Any suggestions for the first official action by the DU Activist Corps?

[Skinner]

We've had over 950 people sign up for the DU Activist Corps, and hopefully we'll get to 1000 members in the next day or so. Once we get to the goal, we want to get started on our first official action pretty soon.

We're going to have plenty of opportunities to do lots of different stuff, so eventually we'll get an idea of what works and what doesn't. My impression is that we want to focus on stuff where we can maximize the impact of a medium sized group of people working together.

For example, trying to skew polls on high-traffic websites probably won't make a great deal of difference. If 100,000 people are voting, our 1000 people won't tip the scales very much. (Unless we cheat, of course, but I don't think we need to go there.)

But 1000 people writing letters to the editor to small, local newspapers might have a great potential for success. Some of these local newspapers will print absolutely anything. It's a great, underutilized opportunity to help get our message out.

Or, 1000 people sending emails to a media outlet expressing their displeasure about some ridiculously biased GOP spin they publish/broadcast might make them think twice next time. I'm thinking of stuff like the this piece of excrement by Dana Milbank, or here where the Washington Post preemptively spins the terms of the filibuster deal in favor of the GOP. The right-wing has been holding the media's feet to the fire on stuff like this for years. 1000 angry emails might just put them on notice.

Or 1000 people sending honest-to-god snail mail in their own words, printed out on real paper, to key middle-of-the-road senators about the Supreme Court nominations might make a difference.

So, what do you all think? What do you think our first official assignment be? Anything particularly timely right now?

[donco6]

1. What about a campaign against Fox for their Paris comments?

That one incensed me enough to write the French consulate.

[WCGreen]

49. Letters to the companies that advertise on FOX...

Tell them we represent 40,000 people from all walks of life who are in contact with their friends and family.....

We need you, as an advertiser on that station, to tell them they have gone to far. Make them aplogize to the French people or we shall mount a boycott of your product......

[Chichiri]

51. Boycotts would be ineffective.

We could never mount one large enough to make a dent in their spreadsheets.

Let's pick the battles that will do the most good.

[WCGreen]

52. It's not the boycott, it's the threat...

[Chichiri]

56. Threats would be similarly ineffective.

They KNOW we can't make a dent in their spreadsheets.

[WCGreen]

59. How come that evil red haired guy, brent someting or other

from the media watch group he set up always gets out on the air....

He gets a lot of publicity for hos group...

Letters to the editor really don't do much good either because only about 5 percent of the readers of a newspaper even turn to the editorial age...

So, each and everything suggested is only a small part of the puzzle, it takes a combination of actions to really make an impact....

[sojourner]

77. Actually, when we organize we can make a huge dent.

Remember Sinclair? Their numbers started dropping when we went all out to oppose their actions during campaign. We made an impact. Didn't get everything we wanted but they had to take notice of us. The more we do this, the more we use the methodologies we are developing here (like the multiplier factor), the more we become a real force to reckon with.

[Mythsaje]

2. LTTE bombarding

isn't a bad idea, though I question whether or not hitting the papers about the SC nominee will accomplish anything. Representatives in Congress are something else, but I worry that the fillibuster deal will leave the Democrats a bit outgunned when it comes down to the wire.

[Califooyah Operative]

19. I agree

Letters to the editor, but I'm not sure about on the supreme court nominees though.

Letters to politicians are always good too.

[cloudythescribbler]

33. letters on SCOTUS possible talking points

Letters on SCOTUS should be addressed, including by email, to EVERY member of the Senate Judiciary Committee getting a copy of each of ours, plus a c/c to the Activist Corps Administration. Presumably these would be published under each action -- at least a selection by the Administration. c/cs of the letter could be sent to select media, but remembering that the media will just file these away and ignore them, it would be best simply to pester the major networks (NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN etc) in TV and Radio, with c/cs of what was sent to them sent to major newspapers as news.

Talking Points for Letters on Supreme Court:

On Supreme Court nominees the custom is to ask about general philosophy. RW jurisprudence has about five or six main talking points, all of which are bullshit and/or complete hypocrisy, usually both:

(1) so-called "states rights" and federalism (a doctrine traceable to Senator Russell when he and others of the yahoo right, ancestors of todays Repugs, found it started getting embarassing talking about n-word type words and thinking on the Senate floor. State's rights had been tainted by its association with the Civil War, but was revived in the correct understanding that the memories of the Civil War were mainly among those with confederate flags or those the repugs wouldn't win over anyway. They don't respect state's rights at all -- not pot in Alaska or today's referenda on medical marijuana, not on affirmative action in the decisions that gave rise to the Civil Rights Act of 1990, not on environment, whether the nuclear waste transport case in NY State or the Virginia statute outlawing strip-mining in that state, among others, not on a host of other issues, including Gay Marriage, with the "defense of families" act of 1996 that Clinton signed and Kerry, to his credit, voted against.
(2)Pure malarkey on judicial activism -- classic example. The jurisprudence of the 11th Amendment, a good one to mention. It was part and parcel of the effort by the Supreme Court in the post Civil War era to undermine the 14th Amendment, whose substance the Supremes (initially under Taney of Dred Scott fame, then others of similar outlook) despised and undermined. Plessy is well known, but Hans v Louisiana(1891) completely reinvented the 11th Amendment (originally passed in the 1790s) to effectively amend the constitution and deny jurisdiction to the federal courts in areas that the founding fathers AND the authors of the 11th Amendment (many of them the same) altering the original judicial clauses had said and meant. Effectively it denied SUBJECT matter jurisdiction to the federal courts over state governments, striking using procedural technicality of a completely bogus and corrupt kind at the heart of the 14th Amendment, which itself, in addition to the pre-existing 11th Amendment implied exactly that jurisdiction. Since that time it has been a major obstacle to the 14th Amendment and a tool of those who pretend to be progressive but aren't (eg Whizzer White & Co). At least four justices in the 1980s (Brennan, Marshall, Blackmun and Stevens) consistently voted to overturn it. It is retained by roughly a 5 vote majority (the Bush v Gore majority, although recent test cases I don't have on hand) and is completely judicial activism of the worst kind, DIRECTLY READING INTO THE CONSTITUTION THINGS TO SUBVERT THE CONSTITUTION'S PLAIN MEANING AND INTENT. Long story somewhat shorter, the RW doesn't respect the Constitution, is very activist when it suits them in that agenda, and uses "state's rights" as a vehicle for that kind of judicial activism, while subverting legitimate states' rights when that suits a RW agenda.
(3) Same thing goes for "strict constructionism" -- another canard exploded by the 11th Amendment example, as by many others. The strict construction argument is simply a way to wrap partisan agenda falsely in Constitutional garb, with liberal "jurists" lending the whole idea credibility, even as they 'respectfully and cravenly dissent'.
(4) Limited government -- HA! They uphold all kinds of nonsense, like the Patriot act and anything else that extends the powers of government deeper and deeper and gives a free hand to those who want to subvert civil liberties, not even necessarily to stop "crimes" that most Americans would like to see suppressed.
(5)Respect for precedent and simplicity -- precisely the arguments for maintaining Roe are rejected by the RW of the Court: Rehnquist, Thomas and Scalia. Those three would overturn anything and everything that suits their agenda without batting an eyelash. Respect for precedent is something they preach, as with other forms of judicial restraint, to the OTHER SIDE. (I am not necessarily taking a side in these issues, which are complex, just showing their bogus use by theRW as slogans).

