The petition is up and running

[Joe Brummer]

I was worried that my last post about this got lost in a thread.....


I have finally posted an online petition to ask Stephen and Irene Bennett of Straight Talk Radio to stop their words of violence against gays. I ask that you all sign on and help me stop this maddness and lies against gays.

Please be polite and respectful in your comments. I really don't want people to sink to his level of hate speech.


The link is here:

http://www.petitiononline.com/StopSTR/petition.html

or

http://www.joebrummer.com/StopSBM-petition.jpg


more info is available on my website... www.joebrummer.com

[SolInvictus]

I already signed it. Hope more people sign it & our voices are heard.

[pnggrad79]

Joe,
I signed it and hope everyone who visits this site will follow suit. It is very well written and I can tell you put a lot of thought and much prayer into it. Good job.:)

[Jennifer5]

I signed it and I had a couple family members do the same. What link should I give out to try and let other people know?

[Joe Brummer]

I signed it and I had a couple family members do the same. What link should I give out to try and let other people know?


The one is the first post here:

this one: http://www.petitiononline.com/StopSTR/petition.html


The more signatures that are there, the more it shows Stephen that his message is hurting more people than he is helping.

Thanks so much for signing it! Please spread the word so others will sign it.

I have also been listening to his radio show and doing a daily critque on my blog. I am pretty sure that Stephen is reading it as well. I can't tell him to stop what he is doing but I can certainly let him know others don't support him and his message.

[Jennifer5]

Thanks. I sent it out to a bunch of people including the person in charge of our church's website and asked her to post the link.

[Joe Brummer]

Wow, that is awesome. I have been feeling so discouraged by the lack of excitement about this from gay and lesbian websites, forums and blogs. I even posted the info at my space where it was ripped to shreads.

To know that you did that makes me feel good!

Thank you!

[Jennifer5]

No problem I just hope I get a good response... I'll try to help any time I can.

[ps403]

Great job, Joe. Articulate and well-thought out!

[Joe Brummer]

Cut and paste this into an email and send it to everyone you know!

Stephen Bennett Ministries, along with its radio program “Straight Talk Radio” have called gay unions (http://joebrummer.com/WordPress/?page_id=42) a stench in god’s nostrils. He has advised parents of gay children to not allow them to bring their partners home for holiday dinner. He has compared gays to alcoholics and drug users, and claims gays can be cured. These claims defy every mainstream psychological and medical association in the world.

He claims he lived for 11 years as a homosexual. He tells people that he has the inside scoop on being gay, now that he is “ex-gay” and married to a woman. His radio program has featured topics such as, “The Medical Dangers of Homosexuality (http://joebrummer.com/WordPress/?page_id=62)” or “A heart for the Homosexual”. His shows have painted an image that gays are child predators, drug addicts, sexual maniacs, all bound to die of AIDS. He uses the bible to back up his hateful messages and claims he is protecting children.

He thinks in his mind that he is helping people, but reality is he is hurting more people than he helps. He needs to know who it is he hurts with this message.I urge you to join with me in speaking out against these words of violence. Sign the Stop Stephen Bennett petition today, Let him know that you don’t approve of words being used as violence against gays and lesbians or their families. Be sure to be nice in your comments. Don’t sink to his level, be kind in your words but let him know he is WRONG.
Sign the Petition (http://www.petitiononline.com/StopSTR/petition.html)

[Jennifer5]

The thing that I don't understand is, why aren't more people signing? I sent to two about 20 people and only 3 signed how do we spread this information farther?

[Joe Brummer]

The thing that I don't understand is, why aren't more people signing? I sent to two about 20 people and only 3 signed how do we spread this information farther?


Wish I knew, I also have been wondering if the petition is too strong armed. Will it just make Stephen Bennett feel pressured into speaking with me. In the end I think the only way he will ever talk to anyone about his misuse of science is if he is strong armed or pressured in someway, but I sometimes question my own tactics. I wish more people would sign the petition but maybe they don't get it.

