Burnt Orange Report

No Nonsense Newsletter #5

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

Here is the latest NNiN newsletter from Glen Maxey. I cut out some of the supporter commentary because you can always go read that at their blog. More staff has been hired in San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley and I got word that here on campus today it looks like the UT LULAC chapter may soon be joining the Campus Alliance (which has a meeting tonight at 7 pm, Texas Union 2.102-Eastwoods Room).

In this week's newsletter … find out about …

* What Texans are saying about Constitutional Amendment #2
* Our latest additions to cities fighting the amendment
* How you can “listen in” on tomorrow night’s House Party

ORDINARY PEOPLE
“I’m up here in Pampa, Texas, (home of Warren Chisum, HJR 6 sponsor) and I am going to vote against this amendment. I went to your web site and when I saw your name, I said “That’s just what we need – No Nonsense!”

NO NONSENSE BLOG UP AND BLOGGING
To read more comments from our supporters, check out our new Blog on the homepage. www.NoNonsenseInNovember.com. I have posted many more comments, and will continue to do so as they come in.

FINDING SUPPORT THROUGHOUT TEXAS
We have been working around the state to ensure that all fair-minded Texans vote Against Constitutional Amendment #2. We now have groups organizing in Abilene, Amarillo, Arlington, Austin, Bryan, Brownsville, Burnet, Cedar Hill, College Station, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Denton, Dripping Springs, Edinburg, El Paso, Fort Worth, Frisco, Georgetown, Harlingen, Houston, Irving, Longview, Lubbock, Marshall, McAllen, Pflugerville, Plano, Richardson, Round Rock, San Antonio, San Marcos, Spring, Tyler, Waco, and Wichita Falls. Phew!

If you do not see your city or town listed. That is a problem. Help us fix it. We need you and your friends to coordinate our supporters in your area. If you do see your city or town on the list, and you aren’t involved yet, check our contact page to find the best person to contact - they can find ways for you to make a difference.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN
Just this past weekend our Field Coordinators, Liz Brenner and Matt Glazer, drove 36 hours across the state to speak to organizers and volunteers in El Paso, Lubbock and Amarillo about defeating the Nonsense in November. Between the three cities, more than 200 people showed up ready to make a difference.

In the Panhandle and West Texas, people united to make a difference by committing to phone bank, “dorm storm” and talk to their friends and families about defeating Constitutional Amendment #2.

The incredible turnout in just one weekend shows the ever growing support we are seeing across the state. In West Texas, East Texas, Rural Texas and the Big Cities, people are rallying to defeat Constitutional Amendment #2.

We need your help no matter where you live! In fact, a gas station in Fort Stockton is now our sole outpost there - proudly displaying a bumper sticker and pledging to fight AGAINST the Nonsense.

HOUSE PARTIES
Our first statewide House Parties are Friday night, September 2. If you haven’t already planned a House Party, but you still want to get in on the conference call, you are still welcome to join us. I’ll be talking to everyone gathered across the state to discuss campaign happenings and ways to get involved. I will even let you in on a little poll results and campaign messaging.

We just know that you will have so much fun on this call, that you will be ready to start planning your House Parties for September 30th and October 28th. For the next two house parties, we will have nationally recognized callers – you won’t want to miss it!

So, if you haven’t planned a House Party yet, invite over a couple friends Friday night, and make the call and just jump in.

At 7:30 p.m. you can call 1.800.977.8002 and enter access code: 543989#.

By the Way - these calls do cost us money, we’re guessing $3 or $4 a call, so if you can combine your calls and use speaker phone, or want to add $5 to your next donation that would be fantastic!

Follow the directions below during the call to adjust volume, etc.
Toll-Free Dial-In Number: 1.800.977.8002
Conference Name: House Party
Participant Number: 543989#
1. At 7:30 p.m., dial 1.800.977.8002
2. When prompted, enter your Participant Code followed by #.
3. Your Participant Code is 543989#.

Participant Star Commands
*4-Volume - Pressing *4 will increase/decrease the volume.

HELP ORGANIZE YOUR COLLEGE CAMPUS
If you’re interested in getting involved on college campuses, contact Emma at Emma@NoNonsenseInNovember.com or 301-651-4329 or Derek at Derek@NoNonsenseInNovember.com, 484-678-7468.

MORE STAFF HIRED IN SAN ANTONIO AND RIO GRANDE VALLEY
Melanie Cervantes comes to us with a depth of campaign, outreach and policy experience. Recently she has consulted on a Mayoral campaign and the Kerry for President Campaign, but has worked for members of the Texas Legislature, US Congress as well as many campaigns in San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley. Melanie has been active in the community for many years. She is a member of HRC, Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio and many other organizations that would make any mom proud. Melanie can be reached by email at Melanie@NoNonsenseInNovember.com or (210) 884-2009.

LOOK WHO’S JOINED THE COALITION THIS WEEK
Activists for Sexual Minorities (Texas State U), Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists, Democratic Party of Collin County, Denton County Democratic Party, El Paso GLBT Community Center, JUMP-START Performance Co., Texas Freedom Network and, The Equality Campaign, Inc. Check out our web site for a complete list of Coalition Members!

Glen Maxey
Campaign Director