[mcscajun]

3. Snail mails will always count for more than e-mails.

The old saw holds that for every actual paper letter sent, there are another thousand who feel the same way.

Because it's just far too easy to send an e-mail, the depth and breadth of similar feeling cannot be subject to the same calculation.

Now, that's not to say we shouldn't use e-mail -- it certainly has its place. When we really, really want to make an impact, though, snail mail must be in our arsenal.

[poetsdream]

9. I agree that a well-composed passionate letter

has a more powerful impact than an email. I think contacting moderate republicans is a great strategy. I would appeal to their sense of justice and fairness, making a powerful case using facts imbued with our sense of passion. Also, would suggest that activists invest in a pack of thank you notes so they can send off a heart felt 'thank you' to all the courageous people - from the well known (i.e., Conyers) to the lesser-known (your local librarian protecting our privacy) who are fighting the good fight and dreaming the big dream for all of us...:think:

[patdem]

4. Gosh, there are SO many outrages between bush and the MSM

that I do not know where to start...

Maybe we could do something re the DSM every Monday...you know to keep it alive and do follow up letters/emails? Till bush answers Conyers letter and/or initiates that promised investigation on how the admin applies the intelligence?

Then commit Wednesdays to the Supreme Court nominees? Something different but related EVERY Wednesday till whomever is nominated is approved?

Then commit Fridays/or you know one other day of the week to some other outrage du jour?

That would be something like 'the wave' at a ball game. ? But to do repeat activism on a regular basis and not just one big push and then nothing.

Edit to correct spelling error and to add: I AM GETTING VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS!

[Lefty48197]

7. I like this idea. A continuing campaign to get the DSM in the spotlight

Eventually, somebody will start to pay attention.

[frankly_fedup2]

58. The use of acronyms are helpful for the poster; however, the reader,

if not familiar with the acronym, has to try to look them up, which does not save the reader any time. All things considered, I know it is up to the reader to get the information if not understood, but I was thinking that "maybe" some of the posters would agree not to use acronyms on this board

(YIKES, ducking behind desk right now)

(Peeking out and luckily no death threats, phew).

Just a suggestion. Please do not bite my head off or call me nasty, nasty names that get your response deleted.

(Remember we are on the same side fighting for justice -- okay?)

[Bucky]

90. The DSM, u POS, is how the MSM is letting the BFEE LIHOP the gr8 USofA OK?

And that's just my intial reaction

[cloudythescribbler]

109. we need a vanguard "cutesy" brigade: TO THE RAMPARTS!

[Im with Rosey]

83. DSM!

Somehow I keep thinking that our outrage(though worthy) about rove, treason, Judith Miller, etc. is taking our eyes off the ball about DSM. It appears that there are so many outrages of the day committed by these criminals that we give them a break on one before it is resolved, so that we can move on to the next outrage. I think it perhaps is a divide and conquer situation. Maybe some of us work on ongoing battles while some work on outrage of the day. We must figure a way to keep focused on specific things. I can't help thinking that we are playing into their hands by seemingly moving on to the next criminal act, the current evil action.

[Bullwinkle925]

118. That sounds good.

We must keep on our congress to follow through esp. regarding the 'Downing Street Memo'. I've telephoned Congressman Conyers' office today regarding additional meetings on this issue and will find out what is happening with that.

[wryter2000]

5. This and then that

Or, 1000 people sending emails to a media outlet expressing their displeasure about some ridiculously biased GOP spin they publish/broadcast might make them think twice next time.

I like this for a start. Media Matters is a good place to locate the relevant excrement.

To be followed by

Or 1000 people sending honest-to-god snail mail in their own words, printed out on real paper, to key middle-of-the-road senators about the Supreme Court nominations might make a difference.

especially as regards to SCOTUS nominees.

However, I think we should each take some time to write individual notes rather than sending the same letter. They can be short.

[acmavm]

6. Start warning our spineless reps in Washington that we will not accept

any radical right nominees to the Supreme Court. No COMPRIMISE on this whatsoever. Screw Frist and his nuclear option nonsense.

These are lifetime (until the retire) appointments. The next appointees will most certainly overturn (or attempt to overturn) any headway we've made in the way of civil rights, religious freedoms (or freedom from religion as well), etc.

We can't let the wafflers and the weaselers sell us out (again).

[MuseRider]

8. JMHO

but I really like the idea of actual mail sent to our Representatives. Mail from 1000 people would make them think, give them support and new ideas from out in the country away from the beltway. As a start that would be wonderful. We could actually do a lot all at once but standing behind and pushing our elected representatives would be effective I think.

Someone who watches closely and knows what is coming up in the near future could really get us going preemptively with letters both to reps and to papers.

We also need to work on the Republican reps and let them know we are out here watching and try to influence them at least to think beyond what the White House has told them to do.

[derby378]

10. Since a SCOTUS nomination is on the horizon...

We could put pressure on the DLC not to sabotage any attempts to keep hardline ideologues from taking the bench. Their meddling helped get Enron stooge Priscilla Owen installed on the 5th Circuit.

[metrodorus]

11. We need some sort of by-laws...

I'm a big one on process. In order to make legitimate decisions, I think that the procedures for making decisions should be transparent.

So, before any action is taken, I would suggest that some brief (the simpler the better) procedure be put in place to make decisions. I actually don't mind, let's say, if a standing committee of a very small number makes the decisions (perhaps accepting suggestions from volunteers).

In short, if this volunteer corps (or any institution) is to have some sort of corporate will, it needs a charter of some sort--by-laws, a constitution, or whatever--to spell out governance and decision making--even it it is merely to say that, let's say, Skinner will make all decisions. Otherwise, it cannot legitimately come to decisions. (Ideally, that charter would be voted into place by some group.)

A charter of some sort would legitimize decisions and foster trust on the part of volunteers who would know how decisions are made.

I would stress that the charter should be as simple as possible and spell out very simple rules about who makes decisions and how they are arrived at.

Maybe I'm being wonkish, but I believe that to coordinate the actions of 1000 people, it's necessary to have some standards about how decisions will be made, particularly if disagreements arise.

[sojourner]

23. YES!! When trying to coordinate efforts of even a group of 20...

these ideas are important. How much more so when we're 1,000 strong?

Not sure how "formal" these need to be. But at least some agreed upon mechanism for decision-making, conflict resolution, and parameters for participation. These might just be posts or threads that serve as documentation (like the "call to activism" that brought us here - which contained some simple language outlining what being an activist would mean, and why and how an "inactive" corps member might be dropped.)

[rasputin1952]

12. Snail mail to elected officials has the most impact w/them.....

it shows you took the time to write it all out, and the aides deliver/forward handwritten stuff far more often that e-mails. E's are important for instant conveyance, but I always try to f/u w/a handwritten letter.

LTTE's are a fantastic way to work within the community. I have had over 30 published, and only 2 rejects. I send them via e-mail, so that they get in to contest a recent LTTE or Editorial. My most recent was against an Editorial calling for the Flag Amendment. If it gets in the paper, it will be Mon/Tues.

