I don't know why the people who are running the "No on Prop 8" campaign are not refuting this ridiculous Peterson ad claiming that "churches could lose their tax exempt status, people could be sued, and that gay marriage will be taught in public schools". I can't believe that any thinking person could hear these claims and actually believe them. It bothers me that these false claims are not being targeted as stupid and without merit by the people who are running the no campaign. All I've seen so far on the "no"side is that one very vapid ad about "my daughter is gay and she deserves the right to marry" (paraphrased). Why are we not attacking the lies? How can we reach the people who are running the no campaign?

Used car salesman nails it! That's exactly what it's like. I'm surprised the school is tolerating it at all. He dragged the school's name through the mud. What are parents of potential students thinking? That the profs teach lies in the classrooms?

As a 2008 alumnus of Pepperdine, seeing this ad made me feel quite embarrassed of my alma mater. But I doubt the assertion by the supposed son of Prof. Peterson when he says the school originally supported the measure.

President Benton is smart enough to know the kind of backlash that would come out of putting the school's name on such an ad, even if the community may agree with Peterson's assertions on the whole. I feel like this was the decision of Peterson and the advertisers themselves, who needed specific credentials to support their insane stances.

Many people unfamiliar with the Pepperdine community already feel that it is a far-right wing institution full of intolerant evangelicals — and this ad will unfortunately only re-enforce that opinion. But there are actually many gay students at Pepperdine, who have been accepted but not allowed to organize and occasionally facing some hateful opinions from other students, as I wrote about in my days at the school newspaper:

http://graphic.pepperdine.edu/perspectives/2006/2006-09-14-facebook.htm

Lastly, here's the write-up from the school newspaper about last week's incident:

http://graphic.pepperdine.edu/news/2008/2008-10-02-gay-marriage.htm

Here's a press release from Californians Against Hate on the Subject
*********
NEWS RELEASE Contact; Fred Karger

October 8, 2008

Yes on Proposition 8 Defies Pepperdine University’s Request to Remove its Name From Yes on 8 Commercials

Pepperdine Name Now Up on Brand New Spot

Old Spot With Pepperdine Name Still on Web Site

LOS ANGELES, CA -- It was nice to see well respected Pepperdine University ask the Yes on 8 campaign last week to immediately remove the reference to Pepperdine Law School that Yes on 8 used in its first commercial without their permission.

Associate Professor of Law (not even full Professor) Richard M. Peterson http://law.pepperdine.edu/academics/faculty/peterson.html spews forth false and misleading information with the Pepperdine Law School name beneath his. Now, Yes on 8 has the audacity to do it again in its second commercial! Associate Professor Peterson is also staring in their latest con job.

Yes on 8 is led and supported by religious leaders from all over the county. Wouldn’t you think that they would honor the demand of Pepperdine University and not flaunt their request?

Here’s the email response that I received from Pepperdine’s Nicole Hall when I wrote her last week re the Yes on 8 ad:

Fred,

Thank you for sharing your concerns.

As you have alluded, the ad you refer to does not represent a Pepperdine University-endorsed position. Pepperdine University does not advocate for/against political candidates or ballot propositions.

We immediately requested to have the ad pulled entirely or for them to have the reference to Pepperdine University deleted from the ad since the professor in the ad was not advocating a Pepperdine position, but his own personal view. It took longer than anticipated to come to resolution, but the removal of the Pepperdine reference from the ad was granted at the end of last week and is currently being re-aired with the University’s name omitted.

As you can imagine, it was our desire to have this matter resolved as quickly as possible. I appreciate your feedback on the Prop 8 site and I will loop back with the appropriate individuals internally to ensure that all Pepperdine references are removed from the site also.

Thank you again for bringing this to my attention.

Nicole

Here’s their new commercial released today again with Associate Professor Richard Peterson:

https://www.icontribute.us/protectmarriage/initiative/already

Email Professor Peterson at Richard.Peterson@pepperdine.edu

Call Professor Peterson at 310.506.4094

-- end --

I'm sure he didn't go out and make a new commercial but they just had him do the footage at once and now they're cutting new commercials from it.

The school is not doing a good job managing this situation at all.

Peterson is also traveling around southern california and holding "information meetings" at churches where he scares the hell out of people on the "ramifications of Prop 8."

Is he doing that as a favor for another professor too?

@Jan: you are exactly right. Pepperdine is not handling this situation very well. As an alumnus of Pepperdine, I wish that President Benton would clarify their position once and for all.

But I suspect he is afraid to upset alumni, and their donations, from flowing into the coffers to really stake out a position.