[Zerbie]

As per usual, I am being a downer on this thread, but it's a reflection of what I think possible, and impossible, with someone like Bennett.

Coupla things:

As mentioned earlier, I nearly decided not to sign. Do I recall correctly that any signatory is automatically listed by name on the list that's available to any and all web viewers? I remember thinking, 'oh, is there no way to remain anonymous on this list?' If I understood that part of technology correctly, there may be plenty of people who were going to sign but changed their minds believing their names would be made public on the internet for all to see, for all posterity. Then again - I could have simply misunderstood that part - computers are not among my talents. If not however, consider that many people have strong personal views which they are not happy sharing in public.

As far as the petition motivating SB to meet with you, Joe, I have to admit I have serious doubts about the effectiveness of any petition. For instance, if I were on air with my friends sharing our motivation in support of LGBT rights, and someone along the lines of a Bennett mailed me a petition full of signatures of ex-gays testifiying that I am somehow doing a disservice to ex-gays by supporting LGBT rights, would that make me say, "Oh hey, here's a bunch of signatures of ex-gays who oppose my viewpoint. Gee, let's hear what they have to say."??? Or am I going to say, "Oh lookie here, a petition signed by a bunch of ex-gays asking me to change my views. Yeah right, when the moon is made of green cheese."???

SB knows there is serious disagreement out there - he knows this is a contentious issue. He has chosen a "side" to stand with, and I suspect that in his mind, he has already decided what you, Joe, would have to say to him about it.

Yes, I doubt that any action on our part is going to be able to force him to a new stance. It's always possible that something may come along in his life that will be a catalyst for enormous change - but I don't expect it's something we could ever plan, or consciously cause to happen. There are people to whom we can say all the right things, who will nevertheless NEVER hear us.
Likelihood is, SB is one of those people. Keep remembering what is at stake for him if he even considers that his mission could be making mistakes. One tiny hole in that armor could bring his whole life to a crashing halt. I don't even want to imagine the fear and pain it would bring with it. Remember that is what Bennett is armored against, so a few polite words of truth will be met with rationalizations and "evidence" to the contrary.

I strongly doubt that a petition (or even dozens of petitions) no matter how many signatures, would motivate Bennett to give up this whole entire contruct and driving force of his life.

[Joe Brummer]

I tend to agree with most or all of what you have said. On the flipside of it, what is left for us to do? Allow this? Look at James Donson and the Soulforce campaign called "Dear Dr. Dobson". This man has made not just a living but an empire of anti-gay lies, but Soulforce tried anyway. I just cannot in good conscience stand by and do nothing. The best I or anyone else could do is draw attention to the fact Stephen Bennett uses lies and falsehoods. I would hope the information I have put out there about ex-gay ministries and the lies will help in someway to combat the lies.

I really do believe that ex-gay ministries are a huge part of the climate of hate and violence we as gays and lesbians live in. Just look at how loud they are. We see them on CNN, and other news programs. They invade our churches, our schools and ask that books about us be banned or burned. I, myself have been the victim of not just one, but two gay bashings in my life. The first with baseball bats, the second ended in a broken collarbone that has never fully healed. (I always know when it is going to rain.) They tend to put blinders on to the damage they do by preaching a false message to the public. If you have ever taken the chance to go to hatecrime.org and read the comparison of anti-gay groups to the propaganda movie from the nazi's called the eternal jew, you find the striking similarities between to the two. I speak out against this because it is wrong. I believe we have to speak out or it will just continue. The beginning of the end of such things has to start somewhere and speaking out is a good start even if it is shunned at first. Sooner or later, it will take hold and people will start to listen, but that will not happen until we all speak out. Silence from us tells them their message is just, but we all know it is injustice to all.

As for the petition and your name, many have signed it with just a first name. The email address you leave is really proof you are a real person, they only person who see's that will be me, and Stephen Bennett when I finally send it to him. I do not expect that he will ever talk to me, but I also believe that all of us close our eyes at night to sleep with our own conscience. I believe that Stephen does in fact know in his heart that he is wrong. I would hope enough people shaking their heads in shame at him may propel him to admit that, even if it isn't public.

