SCOTUS To Hear Doe #1 v Reed

Do you remember when many states voted to keep the status quo on marriage? Well, Washington State had some trouble makers up there, and they took it took it to court to get the names, addresses, and other personal information of the people who signed the petition to get it put on the ballot.

The court upheld it Sept, the 9th district rejected that opinion October 15th and gave it the go ahead, and 5 days later, October 20th, the SCOTUS (Supreme Court of the United States) put a stay of action on it until it could be heard at its appeal.

Below is the press release sent to me by one of the lawyers of the James Madison Center for Free Speech.

Bopp, Coleson & Bostrom
1 South 6th Street
Terre Haute, IN 47807-3510

PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
[I've removed his contact information, cuz I don't want nuts bothering him.]

Supreme Court Reply Brief to Protect Petition Signer Privacy Filed

Yesterday, Protect Marriage Washington filed its reply brief in the United States Supreme Court case of Doe #1 v. Reed. Protect Marriage Washington is asking the Court to decide whether the Washington Secretary of State may release the names, addresses, and other personal information of over 138,000 individuals who signed a referendum petition that sought to protect traditional marriage in Washington

Washington’s Secretary of State seeks to release this personal information to groups who have stated that they will place this personal information on the internet, and aid those who wish to harass and intimidate anyone who publicly supports traditional marriage. Efforts of these and similar groups have resulted in death threats, physical violence, and property damage directed at individuals supporting a traditional definition of marriage in Washington and across the country.

James Bopp, Jr., lead counsel for Protect Marriage Washington, stated that “The First Amendment allows individuals to engage in political speech without being forced to reveal their identities. When public disclosure laws like those in Washington force people to reveal themselves, individuals cannot speak without worrying about threats to themselves, their families, or their jobs. The State of Washington should not be allowed to encourage this violence and intimidation by requiring citizens engaging in political speech to identify themselves.”

On September 10, 2009, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington issued an order preventing the release of the names of the petition signers. On October 15, 2009, the Ninth Circuit issued a single page order allowing the release of the names. On October 20, 2009, the Supreme Court issued an emergency order preventing the release of the names until the appeal is decided..

The case is Doe #1 v. Reed. It will be argued before the United States Supreme Court on Wednesday, April 28, 2010. Protect Marriage Washington’s briefing, along with the prior orders in the case, are available on the website of the James Madison Center for Free Speech, under the “Doe v. Reed (S. Ct. 2010)” heading.

James Bopp, Jr. has a national federal and state election law practice. He is General Counsel for the James Madison Center for Free Speech and former Co-Chairman of the Election Law Subcommittee of the Federalist Society.

If you want to contact him for yourself or you feel you might have a case, email me first. I will not jeapized our friendship and trust for anything. Not that I don't trust you, but I don't trust you. haha.

This reminds me of the reason why we have secret ballots today. It used to be there was a red box and a blue box (if I remember correctly) that people used to vote for the people they wanted. When people (Union Thugs) saw you put your ballot into the 'wrong' box, you actually risked your life. The same thing is happening here if the court decides to allow this atrocity. Who will sign a petition again?

Think about it. What if we were allowed to vote on whether or not there should be abortions? How about slavery? Don't you think those slave owners would be out there in numbers? I would to get rid of both of those horrible laws and/or practices. COME AFTER ME. But be careful. You don't know where I keep my Bible and guns...Have a great week. :)

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again. Digg!