His Master's Voice III

[GAspnes]

http://www.startribune.com/stories/561/5118951.html

Editorial: Going after Annan/A sordid move by Coleman
December 4, 2004 ED1204

Good old Norm; it appears there's nothing he won't do for a headline, or for his GOP masters. Minnesota's junior senator made quite a splash this week with his call for the resignation of U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, a splendid public servant whom the city Sen. Norm Coleman once governed has considered a semi-native son since his years at Macalester College. Even if he had never set foot in St. Paul, Annan would deserve far better than the stuff Coleman is dishing out.

The ostensible reason for seeking Annan's resignation? It was on his watch that Saddam Hussein diverted billions from the U.N.-run oil-for-food program designed to relieve the humanitarian burden on Iraqis suffering as a consequence of U.N. sanctions.

Note that no one has the slightest whiff of proof that Annan knew about, condoned or profited from this scandal. Furthermore, when the scandal surfaced, Annan appointed former Fed chairman and man of impeccable honor Paul Volcker to thoroughly investigate the matter. Volcker's report, which both he and Annan have promised will be made public, is still a work in progress.

Now the editorial staff is going after him. How about we protest at his house next weekend?

[dflprincess]

1. Sounds like a plan to me

n/t

[Alisa]

2. Count me in too - just post a time/place here and I'll be there...

Coleman is such a ass.

[GAspnes]

4. can't find a home address

how about his office, while he's in town over the congressional winter break?

[Alisa]

5. His office during winter break sounds good - I'll come.

We must get some actions going locally - there is so much to fight but we have to begin somewhere.

[katinmn]

6. here's the office address

we can call for an "appointment" to see when he's back in town.

Minnesota Office in St. Paul:
2550 University Ave W, Suite 100N
St. Paul, MN 55114
Main: 651-645-0323
Fax: [phone]

[suegeo]

3. On his watch...

QUOTE
It was on his watch that Saddam Hussein diverted billions from the U.N.-run oil-for-food program designed to relieve the humanitarian burden on Iraqis suffering as a consequence of U.N. sanctions.
END QUOTE

On whose watch did three thousand people die in NYC in Sept. 01?
On whose watch did the alleged perpetrator of the murders in Sept. 01 escape in Tora Bora?
On whose watch did the USA invade Iraq, based on lies?
etc. etc.

Norman, I think you are a cheap, sell out tuna sandwich.

[Zookeeper]

7. I'd love to share some of my thoughts...

with Normie. If we plan it far enough in advance, we may be able to get some other groups (Billionaires for Bush?) involved.

[GAspnes]

8. kick for more comments and ideas

If we assemble a small (5-6 people) group we might be able to actually get a meeting with The Norm. A larger group of volunteers would suggest some kind of street protest. So, for starters, do we want to talk to the weasel, embarass the weasel (with media coverage), or both, at different times?

[katinmn]

9. I vote for a street protest

A meeting sounds good but when we see him, what do we say that isn't already obvious?

*He's a lapdog for Bush and represents everything that is wrong with this country.

*We're going to work to get him out of office.

I don't think we can convince him to listen to progressives. He knows he's alienated us and seems to take a certain perverse joy in advancing divisiveness.

We could go in with an agenda and a list of things we want him to support (an example might be Roadmap out of Iraq http://www.fnvw.org/?mode=content&id=214 which representatives McCollum and Oberstar said they will be supporting and introducing to other Congressional members). If he refuses, we issue a press release or write a longer op-ed.

[cynthia]

10. time and place yet?

what an idiot! we need to tell him off

[GAspnes]

11. agreed, but

we need to be heard, we need to be effective and we need to be heard. (did I say that already?)

If it's a street protest it needs to get more than 8 seconds on KNOW.

We need ideas about how to succeed. Anyone?

[Demrock6]

12. Bull horn from the back of a truck.

I agree we would need to get some coverage, but we also don't want to get him more headlines.

We could be dismissed as far left crazy people angry at Norm instead of concerned Dem's. If we do something that gets to much attention it could energize the right. I would guess moderation is key for now. Just my thoughts.

[katinmn]

13. Off the top of my head

1) Define the main message of the protest. Do we want to call him on hypocrisy of his grandstanding on the Annan oil-for-food probe or is it broader than that?

2) Have a mini-program as part of the protest. Having someone speak at high noon will be the deadline reporters need to show up.

3) MN DU members should be ready to help research, offer ideas and fine-tune the message in the announcement.

4) To generate larger turnout, issue an invite to all progressive organizations in the state that would likely support the event and encourage them to attend, post on their websites, and distribute via their email lists or listserves.

5) Three days before the event, preferably on a Monday morning, send a media alert outlining the who, what, when, and where. Include contact information.
* Minnesota dailies, radio and TV, with direct correspondence to political reporters and columnists
* National alternative media. Although they won't attend, they may include an announcement or use our summary announcement.

6) Plan signage (here's a link to a San Diego protest on vote fraud from this weekend. Notice the messages, readibility of the lettering etc. Imagine how your sign will look in photos and on camera).
http://sandiego.indymedia.org/en/2004/12/106921.shtml

7)Have a one page handout for media at the event, including names and contact info for spokespeople, as well as onlookers and curious passersby.

8) Immediately after the event, issue a summary release on the turnout, and state the availability of digital photos.

That's my quick and dirty version.
Thoughts?