tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8411489857259450582024-03-05T12:10:39.930-08:00Californians Against HateCalifornians Against Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493531891025821785noreply@blogger.comBlogger163125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841148985725945058.post-51689373946174576032011-05-27T09:43:00.001-07:002011-05-27T09:43:28.821-07:00Statement by President Clinton<br /><br />New York, NY; The capture of Ratko Mladic enables the Bosnian people to close another chapter of one of the most terrifying conflicts of our time. As the military commander who systematically carried out brutal atrocities and mass murder, Mladic will finally be held accountable -- to Bosnia and the world. For their role in Mladic's apprehension, President Tadic and the leadership in Serbia are to be commended. <br /><br />Once again, we have seen that crimes against humanity will not escape the long arm of justice. <br /><br />His arrest also should allow the people of Serbia to take an important step toward integration into Europe and the international community. <br /><br /> ###Californians Against Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493531891025821785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841148985725945058.post-25380004745117625252009-12-02T06:46:00.000-08:002009-12-02T06:52:47.687-08:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Californians Against Hate blog has moved. If you're not transported, </span></span><a href="http://www.californiansagainsthate.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">click here to visit the new website</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">.<br /></span></span><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br /><!-- window.location = "http://www.californiansagainsthate.com/" //--><br /></script>Californians Against Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493531891025821785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841148985725945058.post-43407630624492502182009-11-30T10:31:00.000-08:002009-11-30T10:43:21.910-08:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq3Y70ZeKUiT41RAsrKaYTbHgHmZUaVoLThxgIhoHJTeChu9YeyhzOsQ5KOuM9L4AxRPz-bEE8wUGfdqlN4hiOSQJ_ut6ir1J8d929HpDVP4-fB54KC1TTjP322xolE9vKutjfxAYj1bG-/s1600/sdgln.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409968506006312802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 212px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 82px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq3Y70ZeKUiT41RAsrKaYTbHgHmZUaVoLThxgIhoHJTeChu9YeyhzOsQ5KOuM9L4AxRPz-bEE8wUGfdqlN4hiOSQJ_ut6ir1J8d929HpDVP4-fB54KC1TTjP322xolE9vKutjfxAYj1bG-/s400/sdgln.jpg" border="0" /></a><a title="Standoff: Manchester Boycott Leadership vs American Historical Association" href="http://sdgln.com/causes/2009/11/27/standoff-manchester-boycott-leadership-vs-american-historical-association"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Standoff: Manchester Boycott Leadership vs American Historical Association</strong></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Both Sides Pushing for Most Fruitful Solution</strong></span><br /><br />Morgan M. Hurley, CopyEditor Fri, 11/27/2009<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3efTVCo-Hcu0VkCR8DBTMy1XDa64-B_s6hWr3eU-29pR0XJxQy5baNVwEz-gRDaKBUstnITz5DGrTYqRduNtiSyKUspLZL7_XHUZzfC-rw1Go4L0NvNPQswRjIwVSjLD_q-2DH0pscoAP/s1600/boycott-598.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409968001693800050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 210px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3efTVCo-Hcu0VkCR8DBTMy1XDa64-B_s6hWr3eU-29pR0XJxQy5baNVwEz-gRDaKBUstnITz5DGrTYqRduNtiSyKUspLZL7_XHUZzfC-rw1Go4L0NvNPQswRjIwVSjLD_q-2DH0pscoAP/s400/boycott-598.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Photo credit: Fred Karger Advertising the Manchester Hyatt Boycott at Stockholm Pride </span><br /><div><div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Cleve Jones is furious. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">This coming January, the American Historical Association (AHA) is holding their 124th Annual Meeting at the Manchester Grand Hyatt here in San Diego, despite their knowledge of the ongoing boycott against that property and repeated appeals for them to move venues.<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">The Grand Hyatt’s owner not only contributed $125,000 to Proposition 8, he helped get it on the ballot. Prop 8 ended marriage equality for millions of Californians when it was narrowly passed in November 2008.<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">The AHA, founded in 1884, is a Washington D.C. based organization made up of 15,000 scholars and educators across the country, a large number of which are also in the LGBT community. It is the oldest and largest professional organization in the United States.<br />“I am profoundly disappointed that gay historians will be the first LGBT people to violate this boycott,” said Jones. “It is a slap in the face of the hard work of the LGBT community in San Diego.<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">“San Diego’s gay community has come so far after decades of struggle in this conservative city, and to have these out-of-towners come in and thumb their nose up – it’s unconscionable.”<br />Jones, a long-time gay activist and co-founder of the NAMES Project and AIDS Memorial Quilt, is currently the International Director of LGBT Community Programs for the labor union, UNITE HERE (which includes Hotel and Restaurant Employees). SDGLN.com spoke with Cleve at the union’s Local 30 offices in San Diego.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Although the Manchester property is not unionized, UNITE HERE has taken an official stance behind the boycott for several reasons. Most importantly, Jones pointed out, are the large numbers of gays and lesbians within the hospitality industry. Secondly, the LGBT community is also an important target market for the industry.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">“UNITE HERE supports full equality for LGBT rights and fights for protections, ENDA inclusive language and health care benefits for employee partners in all contracts, which we just succeeded with in Hawaii,“ explained Jones. “We also look for any opportunity to further relationships with progressives by getting involved in things such as Proposition 8, local elections, and other contracts to support LGBT workers.”</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Doug Manchester, a resident of La Jolla, says he contributed $125,000 to Prop 8 on behalf of ProtectMarriage.com because of his Roman Catholic beliefs, but also said that despite this, gays and lesbians are welcome at his hotel.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Said Jones, “He was the second largest individual contributor to get Proposition 8 on the ballot and he has a history of providing financial support to extreme right-wing, anti-gay, anti-worker organizations. He’s a bad guy.”</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">The boycott was launched in the spring of 2008 as a result of GLAAD pulling major events that corresponded with San Diego Pride out of the Hyatt. The action came after word got out of Manchester’s contribution. Since then, over $7 million dollars in contracts with the Manchester Grand Hyatt have been thwarted as a result of the boycott. Taking into account figures on individual cancellations and other potential lost revenue not tracked or included- it could be millions more.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Several different organizations are providing leadership for the boycott: Californians Against Hate, Courage Campaign, Equality California, and UNITE HERE. Leaders of the boycott have worked closely with dozens of organizations - many of which had been booked years in advance - encouraging their participation and helping them find loopholes in their contracts, if necessary. These same people have offered their services to the AHA but they have not been responsive.<br />Citing a contract that they finalized six years ago, the AHA states that if they could get out of their contract without facing bankruptcy or extreme hardship, they would. Their cancellation fee is $750,000.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">“We looked at the contract very closely,” said Arnita Jones, Executive Director. “There is an anti-strike clause, and if the workers at the Hyatt were participating, we could have opted out, but there are no workers from the hotel on the picket line, and there is no official strike.”<br />Cleve feels their explanation for moving forward with the contract falls a dollar short.<br />“This is a labor sanctioned boycott. An official labor boycott,” he said. “I don’t want to lecture historians, but the AHA is being used by Manchester to violate the boycott.”</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">After the passing of Proposition 8, LGBT members of the AHA brought forth the issue at a smaller annual conference of the AHA last January. As a result, the AHA adopted a resolution, full of ways they could step into the conversation. Much to the chagrin of the boycott leadership, moving their annual meeting from the grounds of the Manchester Grand Hyatt was not one of them. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">One of the first things the resolution did put forth was the creation of a LGBTQ Task Force “to take a careful look at all professional concerns of the community - at Grad school, in employment - what can be done to make it more welcoming, more equal, with less discrimination,” explained Arnita.<br />In addition, a Working Group was launched to advertise, request a call for papers and structure a series of special sessions on same-sex marriage to take place at the Hyatt during their Annual Meeting. In a press release announcing the resolution, the 2010 annual meeting was identified as “an opportunity to seize a significant teaching moment.”</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">“The AHA has a rich body of research on (the institution of) marriage throughout history, and it’s always been evolving,” she continued. “We think it is very important to take these sessions into the Hyatt and have a scholarly conference, with no specific point of view in mind.” On the AHA website, the Executive Committee refers to the sessions as "scholarly findings that should increase public understanding of the complexity and fluidity of marriage practices."</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">The 15 special sessions, according to the AHA website, fall under a special event titled, “Events of the AHA Working Group for Historical Perspectives on Same-Sex Marriage.” The sessions span each day of the four day conference, with Paper and Panel Topics on a wide range of related subjects, such as: Gay Marriage and Proposition 8, Reflections; Access Denied: Comparative Biopolitics of Marriage Restriction; Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, Don’t Marry; and, Male Couples and the Meanings of Same-Sex Love in Turn-of-the-Century Europe and America.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Arnita said the focus of these sessions will be on marriage over time and place, equality in other countries, and changes to marriage in the US. “Just in the last half century, things such as social security and health benefits have been added to marriage. In the early 19th century, women even didn’t have the same rights in a marriage. Marriage has never been static.”</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Cleve Jones and others behind the boycott, including Californians Against Hate founder Fred Karger, already upset that the AHA will continue with their conference at the Hyatt, are offended that the AHA would consider holding any session with a LGBT focus inside the hotel that is in the midst of a boycott for LGBT reasons.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">“This adds insult to injury – it is outrageous,” said Jones. “It is arrogant of the AHA and not helpful in any way. I recognize it is inconvenient, but standing up for one’s principles is often inconvenient.”</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Karger agrees. “If they really want to make a statement, they’d take those sessions outside of the hotel.” </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Both men stated they’d be happy to help the AHA find alternative spaces to conduct the special sessions, so people involved do not have to cross the picket line or violate the boycott.<br />Although the location of the conference remains a touchy subject- the AHA isn’t backing down.<br />Said Arnita Jones, “It has never been our intention to offend any member of the LGBTQ community. On the contrary, this mini-conference on historical perspectives of same-sex marriage is designed to make a serious and lasting contribution to the conversation on marriage equality. The 15-session event is a major focus of our annual meeting.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">“The mini-conference will address the diversity of approaches to marriage and family over time and place,” she continued. “It is a direct response to arguments used by proponents of Proposition 8, that marriage has been the same through the ages and is now changing for the first time. By voting to hold these sessions in the Hyatt, the AHA members wanted to take this information to where we felt it was needed most.”</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">The AHA also states they are not paying for the meeting spaces, meaning Doug Manchester will not make any money from the meetings specifically. In keeping with their desire to make the sessions as public and as accessible as possible, they’ve even extended an invitation to Manchester, himself. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">In addition, alternative hotels in the area have been offered up to the 5,000-6,000 expected attendees, and many are taking advantage of those alternatives. The AHA leadership is also encouraging membership dialogue and debate regarding their decisions, and promises to keep attendees informed of developments.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">None of these concessions matter one bit to Cleve Jones, who feels the boycott still needs to be honored. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">“Boycotts are a very important weapon and an effective tool," said Jones. “They give people of conscience who are not directly affected by an issue or struggle the opportunity to support that struggle.”</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Now a union employee himself, Jones referenced Cesar Chavez’ 1965 nation-wide boycott of grapes in support of the farm workers union, which lasted five years and ended in agreements suitable to both parties. The whole nation participated in the boycott while the previously unsuitable conditions the boycott was bringing attention to, affected only a specific group of individuals.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">“Manchester did real damage to our community. One would think that historians of all people…..” his voice trailed off. Jones has started SleepWithTheRightPeople.com which focuses on gay friendly hotel properties so travelers can plan accordingly. The website also highlights individual LGBT hospitality employees.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Karger, who has been directly involved in assisting organizations out of their contracts; is a little more sympathetic, he understands the predicament of rigid contracts, how binding they can be, and the difficult situation they can put organizations in.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">“I appreciate their position, but I hope they will never go back to the Manchester Hyatt again.”<br />The leaders of the boycott repeatedly stated throughout each interview that the AHA is not considered the enemy to the LGBT community; they just don’t want the AHA supporting the enemy by following through with their conference at the property in question. The AHA, on the other hand, truly wants to educate the masses, including Manchester, with their focus on topics related to the challenges that have always surrounded marriage, as well as the LGBT community.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Both the boycott leadership and the AHA have such strong opinions, and both sides feel they are pushing for the right outcomes. In the end, it appears they will need to agree to disagree, but there may be bruised egos left behind on both sides.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Only one thing is for sure, Cleve Jones will be on the picket line come January, to personally welcome the gay and straight historians of the AHA upon their arrival to Doug Manchester's Grand Hyatt hotel.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Source: </span><a href="http://www.boycottmanchesterhotels.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:arial;">For more information about the boycott click HERE »</span></a></div></div></div>Californians Against Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493531891025821785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841148985725945058.post-61252118776237326002009-11-24T17:27:00.000-08:002009-11-24T17:41:37.251-08:00NEWS RELEASE - Extremists' Declaration<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">November 24, 2009</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>Contact</b>: Fred Karger</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">619-592-2008</span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Manhattan Declaration -- Who Are They Kidding?</span></span></b></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">MANHATTAN, New York -- NOM head, Maggie Gallagher, as she puts it, “likes fairy tales.” This sure sounds like a fairy tale to me, a very scary one.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Once upon a time there were 152 - how should I say it – extremists, all meeting in Manhattan (crazy place for this group to meet). These 152 zealots drafted, approved and signed their Declaration of War on full civil rights for gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans last week. They threw in some other societal beefs, just to try and mask the overriding issue, their fervent opposition to same-sex marriage.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">One major leader of their movement is missing from the 152 names.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>There are NO MORMONS on the list, and several of us read it very carefully.</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church) has been leading the anti-gay marriage movement in this country for the past 14 years. They have spent tens of millions of dollars in practically every state ($30 million in California alone last year) to fight equality and to pass constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriage.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">So where are the Mormon representatives on this illustrious list? Are they truly backing off their longstanding opposition to gay civil rights?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">To their credit, Michael Otterson, a high ranking Mormon Church official recently testified in support of the Salt Lake City ordinance that would no longer allow discrimination in employment and housing against LGBT people in Utah’s largest city. While a small step, it has been broadcast around the world. That’s because the Church, through its Public Affairs Department, got the word out – big time.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Let’s hope the Mormon leadership is truly softening its position on this issue. It has been a huge PR nightmare for the Church, and one that divides so many Mormon families. Maybe they will redirect all that time, talent and money to other causes, real problems.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">There are plenty of Catholics on this list, however, and some very prominent ones. Two Cardinals and lots of Bishops. Catholics appear to be the new Mormons in the fight against same-sex marriage.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The Catholic Church has become much more visible as the Mormons have backed off. Maine Bishop Richard J. Malone and his sidekick, Marc Mutty ran and heavily funded the recent campaign in Maine to take away same-sex marriage in that state. The Roman Catholic Dioceses of Portland (ME) even set up a Political Action Committee (PAC), and gave and raised $553,000 to pass Question #1. That’s a lot of money, especially when they recently closed 5 churches in Maine.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Now, last week in Washington D.C., the Catholic Church there threatened to stop feeding the homeless if the City Council passes a same-sex marriage bill. Yes, the Catholic Church will stop feeding the hungry!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Here’s what the New York Times editorial said about that yesterday:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/23/opinion/23mon1.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/23/opinion/23mon1.html</span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">National Organization for Marriage (NOM) Chairman Robert P. George authored their new manifesto, along with former Watergate felon Chuck Colson. They hired a PR firm to publicize the Manhattan Declaration, the Mark DeMoss PR Group in Atlanta. Their web site identifies them as “the first and largest PR firm exclusively representing faith-based leaders, organizations and causes.” The DeMoss Group promotes itself on </span><a href="http://www.ManhattanDeclaration.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">www.ManhattanDeclaration.org</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> web site almost as much as its client. Take a look:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The DeMoss PR Group even has a bible covering an American Flag on their web site’s home page:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxAywRhFzIZyVM1qsNEZ6M6x_tTI1_5ODzwFNKtXUUxxtZ5qaTd4geCYjF_qpIwWjNMcf2KFi0AVY_Bjd3kspcSlgx4BTkX_VD6AaQm5xwgh-2tMt8fwDZqiPkfoWrJiOl8POZCDJRRsYS/s1600/DeMossNews_410.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxAywRhFzIZyVM1qsNEZ6M6x_tTI1_5ODzwFNKtXUUxxtZ5qaTd4geCYjF_qpIwWjNMcf2KFi0AVY_Bjd3kspcSlgx4BTkX_VD6AaQm5xwgh-2tMt8fwDZqiPkfoWrJiOl8POZCDJRRsYS/s400/DeMossNews_410.