If women want real change and protection we have to be aware of the history of candidates running for office this November 4th
Voters Beware too close for comfort...“Betsy Close is an obstacle to women and children in Oregon seeking safety and security. She holds many extreme fundamentalist beliefs that are a detriment to women and children as well as the general community. As long as women like her are in office, women and children will have to prepare for the worse!" Coral Anika Theill
Once again, the republican party has produced some dangerous candidates who are up for re-election. One such representative who got her seat from a dubious start, has a history of voting along the obvious republican platforms: interfere with women’s equality in the workplace and in the home. Don’t expect Republican Senator Betsy Close running for re-election in Oregon State Senate to represent you or protect your constitutional rights as she fails to understand equal rights and protection of all Oregonians and the safety of women and children.
Incumbent Close, from DISTRICT 8 (Albany/Corvallis, Oregon), is a product of a dangerous history that has interfered with the emancipation of women, blacks, gays and Hispanics citizens. A history that has failed to protect women and children of Domestic Violence and force mothers to either go back to the abuser or beg the state to be rescued. Such marriages sold women into slavery as the state had refused to acknowledge women as sovereign citizens separate from their father or the next man to own you. With Betsy Close this ‘rule of the father’ is being upheld under her representation.
I recently read a story from an Oregonian women who has been seeking justice in the court system. During a Domestic Violence Divorce, that included rape, physical and emotional abuse, Ms. Theill also lost custody of her 8 children. State Senator Betsy Close testified in her trial.
After reading transcripts and the personal and tragic account of the abuse of Ms. Coral Theill, Betsy Close should be asking the Governor to present a personal apology from the state for participating in the cruel and unusual punishment of a Rape Victim and Domestic Violence Survivor.
Instead, Betsy Close who has personal ties to the victims assailant, gave testimony that helped to interfere with the woman’s First amendment rights and the rights of publishers to tell her story. This ‘Gag’ order allows criminal activity to continue with impunity while the courts fail to validate the constitutional rights of all citizens.
You have to hear Senator Close’s testimony in support of Ms. Theill’s ex-husband it is very telling. (an audio court testimony is available in the link)Betsy Close appeared to purger testimony and provide false evidence, she offers up her religious opinions that are contrary to state and federal law that protects a women’s right. Betsy Close was aware of abuse and failed to support this victim of Domestic Violence. While in contrast she offers supportive testimony to help the perpetrator. Betsy Close prays with the ex-husband that the marriage will come back together despite the physical and emotional abuse.
Oregon State Senator Betsy Close is an Obstacle to Women & Children’s Safety-VOTER BEWARE
OPEN LETTER TO Oregon Voters: “Exposing individuals who aid, support, enable and condone the criminal and violent behavior of abusers and predators is just as important as exposing the men who abuse women and children.” http://www.coralanikatheill.com/...http://www.coralanikatheill.com/
"I hope Betsy Close will step down from running for political office and seek the professional and spiritual help she needs. Sadly, Betsy Close exemplifies the saying, “If you can’t be a good example, you will just have to be a horrible warning.” Coral Theill
The aggravated assault on this mother by agents of the government continue the inhumane treatment of a Domestic Violence Victim, who now suffers the legal abuse of a system that rewards the bullies for profit.
While Ms. Theill’s story is tragic and shocking, it is even more shocking to see this event repeating itself across the country. Nurturing and loving mothers losing permanent custody of their children as a result of failures in the system to support victims rights. Mothers who strive to protect their children are commonly removed partially or completely from their children’s lives. Some 58,000 Child victims a year are taken from safe mothers and placed with known perpetrators. http://www.leadershipcouncil.org/...
Betsy Close is considered a puritanical and patriarchal fanatic by some. An archaic throw back to a dangerous history. A time that discriminated against people of color, gay men and women and interferes with equal participation and enfranchisement of women. Whatever her indoctrination, be it her own personal religious beliefs, by applying these philosophies onto the citizens of Oregon she fails to comply with her duty to represent all the people.
As a legislator, Close drafted a bill attempting to force Oregon voters to present proof of U.S. citizenship before registering to vote. While similar prejudiced and misaligned requirements have stuck in some states, voter laws that require proof of citizenship have been struck down many times due to the potential for “disproportionate harm” to black and Hispanic voters. But apparently our Republican Senator strongly supports such requirements.
Close a featured speaker at a Halsey church meeting in support of a state ballot measure proposed by the blatantly bigoted Defense of Marriage Coalition that would ban gay marriage in the state of Oregon. She’s also staunchly pro-life.
Republican candidates and representatives across the nation are voting along party lines whose motives clearly interfere with a women’s right to equality and protection.
Republican women running for office betray other women and act as gatekeepers in a patriarchal society whose architects entitle men to enslave women. Betsy Close is a product of this dangerous history.
In contrast opponent Representative Sara Gelser Democrat - District 16 - Corvallis Representative while considered a conservative addresses the needs Mothers have for safety of our children and protection for women. Representative Gelser is the legislative appointee to the State Interagency Coordinating Council for Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education. She was also appointed by Governor Kitzhaber to the Oregon Rail Leadership Council. She was a founding member of the Oregon Senior and Disability Caucus, and in 2010 was appointed to the National Council on Disability by President Barack Obama, with unanimous consent from the US Senate.
