Pedantic Political Ponderings: 2012-05-27

02 June 2012

FollowUp 34: Wisconsin Republican Dirty Tricks

This is mostly a guest post. My commentary is in the last four paragraphs. Friends of mine in Wisconsin received mail today. They put the following into e-mail to me:

The front page of the 8.5x11 mailer displayed a simple enuf message:

********[Begin Quote]**********************
ELECTION DAY IS TUESDAY, JUNE 5TH
SEE REVERSE SIDE FOR IMPORTANT INFORMATION
********[End Quote]*************************

And then there is the back (I have removed the name):

********[Begin Quote]**********************
Greater Wisconsin Political Fund
P.O. Box 861
Madison, WI 53701

UNITED STEEL WORKERS
UNION MADE LOCAL 318
WAW12078_BNR

[Our Address, addressed to my wife, NAME REMOVED]

Authorized and Paid for by Greater Wisconsin Political
Fund, Jane Gellman, Treasurer. Not Authorized by Any
Candidate, Candidate's Agent or Committee

Dear Registered Voter:

Scott Walker won in 2010 because too many people stayed home!

Two years ago, more than half a million Wisconsinites who supported Obama failed to vote in the 2010 election. And that's how Governor Scott Walker got elected. This year, we're taking a new approach. We're sending this mailing to you and your neighbors to publicize who does and who does not vote. [Italics and bold face, mine]

We need to all pull together. The chart shows the names of some of your neighbors, showing which have voted in the past.

After the June 5th election, public records will tell everyone who voted and who didn't

Do your civic duty - vote.
********[End Quote]*************************

They offer the following commentary:

With the exception of what I emphasized in Italics... If the add had stopped at this point I would not have had an issue with its message. Granted, the message in a sense is using straight-arm tactics to essentially shame and/or harass voters (specifically those who have not fulfilled their civic duty) into voting on June 5. Unfortunately, the flyer then prints the first and last names of each and every man and woman along with the physical address of where they live. The flyer also specifically lists which of these individuals had voted and who had not voted in prior elections, on November 8, and November 10 of preceding years.

Let me be clear on this point. I personally feel (and believe) everyone in this country should fulfill their civic duty and vote. However, that's just my personal opinion. Unfortunately, this flyer's straight-arm tactic of specifically listing the names and addresses of those who voted and DIDN'T vote was blatantly inappropriate. Reading this flyer felt like a violation of my right to privacy - to everyone's right to privacy. But it's far worse than that. The pubic distribution of a flyer of this nature potentially endangers the lives of those who specifically don't want their first and last names PUBLICLY listed alongside their physical address. This was information that was presumably distributed throughout local neighborhoods. God only knows where else this information has also now been distributed. Did it ever occur to those who created this flyer that there are individuals who are specifically trying to avoid publicly advertising their physical address. Did it ever occur to them that some of these individuals may be trying to avoid an abusive spouse or x-spouse, a stalker, or someone with ill-intent?

It gets worse. The message and strategic political intent is more likely to backfire. Setting the potential life-endangerment issue aside, if I, Joe Schmoe, was nothing more than an undecided voter, and individual still waffling on whether to vote for Walker or Barrett, does any political strategist with two working brain cells in their head really believe such straight-arm tactics would influence me to vote for Tom Barrett? Quite the opposite is more likely to happen. I would have felt personally violated. I would have assumed that liberal-minded democrats are once again being inappropriately intrusive, that a bunch of bleeding-heart liberals are once again trying to run my life. Those are precisely the kinds of issues conservative right-wing Republicans are most concerned about. This flyer will most certainly give them added incentive to go out and vote - for the other guy.

One last comment: It's possible, however ever remote that possibility might be, that this disgusting flyer is actually the work of another republican funded dirty trick operation... The objective: to "conquer and divide" liberal democrats and independent voters amongst each other, and to help nudge undecided voters to vote for Scott Walker. Yeah, it's still possible, and if so, it needs to be documented for the record so that those who were responsible for creating this crap are eventually prosecuted to the full extent of the law - after all the political campaigning is over and done with. But quite frankly, I don't think the "opposition" is that smart. Devious??? Most certainly. But smart???? NO. This is too sophisticated a scenario to have been thought out by the opposition, IMHO. I think it was our own damned fault.

Quite frankly, it seems to me that a more likely scenario was that a group of individuals (democrats and/or liberal minded individuals) terrified of the possibility that Scott Walker will once again get re-elected felt that the means justified the ends. Yes, I too am terrified of the thought that Walker could get re-elected. However, I don't want it on my head that my personal fears caused me to violate the rights, privacy, AND SAFETY of those who specifically didn't want their voting record and address publicly exposed in such a manner. That's not the kind of karma I want listed on my grave stone.

Back to comments from Some Teacher.

I then learned from another friend that e-mail address that is on the card is NOT valid. Yet another friend who received the same card had a person listed as being on the voting rolls who has not lived in his house for a decade. So, some information is out of date, but it does appear to be real information. Four friends have sent me information so far. This is reaching a wide area.

