Focus on the Family Spam Floods Parliament

[takeanumber]

So, Focus on the Family has been using those auto-dialers and instant reply spam to target pro-same sex marriage MPs, shutting down the servers and fax machines.

This in effect prevents everybody else from getting in touch with their MPs.

The Bloc and Libs both want Parliament to stop the spam/jam.

Jason Kenny of the Cons stands up and argues that it isn't an 'attack', but rather, Canadians just trying to get a hold of people..."It's not harassment..."

So, Focus on the Family, it is alleged, is purposesly blocking other Canadians from getting ahold of their MPs.

All I gotta say: Jason Kenny: Sad.Grim.Pathetic.

Spam is Spam. Harassment is Harassment.

Oh, here is somebody else. Jim Gouk of the Cons is supporting the Focus on the Family effort.

Well, well.

And they're the same letter, with dozens of identical letters, in sequence, comming out of the machine. None of them are signed.

I don't know who to blame for keeping my emails out...Focus on the Family or the Cons?

[takeanumber]

Gary Goodyear, Con, is also onside with Focus on the Family efforts.

[The Terrible Sweal]

So obviously we can drop the 'hidden' from before 'agenda'.

[August1991]

Frankly, I had never heard of this group before seeing this thread:

Focus on The Family Web Site

Their web site provides a link to: Marriage Matters which allows people to send by Internet the following fax to their MP:

Dear COMMITTEE MEMBER'S NAME ,

As you are aware, the marriage debate has drawn many Canadians into the policy-making arena for the first time. You may have seen the polling which indicate nearly two-thirds of Canadians want to keep the man/woman definition of marriage. They are speaking up in defence of marriage now and they will be back when it is time to vote at the polls.

As you and the other Committee members scrutinize Bill C-38, I would like to ask you to consider a recommendation to Parliament that this bill not proceed any further.  Marriage is a vital social institution and is the foundation on which a strong, dynamic society is built. A mountain of social science evidence continues to point to the unique benefits- to both society and individuals- that are created because of marriage between a woman and a man.

It is important to me that Parliament enact laws which are in the best interests of all Canadians and will help ensure we maintain a healthy, growing society. I urge you to do everything possible to protect and promote marriage as a union of one man and one woman.

Sincerely,

YOUR NAME

YOUR ADDRESS.

Marriage Matters also has this little blurb on their web site:

"We try to be open-minded…"

"That's part of getting along with our friends and neighbours, who may have different ideas about everything from fashion to art, politics to religion. We believe it's healthy to have an exchange of opinions, and we believe diversity makes our country richer.

We also believe it's important to maintain the core values and beliefs that support families as the cornerstone of society. That's why we're worried about the effect same-sex marriage would have on families and the world our daughter grows up in.

There's a time for debate, but there's a point when you have to take a stand for what you believe. If you believe that marriage is between a man and a woman, let your Member of Parliament know. It's crucial that we all speak now."

I see no harm in any of this. We live in a supposedly free country where, I believe, freedom of speech is a more important principle than whether gays can use the word "marriage" to identify their union.

I don't go along with the argument that such faxes indicate "bigotry". It is comical if not absurd - and it belittles the true meaning of racism - to compare the intent of such a fax with South African apartheid or segregation in the US south.

The fax, for example, does not advocate that gays and lesbians wear identifying tags at all times. It does not advocate that they face an entirely different criminal code than straights.

The fax advocates that Canada treat gays and lesbians the same way, for example, Norway, Denmark and Finland do.

[Argus]

So, Focus on the Family has been using those auto-dialers and instant reply spam to target pro-same sex marriage MPs, shutting down the servers and fax machines.

This in effect prevents everybody else from getting in touch with their MPs.

You apparently are clueless regarding the definition of spam. Not surprising, as this merely ads to the number of themes on which you are clueless.

SPAM is one person sending out emails to many, many people. What you are complaining about is many, many people sending emails or messages to one person. Not quite the same thing, chuckee!

