(Now we see who Arnold really is. – promoted by SFBrianCL)

[NOTE: Arnold vetoed the same-sex marriage bill, just a day after the bill was passed in the Assembly.  At the very least now we can see Arnold for who he is.  Goodbye Arnold, time to go.–SFBrianCL]

Press release from Equality California

The Marriage Veto:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 7, 2005

Contact:  Eddie Gutiérrez, Director of Communications
Phone:  (323)  217-8875  Email:  [email protected]

GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER TO VETO EQUAL MARRIAGE RIGHTS LEGISLATION

Sacramento, CA — In response to Governor Schwarzenegger’s decision to veto Assembly Bill (AB) 849, The Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act, Executive Director Geoffrey Kors of Equality California issues the following statement:

“Not even twenty-four hours after our historic victory when our families went to sleep dreaming of equality, we are extremely heart-broken and disappointed that the Governor has chosen not to lift the burden of discrimination for hundreds of thousands of loving and committed families. The Governor has let us down, but nothing can take away our victory and the progress we have made to achieve equality for all.

“One man cannot terminate a civil rights movement.  Minority rights should never be dictated by the majority.  Hard-working, Californians believe in freedom, justice, and equality.  The Governor has failed our families and the children who will sleep tonight wondering if, tomorrow, their parents will be legal strangers under the law.

“The marriage equality bill has yet to reach the Governor’s desk.  We urge him to reconsider his decision.  He has yet to hear how our families have been harmed by discrimination.  When he goes home tonight and enjoys the comforts and protections of marriage, we hope he thinks of the children and families whose fate rests in his hands.

“If the Governor truly opposes discrimination, he will come out in strong opposition to any ballot measure, court decision, or legislation that repeals legally recognized protections and responsibilities that are currently afforded through domestic partnerships or permanently bans marriage protections for same-sex couples.  He has to make a decision on what he wants his legacy to be; we hope that he will not go down in history as ‘The Discriminator.’”

The Fair Political Campaign Act:

EQUALITY CALIFORNIA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 7, 2005

Contact: Eddie Gutiérrez, Director of Communications
Phone:  (323)  217-8875  Email:  [email protected]

GOVERNOR VETOES LBGT FAIR POLITICAL CAMPAIGN BILL

Sacramento, CA – With only vague comments, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed AB 866, authored by Assembly Speaker pro Tem Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/Daly City) and sponsored by Equality California, which was designed to prevent discrimination against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) individuals in political campaigns.  This was the first of many bills Equality California sponsored this year to make it to the Governor’s desk.

“We are extremely disappointed by Governor Schwarzenegger’s veto of legislation that would have added LGBT people to the list of groups covered by the Fair Political Practice Act’s Voluntary Pledge,” said Geoffrey Kors, Executive Director of Equality California.  “Regardless of what he thinks about the enforceability of the Voluntary Pledge, it is ludicrous to exclude one group of people from the rights and protections granted to others.  The exclusion of LGBT citizens in this case is just simply an unacceptable form of discrimination.”

Currently, existing law establishes a Code of Fair Campaign Practices to which a candidate may voluntarily subscribe and provides a pledge by which the candidate declares that he or she will not use or permit any appeal to negative prejudice based on race, sex, religion, national origin, physical health status, or age.  This Code of Fair Campaign Practices and a copy of the Elections Code provisions are required to be provided to candidates by the Registrar of Voters at the time of a declaration of candidacy, nomination papers, or any other paper evidencing an intention to be a candidate for public office are issued.

“Quite frankly, I am outraged that the Governor vetoed a bill that protects gay and lesbian candidates from facing discrimination and hate during a campaign,” said Speaker pro Tem Yee.  “It is unconscionable that the Governor of California would send a message that it is ok to foster campaigns that create fear and intimidation upon the LGBT community.”

The legislation would have prohibited the use of any negative appeal based on prejudice against LGBT people by candidates or campaign committees who sign the voluntary pledge provided for in the Code of Fair Campaign Practices.

Founded in 1998, Equality California is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, grassroots-based, statewide advocacy organization whose mission is to ensure the dignity, safety, equality and civil rights of all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Californians. Equality California is one of the largest and fastest growing statewide LGBT organizations in the country. We can be contacted through our website at  www.eqca.org.

Continuing its California-contrarian campaign, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security today announced its new “Cash Not Care” program.

Designed to be the exact opposite of San Francisco’s controversial “Care Not Cash” program, the federal “Cash Not Care” program will give victims of Hurricane Katrina a $2,000 debit card while, at the same time, telling them to “get lost.”

See the extended

“People were starting to catch on to the fact the government really just doesn’t care about these people,” says Genesee Voix-Prichard, a public relations specialist hired by the Department of Homeland Security.  “We decided to use that sentiment to our advantage by implementing the “Cash Not Care” program.”

The local economy also was a factor.  “The hurricane victims are interfering with economic progress,” said Rodney Poindexter, president of Houston’s Center for the Advancement of the White and Rich.  Indeed, Houston alone had to cancel two gun shows that were scheduled to take place at the George R. Brown Convention Center.  And Houston needs to clear the Reliant Stadium in time for the Houston Texans’ first home game on September 18.  “Even with the $2,000 debit cards,” said Poindexter, “the victims probably can’t afford the hot dogs and 84 ounce sodas that are sold on game day.”  

Cash Not Care also will have significant effects in San Francisco.  For those San Francisco homeless who prefer cash instead of care, San Francisco is offering Greyhound bus service to the Houston Astrodome.  “Passengers are hosed down and dropped off at the Astrodome,” said Bob Dumfries, deputy assistant of San Francisco’s Department of Homeless Relocation.  “By the time they get there, and are all soaking wet, they look just like a Katrina refugee and will surely obtain the $2,000 debit card.  Maybe two.”

Allison White, M.D., a psychiatrist specializing in domestic abuse cases, says the federal government’s response is familiar.  “When someone hurts someone they love, they often try to make up for it with material things.  For example, a husband who beats his wife may buy his wife a diamond tennis bracelet and hope she forgets about the lashings.”  

Michael Chertoff, the Director of Homeland Security, wearing a dirty white muscle tank top, cut-off shorts, and flip flops, announced the “Cash Not Care” program at a press conference this morning.