Yes on 1 advocate targeted after TV ad

Time to make some popcorn.

Vote NO on 1

Time to make some popcorn.

Vote NO on 1

Carl Rove once bugged his own office a few days before an election. The "idscovered" the microphone, called the police and held a press conference to slime his opponent over dirty tricks! His side wone by a few points, and the whole thing was reviealed by the police a week after the election.

This smells like the same sort of desperate tactic. The social worker probably filed the complaint against himself.

Gays have no interest in attacking anyone. They just want to get married and be happy.

Vote NO on 1!

Have any of the opponents of same-sex marriage checked with their local school districts to see how the curriculum will change should the current statute remain as it is? Have any of opponents asked their schools to show them which books the teachers will be using to "teach our children about same-sex marriage"? My school district says that there will be absolutely NO change in their curriculum. They were not teaching marriage in the classrooms before now (except for when teaching students how to spell the word) and they will not start teaching the children about marriage regardless of the outcome of the vote. They do not even discuss marriage in sex-ed.

It would be very interesting to know just how many of the opponents who are married to someone of the opposite sex are cheating (or have cheated) on their spouses? How many are in (or have been in) abusive relationships? How many are now divorced from (or are planning to divorce) their spouses of the opposite sex? How many have divorced and remarried?

Also, for those who oppose same sex marriage and are happily married with spouses of the opposite sex, congrats! Just think about how happy you are, how much you cherish each other, how life could not be any better, how you want to be with each other for as long as you both shall live, being the love of each other’s lives, soul mates, etc! Fantastic isn’t it? At least that is the way it is for my wife and me. Now, why would you want to deny other couples from having the very same things we happy straight couples do, whatever their genders may be? Nobody on the proponents’ side is saying that they (gays) will intentionally attempt to influence anyone’s children (including their own), or other adults for that matter, into the gay lifestyle. Nobody says that everyone has to agree with the decisions others make.

Some of the opponents claim same sex marriage is against their religious beliefs and these same people use their church as their weapon to attack others who do not practice the same religions and have the same beliefs. Not ONE person on this earth has the right to judge anyone else! Only God has that right! If same sex marriage is against God’s will, then God will deal with those people on his own terms just like he will do with “straight” sinners. We should all just worry about ourselves and let everyone live their lives as they see fit! Think about it, there are even some members of ALL clergies who are gay (i.e. Roman Catholic Priests). Should the same sex marriage law prevail in next week’s voting, life will go on for everyone. Life is so short; let everyone be as happy as they can possibly be while they are alive! Let us place our focus on more important things such as keeping our children safe from drugs and alcohol!

Don Mendell says that, in his position of being a high school counselor, he has seen the stress having same-sex parents can cause for adolescents. Just how many students who are attending Nokomis Regional High School have same sex parents? I do think it would be wrong to take his state license away. Is the state going to take away the driver’s or professional licenses from every one who campaigns and/or votes Yes on 1?

I'm voting yes. Sorry, but marriage is between a man and a woman. That is my opinion and I"m entitled to it. I the people of this state should have the right to vote on this issue, and as a supporter of democracy I will accept the outcome willingly. I think this is getting blown out of proportion. Let people vote, and we all deal with the results. Its pretty simple really.

I think this is typical hypocrisy from the no on one side.

This poor man is being ostracized for stating his personal beliefs, just like Carrie Prejean.

I for one, support this man and his will to speak out against immoral activity such as homosexuality.

I would be glad to have my child utilize his guidance services.

The politically correct movement has gone far enough. Let's no let it go any further.

I urge all of you to vote YES ON 1!

Harassed because they spoke their piece ? How would all the gay families who appeared on television ads feel if they were harassed? Especially those who used their chiuldren and grandchildren in the same ads??? What is the matter with people that they can not agree to disagree respectfully? I am VOTING YES ON 1 and I will be doing so for several reasons... but most of all here comes the lawsuits... Mr. Mendell vs. the anonymous complaint maker,,,it's only the beginning... Alert...alert!!! VOTE YES ON 1 and stop this nonsense.

VOTE YES ON 1 and insist on better written laws before voting any changes! YES ON 1 !

Anti-gay Bigots are getting desperate. How sad to be them.

I agree, MaineMaiden !

Vote NO on ONE ~ It's a badly written law, and needs to be voted down !

So sad to be desperate AND malicious !

This guy hates so much he broke the rules. But that's OK because his bigotry should be exposed.

VOTE NO ON 1

I don't think Maine Maiden is for the "no" side.

I think she said she is voting YES.

I urge you all to VOTE YES ON 1!

For our families, for our great State, for our future!

This man is not a Bigot.

There is no bigotry in stating a personal belief (a high moral one at that)

The "no" side thinks everyone is a bigot for not wanting to allow gay marriage.

The "no" side does not understand that they are infringing upon our basic human rights.

Our right to raise our children in a non corrupt society, free of negative influences.

Please VOTE YES ON 1

Let's stop this foolishness now!

Do you ever sleep, or is this the swing-shift for the YES on ONE campaign using your handle now ?

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VOTE no ON one ~ Because it's obvious here who is lying and misleading people.

oh my, this aint right.... vote yes on 1

This won't be the last Mainer to lose his job over exercising his right to free speech. The same-sex marriage activists go after anyone who not only donates to preserve marriage between a man and a woman but anyone who publicly speaks their conscience about it. Trust me. I know. I lived in CA before, during, and after Prop 8.

Fortunately, we stepped up to not only preserve marriage but also the First Amendment in California. Maine, it's your turn. VOTE YES on 1.

Hey, it's as much the right of another guidance counselor to file a complaint if he thinks the other one isn't doing his job the way he should.

And it sounds like the one the complaint is lodged against might not be a very helpful counselor for ALL the students, and that is, after all, his job.

Oh, I didn't see anywhere that the person filing the complaint had reviewed Mr. Mendell's "job performance"

I must have missed that part of the story.

What right was that again? Judging someone's job performance without any basis?

Usually a person has to have first hand knowledge of anothers job performance before making a review or comment.

A person's moral beliefs have nothing to do with their job performance, just ask Judge Sotomayor she'll tell you.

Mr. Mendell has been called out unfairly, a typical underhanded and spineless move by the "no" campaign to discredit a perfectly good guidance counselor.

Let's stop this nonsense now.

VOTE YES ON 1

As a guidence councillor I do suppose it's his job to tell his students the truth. Yes on one.

As usual you make assumptions, did you read the article ?

Since you don't know who filed the complaint or what's in it, or why, you just assume it's baseless, even though it's from another guidance counselor at another school who may or may not have some first hand knowledge.

You just assume it has to do with his moral believes, when there isn't any evidence of this.

This is the kind of substance all your arguments have, phony presumed persecution and conjecture.

And you lie when you claim the NO campaign has anything to do with it.

Got any substance, other than lies ?

Vote NO on ONE because lies don't fly in Maine.

If I vote YES on 1, will that constitute a hate crime under Obama's new law????????

Yes on question one!!!

See--it's already begun . . .

AionCA

I guess you can rationalize just about anything! Nobody should lose their job for being gay and nobody should lose their job over free speech on a current political issue. If you don't think he's qualified to counsel gay students then maybe gays aren't fit to counsel straight students or children of straight parents? What hypocrisy! YES on ONE

You know, some of these people are just plain idiots. There are idiots on both sides of this position.

*sigh*

Vote No! on Question #1..

Jeffrey,

I think you are missing the point. A straight person can effectively counsel gay students and gay parents just as a gay person can counsel straight parents and straight students. However, if the gay counselor went on television saying he doesn't believe marriage should be legal between a man and a woman, he's not going to be able to do his job as effectively. If a gay counselor did that, someone would lodge a complaint. But in this case it was a straight counselor stating marriage shouldn't be between two people of the same gender.

A counselor has to gain the trust of the students and the parents. Speaking against a particular group in a public forum is going to harm your ability to earn that trust. You have every right to say what you want, but it might harm your career, it's just common sense.

Americanguy

That's called discrimination.

You can't do that.

Isn't that what the gays are railing against?

It's pretty obvious. Really. I'm surprised you can't see that.

Yes_On_1

You're right it is pretty obvious and I'm glad you realize the similarities between denying interracial couples a marriage license and denying gays a marriage license as discrimination. I hope that you will switch over your vote and let your friends know that you have seen the light.

Of course, that has to be what you're referring to, as saying something negative about a specific group of people can harm your career. If he had said children of hispanics or blacks don't do as well, children of interracial couples don't do as well, children in multi-faith homes don't do as well, we'd all identify it as intolerance. Lodging a complaint against him isn't discrimination, it's another form of free speech. Don't stand on a soap box, unless you're willing to have people kick it out from under you with their own opinions.

I look forward to your name change!

it up to the individual school system to keep him or not. not us..too sad for those students who need to have someone to guide them however.

This is the kind of crap we are going to be hearing. Unreal. Vote yes on 1 next week, stop the madness.

In California, a Mexican restaurnant was picketed and boycotted because one of its employees donated $100 to preserve marriage between one man and one woman. Did the owners of the restaurant deserve to lose money from a drop in business because an employee donated to Prop 8?

Google -- based you know where in CA -- created a special map of such donors so they could be targeted. Google got its information from the CA Secty of State who is required by law to disclose anyone who donates more than $100 to any campaign. Those campaign laws were designed in the 70's to allow for transparency and undue influence peddling. $100 dollars in a multi-million dollar campaign on both sides???

Grassroots democracy is threatened. With the passage of recent hate crimes legislation, thought is threatened. George Orwell, Aldous Huxley, Someone -- save the great state of Maine from diving into dystopia!

Flash forward to 2021:

Inquisitor: Do you now or have you ever associated with any person or group that believed that marriage should only be between one man and one woman?

Commonsensical Maine citizen: Since I can longer rely upon my first amendment rights to free speech, free association, and free exercise of religion, I exercise my right to not incriminate myself and take the fifth amendment.

Inquisitor: You, bigot! Bailiff, take him away.

Name calling. The way life should be.

AmericanGuy How do you know that gay, or straight, or any people will feel uncomfortable talking with Mr Mendell? How do you know he doesnt treat everyone he sees with dignity and respect? A professional can treat someone and not personally agree with their lifestyle or other choices they have made in their lives, cant they?

If you know anything about school systems in Maine, you would know that counselors and guidance counselors are overun with homosexual advisors and there are also homosexuals that serve in these positions.....MAYBE a homosexual counselor filed this complaint with the state....ever think of that? it sounds like a conspiracy to me....maybe from No on One supporting counselors?

JAZZ11......your comment at 3:40 is haateful, just like most of the comments from the No on One side......if you read the comments in the papers on this subject, the majority of hateful, evil comments are made y your side....that shows me something about your tolerance... That ad expressed concern for children, not hatred for anyone.

AjkCA I doubt you know anything about this man, he is one of the most popular and well liked counselors at Nokomis.....having children going thru this school, I know this for sure.....he does hhis all for the kids there....sure you dont recall that he alone was the starting force behind starting up the football program there, when every other professional at nokomis said no, now is not the time, no money, blah blah blah........he spent a good year working on his own time to get this program to serve the boys there that had nothing to do....they may not have had a successful win/lose record so far, but his work has gotten numerous boys off the couch and in an activity, which in turn brought up their grades and improved behavior........that is just one group...he also started the alternative school, helped bring jrotc to nokomis, and many other things people dont even know about unless you have been lucky enough over the years to have him assist your children with problems and help the families of said children....I have met him at school after work when the halls were emptied of teachers who have already gone home and he waited to see us on his own time....maybe he would like to have gone home to his family like all the other teachers do after school is dismissed....maybe the people who are making comments know him and do know his moral beliefs...ever think of that? And how do you know the No on One campaign didnt have anything todo with this? that is your ASSumption, isnt it?

Jeffrey great comment! maybe gays arent fit to counsel straight students or children of straight parents? so good and so possible are there are gay counselors out there...you dont have to look any further than Mr Mrendell's school district to find them, either

Well maybe if the yes side hadnt used and involved the young children children in their adds and commercials and people who are in the school systems for their ads and commercials this wouldn't happen.

Has the NO ON QUESTION # 1 done that?

Has the No ON 1 used teachers and guidence councelors in their commercials and ads? NO

You are useing children and peers that deal with children in a school setting which is wrong.

It has already been stated that they cannot and it is not in the school circulum to teach children about same sex couples. That is up to the parents to discuss with them at home when they feel the time is right.

Some of those students have same sex couples but yet you continue to use them to get your votes.

There have been several people already verify that at their schools it is not being taught and have asked the teachers themselves if it is being taught and they have said NO. Atleast the people being used in the ads and commercials for the NO ON QUESTION #1 side are same sex couples and couples who wouldn't have done the commercial if they werent true to the agenda.

The NO ON 1 side have not thrown out anything about this hurting children and used false statements about this vote hurting children,,, Why? Because we are all about the children. You would stoop so low as to use lies and decieve the public about this hurting children and useing the peers that the children deal with in schools for your commercials and ads to get what you want. We are about familys with children who support,love,and don't care who someone is or how they live their life as long as there is love and support,,, and all you people can think about is who people sleep with at night.

In our ads and commercials:

We have not used schools.

We have not used children.

We have not used teachers or guidence councelors,or anything that involves childrens teachings.

We have not used religeon.

We have used real families and real situations in our ads and commercials.

We don't use children we fight for their rights to be happy and be treated equally.

VOTED NO ON QUESTION # 1 For my children and future generations to come.

I am in agreement with folks here that Don Mendell had every right to speak his mind in those ads.

And I think it is up to the school that employs him to decide if any complaint needs to be filed, not a guidance counselor from another school who doesn't seem to even know Mr. Mendell.

I disagree with Mr. Mendell's opinions, but this tactic of filing a complaint against him is absolutely an attempt to squelch his right to voice his opinion. If none of the students at that school have voiced concerns, then apparently he can do his job as counselor while still speaking out on an issue he cares about.

I too am speaking out for my beliefs in this debate. The only reason I'm even talking about being gay is because I truly feel this is an important issue of equality and equal protection under the law. If the referendum was not being voted on, you never would have heard from me, and probably wouldn't know I was a gay man if you met me in the supermarket, at a fish fry, at a county fair, or at your church's tag sale.

We are all welcome to our faiths, no one can ever take that away from us. The law that was passed likewise protects our faith, our churches are given the freedom to recognize same-sex marriage or avoid it altogether.

I'm voting NO on 1, because all Maine families need the important protections of legal marriage.

countycommonsense :

You dont think that busnesses in Maine are loseing money because they are voteing no, or had petitioners at their businesses when this all started

It has happed and will continue to happen on both sides.