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407847387910131490" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And please read this great story on the Manhattan Declaration by Carlos Santoscoy, Editor of On Top Magazine: <a href="http://www.ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=4903&MediaType=1&Category=26">Click here</a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Religious Leaders Unite Against Gay Marriage, Rights</span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">One-hundred and fifty-two evangelical, Roman Catholic and Orthodox Christian leaders have signed a declaration saying they oppose laws that would compel them to recognize gay unions or marriages, among other social issues.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">“We pledge to each other, and to our fellow believers, that no power on Earth, be it cultural or political, will intimidate us into silence or acquiescence,” says the <a href="http://demossnews.com/manhattandeclaration/press_kit/manhattan_declaration_signers">Manhattan Declaration: A Call of Christian Conscience</a>.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The manifesto was unveiled Friday at the National Press Club. The document outlines the group's three most pressing issues, two of which deal with gay rights: abortion, marriage and religious liberties.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">“We argue that there is a hierarchy of issues,” Chuck Colson, a prominent evangelical who founded Prison Fellowship and co-authored the document, told the New York Times. “A lot of younger evangelicals say they're all alike. We're hoping to educate them that these are the three most important issues.”</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Among the signatories are Rev. Donald W. Wuerl, the archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. and Bishop Harry R. Jackson, Jr.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Wuerl and Jackson are the chief opponents of a gay marriage law expected to be approved by the D.C. City Council on December 1. <a href="http://ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=4882&MediaType=1&Category=26">Wuerl has threatened to pull the plug on D.C. social programs</a>, including serving the homeless and providing health care for the poor, unless the law includes language that allows individuals and private business owners to refuse to provide goods and services related to the nuptials of gay couples.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Jackson founded the Christian-backed group Stand4MarriageDC.com after city leaders approved a gay marriage-recognition law in the spring. <a href="http://ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=4882&MediaType=1&Category=26">His group is currently fighting for the right to put a gay marriage question on the ballot</a>.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The document says, “We will not comply with any edict that purports to compel our institutions to participate in abortions, embryo-destructive research, assisted suicide and euthanasia, or any other antilife act; nor will we bend to any rule purporting to force us to bless immoral sexual partnerships, treat them as marriages or the equivalent.”</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The document's language also takes aim at other gay rights laws, including a recently approved law that adds sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of federally recognized hate crimes and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, a bill that would ban workplace discrimination against gay men, lesbians and transgender people.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Social conservatives have argued that such measures would have a chilling effect on religious liberties.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Signers to the document include prominent opponents of gay rights, including Frank Schubert, who headed the campaign to reverse gay marriage in California, Alan Sears, president and general counsel of the Arizona-based Alliance Defense Fund, David Welch, <a href="http://ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=4897&MediaType=1&Category=26">the Houston-area pastor leading the charge against mayoral candidate Annise Parker because she is openly lesbian</a>, James Dobson, founder of the anti-gay group Focus on the Family, and Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council and <a href="http://ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=4884&MediaType=1&Category=26">a leading opponent of gay rights</a>.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">A surprising omission is <a href="http://ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=3081&MediaType=1&Category=26">the Rev. Rick Warren</a>, the evangelical minister whose prayer at the inauguration of President Obama drew heated protest because of his support for Proposition 8, California's gay marriage ban.</span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><a href="http://www.californiansagainsthate.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">HELP US FIGHT BACK</span></a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Visit us at </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.californiansagainsthate.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">www.californiansagainsthate.com</span></a></span></div></div></div>Californians Against Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493531891025821785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841148985725945058.post-43649094205413757042009-11-19T16:02:00.000-08:002009-11-19T18:14:44.788-08:00News Release: Maine’s Election Ethics Commission “Eager” to Continue Investigation into NOM's Role<span style="font-weight:bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> <br />November 19, 2009<br /><br /></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">CONTACT: </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br />Fred Karger<br />(619) 592-2008 </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Maine’s Election Ethics Commission “Eager” to Continue Investigation into the National Organization for Marriage’s Role in Referendum Campaign against Marriage Equality</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Augusta, Maine, November 19, 2009 — Californians Against Hate was pleased to learn this morning, at a hearing in Augusta, Maine, that Jonathan Wayne, Executive Director of the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices, is “eager” to proceed with the commission’s investigation into the role played by the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) in the state’s election held November 3, 2009.<br /><br />The investigation is the result of allegations of election irregularities leveled by Californians Against Hate founder Fred Karger. The Washington D.C.-based NOM contributed $1.6 million to eliminate marriage equality in Maine — an amount well in excess of the allowable $5,000 “for the purpose of initiating [or] promoting” the people’s veto referendum on same-sex marriage in Maine.<br /><br />The scope of the investigation, to be conducted by the commission’s staff and Maine’s Attorney General Janet Mills, will include:<br /></span></span><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">What fundraising methods did NOM employ to solicit the money that it has contributed to Stand for Mariage Maine PAC?</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">What was NOM’s purpose in soliciting or receiving these funds?</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">What did NOM communicate to the individuals and organizations it solicited?</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Did NOM receive any contributions within the categories set forth in §1056-B(2-A)? If so, how much was received in these categories?</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Of the fundraising methods that are presently known (e.g., e-mail solicitations, newsletter), how much did NOM receive in response to these solicitations?</span></span></li></ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The inquiry may also extend to investigating whether NOM made any expenditures to initiate or to promote the referendum other than by contribution to Stand for Marriage Maine PAC.<br /><br />Reacting to the commission’s decision, Californians Against Hate Founder Fred Karger, who attended the hearing in Augusta today, said, “I am extremely pleased that the State of Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Elections Practices has decided to pursue its investigation with such vigor into potential improprieties on the part of the National Organization for Marriage during the recent campaign in Maine.” In addition, Karger offered his help with the investigation as someone who has been tracking NOM for the past 17 months.<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">###</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br />Californians Against Hate is the new political watchdog for the LGBT community, and closely monitors all who oppose our civil rights. Individuals and organizations who give millions of dollars to deny LGBT full equality will be held accountable.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.californiansagainsthate.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b>HELP US FIGHT BACK</b></span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Visit us at </span></span><a href="http://www.californiansagainsthate.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">www.californiansagainsthate.com</span></span></a></div>Californians Against Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493531891025821785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841148985725945058.post-49811900005317879202009-11-16T16:26:00.000-08:002009-11-16T22:58:47.687-08:00NEWS RELEASE - NOM Fires Miss California<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">November 16, 2009</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>Contact</b>: Fred Karger</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">619-592-2008</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">November 16, 2009</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ms Maggie Gallagher</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">President</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">National Organization for Marriage</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1100 H Street, NW, Suite 700</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Washington, DC 20005</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Dear Maggie --</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It looks like you fired former Miss California, Carrie Prejean, just like Donald Trump did back in June.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">She is no longer on your web site: </span><a href="http://www.nationformarriage.org/site/c.omL2KeN0LzH/b.3836955/k.BEC6/Home.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">nationformarriage.org</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> I called your Washington, DC - PR firm, Mary Beth Hutchins at 703-683-5004 ext. 105, but no one was there to tell me why.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">What happened to *"the future of our movement, and the future of America," as you referred to Carrie just two months ago? Was it because she lied again? This time she said in numerous interviews that she "made only one sex tape." Now it appears to be more like 15 or 20. We just heard that from the guy she met on My Space.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">He also said that Carrie asked him to lie and say that she was only 17 when she made the sex tapes. In an interview with TMZ's Harvey Levin, her ex said that she made the tapes when she was from 19 to 21, so not that long ago like Carrie insists.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Listen for yourself, it's really interesting how the two stories are so different. Here's a link: </span><a href="http://www.tmz.com/videos?autoplay=true&mediaKey=f9926aab-e177-4ac4-a5e2-1df020451527"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">TMZ</span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Wonder if her attorney, Charles LiMandri, knew that she was asking her ex to lie? That is not looked kindly upon by the California Bar Association.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In the past week, Carrie was uninvited from her speech at the Conservative Capitol Hill Club. Then she kept calling CNN's Larry King "inappropriate," and ripped her microphone off on live TV! It's up on YouTube and has had over 1.5 million visitors so far - huge!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Here's the link: </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1R0a9xq6uek&feature=player_embedded"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Larry King</span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWOYHoA5nT1H6nXP1ZxfYwZnSh4XVzq1FmOVO8yb31er6brFNDoaSnPiDRRo-hAXDsQkl-P0fQ80TISC6FOhuUvm7nBVAW65BlEXHuhlLwk3mlBs9NdR8Rg6By755kAJHPV8MbvbR7768X/s1600/carrie_nom_website.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 348px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWOYHoA5nT1H6nXP1ZxfYwZnSh4XVzq1FmOVO8yb31er6brFNDoaSnPiDRRo-hAXDsQkl-P0fQ80TISC6FOhuUvm7nBVAW65BlEXHuhlLwk3mlBs9NdR8Rg6By755kAJHPV8MbvbR7768X/s400/carrie_nom_website.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404864621917486242" /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Why did you take her off your web site?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Did you hear from a lot of your high powered Board of Directors on this? What about your likely creator and largest backer, the </span><a href="http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=e419fb40e21cef00VgnVCM1000001f5e340aRCRD"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> (Mormon Church)? They gotta be uncomfortable with the whole multiple sex tapes thing.</span></div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">You sure changed your tune, Maggie.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Do you remember what you said when Donald Trump fired Carrie? This is from your press release of June 10, 2009:</span></div><div><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZufw07GunwrtgY2mMWHxoEaE_B-G5t3dLcMfIgTI30cw4V_7IiltHTtLAQ_bGb0ttb7UNAUVPwNG0j9msqPYk5plecxxutG8Spo95EngEOlTpKBZ_4agBqPVYNdLZjqG345D1m1Tpo_W2/s400/nom_logo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404962541583626066" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 73px; height: 100px; " /></span></p></div><div> </div><div style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MARRIAGE RESPONDS TO THE FIRING OF MISS CALIFORNIA USA CARRIE PREJEAN:</span></div><div style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Text Color" border="0" class="gl_color_fg" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(Princeton, NJ) - Today, the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) issued the following statement in response to the firing Miss California USA Carrie Prejean:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"Hollywood hates Carrie. First they abuse her, then they try to get her to recant, then they threw mud, and now they are doing what they wanted to do from day one: Get rid of Carrie.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This cover story about a contract dispute doesn’t pass the smell test. Americans aren’t fooled that easily. </span><span style="background-color:yellow;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">God knows, and we know, the truth about Carrie: She’s a young woman of great beauty who chose truth over the glittering tiara that Hollywood offers," said Brian Brown, Executive Director for NOM. "Of course they will try to punish her, but we know she will be fine in the end, because her values are in the right place."</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF00;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div> </div><div><span style="background-color:yellow;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"Hollywood will dance its tribal war dance over her body--the hatred generated against her has been extraordinary--but Carrie will be free to define her own mission and message from now on. Congratulations," stated Maggie Gallagher, President for NOM.</span></span></div><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> -------------</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Guess she's free again. Looks like Brian and you treated her worse than Hollywood did, and she's on your side! They gave her a second and third chance. You threw her right under the bus.</span></div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I said it before, Maggie I feel sorry for Carrie. She is just a young woman trying to make something of her life. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">You and all your friends are not very tolerant of your paid spokeswoman, the star of your commercials, and the future of your movement.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Carrie is not as she appeared, and was very dishonest, but she is only 22 years old. Brian Brown and you should learn from this, and soften your anger towards others, and treat everyone fairly.</span></div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Sincerely,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Fred Karger</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Founder</span></div><div><a href="http://www.californiansagainsthate.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Californians Against Hate</span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">* From Maggie Gallagher’s September 18, 2009 introduction of Carrie Prejean, at Tony Perkins and the Family Research Council sponsored </span><a href="http://www.valuesvotersummit.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Voters Value Summit</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> in Washington, DC.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(21, 34, 43); line-height: 20px; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;"><div class="g-section hn-article"><div class="g-unit g-first"><div class="hn-copy"><div class="g-section"><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; "><a href="http://www.californiansagainsthate.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">HELP US FIGHT BACK</span></a></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(21, 34, 43); font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Visit our website </span><a href="http://www.californiansagainsthate.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">www.CaliforniansAgainstHate.com</span></a></span></b></span></div></span></div>Californians Against Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493531891025821785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841148985725945058.post-34410811824582397272009-11-09T09:56:00.000-08:002009-11-09T10:03:05.467-08:00Maggie declares victory for marriage in Maine<object width="410" height="332"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CxwCDuemitk&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CxwCDuemitk&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="410" height="332"></embed></object><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">From the </span></span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxwCDuemitk"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Catholic News Agency</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">: Maggie Gallagher, president of the National Organization for Marriage, comments on Maine´s victorious Question 1, which repealed a legislative act legalizing gay ´marriage´ in the state.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span>Californians Against Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493531891025821785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841148985725945058.post-11019201980019275852009-11-09T09:48:00.000-08:002009-11-09T09:55:50.235-08:00The Mormon's Other Problem<div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">From the <a href="http://www.sltrib.com/byucougars/ci_13728556">Salt Lake Tribune</a>:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.sltrib.com/byucougars/ci_13728556">BYU Football: Remembering the Black 14 Protest</a></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">By Jay Drew</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">The Salt Lake Tribune</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Updated:11/06/2009 05:41:09 PM MST</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It's not like they ever got used to it.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Protests, taunts and charges of racism greeted Brigham Young University's football, basketball and other athletic teams almost everywhere they went in the late 1960s and early 1970s, owing to doctrine in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - which then, as now, owns and operates BYU - that prohibited blacks from holding ecclesiastical positions in the faith.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">But nothing could have prepared BYU's football players and coaches for what they would encounter on Oct. 18, 1969 when they arrived at War Memorial Stadium in Laramie, Wyo.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">On the eve of the game, 14 Wyoming football players, all African-Americans, were kicked off the team by Cowboys coach Lloyd Eaton for threatening to wear black armbands to draw attention to the fact that the LDS Church did not allow black males to hold its priesthood.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The incident intensified the national spotlight on the LDS Church and BYU in what was already a period of racial strife in America. It also essentially decimated the Wyoming football program - which had played in the Sugar Bowl just two years earlier and was unbeaten going into the BYU game - for years to come.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Most of all, it forever changed the lives of a group of black players who hailed from large East Coast cities, small towns in the racially torn South and pretty much everywhere in between.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"We were young and a bit naive, and there were some things we all wish hadn't happened," said Tony McGee, perhaps the best known of the group that came to be known as the "Black 14" because he went on to an NFL career. "But I am glad it did happen. Perhaps that was our mission."