Comments on: Maine Republican Gubernetorial Candidate Matt Jacobson, Twitter, and Question 1

By: Gubernatorial Twitter Update #19 - Augusta Insider

Gubernatorial Twitter Update #19 - Augusta Insider — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 02:40:26 +0000

[...] to date. He showed that the medium really can lead to meaningful dialogs. Pine Tree Politics and Mike Desjardins both covered this issue [...]

By: Mainers we have an upcoming ballot - (ME) - Page 4 - City-Data Forum

Mainers we have an upcoming ballot - (ME) - Page 4 - City-Data Forum — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:07:00 +0000

[...] [...]

By: Mary Bishop

Mary Bishop — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:45:12 +0000

You are assuming the the cases you found are what Mr. Jacobson was referring to; shouldn’t you have confirmed this prior to this write up.
If I go by the Iowa/NY case you mention then I would have said that a church affiliated organization lost “a” tax exempt status due to its beliefs. I can’t be sure what Mr. Jacobson was trying to get across in his statement as I do not know him; perhaps that is what he meant to say. Now if the use did not fall under a “Program or Act”, then it was right that they lose that status. I am no lawyer, I can only assume that if they had transferred (sold) the property over to the church itself then it would fall under church guidelines (which should be based on the Bible, Gods written word) and then they could have refused without being legally wrong.
As for the Photographer case you mention, well, I am appalled that he lost the case. Since when don’t we have the right to stand on our beliefs anymore? Where did that law go?
All that said… I too wonder what any of it has to do with question 1?!

By: It Is A Beautiful Thing When A Candidate “Gets It” | Pine Tree Politics

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:06:10 +0000

[...] firm supporter of the equal marriage legislation, and of course an opponent to the veto – saw value in what Jacobson did: I do salute his bravery for participating in such a public forum, and I sincerely hope the recent [...]

By: Alex Hammer

Alex Hammer — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:05:37 +0000

Alex Hammer on same sex marriage in Maine (Is Maine being used in the same sex marriage debate?)
http://www.maineville.com/detail/123120.html?content_source=&category_id=&search_filter=&user_id=&event_mode=&event_ts_from=&list_type=&order_by=&order_sort=&content_class=2&sub_type=blogs&town_id=&page=2

By: Chris Kast

Chris Kast — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:30:42 +0000

Bravo for digging and reporting and NOT going into muckraking of personal attacks.

By: amy

amy — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:18:57 +0000

Thanks for writing this Mike.

I agree, after looking over the rest of Jacobson’s posts on Twitter and reading his interview he sent us to that he seems like a pretty nice person, who has been trying to connect with citizens. Perhaps he has been misguided in his judgement of the marriage equality question – considering he clearly misspoke about both of the examples he used for his Yes on One argument. Maybe his stance will evolve if he reads this. One can hope.

If his stance doesn’t evolve though, this raises an important issue. If No on One wins in November – its not over. 2010 will bring a new governor, and we’re going to have to make sure that whoever it is honors the will of the people and upholds this law.

By: Alex Steed

Alex Steed — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:10:04 +0000

Mike -

I am quite impressed with this bit of research that you’ve done here. Fine job.

And like you, I am happy that Jacobson has been open about his stance via Twitter. I am equally happy that his opinion caused a stir. This is what open politics looks like. Politicians are now expected to be open with their constituencies and, when claims are inconsistent, back them up.

Further, answering to a disagreeable constituency is the price that politicians must pay for now being able to use communication technologies such as these to inexpensively reach wide audiences. Thus, if Jacobson’s experience yesterday scares him away from the openness of new technologies, Jacobson is not ready for politics in the 21st century. Despite his abhorrent stance on the issue of gay marriage, he seems nice enough, and I don’t expect this to be the case.

By: Sarah Wallace

Sarah Wallace — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:39:15 +0000

Wow Mike, I am so impressed that you took the time to research and write this post!

I agree that interaction is a good thing. Whether you agree with Jacobson or not, you have to acknowledge that he has balls for taking a stance in such a public forum and actually participating.