AmericanGuy, if the Guidance counselor has observed that children of same sex couples don't do as well or have problems, maybe we should listen to him instead of trying to censor him. That is, if you really care about the kids. Or you can stick your head in the sand and pretend that it's good for kids to have 2 gay people raising them instead of a mom and a dad. Voting no will only cause more problems for the kids who get dragged into this mess. We can mostly ignore it but the children are the ones who suffer most. Throughout history, gays have not raised children and it's not natural and we should stop pretending it is,

Mendell are you out of the closet now? Maybe you need your credentials removed. I would not want you around my children.

MaineMaiden :

Atleast the children in the ad which is one ad by the way because the children belongs to a same sex couples and shows that they are being cared for, loved and raised by a same sex couple. At the same time in the ad it shows heterosexual Maine family in support of same sex couples.

If we fired everyone because they believe in correct marriage between a man and a woman, there'd sure be a lot of empty slots to fill. This is exactly why most people won't reveal their political beliefs openly. People shouldn't lose their jobs because of their beliefs, whether or not they vote yes or no. This is ridiculous.

God help anyone who stands up and complains about or criticizes anything gay. Social and professional ostracism will be the price as we are seeing. Such hypocrisy from a faction that claims to want openness and fairness. It's very sad. I really want to vote no, but what's next from this political alliance? I do wish it were just about fairness and lifestyle. Mainers do not care how people live, so long as it's private. This gay pride stuff is just over the top. What would happen if I went to work with an armband that said "straight pride?"

support maine marriage abolish divorce :-)

If this man loses his job because he spoke his opinion,

honestly,what is this country coming to? This is what

we are going to face people...It will be never ending

controversy if this law is not repealed. We need to

stand up and end this here and now. Take a stand for

our families to keep marriage one man/one woman.

VOTE YES ON ONE ! ! ! ! !

Jeffrey,

Let's play a quick game of fill in the blank, shall we?

“I don’t do ________ marriages because I don’t want to put children in a situation they didn’t bring on themselves,” he said. “In my heart, I feel the children will later suffer.”

The answer is 'interracial'. This is a quote from that Louisiana Justice of the Peace that refused to perform an interracial marriage. So by you're logic this guy is right on the money?

I took the liberty of changing your quote to reflect what's best for the children (Caps are my words):

"AmericanGuy, if the Guidance counselor has observed that children of INTERRACIAL couples don't do as well or have problems, maybe we should listen to him instead of trying to censor him. That is, if you really care about the kids. Or you can stick your head in the sand and pretend that it's good for kids to have 2 DIFFERENT RACES raising them instead of a SINGLE RACE mom and a dad. Voting no will only cause more problems for the kids who get dragged into this mess. We can mostly ignore it but the children are the ones who suffer most. Throughout history, INTERRACIAL COUPLES have not raised children and it's not natural and we should stop pretending it is,"

After all that justice of the peace deals with families everyday. Unless you don't really care about the children when are you going to start invalidating interracial marriages?

Jeffrey:

I don't know where you have been in your life, but for years same sex couples have been raising children,,, this isn;t something that just started when this was put to a vote.

My partner and I have 4 children and they are more up to date with what goes on around them then you are.

Our children have no problem with our situation and all you people think is that Oh my how can same sex couple live that way around children?

We what do you people think? That same sex couples hold hands and show public displays of effection and have sex in front of the children?

They are just like any other couple raising children except they are the same sex.

You are all up in arms about how same sex couples act around their children, they act no differantly than a heterosexual couple.

We have sat down with our children and told them that if they have any questions or concerns to discuss them with us and the children said that they do not care if we are 2 men or not as long as we love each other thats all that matters, that they are happy and don't see anything wrong with our relationship. We have their friend parents over before the children hang out with ours to explain our situation and make sure that they are ok with their children over, we have a great group of friends heterosexual with children that have actually come to us and stated that they see nothing wrong with our living situation and that they are very much ok with their children comming over and playing with our children.

We have not run accross anybody that feels uncomfortable about us or our children hanging out with their children,and if we did that would be up to them and that they are the ones in that position to explaine to their children why not ours. I believe that at one point or another parents will be approached by their children and asked about homosexuality, because it has been going on for years and I don't believe that there is one single person that doesnt know about it at one time or another. I't is part of society and will always be. It will never diminish. I do believe that it is up to the parents when the time comes to explain to the children,but then again most parents don't discuss sex.

All I know is that our life could not be any better and as long as our children are raised to respect,love,be non judgmental and to treat people as they want to be treated then we are all set.

If a complaint such as this has been actually filed (and apparently it has), and the reasoning is due to Mr. Mendell's appearing and "freely" voicing his belief, opinion or what ever else you want to classify it on question #1 (and apparently it is), and with the reported utmost professional record and top quality of a counselor that people have shared Mr. Mendell truly is and has been for I believe almost 3 decades (and they have), then this is reason enough and reason in itself to vote YES on question #1......it is a clear picture that there is an underlying agenda by the homosexual movement and this complaint will be a regular happening if we do not vote YES on question #1....the complaints and THREATS of job loss and legal action (removing a professional license) due to sexual orientation and opinion on what is moral or not will move into all workplaces, community places, private places, churchs, and yes even schools where the gay people say they have no plans for an agenda but quite obviously this report sheds very clear light that they do.....wake up good people of Maine and realize that every standard of morality is being attacked by the homosexual movement and this is absolutely absurd and acinine......Mr. Mendell I commend you for having the courage to stand for what you believe, I thank you for an exemplary work history and I am confident that you have counselled ALL of the students that have come thru your office equally and fairly.....I hope the students of this school do not lose a good counselor and support that they have had for many years....I hope a good counselor does not lose his license to practice....I hope this man does not lose his job and support of his fellow workers.... VOTING YES ON QUESTION # 1 IN SUPPORT OF MORALITY, THIS MAN AND EVERY OTHER CITIZEN OF MAINE THAT HOLDS THE SAME MORAL PRINCIPLE ON THIS ISSUE as I myself do.....voting YES is the only clear and right choice on question # 1........

Sorry Mr. Mendell, I read the article wrong. I congrat you for standing up to repeal the law. It's the one putting the judgement against you that needs their licsense suspended.

PabMainer :

Guidence councelors and teachers should not be used in ads period because they are supposed to be their for guidence for our children and if they are going to be one sided then they have no business teaching or guiding our children... If a student of a same sex couple went to the guidence councelor for support and all he could is not support that child because of his beliefs then what good is he as a guidence councelor?

Thats why teachers should not be used as a tool in this because the teachers and guidence councelors are supposed to be there to teach, guide and support children not to push or voice their beliefs on them. If they are in that position they have to be neutral not one sided. What they do outside the schools is their business but when it comes to being around children they need to use common sence

Thats why they should not be used in this.

the press on this is actually going to be good for the yes side

donnelly:

NOT!

OMG, I thought the same thing about this guy after the ads came out. He should NOT be counseling ANY school age children, but why oh why didnt the social worker who filed this report wait until AFTER the damn election?

The NO on one campaign does NOT have a hidden agenda. They just want to live their lives in peace and be afforded the same legal rights and protections that straight couples take for granted every day.

And I dont believe this was filed due to Mr Mendal expressing his oppinion. IF you had read his prior statements you would see his hatred for gays and thier children. Whether or not gays marry is irrelavant really, its about Mr Mendall pushing HIS views on very vulnerable kids. Any child of a gay couple should NEVER have to come into contact with this guy.

Wake up people.

VOTE NO ON 1

Why is the Bangor Daily even covering this non-story? There's absoluately no confirmation that there even IS a complaint. Just another chance to try and make supporters of equality in marriage look bad.

Realhockeymom, read the article again. The complaint was filed and found to have merit.

Sad they didnt wait til after the election though.

Vote NO one 1

yes, we have the right o free speech, but you had better beware of the consequences wne you use that free speech...

From the article;

"Now, a guidance counselor from another school reportedly has filed a complaint with state regulators requesting that Mendell’s license to practice social work in Maine be revoked because of his statements on gay marriage, according to Scott Fish, spokesman for Stand for Marriage Maine.

Doug Dunbar, assistant to the commissioner at the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, said confidentiality laws and rules prohibit his agency from even acknowledging whether a complaint has been filed. That information would become public, Dunbar said, only if a review board found merit in the complaint and scheduled a hearing on the matter, or if a consent agreement were reached"

Maybe not, I'm not sure because of the way this is written

Who knows, could just be another tactic from the opponents

Still voting NO on 1

jakemulligan wrote: "If I vote YES on 1, will that constitute a hate crime under Obama's new law????????"

Of course not. The hate crimes law update is to combat VIOLENT CRIME only. Free speech and your voting rights are not even crimes at all, and they never will be.

anonon are you totally blind to the television ads or just so biased in your beliefs that you fail to see that the no on # 1 campaign has from the beginning used teachers and children in all of their ads to promote their side of the issue.....they have used and named hetero families and other professionals in their ads and I have not seen once where any threats against these people have been made from the YES on Question # 1 supporters....if I were for the no campaign this one happening in itself would cause me shame enough to re-look at this campaign and realize that the no side has taken this issue to the next level of absurd and asinine accusations.....this man along with every one of us who hold the same principle are professional enough to do our jobs without letting sexual orientation influence how competent and how fairly we conduct ourselves when doing our jobs and interacting with others in society.....wake up and take off the blinders....this is ridiculous and IMHO is very poorly timed for your side because I believe this accusation in itself will clearly open the eyes of all Maine citizens to the true homosexual agenda and compel people to see the only clear and right choice on question #1 is to VOTE YES ON QUESTION # 1.....

Paleshadows, In 2005, we created a special class to not discriminate against gays and then, "they just wanted to live their lives in peace"' Now they want to be "equal" when it is clear that Heterosexual marriage is not the same as Homosexual marriage.

You would deny that there is a Gay agenda, but you are wrong about that. Clearly a vote of No here is a vote for the society to endorse homosexuality. When that happens, kids will have another confusing message to deal with.

In 2005, there was not a confusing message - we did not endorse homosexuality, we but we created a special class recognizing the difference. Now we get the message that it is the same thing as heterosexuality, so why did we need to create a special class for discrimination suits which gay people immediately used to create nuisance lawsuits with regard to employment. Homosexual marriage is not the same as heterosexual marriage, therefore, not endorsing it is not discriminating, it is simply not endorsing it.

Guidence councelors and teachers in the position that they are in and im sure have guidelines to follow and they cannot have teachers or councelors in schools being used on ads and commercials if they are there to guide ,support, and teach children in schools and have them teach,guide,and support their beliefs, they can however do what they want out of schools,but they should not be non supportive of childrens situations in schools in that setting of schools they need to be neutral.

It is really pitifull that schools and children have to be brought into this whole thing as a tool to sway voters on the YES side..

I'd like to point out that NO ONE in Massachusetts has lost their job because they are opposed to same sex marriage here. We do not know whether a complaint has been filed against this Maine counsellor, but even if there has been, it’s unlikely that the complaint would result in his license being yanked, unless he lets his personal beliefs interfere with his job. This issue is a red herring.

Again, NO ONE has lost a job in Massachusetts for opposing same sex marriage in public speech! There is no reason to believe it would happen in Maine.

If you don't agree with thew gays, you are rotten to the core. They must stop you and put fear in your heart lest it become a wide spread opinion. Vote yes on one and send this pack of haters back to the closet where they belong.

eliteconservative:

Im sure your not that old to remember back when you were in school that homosexuality was around its not about endorseing homosexuality its been around for years and is not going to go away. People accept it or they don't , but it will never go away it is a part of society and always will be.

The complaintant should have the defendant file a complaint against him. We sure have fools in our midst.VOTE YES

Ok, I'm gettinfg down to the nitty gritty today!! LET'S SEE WHO"S GOT THE GUTS!!

I"M VOTING YES=I"M STRAIGHT

YOUR VOTE=YOUR SEXUALITY

No hiding behind your computer posts!! (Especially you no people!! )

Is that a Swiftboat engine I hear?

They are banning books from library's that tell of former homosexuals that are now free from this immoral life, Canada is censoring Dr.Laura and Dr.Dobson from speaking out, A pastor in Sweden was jailed for speaking out in his church, A father in Massachusetts was jailed for speaking out, firemen in California forced to march in a gay parade under the threat of losing their job, now this absolute absurdity. This will only escalate and get worse. You have to have your head in the sand up to your shoulders to not see this immoral freight train coming at us full speed. They want the opposition silenced and will do whatever it takes to do it. WAKE UP MAINERS!!

VOTE YES ON ONE!!

On 10/30/09 at 8:10 AM, AVani112 wrote:

"Ok, I'm gettinfg down to the nitty gritty today!! LET'S SEE WHO"S GOT THE GUTS!!

I"M VOTING YES=I"M STRAIGHT

YOUR VOTE=YOUR SEXUALITY

No hiding behind your computer posts!! (Especially you no people!! )”

Yeah? Now who’s trying to bully and intimidate people?

Good day to you sir, I’m off to work.

This law will not pass in maine this needs to be nipped in the bud i can only imagine what would be the results if it were to pass ,whats next any child who would exercise there freedom of speech and who opposed same sex marriage publicly will be expelled from school imidately and shall not be allowed back into the school system untill he or she no longer opposes same sex marriage and thier parents if of oppisite sex shall go to jail .VOTE YES ON 1

This is nothing more then political correctness poppycock. Just as the title of this article indicates this man was "targeted" because of his political views. Welcome to 1984....It looks like the Thought Police have caught Mr. Mendall committing a thought-crime, off to the Ministry of Love with him.

rodney, you were absolutely fine with Mr. Mendell losing his job at 6:58am when you thought he was gay and supported marriage equality, but then at 7:28am you realize he supports your opinion and your judgment changes. And yet people accuse marriage equality supporters of shifting morals.

I for one am a supporter of marriage equality who feels Mr. Mendell has every right to voice his opinions. This guidance counselor is protected by his first amendment rights to free speech, and it is unfortunate that some other counselor from another school altogether felt it necessary to lodge a complaint.

We live in a free country; Mr. Mendell was free to voice his opinion, this other counselor is free to lodge their complaint, and the school board will very likely uphold Mr. Mendell's rights.

This type of behavior in an election is unfortunate, but it happens. That's why we have constitutional protections which protect us so we can hold opinions, even unpopular ones, yet still be just as equally protected as those in the majority.

Vote NO on 1, and uphold this good law that Mr. Mendell opposes. The constitution protects all of us; counselors, families, and children.

