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UPDATE: Joe Solmonese's reaction to Dan Choi's protest. It's below the fold.
A reader had this hit her inbox today…(I added yesterday's ironic photo, as you might have noticed).
Allowing for that passing snark, as an exercise in economies of scale, Blenders, do you think giving $150K to HRC will most effectively move repeal of DADT back on the radar?
If not HRC, do you have suggestions on where else that $150K could go that would put the needed pressure on the White House and Congress to get it done? After all, b*tching is one thing, coming up with viable alternatives is another.
Dear —,
The goal is simple: Repeal “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” this year.
We know it won't be long before all of Washington gets caught up in the coming midterm elections.
That's why we're focused on putting the pressure on Congress and the Obama administration NOW.
We need to raise $150,000 before March 31 to go as big as we can.
It's clear – the best chance to repeal “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” is right here, right now.
Now that health care reform has passed we have a real window of opportunity to end “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” before members of Congress turn their attention to getting re-elected this fall.
That's why HRC has decided to ramp up its campaign to put every ounce of pressure we can on Congress and the Obama administration RIGHT NOW.
In one week, we're going to battle with the resources we have – and the next few days, with your help, will dictate how big we can go.
We want to raise $150,000 by March 31 so we know we'll have the resources to go all out.
If everyone does their part, that breaks down to 42 donations from Minneapolis. Will you make the first?
Now is the time to become an HRC member, —.
Our top military leaders have come forward to lead the charge. But the ultimate power to end this law lies with Congress and President Obama.
So far HRC activists have made over 190,000 phone calls and emails to members of Congress and sent more than 1,300 letters to editors of papers in targeted areas. And the hard work is paying off!
As of today, we have 191 representatives on board with repeal, and 25 senators signed on to the bill that was released a few weeks ago. Winning is within reach – we're only a few dozen cosponsors away from victory in both chambers – we can't let up now!
Winning this year is going to take everything from boots on the ground in key legislative districts to hard-hitting media work, to strategic grassroots “storming” Capitol Hill. And through it all, we'll be helping thousands of gay and straight veterans to speak out.
It's a tough fight, and our right-wing opponents are willing to do whatever it takes to bring any progress toward equality to a halt.
In the end, this is about a whole lot more than votes in Congress. It's a fight for the basic humanity of the men and women who serve our country. I'm not sure anyone needs more motivation than that.
Thanks for your help.
– Joe Solmonese
Donate before March 31 to ensure we have the strength we'll need to repeal “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” and take advantage of this moment.After my time in DC a couple of days ago, one of the primary feelings I had was frustration. We have so many advocacy groups, including ones specifically related to the military (SLDN, SU and several others) working on repeal efforts, yet despite all the money and bright minds, why are we seemingly behind the eight-ball in terms of setting a fire under the posteriors of Congress and the President?
It just seems that many of our groups rarely work together well, likely because of territoriality and –dare I say it — egos, that muck it all up.
You might recall that the Blend featured an effort coordinated across the blogosphere by Media Matters to dispel the disinformation out there about DADT. It worked with the groups to give a unified presence and backing to Myths and falsehoods on Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and in a joint press release, look at the unity back in February:
Today, after Media Matters for America released a comprehensive review of the myths and falsehoods media conservatives have pushed in their efforts to prevent a repeal of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT) law, a coalition of leading organizations and activists joined together to issue an open letter to the news media demanding that reports on DADT remain accurate and fair.
Media Matters' President Eric Burns joins AMERICAblog's John Aravosis, Courage Campaign's Rick Jacobs, GLAAD's Jarrett T. Barrios, Human Rights Campaign's Joe Solmonese, Knights Out's Becky Kanis, National Center for Lesbian Rights' Kate Kendell, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force's Rea Carey, National Security Network's Heather Hurlburt, Servicemembers Legal Defense Network's Aubrey Sarvis, Servicemembers United's Alex Nicholson, Truman National Security Project's Rachel Kleinfeld, VoteVets' Jon Soltz, and Lt. Dan Choi, US Army Infantry Officer and Arabic Linguist in signing on to the following letter…
Dan Choi told Newsweek that groups like HRC “do not represent us if all you are looking for is a ladder to elite society.” He also said there's a “deep schism” in the gay movement over strategy and tactics. What's HRC's response to this?Joe Solmonese: Any healthy and diverse social movement will have a diversity of voices and opinions. Individuals and groups will take different approaches based on their ideology, life experience and other sincerely and deeply held beliefs about the political process. This is not indicative of a schism, but rather a sign of vibrant engagement.
…DC Agenda: Dan Choi and others have suggested that mainstream LGBT groups like HRC are too accommodating to the White House and congressional Democratic leaders on issues like ENDA and DADT. What is HRC's current count of U.S. senators on an up or down vote on ENDA right now? Can you release a list of which of the 17 Democratic senators who are not ENDA c
o-sponsors will vote for or against ENDA?Solmonese: There has been understandable frustration in the community at the pace of progress at advancing some of the pieces of key legislation that are important to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. We continue to press the president and Congress to live up to the promises they made to advance real, substantive equality for LGBT Americans. It is critical that everyone in the LGBT community and our allies engage in this effort.
