Roses for Helen Thomas like we did for Barbara Boxer?

[helderheid]

She deserves a room full of roses, don'tcha think?

Inspired by this post:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=725343&mesg_id=725343

Anyone remember how we organized this last time with Barbara Boxer?

[Beaverhausen]

1. I think MoveOn.org organized the roses to Boxer

not positive but...maybe we can suggest it to them. Not sure where Helen's office is though.

[helderheid]

2. MoveOn? I thought for certain it was DU with some paypal account but I'm

fuzzy on the details. I could be completely wrong though - my memory isn't top notch!

[Beaverhausen]

6. ok- I might be wrong

we talked about roses for Helen early this year (for Valentine's day) but we didn't get it going because we don't know where her office is. I'd love to send her roses if we know where to send them.

[helderheid]

9. from the other thread, we have this address:

KAT119 (151 posts) Wed Mar-22-06 07:50 PM
Response to Reply #9
16. Helen's office address must be: Hearst Newspapers - 1701 Pennsylvania Ave
NW - Suite 610 - Washington,D.C. 20006.( Googled Hearst Newspapers-Washington,D.C.).
EXPECT A MIRACLE!

[Beaverhausen]

13. Oh- well lets do it!

we need to find a florist near her office and set something up.

[RazzleDazzle]

72. It would be SO MUCH MORE FUN to send it care of the

White House Press Office where all the reporters hang out.

:evilgrin:

[GregD]

56. Actually, before MoveOn, it was DU contributions and USVIP

After the election, I set up a site called USVIP.org which is now offline. I have a client who is a flower wholesaler and we arranged for roses shipped in from South America to be delivered to the DC offices of those who supported Boxer's challenge.

[helderheid]

57. ah, so it was YOU!!

Can you help with this effort?

[GregD]

58. I'd have to ask the client, but it is possible we could do it.

Please PM me your contact information.

[helderheid]

61. bless your heart! I'll PM you!

[sarahlee]

75. Exploitation of Columbian flower workers

See my post below with subject "Dont send roses"

[katinmn]

3. Huh? Better see this. Has the DU logo on the front page

http://thankyoupatriot.com/

[helderheid]

5. thanks, I thought maybe I'd lost my mind!

[Coexist]

123. my three kids are on that site!!

How nice.

[helderheid]

154. beeeeeeautiful kids!!

I'm on that site too!

15th down

unfortunately I look psycho!

[Coexist]

159. nah!

and my kids look much better than their photos. It was first thing in the morning. My youngest looks like I dragged him out of bed!

They actually look so YOUNG in those photos. It is amazing how quickly they change.

[helderheid]

161. I hear ya! I found an old video of my wee ones from 2004 and was shocked

at how much they've grown!

Bittersweet!

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

43. I don't know about Moveon. I do know that we at DU showered Boxer

with flowers. I couldn't have paid Moveon with Paypal, which I did.

[NYCGirl]

4. It's a thoughtful gesture, but do you think she'd be somewhat offended

to get a gift for doing her job?

[helderheid]

7. Barbara Boxer wasn't offended for getting them for doing her job

:shrug:

[NYCGirl]

8. We don't send anything to the men who do theirs. NT

[helderheid]

10. Damn! Yes, flowers to KO too!

[NYCGirl]

14. And what about Feingold? NT

[helderheid]

15. Sounds good to me.

[Beaverhausen]

17. Helen Thomas is 85 and still kicking ass when other journalists aren't

if you don't want to go in on sending her flowers fine.

[helderheid]

18. Thank you - yes, this really is the point for me.

[NYCGirl]

20. You know what would be great? A letter to her employers telling them

how much we appreciate her work.

[helderheid]

22. That would be great - I bet they'd get the message walking past her office

full of flowers.

[helderheid]

141. she's the ONLY reporter I've seen mention PNAC in the MSM.

[fooj]

145. I was beside myself when she did it. Expose PNAC!!!!!

She is my hero.

Peace.

[Beaverhausen]

21. I think the KO fan club here sent him a tie?

Can anyone confirm this?

