I can see an argument that allowing anonymous donation to political causes is as important as allowing secret ballots, but the information is already out there and the donors presumably knew they weren’t anonymous at the time, so I don’t see the justification to apply it now.
Heh that should be easy enough just make sure it’s contained in the wiki article. The Government isn’t the only group that has the power to keep records. Maybe someone should take out a full page New York Times ad with a list of all their names.
That’s the best way to do it. You should see the look on peoples faces when they say “You can’t do this! I have rights!” And you say “Nope. We took them away without telling you. Here’s the list.” Then you dump them in the shark and aquatic monkey tank. It’s hilarious.
Oh, you mean the rights-takers want to be anonymous. Pussies.
I just checked all of the pins in my hometown (there aren’t that many) and was saddened to see that someone I know gave FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS. Jesus christ. Well, I don’t know her terribly well, but she’s the mom of someone I went to school with from third to twelfth grade, and they live just a couple blocks from where I grew up so I definitely know her to wave and say hi when I see her in the street. They’re LDS, so I’m not surprised that they were for Prop. 8, but $500?!
Something parents may want to know: Mrs. Grossman gave $100. You may not recognize her name, but if you’ve ever bought stickers for your kids, you’ve probably given her money. This sticker company, which is based in my hometown, is one of the biggest sticker manufacturers in the US. You can get their stickers in stationery shops anywhere in the country. You may want to check the label next time you want to get some stickers.
I feel really sad about that one. My kids in Bulgaria LOVED stickers and would do anything (including behave!) for the promise of stickers. My mom sent me tons and tons that she picked up from Mrs. Grossman’s factory for me. I felt quite warmly towards them as a result. Foo.
There is a reason why campaign laws require that anonymous donations remain under a certain threshold – we want to know if someone may be exerting unusual economic influence on the election. Nothing wrong with spending your own money to support your cause, but the public may be interested in knowing who backs a particular issue/candidate, as it may be informative in regarts to whether they, the voters, share interests with you, the financial backer of the issue/candidate.
Oh, what, you get adverse publicity and people may call you nasty names and boycott your businesses? What happened to “Blessed be ye when ye are cursed at for standing for righteousness”?
Look, if the Dixie Chicks say GWB is a putz, and it is published, and in response some radio stations pull their records from rotation and commentators call them names on talk radio, that’s a consequence that a grownup should be ready to deal with. If your company sponsored Prop 8 and it is published and in response some groups of people petition for your boycott and call you names on talk radio, that’s a consequence a grownup should be ready to deal with. (And in this case, your company actually helped influence real public policy, while the DC’s were merely venting)
But the DCs made public comments. I think this is dangerous, not for the business who may lose some customers (heck, he might gain some, too), but for the potential for violence. Do you think that as right as a cause may be, that opponent should be forced to agree lest they be victims of violence?
Threats of violence are already a criminal act. Let the police deal with it. I’d be willing to bet you’ll see less violence committed by militant homosexuals that you will by rabid abortion protesters.
I may not be reading in the right places, but is there much pro gay violence to be concerned about? Says I who would have absolutely no problem disclosing where my affiliations lie. If I believe in it, I’d like to stand behind said belief even in the face of whatever consequences.
I’m not sure of the usefulness of your metric, but I’d expect that violence by militant homosexuals will likely exceed that by rabid anti-abortionists. I don’t think there will be killing, but many more lesser crimes. The reaction to the Prop 8 Vote leads me to believe this. And the way they demean an demonize their opponents.
And so what if violence is already a criminal act. What does that have to do with anything. We’re talking about identifying potential targets. And when people think they are right about such an emotional issue AND they have the power in numbers, like here in SF, it’s easy for that to turn into a mob, even while they may act individually or in smaller groups.
I’m certainly willing to concede wrongness should it prove necessary, but I imagine that most of the actions taken will be more along the lines of what Lightnin’ has expressed. What, save the crowd scene played ad nauseum on youtube leads you to believe that there will be a violent reaction? Or even the lesser crimes you refer to? For that matter, what “lesser crimes” are you referring to?