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Saturday, 40 years later, the Cougars will meet the Cowboys at high noon in Laramie under entirely different circumstances than in 1969. BYU is ranked in the top 25, and has the more successful and nationally recognized football program. However, Wyoming is improving under a new coach and seeking a return to glory - something, save a short stretch in late 1980s - that the Cowboys have never really reclaimed since that 1969 season.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>A slow burn, then an explosion</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Antipathy toward BYU had been building that fall.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The previous year, the Cougars had played a college football game in a near-empty San Jose stadium, except for a hundred or so heavily armed guards. That was just a few hours after a bomb threat was called into their hotel at 3 a.m., and a day after their flight was diverted to a different airport in California's Bay Area for security reasons.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">But in Laramie it got personal. Bottles were hurled at the BYU players, church services were picketed and interrupted and the team hotel was surrounded by demonstrators.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"It was just an ugly scene, one I will never forget," said Dick Legas, a defensive back on that BYU team and now a track coach at the school. "I remember one sign that asked if the seagulls were going to save us, and a lot of anti-Mormon stuff like that. It was just a shame."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Added Marc Lyons, who was BYU's quarterback season and is now an analyst on Cougar football radio broadcasts: "It was pretty unnerving for all of us. Several wives and girlfriends made the trip to Laramie, and I still remember coach [Tommy] Hudspeth telling them, 'I wish you hadn't come.'"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>A cauldron of unrest</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The irony? The Black 14 incident is largely unknown to the current players on both teams, and to many younger BYU and Wyoming fans.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">But America is also a different place today than it was then. The late 1960s were a time of societal unrest, ignited by both the civil rights movement and the Vietnam War. And some of that unrest played out on the athletics stage -- just the year before, John Carlos and Tommie Smith had raised their black-gloved fists and bowed their heads in protest after their 200 meters race at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The campuses were alive with activists and protests of all stripes, and it was into that cauldron that the Wyoming and BYU football teams fell into in 1969.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"We were right in the middle of the social revolution," said Mel Hamilton, who would become the most vocal of the Wyoming players. "When your time is called, your time is called."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Even without their black teammates, the suddenly all-white Wyoming football team still routed the all-white Cougars 40-7 that day to improve their season record to 5-0.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"The Wyoming guys were playing for a cause, and they were intense and ferocious, and so was the crowd," remembered Mel Olson, an all-conference lineman on that team who is now a professor of exercise science at BYU.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">But victories on the gridiron in the future would become few and far between for the only major college football program in the "Equality State." Black athletes shunned the Wyoming for nearly a decade after, according to school athletic department official Kevin McKinney, who was a student at the time of the protest.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>Stirred into a frenzy</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Members of the Black 14 say they don't remember anything terribly controversial about the looming BYU game as the 1969 college football season unfolded.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Don Meadows of Seattle, McGee of Fayetteville, Ga., and Hamilton, who now lives in Casper, Wyo., recalled BYU as just another Western Athletic Conference rival, and really not much of a football threat.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">However, that changed dramatically when they attended a meeting of the newly formed Black Student Alliance the Monday after they had walloped Texas-El Paso, 39-7, and five days before they were scheduled to play the Cougars.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">During the gathering, Willie Black, a doctoral candidate in mathematics, "stirred us up, almost into a frenzy," remembered Meadows, who returned to play for Wyoming the following year.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">During the meeting, Hamilton said they were told about LDS Church policies regarding race and the priesthood, and the plan was hatched to have the players wear black armbands to draw attention to that perceived racism.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Black told the players about how seven black members of the UTEP track team, including Bob Beamon, who would go on to win a long jump gold medal in world-record fashion at the 1968 Olympics, had refused to compete against BYU earlier that year. He told the players about the incident at San Jose the previous year in which 21 black players refused to play and urged a fan boycott in a game the Spartans won, 25-21, in the empty stadium.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"It was our time to rise up," Hamilton said.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>Swift retribution</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Wyoming coach Eaton, a strict disciplinarian, said at the time he kicked the players off the team for breaking rules regarding protests. The players say he used racial slurs and made derogatory comments about the players headed toward "Negro relief" when he told them they were no longer members of the team.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The coach was reassigned within the Wyoming athletic department after losing his last four games of 1969 and going 1-10 in 1970. He died in Kuna, Idaho, in 2007.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Although Eaton's actions probably led to more national scrutiny and scorn for the LDS Church and BYU than if he had allowed the protests, former Cougars coach Hudspeth says he will never forget the gesture.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"Lloyd Eaton, out of respect for us, didn't suit up his black football players that day," said Hudspeth, now an athletic department official at Tulsa University. "Lloyd was a great gentleman, a great supporter of the conference."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">What Eaton's actions - and the support he received in the aftermath from university and government officials in Wyoming - accomplished for certain was to alienate the Cowboys' black players, students and faculty.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"When it was over, I had more hurt feelings from how the Wyoming people reacted and the way I was treated than the whole thing with BYU," McGee said.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>BYU changes</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Wyoming and San Jose State weren't the only places where BYU teams were met with protests and outrage during that era.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Most notably, when BYU's basketball team played at Colorado State the following winter (1970), protestors threw raw eggs and a flaming molotov cocktail on the floor, and a piece of angle iron struck a newspaper photographer, drawing blood and knocking him unconscious. Approximately 50 blacks and whites charged onto the floor at halftime to disrupt a performance by BYU's Cougarettes, and police were called in to quell the riot.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">But many believe what happened on that snowy day on the high plains of southeastern Wyoming provided an impetus for the church to change its policy.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Hudspeth, predecessor to legendary BYU coach LaVell Edwards, said that during those tumultuous times - he cannot remember the exact date or how - he was "made aware" that LDS Church leadership wanted him to add African-Americans to his team, and fast. The following year, BYU's team included Ronnie Knight, a black defensive back on scholarship from Sand Springs, Okla., by way of Northeastern Oklahoma A&M Junior College.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In 1978, the LDS Church lifted the ban on blacks holding the priesthood and disavowed the practice many viewed as racist and discriminatory.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Changes also have come to some of the members of the Black 14. Hamilton's son, Malik, became a member of the LDS Church and now works as a banquet chef for BYU, with his father's acceptance.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">But neither Hamilton, nor any other black members of the Wyoming football team regret the bold decision they made in 1969 - or the price they paid for it in the aftermath.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"That's what this whole thing was all about - the fight for equal rights," Hamilton said earlier this week at a symposium recognizing the 40th anniversary of the Black 14.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"I think we got our point across."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span></div><blockquote><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>The Black 14 and BYU</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Saturday's BYU-Wyoming football game in Laramie, Wyo., marks the 40th anniversary of what would come to be known as the "Black 14" protest. On the eve of a Cowboys-Cougars game in 1969, 14 African-American football players at the University of Wyoming were kicked off the team by coach Lloyd Eaton for threatening to wear black armbands during the game to protest the racial policies of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- which operates BYU.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Several BYU coaches and players who participated in that game, and three members of the Black 14 who angrily watched from the stands, recently gave The Salt Lake Tribune their recollections of the event that had an effect not only on both institutions and their future football teams, but race relations in the United States as a whole.</span></div></blockquote><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span></div><blockquote><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>Key members of the 1969 BYU Football Team</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Marc Lyons -- Olympus High math teacher, KSL-Radio football analyst</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Larry EchoHawk -- Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Dick Legas -- BYU assistant track coach</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Mel Olson -- Former BYU assistant football coach, current BYU professor</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Ken Serck -- All-conference offensive lineman</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Chris Farasopoulos -- The "Galloping Greek" played in the NFL for Jets, Saints and Giants</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Gordon Gravelle -- All-conference lineman played in the NFL for the Steelers, Giants and Rams</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Dennis Poppinga -- Father of BYU stars Brady and Kelly Poppinga</span></div></blockquote><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span></div><blockquote><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>The Black 14</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Jerry Berry, Tony Gibson, John Griffin, Lionel Grimes, Mel Hamilton, Ron Hill, Willie Hysaw, Jim Isaac, Earl Lee, Tony McGee, Don Meadows, Ivie Moore, Joe Williams, Ted Williams</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Postscript: 10 of the 14 Wyoming players eventually graduated from college; Isaac, the only player from Wyoming, is deceased; the whereabouts of Ted Williams and Moore are unknown to their former teammates; Ted Williams, Griffin and Meadows returned in 1970 to play for Wyoming; McGee and Joe Williams played in the NFL and Griffin played in the Canadian Football League</span></div></blockquote><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Source: Black 14: The Rise, Fall and Rebirth of Wyoming Football</i></span></div></div>Californians Against Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493531891025821785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841148985725945058.post-16673316307202533912009-11-05T12:59:00.000-08:002009-11-05T13:12:06.595-08:00NEWS RELEASE - Will NOM's Maggie Gallagher Fire Miss California?<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">November 5, 2009</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Ms Maggie Gallagher</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">President</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">National Organization for Marriage</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">1100 H Street, NW, Suite 700</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Washington, DC 20005</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Dear Maggie --</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Maggie, are you going to fire Carrie Prejean??? Donald Trump did.</span></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/11/04/miss.california.usa.settlement/index.html"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Carrie Prejean 'sex tape' spurred pageant settlement</span></b></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">By Alan Duke, CNN</span></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I was shocked and dismayed to hear yesterday that your lead spokeswoman, the "future of our movement, and the future of America*" according to you, has starred in a sex video as reported by </span><a href="http://www.tmz.com/2009/11/04/carrie-prejean-sex-tape-settlement-miss-california-usa-pagneat/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">TMZ</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Carrie dropped her $1 million law suit yesterday against the Miss California USA Pageant, as soon as news of her sex video was exposed. She filed her law suit back in August claiming, of all things, "religious discrimination." Sound familiar?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Are you going to keep her as a paid consultant, Maggie? Are you going to keep her photo and that praise that you heap upon her all over your </span><a href="http://www.nationformarriage.org/site/c.omL2KeN0LzH/b.3836955/k.BEC6/Home.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">National Organization for Marriage</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> (NOM) web site?</span></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRlmq-6kJNT9sN-pgDUsTHbuqvFeQJRJIECMZSbbylGflsXVwJVlBLguU1Awf4YfkL587fd7BzJhv5dBr8tkLRrbQPBGeGvmyADiRh3grsrE1T2TdCMujM1Hd0_KAdDw26POuYXc0cdC7h/s1600-h/CarrieNOM_425.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 347px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRlmq-6kJNT9sN-pgDUsTHbuqvFeQJRJIECMZSbbylGflsXVwJVlBLguU1Awf4YfkL587fd7BzJhv5dBr8tkLRrbQPBGeGvmyADiRh3grsrE1T2TdCMujM1Hd0_KAdDw26POuYXc0cdC7h/s400/CarrieNOM_425.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400728380939983282" /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Does she still represent the true "family values" that you and your NOM Executive Director, Brian Brown espouse. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">What does your high powered Board of Directors think? What does your largest backer, the </span><a href="http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=e419fb40e21cef00VgnVCM1000001f5e340aRCRD"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> (Mormon Church) think of this scandal?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Carrie has been a big fund-raiser for NOM, a speaker, you've flown her all over the USA, you have even shared the stage with her, and now this news comes out.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I read that San Diego's own </span><a href="http://www.limandrilaw.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Charles LiMandri</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, who was your General Counsel on the Yes on Prop 8 campaign, is also Carrie's lawyer. Bet he was surprised to hear about that sex video, too. He usually has a lot to say, but yesterday only said that, "it's a confidential settlement, and he can't discuss it." </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I feel sorry for Carrie. She is just a young woman trying to make something of her life. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">It will be interesting to see how you handle this one, Maggie. Will you be a voice of reason and compassion, or will you toss her to the sharks?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I would hope that you will reflect on this moment in history. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Will you embrace someone whose life is so different from your beliefs? Or will you demonize, bully, rip apart and treat Carrie like someone who has less rights than you have.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Time will tell.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Sincerely,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Fred Karger</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Founder</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Californians Against Hate</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">* From Maggie Gallagher's September 18, 2009 introduction of Carrie Prejean, at Tony Perkins and the Family Research Council sponsored Voters Value Summit in Washington, DC.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;"><div class="g-section hn-article"><div class="g-unit g-first"><div class="hn-copy"><div class="g-section"><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; "><a href="http://www.CaliforniansAgainstHate.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">HELP US FIGHT BACK</span></a></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(21, 34, 43); font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Visit our website </span><a href="http://www.CaliforniansAgainstHate.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">www.CaliforniansAgainstHate.com</span></a></span></b></span></div></div>Californians Against Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493531891025821785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841148985725945058.post-36112884333078499722009-11-04T09:39:00.000-08:002009-11-04T09:45:17.440-08:00Doug Manchester: Crush Organized Labor to Crush Progressives<span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">By </span><a href="http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/person/CWvH"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">Rick Jacobs, Courage Campaign</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> - Nov 3rd, 2009 at 5:40 pm PST</span><br /><br />As I write this, we are beginning to hear results from Maine’s version of Prop. 8 and will soon enough hear about right wing attempts to quash freedom in Kalamazoo, Michigan and Washington state. How well we all remember election night here in California last year, that flash of impossible joy and elation at the election of Barack Obama juxtaposed with the horror of the loss of equal rights. How could both be true? How could we elect Barack Obama and simultaneously watch our fellow Californians vote away our rights?<br /><br />A year later, regardless of the outcome of these elections tonight, the progressive movement is much broader, more determined and smarter. We know what must be done to change the way people think. We know that multiple tactics, ranging from court fights to ballot box battles to marches to push for federal legislation all must happen simultaneously. We also know that those who invest in repression, in damaging families and in singling out LGBT people (or other minorities) for discrimination must be called on their actions and their investments. </span><a name="extended"></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I am saddened, but not really surprised then, that Doug Manchester selected today of all days to launch a new website that hides his attacks on progressives and the LGBT community behind the Hyatt global brand.<br /><br />Lest anyone forget, Mr. Manchester donated $125,000 in the summer of 2008, at the very moment the National Organization for Marriage and Frank Schubert (the fund bundlers and CEO of the anti-equality fights in California and Maine) desperately needed those final dollars to get Prop. 8 on the ballot. That’s right: Had Mr. Manchester not written his check right then, we may well not have had to fight Prop. 8 at all.<br /><br />The website that Mr. Manchester and his minions launched today does not even address Mr. Manchester’s deep personal commitment to regressive causes. For example, Mr. Manchester “apologizes” for his donation.<br /><br />“I respect all members of the GLBT community and have several gay and lesbian employees in various departments and professional levels at Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego. While I stand by my belief that as a private citizen I may make personal donations to causes and charitable organizations of my choosing, I have been reminded daily that not all such actions are correct or favorable to the company, its employees or the community.”<br /><br />Does this sound like a man who would not again write a check to prevent lesbian and gay people from marrying? Not to me. More insulting, Mr. Manchester then offers “bribes” to 501-c-3 organizations, the type that may not legally engage in politics, as a way to absolve himself of his “actions [that are not] correct or favorable to [his] company.” If Mr. Manchester really wanted to apologize, he would start by saying, “I am sorry that I put up the money that got Prop. 8 on the ballot because I have learned that what I did caused harm to individuals all over this state and nation. As such, I will donate at least twice that amount now to a campaign to reverse Prop. 8.”