Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2006 09:15:07 -0600 Subject: Text from WEAU From: Kate Hale <halecl@uwec.edu> Message-ID: <C036F41B.58DB%halecl@uwec.edu>
Hi All--
Here¹s the text as it appears on the WEAU web site:
Kate
Fair Wisconsin Campaign
Erica Dao
The Wisconsin Assembly added a measure to ban civil unions and marriage for
gay and lesbian families.
Fair Wisconsin featured local speakers who reflected on the need for
legalized civil unions.
About 70 people showed up at Christ Church Cathedral to learn what they can
do to spread the word and get others to vote against the ban.
This is one of the very few times Wisconsin is trying to make a
constitutional amendment.
"The amendment goes too far by banning civil unions and seriously
jeopardizing the ability of public and private employers to offer domestic
partner benefits,² said Mike Tate, Fair Wisconsin campaign manager.
Fair Wisconsin is planning to open field offices in at least nine cities in
the next couple of months.
On 3/10/06 9:10 AM, "Wesenberg, Nancy Christine" <WESENBNC@uwec.edu> wrote:
> Yes, it was WEAU. I think they just sent a photographer and a very young
,
> newer reporter. At least they did run a very brief sound bite with Fair
> Wisconsin campaign manager Mike Tate stressing that the amendment goes to
o
> far, but then they had the anchors introduce the story with that misleadi
ng
> tag line, and had the other anchor do a voice over. They spent about twic
e as
> much time covering an older couple who've gone back to college. More of a
> "feel good" story I guess. Nancy
>
>
> From: Hale, C. Kate
> Sent: Friday, March 10, 2006 9:04 AM
> To: Wesenberg, Nancy Christine; Pope, Karen O.; SFPJ
> Subject: Re: Kick off for Fight Against Ban
>
> Nancy,
>
> Yes, absolutely‹striking the right tone and keeping the language clear is
> vital. And thus we make it clear how much MORE reasonable we are than th
e
> ³journalists.² Who evidently need a class in listening/hearing what¹s SA
ID.
> Sigh.
>
> Anyone out there willing to write letters? Make calls? Was it WEAU? We
> could check their web version to see if they have any text up on it . . .
>
> Kate
>
> On 3/10/06 8:56 AM, "Wesenberg, Nancy Christine" <WESENBNC@uwec.edu> wrot
e:
>
>> Kate,
>> I think it would be wonderful if people did that, as long as we keep in
mind
>> what Josh Freker stressed last night - keep a reasonable tone and don't
>> accuse
>> the media of deliberately muddying the message (although I wonder
>> sometimes...) If we want them to cover this issue fairly until November
, we
>> need to keep them seeing us as a reasonable, group of fair-minded citize
ns.
>> Which we are of course. Nancy
>>
>>
>> From: Hale, C. Kate
>> Sent: Friday, March 10, 2006 8:52 AM
>> To: Wesenberg, Nancy Christine; Pope, Karen O.; SFPJ
>> Subject: Re: Kick off for Fight Against Ban
>>
>> I made the meeting, and was glad to see the press did come, but I missed
the
>> news coverage last night‹hearing what Nancy says now, I would suggest th
at
>> it¹s important that those who can speak to the misrepresentation in the
>> coverage both phone the station (was it WEAU?) to make the point AND wri
te
>> letters to the Leader-Tel commenting on this. What do you all think?
>>
>> Kate
>>
>> On 3/10/06 8:43 AM, "Wesenberg, Nancy Christine" <WESENBNC@uwec.edu> wro
te:
>>
>>> Thanks for the words of support and thank you to all who were able to
>>> show up last night. It was very heartening to have around 70 people tur
n
>>> out, with quite a few university faces, especially on a night when so
>>> many other things were going on. I am sure that Fair Wisconsin would b
e
>>> delighted to have links on the SFPJ Website.
>>>
>>> As usual, the media misrepresented the group, calling it a group that
>>> was working to legalize gay marriage. While that may be what many of us
>>> would like to see, they continually misrepresent what voting against
>>> this ban is all about. If you talk to people about this, please stress
>>> that voting against this ban would not automatically legalize gay
>>> marriage in the state. It would simply keep the conversation alive abou
t
>>> total marriage equality vs.. civil unions and domestic partnership
>>> rights. One step at a time.
>>>
>>> Nancy
>>>
>>> ________________________________
>>>
>>> From: Pope, Karen O.
>>> Sent: Thursday, March 09, 2006 12:41 PM
>>> To: Wesenberg, Nancy Christine; SFPJ
>>> Subject: RE: Kick off for Fight Against Ban
>>>
>>>
>>> I would like to ask that SFPJ do something to cosponsor this JUSTICE
>>> action in Eau Claire. I am on the planning committee for the Hmong
>>> community banquet which starts at the same time tonight, but could we
>>> have links to printable materials and talking points from Fair Wisconsi
n
>>> on our sfpj website and agree to send to/talk to 5 neighbors? I think
>>> person to person is a good strategy. I am sorry we are forced to
>>> respond to a referendum that is so inherently UNfair and unjust,
>>> undemocratic and unconstitutional!
>>> With FAIR in spirit tonight.
>>>
>>> thanks to those who stood with the women of the world in solidarity las
t
>>> evening. There's still a LOT to do.
>>>
>>> ps: codepink got 103K signatures. http://www.womensaynotowar.org/
>>> ~karen
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ________________________________
>>>
>>> From: sfpj-request@listserve.uwec.edu
>>> [mailto:sfpj-request@listserve.uwec.edu] On Behalf Of Wesenberg, Nancy
>>> Christine
>>> Sent: Thursday, March 09, 2006 9:27 AM
>>> To: SFPJ
>>> Subject: Kick off for Fight Against Ban
>>>
>>>
>>> I know there is a lot going on around campus this week, but I want to
>>> let any who don't already know about the Fair Wisconsin meeting tonight
>>> to kick off our fight against the proposed amendment to the Wisconsin
>>> constitution that would ban civil unions and gay marriage. A group of
>>> folks committed to fighting the ban are meeting this evening at 5:30
>>> p.m. in the Memorial lounge of Christ Church Cathedral on the corner of
>>> Lake and Farwell Streets (side entrance). I believe the media have been
>>> invited and it would be very helpful if we could have a large group
>>> present to show support. If you have this hour free, PLEASE consider
>>> showing up. We need to show that many in Wisconsin are indeed
>>> fair-minded. Every time someone speaks up against this, it makes it
>>> easier for others to do so as well.
>>>
>>> Thank you.
>>>
>>> Nancy Wesenberg