Richard- (R - AL) Class III
110 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5744
E-mail: http://www.senator@shelby.senate.gov/

Smith, Gordon- (R - OR) Class II
404 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3753
Web Form: www.gsmith.senate.gov/webform.htm

Snowe, Olympia- (R - ME) Class I
154 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5344
E-mail: http://www.olympia@snowe.senate.gov/

Specter, Arlen- (R - PA) Class III
711 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4254
Web Form: www.specter.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactInfo.Home

Stevens, Ted- (R - AK) Class II
522 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3004
Web Form: www.stevens.senate.gov/contact_form.cfm

Sununu, John- (R - NH) Class II
111 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2841
Web Form: www.sununu.senate.gov/webform.html

Talent, James- (R - MO) Class I
493 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6154
Web Form: www.talent.senate.gov/Contact/default.cfm?pagemode=1

Thomas, Craig- (R - WY) Class I
307 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6441
Web Form: www.thomas.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

Thune, John- (R - SD) Class III
383 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2321
Web Form: www.thune.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

Vitter, David- (R - LA) Class III
516 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4623
Web Form: www.vitter.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Voinovich, George- (R - OH) Class III
524 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3353
Web Form: www.voinovich.senate.gov/contact/index.htm

Warner, John- (R - VA) Class II
225 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2023
Web Form: www.warner.senate.gov/contact/contactme.cfm

Monday, September 05, 2005

Please Fight Against Bush's War on Truth

I'm sick of the lies. And I'm sick of media shills who swallow Rove/Bush lies without checking their facts. I'm sick of complacent people who are all too willing to accept Bush's lies at face value. And I'm mostly sick of the people who waste valuable time (that should be spent on saving lives along the Gulf Coast) creating these lies to make the incompetent and inhumane Bush administration smell better to the public. I believe that now more than ever it is our duty as US citizens to refute these lies loudly and as often as possible. We need to object to every media piece that spreads these lies.

Today's NY Times is reporting
Under the command of President Bush's two senior political advisers, the White House rolled out a plan this weekend to contain the political damage from the administration's response to Hurricane Katrina.It orchestrated visits by cabinet members to the region, leading up to an extraordinary return visit by Mr. Bush planned for Monday, directed administration officials not to respond to attacks from Democrats on the relief efforts, and sought to move the blame for the slow response to Louisiana state officials, according to Republicans familiar with the White House plan.The effort is being directed by Mr. Bush's chief political adviser, Karl Rove, and his communications director, Dan Bartlett.

Several news media have been publishing the new Rove/Dubya lie that the Louisiana governor is to blame for the delay in aid. The Washington Post is one of them, but it did print a retraction. Others have not yet done so. The lie looks like this.

"Louisiana did not reach out to a multi-state mutual aid compact for assistance until Wednesday, three state and federal officials said. As of Saturday, Blanco still had not declared a state of emergency, the senior Bush official said."


Here's what we need in order to refute that particular lie. Please join me in objecting to each and every news source, local, regional, national, international, that chooses to participate in Bush's War on Truth.

This is a link to the governor's Declaration of State of Emergency dated 8/26/2005 (Friday before the storm hit).
http://gov.louisiana.gov/2005 proclamations/48pro2005-Emergency-HurricaneKatrina.pdf

Here is a link to her letter to Bush dated 8/28/2005 with a list of requests for specific types of help.
http://gov.louisiana.gov/Disaster

Here is a link to a document on the White House website dated 8/27/05 stating "The President today declared an emergency exists in the State of Louisiana and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local response efforts in the parishes located in the path of Hurricane Katrina beginning on August 26, 2005, and continuing. ..."
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/08/20050827-1.html


More detail on this at
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/week_2005_09_04.php

Wednesday, August 24, 2005

Starbucks Hates Children ... Or So Concerned Women for America Says



GFN.com is reporting that CWA has launched a hate campaign against Starbucks, claiming “Starbucks Hates Children. The “concerned women” just can’t stand the fact that quotes from G/L authors are appearing on Starbuck’s cups.


Starbuck’s promotional program called “The Way I See It”
– a collection of thoughts provided by notable figures appearing on the
company’s coffee cups – has raised the hackles of one of the country’s most
strident anti-gay, anti-women’s rights groups in the country.


The Concerned Women of America, a “traditional family values” organization run by Beverly LaHaye, wife of fundamentalist preacher Rev. Tim Lahaye, a Christian broadcaster, has targeted Starbucks for promoting “homosexual values” by including quotes from gay individuals on their coffee cups, and for the company’s support of a San Diego gay pride event.

[…] “All I could think was ‘Starbucks hates children.”
Starbucks welcomes your comments. Write them a nice note of support. And don’t forget to copy your note so you can paste it into a reply to the screechy ‘concerned’ ladies.

Tuesday, August 09, 2005

Save Our Right to Dissent & to Hold Accountable

The White House and the Bush Administration have done it again. They are ignoring a woman who is actively seeking an audience with the President. And they don't care how much of the country really wants to see them provide an answer.

The essay below says it all. It's up on the TPMCafe, and was written by TruePatriot, of the USPatriotsUnited blog.

___________________________


*reprinted with permission from USPatriotsUnited/TruePatriot*

___________________________

This week, we as a nation watch as one citizen travels to see the President and demand an audience. Many are angered, even outraged, at the avoidance of this woman by the man currently holding what is, arguably, the most powerful office in the world. Many more citizens fly to her aid, both physically and spiritually, as she is blatantly ignored for demanding an explanation.


If one looks at this from a distant perspective, it would appear that the citizen is attempting to engage the leader in an accounting of his decisions and actions that have led to the loss of her son. This is, of course, both her right and duty. And his responsibility, as a leader, is to address her.


Our latest essay, "Holding America to Her Principles", specifically addresses the issue of accountability, and the role that citizens play by enforcing their right to demand it. It is one of the cornerstones upon which our nation has been built. True US Patriots have a right and a duty to dissent, holding their leaders accountable for the actions and decisions occurring under their watch. It is one of the unofficial checks and balances, and it is solely in the hands of the people to employ in order to preserve freedom.