<br /><br />But there’s more. While Mr. Manchester’s website complains about the boycott organized so effectively by Fred Karger and our friends at UNITE HERE along with many, many others in San Diego and beyond (including the Courage Campaign and Equality California), he cynically attempts to divide the LGBT community from our allies in organized labor.<br /><br />Mr. Manchester and his advisors seem to think that organized labor appeared out of the night, saw the boycott and latched onto it. That myopia is what separates progressives from reactionaries. The truth is that organized labor contributed in excess of $2.5 million to defeat the very Prop. 8 that Mr. Manchester helped place on the ballot. Every labor union in the state openly and officially opposed Prop. 8. They spent their members’ funds not trying to win a progressive victory, but trying to stave off the defeat of another reactionary initiative. So it’s only logical and appropriate that the LGBT community would work arm in arm with our brothers and sisters in organized labor—many of whom are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender—to highlight unacceptable working conditions at Mr. Manchester’s hotel. Let us not doubt Mr. Manchester’s true goals. He seeks to defund organized labor in order to prevent it from participating in the political process. The so-called “paycheck protection” effort for 2010, that progressives and organized labor spent tens of millions of dollars defeating in November 2005, will be back on the ballot if Mr. Manchester has his way. This is an excerpt from a Lincoln Club letter of October 7, 2009, three weeks before Mr. Manchester launched his “I like gay people” website:<br /><br />"If we are unsuccessful in passing the proposition in November 2010, we will have the organization in place to put it back on the 2012 ballot. The unions will be in a much weaker poosition and we will have a finance committee and coalition.<br /><br />To kick off this campaign the Lincoln Club of Orange County and Doug Manchester have each committed $100,000 to this effort."<br /><br />Tomorrow night, there will be another protest outside of the Manchester Hyatt. Based on this insulting website and Mr. Manchester’s determination to undo the very coalition that we’ll need to restore our rights in California, a protest and recommitment to the boycott are the best possible replies. One day, maybe Mr. Manchester will issue a proper apology that will flow from a meeting with the coalition of California’s future.<br /><br />We have to know our foes as we build our victory.</span>Californians Against Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493531891025821785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841148985725945058.post-88676842720865796242009-10-30T11:44:00.000-07:002009-10-30T11:50:41.595-07:00Letter to Maine Ethics Commission on the National Organization of Marriage from Michael B. Keegan<div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;"><strong>People for the American Way</strong></span></div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">October 30, 2009</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Mr. Jonathan Wayne</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Executive Director</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">135 State House Station</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Augusta, Maine 04333</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Dear Mr. Wayne,</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I am writing you concerning misleading and inaccurate statements made by Brian Brown, Executive Director of the National Organization for Marriage, at the Commission's October meeting pertaining to the disclosure of the organization's 990 federal tax form. As you are aware, nonprofit organizations such as NOM are required by law to provide a redacted 990 upon request. This requirement is such a basic and widely accepted part of nonprofit management that there is rarely any sort of controversy surrounding the disclosure of 990s. NOM, however, is an exception.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The issue of NOM's 2008 990 came before the Commission due to testimony by Fred Karger, founder of Califorians Against Hate, and Danielle Truszkovsky, a Florida-based political columnist. Both testified that NOM had refused to provide a copy of the 990. Mr. Brown, in response, categorically rejected the claims of Mr. Karger and Ms. Truszkovsky and testified that NOM had faithfully complied with federal disclosure requirements. However, the facts simply do not support Mr. Brown's testimony.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">NOM, according to Mr. Brown, filed its 2008 990 with the IRS on August 14, 2009 -- one day before the August 15 deadline for groups, including NOM, that filed for an automatic extension. Per IRS regulations, the 990 "must be made available from the date it is required to be filed" -- in this case, August 15. Yet when Lou Chibbaro, a veteran political reporter for the Washington Blade, interviewed Mr. Brown the following week and requested the 2008 990, Mr. Brown "promised to release to the Blade NOM's 2007 IRS 990 finance reporting form and said the group would also release its 2008 990 form as soon as it completes its processing." On August 28, Mr. Chibbaro visited NOM's DC office and delivered a written request for the 990s. Mr. Brown called him back that day and informed him that his staff was still at work "processing" the form.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">However, there is no such thing as a "processing" period beyond the filing deadline during which time an organization can refuse to disclose its 990. Furthermore, Mr. Chibbaro never received the 2008 990, nor was he notified when NOM suddenly posted the 990 on the web in the days leading up to the October Commission meeting.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Ms. Truszkovsky had a similar experience. She visited NOM's DC office on September 1 and met personally with Mr. Brown. When she requested the 2008 990, she was told that it was not available. Ms. Truszkovsky never received the 990 from NOM and was also not notified when the form was posted online. Additionally, a representative of Californians Against Hate submitted a request via certified letter to NOM's offices for the 990s, with the same outcome.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The experiences of these three individuals -- and most likely others -- directly refute Mr. Brown's testimony. Mr. Brown said in response to Mr. Karger that it "is simply not the case" that "we refuse to disclose our financial records." In response to Ms. Truszkovsky, he said "in fact, when journalists have asked, we've gotten [990s] out to them. At the time that some have requested our 2008 990, it wasn't filed. So we cannot provide something that has not yet been filed.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">"Then, when asked by Commissioner Walter McKee whether NOM's 990s had been "provided every time it's been asked for," Mr. Brown said the following: "Many of these requests, if not all of them, included our 2008 990, and so once we had filed that, we would get all of the documents to them. Could some have been a little later than the 30 day window? Yes, if we did anything like that it would just have to do with the amount of processing." He continued, "whenever we've been asked, we've attempted to comply, and mail them out, we're not trying to hide them, we know our obligations, and we follow them." Finally, in response to a question from Commissioner André Duchette, Mr. Brown replied that NOM was continuing to "comply if people write us letters before that time in sending them the 990 through the mail.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">"But NOM did none of the above in response to multiple requests for the 2008 990. Ms. Truszkovsky and Mr. Chibbaro personally requested the 990 from Mr. Brown, and Mr. Chibbaro and Californians Against Hate requested the 990 in writing. Yet they never received the form, nor did NOM even notify them when the 990 was posted online. This does not appear to be an accident or an isolated instance of carelessness on the part of NOM. Indeed, the evidence clearly points to a concerted effort to conceal the organization's finances for as long as possible and then to conceal the effort from the Commission.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">We do not know what NOM hoped to gain by its actions, but this incident raises serious questions about NOM's operations and leadership. We would therefore encourage the Commission to review and investigate the veractiy of Mr. Brown's testimony.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Sincerely,<br />Michael B. Keegan</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">President</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">People For the American Way</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">CC: Commissioner Walter McKee</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Commissioner André Duchette</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Commissioner Michael Friedman</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Commissioner Francis Marsano</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Commissioner Edward Youngblood</span>Californians Against Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493531891025821785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841148985725945058.post-23573152685798932402009-10-28T14:18:00.000-07:002009-10-28T14:32:29.382-07:00News Release: Federal Judge in Maine - NOM Must Abide by Election Law<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">NOM Must Report Contributors</span></b><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD01eSvBAQ5DcfanIS-Kd0OJv5RbEV8PQC94CKFzQJnxMsG_sD6rozgM5EqnG8QU68BuUC-NYRRClG0KvptzxzNH2O7a1eZah84h3Te0es8zFxNtrtLwrh_hNxzI1Xf2t-imD18zmqNEau/s1600-h/brian_maggie_truth.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD01eSvBAQ5DcfanIS-Kd0OJv5RbEV8PQC94CKFzQJnxMsG_sD6rozgM5EqnG8QU68BuUC-NYRRClG0KvptzxzNH2O7a1eZah84h3Te0es8zFxNtrtLwrh_hNxzI1Xf2t-imD18zmqNEau/s400/brian_maggie_truth.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397765427970389330" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">NOM Heads -- Brian Brown (right) Administers a Lie Detector Test to NOM Chairman, the Infamous Maggie Gallagher (left)</span><br /><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">AUGUSTA, MAINE - Californians Against Hate applauds the Federal Court and Justice D. Brock Hornby for its decision today upholding the Maine election law, and ruling in favor of truth and transparency.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Washington, DC based National Organization for Marriage (NOM) challenged the law while it is under investigation by the Maine Ethics Commission for financial improprieties, reporting violations and money laundering. NOM is the biggest donor by far to Yes on 1, which would ban the recently enacted same-sex marriage law in the Pine Tree state. NOM gave 60% of the $2.6 million raised so far, but wants to keep its contributor's names secret. Question 1 will be voted on next Tuesday, November 3rd. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>NOM Shows Its True Colors</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"In over 30 years in politics, I have never seen such a blatant disregard for the law as Maggie Gallagher and Brian Brown are doing in Maine," said Fred Karger, founder of Californians Against Hate. "They are up to their old tricks. They did the same thing in California when their apparent creator, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church) became the target of an investigation by that state's Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC). The FPPC began an unprecedented investigation of the Salt Lake City based Church (Case #08-735), and the National Organization for Marriage nearly one year ago. NOM sued every top election official in California in order to keep the contributors to last year's Proposition 8 secret as well."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Californians Against Hate asked the Maine Ethics Commission to investigate NOM in a formal request sent on August 24, 2009 to investigate the National Organization for Marriage. NOM had failed to disclose the names of any of its contributors as required by state law. Fred Karger and political columnist Danielle Truszkovsky testified in support of an investigation at the commission hearing in Augusta on October 1, 2009. The Commission voted to investigate NOM at that meeting. NOM's reaction: sue Maine!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Assistant Attorney General Phyllis Gardiner represented the Ethics Commission before Justice Hornby stated, "The compelling interest for the public is to know whose spending money to influence their vote. Voters may want to know whether they are being lobbied by people from within or outside Maine." Gardiner said the lawsuit is the first challenge of the state's requirement for ballot question committees to register and report contributions.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The state law requires anyone raising or spending more than $5,000 on a ballot question in Maine to disclose anyone who contributed more than $100 for that purpose. All other organizations are complying with the law.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"The statute doesn't restrict in any way what they can raise or what they can spend. It doesn't restrict political speech in any way. It's simply about reporting after the fact how much you spent or raised for the purpose of influencing the vote in Maine," Gardiner says.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Violations can lead to fines, and, in the most extreme cases, a small amount of jail time.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Concluded Karger, "NOM was well aware of Maine's longstanding reporting requirements and election law before it went charging up there to put this referendum on the ballot. From day one they tried to hide the source of their funds, and then sue the state when they got caught. They think that they are above the law, and today we saw that is not true."</span></div><div><div class="MsoNormal" face="Arial" size="12pt" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; "><div class="g-section hn-article"><div class="g-unit g-first"><div class="hn-copy"><div class="g-section"><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial; "><br /></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; "><a href="http://www.CaliforniansAgainstHate.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">HELP US FIGHT BACK</span></a></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(21, 34, 43); font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Visit our website </span><a href="http://www.CaliforniansAgainstHate.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">www.CaliforniansAgainstHate.com</span></a></span></b></span></div></div>Californians Against Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493531891025821785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841148985725945058.post-11628378707894095732009-10-26T11:59:00.000-07:002009-10-26T12:08:19.566-07:00News Alert: Harry Reid: A Mormon in the middle<div>From <a href="http://www.sltrib.com/faith/ci_13629152">The Salt Lake Tribune</a>:</div><div></div><blockquote><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b>Harry Reid: A Mormon in the middle</b></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Politics » Some say his liberal stands clash with his LDS faith.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">By Thomas Burr</span></div><div><br /></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF45b8JVpGZmJmUcneh0mx8C9W87sJ58sNr6U2MqRlAkCufagTV3HJkpiLWO_bh2GbvSHPHE7oqRlzqXJmaQG3wdDjl1PYZH7HhvuljdfLMAGQl4LvHCnmQI1TslOKONkVA5NjY7h1zvTK/s400/harry_reid.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396986092680323362" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Washington » Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid keeps a copy of the Book of Mormon in his office just off the chamber floor. There's a second copy handy to give away to someone in need of spiritual guidance.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"I've had more than that," says the Nevada Democrat, pulling the extra edition from his desk drawer. "I have one left."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The Temple-recommend-carrying Reid is very active in his church, say fellow members in the Washington area. But that may come as a shock to some Mormon critics who contend that the Senate leader's political stands put him at odds with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The latest round of religiously charged criticism came after Reid told gay rights groups in a private meeting that the LDS Church's efforts to back the anti-gay marriage Proposition 8 in California was a waste of resources and hurt the faith's missionary efforts.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Utah Republican Party Chairman Dave Hansen posted a news story on that subject on his Facebook page, prompting several conservatives to challenge Reid's Mormon credentials.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Conservative activist and Utah blogger Holly Richardson said she found Reid's comments disconcerting and doesn't see how Reid's far left political beliefs can align with the LDS Church.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"I just don't get how his politics translate to somebody who has LDS beliefs," Richardson says. "He's an embarrassment to me as a Mormon."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Reid, who in 2007 became the highest ranking elected Mormon in the church's history, says he's faced this for years. And he's not offended.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"I think some of the most unChristian-like letters, phone calls, contacts I've had were from members of the [LDS] church, saying some of the most mean things that are not in the realm of our church doctrine or certainly Christianity," Reid said last week during an interview in his office.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Reid converted to Mormonism his senior year in college and attends church just outside the District of Columbia when in Washington or in Boulder City when in Nevada.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">He recalls a time when his grandchildren were trick-or-treating at a local LDS ward event and came upon a poster featuring a picture of the Devil and Reid, and asking "Can you tell the difference?"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"I remember it," Reid says when asked how he deals with the criticism, "but I try not to let people who do not represent the teachings that I have learned interfere with my basic beliefs."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Religion and politics » Reid isn't the first and likely not the last political leader to face fire for personal religious beliefs.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">When House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called on the Vatican earlier this year, an anti-abortion Catholic group hand delivered a letter calling for her to be ousted from the faith for her pro-abortion rights stand. A few Catholic bishops said during the 2004 presidential campaign that they would refuse Democratic Sen. John Kerry communion for his position on abortion.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Questions were raised during John F. Kennedy's bid for the presidency about whether Rome would call the shots because of his Catholic faith and similar questions arose with Mitt Romney, a Mormon, during his White House bid last year.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"Having Mormons criticize Harry Reid, Catholics criticize Nancy Pelosi -- George W. Bush got criticism from Methodists -- it's not an uncommon experience at all," says John Green, senior researcher at the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"There are disputes within almost every religious community about what it means to be a strong supporter of the faith. What is it to be a good member?" Green continues. And because much of that dispute deals with controversial subjects, it spills over to politics.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"It is a very tough spot that Sen. Reid is in," Green says. "It ought to be tough enough to represent Nevada [and be majority leader] without the religion angle and the religion angle just makes that much tougher."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Washington lobbyist William Nixon, who is also the church's Arlington Stake president, says Reid is in politics' most precarious position.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"Serving as a majority leader in either party is always difficult for politicians," says Nixon, a Republican. "You need to be the spear carrier for your party even on issues that are in the extremities and that often is at odds with what's good politics at home or even how you may worship personally."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The LDS Church declined comment for this story but pointed to its statement on relationships with government.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">It says that elected officials who are LDS make their own decisions "and may not necessarily be in agreement with one another or even with a publicly stated church position."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And the church has made efforts in the past to dispel the notion that it sides with conservative politics. In 1998, church General Authority Marlin Jensen stressed that good Mormons can also be good Democrats. The late James E. Faust, a Democrat and then a member of the First Presidency, the church's top governing body, said it was in the church's best interest to have a two-party system.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Still, Mormon faithful remain overwhelmingly conservative. A survey released in July by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life showed that 65 percent of Mormons aligned themselves with the Republican Party or leaned that way, while 22 percent sided with the Democratic Party.