After all, the right to petition the government is a fundamental one under the First Amendment. When you publish names and addresses of individuals who do so and encourage “uncomfortable talks” (read that harassment), then you are engaged in a conspiracy to violate the civil rights of those petitioners.

A group called WhoSigned.org says it will publicize the names of people signing petitions for Referendum 71, which seeks a public vote to overturn a new expansion of Washington's same-sex partnerships.

WhoSigned.org says it's partnering with the gay rights group KnowThyNeighbor.org to put the names online.

In a statement Monday, WhoSigned.org says it expects people who see the names online to contact the signers for what may be uncomfortable talks about gay rights.

This is rather reminiscent of the actions of Kluxers and other racists who opposed the exercise of constitutional rights by blacks and their supporters. What next – bombings and arson against petition signers if harsh words, intimidation, and economic coercion don’t work?

I’d encourage folks in Washington state (including my parents) to remember that the purpose of the Second Amendment is to protect one’s ability to exercise one’s other rights. Whoever decides to initiate those “uncomfortable talks” ought to be prepared to be ventilated by those who refuse to be intimidated.

H/T Malkin, GayPatriot

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