COURAGE * CAMPAIGN 25 October 2010 ‘The Honorable Robert Gates Secretary of Defense ‘The Pentagon Washington, D.C. Via Fax Dear Mr. Secretary: | write to you on behalf of the 750,000-member Courage Campaign, an online organizing network that focuses on bringing progressive change to California, and full equality to all Americans. In recent days, one of our members identifying himself as a Californian in Iraq supporting US Army missions informed us that while working to educate himself for purposes of completing his overseas absentee ballot, he was able to access a number of right wing political websites, but was unable to access the Courage Campaign's California Voter Guide. Our guide deals with a series of important ballot measures being considered in California, each of which will have important implications for Golden State residents on deployment, as well as their families. ‘The following is quoted from his emai URL: http://www.couragecampaign.ora/ URL Categories: Politics/Opinion, Streaming Media Reputation: Minimal Risk Media Type: “Then | go to google and see if they block National Organization for Marriage (NOM)-- nope, | have access. Then | go to google and see if they block Tea Party--nope, | have access to the party and the “express.” Mr. Secretary, we respect and honor the hundreds of thousands of American troops and their families who serve our nation in extremely dangerous circumstances. As these brave Americans make great sacrifices for the cause of freedom, we would hope and expect their freedom to make informed choices on the important issues facing our country be similarly respected. Nothing is as precious to our nation as the freedom of speech, and the freedom to contrast differing Points of view about the issues facing our country. And yet, this service member's freedoms are being abridged in a most disrespectful manner. The Defense Department has apparently determined that he is allowed to see obviously “right wing” websites, including those that overtly attack President Obama, federal judges, and members of Congress, but he is not allowed to access our website, which does nothing of the kind and reflects the mainstream views of millions of American progressives. Courage Campaign, 7119 W. Sunset Boulevard, No. 195 Los Angeles, CA 90046 323.969.0160 (phone) 323.969.0157 (fax) www.couragecampaign.org oeWe respectfully but without reservation with great urgency request that you unblock our website, www couragecampaign.org so that those who are deployed may enjoy the freedom to inform themselves about the many important policy questions facing our country in November and beyond. We further ask that you take steps to alter a system of censorship that undermines the very Principles for which our troops fight overseas. Our troops and their families have more than earned the right to make informed choices about the country they so proudly and dutifully serve. ‘Since the election is days away and the individual who contacted us seeks access to publicly available information about his ballot, | ask that you respond by 12:00PM PDT on Tuesday, October 26th. You should assume that many other deployed personnel are facing similar frustrations as well. Should you or your staff wish to discuss the matter further, please contact me at (323)969-0160, or by e- mail at rick@couragecampaign.org. Thank you in advance for your consideration of this important issue. Respectfully, a Libba Z Richard D. Jacobs Chair and Founder rick@couragecampaign.org Cc: President Barack Obama ‘The Hon. Barbara Boxer ‘The Hon. Dianne Feinstein ‘The Hon. Howard Berman The Hon. Bob Filner The Hon. Zoe Lofgren The Hon. George Miller The Hon. Henry Waxman