Everyone should be working on the SCotUS nominees, and setting groundwork to fight the, probably, obnoxious nominees to come. By setting the groundwork, you let Senators know you are watching them. All politics is local, and it is imperative to make sure elected officials know you are keeping an eye on them and monitoring what is going on.

I agree that 'DU'ing" polls etc won't do much, but I certainly don't condemn the acts...makes one feel good just to feel like one is trying...:)

Personally, I still think that paper verifiable ballots from electronic voting devices is the single most important issue that will affect the '08/'08 elections. I truly believe that the whole neo-con ideology falls flat on it's face, and they have to steal elections to stay in power...:grr:

[katinmn]

13. I think you've already been contacted about the Abu Ghraib photos

and the Stop the Excuses, End the Abuses! campaign.

CNN has already done a story meant to soften the blow and further de-sensitize Americans to torture. We can expect to see more along the lines of this CNN article in the coming days.
House of horrors: Former soldier revisits Abu Ghraib disgrace, CNN, from Ed Lavandera, Tuesday, June 28, 2005 http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/05/26/cruz.abu.ghraib/index.html

The Bush Administration continues to flaunt its assumed immunity in regard to prisoner abuse.

The photos were supposed to be released to the ACLU June 30 but the Pentagon asked for an extension till around July 23.

We have some messsage points, background and suggested actions ready to go.
It would be wonderful if it could be a DU action.

[Sapphire Blue]

14. Some objectives... long & short term

Voter verified paper ballots... voting reform

Affordable universal health care

Resolution of inquiry re: DSM... and a sincere call to impeach the Administration... and indictment for war crimes

Supreme Court nominations

Exposing of source(s) of Valerie Plame's outing followed by indictment of source(s)

2006 elections... HIRING progressive, liberal candidates, and FIRING incompetent, regressive incumbents

Reform corporate media... counter RW/WH bias

Increase military pay... parity w/privately contracted security

Redefine the Democratic Party as the party that upholds the Constitution and values life, liberty, & civil/human rights

A DU Declaration, similar to the Jacksonville Declaration... perhaps based on human rights, or the Constitution & Bill of Rights

Heck, while I'm at it, a campaign to require psychiatric/psychological examination for government leaders... including candidates considering running for election... especially those in/nominated for the Administration.

You asked.


On edit:

Livable minimum wage w/periodic increases coinciding w/Congressional raises

US citizens should vote on Congressional raises, not Congress

Social Security lockbox & raising the cap

Eliminate corporate personhood

[katinmn]

16. These are all good.

We are working on these peicemeal but coordinated efforts can push them into the public dialogue.

[sojourner]

66. my thoughts exactly

[sojourner]

21. Excellent idea to get focused on which issues we want to act upon!

[cyberpj]

36. Great list. I might change a few priorities but ELECTIONS is number one

for me, too.

I love your oneness meditation. Care to share it's origins?

[Sapphire Blue]

43. I listed them as they came to mind, w/o prioritizing

The 'Oneness Meditation' is from the World Prayers Project @ http://www.worldprayers.org , under 'Meditations'... you can find it by doing a search on the site. Check it out... a beautiful site.

[havocmom]

41. That's a damned good list

the order is good too.

[cloudythescribbler]

88. all good except shrinks as election umpires (why trust THEM?)

[blondeatlast]

15. Stopping the bill that seeks to eliminate habeaus corpus!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=1917623&mesg_id=1917623

House bill 3035, Senate 1088.

This one scares the hell out of me.

I see targeting an incredibly nasty bill as a great way to flex our muscle and make them know we won't be trifled with.

This is the Constitution, citizens!

[UrbScotty]

17. Stopping John Bolton. (nt)

[cyberpj]

18. Yes. I posted it here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=106x17298

[sojourner]

20. The actions you describe all sound good...

as does your rationale in selecting them.

Targeted phone calls could be added to the list of things we do? Actually talking to people would seem to have a pretty good impact I would think...and has the advantage of giving direct, immediate feedback to the activist (which could be shared here?)

And you didn't mention developing a mechanism for getting a LARGE number of people involved when required. For example, if each of this corps of 1,000 people was to get the assistance of anywhere from 10 to 100 people, imagine the effect we could have! I envision this as an "action" that we would use with great discretion, so as not to overuse/exhaust the resource -- but would certainly give us a powerful tool for important/urgent action.

And, posts #11 and #14 both have exceptionally good ideas that add to the concept of the activist corps IMO:

- Some means for decision-making that is formalized and recognized by all here...(maybe a separate thread for deciding on this? or....?)

- Sapphire Blue's list of "issues" is also helpful. Not enough to know what to do, must know what we're doing it for.

edited for punctuation

[_testify_]

22. ya gotta pick your battles right?

I think LTTEs would be more effective when addressing highly-charged, emotional issues. For example, I think the odds of swaying a reader's opinion are greater if we pin the administration's nuts to the wall regarding Abu Ghraib, compared to attacking the GOP regarding the filibuster, etc. Joe or Jane Everyman *should* agree that torture is NOT an American ideal, but you might have a harder time convincing the same person that the rights of the minority party in Congress are being trampled cuz Bill Frist won't play fair.

On the other hand, writing directly to our elected officials would accomplish more if we address the goings-on in Washington, rather than the emotional issues.

Remember, you gotta play to your audience!

[sojourner]

24. Agree. n/t

[rasputin1952]

26. All politics are local...issues that affect pockets get more attention...

than anything else, it hits home much quicker. I like to start off with asking if the people I'm talking to actually gained anything from the much touted bush tax cuts...no one I've met has. From there, I can move to other issues where bush has screwed over people...(there's enough of them:) )

The average American has a limited attention span when it comes to politics, they are not 'living' it like we are. Points need to be made quickly, honestly and deftly in most cases. I never expect immediate results, I plant seeds, then nurture them over time.

The nation is coming out of shellshock...I never thought it would take this long, but one thing is for sure, NO ONE is talking up the bush regime in NE, and that in itself is amazing....:woohoo:

[kansasblue]

25. I think an action to show support for IWT

www.iwtnews.org

[yurbud]

27. Go pro-active on a new front--tell congress to give up Iraq's oil

since they aren't willing to move on withdrawal, this will put them in a prickly position. If they say no, that's like admitting that's the only thing we're really there for. If they say yes, the Bushies would have no reason to stay (except to make money replacing weapons the insurgents blow up).

Hillbilly Hitler art:



Blog:

[democrank]

28. So many projects....

I truly believe that an activist group here at DU can make a difference if we choose wisely and stay focused. I`m not in favor of responding to corporate media`s attention-grabbing BS polls, but I am willing to do just about anything else. Seems like we spend a lot of time responding to RW crackpot garbage. Perhaps it`s time to start a little ruckus of our own.

Perhaps we could consider:

Once a month, for six months, each activist donates $1.00 to be pooled for the purpose of buying a large display in a RW newspaper.

Pledge to honor a No Corporate Media Week during the next scheduled ratings "sweeps" and follow through with letters to network honchos. Each DU activist could promise to get two (or more) people to do the same.

