I heard this on the radio in passing earlier today, and confirmed it on Hot Air this evening.
This sort of intimidation pisses me off.
Let me say before I post the story details that until I read this, I had no intention of joining the fray for referendum 71, which seeks a public vote to overturn the recently signed same sex partnership laws here in Washington.
If anything, I thought that addressing this out of the marriage arena brought back the reality of what this is about without the rhetoric.
And since so many companies are already providing this, I was not surprised to see it pass the Washington legislature and be signed by the Governor.
When I heard about the attempt to overturn it by Referendum, it just made me tired. I am all for churches wanting to maintain their religious doctrines but I also see no problem with the State imposing equality in benefits, while leaving marriage alone.
But now...quite frankly even though I don't really care about overturning it, I plan on signing the petition.
Why? Because our State has a constitution and that constitution provides for a referendum process. If peaceful citizens feel strongly and can gather the required signatures, then they deserve to have the matter decided by the people, who are (supposed to be) the ultimate authority in matters of law.
The referendum allows for a public vote. So appeal to the people, who i would expect to uphold the law, and then have done with it. Obviopusly the gay rights groups do not trust the average citizen of Washington.
Why else pull this sort of chicken sh*t intimidation? Why try and brand people bigots?
Many people like me sign petitions because they support the referendum and initiative process, and the right to bring it before the people on the ballot, not because they support the specific issue.
I believe in our process.
WhoSigned.org and their partners KnowThyNeighbor.org are cowards who rather then argue their case at the polls have to resort to cheap threats.
Groups to 'out' those who sign petition against same-sex unions
A group called WhoSigned.org says it will publicize the names of people signing petitions for Referendum 71, which seeks a public vote to overturn a new expansion of Washington's same-sex partnerships.
WhoSigned.org says it's partnering with the gay rights group KnowThyNeighbor.org to put the names online.
In a statement Monday, WhoSigned.org says it expects people who see the names online to contact the signers for what may be uncomfortable talks about gay rights.
Sponsors of Referendum 71 have until July 25 to collect about 121,000 signatures to make the fall ballot. The referendum seeks to overturn the latest expansion of the domestic partner law, which would give partners the same state rights as married couples.
Hot Air notes:
In a statement Monday, WhoSigned.org says it expects people who see the names online to contact the signers for what may be uncomfortable talks about gay rights.
That's as good as euphemism as any for what they have in mind. If it's all about pressuring opponents of gay rights with boycotts and "direct action" of various sorts, legitimate and otherwise, why allow a secret ballot at all? Force everyone to sign on the dotted line at the polling place and then publish their names. That's what this amounts to in practice anyway.
Someone hand me a pen...
The point is that this is a blatant attempt to proactively intimidate instead of addressing the problem at the ballot box.
And yes, the records are public, but they can still be abused. Making a searchable database and posting it online is abuse in my book.
Posted by: karl on June 2, 2009 09:48 AMThat's your proof? Sorry, but that's laughable. A comment about how conservatives are scum at the Huffington Post isn't evidence that folks are going to come to your door and shoot you because of your beliefs, or even put a paper bag full of dog poop on your front porch.
And public records aren't "abuse", but a searchable database is? How did you come upon that conclusion?
Posted by: demo kid on June 2, 2009 01:46 PMKnowing the records are public does not concern me Andrew. I stand by my actions.
I haved signed many petitions. Let anyone who wants to see it go see. And since I will be signing this one, there ya go. Look me up.
To take it the information and scan it to a searchable database for the admitted purpose of intimidation is stepping over the line for me.
Sorry if you dont see that.
And the main issue I have still has nothing to do with the Domestic partnership law. I am for it.
But I am also for an open vote on the subject if enough people wish it.
If your position is so morally absolute you shouldn't be so afraid of the ballot box that you try and cheat to avoid it.
Posted by: karl on June 2, 2009 04:05 PMNeither do conservatives... although incitements to real violence tend to be more from the right than the left lately. But you have no proof that this is going to incite violence in the slightest!
To take it the information and scan it to a searchable database for the admitted purpose of intimidation is stepping over the line for me.
What is the point of "public" information if it cannot be accessed? In fact, I'd argue that this should be done MORE often.
Posted by: demo kid on June 2, 2009 04:25 PMAs for the violence aspect, considering all the violence done by libs in pursuit of peace and anti war protests, I hardly think you have the right to claim that conservatives leap faster.
Regardless, as I said, access to public records is fine. Go down and have a look see.
But to make it accessible on the web for easy intimidation, is wrong.
And yes, they are planning on intimidation. Consider this:
WhoSigned.org says it expects people who see the names online to contact the signers for what may be uncomfortable talks about gay rights.
In other words, they want to go and find anyone supporting the petition and harass them.
And again, the petition puts the matter on the ballot, nothing more.
What is the harm in that? You libs should be happy. You beat the conservatives on the gas tax, you can do the same thing here.
Embrace the referendum and defeat it the right way.
Not by being bullies.