"Dissent is the mark of freedom."
- Jacob Bronowski

We have heard that, as of Thursday, when the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense both appear to meet with the President, Cindy Sheehan will be arrested as a threat to national security.


We have yet to see any indication of a threat to national security by this woman. Many others appear to agree. So, what legal right does anyone have to deny this woman her freedom?


"Stripped of ethical rationalizations and philosophical pretensions, a crime is anything that a group in power chooses to prohibit."
– Freda Adler

Simply having the power to make the laws does not empower one to abuse the founding tenets of freedom. Misuse and misapplication of the laws in order to shield a political figure – however powerful – from a citizen who is adhering to her Constitutional right to demand accountability by her President is nothing short of criminal. It is most certainly unconstitutional. One would expect that if a person shall be intentionally, unconstitutionally jailed then the writ of habeas corpus would be suspended. Have we engaged in another Civil War somewhere, and have all our Civil Courts have been forcibly closed down to permit such a measure?


Or does something darker still loom ahead of us? Have we lost our liberties, or our rights to exercise them?


"It is not the fact of liberty but the way in which liberty is exercised that ultimately determines whether liberty itself survives. "
– Dorothy Thompson

The past few years have shown a very disturbing trend, where “free speech zones” have been designated to keep dissent out of the public eye. We have watched the gradual erosion and marginalization of our right, our role, as the ones to whom the leaders must be ultimately accountable. And for the most part, we have not noticed or been moved to reject attempts to minimize the importance of accountability to the public.

"None are so hopelessly enslaved as those who falsely believe they are free."
– Goethe

Our system of government has been described as one "of the People, by the People, and for the People". The current trend toward the unprecedented expansion of powers concentrated in the hands of the Executive Branch threatens to tear the very fabric of that basic belief asunder.

"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men."
– Lord Acton

Our current leader won his path to power on the claim of “moral values”. The unspoken assumption made when this term is used is the presumption of accountability, sprinkled with a touch of wisdom. Wouldn’t it be prudent, then, for such a leader to show compassion and speak with a citizen who has made the extraordinary effort to speak with him? Or have the words of Lord Acton begun to ring true?


To all our fellow citizens, we ask you to support this True US Patriot, and help her in her effort to exercise that which is both her right and duty: ask the President for real answers, and hold him accountable for his actions.


___________________________

Let's help out and do our part as "True Patriots". Let's hold the President accountable, and tell him to answer Cindy.

Click below to send a letter to the President and Vice President, telling them that the President must perform all his duties, not just those he wants to address. Urge them to send the President out to speak with Cindy.

Click Here to Email the President and Vice President

Thank you, for your assistance.

Monday, July 04, 2005

Take back the meaning of "A True US Patriot"

Taken from the net flick "We, the People..." (available here, at the bottom of the page):

On July 4th, 1776, in response to a rule of government that trivialized the will of the people, the people of this nation got together and wrote a document that rejected that government, citing the unalienable rights and freedoms believed to belong to all men.

On September 17, 1787, another document, written by and for the people of this nation, outlined a system of government designed to guarantee, foster, and protect those freedoms.

On July 4, 2005, the people decided that the government and media needed to be reminded who this nation belonged to.

Another document was written.

This document spoke not of separation, but of unification. It did not outline new rights or freedoms, but recalled instead those which had been compromised.
We, the People of the United States of America, finding ourselves repeatedly misled by those charged with the care and governance of our nation, know that partisan politics have resulted in a serious breach of the public trust.
We have suffered attacks against our Constitutional rights and the founding tenets of this Democratic Republic.
We have suffered the infringement of our freedoms.
We have suffered insult to our honor and integrity as proud citizens.
We will no longer suffer in silence this continued assault that has now passed beyond intolerable.
We do hereby now and forever reject the bastardization of this nation's core principles through this proclamation, and define this reminder to our wayward leaders just what it takes to be a True US Patriot...
Those opening words echo several of our nation's founding documents. The 'Ten Characteristics' goes on and makes frequent references to the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the poem "The New Colossus" by Emma Lazarus (which is the poem inscribed on a plaque at the base of the Statue of Liberty). The movie, released anonymously upon the internet today, was based upon the document "Ten Characteristics of 'A True US Patriot'". That document, like our Declaration of Independence, was written by a collection of concerned citizens who - like our founding fathers - saw major discrepancies between the government and the people.

Instead of urging separation from the government, however, the 'Ten Characteristics' seeks to put an end to the abuse of the terms "Patriot", "Patriotism", and "un-American".

The ten defining characteristics shown are carefully selected, and utilizes both words and phrases from the source documents to help serve as both reminders of what a "True US Patriot" is, as well as provide the background source material.

We think this is a worthy endeavor.

Too much partisan sniping, and far too much free-form redefinition of our language, has led to a hopeless morass of namecalling and obstruction in our highest levels of elected office.

Here's what you can do to help:

Mail a copy of the "Ten Characteristics of 'A True US Patriot' (get a copy in flyer-format from "Freedom Press") to Todd Russell Platts, R-PA, Chairman of the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Government Management, Finance, and Accountability. Click his name above to get to his online contact form.

Tell Representative Platts that the document must be distributed to all members of the House and Senate, many of whom appear to have forgotten both the founding principles of this nation as well as the fact that they represent and govern at the choice and pleasure of the people.

Contact the Associated Press and United Press International, and send them the same sheet, and the link to the originating blog entry. Remind them that the press must retake its position as "Champions of the Truth".

And share the 'Ten Characteristics' with your friends.

Let's take back control of our nation, one definition at a time.

Sunday, June 19, 2005

Why Does Ammons Scientific's Psychological Reports Publish Literature From A Known Hate Group?

Update, June 20, 2005

After writing the original post I discovered that the Southern Voice, Houston Voice, and Washington Blade reported that the CDC has commented on Paul Cameron's research.

"But Cameron’s methodology is simply bad science, said Ronald Valdiserri, deputy director of the CDC’s National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention. [The CDC] does not collect statistics on the lifespan of gay men,” Valdiserri said. “While gay men continue to be severely impacted by HIV and AIDS, AIDS-related death data cannot be used to indicate that homosexual men live shorter lives than heterosexual men overall.”

http://www.washblade.com/2005/6-17/view/actionalert/weird.cfm



It has come to my attention that an article by Paul Cameron appears in Psychological Reports (2005;96:693-697).