All senators (or House members) who are not co-sponsors of ENDA, DADT or other LGBT bills are pursued as key votes needed in order to pass pro-equality legislation.
21 Comments
Caution!Are these intrafamily asquabbles truly productive?
the squabbles are going on offlineI’m saying the private squabbles are holding productivity back. Calling it out isn’t creating them.
Who is paying Dan Choi’s legal bills?
His public struggle is gaining more public notice than anything else I have seen, and his legal bills must be at least $150K –
The question should beAre groups like HRC productive. They worked with Kathy Griffin and Bravo to “produce” a rally in D.C. They got signatures of people who said they were WILLING to take action e.g. give more money. Then they ignored Lt. Dan Choi and Capt. Pietrangelo. They hung around back stage patting each other on the back while others marched over to the White House and actually TOOK action.
While asking for MORE money and being a part of Griffin’s publicity stunt may be HRC’s idea of “activism” I believe Lt. Dan Choi, Capt. Pietrangelo and GetEQUAL’s idea of real ACTION actually produced something more than MORE DONATIONS. HRC should pay for the legal representation of these two brave activists. Then maybe they can say their day of fundraising was worthwhile.
150k Civil Disobedience well plannedThe point of a Civil Disobedience is to attract the media. Gandhi had the New York Times following him around and MLK had the world press covering every word.
Not notifying the media represents a major oversight. Live Coverage of Lt. Choi would have done wonders to change hearts and minds of millions.
But who knew? Press releases were not sent therefore networks could not make plans to get their Satellite trucks at the scene. PR Newswire press releases reach all major news networks. It costs less than $500.00. Wolf Blitzer’s tiny mention “And this just in” is not good enough. This was a national newsworthy event as Lt. Choi is a familiar DADT media spokesman and should be representing this cause certainly after all the hardships he has been through. Those hardships are the engine of Civil Disobedience.
Also the timing was off. It would have taken a major global catastrophe to make news topping the Health Care controversy.
The spring fashions are out!And Joe wants to go shopping!!!
Here is my response to HRC letter…. NO because….here I quote from my response
adding FROM Jeremy’s piece todays: http://tinyurl.com/yezexby
which notes others by Pam, Joe, and John.
There is more, read if you wish:
Here is my comment under it. (NOTE ENTIRE piece and comments returned to HRC for their request of $$)
For what it is worth. It wouldn’t hurt at all for HRC to become much more open to its grassroots e.g. donors. Scary, complicated yes, but then their little bank accounts might grow instead of fall… and Joe can buy more pretty clothes.
AgreedThe question, in my mind is whether HRC deserves our support at all. (These days, such $$$ as I can afford to give goes to the Victory Fund.) As I noted in another thread yesterday, I’m not at all averse to lobbying as a political strategy. But that lobbying has to be productive to be worth supporting. HRC has been in existence for more than three decades, and they’ve raised uncounted millions of dollars from us, yet you could list their concrete accomplishments as a lobbying organization on a 3×5 index card, and have room left over for your next week’s shopping list.
Yes, a lobbying organization is worth supporting. No, HRC is not that organization. If we’d all stop supporting them, they’d wither on the vine and a new group would inevitably appear, hopefully a more genuinely inclusive one (T, anyone?) with the resolve to do something more substantial than swig appletinis while they apologize for the status-quo politicians who can’t be bothered with our issues.
Dan’s legal billsalmost certainly come to less than Joe Solmonese’s monthly wardrobe allowance. But don’t hold your breath waiting for HRC to pay them. Dan is a severe embarrassment to the president and the party they hold so dear.
Who’s feeling the pressure?The president and congress are not feeling any pressure about DADT. We merely get lip service from those who govern. In this instance, the pressure is being felt by HRC, as they see themselves in the hot seat after too many of us have complained about their seeming lack of feistiness in getting things done. Things only seem to happen for us when we no longer act like the polite LGBT’ers that we are expected to be. ACT UP was successful because they were in your face. Stonewall happened because it certainly was an in your face event. HRC has become too glad handing and not enough fist.
I don’t think the whole org is rotten to the coreThe fact is that local HRCs may be very well run and integrate themselves in local actions and advocacy. The rot usually starts at the top, where the money is doled out, and the administrative lack of accountability is a major part of the problem.
The locals should challenge national; they put money back in the national’s pocket.
it’s all about ego and the quest for coinsThe reason there can be no singular LGBT group is because we have different priorities.
People can’t even decide what the “LGBT Agenda” should be, so to expect organizations to work in concert is unrealistic, IMO.
When it comes to nonprofits, there’s definitely pressure to stay “relevant” to funding sources, so there is almost a disincentive to cooperate.