I will also note, that I have followed his web site, his blog and his radio show for months now. I have seen changes made to the website based on things I have blogged about. He posts something on his web, I blog about it, and it is gone by the next day. At one point he was going to post "the Hall of Shame" where he was going to post the hate mail he gets from homosexuals. It was only on his site a day. I blogged about how that will never help anyone and it was gone the next day. I can't take credit for that because I don't really know, but I am pretty sure he is reading my blog and that I am making some difference. This has happen way more than once.

Lastly I will say this, many people who said to themself I am going to change something in the world were told by others that they will never make a difference, but they did. Many people were told that they cannot take on something bigger than them and win, and they did it anyway and made a difference in the world. This is about winning or losing, but making a change in the world that hopefully will stop someone from getting bashed, or fired, or left out. Change doesn't happen overnight, but it doesn't happen it all when we stand by and do nothing saying that it won't matter in the end. It does matter. At one point in time, the KKK were a huge force, now they are a hate group. Maybe that is what will happen to these ex-gay ministries someday if we continue to speak out.

[Zerbie]

Joe, thank you for that last post. I read you clearer than ever now.

Yes, by all means do SOMETHING! I was concerned earlier that you seemed dearly attached to the outcome of the petition, to the hope that SB will then meet with you and make changes in his "mission," and that seemed like an unrealistically high hope. But by all means, do something, and if this is The Something you feel called to try, then at least you have done it. I've done my fair share of tilting at windmills too, with the understanding that tilting at windmills was precisely what I was doing, but I needed to take the action for the sake of what was inside of my heart. I needed to know that I had tried.

Yes I understand why you are so motivated. I agree completely that there is a forest full of lies being taught about LBGTs and those lies are to blame for the hate crimes, including the two that were directed at you. How absolutely awful - I can't express how angry it makes me that those things were done to you! Dear God, baseball bats. I commend you for having the courage to stand back up and face the source of such violence.

Having spent a scant few hours reading SB's sites, I am not as familiar with him as you, and was unaware of those little evolutions in the site that you mention. Hey, ya never know, maybe it IS because of you that the 'hate mail' didn't get shared.

Maybe you're right and you ARE the guy SB needs to hear from. I don't know.

I do strongly believe that as far as combating the ex-gay ministries goes, we would have better success if we strategize a way to educate that huge moveable middle of the society about the realities of ex-gay programs, and the damage they cause, plus their links to political opposition to basic rights like housing and employment protections. The more people who know its quackery, the more likely people are to steer their gay kids clear of ex-gaydom, rather than INTO it. If it becomes mainstream understanding that ex-gay programs do real harm, then fewer LGBT adults enter into those programs.

Personally - when a strategic move to EDUCATE the majority population about these ex-gay programs comes to the fore, I will jump into it so fast, I'll be a blur. Why? I believe our longterm success lies there, with educating the moveable majority of America, rather than the much harder task of dissuading the deeply entrenched homophobes like SB, especially those who have dedicated their entire lives to being professional ex-gays.

Consider the mainstream media coverage of the ex-gay programs: they seem to play right into the controversy, rather than truly reveal the harm that is done by such programs. We ought to have some kind of educational campaign reaching a wide audience, illustrating the fundamental lies such programs are based on. Otherwise, no one 'out there' in mainstream America knows what is really going on.
Maybe a letter to the editor campaign? For starters. Is that a bandwagon we here might jump on?

Oh and - by NO means do I need it pointed out that there are strong parallels between Nazi propaganda and the current anti-gay sentiments. I picked up on that when I was a little girl, and have had lifelong recurring nightmares about it. All you have to do to see the vitriol of the extreme right is visit the homepage of the Traditional Values Coalition - it looks like pages right out of the Nazi handbook. Someone needs to confront that malice, and it may as well be us. The sooner the better.

Thanks for trying, Joe. I'm just glad to know you aren't going into this with unrealistic hopes, which is what I worried about before. Let me know if I can help some more. As mentioned, I HAVE signed the petition.

