Dang, I looked everywhere on that letter (read 'er through twice in fact) but I couldn't find "hate" anywhere.

Are facts that you don't like "hate"?

You know this reminds me of 2000, when I made a similar flyer after Al Oertwig ran a campaign ad in "Lavender" magazine that declared it was "Time for GLBT action in St. Paul".

I don't have a copy anymore, but if you google a bit you can probably find it.

Oertwig was running for school board at the time, and I wondered "huh...just what kind of GLBT action does ol' Al think might be appropriate for school kids?".

I thought other parents might wonder that too, after all there are some pretty nasty things going on these days, right?

My flyer didn't take a stand on whether people voted for Oertwig or not..I just thought people ought to know he said he was gonna get some GLBT action going.

Well the "GLBT community" didn't like that at all.

Talk about hatred!

Unlike this instance, I identified myself and even provided an e-mail address.

My e-mail for the next two weeks consisted mostly of really filthy sexual suggestions (you'd probably like most of 'em) and not a few veiled threats.

Anonymous internet threats are one thing, but a couple of nimrods thought it would be a good idea to call my house (I'm in the book) and unload on my wife and kids; real.bad.idea.

That stopped after I showed up at the appropriate doorsteps (how much do I wish cell phones had digital camera's built in then! Hahah!) but the e-mail campaign continued for months.

My point is that when it comes to "hatred" no body's got the upper hand on the homosexual lobby.

Well, I'm starting to understand your fascination with the GLBT community. You seem pretty pissed about it! And judging from your comments on this site over the years, I can only imagine the type of things you said about gay and lesbian people in that letter. But since that's not the topic of the post, I'll stop wondering.

When people use lies about one community to spread fear among the general populace, it's called hate. Replace any other marginalized group of people for 'homosexual' in that letter and send it to them. I dare you shiftee. Any reasonable person would call this hate. I'd be lucky to find anyone in the Minnesota blogosphere who would use 'reasonable' as an adjective to describe you though.

And as to facts, there aren't any accurate ones in that letter, aside from the fact that people like the letter writer find comfort in the Republican Party.

I wouldn't call it a "fascination" when it comes to groups wishing to use my kids, or anyone's kids for political purposes.

I call that standing against a disgusting, reprehensable self-serving agenda..and you bet I do get pissed.

I didn't say anything about "gays and lesbians" in my flyer..nothing.

It consisted of nothing but a reproduction of Al's advertisement and the question "Do you agree with homosexuals pushing their clearly political agenda onto your children?"

Nothing more.

Here's the story from your pals:

Oertwig is the only openly GLBT person who has ever won an election in St. Paul. In his 1999 election, Oertwig’s ad in the gay press was reprinted as a flyer to parents asking the question, “Do you agree with homosexuals pushing their clearly political agenda onto your children?”

Just like I said. I don't lie, ever.

The "gay community" just objected to the general electorate being privy to an advertisement directed towards their special interests.

When they get a spotlight shined on them that they are not controlling, they cry "hate"...but then you know that tactic well, don't you little droogie?

The only thing I fault Ken for is not having completely identified himself...but then again not everyone feels comfortable tracking down anonymous (didn't THEY wish!)scumbags who threaten them or their families.

Digging into the sewers where such lowlife dwells can be intimidating in the middle of the night.

You keep talking about "lies"...care to be more specific? Defend your statements slick.

You say "When people use lies about one community to spread fear among the general populace, it's called hate."

Tell us slick, what is it called when one "community" spreads deadly disease among the general populace?

African Americans and Latinos have disproportionately higher rates of HIV. Would it be fair to say those populations spread a deadly disease among the general populace? Or to say 'virtually all [insert high risk community] have HIV'? No, it wouldn't, and that's where I take offense. I don't need to spend time proving to you which statements are lies...they're self evident to me, and you should feel free to research the assertions yourself.

Your rhetorical devices suck. "Do you agree with homosexuals pushing their clearly political agenda onto your children?" is not a question of fact, it's a value judgement. I don't expect you to know the difference.

Support for GSAs and GLBT friendly programming in high schools is important. I was gay in high school, and something like that would have changed my life. You're free to disagree, but fortunately you, and people like you, are in the minority in Minneapolis-St. Paul.

And please try to refrain from name calling, or condescention, ie 'slick''lowlife''droogie'. I haven't done it to you.

Greetings,

Thanks first to Andy for publishing this letter.

The intentions behind this persons' behavior are fairly obvious. The writers' actions are clearly motivated by ignorance and hatred, and are nothing but a lonely cowards attempt to intimidate voters a week prior to the election.

I will not stand by while my family, and neighbors are being attacked. Ken J. should be ashamed of his or her actions. Our neighborhood should be allowed to ask for an explaination of his or her behavior. As such, I would like to reiterate the offer to discuss this matter with the author. It is apparent that he or she needs a few more friends, and could use a little social interaction. Personally, I would like to ask this person so many questions. Why open my door? If you are so proud of what you are saying, then why do this anonymously? What is your affiliation to the Minnesota Family Council, if any?

Concerning civil equality, at first this letter made me think we are not as far along as I had hoped, and this made me sad, as well as angry. However, after talking to many of my friends, family members, and even a few strangers (some of whom I would now consider friends by the way, imagine that Ken, getting to know new people!), I have come to realize this experience has solidified something I have long suspected.

We have more in common than those in power would like us to believe. The people that unite us are, stronger and far more numerous than the people who attempt to divide us.

Adam Gamradt

"African Americans and Latinos have disproportionately higher rates of HIV."

And the majority are getting it the same way that the rest of the 72% of the total gets it...m\m sodomy.

I judge people by the things they do...not on the color of their skin or their ethnicity...that's racism.

"And please try to refrain from name calling, or condescention, ie 'slick''lowlife''droogie'. I haven't done it to you."

You are never going to be a good BS salesman if you can't keep track of your inventory.

"I dare you shiftee."

Pfft.

First of all, I'm not judging, you are. You are the one placing a value judgement on a disease. I wouldn't even try to belittle someone's pain and suffering. You relish it for some reason. I'm just pointing out that the gay population isn't the only one disproportionately affected.

See, that's were the argument differs. Most people consider being gay to be an immutable characteristic, much like race or ethnicity. It's not the same mind you, but there are similarities. You see it as simply a behavior. You don't have the authority to make that judgement. You are not gay (as far as I know). I am, and can say from authority from my experience that being gay is part of who I am and does not change.

I don't know where you get the 72% figure. Not from the CDC, that's for sure. It certainly doesn't prove the letter's assertion that virtually all homosexuals have HIV.

And by your logic, lesbians would be the ones that engage in the safest sexual lives. So, would you advocate for lesbians, since disease is your main value judgement?

Andy - what's the point in even responding to this prick? He's obviously not informed on the issues. I wonder if he even read the letter. My guess is not. Most often, those who make the most noise usually have something to hide. If not, why does it bother them so much? Let him rant and rave; he sounds idiotic. You know the old saying, "Nowhere in the Constitution does it say you can't be an asshole."

I heart Andy's brain.

Forgive me Andy...

I just stopped by for an update and noticed the comment by "Swifty" in which he said:

"Just like I said. I don't lie, ever."

Yes, he does!

He may not remember me, but sometime ago at another blog, he (and others) attempted to take me on. I didn't play their game because Swifty twisted and manipulated facts in such a way that they no longer represented truth just so he could justify his position.

I think most parents, teachers and the general public would agree this is lying.

Hope all is well with you!