Paul Cameron's organization, the Family Research Institute, has been designated as a hate goup by the Southern Poverty law center. Cameron has been producing virulent anti-gay hate literature for decades.

Cameron was dropped from membership in the American Psychological Association in 1984 for ethical violations concerning his biased research. That same year, the Psychological Association in his home state of Nebraska adopted a formal resolution disassociating itself from Cameron's work. Read the October 3, 1994 New Republic Article About Paul Cameron.

In 1985, a federal judge concluded that Cameron had engaged in "fraud" and "misrepresentation" when he testified in a gay-related case in Texas. (Baker v. Wade, 106 Federal Rules Decisions 526 [N.D. Texas, 1985]) Judge Buchmeyer of the U.S. District Court of Dallas referred to "Cameron's sworn statement that 'homosexuals abuse children at a proportionately greater incident than do heterosexuals,'" and concluded that "Dr. Paul Cameron...has himself made misrepresentations to this Court" and that "There has been no fraud or misrepresentations except by Dr. Cameron"

On page 536 of his opinion, Judge Buchmeyer noted the following examples of misrepresentations by Cameron to the Court:



"(i) his sworn statement that "homosexuals are approximately 43
times more apt to commit crimes than is the general population" is a total
distortion of the Kinsey data upon which he relies which, as is obvious to
anyone who reads the report, concerns data from a non-representative sample of
delinquent homosexuals (and Dr. Cameron compares this group to college and
non-college heterosexuals);
(ii) his sworn statement that "homosexuals abuse
children at a proportionately greater incident than do heterosexuals" is based
upon the same distorted data and, the Court notes, is directly contrary to
other evidence presented at trial besides the testimony of Dr. Simon and Dr.
Marmour. (553 F. Supp. 1121 at 1130 n.18.)"

Speaking at the 1985 Conservative Political Action Conference Cameron said, "'Unless we get medically lucky, in three or four years, one of the options discussed will be the extermination of homosexuals."

According to an interview with former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, Cameron was recommending the extermination option as early as 1983." - Mark E. Pietrzyk, News-Telegraph, March 10, 1995.

Cameron told Rolling Stone magazine in a March 1999 interview that he feared gay sex would supplant heterosexual sex unless a vigilant society repressed it. "Marital sex tends toward the boring," he said. "Generally, it doesn't deliver the kind of sheer sexual pleasure that homosexual sex does." If all one seeks is an orgasm, he said, "the evidence is that men do a better job on men, and women on women. Homosexuality," he said, "seems too powerful to resist."

In 1987 the work of Paul Cameron was condemned by the UK Press Complaints Commission when it was presented as "fact" a newspaper article.

My question to you is, why would a publication purporting to be a scientific journal would publish literature from a known hate group.

Write to the associate editors of Psychological Reports. Ask them why they are willing to associate with a publication that publishes literature from a known hate group. (Ammons Scientific has a long list of associate editors. It is woefully out of date. This mail will not go to everyone on the list. For example, one of the listed associate editors, Frederick H. Kanfer, died during 2002.)


Copy your e-mail and paste it into Ammons Scientific's web form. Ask the same question of R. B. Ammons, C. H. Ammons, Bruce Ammons, Douglas Ammons, and S. A. Isbell.

Tuesday, June 14, 2005

Let's Give a Diocese the Chance to Clean up its Act

Catholic School in O.C. Limits Gay Parents' Role

St. John the Baptist memo says same-sex couples can't act as a family unit at its events.

By Seema MehtaLA Times June 14, 2005

An Orange County Catholic school that angered some parents by allowing a gay couple to enroll their two boys last year has drafted a policy that would forbid the men to appear as a couple at school functions, according to a memo distributed to teachers.In January, officials at Costa Mesa's St. John the Baptist School adopted new admission guidelines that require parents to display "appropriate conduct, in order to support the school's mission and provide positive role models to our students." [I'd like to know when the support of both parents for a child's education became "inappropriate conduct".]

The May 6 memo, obtained by The Times from a parent at the school, states: "Practically speaking this means: The children adopted by a same-sex couple" may enroll "on the condition that the same-sex couple agree not to present themselves as a couple at school functions."Calls to school officials and to the conservative Norbertine order that runs it for the diocese were not returned.Some parents say Sister Mary Vianney, the school's principal for 31 years, has not had her contract renewed after she objected to the new attendance requirements. The parents held a candlelight vigil Saturday and have asked Orange County Diocese Bishop Tod D. Brown to intervene. [...]

There is also commentary from the Rainbow Sash Movement on this event at this link: http://www.rainbowsashmovement.com/Innocentchildren.html

You may wish to contact Bishop Brown at the offices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange:

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 14195
Orange, CA 92863-1595

Telephone: (714) 282-3000
Facsimile: (714) 282-3029

IF you DO contact the gentleman, remember he stood up for admitting children of gay couples and it's the principal there, a nun, who's formulated the "new policy" and it's her we disagree with.

The two secretaries to Bishop Brown have Email addresses on file at the Diocesan website:
Secretary to Bishop Brown:
Judy Bobier E-mail Link
Secretary to Bishop Brown:
Florence HansenE-mail: E-mail Link

In each instance, ask them to forward your request on to the good Bishop after expressing your concern as succinctly as possible.

Or you can contact the school and the headmistress directly:

SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST SCHOOL
Sr. Mary Vianney Ennis, SM
Enrollment 610 K - 8th grade Extended day care
1021 Baker StreetCosta Mesa, CA 92626-4184
(714) 557-5060 Fax: (714) 557-9263
E-mail link

As angry as I get at some of the ridiculous BS perpetrated by bigots in the name of ANY local popular deity, I've found it's best to approach those in parochial education and positions of management with as little hyperbole as possible and with an eye to appealing to reason and fairness.