Contact the ACLU and ask how we could help shed some light on the truth about Bush`s torture policies.

Contact Veterans for Peace and ask them how we could help.

Start a We Want the Truth campaign against corporate media.

Contact Independent World Television and ask them what we could do to help get them on the air.

[havocmom]

42. Money donations should NOT be an issue

For some every dollar counts toward personal survival. For others, a grand is chump change.

Leave ads for the organizations that do them like moveon. We can donate to the groups who do ads as part of our own personal life.

[sojourner]

47. Good thinking here....MHO

[Catchawave]

29. Most important kids.....

~You must use your real name and address when writing legislators and editors.

~Use your own words, not "astro-turf" (pre-written form letters).

~Keep them short and sweet AND non-partisan!!!!!!!

Carry on....

:loveya: :patriot: :loveya:

[micrometer_50]

30. I would be most enthusiastic highlighting media bias,

and feel, as others have posted, that snail mail could be very
effective.
Our elected representatives in Washington would be another of
my desires.
Thanks for DU, Skinner and crew.

[cloudythescribbler]

31. Recommended first actions should be timely and widely felt priorities

These criteria would apply to (1) actions in response to the London bombing and its aftermath, (2)something addressing SCOTUS vacancy(ies), (3) response to Live 8 event and/or G8 summit, (4) anything else that has been or comes up as a major news issue, OR THE PRESS HANDLING OF EACH OF THESE.

I would suggest a policy of at least (1) recommended action each week or each two weeks in tandem with someone Amnesty International is trying to help. We owe that to the victims of political repression and torture around the world. (2) A similarly periodic regular inclusion of at least one action directed not at the RW media (as they are always full of it, and their special idiocies would be an extra item) but specifically at the statements, omissions and distortions of the mainstream media (MSM). I have suggested that certain other issues over a period of time be addressed regularly -- such as the SCOTUS vacancies (fixed time frame), and Iraq (would that there were a fixed time frame)

This general policy is one that I hope the management would put out to see what people think about it. Maybe some system of polling or referedumizing the members of the corps would be good, on issues of setting policy. A list of "regular" issues -- that get an action every week or every two weeks would be something I would recommend, and could be put to a vote. I would be interested in knowing what is the likely number of recommended actions we are likely to see per month, and how many is a minimum reasonable expectation for members of the corps to pursue

Recommended specific early actions (for first week or two, in addition to "regular" list):
*PROTEST AGAINST THE IMPRISONMENT OF VALERIE PLAME

*CALL FOR WAR AGAINST TERROR FOR REAL INSTEAD OF OCCUPATION OF IRAQ
(could be controversial among DUers unless adroitly done -- but I know DU has administrators who could pull it off)

*CALL FOR POLITICAL ACTION GROUP ON ENDING ABSOLUTE POVERTY TO MAKE GOOD ON LIVE 8's CALL -- addressed among others to Geldof (this one has the beauty that it could MAKE news, nice to start with a BIG splash)

* OPEN LETTER TO MEMBERS OF THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE LAMBASTING THE CONCEPTS OF RW JURISPRUDENCE AND NOTING UNREPRESENTATIVE NATURE OF SUPREME COURT; OPEN WARNING ON OVERTURNING ROE V. WADE (civilized but ominous)

[Mnemosyne]

54. "IMPRISONMENT OF VALERIE PLAME"?

I think I missed something cloud, can you give a link? Thanks!

[sojourner]

63. Um...is Valerie Plame being imprisoned? I thought she was "outed"

and that Judith Miller is being imprisoned for contempt of court in connection with the investigation to discover who's responsible for revealing Plame's identity.

Could be that's what you meant, but had to check for accuracy's sake.

[metrodorus]

64. Judith Miller is hardly a cause to rally around

Judith Miller is a perfect example of what's wrong with modern journalism. She traded her duty to the public for access. She essentially served as a stenographer to the Bush administration as it marched us off to war. In exchange for access, she gave away her journalistic duty to the public. The court, I believe (I may be wrong), has said that her secrecy has nothing to do with protecting whistle-blowers, but everything to do with protecting very powerful people (like Rove, maybe? ).

Read:
http://www.latimes.com/news/custom/showcase/la-oe-brooks6jul06.story

[metrodorus]

65. no offense intended

By the way, Sojourner, I did not mean to criticize your post by writing what I just wrote about Judith Miller.

[sojourner]

68. I almost added that to my post but with-held it - unsure of unanimity of

opinion here on that issue. ;)

[cloudythescribbler]

85. I won't bother arguing the merits -- it's not a consensus position LOL

[cloudythescribbler]

89. yes, I noticed no one said anything when raised elsewhere

One thing is, of course, that DU itself does little screening, so actions need to be fairly clearly drawn. Just being real. Freepers of various kinds, including 'red-headed league' type progressives as I call them (figures or actually freepers who, not just on a lark on computer but more generally purport to be of the left). Other activists sometimes call the phenomenon creeps. Others consider the whole idea paranoid to seriously entertain.

But the system must be immune to even the potential for significant numbers of creeps or the whole enterprise is likely to be Kaput once some people put in utterly dumb things (NON-accidentally). By accident some might do so in any event, but that is different entirely in its likely impact.

I agree now with those who object to identifying oneself as from DU, a possibility I put out there. DU can officially send something from Administrators under its own "Letterhead" supplemented by our 'nonaffiliate' actions. That is sufficiently upfront.

[sojourner]

98. DU activists work using DU as tool...but don't work on "behalf" of DU

Agree on that point absolutely. Simply because of reasons you mention. I don't think Skinner et al would be comfortable with that either...I'm sure they're much more savvy than that.

[metrodorus]

99. That's an interesting point...

I suggested elsewhere in this thread (post 11) that we need something like by-laws. Only if there is an official policy of how decisions are made for this group can there be said to be official positions. And only then can the group collectively reject the actions or positions of people who join the group but who are working against the intents of the majority who have joined it. Without some official governance--by-laws, a charter, a constitution--there is no firm reason to say that this group, let's say, either supports or opposes Bill O'Reilly's views. We're all just individuals doing our own thing, and Sean Hannity's ideas are as representative of the group's as mine or yours is.

[cloudythescribbler]

129. well we have to have some kinds of rules, yes

anarchism may be the mode of governance in utopia, but bubblelas, we ain't there yet, and it ain't comin soon

HAVE FAITH, FOR THE KINGDOM OF BULLSHIT IS AT HAND!
but maybe some disciplined action by DUers can fight the imperialists a little

[metrodorus]

132. Yup, now the painful part...

I actually have spent some time while lolling around in my bathtub (where I like to read and cogitate) about appropriate by-laws for a group like this.

The first thing that came to mind was how to protect it from enemies who try to infiltrate it or people who try to use it with no particular commitment to its goals.

The first thing that came to mind is that the best way to protect it from that sort of thing is to require that voting members be monetary contributors to DU. (Which, by the way, would exclude me--I haven't give DU any money ).

It is fairly easy to imagine a decision making process based on election among financial contributors to DU.

In fact, by Robert's Rules of Order, I believe a parliamentary entity could be created quite easily in a group like this, even if the moderators had no input.

