The Thursday Brainstorm: we need your ideas for next week's Activist Corps action

[EarlG]

Looks like Tuesday's action was another success - http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=106&topic_id=32512&mesg_id=32512">check out the thread (if you haven't already) for details.

This thread is now open to take your suggestions for next week's action. As a reminder, here are the guidelines:

1) Actions need to be something that members can do individually, without having to travel. While it would be nice to get a group of DUers together to protest in Washington DC, it would also be impractical and not something that the vast majority of the Activist Corps could participate in.

2) Actions don't need to be big things. Letters to the editor, voting in online polls, posting comments at an MSM website - these are all simple actions that lots of people can easily participate in. The action may seem small, but it's the combined force of many people taking part that can make a difference.

3) Actions should be related to the presidential election, or to the congressional elections in general. We'd prefer it if actions were related specifically to electoral politics and not to individual issues. If there is a specific issue in the news which is directly relevant to the presidential election or the congressional elections - such as high gas prices - then of course it would be fine to create an action around that issue. (For example, "Write a letter to the editor criticizing John McCain's energy policy.")

4) Actions should be able to be completed in a timely fashion. While there doesn't need to be a specific deadline for each action, bear in mind that we would like to do at least one a week, so long-term actions may not be appropriate.

5) We aren't going to run any actions targeting Democrats. I'm sure there will be some of you who disagree with this decision, but I'm afraid we don't think it's an appropriate use of the Activist Corps. Our focus is on defeating John McCain and Congressional Republicans this fall.

Some Ideas Carried Over From Last Week

Money bomb
Letters to the editor
Mass email about McCain's gaffes
Mass email about McCain's flip-flops

Feel free to expand upon these ideas or come up with some new ones. We've been getting a good response to the Activist Corps actions but we definitely have room for improvement in terms of the number of people participating.

I look forward to reading your suggestions, and if you haven't participated in this week's action you still can - just http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=106x32240">click here for more information.

[EFerrari]

1. What about reaching out to people where Democrats may pick up seats this year?

It might be exciting to find out that you have a shot at electing a Democrat for a change and I bet a lot us don't know what those contests are.

This would be about putting together a list of seats and sending it out to our networks with a few suggestions on how to make it happen.

This may be too general but I wonder how many people know that they could make a real difference this year.

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[phrigndumass]

3. We need a short, strong soundbite response to the "Surge Success" question

... to prevent being cornered with a yes-or-no question: Was the surge a success? Yes or no?

The repubs have the potential of making this one stick, imho.

[EFerrari]

4. "Both ways Barack": the new attack seems to be that Obama

takes both sides of every issue. I saw a teevee ad yesterday and today on WJ, the Hotline editor mentions this "both ways Barack" group.

What if we scope out one of the attacks on Monday and write LTTEs on Tuesday that counters this meme? (LTTEs are easier to get published if you reference a current item in a paper.)


ETA: Link to article.

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2008/jul/24/he-both-ways-barack/

[cyberpj]

5. I'd love to bombard Pelosi's office with proven crimes committed by Bush

Since she said on The View she would impeach if she had anything provable:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x162744


I've heard Turly speak numerous times about what's absolutely a provable crime by Bush.

I want my speaker of the house to speak for the majority of americans, not even just democrats, who want this president impeached!

I think we should call her on her statement.

[Vincardog]

26. Kucinich has a web site to get a million signatures to give to Pelosi demanding impeachment

Why don't we help get a few hundred thousand extra?



Kucinich Petition

WHEREAS, in his conduct while President of the United States, George W. Bush, in violation of his constitutional oath to faithfully execute the office of President of the United States and, to the best of his ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, and in violation of his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed, has committed abuses of power.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that President George W. Bush has acted in a manner contrary to his trust as President and Commander in Chief, and subversive of constitutional government, to the prejudice of the cause of law and justice and to the manifest injury of the people of the United States and that he be impeached for high crimes and misdemeanors.

[EFerrari]

6. We could counter the cr@P! that the election is close.

There has to be a way to push back on this meme which sets up youknowwhat in November.

There are a lot of people who are better able to pull polls together but I'd be up for gathering the infor for an email or helping to write talking points we can use for LTTE or in conversation.

