This afternoon I got an email from Art Torres (Chair of the CDP), asking me to "Fight for equality" via decline-to-sign. Torres reminded me that the newly adopted platform of the California Democratic Party includes:

* Support nondiscrimination and equality for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender people in all aspects of their lives.
* We support the LGBT Community in its quest for the right to legal marriage as well as the clergy's complete religious freedom to solemnize marriages in accordance with their beliefs.

He was talking, of course, about this year's Mothra vs. Return of the Son of Outlawing Gay Marriage, currently working to complete the signature gathering necessary to qualify for the ballot later this year. In the hopes of preventing yet another time and money consuming fight to protect equality, volunteers are mobilizing throughout the state over the next week for a 'decline to sign' campaign (Rapid Response Team signup) in opposition to the predictably shady, pay-per-sig tactics of the other side.

But the Torres email was just one more in a run of news on the anti-equality proposition. This past Thursday, I was out at a concert here in San Diego and the crowd was full of decline-to-sign signature gatherers who were spreading the word and recruiting volunteers at an impressive clip. The next day, Governor Schwarzenegger popped down to San Diego and blasted the anti-equality maneuvering while talking to Log Cabin Republicans. Coincidentally, at the same event was San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders who memorably and tearfully reversed a long standing opposition to marriage equality last fall.

That's a powerful string of momentum in support of equality, but that doesn't mean these folks are going to roll over and concede the fight. Whether it's through Art Torres' pitch or any number of other local and state organizations who have begun organizing against this proposition, this is the final week for signature gathering. This week will determine whether the proposition qualifies for the ballot and, if it does make it, our experience now will lay the groundwork for the fight through to election day.

The Declaration of Independence leads off with equality. The fight to protect it continues.

(cross-posted on Calitics)

Ok, so the attempt to censure Senator Feinstein failed, but the attempt sure changed the conversation. Everyone from the New York Times editorial board to Fox News chimed in. Over 35,000 people and over 40 grassroots groups, clubs and organizations joined in. It really hit a nerve and catalyzed a new discussion about what it means to be a Democrat.

Now it is time to do something positive and continue the conversation.

Next week the Senate will again take up the re-authorization of FISA. Immunity for telecom companies will be a major battle within the larger re-authorization bill. Senator Dodd has promised to put a hold and filibuster the bill to prevent the attempt to let the telecommunications companies off the hook for following Bush's orders to break the law and spy on Americans without a warrant. Heck, the bill as written would not even let us even look into what exactly they did and who they spied on. Senator Feinstein has indicated that he will join this effort. CDP Chair Art Torres said that this issue was "very important" to him and one that he discussed with Senator Feinstein. Two Senators does not a filibuster make. They need some friends. We must hold the line together.

So today the Courage Campaign sent out an email to our members (available below the fold) asking people to sign on to a letter to Chairman Torres requesting that he convey the message to Senator Feinstein to stand strong in opposing retroactive immunity for telecom companies. Will you join us?   Read More »

I thought that I was alone in my thoughts about Dianne's voting record. I am so happy to find the Courage Campaign.

Dianne and her husband have reaped the rewards of her vote for Mr. Bush's tax cut give away to the wealthy. How much is she saving each year because of her vote? Has anyone asked her publicly? I know my three hundred dollars came in handy. Has she ever explain how this hugh give away has helped the country and the people of California? This seems to be something that never comes up. I wonder why? I will write an email to her on her website and ask her. Although she has never answered the last two letters I sent her. I have received the form letters that her staff sends out and they usually tell me how concerned she is but they never answer any of the questions I ask of her.
I have an idea. She does a breakfast with Dianne and I think we should get a large group together and have a chat with her over coffee. I think it might be fun and we could ask her personally the real questions that she needs to answer. I am sure she would love to have true patriotic California Democrats stop by. Does anyone else think this is a good idea? Here is the website if you want ot make a reservation for a breakfast date with Dianne.  

http://feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ServicesForCalifornians.ConstituentBreakfast

Mr. Torres, I am so amazed that he did not want to talk about the censure of Dianne. I am sixty one and have been a life time Democrat, what is Mr. Torres afraid of? I think I will write to him and see what he has to say. I hope he is not as impolite as Diane and never write back to me. Do you think that either one of them even read any of it. I will let you know if I get an answer.

The Executive Board of the California Democratic Party meeting just adjourned without the resolution to censure Senator Dianne Feinstein being heard. A move from the floor today to allow a discussion of the topic was denied.

More to come later. While we did not get the resolution addressed there is no doubt that your voices were heard. From the Women's Caucus endorsement to Art Torres's address you changed the converation.

I am on my phone so I have not been able to check the latest numbers but we were just under 32,000 at 8 am today.