Mass DUers to Battlestations! I've had it with Santorum! This means WAR!

[Ian David]

Cross-posted in Activists forum:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=106x20567


I ask that Massachusetts DUers declare war against Rick Santorum, and the we make Outback Steakhouse the battlefield in the fight to stop spreading santorum!

See this latest thread:

Santorum blasts Mass. senators over church scandal
Kennedy, Kerry 'did nothing,' he contends
WASHINGTON -- Senator Rick Santorum, Republican of Pennsylvania, yesterday alleged that Senators Edward M. Kennedy and John F. Kerry of Massachusetts ''did nothing" about sexual abuse in the Catholic Church in 2002.

More:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4244716

Enough is enough! Let's show Outback Steakhouse that when you lie down with Santorum, get up with santorum on you.

February 19, 2005
Outback Steakhouse: Losing Money Fighting Workers Rights
http://www.buyblue.org/archives/2005/02/outback_steakho_1.html


Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Outback) -- no rules, just (far) right

<snip>

Without a lot of fanfare, the ubiquitous steakhouse chain with the bouncy Australian theme and its famed "Bloomin Onion" has become a political playa -- almost all on the GOP side. Check out this 2004 article from the St. Petersburg Times:
http://www.sptimes.com/2004/10/31/Business/Outback_s_PAC_house.shtml

...Outback's 2,700 steakhouse managers and joint-venture partners are breaking bread with local government officials, tracking legislation and quietly donating $1.6-million of their own pay to build one of the country's biggest corporate PACs. Bigger than Boeing's, according to FECinfo.com. Bigger than Halliburton's...

Through Oct. 13 of the current election cycle, Republicans took home 98 percent of the $452,250 that Outback's PAC donated to party committees, 97 percent of the $453,551 it spent on national, state and local candidates, and 100 percent of the $52,000 it gave to the so-called leadership PACs of top legislators. Those legislators, such as U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay and Florida House Speaker Johnnie Byrd, use the leadership PACs to solidify support within their party by contributing to favored candidates.

Some observers assume the company is pursuing a right-wing social agenda because many of the pro-business candidates it supports are social conservatives. But that's not true, Kadow said; if anything, Outback executives lean libertarian. "The only purpose of our political activity is to protect the economic viability of the restaurant industry," he said.

<snip>

In early March, not long after Santorum received the $5,000 Outback PAC contribution and less than four weeks before the fundraiser the company hosted in Tampa, the Pa. senator introduced his own minimum wage amendment. It would have increased the overall minimum wage by a $1, but that was less than the Democratic plan ($2 an hour) and had some little noticed, pro-business provisions.

More:
http://www.pnionline.com/dnblog/attytood/archives/001745.html

[paineinthearse]

1. I've never eaten at an Outback but will be happy to help.

Can I still boycott? :shrug:

What do you propose?

[Ian David]

2. I propose a four-pronged attack

1) Letters to the editors and media outreach
2) Outreach to gay bars and organizations
3) Leafleting windshields in parking lots
4) Picketing and passing out leaflets outside Outback Steakhouses
5) Media outreach and follow-up
6) Coordinate with out-of-state groups

Each step will build upon the previous ones.

I also happen to know of an Outback Steakhouse directly across the street from a gay bar. I think we should make that store the focus of our efforts.

Unfortunately, in Massachusetts we have the very serious gay marriage vote coming up during the Constitutional Convention in September.

This needs to be a quick-and-dirty campaign that will also serve as a model for similar campaigns in other states.

And any verbiage or imagery involving "santorum-as-a-substance" displayed to people who are about to try and eat a large meal... well... you get the picture.

"Would you like some creamy tartar sauce on your fish?"
"Yes, please. And can you please pass the brown, frothy steaksauce..."

Phase 1: Who wants to design signs and fliers?

[Ian David]

3. See related thread: Priest at Santorum's church charged with abuse in 2002

See related thread: Priest at Santorum's church charged with abuse in 2002

Santorum Knew: Priest in D.C. where Santorum Worships Charged in July 2002
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1975826