[rosesaylavee]

7. Tagging on to the Pelosi suggestion above

How about we ask Congress to do something to call these criminals to account starting with Rove?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x3415788

Playing it safe and not acting is not exactly going to win a lot of respect among voters OR their vote.

[MadrasT]

8. Also tagging onto Pelosi action

Bombard Pelosi with evidence of crimes. Let's give her "the goods".

Hell, YES!

:kick:

[kevinmc]

9. Here's an Email on McCain that is already done ...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=106x32684

[ellacott]

10. Mass Email the media regarding their "elitist, presumptious" talking point

All the networks are running with this talking point despite a recent poll that shows the majority of people don't believe it.

The Hillary supporters were able to get the attention of MSNBC. Can the same be done for Obama?

[EFerrari]

11. Is this related to the "arrogant" talking point? I rarely watch

cable "news" shows.

/oops

[ellacott]

12. Yes it is

[EFerrari]

13. Rove is in contempt of Congress while he heads McWar's campaign

and calls Obama arrogant. There's something that can be used there but my brain won't give it to me.

[ellacott]

14. That's an excellent point

[EFerrari]

15. This could be an opportunity to take it directly to the pig boy.

What are his strengths in this situation? That he isn't front and center? That's he's a "genius"? That's he's protected by Fox and by Bush? Let's attack THAT.


"Shadowy figure behind failed Bush presidency directs McCain campaign while in contempt of congress."

[ellacott]

16. I think that could be a good title

I think it should be pointed out that McCain's campaign took a decided turn when Rove came onboard. The irony is that Rove was the one who orchestrated the attack against McCain in S. Carolina.

[ColbertWatcher]

17. I posted a thread a few days ago...

...here. The question was "What are McCain's other faults, and how will they be twisted to be pinned onto Obama?"

The only one interesting response was anger.

It seems they may already be doing that.

Maybe we can come up with an email response to that?

[ColbertWatcher]

18. Should we come up with something to counter the coming...

...anti-immigration xenophobia that may be the scapegoat for America's economic problems?

[ColbertWatcher]

19. Or, what about coming up with something for the Katrina anniversary? n/t

[EFerrari]

20. What are you thinking, ColbertWatcher? How would that go?

Katrina is the shame of BushCo.

What could we do?

[ColbertWatcher]

21. Some suggestions...

...work on content, then figure out a way to present the info online and IRL.

Suggestion 1: compare and contrast.

What New Orleans and the Mississippi gulf coast used to be like before Katrina.

Maybe put some emphasis on the GOP's (Trent Lott and Hayley Barbour's) favorable treatment.

Also, mention Blackwater and how before Katrina there weren't mercenaries running around.

Suggestion 2: historical comparisons.

My personal favorite is the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Rebuilding occurred allowing a quick revival of the city, but officials ignored standards to the detriment of the citizens.

Also, the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 would also give historical context.

The point of bringing these things up is that we've already screwed up before, we don't have to repeat the same mistakes again.

Naturally, we cannot talk about destruction without mentioning the Dutch and the North Sea flood of 1953, which they decided to use as a way to protect the entire country for everyone.

Oh, and we can't forget suggestion 3: disaster capitalism.

Along with the mercenaries, we have to bring up Ignite! (or whatever the hell it's called) the Bush family company that was given New Orleans' school system.

Another suggestion could remind people what McCain was doing that day (it was his birthday). Maybe we can put some emphasis on how the GOP are always asleep at the switch and whatever they suggest to "fix" anything never helps anyone but lobbyists and campaign donors. Maybe mention something about the Trans-Texas Corridor and how it will not replace the Mississippi river.

Okay, that's what we say, how we say it in real life is another thing.

Create macros for emails, posters, postcards, fliers, stickers, etc. I think we need to do something a week prior to the anniversary, to build up awareness, ending with another failure of the GOP to lead the great number of people coming together.

Wow, I didn't realize how much there was to this!

I hope this makes sense. I expect the ideas to be added to, altered and maybe even dropped, but I think it's important and we can't wait to counter the GOP's negligence, rewriting or otherwise whitewashing what happened, which I expect them to do.