Monday, June 13, 2005

Christian Coalition Wants Gays To Wear Warning Labels

Rev. Bill Banuchi, executive director of the New York Christian Coalition said,
"We put warning labels on cigarette packs because we know that smoking takes one to two years off the average life span, yet we 'celebrate' a lifestyle that we know spreads every kind of sexually transmitted disease and takes at least 20 years off the average life span according to the 2005 issue of the revered scientific journal Psychological Reports*," said Rev. Bill Banuchi, executive director of the New York Christian Coalition.
Is it any wonder that the Southern Poverty Law Center's Mark Potok had this to say about Christian hate groups?

"Their tone [against homosexuality] has become quite amazing after the Lawrence decision. What was really striking was while the Klan and neo-Nazis spoke out against the Lawrence decision, the really vicious statements came from well-known leaders of the Christian right."

“Our bailiwick is extremism,” he said. “We’ve avoided the Christian Right in the past, and we don’t feel we’ve expanded to include the Christian Right — we feel very strongly they have entered our world [of extremism]. ... They have gone absolutely wild. The level of personal demonization was really quite remarkable. We felt we had to say, ‘Thus far, no further.'"
Potok went on to say that personal vilification and the false science against gay men and lesbians issued by institutions of the religious right are not only hateful, but dangerous.

"It is quite remarkable how they claim to hate the sin but love the sinner. That’s an absurd claim. We have reports that clearly show this kind of rhetoric paves the way to violence. Without question, gay men and lesbians are the most attacked group — and the hate crimes toward them are more violent."

Mark Potok is the editor of SPLC's Intelligence Report. It most recent issue focuses on the activities of Christian hate groups in an article titled Holy War, by Bob Moser.

Paul Cameron is a well-known fraud who has a long record of putting out fradulent anti-gay 'research', as well as suggesting that gays and lesbians should be exterminated.

*Psychological Reports is little more than a vanity publication to which writers pay $27.50 per page to have articles printed.

Click here to send an e-mail to Rev. Bill Banuchi, executive director of the Christian Coalition. Tell him exactly what you think of his Neo-Nazism and references to fraudulent 'research'.






Saturday, June 11, 2005

The Fall of the Last Bastion of Freedom in America

Don't let free internet access fade away!

The mechanisms to remove and limit internet access are once again in motion. A recent proposal in the House aims to curtail public (government/municpal) free access to the internet in any area where such access is provided by a corporation for a fee.

A Republican from Texas introduced a bill called Preserving Innovation in Telecom Act of 2005 (yet another example of intentionally misleading the public through the use of language). This bill would prevent municipal offerings of broadband access in any areas where a corporation offering similar services exists...

Between limiting access to paying customers, the continued existence of the Patriot Acts I & II, and the attempts to discredit bloggers and limit their capacity, the NeoConservatives and Republicans are brutally assailing one of the core principles upon which this nation was founded - the freedom of speech and expression.

Internet under attack in Congress

A bill just introduced in the House could destroy universal, affordable Internet access everywhere. The “Preserving Innovation in Telecom Act” (H.R. 2726) would let big cable and telecom companies shut down Community Internet and municipal broadband projects being planned across the country.

The bill would prevent state or local governments from providing “any telecommunications service, information service or cable service” anywhere a corporation offers a similar service.

[...]

...is this the fall of our last bastion of freedom, or just another attempt to stifle free speech and freedom of expression? The outcome depends on us, and making ourselves heard.

Do your part:

Send an email to John Conyers, AMERICABlog, and BradBlog and submit this tidbit to the DailyKOS, asking that they provide additional coverage on this.

Read more about the bill here, and sign the Free Press petition:

Free Press - Internet under attack in Congress

Here's the official docket regarding the bill:

Preserving Innovation in Telecom Act of 2005 (Introduced in House)

We are fast losing one of our most valuable national resources - an asset which has proven itself time and again as truly helping "empower the people". Please help prevent the curtailment of public, free internet access for all people.

Thursday, June 09, 2005

Teachers Want Anti-Gay Organization Removed From Lake Washington High School

Anti-gay extremist preacher, Ken Hutcherson, and Lake Washington High School are back in the news. The school was drawn into the Hutcherson/Microsoft controversy when it became known that Hutcherson's 3,500-member anti-gay congregation uses the school's facitilites for their gatherings. (The earlier MailToBlog item about this is here.)

The Lake Washington Education Association wants the school district to eject the group. Teachers at Lake Washington High School hesitate to speak out because the school's principal, Mark Robertson, is a member of the anti-gay organization.

The 6/7/2005 Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports,

"... the Lake Washington Education Association "leadership says
Hutcherson's presence at Lake Washington High implies that his beliefs are
condoned by the district, goes against the district's human dignity policy,
brings unwanted attention to the school and promotes intolerance."
"The Lake Washington Education Association strongly condemns the
bigoted views of Dr. Ken Hutcherson," union President Kevin Teeley wrote in the
organization's recent newsletter."

Although the district advertises a human dignity policy, it has taken no steps to see that it is used to qualify which groups may or may not use their facilities. At best this is administrative oversight. At worst it is pure hypocrisy.

The district is now claiming that free speech rights override their policy.

A district spokesman said,

"It comes down to almost an all-or-nothing situation, based on
First Amendment jurisprudence, If we rent a facility for the use of a church, we
can't typically restrict access to another group with which we have
disagreements (over) the point of view they're expressing."
Gosh, how on earth does that policy restrict anyone's freedom of speech? Enforcement of the school district policy wouldn't prevent the anti-gay preacher from preaching hate and promoting discrimination. It would simply tell him he'd have to do so elsewhere.

But the organization's anti-gay activities go beyond preaching hate and discrimination.

"Former Lake Washington High librarian Lee Bates, now at Inglewood Junior High, addressed the school board last night, upset at the treatment of a group of gay rights supporters who visited Antioch.

The activists were told they would have to sit in a separate section unless they removed their
rainbow armbands. The visitors eventually chose to remove their armbands and sat wherever they wanted.

"It is not about the pastor's beliefs but his treatment of people that is in question," said Bates, husband of former Lake Washington Superintendent Karen Bates."

He cited the district's human dignity and harassment policies, which encourage respect and non-harassment of people, regardless of their sexual orientation, among other differences or
characteristics.