The Bloc and Libs both want Parliament to stop the spam/jam.

Why? It's a time tested political tool used by many, many, many groups. Deliver a message, and urge people reading that message to contact their MP. if you weren't such an opponent of freedom of speech you'd not be complaining.

[Black Dog]

NAGMT.*

I see no harm in any of this. We live in a supposedly free country where, I believe, freedom of speech is a more important principle than whether gays can use the word "marriage" to identify their union.

That would make a lot more sense if the two principles were currently at odds. They are not.

I don't go along with the argument that such faxes indicate "bigotry". It is comical if not absurd - and it belittles the true meaning of racism - to compare the intent of such a fax with South African apartheid or segregation in the US south.

The fax, for example, does not advocate that gays and lesbians wear identifying tags at all times. It does not advocate that they face an entirely different criminal code than straights

Maybe not bigotry. But I have to confess to being a little taken aback by the sheer bullheadedness of these people in the face of the overwhelming odds against them. As I never cease tiring of pointing out, gay marriage is already an option for the majority of Canadians. Even if the federal bill is defeated, that won't change the reality of gay marriage in Canada.

*Not Another Gay Marriage Thread

[I Miss Trudeau]

So, Focus on the Family has been using those auto-dialers and instant reply spam to target pro-same sex marriage MPs, shutting down the servers and fax machines.

If they are indeed using auto-dialers in an attempt to shut down the servers and fax lines, I would hope that they'll be subjected to the same sort of criminal prosecution as those idiots that perpetrate denial of service attacks on web sites.

If it is in fact just a bunch of moralising morons having a tantrum...hell, I'll donate some bandwidth to their "Stop the Conservatives from being elected!" campaign.

[August1991]

NAGMT.*

Thanks for the definition. BD, your usage of the word "flounce" had me going to my trusty dictionary - which I also had to use for "carpet muncher".

For the record, I happen to agree that gays and lesbians should be able to get a marriage certificate. You know the old joke: "A first marriage is youth over age. A second marriage is hope over experience. A third marriage is stupidity over everything." Gays should have the right to be stupid too.

But anyway, I agree. Point made. NAGMT.

[takeanumber]

I have nothing against free speech.

I do have something against mindless spam. In many cases, they're sending twenty copies of the same form letter off to these offices.

And yes -- it's in the same league as a denial of service attack.

The fact that many cons are supporting FOF's (Focus on the Family) DNS campaign demonstrates their hypocricy.

Are the cons in bed with FOF or against them?

[Dan]

From the Marriage Matters Website:

"Please only send a maximum of 1 email and 1 fax, per person, for this letter. Multiple persons of the same household should each sign up individually to voice their concern on Bill C-38. Out of respect for MPs who do not share our perspective on marriage, we request that this service not be abused and kindly thank you for your cooperation."

[Shakeyhands]

From the Marriage Matters Website:

"Please only send a maximum of 1 email and 1 fax, per person, for this letter. Multiple persons of the same household should each sign up individually to voice their concern on Bill C-38. Out of respect for MPs who do not share our perspective on marriage, we request that this service not be abused and kindly thank you for your cooperation."

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ohhhhh that makes it ok then. Obviously some one is practicing what they are preaching... Hmmm

[August1991]

I have nothing against free speech.

And yes -- it's in the same league as a denial of service attack.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Free speech means that people can send a letter to their MP. If many people send a message, it's not a denial of service attack. Left-wing, Seattle, anti-global, anti-corporate wannabe nerds start denial of service of attacks. (Whew - that exhausts my techno slang... ) Sending a letter to an MP, or the Editor, is an honourable occupation. (Have you ever heard of Beijing's Democracy Wall?)

----

I agree though that the difficulty of expression is a signal of the person's preferences. If someone from Calgary clicks on a mouse and fills out a form, I'm sort of impressed. If someone from Calgary writes an original text and sends an e-mail, I'm more attentive. If someone from Calgary shows up in my office, I listen.