Couldn't - no - Shouldn't the DU "Activists" become active again?

[Laurab]

I was just reading about Glenn Beck and how "Color of Change" has launched a campaign to write to the advertisers for his show. The sponsors include Proctor and Gamble, Geico and according to an article now high up on the Greatest Page, even the U.S. Postal Service.

Beck has indeed gone "beyond the pale" in talking about the President of the United States, there's no question about that - in fact, almost all of the Fox commentator's have attacked this President, mostly based on lies and innuendo. Rush Limbaugh could be considered traitorous in his rhetoric.

Then there are the issues that DUers feel strongly about, who are unhappy with the way Obama has handled them.

Couldn't the Activist Corps. take on some of these things? Writing emails and letters would take so little time, but might make a difference.

It seems to me there are a lot of us who joined up when the activist corps. was first recruiting, and I'd like to see us do something. My first choice would be to join up with the "Color of Change" to write to Beck's advertiser's. If you're wondering why, please check out the article at the top of the Greatest Page. Howard Kurtz thinks Beck should be fired. I agree with him.

I admit I don't watch Fox, but I saw these clips both on The Daily Show and The Colbert Report. It's not just some guy they're talking about it's the President - their President, whether they like it or not. While they should be able to criticize him, they should not be able to attack him in an almost treasonous way, IMO. At the very least, their attacks should be based on facts.

In summary, I ask again: Couldn't DU's activist corps once again be useful? There is strength in numbers, and I believe we could and should try to make a difference - it seems such a waste if we don't at least try.....

[DeltaLitProf]

1. It is always much more effective to act for causes rather than persons

That's why I think DU Activists time is better spent going to the health care town meetings their Congressmen are going to be having over the next few weeks. Several reasons for this. Congressmen need to know that we in their districts are not being fooled by the Right-wing disinfo. Congressmen themselves need to be corrected if they are passing along Right-wing disinfo. And we should be in positions to head off attempts by Right-wingers to disrupt these townmeetings to shout disinfo about health care.

[Laurab]

2. Some of us are unable to do things like that.

I've found that many DU'ers are disabled (myself included), but can certainly write letters/emails, etc. It just seems a waste of so many talented people to sit back and do nothing.

I certainly agree with what you said, it's just that some of us are unable to do those things, and little things when done by a large group of people, can make a difference, I think.

[Laurab]

6. Just had to give this another kick.

It seems such a waste to have all these people signed up, and doing nothing at all about the various things going on. As I said, I'd start with Glenn Beck, but there is so much more we could be doing.

[Kind of Blue]

3. Thanks for bringing this up. I didn't realize

there was such a section as DU Activists forum until I checked out the homepage after I read your post. I'm going to follow your advice and see if one isn't already underway there.

[CrispyQ]

4. I think we should instigate a massive letter writing campaign during Congress' break,

especially to the blue dogs. Inundate their state office with faxes & letters telling them to vote for the needs of the people, not insurance campaign contributors. Remind them, that even though BCBS may give more money to their campaign chest, it's We the People who have the power of the vote. Remind them that you will contribute to primary challengers if they choose to represent big industry of the People.

[Laurab]

5. EXACTLY - letter writing campaigns, email writing campaigns....

I think we could really accomplish something if we did it as a large group. I think actual letters are more effective, but I've also had luck with emails.

[H2O Man]

7. Interesting proposition.

Though I did not enlist in the DU activist forum, I have, from time to time, encouraged DUers to take a specific action. On Native American causes, for example, I have at times had a good response.

[Laurab]

8. Thanks, H2O man - Tons of people did enlist.

I notice it all the time when I check out people's profiles. We haven't done anything in years, though (that I know of). I think we SHOULD flood Congress with letters, and I would love to see us write to Glenn Beck's advertisers, and also anyone (Lou Dobbs?) who gives ANY credence to the "birthers". Lately I don't agree with Bill Maher that often, but I do agree with him on that one. Like Kerry ignored the Swiftboaters, Dems are ignoring the birthers. If a lie gets repeated over enough and long enough, who knows how many not-so-bright people will believe it? We as a group would be much stronger than any one of us as an individual.

I'd also like to write to Obama and his administration, Senators and Congresspeople, and say what I said to the DNC when they called to fundraise last week. I told the guy that I didn't have money to donate, and even if I did, I wouldn't donate at this time. He took me very seriously (or at least appeared to), and asked me for my reasons. I told him with the dems having control of all three branches, it was time for us to see them doing what we elected them to do, and until I saw that, they'd get no more money for me. I love Obama, but he's far too busy playing nice with people you just can't play nice with. Republicans are NOT interested in bipartisanship, and the sooner the dems learn that, the better.

[Laurab]

9. Trying for just one more rec....I really think this is important. n/t

[Laurab]

10. Shamelessly.......

[Laurab]

11. begging.....

[Laurab]

12. for....

[Laurab]

13. one more REC!!!!

[Laurab]

14. THANKS!

and thanks I guess to the two who hit "unrec", too.

[mzmolly]

15. I'm ready!

:toast: We should also organize for health care.