[EFerrari]

22. Hmm. What about using Katrina as a metaphor (which is was not)

for contrasting how Republicans "take care" of things v Democrats?

"Bush was eating cake with McCain while New Orleans drowned. Can we afford four more years of that in this economy?"

I have to walk the puppy, but I'll be back. If we could put together a target (who does it go to?), then maybe we could narrow the scope to fit.

:hi:

[ColbertWatcher]

23. I was just thinking that maybe we can do something...

...like some charitable stuff.

Like donate to a food bank. Since the Katrina anniversary is on a Friday, we can call it "Foodbank Fridays" and have everyone "take care" of the many people suffering through the GOP economy every Friday this month, in honor of all the volunteers who did the work Bush and Brown didn't.

And, if someone knows how, maybe we can start "Winter Home Heating Banks" for communities in the colder parts of the country with people who will need help.

Just thinking out loud.

[eridani]

29. Contrast Katrina and Iowa with Grand Forks, North Dakota

http://www.fema.gov/hazard/archive/grandforks/evacuation.shtm

James Lee Witt did a heck of a job, for sure. Unlike the Bush turd appointees.
http://www.allbusiness.com/services/business-services/4322133-1.html

James Lee Witt is credited with turning FEMA from an unsuccessful bureaucratic agency to an internationally lauded all-hazards disaster management agency. His leadership abilities have been praised by nationally recognized organizations, including the Council for Excellence in Government, Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, and the National Association of Broadcasters. He also oversaw the National Flood Insurance Program, the U.S. Fire Administration and other proactive mitigation activities that reduce loss of life and property from all types of hazards. More importantly, he was responsible for response and recovery operations for six of the 10 most devastating disasters of all time, including the most costly flood disaster in the nation's history, the most costly earthquake and a dozen damaging hurricanes.

Mr. Witt was the visionary and architect of national government programs related to emergency preparedness and mitigation, response and recovery. In addition to his experience in emergency management on the state and local level, Mr. Witt has expertise integrating community-based disaster management with national emergency management strategy. He initiated Project Impact, the innovative disaster-prevention program implemented in more than 240 cities and towns nationwide to help make communities at the local level disaster-resistant.

[mzmolly]

24. * My suggestion is for how to deal with viral anti-Obama emails. *

* Form our own watchdog group where we would begin by tracking viral emails. We could also form a rebuttal group who could put together various replies submitted into a cohesive, comprehensive response. We could then offer an area here titled "Viral Emails" or??? with a thread on each specific email. We could open the discussion posting various rebuttals in said threads, eventually coming up with a sound reply. This would provide people with an answer to viral emails who don't have time to research etc.. And, when it's all hammered out, we could also be sure to notify the Obama camp as well as Snopes.

* Contacting Snopes with a rebuttal

http://www.snopes.com/cgi-bin/comments/webmail.asp

* Contacting the Obama watchdog camp

[e-mail]

Make sense?

FYI - I just contacted Snopes and the Obama watch dog group with a reply to the BS "Obama says we're not a Christian Nation" crap. If we decide to go this route, I'll be glad to post an edited version.

:D

[cloudythescribbler]

25. Not exactly point of thread, but Activist Corps & DU should have PROMINENT Obama donation button

It seems to me that donating to Obama THRU DU is itself of importance, both to DU and to MAXIMIZING Obama's chances.

I think letters to the editor specifically on environmental issues, and on McCain having the worst record of all 50 Senators by some important evaluations, while Obama has a strong record, should be helpful. ESPECIAL focus on the urgency of climate chaos ("greenhouse effect") should be made, noting the hollowness of McCain's supposed "maverick" stance on this issue

[Name removed]

27. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[mother earth]

28. Not my idea, but to prevent election fraud, thought I'd cross post

this interesting idea from a fellow DU'er.