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">There are 14 members of the LDS Church in Congress. Ten are Republicans and four are Democrats.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">But even some of the well-known Republican elected Mormons defend Reid as a faithful church member.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"He has the right to voice his opinions but I would under no circumstances challenge Harry's credentials as a member of the church," says Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Bennett's Utah Senate colleague, Orrin Hatch, says it's not fair for fellow Mormons to disparage Reid as anything but a devout Mormon. Hatch says he didn't agree with Reid's statement on the gay marriage ballot question but said he's entitled to speak it.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"I can personally tell you that Harry is a good member of the LDS faith and he was expressing a personal opinion that his side feels very deeply about," Hatch says.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Reid says church leaders have never complained about his political statements.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Reid's calling » Shortly after being elected in 1986, church leaders summoned Reid to their Salt Lake City headquarters.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"It was a pretty short meeting," Reid says. "They said, here's your assignment: Be the best member of the church you can be. That was it."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Even on the most recent issue of gay marriage, Reid says he doesn't disagree with the church's position on traditional marriage. The senator says he voted in Nevada for the state constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">But he says he's expressed his concern for years to leaders about the church stepping into the debate and that the millions the church invested in the Prop 8 campaign was bad strategy.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Reid said he's not suggesting the church change its position, just that it not speak out so strongly. "It's just bad strategy to create so much ill-will in California."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The Democrat, though, says he understands the backlash he gets over such statements. He notes that most of the church's lay ecclesiastic leaders are conservative and he's fine with that.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"I don't think my faith is a hindrance to what I do and I'm sorry if people feel that I in some way embarrass them," Reid says, "but I have to frankly say that even on this issue there are a lot of people that say 'we agree with you.'"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">On Sunday, Reid, with his security escort in tow, likely made his home teaching rounds after his ward's three-hour service. Anyone who questions his Mormon credentials should see that, says Jim Vlach, his home-teaching companion.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"He's got a tremendous burden with health care [reform] right now, but despite that, he finds time for home teaching," says Vlach.</span></div></blockquote><div></div>Californians Against Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493531891025821785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841148985725945058.post-5650113481034391762009-10-25T13:31:00.000-07:002009-10-25T14:04:23.446-07:008: The Mormon Proposition Trailer<object width="410" height="255"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/upWb2jBk5xw&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/upWb2jBk5xw&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="410" height="255"></embed></object><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">8: The Mormon Proposition</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">, a film by Reed Cowan. View at </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upWb2jBk5xw" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">YouTube</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Learn more about the film at </span><a href="http://www.mormonproposition.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">www.mormonproposition.com</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Read Fred Karger's article on 8: The Mormon Proposition at the </span><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/fred-karger/8-the-mormon-proposition_b_326832.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Huffington Post</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">:</span></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/fred-karger/8-the-mormon-proposition_b_326832.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">8: The Mormon Proposition Will Knock Your Socks Off</span></a></b></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">By Fred Karger, Founder, Californians Against Hate</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Producer Reed Cowan's amazing new documentary is ready for its close-up.</div><div><br /></div><div>This could well be the movie of the year. Take a look at the <a href="http://www.mormonproposition.com/">web site</a>, read all about the movie and see who is behind it. You will be even more impressed.</div><div><br /></div><div>I received a call from Reed earlier this year. He was coming out to San Francisco to film all the activities around the oral arguments being made before the California Supreme Court in San Francisco in the case to overturn Proposition 8.</div><div><br /></div><div>Having played a very active role in uncovering the massive involvement of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church) in last year's Prop 8 campaign, Reed asked me to be in his documentary.</div><div><br /></div><div>I went up to San Francisco on Wednesday, March 4th to be a part of history, and see this filmmaker begin his journey. I met Reed and his partner Greg in front of the Castro Theater at 6:00 pm. That is the spot where the march to City Hall was about to begin on a chilly San Francisco night.</div><div><br /></div><div>There were thousands and thousands of demonstrators gathering, ready to begin their solemn candlelight vigil to City Hall. We were recreating the famous nighttime march of 30 years ago, right after Harvey Milk was assassinated.</div><div><br /></div><div>Reed grew up Mormon in Utah, and knows firsthand the inner workings of the Church. He knew that there was an incredible story to tell, and he spent the better part of a year putting every aspect of this documentary together.</div><div><br /></div><div>All his hard work, and that of so many others who participated in this strong indictment of the Mormon Church and its leaders, will undoubtedly change history.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have watched this filmmaker every step of the way over the last eight months. I went to Miami for a second interview in April, and this summer, Reed dispatched a film crew to my home for some final questions. He is very thorough.</div><div><br /></div><div>8: The Mormon Proposition will explain once and for all just how the Mormon Church operates, and how they have led the fight against marriage equality all across the United States since Utah became the first state to ban same-sex marriage in 1995. 29 states have followed Utah's lead, and the Mormon Church has made sure of that.</div><div><br /></div><div>The film also goes into great depth about how the Mormon Church has destroyed so many lives and families in its desire to impose its will on others.</div><div><br /></div><div>Please tell the world about this incredible documentary. It is a film for all to see.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you Reed Cowan and everyone else who gave up so much and worked so hard to make Reed's dream a reality.</div><div><div class="MsoNormal" face="Arial" size="12pt" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; "><div class="g-section hn-article"><div class="g-unit g-first"><div class="hn-copy"><div class="g-section"><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial; "><br /></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; "><a href="http://www.CaliforniansAgainstHate.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">HELP US FIGHT BACK.</span></a></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(21, 34, 43); font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Visit our website </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a href="http://www.CaliforniansAgainstHate.com/" target="_blank">www.CaliforniansAgainstHate.com</a></span></span></b></span></div></div></div>Californians Against Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493531891025821785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841148985725945058.post-35401708021668094402009-10-23T15:42:00.000-07:002009-10-23T15:48:50.951-07:00News Alert: Bangor Daily News - The Plot Thickens<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:xx-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Anti-Gay Marriage Group Sues State </span></b></span><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">by Kevin Miller</span></div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div>AUGUSTA, Maine — A Washington, D.C.-based organization under investigation for its financial role in the campaign to repeal Maine’s gay marriage law has fired back with a lawsuit questioning the constitutionality of a state election law.</div><div><br /></div><div>The National Organization for Marriage is the largest contributor to the Question 1 ballot initiative, which seeks to overturn Maine’s same-sex marriage law. As of the end of September, the organization had funneled more than $500,000 to Stand for Marriage Maine, which supports the repeal.</div><div><br /><img height="268" width="410" src="https://app.icontact.com/icp/loadimage.php/mogile/302269/ebd7c8bc08f71f5a8aaad03b4af458cc/image/jpeg" alt="" title="" /></div><div><span style="font-size:78%;">NOM'S Brian Brown Meets the Press Right After the Maine Ethics Commission Voted to Investigate His Organization </span></div><p>Earlier this month, the Maine Ethics Commission directed staff to determine whether NOM was skirting campaign finance laws in order to avoid disclosing the identities of contributors.</p><p>Now, the organization has filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Bangor alleging that Maine’s financial reporting requirements are unconstitutional.</p><p>The lawsuit seeks a court injunction prohibiting the state from enforcing a law that NOM officials claim is being used to harass and intimidate opponents of gay marriage.</p><p>“The reporting requirements become onerous and burdensome, especially when you are working in several states, and are an infringement of free speech,” said Brian Brown, NOM’s executive director.</p><p>Ethics Commission officials declined to comment on the specific case but defended the law, which requires organizations soliciting more than $5,000 for a ballot question campaign to file financial disclosure reports with the state.</p><p>“The ‘ballot question committee’ system is very important to the public’s understanding of who is influencing these elections in Maine,” said Jonathan Wayne, executive director of the Ethics Commission.</p><p>The National Organization for Marriage came to prominence last year when it helped overturn a gay marriage law at the ballot box in California. Critics questioned the group’s fundraising techniques.</p><p>One of those critics, Fred Karger with the organization Californians Against Hate, filed a complaint with the Maine Ethics Commission earlier this year. Karger alleges that NOM was essentially “money laundering” by soliciting donations from opponents of same-sex marriage for the Maine campaign, all the while promising those donors their identities would remain confidential.</p><p>Under the state’s rules governing ballot question committees, which are different from political action committees, anyone who donates more than $100 would have to be identified in campaign finance reports.</p><p>The Ethics Commission went against the staff recommendation and voted 3-2 to order an investigation.</p><p>Brown and NOM’s attorneys contend the organization did not violate Maine’s rules because they were soliciting donations for the general fight to protect “traditional marriage,” not for the Maine campaign in particular.</p><p>Brown argued in an interview Thursday that the reporting requirements — which include registering as a ballot question committee, appointing a treasurer and keeping detailed records for four years — are an undue burden. He also described Maine’s law as legally unclear and “patently unconstitutional” because it prohibited or discouraged free speech in the form of advocacy on one side of an issue.</p><p>He also accused the Ethics Commission members and Karger of waging a politically motivated “witch hunt,” despite the fact that the vote to order an investigation was bipartisan.</p><p>“What we are basically doing is filing a lawsuit to make clear our First Amendment rights to free speech,” Brown said. He also said that some donors to NOM during the California campaign later were harassed and threatened.</p><p>Wayne said the law is set up to ensure transparency in the election system.</p><p>“In the past couple of decades, a lot of important issues have come before voters as statewide ballot initiatives, including environmental issues, gambling, tax and spending limitations and hunting practices,” Wayne said.</p><p>“It’s common for national groups to want to get involved in these elections … and it is important for Maine voters to know who is attempting to influence these state laws,” Wayne said.</p></span></div><div><div><div class="MsoNormal" face="Arial" size="12pt" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; "><div class="g-section hn-article"><div class="g-unit g-first"><div class="hn-copy"><div class="g-section"><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial; "><br /></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a href="http://www.CaliforniansAgainstHate.com/" target="_blank">HELP US FIGHT BACK.</a></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(21, 34, 43); font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Visit our website </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a href="http://www.CaliforniansAgainstHate.com/" target="_blank">www.CaliforniansAgainstHate.com</a></span></span></b></span></div></div></div>Californians Against Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493531891025821785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841148985725945058.post-27314650723261100692009-10-23T08:37:00.000-07:002009-10-23T08:59:24.847-07:00News Alert: Uncovering secrets in Maine<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6MKKmnn5JCQel__Whfnxqo1L0UiQt3CYs9YmjHJimBpt1oWi9yFUEBmf1YHgsyqwGVyeUObaOTWVL7FYu9Tk4_7qXZC1wr_HfE6gT2TwpZmKWkLRIEuT2SOotM8htpWHLkwvnLeIvuBU/s1600-h/so_florida_blade.jpeg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 217px; height: 118px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6MKKmnn5JCQel__Whfnxqo1L0UiQt3CYs9YmjHJimBpt1oWi9yFUEBmf1YHgsyqwGVyeUObaOTWVL7FYu9Tk4_7qXZC1wr_HfE6gT2TwpZmKWkLRIEuT2SOotM8htpWHLkwvnLeIvuBU/s400/so_florida_blade.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395824715355827154" /></a><br /><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Uncovering secrets in Maine</span></b></div><div><i>Anti-gay group rolls out scare tactics as referendum nears</i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">By Danielle Truszkovsky</span></div><div><br /></div><div>ON OCT. 1, the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics & Election Practices met to determine if a complaint filed by Fred Karger of Californians Against Hate against the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) would be investigated. In his complaint, Karger claimed that NOM violated campaign reporting requirements and that the group was actively participating in money laundering. Despite the evidence he submitted, which included NOM emails pertaining to fundraising specifically for Maine while alluding to donor anonymity, the commission's staff recommended that no investigation be conducted due to lack of supporting evidence.</div><div><br /></div><div>NOM had failed to disclose even its required IRS 990 filings to the public so it is not surprising that the evidence Karger possessed was limited. In my last Blade column published Sept. 18 entitled, "Follow the money: Why the federal gov't must investigate NOM's financial practices," I detailed how the group has habitually hidden and revised its records. Uncovering NOM's secrets has been the focus of my work for many months and as the title of my last column implies, I do believe an investigation into the group is warranted.</div><div><br /></div><div>So I flew to Maine specifically to attend this hearing but due to circumstances beyond my control, I missed the first portion of the proceedings. I arrived just in time to hear the testimony of NOM Executive Director, Brian Brown, and a member of his legal team, Barry Bostrom.</div><div><br /></div><div>Both Bostrom and Brown lavished praise on the staff and the Commission for their professionalism. They insinuated that the entire proceeding was a waste of everyone's time and it was obvious that Brown had thought he had already won. At that point, most of us in the audience believed NOM had won as well -- it is rare that a Commission overrules a staff recommendation. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then Brown made an egregious error, stating: "Mr. Karger refers to the fact that we refused to disclose our financial records ... this is simply not the case. We have given our 990s to journalists. They are now publicly available -- they're available on our web site and we did that because we got so many calls and people showing up at the office asking for them that it became quite difficult to work."</div><div><br /></div><div>Apparently, Brown had no idea I had entered the room. If he had, perhaps he would have reconsidered that statement because I am one of only two journalists who showed up at NOM's office requesting 990s -- I know this because Brown told me so in person when I interviewed him on Sept. 1. (The other was the Blade's Lou Chibbaro Jr.) </div><div><br /></div><div>IRS regulations require charities to release the documents within 24 hours of an in-person request. Brown did not release the documents to me -- ever. And his reference to the documents "now [being] publicly available" was laughable because popular blogger ChinoBlanco revealed that NOM had secretly released the 990s on the web within days of the Maine hearing, presumably to feign compliance in front of the Commission.</div><div><br /></div><div>Brown went on to attack Karger's efforts and made false claims against the gay civil rights movement in general. Although it was never my intention to speak at this hearing, by the time Brown was finished, I simply couldn't remain silent and allow his false statements to go uncontested.</div><div><br /></div><div>ALTHOUGH THE COMMISSION does not allow public questioning of witnesses, they did grant me a few moments to speak. Here's what I said:</div><div><br /></div><div>"My name is Danielle Truszkovsky ... I'm a political columnist ... one of the journalists who have visited the NOM offices to request the 990s. It's been an ongoing process attempting to obtain the records. I know that the group Californians Against Hate sent an initial request in March and (NOM) had 30 days to release the records, which they did not do and as far as I know, they have still not sent the records to Californians Against Hate. </div><div><br /></div><div>"I also personally visited their 'national headquarters' in Princeton three times to make an in-person request and no one was ever available at that office -- it's basically a barren, empty space. I did speak with Brian [Brown] at his Washington, D.C., office and they did not have the returns available at that point."</div><div>I went on to explain that NOM has also amended its 2007 return numerous times even though it is extremely rare for charitable organizations to do so. I quoted an e-mail ...</div><div> </div><div>from NOM to its supporters in which the group "takes credit" for the signature gathering and fundraising efforts in Maine. This is a direct violation of the campaign laws in Maine that require groups that fund these efforts to register as PACs (Political Action Committees) or BQCs (Ballot Questioning Committees). My testimony ended with, "Now, I ask, how is it possible that this group [NOM] is the largest contributor to Stand for Marriage Maine at $160,000 but they are the only one who is not registered as a PAC or BQC?"</div><div><br /></div><div>BROWN AND BOSTROM were then given the opportunity to speak again and when the pair finished, the Commission had some very interesting questions about NOM's activities and attempts to conceal its records from the public. Brown admitted that NOM released its 990s on the web only within the past week. It was also revealed that after NOM donated its initial $160,000, the group has since poured hundreds of thousands more into Maine. As they scrambled to defend their activity in Maine, their story seemed to simply fall apart.</div><div>Upon completion of the discussion, the Commission voted 3-2 to conduct an investigation into the National Organization for Marriage. </div><div><br /></div><div>Prior to the hearing, Brian Brown submitted a sworn affidavit, which states, "NOM does not accept donations designated for the Maine referendum" and "NOM has not made expenditures exceeding $5,000 for the purpose of initiating or promoting the people's veto referendum in Maine, other than by contribution to Stand for Marriage Maine PAC." If it is determined that NOM did violate any of the points listed in the affidavit, Brown could face perjury charges. </div><div><br /></div><div>It will be interesting to see what developments occur next. It is safe to assume that NOM will do everything in its financial power to prevent its records from being examined. In California, NOM lodged a lawsuit against the secretary of state, the attorney general and the five commissioners of the California Fair Political Practices Commission for allowing an investigation into the group. NOM has also initiated litigation in California that attempts to remove all disclosure of contributors to political initiatives and campaigns. Rather than comply with state and federal regulations, it seems NOM and its backers prefer to use their massive war chest to conceal records and intimidate the officials who seek to protect the citizens they represent. Will NOM resort to the same desperate scare-tactics in Maine?