eva young
Eva Young is President of Log Cabin Republicans of Minnesota and lives in Minneapolis with her cat, Kiddleleewink. You can also read her other blog here.
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September 26, 2004

[Updated: added the emails so people can copy paste for emailing]

The Republican National Committee has acknowledged sending the
mailing saying that if liberals get elected, Bibles will be banned.
The White House Press Gaggle with Scott McClellan rather defensively dealt with this flyer on Friday. (Hat Tip: Christian Grantham)

Minnesota Republican Party Chair, Ron Eibensteiner, RNC Committee Members Jack Meek and Evie Axdahl, have the obligation to publically commit to deep sixing this mailing in Minnesota (if it hasn't already gone out). If it has, they should apologise for insulting the intelligence of Minnesota voters - especially conservative christians. This mailing suggests that the Republican Party thinks people of faith are ignorant bigots.

I'd encourage people to write letters to the editor to and to call and write the Republican National Committee and the Bush Cheney Campaign. [Updated with email addresses for RNC in a nice little link] Mark Shields on Capitol Gang held up the flyer in the "Outrage of the Week" segment of Capitol Gang.

Address Letters to:

Chairman Ed Gillespie
Your State Party Chair
Your State Party RNC Committeemen and women.

Emails: linked so you can send the email. I included National Party emails, and the chair of the Minnesota Party.

You can also copy and paste the emails:

dgurley@rnchq.org,chairman@gop.com,kewarner@aol.com,
administration@gop.com,rncommunications@gop.com,
counsel@gop.com,memberrelations@gop.com,
finance@gop.com,political@gop.com,jbanning@rnchq.org,
mcino@rnchq.org,shogenson@rnchq.org,tjosefiak@rnchq.org,
cspies@rnchq.org,mduncan@rnchq.org,lsigler@rnchq.org,
info@georgewbush.com,opinion@coleman.senate.gov,
chair@mngop.com,mbb@mngop.com

Urge them to publically renounce this flyer and to avoid these tactics in your state.

Request that the Republican Party for your state publically urge Ed Gillespie to appologise for these flyers - which insult both gay people and christians. If you are gay and/or are a Christian, mention that in your letter. Dennis Sanders and Mark Hanson from Log Cabin Republicans of Minnesota both wrote letters.

Dennis Sanders, VP of Public Relations, LCR/MN

Dear Mr. Gillespie,

I am writing to express my outrage at your participation in a flier that said that if the Democrats are elected, gay marriage will be made legal and the Bible will be banned. As a Republican, who is gay and a devout Christian, I am appalled by what can only be called sheer bigotry.

We live in a nation where we are free to worship. I can read my Bible and not worry about the government coming down on me. Believe me, I have seen what is it to live in a totalitarian system where there is no such thing as religious freedom. I was in mainland China five years ago, and saw how Christians had to
practice their faith under the watchful eyes of the State and the Party. Nothing like that is destined here and you know it.

I also think you have a lot of nerve telling people that gay Americans are something to be feared. Such talk only leads to more violent homophobia. I know many gay and lesbian couples and they are wonderful people leading everyday American lives. How dare you slander them.

Let it be known that I will not send you one cent until the GOP becomes more tolerant of gays and lesbians. All we want to be treated like everyone
else. Shame on you for fanning the flames of hate.

Dennis Sanders

You go Dennis!

Mark Hanson, PAC Chair, Log Cabin Republicans of Minnesota

Mr. Gillespie and Mr. Warner

Is this story true? If not, I guess the Associated Press is wrong. If it's true, please read on.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040918/ap_on_el_pr/campaign_mail_5

My name is Mark Hanson, and I live in Minneapolis, MN. I'm lifelong, devout, practicing Lutheran, and active in the local chapter of the Log Cabin Republicans. I do plan to vote for the President in November.

I wasn't thrilled a few weeks ago when the Vice President warned voters that a vote for Democrats could mean another terrorist attack. Demonizing somebody isn't an honorable way to win votes. The difference between his statements and the flyer that is described in this news story is that the Vice President demonized the terrorists. This flyer demonizes American citizens, including me.

Don't you think the President has a strong enough case to win West Virginia without using taking such a low road? Maybe I'm over-estimating the average voter in that state. Robert Byrd has had quite a long Senate career.

I fail to see how any election or politician would be able to stop me from reading the Bible or otherwise restricting my religious practice. I'd like to have that one explained. Whether or not God, Jesus, or Allah can be acknowledged in the public sector should be irrelevant. The clergy I listen to on Sunday, the congregation I worship with, and the Gospel I try to live by every day of the week will not be constrained by any law, court ruling, or recitation to a
flag.

In Minnesota, we have an independent group driving around something called the 'Truth Truck', which features a large photo of two men kissing. The verbiage on the truck suggests that a vote for Democrats in November will allow same sex marriage. We're a little confused on whether we should also be concerned about a Constitutional amendment re: kissing. Maybe that's next.

Our group has responded in the local media, both newspapers and talk radio. It's as low and wrong as what the RNC is doing, but I'd give an independent group a little more slack than a national party. Another shattered illusion, I guess.

If the citizens of West Virginia are concerned about the perils of same-sex marriage, then they should follow the advice of the Vice President, Bob Barr, John McCain, and a host of others, and deal with it at the state level. The whole FMA discussion is a sham, equal to Harold Hill demonizing the mayor's pool table to try and sell band instruments. Unfortunately, those shams are sometimes effective in the short-run.

In the long run, pathetic tactics like this can backfire. Not everybody on a mailing list or with access to a website/blog will agree with the outrageous suggestions in this flyer. It might not matter for the current election, but it's not a way to build a strong party in the long run.

Stay on the high road, gentlemen. Give the voters a little more credit. There is plenty of material out there that will help the President win for the right reasons.

Regards

Mark C. Hanson

After the New York Times article, Mark Hanson sent a followup.

Mmmm - I read today that the RNC fessed up. You must be really proud.

It has to feel great for the RNC and Jimmy Swaggart to be on the same
side of this issue. Maybe the confessed whoremonger Reverend could
help with some fundraising.

Shame on you

Mark Hanson