Anyone have any ideas as to how we could make this happen or if it is worthy of further action? Any comments and suggestions would be welcome, so I thought it might be appropriate here.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=203&topic_id=507932&mesg_id=507932

[Highway61]

30. Voting

The single most important issue above anything else is the stealing (again) of this election. There are so many informative posts here lately that have interesting facts about what is going on right now, this minute, in different states that It can no longer be ignored.
I know as well as most of you that this election isn't even close. Obama said it best "they think we're stupid". It is made to look close by the MSM so they can get their edge by stealing.
If we could come up with a way to make EVERYONE aware of this and ways to prevent it I, will say it again, believe that is the single most important issue that has to be dealt with. Face it, if it weren't for screwing with the votes, Obama would win by a land slide. While we are listening to Chatty Cathy from Alaska, the fox is in the chicken coop cleaning house. No, we are not stupid.

[truestwords]

31. Undermine the Schill

I just signed up here to present this action idea I have. This appears to be the right thread. I apologize if it's not.

I think anti-McCain/pro-Obama people should go to Curt Schilling’s blog and add to the comments there. Schilling was, you may know, a very popular Red Sox pitcher who stumped for Bush in 04.

He has his own blog and influence over many who practically worship him. You’ll never change Curt’s multi-millionaire-buddy support for McCain, but your comments disputing his reasoning may influence those who read his blog and might otherwise take Curt's word that McCain should be our next prez.

Check it out and add your excellent brand of reasoning to this and the Schill's other blog posts: http://38pitches.com/2008/09/05/should-there-be-any-doubt/?cp=3#comm

I know it's a drop-in-the-bucket, but I happen to know that Schilling is seriously considering getting into politics himself and maybe your efforts to put his fans straight on the truth will help keep him out of office.

Sarah T

[truestwords]

32. How about posting the McCain facts list

there at the Schill's blog? I'd do it, but Curt's pissed at me for challenging his McCain support )and, OK, for the reply below and I doubt he'll publish the facts if I post them.

http://38pitches.com/2008/09/05/should-there-be-any-doubt/?cp=3#comment-30585

Edit: I don't mean to suggest this as a major idea--just as a way to get last week's action info out there. I'll bet other blog commnets sections, both for and against McCain, would also reach people who might be swayed against him.

[tonycastro5000]

33. Bringing republicans to democratic side by comments on youtube, facebook,etc.

Ive been trying get messages ideas from different forums to write comments on youtube, myspace, facebook etc. They would be like mass emails except they would be posts with several different messages to choose from, that can be copied and pasted.

The goal would be converting republicans and independents to democratic side through well reasoned, logical, undeniable truth posts, no hate words,no anti-McCain's or Palin comments(they wont listen to a negative tone) no arguing with republicans. One post per page, no same posts on same page or people will catch on.

The target would be hard-core republican videos,discussion forums, in hopes of making more democrats. We can have several messages some with Obama mentioned some without, because many republicans are anti-obama right now.

[tonycastro5000]

34. Sign up for Obama's website and help fight smear campaigns

On Obama's website you can sign up to his website and have your own page. With it you can help fight smear campaigns, write letters to editors of the major newspaper in the U.S. and get info on current smear campaigns. They help in sending messages to friends and families about inaccurate information also.

[tonycastro5000]

35. Write personal stories to major newspapers on Obama's website

Ive just written a letter to major newspapers on Obama's website talking about my personal story. I wrote about how Obama's policies would make a major positive impact in my life. Share your own story.

[donna123]

36. it's the economy stupid

this week focus on the economy, it seems to be the timely topic

after 8 yrs of bush, we are facing the worst economic crisis in forever
mccain wants us to talk about lipstick on pigs
while the economy crumbles around us

do you have a section with list of emails of msnbc, cnn, even faux news? which we can always refer to

[Cartaphelius]

37. Prosecute the Terrorists and reclaim their ill-gotten gains

Terrorists, that is all these folks are, who, according to the Patriot Act, should be subject to the same treatment imposed upon the "terrorist" previously identified as our enemies. If the Bush administration wasn't neck-deep in this current fleecing of America, President Bush would be demanding the same response.

Many too many of us have lived though and been saddled with the cost of bailout of; The Savings and Loan Banks (Neil Bush & John Keating), WorldCom, Enron and now Wall Street, all of which occurred during and with the consent, tacit or otherwise, of Republican Administrations.

Demand that the criminals be held accountable. Throw the net as wide as necessary to include former Senator Phil Graham, the sponsor
of the deregulating legislation that created our current debacle.