I am amazed that so many of those that oppose Proposition 8, who are insistent upon others being tolerant of their view point and life style, immediately resort to name calling anytime someone comments favorably on the proposition. Ashley Harrell, the author of this post, labels as "asinine" Professor Peterson's participation in the ad. Bill Burdsall uses terms such as "stupid", "ridiculous" and "without merit" without giving any specifics as to how the ad is misleading or false. Further, rather than addressing the message of the ad, the opponents find it necessary to attack the messenger. If those that oppose the proposition want to advocate their position, I suggest they do so in a reasoned, sensible manner, without using meaningless slurs and diversions.

Lifestyle John D? You want to know what my "gay" lifestyle is? I get up; go to work; come home; no clubbing; no orgies or anything else your perverted mind can come up with

Most of the gay people I know have similar "lifestyles" to me. Your comment is pretty damn dumb. When people like you make reasonable and sensible comments, then people like me won't refer to you as morons and idiots.

From what I understand, the word "marriage" appears several times in our laws. Changing the definition of that word will have far reaching implications. I think we all can agree on that. I believe in the sanctity of marriage in spite of the fact that most don't (of any orientation). This is why I will vote "yes" to protect it.

President Benton:

You are being made a fool by Prof. Peterson and the Yes on 8 campaign. You are quoted in the Los Angeles Times as demanding the REMOVAL of references to Pepperdine in the Yes on 8 television spots. However, only a miniscule print disclaimer has been added. This is wholly inadequate to protect the reputation of the University, and mocks your duty to protect the University.

If strong statements aren't forthcoming from your office denouncing the Yes on 8 campaign as improper, along with instructions to television stations blocking these political ads that defame Pepperdine, we all will assume you are either ineffectual in protecting Pepperdine, or tacitly approve the ads in spite of your printed comments.

Currently, there are damaging stories circulating on numerous websites that give weight to your approval of the ad's contents.

You do not have a choice to stay silent. Silence is complicity. In light of your statements in print and other statements by the University's press office, your continued silence will solidify the impression of both personal and institutional hypocrisy. A failure to take public action against the Yes on 8 campaign harms your presidency and the University. Please act now to undo that harm.


MarcLux

Theo: Your comment is pretty damn dumb. When people like you make reasonable and sensible comments, then people like me won't refer to you as morons and idiots.

Theo, John D asked people here to give "specifics as to how the ad is misleading or false" and to "[address] the message of the ad." You think that's a dumb idea?

What's really funny is seeing all these races of people whom know firsthand what discrimination is like jump on the bandwagon. Think about when blacks couldn't marry whites? Or how does it feel when you are referred to as a nigger, chink, or spik? You people have a lot of nerve...

VOTE NO ON HATE
VOTE NO ON 8

"Don't let the gays get the right to be equal to everyone else."

This is not about god. And tradition.
Same as with women. Same as with blacks

It is about hate. Wake up!

I'm working to mobilize Pepperdine alumni to bring pressure on the school to fire Richard Peterson. My open email below:

********************************************

Dear Fellow Pepperdine Alumni,

Those of you who still live in California are probably already aware of who Richard Peterson is: an Assistant Professor from the Pepperdine School of Law who helped pass a statewide ban on gay marriage in the recent election by spouting partisan opinions and outright lies.

Our country was founded on the idea that the government ought to defend individual liberties. Those founding fathers who knew the dangers of overbearing, intrusive government demanded a Bill of Rights to protect the minority from the whim of the majority. Now, Richard Peterson and his ilk have used terror and hatred to overcome these ideals and to attack our civil liberties through institutionalized bigotry and discrimination.

Regardless of your personal stance, alumni on both sides of the issue should be outraged by how Mr. Peterson used his Pepperdine University credentials to lend weight to his opinions. You can watch the first TV ad here: http://www.protectmarriage.com/video/view/2. When Pepperdine administration requested the reference to the school be removed, ProtectMarriage agreed… for about two days, before releasing this ad: http://www.protectmarriage.com/video/view/5.

Pepperdine seems content to absolve itself of inappropriate political activity by issuing press releases, yet Mr. Peterson remains an employee of the law school and has suffered no consequences of any kind.

RICHARD PETERSON MUST ISSUE AN APOLOGY TO ALL PEPPERDINE STUDENTS AND ALUMNI FOR ABUSING HIS CREDENTIALS AND FOR CALLING THE REPUTATION OF OUR SCHOOL INTO QUESTION. RICHARD PETERSON MUST RESIGN.

I urge you to join me in boycotting Homecoming and withdrawing all financial support from the school for as long as they pay Richard Peterson’s salary. Also, please take a moment of your time to call Andy Benton (310.506.4451) and let him know where you stand.

This ignorant baldhead doesn’t speak for me.

Yours,

Matthew Duffy
Seaver College Class of 2004