[Joe Brummer]

Zerbie,
Why wait for the public info campaign to educate people on ex-gay ministries. Why not jump on the campiagn that are there and help to build them....

This petition and my Stephen Bennett campaign is hopefully just a start. I hope to start something bigger. I needed to start someplace and this just seemed as good as any to start. There are many far worse than Stephen Bennett. He is actually pretty tame compared to others. In order for a tree to grow, someone needs to plant a seed. I am hoping that is what I am doing. Just planting a seed.

[Zerbie]

Good - we SHOULD be trying. Before I start beating a dead horse to death again (or am I already?!), what already existing campaigns are you talking about? Point me to 'em. I'll hop on board with whatever's out there, including this one!

So far, I've noticed little opportunity to speak out on the ex-gay stuff. There was a journalist doing a piece on both sides of the ex-gay argument who interviewed me, and I think I was pretty strong in my statements, but as far as I know the article never materialized.

[SolInvictus]

If I may add, personally, I find the LoveWonOut "ex-gay" ministry to be very dangerous. Oddly, it was my conservative psychologist who referred me to it even though she admitted the APA didn't approve such "therapy."
When it didn't work, my mom told me I should have tried harder - I told her I had tried hard all my life - its not something that can changed.

This was 2 years ago: I quit seeing that psychologist, found a new one, and mom has finally accepted me "just as I am." The defining moment for her came when I let her read Mel's book - it changed her view of conservative "ministries." For that, I'll always be thankful to Mr. White.

Fast forward to now: I have a boyfriend, attending grad school, a professional writer on LGBT issues, teaching as a substitute, and found a wonderful, welcoming church within the UCC. Homophobia & "ex-gay" propaganda hurt not just the LGBT community, but their family & friends too.
I have to agree w/ gay pastor Chris Glaser: "homophobia is a sin" (paraphrased).

[Joe Brummer]

Good - we SHOULD be trying. Before I start beating a dead horse to death again (or am I already?!), what already existing campaigns are you talking about? Point me to 'em. I'll hop on board with whatever's out there, including this one!

So far, I've noticed little opportunity to speak out on the ex-gay stuff. There was a journalist doing a piece on both sides of the ex-gay argument who interviewed me, and I think I was pretty strong in my statements, but as far as I know the article never materialized.



Well Zerbie, I have found nothing out there as an organized group against ex-gay ministries. Maybe I will sleep on that and see how hard do I think it would be to start one.

[Zerbie]

Lovin' this conversation. Sol Invictus, it burns me up that you too went through all that . . .garbage. . .and I have several 3D friends who've gone thru it, too. It's just a sad waste of years out of your life, at best, permanently damaging or fatal at worst.

Joe - as far as starting a more wide-reaching campaign to educate that moveable middle about the ex-gay stuff, let's brainstorm. Why on earth not? Jamie, are you reading? Maybe it's something we forumites could start, with slow and simple things, like. . .whenever we find media coverage on ex-gay ministries that neglects to share all of what we need to have shared with the audience, we could all write letters to the editor/newsrooms, etc. That sounds small and more or less easily begun. Not necessarily as representing Soulforce, but we could be the resource for each other when stuff goes on locally, and then we could take small actions as individuals. What does everyone think? Jamie, ya readin' this?

[Joe Brummer]

well Zerie, You should check out www.exgaywatch.com as a good start.

[Joe Brummer]

Here is some stuff to look at that I find motivating for me to want to do something about this issue. Mostly I feel these groups are at the heart of the hate that spreads against gays and lesbians...colectively they fight us on billboards, radio, tv ads, talkshows..etc....it is the fuel of the fires. Hate crimes are like small fires, I always say. We can't try to prevent them, put them out when they start, we can even try to tend to the vicitms of the fires after they happen, but when are we going to address the elephant in the living room and stop the cause of the fires.....look at these few sites and see what I am talking about.

http://www.afsc-fan.org/dangers.htm

http://www.anythingbutstraight.com/learn/experiences.html

http://www.bridges-across.org/ba/healing/healing8_ex-gays.htm

[SolInvictus]

Hey Zerbie, it was tough what I went through, but I am stronger now despite of it - God was with all the way :-)

Now, I just want to help other LGBT to see that they can love themselves and others w/out fear and hate.

