Senator Edward Kennedy
FAX: 202-228-5044
Attention: Holly Fechner
Senator Judd Gregg
FAX: 202-224-4952
Attention: Stephanie Monroe
White House
FAX: 202-663-4912
Attention: Nick Calio or Matt Kirk
Senator M. Edward Kennedy, Chairman
Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee
U.S. Senate
428 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-6300
Dear Senator Kennedy:
I am writing today to urge you and the members of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee to reject the nomination of J. Robert Brame to the National Relations Board. And please, do not be swayed by any recent attempt to hide what J. Robert Brame represents.
J. Robert Brame has served for many years as an officer of American Vision, an organization that describes itself as “dedicated to the restoration of America’s biblical foundation.” American Vision holds extremist opinions that advocate biblical punishment, including death, for such “sins” as adultery, abortion, homosexuality, and blasphemy, to become the law of the land. While it has been stated in the Wall Street Journal (November 13) that J. Robert Brame has recently resigned from this organization, this fact, if true, does not alter my opposition, nor should it alter yours. He has done so simply to obtain a position he covets, and in this sense, is operating in a most dishonest manner.
He must be held accountable for the organization and beliefs he has served for more than twenty years. If we have learned anything from September 11, it is the danger that hate speech and intolerance pose for our society. Mr. Brame and his colleagues at American Vision propagate demeaning and divisive view s that justify their anti-union, anti-gay, anti-choice, anti-immigrant, anti-Semetic, and yes, even anti-democratic political agenda. Our law should stand in defense of all citizens, of all religious beliefs and philosophies. We should not elevate to responsible positions anyone who advocates (or even silently endorses) extremist and hateful positions such as death for those who hold different beliefs about sexual orientation, or abortion, or morality.
The appointment of J. Robert Brame portends an extremist shift away from the historic mission of the NLRB to protect the rights of all American workers. I am extremely concerned about the damaging impact he will have on worker rights in particular and on civil rights generally.
As you know, Mr. Brame previously served on the NLRB from November 1997 until August 2000. As a minority member on the Board during that period, he authored numerous dissenting opinions advocating the overturning of well-settled National Labor Policy, usually under the guise of employer free speech. Should the Senate confirm Mr. Brame, he will have unfettered opportunity to write majority opinions and pursue his very dangerous agenda.
Please, vote to REJECT the nomination of J. Robert Brame for a seat on the National Labor Relations Board.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Tasini
President
National Writers Union
cc. Pride at Work
FAX 202.508.6923
NWU is the sole provider of IFJ Press Passes to freelance journalists in the U.S.