Kesher Talk

Harassment is a bipartisan pleasure. Remember how extremist anti-abortion groups publicize the names of doctors who perform abortions and encourage people to harass them, even assassinate them? Well, someone is publishing on Portland Indymedia the names and contect information for all Bush donors in the city who made at least $1000 contributions, and I bet he or she would be livid at being compared to an anti-abortion terrorist. Well, no one on the thread is advocating bodily harm (yet), but suggestions for annoying the Bush donors include the following:

Is it legal to send them a bag of shit? You know this time of year one can start out with it frozen so it does not smell in the beginning. Just a thought. Clearly they like it.

When I came across this thread earlier today, I noticed a name that was familar. I called some mutual friends to let them know, and they too checked to this website. Wow! Were we ever shocked, as it do very much seem that this person listed is a person we know. It is disgusting that this person puts on a face to us that is at total variance to a Bush supporter, and yet, behind this false mask is a Republican contributor who seemly is ashamed to let us know. Well, thank you for publishing this list, as we have ever intent to confront this individual and give them a richly deserved belittling. . . . If these people have got somuch money to waste on a loser like Bush, then by God they can help contribute to the concerns that we uphold, and we're not above goading them or shaming them on this Bush bullshit!

I guess if you don't wear a gimme cap and drive a pickup, you're wearing a "false mask." How dare those Bush supporters "put on faces" that confuse their stereotyping friends!? Anyway, sounds like some heated political debate is about to erupt in the town of Portland, and that's a good thing. But extortion and intimidation are not.

a social committe should form dedicated towards enlightening neighbors about the financial contributions of these people. . . . a nice day of anti caroling should be arranged in their neighborhood. How about the words of " We wish you a merry X mas" adapted to this news breaking project. How embarrassed would you be in carolers were singing about you and your financial backings of politicians which is essentially lobbying. I think a lot of people would care. If done humorously enough you could get people lurede away from corporate media!

Well, you folks would have to grow a sense of humor first. I have a feeling a heavy handed political parody of "We Wish You a Merry Xmas" won't win any hearts and minds.

This comment made me chuckle:

I am ging through all 219 pages of names, by hand, because I have a lot of coffee and spare time. I am up to the "L"s now, and I have a question:what the hell is with people supporting both Bush and Wyden (a democrat)? Many, if not most, of the Wyden contributors are also Bush contributors? WTF?

Yup, people have been known to vote for officials from different political parties at the same time. They're called "Independents." And you know something else? A lot of registered Democrats are going to vote for George W Bush next fall. Whether or not you send them bags of shit in the mail.

(via LGF comments)

UPDATE: LGF made an entry about this, linking to a different post on Portland Indymedia by the same guy. Read the LGF comment thread to find out another reason why this is a case of not learning from history, turnabout is fair play, or "it's okay if my side does it." Glen Wishard gives many examples of (mostly left-leaning) organizations claiming fear of harassment to get exemptions from full disclosure of their donor lists. So although the information posted on the Indymedia thread is in the public records, there does exist -aside from the examples of anti-abortion extremists - a sizable precedent for fearing harassment if a political donor list is published. I would think especially if people are openly advocating harassment, as they are on these Indymedia threads.

posted by Judith @ 12/18/2003 08:35:00 AM