[gkhouston]

35. a while back for his birthday, yes

the insanity associated with debating the relative merits of neckwear over the internet is its own reward. :silly:

[helderheid]

36. LOL! :)

[Beaverhausen]

37. Did he wear it on the show?

[gkhouston]

59. last year's tie, definitely.

this year's selections? It's a matter of debate. His birthday's at the end of January when everything's on after-Christmas clearance and so many people wanted to go in on a tie that we ended up getting two this year. One of them is a red patterned tie that some think they've seen (and others are equally sure they haven't). The other is a Jerry Garcia and there will be no doubt about whether that's the tie if he chooses to wear it.

[Beaverhausen]

71. LOL! Jerry Garcia ties Rock! It was the only kind I could get my hippie...

...boyfriend to wear when we had to go to a wedding last year. They are really beautiful ties.

[katinmn]

40. Yes, we do. We sent flowers to Murtha at Walter Reed!

edit: bad link.

Thank You Congressman Murtha!
CODEPINK co-founder Gael Murphy and DC coordinator Allison Yorra met with Congressman Murtha to thank him for his courageous stand on Iraq. We presented him with our pink badge of courage and pink flowers sent by CODEPINK members nationwide. Rep Murtha was very appreciative of these gestures as he has been receiving many responses to his public denouncement of the war. Murtha said that while many of the calls and emails have been supportive, those opposed have been quite vitriolic. He stated that the best support of his position and of the troops would be to ask legislators to support H.J Res 73 (Murtha's resolution). In addition to the flowers, Murtha requested that we use additional donations for the wounded at Walter Reed. DC CODEPINK along with Veterans for Peace, Military Families Speak Out, U.S. Labor Against the War and other peace groups involved in the weekly vigil at Walter Reed recently delivered baskets of goodies to the wounded at Walter Reed. Together, with Murtha's office, we will be continuing this outpouring of kindness and support to the wounded soldiers from CODEPINK.

[NYCGirl]

45. That's good. Roses are not for women only.

Those are from CODEPINK — I don't think we at DU have ever sent flowers to a man whose did something we admired.

[helderheid]

53. Are you callin' DU sexist?? :) I have no problem sending men flowers.

[NYCGirl]

54. In this way, yeah. ;-) NT

[helderheid]

60. Well, if Helen was Hank, I'd still say send em "his" way.

[Pastiche423]

83. Incorrect

Duers sent Senator Robert Byrd flowers after he stood, alone, day after day, week after week speaking against the Iraq invasion. This was in September 2002, right before the IWR vote.

On edit: It was September, not October.

[NYCGirl]

86. I wasn't here then. Thank you for the info. I stand corrected. NT

[Nostradammit]

11. I know I sure get pissed off when someone praises me.

Just spitting mad.

[NYCGirl]

16. Praise is good. A letter to Ms. Thomas would be very much appreciated,

I'm sure.

[Cults4Bush]

44. ..and flowers might make her feel incredibly good and lift her spirits

even more. She is damn near the only one in the WHPP that has stayed true and tough the entire time the occupier has been there (and that includes Gregory).

I think she deserves a damn sight more than a letter or a thousand. Flowers speak volumes and I cantell you for a fact that Barbaras' flowers were not only well recieved but everybody (and I mean every politico in town) knew about them and i have no doubt that she was the envy of the town for at least a few days and who knows maybe that one act of constitual love made some other officials try harder.

If you dont want to send her flowers don't, see its that simple.

[NYCGirl]

48. What I was pointing out above is that we don't do the same for men who

have gone above and beyond the call of duty.

[Cults4Bush]

65. cuz flowerz r gay!

just kidding.

Feingold deserves some love without a doubt, but why nearly derail a thread for someone else to make your point?

If you started a thank Feingold campaign Im sure many many people would join you if they hadn't done so on their own already (and probably would in addition).

Your posts came off as trying to discourage the flower idea, and instead write her bosses. Beleive it or not Ive done that several times for her over the last few years and truly I like to think that maybe in conjunction with other similar letters we might have helped saved her her job. So now I'd love to send her a big bunch of flowers with the rest of her admirers.

