Unprecedented Move for Focus Action on Speech-Limiting Bill

Article
Group Launches First-Ever Petition Drive to Urge Senate to Reject
Oppressive Provision of S. 1
DenverPost

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Jan. 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Focus on
the Family Action -- nationally recognized as a formidable force in
motivating social conservatives to speak their minds to their elected
officials -- has launched its first-ever petition drive in opposition to a
provision in a Senate ethics bill that would drastically limit free-speech
rights.

The petition -- which can be found online at focuspetitions.com -- can
be "signed" electronically; copies will be sent to all 100 senators. The
message that will be delivered demands senators reject a provision of S. 1
-- Section 220 -- that would severely limit the ability of Americans to
stay abreast of important issues being discussed and voted on in
Washington.

The provision also would subject groups like Focus Action to miles of
red tape that could critically hamper their ability to rally constituents
to policy advocacy -- perhaps making it impossible to offer future
petitions drives and even impacting Focus Action Chairman Dr. James
Dobson's ability to discuss public-policy issues on his daily radio
program. Fines of $100,000 could be assessed for running afoul of the
oppressive regulations.

Peter Brandt, senior director of issues response for Focus Action, said
the petition gives concerned Americans another effective way to make their
voices heard on Capitol Hill.
"We've long urged our constituents to call, e-mail and fax their
lawmakers," Brandt said. "But they've told us they also want the
flexibility that comes with being able to sign a petition -- and forward it
to their friends and family. Other pro-family groups have been doing this
for years, but we have waited until now so we could offer a unique
experience that not only lets constituents speak their mind once -- but
also keeps them up-to-date on issues they care about throughout the year."
Tens of thousands of phone calls, faxes and e-mails were received in
Senate offices Wednesday, after Americans were alerted to the problems with
S. 1 by Dobson on his radio broadcast. Brandt said the new petition option
could easily double the number of everyday Americans who can stand up and
be counted.

"We have always been about informing and empowering families to make an
impact on the government policies that affect them," he said. "Adding
petitions to our communications efforts will only increase the power of the
people to have a say in the way they are governed."

James C. Dobson, Ph.D. is a psychologist, author, radio broadcaster and
founder of Focus on the Family Action. Founded in 2004, Focus on the Family
Action is an action organization dedicated to the preservation of the moral
and cultural values upon which our nation was founded.

contact: culturalissues@focusaction.org

Where is the ACLU now that free speech is being challenged by the Senate? Where are all the 'Free Thinkers' and free speech advocates? I guarantee we won't hear a peep out of them, because this ‘free speech’ doesn't represent their ‘free speech’.

Further, denying information to ‘the people’ is nothing more than an effort to shelter the senate and congress from their responsibility to their contingency.