Action alert: "Defense of Marriage Pledge."

[Zookeeper]

Our Senate Democrats need to hear from those of us who value the separation of church and state.

Minnesota Citizens in Defense of Marriage took out a half-page ad in the Wednesday, May 5th, Star Tribune full of hysteria and explanation marks, urging fellow fundies to call and harass State Senators that have not signed the "Defense of Marriage Pledge"

"If the Senate fails to pass the Defense of Marriage Amendment by May 17, we could have state-sanctioned same-sex marriage in MN this year! And once that happens, the floodgates are open; schools can then be required to teach our children that same-sex marriage is the moral equivalent of a traditional marriage. And laws similar to those being introduced in Canada may soon be headed our way, laws which ban our freedom to publicly disagree with the homosexual lifestyle-even in our churches and private schools!"

They conveniently listed the names and numbers of the Senators who have not signed. So, I called the Senators and thanked them for NOT signing and encouraged them to stick to their guns.

Once the staffers realized I was calling to support their Senator, their voices either brightened, or they sounded like they might cry just from the stress of dealing with the flood of the calls from the crazed fundies. One staffer said the scene at the Capital has been bizarre for weeks. Daily fundie rallies, intense lobbying, prayer vigils and a near riot. She said staffers are being prayed over (AT?) as they pass by.

Other staffers agreed with me (or volunteered) that this effort is a front for a larger right-wing fundamentalist agenda. Today's Strib had this tidbit:

"'People viewing this thought they were witnessing a seance or an exorcism as they watched these people move about the chamber.' (from) Checks and Balances, the state politics newsletter, on May 3, describing the scene in the Senate Chamber as state Sen. Michele Bachmann led supporters...to the unoccupied desks of senators who oppose her amendment. They stood and prayed over each desk."

The list of senators and their office numbers can be found at:

www.mnmarriage.com :eyes:

[jean]

1. Thanks for the alert - I will call all of them tomorrow!

[Zookeeper]

3. Thanks, Jean!

I really felt sorry for the staffers. They will appreciate the support!

[JustFiveMoreMinutes]

2. Why not just tatoo 666 on their foreheads?

.. to prove their 'worthiness'?

[newyawker99]

5. Hi JustFiveMoreMinutes!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Zookeeper]

6. Welcome to DU, JustFiveMoreMinutes!

I love your name. As a mother, it is a very familiar phrase. :hi:

[Nobody]

4. Just sent my State Sen an email

I guess these rabid religious righties have marriages too weak to compare favorably with committed gay couples.

[Zookeeper]

7. Yes....

and having to share their cookies (benefits of marriage) would just push them right over the edge.... :crazy:

BTW, thanks for e-mailing and, if you are so inclined, it sounds like all of those senators would welcome your feedback. :thumbsup:

[Deja Q]

8. Yeah, but those kooks are banning my freedom to be as an equal to them

And, for the moment, I'm not sayin' another word. I'm too angry right now.

[Zookeeper]

9. I'm adding to my own thread here...

but I thought I should mention that part of the plan to put this on the ballot, is to get the Fundies out to vote, thereby influencing other elections.

So, even if you don't feel moved by this particular issue, it will have a much broader effect if this appears on the ballot.

[ButterflyBlood]

10. I am so proud to see my state senator on the list!

good for John Hottinger! He'll get a message of support from me.

[Zookeeper]

11. Did you read in the May 13th Strib...

that the Fundies are sitting in the hallways and outside of the Capitol EVERYDAY, weeping and praying for their amendment to pass? :eyes:

Fortunately, it looks like it won't be passed in what is left of this session.