KnowThyNeighbor.org has posted the names of 83,000 Arkansas voters who approved a ballot measure which made it illegal for same-sex couples to adopt or become foster parents. The list is available as a searchable database here.
Previously, the site exposed anti-gay petition signers in Massachusetts and Florida. "This is about responsibility and dialogue," said the site's director Tom Lang. "These petition signers need to stand behind their signatures and be responsible for this dehumanizing attack on the gay community." I agree with Lang that one should publicly stand behind their belief if they're going to sign a petition, but do you think they're right to "out" these individuals?
– Dewitt
Most of the people who signed the petition would have no issue standing up for what they believe in, any more than the gay community, or the black community, or the latinos, etc. Most of them probably don’t even care that their names were made public. It is wrong, though, in my opinion, to make those names public, just as it was wrong to make the AIG beneficiaries names and addresses public. I wouldn’t want a crowd of people standing outside my home or place of work disturbing my peace any more than they would. We are all entitled to our opinions, and when the time comes to vote we are all entitled to cast our opinion, without retribution. If the vote affects someone in a way they would deem negative, they have the choice to pack up and move to a place they would be more comfortable.
the interesting thing about KnowThyNeighbor is that here in Mass. they helped expose the mini scandal that the petition company used. They had been paying the people per signature, so in order to either pass their agenda or to just be paid more, the petitioners would solicit people for multiple causes. My own mother was on that list, and she was told she was signing a petition in order to allow grocery stores to sell liquor.
It’s public record. It’s the same difference as being able to see if someone has been arrested for something, etc…
I don’t believe the addresses are necessary, but I do think that if you’re willing to impose your beliefs, values or hang-ups on another person you should visible and available for discussion.
If you don’t have the constitution to discuss and/or defend your vote, you should not be voting. Go big or go home.
ummm…i came from arkansas…this may sound rash and naive and well “childish,” but i think we should just blow that fucking state all to hell. it gave us crap and nothing when it was made, crap and nothing when i lived there, and now its giving us more crap and nothing. i say be rid of it since it is a pimple on the ass of society. sincerely, ME! lol.
oh victor- such a BUTCH solution- sounds very Arkansas to me! Redneck PLUS! you do your home state proud- not sure how well it reflects on the fact that you are gay, though.
The question is “Does putting their name on a petition violate their rights or expose them to harm?”
This seems almost like a Grand Jury kinda question. Votes are private … but petitions are public.
I think that so long as the petition signers are aware that by signing the petition they are making a public declaration AND they’re aware of the potential consequences, then it can be allowable.
I’ve always believed the political process should follow a certain order:
1. Constitutionality
2. Solution Development
3. Consensus
It seems that all politics, whether conservative or liberal, attempts to bypass this process. To me that’s the larger concern.
well randy…thanks for the butch thought…im far from butch but, sometimes when intellect and patience and suffering hasn’t shown people anything, than the last solution is to eradicate them. muhahahaha. lol. no but really that state to me really has no bearing on life. im glad that we have a president that is willing to work hard and take risks and bite bullets that will not only save us but save us all. except arkansas…lol. all my friends with an iq above -5 have all moved out and realized the world is bigger than the trailer they used to live in. 😉
I absolutely support KTN. As has been said, it is a matter of public record, so there is no reasonable stance to argue against publishing this stuff. If people don’t read things before they sign and don’t know that they are making a public statement, that is their own problem.
I am from Arkansas and was disturbed to see names of people I know on the list. Two of those signatures are from an elderly couple, in their middle eighties. She taught me piano many years ago and their son teaches music. I can’t believe she and her husband knew what they were signing.
It saddens me to see their names.