I have no friggin idea what to put in this subject line
Last edited Wed May 8, 2013, 07:42 PM - Edit history (8)
[font color="brown"](I was previously given permission by Skinner to post periodically about http://www.wishadoo.org, especially when it involves DUers, with this required disclaimer: "The administrators of Democratic Underground have given permission for one discussion thread on this topic. The administrators of Democratic Underground make no claims regarding the legitimacy or illegitimacy of this fundraising effort. Permission was granted by Skinner on 8/6/2010, and the moderators have been notified."
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When I posted first thing this morning, it started off as "A Challenge, An Invitation, A Favor." After someone asked me to find the video clip of Glenn Beck dissing Wishadoo on his Fox Show a couple of years, and watching it for the first time in a long time, I've gotten progressively more disgusted and flat-out depressed today. (See post #4 below)
I took the time to really explore why, because many would say, "Don't let that idiot upset you, especially years later!"
But it does upset me. And it upsets me because he essentially did on a national stage what my family and others around me throughout my life have done: Demean and ridicule me, as though I'm an idiot for believing in and fighting for things like social justice, worker-owned cooperative enterprises, and in general having faith in Humanity in spite of it all.
And that's not even THAT bad. But the crazies he unleashed in the process, who stalked me over a four-month period of time...that was not fun. 
And he's winning, as is the Beck/Limbaugh supporter who challenged me to see how many people are on board with my worldview. Given the lackluster response so far, by sheer numbers, they are winning. I know philosophically "winning" can mean different things and, in many respects -- like friggin integrity -- I'm winning and am grateful. (Speaking of integrity, some of the things Beck says SOUND good in his best preacher-like tone, but how much integrity can someone have if they agree to be the keynote speaker at an event full of THIS?)
Still, you know what I mean.
They're winning because, either I suck at engaging and gathering people and/or I suck because I simply don't have huge sums of money behind me (or time or energy for that matter) for any sort of large-scale PR push which is required to get the attention of a lot of people.
I was hoping this Compassion Revolution would be one of those simple grassroots viral movements that could have impact. A very simple impact of raising our voices in unison to make a statement that: "Yes! We want, we deserve, and we are capable of building a more compassionate world!"
Simple.
I'm was determined to show that good things can happen and take hold without large sums of money being required.
Granted, there is a lot more for me to do still: press releases, try to reach media contacts, etc.
Still, today, it is very disheartening. Surely some of you reading this identify, as you were ridiculed throughout your life as well: liberal, tree-huggin' do'gooder, pinko commie, wuss, bleeding heart, yada, yada, yada. The words in and of themselves are certainly not negative or bad in any way, but the venom with which they were spewed -- similar to the restrained loathing Mr. Beck exhibited -- is what made the mark on our psyches.
I'll shut up now and thank you for reading. Hopefully I'll have some fight back in me tomorrow.
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I'll try to make this short and sweet, especially since many are probably sick of seeing me and Wishadoo/compassion-related posts, as well as sick of Beck and Limbaugh being mentioned. In a perfect world, we wouldn't see their names in the news at all.
If you aren't familiar with me and my work, specifically in the form of Wishadoo, please see my journal.
[font color="green"]THE CHALLENGE:[/font]
I recently posted about a challenge I was issued by a Glenn Beck/Rush Limbaugh supporter, to see if others really do resonate with my view of the world and my work and feel both of are value in our society.
That spurred me to move ahead with the COMPASSION REVOLUTION.
I wrote a blog post -- Why create the Compassion Revolution? -- where I share more of my personal story and background about the inspiration for this Revolution.
[font color="green"]THE INVITATION:[/font]
PLEASE SIGN, JOIN, SHARE and HELP BUILD THE COMPASSION REVOLUTION!!!
I provide six easy suggestions (nothing required!) at THIS LINK.
[font color="green"]THE (awkward) FAVOR:[/font]
I've created a fundraising page (as well as linked to a page at Wishadoo where a monthly subscription option is possible, as part of the six steps above) to ask others who believe in compassion, cooperation, and the work I'm doing to please consider contributing $6 (or any amount you'd like) as a show of support for the COMPASSION REVOLUTION, and me. (The Six Degrees of Compassion Challenge is in development, so I find I'm breaking everything down into "six."
Keeping a site such as Wishadoo! up and running, developing a mobile app via my heroic IT team (who have essentially donated their time and efforts thus far); and developing the other projects waiting in the wings takes a lot of time, resources, and money, all three of which I'm lacking and have been for quite a while.
If and only if you can comfortably spare $6 (or any amount) to show your support and say, "Yes, this work is of value!", I would be MOST grateful!
Of course, thanks to all of you who have been so very supportive in various ways over the years. I appreciate you more than you can ever know.
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and in real life.
You are taking the activism to heart and actually doing something progressive, compassionate and meaningful. Please don't let the few bad apples get you down.
We got your back.
K&R
I appreciate you so much, riderinthestorm.
I truly do.
Thank you.