Activate Yourself!

various FR | 9-20-02 | The Heavy Equipment Guy

[backhoe]

The following is a Jay-Mo ( Just My Opinion ) of a few things I have noted in replies to others here, condensed in one place,

Towards the end, I'll include some links and comments on what I regard as some of the best examples of on-line activism here.

First off, what is the minimum standard of activism?

Vote.

Just do it, every election, and at least you can say you had a hand in representative government. If you don't vote, don't complain about the results you see after an election.

Second, never underestimate the power of letters to editors, to sway, persuede, and get people thinking about an issue.
I have actually had people track me down, in person and over the telephone, to talk about letters I have written to the local and regional papers.

Keep them short, to the point, and try to toss in a memorable catchword or phrase, and a little humor.
Study the most memorable letters in your papers, note the word counts, and try your hand at it. You may be surprised at how much weight your words carry.

Third, consider local or regional talk radio. The big national names usually involve long waits and screening by staffers, but the smaller shows are easy to get on, and reach a lot of people- particularly at work and during drive time. The more you do it, the easier it gets to do, and again, you may influence more people than you even realize.

Fourth, there is on-line activism. There are many pros & cons which have been well-addressed, but I will just say that based on my experiences, it is well worth doing.
It has been argued that every one on a board like this is an activist, and I believe that is so.

However, you may wish to send your voice, opinions, links and stories further-- to that end, follow the links within links here:

Ignorance Making you Ill? Cure it!

...for tools, instructions, links, and email addresses to help you.

Finally, here are what I regard as some of the best examples of activism here on Free Republic:

Here is an example I deem "self-authored"-- a dedicated member decides to champion a cause, and uses the resources of the web to do it:

-'The Jeb Bush Nobody Knows'- Part 20: An Open Letter to the FAEA [Endorse Gov. Bush!]--

Be certain to click summer's profile page to see the bookmarks to all the work she has done in this regard.

Next up is "keeping an issue before the public"-- we live in a Soundbite-oriented society, and getting and holding people's attention is critical. If they don't know what you are talking about, they aren't going to think about it at all.

-SEC plans new rules for lawyers ("Enron" Rubin/"Global Crossing" McAuliffe watch- Day 49)--

Along those lines is a different approach- using humor, music, and satire to keep an issue before the public's attention:

-Black X: "Bubba!!" (Indict DNC Chairman McAuliffe...NOW!!!)--

You would likely have never seen this headline:

-OKC/Iraq connection coming up on Fox News--

...had it not been for the dogged work of OKCSubmariner and the help of honway, glorygirl, and several others who investigated and kept this before the public's eye.

An alliance among talk radio, the web, and many disgusted voters helped lead to this:

- GOOD RIDDANCE, REP. MCKINNEY--

While here, a movement is born:

-`Sawgrass Rebellion' Rallies Planned--

And finally, some example of Free Republic independent research at its finest:

-THE DONKEY IS OUT OF THE BARN -- aka democRAT PLAN TO RAISE TAXES--

-GORE AND ENRON--

-DASCHLE HAS NO CREDIBILITY ON THE ECONOMY (aka Daschle has no credibility Period!)--

---

An afterword-- you may be wondering, "How do I do this stuff?"

Well, it's old and not as well written as I'd like ( a cut & paste of a cut & paste ) but there is information here:

R U new? Some Tips....

[backhoe]

I'm interested because I have found that the "man in the street," when you can get them to be really candid, is usually, shall we say, "dubious" about all the wonderful things the Left holds dear. They just usually keep silent about it.

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks for your kind words about that billboard.

This is a prime example of what can happen when Freepers get behind something on Free Republic.

Not one tax $ or any government funding went into that billboard from the moment that Ebuck came up with the idea. It was created by Freepers and sheparded into reality by Freepers. There was no free lunch nor any grant from a polical party. This is grass root Freeperism at its best.

Then, Freepers funded the cost, and we have that message being seen by about 40 to 50,000 motorists everyday. They are locals, professional driver of buses, trucks and other vehicles, people who own RV's and people on vacaion.

Finally the Watermelon Jihadists are getting the light of truth flashed on their dangerous agendas.

This billboard represents what can happen when motivated conservatives on Free Republic get together and work on a Freep or project like this bill board.

One can only imagine what would happen if we had 5,000 Freepers donating $5/month or 17 cents per day!

[Grampa Dave]

Mr and Mrs Moderate voter has to be silent as there is no real truth out there to back up their dubious feelings about the left's agendas and so called accomplishments.

This is why people like you and the Free Republic Lifeform can have such an impact on our future. Your tireless work to get out the truth, Freeps, and other actions like this billboard get the reality of Truth out there for Mr and Mrs Moderate to see and consider. They may never admit to changing their voting to our side, but it happens if we can get the message out and around the leftist media.

