As they say on FauxNews: We Report- You Decide!
This morning's "Kennebec Journal" reported in one large piece many of the latest stories we've talked about here on the Blend recently: Schubert Flint's involvement, SFMM's hypocrisy regarding out-of-state assistance (I would have liked MORE reporting on this, but eh! Whaddayagonnado...), and the large donations to No On 1 from EQCA and HRC.
It's a big 2 page spread entitled "Out-of-state donors help fuel debate on same-sex marriage" The piece ends with the following:
The money that Stand for Marriage Maine has received from national groups, particularly the National Organization for Marriage, was the subject of yet another critical e-mail - this one from a California group supporting same-sex marriage.
On Thursday, Californians Against Hate, based in San Diego, put out a media statement complaining that while Stand for Marriage Maine had received large sums of money from those groups, it wasn't apparent who had donated money to those groups in the first place.
"We certainly don't take much of it very seriously," Marc Mutty, chairman of Stand for Marriage Maine's executive committee, said, referring to the criticism by Californians Against Hate. "We are frustrafrustrated at the fact that it's yet one more distraction."
Fred Karger, founder of Californians Against Hate, sent a letter to the Maine Ethics Commission and the Attorney General's Office, raising allegations of money laundering.
Although I'm sure he is aware of this story, I've forwarded the article to Fred Karger for his reaction, btw.
It will be interesting to see what followup there is by Maine officials- here is what is being reported so far regarding that:
Jonathan Wayne, executive director of the commission, said his staff is interpreting the letter as a request for an investigation. They have forwarded the letter to the Stand for Marriage political action committee, he said. The staff needs to ask Karger for more specific information and charges, said Wayne.Campaign finance laws for candidates are fairly clear, said Wayne. Any money earmarked for a candidate from one party through an intermediary must be identified back to the source, he said. The laws for PAC reporting aren't as clear, said Wayne.
Kate Simmons, spokeswoman for the Attorney General's Office, said the office would aid the Ethics Commission in its work.
"We appreciate Wayne's responsibilities to the people of Maine, and we will cooperate with them to the extent we can," said Mutty. "We see all these accusations launched against us as very non-specific, just an attempt to further blur the issues."
The same Wickenheiser piece is being reported in the Maine Sunday Telegram and Portland Press Herald newspapers today as well, with the headline "Outside aid stirs furor in marriage campaign".
I like this type of complete media coverage very much. While not every Mainer is a Blender or even computer literate (go figure!), they ARE a very old-fashioned bunch and the Sunday newspaper is a staple of that. People read all of the "Letters To The Editor" and by Tuesday or so, letters will start being printed in reaction to this story.
The article is very complete in its information and should well serve the purpose of educating the Maine voters as to current events they might not otherwise have been made aware.
Online reactions are already pouring in, but after reading those since the public hearing, I've gotten to dismissing the majority of them. Admittedly not a very professional approach, but honest- there isn't an exchanging of ideas and information so much as a rant of "set in stone" viewpoints.
So now we wait and see what Mainers think!
CITIZEN: I have two real concerns about the nationalized health care insurance.
Why are all Americans forced into a government-run heal health care and insurance plan when only 46 million out of 312 million are uninsured? Do you want me to break down how those insured are found? 12 million are illegal immigrants, 17 million earn $50,000 plus and choose not to have inurance. 8.8 million without insurance for four months or less...or more because they're between...they're unemployed and between jobs. 8.2 are chronically uninsured. That's a total of 46 million people. I'd be willing for the government to buy insurance policies for the 8.2 million chronically uninsured, but the other 37.8 million are not the responsibility of the American citizens and I will...I'm not willing...and I am unwilling to throw my present health care away for them.
LARSEN: Thanks. Thanks, Jim. Thanks for your input and your comments. With regards to the first comment about being forced to buy health care, I'll say it again, not 'till I'm blue in the face, I may get cold enough and I'll look blue in the face here tonight, but it won't be until I'm blue in the face. The bill does not force anybody to buy health care, to change...to change....I'm sorry, the bill does not force anybody to change their health care plan. If you're in a plan, you will not be forced into the public option. You will not be forced into the health insurance exchange. Now folks will say that's not true, but I've got facts on my side and you've got Glenn Beck on your side. It's just not going to play off that way.
Considering the horrible experiences I've had recently on American Airlines (multiple cancelled flights with sucktastic customer communication about them), it was fortuitous to run into Ray Balis, a former flight attendant, at Netroots Nation 2009.
Ray is now a negotiator for the flight attendants of American Airlines. He reveals some onerous corporate practices that may (not) surprise you. Flight attendants feel your pain in many ways, as much as you are as a consumer -- they are getting jerked around by the financial woes of the airlines -- and the decisions made up the food chain. When flights are canc elled, flight attendants aren't paid; they are often stranded with all the same inconveniences we are, and they don't receive a paid-for lunch (I've spoken to others who have to brown bag it), except on international long flights. That was one benefit negotiated away when the airlines played hardball.
To learn more about American Airlines flight attendants negotiations, visit the site Ray refers to in the video, http://Ap://APFAVirtualPicket.com.
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Related:
* American Airlines sucks gargantuan donkey turds
* The massive sucktitude of American Airlines is beyond belief
* Ironic press release of the day - American Airlines
Please join the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) and Basic Rights Oregon (BRO) For a weekend of intimate events in Portland,featuring Kate Kendell, Esq., NCLR Executive Director and Jeana Frazzini, BRO Executive Director
The State of Our Unions: LGBT Legal & Policy Briefing Saturday, September 12, 2009 3:00 pm â€" 5:00 pm
Flying Cat Coffee Company 3041 SE Division Portland, Oregon
The legal landscape for LGBT people is ever-changing, and this year, that has proved to be especially true! With new victories and defeats occurring at a faster pace than ever, it’s hard to keep track of where our struggle for justice stands, and how and where our relationships are protected. Join us for a presentation and discussion on the latest legal and policy issues affecting the LGBT community, including an update on moving forwng forward with marriage equality in Oregon and other states and federal legislation and litigation. There is no cost to attend. No RSVP necessary.
A Social for Social Justice: Benefit Party with NCLR and BRO Sunday, September 13, 2009 3:00 pm â€" 5:00 pm
Nostrana Restaurant With award-winning Chef Cathy Whims 1401 SE Morrison Street Portland, Oregon So much has happened over this past year â€" we hope you can join us for a fun and intimate afternoon to catch up with NCLR and BRO and find out more about our current work and what lies ahead in the fight for our LGBT civil and human rights. Suggested Donation: $25, payable at the door. Please RSVP by September 4th to Dena Zaldúa-Hilkene at dzalduahilkene@nclrights.org with subject line “NCLR Portland Event†or call 415.365.1303. Reservations will be held at the door.
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