Click here to write a letter of support to Kevin Teely and the Lake Washington Education Association with copies to the school district and school administration.

Tell them that their inconsistency in applying the human dignity policy reflects very badly on the school, particularly since the principal's membership in the anti-gay organization brings up conflict of interest issues. And then ask them about the message they send to their gay students by allowing this preacher of hate and discrimination to operate in their facilities.

Monday, June 06, 2005

The Bible Says Rick Perry is a Lying Hypocrite

Well, I guess I can breathe a little easier now that the Texas legislature has adjourned. I never feel safe when they're in session. This year's session was probably even worse than average. They were too busy bashing gays and discussing the merits of Dutch ovens to bother with their court mandate to fix the unconstitutional school finance law. Apparently they don't mind chaos in the Texas public school system as long as they can honor Dutch ovens and ask voters to ban marriage.

Yes, you read that correctly. The Texas legislature is asking voters to ban marriage. So don't blame it on the gays, folks, blame it on yourselves. Caught up in the emotion of a bigoted anti-gay frenzy, they got foolish. The legislature decided to forward a constitutional amendment to voters, an amendment that will ban all marriages in the state of Texas. If you don't believe me, just read what they wrote. First they define marriage and then they prohibit it ... for everyone.

Sec. 32. (a) Marriage in this state shall consist only of the union of one man and one woman. (b) This state or a political subdivision of this state may not create or recognize any legal status identical or similar to marriage.

And this brings me to the subject of this post ... a letter I recently received from the office of Texas Governor Rick Perry in response to one I wrote him about the anti-gay amendment. (Text of the letter is at the end of this post.)

Governor Rick Perry, Dede Keith

I am appalled by your response to my letter regarding enshrining prejudice and discrimination in the constitution. It is quite an experience to witness such dishonesty wrapped up in such self-serving sanctimony.

You claim, "strengthening the family is a cornerstone of Governor Perry's political philosophy." Yet you show nothing that would strengthen families. You show only that you promote removing protections from some families. The gay marriage ban does absolutely nothing to strengthen families --- nothing at all.

You go on to say, "The governor believes that if Texas fails families, Texas will fall far short of its potential to have safe communities, the best schools in and economic opportunity for all Texans." Are you oblivious to the fact that the marriage ban does exactly what you claim you want to avoid? It not only fails a large number of families, it deprives them of the benefits and protections you claim to support.

Then you continue by saying, "He also believes that the traditional family --- with a loving mother and a loving father --- provides the ideal environment for children."

That sounds so very sanctimonious, but you don't show how the marriage ban would accomplish anything to support your narrow definition of family or protect children.

What does it do to protect children from physically and/or sexually abusive mothers and fathers?

What does it do to protect children from poverty and all of its resultant problems?

What does it do to ensure a good education for these children?

What does it do for children whose access to health care will be cut off by the amendment?

You say "as governor he also is guided by deeply held beliefs."

What does the marriage ban do to prevent "loving mothers and fathers" from divorcing and remarrying (which, BTW, is forbidden by his "deeply-held" belief system.

Luke 16:18 - "Every one who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery."

Mark 10:11-12 "And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife and marry another, committeth adultery against her. And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery."


Governor Perry and Ms. Keith, you are both hypocritical liars, the kind MY deeply-held belief system warns us about.

1 Timothy 4:1-5 - "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer."

You may tell Gov. Rick Perry exactly what you think of him by clicking here.

Text of Governor Perry's Letter
Governor Perry often must deal with issues that generate intense emotional debate --- and the issue of same-sex marriages is a case in point. As with almost every issue, there will be good people on both sides who disagree.

Besides being bound the Constitution and the laws of and the United States, as governor he also is guided by deeply held beliefs. The governor believe that Texans expect their leaders to have a strong set of personal ethics to help guide them in handling the often complicated and complex issues we face in our diverse state. Accordingly, Governor Perry supported and signed SB 7, which the legislature passed during the 2003 legislative session. This bill complements current state law that prohibits issuing a marriage license for persons of the same sex by prohibiting the recognition of a same-sex marriage or civil union legitimized in another state. The governor also supports President Bush's call for a constitutional amendment prohibiting same-sex marriages.

Strengthening the family is a cornerstone of Governor Perry's political philosophy. The governor believes that if fails families, will fall far short of its potential to have safe communities, the best school in and economic opportunity for all Texans. He also believes that the traditional family --- with a loving mother and a loving father --- provides the ideal environment for children.

Sincerely,
Dede Keith, Administration and Constituent Services
Office of the Governor

Monday, May 30, 2005

Help Wake Up the American Media

Our media has failed to serve the interests of the public and the nation.

In the past several years, news outlets and media coverage has been steadily feeding the American people a diet of "Shock and Awe", flash and glitter, and "believe it or not". What we have not been served is hard core news and information - the kind that helps ensure that a free and Democratic society is functioning. The type of information that helps citizens know not only the current events of the nation that impact the nation as a whole, but also the information which pertains to and affects cities, towns, states, and our nation's interaction with the world.

Events of the day - big and small - that have meaning are falling by the wayside or suffering from a dearth of reporting in favor of "pablum"-like filler stories, the type of thing which might make a good gossip column or brainless entertainment show.

And our nation has suffered for it, both in domestic and foreign affairs.

Right now, a serious breach of the public trust appears to have occurred with regard to the role of Bush Administration in the approach to the war in Iraq. Yet, news of this serious breach - an impeachable offense for the crime of misleading the public and failure to execute and uphold the oath of office, and also a likely act of treason for undermining national security and the public trust - has only been reported outside of the United States.

Why?

Don't let this go unreported. It is the duty of all American citizens - all who call themselves Patriots, who pride themselves in the founding tenets of the Declaration of Independence and outlined within the Constitution - to insist on the highest quality of information available in a democracy. If you are an American, and a Patriotic American, then let this be your opportunity to remind the media of its duty to report the news, to keep the nation informed, and to help us ensure that the "news of the day" goes neither unreported nor unnoticed.

