That blog comment is so much BS. Who is Silverman to redefine conservatism? Which has had its religious associations since Burke supposedly invented it. Economic conservatism used to be called liberalism, hence its present-day synonym "classical liberalism". Political victories may require working with former adversaries, but hopefully one can do that without rewriting history. 


-----Original Message-----
>From: George <[address removed]>
>Sent: Mar 12,[masked]:44 PM
>To: [address removed]
>Subject: Re: [NOVA-Atheists] Tabling at CPAC
>
>All,
>
>Just happen to read this blog post about David Silverman’s comment…  
>
>https://secularsun...­
>
>Mr. Silverman is the first person to comment.  Please read for clarification.
>
>- George
>
>
>
>On Mar 13, 2014, at 5:00 AM, Jeffrey Johnston <[address removed]> wrote:
>
>> He only said there was a secular argument against abortion, it really doesn't say anything beyond that, but I think it would be wrong to say all conservatives are against abortion as well.  It is really frustrating for a lot of secular minded people who align with the philosophy of small government to see the largest voice for 'small government' has been hijacked by religious extremists, so I welcome the outreach.  If we could get those voices heard and impact the people who run for election as Republicans to behave more rationally, it could do a lot of good for government policy in a lot of places.
>> 
>> The country would be better for it to have a contrasting viewpoint to the DNC that isn't built so much on hatred fueled by superstition.
>> 
>> - Jeff
>> 
>> On 3/12/14, 4:13 PM, Ellen Wingrove wrote:
>>> He's not anti-choice. I think he was mis-quoted.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On Wed, Mar 12, 2014 at 11:19 AM, Stephanie Ragusky <[address removed]> wrote:
>>> Linda,
>>> 
>>> https://www.rawsto...­
>>> 
>>> No - I am not pleased with David Silverman's comments either. Note: not pleased with his 'comments'. 
>>> 
>>> I'm hoping he clarifies his position. I don't presume him to be anti-choice. I find it illogical to claim fiscal conservatism while promoting a robust defense. The two are mutually exclusive. And to call our democrats too liberal is... 
>>> 
>>> But - atheists do not come in one size fits all. While I would prefer to work with a liberal christian on social justice issues, others will find other ways to service their priorities.  And so direct our dollars and our time.
>>> 
>>> Stephanie
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On Wed, Mar 12, 2014 at 11:11 AM, Linda <[address removed]> wrote:
>>> Lori — Who Silverman and What comments?
>>> 
>>> Linda LaScola
>>> 
>>> LaScola Qualitative Research
>>> 3900 Connecticut Avenue, NW 101F
>>> Washington, DC
>>> 20008
>>> 
>>> [address removed]
>>> 
>>>[masked]­
>>> cell:[masked]
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On Mar 12, 2014, at 10:46 AM, Rick Wingrove <[address removed]> wrote:
>>> 
>>>> Speaking for NOVA/Beltway Atheists, we tabled outside CPAC in opposition to virtually everything they stand for. To assert, allege, or imply that we were there in support of the lunacy of the bible-based right is highly divergent from the facts, from our mission, our intent, our history, from the philosophical and ethical positions of the persons involved, and from reality in general. We hold what the christian conservatives are doing to be (a) based on religious fantasy, ignorance-based asymmetrical interpretation of the Constitution, self-serving historical                                                       revisionism, separation denial, science denial, institutional misogyny, and a publicly- and frequently-stated desire for a Christian theocracy, and (b) bad for freedom, science, women, and America.
>>>> 
>>>> We are Atheists with a long record of activism against exactly this type of false and harmful worldview. The person alleging/asserting that we were somehow in agreement with the principles and goals of the Christian conservatives, is either ignorant of who we are and what we do, or is someone with nefarious motives. In either case, they are talking out of their ass.
>>>> 
>>>> Consider your source.
>>>> 
>>>> Part of our approach in tabling is to be vocal an visible at these types of conservative events. We seek to make our presence known and to make sure that the adamantly religious don’t have the floor to themselves, and to provide information to counter the extremism from the religious right. We have also tabled at the Values Voters Summit in DC for a number of years. And don’t forget about the Leesburg courthouse. Or numerous events at the Supreme Court.
>>>> 
>>>> It’s a little surprising, given our history of activism in the region, and my position with the oldest national atheist organization, that I would need to “clarify my intentions” to anyone familiar with the local atheist community. Alas, such is the power of empty words and baseless aspersions from anonymous sources.
>>>> 
>>>> So, yeah, we were tabling *outside* CPAC in protest to the aims and purposes of the religious right and doing what we could to drive a wedge between christianity and conservatism, you know, for the good of the planet. The only real question Don, is where the fuck was everyone else?
>>>> 
>>>>  
>>>> P.S. It is unlikely that anyone in the atheist movement is politically or philosophically less conservative than me. This is, to the best of my ability, reflected in the organizations I run. Speaking for myself, I am adamantly pro-choice, pro-woman, pro-science, pro-separation, and opposed to any special rights, rules, considerations, or exemptions for religion. Our organization is a poor fit for anyone who does not share those views.
>>>> 
>>>> There are persons in the atheist movement locally who *are* anti-choice conservatives. I don’t get it, but there are. You may be aware of one or two high profile examples. I am not one of those.
>>>> 
>>>> And, no one who was too disinterested, too fearful, too busy, or too busy writing anonymous and fact-free condemnations of those who actually showed up, has much credibility or moral authority to question the motivations of those who were actually there.
>>>> 
>>>>  
>>>> Rick Wingrove
>>>> 
>>>>  
>>>> From: [address removed] [mailto:[address removed]] On Behalf Of Don Wharton
>>>> Sent: Wednesday, March 12,[masked]:55 AM
>>>> To: [address removed]
>>>> Subject: [NOVA-Atheists] Tabling at CPAC
>>>> 
>>>>  
>>>> Hi Friends, 
>>>> 
>>>>  
>>>> Someone I know noticed your tabling event at the CPAC conference and sent me this comment "I think that they want to say that conservatives need not be religious but can be atheists.  This shows me that Woody and NOVA atheists are conservatives and want to be in CPAC.  They are tabling at a CPAC conference not picketing it."    
>>>> 
>>>>  
>>>> My feeling is that this is might not be what you folks are thinking.  However, I want to pose the question in as neutral a way as I can.  What should be said to best clarify your intentions with this event?
>>>> 
>>>>  
>>>> Don Wharton
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> --
>>>> 
>>>> 
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>>>> 
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>>>> 
>>>> 
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>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
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>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> --
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>> This message was sent by Jeffrey Johnston ([address removed]) from NOVA Atheists.
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>> Meetup, POB 4668 #37895 NY NY USA 10163 | [address removed]  
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>https://www.meetup...­
>This message was sent by George ([address removed]) from NOVA Atheists.
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>Set my mailing list to email me
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>Meetup, POB 4668 #37895 NY NY USA 10163 | [address removed]
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