Ad in response to "celebrities"?

self

[TheBigB]

It seems as though several folks are interested in a suggestion I made on an earlier thread, regarding the fact that several second and third-tier "celebrities" have placed an ad in the NYT titled NOT IN OUR NAME. This ad castigates the Bush administration for the stance on Iraq, the WoT, and other things. I suggested we place an ad of our own. Here is my original post:

"How much would it cost...if we all chipped in...to buy one ad. With our names. And have it say up top, "YES...IN OUR NAME". We are not celebrities, nor entertainers, nor self-avowed "intellectuals"...we are Americans. Self-described Average Americans, who work day-to-day, salute our flag, pay our taxes and recognoze that America, as far from perfect as she may be, has always been Earth's shining light. That we, as a nation, have always been there, to defend freedom, to help feed the hungry, and yes, to protect the powerless. We've proven it, time and time again. Now the time has come for us to find out who are allies truly are. We are not the opinion-shapers, but we are the nation-makers. Yes Mr. President, do it...IN OUR NAME."

Who would be interested in this? Houmatt checked on some prices from USA TODAY...he says "For a full page color ad, it is $110,300. For B&W, $71,000. But you do get discounts if the organization is non-profit, 501 (c) 3 and/or you deal with the newspaper directly, not through a third party." Now get that price...at least $71K. I thnk to get enough donations, we'd need so many people to donate that we'd need a full-page ad for the names. I certainly couldn't afford to give too much myself. I'd love to do this, just to show the country that these half-baked "entertainers" aren't the only ones with strong opinions. But I ask...is it feasable? Could we raise enough? I just want opinions for now. What do y'all think, seriously?

[Brytani]

I should have been more clear in my previous post. If Jim will allow the FR name to be associated with an ad it would then qualify for a lower rate based on tax-exempt status. In this day and age many of us do not have a lot of extra funds we can donate to something like this.

Along with the money situation, if it qualifies in a few papers around the country at a much lower rate, it's possible to run the ad in multiple publications to increase viewership.

[TheBigB]

I never really considered the NYT too much, as I doubted they'd even run it. I thought USA TODAY might be a better venue. Or if we really wanted to annoy the celebs, PEOPLE magazine or TV GUIDE. ;)

As I said, this is just, for the present, to solicit opinions. It'd take a helluva lotta folks to make this happen. But I think if FReepers can't do it, nobody could.

[TheBigB]

Pingle. :)

[TheBigB]

Billie, Dearest...would you ping your morning list to this thread please? Thanks. =)

[Iron Eagle]

I agree. How long can it take to get 710 people to pledge $100. Let's get some draft text together to circulate, and have the Freepers set-up a thread to coordinate donations.

I think we will need to see the text first. People will want to know what they are signing to before pledging 100 dollars and putting their respective names out there.

If Freepers are interested, this seems like a great idea. Let's strike while the iron is hot.

[KSCITYBOY]

I'm in --- something along the lines of We real (average) Americans are tired of hollywood types thinking their opinion matters more than ours -- so go screw yourselves (which many would do since they are the loves of their lives).. 50 bucks from me

[zlala]

I'm good for $100.

[grammymoon]

me too

[CyberCowboy777]

Washington State Ping List

This is all known Washington State Freepers as of 9/13/02

If you want on or off this ping list Freepmail me.

[Iron Eagle]

Who is going to run with this big dog.

I say we put 710 (or more) people on our full page ad. Let's put it right in the same damn paer they did. Let's stick this to them.

This is a great call to action for Freepers. I don't know that this has to be a Free Republic sanctioned or sponsored act, but I think we should seek approval from Mr. Robinson to use this forum to organize. (His participation is welcome, of course)

To me, however, we want to let these folks know that the common man can be heard to. We want to let them know that we can raise the money as individuals, and be heard collectively as a real cross-section of Americans.

I will write the text. If Mr. Robinson approves, we can start fund-raising immediately.

[fight_truth_decay]

agree USA Today is often in every Hotel,etc.. across the land for the person on the go..wanting to read the headlines but not having time to read in depth..

[CyberCowboy777]

I am in..

$50.00 for sure, I'll try to swing $100.00.

Hopefully we can get 2000 or 3000 folks involved and nobody will have to fork over major cash.

How many Freepers are there? Then you add in some outside help. If we all write fellow Conservative organization and persons we should be able to collect enough cash.

It would be best if we can accept credit card... Easy enough if we work with Jim.

No need to print all the names in the ad, just point to a site with the names or something.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

Is FR a 501(c) non-profit? I'd be willing to contribute to an ad.

[CyberCowboy777]

Can we get you to ping this?

I know you have one of the larger list.

[CyberCowboy777]

A possible ping from you sir?

[HairOfTheDog]

Cyber, thanks for the WA Ping...

It is an awful lot of money, but I would help. I guess the real question is whether it is a worthwhie place to spend money.

We would need FR to do this officially, I think, partly to help advertise the name of FreeRepublic, which would be a bonus, but mostly because they have a method in place already to collect the money.

It is too much money to be sending to a stranger on a hope. At least if FR collected it, and we didn't end up raising the needed dough... The donation could go to FR.

[mhking]

Black conservative ping

If you want on (or off) of my black conservative ping list, please let me know via FREEPmail. (And no, you don't have to be black to be on the list!)

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[CyberCowboy777]

A ping from the Bunny?

Trying to get the word out!

[CyberCowboy777]

Good points, as always.

[rintense]

A Daily Dose PING for some reciprocity!