</div><div><br /></div><div>On Oct. 1, the Maine Commission on Ethics & Governmental Practices made a courageous decision to stand up for fairness. This, however, is just one small victory. On Nov. 3, the citizens of Maine will decide if their gay and straight neighbors deserve the same civil rights. For more information on protecting equality in Maine, visit the No on 1 campaign <a href="http://www.mainefreedomtomarry.com/splash.cfm?CFID=34472781&CFTOKEN=92208944" target="_blank">www.mainefreedomtomarry.com</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="MsoNormal" face="Arial" size="12pt" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; "><div class="g-section hn-article"><div class="g-unit g-first"><div class="hn-copy"><div class="g-section"><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial; "><br /></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a href="http://www.CaliforniansAgainstHate.com/" target="_blank">HELP US FIGHT BACK.</a></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(21, 34, 43); font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Visit our website </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a href="http://www.CaliforniansAgainstHate.com/" target="_blank">www.CaliforniansAgainstHate.com</a></span></span></b></span></div></div>Californians Against Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493531891025821785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841148985725945058.post-86078884339548720662009-10-23T00:49:00.000-07:002009-10-23T00:51:43.295-07:00NEWS From Maine to California and the World<span style="font-family:arial;">News Coverage #26<br /><br /><a href="http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/ap/63112492.html">San Francisco Examiner</a> – Maine<br /><br /><a href="http://updates.pressherald.mainetoday.com/updates/anti-gay-marriage-fundraising-to-be-investigated">Portland Press Herald – Kennebec Journal</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2009/09/24/Activist_Subpoenaed_By_NOM/">The Advocate</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/23/us/23sfmetro.html">New York Times</a> – Scott James Column<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iCrSWSM6V3N-yi3tAJOBlnjwR27wD9BAGSB01">Associated Press</a> – Oaks Speech<br /><br /><a href="http://wbztv.com/wireapnewsme/Supporters.of.Maine.2.1244428.html">WBZ CBS</a> – Maine Finance Reports<br /><br /><a href="http://www.10news.com/news/21092571/detail.html">KGTV</a> – San Diego<br /><br /><a href="mailto:http://www.gaypeopleschronicle.com/stories09/september/0911094.htm">Ohio Chrocicle</a><br /><br /><a href="mailto:http://www.metnews.com/articles/2009/sbar091409.htm">Metropolitan News-Enterprise</a><br /><br /><a href="mailto:http://www.ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=4529&MediaType=1&Category=26">On Top Magazine</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=&sc2=news&sc3=&id=96321">Edge Boston</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.miketidmus.com/blog/2009/09/15/nom-subpoenas-fred-karger/">Mike Tidmus</a> – Subpoena<br /><br /><a href="http://www.metnews.com/articles/2009/mcco091509.htm">Metropolitan News-Enterprise</a><br /><br /><a href="http://ubnotorious.blogspot.com/2009/09/fred-karger-subpoenaed.html">On Being Notorious</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.miketidmus.com/blog/2009/09/15/nom-subpoenas-fred-karger/">Mike Tidmus</a> – Subpoena<br /><br /><a href="http://planetransgender.blogspot.com/2009/09/fred-karger-founder-of-californians.html">Planet Transgender</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.frontierspublishing.com/2810/context/context1.html">Frontiers IN LA</a><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://site.pfaw.org/site/PageServer?pagename=rww_in_focus_maine">People for the American Way</a><br /><br /><a href="http://personalmoneystore.com/contact-us/">Personal Money Store</a><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.sdnn.com/sandiego/2009-09-22/news/politics-city-county-government/stephen-whitburn-the-double-barreled-boycott-of-doug-manchesters-hyatt">San Diego News Network</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.tips-q.com/1386656-courage-campaign-and-eqca-join-forces-support-manchester-hotels-boycott">Tips Q</a><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.miketidmus.com/blog/2009/09/22/the-manchester-boycott-grows/">Mike Tidmus</a> – Manchester Boycott<br /><br /><a href="http://lgbtnewsblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/action-alert-pledge-to-boycott-doug.html">LGBT News</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/13154/federal-govt-must-investigate-noms-finances">Pam’s House Blend</a><br /><br /><a href="http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/blogs/jason_echols/2009/09/federal-govt-must-investigate.php?ref=reccafe">TPM</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.gayagenda.com/2009/09/fighting-for-civil-rights-has-consequences/">Gay Agenda</a><br /><br /><a href="http://ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=4627&MediaType=1&Category=26">On Top Magazine</a> -- Maine<br /><br /><a href="http://southern4life.blogspot.com/2009/09/noms-trying-to-attack-fred-karger.html">Maybe It’s Just Me</a><br /><br /><a href="http://nlsngrc.blogspot.com/2009/09/nom-took-meaning-of-hypocrisy-to-whole.html">NG Blog</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/2009/09/over_to_you_18.aspx">Arkansas Times</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.gaylesbiantimes.com/?id=15547">GLT</a> – Bragman Commentary<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.purpleunions.com/blog/2009/09/gay-rights-groups-launch-campaign.html">Gay Marriage Watch</a><br /><br /><a href="http://nlsngrc.blogspot.com/2009/09/nom-took-meaning-of-hypocrisy-to-whole.html">NG blog</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.queerty.com/the-national-organization-for-marriage-wont-release-its-financials-but-its-demanding-them-from-others-20090924/">Queerty</a><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://gaynewsbits.com/2009/09/24/thursdays-gay-news-post/">Gay News Bits</a><br /><br /><a href="http://tweetmeme.com/story/187612933/joe-my-god-nom-subpoenas-fred-karger">Joe My God</a><br /><br /><a href="http://ubnotorious.blogspot.com/2009/09/fred-karger-subpoenaed-by-national.html">On Being Notorius</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.bilerico.com/2009/09/bilerico_radio_fred_karger_interview_and_enda_roun.php">Bilerico</a> Alex Blaze Radio Interview<br /><br /><a href="http://gay.americablog.com/2009/09/independent-poll-shows-no-on-1-leading.html">America Blog</a> – Maine<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.wgme.com/template/inews_wire/wires.regional.me/3ec238e9-www.wgme.com.shtml">WGME</a> – TV<br /><br /><a href="http://www.wgme.com/template/inews_wire/wires.regional.me/3ec238e9-www.wgme.com.shtml">WGME TV</a> – CBS<br /><br /><a href="http://www.myfoxmaine.com/dpp/news/20091002_Gay_Marriage_Foes_Under_Investigation">Fox Maine</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/123306.html">Bangor Daily News</a><br /><br /><a href="http://pamshouseblend.com/diary/13294/press-release-from-fred-karger">Pam’s House Blend</a> – Maine<br /><br /><a href="http://blog.taragana.com/n/maine-ethics-commission-approves-probe-of-anti-gay-marriage-fundraising-184173/">Bureau News</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.ksro.com/news/article.aspx?id=1421610">KRSO Sonoma</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.baywindows.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=blog&sc2=news&sc3=&id=97085">Bay Windows</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/123348.html">Bangor Daily News</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mpbn.net/Home/tabid/36/ctl/ViewItem/mid/3478/ItemId/9225/Default.aspx">MPBN News Radio</a> Maine<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/123479.html">Bangor Daily News </a> Longer Story<br /><br /><a href="http://wbztv.com/wireapnewsme/Ethics.commission.approves.2.1219009.html">WBZ Boston</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/02/anti-gay-national-organisation-for-marriage-to-have-finances-probed/">Pink News</a> UK<br /><br /><a href="http://thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/gallaghers-nom-looks-in-the-mirror-calls-karger-names/legal-issues/2009/10/02/4742">New Civil Rights Movement</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.miketidmus.com/blog/2009/10/01/maine-ethics-board-to-investigate-nom/">Mike Tidmus</a> Maine<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mpbn.net/Home/tabid/36/ctl/ViewItem/mid/3478/ItemId/9225/Default.aspx">MPBN</a><br /><br /><a href="http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/news/local/6928746.html">Kennebec Journal Morning Sentinel</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.thecelebritycafe.com/features/34327.html">The Celebrity Cafe</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.tips-q.com/1431660-noms-gallagher-be-bigot-now-avoid-being-called-bigot-later">Tips-Q</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.myfoxmaine.com/dpp/news/20091002_Gay_Marriage_Foes_Under_Investigation">She Wired</a><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.wilshireandwashington.com/2009/10/another-victory-for-olsonboies.html">Daily Variety</a><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.gayagenda.com/2009/10/maine-officials-to-investigate-anti-gay-marriage-group/">Gay Agenda</a><br /><br /><a href="http://gay.americablog.com/2009/10/despite-fundraising-investigation-nom.html">America Blog</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.queerty.com/read-me-bloomberg-back-on-marriage-track-logo-demands-drama-drama-drama-20091002/">Queerty</a><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.lgbtpov.com/">LGBTPOV Blog</a><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.towleroad.com/2009/10/maine-ethics-commission-orders-investigation-of-nom-fundraising.html">Towleroad</a><br /><br /><a href="http://ameriqueer.blogspot.com/2009/10/recap-091001happy-lgbt-history-month-il.html">Ameriqueer</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.queerty.com/dossier-what-obama-could-say-at-hrc-frances-political-child-sex-scandal-20091008/">Queerty</a><br /><br /><a href="http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2009/10/fred-karger-challenges-nom-to-sign-oath.html">Joe My God</a><br /><br /><a href="http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/news/local/6965138.html">Morning Sentinel</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.miketidmus.com/blog/2009/10/22/nom-sues-maine-over-donor-reporting/">Mike Tidmus</a> – NOM Law Suit<br /><br /><a href="http://www.article6blog.com/2009/10/14/dallin-oaks-religious-freedom-proposition-8-and-keith-olbermann/">Article VI Blog</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/13514/maine-media-coverage-of-campaign-money-disclosures">Pam’s House Blend</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.newuniversity.org/2008/10/features/mormons_dig_deep_into167/">New University</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.nathanshumate.com/?p=2679">Nathan Shumate</a><br /><br /><a href="http://community.livejournal.com/ontd_political/4343873.html">Live Journal</a><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/nation/ap/64181622.html">The Examiner</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.miketidmus.com/blog/2009/10/21/afas-little-whine-cheese-soiree/">Mike Tidmus</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.kfsm.com/news/politics/sns-200910221921mctnewsservbc-gaymarriage-adv25-wa,0,3596564.story">KFSM TV</a> – Maine Law Suit<br /><br /><a href="http://www.floridablade.com/2009/10-22/view/columns/6413.cfm">South Florida Blade</a><br /><br /><a href="http://gaynewsbits.com/2009/10/22/exposed-on-film-the-mormon-proposition/">Gay News Bits</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.gayagenda.com/2009/10/8-the-mormon-proposition-will-knock-your-socks-off/">Gay Agenda</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/126297.html">Bangor Daily News</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.lgbtpov.com/2009/10/nom-files-a-lawsuit-against-maine/">LGBT POV</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mpbn.net/News/MaineNews/tabid/181/ctl/ViewItem/mid/3475/ItemId/9487/Default.aspx">MPBN News</a><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.tips-q.com/1446421-what-nom-2008-tax-return-tells-us">Tips Q</a></span>Californians Against Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493531891025821785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841148985725945058.post-11179660072645219722009-10-22T16:26:00.000-07:002009-10-22T18:38:24.779-07:00National Organization for Marriage Shows Its True Colors – Sues State of Maine to Change Reporting Laws<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia;font-size:medium;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;"><div class="g-section hn-article"><div class="g-unit g-first"><div class="hn-copy"><div class="g-section"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">AUGUSTA, MAINE -- In one of the boldest attempts to circumvent a state election law in recent memory, the Washington, DC based National Organization for Marriage (NOM) filed suit in Federal Court yesterday to wipe out Maine's campaign reporting law. NOM is the biggest contributor by far to Question 1, which would rescind Maine's recently enacted same-sex marriage law. The Maine Ethics Commission voted on October 1, 2009 to launch an investigation of NOM for improper reporting and possible money laundering charges at the request of Fred Karger, founder of </span><a href="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=44567444&msgid=593310&act=MBMQ&c=302269&admin=0&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fcaliforniansagainsthate.com%2F" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Californians Against Hate</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">. Karger filed a formal complaint on August 24, 2009 against NOM and the Yes on Question 1 committee, Stand for Marriage Maine.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"These people come into Maine from Washington, DC fully aware of the state election laws, pay $350,000 to professional signature gatherers to qualify their referendum to take away the rights of a minority, and then have the audacity to sue the state to change its years old election laws," said Fred Karger. "They did the identical thing in California after that state's ethics commission, the California Fair Political Practices Commission, launched an investigation of the </span><a href="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=44567444&msgid=593310&act=MBMQ&c=302269&admin=0&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2008%2F11%2F29%2Fopinion%2F29sat2.html%3F_r%3D1%26th%26emc%3Dth" target="_blank" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints </span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">(Mormon Church), and the very same National Organization for Marriage, whom many feel was created by the Mormon Church."</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"Do they think they are in Afghanistan or Iran?" asked Karger. "We have long-standing laws in this country which allow for free and open elections, but NOM continues to try and get around these state and federal laws at every opportunity. The State of Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Elections Practices showed tremendous courage when its Commissioners voted to investigate the highly questionable finances of the National Organization for Marriage at its October 1st meeting. This was done under the threat of a law suit. They are to be commended for standing up for transparency and truth in Maine elections."</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Here is a copy of the AP story: </span><a href="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=44567444&msgid=593310&act=MBMQ&c=302269&admin=0&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bangordailynews.com%2Fdetail%2F126274.html" target="_blank" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Anti-gay Marriage Group Challenges Reporting Requirements</span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Copy of Law Suit: </span><a href="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=44567444&msgid=593310&act=MBMQ&c=302269&admin=0&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.californiansagainsthate.com%2Fpdf%2Fmaine%2Fmotionfortro.pdf" target="_blank" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Motion for Temporary Restraining Order</span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The Actual Complaint - </span><em><a href="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=44567444&msgid=593310&act=MBMQ&c=302269&admin=0&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.californiansagainsthate.com%2Fpdf%2Fmaine%2Fcomplaint.pdf" target="_blank" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Verified Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief </span></a></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; font-family:Arial;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></i></div></div><div class="g-section"><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The National Organization for Marriage has already contributed over $500,000 to Stand for Marriage Maine, Yes on Question 1, but refuses to file as a PAC in Maine. This is 100 times the $5,000 PAC requirement. It appears that all other committees raising money for Question 1 have complied with the law, including the </span><a href="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=44567444&msgid=593310&act=MBMQ&c=302269&admin=0&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mainecampaignfinance.com%2Fpublic%2Fentity_financial_transactions.asp%3FTYPE%3DBQC%26ID%3D4528" target="_blank" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, that has given over $350,000 to the election. </span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial; "><br /></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">HELP US FIGHT BACK.</span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:xx-large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(21, 34, 43); font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;">Visit our website <a href="http://www.CaliforniansAgainstHate.com/" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; ">www.CaliforniansAgainstHate.com</a></span></b></span></span></div></span>Californians Against Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493531891025821785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841148985725945058.post-62629795703981412322009-10-21T01:29:00.000-07:002009-10-21T01:31:53.390-07:00<span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Karger: Proposition 8 Film Explains Mormon Gay Marriage Involvement</span></strong>
<br />By Carlos Santoscoy Published: October 21, 2009
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<br />Director Reed Cowan's documentary on the Mormon Church's decades-old involvement in the fight to ban gay marriage in the United States is ready for its premiere screening. And </span><a href="http://www.californiansagainsthate.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:arial;">Californians Against Hate</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> Founder Fred Karger says the film will “undoubtedly change history.”</span>
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<br />While still in production the film drew fire when Cowan released several controversial audio clips in February.
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<br />Utah State Senator Chris Buttars, a practicing Mormon, lost his chair of the powerful Judicial Committee after the Republican was heard in a Cowan interview calling the gay rights movement “probably the greatest threat to America” and gay folks “mean.”
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<br />“They're mean. They want to talk about being nice. They're the meanest buggers I have ever seen.”
<br />“It's just like the Muslims,” he adds, moments later. “Muslims are good people and their religion is anti-war. But it's been taken over by the radical side.”
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<br />Not surprisingly, </span><a href="http://www.mormonproposition.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:arial;">Cowan's trailer for his film, 8: The Mormon Proposition</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">, begins with a tight close up of the senator.
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<br />In a series of interviews with Mormon Church leaders, gay activists and Utah politicians, Cowan shines a bright light on the church's profuse involvement in banning gay marriage throughout the nation since the early 1990s. A revelation no more since Karger began meddling in the church's affairs.</span>
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<br />“It tells my story,” Karger told On Top Magazine. And it will “knock your socks off,” he added.
<br />Cowan first interviewed Karger in San Francisco. The pair met in front of the Castro Theater on Wednesday, March 4 just as a huge gay marriage vigil was about to step off. Karger spoke to the filmmaker two more times over the course of the next year.
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<br />What is the Mormon proposition? The film is expected to showcase the major gay marriage battles the Mormon Church has backed since Utah became the first state to ban gay marriage in 1995. And how church officials attempted to conceal their deep involvement in the issue. Is the Mormon Church the mastermind puppeteer of the anti-gay marriage movement?
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<br />In a blog post, Cowan said the film had divided his family.
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<br />“My determination [to finish the film] has been tested. At this writing, I have lost communication with my sisters and my mother and my father. They are wonderful people and they are Mormons. The fear they have over what this film will say has worn thin to the point that our relationships are stressed and I fear broken forever,” he said.
