From:
Robert Jones
Date:
May 26 19:30 UTC
Short link
F.Y.I. I have written the following letter to the editor about the
despicable conduct of Benny Shendo in challenging Ben Ray Lujan on his
sexuality. I am posting it here for your information and comments.
============================
*At a recent public forum for candidates to fill the 3rd District
Congressional seat of Northern New Mexico that was held in Farmington, Benny
Shendo, Jr. took his turn to ask any one of the other candidates a question.
He choose to ask Ben Ray Lujn a question that implied Lujn is gay. "You
say that you stand up for the people of New Mexico," Shendo said, "and I
want to know how you can stand up for the people of New Mexico if you can't
stand up to your mom and dad about your lifestyle." Shendo later issued a
written statement saying that it was "common knowledge around the capitol
that Mr. Lujn is gay" and that he was asking why Ben Ray had not told his
parents that he is gay. Ben Ray Lujn has stated previously that he is not
gay. *
*However, a person's sexual orientation is private and irrelevant to public
life. If someone wishes to keep their sexual orientation a secret, it is up
to them. Period. The issue of homosexuality has nothing to do with running
for public office and the question should never have been asked. To ask the
question at a public forum is simply meant to embarrass one's opponent and
appeal to the hate of the homophobes. *
*And now Benny Shendo has called for a public forum between himself and Ben
Ray Lujn where presumably Ben Ray will be able to present evidence that "he
is not now, nor never has been a member of the homosexual community." This
is just like the McCarthy hearings in the 1950s where public figures were
required to prove that they were not members of the Communist Party. *
*Some folks in Las Vegas are angling to have this forum take place here at
the Las Vegas Peace & Justice (LVP&J) Center on Sixth Street this coming
Friday at 5PM whether or not Mr. Lujn chooses to attend. Pat Leahan,
director of the Center, has stated that LVP&J "is a community-based
grassroots organization that allows groups to meet at the Center as long as
they're not planning or promoting violence or hatred". Well, in my opinion
this forum would promote hatred of the worst kind, and I urge them to
reconsider their plans to hold this forum here. *
*It is apparently Shendo's position that Ben Ray appearing in public with a
woman is deceit when he has not proved that he is in fact heterosexual.
Shendo claims that, ""The question that I was really posing is about
honesty and point out yet another example of the hypocrisy and dishonesty of
the Lujn political machine." Shendo has yet to show corroboration for his
claim that Lujn is living a closeted homosexual "lifestyle". *
*For this to be brought to the public eye is presenting a smoke screen for
folks to focus on instead of the issues that really matter to the public
like food, health, education. Just like the race card - why is it even
brought up? Beyond that, a later written explanation and backtracking by
Shendo to say that the question "was intended to support young GLBT people
who are struggling with this issue" is doubly disgusting. *
*To quote from KNME-TV Channel 5, interviewer David Alire Garcia, "Who
appointed [Shendo] the sexual-orientation police in this campaign?" *
Robert Jones
P O Box 3211
Las Vegas, NM 87701
425-8282
From:
Milton Deemer
Date:
May 26 22:43 UTC
Short link
I agree that this topic is best ignored and for the LVP&J to host a
forum focusing on it is only lending credence to a despicable last
minute attempt by an also-ran to attract attention.
On Mon, 26 May 2008 13:30:43 -0600, "Robert Jones"
<<email obscured>> said:
> F.Y.I. I have written the following letter to the editor about the
> despicable conduct of Benny Shendo in challenging Ben Ray Lujan on his
> sexuality. I am posting it here for your information and comments.
> ============================
>
> *At a recent public forum for candidates to fill the 3rd District
> Congressional seat of Northern New Mexico that was held in Farmington,
> Benny
> Shendo, Jr. took his turn to ask any one of the other candidates a
> question.