[cloudythescribbler]

141. I agree except what about people without credit/bank cards?

[cloudythescribbler]

91. yes, sorry, I meant the imprisonment of Judith Miller IN the Plame case

Thanx for catching that --

[cloudythescribbler]

86. OTHER THAN THE ONE IDEA YOU REJECT, WHAT ABOUT THE OTHERS?

[metrodorus]

113. I think they're good; I would do them.

[Stockholm]

32. Leonard Clark has apparently been arrested

http://leonardclark.com/blog/

[emdee]

34. Massive letter-writing to expose GOP lies and demand answers....

using letters to the editor, letters to governmental officials, fliers, etc.
emdee

[FreakinDJ]

35. How about a STEERING COMMITTE

Letter writing is a great idea but how long before the right wing nazis alert editors to start trace routing the emails

We do need to get behind pivital issues we can win - at a National level. Stopping the right wing-nut propaganda machine has to be Job #1. We owe it to America to stop the Bushit prapaganda machine in it's tracks and that is a fight we might possibly be able to win

[metrodorus]

97. Yes, I think we need some formal organization.

If your suggestion that we have a steering committee means that we should have some group that makes decisions, I agree. Please see my post #11. It's important to have some way of making decisions that have the authority of the group behind them. Otherwise we're just a drifting mob.

[cyberpj]

37. Creation of, Access to, and Constant Updating of a SINGLE contacts list -

I have a small one started with these headings and subheadings:

DIRECT TO EMAIL:
1 Other Activist Groups
2 Washington
....Administration
....Congress
.......Committes
.......Senators
.......Representatives
....Judicial
3 Media
....Television/Radio
....Newspapers/Magazines
........Foreign

WEB PAGE INPUT FORMS:
All the same categories

MAILING REQUIRED (Keep a list -possibly mailing labels forms)
All the same categories

Note: I have found a House of Reps site where you can download mailing labels for Congress-Representatives of the House, but NOT for Senators. If we could make something like that for MAILINGS I understand mailed letters get much more attention than emails.

Here's the House list:
on the lower righthand side
http://clerk.house.gov/members/

[FreakinDJ]

39. That is a good one

We can also input a lot of that information into a website that when the writer enter his zip code it automatically generates a letter to his Senator, Reps, and local newspaper editor.

But we might also want to establish a mailing list for this group of DU activist

[cyberpj]

44. I think PDA has something like that for local media sources?

http://capwiz.com/pdamerica/dbq/media/

[Jo March]

94. I can dust off the VOTE database and help create mailing labels

I don't mind doing that at all. :) I've been sending information to folks who ask and would be more than happy to provide what I've accumulated to this group.

[cyberpj]

38. #1 PROPER ELECTION EQUIPMENT #2 MEDIA TRUTH! - NO CORP OWNERSHIP!

There are so many but those are my TOP TWO FOR BIGGEST IMPACT PER ISSUE.

[FreakinDJ]

40. MEDIA TRUTH = Stopping Right WingNut Propaganda

The #1 mission as far as I am concerned. We need to publicly catch them in their deceptions enough to where the word of "Propaganda" is on the lips of every TRUE AMERICAN

[cyberpj]

45. But if the media won't call them on it because of corp ownership

how do we get the word out there?

For that we would need BIG NAME OFFICIALS stepping up to the plate and using the word on television shows, at press conferences, in the congress.. etc. And they don't seem to want to do that.

Or if they do - then they apologize.

[Sapphire Blue]

48. Media Matters for America has been doing this for more than a year now

... and they spread the word. Check them out @ http://mediamatters.org/

[emdee]

46. Changed my mind: it should be massive emails to the news media....

to demand coverage of Rove as being the Plame leak...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20050710/pl_afp/usjusticemediarove_050710203623

[Chichiri]

50. In regards to LTTEs to small, local papers . . .

We should find some way to organize so that different people write to different newspapers during a campaign. That way we're spreading the effort to cover the most readers.

Does that 5 star resource thread pinned to the top contain names and contact info for a lot of papers? (I'm too lazy to look right now.) If so, people could "call" the paper for his/herself by posting its title in the subject line in a reply to the OP for a LTTE campaign.

Or perhaps there's a more efficient way to do it. :)

In any case, we certainly want the names and contact info of as many newspapers, large and small, as we can get our hands on.

[auburngrad82]

134. I agree. There's one paper that I've had great success with

I've had about a half dozen letters published over the last year in the same paper. I'd like to stick with that one.

[cloudythescribbler]

142. what paper is that -- maybe some of us should send them letters too LOL

[Jackpine Radical]

53. How about a think tank group to do a formal study

and analysis of the techniques that people like Rove have been using against us? Sort of Lakoff plus Luntz. I think it would be immensely helpful if we could anticipate their moves and plan countermoves ahead of time. For example, there were broad hints that they were going to use smearboat tactics against Kerry. Had Kerry been alert to this attack ahead of time, might he have blown them out of the water? For example by gathering bio information on their previous unsavory political activities, debunking claims, etc.

I hesitate to put my $.02 in here because, for personal reasons primarily having to do with too many commitments already, I have not joined the Activist Corps, and I find it awkward to make suggestions for others to do when I am not free to join in.

[GardeningGal]

55. Resolution of inquiry on DSM

If we can keep this from being swept under the rug and add the Matt Cooper testimony, Judith Miller situation and I think we can push the fact the Bush administration lied to Congress and the country in order to go to war.

While I would hope for impeachment, I don't believe that's a possibility at this point. However, if we can keep the focus on the lying, lives lost, cost, etc. of the war in Iraq then I think we can help change the make up of Congress in the 2006 elections. But we've got to keep pressing for answers in order to hold this administration accountable.

[Tommymac]

57. Don't forget Phone Calls...

They are especially effective to House members.

MHO on things:

Methodologies:

-Snail Mail - best for contacting Senators, Representatives and private individuals.

-Email - Best for LTTE, contacting MSM Mass Media outlets, and immediate action alerts.

-Phone communications: Best for House Members and local politicos; also for some corporate issues and local Media outlets.

-Email "Buddy List" Force Multiplier: Used to multiply our 1000. Example, I have at least 30 online friends who are not DU members but they do help out if asked.

-Blogging: Long term activities.

-Online Poll Management & Alerting: Perhaps a few of us can be in charge of kicking these threads when needed - our 1000 votes won't matter but if we can keep them visible on the main forums 60,000 votes can make a difference.

Issues:

Long Term Regular Action Needed:
-Election Reform/Paper Ballots
-DSM and associated issues
-Reframing and taking back the language.
-Main Stream Media Reform
-September Nationwide Anti War Protests
-Promoting Existing Liberal Media sources


Immediate Hot Button Issues:
-SC Nominee
-Rove/Plamegate
-First Amendment Spin
-Coingate
-(All of the above LTI included as required by day to day revelations)

[brokensymmetry]

60. Definitely not email.

I noticed this posting:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1617315

I agree with those who have suggested real, snail mail letters.

[understandinglife]

61. Not 5 million, but 10 million plus people in the streets of DC on 9/24 ...

.... and a call for people all over the world to be in the streets of their respective capitols or major cities during the 9/24 - 9/26 demonstrations.