If the NO on ONE campaigners were authentic in their espousing of tolerance, openmindedness, love and respect for all people, then why wouldn't they extend an olive branch to this man, this husband, this father. Aren't they taking his rights away from him simply because he has a different view of live than they do? Hypocracy, and Revelation is what this is. The majority of the population has been told quite clearly that you will either accept this quietly or you will be punished. Why would YES need to make up scare tactics when NO is providing the best "Trick or Treat" horror available. Thought Police anyone?!?

YES on ONE, the kinder vote for ALL Maine families.

TurkeyTalker, just as you absolutely don't speak for everyone who supports this referendum, this other counselor does not speak for everyone who supports marriage equality.

Vote NO on 1, and don't take away the rights of our fellow Mainers. We all have the right to voice our opinions, Mr. Mendell's rights are protected here already, his job is not in jeopardy for his expression of his views.

PabMainer:

It is you poeple who are getting desperate toward the end of this.

Atleast the poeple in our ads are actual people that have NOT Lied, NOT DECEIVED,NOT USED NON REATED ISSUES about children to get votes.

Everytime an ad or commercial has come out for the yes side we have proven that it is all lies and deceiveing statements .

I have not seen or heard from anything on the No side that has been proven as lies or deceiving to the public they are all about equality,families,and support. If the guidence councelors profession was not brought into this it would be ok,it would be his opinion as an individual, but for him to use his profession on TV just lets the people know that if he can use his profession and state his beliefs on TV that he would not act any differant when counceling children which is wrong,, if your there to guide,support and teach children then you have to be neutral to peoples situations. So say a child of a same sex couple went to this guidence councelor for support,guidence and the guidence councelor said what your father or mother are doing is wrong ? What do you think that is going to do to a child ? They are supposed to be there for support,guidence and to help the children not confuse them and make them feel that their parent being of same sex relationship feel any less than any other parent... Thats why teaches and guidnce councelors should not be useing their profession in the ads on either side of this issue. They are there to GUIDE, SUPPORT & TEACH period. Not useing their professions on tv ads and commercials. If they had said what they wanted to and not used their professions then no problem,but to voice their opinion knowing that they are involved with children is just wrong. I am speaking for both side of the issue also.

NO ON QUESTION # 1 For Children , and future generations to come for EQUALITY>

I stood against gay marraige too and was harassed while working for the state in a socia service program - I finally ended my job there.

HI All~~~I am going to start each day telling you as much about myself and also be able to keep my/ and what is mine safe, because of this heated issue.

I think you will find it important if you are going to use this site to make up your mind.

I am a straight male married to a women~ ex-alter boy~who graduated from a Maine Town High School~went into the Army in 1967 to 72 Nam era Vet.

I now live with my lovely wife in the Bangor, Me area.

I ride a Harley and have traveled to almost every state in the ole USA on it.

I have also drove 18 wheelers for a local trucking co.

I have worked for 20 years in the Human Service field in various direct care staff positons. Most of the time with handicaped adults or abused teenagers before retiring.

Today I will be spending most of the day on whatever comment section I think is important on all the ref. issues. Just as I have for 2 weeks day + night. sometimes from 6am until 4am the next day.

I seem to be far from the only one when it comes to the Gay Marriage issue doing this. There is lot of passion on this issue. Rightly so!!!

How can I do that, I am retired and sober and like to find out what I`m voting on. So does my wife but she works to hard in the Healthcare Field taken care of us All and does have much time to find out what she thinks on the issues. So she trust her husband. Lucky Me

My wife and I are also voting NO on #1 and dang Proudly I mite add.

2 weeks ago I was going to be voting Yes on # 1

Well I was glad that I had the time to fiqure out what was important for us . And what was not in this very important election of what is or is not Equality for ALL.

I knew that Gay People had been in my life for along time, and did`t even thing about it. Except I usually thought I could tell who was a Gay Male or NOT.

Women Gays on the other hand, I never could tell who was and who wasn`t. Unless they passionately kissed in front of me. (never saw that except in adult Vidios.

I have worked with alot of Gay People but never was really what one might call a friend of.

I think I can honestly say, that all the gay people that I have worked with or noticed. Seemed to be just a broad spectrum of people just like straight people

Happy or not happy, sad or not sad, at work or not at work. shopping or not shoppiing etc.

I have seen gay men with there children that honestly seemed to care for their kids better than most. (remember I worked with abused kids)

In the line of work I did, people watching and there behaviors is something I have done a very lot of.

I have been trained for this also.

So for whatever reason before this Vote, I don`t think I even cared much. Until a Religious group tried to tell me I did.

I personally do not to be told what to do. Other then Live and Let Life.

I also knew at the beginning of this I didn`t really care one way or the other. Except I didn`t want the Gays to be able to use the word Marriage.

To get to understand and change my vote, I had to re-think what I thought I already knew.

To get to the bottom line. I had to figure out for myself. What was bigotry and what wasn`t

What was Seperation of State and Riligion

What did the Constitution really mean on the issues

And what was my Rights, no matter my Religion, or if other people didn`t believe in God, what were there rights.

What was evil and what was good. What was right and what was wrong.

Who was lying or who was not

Anyways just trying to help myself by stating my opinion and listening to others opinion.

I think I learned what Equality and the Life Liberty and Pursuit of Happyines means to each and everyone of us.

Because as I discovered someone, someday, somehow. Could come and Vote to take my rights away.

Like how would YOU / I feel if someone told YOU / ME that because a minority of people got the State to have a State Wide Vote.

And depending on that Vote the State was going to Tell me if I could do the passion of my Life. Ride my bike Or couldn I not ride my bike.

It is a very Important Vote for ME. As I hope it is for YOU.

So I hope you~~~~Enjoy the Ride~~~~But Watch the Road While You Decide~~~~I really is that Simple (yeah right from wrong ya right.)

How many times have I been Wrong before I ever even Knew what was Right .

Know if you got that figured out all you got to do is state your Vote of Yes or No.

Because most People on here want to know more then that.

Without Bigotry and Hate and Frustration so please Just be Human and be Polite.

For if your not you might be writting your opinion for NOTHING> Just my Opinion.

Everyone on here will be so much Happier. For isn`t That what we really ALL Want. Right or Wrong~~Good vs Evil

and To understand the real differance between the 2.

Watch out for them 2 issue Righ / Wrong and maybe you can figure it all out. Good Night my Friends one and all.

Voting No on # 1 and there is no way I can see anyone changing my mind in everything I have been thru to fiqure ALL that out so I can Go to the Mirrow anytime Night or Day and Say Electra you ole Dude. You are just plain to honest sometimes. NOT!!!!

But feel free to try to change this ole Tall Pine Tree Rocky Coast ever Lovin Maine and the good ole US of A`s true Red White and Blue Mind..

Good Luck for You are Going to need it.

((((The Black Bear State of Maine is as much Mine as Yours))))

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For what shall it profit a man,

if he shall gain the whole would,

and lose his own soul???

((((((((((ElectraGlide Standing Tall and Proud))))))))

((Voting NO on #1 now and forever.for myself and my lovely Wife))

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dang it~~~All most forgot to Add My Beautiful Maine Coon Cat.

For She Stands beside Me thru ALL of this.

(((((((Coon Kitty Standing Tall and Proud)))))))

(((((((((Voting No on #1))))))))))

((((((((Meow (:~))))))))))

SteveK :

Your statement shows how out of this world your thought process is,,, Like people are going to believe and fall for your statement that if they vot No that that means they are gay and if they vote Yes they are straight? It is to laugh at some of the statements here.

I a homosexual voted NO

My heterosexual father voted NO.

My heterosexual mother voted NO

My heterosexual brothers voted NO

My heterosexual sisters voted NO

My uncles and aunts voted NO

That my friends is what you call FAMILY, Thats what you would call SUPPORT, Thats what you would call EQUALITY.

Equality has nothing to do with it. Gays have the same rights under the constitution that I do. The marriage issue is a new one not covered under the constitution because the founders didn't have the power to see and know what a mess our country would be in one day! Does anyone really believe that the teachings in school would be part of the platform? Come now. That will slide in just like so many other things have. I'm voting yes on 1....because I have a Bible. I love the people but I don't like the lifestyle.

Just gotta go to the store for coffe, red bull, cigs and kitty food

Going to be another great day

how are dem yes and no ? doing

((( (:~) )))

I think another thing to think about is the spread of AIDS it will become more prevalent

Hey lookey at dat

forHimtoday and ALL his serpant heads

prayed for the Sun

they must need some heat

for the cold blooded ONES

((((((Stand by for here it comes)))))) (:~)

SteveK thanks for your post and interesting about your home state of Massachusetts....also as interesting is that even before the vote here in Maine this person's job is being threatened, not to even speak of his reputation as to his being competent to continue in a job he has performed very well at for 3 decades.....for this to come out now definately shows that no workplace, community service organization, school or church will be exempt from being forced to alter one's standard of morality to pacify the interests of the homosexual crowd, unless the good citizens of Maine vote YES on question #1....it has been stated from the beginning that securing equal rights for all in a committed relationship is something we all should be in agreement about.....redefining marriage is NOT the way to pursue this and this happening is a clear example that ANY legislation needs to go back to the drawing board and include language and protection for good people like Mr. Mendell... The only clear and right choice for now is to vote YES on question #1 and work together to re-draw legislation to extend deserved rights but not allow special rights to where good people have their jobs and professions threatened because they have a different stand.....Voting YES on question #1 and very willing to work with others to bring about equality but without absurd and asinine threats like this one against Mr. Mendell....

So obviously the guy that made the complaint is queerer than a three dollar bill. Can we say Loser. .LOSER . The no one 1 campaign is starting to piss more people off every day and that is what is gonna hurt there votes. Just happened to talk to a gay guy at the store with his boyfriend. He is 19 years old and told me that he would vote No only if the arguments would quit. Looks like your fellow bros are voting Yes.

(((( Almost forgot to put on the list more NUTS))))

the "teacher of the year" should also be stripped of her teaching license then.

The people of Maine need to take a good hard look

at this issue. They need to pay attention to what is

happening in other states that has allowed SSM.

Please don't bury your head in the sand and assume

tht someone else will go vote and this will never

stand. The No side is very convincing with their

"poor us" rhetoric. And they have lied and deceived

and twisted to convince others to give them what

they want. Don't be fooled. Stand up. Go Vote.

VOTE YES ON ONE ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

lovetheBDN :

If your in a profession especially to do with social services you can have your own opinion outside of work but in the social service profession,just like teachers and guidence councelors you have to be neutral in that position because you are dealing with several issuse and cannot be one side or the other in that position you are there for guidence and support of the community. Cannot not mix your views or beliefs and bring it into your line of work.

Out side of work you can do and voice your concerns and beliefs. If they cannot control that then they should not be in that profession.

Do you think that a councelor for the state is going to say im not going to councel your child because they are gay or because they steal,or are in trouble with the law in any way? No they are there for support,guidence,and have to treat every individual the same.

Mr Mendells professionalism should not

be in question here.This man has been in

this position for 36, that's 36, years. And

because he gives his opinion they want

him removed? WAKE UP PEOPLE !!!!! We

haven't even voted yet and already their

pushing it ... What do you think is next???

VOTE YES ON ONE ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

HRH419:

Tell us what the NO side has lied and deceived about in the ads.

the ads on the yes side has been lies and deceit and been proven so by the stand for equality in Maine people,the attourney general,superintendant of schools, and so on.

If I remember another teacher form the district Sherry Gould was the FIRST to appear in an ad for the NO opponents. I disagree with her but she as well as Mendell should be able to exercise free speech.How about revoking the license of the "Intolerant" guidance counselor filing the charge. That is the most ignorant saddest thing I have ever heard from an alleged "educated" man. He is pathetic.

The slime is getting deeper on both sides, and what does "gay marriage will be taught in school" mean? Is this like the scene from Monty Python where the teacher rolls out a bed and his wife and demonstrates how it's done? I would hope that schools (like the ones I attended) are teaching students HOW to think, not what they should think. Actually I've heard more tolerance and understanding from children on this issue then from the adults on either side.

I happen to agree with the no position that this will occur eventually no matter how the votes go. This is based on my study of polls showing that young people (25 and under) are far more likely to vote no, and 50's and up are far more likely to vote yes.

Don Mendell voiced his opinion on his personal time. Votes "YES" on one.

People had better wake up here. We are being told what to think, what to say. We are being told which news media to watch. This is crazy. We are going to loose alot more of our freedoms.

Every Maine citicen has the right to marry.

Homosexual marriage has never been legal in Maine, and no homosexual marriages have been legally conducted here.

There is no discrimination, and there is no legal precedence.

This is about the mysogenic views of a 1% minority forcing society to accept their premise that gender doesn't matter. That is a premise that is not only offensive but is highly destructive. Oops, I can hera the sirens outside of my office right now. They must have read my post and decided that I am a Right Wing Fundamentalist Bigot who obviously needs to be Re-educated to be more Tolerant and Open to the New Age.

Catch me if you can Thought Police!

YES on ONE, the compassionate vote.

HRH419 :

Pushing it why do you think they are pushing it? Because he has a profession of working with children where his personal views and beliefs should not interfere with his profession, his job is to be neutral not to advertise useing his personal beliefs and opinions on TV with his profession.

Thats why.

TurkeyTalker:

Nobody is forceing you to do anything,, thats why they call it freedom,,, you can vote any way that you want. I will not be forced,cohersed, lied to or deceived to change my vote. I will also not use people that work in the school system to sway votes either.

VOTED NO ON QUESTION #1 for my children and the future generations

wonderingwhy:

Already been discussed,,, your behind in times,,, and the statistics show and prove that there are more heterosexuals with hiv now than ever, and they dont get if from drinking after sombody with hiv,,, so try again. Also if a couple are legally married with hiv how is that going to make it run rampant? If anything it will suppress it.

anonon wrote:

"Pushing it why do you think they are pushing it? Because he has a profession of working with children where his personal views and beliefs should not interfere with his profession, his job is to be neutral not to advertise useing his personal beliefs and opinions on TV with his profession.

Thats why."

Hummm I've heard social workers advocate other positions on TV and elsewhere which do not jibe with mine. Does that mean I can have them fired too?

He is perfectly welcome to his beliefs and to vote as he sees fit- HOWEVER by putting himself on TV he how comfortable is a gay/lesbian teen going to feel making an appointment to talk with him? My guess would be not very and NOW he has made HIMSELF unapproachable to some of those who might need his guidance the most. SHAME ON HIM!

you cant change your vote.

google "mass resitance and little black book"

if that doesnt make you worry over what is taught in mandated diversity training nothing will. do not give them more inroads

vote YES on one.

anonon... The "yes" people are afraid this will be taught in school. Which it has already...we've seen it in states like California. It doesn't mean he will voice his opinions in school and offend homosexuals...he might just won't indoctrinate the students and not even touch the subject in the classroom. What are they going to do? Screen all teachers to see what their opinion is on homosexuality? Many who support the "no" side say it is not going to be taught is school. Then what is the "no" side worried about. The action against this teacher is very telling.

