We keep getting these emails from Fred Karger, the awesome and unstoppable one-man machine behind Californians Against Hate, about how the National Organization for Marriage is “feeling the heat” and “in hot water” over its refusal to comply with campaign finance law and turn over its list of donors. Back in August we noted NOM was three months late with its IRS reports, and didn’t care. And how Maine’s Ethics Commission was launching a formal investigation into NOM. And how even Iowa was on their tail. But here we are, long after Maine’s marriage effort failed (and after an attempt to overturn Iowa’s gay marriage law also failed), and is there any movement on forcing NOM to become more transparent?
Not really. “The Maine commission denied petitions from NOM, its executive director Brian Brown and Stand for Marriage Maine on Thursday, Feb. 25, to drop subpoenas ordering them to produce the names and dollar amounts of those who contributed $100 or more,” reports Edge. “NOM, which did not have a representative at the hearing, maintained in a Feb. 11 letter to the commission from one of its attorneys that disclosing donor information ‘could have a chilling effect’ on its fundraising and Stand for Marriage Maine’s ‘ability to engage in effective campaign advocacy.'”
Yes, they are stonewalling. And yes, they are doing a great job at it. And it’s not going to end. Like their reasoning for insisting gays should not marry (because it infringes on heterosexual rights), NOM claims being forced to report donors giving over $100 would also infringe on their rights. Or at least the rights of civilians who want to take part in the political process.
Indeed, it’s a stalling tactic. But most worrisome, it’s part of NOM’s ideology, and they aren’t going to budge just because some state ethics agency is investigating them. (As some have proposed, NOM’s stonewalling might also be part of the on-going effort to hide the Mormon Church’s involvement in the organization, making it less about ideology and more about covering bases.)
How about we take this to the next level?
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So what tangible steps can authorities take? “When asked what the commission’s next steps are if NOM continues to stonewall, [ethics commission executive director Jonathan Wayne] told EDGE he could not respond because of the ongoing investigation.” So, what? No arrests? No criminal charges? For persons that are violating law and infringing on the democratic process?
But don’t worry, there’s still some solace to be had. NOM’s Facebook page has been infiltrated by same-sex marriage supporters. So there’s that.
David in Houston
The state of Maine should throw Brian Brown’s ass in jail for 30 days until his organization complies with the law. If he doesn’t, then add another 30 days… and so on… and so on. They can throw Maggot… um… Maggie in jail too. A face (and soul) that ugly is a public nuisance.
soul_erosion
Dear Maggie Gallagher & Brian Brown
Mr. Rod Gozinya & Mr. Hussien Kataba
Cordially Invite You To Our Same Sex Nuptials
And to Witness Our Vows in Holy Matrimony on
Easter Sunday, April 4th Twenty Ten
@ 2 O”clock in the Afternoon
West Lawn of the White House
Reception on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial
Washington D.C.
(Please No Gifts Under $100.00)
terrwill
Considering Maggot’s girth, I would look to the major fast food chains……………. : p
AlwaysGay
The heterosexual-only marriage movement wants to present a facade to heterosexuals that what they are doing is not hate. It’s a game. Gay people know it’s hate. That’s why they try to block any discussion of their heterosexual-only positions whether it’s on youtube or in a California courthouse.
B
With all the identity theft going on, why can’t someone break into NOM’s computers and fetch that information? (Not that I’d seriously advocate doing something illegal, but it is a legitimate question to ask.)
Jadis
Almost makes you think they have something to hide…
Josh AZ
Who cares? It’s not going to help us.
Cam
They’re hiding, big surprise, the Ku Klux Klan wears hoods for the same reason so they are in like minded company.
Cam
No. 7 · Josh AZ said…
Who cares? It’s not going to help us.
_________________
Of course it will, if the LDS church gets reamed out for advocating political issues then they will be much less likely to pour money into the next ballot fight. Additionally, if people think they will be called out as bigots for donating to them then their available cash will go way down.
ewe
The Maine commission has not dropped subpoenas for NOM to produce names and dollar amounts? That means it’s just a matter of time unless the typical judicial corruption hides its ugly face.