Clicking the link "Email the media and demand real information" will open a new email message for you to send to the following media outlets:



Send the following message to the media outlets listed above by copying the message below, then clicking here. Paste the letter below into the new message, and click send. :)

Email the media and demand real information


To the editors and news managers:

In the past several years, news outlets and media coverage has been steadily feeding the American people a diet of "Shock and Awe", flash and glitter, and "believe it or not". What we have not been served is hard core news and information - the kind that helps ensure that a free and Democratic society is functioning. The type of information that helps citizens know not only the current events of the nation that impact the nation as a whole, but also the information which pertains to and affects cities, towns, states, and our nation's interaction with the world.

Events of the day - big and small - that have meaning are falling by the wayside or suffering from a dearth of reporting in favor of "pablum"-like filler stories, the type of thing which might make a good gossip column or brainless entertainment show.

And our nation has suffered for it, both in domestic and foreign affairs.

Right now, a serious breach of the public trust appears to have occurred with regard to the role of Bush Administration in the approach to the war in Iraq. Yet, news of this serious breach - an impeachable offense for the crime of misleading the public and failure to execute and uphold the oath of office, and also a likely act of treason for undermining national security and the public trust - is apparently only being reported outside of the United States.

We, the people of the United States, need the American media to begin reporting real news - all the news. We, the people for whom you report the news, are depending upon you to keep us informed.

We need to see more information about the recent revelations concerning this Administration, in order to be informed and to assist us in our role as American citizens. We have relied upon your reporting in the past, and now we find ourselves turning to other countries for news of our own.

Please stop this shameful trend.

Provide us with the information we require, particularly during this time when several important issues face our nation.

Thank you.

Update: Michigan High School Responds to Pro-Harrassment Parents By Adding More Anti-Harrassment Posters

Earlier in May MailToBlog posted an action item regarding a Troy, Michigan high under attack from parents objecting to a poster promoting tolerance. (See Michigan Parents Attack High School Non-Harrassment Policy.)

The May 30,2005 Detroit News is reporting,

Gay poster multiplies in Troy High

School hangs four more; move further angers some who have fought to ban them.

"A poster at Troy High School that reads "Gay People are Everyday People" appears to be multiplying instead of coming down.

Some parents have been fighting the Troy School District for more than a year to have the poster removed from an English classroom, claiming it promotes sexuality and a homosexual lifestyle.

But the maker of the poster said the school's English department has decided to go the other direction, ordering 25 more copies.

[...]

District spokesman Tim McAvoy confirmed that at least four new posters went up recently.

The poster originally went up in 2003 at the request of the student group Human Equal Rights Organization, which was doing a project on tolerance. It portrays five teenagers surrounded by photos of professionals such as caterers, mail carriers, musicians and teachers.

"The students requested the poster to show all people deserve respect and tolerance, and should not be harassed for any reason," McAvoy said. "The poster ensures student safety through a message of tolerance and respect."


The sanctimonious parents who promote faith-based harrassment of gay students are claiming that the poster stating, "Gay People are Everyday People" is not only a sexual message, but one that magically turns students from straight to gay.

One of the pro-harrassment parents, Tony Cruz, said
"the posters promote a sexual lifestyle that is against Judeo-Christian beliefs. It should not even be acknowledged to youth, much less promoted. ... I am here to censor their attempts to promote that lifestyle on my children. We do not want them to try and change our children."

Leslie Thompson, executive director of Ferndale-based Affirmations Gay/Lesbian Community Center, which distributes the posters responds,
"We don't consider the word 'gay' any more sexual than the word 'marriage."
And, of course, she's absolutely right.

Let's send them more letters of support. Click here to send an e-mail of support to the Troy School Board, the administration of Troy High School, and Affirmations Gay/Lesbian Community Center.

Thursday, May 26, 2005

Fight religious discrimination in Indiana

A judge in Indiana inserted an offensive paragraph into a couple's divorce decree. The ruling prohibits the couple from exposing their child to "non-mainstream religious beliefs and rituals." The Republican judge, the "Honorable" Cale J. Bradford, is the presiding judge for the Marion Superior Courts. The offending verbiage claims that, as the child attends a local Catholic school, the divergent beliefs could cause confusion for the child.

The order was based upon a confidential report prepared by the Domestic Relations Counseling Bureau. The confidential report states "There is a discrepancy between Ms. Jones and Mr. Jones' lifestyle and the belief system adhered to by the parochial school. . . . Ms. Jones and Mr. Jones display little insight into the confusion these divergent belief systems will have upon (the boy) as he ages," according to an article in the online site for the Indianapolis Staran article in the online site for the Indianapolis Star, written by Kevin Corcoran.

This blatantly unconstitutional provision is being fiercely contested by both parents, as it should be.

Do your part to help.

Ask Mark Lee, the Executive Assistant of the Indiana Democratic Party to urge his party members to help support the ICLU and the Jones family in their efforts to fight this "activist judge" and his flagrant violation of the Constitutional rights of parents to determine the religious indoctrination of their children.

A direct email address for the Marion County Courts is not available on the web, but you can also make your voice heard by filling out the contact form for the Marion County website here.

Sunday, May 22, 2005

Senate Scrubs Galloway's Testimony from Site!

Protest the Whitewashing of Galloway's Testimony from the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigation's website

Don't let the shenanigans of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations go unchallenged. Read the excerpt below, check out the story, download a copy of the transcript and the video for posterity (in case it suddenly becomes 'unavailable'), and - most importantly - write, fax, and email the committee members. Demand that Galloway's testimony be added back to the site.

The Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations is failing to maintain consistency and integrity in their investigation of the Oil-for-food scandal. In their haste to implicate MP George Galloway, they bit off more than they could chew. Galloway unloaded both barrels in a verbal dressing-down the likes of which we have yet to see from our own media in response to the repeated lies and distortions of the Bush Administration.

Oddly enough, Galloway's testimony has been 'scrubbed' from the Senate website. Reported from BradBlog, with links to the original story and links to the testimony, below:


Chairman Coleman's Office Passes Buck for Explanation!

The stunning testimony given by British MP George Galloway before the U.S. Senate subcommittee on Investigations is apparently so hot that it seems to have "gone AWOL" from the subcommittee's...