Vote "YES" on one.

Those supporting same sex marriage that say they have no agenda , are either naive or they think we are as stupid as they are. Homosexuality is not the norm , and should not be promoted or taught as such. Should queers be discrimated against? Absolutly not! But to receive favored treatment because of sexual orientation is a violation of the majoritys rights. EXAMPLE, HATE CRIMES. A crime against a person is just that! Why should the penalties for a crime against gays, blacks, Jews, Catholics, cripples, be any worse than a crime against a white protestant straight male? Most of the arguments above on both sides of this issue seem to be written by mental patients who have way too much time on their hands. Get out of the house. Volunteer at a homeless shelter;pick up trash beside the road, and try smiling for a change! You'r all nuts!!!!!!!!

Mrsd96...it may make the student question his choice of lifestyle and the student may make a better decision for himself...Which is a good thing...

What i dont get is anonon is saying its not being taught in schools right now. Liar it is. Being taught at Bangor High school. Teacher hasnt got caught yet, student like him not gonna rat him out. Get a clue anonon. We know gay marraige is wrong everyone knows it wrong. Like some has said Baldacci only signed this law because one of his brothers is gayer than a three dollar bill.

Protect our children and future of Maine Vote Yes #1

Well I for one - ONLY spend my Money/Tourism dollars in states that are INCLUSIVE...so basically I barely spend or vacation in the US of A.....Until this country FINALLY Lives up too what it espouses to the world....:Liberty & Justice for ALL "......IF Maine Passes Marriage Equality I will be taking my next vacation in Maine next Summer.......If Marriage Equality fails,and the Bigots win - well Maine will NEVER see my tourism dollars. EVER!!! Amazes me especially when Women are against Equality -- considering 89yrs ago - women Fought to Obtain the RIGHT to Vote from Men,and yes the CHURCH...who fought against THEM (women were to SHUT UP,STAY OUT of Gov't affairs,listen to thier husbands,Have NO say in Gov't,and just have babies) ....IF women's RIGHT to VOTE had been left to a Referendum BY MEN - they would have lost!!!! Same goes for Inter-racial Marriage,and Black Civil Rights.......realistically - THEY WOULD HAVE LOST..and NEVER passed. NO-ONE has yet to explain how anyone else marrying will AFFECT THEIR Marriage personally...NO ONE! ...And WHY is it that in 2009 - It's ONLY Gay citizens RIGHTS tHAT GET TO BE vOTED ON?? DISGRACEFUL! VOTE NO ON#1

I am totally against hate crimes as well. Crime is crime, punish the crime not the thoughts.

I'm also totally for our constitutional protections of the 14th Amendment. We are all equal in the eyes of our constitution, and the Maine legislature realized that it was absolutely necessary to extend civil marriage to all loving Maine families.

Vote NO on 1, don't vote to take away the rights of Maine families around you.

HarryHSnyderIII :

Read my lips,, if they are in a field where they are supposed to be neutral, be there for support, and guidence they should not be pushing their opinion or beliefs on others they should support them with their decision, or help , guide them to what is best for them not yourself. It is about what they want not what you want.

If I was a social worker I would be there to guide,support and to help the person in need even if I disagreed with their thoughts. I would not be mixing my opinions or beliefs into their lives.

Out side of work is differant.

"Ok, I'm getting down to the nitty gritty today!! LET'S SEE WHO"S GOT THE GUTS!!

I"M VOTING YES=I"M STRAIGHT

YOUR VOTE=YOUR SEXUALITY

No hiding behind your computer posts!! (Especially you no people!! )”

Well, EJParsons and Serpant Friends

A cloud is in your future

The Simple ? put simply to You and in All Your Faces

What is Equality for All

The ole Ice Creme Test

Last Night when asked which flavor of ice creme you like best you said Vanilla

Now dang who would of guessed that coming from a possible White Bigoted Racist Group

then when you were asked if there was a Ref: that read Vanilla Ice Creme is not good for Us ALL

Would you vote YES to outlaw Vanilla ice creme

Or would you vote NO to keep the ice creme

Your answer quote (they better not come after my bible or guns)

Now as usual you fogged the answer.

But Maine people are used to seeing thru the fog

So the ? is THIS

If you are abviously ready to defent your rights to keep you Bible and Guns by seemingly force

How can u justify not supporting a Human Being a protecting there Rights

You are willing to fight for a freakin book and a cold gun

Why not a human being

You know if you can`t answer that I hope you have a great appetite

For you my Snake are going to be eating a whole lotta NUTS

Hey folks how many people do you know that walk up to a snake and ask them how are u voting on anything.

((((( Electra and ALL of Maine are ? Dat !!!)))))

((((((((((( SCHRrrreeeeeeech ))))))))))))

I am voting NO on 1 because I see this fundamentally as an issue of equal protection under the law.

I've read some say that homosexuals are free to marry someone of the opposite sex just as heterosexuals are. This is as absurd as telling a Christian living in Afghanistan that they are free to practice religion as long as it is Islam.

I've read some say that marriage equality should be denied because homosexuality is a lifestyle choice. This is irrelevant because we already protect lifestyle choices in our constitution. No one is born to a specific religion, it is completely a choice and it is completely protected under our law.

Finally, and this seems to be where the discussion has drifted, some take umbrage at using the word "marriage". I think this tactic is being used because people do not feel comfortable stating the real reason they are against gays marrying. Those real reasons may be fear of how the world has been changing as they grow older, it may be disgust at what they view as an immoral lifestyle, or maybe it's denial of the fact that gays will continue to live together and raise families regardless of the outcome of this vote. What these people need to ask themselves is why they are uncomfortable stating their true reasons for opposing gay marriage. If it is because they are uncomfortable expressing their true views, perhaps that is because those viewpoints are ugly, inconsiderate of others, and against the principles of our society.

Learn to be true Mainers: live and let live. Vote NO on 1.

As a gay man who came out to myself and then to friends and family in junior high school, I know the importance of being able to talk to a guidance counsellor. I did it and she helped me deal with some internal issues until I was comfortable with myself enough to accept the truth.

Someone who thinks gay teenagers are at the very least not equal to heterosexual teenagers - and at the most view homosexuality as an affliction, the homosexual mentally ill and the sexual preference curable has NO place working at a high school where he can cause some damage to a young confused person's psyche.

I'm glad someone filed this complaint.

Wow, only one person came out of the closet for the no side!! I'm voting YES. But at least this person has some guts!! Even though I disagree with this person.

1 no vote- 1 homosexual

I'M KEEPING A TALLY

the MEA has sent out an email telling their members to vote NO on ONE....they should all be fired. whats good for the goose....

Well, EJParsons and Serpant Friends

A cloud is in your future

The Simple ? put simply to You and in All Your Faces

What is Equality for All

The ole Ice Creme Test

Last Night when asked which flavor of ice creme you like best you said Vanilla

Now dang who would of guessed that coming from a possible White Bigoted Racist Group

then when you were asked if there was a Ref: that read Vanilla Ice Creme is not good for Us ALL

Would you vote YES to outlaw Vanilla ice creme

Or would you vote NO to keep the ice creme

Your answer quote (they better not come after my bible or guns)

Now as usual you fogged the answer.

But Maine people are used to seeing thru the fog

So the ? is THIS

If you are abviously ready to defent your rights to keep you Bible and Guns by seemingly force

How can u justify not supporting a Human Being a protecting there Rights

You are willing to fight for a freakin book and a cold gun

Why not a human being

You know if you can`t answer that I hope you have a great appetite

For you my Snake are going to be eating a whole lotta NUTS

Hey folks how many people do you know that walk up to a snake and ask them how are u voting on anything.

((((( Electra and ALL of Maine are ? Dat !!!)))))

((((((((((( SCHRrrreeeeeeech ))))))))))))

Coronadrinker:

Your name says it all,, go back to drinking.

We have already heard from several parents on here from bangor and they would know if it was being taught in their schools,, there have even been some who have goe to the schools and checked it out. The school system is not going to lie and the parents arent going to lie. So what if the govenors brother is gay does that hurt your life? If it was being taught with as many students that go there it would be out by now that it is being taught,, all the students mouths arent being duct taped shut,,, kids talk like adults do if it was happening it would be made public... Whos the lier,, someone with no proof or credentials or the people that have already gone to the school and checked for themselvs and stated that it is not being taught? Try again.....

Look Maine LOok at ALL the Serpant Heads working out of one officer or place

Don`t think that be Maine DO YOU

Well, EJParsons and Serpant Friends

A cloud is in your future

The Simple ? put simply to You and in All Your Faces

What is Equality for All

The ole Ice Creme Test

Last Night when asked which flavor of ice creme you like best you said Vanilla

Now dang who would of guessed that coming from a possible White Bigoted Racist Group

then when you were asked if there was a Ref: that read Vanilla Ice Creme is not good for Us ALL

Would you vote YES to outlaw Vanilla ice creme

Or would you vote NO to keep the ice creme

Your answer quote (they better not come after my bible or guns)

Now as usual you fogged the answer.

But Maine people are used to seeing thru the fog

So the ? is THIS

If you are abviously ready to defent your rights to keep you Bible and Guns by seemingly force

How can u justify not supporting a Human Being a protecting there Rights

You are willing to fight for a freakin book and a cold gun

Why not a human being

You know if you can`t answer that I hope you have a great appetite

For you my Snake are going to be eating a whole lotta NUTS

Hey folks how many people do you know that walk up to a snake and ask them how are u voting on anything.

((((( Electra and ALL of Maine are ? Dat !!!)))))

((((((((((( SCHRrrreeeeeeech ))))))))))))

(((( LOOK MAINE THEY CAN`T ANSWER A SIMPLE ????))))

(((( Tell Them Maine when YOU think it is time for da NUT ))))

Don`t forget to tell them to enjoy it

It is all so important to be polite when doing it

show me where marriage is a natural right. its a license. if a license is a right, i know several people who will be thrilled to know their right to drive will be reinstated after they have lost the right for OUI charges.

The MEA shouldn't be telling teachers how to vote.

anonon why dont you just shut up, you have said nothing but lies in all the articles ive seen. Oh if we vote No then we are protecting our children. How the hell are we protecting them. Yep your right. turn them gay. Hold on. My kid would like to know if she can be gay lol. Anonon your just so stupid like the whole no side is just whining and complaining like they always do. They refuse to give info that is public info. Wow looks like the NO side are liears

chicky, our US Supreme Court has stated that civil marriage is a fundamental civil right.

The state CANNOT rescind a couple's marriage license. It is only up to the couple to do that in a divorce. Your comparison with drivers licenses is flawed for this reason.

This is a good law which protects all Mainers, their families, and their children. It also protects religious belief. Vote NO on 1.

well the MEA is saying this~

"Once again Maine's public schools from pre-kindergarten to graduate school are being hard pressed by conservative forces seeking cuts and roll-backs, and we will all need to pitch in to turn back these threats to our programs.

The members of the MEA Board of Directors and the Representative Assembly have adopted a position on the following ballot questions:

VOTE NO on Question 1 the Citizens' Veto of Marriage Equality

VOTE NO on Question 2 the Excise Tax Cap

VOTE NO on Question 4 the TABOR II Tax Cap."

what threat is question one to their programs if they are not going to laud a victory on Q1 as a civil rights cause in class rooms under diversity training?

they should be called on the carpet for this.

and our president shouldn't be telling us what news media we should be listening to.

and the small majority of people should not be telling us to redefine the definition of marriage...

...and people who aren't going to be getting married to a same-sex partner shouldn't be telling us how we have to live our lives.

Vote NO on 1, live and let live!

Vote yes on #1 Lets protect our children and future of Maine. Gay marriage is not right to be in front of children at all and is not needed here in Maine

It's illuminating to see how low gays will go to win this.

They try to pass this off as being to legitimize kids, when we all know it is to legitimize themselves instead.

They try to cash in on the legitimate struggles of minority races by equating homosexuality with skin color. Nobody is trying to outlaw being gay, you just can't redefine marriage to something it's never before been. Minority races never tried to do anything like that.

They attempt to justify censoring the free speech of a man who is in a very good position to have a pretty valid opinion about its effect on school age kids. Instead of hearing only from gay parents who have a vested self interest in assuring us all on how happy and well adjusted their kids are and how rosy their home life is, maybe we should listen more to experts in the field who have to counsel the children who find themselves in this unnatural situation.

I've noticed that on these BDN discussions, very frequently the YES proponents views are "edited out" by getting thumbs down. Apparently some of the no proponents have rationalized censoring views they disagree with.

Interesting to learn more about what sort of people we're dealing with....YES on ONE!

firefly...what is the difference between the MEA or the AFL-CIO or the AARP telling it's members how to vote and the Roman Catholic Church or any church telling its members how to vote? Please tell me the difference.

a fundemental civil right in which you are undoubetly refering to a case involving a man and woman. Clinton passed DOMA if same sex marriage was a civil right this would not of been possible.

Coronadrinker :

Tell me what I have lied about.

You think my children should be treated any less than yours?

So far I have seen alot of proof from our side but have yet seen any proof from the yes side, so your argument about the No side lieing has no basis.

As your statement of a parent turning their children gay just shows how ignorant your comments are. If your daughter some day comes to you and does tell you that she is gay you would be the type to shun your daughter and probally never accept her choice, and it is their choice not yours how they are going to live their life after out of your house and on their own.

Give me proof of what I have lied about.

This proves that Yes on 1 is the right thing to do! It will only get worse if this law stands.

As far as the Guidance Councelor story --- How Can he be a Decent/Good Impartial Councelor to ALL students.....when he is clearly biased towards Gay people? What IF a Gay student went to him for help??? I find it amazing how people expect those who's RIGHTS ARE being Threatened are supposed to be Tolerant of THOSE who want to STRIP them of thier Rights..........50yrs ago...were blacks friendly and tolerant of the KKK>? NO! Would you have been? ...........................I am planning my next years vacation - and I've NEVER been to Maine....I think I'll Visit there,and Spend MY Tourism Money $$$ there IF EQUALITY for ALL is acheived.....IF Equality is Taken away from ALL Mainers - then I will take my dollars elsewhere. It really bothers me more-so to see/read such backwards/bigoted comments from women......Ladies 89yrs ago....MEN & CHURCHES Fought Against YOUR RIGHT to VOTE.....according to them - they wanted to "Preserve Tradition" ...Women were to have NO say in Gov't affairs, they were to be Subserviant to thier husbands, and just SHUT UP..and have kids..like the "lord intended"...so the argument went. Luckily the VOTE WASN'T held for the Public only (MEN) - or ladies YOU would have LOST. Why in 2009 are Tax Paying, Law Abiding Gay citizens RIGHTS allowed to be Voted on? WhY? How can a Country that espouses "Liberty & Justice for ALL" do this??? ..and still, NO-ONE has Given/stated any solid reason - HOW Gays marrying would Perosnally AFFECT thier Marriage???? HOW? VOTE NO ON #1 ...LET FREEDOM TRULY RING!!!!!!! ..and your state can ONLY Benefit from such Equality!!!! Do NOT be on the WRONG side of History, and in the catagory of George Wallace who fought against Racial Equality! .........