For context:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4067177&mesg_id=4067177

http://impeachbush.meetup.com/boards/view/viewthread?thread=1429154



http://www.newsparkproductions.org

WATCH IT; SPREAD IT http://www.bushflash.com/right.html

Peace.

www.missionnotaccomplished.us - How ever long it takes, the day must come when tens of millions of caring individuals peacefully but persistently defy the dictator, deny the corporatists their cash flow, and halt the evil being done in Iraq and in all the other places the Bu$h neoconster regime is destroying civilization and the environment in the name of "America."

[smartvoter]

62. Step One: Each of us becomes a force multiplier.

Have each activist member recruit a subset of activists that participate in our own activism efforts. Even a small number of add-ons would be significant. I personally have a small but significant group of friends and family outside of DU that will actively participate in polls or petitions or letter sending on my recommendation because they trust me. I would imagine this is the case with many of us. If every one of us focused on building a small group people who participated when appropriate and sent us notes back in the same manner we will interact with DU, we could become effective force multipliers. Just one add-on each would double our numbers. If each of us represented five votes, letters or other actions (and five is a number small enough for anyone to achieve), we could have a significant impact at even the largest media organizations, for example.

(In addition to this, we should have some method of informing other DUers of actions and asking for additional voices whenever possible. I would imagine that plenty of the DUers who cannot make a big commitment would be happy to take two minutes out to click a poll or sign a petition if they were proactively notified.)

[frankly_fedup2]

71. I have five family members alone that I know do not participate in

online activism or offline writing letters, signing petitions. They would sign their names to anything that I bring up to them that would help more Democrats be elected. I'd have to probably write their letters (lol); however, if they agreed with it, they would all sign it. Plus, they are all registered voters like myself.

So there are my five!

[smartvoter]

95. I'd have to write some letters/notes, too, which is why it would be

good to try and manage a small number (so the letters aren't identical, etc.)

But this is exactly what I was thinking -- everyone could come up with five.

[poetsdream]

148. A powerful idea for building a movement

That's how to build a movement; working together with people you know and trust and then moving outward into the community at large

:bounce:

[frankly_fedup2]

67. Is this a dumb idea or does anyone think it will work.

Recruiters are stating they are having a hard time getting their "quota" for enlistments, right? The so-called Religious Right claim to support Bush and this illegal war, right?

Then why don't we bring the recruiters together with the churches in our local areas . . . or try to. Remember, they claim there is no such thing as separation of church and state.

I have some ideas how to do this but wanted to get some opinions first. Be brutally honest please.

[sojourner]

70. I don't like it, but that's just me. Not all people going to church are RW

and I don't want to contribute to getting any more folks killed.

[frankly_fedup2]

75. Oh, I agree. I wasn't meaning that. Also, I really do not believe

anyone is going to sign on for it. Why bring it up? Because I would like to see how they weasel out of it. That is when I put the idea to work for the Dems.

Basically, I am wanting to do this because I know they will not go for it. Then I want to notify the local media regarding the hypocrisy of it all. It's more to shame the Religious Right into, hopefully, shutting up with their rhetoric that they are feeding to the media.

Just an idea and I appreciate all honest replies or suggestions.

[cloudythescribbler]

105. If you could get them all to co-operate, fine. Now how do you do that?

[metrodorus]

69. In the long run...

Letters are good. But let me venture the following opinion. The real advantage the right has is a massive block of voters who know each other in the real world and who are organized through churches.

In my state, Texas, polls indicate that the general population favors democratic policies. But we get our butts kicked again and again in elections.

Democrats will not recover until they are able to foster similar face-to-face networks like those developed by the Republicans. In the long run, we have to worry about voter registration and voter turn out and union organization. And that won't happen through letters or typing away on a computer keyboard in our pajamas...

[sojourner]

72. That's one reason a couple of us have suggested phone calls...

but you give me an idea....

WHAT ABOUT DU MEETUPS? If utilized in conjunction with the issues and priorities developed here, this could be a great way to develop some "cohesiveness" in the local areas.

And perhaps not all 1,000 activists can or want to do them. But if we begin with even half that number that averages 10 meetups per state! It could grow from there. AND could include connecting with and getting more involved with the Democratic Party (although I'm not sure how enthused I am about that one........)

[metrodorus]

76. I'm in agreement.

I've been moderately active in political causes for several years. In my experience, the more face-to-face the encounter, the more effective is the action. No one pays attention to emails. Word-processed letters are better. Hand-written letters better yet. Phone calls, perhaps, better yet. But there is nothing as effective as sitting down and talking to people face to face. It's the best way to ask for a vote. It's the best way to ask for money.

[metrodorus]

78. Phone calls are good

I should revise my recent email. Phone calls are really good at getting the base out. They are, I think, less good than snail-mail letters at getting legislators to act.

[sojourner]

79. But there are times when it's a good thing to do...

in fact, when there's an issue that I really want to drive home, I write a letter and fax it, I email a letter, AND I call. Now, snail mail letters are going to be a little harder for me. They cost money, per letter. My outgoing phone calls are part of my package...so more economical to either fax OR call.

[sojourner]

73. DU Meetups as an additional/optional tool...

If utilized in conjunction with the issues and priorities developed here, this could be a great way to develop some "cohesiveness" in the local areas.

And perhaps not all 1,000 activists can or want to do them. But if we begin with even half that number that averages 10 meetups per state! It could grow from there. AND could include connecting with and getting more involved with the Democratic Party (although I'm not sure how enthused I am about that one........)

[metrodorus]

100. I think that's a good idea

But I am a bit afraid that the thought of a committment like hosting a Meet Up might scare some people out of the group. Your thought that they be not required of everyone is a good one.

I've never been to one, and I don't know how they work. But I would be willing to try it. (But I would need to wait a couple months. I'm moving from Texas to California right now, and I can't get involved in long-term endeavors until I'm settled in.)

[sojourner]

103. Some of the actions need not be "required"...

people have differing strengths/situations. Some people like to "freeway blog" - I'm not going to do it, though.

I can write letters, make phone calls...and would be willing to host a DU Meetup for my area. Meetups (there's a website dedicated to management of meetups for all sorts of groups) are of course organized on the basis of locality. Meetings occur by agreement by the group - from once a month to a couple times a month...could even be once a week for those who are more intense in their purpose.

Communication is over the internet. One person is the "organizer". If he/she leaves the group, Meetup automatically seeks a new one from within the ranks and from any new members who happen along.

[bettyellen]

74. voter verified pAprer bAllots.

:hi:

[cloudythescribbler]

87. A definite one to pursue -- Though not time urgent THIS month

[OneBlueSky]

80. in honor of Andy . . . support VelvetRevolution . . .

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4051649

[rucky]

81. Freeway Blogging: We could wallpaper America...

with a single message. I say "Rove is a Traitor" but i suppose - being activists and all - everybody wants to come up with their own slogans.

i still think it's important to have a single message. especially if we want to get press coverage out of this.

[Bucky]

93. I like this idea, but I think facts hit harder than name calling

signs like

1. a picture of bin Laden and the message "Bush has not gone after this man"

2. a picture of the WTC attack next to Bush w/ the quote "I don't know where bin Ladin is and frankly I don't care."

