Blogactive pressures Democratic Congressional Committee to post job policy

[PageOneQ]

VICTORY: DCCC to add Non-discrimination policy to website today!

I had an email exchange with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee today. I'm really happy to report that less than two hours after I sent a reminder email this morning I received a reply.

I wrote a note explaining that I had hoped it was not necessary to launch my new domain purchase, www.WhereIsThePolicy.com.

Mike,

I understand you had some questions about the posting of the non-discrimination policy on the DCCC website.

Full Story:
http://www.blogactive.com/2007/01/victory-dccc-to-add-non-discrimination.html

[MADem]

1. This guy has done good work, but he calls this a "Yes!!!" victory? Give me a break.

The letter reads:
Mike,

I understand you had some questions about the posting of the non-discrimination policy on the DCCC website.

The non-discrimination policy is listed on our individual job descriptions -- we're happy to post it on the jobs page also -- since it is on the descriptions themselves we didn't think to post on main page -- but we will make sure that is changed. I have been assured that this will be done by cob at the latest. If there is anything else I can assist with—please don’t hesitate to ask.

Best

YES! ONE person can move mountains. Now, onto the DNC!

By: Michael Rogers

Victory???? This isn't San Juan Hill...I wouldn't call asking them to post the (existing)policy they put on EVERY SINGLE job posting in a central place "moving mountains." Not by a long shot. More like moving MOLEHILLS, if anything. Mike needs to get back to the big picture issues, and not make a big deal out of something that just isn't, his "Yes"es of glee notwithstanding. There is no policy CHANGE, just a change in where the policy is posted on the web.

This guy has done some good work in the past, but this to me is a bit hubris-laden, frankly.

[PageOneQ]

2. I beg to differ

These organizations refused me left and right until I bought, earlier today, whereisthepolicy.com -- the point is this. These groups think they don't have to respond to the average citizen. To that I say "ha, we just need to empower the citizenry better." For $9.21 to purchase that domain, I moved the DCCC.. That is a victory. Maybe not on the grand scale of capturing congress, but a victory nonetheless.

And, every good organizer knows to celebrate the victories.

Sure I wish I had the resources to fight the closet cases full time, but that's just not possible.....and plus, I was around when many of the fights to add sexual orientation to those policies took place.

Without public posting of those policies, they mean nothing.

[MADem]

3. Well, I am guessing you are Mike, so I'll address you directly

I am a fan of your work, but I still do think this is small potatoes. You didn't change their policy. You simply made them adjust their website so that you could see that policy that already exists front and center. It may make you feel powerful, but an average citizen like me doesn't see it that way. I don't say this to insult or hurt you, simply to offer my honest perception of the matter.

You say they "refused you left and right" but there's none of that back and forth documented on your website. Where is the "Dear sir/ma'am: Would you kindly post your policy in a visible position?" email, and the "Dear Mike, Fuck you, we ain't doing it" replies?

It looks, to me, from what you put up on your site, like you wrote them a vaguely threatening email (I bought a DOMAIN NAME, ya baaastids, and I KNOW HOW TO USE IT!!!), and they said "Fine, move the policy from the job descirptions to a central place on the website and get this crank off our backs." Now, that might not be the way it actually went down, but that's how I see it, and that is how it reads, based on the entry on your own site.

I realize that public awareness of these policies is important, but going after the Democrats in what appears to be, absent any other emails, such a bullying fashion doesn't seem too helpful to me. They are by and large arrayed in favor of policies that condemn discrimination, and I think, initially, anyway, you catch more flies with honey than vinegar. No need to get shirty unless you're denied three times, or whatever.

Do the GOP have a similar problem, and have you gone after them? Are there any other groups on your list, or are you just going after Democratic/progressive low hanging fruit?