Start a campaign for the guys if you'd like... hell depending on who it is I'll K&R it for you and maybe even donate.

[laruemtt]

12. who could be offended

by getting flowers of appreciation? i think it's a great idea. i'm in!

[prolesunited]

19. I don't think she would

I met her briefly some time ago at the beginning of this mess. I told her thank you for speaking up and that she had a whole fan club behind her, rooting for her. She seemed really touched and noted that she gets a lot of awful e-mails. I think she really feels alone out there sometimes.

So, no, I don't think she would be offended and would very much appreciate it. Jason and I would be willing to kick in.

I say let's do it!

[electron_blue]

68. I wish someone would give me flowers for doing my job well....

[LostinVA]

90. Not Helen -- she would understand and appreciate it

[pacalo]

99. The point is, she's one of few who are doing their job.

[EC]

23. Maybe it's something we should have once a year...

put up nominations, vote and send the roses.....?

[helderheid]

25. I absolutely LOVE that idea!!!

[sarahlee]

82. Sending Roses exploits Columbian slave labor

Dole's subsidiary, Splendor Flowers, has been actively engaging in anti-union activity aimed at Colombian flower workers who have successfully organized themselves into an independent union, Sintrasplendor.

Unfortunately, in Colombia, violence and intimidation of trade unions are all too common. Since 1991, over 2,100 Colombian trade unionists have been killed. Despite the violent environment, Colombian flower workers have stood up to fight for their basic labor rights. According to the union, Dole's Splendor Flowers has responded with anti-union activity that has included:

- threatening and firing union workers,
- bringing in an employer-dominated union and pressuring workers to affiliate, and
-contesting the legal status of Sintrasplendor on absurd grounds in an attempt to eliminate the union and prevent collective bargaining.

The union also suspects that Dole was behind intimidation of the workers through the presence of armed forces and police at activities held off company property.

The flower workers at Splendor Flowers held a rally at Dole Headquarters in Colombia this month, carrying signs that said: "No more work overloads at Dole plantations" as well as "Dole: no more worker persecution!" Workers formed an independent worker union after being forced to work overtime (often without pay) and other labor abuses by Dole.

Flowers produced by Sintrasplendor workers reach the U.S. market. As U.S. consumers, we have an opportunity to push for change in the Colombian flower industry which is mostly unorganized and primarily composed of women workers.

I n a meeting with US/LEAP's May delegation to Colombia US/LEAP website], the union asked for an intensification of international support. Workers reported about the poor working conditions that they are facing, including forced overtime, often without compensation, miscarriages that are suspected to be linked to strenuous work during pregnancy, workers not being able to leave even when family members were on their death beds.

For more background information, see:
http://www.campaignforlaborrights.org/alerts/2005/mar06-target.htm

[wakeme2008]

24. I'm In

we could do a 1-800-flowers with a set date....

tell me how and I will :)

[helderheid]

26. That's the question - I don't know the how - who organized it last time?

Anyone know?

[Sapphire Blue]

47. Link to "The Barbara Boxer Rose Campaign" (Daily Kos)

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/1/29/193938/517

Update <2005-1-30 1:32:31 by clb8>: Coast-to-Coast Florist coordinated with the campaign's originator for the special price of $10 for three red roses. Call 1-888-501-7673. The last date to order is February 12th. All roses will be delivered, en masse, to Senator Boxer's office at the Hart Building in Washington D.C. on Valentine's Day. If you've already heard about this campaign skip my diary and read the original email in which Stacy describes the campaign, delivery details and her reasons for initiating this inspired and heartfelt act of appreciation (in PDF) here. If you're not convinced, read my diary, then join us - it feels sooooo good!

Let's DU it!!!

