What Wayne Anthony Ross Thinks About Gay Alaskans.
16 04 2009Here’s a quick reprint from Bent Alaska. The vote on Ross’ confirmation is scheduled to take place today.
[Sarah Palin's Attorney General Nominee Wayne Anthony] Ross wrote a letter to the Alaska Bar Rag in March 1993 in response to an appeal from “Lawyers Against Discrimination,” a group that opposed the repeal of a non-discrimination ordinance, approved by the Anchorage Assembly, which prohibited the Municipality from employment discrimination on the basis of “sexual preference.”
“It was a big messy battle in Anchorage in late 1992/early 1993,” writes Mel Green. “The ordinance was ultimately rescinded.” Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or preference remains legal today in Anchorage and the rest of Alaska.
This is Ross’ response to Lawyers Against Discrimination:
“Dear LAD: (LAD??? Intentional, on your part? Or merely a Freudian slip?)
I received your letter of 23 February 1993 regarding the Anchorage homosexual rights ordinance. While I am not surprised to see some of the names on your letterhead, I am most disappointed in other names thereon. I had more respect for some of you than I do now.
I am in favor of repeal of the measure. I see nothing involving civil rights in this matter. We all, heterosexual or homosexual, have certain rights. This bill seems to give extra rights to a group whose lifestyle was a crime only a few years ago, and whose beliefs are certainly immoral in the eyes of anyone with some semblance of intelligence and moral character.
It is a shame that you folks don’t have some causes you could become involved in that are of benefit to society in general. Instead, you support degenerates. No wonder the legal profession is treated with less respect than we wish.
If, as you apparently believe, morality is not based on long-standing God-given and God-instilled principles, but is something that changes from time to time based on public perception of right and wrong, then that is even more reason for you to allow this referendum to go to a vote of the people. After all, isn’t it your position that public morality is based upon whatever the public decides?
None of you has done anything publicly (to my knowledge) to attempt to protect the millions of lives of innocent children killed each year through abortion, yet you collectively contribute $5,000 to the cause of sexual perversion. It is quite disheartening to me to see my fellow members of our honorable profession display such a lack of proper priorities.
Wayne Anthony Ross
(from page 7 of the May-June 1993 Alaska Bar Rag)
April 16th, 2009 at 9:04 AM
The comment slashing going on at ADN, in my opinion, is a symptom of sheer panic on behalf of Ginobots. She is circling the drain and they know it.
I wouldn’t be surprised if she didn’t make some big announcement in Ill about stepping back from politics for the time being, so that she can concentrate on her book/other interests. She will position herself for a big comeback and hope the mess will have died down. They really do’t get the intertubies do they?
April 16th, 2009 at 9:07 AM
Finally someone who can see clearly and act on it. Wow.
NELSON FOR GOVERNOR. That would make a great sign next to the one for IMPEACH PALIN.
April 16th, 2009 at 9:07 AM
DebinOH Says:
I guess that Alaska isn’t alone in the crazy department (sorry Texas/Alaskans).
Thanks for that reminder ….I.m living this nightmare of a Gov Perry. I want to move ,but I don’t know where to go. I’m originally from Chicago suburbs , after Blago’s crap that not much better. Is there any place sane anymore? You cant run they will find you where ever you go . Help
April 16th, 2009 at 9:08 AM
@ Basheert from Arizona , no problem I am also out of state and trying to help too. Yes, we do need all the contacts we can get. No hard feeling so lets move on and get back to work…
April 16th, 2009 at 9:08 AM
Basheert from Arizona Says:
April 16th, 2009 at 8:48 AM
EyeonYou:
I also enjoy the ADN but if they are going to absolutely block all “anti” or posts that disagree, why bother with them? The ADN is going to support the Palinbots – you’re talking a McClatchy paper here – it is hardly fair/balanced or non-biased.
I also agree with freedom of speech for ALL even those that disagree. However sometimes you just have to get that you are going to be blocked or deleted because the news organization does not share the “freedom of speech” view. This is what happens when HUGE organizations are driving and skewing news at the behest of the national political parties.
