I would like to thank Kingsley Locke for advising me of his reaction to the article we had on the Thursday edition of MassNews. That was written at 3 a.m. by me and reviewed by Sally at 5:45 a.m. Clearly, much of it could have been more artfully said if we had more time. But the problem is we don’t have time anymore – only one week – to remove the abomination of homosexual “marriage” from our state and our entire nation. We are sending a “Special Edition” of the print paper (which Sally and I worked on with our graphic artist until past midnight on Friday) next week to 80,000 and we changed that article to reflect Mr. Locke’s thoughts.

     I would like to refresh for you the organization of the grassroots group known as Article 8 Alliance. It was the creation of Brian Camenker, a devout Orthodox Jew, who has been in complete charge at the Alliance offices since its inception. At the first meeting, about 30 enthusiastic people came from all over the state and immediately started making an impact. But neither the Boston Globe (nor the Worcester Telegram) even acknowledged its existence, nor did most of the establishment conservatives. Sally and I, dedicated Protestants, were among the 30 activists at Brian’s initial meeting. Much later, Sally talked with Rep. Goguen, a devout Catholic, and we arrived at his Fitchburg office on Marathon Day at 8 a.m. where he very enthusiastically volunteered to file his Resolution to remove four judges. Although there are thousands of wonderful volunteers across the state, one other important person, Dr. John Diggs, a devout black Protestant and medical doctor, should also be mentioned for his activism and support. This diversity was not manufactured; it just happened. But it certainly does show that we cannot limit this to Catholics, Christians, religious people or any group and freeze-out others. Agnostic libertarians can understand that children need both a mother and a father.

     As for James Dobson. Even though Sally knew we were very short on cash, she entreated that we send a sacrificial gift to Focus two or three years ago, which I assented to. It was shortly thereafter that I was talking to friends very high up in all the pro-family organizations in Washington. I inquired about the Federal Marriage Amendment (FMA) and was told that no one favored it because, like the California proposition (promoted heavily by Dobson on Focus on the Family) which passed overwhelmingly in 2000, it did nothing to protect against civil unions, which are merely a precursor to homosexual “marriage.” I talked with staff in Colorado Springs who cautiously agreed with me. A few months later, Dobson came out in favor of the “soft” Amendment, which ignores civil unions.

     No one agreed with Dobson – nobody. They all told me they were not allowed to speak directly with him anymore. A wall had been built around him. They were all afraid of the power of his $120 million/year. I couldn’t understand why they were so timid and are still that way. So I decided I had nothing to lose and I would tell the truth. I have learned the reason for their fear. I saw the head of the FRC (a Dobson affiliate), Atty. Ken Connor, fired because he would not endorse FMA and replaced by a sycophant, Tony Perkins, who does what he is told. We saw Sandy Rios removed from CWA (an independent group) because she was not enthusiastic about FMA. She, of course, is not going to be specific about her removal except to say that there were “differences” in regard to policy. (You will be happy to know she is now working with Alan Keyes, but that was a huge loss to our movement.)

     I am told that when Focus came to Massachusetts last November, all the organizations were invited to the initial meeting where they were essentially told, “This is what’s going to happen. Either follow this plan or leave now.” (I was invited but didn’t have the time to go, and I knew it would fruitless because I would not be welcome.) I wonder how Brian Camenker feels to learn you have to follow Jesus in order to be against homosexual “marriage,” or the libertarians who are told they have to be “religious” in order to do so. This does not follow what we have learned from Francis Schaeffer, who entreats us to be inclusive in our dealings with the world.

     I often wonder if this has anything to do with Dr. Dobson’s stroke about five years ago. Things certainly have changed since then.

     So that is a very “short” answer to your questions. There is so much more, but you don’t have time to read it all. If anyone does want to know more, I will send a free copy of my book, “Libel by New York Times” (endorsed by Alan Keyes, Chuck Colson and others) which will tell you more.

     I am distressed by references to my age in both emails, from Mr. Locke and Carolyn Abbott. When I was young, we looked to older people with respect for their wisdom from their many experiences over the years that we hadn’t had. It is distressful that many in the sixties-generation have lost that understanding, even among devout Christians. Our society is surely lost if we lose that understanding. I still look to the guys who were in the battles of WWII (instead of on the fringe as I was) for their wisdom and experience. Why would anyone believe that we used to live in an “authoritarian, top-down” world before the 1960s? There was nothing authoritarian then but, sadly, there is now.

     I am a Protestant because I believe we should have great freedom of thought and discussion. Are we to enshrine a new “Pope” in Dr. Dobson, who will dictate to all what to think and do? The timidity of our leaders is frightening.

     Happily, the people understand better than our leaders.

Thanks for listening.

Ed Pawlick

P.S. If any have the courage to discuss this in person (all of us will have to confront new and different ideas), Sally and I would be happy to come to a few meetings for a friendly dialogue. And I would like to thank Mr. Locke for beginning a long-needed discussion.

(If you click on the highlighted names you be redirected to their e-mails)