[Beaverhausen]

51. Thanks for that info

:hi:

[helderheid]

55. GREAT!! Who here organized it with Coast-to-Coast florist?

[Sapphire Blue]

62. No idea, but you can contact Coast-to-Coast to find out how to set it up..

[helderheid]

64. looks like we found him 52

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=726885&mesg_id=727321

[Sapphire Blue]

52. Coast-to-Coast Florist

Phone: [phone] | 513-719-2039

Website: http://www.coasttocoastflorist.com/

[MsUSA]

27. So are we gonna send her flowers or not??

:)

[helderheid]

28. I'm in - who organized this last time?

[Beaverhausen]

29. we need to give this some votes and get it on the greatest page

[helderheid]

30. thank you! I can't... :P

[KAT119]

131. Dearest helderheid, thank you for ferreting out best procedure to honor

Helen! As I now recall, we all called the 800# on our own, and sent the flowers for a specific date (Valentine's Day in Barbara Boxer's case)....as many flowers as we could afford. The photo that Barbara sent to DU was AMAZING!!! BUCKETS OF GORGEOUS FLOWERS FILLED THE ROOM W/ BARBARA IN THE MIDDLE!! We can easily do this...who will be the person to notify the FLORIST??

PS. People who can "SEE" beyond the veil, say that their is an Angel who goes w/ every flower! Helen deserves no less!!!

[helderheid]

142. YOU ARE A SWEETHEART!!

[Swamp Rat]

31. Yes, and lots of hugs and kisses!

:hug: :loveya:

[helderheid]

33. That too!

:loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya: HELEN! :loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya:

[OnceUponTimeOnTheNet]

32. k&r

[Beaverhausen]

34. Come on- one more vote

then we have to figure out how to do it!

[helderheid]

38. having trouble with that last one...

[Beaverhausen]

42. LOL!!!

OH- we did it!

[AndyA]

41. Done - 5 recommendations! n/m

[helderheid]

46. THANKS!

[AndyA]

39. I'm in, I'm sure Helen would be very touched

to know that so many people appreciate her efforts. There are few things in life that truly touch people, and knowing your efforts have meant enough to others that they respond in such a manner is one of the best feelings a person can have.

Helen deserves this, and maybe it will get some press coverage as well. Might send a message to a few to cross over from the dark side.

[Beaverhausen]

49. Randi just said Helen apologized on shows this morning. Is that true?

damn...that sucks. We have to do this for her!

[stubertmcfly]

50. Jeez...

...can't we do something constructive like call to find out who her favorite charity is and donate money there instead of buying and delivering dead flowers? Such a waste.

[helderheid]

63. Don't send her roses then.

:shrug:

[sarahlee]

74. Much better idea

See my post below re flower workers union.

[pamela]

66. Send them to her at the White House!

Seriously. Send them to the White House Press Room or Briefing Room, or whatever, addressed to Helen Thomas.

[helderheid]

67. oh that's GOOD.

[Sapphire Blue]

69. I love that idea, too!

[helderheid]

115. How would we find that address? Simply 1600 Penn Ave, White House Briefing

Room, ATTN. Helen Thomas?

We have to be so careful about this and make sure she gets them.

[OnceUponTimeOnTheNet]

117. This WH would just chuck em in the trash, if they even

got past the gates. The only one that remotely respected her is gone. Ari.

[helderheid]

119. In that case, we need to stick to sending them to her office

[0007]

153. For sure. The White House would spend days searching through

the flowers before they even got to Helen.

[Mojorabbit]

70. I'm in! eom

[KAT119]

134. I'm definitely IN!! Angels travel w/ flowers!! t determine a date & call

florist....to prepare in advance.

[sarahlee]

73. PLEASE NO Roses!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Roses you will send will mostly come from Columbia, where workers are underpaid, overworked and subjected to contact with chemicals without protection and union breaking by US Corp., Dole.

Workers at Dole's Splendor Flowers formed the union, Sintrasplendor, in November, 2004. They subsequently began signing up hundreds of members despite reported threats to fire union supporters and intimidation, including a police patrol that came to the union's assembly hall and prevented the union from meeting in fall 2004. The union has continued to grow and now represents about 700 workers on Splendor's two plantations.

Unfortunately, in Colombia, violence and intimidation of trade unions are all too common. Since 1991, over 2,100 Colombian trade unionists have been killed. Despite the violent environment, Colombian flower workers have stood up to fight for their basic labor rights.

