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Prop 8 Trial Judge Is Gay; Should This Matter?
Is this a threatening letter? Well ... kind of, we guess. It sure looks like it's meant to be a threat, in the same way that "I'm telling on you" is a threat. But does it successfully threaten? That's a tough call. Whoever wrote it seems to have lacked the competence necessary to actually instill fear.
Here's what happened:
Abbot & Associates, a realty company in San Diego, gave a generous chunk of change to the No On 8 campaign. (You should, too.) And then the Yes On 8 campaign wrote them a letter that is just freaking KA-RAZEE, demanding that Abbot & Associates take back their donation and give it to the other side.
"We respectfully request that Abbott & Associates withdraw its support of Equality California. Make a donation of a like amount to ProtectMarriage.com which will help us correct this error ... The names of any companies and organizations that choose not to donate in like manner to ProtectMarriage.com but have given to Equality California will be published. ... We will contact you shortly to discuss your contribution."
Wha wha whaaaa? Seriously? Check out the letter here. It's like something a mobster would insinuate. "Jimmy the Toe's gonna pay you a little visit in an unmarked van to have a little chat, vis-a-vis your making glad with the greenbacks." And indeed, Jim Abbott's son described it as "a bit 'mafioso.'"
Except that instead of threatening to put anyone on ice, they're threatening to "publish." No! No! Anything but publish! Indeed, charitable giving has become the Most Dangerous Game.
Disclosure! SFist_Matt is hard at work on a project to stop prop 8.
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i'm dumbfounded at the gall of these people. GO BACK TO UTAH AND STAY THERE. SECEDE, EVEN. YOU ARE NOT WELCOME HERE.
(all caps day came a day late for me.)
It's one thing to say "Hey We're the Yes on 8 People and we's crying cuz someone gave money to someone not us. Boo them."
It is quite another to go to said person or business and demand "protection money" to go to the Mormon Church funded campaign "or else."
I'd tell them to bring it on. You think I would care if I was outed for...not being a bigot? Ooh, I'd be shaking in my boots.
I hope they're running this story everywhere, because these tactics need the light of day shined on them. The Yes on 8 hateful religious zealots know they have no logical argument for violating the equal protection clause, so now they're resorting to sheer threats and thuggery.
did Abbot and Associates send a response? How did this letter come into the No on 8's purview. I am just curious. Also, did the other companies on that sheet get like letters?
If I recall correctly, Abbott & Assocates donated about $10K to No on 8, and I think it was Abbot who recently married his long term partner, which really makes this extortion attempt add insult to injury.
In light of those facts, my guess is A&A contacted No on 8.
So they are threatening to give free advertising unless the business pays protection money?
All I can see on that graphic is boobs.
Hate groups are asking for donations now? Geez, what's next .... a request for contributions from the KKK and Al-Qaida?
"Give money to our hate group now, or we'll expose you for the freedom-loving patriots that you are!!"
I think Abbott and Abbott contacted the campaign
I think the list of companies that donated to the No on 8 campaign SHOULD be published so that I can promptly patronize them and reward them with my hard earned dollars
These people are PATHETIC
http://www.finnie.org/spoofs/www.protectbigotry.com/
i think it's hilarious that these they think these businesses will even care if they're listed on some conservative fascists' website.
Dear Mr. Jim Abbott,
Congratulations on your recent badge of honor! That cachet that such a document represents cannot be bought; it must be earned, and so you have. Your temptation will be to demurely accept this honor. We ask that you resist this temptation. I suggest the following:
1) Take the aforementioned letter and frame it.
2) Take your marriage license and frame it.
3) Place the two side by side in your home, business, or other prominent place.
4) Point out to younger generations that both are significant historical artifacts in the struggle for civil rights.
5) Watch them marvel at the one, then the other.
I'm not kidding. Those "Whites Only" placards are collectibles. So are the "No Irish" signs from the 1840's. It's fun to look them, and wonder how there was a time when people thought such things.
They sent one to P.G. & E, apparently. I'm sure PG&E is just terrified that they're going to be boycotted.
Dear Yes On 8,
Assuming that you were hoping to incite a boycott of businesses supporting equality, we have decided to help you out immediately by turning off electricity to all of your Northern California field offices. We know how strongly you are committed to the boycott and we wish to provide a high level of swift service in this regard.
Love,
Pacific Gas & Electric
*claps*
wallcloud i can only hope they do!
Honestly between these clowns and Ashley Todd (the girl who faked an attack by a Obama supporter/robber) I want this election over.
This seems to support my long-time theory that many religious groups aren't just a cults, they're mobs.
Isn't that extortion? And if I recall, extortion is against the law? Shouldn't they be charged with a crime?