Hate is a disease that needs to be cured with love.

[Shep]

Hi Joe & Zerbie
As I was reading through your dialogue with each other about the SB petition, a poem came to mind that I remember from grade school many years ago. I know you've heard it any maybe even had to memorize it yourselves in school. I thought it might be good to read it again and keep it in mind for situations like this.

http://sofinesjoyfulmoments.com/quotes/couldnt.htm

[Joe Brummer]

That is a great poem. I think I will print that and hang it near my desk for the next time an anti-gay person tries to knock me down.

[Joe Brummer]

WARNING: The following site may cause high blood pressure and upset stomaches. Speaking of the ex-gay movement and some of their really hateful stuff....I discovered this guy over the weekend. He makes the other ex-gay groups look like gay activists. Tell me what you think and what could be done about this, really what could be done about any of this.

http://www.witnessfortheworld.org/commentary.html

[Jamie McDaniel]

I think ex-gay ministries definitely need to be monitored and that we need to put some real thought into the language we use when responding to them or when doing a media interview alongside ex-gays. Those who promote ex-gay ministries have developed some arguments that, on the surface at least, sound clever.

In many areas of debate (not just GLBT equality) I am continually amazed that certain arguments and soundbites can succeed as highly persuasive rhetoric and yet, at the same time, be either a logical fallacy or a minor truth being substituted for a much larger truth.

Anyhow, trying to view the debate from someone who isn't an ally, but who is wrestling with their understanding of gays, lesbians, and bisexuals, here is some language from Joe's petition that I think is particularly strong -- language that I would recommend an activist use in a Larry King Live type discussion.

Stop ... claiming you can speak for all gays and lesbians. Your experience as a gay man was filled with poor choices and self-loathing. It is not a reflection of all gays and lesbians or their personal experiences.

This is so true. Many of the professional ex-gays think ex-gay ministry is good because it did help them. But upon closer examination, what the ministry really helped them with was in making better choices and ending sexual addictions.

In keeping with the Larry King live debate scenario, if I knew that the person promoting the ex-gay ministry had engaged in alot of crazy behavior prior to entering the ex-gay ministry, I would be sure and point that out. Now if such a debate was on Fox News, no doubt their moderator would try and paint the activist as being judgmental and claim that is an attempt to use someone's past, which they had since left behind, to discredit them. Most thinking people, however, would see it as a vital component to understanding whether behavior or orientaion was what was changed.

Stop engaging in deception by omission. Your message only focuses on the poor choices of some gays and lesbians while ignoring all the well adjusted, healthy people successfully living their lives who happen to be gay or lesbian.

I still think this is the BIG one. I remember when I first read about "deception by omission" in Jeff Lutes' A False Focus on My Family. I was like, "Yes, that is exactly what they are doing!"

Stop claiming that gays and lesbians have a “lifestyle”. Gays and lesbians have many different lifestyles and come from all walks of life. There is no one gay lifestyle and grouping us all together into your mold of destruction is inaccurate as well as insulting.

Still a good point. The "moveable middle" will understand this, especially as more and more gay people come out to them in their lives.

Stop generalizing gays and lesbians as (insert bunch of really bad stuff here.)

Good.

Now on the other hand, I think we want to try and avoid arguments that will allow ex-gays to get away with something like, "Well, all I know, Larry, is what happened to me. I behaved in a homosexual way with other men and now I am happily married to a loving wife. I just can't see why these gay activists would want to prevent people like me, people who struggle daily with unwanted same-sex attraction, from entering into this type of ministry. And what really amazes me is why they would spend so much energy trying to prevent a man who has been married to his wife for fifteen years, and who suddenly confesses he struggles with same-sex attraction, from entering into one of our ministries in order to save his marriage. That baffles me, Larry, because it seems like people have a civil right to be ex-gay."