> He choose to ask Ben Ray Lujn a question that implied Lujn is gay. "You
> say that you stand up for the people of New Mexico," Shendo said, "and I
> want to know how you can stand up for the people of New Mexico if you
> can't
> stand up to your mom and dad about your lifestyle." Shendo later issued a
> written statement saying that it was "common knowledge around the capitol
> that Mr. Lujn is gay" and that he was asking why Ben Ray had not told his
> parents that he is gay. Ben Ray Lujn has stated previously that he is not
> gay. *
>
> *However, a person's sexual orientation is private and irrelevant to
> public
> life. If someone wishes to keep their sexual orientation a secret, it is
> up
> to them. Period. The issue of homosexuality has nothing to do with
> running
> for public office and the question should never have been asked. To ask
> the
> question at a public forum is simply meant to embarrass one's opponent
> and
> appeal to the hate of the homophobes. *
>
> *And now Benny Shendo has called for a public forum between himself and
> Ben
> Ray Lujn where presumably Ben Ray will be able to present evidence that
> "he
> is not now, nor never has been a member of the homosexual community."
> This
> is just like the McCarthy hearings in the 1950s where public figures were
> required to prove that they were not members of the Communist Party. *
>
> *Some folks in Las Vegas are angling to have this forum take place here
> at
> the Las Vegas Peace & Justice (LVP&J) Center on Sixth Street this coming
> Friday at 5PM whether or not Mr. Lujn chooses to attend. Pat Leahan,
> director of the Center, has stated that LVP&J "is a community-based
> grassroots organization that allows groups to meet at the Center as long
> as
> they're not planning or promoting violence or hatred". Well, in my
> opinion
> this forum would promote hatred of the worst kind, and I urge them to
> reconsider their plans to hold this forum here. *
>
> *It is apparently Shendo's position that Ben Ray appearing in public with
> a
> woman is deceit when he has not proved that he is in fact heterosexual.
> Shendo claims that, ""The question that I was really posing is about
> honesty and point out yet another example of the hypocrisy and dishonesty
> of
> the Lujn political machine." Shendo has yet to show corroboration for his
> claim that Lujn is living a closeted homosexual "lifestyle". *
>
> *For this to be brought to the public eye is presenting a smoke screen
> for
> folks to focus on instead of the issues that really matter to the public
> like food, health, education. Just like the race card - why is it even
> brought up? Beyond that, a later written explanation and backtracking by
> Shendo to say that the question "was intended to support young GLBT
> people
> who are struggling with this issue" is doubly disgusting. *
>
> *To quote from KNME-TV Channel 5, interviewer David Alire Garcia, "Who
> appointed [Shendo] the sexual-orientation police in this campaign?" *
>
> Robert Jones
> P O Box 3211
> Las Vegas, NM 87701
> 425-8282
>
> Robert Jones
> Las Vegas
> Info about Robert Jones: http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/robertjones2001
>
> This topic's messages may be viewed at:
> http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/2uikueaTBG4o61BmBpBfOJ
> -----------------------------------------
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> To leave or for daily digest, type "unsubscribe" or "digest on,"
> in subject line and send to: <email obscured>
>
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>
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> -----------------------------------------
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--
Milton Deemer
From:
Pat Leahan
Date:
May 27 04:23 UTC
Short link
Dear Forum Members,
A significant inaccuracy has been posted to this forum re: the Las
Vegas Peace & Justice Center. Unfortunately, at the moment, I am
working on a big project with a deadline, so I do not have time to
respond in full right now. This inaccurate letter to the editor has
been posted in a variety of places, and it is difficult for me to
keep up and attempt to correct it, especially since I'm in the midst
of more important work at the moment.
Thank you for your patience.
pat leahan
Las Vegas Peace & Justice Center
(505) 425-3840
On May 26, 2008, at 1:30 PM, Robert Jones wrote:
F.Y.I. I have written the following letter to the editor about the
despicable conduct of Benny Shendo in challenging Ben Ray Lujan on his
sexuality. I am posting it here for your information and comments.
============================
*At a recent public forum for candidates to fill the 3rd District
Congressional seat of Northern New Mexico that was held in
Farmington, Benny
Shendo, Jr. took his turn to ask any one of the other candidates a
question.