Joe’s official response to Dan Choi’s direct actionFrom DC Agenda:
http://www.dcagenda.com/2010/0…
It has to be HRC at this pointmind you, I think that we need HRC (or an organization like HRC). But the “top-down” approach to lobbying with few if no results to show for it is wearing on folks.
I mean, as far as the egos go, that’s nothing new in terms of civil rights movements
Ugh, I’m so doneI saw Dan Choi last night and asked him about HRC… I blogged about it today with this emailing as well.
http://zackfordblogs.com/2010/…
When asked the vote count for ENDAJoe didn’t answer, because Joe doesn’t know. He is not very vibrantly engaged in these details. He’s ‘the face’ remember.
I am very frustrated with our National Organizations. They are out of touch with mainstream gay America and don’t seem very eager to get any of these bills passed. I send my hard earned cash directly to reps that support us, and the Victory Fund. I also spend my free time writing, calling and personally visiting law makers offices and speaking with their aides.
Here’s my observations. Lt. Dan Choi will get us the repeal of DADT. Ted and David will get us the repeal of DOMA and Dr. Weiss will get us the repeal of ENDA.
So my hope is WE come together as a unified community put as much pressure on the White House and Congress to get these bills to the floor for a vote. Lets show them our POWER!! ACT UP PEOPLE!!!
Never miss a chance to plugthe need to contact representatives directly (in addition to whatever national orgs are or aren’t doing)
Senator Kay Hagan sits on the senate armed services committee
Please give her a call: 202-224-6342
And shoot her a message: http://hagan.senate.gov/contact/
Let her know where you stand on DADT and all LGBT equality issues.
I spent much of this past Monday with Dan….
So far, he has no “legal bills” of any consequence.
It’s not just that “‘Joe’ is not very vibrantly engaged in these details.”it’s that HRC in general doesn’t seem to be involved in the details. For Health Insurance Reform, FDL/Big Orange/others had hour by hour whip counts and “action diaries” with phone/contact info. Now that that battle is over, we’re thanking those that voted with us, contributing to those who have tough re-elections, and sending Nancy Pelosi about 2000 roses for her birthday. All volunteers, you’ll note.
Now, I’m not that familiar with HRC’s website* but there’s no approximate whip count for any of our issues, much less suggestions on actions. Click on the “Volunteer” tab and you get to send your name to the local steering committee. The “Take Action” tab leads you to yet another electronic petition, for whatever issue you favor, to your local Congress-critter. And that’s it. No mention of the ‘critter’s on our side, the ones against us, or the ones we may be able to persuade. In other words, HRC has mastered the technology and web-based activism of 1998.
Not that that’s a bad thing, it’s just that this from an organization that many of us contribute to. Joe makes more than $300k/yr. He can’t take a $50k cut and hire a decent, web-savvy organizer to keep track of our allies and enemies, and build a virtual strike-force? Or, out of the whole HRC infrastructure, they can’t find $50k for someone to read the news, call congressional aides, and interface with their webmaster? Someone who will organize the rest of us, who wear Community Thrift clothes to call, write and generally upset the apple-cart? Why are y’all sending them money*?
P.S. thanks to T2inDC. I always like seeing
I’m not exactly gay myself, more bi- with extras, but who would have ever thought that “mainstream” would apply…
*Full disclosure: I am not a fan of HRC. I stopped contributing to the organization during the Lieberman/Lamont kerfuffle. I will not contribute to them until Joe and EVERYONE responsible for endorsing Lieberman over Lamont is gone from HRC w/o pensions or benefits.
There is a FB grouphttp://www.facebook.com/pages/…
Lipstick on a pighttp://fromtheleft.wordpress.c…
From what I’ve seen, HRC is an anti-gay org masquerading as a pro-gay org — draining our momentum and funds.
The organization does its best to suck the air out of the room, to promote the status quo, and to make a mockery of our civil rights movement.
All the excuses don’t change the fact that this organization DOES NOT FIGHT for us. It postures and preens and serves the stultifying inertia that heterosexists everywhere celebrate.
And, I’ll say something else I’ve said before. The entire understanding of our civil rights movement has fallen off the tracks.
It’s a scientific fact that homosexuality isn’t a disorder. It’s been known since Dr. Hooker’s 1950s work was independently reviewed by multiple experts and published. Since that time, there has been no credible research refuting the conclusion all the reviewers came to: there is no significant difference in mental adjustment between hetero and homo men.
So what? It means all forms of discrimination against gays as a class are unscientific. That makes them irrational. That makes them unconstitutional, too.
It clarifies all the debates by exposing the false complexity they have because they treat the false premise that some or all forms of discrimination against us are rational. In reality, there is no legitimate debate. It’s up to us to stop inadvertently supporting the paradigm of the “great debate”. Stop allowing heterosexists to obfuscate away the simple fact that no forms of discrimination against us are justifiable outside of religious contexts — contexts that have no bearing on our law as the 1st Amendment prohibits theocracy.