3. names of particular local Iraq War casualties w/ personal information: "Sgt Smith lost his left leg in Iraq. Yet Bush has cut his veteran's benefits"

4. reminders of the cover up: "terrorists killed 20 people in Iraq last week, but Live at Five News didn't tell you."

A consistant message of freeway blogging will remind people of the truths that the media is not telling them

[smartvoter]

96. I like this idea. Slogans can be a challenge because everyone

does want his/her own, as you say. We'd have to work it out.

I think facts would be more effective than something like "Rove is a Traitor" because many don't know the details. I would think we'd have to educate as we go (1800 American Soldiers Dead for a Lie: Read the Downing Street Minutes -- or whatever we came up with -- this is just an idea...)

[eridani]

82. RE Black Box voting--

--nothing is going to help legislatively on the national level, so we will have to either get state laws and/or file a lot more lawsuits like the Land Shark suit. The basis for the suits would be that computerized voting is theft by definition, no different in principle that taking someone's ballot from them by force, asking them how they want it filled out, and filling it out for them without letting them watch you. This is flat out thievery in my book, even if the proxy voter follows your instructions exactly.

[unhappycamper]

84. So many issues, so little time....

My two hot buttons right now are

1. Stop the abuses
   
2. depleted uranium
   

The former has eroded our moral values and standing in the world; the latter is killing our kids.

[undeterred]

92. Supreme Court nominations are the timeliest issue

right now.

[cloudythescribbler]

107. we need to do something on this within first couple of weeks, also ...

another early action should be in response to Live 8 and the G-8 conference on global poverty -- an issue which is timely now but will be stale in less than a month.

[cloudythescribbler]

108. not the global poverty -- the specific context, of course

[MadisonProgressive]

101. The DSM is dying on the vine!!

We need to focus on the one thing that could get Bush impeached at this point.

[cloudythescribbler]

104. Yes something on DSM I and II during first month has my vote

[lady lib]

102. Campaign against the proposed "administrative subpoena."

NY TIMES
July 11, 2005
Unnecessary Powers

The Patriot Act already gives government too much power to spy on ordinary Americans, but things could get far worse. Congress is considering adding a broad new investigative power, known as the administrative subpoena, that would allow the Federal Bureau of Investigation to gain access to anyone's financial, medical, employment and even library records without approval from a judge and even without the target knowing about it. Members of Congress should block this disturbing provision from becoming law.

The Senate is at work on a bill to reauthorize parts of the Patriot Act that are scheduled to expire later this year. In addition to extending those provisions, the Senate Intelligence Committee is proposing to add an array of new "investigative tools." The administrative subpoena is not the only one of the new provisions of the current bill that would endanger civil liberties, but it is the worst.

When the F.B.I. wants access to private records about an individual, it ordinarily needs to get the approval of a judge or a grand jury. The proposed new administrative subpoena power would allow the F.B.I. to call people in and force them to produce records on its own authority, without approval from the judicial branch. This kind of secret, compelled evidence not tied to any court is incompatible with basic American principles of justice. It would also make it far easier for the F.B.I. to go off on fishing expeditions.

The bill would allow the F.B.I. to order that the subpoenas be kept secret. That means record holders, like banks or employers, would not be able to inform the person whose private information was being handed over. It would also make it difficult for Congress, and the public, to know whether the F.B.I. was abusing its enormous new powers.

--snip--

Read the rest here
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/11/opinion/11mon1.html?pagewanted=print

[cloudythescribbler]

106. broadside against Patriot Act and support of counterlegislation ...

also has my vote for an action within the first month

[lady lib]

112. Thank you. This administration's war against U.S. freedoms

is highly worrisome and disturbing.

[oxbow]

110. DSM on July 23rd! (see Conyers' blog)

I think we should work with 9-11 widows, Gold Star Families for Peace (GSFP), Military Families Speak Out (MFSO) or Veterans for Peace on whatever we do. Someone who is non partisan and well respected. It would amplify the effects of our actions a great deal to be associated with these people.

[paineinthearse]

123. Great idea! On many levels......

Link to the post that announced this to the DU community -
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3988851

Great idea! This event is 2 weeks away and fantastic way to get DU members inspired to connect with their Congress Critters!

[Chicago Democrat]

111. Let's GET ROVE!

Pulease?!

[abluelady]

114. LTTE

I like the idea of every week targeting one or two newspapers with one subject.

For instance on July 18, all 1000 of us could write a letter to the biggest city paper in Charleston, SC, regarding the DSM. It doesn't really matter if any of them are published. The purpose would be for the newspaper to see that 1000 people want the issue covered. Until MSM covers something, most people don't believe it is real.

Another day we could all write to CBS news and do the same thing. A sample letter could be shown but it would seem to me it would be more effective if we each write in our own words.

That's my idea today.

[melissinha]

115. I think all issues are important

I think that we should not ignore one issue for another. I think the crimes of the Bush Crime Family altogether really give you a pretty grim picture of what they are all about.

Now, sure, we can pick a first assignment.... I'll go along with anyone of them. I say we are in more danger of losing DSM coverage because the others are so fresh. We may also have to continue to bombard them with DSM stuff all along....


We've seen a lot of bile... we need to respond to bile liek the Milbank jerk and send positive letters too. Remember the positive stuff stands out in a crowd of bad letters...

I am going to buy me a nice books of stamps tonight.

[FizzFuzz]

116. Thanks, I've been wanting to see a coordinated effort.

Don't want the energy to get dissipated on loads of different actions.

Petitions are easy though, so no problem there.

But as for mass mailings--maybe a sample note on a certain issue, that people can tweak if they want, and 1-Click mailing, to a bunch of addresses.


Also, I'm wondering, any ideas on who to prod about the need for Dem owned broadcasting networks?

Forgive me, I haven't read throught the whole thread, sorry if I've repeated anyone. ON second thought, good, if I've repeated anyone, it means its not just one idea. :)

[Robert Oak]

117. CAFTA is coming up in the house

It's a real turkey, DOL has analyzed it, super bad for labor in every country involved, plus it's almost identical in wording to NAFTA
which the empirical results have shown decreased std. of living for Mexicans, lost massive amount of US jobs, increased US trade deficit.

It would be fairly easy to do a "blast the house Representatives" with email campaigns
for the AFL-CIO already has websites set up to email your reps.

Most importantly if Americans just said "no more" on this whole
policy of trade agreements that trade jobs instead of goods and
are proving to be disastrous, with a 5.8% of GDP trade deficit
currently that is growing...

maybe we might get congress to modify direction and start putting
environmental law/labor rights into trade agreements.

If this is passed it's just another "do whatever you want multinational corporations with your corresponding purchased congress".

[More Than A Feeling]

119. I'd like to see us send a delegation to Washington at some point

to meet with party leaders and let them know what is up. A group of 1000 representing 70,000+ who give lots of money regularly ought to get some face time with Dean, Reid, Pelosi et all, don't you think?

