Don’t let the adorable accents fool you: things are getting mean in Minnesota.
Last week, legislators gave a thumbs-up to an anti-gay Constitutional amendment, just one day after a crazed pastor took the floor of the House to deliver a prayer that was almost as rambling and offensive as the time he said that executing gays is “moral.”
Outraged by the homophobic maneuver, Minnesotans have spent the last few days letting their elected officials know exactly how pissed they are. They’ve launched an email-writing campaign that delivered 100,000 pro-gay emails to lawmakers. Nice work, folks! Too bad it might all have been a waste of time.
According to Senator Scott Dibble, the state’s email system was so overwhelmed by ones and zeros that now they’re diverting everything into spam folders or just deleting them altogether.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Democracy in action!
Fortunately, not every anti-gay Republican is ignoring the messages. Representative Tony Cornish (pictured at right, with a lapel pin suggesting an enthusiasm for bondage) responded to one constituent, “Give it a rest!!!!!!!!!” and “try writing a sane letter.” He seems nice.
If you’d like to try writing a sane letter of your own, here’s Cornish’s contact info.
UPDATE: The Human Rights Campaign, which organized the email blast, just announced a matching gift challenge. So, if you like the HRC, now’s a good time to send ’em some cash. And if you don’t, now’s a good time to remind people why.
Mike
The link to contact Cornish is broken.
matt baume
@Mike: Whoops, sorry! Fixed.
Patty Meltdown
EVERY lawmaker, corporation, institution, what have you, that is the target of an email campaign or electronic petition drive sends it ALL to the recycle bin. Does anyone really think that these people are going to take the time to read any of it? On the other hand, it is fun to crash servers
Cam
As far as I understand it, a record of every communication with a govt. official has to be kept. So aren’t they breaking this policy by deleating these e-mails?
Steve
Has the State of Minnesota ever heard of the Public Records Act?
jeff4justice
Former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura recently spoke in favor of marriage equality. Here’s the vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dZsUJW3EVE
skinner
I sent a note to Mr Cornish expressing my concern about his inappropriate response to his constituent. My note:
“Shame on any elected official for responding to their constituent in the manner you did. Your action was inappropriate. Your job is to represent the citizens in your district. Not, simply drive your own agenda. Perhaps, after 5 terms, you are the one who should “give it a rest”.”
His response:
“Have a great day, Davey!!!! Your buddy, Tony”
a) I’m very far from being “your buddy” and b) very disrepectful to call me “Davey” when my name, as outlined in my email, is “David”. Cleary this guy could care less about anyone other than himself. Write him a letter at [email protected] and see what kind of disrepectful, hateful and inappropriate response you get. Regardless of your beliefs, I would be ashamed to have someone with his character representing me and my family if he were my House Rep.
skinner
@matt baume: I would bet if you get more people to email Tony Cornish you’ll get similar response to the one I got….or even more inappropriate or hateful (see post No 7). In contrast, I wrote a letter to my rep a month or so ago before the vote and got an incredible personal letter back…classy, respectful and supportive. That’s someone working for the people. I think you could collect a lot of funny and damaging email replies if you get others to send a note to this clown.