Shaming Palin and W.A.R. can be done on a national level. The ADN probably isn’t going to help you so take your fight to those who can in this case.
Also, C4P is not effective outside of Alaska.
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I agree with you in many respects, but as for the ADN, it has only been the last week or so that things have gotten this bad. I have been commenting there for quite a while now, have never had any real positive comments about Governor Palin, and it was only yesterday that suddenly all of my posts were being reported (again it was only on two topics, both were front page articles). I had one post that had over 170 recommends and it was blocked twice, and twice unblocked by the ADN staff. I made 3 more comments on that topic, all of my comments were reported (none were abusive, used foul language, or were off topic) and then suddenly I went to post again and I had been blocked and my comments on those two articles deleted.
For me it is a feeling of not allowing someone to suppress my right to vocalize my opinion. I am more than willing to email and point out the problems that the Palin supporters are causing in the hopes that it will be a story that is picked up by others, but that will not stop me from at least trying to speak my mind in other places, especially not at a newspaper.
I guess you could say that I am stubborn like that.
April 16th, 2009 at 9:09 AM
Tewise: Agreed – back to work.
The guy in the Daily Beast really just shredded her in general didn’t he?? Whew.
April 16th, 2009 at 9:11 AM
156
………Me too
EyeOnYou Says: I guess you could say that I am stubborn like that.
April 16th, 2009 at 9:12 AM
Professor, A Palin/Perry ticket wouldn’t suprise me in the least. The posters on Glenn’s sight are thinking of calling themselves The Tea Party. God you just can’t make this stuff up. Of course, some of this talk will surely scare off the people who they have charmed into thinking they were just protesting (whatever it was – I don’t think they know either). Scares the crap out of me that we have so many unhinged people. And to think they worry about BO being a Muslim.
The funniest thing about it is that they think we are AFRAID of them. Yes, I am AFRAID of them but certainly not the way they think I am.
April 16th, 2009 at 9:14 AM
Basheert from Arizona Says:
………Me too
April 16th, 2009 at 9:09 AM
Tewise: Agreed – back to work.
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Tewise Says:
April 16th, 2009 at 9:11 AM
156
EyeOnYou Says: I guess you could say that I am stubborn like that.
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Thank goodness for AKM & Mudflats!
April 16th, 2009 at 9:16 AM
This is on the editorial page of ADN:
The governor’s abuse of this process suggests that perhaps it’s time for a new way of filling vacancies that leaves out the governor. The Alaska Constitution gives lawmakers authority to decide how to fill legislative vacancies. Right now the law gives the governor a role, but the constitution does not require it.
Actually, the current law works well when there is give and take on both sides. Governor?
http://www.adn.com/opinion/view/story/761069.html
April 16th, 2009 at 9:27 AM
New post!!
April 16th, 2009 at 9:33 AM
DebinOH Says:
I guess that Alaska isn’t alone in the crazy department (sorry Texas/Alaskans).
Thanks for that reminder ….I.m living this nightmare of a Gov Perry. I want to move ,but I don’t know where to go. I’m originally from Chicago suburbs , after Blago’s crap that not much better. Is there any place sane anymore? You cant run they will find you where ever you go . Help
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Deb, at least we did get rid of Blago although it should have been done sooner. Maybe if he goes to Costa Rica for his reality show he’ll run into some bufo marinus frogs…they’re poisonous and can squirt poison as a fine mist or spray or a fer-de-lance snake but I’m thinking they’d smell him and run the other way!
I don’t think there’s anywhere to run to avoid crazies. It’s best to stay and fight them on their own ground. That’s what I’ll do here in IL and that’s what Alaskans will do. Never give up and never give them an inch. I’ll be darned but there’s no way the nutbars are going to drive me away and I also believe Alaskans are tough enough to stick it out too. We all have much to gain by standing our ground.