He choose to ask Ben Ray Lujn a question that implied Lujn is gay. "You
say that you stand up for the people of New Mexico," Shendo said, "and I
want to know how you can stand up for the people of New Mexico if you
can't
stand up to your mom and dad about your lifestyle." Shendo later
issued a
written statement saying that it was "common knowledge around the
capitol
that Mr. Lujn is gay" and that he was asking why Ben Ray had not told
his
parents that he is gay. Ben Ray Lujn has stated previously that he is
not
gay. *
*However, a person's sexual orientation is private and irrelevant to
public
life. If someone wishes to keep their sexual orientation a secret, it
is up
to them. Period. The issue of homosexuality has nothing to do with
running
for public office and the question should never have been asked. To
ask the
question at a public forum is simply meant to embarrass one's
opponent and
appeal to the hate of the homophobes. *
*And now Benny Shendo has called for a public forum between himself
and Ben
Ray Lujn where presumably Ben Ray will be able to present evidence
that "he
is not now, nor never has been a member of the homosexual community."
This
is just like the McCarthy hearings in the 1950s where public figures
were
required to prove that they were not members of the Communist Party. *
*Some folks in Las Vegas are angling to have this forum take place
here at
the Las Vegas Peace & Justice (LVP&J) Center on Sixth Street this coming
Friday at 5PM whether or not Mr. Lujn chooses to attend. Pat Leahan,
director of the Center, has stated that LVP&J "is a community-based
grassroots organization that allows groups to meet at the Center as
long as
they're not planning or promoting violence or hatred". Well, in my
opinion
this forum would promote hatred of the worst kind, and I urge them to
reconsider their plans to hold this forum here. *
*It is apparently Shendo's position that Ben Ray appearing in public
with a
woman is deceit when he has not proved that he is in fact heterosexual.
Shendo claims that, ""The question that I was really posing is about
honesty and point out yet another example of the hypocrisy and
dishonesty of
the Lujn political machine." Shendo has yet to show corroboration for
his
claim that Lujn is living a closeted homosexual "lifestyle". *
*For this to be brought to the public eye is presenting a smoke
screen for
folks to focus on instead of the issues that really matter to the public
like food, health, education. Just like the race card - why is it even
brought up? Beyond that, a later written explanation and backtracking by
Shendo to say that the question "was intended to support young GLBT
people
who are struggling with this issue" is doubly disgusting. *
*To quote from KNME-TV Channel 5, interviewer David Alire Garcia, "Who
appointed [Shendo] the sexual-orientation police in this campaign?" *
Robert Jones
P O Box 3211
Las Vegas, NM 87701
425-8282
Robert Jones
Las Vegas
Info about Robert Jones: http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/robertjones2001
This topic's messages may be viewed at: http://forums.e-democracy.org/
r/topic/2uikueaTBG4o61BmBpBfOJ
-----------------------------------------
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To leave or for daily digest, type "unsubscribe" or "digest on,"
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-----------------------------------------
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From:
Lee Einer
Date:
May 27 12:34 UTC
Short link
http://ipvpn.tmcnet.com/news/2008/05/26/3465524.htm
More on the proposed Shendo forum.
Shendo would likely be the only participant from the congressional race,
as Lujan is far ahead in the polls and has little to gain by
participating. Shendo is the only one likely to benefit from the event,
which according to the Shendo camp would be a forum on "gay-rights
issues" but which can reasonably be anticipated to be damage control
after Shendo's gay-baiting of Lujan blew up in his face.
Lee
Patricia A. Leahan wrote:
> Dear Forum Members,
>
> A significant inaccuracy has been posted to this forum re: the Las
> Vegas Peace & Justice Center. Unfortunately, at the moment, I am
> working on a big project with a deadline, so I do not have time to
> respond in full right now. This inaccurate letter to the editor has
> been posted in a variety of places, and it is difficult for me to
> keep up and attempt to correct it, especially since I'm in the midst
> of more important work at the moment.
>
> Thank you for your patience.
>
> pat leahan
> Las Vegas Peace & Justice Center
> (505) 425-3840
>
> On May 26, 2008, at 1:30 PM, Robert Jones wrote:
>
> F.Y.I. I have written the following letter to the editor about the
> despicable conduct of Benny Shendo in challenging Ben Ray Lujan on his
> sexuality. I am posting it here for your information and comments.
> ============================
>
> *At a recent public forum for candidates to fill the 3rd District
> Congressional seat of Northern New Mexico that was held in
> Farmington, Benny
> Shendo, Jr. took his turn to ask any one of the other candidates a
> question.
