Gay Marriage

What Happens When You Publicly Oppose California Proposition 8 and Traditional Marriage – You Get a Letter

October 24, 2008 /
The Latest Yes on 8 Protect Marriage Television Ad: California’s Children

Flap already posted a piece about a couple who were harassed by anti-traditional marriage proponents (No on 8), the sign stealing and the death threats that some have received by publicy supporting traditional marriage (Yes on 8).

Now, the pro-gay marriage proponents are complaining that anti-Proposition 8 businesses are being “OUTED” or even threatened by the Yes on 8 folks.

So, what is the FLAP?

A threatening letter has sparked a new controversy here in San Diego surrounding the gay marriage debate. Donors who gave money to the No on Prop 8 campaign say they received blackmail letters demanding money, and the Yes on 8 campaign now says the letters were sent by their employees.

The letter from Yes on 8 came by certified mail, demanding at least $10,000. Jim Abbot knows exactly why he’s being targeted – his business gave $10,000 to a group called Equality California, which supports No on Prop 9.

Jim says nearly 25 percent of his staff is gay.

“We wanted to support their freedom to marry,” he said.

The letter says if Jim doesn’t give an equal donation to Yes on 8, the name of his company will be published. It reads in part, “It is only fair for Proposition 8 supporters to know which companies and organizations oppose traditional marriage.

“I feel like it’s blackmail, and as you can imagine, real estate business has been tough lately and to have someone come at you like this… it’s very distressing,” he said.

Here is the letter:

abbott-1
abbott-2

A little more digging reveals that Mr. Jim Abbot has more at stake here than “OUTING” a $ 10K political contribution to a pro-gay marriage advocacy group.

Jim Abbot, who married his same-sex partner at the end of August, refused to buckle: We’re not caving, no. No, we’re going to support our employees. We’re going to support the freedom to marry. We think that’s a fundamental right to do what we can to make sure its not taken away.

So, Jim is a stakeholder in the Proposition election not a mere donor for good government, now isn’t he?

San Diego businessman Jim Abbott, who owns a real estate company and is a member of Equality California’s board of directors, received one of the letters late Wednesday afternoon. His adult son called Abbott to read it to him.

“He characterized it as a bit Mafioso,” Abbott said. “It was a little distressing, but it’s consistent with how the ‘yes’ side of this campaign has been run, which is a bit over the top.”

Abbott, who married his same-sex partner at the end of August, estimated that over the last decade he has given $50,000 to Equality California, including a recent $10,000 gift to underwrite a San Diego event that raised money to defeat Proposition 8.

Does this outrage sound contrived?

After reading the letter above does it sound like extortion blackmail or strong-armed tactics? Or is it merely asking for reconsideration on a moral question and asking for an equal donation?

But, there is more.

The greater No on Propositon 8 proponents (now, mind you not the actual No on 8 Election Committee) have already been posting, “OUTING” and otherwise harassing in the way intimated but NOT completed in the letter above, Yes on Proposition 8 donors. Here is the website: Californians Against Hate.

All of these records are in the public record and are listed on other sites but the No on 8 folks have created a DISHONOR ROLL.

no-on-8-dishonor-roll

Wow. There are sure alot of Yes on 8 donors listed there. Here is the disclaimer:

Disclaimer: This list is based on the data made publicly available by the California Secretary of State’s office. Californians Against Hate, Inc. is not responsible for the accuracy or validity of the names, contribution amounts and descriptions on this Dishonor Roll. Please direct any inquiries or corrections to the California Secretary of State. Californians Against Hate, Inc. will periodically update this list based on additional data made available by the California Secretary of State. It is possible for multiple persons to share the same name.

So, let’s recap.

Yes on 8 proponents are harassed outside their home by being called bigots, the Daily Kos calls on its readers to dig up dirt on Yes on 8 Supporters, and there are death threats.

No on 8 proponents receive a letter and then WHINE to their friends in the MSM and plaster the story on homosexual websites as an outrage. Left-wing blogs hype the story.

Flap finds the tit for tat crapola on donors as spiteful, immature and counter-productive for both proponents and opponents of Proposition 8. Both sides of this issue want to win the election and the hearts and minds of the general populace.

Neither are winning here.

On the other hand, voters DO have a right to know who are funding the campaigns.

Technorati Tags: ,

10 Comments