With that, the ex-gay person has cleverly made it look like gays who want to become heterosexuals are the ones being oppressed by the "gay activists." And, as a result, groups like Focus on the Family are cast in a positive light for providing a way for these folks to exercise their right to change.

Very clever on their part in terms of persuasive rhetoric. Especially since we all like to hear stories of marriages that overcome obstacles and go the distance.

I know Corey (schoolboi) was wanting to organize a Soulforce team to monitor the ex-gay ministries.

[Joe Brummer]

I will address (or try) to address the last part of your remarks.

Now on the other hand, I think we want to try and avoid arguments that will allow ex-gays to get away with something like, "Well, all I know, Larry, is what happened to me. I behaved in a homosexual way with other men and now I am happily married to a loving wife. I just can't see why these gay activists would want to prevent people like me, people who struggle daily with unwanted same-sex attraction, from entering into this type of ministry. And what really amazes me is why they would spend so much energy trying to prevent a man who has been married to his wife for fifteen years, and who suddenly confesses he struggles with same-sex attraction, from entering into one of our ministries in order to save his marriage. That baffles me, Larry, because it seems like people have a civil right to be ex-gay."


In my opinion the easiest way to address this argument is "don't". If people have unwanted sexual attractions to the same sex, the last thing they would ever want to join is an ex-gay ministry. As long as those ministries have been brought out into the light for the frauds that they really are. I try to stay away from these arguments by asking the "big question". How do these groups help these people. The websites have little or no "resources" for gays and lesbians seeking change. This is also a good place to point out the science (the truth). If homosexuality is a Pathological condition, then with or without god it should be treatable. There are no secular ex-gay programs. A few that try to claim it, but careful reading of their materials tends to axe that easily.

[Jennifer5]

How ever we deal with things it has to be done carefully... otherswise they just fight back harder... we can see what they're saying now and we're hardly saying anything...

[Joe Brummer]

How ever we deal with things it has to be done carefully... otherswise they just fight back harder... we can see what they're saying now and we're hardly saying anything...


What if we had a forum...a truce...a summitt, like countries do for peace? we invite all the ex-gay people to come and meet with us. We plan a conference so to speak. We invite all the big ones...Stephen Bennett, James Dobson, DL Foster, exodus, Randy Thomas. What if we brought them together with us, and in someway made it bad for them publically not to show up (ggod marketing). We sit them down, let them speak to us, but also let us speak to them. I think it is important to let them speak their message to us, even though we may not like it, but....."voluntary suffering" we have a chance at reaching "some of them" to change their message. To be less dehumanizing to us. We could adverstise it in the papers as a "peace summitt" between the two groups. Make it a big deal.....give them a chance to speak, but more important we have a chance to speak. The press will hear it and want to cover it, the ex-gays will hear it and want to be there to represent themselves....and we will be there to bring everyone to a jouney to the truth whatever that may be for people.

any thoughts? is this a good idea? could we expand on it? how could we raise the money to make it happen?

[Zerbie]

Not being a politician, marketer, or event planner, I can't help with planning a huge thing like this. But this suggestion is on the right track, I do believe. We will need monitors to make sure neither group gets confrontational or US/THEM when this thing finally happens.

Also, I'm thinking even more important than the official, formal "summit" with media coverage and official speakers, will be - if we can arrange this one - informal meetings of one to one, from both "sides" over lunch, coffee, breakfast, dinner breaks. Letting each "side" meet and connect to what is compassionate and caring and authentic in the other "side" - that will, at least (and this is a HUGE breakthrough if it happens) dilute the perception that all of us are falling into that the "other side" is all full of malice and negative intent - at least, I think both "sides" of us fall into that trap. The polarization and the blaming needs to start stopping.

The breakthrough cathartic moments are almost always at unplanned moments, which is why I can't stress enough that we should have informal one on ones with these folk. Maybe not even talking about sexuality - taking a break from all this. . .circus. Then getting back to solving the *real* problems gays and ex-gays face, as allies instead of waging combat against each other.