> He choose to ask Ben Ray Lujn a question that implied Lujn is gay. "You
> say that you stand up for the people of New Mexico," Shendo said, "and I
> want to know how you can stand up for the people of New Mexico if you
> can't
> stand up to your mom and dad about your lifestyle." Shendo later
> issued a
> written statement saying that it was "common knowledge around the
> capitol
> that Mr. Lujn is gay" and that he was asking why Ben Ray had not told
> his
> parents that he is gay. Ben Ray Lujn has stated previously that he is
> not
> gay. *
>
> *However, a person's sexual orientation is private and irrelevant to
> public
> life. If someone wishes to keep their sexual orientation a secret, it
> is up
> to them. Period. The issue of homosexuality has nothing to do with
> running
> for public office and the question should never have been asked. To
> ask the
> question at a public forum is simply meant to embarrass one's
> opponent and
> appeal to the hate of the homophobes. *
>
> *And now Benny Shendo has called for a public forum between himself
> and Ben
> Ray Lujn where presumably Ben Ray will be able to present evidence
> that "he
> is not now, nor never has been a member of the homosexual community."
> This
> is just like the McCarthy hearings in the 1950s where public figures
> were
> required to prove that they were not members of the Communist Party. *
>
> *Some folks in Las Vegas are angling to have this forum take place
> here at
> the Las Vegas Peace & Justice (LVP&J) Center on Sixth Street this coming
> Friday at 5PM whether or not Mr. Lujn chooses to attend. Pat Leahan,
> director of the Center, has stated that LVP&J "is a community-based
> grassroots organization that allows groups to meet at the Center as
> long as
> they're not planning or promoting violence or hatred". Well, in my
> opinion
> this forum would promote hatred of the worst kind, and I urge them to
> reconsider their plans to hold this forum here. *
>
> *It is apparently Shendo's position that Ben Ray appearing in public
> with a
> woman is deceit when he has not proved that he is in fact heterosexual.
> Shendo claims that, ""The question that I was really posing is about
> honesty and point out yet another example of the hypocrisy and
> dishonesty of
> the Lujn political machine." Shendo has yet to show corroboration for
> his
> claim that Lujn is living a closeted homosexual "lifestyle". *
>
> *For this to be brought to the public eye is presenting a smoke
> screen for
> folks to focus on instead of the issues that really matter to the public
> like food, health, education. Just like the race card - why is it even
> brought up? Beyond that, a later written explanation and backtracking by
> Shendo to say that the question "was intended to support young GLBT
> people
> who are struggling with this issue" is doubly disgusting. *
>
> *To quote from KNME-TV Channel 5, interviewer David Alire Garcia, "Who
> appointed [Shendo] the sexual-orientation police in this campaign?" *
>
> Robert Jones
> P O Box 3211
> Las Vegas, NM 87701
> 425-8282
>
> Robert Jones
> Las Vegas
> Info about Robert Jones: http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/robertjones2001
>
> This topic's messages may be viewed at: http://forums.e-democracy.org/
> r/topic/2uikueaTBG4o61BmBpBfOJ
> -----------------------------------------
> To post, send your message to: <email obscured>
> To leave or for daily digest, type "unsubscribe" or "digest on,"
> in subject line and send to: <email obscured>
>
> More info about Las Vegas Issues Forum:
> http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/lasvegas-issues
>
> E-Democracy.Org rules: http://e-democracy.org/rules
> -----------------------------------------
> Technical assistance thanks to our friends at http://OnlineGroups.Net
>
>
>
> Pat Leahan
>
> Info about Pat Leahan: http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/patleahan
>
> This topic's messages may be viewed at:
http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/7EwDQHGeDdjzmBS9GiUSBP
> -----------------------------------------
> To post, send your message to: <email obscured>
> To leave or for daily digest, type "unsubscribe" or "digest on,"
> in subject line and send to: <email obscured>
>
> More info about Las Vegas Issues Forum:
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>
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> -----------------------------------------
> Technical assistance thanks to our friends at http://OnlineGroups.Net
>
>
--
Lee
If you would be unloved and forgotten, be reasonable. - Kurt Vonnegut
From:
Pat Leahan
Date:
May 27 19:44 UTC
Short link
The paragraph about the Peace Center in that letter to the editor
contained significant inaccuracies -- statements that were factually
incorrect.
