Schools Dragged Into Oregon Anti-Gay Amendment Campaign

[davidinalameda]

http://www.365gay.com/newscon04/10/102004oreBan.htm

Conservative groups urging voters to pass a constitutional amendment in Oregon that would ban same-sex marriage claim that unless it is passed schools will be forced to teach classes on gay marriage.

"They have no business using our public schools as part of this campaign," Schools Superintendent Susan Castillo said Tuesday. "Our schools have nothing to do with this measure. They are trying to create some sort of fear in our schools related to sexual orientation."

The broadcast ads and flyers include statements from people including Republican Rep. Wayne Scott, the current House Majority Leader, Clark Brody, a former deputy superintendent of public instruction, and David Crowe, the founder of a Christian group called "Restore America."

[Tamyrlin79]

1. The fearmongers strike again... n/t

[Parche]

2. NO ON 36

We see that everytime here in Oregon
The right wing fear mongers say that they will have to teach that
in school, when that is never the case

[benddem]

3. I was polled yesterday

by this yes on 36 wingers. They stated flatly that in Massachusetts they are already teaching that homosexuality is an "acceptable" lifestyle. I said B.S. and hung up. These people make me sick.

[classof56]

4. At least you got to hang up on a person

My spouse got an "automated" call yesterday from the Yes on 36ers, and was happy to answer the questions and inform them he was voting a resounding no. I'm in Central Oregon, too--doesn't look too hopeful here for Kerry, but I'm trying to keep the faith. Seem to be surrounded by RWers! Anyway: No on 36 and Go Kerry/Edwards/Randy Gordon. Yeah!

[bobaloo2]

5. Hang in there

If you're seeing ANY Kerry supporters there we're doing well. Here on the wet side it's about 10-1 Kerry to Bush signs, my little town is FULL of Kerry lawn signs, so hopefully we freaks on the west side will carry things.

[classof56]

8. Welcome to DU

Hey, I was one of those "west-side freaks" for many, many years. My first child was born in Eugene, just as an aside. At any rate, I have no problem with you "WSFs" carrying elections and doing the right thing. We in the "leftie minority" on the dry side are counting on you!

DEFEAT BUSH!!

[central scrutinizer]

9. I got the same call

when they came to the push-poll question about Mass. judges, I clearly said, "why don't you go fuck yourselves?" The skip-logic in the recorded call, responded, "only yes or no answers are accepted -this call will terminate otherwise." I responded, "What part of 'go fuck yourself' don't you understand?" then hung up.

[kostya]

6. NO on 36 print-your-own signs

http://tomochka.com/files/no36.html - K

:think:

[Lydia Leftcoast]

7. Well, similar amendments have been defeated twice, haven't they?

I recall the No on 9 campaign in the early 1990s. I was living in a small town and driving into Portland frequently. The Sunday before the election, I kept seeing Yes on 9 signs in all the small towns--but Portland and the college towns managed to defeat Measure 9 and all its evil descendants.

[classof56]

10. Yes, a couple of anti-gay measures have been voted down in the past

But this time the Multnomah and Benton county officials took it upon themselves to sanction gay marriage and issue licenses without telling anybody first. Created a major flap statewide, and the issue finally reached the Oregon Supreme Court, which has made a decision as to the legality of the counties' actions. That decision is being withheld until after the election, and since Measure 36 amends the constitution (one of the reasons I so strongly oppose it), it's still not clear to me where that will leave the Supreme Court decision about legality. So far Yes on 36 seems to be ahead, mainly because fundamentalist churches have martialed forces and launched a "Last Chance to Preserve Marriage in Oregon" movement. Whichever way it comes down, I suspect the vote will be appealed. Sad for our beautiful and progressive-thinking state that this sort of issue surfaces to divide us. We'll keep thinking positive, though. Ain't over til it's over, as they say!

[central scrutinizer]

11. anti-gay amendments have been defeated

more than twice, but at great cost. This one scares me - the previous ones were more obviously hate-filled and attacked on a broad front - while this one sounds more positive and only addresses the issue of marriage. I haven't seen any polls, but my intuition (which is often wrong) tells me it will win 55-45.