We knew that we had a responsibility to Massachusetts and to the whole country to defeat Question 2. The count is not yet complete, but, given the precincts which are not reported, it is safe to say we beat off the forces of death and have set the stage to keep them at bay in every state in the nation. A few weeks ago, the polls accurately showed us down 68% - 19%. We have won by 51% - 49%. The same national experts who came in to help us are already gearing up for battles in other states.
Of course, all the experts in the world cannot accomplish anything at the polls without the people on the ground.
I am so proud of you people on the ground! The national leaders are so impressed by your work and your dedication.
Yesterday morning, before the polls opened, Stephen arrived in Brockton with signs for those polls. He was delighted to be met by 20 + people! The whole No On 2 effort has been like that across the state. We expected to do well in cities other than Cambridge, Springfield, and parts of Boston. When the results came in from Springfield, we were amazed at how well No did there. Peggy Bradford and so many people in the Springfield area worked so hard. But, then, everyone did!
It will be days before we can even begin to recognize all of you, but a few people come right to mind. Robin Loughman, RN, the Chair of Massachusetts Against Doctor Prescribed Suicide: No On 2 and Tom Harvey the Treasurer deserve special thanks. They raised more than $700,000 and Tom handled it all with his usual charming aplomb.
You all did marvelous jobs speaking, writing, telephoning. .. Ambassador Ray Flynn, John Kelly from Second Thoughts, Dr. Mark Rollo, Patricia Stewart, and Dr Barbara Rockett have been amazing - in the newspapers and out there so many nights and days. Hope Hallett RN, Mark Carron, Dr John Howland, Henry Luthin, John Rowe, and Joanne Jauron, RN. have been wonderful. All our speakers seemed to enjoy themselves because the work is so good and they are so effective. Dwight Duncan and Edward F King were valuable members of the Committee.
Stephen Lombardo, John Triolo, Janet Callahna, and Yvette Ollada are the ideal behind-the-scene crew - keeping things going with calls, writing, designing, printing, raising money - all the things that made it happen.
Many, many of you were very generous to the Committee - I know in some cases it was sacrificial giving. Please be very proud of yourselves for recognizing the vital importance of this and rising to the occasion!
This has been a brutal campaign - because we started so far back, etc. But all of you have been wonderful - cooperative, self-starting, diligent. I think we can all be very proud.
You know, so far defeating Question 2 seems to be the only bright spot in the country. I'll be sending out another email about that and what happened in the Massachusetts legislature.
Bless you all!
Anne
PS For those of you wondering, I'll tell you at the "Thank you" party on Friday what the Latin means.
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