The author of that letter, to his credit, has since recanted that
paragraph.
pat leahan
(505) 425-3840
On May 26, 2008, at 10:27 PM, Patricia A. Leahan wrote:
Dear Forum Members,
A significant inaccuracy has been posted to this forum re: the Las
Vegas Peace & Justice Center. Unfortunately, at the moment, I am
working on a big project with a deadline, so I do not have time to
respond in full right now. This inaccurate letter to the editor has
been posted in a variety of places, and it is difficult for me to
keep up and attempt to correct it, especially since I'm in the midst
of more important work at the moment.
Thank you for your patience.
pat leahan
Las Vegas Peace & Justice Center
(505) 425-3840
On May 26, 2008, at 1:30 PM, Robert Jones wrote:
F.Y.I. I have written the following letter to the editor about the
despicable conduct of Benny Shendo in challenging Ben Ray Lujan on his
sexuality. I am posting it here for your information and comments.
============================
*At a recent public forum for candidates to fill the 3rd District
Congressional seat of Northern New Mexico that was held in
Farmington, Benny
Shendo, Jr. took his turn to ask any one of the other candidates a
question.
He choose to ask Ben Ray Lujn a question that implied Lujn is gay. "You
say that you stand up for the people of New Mexico," Shendo said, "and I
want to know how you can stand up for the people of New Mexico if you
can't
stand up to your mom and dad about your lifestyle." Shendo later
issued a
written statement saying that it was "common knowledge around the
capitol
that Mr. Lujn is gay" and that he was asking why Ben Ray had not told
his
parents that he is gay. Ben Ray Lujn has stated previously that he is
not
gay. *
*However, a person's sexual orientation is private and irrelevant to
public
life. If someone wishes to keep their sexual orientation a secret, it
is up
to them. Period. The issue of homosexuality has nothing to do with
running
for public office and the question should never have been asked. To
ask the
question at a public forum is simply meant to embarrass one's
opponent and
appeal to the hate of the homophobes. *
*And now Benny Shendo has called for a public forum between himself
and Ben
Ray Lujn where presumably Ben Ray will be able to present evidence
that "he
is not now, nor never has been a member of the homosexual community."
This
is just like the McCarthy hearings in the 1950s where public figures
were
required to prove that they were not members of the Communist Party. *
*Some folks in Las Vegas are angling to have this forum take place
here at
the Las Vegas Peace & Justice (LVP&J) Center on Sixth Street this coming
Friday at 5PM whether or not Mr. Lujn chooses to attend. Pat Leahan,
director of the Center, has stated that LVP&J "is a community-based
grassroots organization that allows groups to meet at the Center as
long as
they're not planning or promoting violence or hatred". Well, in my
opinion
this forum would promote hatred of the worst kind, and I urge them to
reconsider their plans to hold this forum here. *
*It is apparently Shendo's position that Ben Ray appearing in public
with a
woman is deceit when he has not proved that he is in fact heterosexual.
Shendo claims that, ""The question that I was really posing is about
honesty and point out yet another example of the hypocrisy and
dishonesty of
the Lujn political machine." Shendo has yet to show corroboration for
his
claim that Lujn is living a closeted homosexual "lifestyle". *
*For this to be brought to the public eye is presenting a smoke
screen for
folks to focus on instead of the issues that really matter to the public
like food, health, education. Just like the race card - why is it even
brought up? Beyond that, a later written explanation and backtracking by
Shendo to say that the question "was intended to support young GLBT
people
who are struggling with this issue" is doubly disgusting. *
*To quote from KNME-TV Channel 5, interviewer David Alire Garcia, "Who
appointed [Shendo] the sexual-orientation police in this campaign?" *
Robert Jones
P O Box 3211
Las Vegas, NM 87701
425-8282
Robert Jones
Las Vegas
Info about Robert Jones: http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/robertjones2001
This topic's messages may be viewed at: http://forums.e-democracy.org/
r/topic/2uikueaTBG4o61BmBpBfOJ
-----------------------------------------
To post, send your message to: <email obscured>
To leave or for daily digest, type "unsubscribe" or "digest on,"
in subject line and send to: <email obscured>
More info about Las Vegas Issues Forum:
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-----------------------------------------
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