Time for a little searching. The Wisconsin Democratic Underground has a thread discussing this card. They included a link for the Greater Wisconsin Political Fund, a site that appears to be anti-Walker. Attempts to contact the organization are unanswered so far and probably won't be answered until Monday at the soonest. This is a last minute stunt that is either an inept effort at what it claims to be or a dirty trick.

There have been so many examples of Dirty Tricks since Mr. Walker took office that it would be easy to just accuse him of more. Unlike my friend, I don't think that people need to fear for their safety if their voting record (that is the record of when, not for whom, they voted) is made public. I share his concern that this card may act as a disincentive for voting on Tuesday.

Voting is incredibly important. The election on Tuesday is too close to call. If those who are frustrated with the lies and divisive policies of Governor Walker stay home, then Mr. Walker will remain as Governor. Wisconsin is tired. Half are tired of dirty tricks by the GOP and the other half are tired of being accused of dirty tricks. Divide and conquer has worked to a large degree.

4 June 2012, afternoon update: The Cap Times has the story on the card that so many received. The Greater Wisconsin Political Fund is a real, left-leaning super-pac. They paid a lot of money to the Government Accountability Board and got the full voting history of the state for 2008 and 2010, information that is public and expensive to pay for. They did it because, as annoying as many of my friends found this card, studies at Harvard and Yale show that it is effective to shame people into voting. So amidst the various dirty tricks, this one wasn't.

16 November 2011, Original Pedantic Political Ponderings post.
30 November 2011, FollowUp 1.
4 December 2011, FollowUp 2.
11 December 2011, FollowUp 3.
14 December 2011, FollowUp 4.
15 December 2011, FollowUp 5.
30 December 2011, FollowUp 6.
13 January 2012, FollowUp 7.
17 January 2012, FollowUp 8.
25 January 2012, FollowUp 9.
2 February 2012, FollowUp 10.
9 February 2012, FollowUp 11.
12 February 2012, FollowUp 12.
18 February 2012, FollowUp 13.
22 February 2012, FollowUp 14.
6 March 2012, FollowUp 15.
12 March 2012, FollowUp 16.
16 March 2012, FollowUp 17.
30 March 2012, FollowUp 18.
31 March 2012, FollowUp 19.
3 April 2012, FollowUp 20.
4 April 2012, FollowUp 21.
11 April 2012, FollowUp 22.
14 April 2012, FollowUp 23.
17 April 2012, FollowUp 24.
21 April 2012, FollowUp 25.
29 April 2012, FollowUp 26.
2 May 2012, FollowUp 27.
6 May 2012, FollowUp 28.
10 May 2012, FollowUp 29.
13 May 2012, FollowUp 30.
23 May 2012, FollowUp 31.
24 May 2012, FollowUp 32.
30 May 2012, FollowUp 33.

4 June 2012, FollowUp 35.
5 June 2012, FollowUp 36.

01 June 2012

Praise: President Obama on Pride Month 2012

I really like this message from Barack Obama. On the issue of LGBTQ equality, he is an excellent leader. Thank you, Mr. President.

31 May 2012

Praise: Smoke-Free LGBTQ Proposal

As one who cannot tolerate tobacco to the point where when I was dating I would not go out with a smoker, this is particularly touching. Gays are as human as straights, but for various reasons have a higher percentage of smokers. It is my hope that as we gain equality we can lose the need for so much tobacco.

Thanks to Joe My God for the heads up.

30 May 2012

FollowUp 33: Wisconsin Republican Dirty Tricks

While most of the attention in Wisconsin continues to be on the gubernatorial recall election, coming up on Tuesday 5 June, there is a lot more happening on the ground. Here is an example of a state senate ad and a news story on the issue. I will then offer a few thoughts as to why this is really horribly misleading.

Originally, there was an ad on this topic that was mailed out. It was discussed on Channel 4.

"Lehman voted for felons. Putting our communities in danger, John Lehman voted for early inmate release."

That was the beginning text in the video version of the ad, sent out by the Wisconsin Recall Action Fund on their Stop the Recall YouTube Channel. The words are certainly provocative. The inmate release was, according to the ad, part of the 2009 Assembly Bill 75. If you follow that link, the first thing that you are likely to notice is that the pdf is over seventeen hundred pages long. This is the 2009 state budget, not a simple and isolated bill. The part regarding early release for inmates is fairly early in the document, beginning on page 13 and running for four solid pages of text.

Early inmate release is limited to those inmates who gain approval of a parole board and, depending upon the class of felony, sets conditions for rehabilitation programs, supervision, electronic monitoring and tracking, appeals and hearings. Those who committed violent crimes and crimes against children, those who would most put communities in danger, are not eligible for early release.

On its face, the ad is horribly misleading. But the scare tactic being used is based on a flawed premise, that early release of inmates endangers communities. If you speak with a prison warden, she or he will tell you that they are opposed to fixed sentences without parole. Having a parole possibility gives the guards a tool, an incentive for good behavior within the prison. That incentive helps inmates through their rehabilitation programs, making the prisons safer, lowering recidivism, and allowing for safer communities after inmates are released.

The truth is diametrically opposed to the conclusion of the ad. Mr. Lehman's vote made Wisconsin communities safer.