Am I being Utopian suddenly? Somebody smack me with a frying pan.

Zerbie
:rolleyes:

[Jennifer5]

I like what you're saying there won't be much I can do to help... but if I can in some way I'll try :) see what we can do and get more people involved if possible.

[Joe Brummer]

I have started NEW campaign about Straight Talk Radio. I hope you will all take part in this action, it will only take a moment of your day!

the info on it is here:
http://joebrummer.com/WordPress/?p=89

[SolInvictus]

Here's a copy of the message I sent to the radio station:

I am emailing to ask that you reconsider airing your "Straight Talk Radio" program.
Evidence from the American Medical Assoc., American Psychiatry Assoc., American Psychological Assoc., and other respected organizations prove that so-called "conversion therapy" for gays & lesbians do not work. If anything, "ex-gay" programs cause more harm than good. Having personally researched this topic, these groups consider celebacy or coerced heterosexual marriages as a success even though no authentic change has occured. Christ commands that we "love one another" and "do good to those who hate you." Love has little to do in these programs, and they present a hypocritical witness for Christianity. Regardless of your view on the topic, consider the actions and results that "ex-gay" programs actually produce. Suicide, increased anxiety, depression, and living a "closeted" life is not healthy or deemed a success as a result of such methods from "ex-gay" minsitries. If you do not believe me, at least, view these links to professional organizations that present the facts:
http://www.apahelpcenter.org/articles/article.php?id=31
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reparative_therapy
God Bless & Peace to You.

[Zerbie]

Correct me if I'm mistaken, but fairly certain Wikipedia is not a professional organization. It's a resource, and if I am correct that any random person can edit and modify information on Wikipedia, hardly a reliable one, at that. I wouldn't cite it next time.

Edited to add: The actual letter you sent is excellent, btw. I shoulda remembered to write that the first time, too, and not just be a nit-picking editorial Nazi.

[SolInvictus]

No problem & thanks for the correction in the newsletter & comments.
Don't worry - I used to nitpick my family all the time about correct pronounciations of words so this is my karma returned :-) LOL.

Anyway, I appreciate your response & I'll no longer cite Winipedia. It was late last night & I was trying to find quick resources for reference. I'll be more selective next time and careful :-)

[Zerbie]

Got my daily dose of windmill tilting. I mean, that IS a picture of James Dobson on the radio stations homepage, right?

Anyway, I sent 'em an email too. At least, Joe, the station is hearing from us. At least 3 of us that I am aware of. Hopefully more, and hopefully someday soon it will make a difference. :pray:

[Joe Brummer]

Hopefully more, and hopefully someday soon it will make a difference. :pray:


A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history.
Gandhi

[bettyboop]

Let them do what they have to do! We should just WAIT for the right time. I think we should stay away from the White House on Easter. It will only only rustle the feathers of main-stream America. We MUST be quiet and stay out of the way. There will be a right time, and now is not it.

[Zerbie]

Y'all are gonna love this. . . .

Today I received a very cryptic message in my inbox, and it took me several seconds to figure out what on earth it was.

It came from the radio station, it contained the full text of the email I sent a few days ago urging them to re-consider Straight Talk, and the only message they wrote was:

"another one. . ."

OOPS!! Someone meant to forward that on to the station manager - NOT reply to me!! So, we know they are receiving some negative correspondence in regards to STR, if the message was just, "another one."

Then, the same employee wrote me a second email apologizing for accidentally sending me that cryptic little note, stating in so many words that they have been receiving several emails about it.

What we don't know is if any of this is sinking in and causing folks to reconsider, or if it is just annoying them and making them feel a bit like martyrs. Hopefully the first - that's why I wrote!

Anyway - I thought the accidental reply was a hoot. Too bad it didn't reveal a little more of their attitude!

:D

[Jennifer5]

Take's great ! We know that the aren't just deleting the e-mails at least they read them.