Texas Governor Rick Perry, who's running for re-election, has a little problem -- there are allegations that he executed an innocent man in 2004, and some of his aides tried to pressure the chairman of the state's forensics science commission that has been investigating the case. Ten days ago he removed four of the eight people on the commission with his toadies, and this happened 48 hours before the commission was to hold a big public hearing about its report. The hearing never happened.
Perry's office, btw, hasn't released any of the state records related to the day Governor Good Hair made his decision to let the execution go forward. Here's the report.
Almost the same slop served, different day. You'd think after the President left the strong impression that he was moving on DADT repeal, and along with news that Obama and Sen Joe Lieberman were commiserating on legislation, we'd learn something new. Unfortunately, Press Secretary Robert Gibbs had the rusted key turned in his back to belch out the same tired song, albeit with a tiny ray of light signifying he needs to come up with a better answer to replace the FAILing chip in his back.
Q Senator Lieberman's office confirmed yesterday that he has had talks with the White House about a "don't ask, don't tell" repeal bill. Have you asked him to carry the bill, to take the lead on the bill? And have you been in discussions with any other senators about doing the same?
MR. GIBBS: Let me ask. I meant to do this last week, and I'll find out that answer today.
Q The President pledged on Saturday night to repeal -- or to end "don't ask, don't te't tell" was his exact words. Do you have a -- I mean, is there any sense of timing on that? Do you guys have any sense of when you're going to start moving forward with legislation, et cetera?
MR. GIBBS: I don't. Let me get a better answer. I should have done this last week. I'll reiterate again, the President obviously, as he said on Saturday, believes that the policy is unfair. He said that when he was a candidate for the Senate in 2003 and 2004, as well as a candidate for President. He has a strong belief on this. I also think -- we talked a little bit about this Friday -- I think also Saturday gave the President an opportunity to reiterate another important priority of his that will soon become law, and that's hate crimes legislation, which is long overdue in ensuring people protection.
Well we can only hope that The Advocate's Kerry Eleveld, our voice in the press room, will receive that extra information from Gibbs before it ends up at the bottom of his info pile and forgets until he's asked again.
There are several ways for the community to get involved with the Approve Referendum 71 campaign to keep domestic partnerships. With only a few days before ballots start to arrive, everyone should be pitching in. Expect your ballot on or around October 16.
The most important thing right now is direct voter contact. The campaign has set up tools 
for you to call voters from the comfort of your own home. No, phone banking is not sexy. It is does not make the news the next d next day. However, phone banking does remind people to vote -- particularly people who are likely to support the domestic partnership law. The campaign needs phone bankers every day. Sign up to be a phone bank super star today. Don't let Joe fool you - phone banking is fun and rewarding. Remember this story? -Lurleen
Another great way to make contact with voters is by canvasing and door knocking. A major canvasing event is scheduled in Seattle for this weekend, October 17 from 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM. People are invited to meet at the Equal Rights Washington offices on 7th and Columbia to be assigned to a neighborhood. Tacoma also has a canvasing event planned on Saturday from 12:00 - 4:00 PM. The campaign set up tools for anyone in the state to organize a get out the vote activity. You can download materials at http://approvereferendum71.org/spread-the-word to pass out at farmer's markets, or in your neighborhoods.
Visibility is a great way to show your support for the campaign. Seattle Gay News has printed thousands of approve 71 posters. If you are not in Seattle you can also use the logos on the approve 71 website to make a yard sign or print a poster to put in your window or yard. There is still time to order materials via cafe press as well http://www.cafepress.com/approve71
E-mailing your friends is very effective. You need to remind them to vote, and to vote approve on Referendum 71. You should also encourage them to vote early. Procrastination is our enemy in this campaign. Ballots could easily get lost in our bills that pile up and be forgotten. We need every vote to win.
I know our community loves to have parties. You can host a voting party. Invite your friends to bring their ballots. Buy a book of stamps. Everyone votes and stamps their envelope. Then march them down to the mailbox together. Cheer and get everyone excited about participating in their civic duty.
You can also contribute financially to the campaign so they can educate voters via television ads, radio ads, mailings, digital, and print advertising. Every dollar goes a long ways.
These are just a couple of ideas. I'm sure you have some of your own, but the key is to do something to reach out to voters. This is not the kind of campaign where you should wait for someone else to do the heavy lifting for you. It is your responsibility to participate.
For more info: http://www.approve71.org
http://fusewashington.org/page...
Post-script: I heard two people brilliantly weave domestic partnerships or the Approve Referendum 71 message into seemingly u fefnrelated conversations this week. The first was a woman calling into a finances show on the radio, and phrased her question to make it clear that it concerned both she and her domestic partner. The second was also on the radio, where a family made a pledge during KUOW's pledge drive and had the announcers read the statement that they were renewing their membership to the station b because the station has covered the Approve Referendum 71 story so well. --Lurleen
And don't forget to donate to help keep this wonderful ad on the air!
Jane: Pete-e and I have been together for 32 years. We were both in nursing, and Pete-e served in the Korean War.
We raised a daughter together, and she and her husband have given us two beautiful grandchildren.
Now that we are getting older, we need to be able to take care of each other, especially if one of us is ill.
Voiceover: Don't take away protections for committed couples like family medical leave or extending health insurance coverage to a partner. Vote to approve Referendum 71.
Jane: For all Washington families.
Voiceover: Paid for by Washington Families Standing Together.
COMMUNITY VIGIL FOR COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM
VIGILIA COMUNITARIA PARA UNA REFORMA COMPRESIVA DE LAS LEYES DE INMIGRACIÃ"N
Friday, October 23, 2009
viernes 2="text-align: center"> Friday, October 23, 2009
viernes 23 octubre de 2009
7:30 to 8:30 pm. St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church
1704 NE 43rd Ave., Portland
This bilingual community service will include songs, prayers, stories, and Scripture reflections, followed by a candlelight procession to the Hollywood MAX station. Este servicio comunitario bilingüe incluirá cantos, oraciones, comentarios y reflexiones BÃblicas. Después iremos en procesion para la Estación de MAX para una vigilia con velas. For more information please contact:Deacon Marla McGarry-Lawrence
St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church
1704 NE 43rd Ave.
Portland, OR 97213-1402
503-284-7141 ext. 314 CAUSA (Oregon's Immigrant Rights Coalition), the largest Latin@ civil and human rights and advocacy organization in the Pacific Northwest
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