[shugah]

120. well, the first thing i've done in anticipation

is get an email list together. i have contacted people i know and told them that i was joining an online activist group, and would it be okay if i sent them email from time to time asking them to vote in polls, or write a letter if they have the time and inclination, etc.

the list of about 25 (at this time) are all people who are generally to rabidly bothered/upset at the current state of affairs. i'm not trying to convert anyone.

as i understood the activism group, online activities would be the norm as far as the actions we'll be taking, and things like polls, petitions, and emails are easy enough for everyone to do.

so, i guess i'm suggesting that a good first task might be for everyone to get a list of emails from people who don't mind receiving emails from us that may often/sometimes/ocassionally take whatever online action we are. 1000+ of us (i noticed the goal has been reached yay!!!) contacting 20 to 25 others, and at least some of our actions will have boosted numbers.

i'm sure that most people already have a list - this would be different only in that you were asking specific "like-minded" people to agree to be on the list, and only send them such action requests as we are currently undertaking.

just an idea.

other than that, i think that targetting certain newspapers that still try to maintain the appearance of objectivity (WaPo definitely comes to mind) might indeed be a great way to start.

anyway - i'm ready to get started with whatever our 1st assignment is! :-)

[paineinthearse]

121. CSPAN Journal

The CSPAN group - http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=320 - was created primarily to give DU members advanced warning to the next day's schedule and a place where we could collaborate on questions and comments, either sent the night before via its website or by telephone during the program.

Greater action could be achieved by participation of the entire "activist" group, or by individual members.

See the daily cross link in the CSPAN GROUP, then post your information / comments in the discussion post in the GD forum.

The CSPAN GROUP has a secondary function, too, and that is to document the unfair practices of their CSPAN Journal hosts, especially Brian Lamb.

[Mythsaje]

122. Shoot me down if you like

but I'm not sure it wouldn't be a bad idea to set up an e-mail group, like the ones they have on Yahoo. They each have their own webspace, and allow for files to be uploaded (if the owner/moderator chooses) so government and media contact information could be available immediately for any particular action we need to take.

I'm not saying something like this should replace what we do here, but it might be easier to manage some of this stuff through e-mail than sorting through the various threads to see what someone might have said about an issue.

THAT said, I must be flipping crazy, cuz I get enough e-mail through my readers and authors groups...but I can see some advantages to doing something like this.

Any feedback--agree, disagree, tell me to go to hell...etc? ;)

[jwirr]

124. I think that there are three important things we can do

all at the same time. 1.Write letters to the editor when possible. 2. Write letters to congress persons, not just our own but committee heads and powerful congress persons involved in specific issues. 3. Teach us (step-by-step) to use the media blaster and then submit important news articles for us to push. I think we should concentrate on the supreme court nominees when they are place into consideration but someone here also should keep us up on those little "hidden" actions that congress is fond of making when the attention is off of their body. Watch the cuts to vital programs. They almost always happen in the "dark".

[ScreamingMeemie]

125. Right now? Rove. It's actually getting media time... A thousand letters

would have an extreme impact on how this is portrayed, IMO.

[KarenS]

127. Boy, I like hitting the Rove issue,,,,,

It's hot right now and 1,000 letters, not emails, to the Senate, the House and the White House would be good. I don't think they should be 'form letters' either. If we outline talking (writing) points, then all put our own words to them, it would be very effective. BTW I think for each person the 3 letters (House/Senate/WH) could be the same with different salutations.

I am so pleased that there is over a thousand folks now!!!

Let's GO!!!

}(

[auburngrad82]

135. Rove would be my first choice.

The guy looks like Chucky and gives me the creeps.

[skids]

126. Three points.

(Not trying to be snide here, just in a hurry so sorry if this comes off poorly.)

One is, sending an LTTEs is not an assignment, rather a participatory action.

The second is, 1000 people never get an assignment as a whole. Think smaller task-oriented groups.

The third is, instead of wrangling it out here, why not ask Conyers, Kerry, Boxer, what to work on first?

[oxbow]

130. Agreed, we should work with others with influence

conyers and gold star families for peace are my favorites. We are stronger united and we already have a common vision

[Catshrink]

128. In memory of Andy: Universal Health Coverage

I'm not sure what the action should be, but believe that Andy would still be with us if he had had immediate access to proper care.

[Douglas Carpenter]

131. I would suggest E-mailing or writing an agreed upon media outlet

regarding some example of obviously skewed and biased reporting.

They happen all the time--if we need any suggestions; the good people at Media Matter and FAIR are posting examples every day.

[Bill Bored]

133. Ask Bill Frist for an "UP OR DOWN VOTE" on something!

ANYTHING!

(Election Reform would be nice.)

[kick-ass-bob]

136. Rove has to be the very first thing. We have to hit this while the iron

is still hot. I just sent an email from the John Kerry site, surely there is more we can do with this.

[metrodorus]

140. What to you think of Bob Somerby's views on Joe Wilson?

They're at:

http://www.dailyhowler.com/dh071305.shtml

I like Bob Somerby. He can be contrarian, but he's a good Democrat and does sharp analyses...

(By the way, I have written my letter on Rove to my local newspaper.)

[melissinha]

137. lets start POSITIVE: WH Press Corps

Lets send positive letters to the White House Press Corps for growing balls....

Lets mix it up with positive reinforcement.

[dogday]

138. We need to make the media aware of the

true story of Joe Wilson's trip to Niger. The press is reporting it as Valerie sent her husband. We need to email all the press and set them straight on their reporting....

[adarling]

139. agree

lets pull our resources together and investigate more and send them information, do the job of the reporters they hired for 6 figure sums

[cloudythescribbler]

143. The key issue on this is forcing the press (Miller) to reveal sources

[cloudythescribbler]

144. I've posted THREE 'while the iron is hot' (WTIIH) actions on other thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=106x18134

The comments are long, but the three are:

1) ON ABSOLUTE POVERTY, G8 & Live 8 (must do now)

2) SCOTUS

3) LONDON TERROR ATTACK

[sweetheart]

145. Yes, make this forum DU-Private only

If it is possible in the software, as much as the moderator forum is
off limits to the general membership, apply the same mechanism
to this "DU Activist HQ" forum so that our activities have an
element of suprise.

[SharonRB]

146. I know we've had our first assignment, but

here's an idea for July 23.

John Conyers is holding a town hall here in Detroit on the DSM and afterdowningstreet.org is organizing event all over the country to coincide. I think they're having some kind of a webcast like moveon did with Fahrenheit 9/11 and Outfoxed. People can go out to afterdowningstreet.org to sign up to attend or hold a meeting. I and a few other DUers are planning to attend Conyers' town hall here in Detroit.

[Ready2Snap]

147. Hey Boss!!

I just posted this under the heading about forming permanent sub-groups.

We could use a voluntary editorial group made up a people with writing or journalism experience
to coach and tutor LTTEs and op-ed piece writers.
A DUACer could submit a draft and get several people's feedback on making it better.

And our fledgling correspondents would be getting an education
in organizing ideas, presenting arguments and framing issues.
I see this accelerating the development of more good writers and journalists to carry the battle.
Sort of an organic, grassroots to response to the right-wing propaganda machine.
We could call it DUU.

Volunteers could sign up through a group administrator
(assigned by DUAC admin. staff) who could help coordinate their efforts.

Whadda ya think?