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<br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">The film is being considered for a Sundance Film Festival premiere in January.</span>
<br />Californians Against Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493531891025821785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841148985725945058.post-49396509903435477852009-10-14T01:44:00.000-07:002009-10-15T13:55:25.279-07:00<div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:180%;"><strong>National March on Washington -- October 11, 2009</strong></span></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"></span></strong> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-j1p74DtxffhyphenhyphenvUuZOWhuB3AePv1csZC03_euDHodzerkom-UKmR5W_rBqfPPpEG1HLxBspiupm_eFtB9NZfqrA5kOlr0C6NVrZvM674Ju6WOXiUCrLPx4fD3MFSP1OI_Dqu0Yc7osJbB/s1600-h/IMG_5584.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392686527925241362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-j1p74DtxffhyphenhyphenvUuZOWhuB3AePv1csZC03_euDHodzerkom-UKmR5W_rBqfPPpEG1HLxBspiupm_eFtB9NZfqrA5kOlr0C6NVrZvM674Ju6WOXiUCrLPx4fD3MFSP1OI_Dqu0Yc7osJbB/s400/IMG_5584.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> Philanthropist, Bruce Bastian addressing the demonstration in front of the U.S. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Capitol</span><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiDpqY2fPZmsUqU6Z4OhrI6eHAJKUrB-WCrX_8uwFTTj9IWqEkJq51Wz6RMje_Hp0mD9uTPPPscc6Py3OrlNAvI0D_kerSjirknfyAPkcSwN63EG9eWkIhJM_4DlY7YCIjpz-OIK1rYlll/s1600-h/IMG_5581.JPG"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392686093814322834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiDpqY2fPZmsUqU6Z4OhrI6eHAJKUrB-WCrX_8uwFTTj9IWqEkJq51Wz6RMje_Hp0mD9uTPPPscc6Py3OrlNAvI0D_kerSjirknfyAPkcSwN63EG9eWkIhJM_4DlY7YCIjpz-OIK1rYlll/s400/IMG_5581.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> Oscar winning screen writer Lance Black speaking before the 200,000 attendees<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHIE6E5ekGxwgME2whhz703CY1xfezYEAZmNp-Ch-PuOwLTjc1-T12hy7FHAWhuf4cTJqR2fXgMM72U8t3wvipApGxc73QmI8uGHWF7FzC-G2qVL3G7FlsnB7RG8DsMrbmglPN88RsniT/s1600-h/IMG_5563.JPG"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392684997711134434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHIE6E5ekGxwgME2whhz703CY1xfezYEAZmNp-Ch-PuOwLTjc1-T12hy7FHAWhuf4cTJqR2fXgMM72U8t3wvipApGxc73QmI8uGHWF7FzC-G2qVL3G7FlsnB7RG8DsMrbmglPN88RsniT/s400/IMG_5563.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> Sean and the amazing Rick Jacobs backstage<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgritQnqfg5TxRg3-9lwqDBWDgH3gTxyqUHPrCbM5y0XKCeQkXl0vi5TXm1lJfl6zkkrPIDoSxSQS-AdlzflPEjjas8sFfNgQlIS9VNGWq308uJ64iVE_KcaHvH0KFdSikQI3liKPv3ppN/s1600-h/IMG_5588.JPG"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392684127093605282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgritQnqfg5TxRg3-9lwqDBWDgH3gTxyqUHPrCbM5y0XKCeQkXl0vi5TXm1lJfl6zkkrPIDoSxSQS-AdlzflPEjjas8sFfNgQlIS9VNGWq308uJ64iVE_KcaHvH0KFdSikQI3liKPv3ppN/s400/IMG_5588.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Daniel the French <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">documentarian</span> on the press platform</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAPoL63GgHkURvnzeUlKEDwSfkhGiT1eILCa2E3zN99IZjaq4dWDrbFafpJPEEZ1rcvaPCLwUvuZ9qfAjgIMz7NZzP5xJeiupgp4pWcxR5yabZE-HPJFRY8QhZUlg7D5zpZ2Bvg6zhDLyp/s1600-h/IMG_5568.JPG"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392683801561177922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAPoL63GgHkURvnzeUlKEDwSfkhGiT1eILCa2E3zN99IZjaq4dWDrbFafpJPEEZ1rcvaPCLwUvuZ9qfAjgIMz7NZzP5xJeiupgp4pWcxR5yabZE-HPJFRY8QhZUlg7D5zpZ2Bvg6zhDLyp/s400/IMG_5568.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> A young activist who came down from New York to join in the National Equality March -- his first<br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQx3ohO4F9_mHa_4obo8DVQx_Tek16s7wmSEez4BOyXLbvjGARNiZ6FdYfwrRBEPEJjyMPN5rI6mB0g3uYwHpJ3neHvVSWG3gQ6GHkKS22UmZaJfNISY5WyGRv-f8lJVR5BZbanj4OUW6W/s1600-h/IMG_5569.JPG"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392683288700569714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQx3ohO4F9_mHa_4obo8DVQx_Tek16s7wmSEez4BOyXLbvjGARNiZ6FdYfwrRBEPEJjyMPN5rI6mB0g3uYwHpJ3neHvVSWG3gQ6GHkKS22UmZaJfNISY5WyGRv-f8lJVR5BZbanj4OUW6W/s400/IMG_5569.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> Three leading LGBT women activists backstage, Urvashi -Vaid, Cynthia Nixon </span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">and Kate Clinton<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OCmNdSPStru1Y-WpB-gAk5POVYJrdb_Kilnq7W_1h38Vo4brrDihdoPJJhPw9yS6-eVPG4xpFFPl6sOgrai4vbQIwRqlws_ARV-5Dh_IcISbTOK3q9cT11DIlnTnIDe4s7tYMXpfy417/s1600-h/IMG_5531.JPG"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392375403260282210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OCmNdSPStru1Y-WpB-gAk5POVYJrdb_Kilnq7W_1h38Vo4brrDihdoPJJhPw9yS6-eVPG4xpFFPl6sOgrai4vbQIwRqlws_ARV-5Dh_IcISbTOK3q9cT11DIlnTnIDe4s7tYMXpfy417/s400/IMG_5531.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> The <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Manchester</span> Hotels Boycott was front and center during the March down </span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Pennsylvania Avenue<br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLzGRJ_J-8RYGJ8ECOAf9_KSJgnpraPEUnPxRMyXYAnctSI662Y5jYeTl8zEBr8jH0GQFy7Oxdm98jtELmy8fegEAmfXv1rGcoUyU_9GfhyphenhyphenVZYp21IfvcqDG0Uc2n93Nrt4HiqSdah_0IM/s1600-h/IMG_5546.JPG"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392374967943278866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLzGRJ_J-8RYGJ8ECOAf9_KSJgnpraPEUnPxRMyXYAnctSI662Y5jYeTl8zEBr8jH0GQFy7Oxdm98jtELmy8fegEAmfXv1rGcoUyU_9GfhyphenhyphenVZYp21IfvcqDG0Uc2n93Nrt4HiqSdah_0IM/s400/IMG_5546.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> We are Marching to the Capitol, the Capitol......<br /><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRRm_SVEkwlLMQoUJCIs8YCJWTtnD_sbfkIIEagisQ_AuBdy8vTNH__7A05_A1sIVJEcmR1IFwWDK7cc9L9URXSF6WZ3PIkRtzF-_F9V6Q0CrUkL-Si6dlziFE92bM5kBCeZKYi6L8v9-i/s1600-h/IMG_5541.JPG"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392374665913807266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRRm_SVEkwlLMQoUJCIs8YCJWTtnD_sbfkIIEagisQ_AuBdy8vTNH__7A05_A1sIVJEcmR1IFwWDK7cc9L9URXSF6WZ3PIkRtzF-_F9V6Q0CrUkL-Si6dlziFE92bM5kBCeZKYi6L8v9-i/s400/IMG_5541.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> General Cleve Jones, March Creator and Organizer <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">extraordinaire</span> inspecting his <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">troops</span><br /><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzsz5ZiHHAbzLK75fanGz9QCvt9JJFu2sRZK8OVpR4QyMZlBF_bH8z8fu5tAn4n02rZWdU9XvwLuJ94-nvHdE7mO-cIduFgtcRTRBpqf26kvm1uLEpwj2SnmGrPgueMwYcgjcf6Nd-2X4/s1600-h/IMG_5525.JPG"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392374461268580418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzsz5ZiHHAbzLK75fanGz9QCvt9JJFu2sRZK8OVpR4QyMZlBF_bH8z8fu5tAn4n02rZWdU9XvwLuJ94-nvHdE7mO-cIduFgtcRTRBpqf26kvm1uLEpwj2SnmGrPgueMwYcgjcf6Nd-2X4/s400/IMG_5525.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> The <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">demonstrators</span> were mostly all under 30, no wait 25 -- hundreds of thousands of them!<br /><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-FZCznzurhvQYxje0bHpbxru831io4zCgjny7BAIYRM5ZXqWBFFsBu9_UDxNRx2fz29W3uE1Wvm6DMCpuFKzHr3_5_1-iHMY5BiyYjLUAwEpZOK1XE7peCwELbKz0dmHFglFeeraAkDtD/s1600-h/IMG_5521.JPG"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392374103974525346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-FZCznzurhvQYxje0bHpbxru831io4zCgjny7BAIYRM5ZXqWBFFsBu9_UDxNRx2fz29W3uE1Wvm6DMCpuFKzHr3_5_1-iHMY5BiyYjLUAwEpZOK1XE7peCwELbKz0dmHFglFeeraAkDtD/s400/IMG_5521.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> Mike out from LA with a group of 20 others ready to don his Boycott T-shirt<br /></span><div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Californians Against Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493531891025821785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841148985725945058.post-22816390726330224162009-10-13T13:35:00.000-07:002009-10-13T14:04:28.247-07:00Reid rips LDS Church's Prop. 8 support<div style="text-align: left;">This is an amazing story in today's Salt Lake Tribune by Matt Canham of the Tribune's Washington, DC bureau. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in the highest ranking Mormon elected official in the U.S.</div><div><b></b></div><blockquote><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Reid rips LDS Church's Prop. 8 support</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Politics » Majority leader calls it a waste of church resources and good will.</i></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">By Matt Canham</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Salt Lake Tribune</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Washington » In a meeting with gay-rights activists last week, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid criticized the LDS Church for backing a ballot measure banning same-sex marriage in California, saying the leaders of his faith should have stayed out of the contentious political fight.</div><div><br /></div><div>Reid, a Democrat from Nevada, is the highest ranking elected official who is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He previously has not commented on the flood of Mormon money and volunteers who helped propel Proposition 8 to victory in November.</div><div><br /></div><div>But three organizers of the past weekend's National Equality March said Reid brought up the topic during a conversation in his office.</div><div><br /></div><div>"He said that he thought it was a waste of church resources and good will," said Derek Washington, a Nevadan who worked as the outreach director for the march. "He said he didn't think it was appropriate."</div><div><br /></div><div>Reid spokesman Jon Summers would not discuss the private meeting, but he didn't deny the conversation took place.</div><div><br /></div><div>"While Senator Reid agrees with his church that marriage is between a man and a woman," Summers said, "he also believes that the resources that went into the Proposition 8 effort could have been put to better use."</div><div><br /></div><div>LDS Church officials declined to comment Monday. But Frank Schubert, campaign manager for the pro-Prop 8 movement, said: "All churches have not only the opportunity to speak out on important public issues, but really a moral obligation to do so."</div><div><br /></div><div>The Mormon Church, headquartered in Salt Lake City, repeatedly has fought attempts to legalize same-sex marriages. California's Prop 8 was no different. Church leaders announced their support in a letter that was read during Sunday services in meetinghouses throughout the Golden State. LDS officials called for financial donations and volunteers. Members of the church did not disappoint.</div><div><br /></div><div>More than 1,000 Utahns contributed either individually or through a business to the Prop 8 fight, giving $3.8 million. More than 70 percent of that cash went to groups backing the gay-marriage ban. Utah ranked second only to California in the amount given to the ballot battle.</div><div><br /></div><div>The LDS Church kicked in nearly $190,000 in in-kind contributions to ProtectMarriage.com, the leading pro-Prop. 8 group. In the end, Prop 8 passed with 52 percent of the vote.</div><div><br /></div><div>Marchers in Sunday's equality rally, which drew tens of thousands to the U.S. Capitol, repeatedly referenced the Prop 8 defeat in signs, statements and even face paint. But when organizers sat down with Reid, it wasn't a topic they intended to raise. They wanted to thank him for supporting the march and push him on their desire for federal action giving gay Americans the ability to get married, serve openly in the military and fight workplace discrimination.</div><div><br /></div><div>Reid signed a letter supporting the march and encouraged a sustained lobbying campaign.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the meeting, those present touched on issues most important to them. Dan Choi, a veteran of the Iraq War, who was booted from the military under the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy, thanked Reid for lobbying President Barack Obama on his behalf. Robin McGehee, of California, talked about her own family. Then, McGehee said, Reid brought up his LDS faith and discussed a recent meeting with Mormons in which he criticized the Prop 8 efforts.</div><div><br /></div><div>"He personally said they needed to be focused on other things," she said, "and he felt it was harmful for the church to focus on such a divisive issue."</div><div><br /></div><div>mcanham@sltrib.com</div></blockquote><div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.CaliforniansAgainstHate.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">HELP US FIGHT BACK</span></a></b><a href="http://www.CaliforniansAgainstHate.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">.</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Visit our website <a href="http://www.CaliforniansAgainstHate.com/">www.CaliforniansAgainstHate.com</a></div>Californians Against Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493531891025821785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841148985725945058.post-46673485308675113432009-10-08T17:58:00.000-07:002009-10-08T18:07:27.907-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCoGzxH7bNjihJWKkG3dNT4dTgza2m2yRHTliD18SCkEy0ftPOlqgP2YEm39DxzJMYaSRzStVBWVfo5BTpWKtzBkAKu3lq2WNqpytK26vlECezcp8CoHGdWFVpJEAENZMrzXjSlHs-yYq1/s1600-h/Times+Standard+Masthead.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390399612190292450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 119px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCoGzxH7bNjihJWKkG3dNT4dTgza2m2yRHTliD18SCkEy0ftPOlqgP2YEm39DxzJMYaSRzStVBWVfo5BTpWKtzBkAKu3lq2WNqpytK26vlECezcp8CoHGdWFVpJEAENZMrzXjSlHs-yYq1/s400/Times+Standard+Masthead.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">State commission to investigate gay marriage repeal backer</span></strong><br /><br />By Lorie Costigan, Times Record Bureau<br /><br /><div>Friday, October 2, 2009 2:05 PM EDT<br /></div><br /><div>AUGUSTA — The Commission on Governmental Ethics and Elections Practices voted 3-2 Thursday to launch an investigation of the Stand for Marriage Maine Political Action Committee’s primary funder, the National Organization for Marriage (NOM). Both are working for a Nov. 3 people’s veto of a same-sex marriage law the Legislature passed and Gov. John Baldacci signed this spring.</div><br /><div></div><div>A referendum to repeal that law — initiated by a petition drive — will appear as Question 1 on the Nov. 3 state ballot.</div><br /><div>The commission’s decision reversed staff recommendations and followed nearly 40 minutes of conflicting assertions by Fred Karger, executive director of Californians Against Hate; Barry Bostrom and Brian Brown, of the National Organization for Marriage; and Danielle Truszkovsky, a freelance journalist from Florida.</div><br /><div></div><div>Karger asserted that NOM was attempting to circumvent Maine election law by obscuring the names of its donors. He submitted dozens of documents dating to Aug. 13 and brought additional material to Thursday’s commission meeting.</div><br /><div></div><div>Brown, NOM’s executive director, and his attorney, Bostrom, called Karger’s requests nothing more than attempts to identify those opposed to same-sex marriage as targets for future hate crimes. Each reiterated NOM’s compliance with Maine election law, explaining NOM does not solicit donations for work in specific states and instead conducts more generalized fundraising drives to support causes through its general treasury.</div><br /><div></div><div>Of its effort to protect donor identities, Truszkovsky indicated NOM failed to disclose basic nonprofit financial statements, an Internal Revenue Service 990, and had filed amendments to the 990 three times. She told commissioners less than 1 percent of nonprofit organizations amend the disclosure one time, indicating three amendments in one reporting period was highly unusual.</div><div></div><div>Brown and Bostrom said the forms are now available on NOM’s Web site, <a href="http://www.nationformarriage.org/">http://www.nationformarriage.org/</a>, in part because repeated requests for the public documents had interfered with staff work.</div><div></div><div>It was Karger’s documents, however, that piqued the interest of Commissioner Walter McKee, who seized on newsletters and other material specifically citing NOM’s interest in preserving traditional unions in Maine.</div><br /><div></div><div>McKee seemed particularly incensed by one newsletter, where more than half the content was dedicated to funding efforts in Maine.</div><br /><div></div><div>Bostrom responded that NOM’s e-mail newsletters solicited funds to “cover the costs of sending out e-mail newsletters.” Because NOM did not receive more than $5,000 from the newsletters, Bostrom said Maine law does not require NOM to register in the state as a political action committee. He also refuted arguments that NOM would be required to register as a ballot question initiative committee under Maine law.</div><br /><div></div><div>This is not Karger’s first attempt to challenge supporters of same-sex marriage repeal initiatives. He asked the California Fair Political Practices Commission to investigate the connection between NOM and the Church of Latter Day Saints and its purported donations to Proposition 8, the 2007 measure that repealed same-sex marriage in California.</div><br /><div></div><div>Brown told commissioners the Californian commission had not issued a finding of wrongdoing against NOM, which raised $1.8 million in less than two years in support of a California PAC supporting Proposition 8. Brown further asserted Karger’s efforts were merely to expose the names of those who consider marriage a union between one man and one woman.</div><br /><div></div><div>Maine’s referendum has earned national interest, a point reiterated by those speaking before the commission Thursday. Karger traveled from California; Bostrom traveled from Indiana; Brown from New Jersey; and, Truszkovsky from Florida.</div><br /><div></div><div>No one from Maine spoke in favor of or in opposition to the request to investigate National Organization for Marriage.</div><br /><div></div><div>The proximity of the vote did not weigh on commissioners, who urged staff to review allegations given what one commissioner called the “slippery slope” of groups attempting to circumvent Maine election law.</div><br /><div></div><div>Of the $343,689 in donations reported by Stand for Marriage Maine PAC as of June 2009, Karger wrote that religious organizations and James Dobson’s Focus on the Family fund donated all but $400 of the total raised.</div><br /><div></div><div>He alleges the amount of donations to NOM, and the organization’s mission, makes NOM subject to Maine’s election laws.</div><br /><div></div><div>McKee, of Hallowell, was initially inclined to follow staff recommendations, yet was persuaded by Karger’s arguments.</div><br /><div></div><div>“There is a large amount of money in this campaign that concerns me, and I have to say authorizing investigations in circumstances like this is appropriate,” McKee said.</div><br /><div></div><div>“I am troubled by the slippery slope when entities can circumvent the intent of what our laws seek to cover,” Commissioner Andre Duchette of Brunswick said. “I do think an investigation is warranted.”</div><br /><div></div><div>Outgoing commission chairman Michael Friedman of Bangor disagreed, saying the pattern of national money flowing to Maine elections was the norm, not the exception. He urged commissioners to review statutes.</div><br /><div></div><div>Commissioner Edward Youngblood of Bangor also voiced opposition. “There is no reason to get involved in a time-consuming investigation,” he said.</div><br /><div></div><div>Commissioner Francis Marsano of Belfast said the commission needs to focus on the intent of the law.</div><br /><div></div><div>“Time is not of the essence,” Marsano said, adding commission staff could not be expected to complete the investigation by the Nov. 3 election.</div><br /><div></div><div>“This investigation should be done in a way that will produce the kinds of results Commissioner McKee was proposing,” he said.</div><br /><div></div><div>McKee and Duchette, both Democrats, and Marsano, a Republican, voted to order the investigation. Republican Youngblood, and Friedman, who is not enrolled in a political party, opposed.</div><br /><div></div><div>Marc Mutty, chairman of Stand for Marriage Maine, released a statement blasting the decision. “Stand for Marriage Maine is in complete compliance with Maine campaign disclosure laws,” he wrote. “The decision today by the Maine Ethics Commission to open an inquiry based on frivolous allegations concerning the fundraising procedures of one of our allies, the National Organization for Marriage, is an unfortunate abuse of power. It is yet another example of the harassment that follows supporters of traditional marriage. The split 3-2 vote overruled the independent professional recommendation of the commission staff that an investigation was not warranted. Instead, a bare majority of commissioners agreed with a California-based hate group that exists for the sole purpose of harassing marriage supporters ..."