Speak Out spreads

05/17/2005

Hello Colleagues:

Please spread this message to all your friends and supporters.

Our Speak Out ad has caught some attention.  A couple of weeks
ago I was interviewed about the ad on columnist Nick Coleman’s
morning radio program on AirAmericaMinnesota (950am or over your
computer).

Mary Lahammer, Channel 2’s political reporter, flashed the ad on Almanac as an example of grassroots lobbying.  Norm Draper, Star Tribune reporter, asked Rep. Ruth Johnson about the ad. Many of you saw reporter Mark Fischenich’s article about it in the Free Press.

A number of Metro area people who heard Nick Coleman’s program
emailed me asking to be included in the ad and offered to send money.
It was too late for that, but I encouraged them to put together a
similar ad for the Twin Cities.

Now those concerned folks are taking up the challenge.  They are
raising funds and names for an ad in the Star Tribune.  A full page
ad in the Strib runs in the neighborhood of $20,000.  Dr. Vivian
Husnik, a St. Paul pediatrician, is taking the lead in this effort.

She and the others realize that it’s probably too late to have
much effect on this legislative session, but they still want to make
a statement and let the legislators know that there are many of us
out here who are not happy with the governor’s stance and the actions
of his supporters.  This could make a difference if there is a
special session later this year.

Vivian and I have been emailing back and forth and have spoken on
the phone twice.  I’ve told her the details of our operation and
everything I know about why we were so successful—mainly because
of all the efforts made by so many of you and your generosity.

I also told her that we would give our Metro area friends all the
support we can.  Please take up the banner once more.  Tell everyone
you know about this big push for a Speak Out ad in the Star Tribune.

You can send donations to Speak Out Minnesota, P.O. Box 48344,
Minneapolis 55448-0344.  You can email your name and city to be on
the ad and can offer to help at mailto:speakoutmn@yahoo.com.  You can
carry petitions for people to sign just as you did for our Free Press
ad and then send the names on to Vivian.  Through everyone’s
contacts, we can get the whole state behind this message to our
elected leaders.

Let’s help get this ball rolling.  It’s time to stand up for
what’s right!  It’s time to show we care!  It’s time!

—Ann Christanson

P.S. John & I are heading for England tomorrow.  When we get back
mid-June, we expect to hear great things about this effort.  Our
personal check to Speak Out Minnesota is in the mail.  We hope you’ll
join in, too.  Spread the word.