On 10/30/09 at 9:16 AM, anonon wrote:

"Read my lips,,"

Can't you're "anonon"

I think some people misunderstood my posts. I am all for same sex marriage, and I am in one. We built a house in Maine. I’m moving to Maine with my husband in a few years, and we expect the state to treat us as legally married.

No person has lost their job in Massachusetts because they spoke out against same sex marriage. No church has been sued because it preached homosexuality is immoral. Kids are taught that some other kids have two parents of the same sex. So what? They are also taught about

The only thing bad that happened to opponents of same sex marriage is they have been criticized. They have played the victim an blamed gays and lesbians for this criticism.

That is all. People’s feelings may have been hurt. That is the only bad thing that happened in Massachusetts because of same sex marriage in the past 5 years of legal marriage equality. No REAL harm comes from gay marriage.

Even though Massachusetts has a pretty pro-gay cultural climate, opponents of same sex marriage also have equal rights.

People don’t get fired.

Pastors don’t get arrested.

Children are not recruited into the homosexual lifestyle. Some kids grow up and figure out they are gay.

No church has been sued for refusing to perform a same sex marriage.

No Justice of the Peace or Notary has been sued for refusing to perform a same sex marriage.

No small business that caters to weddings has been sued here.

There are still gay bashings here. Last year, Fabio Brandao and three friends violently attacked a group of three gay men and a female. One guy was sent to the hospital, beaten unconscious. Mr. Brandao was convicted of this serious assault and battery, but he refused to cooperate identifying the other perpetrators. This MayBoston District Court Judge Thomas C. Horgan gave the man a two-year suspended sentence and mandated he complete an anger management program! No jail time for the gay basher! See: http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=&sc2=news&sc3=&id=91871

Don’t be scared of same sex marriage, it won’t hour you.

Please Vote No on One.

chicky, our 14th Amendment was passed in the 1800's, yet it took almost a century to affirm its protections for blacks in our nation.

The fact is that DOMA is unconstitutional, it just takes time for our government process to right such wrongs.

Vote NO on 1, it's the right thing to do for all Mainers.

This guy is being crucified for speaking the truth. The "NO" camp should be ashamed at this tactic. Their true colors are showing more and more as we get closer to voting time. Vote "YES" on Question 1.

I just laugh at these weirdos who constantly spew "Preserve a man and woman Marriage"........HUH? Who is going to make anyone marry someone of the same sex IF they don't want too? Your "Tradition" of marrying the opposite sex will stillbe in tact - FOR YOU. No One is forcing you to marry anyone you don't want to marry....and NO one is Telling you- that you CAN'T marry the person YOU LOVE. But for some reason - it comes EASY to you- to TELL OTHERS who they Can and Can't marry! VOTE NO on #1

here is the proof ~ a gay pride school initiated event hosted by GLSEN and a GSA (you know that same outfit the teacher of the year was paid to work for) and what was passed out to school aged children in 2005.

http://www.massresistance.org/docs/issues/black_book/black_book_inside.html

Well, EJParsons and Serpant Friends

A cloud is in your future

The Simple ? put simply to You and in All Your Faces

What is Equality for All

The ole Ice Creme Test

Last Night when asked which flavor of ice creme you like best you said Vanilla

Now dang who would of guessed that coming from a possible White Bigoted Racist Group

then when you were asked if there was a Ref: that read Vanilla Ice Creme is not good for Us ALL

Would you vote YES to outlaw Vanilla ice creme

Or would you vote NO to keep the ice creme

Your answer quote (they better not come after my bible or guns)

Now as usual you fogged the answer.

But Maine people are used to seeing thru the fog

So the ? is THIS

If you are abviously ready to defent your rights to keep you Bible and Guns by seemingly force

How can u justify not supporting a Human Being a protecting there Rights

You are willing to fight for a freakin book and a cold gun

Why not a human being

You know if you can`t answer that I hope you have a great appetite

For you my Snake are going to be eating a whole lotta NUTS

Hey folks how many people do you know that walk up to a snake and ask them how are u voting on anything.

((((( Electra and ALL of Maine are ? Dat !!!)))))

((((((((((( SCHRrrreeeeeeech ))))))))))))

Didn't have time to read all of the comments so pardon any redundancy.

Note that the No On One leaders had nothing to do with this. They also don't want to have his license revoked. It seems to be strictly a dispute within the shool counselor profession on their interal ethics; not for us to judge. Personally, I think he made unwise statements but has 1st Ammendment rights to do so.

Mainesurvivor i agree with you 100 percent. But see what you dont know is the No side are whiners. They know this vote is gonna be crucial and so close that they need to get any thing in the paper that helps them . Its what you call sore losers. I agree with you that the No side should grow up. If i had the opportunity i would just pull this and take it off the books. Anonon go back and read some of the posts u and tedlick have posted about lies. I know for a fact that a commercial that is being investigated but not pulled yet are not two gays guys. These two men are straight. How do i know this , well im not saying its being revealed later when this commercial is being looked at. And the woman on the commercial. Im a catholic always have been but im voting No. Well she dont even go to church and is a methodist. Great commercial No side. Trying to make us feel bad and voting No is not gonna work. We are gonna fight this to the end of times

9:57 Good one Harry

Jeffrey :

If you hadnt noticed that the yes side does thumbs down on NO on one also so dont try and use that and yes so what if same sex couples with children are well adjusted to the situation,,, does that bother you,,,maybe you should concentrate on your own family rather that picking on other families.

As far as experts in the field who are there to counsel,, thats it right there they are there to counsel not to bring their views and beliefs into the session.

If they can't be neutral in their profession then they have no business in it.

Talk about low ,how about the crap that is being thrown into this on the yes side,,,, evr heard of the right to freedom and persute of happiness?

I find it fascinating that Mr. Mendell uses the argument that kids of same-sex parents face 'difficult situations..." and "hardships". If that is indeed the case, it's only because of the stigma placed on them by the likes of Mr. Mendell and his narrow minded cohorts.

To those that are fearful of what same-sex marriage will do to "traditional" marriage, please check the CDC's statistics for Massachusetts' divorce rate. You will find that it has steadily dropped in the years since the legalization of gay marriage. Therefore, if your goal is to protect marriage,

VOTE NO on 1!

I totally agree with Realhockymom. This is a Swiftboating story. This is nothing more than an unconfirmed rumor being spread by Stand for Marriage Maine, a very unreliable source when it comes to telling the truth.

Realhockeymom wrote: "Why is the Bangor Daily even covering this non-story? There's absoluately no confirmation that there even IS a complaint. Just another chance to try and make supporters of equality in marriage look bad."

MaineSurvivor2: once again, this is not a "NO" tactic. This seems to be an internal professional matter and was ill-timed for all parties. He was suffiiciently discredited in responses in the press. However, this would seem to be no cause for revocation.

It seems that almost everyone has forgotten the primary reason that started the referendum to begin with, and that is that we the people already voted gay marriage down in 2005, only to have our untrustworthy legislators vote it in on their own this year. Yes on 1 is the peoples way of telling the privileged few in Augusta that they cannot go behind our backs and do whatever they want. As far as gay marriage is concerned, why not allow for civil unions to take place that would provide for some of the basic legal clauses such as inheritence or next of kin in emergencies without calling them marriages. Either way, the gist of the whole matter is that the state legislature owes the people of this state an appology for going against their vote and to recond the existing illegal law.

OMG this is going to be so much fun to watch when ALL of Maines

Blue Alliance Healthcare Workers Teachers UMO Student

All Goverment workers and just ALL the Citizens in Maine

and Around the Country and World that have a vested

interest Standing Straight and Tall for ALL our

Rights to EUALITY

I switched from Red Bull

to

Sugar Free NO FEAR

and can`t wait to

Sock it to Dem Serpant Bigots

Dang Can`t answer a simple ?

SteveK re: 9:57 I realized that you are supportive of same sex marriage and again appreciate your most current posting and comments....I for one as well as others I believe, IMHO, are not "scared" of anything except extending special rights to a segment of our population and then have those that are given the rights pursue further agendas and turn around and use the type of tactic that has been used in this case against a very good school counselor....Tell Mr. Mendell not to be "scared of same sex marriage" and advise him that the public charges, the accusations against him, the threat of losing his license, the threat of losing his job, etc. are nothing to be "scared" of....Crazy! The only clear and right option at this point is to VOTE YES on question #1 and then go back to the drawing board and pursue legislation that will extend benefits but eliminate the type of tactic we see used here and protecte ALL people...

45YRS Ago....the SAME arguments were being USED to FIGHT Inter-racial Marriage.......especially in the SOUTH.....the scare tactics of...."The Schools are gonna be Teaching your kids that Races can mix and marry" ...."Our Tradition of Marriage within ones Own race WILL BE THREATENED" ..and EVEN Religious Institutions Fought against Inter-racial Marriage...again USING the "What about the Children" line....... Meanwhile it was the Church who WAS Abusing Children for DECADES! ...and by thier recent Financial records/dealings...and Law suits - they are being forced to CLOSE Churches and schools for thier own SINS! But yet- they FINF money to Fight against Fairness and Equality. VOTE NO on #1 !!!!

Coronadrinker:

Like I said proof of lies not your bantering about lies.

Proof, lets see the proof about the commercial.

Also good thing that all the yes commercials are not about lies and that eveybody in the commercials are who they are,,, Yeah right ,,, It is to laugh LOL LOL LOL....\

Show us the proof of lies or don't bother stateing them...

(((((Hey dismayed~~~here is your apology and your NUT))))

chicky you are apparently confused about the course of law in this country. The government has OFTEN times passed or upheld legislation that was later found to be constitutional. A minority having to fight for their rights and have the constitution properly interpreted is nothing new I'm afraid.

And for those railing against the No on 1 side for the complaint, newsflash, THEY didn't file it, one single person did. Furthermore everyone seems to be confused about what free speech means. It does not mean freedom from consequences, it simply protects someone’s right to say it without fear of being arrested for it. This man is not being faced with legal action from the state, he is simply facing the concerns of his colleagues as a result of his opinion. If he can't deal with defending his opinion maybe he shouldn't have voiced it quite so publically.

I'm SURE Vote NO reps will come out IMMEDIATELY and support Mendall......and say this is not fair.......

insert crickets here......

the blacks do not like your comparison....evidenced by their overwhelming support of Prop 8 in California.

PabMainer quote (((The only clear and right option at this point is to VOTE YES on question #1 and then go back to the drawing board and pursue legislation that will extend benefits but eliminate the type of tactic we see used here and protecte ALL people))))

Here is your clear and right option

Here is your NUT enyoy!!! Pretty Please!!!

Yah chicky quote ((((the blacks do not like your comparison....evidenced by their overwhelming support of Prop 8 in California)))

Do you think Maine doesn`t know the difference between CA and ME

Do you mean ALL the Black that used intimatation to sway the vote

Here is a Big FAT White NUT for da YOU

The black population doesn't have to like the comparison (tho my gay black friends might disagree), as long as the COURTS do. That's the point that so many of you seem to be overlooking. Yes you have the right to vote anyway you want, but in matters of civil rights, it almost always goes to SCOTUS to deal with the fallout. If Question 1 passes it won't end on Nov. 3, much like Prop. 8, isn't over in California.

mrwaldo, I have done exactly that, in my 6:48am post.

Vote NO on 1, and protect the freedoms ALL of us should have.

Seem a bit odd that this close to the election, yes on 1 signs are being damaged and now this guy is getting investagated, I would not be surprised to find out this is all a stunt to prove their points as being true..you know the Gay Aganda..BTW could someone who is gay tell me what that is.I apparently missed that memo..

Dang, just asked Maine Coon Kitty

and she sad Maine doesn`t live by gang rule

Take another slug of NO FEAR and

And Stand Straight and PROUD electra and Vote

(((((((((NO on # 1 for the Maine and the ole USA))))))))))

chicky, the NAACP absolutely endorses the comparison, as do all of the leaders of the civil rights movement that are still alive.

But it matters not if they agree with the comparison. Our constitutional obligation is to extend equal protections under the law, and this good law recognizes this.

Vote NO on 1.

keep your nuts to yourself....and your text type. Read a little...blacks find the comparison insulting, as do Jewish people that take offense to the use of the pink traingle superimposed over the star of david.

chicky, the pink triangle was a symbol of the holocaust just as much as the yellow stars of david were.

Please, read up on some history on these issues.

Vote NO on 1, as history has shown it is NEVER a bad thing to extend equality to a minority.

chicky what is your point? That because other groups that have fought for civil equality find us offensive we should pack up and go home? Sorry, not going to happen.

Mr Waldo quote ((((I'm SURE Vote NO reps will come out IMMEDIATELY and support Mendall......and say this is not fair))))

Here is what Maine`rs think about you being fair and mentally balanced

((((Here is your fair share of NUTS))))

read the link to mass resitance...all parents gay or straight should be concerned.

10:22 AM, chicky, the pink triangle was used during the holocaust to mark homosexual men. The Star of David was comprised of 2 triangles and the Nazis used half of that to label homosexuals.

Chicky chicky OMG your quote ((((keep your nuts to yourself....and your text type. Read a little...blacks find the comparison insulting, as do Jewish people that take offense to the use of the pink traingle superimposed over the star of david.))))

That was one of the biggest poster Child Posters yet

Thank YOU thank YOU

(((I`ll but you a NO FEAR drink for DAT one)))

dna202 re: 9:55....according to your comments or assertions, even thought I speak my stance on this issue when appropriate (but not as publically as other professionals on both sides), I attend a church that teaches that homosexuality is a sin as equally as hundreds of other behaviors, I believe in equality for committed relationships, I believe in a standard of morality that calls homosexuality a sinful behavior, I do my job without prejudice, and I support voting YES of question #1, then my credibility as a professional has been compromised and the work that I have done for a lifetime, working with people of all color, religion, sexual orientation, background, economic status, etc. is null and void and I should surrender my 2 state issued licenses that allow me to perform my job? This is the exact reason that the only clear thing to do at this point is VOTE YES on question #1 and work towards providing future legislation to extend equality but also protect me from the very thing you have proposed in your comments....VOTING YES on question #1 and hoping and praying that my life will never be in the place that Mr. Mendell's is!! Horrific and shameful these accusations......