The stunning testimony given by British MP George Galloway before the U.S. Senate subcommittee on Investigations is apparently so hot that it seems to have "gone AWOL" from the subcommittee's website according to the British newsite VNU Network.

The BRAD BLOG can confirm that all witness testimony -- except that of Galloway's -- from last Tuesday's extraordinary hearings is available in PDF format on the subcommittee's webpage on the hearings.

At those hearings, Galloway blasted subcommittee Chairman Sen Norm Coleman's (R-MN) investigation into the U.N. Oil-for-Food "scandal" which Galloway referred to as "the mother of all smokescreens".

That
testimony can be read and/or viewed here.

We have been unable to receive a statement from Senate spokesmen as yet as to why Galloway's testimony is now unavailable on the website.

A staffer in Coleman's office referred us to the subcommittee staff when we asked for the reasons for "the removal of the testimony". Her reply: "That's a question for the subcommittee. Senator Coleman is the chairman, but the committee makes their own decisions about what goes on the website."

We were forwarded to the subcommittee's voice mail where we left a message. If we receive a call back, we will let you know.

[...]

Here at MailToBlog, we're going to do you one better. Here's a direct link to the testimony, and a link to the video below it.

Transcript of Galloway's testimony to the Senate

Download a copy of the video portion of the testimony here, for posterity -

Galloway - download the Quicktime excerpt
http://homepage.mac.com/onegoodmove/movies/galloway.mov

It is a good idea to keep track of this stuff while it's still accessible. And it's an even better idea to take action, and share the contents of the transcript and the video far and wide. Play it often, and everywhere. Download it to PDAs, if your PDA plays QT, and play it for others...or convert it to WMV and import it to PDAs to play via Media Player. Question why it isn't being addressed.

Most importantly, write / call / fax / email the members of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. Demand that Galloway's testimony be added back to the site.

The member names and contact information is below.

To send an email to Senators Coleman, Carper, Chafee, Akaka, and Lautenberg, click here.

Web-based contact forms are available for the other congressfolk. Here are the other members, and their contact information. Remember to copy the text of the message you send so that you can paste it into the forms for the others.

Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI) [Ranking Minority Member]
http://levin.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm

Sen. John W. Warner (R-VA)
http://warner.senate.gov/contact/contactme.htm

Sen. Mark Dayton (D-MN)
http://dayton.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm

Sen. Mark Pryor (D-AR)
http://www.conservativeusa.org/it_wmail_828@pryor-it01.senate.gov

Sen. Pete V. Domenici (R-NM)
http://domenici.senate.gov/contact/contactform.cfm

Sen. Robert F. Bennett (R-UT)
http://bennett.senate.gov/contact/email_form.html

Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK)
http://stevens.senate.gov/contact_form.cfm

Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK)
http://coburn.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

The committee phone number is 202-224-3721 for the Republicans, and 202-224-9175 for the Democrats, if you'd rather call direct.

Saturday, May 21, 2005

Faith-Based Anti-Gay Hate Groups Attack PTA

PTA Rejects Faith-Based Pseudoscience: Christians Attack

PFOX and other faith-based anti-gay groups have organized a hate-mail campaign against the PTA in retaliation for the national Parent-Teacher association's decision to reject the request of the faith-based, pseudoscience-based group PFOX to place to present their propaganda at the PTA's national convention. The group promotes the fraudulent 'ex-gay' reparative therapists and religious groups. Groups joining PFOX in the hate-mail campaign include Concerned Women of America, American Family Association, Reclaim America, and the usual fraudulent 'therapist' such as Warrent Throckmorton have joined in as well. The PFOX request to distribute their propaganda arose from the PTA's request that Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (P-FLAG) be in attendance at the convention.

Calculated Compassion: "The growing prominence of the ex-gay movement is the result of a strategic shift within the Christian Right: the new packaging of an old message. The claim that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people can be "cured" has more to do with the Right's political objectives and its bitter opposition to equal rights than with genuine caring. This report examines how the Christian Right has adopted the ex-gay movement in response to increasing pressure to soften its homophobic rhetoric."
--- Political Research Associates

The Ex-Gay Fraud: "No Bible basis exists for the so called "Ex-Gay" movement that has sprung up in the past 15 years in many denominations and independent religious groups. No scientific basis exists for the 'reparative therapy' to "cure" homosexuals or "deliver" people from their homosexuality. Claims of such cures and deliverance do not hold up under close examination."
--- Dr. Rembert S. Truluck, Author of Steps to Recovery From Bible Abuse

Write a letter of support to the national PTA. Congratulate them for rejecting the fradulent 'ex-gay' progaganda and supporting the work of P-FLAG. Encourage them to continue supporting all children rather than subjecting some of the to the fradulent 'ex-gay' movement and its message of shame and guilt.

Friday, May 20, 2005

Rick Santorum, You're A Big Fat Hypocrite!

In early March of 2005, Senator Robert Byrd addressed Congress with a bit of a history lesson.

"We, unlike Nazi Germany or Mussolini's Italy, have never stopped being a nation of laws, not of men," Byrd said. "But witness how men with motives and a majority can manipulate law to cruel and unjust ends."

Byrd then quoted historian Alan Bullock, saying Hitler "turned the law inside out and made illegality legal."

And then Rick Santorum took the opportunity to launch into an outrageous hissy fit.

"Senator Byrd's inappropriate remarks comparing his Republican colleagues with Nazis are inexcusable," Santorum said in a statement yesterday. "These comments lessen the credibility of the senator and the decorum of the Senate. He should retract his statement and ask for pardon."

But then on May 19,2005 Rick Santorum had another hissy fit.

"And the audacity of some members to stand up and say, 'How dare you break this rule." It's the equivalent of Adolf Hitler in 1942, "I'm in Paris. How dare you invade me. How dare you bomb my city? It's mine.' This is no more the rule of the Senate than it was the rule of the Senate
before not to filibuster.

Oops! Looks like Rick blew it.

And then he realized what he'd done. But did he retract his statement and ask for pardon like he advised Senator Byrd to do? After all, that would be the honest and honorable thing to do.

Oops! He blew it again. Here's the way he 'retracts' his statement and 'asks for pardon'.