This local ad in SouthEast Wisconsin counts as dirty tricks in my book. It is pulling legislative provisions out of context, presenting scare tactics without real basis, and telling implicit lies as to the goals of a candidate. Will it scare voters enough to vote against Mr. Lehman? Perhaps. The Recall for Governor is tightening, though still looking like it is in Governor Walker's favor. Gathering millions of signatures was not enough. If Wisconsin is to move beyond the Walker lies and destruction of unions and women's rights, then the Democrats and Independents who have had enough of Mr. Walker and Mr. Wanggaard need to cast their ballots on Tuesday. The election will come down to who turns out the votes.

16 November 2011, Original Pedantic Political Ponderings post.
30 November 2011, FollowUp 1.
4 December 2011, FollowUp 2.
11 December 2011, FollowUp 3.
14 December 2011, FollowUp 4.
15 December 2011, FollowUp 5.
30 December 2011, FollowUp 6.
13 January 2012, FollowUp 7.
17 January 2012, FollowUp 8.
25 January 2012, FollowUp 9.
2 February 2012, FollowUp 10.
9 February 2012, FollowUp 11.
12 February 2012, FollowUp 12.
18 February 2012, FollowUp 13.
22 February 2012, FollowUp 14.
6 March 2012, FollowUp 15.
12 March 2012, FollowUp 16.
16 March 2012, FollowUp 17.
30 March 2012, FollowUp 18.
31 March 2012, FollowUp 19.
3 April 2012, FollowUp 20.
4 April 2012, FollowUp 21.
11 April 2012, FollowUp 22.
14 April 2012, FollowUp 23.
17 April 2012, FollowUp 24.
21 April 2012, FollowUp 25.
29 April 2012, FollowUp 26.
2 May 2012, FollowUp 27.
6 May 2012, FollowUp 28.
10 May 2012, FollowUp 29.
13 May 2012, FollowUp 30.
23 May 2012, FollowUp 31.
24 May 2012, FollowUp 32.

2 June 2012, FollowUp 34.
4 June 2012, FollowUp 35.
5 June 2012, FollowUp 36.

Praise: Barack Obama on Jewish American Heritage Month

Although I am Jewish, I was not aware of the history of Presidents Lincoln and Grant that President Obama describes here. Very interesting. The United States slowly is becoming a more perfect union, with greater equality for all. All benefit from equality.

Praise: Interview of Dr. Robert Spitzer

From Wayne Besen of Truth Wins Out:

In 1973, Dr. Robert Spitzer led the charge to successfully have homosexuality removed from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM), which is its list of mental disorders. This was a major victory and remains one the gay movement's signature achievements.

Given his stature and key role in declassifying gay people as sick, it was quite a surprise when Dr. Spitzer published a non-peer reviewed 2001 study in the prestigious Archives of Sexual Behavior that claimed some "highly motivated" gay people could become straight through prayer and therapy. The study said that some gay people could reach their "heterosexual potential."

When he announced his work at the 2001 APA meeting in New Orleans, it created a media sensation. An Associated Press story called his findings "explosive."

In 2012, Dr. Spitzer recanted in the American Prospect magazine. In a letter obtained by Truth Wins Out and sent to the Archives of Sexual Behavior, Dr. Spitzer asked that his study be retracted.

TWO went to Dr. Spitzer's home in Princeton, NJ and interviewed him. He not only repudiated his study, he also apologized to the LGBT community. He told anti-gay organizations -- such as NARTH, Focus on the Family, and the American College of Pediatricians to stop promoting his invalid study. He even told Parents and Friends of 'Ex-Gays' (PFOX) to take a video they have posted of Spitzer off their website.

With Dr. Spitzer's renunciation of his study, a crowning achievement in efforts to promote sexual conversion has been reduced to a crown of thorns. Now that Spitzer has revealed the truth, perhaps anti-gay and "ex-gay" organizations can begin to abandon the harmful practice of reparative therapy.

As we continue on the path to equality, Dr Spitzer was an early important player. Wayne Besen of Truth Wins Out is among those who have been at the forefront of these recent battles for civil rights.

That so-called clinics and defenders of religion continue to use Dr. Spitzer's flawed and now renounced study is shameful and harmful to those who are drawn in to their fake therapies. As Mr. Besen keeps saying, truth wins out and the truth from Dr. Spitzer is important information.

Thanks to Joe My God for the heads up.

29 May 2012

28 May 2012: Marriage News Watch

28 May 2012

Memorial Day 2012

When I joined the Navy, after the Vietnam War and before the wars that followed, I was aware that there could be a war and that I could die for my country. I was aware, but I didn't believe it would happen to me. Like many young people, I believed that I was invincible and would live forever. Any war would be more like Hollywood and less like a battlefield. In other words, I was young and stupid, or at least naive.

We returned to fighting wars before my Honorable Discharge. I was not involved in our war in Grenada nor did I see action, other than a bar fight. I was incredibly lucky and thus I am here to be writing this blog post.

Freedom was built upon sacrifice and today is the day set aside to remember those who did not survive the fight for freedom. It is important to remember.

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