(((((((errr okay))))))))))))) what ever floats your boat

chicy google ((March of Shame))

I bet your like DAT

(((((((AND STILL NO FREAKING ANSWER FROM THE BIGOTS))))

you KNOW THAT TOUGH ONE ON ICE CREME

I'm pretty sure that the first amendment will prevail here. What he did does not qualify as hate speech. I think it was wrong of him to publicly support question 1 due to being a guidance counselor. But the school district can decide if that hinders his job. This other counselor has no basis for this action. This will help out the Yes on 1 people, such as forHIM who is always posting about discrimination of those opposed. Ridiculous.

i bet your white using stereotypical "thug" language but I am sure you see nothing racist in that

God Grant Me The Serenity

To Accept the Things I cannot Change

The Courage to Change the Things I can

And The Wisdom to know The Difference

(((((((( DANG )))))))))))

What's horrific and shameful about defending yourself and children against intolerance? As a gay person I would not feel comfortable having my children dealing with a counselor that had professed openly that he found my lifestyle harmful to any children I may have.

If he didn't want his job questioned he should have thought about that before vocalizing what he must have known to be a highly controversial opinion. Fact of the matter is, with or without gay marriage equality, this type of open moralizing about gay relationships could have ended him up here. If he were questioning interracial or interfaith joining people would almost universally be questioning his judgment. But because he was going after gay relationships, one of the last groups it’s still okay to open revile, he is being persecuted.

The double standard when it comes to gays is whats shameful.

PabMainer:

First off Seperate church and state issues.

What they do in Church is differant than what is done in the state.

If you are a councelor or guidence councelor or therepist and you work for the statem,, you can have your beliefs and opinions but you cannot involve them with your work because in your field you have to be neutral,, you cannot use your beliefs and opinions on to other people that you are counceling.

There is ONLY ONE way to deal with these HATE GANGS

WE ALL watched that happen in NEWPORT and the GREAT COURAGE it took for that Waitress to DO the RIGHT THINK for us ALL

10:20 AM, drdoolitel, actually the questions about this social worker in a public school should have been, and probably were raised when the public learned he was a high-school social worker. Although the comments he made were not against the American Sociological Association's position on same sex marriage but were about his opinion on school curriculum, his personal position on gay marriage is evident, and his statements were false. A social worker in a public school needs to provide professional counseling to all students, including gay students and those students are entitled to open and accepting counselor. The American Sociological Association, the American Psychiatric Association, and the American Psychological Association strongly support same sex marriage.

do you feel the same way about Sherri Gould in the No on One adds?(maines public school teacher of the year and paid GSA leader) If not you are being hypocritical.

drdoolitel:

I have sen many No signs being damaged and thrown in the woods also,, it is both side that are doing the damge to themselves

Yes, I feel that neither one should be in danger of losing a professional license, although Ms. Gould is not a counselor. Neither one's ad qualifies as hate speech.

For the record

STRAIGHT=VOTED NO ON 1

Yah chicky

If you can do more then lick boots

Try to make sence out of my 8:35 POST

But thanks for asking about who I be.

((((( (:~) )))))

Just a kitty cat don`t cha know

Coronadrinker:

I don't see no reply with the proof...

Oh well I guess we see what the statements from them actually amount to...

God, grant me the patienece to tolerate ElectraGlide.... : )

a guidance counselor in school is not a therapist. my childs guideance counselor only spoke to him about education and college.

So far the Yes on 1 campaign has offerred two reason to vote yes: 1) marriage promotes gay promiscuity, 2) marriage will spread STD's . They have also said that marriage will increase lawsuits and will encourage teaching of homosexuality in the schools and will promote homosexuality. Taking the last three first, Yes on 1 has some logic to support these three if you believe that homosexuality is a choice that can be promoted, influenced, or that is like a disease that can be spread through contact. Unfortunately for them in no state that has adopted marriage equality have these happenned and more obvious homosexuality is biological not a choice. Their model is wrong and it produces incorrect conclusions. The first two are irrational. Marriage discourages promiscuity in fact that is a primary purpose of marriage as we know it. By discouraging promiscuity it also reduces the spread of STD's.

So there no rational reason to vote Yes.

Vote NO on 1

10:35 AM, concernsme, I would think parents of gay students in that district would be concerned and would complain to the school administration. Then again, parents of gay kids as well as the kids themselves often accept that sort of subtle oppression, fearing a backlash from peers. This sort of thing does a lot of damage over time.

chicky...you really need to read some history before you post something which includes references to the Holocaust. Hitler wanted a master race and in wanting this he exterminated some 67% of Europe's Jewish population. But he didn't stop there. He exterminated;

Soviet POWs 2–3 million

Ethnic Poles 1.8–2 million

Romani 220,000–1,500,000

Disabled 200,000–250,000

Homosexuals 5,000–15,000

Jehovah's Witnesses 2,500–5,000

and others

All of these people suffered at the hands of Hitler and the SS. They all bore the same hate from Hitler and his quest for a "Master Race".

They were all exterminated for who they were or what they believed in and nothing more.

If Don Mendell came out and said "christian students cant function well in society due to their lack of tolerance for other religions and inability to distinguish between "papal law" and civil law", or " students of Jewish parents are feeling angst at Nokomis High due to the fact we are primarily a catholic dominated school" or "African American students have a hard time fitting in in our school, because we are primarily a white dominated school" and he expressed the same willingness to use these hypothetical situations to advance a political issue like segregation, hate crimes or religious freedom laws etc, he would be out of a job before the day was out for being biased on a political issue. He is a GUIDANCE Councilor ,he (by his position) must be unbiased and HELP students (children) understand the feelings they have, pressures they are feeling or answer questions they have. By supporting a political issue and a CIVIL LAW ,that has nothing to do with religion, he has called attention to his own bias and therefore his lack of neutrality on a situation that the students in his charge may want to discuss. He should no longer be allowed to push his agenda on these students and all parents should question his effectiveness on any issue! His opinion is his own and he has the right to express it, the issue is, now that his opinion has become public by appearing in a commercial - can he be an effective council for ALL students. The answer is obviously --- NO

I cant not make "sence" out of your tirades about snakes, ice "creme" and your nuts. It is below my pay grade.

((((HEY you Closet POT SMOKERS do YOU want YOUR RIGHTS or NOT))))

The Spirt of God is watching YOU

I for one look forward one day SOON....when this is before the United States Supreme Court.....and ALL the 50 states will be Subject to the Courts decision..that ALL states MUST abide by the 14th Ammendment to the United States....that ALL People Are Treated Equally under the Law...NO RELIGION NEEDED. Imagine how HUMILIATING THIS IS...and Embarrassing to Have YOUR RIGHTS decided on by people who don't even know you. ...America - Live UP to what you Espouse to the rest of the world - LIBERTY & JUSTICE FOR ALL.

chicky dang good honesty there

Now do yu want to answer the ?

ALL the NO`rs are here to help you in front ALL of Maine

another Dang YES or NO ?

dna202:

Well said

10:51 AM, dna202, a strong statement, and I totally agree.

too many comments to read, and I know this is just what the yes side wants to hear so they can twist it into a plea to save the children.

but I have to say it: that councilor should NOT be counciling children! If someone said blacks have kids that suffer and we should encourage kids to not have black parents, he'd be fired.

I certainly would not want any member of my familiy taking advice from such a bigot and the school should not employ someone who has stated publicly...no, he's not just stated this but advocated for laws enshrining it, that he feels some of his students are inappropriate families.

this is NOT about "teaching the kids about homosexuality"...what a dumb charge that is. It is about a public servant stating publicly he cannot do his job without bias.

Unfit to serve!

chicky re: your 10:47 AM you are assuming they only spoke with their Guidance Councilor about school and college.

I suggest that you check out the American School Counselor Association "Ethical Standards for School Counselors"

http://www.schoolcounselor.org/content.asp?contentid=173

"E.2. Diversity

The professional school counselor:

a. Affirms the diversity of students, staff and families.

b. Expands and develops awareness of his/her own attitudes and beliefs affecting cultural values and biases and strives to attain cultural competence.

c. Possesses knowledge and understanding about how oppression, racism, discrimination and stereotyping affects her/him personally and professionally.

d. Acquires educational, consultation and training experiences to improve awareness, knowledge, skills and effectiveness in working with diverse populations: ethnic/racial status, age, economic status, special needs, ESL or ELL, immigration status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, family type, religious/spiritual identity and appearance."

This was just one piece of the total Ethics section. The rest is very interesting reading too.

I am against the councilor AND the teacher having a public opinion. The no side on this site is only concerned with one of them and its not the teacher.

Addisonattimes :

I couldn't agree more.. You said it he should not be in his prefession

Teachers & educators from either position should not have engaged in ads on Question 1.

There are many reasons why, the biggest being that Question 1 does not have a thing to do with school curriculum. Nothing to do with it. [Repeat this one thousand or so times until, if you have not yet, you have gotten this into your head. Some of you could say this non-stop until death & I still don't think you would get it].

What this curriculum thing is about is to give people something to hide their homophobia behind. No, not everyone who opposes Question 1 feels this way. But, we can all be assured that there are those out there who are using this education non-issue that way. And, they should be ashamed on an intellectual level for being so disingenuous.

Next week, Yes or No, the schools could opt to teach about SSM. My guess is that they won't, but they could. But again, this would have nothing to do with how Question 1 turns out.

I have amused myself with the idea that people would oppose the other referendum questions by also making out that these would be taught in schools as well. If Question 2 passes, will students be given instructions on taxation methods? If Question 3 passes, will students be indoctrinated on the merits of school consolidation?

PUT simply chiky~~~would you stand by and let small minortity group try to convince the rest of the people of Maine take your favority ice cream away from YOU????????.

(((((((YES or NO)))))

11:05 AM, chicky, because the teacher on the "no side" was telling the truth. Nobody is emotionally harmed by what the teacher said. It did not exclude a group of students.

Well,our Governor should not have allowed it to begin with,It should have been decided by the people from the beginning, It's like giving someone something but at the same time saying it might be taken back,well,that senereo,just causes more probloms and the Governor goes his merry way,

sports47 - civil rights for a minority should NEVER be decided on by the voting public, what the governor did was exactly right.

how does telling a child that their religion is wrong (which is against the free exercise of) by a teacher not harm a child? I think both sides should be neutral. I do not base this on a relgious background because I could not tell you why religions (christianity, judeaism, and islam) consider homosexual acts a sin. I have been in church exactly six times, I must of missed that sermon......but it seems to me we all should get the social engineering out of public schools because one side violates the 1st amendment and the other violates civil rights law for religion AND sexual orientation.

PUT simply chiky~~~would you stand by and let small minortity group try to convince the rest of the people of Maine take your favority ice cream away from YOU????????.

(((((((YES or NO)))))

The legislature decided I can not smoke in a public park, state park etc. outside!! but I will comply with the law.

On 10/30/09 at 10:50 AM, WilliamDS wrote:

10:35 AM, concernsme, I would think parents of gay students in that district would be concerned and would complain to the school administration. Then again, parents of gay kids as well as the kids themselves often accept that sort of subtle oppression, fearing a backlash from peers. This sort of thing does a lot of damage over time.

WilliamDS: As I said I think it is wrong. I have a child in that district and was upset about the ad. I think it diminishes his role and may prevent a gay student from feeling safe to speak with him. BUT, I think that discipline if any is warranted is a school issue, not a reason to revoke his license. This was not hate speech.

11:16 AM, sporst47, since about 95% of the population is heterosexual, how do you "the people" would have decided? Just because a majority votes for something does not mean it's a constitutionally sound decision. That's why the legislature passed it.

Vote NO on ONE

chicky maybe this will help you for that is all anyone wants to do

Wrote by ElectraGlide

A while back on one these comment sections on the Equality for All issue. Someone said for them it ALL boils down to Good vs.Evil. I would really like to meet that person someday. He helped ME so very Much.

I have been Baptized in the Catholic Church in Maine as a boy. I have been Baptized at a Protestant Church in LA California after getting out of the Army.

So in away you could say I have been trying searching for what the Spirit of God really meant to me for awhile. In that search I think I have decided what that is for ME.

I have heard a lot of people on this site say they do not believe in a God, which is just fine with me.

For me; I finally realized that the Word and Spirit of God has and will always be looked at in many different ways since the beginning of God until the end of time.

So what does God mean to ME.

For me; God is the Spirit that is inside us ALL.

For me; My Gods Spirit helps me everyday of my life in trying to figure out what is the Right Thing or Wrong thing to help me to decide what is Good and what is Evil.

For me; That Spirit lives in ALL of US.

For me; That is what the Spirit of God is All about.

I thank my Gods Spirit for letting me be involved in this thought process.

And really do appreciate ALL that have been involved.

Just for me.

And no one forced me to decide for myself what is God for me.

ElectraGlide Thanks you One and ALL.

Voting No on # 1 very Proudly

11:25 AM, concernsme, I agree but the damage has already been done. Gay kids will not feel safe with him.

Oh, here we go. Revenge for a school teacher, who has every right, to express his concerns about any issue, not just #1 Weather or not you agree, or disagree with Mr. Mendell, that is not the point. What is wrong with some of those idiot's that are trying to stifle opinions? It surely will be interesting to see, just who has the courage on the school committee for the Newport area, to praise Mr. Mendell, for his courageous stand that he espouses. The seriousness of this possible target of revenge, is just beyond belief, however, should we be surprised? Remember, we live in a society today, where the kooks seem to rein in many areas. It is truly scary, and not a Halloween scare either.

Courage- elected officials- Courage! Larry T. Doughty, South Brewer- larrytdoughty@yahoo.com. www.ourstory.com/larrytdoughty/

11:29 AM, Larryt39, a school teacher needs to serve all students. Gay kids should not be marginalized by a teacher expressing an opinion that has nothing to do with school. Schools need to be inclusive as long as they are getting taxpayers money.

PROTECT THE CHILDREN OF MAINE...........VOTE YES.........ON QUESTION ONE

11:36 AM, limlib, actually, it's the other way around.

Vote NO on ONE

Protect all Maine families and their children. Uphold this good law.

Vote NO on 1.

inclusive of religion as well....not promoting it but respecting it and the free exercise of it. Ms Gould is sending a message to her students that some may find harmful. I do not know the answer but perhaps teachers and tax payer funded schools should just be neutral. and have age appropriate zero tolerance for bullying of any kind.