Representative Gelser’s legislative accomplishments include strengthening Oregon’s rape statute, the creation of a charitable pharmacy program, the establishment of statewide standards for modified and extended diplomas, expanding Oregon's mandatory child abuse reporting law, limiting the use of seclusion and restraining in public schools, strengthening protections for seniors and people with disabilities who are victims of abuse and neglect, limiting youth access to smokeless tobacco products, and reducing barriers for access to medical and support services for children with disabilities. Among the important issues that concern Ms. Gelser, in 2007, Sara spearheaded Karly’s Law which improves child abuse investigations across the state.
Sara Gelser has served in the Oregon Legislature since 2005, representing Philomath and Corvallis. She is Chair of the House Education Committee and Co-Chair of the Oregon Women's Health and Wellness Alliance. She also serves on the House Revenue Committee, the House Human Services and Housing Committee and the Joint Committee on Tax Credits. In prior sessions she served on the Health Care Committee, the Child Welfare Committee, the Seniors and People with Disabilities Committee and the Oregon Tort Reform Task Force.
Over the last decade, the Oregon State Senate has been one of the most closely held legislative bodies around. After the 2010 and 2012 elections, Democrats held a bare 16-14 majority - with just a small number of seats in play.
But in 2014, we've got a shot at winning a seat we've not held since the 2001 redistricting.
In the Corvallis Advocate they acknowledge the obvious conflict of interest when Betsy Close was voted into office. The advocate reports, “Worse, voted in a candidate whose personal inclinations and biases make her a scary choice for more liberal-minded Oregonians, including fans of Morse. Close’s predecessor was a much more moderate Republican, called the “last of his breed” and a “pragmatic public servant.” He was respected by Democrats and Republicans alike. So, even given Close’s relevant political experience, why choose someone now who is obviously so far to the right?
Interestingly, had Jaramillo not voted, the seat would have gone to Larry Mullins, the CEO of Samaritan Health Services. And there have been some potentially disturbing not-so-political complaints about Close, even going to far as to suggest that her extreme religious views support ending a marriage only if one’s spouse is unfaithful—rape, and emotional and physical abuse be-damned.” http://www.corvallisadvocate.com/...
Close’s extreme anti-environment voting record and climate change denial earned her a spot on the list over hundreds of other candidates.
Among other groups concerned about Senator Close's behavior, The Oregon League of Conservation Voters (OLCV) and the national League of Conservation Voters (LCV) announced earlier in October that Sen. Betsy Close has been named to LCV’s “Dirty Dozen in the States.” Modeled after LCV’s trademark federal “Dirty Dozen,” the state version highlights 12 of the most anti-environment candidates from around the country who state LCVs are working to defeat.
http://olcv.org/...
A Senate Democratic campaign group filed a complaint with the Oregon Secretary of State against Sen. Betsy Close (R-Albany) for failing to disclose a contribution from Oregon’s most extreme gun political action committee. Campaign finance records show that Close’s campaign received a major $10,000 contribution from the Oregon Firearms Federation PAC (OFF PAC) on May 6, 2014.
“Senator Close knows voters in her district don’t support Oregon Firearm Federation’s extreme gun agenda, and she’s not disclosing their big financial support of her campaign,” said Tom Powers, executive director for the Senate Democratic Leadership Fund. “Senator Close's failure to comply with the law denies voters the information about the extreme groups who are underwriting her campaign. Fortunately for voters, Betsy Close can’t run from her record.” http://oregonsenatedemocrats.com/...
From comment section: "I am the Editor for The Corvallis Advocate, we too were approached by Ms. Theil and spent considerable time investigating her claims regarding Senator Close. We could not substantiate them, even with the transcripts aforementioned in this story.
Further, in asking Ms. Close about Ms. Theill's allegations, she answered, "Personally, I would be long gone after the first attack. I would not stay one day in a marriage like that. In that hearing I had no idea that physical abuse was being alleged because I was not allowed in the courtroom until I had testified"
Here's the thing, I have certainly been public as supporting the senator's opponent in this race, but I also believe the reporting here is not fair."
Then a reporter from the Corvallis Advocate responded saying something very different saying she did believe Ms. Theill but could not run the story for lack of substantiated evidence.
They could not run the story because of fear, fear of upsetting someone who may sue them. So they prefer to re victimize the disenfranchised. What is so great about alternative media sources is we get to be brave and speak the truth.
What is substantiated evidence? In he said she said who do we believe? Most abuse is hard to substantiate, that's why the Justice Department reports that only 10% of victims are ever protected from further abuse.
What is important to understand is that to be fair in reporting stories about victims of abuse we have to be more than fair, we have to believe women and children. We have to suspend our thinking. In the response the editor from the Corvalis has stated that Betsy Close says clearly, she would leave after the first of the physical abuse. What Betsy Close fails to understand is Domestic Violence; the Coercive control and Emotional abuse that is present long before the Physical and Sexual Abuse of the victims. Betsy Close failed to help a Mother she knew who was a victim of abuse when she had the chance. Her response was classic, Why did she stay?
Ms. Close is too close to the archaic practices that have enslaved women for centuries. Her personal beliefs interfere with her representation of the good people of Oregon who want equal rights for all people, Gay people, people of color, Equality for women, and protection for our environment and children. Vote Like a Mother casts a No Vote for Betsy Close and warmly supports Representative Sara Gelser Democrat - District 16 - Corvallis (D) https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/...https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/...
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