The state of Louisiana is suing MoveOn.org in federal court

For perverse reasons, telling the TRUTH provokes some folks, especially when the TRUTH involves denying poor Americans HEALTH CARE.

And it seems the Republicans, bereft of potential Presidential Candidates beyond the Lunatic Fringe are in short supply, so they seem mighty sensitive.

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal seems to have a mighty big problem with the TRUTH!


Here's the billboard:

Why would any reasonable person deny HEALTH CARE to Americans?

FROM MOVEON:

Breaking news: The state of Louisiana is suing MoveOn.org in federal court.¹ They're trying to force us to take down a billboard that calls out Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal—an aspiring presidential candidate—for denying health care to 242,000 people.

After carefully discussing the matter with our lawyers, we've made a decision: We're leaving our billboard up—even if we have to take this fight all the way to the Supreme Court.

This lawsuit is unprecedented in MoveOn's sixteen-year history. And it will take all of us to respond. Normally, we ask for folks to donate when they can—and we know that not everyone can give every time. But today, we're urgently asking all MoveOn members to step up to the plate and help with a monthly contribution starting now.

Can you donate as little as $5 a month—or as much as you can afford—to make sure MoveOn has the resources we need to defend ourselves in court and keep our work going?

Yes, I'll help ensure MoveOn has the resources to defend itself from this lawsuit while doubling down in other states where health care is on the line.

No, I can't right now.

We need to go all-in to fight this lawsuit. But, at the same time, we simply can't de-fund our campaigns in the other 24 states where Republicans are blocking their own people from getting Medicaid. And our other critical work needs to be maintained.

Without the resources we need to fight back, this legal battle could amount to a costly distraction from our real work. But on the other hand, if we can muster a full response and keep our core campaigning going, it's actually great news because:

1. We've drawn a future presidential candidate into a fight over health care—on our terms.

2. This lawsuit is completely baseless. As Tulane University constitutional law professor Keith Werhan said last week: "The government can't legally silence those who are criticizing them."²

3. The deeper the state of Louisiana takes this—and the more national press we get—the more attention we bring to the real substance. Which is that Gov. Bobby Jindal—who wants to be president someday—is denying health coverage to 242,000 Louisianans.

This is a big moment for MoveOn—and we're asking MoveOn members to dig deep right now with a monthly contribution so we can rise to the challenge. Can you chip in as much as you can spare each month to help MoveOn during this pivotal moment?

We'll fight this lawsuit with all we've got. But that by itself isn't enough.

We need to make sure we don't get so tied up fighting for free speech in Louisiana that we neglect the other 24 states where Republicans are still blocking Medicaid expansion. In fact, we need to double down—because we know our campaigning is working, and critical votes to expand Medicaid are coming up—in Nebraska, Maine, Virginia, New Hampshire, and other states. And we need to make sure the rest of MoveOn's campaigning can continue, too.

Last week, Republicans in Louisiana threatened MoveOn with a lawsuit. Now they've made good on it. With your help, let's make good on our pledge to fight back and double down.

Thanks for all you do.

–Anna, Victoria, Manny, Jessica, and the rest of the team

P.S. We haven't been served yet or gotten a court date. But we're already fighting this lawsuit in the court of public opinion. Last Friday night—just as Gov. Jindal took the stage at a conservative event in New Hampshire to establish himself as a presidential contender—MoveOn members greeted him on the ground, while we flew an airplane above him in the sky, with a clear message: "Stop denying 242,000 Louisianans health care." Here's a picture:

  

 

Sources:

1. "Louisiana sues MoveOn.org over Bobby Jindal billboard," The Times-Picayune, March 14, 2014
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=297409&id=93173-3735812-OC4IYix&t=10

2. "Louisiana, MoveOn group tangle over political billboard," The Times-Picayune, March 6, 2014
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=297273&id=93173-3735812-OC4IYix&t=11