After all this mucking about in the hideous sausage factory of DC legislative politics, let's do something clean and decent and unambiguously good this week. Let's help the State of Maine achieve equality for all its citizens by helping pass their gay marriage initiative:
As of last night, the equality forces were ahead-- but only marginally. The Portland Press Herald is reporting that a new poll shows that 51.8% of people who plan to vote in November say they will vote no or are leaning in that direction and that 42.9% plan to vote yes, or are leaning that way. Just over 5% are undecided. Take a look at the newest TV spot they started running this week. We want to make sure it gets up on the air, not just in Portland, where the No on 1 vote is expected to sweep, but in places like Presque Isle, Eustis, Haynesville, Allagash and Millinocket, where there's still work to be done.
Today is the first day of early voting-- the most effective day we have left to get some real money to the folks on the grouund in Maine fighting the bigots who are trying to take away their rights and exclude gay men and women from society. Maine isn't an expensive media market. And it's a place where the good guys can win. This is what they can do with the cash that comes in.
And as a further inducement, Blue America is offering a chance for those who donate to win some awesome swag:
The first 9 people who kick in at least $30 at the Blue America '10 page each wins a special DVD of Barbra Streisand's spectacular 1966 television special Color Me Barbra (which includes a rare poster). And if that wasn't fabulous enough, we also have something pretty mind-blowing for the person who donates the most by 6AM (PT) tomorrow. The picture is above. It's a gorgeous Joan Osborne RIAA custom double platinum award for both Relish and "One of Us." It's rare, collectible, unique and... well, what a gift it would make for anyone who you happen to know who went bonkers over the song below! And, more important, what an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of our brothers and sisters in Maine!
There is so much ugliness out there right now. The zeitgeist is angry and hostile. The success of this initiative would be a breath of fresh air, a reminder that real people benefit from out contributions and that the causes we all fight for and believe in can be achieved.