US/LEAP and others have contacted Dole repeatedly about the situation at Splendor but Dole has refused to take any responsibility for the situation and has denied that there are any problems. Dole has denied any wrong-doing, saying the firings are non-discriminatory and due to the end of the high season, and dismissing reports of threats as fabrications. Similarly, the union received legal registration in March 2005, but it was revoked in late June 2005 after Dole challenged their registration. Dole has said that its legal action against the union's registration was to ensure that the new union follows the law with respect to its registration.

In a meeting with US/LEAP's May delegation to Colombia US/LEAP website], the union asked for an intensification of international support. Workers reported about the poor working conditions that they are facing, including forced overtime, often without compensation, miscarriages that are suspected to be linked to strenuous work during pregnancy, workers not being able to leave even when family members were on their death beds.

For more background information, see:
http://www.campaignforlaborrights.org/alerts/2005/mar06-target.htm

[Beaverhausen]

76. Well, maybe we can find a domestic source for them?

[Beaverhausen]

78. How about this? It would benefit Amnesty International?

http://www.organicbouquet.com/Info.aspx?pid=144

[sarahlee]

85. Agree that is a better source

Thanks for the link.

[helderheid]

102. Could we get roses from them or do they get them outside the US?

[helderheid]

103. I'd love to get her these - buy 1 dozen and the 2nd dozen are free!

http://www.organicbouquet.com/c_12/organic_roses.html

[Beaverhausen]

105. here is the page regarding their certification as organic and sustainable

http://www.organicbouquet.com/Product/Certification.aspx

[helderheid]

106. THANK YOU. I say we go with them, and do roses - 2nd dozen are free

http://www.organicbouquet.com/c_12/organic_roses.html

[helderheid]

107. LIMITED TIME OFFER 24 LONG STEM ORGANIC ROSES $39

http://www.organicbouquet.com/p_197/assorted_organic_roses.html

One Dozen Assorted Roses + 12 Free
Price: $39.95



Certification: Organic Learn More



For a limited time, we're offering twelve free roses with the purchase of this one dozen rose bouquet. That's twenty-four beautiful long-stemmed organic roses for only $39.95! Each bouquet is arranged using the freshest and highest quality roses from the day’s harvest, combining two complimentary colors* to create a stunning assortment that is sure to make a lasting impression.

*Note: actual colors may vary from the bouquet image shown. Color selection will be based on the freshest and highest quality roses available at the time of delivery. An optional vase is available at checkout.

[Beaverhausen]

108. I'm going to PM you

[helderheid]

109. I just pm'd ya back!

:)

[OnceUponTimeOnTheNet]

110. Overnight Fed ex for shipping

Correct address is a must.
I do like this Organic Roses idea.

[pamela]

88. Well, if not roses, how about...

some other type of flowers with special meaning? Here is a website that tells what different flowers mean. http://www.800florals.com/care/meaning.asp

Here are some possibilities...

BITTERSWEET - Truth
CHRYSANTHEMUM (WHITE) - Truth
IRIS - Fleur-de-lis, Emblem of France, Your Friendship Means so Much to Me, Faith, Hope, Wisdom and Valor, My Compliments
HEATHER (LAVENDER) - Admiration

[helderheid]

91. I like your picks - is there one that means courage?

maybe
IRIS - Fleur-de-lis, Emblem of France, Your Friendship Means so Much to Me, Faith, Hope, Wisdom and Valor, My Compliments

[pamela]

100. I couldn't find one that says courage.

But I think the Iris has that covered with "Valor". They would probably be really easy to get. They tend to be inexpensive and plentiful, this time of year.

[sarahlee]

96. Make sure they are US grown - not from South America

Beaverhausen provided this link above.

http://www.organicbouquet.com/Info.aspx?pid=144

[WI_DEM]

77. No! she was a reporter doing her job and for a partisan web group

to send her flowers is insulting and if word got out (as it would) her integrity would be undermined.

