Open Letter to Governor
December 28, 2005 The Honorable Jennifer M. Granholm Sent VIA Facsimile: Dec. 28, 2005 Governor Granholm: The voters of Michigan deserve a fair and honest debate whether government, financed with our tax dollars, should discriminate against some while giving preference to others based on skin color. That is why the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative (MCRI) and its tens of thousands of supporters across Michigan were disappointed to learn you have aligned yourself with the “Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action, Integration, and Immigrant Rights and Fight for Equality By Any Means Necessary” (BAMN). This group is interested in anything but fair and honest debate. BAMN is a radical extremist group willing to do anything to achieve its political goals – including intimidation, creating counterfeit documents, and outright lying. BAMN is the only group that has made any allegations of “fraud” or “misrepresentation” against MCRI. Yet, to date, they have provided no credible evidence to back up their allegations. Given BAMN’s established track record of obfuscation and misinformation, it is hard to understand why anyone would lend credibility to their allegations by repeating them as if they are true, which you did on WJR’s “The Frank Beckmann Show.” MCRI and the more than 500,000 Michigan voters who signed our petitions believe that civil rights begin with fair and equal treatment under the law, regardless of skin color or gender. BAMN’s main objection is with the terms MCRI uses to describe our initiative. While we believe using the term “civil rights” accurately describes our effort, BAMN and other’s objections to its use, however, do not constitute “fraud” on our part or “misrepresent” our intent in any way. BAMN purports to be the official arbiter of how and when the term “civil rights” can be used. Civil rights belong to all people, regardless of race or gender. And, most certainly, civil rights do not include preferences despite what BAMN and you may think. In fact, civil rights are destroyed for someone any time special preferences are given to another. It is extremely troubling that any government official would take allegations made by a group, who in their name state they will use “any means necessary,” at face value. By doing so, you render a great disservice to over a half million registered voters who signed our petitions, in favor of a fringe group that has no respect for the rule of law or the principle of truth. I am confident that any fair and unbiased investigation will show that these allegations are false and unsubstantiated. I am fully convinced, however, that the Michigan Civil Rights Commission and its commissioners cannot provide a fair and impartial investigation, given their stated public opposition to MCRI. The Michigan Civil Rights Initiative is simple and its message is clear – the government should treat people equally and as individuals and should not be allowed to discriminate and give preference based on skin color. Sincerely,
Jennifer Gratz - - ### - - |