Time to reitterate - I have spoken to my son's school - they do not teach any kind of marriage in middle school let alone elementary in Old Town.

NO ON 1!

SCOTT FISH IS RIGHT ON. THIS IS WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF THIS LAW STANDS. THESE PEOPLE WILL BE GOING AFTER ANYONE WHO DISAGREES WITH GAY MARRIAGE. THATS WHAT THIS IS ABOUT. VOTE YES. AND ALL THIS TALK ABOUT TOLERANCE AND RIGHTS BY THE LEFT. THESE PEOPLE ARE ALL ABOUT UNFAIRLY DISCREDITING OPPONENTS TO THEIR GAY AGENDA, NOT ABOUT TRUTH.

PabMainer re: 10:30 you wrote "even thought I speak my stance on this issue when appropriate (but not as publically as other professionals on both sides)"

This is exactly the issue this article has exposed. I assume you ,like me ,are in a public profession and in that profession are commanded to be unbiased. In our private lives we can have any opinion we want on any issue. But in our chosen professions we have got to maintain an open and unbiased mindset. If I came out on a commercial - used my real name - posted my title - and voiced my opinion, I would be committing career suicide (as i assume you would be too). Me being opposed to this veto and you in favor of it. Mr. Mendell chose to do that very thing the one difference being that he is a public school councilor. The children at Nokomis have no choice but to turn to him. Students are introduced to their councilors on day one of their freshmen year and told these are the people to turn too with ANY issue they need help with. By doing this VERY publicly he has now negated his open-mindedness and effectively limited the issues "his" students can come to him with. Thus he can no longer be trusted by students who want his unbiased help.

(((((((((Wow just WoW (((chicky))) Rock ON ))))))))))

Electra Wife and Kitty Standing Proud and Voting NO

DisgustedAmerican: I also look forward to that day. When ALL people are treated fairly under the Constitution; where this will be uniform, so that , for example, if a same sex couple moves from Vermont, to say, Pennsylvania, there will be no problem as the law will apply fairly everywhere. It will happen!

Voted NO on 1.

My kids are college age now, but if they were still in high school, I would hope that they had a guidance counselor who was there to provide academic counsel and help to all students; he should remain unbiased, no question.

massm22: I agree, re 9:20. Maybe that man, Mr Mendell, would be better suited to work at a non-secular school, not a school where he needs to counsel kids from all kinds of backgrounds and families. I would not advocate he be fired, though.

HarrySnyder: Yes, so much more tolerance and understanding from the younger people on this....yes!!

The identity of the person who filed this lame suit should be publicized. When someone tries to smear anothers reputation, they need to be have accountability.

Oh, here we go. Revenge for a school teacher, who has every right, to express his concerns about any issue, not just #1 Weather or not you agree, or disagree with Mr. Mendell, that is not the point. What is wrong with some of those idiot's that are trying to stifle opinions? It surely will be interesting to see, just who has the courage on the school committee for the Newport area, to praise Mr. Mendell, for his courageous stand that he espouses. The seriousness of this possible target of revenge, is just beyond belief, however, should we be surprised? Remember, we live in a society today, where the kooks seem to rein in many areas. It is truly scary, and not a Halloween scare either.

Courage- elected officials- Courage! Larry T. Doughty, South Brewer- larrytdoughty@yahoo.com. www.ourstory.com/larrytdoughty/

(((((((((Hey JoeDoe~~~you have been mouthing your opinion for days on here

is that ALL you GOT is a MOUTH

or DO have EARS like the REST of US))))))))))

Where are the journalists at the BDN? Gay marriage taught in schools has examples all over the US. Why hasnt the BDN done research and run some storys of what has happened in other states. Its obvious what has happened. the examples are there, someone just has to go do the work. I guess they just want to re-gurgitate storys from other papers and news sources.

(((((((((Yes JOE another yes no ?)))))))))

Hey Joe if you don`t want to be know as a Bigoted uninformed Voter if you have a vote here??

((((((((YES another YES NO ?))))))))

I cannot believe in this day and age people are so worried about what will happen to their children if No on One is the final result. OMG take a look at yourselves and see what you are teaching them! I personally know people that are homosexual/lesbians. They have raised very respectable children and are some of the best damn parents around. The Yes people are searching hard for excuses on what homosexual/lesbians are doing to their children....HELLO what are you doing to them yourselves? I have children and do my best at raising them to love people of different cultures, beliefs...ect....I agree that people should be able to love who makes them HAPPY regardless of their sex! I will stand by my children no matter who they love as long as they are HAPPY! That is why I am voting No on ONE! I wish some people would just think before they speak!

The guidance counselor isn't accused of being anti gay and he didn't make an anti gay statement. He merely observed that children of gay parents have to face difficulties, and this is something that anyone living in the real world knows is true. He's in a good position to know about that subject and he shared with us and it shouldn't be a big deal. If you really care about the children, maybe we shouldn't be encouraging even more gays to try raising children without the benefit of an opposite sex role model. Sexuality is confusing enough to teens without having to also try to deal with same sex "parents" as their primary role models. I wouldn't outlaw it but I don't think we should be encouraging it either because I don't think it's good for kids. Or you can demand your "rights" and use kids to make a political statement, no matter what negative effect it might have on them.

YES on ONE

All you have to do is look where all Gays went - They hid behind the collar that is supposed to represent God and place that was safe - instead the Gays masqueraded as priest and sodimised our children and cost the churches millions - The military doesn't want them - I know a 5th grade Gay Teacher and he confided that during breaks he would go to the bathroom and look down at his male students so he can get a glimpse of THEIR PACKAGE - Gays & Lesbians are paramount to Pedophiles - We have to tolerate them and live among them - There is no good reason we should have to change the definition of marriage - something that has worked for over 2000 years - We should instead invest in finding a cure for these sexually confused members of society - Gays are simply women trapped in Male Bodies & Lesbians are Men trapped in Female Bodies - Thinkaboutit - VOTE YES ON QUESTION 1 - There should be any question to begin with -

DouglasWatts.. Don't group all Yes on 1 voters as Bigots.... We all have reasons for why we are going to vote either way.. We could call you and anti-straight Bigot... I am pro Traditional Marriage...and am for gay people to have the same rights.. just not calling it "marriage"

Thank you lc1077 for your thoughts. Amazing people in this day and age still teach children to hate, isn't it? VOTING NO ON 1 - there's no logical reason not to :)

Think about it— extending equality to more members of our society has never been a bad thing.

Vote NO on 1.

"instead the Gays masqueraded as priest and sodimised our children and cost the churches millions "

First of all those people were pedophiles, not gay. HUGE difference. Secondly if the CHURCH hadn't hidden thier activities and moved them around for decades maybe it wouldn't have been the scandal it turned into.

"I know a 5th grade Gay Teacher and he confided that during breaks he would go to the bathroom and look down at his male students so he can get a glimpse of THEIR PACKAGE" Somehow I HIGHLY doubt he would tell you this, but if he did, he is once again a PEDOPHILE, not gay, big difference.

"Gays & Lesbians are paramount to Pedophiles " No, no we aren't. I have no desire to have a sexual relationship with a child, thanks.

"Gays are simply women trapped in Male Bodies & Lesbians are Men trapped in Female Bodies - Thinkaboutit " I think perhaps you are the one that needs to THINK about it, as most of your post is misinformed nonsense.

I don't know what all the fuss is about. I thought there was already a gay marriage vote a few years that failed or something like it. Even if it is recalled by the majority the officials in Augusta that the majority voted for will vote against there constituents. They play by their own rules...

Whether you vote yes or no remember who you have in Augusta misrepresenting you...

NorthofAugusta, have you read the report? Read it. http://www.republicanproject.org/sites/default/files/LGBTQ_CommissionFinalReport.pdf. It very clearly lists the ways K-12 schools will be required to have this "tolerance" cirriculum. All Baldacci has to do is make it law. Why not, since marriage is ok?

Reject this morally inept law. Protect family values as well as the children in Maine. Vote "YES" on Question 1. This is NOT a "rights issue" in any way, shape, form or manner. Mainers will show the country that we are driven by family values.

Lots of people commenting on this list are confusing how they feel with what the law is & what ethics are. These apparently are often mutually exclusive for many of you.

Discrimination is illegal, no matter what your reason for doing so.

Freedom of speech gives the guidance counselor the right to say as he pleases. His employer may think otherwise, though, if he, as a representative of the school, misrepresents the employer's policies.

I have particular feelings about several of the referendum questions, but know that I cannot express those opinions as a representative of my employer.

Some people are just dumb. Sucks to be them.

Yes on Question 5....it will help to make this world a better place and be able to tolerate this kind of nonsense! People need to just agree to disagree and move on.

(((Ic1077)))((( Jeffrey)))((( Thinkaboutit)))((( Tikitorch)))((( jsutmyopinion625)))

MOre big multi headed serpant big mouths

Time for anothe jug of NO FEAR

OK Maine are YOU watching

Are anyone of YOU able to answer a simple YES~~~NO~~~~?

About your favoite ice cream

I bet it is vanilla

I`ll but you an icecream cone

From ole Electra for being so nice today for ALL of US in ole Maineville.

NOW be CAREful for we are dany sure looking for more

POSTER CHILDS FOR VOTE NO ON # 1

The majority of the priest that were judged and found guilty of being Pedifiles were Gay - The Gay Teacher never was caught or may never have had a relationship with a student is not a convicted pedifile but certainly is Gay with a perverted mindset - He confided this as he was hoping I was BiSexual - Needless to say we are no longer speaking -

(((Ic1077)))((( Jeffrey)))((( Thinkaboutit)))((( Tikitorch)))((( jsutmyopinion625)))

MOre big multi headed serpant big mouths

Time for anothe jug of NO FEAR

OK Maine are YOU watching

Are anyone of YOU able to answer a simple YES~~~NO~~~~?

About your favoite ice cream

I bet it is vanilla

I`ll but you an icecream cone

From ole Electra for being so nice today for ALL of US in ole Maineville.

NOW be CAREful for we are dany sure looking for more

POSTER CHILDS FOR VOTE NO ON # 1

jeffrey: 11:58 "The guidance counselor isn't accused of being anti gay and he didn't make an anti gay statement."

Mr. Mendell's post on the BDN editorial page.

Sex education?

The editorial “Same-Sex Among Us” (BDN, Sept. 18) accused those who oppose a law changing the definition of marriage of falsehoods and of “bringing children into the fray.” Having attended the April hearing in Augusta regarding the law, I witnessed many gay-marriage supporters bringing children up to the microphone, often holding them up to make their point. Only one of the opponents of gay marriage did that in the more than three hours I was there. A 7- or 8-year-old child was led to the microphone sobbing that people “wouldn’t let her auntie get married.”

Sex education is not the spearhead of the “homosexual marriage and behavior is equal to that of heterosexuality” message. It’s being done through the teachers who are forming clubs and organizing activities that purport to speak to harassment, but in fact are aggressively promoting an equality-of-behavior agenda with children in our schools. A club-approved poster, asking “When did you decide that you were straight?” has been placed, for the past two years, in our school hallway less than 50 feet from the main entrance. Try to read the words “When did you decide that you were straight” as might 13-year-old ninth-graders their first day of high school.

Objections that these efforts are not in keeping with this stage of development have not been heard. A yes vote on Question 1 can make your voice heard; a no vote will give those who use children’s trusting nature to turn them against the natural law written in all people the power to silence the rest of us.

Donald Mendell

Palmyra

You are right he is not being accused of being anti-gay he has already proved it! you should really research more before you comment, the commercial was not the only thing he has put out there for the world to see. By his own admission he is not just anti same sex marriage he is anti-gay.

The situation that Mr. Mendell is describing took place without marriage equality. It was a pro-tolerance project started by the school's three-year-old Gay-Straight Alliance. So to use it to discredit the merits of marriage equality is just plain absurd. Mr. Mendell's point of contention here does not revolve around the current legislation -- it revolves around acceptance in general!

((((Hey ALL you POT SMOKERS))))

Let`s just say this January Maines Legislature Voted that Marijuana is NOW LEGAL

(((fine by ME if it is LEGAL)))

Now a oh so small group of bigoted bibe thumpers got together enough signatures and the Ref ? # 1 IS

Marijuana is Bad for US ALL

Vote YES if YOU agree

Vote NO if YOU don`t agree

((((((( I think ole Eletra will Vote NO on # 1 )))))))))))))

What is the diference other then one is human and one is a plant !!!!

Electra - this is the 2nd or 3rd time you've condemned me for being a NO SUPPORTER!! Pay attention. Sheesh. READ MY LIPS - I SUPPORT THE RIGHT OF GAYS TO MARRY. Oh and my favorite ice cream is pistachio! :)

@12:01 PM, Thinkaboutit: I really should commend you. You should be entitled to some kind of award for being able to pack the most lies, misconceptions and completely moronic BS into the fewest words. Such efficiency.

Sadly there isn't a functioning brain attached to it.

Help stamp out lies. Please vote No on One.

pot ruins your short term memory. need proof? ((((((( you can find it))))))))))

((((((Sorry))))) justmyopinion

You know this is just not a piece of cake keeping track of all the snakes and the REAL people that have a REAL DOG invested in this issue

dang da u understand

(((((Sorry AGain)))) (:~)

I have given this a lot of thought, and this is the conclusion I have come to: I cannot support voting based on views from a book that has been translated, and re-translated by man for man's purpose... not to mention that the Bible was edited for content by the Council of Nicaea. I will be voting NO on 1; voting my conscience and heart and NOT following some rhetoric that has been %^@*&ized and altered countless times by man. I urge you all to think carefully before voting, as well. Peace. Have a safe and Happy Halloween for the munchkins.

All good Electra ;) Just wanted to be sure you were clear on my stance!

VOTE NO ON 1 - there's no logical reason not to!

thats three books actually. Koran, Bible, and Torah. just keeping it honest.

chicky~~~hey, so does alcohol u know

I sometimes think I was part of an experiment of how much self abuse I could do back in the day

I have mellowed alot now

but not one is going to tell me that POT is a gateway DRUG

I would say most would agree being over 62 mite have something w / short term of most stuff I do compared to the days in my past.

(((((((((But what I could do many times dang well, I can still do dang well ONCE and that is a FACT)))))

Peace, LoriHall. Have a happy, safe and fun Halloween.

On 10/30/09 at 12:01 PM, Thinkaboutit wrote:

All you have to do is look where all Gays went - They hid behind the collar that is supposed to represent God and place that was safe - instead the Gays masqueraded as priest and sodimised our children and cost the churches millions

Those peple are pedophiles, not gay.