April 16th, 2009 at 9:46 AM
FishHawkRoadJody:
Snakes don’t use smell sorry…they use their tongues as heat seeking prey. They are also all over Costa Rica – you can virtually trip over them. If we’re lucky ….
I just zinged over to ADN to read the comments – they obviously were all written by the same non-spelling 3 year old. Really very pathetic for individuals trying to make a point about anything lucid.
C4P obviously is not a pro-intellectual organization.
They are all menopausal (and yes I am a female).
April 16th, 2009 at 9:53 AM
On a comment on a previous thread, someone mentioned the phrase “mental pausal” in reference to GINO – and after the initial >blink< I thought just how good a phrase it really is!
April 16th, 2009 at 9:55 AM
yes. you do wildlife avenger. great pic.
April 16th, 2009 at 10:10 AM
Good lord, the hateful, intolerant tone and mean spirit of that 1993 missive offends the living beejeezus out of me and chills me to the bone! Alaskans, please tell me you are working the phone/fax/email to block, no BARRICADE, Ross’ appointment!!!
April 16th, 2009 at 10:14 AM
Headline on DailyKos:
Palin’s brand of crazy was just the tip of the iceberg
April 16th, 2009 at 10:32 AM
@small steps….what a sweet and kind person you are. I love my sis, and if I had to live somewhere where she could be discriminated against or even in danger, I dont know what I would do.
My sister and her partner have the choice here…to openly hold hands. To do whatever they want. Their home is in the country, and although it took a little bit of time…the neighbours (who used to peek out their curtains at them) got to know them and now take advantage of all the wonderful things sis has. Like a huge swimming pool….the neighbour kids love it!
Twice a year she holds a huge gathering with over 200 people. Some gay…some not. Its no big deal to anyone.
Anyhow..all I really wanted was to thank you for your kind post.
April 16th, 2009 at 10:32 AM
Basheert from Arizona Says:
April 16th, 2009 at 9:46 AM
FishHawkRoadJody:
Snakes don’t use smell sorry…they use their tongues as heat seeking prey. They are also all over Costa Rica – you can virtually trip over them. If we’re lucky ….
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Yes, I know they don’t “smell” things…maybe I should have typed, sense, taste, whatever…I had my fill of mojave greens living in the high desert in CA. However, as toxic as Blago and Palin are it wouldn’t surprise me if creatures developed extra attributes immediately simply because those 2 showed up! LOL I have been to Costa Rica many times and yep, tons of snakes, well over 100 types but not many poisonous, somewhere around 17…it’s still a lovely place.
I can barely read ADN anymore. Good grief some of the comments are beyond ugly!
April 16th, 2009 at 11:37 AM
Doesn’t supporting homosexuality help keep unwanted children from being born?
April 16th, 2009 at 12:29 PM
“What Wayne Anthony Ross Thinks About Gay Alaskans”.
Much more relevant and much more credible is what gay Alaskans think of little mr. ross.
April 16th, 2009 at 1:21 PM
Okay…the suspense is killing me! What’s going on up there with the AG appointment?
April 16th, 2009 at 1:22 PM
Not Confirmed!
April 16th, 2009 at 1:26 PM
Woo Hoo….I’m so addicted I just went to the other post and read the news there…the vote wasn’t even close!
April 16th, 2009 at 2:02 PM
On earlier post –
“At one point, someone complimented her hand-painted clogs. “Cute shoes,” the person said. Ms. Palin responded, …“I may not be able to tell you who paints them or I may be charged with an ethics violation or something.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/16/us/politics/16palin.html?ref=us
How cute! The Governor gave a little shout-out to Romney. (Dansko Romney, not politician Romney.) Nice. Romney doesn’t mind at all. She’s had Palin on her website for a looong time. And she likes a bit of attention and drama. [Now there's an interview...] http://www.romneydesigns.com/
No, Governor, not an ethics issue…unless you had some kind of contractual obligation with Romney for advertising.
