Dobson robocalling WI re: marriage amendment 2006

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:

•  Is there a number we can call Dobson...

  ...and tell him how pissed we are at HIM?

  This reminds me...way back in the 60's I worked at a newspaper, and one of our reporters found out that a local faith-healer had got caught parked on a country road with his hand in another man's pants.

  But the cops never arrested him, nor filed a report, which meant it was station-house hearsay, and there was no way the paper would run the story.

  The problem was, the evangelist feared we would, and our paper's switchboard was socked in with calls from his faith mob, telling us we better not print bad things about him (what bad things, was not mentioned--I'm sure they had no idea). Finally, someone called him, told him there would be no story, and he called off his praying monkeys.

  Anyway, it gives me the thought...wouldn't it be great if someone innundate DOBSON's switchboard with calls, like he does to everyone else?

  Just call and say we're praying for him.

  Just a thought.

  by daulton on Thu Dec 01, 2005 at 01:28:07 PM PDT

•  I keep

  getting calls from some "Alliance against Homosexual Marriage" or some such. In this robocall, you are supposed to contact Orrin Hatch or Wayne Allard and tell them that you are giving support to the FMA or whatever it is called. The last time they called, I yelled at them and told them to quit calling me about stupid stuff when people are drowning from Katrina.

  by Ga6thDem on Thu Dec 01, 2005 at 01:42:52 PM PDT

•  Hope he calls Madison

  More gays per capita than San Francisco.  Plus, Tammy Baldwin in the House.  

  They'll get an earful they won't like very much if they try it.

  by Miss Blue on Thu Dec 01, 2005 at 02:37:59 PM PDT

  •  Wirch's district

    Senator Wirch's district is southeast WI area.  This includes Kenosha, Racine, and some smaller communities just west of them.

    Senator Wirch web page

    Email Robert Wirch

    Wirch's  Office Contact Info

    by antirove on Thu Dec 01, 2005 at 05:09:15 PM PDT

•  Speaking of Wisconsin wingnuts

  What's the status of the bill that would bar state universities from dispensing contraceptives to students?

  by Dump Terry McAuliffe on Thu Dec 01, 2005 at 05:32:24 PM PDT