"Referencing Hitler was meant to dramatize the principle of an argument, not to characterize my Democratic colleagues." He says he "meant no offense".

Write to Rick Santorum. Tell him he's a shining example of Republican hypocrisy.

Thursday, May 12, 2005

Michigan Parents Attack High School Non-Harrassment Policy

Detroit Free Press of May 11, 2005 reports
"a Troy High School classroom poster with a message that "gay people are everyday people," has ignited protests from some parents at the suburban Detroit school.

One of the parents, Anthony Cruz, 49, said he expects about 80 people to join the protest at the next Troy School Board meeting, on May 17. He said the problem with the poster is that the school is supposed to concentrate on academics and leave other matters for after-school time and activities.

Instead, the classroom poster has a "a captive audience," in students, Cruz told The Daily Tribune of Royal Oak. He has two daughters at the school.

Troy School District spokesman Tim McAvoy said Superintendent Janet H. Jopke has met with some parents over the poster and will continue to talk to them about it. He said the poster promotes safety and tolerance.

"We do not allow our students to be harassed for any reason. It is an issue of tolerance," McAvoy said."


Click here to send an e-mail of support to the Troy School Board and the administration of Troy High School.

Congratulate them on the policy stated on the home page of the Troy High School website, "Respect Everyone, Everything, Every Day."

Tell them they've been doing the right thing all along and that you encourage them to continue doing the right thing in the face of a few parents who want to encourage children to harrass gay and lesbian students.

Tuesday, April 26, 2005

Fanatical Preacher Who Wanted Microsoft Employees Fired Holds Services In Public School Facilities

Thanks to Karen in Kalifornia for this information.

Ken Hutcherson, pastor of Redmond Washington's Antioch Bible Churh, holds his worship services in a public high school. Hutcherson is the fanatic who insisted Microsoft fire its employees who testified in favor of Washington's Non-Discrimination Legislation. And then he threatened Microsoft with a 'christian' boycott in retaliation for supporting equal treatment under the law.

The Lake Washington School District Human Dignity Policy takes a stand against such anti-human rights activities.

"Recognizing and valuing that we are a diverse community, it is part of our mission to provide a positive, harmonious environment in which diversity is respected and encouraged. A major aim of education in the Lake Washington School District is the development of a commitment to the core values of a democratic society. In accordance with this aim, the district strongly emphasizes a core value of mutual human respect for each person regardless of individual differences and/or, characteristics including for example, but not necessarily limited to race, gender, age, disability, physical condition, sexual orientation, ethnic group or religion. We expect this value to be manifested in the daily behaviors of students, staff and volunteers."

Write to the Lake Washington School District board and to the administration of Lake Washington High School. Ask them to explain why they allow this organization to meet on their campus, apparently in violation of their own Human Dignity Policy. Ask them to explain to you how demanding that employees who support equal treatment under the law be fired from their jobs is 'respectful'. Ask them to explain what is respectful about threatening to organize a boycott of Microsoft in retalition for supporting equal treatment under the law for all residents of the state of Washington.

Click here to send an e-mail to the following individuals.
And please share you letters in the comments section.

Lake Washington School District Board Members:
Nany Bernard 425-702-3257
Douglas Eglington 425-868-7218
Robert Hughes 425-822-2604
Jackie Pendergrass 425-821-1157
Ravi Shahani 425-702-3257

Lake Washington High School
Principal, Mark Robertson
425-828-3371 x376
425-828-3390 fax
Associate Principal, Brad Malloy
425-828-3371 Ext 369
Associate Prinicpal, Doug Wenk
425-828-3371 Ext 368

Monday, April 25, 2005

Give It Back, Microsoft!

TAKE ACTION!
Courtesy of John at AmericaBlog.

The Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center has demanded that Microsoft give back the Corporate Vision Award it received from the center in 2001.

It's time we helped them get it back.

The award was for Microsoft's leadership in promoting the civil rights of gays and lesbians, including its work on statewide legislation. As Microsoft has now announced that it is abandoning gay civil rights legislation out of fear of its own religious right employees and shareholders, the LA Center quite courageously asked for its award back.

Microsoft has refused to even take the Center's calls, or give the award back. Worse yet, Microsoft still brags on its Web site about having received the award, even though the award has now been recalled (they list it here too). Interestingly, Microsoft was able to update its Web site immediately when its HR director abruptly exited last Friday (and we know the reason why, we're just not telling, yet), but they can't update the Web site to reflect this?

It's time we helped the LA Gay and Lesbian Center get its award back, and at the same time get our dignity back.

Contact Microsoft now and until they give the award back and delete any references to it from their Web site. It's bad enough they're knifing us, but now they're still trying to take credit for being our friends? Please.

********** TAKE ACTION **********

MESSAGE: Demand that Microsoft give back the Corporate Vision Award from the LA Gay and Lesbian Center, and that they remove any reference to the award from Microsoft's Web site.

1. Call Microsoft's General Counsel Brad Smith, (425) 706-3025. He is reportedly responsible for much of this mess.

2. Call Microsoft spokesman Jim Desler:
(425) 443-0458 and
(425) 703-6061
jdesler@microsoft.com

3. Call director of Government Relations, Jack Krumholtz, at tel. 202-263-5900

4. Contact these other contacts for Microsoft and its public relations reps and tell them the same thing:

- Dirk Delmartino,
Microsoft Europe
+32 (0)2 550 06 21
dirkdelm@microsoft.com

- The firm handling public policy for Microsoft in DC:
The Glover Park Group
Washington, DC
202-337-0808

- The firm handling Microsoft's "rapid response" to questions:
Waggener Edstrom Rapid Response Team
rrt@wagged.com
503-443-7070

- Media Relations for Microsoft
Global Communications & Television
(212) 339-9920
mediarelations@gctv.com

- Microsoft Investor Relations
Curt Anderson
(425) 706-3703

- Walt McGraw, Edelman, (206) 223-1606, walt.mcgraw@edelman.com

- Shon Damron, Edelman, (323) 857-9100, shon.damron@edelman.com

Carlos de Leon,tel. 425-703-3824, or carlosde@microsoft.com

Katie Goldberg, tel. 206-268-2244, or katie.goldberg@edelman.com