[Beaverhausen]

80. Helen Thomas has been giving presidents on both sides of the aisle grief..

...since JFK. I don't think anything we do could impugne her integrity.

[WI_DEM]

84. I know that, but we still shouldn't do it.

but my feeling is it will be done anyway, so be it and I hope she appreciates the gesture.

[land of the free]

164. I agree with WI_DEM: this isn't a good idea

While it is a nice gesture, it would not be appropriate to send a journalist something like this.

A Senator is a politician, a journalist should not be. It may make it look as if she's working for us, when instead she's working for the truth. Why do something that would give Republicans an example that could be twisted to appear like she is "the liberal media"?

If you appreciate her hard work, write her a letter of thanks.

[wakeme2008]

79. Waiting with CC in hand for helderheid and GregD

:) :0 :)

[katinmn]

81. I'm going to send her a spine card from the backbone campaign

http://www.backbonecampaign.org/page.cfm?id=67

They mostly award elected leaders but in this case, perhaps an exception can be made.

I don't think there's anything wrong with acknowleging Helen's bravery in speaking frankly to the idiot-in-chief.

[katty]

87. Yes, Roses for Helen

[helderheid]

89. OKAY, I just had a great conversation with GregD - here's the deal

Unless we are planning on sending MASSIVE amounts of flowers to her, going through someone else buying flowers for her individually is the way to go. So, the next step is to find out just how many of us are planning on doing this?

[LostinVA]

92. I'm in

[Beaverhausen]

93. I'm in

[Synnical]

94. Count me in n/t

[helderheid]

95. Do you think we could get PDA on board too?

[wakeme2008]

97. mememememem

:hi: I will do $50... :)

[sarahlee]

98. Don't exploit South American flower workers

Please see my post elsewhere and Beaverhausen's suggestion for a source if you are going to send flowers.

[helderheid]

101. I'm open to that - we just need to decide on what where and how many

[helderheid]

104. check these

http://www.organicbouquet.com/c_12/organic_roses.html

[suziedemocrat]

I'm in too.

[helderheid]

111. UPDATE: I've contacted the Organic Rose people

Here is what I've sent them (thanks for the suggestion Beaverhausen!!):



A large group of online activists would like to send multiple bouquets of roses to White House reporter Helen Thomas. Is there a way to set up a group account with a code word that individuals who wish to participate in this could buy her roses through you by a certain date? Does this make sense? Please let me know if we can set something like this up.

Many thanks!



Message Sent Sucessfully!

[OnceUponTimeOnTheNet]

112. I do hope this is doable

Keep us updated, and Thank You for taking this on.

[helderheid]

114. I will do! :) I hope we'll hear back soon!

[sarahlee]

113. Great Job!

Thanks for being understanding and sensetive to the plight of the flower workers in Columbia

[helderheid]

118. Absolutely - besides we're supporting a good cause to boot. Can't beat it!

Thank you for bringing this to my attention!

:yourock:

[sarahlee]

125. Now you are demonstrating real

progressive values! Gratitude with a conscious! O8)

[Coexist]

126. perfect!

[wakeme2008]

116. LOL saw on Bartcop

[Beaverhausen]

120. that's great!

Yes, Helen did him in yesterday! She deserves our thanks!

[nicknameless]

121. The roses for Barbara Boxer:

Someone named Stacy Davies had set up the program to send roses, through Coast-to-Coast Florist, to Boxer for Valentine's Day.

[helderheid]

122. Oh... weird! I thought GregD had? In any case, I have both a call and an

email in to these guys:
http://www.organicbouquet.com/p_197/assorted_organic_roses.html

still nothing back from them.

[nicknameless]

124. I'm sure they'll get back to you.

It would mean lots of $$$ for them, after all.

:)

[wakeme2008]

127. Had you thought of a date... added pic

I am thinking these for me to send

[helderheid]

129. I don't know what a good day is - perhaps April 15th? Taxes are due then,

right?

[KAT119]

135. April 15th is great!!!

[wakeme2008]

137. OK the 15th is bad it is a Saturday

but the 14th sounds good to me. :)

[nicknameless]

128. The program I heard about through Randi Rhodes ( on Daily Kos too)

was set up by Stacy Davies.