Her statement to the NY Times is a turning point/milestone for me. While I’ve tracked the Governor’s actions, it’s always been from judicious evaluative position, with an eye to fairness. I don’t mind a “spunky” “breath of fresh air” approach. I certainly don’t mind a politician stepping out of the box and doing it differently. All along, I’ve been careful to avoid making assumptions, considering the source of the info, and fact-checking before I made up my mind; always wondering if there might be more to the story. I don’t mind someone less sophisticated; there’s some real power in genuine honesty without trappings. I thought that if she’s the ‘real thing’ she would have the capacity to grow into the job and fulfil potential.
I’ve never had a preconceived critical perception, or looked for ‘dirt’ on Sarah Palin, wife, mother, Chuck and Sally’s daughter, from Wasilla. It’s not personal. My scrutiny has been of the Alaska political scene and the action of the Governor of the State of Alaska. Nothing different than any other administration, any other time.
Here’s the thing – Sarah, the person, had a broad base of supporters across Alaska, crossing all party lines, socioeconomics, ethnicities, industries, etc. Alaska has a long history of voting the individual rather than party, and less partisanship to its politics than most places. People were excited and eager for her success.
In the role of a Vice-Presidential nominee, and then Governor, she’s been losing that support. Borrowing rhetoric from outstates politics, the Governor delivered lessons on partisan politics and blows to her supporters. In action, the Governor has hopelessly squandered the approval of Alaska’s citizens. From all parties. And she can’t get it back.
A few genuine ‘ooops’ moments along the way are no big deal. But the statement to the New York Times illustrates her mindset and intentions. Probably nothing more than a snotty smart-ass comment made off the cuff, she doesn’t realize the far-reaching impact of such a statement. Or more likely – she really doesn’t care.
It reveals calculated disingenuous responses and behavior. Mrs. Palin knows perfectly well what sponsorships and endorsements are; she didn’t need any explanations on how that might not be appropriate, she knows. And she always has.
The same thing with the campaign clothing issue. I looked for excuses to give her a pass, but there aren’t any. I thought that she possibly wasn’t educated about campaign finance rules and she could be forgiven for that. Any thinking person would have some ’spidey-sense’ and wonder if if it was all okay and appropriate. If you genuinely didn’t know, you’d ask. But as an “experienced” politician, she had to have known. She not only ran for office, but she was the whistle-blower for someone else’s ethics.
She didn’t care. She thought she’d get away with it.
She’s not going to own it-she’s going to keep on being mean about it. To us, her constituents. She’s got no sympathy for the rules that the rest of us MUST live by, whether we like them or not, or we’ll lose jobs.
Mrs. Palin, you’ve betrayed the confidence and loyalty of so many Alaskans. People who supported you on a personal level and because of old-fashioned Alaska connections and relationships that YOU used to your advantage while campaigning – the Palin family, Todd’s grandmother, the connection to Dillingham and Homer, commerical fishing, the church and the Native card. We really trusted you, Sarah. In a personal way.You’ve done nothing to return that honor, and worse, you’ve done harm.
I think that you forget that you wouldn’t have been elected Governor without us.
No, it saddens me that you’re just one more politician with the same old attitude. You are a card-carrying member and continuing the tradition of the “Corrupt Bastards Club”.
April 16th, 2009 at 2:46 PM
Polly Says:
April 16th, 2009 at 7:13 AM
I highly recommend the book “Living in Sin” by Bishop John Shelby Spong. The title makes it sound like a condemnatory book, however, it brings the Biblical text into the 21st Century, where God loves everyone.
Bishop Spong uses science and scripture to defend the gay community, as well as those living together outside of marriage.
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I so enjoy listening to Mr Spong when he comes to Australia. He’s a remarkable human being.
April 16th, 2009 at 5:06 PM
Regarding #175 AA:
April 16th, 2009 at 2:02 PM
Your post was very interesting, AA. It was almost a dissection of the disenchantment process with this particular politician. From the sounds of it, you gave Palin every bit of the doubt and then some….
Thanks for posting.