[ACLU-announce] Prop 4 & Prop 8 Need Help Now!

Wed Oct 8 12:43:38 PDT 2008

Dear Friend of ACLU-SCV,

The latest opinion polls are showing that the No on Prop. 4 (parental notification) and No on Prop. 8 (same sex marriage ban) positions are currently at best even or losing among California voters.

Now is the time for all of us to make an EXTRA EFFORT to urge others to VOTE NO on these Propositions, help with local phone banking efforts, and -- if you can -- send additional funds to help support a massive TV ad blitz from now until the election.

You can phone voters about Prop 4 from Planned Parenthood in San Jose on Tuesday nights and Sundays -- 
 email   sanjosepa@ppmarmonte.org for details  

You can phone voters for Prop 8 at the "No on Prop 8" headquarters 
Here are the places and times:

. The Defrank Center  Tuesday  6:30 PM  9:30 PM  938 The Alameda  San José  
. First Unitarian Church  Thursday  6:30 PM  9:30 PM  160 N. 3rd Street  San José  
. San Mateo Unitarian Universalist Church  Sunday  5:00 PM  9:00 PM  300 Santa Inez  San Mateo  
. Silicon Valley Headquarters  Monday-Friday  Hourly starting at 2PM  Last shift is 6 to 9 PM  43 E. Gish Rd  San José  
. Silicon Valley Headquarters  Weekends  Hourly starting at 10AM  Last shift is 6 to 9 PM  43 E. Gish Rd  San José 

Give money or get more info by linking to www.NoonProp 8.org or www.NoonProp4.org

 ALSO -- Send a letter to the Mercury News...

Noon Prop 4 Volunteers!
Please Send Letters to the Editor Today In Santa Clara County

The San Jose Mercury News just ran an Opinion Editorial from the Communications Director of the Yes on 4 campaign tomorrow. The piece claims that “Proposition 4 Protects Girls.” Of course, we know that nothing could be further from the truth—Prop. 4 puts teens in danger!  We need to flood the Mercury with letters to let them know that millions of parents, medical professionals and concerned citizens oppose this dangerous initiative.  

Please send a "NO on 4" letter to letters@mercurynews.com . Please include your name, address and daytime phone when sending a letter.  Letters should be brief—less than 150 words (so it won’t take long!). Also, please send an email to fran_linkin@ppmarmonte.org with a copy of the letter you are sending so that we can track how many letters are sent. 

It is so important that your voices are heard with only 4 weeks left until the election. We want to show the public that there are a wide variety of people and organizations working together to defeat this initiative. If you are a part of a group or organization please feel free to forward this request on to your supportive members. 

Below are sample letters -- but please use your own voice, don't just copy those below!
 *********************************************************************************************************************************************************
Sample #1: General
Dear Editor,

Prop 4 may sound sensible at first – but in the real world, anyone with teenagers at home knows that it won't work. 

Teens will be teens. Even the most involved parents, people who strive for open communication on tough issues with their kids, know that adolescents will sometimes make poor, desperate and even dangerous choices. That’s why it’s our responsibility as a community to keep them safe by voting NO on Prop 4.

Sample #2: Courts 
Dear Editor,

Last month, I had to appear before a judge to plead my case over a speeding ticket. I had to drive to the courthouse, figure out where to park, wait in a line, and go in front of a room full of people to ask for something as simple as a reduced fine. 

Do we really expect that a scared, pregnant teenager who can’t talk to her parents to go through this same ordeal in order to get a judicial waiver? Well, that’s what Prop 4 would have her do. But teenagers are teenagers, and when they’re confused, scared and desperate, they might do desperate things. 

Prop 4 won’t keep teens safe – it will trap them and force them to take matters into their own hands. I wouldn’t want that for my daughter, and I don’t think other voters would either – and the courts are certainly not the answer! Vote NO on Prop 4. 

Sample #3: General 
Dear Editor, 

Teen pregnancy is a real problem that deserves honest solutions, not new laws that won't work. Early, realistic discussions about contraception and abstinence, professional medical care, counseling and safety are what teens need, not news laws that would attempt to force them to talk to their parents – that just won't work. Prop 4 could endanger some teens and that’s why I have to follow my conscience and vote NO on Prop 4.   Making sure our teens are safe is the most important thing we can do.

Sample #4: Concerned Parent 
Dear Editor,

While my teenage daughter and I have a very communicative relationship, I know that some of her friends would hesitate to talk to their parents about something as sensitive as a pregnancy.  Prop 4 wouldn’t do anything to help them – actually, I’m afraid that it would force them to do desperate things like seek an illegal abortion, or worse.

For me, the answer is simple: If my daughter, for whatever reason, couldn’t come to me, I would want her to talk to a doctor who would take good care of her.  And, if like a lot of her friends, a teen couldn't talk to their parents I would want them to be safe too. Prop 4 does not take care of our teens, it puts them at risk.  That's why I'm voting NO on Prop 4.

Sample #5: Nurse 
Dear Editor,

I’m a nurse and I'm afraid that a measure like Prop 4 could push desperate teens who don’t feel they can talk to their parents to take matters into their own hands by seeking illegal abortions, running away from home, or worse.  And the cruelest part is that the teens who most need our help will be the least likely to get it. 

I simply can’t support an initiative that puts our teens at risk. Join me and nurses throughout California and Vote No on 4.

Sample #6: Doctor 
Dear Editor,

As an OB/GYN, I have seen more than my share of scared teens facing an unplanned pregnancy. I encourage all of my young patients to involve their parents in decisions such as these, and the vast majorities of them can and do. But in the real world, Prop 4 could lead desperate young women who can’t turn to their parents, for whatever reason, to take matters into their own hands. I fear they would choose unsafe alternatives, or even suicide.

The most important thing for women of any age who become pregnant is receiving timely, professional medical care. Prop 4 would turn our most vulnerable teens away from such care at the time when they need it most. 

That's why I'm voting NO on 4.  It's all about their safety.

Sample #7: Involved Parent 
Dear Editor,

I cannot believe parental notification is on the ballot for the third time! I have three beautiful daughters. We have a great relationship, but it is definitely not easy talking to teenagers as everyone knows. While I want my children to come to me if ever they find themselves pregnant, a law cannot force our teens to talk to us. I'm so afraid that if they cannot seek proper care on their own, in desperation, some teenagers could turn to dangerous alternatives like illegal or back-alley abortions.  At the end of the day if my daughter does not feel like she can come to me, what is most important is that my child is safe and is getting the proper care she needs.  I urge all parents to vote NO on Proposition 4.

Thank you!

Peter Yessne
Chair
ACLU-Santa Clara Valley Chapter
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