MOO, it is interesting that the Christian Action Network's website does not provide the full text of the letter in question in its discussion of the controversy
here.
Nor does CAN provide evidence to support its allegation that, in the words of its president, Martin Mawyer:
Quote:
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The State of Maine believes our letter is offensive to Muslims and they want us to shut up or pay up. They are accusing us of 'hate speech' without directly calling it 'hate speech.' They want to set a legal precedent which other states can follow for suppressing free speech they find offensive.
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If CAN really wants to try this issue in the court of public opinion, why not provide proof of its core contention that this fine represents selective enforcement as part of a broader national conspiracy among state governments to silent dissent?
Does the fact that the state of Maine is facing a "a $1.4 billion loss of revenues over a three-year period for FY 2009, FY 2010, and FY 2011" play a role in this issue? (Source is
here.) Could it be that every bureaucratic department is doing all it can to enforce every rule and regulation in an effort to squeeze more revenue out of peoples' pockets and, incidentally, save jobs by demonstrating the diligence of its employees? Perhaps they were listening when, during his state of the state address (source is
here), Gov. Baldacci said:
Quote:
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The way forward – the way to protect local schools and resources for the classroom – is to stop wasting money on unnecessary bureaucracies and administrations. We must continue to push for more effective and efficient government here in Augusta, in our counties, and at town and city halls across the State.
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FWIW, The Constitution of Maine's Declaration of Rights is available
here.
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