It's good to hear that others sent roses too. The pics of Boxer with all the flowers are great. :D

[OnceUponTimeOnTheNet]

130. That Boxer and Roses pic is Terrific!

Imagine being surrounded by roses in thanks from fellow Americans. Beautiful.

Wish I had been here for that, but I can join in on this!

[nicknameless]

140. Here's another:

:D

[Vadem]

132. Yes, count me in! I also donated to Barbara's roses so certainly

Helen deserves it as well!

[jillan]

133. I'm in!

Helen deserves no less.

[KAT119]

136. Sending flowers to Barbara Boxer en masse from DU was highlight of year!

Helen has been a HEROINE for even longer. April 15th sounds great! We can start calling the 800# and alert them to high volume, helderheid, when they respond back to you...if they don't we could go back to Coast-to-Coast...it will all flow-like the angels that accompany each flower sent....presenting our love & gratitude to Helen in a MOST beauteous way!! (They 'allowed' her to sit in the front for THIS press do---usually they shove her off to the back!!!) BASTIDS!!!!!

[Nostradammit]

138. I can pitch in a bit -

Don't know if I could afford an even dozen, this being a Bush economy and all, but I could toss in $10-15 for the lovely Ms. Thomas.

[helderheid]

139. I'm hoping that the florist I contacted will allow us to donate what we

can and in the end use all that money to buy what we can. :)

[Tsiyu]

144. Check out this page

A double gesture of good will

http://www.organicbouquet.com/c_21/charitable_gifts.html

[helderheid]

151. I LOVE IT!

[Nostradammit]

146. I'll check back w/ this thread - keep us posted n/t

[sagesnow]

143. Count me in too!

Helen Thomas is my Heroin and role model.
Thanks for getting this set up.

[nicknameless]

147. Not sure if this will help, but here's what I have about last year.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/2/13/192422/372

Barbara Boxer to Receive 5,000 Roses!
by clb8
Sun Feb 13th, 2005 at 16:24:22 PST

Well, actually between 4500 and 6000; Stacy didn't tell me whether the florist was going with 3 or 4 roses per order...oh, and I apologize in advance for her direct mention of my name (she doesn't blog and doesn't understand that everyone on DailyKos has their "own diary", as it were).

Point is - this community helped make it happen. Stacy's Press Release (she emailed me a copy) below the fold.

Diaries :: clb8's diary ::

For Immediate Release

Senator Boxer to receive bouquet of 5,000 Roses on Valentine's Day!

Senator Barbara Boxer of California will receive a bouquet of almost 5,000 roses from supporters and constituents across the country on Valentine's Day, February 14th, as a loving thank you for her recent outstanding service in the Senate. Organized by Stacy Davies of Claremont, California, the roses will be delivered February 14th to the Hart Senate Building office of Barbara Boxer in Washington DC. at 3:30 p.m. EST.

The note included with the flowers will read: "Dear Senator Boxer: You are a shining example of what a civil servant can, and should, be, and we, your constituents and supporters, deeply appreciate your heroic charge to bring accountability, responsibility and honesty back into our government."

Senator Boxer has recently emerged as the leading voice in the fight against the Bush Administration's destructive mandates both abroad and at home. She has disputed the questionable Ohio 2004 election vote, elegantly denied Condoleezza Rice a confirmation vote, and almost single-handedly stood up for the principles of freedom, truth, and accountability we expect from our elected officials. A grand public thank-you is in order

"I was so completely taken with Senator Boxer's candid and eloquent remarks during the Rice conformation hearings--her intelligence and her passion--that I thought it would be wonderful to send her roses on Valentine's Day to show my gratitude," says Davies, a freelance writer and DJ at the Claremont Colleges in Claremont, California. "Coast to Coast Florist (1-888-269-5297) was the first name to pop up on Google. I explained to the company's CEO Art Conforti, that my idea was that people be charged a simple $10 for three red roses that would then be sent, en masse. It didn't take long before he enthusiastically told me he would create the pledge line, set up a toll free number and retrain his reps. After we worked out the final details and I hung up, I was in a daze--it was going to happen!"

