Elections fightback on racism & homophobia
Chris Lowe
Kristin Teigen in a recent column drew attention to an emerging pattern of race-baiting and racially-tinged terrorist-baiting at McCain-Palin rallies, and to disturbing violence-oriented responses from some in the crowds.
The group ColorOfChange.org offers a tool to push back, with an open letter to the McCain-Palin campaign calling them out on using despicable inflammatory language and tactics. You can sign on here.
Proposition 8, an initiative in California to overturn the state Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage has taken a 5 point lead in a recent SurveyUSA poll for the first time. Both the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the Human Rights Campaign analyze this as the effect of being outspent in advertising. NGLTF writes:
The latest tracking polls in California show that if the election was held today among voters who have seen No on 8 ads and the other side’s ads, we would win! Unfortunately, our side (No on 8) doesn’t have sufficient funds to get our ads seen by all the voters who can stand with fairness. So it’s that simple: Without more funds, we’ll lose. But we can win if we have enough money to reach voters. So please donate now!
For the NGLTF link to donate to defeat the initiative, go here. Or to the Equality for All Coalition. Or Equality California. Or Californians Against Eliminating Basic Rights.
Time for us all to stand up again for all our sisters and brothers.
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Oct 15, '08
Let's face it - if you're unfortunate enough to be a WHITE MALE and don't vote Obama: You're a Racist.
It's that simple.
9:25 p.m.
Oct 15, '08
Hal, if you truly believe Sarah Palin and John McCain are best prepared to lead this country out of the mess we're in, I won't think you're racist. Stupid, yes, for voting against your own best interest (assuming you earn less than $250,000 like 95% of us). But, I'd need one hell of a lot more indication than a vote for John McCain to consider you racist.
So cut the whining. Racism ain't "that simple".
As for the attack in California on my basic equality as an American citizen, I hope people here donate some money, and call your friends in California to urge NO ON 8 (because it rhymes with ...).
We LGBT folk are only 7% to 10% of the population (maybe we'll get in the census someday and know for sure).
We'll never have equal rights without allies.
Please help?
10:05 a.m.
Oct 16, '08
Chris,
This is exceptionally cool. I didn't see this until this morning, otherwise I'd have commented earlier. I'm going to send this post far and wide. Thanks so much!
Oct 17, '08
Hal, I'm an Arab American who's been targeted by all kinds of hate crimes: Racism, Sexism, Bigotry.
I ran three times for public offices. In 2003 for Lane Community College Board-"%48.9"-
In 2005 for the 4J School Board. www.nadiasindi.blogspot.com. Hate & defaming messages on my blog, telephone harassment, stalking almost got run over three times. I was going to be killed.
Now, 2008 I'm running for Lane County Commissioner Seat, as a write in. www.nadiasindi.110mb.com. Same thing of hate messages, defaming me, telephone harassment..etc..
I was cheated in the primary. My name was not on the ballots...It happened under the watch of our "progressive" elected officials.
Please read what Dr. John Zogby wrote:
Today my office issued the following statement, which includes my comments:
Dr. James Zogby says, "Enough is enough!"
Washington D.C. - October 11, 2008 -We are disturbed by the degree to which 'Arab' has become the metaphorical mud to sling against your opponent. Last week, for example, the Republican Jewish Coalition released a document in which they use the term Pro-Arab as a pejorative accusation. For his part, Rush Limbaugh has joined in by declaring that Obama is in fact an Arab American. Then, last Friday, after a supporter called Senator Barak Obama "an Arab", Senator John McCain came to the defense of of his political opponent by saying, "No, ma'am. He's a decent family man and citizen..." From this we are left to infer that an Arab man is less then a "decent family man."
Oct 22, '08
Not certain this belongs here, but don't have time to look at every single thread from the past months to find it -- it is CRITICAL to be listening to Democracy Now at this time, as every morning they are touching deeply on the most pertinent issues of this campaign.
This morning the disquisitions on the ephemeral spectre of "voter fraud" was thoroughly discussed, and the "man in the middle" infrastructure of the current setup of the electronic voting system was discussed. I've not vetted the presenters, they came from academia and thinktanks, published, well-spoken, tenured... and non-incendiary.
A vastly important explanation of the fake-ness of the so-called Bradley Effect and the fact that it will probably be supplied as the "narrative" to "explain" another "lost" election - very important to pay attention to this. Can't say it enough.
IMPORTANT, and helpful for avoiding the Red Herring effect!
I will most likely live blog the Democracy Now election day programming instead of the common media blasts. Wonder if this will be of any use to anyone? It might be of use to run threads that interleave the US-only media service and the alternative media service that will be covering international reaction, on the ground exit coverage et. al.