</div><br /><div></div><div>If California’s investigation is any indication, Maine’s probe will carry on well past Election Day. Reached for comment Thursday, Roman Porter, executive director of CFPP, said the California investigation spurred by Karger’s complaint is in its 11th month. Porter was unwilling to provide a timeline of when the investigation might end.Jonathan Wayne, executive director of Maine’s ethics commission, sought clarification of the staff role in the investigation and was authorized to subpoena Brown, through attorney Bostrom, as needed.The commission meets next on Nov. 19. <a href="mailto:news@timesrecord.com">news@timesrecord.com</a></div>Californians Against Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493531891025821785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841148985725945058.post-62808736822572086512009-10-07T21:45:00.000-07:002009-10-07T21:48:54.437-07:00Maggie & Brian -- Sign the Oath!<div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEs4mUDEcLibOEJoVzjZmu9lJkG2K4dp0O1KoaFnJuf_EzcN-hN9LCtKJxzMT_5VHHz1SCz90BmA2OdxefC3KDC9MidAYJO4MBtEhsY3KeVeq5ji06zi1_ncK2hzgUPj3Ou4GJHmHyFDFz/s1600-h/Brian+Brown+Maine.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390086048305427554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 336px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 253px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEs4mUDEcLibOEJoVzjZmu9lJkG2K4dp0O1KoaFnJuf_EzcN-hN9LCtKJxzMT_5VHHz1SCz90BmA2OdxefC3KDC9MidAYJO4MBtEhsY3KeVeq5ji06zi1_ncK2hzgUPj3Ou4GJHmHyFDFz/s400/Brian+Brown+Maine.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"> </span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Brian Brown not happy at his press conference right after the Maine Ethics Commission<br /> voted to investigate his National Organization for Marriage Last Thursday</span><br /><br />I was personally attacked last Friday by Brian Brown in an email to his over 500,000 supporters and in a NOM press release. Brian is very unhappy that his organization is now being investigated by Maine, its second state, and lashed out at me.<br /><br />LINK TO BRIAN BROWN’S NASTY EMAIL: </span><a title="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=" href="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=-1&msgid=0&act=11111&c=302269&admin=0&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.californiansagainsthate.com%2Fpdf%2Fmaine%2F091002_NOM_email.pdf" destination="http://www.californiansagainsthate.com/pdf/maine/091002_NOM_email.pdf" c="302269&admin=" msgid="0&act="><span style="font-family:arial;">CLICK HERE</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />LINK TO NOM’S PRESS RELEASE: </span><a href="http://www.nationformarriage.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=omL2KeN0LzH&b=5075187&ct=7542021"><span style="font-family:arial;">CLICK HERE</span></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />I felt it was necessary to respond to Brian's tirade.<br /><br />I have recently been subpoenaed by Maggie Gallagher and Brian Brown and their Magical Mysterious Mormon Front Group, the National Organization for Marriage (NOM).<br /><br />NOM and its law firm, Bopp, Coleson and Bostrom of Terre Haute, Indiana, have been viciously attacking me for over 15 months, with all the power of an over $12 million organization, simply because I am after the truth.<br /><br />NOM heads, Maggie Gallagher and Brian Brown do not like the truth. They both claim to be protecting marriage and children. They are both doing just the opposite.<br /><br />Their creator, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints (Mormon Church) has led the national battle against LGBT civil rights in this country for over 20 years. They have repeatedly lied and covered-up the truth, while harming millions of gays and lesbians.<br /><br />This cruel trio is on the brink of finally getting caught. If California and Maine, the two states that are currently investigating them, find that all their deception was done willfully and with intent, then this merry band could face criminal charges and be hauled off to jail.<br /><br />Maine joined California last week in a courageous vote to investigate NOM. The </span><a title="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=" href="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=-1&msgid=0&act=11111&c=302269&admin=0&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fhostednews%2Fap%2Farticle%2FALeqM5grllk_nt63q2NPIotyM9xpL4hwkwD9B2DUP80" destination="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5grllk_nt63q2NPIotyM9xpL4hwkwD9B2DUP80" c="302269&admin=" msgid="0&act="><span style="font-family:arial;">State of Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> stood up to NOM's threats of legal action at a very emotional meeting in Augusta last Thursday. By a 3 to 2 vote the Commission agreed with the complaint that I filed, and felt that there were too many inconsistencies and unanswered questions. They voted to investigate the National Organization for Marriage.<br /><br />By giving $250,000, NOM is by far the biggest contributor to Question 1 on the November 3rd ballot in Maine. They have not disclosed any of their donor's names, nor filed as a PAC. Question 1 would take away the recently granted right for same-sex couples to marry in Maine. If it passes, NOM will succeed in banning same-sex marriage in the 31st state.<br /><br />NOM’s attorney, Barry Bostrom, claimed at the hearing that the Maine election law could be unconstitutional, and thus threatened to sue the state just as his firm has done in California. Bostrom’s firm filed suit in federal court against every major California election official earlier this year after the California Fair Political Practices Commission decided to investigate NOM’s creator, the Mormon Church.<br /><br />What’s wrong with these people? Why are they working so hard to harm so many? What is their true motivation? Why do they continue to lie and cover-up at every turn?<br /><br />Well, I for one am fed up with their whining about being the victim here, when in fact, the very opposite is true. They raise millions and millions of dollars to take away the rights from a minority. They beat down people and cast an entire minority as 2nd class citizens – not equal to them.<br /><br />They hide their federal tax returns for two years until just before Thursday’s hearing in Maine. NOM's IRS 990 filings for 2007 and 2008 magically appeared on its web site during the wee hours of Thursday morning. I got tipped off right before the hearing, and I was able to point out the truth to the Ethics Commission. Commission members questioned Brian Brown about that. He said that he wasn’t sure when they were posted. And still no sign of the NOM 501(c)3 Educational Fund's (Tax ID Number 26-0240498) 2008 return. So,<br /><br /><strong> Maggie and Brian – SIGN THE OATH</strong><br /><br />Mr. Brian Brown and Ms. Maggie Gallagher, I am asking both of you to sign the oath below, in the hope that from here on, you will change course and tell the American public the truth about where all your money comes from and all that you are doing. It’s a simple oath, and one that you might recognize.<br /><br />I do solemnly swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God.<br /><br />You both are parents. Show your children that they can be proud of you, and that you will change your ways and conduct all your activities with truth, openness and integrity.<br /><br />We at </span><a title="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=" href="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=-1&msgid=0&act=11111&c=302269&admin=0&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fcaliforniansagainsthate.com%2F" destination="http://californiansagainsthate.com/" c="302269&admin=" msgid="0&act="><span style="font-family:arial;">Californians Against Hate</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> live by this golden rule, and we hope that you and your backers will agree from this day forward to fully comply with the oath posted below.<br /><br />I await your reply.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"> OATH FOR<br /> NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MARRIAGE</span></strong><br /><br />I do solemnly swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help me God.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />_________________________ ________________________<br /> Maggie Gallagher Brian S. Brown<br /></span></div>Californians Against Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493531891025821785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841148985725945058.post-50689694481989233062009-10-06T11:38:00.001-07:002009-10-06T11:44:03.670-07:00<div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"> <strong> Statement by Fred Karger<br /> Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices<br /> October 1, 2009</strong><br /><br />Thank you for responding to the complaint that I filed, and for holding this important hearing today. The Commission has been so cooperative throughout this process, and I am very grateful for that. Keeping our elections free from corruption is essential to a democracy. You have consistently done just that.<br /><br />I originally was not going to testify here today, but after reading both of Mr. Bostrom’s letters responding to my charges, I felt compelled to raise some issues and pose some questions.<br /><br />I have been keeping a watchful eye on the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) for the past 18 months. In California, NOM raised the bulk of the money to qualify Proposition 8 for the ballot. They came out of nowhere to become a huge force in that election. Now they are leading the fight against same-sex marriage across the country.<br /><br />Their finances have always been clouded in mystery. They refuse to turn over any of their tax returns as required by federal law. We have repeatedly asked to see those records and so have many journalists. NOM refuses all requests. They feel they are above the law.<br /><br />In one letter to you, however, Mr. Bostrom states that NOM raised $3.5 million in 2008 and will spend $7 million in 2009. That is the very first time they have said what they are spending, but who knows if it is true. They have made so many un-kept promises to release their 990 tax returns for 2007 and 2008, and have told so many different stories, that they cannot be trusted.<br /><br />Funny thing, in the middle of the night last night, NOM finally released its way late 990 tax returns for 2007 and 2008 and posted them on their web site. This was done just in time for today’s meeting.</span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_uKAu2vYoMT4XBYY6zDgHVUmDJqY6MFW8yBxZ8gysGnfo11dclxN-fMLfOup-wxKc67NldwttZq8Lvadh5d-I8MHFihjouaAlhnNZiMQkUooADLwNCleHgCbWtLaK_4sHzITcpXP1hlVq/s1600-h/Maine+Testimony.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389558909040745826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_uKAu2vYoMT4XBYY6zDgHVUmDJqY6MFW8yBxZ8gysGnfo11dclxN-fMLfOup-wxKc67NldwttZq8Lvadh5d-I8MHFihjouaAlhnNZiMQkUooADLwNCleHgCbWtLaK_4sHzITcpXP1hlVq/s400/Maine+Testimony.bmp" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">What we do know, is that NOM has sent out lots of email solicitations to raise money to be spent in Maine and several other states.<br /><br />As a part of my complaint, I submitted 79 emails to the Commission that I was able to gather that NOM has sent out since November 4, 2008.<br /><br />Of these, 16 mention Maine specifically, and directly ask for money. Mr. Bostrom claims that only two of these 16 solicitations should count against its $5,000 PAC reporting threshold.<br /><br />And in another highly suspect claim, Mr. Bostrom states that these two email solicitations only raised a combined total of $295. That’s it? Only raised $147.50 per email? Highly unlikely.<br /><br />On August 21, 2009 NOM Executive Director Brian Brown announced in a press release, “that we have passed a HUGE milestone: 500,000 activists have joined NOM’s merry band of marriage warriors.”<br /><br />So we are supposed to believe that they raised only $147.50 per email from 500,000 supporters? Come on.<br /><br />And Brian goes out of his way to state in fund-raising requests things like, “and unlike in California, every dollar you give to NOM’s Northeast Action Plan today is private, with no risk of harassment from gay marriage protestors.” Or “Donations to NOM are not tax-deductible and they are NOT public information, either.” Or “Your gift is confidential: no public disclosure!”<br /><br />And NOM only raises $147.50 per email to 500,000 of its supporters?<br /><br />Mr. Bostrom’s letters to the Commission admit guilt. They state that they are raising money for Maine, but claim that they are not covered by the Maine statute.<br /><br />Mr. Bostrom threatens you by saying that your law is unconstitutional, that election laws are a burden and limit First Amendment Free Speech, while acknowledging that they broke the law. He says that the law doesn’t apply to his clients. Please don’t be intimidated by him.<br /><br />One statement in Mr. Bostrom’s letter on behalf of NOM caught my attention. He stated emphatically that, “No other solicitations were made for ballot measure activities in Maine by email, direct mail, or other means. True? No.<br /><br />NOM’s Inaugural News Letter that came out in July 2009 is devoted to the Maine election on Question 1, and the last line of the article is pretty clear, “Your support for NOM is critical to the success of the effort.”<br /><br />How many other solicitations has NOM made to raise money for Maine? How else have they raised money? Where did they get the $250,000 that they gave Stand for Marriage Maine? They claim not from their emails. Then where?<br /><br />If the Commission staff were to talk to all nine Board members of NOM individually, I’ll bet you could get these answers pretty quick.<br /><br />Mr. Bostrom filled a very similar response to the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board when charges of financial irregularities were filed against his client in August by One Iowa and the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa Action Fund.<br /><br />The threshold for reporting as a PAC in Iowa is only $750, and NOM claims to be well under that just like they claim to be well under Maine’s of $5,000.<br /><br />Maybe that is why they came up with the $295.00 as the only money they raised for Maine. They had to be well under both state’s limits after the fact, to explain why they broke the law by not forming a PAC.<br /><br />I have spent 30 years in politics managing campaigns. I have filed and read literally thousands of campaign reports in probably 25 states. I have never seen this type of blatant disregard for election laws like I have seen with NOM in several states.<br /><br />All I have done in Maine was to pull together evidence found in the public record and point out what I felt were campaign reporting irregularities. I just want to get to the truth.<br /><br />I did that in California right after the election which led to the ongoing investigation of NOM by your counterpart there, the Fair Political Practices Commission.<br /><br />My citizen activism in Maine and California has caused me to get subpoenaed by the National Organization for Marriage and its allies in a federal law suit. That suit was filed so they could keep their contributor’s names secret, just like Mr. Brown promised his donors giving to your election.<br /><br />They are retaliating against me in an attempt to silence me and bully me by dragging me into federal court.<br /><br />This is what they do to stop any attempt to shed transparency on their operation. I am not scared, because I know that I am doing the right thing. The Fair Political Practices Commission is not afraid to investigate NOM and its allies because they know that it is the right thing to do as well. I hope that the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Elections Practices will stand up to their threats and scare tactics.<br /><br />An investigation is the only way to get to the truth.<br /><br />Today, October 1st marks the start of LGBT History month in this country. It began 15 years ago to encourage openness and honesty for those of us who happen to be gay, lesbian, bi-sexual or transgender.<br /><br />Please don’t let NOM’s threats against your state deter the five of you from doing the right thing today, by always striving for openness and honesty in the electoral process.<br /><br />Thank you very much.</span>Californians Against Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493531891025821785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841148985725945058.post-85142628758770598032009-10-04T21:49:00.000-07:002009-10-04T22:01:13.251-07:00<span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>News Coverage of Maine Ethics Commission Investigation from Around the World!</strong></span>
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<br /></span><a title="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=" msgid="590639&act=" c="302269&admin=" destination="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5grllk_nt63q2NPIotyM9xpL4hwkwD9B2DUP80" href="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=37171204&msgid=590639&act=GOQZ&c=302269&admin=0&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fhostednews%2Fap%2Farticle%2FALeqM5grllk_nt63q2NPIotyM9xpL4hwkwD9B2DUP80"><span style="font-family:arial;">Maine Marriage Campaign Probe Gets OK</span></a>
<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">By GLENN ADAMS (AP) – 1 day ago</span>
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<br />AUGUSTA, Maine — Maine's campaign oversight board overruled a staff recommendation Thursday and authorized an investigation into fundraising by groups supporting the campaign to repeal the state's gay marriage law in a Nov. 3 referendum.
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<br />The Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices voted 3-2 after some members said there was sufficient evidence to warrant a closer look at finance reporting by the National Organization for Marriage, a major contributor to Stand for Marriage Maine.
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<br />The latter group is leading the people's veto campaign to repeal Maine's legislatively enacted law recognizing same-sex marriages. Maine's law, which was signed in May by Gov. John Baldacci, and the challenge forced by a petition drive have drawn national attention.
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<br />In the case before the ethics commission Thursday, Californians Against Hate founder Fred Karger complained that the Princeton, N.J.-based National Organization for Marriage is circumventing Maine law by not reporting the names of donors whose money is spent by the Maine campaign.</span>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitu3IyK6Fqiiq29FNLsZI8BsdVIzNS_ewqBpDopT1N7rAN3MusLoXipFIhWLcdyvCrPmaCjPshWWC25nvLbUlRA2yxuBxcsvf4XFTtvKxvuiGb8MfWmwqKpiqat3aCis96SyUjM3UjRajS/s1600-h/Maine+Press+Avail.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388975926210673858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitu3IyK6Fqiiq29FNLsZI8BsdVIzNS_ewqBpDopT1N7rAN3MusLoXipFIhWLcdyvCrPmaCjPshWWC25nvLbUlRA2yxuBxcsvf4XFTtvKxvuiGb8MfWmwqKpiqat3aCis96SyUjM3UjRajS/s400/Maine+Press+Avail.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Karger's whose group was formed to identify major donors in last year's Proposition 8 campaign in California, in which voters overturned that state's same-sex marriage law. Karger said NOM's finances "have always been clouded in mystery."
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">"They're trying to shield their donors," Karger said Thursday. "An investigation is the only way to the truth."
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">NOM attorney Barry Bostrom said the organization's policy is to collect donations not targeted for specific campaigns so donors will not have to fear business boycotts, property damage and other forms of harassment by same-sex marriage activists. Bostrom said NOM complies with state campaign financing laws in all states in which it's active.
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Brian Brown, NOM executive director, dismissed Karger's complaint as "nothing more than an attempt to harass and intimidate those of us who believe in the core truth that marriage is between one man and one woman."
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Thirty states have voter-approved gay marriage bans in their constitutions, and federal law bars federal recognition of gay unions. Six states have passed laws or have been ordered by the courts to allow same-sex marriage, but the people's veto fight has focused national attention on Maine.
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">"I do believe Maine is now the No. 1 fight throughout the country," said Brown. "Of course it's critical."
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">While the state ethics commission has authorized an investigation into whether violations of Maine's finance reporting law occurred, it did not issue a deadline for a finding, either before the Nov. 3 election or after it. The commission staff had concluded there was not enough evidence to justify an investigation.
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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<br />Californians Against Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493531891025821785noreply@blogger.com