"I emailed my friends and all of the liberal web sites I could think of. It was Mike Malloy of Air America Radio who unknowingly provided the next much-needed step in this campaign. The day after receiving my email, he apparently talked about it on the air, with other hosts like Randi Rhodes joining in a few days later."

"In Arizona, a woman named Cynthia Black overheard Mike on the radio that night. Cynthia happens to be a major blogger, with her own diary on DailyKos.com. She posted the story and info, and the emails and phone calls to the florist poured in!"

"Responding to the flood of emails was time-consuming, but I was so grateful for the responses that I answered every one of them. It was important to me that people knew I was just one person, not even an activist, really, who happened to set a wheel in motion. No one backed me, I was with no group or club, and I certainly wasn't a corporation!"

"I received a call from Senator Boxer this past Friday. I told her that the grassroots response had been overwhelmingly positive, that we'd received emails from every state and even a few from abroad. She was gracious and very moved. She said she plans to keep just a few of the roses and will be sending the rest to the VA hospital for the `people who have been casualties of this administration's disastrous policies.' She told me she's looking forward to seeing Secretary Rice again this Thursday and said `Boy, do I have some questions for her!'

<snip>

[OnceUponTimeOnTheNet]

148. kick nt

[helderheid]

149. MORNING UPDATE: They replied

Hi all - got this response from the florist:


Dear Ms. helderheid,

Thank you for your interest in Organic Bouquet!

The simplest way to do this would be to go online and place the orders
individually, or call us at the number below. How many bouquets are we
talking about?

And here is my reply:

We're talking about a LOT of bouquets. Our problem is not everyone can afford to buy a bouquet so what we were hoping we could do is have an open "account" that people could pay into up until a certain date and all that money would go towards these roses for Helen Thomas. Is there any way we could do that and apply it towards the wonderful deal you have now on assorted roses (24 roses for the price of 12)?

I know our situation is unique - we did this last year with Senator Barbara Boxer - you can read about it here:

http://thankyoupatriot.com/ and




We would like to buy from you because of your ethical business policies.

We are hoping to make this a yearly event for those Americans who are working on behalf of the people in extraordinary ways.

I look forward to speaking further with you about this!

Many thanks,
helderheid

I will keep you all posted!

[Coexist]

150. wonderful.

[laylah]

152. Other suggestions

Angelica - Inspiration
Bay Leaf - Strength
Bittersweet - Truth
Borage - Courage
Daffodil - Respect
Fennel - Worthy of all praise
Heather (lavender) - Admiration; solitude
Heather (white) - Protection

more at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/flowerlanguage.html

For me, something unique would say more. Anyone can get roses and Ms. Helen is far from just an "anyone". Just my twofers.

Jenn

[helderheid]

155. MORNING UPDATE #2 - ANY SUGGESTIONS???

Hello helderheid,

It's great that you are looking to purchase assorted roses, actually. We
are currently offering our assorted organic roses at a wholesale price of
one box of 12 dozen (144) stems for $180.00, including shipping. That works
out to exactly $1.25 per stem, which is a MUCH better deal than our current
"Buy One Get One Free" that we are offering right now!

You can purchase as many boxes as you like and send them all on the same
day. Purchasing the roses that way would not only be more efficient for us,
but less costly for your organization. As we are an internet-based
business, we do not normally set up accounts like the one that you are
suggesting. The only way around this would be for you to guarantee payment
with a credit card, and then the individuals who wish to participate would
be able to pay you back.

[Coexist]

156. does anyone have a paypal account?

[helderheid]

157. I do

I could set up a donation page on my software site

[Coexist]

158. then purchase the roses with this

does anyone object?

[helderheid]

160. I've set up the page - how secure is this? I am just thinking of Andy

[helderheid]

162. OK - should I start another thread? DONATE NOW! :)

http://www.starcampaign.com/donate.htm

[helderheid]

163. NEW THREAD

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x733987