I know a 5th grade Gay Teacher and he confided that during breaks he would go to the bathroom and look down at his male students so he can get a glimpse of THEIR PACKAGE - Gays & Lesbians are paramount to Pedophiles - -

i don't believe you. If you know that a teacher, or any adult was doing this, it is your duty as a citizen to report it to the authorities. If you did not do so, you are as guilty as this perv in the offense to the children. Still, I would say this person is a pedophile, has nothing to do with being a homosexual. A male teacher looking in on female children would also be a pedophile. Distinction being CHILDREN vs CONSENTING ADULTS.

(((( I just feel that I am not un-educated about the two subjects ((alcohol / pot)) and never have tried any off those heavy drugs))))

I suspect there will be more lawsuits from gays and lesbians if Question 1 passes and revokes same sex marriage than if Question 1 fails and the law takes effect.

well said DisgustedAmerican VOTE NO 1

It's people like haakon & WilliamDS that will sink their efforts - These two Gay Bigots have one agenda - We need to keep our Children Safe and Keep these Bigots in the closet - It has worked for 2000 years - I can live with the way things are now for another 2000 years - VOTE YES ON QUESTION 1 - KEEP MAINE SCHOOLS SAFE & OUR CHILDREN

There is such thing is being objective, which is what anybody who works with the public should be.

An objective guidance counciler would allow a student who objected to gays (or any other stance on an issue) to speak about that. They would then proceed to ask questions and search for a solution to the issue. It's not about being "PC," it's about being fair. Perhaps the conclusion would be to agree to disagree with other classmates, or whatever.

I've taught in schools before and I allowed students with controversial opinions to speak about those ideas. I prefaced by making sure they presented those ideas in a thoughtful and respectful way. I never once interjected and told a student they were wrong for having an unpopular or polar opinion. Had I prefaced any discussion by stating my opinion, that'd be wrong.

Students should be able to arrive at and discover ideas and thoughts themselves. This guidance counciler very publicly shared his opinion with his "uniform" on and through his work role. Had he shared it as a "civilian" and as a member of the general public, I think things would be very different.

While there have been educators from the No side that have done the exact same thing, they instead shared their knowledge in order to debunk claims from the Yes side. They also spoke from a standpoint in which all students and their parents should be protected and considered equal.

On 10/30/09 at 12:01 PM, Thinkaboutit wrote:

"I know a 5th grade Gay Teacher and he confided that during breaks he would go to the bathroom and look down at his male students so he can get a glimpse of THEIR PACKAGE"

I agree with TolBig80 that the teacher did not say anything to you. If he really did tell you that and you failed to report his comments, then you are just as guilty as the techer and if anything happened to a child as a result, you should face the same punishment as the pedophile.

(((Thinkaboutit)))

We of Maine ((apoligize)) to you

If we had only known u were a ((((knuckly dragging APE))) we would of offered you a (((BANANA instead of NUT)))

Could you stand-by on dat

((((((We ALL haven`t agreed where you should STICK DAT)))))

Thinkaboutit: Keep spreading your lies. It is people like YOU who have helped a lot of erstwhile referendum supporters see that they are being deceived by SFMM and the Yes on One campaign. You use the age-old tactic of trying to equate gays with pedophiles, but more and more people understand that there is indeed a very distinct difference. Gays don't prey on children. Gay couples are looking to form legally recognized relationships together -- ADULT couples.

You don't understand the difference because you don't want to understand the difference. So you keep spreading lies and personal prejudice.

Thinkaboutit - even if Question 1 passes gays and lesbians aren't going anywhere, and certainly not back in the closet. We have nothing to be ashamed about and we will continue to fight for full equality under the law. If Question 1 passes you will likely hear much more about gay marriage in the media then if it fails.

We are no threat to your children, I'm sorry that you seem to think otherwise. Regarding your not reporting a suspected pedophile; it brings to mind the recent gang rape case in California where a crowd stood around and did nothing as a fifteen year old girl was brutally raped. If you suspect that someone is going to harm a child it is your DUTY to report it. Standing by and letting something reprehensible happen is unconscionable and indefensible.

"I've taught in schools before and I allowed students with controversial opinions to speak about those ideas. I prefaced by making sure they presented those ideas in a thoughtful and respectful way. I never once interjected and told a student they were wrong for having an unpopular or polar opinion. Had I prefaced any discussion by stating my opinion, that'd be wrong"

I know that it's been considered PC for many years now to be completely non-judgmental, everything is right and God forbid anyone say anything is wrong. But did you ever consider what the "GUIDANCE" part of guidance counselor was intended to mean? If teachers and guidance counselors don't give your considered opinion on a subject, HOW do you teach or GUIDE the kids. Or maybe we should just rename the position, "Political Correctness Facilitator?"

Is it guidance to tell a child that their orientation is morally wrong? What exactly are we guiding them to then--self-loathing? It is very different to guide a child away from drugs or "the wrong crowd" than it is to tell them that they or their families don't measure up. Regardless of if you think orientation is a choice or not, the fact is that it exists. You can't ask them to change who they are if you wouldn't ask the same thing of others. For example, many American Muslims were unfairly targeted after 9/11, would it be fair ask them to stop participating in their religion?

Don't act like you can't see a distinction between the two.

I offer as evidence that the marriage equality law should be enacted the arguments of those who wish to repeal it. Shameful ...really, and an embarrassment to the people of Maine.

Vote NO on ONE

Soooooooooo I ask you - The Gay & Lesbian members of this planet - If Question 1 stays the same - Will you Gay Men stay away from straight women - This grandmother from Lewiston who is a Catholic (Iike anyone cares) says her gay son & partner provide a good home for her grandson - Well what was her Gay son doing with a straight woman in the 1st place - Sounds to me like Homosexuals are crossing the line and preying on straight women - I've never heard of a Gay Man & a Lesbian having sex - How come during this campagne all the ads on TV supporting Gay Marriage are straight people - Is it because you don't know to speak without sounding like a woman - or you can't keep your hands from going left and right while you speak - The fact of matter is - The Gay & Lesbian Community have not demonstrated that you can act & conduct yourself within the majority of the population - Maybe if you don't promote your promiscuous behavior and dance around like fairies - we the majority of the people might not be so judgmental - Gay Parents should not be parents if you stay in your own ranks - Straight people who have gay / lesbian children - these children deserve all the rights as anyone else - and should be treated like anyone else - Marriage is not about equal rights - it's about a 2000 year old tradition that has worked very well - I HAVE VOTED YES ON QUESTIONS 1 THRU 7 - I HAVE VOTED NO ON THE BOND ISSUE - LET'S GET IT RIGHT THIS TIME

Think aboutaboutit quote (((Gay Parents should not be parents if you stay in your own ranks)))

(((Think about this (( I have never in 62 yrs on this planet ever ever hear an 85 year old grandmother say anything like stay in your own ranks

Isn`t dat something u all do waitng to see whose boot u r going to LICK or whose BUTT u r going to slap fondly)))

You obviously must of been abused as a child, for u seem to have an I ME I ME I ME ME and if you don`t I`m going to ACT OUT)))

We told u stand by for where we r going to stick that big ole (((YELLOW BANANNA)))

Isn`t that YOUR COLORS now STOP ACTING OUT unless u want to try the ICE CREAM ???

Ya know the same patiently waited for answer that we have waited for. Do you know the difference between (((YES & NO))) ????

In regards to Mr. Mendell, he is NOT having his license challenged because of his stance or statement of his stance on SSM, he is having his license challenged because of a breach of ethics, the very ethics he vowed to follow during his pursuit of his Social Worker License. Here a just a few of the ethics he trampled:

From the NASW (National Association of Social Workers) Code of Ethics

4.02 Discrimination

Social workers should not practice, condone, facilitate, or collaborate with any form of discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, political belief, religion, immigration status, or mental or physical disability.

4.03 Private Conduct

Social workers should not permit their private conduct to interfere with their ability to fulfill their professional responsibilities.

4.04 Dishonesty, Fraud, and Deception

Social workers should not participate in, condone, or be associated with dishonesty, fraud, or deception.

4.06 Misrepresentation

(a) Social workers should make clear distinctions between statements made and actions engaged in as a private individual and as a representative of the social work profession, a professional social work organization, or the social worker’s employing agency.

6.04 Social and Political Action

(d) Social workers should act to prevent and eliminate domination of, exploitation of, and discrimination against any person, group, or class on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, political belief, religion, immigration status, or mental or physical disability

Thinkaboutit - There are also bi-sexuals- it is possible that her son was Bi and not gay.

Furthermore, due to a sometimes hostile social and home environment (shocking to you I'm sure as you seem SO very tolerant) many gay people try to deny their true orientation at first, often ending up in straight relationships that can sometimes produce children.

Please try to take your own advice and "think about it" before posting, on the otherhand you are nothing but helpful for the No on 1 side.

I offer as evidence of the ignorance associated with the repeal effort, the poster "Thinkaboutit." What an embarrassment to Mainers.

Vote NO on ONE

Just heard that (((Vote Yes))) radio special interest mumbo jumgo saying Maine just wants to be (((tolerant)))

All I can think of Is ALL those books I have read and Movies I`ve seen.

Come on ((Jews)) just get in the (((Trains))) and))) Paradise awaits YOU. o my o my

((( Just one more of the Marches of Shame )))

(((It makes my Blood Boil when these same type of BIGOTS think the samething should be done to the GAYS))))

at 2:36 PM, Thinkaboutit wrote: "I HAVE VOTED YES ON QUESTIONS 1"

Good for you. Now STFU.

NOt Trying to be over confident or anything like that.

But I have heard back from alot of my friends that they have

changed there minds on following the comments section or all ready were voting NO

or just trust what I told them what it was about.

Like a Maine Black Bear smells (((HONEY))) and knows where it is

Prepare yourself for the Party of a Life Time

A freakin ((((LANDSLIDE for NO)))) Just Electras Guess

That would be Electras Vote to NO on # 1 and (((PROUD)))

Meanwhile it was the Church who WAS Abusing Children for DECADES! ...and by thier recent Financial records/dealings...and Law suits - they are being forced to CLOSE Churches and schools for thier own SINS! But yet- they FINF money to Fight against Fairness and Equality..............................................................................................................................

The church you kidding me, the church is made of different families, the people and the majority are good people. If what happen in the church the way it did is because of people like you, who infiltrated the church hiding behind and collar and thing you would have had it made there for a while. But you see these people had the decency to admit what they did was wrong, but it put the rest of the people in embarrassment because of their action, and of course the people supposedly been abuse, were very glad to get the money, if there would not have been any money involved they would have stay where they were and things would have been taken care off in quiet and not make it a pubic issue. Money is what drives people to do what they do and so consideration for the rest of the community who have to suffer for what they did. How many other people out there who have done the same thing who had the cuts to admit to their wrong doing, Mostly all of them are still hiding in the closet, but not some because they don't know better when to stop!

Don't blame the church blame people like you who go around say good is bad and bad is good using word and mind games to confuse the populous!

God bless you my friend, he loves everyone with no exception, I guess I have to try harder to do the same thing!!

Vote Yes on One, it will make a difference , you know!

Wow thinkaboutit - you really need to THINK ABOUT IT! SOOOOO yes side, still claiming there aren't haters and bigots in your "camp"? Your poster child thinkaboutit sure is proving you wrong. VOTE NO ON 1 - there is no logical reason not to!

Soooooooooo I ask you - The Gay & Lesbian members of this planet - If Question 1 stays the same - Will you Gay Men stay away from straight women - This grandmother from Lewiston who is a Catholic (Iike anyone cares) says her gay son & partner provide a good home for her grandson - Well what was her Gay son doing with a straight woman in the 1st place - Sounds to me like Homosexuals are crossing the line and preying on straight women - I've never heard of a Gay Man & a Lesbian having sex - How come during this campagne all the ads on TV supporting Gay Marriage are straight people - Is it because you don't know to speak without sounding like a woman - or you can't keep your hands from going left and right while you speak - The fact of matter is - The Gay & Lesbian Community have not demonstrated that you can act & conduct yourself within the majority of the population - Maybe if you don't promote your promiscuous behavior and dance around like fairies - we the majority of the people might not be so judgmental - Gay Parents should not be parents if you stay in your own ranks - Straight people who have gay / lesbian children - these children deserve all the rights as anyone else - and should be treated like anyone else - Marriage is not about equal rights - it's about a 2000 year old tradition that has worked very well - I HAVE VOTED YES ON QUESTIONS 1 THRU 7 - I HAVE VOTED NO ON THE BOND ISSUE - LET'S GET IT RIGHT THIS TIME

hmmmm..a high school guidance counselor (and social worker) REPORTEDLY the target.

"reportedly" is akin to "my sister-in-law's cousin's third wife's brother's friend said....".

Mr Mendell is not having his license as a social worker challenged becasue of his stance on SSM or his voicing his stance on SSM. He is having his license challenge because he breached the code of ethics he vowed to follow while pursuing said license.

Here are a few of the ethics he trampled:

From the NASW (National Association of Social Workers) Code of Ethics

4.02 Discrimination

Social workers should not practice, condone, facilitate, or collaborate with any form of discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, political belief, religion, immigration status, or mental or physical disability.

4.03 Private Conduct

Social workers should not permit their private conduct to interfere with their ability to fulfill their professional responsibilities.

4.04 Dishonesty, Fraud, and Deception

Social workers should not participate in, condone, or be associated with dishonesty, fraud, or deception.

4.06 Misrepresentation

(a) Social workers should make clear distinctions between statements made and actions engaged in as a private individual and as a representative of the social work profession, a professional social work organization, or the social worker’s employing agency.

6.04 Social and Political Action

(d) Social workers should act to prevent and eliminate domination of, exploitation of, and discrimination against any person, group, or class on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, political belief, religion, immigration status, or mental or physical disability.

Papere - the concealment of child abuse went to the TOP of the catholic church. The diocese made the decision to move those priests instead of excommunicating them. The church gets NO sympathy from me whatsoever. They did what they did to preserve the reputation of the church with no thought to the welfare of the children. They are disgusting and will receive no quarter from me.

And once more, in case you missed it the first 100 times, GAY people do not prey on children, PEDOPHILES prey on children.

Hey (((Papere)))~~~~You just to slow down and just for the record you got to take that (((NUT))) out of your big fat mouth

you know it make it hard to hear that u r just a (((BIGOT)))

((((((SSCCRReeeweeerecccchheeee Eagle see a White Cracker Eagle like um Cracker))))

On 10/30/09 at 3:00 PM, GMouffette wrote:

****

Hey!! Wish I'd seen that before I posted. Dang, now I look more of an idiot than usual.