Was just robo-called at 2:30pm today and got a "58 second" message from Dr. Dobson's Focus on the Family - Wisconsin chapter urging immediate action on matter of high importance, the definition of marriage in Wisconsin.
The man's voice was urging message recipients to call Democratic Senator Wirch at 888-769-4724 and express their displeasure that the opportunity to vote on an referendum for a state amendment defining marriage as being between one man and woman is being held up by the Senator.
State Senator Wirch probably could use a few Kos-generated calls supporting his actions. This state does have some pretty strong language in the constitution and state laws regarding sexual and racial discrimination. Employers don't discriminate against gays as a result. And this probably irks the funderpants off fundies.
The intriguing part was the phone number 608-234-2232 which appeared on the caller-id. In the past, such calls came with 'Unknown Caller UnknownName'. I do appreciate that change. There's no FCC obligation of the robo-caller to put a number with the one controlling the robo-calls on the end. However, I'd think pushing the FCC and FEC for better accountability of such activity and the ability of citizen's to transparently learn more about the electioneering activities of robo-calling phone-bankers seems in order.
I called back that number. The voice message indicated one could leave a message with area code and phone number indicating they want off the Focus on the Family list.
Hmmm...wonder how many phone numbers one could remove...that number again:
608-234-2232
Call to Action:
Calling Sen. Wirch and expressing approval of his actions to stand by his actions that deferred the referendum on a Marriage Amendment for 2006 might be in order.
That number again:
888-769-4724
Final notes (if only that were true):
Now the message didn't explicitly indicate anyone was liberal or conservative. It was very single issue focused, very targeted. But one was left with the impression the state senator was doing something rather unnatural or abnormal in blocking common sense legislation that the people should have a right to vote on.
In Wisconsin, such California style referendums are rare. The last time we successfully amended the constitution on anything it was to ban class III casino gambling and any further expansion of gambling. Oddly, we have 17 tribal casinos as the outcome, with a huge one recently relocated and expanded in our largest city Milwaukee, and lots of new state lotteries. The other big push is an effort to allow Concealed Carry in the state. Banning gay partnerships and promoting concealed carry of weapons...I'm so tired of living in the whacky zone of single issue politics. I'm really tempted to take myself off the list.
Humorous Interlude:
All I can say is so far we've not made the mistakes of Texas, perhaps it's the power of our fermented foods group: cheese and beer. (There's no truth to any rumor about U.of Wis. researchers working on how to genetically alter cows to produce beer directly. I can't deny there's such work on corn...ethanol is already being done Oh, hybrid cars...I thought I heard hybrid cows. Maybe the WSJ can cover those too.)
Motivating Poll:
Which left me wondering, what's the optimal action to take with regards to the phone list. Cleaning off one's own number is the easy way to avoid further irritation. And I'm grateful for that opportunity--in a way. But I'm also feeling I'd rather not lose tabs on what's going on out there to push people.
My other more dark and cloudy thought, using it as an opportunity to remove a few more numbers...hmmm.
What is Daily Kos wisdom and ethical sense on this: