Email war!

When it rains – it pours!

It seems the folks over at DefCon America are making a frontal assault on SB 96, by trying to crush it with the sheer weight of their emails. Rebecca Walsh over at the Salt Lake Tribune’s Planet Legislature brought out this story:

Backlash

Most lawmakers don't like to be bombarded with emails -- unless, of course, they agree with the writers' sentiments.

But when your legislator doesn't, watch out. Some contrarian lawmakers will vote a certain way just to spite you.

That's what Rep. Brad Dee says he will do in response to a barrage of more than 220,000 emails -- most from out of state -- opposing legislation that would change how teachers talk about evolution.

Teri Sandiford, a stay-at-home mom from Wake Forest, North Carolina, wrote urging the Washington Terrace Republican to vote against SB96. "Our children need schools that teach science, not religious ideology, as they prepare for the challenges of a new century," she wrote. "Please uphold scientific integrity in Utah's schools."

Sandiford and other members of DefCon America, a grassroots organization focused on separation of church and state and limiting the power of the religious right, apparently shut down the House of Representatives' computer server with their chain emails.

But Dee, who was tired of getting the copycat letters, picked one and responded: "I will vote for this bill only because of all the mass emails I have received from your group. Thanks for helping me to make my decision."

Consider it playing defense. After getting more than 17,000 emails -- all worded virtually identically -- House computer techs shut down the server Wednesday morning to block the attack. Another 204,000 emails were sent but not forwarded to lawmakers.

Sandiford, upset by Dee's "childish and petulant" response, forwarded the exchange to The Tribune. She was unaware of the problems her email and others caused. "Whether you agree with the letter I wrote or not, I think you can agree that Rep. Dee's response isn't a thoughtful, considered, adult response."

And sending 220,000 emails is?

Comedy!

BTW, Rep. Brad Dee shouldn’t be so touchy over his flooded inbox – at least he isn’t being condemned to hell like those of us who oppose this bill are.