We can't win elections without the support from Mr and Mrs Moderate. We can't have any real power and control unless we have elected officials trying to move the country in a conservative direction. That is reality not some pipe dream.

[backhoe]

For a long, long time I have realized, and said, that at the heart of it, we are locked into an Information War with the Left.
For years they so dominated and controlled the media- both press and entertainment- that our voices went unheard and un-noticed. I'll never forget- or forgive- that "Daisy" ad that scuttled Barry Goldwater's bid.

Finally, however, we are making an end-run around them with the web, and talk radio-- as well as those other methods noted in the handbook in bert's link, and wonderful things like your billboard.

Gotta run- wife's making "shooing" gestures...

[Grampa Dave]

If our wives make shooting gestures when we have been on Free Republic too long, that is when we need to log off ASAP!:)

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

My point is to scan our forum for articles and analysis that would be of interest to friends, family and neighbors who may be in some particular field. Forward it to them with a personal note.

Thank you, Leni! Without Florida Freepers and grass roots activists, Florida voters won't hear the truth about their candidates this election year. FR matters!

[MinuteGal]

Right, girl! There's already been some good ideas posted here. Keep 'em coming, folks. Share with us (and especially our enthusiastic newbies) what you've done or what you will be doing as an "army of one" in the upcoming critical election!

Leni

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

What? No DUBOB links?! (^:

Good work, backhoe.

[ForGod'sSake]

Share with us (and especially our enthusiastic newbies) what you've done or what you will be doing as an "army of one" in the upcoming critical election!

Alrighty then! A little something I've been working on; not because I'm a Missouri Freeper, but because I deeply despise the man:

And this little number I created for our (supposedly)tight senate race here in Texas to help folks make the connection between deadbeat Daschle and what will continue to happen if the "other" guy is elected. Properly sized and inserted into Winders word processor; printed on Avery #8371 card stock...

FGS

[ForGod'sSake]

oops! I meant to ping Missouri Freepers to #49...

FGS

[backhoe]

I learned a long time ago- if you want to keep a happy home, keep the women happy...

[backhoe]

I like the poster... I recall reading a WSJ article by Gerald Seib years ago about how the "younger Bush had a talent for campaigning his Father lacked," and it seems to me he is perpetually being underestimated by the opposition.

After suffering eight years of the Corrupt Clown's rotten reign, it is truly wonderful to watch how "W" sets them up and mows them down time & again...

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Pinging people who are already ACTIVE = but just wanted others who may not have seen backhoe's tremendous thread - to see it - and to give others who ARE ACTIVE a chance to speak out on what they are doing, what they see needs to be done, or whatever comes to mind. And to ping others who might not have seen this.......Hello. God bless all of you! And God bless our President! Thank each of you for what you are doing or have done. RightOnGop - especially to you - THANK YOU!

[backhoe]

Say, I like those graphics- thanks!

[backhoe]

Appreciate those extra flags... we really need to get busy, because the final drive to the elections is upon us already.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Good morning, dear backhoe! Yes, the final drive is upon us and God - and circumstances - are moving the hearts and minds of many to get up and get in the fight. You are one of his Mighty Instruments. Thank you!

[backhoe]

Thanks for the kind words, neighbor.

[MeekOneGOP]

If you are registered and on the rolls then all you really need is your drivers license. I vote that a lot of times as I rarely have my voter registration card with me.

Thanks. That's what I would figure. I am registered, and I always take my voter card. I wonder why they made it a point to tell me I had to get the office to send me a new card? Our tax $ at work? lol!

[.30Carbine]

Thank you, backhoe!

During the Take Back Vermont movement the activism I experienced first-hand involved gathering in homes, churches, and town halls. We filled the seats by word of mouth, email, phone calls, or just involving folks in conversation on the street about what had happened to VT politics, namely around the 'Civil Union' issue.

We educated at these meetings, handed out hundreds of copies of the VT Constitution, huge volumes of prepared packets of info and talking points as well as tips on how to spread the word. Some folks gave money to various pacs or candidates. Some folks printed signs and t-shirts and we all participated in the distribution. Some became Notaries Public and went out registering voters. Some became speakers, others became writers, some organized phone and email trees, and all prayed.

We joined forces to march in the state's largest Labor Day parade just before the election. We prepared voter guides and compiled the voting records of our legislators. On election day we manned the polls, both inside and outside. We stopped at least one voter who was attempting to illegally cast two ballots.

I learned a great deal then, and became a part of a vast network of real Vermonters who still have hope for Vermont politics.

[backhoe]

I greatly appreciate your testimony- we really are locked in an "Information & Culture War" with the Left, and getting involved, and educating people, is the key.