I just received an e-mail from James Nowlin of Dallas, a steering committee member for Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson’s re-election campaign, about the Human Rights Campaign’s e-mail this morning which erroneously said Johnson voted against repealing “don’t ask don’t tell.”
Needless to say, Nowlin is not amused about the gaffe, which HRC has chalked up to a “technological glitch.” I’ve posted Nowlin’s full statement after the jump, but in short he says that in making the error HRC “kicked a true ally.” He adds that, “In the battle for human rights, there is little room for error,” and that, “A simple apology is not enough.”
“My hope is that HRC will understand the seriousness of its error. HRC’s goal should be to win and keep allies, not to mistakenly sully their reputations,” wrote Nowlin, who is a member of HRC’s DFW Federal Club.
Also, I’ve learned that constituents of Illinois Congressman Tim Johnson, who did in fact vote against DADT repeal, may have been on the other end of the glitch. Tim Johnson’s constituents reportedly received e-mails from HRC asking them to thank him for the vote in support of equality. And from what I gather, Tim Johnson’s gay supporters are equally miffed because the e-mail has given people the false impression that he isn’t anti-gay. Oops.
Statement from James Nowlin, gay steering committee member for Eddie Bernice Johnson’s re-election campaign:
“Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson has been an unequivocal supporter of equality and human rights throughout her political career. The battle for human rights and equality are important issues to her and her support of the GLBT community has been unwavering. Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson has consistently scored 100% on HRC’s congressional scorecard. I am proud of her work for equality and am proud to call her a friend and mentor.
“Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson has been a consistent voice for human rights. She has asked for nothing in return for her leadership in human rights. Simply stated, she works for human rights because she believes in equality for all. Unfortunately, HRC’s email erroneously accusing her of voting against the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell kicked a true ally. She has been on the right side of equality issues throughout her career. She understands the importance of a united, diverse America and that rights should not just be provided for the privileged few.
“In the battle for human rights and equality, there is little room for error. We need to support every ally and win over every potential political ally that can be educated on the battle for equality and inclusion.
“As a member of the DFW Federal Club and HRC, I believe in HRC’s visions and goals. However, I believe that in order to truly gain footing in the battle for equality, HRC must check its facts before sending emails which blast Congressmembers’ voting records. A simple apology is not enough. The damage has been done. Erroneous emails only work to impugn the reputations of our strongest leaders. My advice for HRC is to check the congressional record before sending email blasts about Congressmembers’ alleged ‘disappointing’ votes.
“My hope is that HRC will understand the seriousness of its error. HRC’s goal should be to win and keep allies, not to mistakenly sully their reputations.”
ok so if an apology isn’t enough, then what is? I mean c’mon, seriously!
This is a perfect example of why any of my money goes directly to good charities/organizations like LifeWalk/Aids Arms, Youth First Texas, RCD and others who prefer not to do mud slinging.
I HIGHLY DISAGREE with “Lil’ Carl” — I support HRC and Resource Center Dallas, Legacy Counselling, Lambda Legal, etc. Very directly and openly.
To SAY that HRC slings mud, and prefers to do business that way is HIGHLY erroneous and simply wrong!
Everyone of us, and every organization can be found guilty at some time or another of a gaffe, a glitch — a misspelling, a technical error. This was a mistake, pure & simple. Within minutes of realization a host of individuals got busy to correct the error that is regrettable and has been characterized by HRC as “inexcusable”
My namesake above stooped to some “mudslinging” of his own by impugning the good work that HRC does – in SO MANY arenas. To say that not only disparages the nearly million members of HRC nationwide and to the point of the legislation in question — the character and reputations of the several hundred servicemen who gathered a month ago in DC to speak up / speak out with HRC for the repeal of DADT.
HRC has gone beyond a simple apology. They sent out an updated message today explaining the mistake and correcting it. I think that’s plenty. People make mistakes.
For the record, I barely noticed the first email with the mistake but I thoroughly read the correction. Perhaps the silver lining for Rep. Johnson is that many more people now know of her fantastic record as a result of HRC’s original gaffe.
“And from what I gather, Tim Johnson’s gay supporters are equally miffed because the e-mail has given people the false impression that he isn’t anti-gay. Oops.”
Why would Tim Johnson have gay supporters? Do you mean Eddie Bernice Johnson’s gay supporters, or maybe Tim Johnson’s anit-gay supporters?
@GlindaG: I meant his gay constituents. It’s fixed. Thanks.
I have to agree with Mr. Nowlin.
The Federal Club and it’s leadership is not responsible for HRC’s Email or it’s content.
HRC National is responsible for the content of their email and if they cannot distinguish between the 435 members of Congress and their voting records, perhaps they should not be spurring voters to action and insighting supportes of GLBT rights to action.
In short if you cannot distinguish between Sam Jhnson and Eddie Bernice Johnson you shouldn’t be weighing in.
At the very least HRC National should rethink their email campaigns and how they fact check members voting records.
I’m no fan of the HRC, but if this congressperson is truely a friend of the community, they would be forgiving enough to accpet the appology. Seems to me there is a bit of grandstanding, just like the HRC is guilty of. Both should shut the f* up and get back to work.
Get over it you whiney ass morons. A mistake is a mistake. It has to be hard to get it all correct in terms of our DO NOTHING congress and the DO NOTHING Democrats..
Stop your bitching Congresswoman and Pass ENDA NOW>
Chris you will be happy to know that Congresswoman is an original cosponsor ENDA.
HRC also erroneously reported Mary Bono-Mack, Sonny’s former widow and successor in Congress, as an opponent of the DADT amendment. She is listed in the Congressional Record as having voted for repeal.
I found it interesting that in the email that the HRC sent out that had the updated message about the mistake that they included a donate button on it. In other words, “Please send money to us for making mistakes (after all it take a lot of money to pay our top managers their outrageous salaries.”
The HRC does some good but I feel that there are much better shepherds of our donations such as Truth Wins Out, Youth First Texas, Lambda Legal, The Family Equality Project, The Points Foundation, PFLAG, Freedom to Mary and all sorts of local LGBT groups and street activist organizations who are in dire need of donations and make better use of the money they receive. Also, they don’t pay their Executive Directors a salary of over $300,000 per year!