New strategy for "DumpDAVIS" FReeps: multiple "eGray in a garbage can" MOBILE STRIKE FORCE teams

"Dump DAVIS" FReep ideas: statewide "Super SIMON" street theater puts Davis-in-a-Dumpster, NEW logo ^ | September 1, 2002 | RonDog

[RonDog]

In my PREVIOUS thread, I promoted the concept of "DumpDAVIS" street theater FReeps.

I am now proposing that we modify this concept to form a "Minuteman-style" MOBILE STRIKE FORCE that we can deploy on a moment’s notice – as soon as we find out where Gray Davis will be.

The heart of these mini-FReeps will be the "eGray Davis" prostitute costume, which can be worn by ANY (preferably male) FReeper. Everything else is secondary, IMHO. Nice to have, but not vital.

Davis
.
WILL WORK
FOR...
Bribe$!!!
www.eGray.org
www.FreeRepublic.com

Our message is:

"Gray Davis is for sale to the highest bidder – so you cannot TRUST him."

As we learned from the anti-Bush/Simon rally in Los Angeles last month, ONE good powerful visual image may be all that is necessary to break through the media clutter. The RAT opposition may be able to out-NUMBER us, but we can out-THINK them!

I now have TWO (2) "Beavis" rubber masks, and should have two (2) "eGray Davis" costumes ready in about a week, which could be worn by virtually ANY male FReeper. I will also soon have printed two (2) big professionally designed 2-foot by 3-foot signs that say "eGray Davis… Will Work for Bribe$" and two big "Hazardous Waste" garbage cans, for the prostitute characters to stand inside.
Voila. Instant FReep! (In duplicate - or MORE!)

We will also soon have a dozen 3-foot by 4-foot "Davis-in-a-Dumpster" Styrofoam cutouts, plus two complete Superman costumes - to promote "S is for SIMON," at least one "GRAY Reaper" costume - to promote "Dioxin Dumpers for Davis," and MANY other anti-Davis signs – all of which would be a good complement to the "eGray" character, so that we can ADD to the overall effectiveness of our "DumpDAVIS" FReeps with as many warm bodies that show up.

But all that we NEED for a successful "DumpDAVIS" mini-FReep is a little advance notice.

Here is a list of some possible "DumpDAVIS" FReep dates and venues:

Tuesday (9/17) – noon to 2 pm – Simon/Camejo debate at the Beverly Hilton
Saturday (9/21) – 11 am to 1 pm – "Latino Summit" at the Westin Bonaventure (L.A.)
Saturday (9/28) - to be determined - California GOP Convention in Orange County
Monday (9/30) – 10 am to noon – Bill Simon speech at the Nixon Library

Saturday (10/5 or 10/12 - ?) - proposed statewide Sacramento FReep

"Dump DAVIS!"

If you hear of ANY public event where Bill Simon - or preferably Gray Davis - is scheduled to attend, please PING me ASAP!

[ElkGroveDan]

the three urls that work are

http://egray.org
http://e-gray.org
http://e-gray.com

egray.com takes you somewhere else. The above three are the ones that were available when the site went up -- according to the Simon people.

[comwatch]

Great... that makes two of us so far. I suspect Ron is looking for us to set the date. Is the Capitol the best bet ya think? Guess I could volunteer to wear a costume if someone can get it up here. Gotta pass on the hooker outfit however... don't have the legs for it :)

Looks like we have a full plate for September, that's for sure.

[Saundra Duffy]

Definitely the capitol area! I have a megaphone and I know how to use it. I can also make a few cute signs. For example: "Gray Davis is a WHORE!" How's that? For victory & freedom!!!

[RonDog]

Thanks for the clarification!

[comwatch]

Ya gotta excuse me.... I live down wind from the Capitol by a few blocks... intoxicating!

Do you propose a Dump Davis Freep STATEWIDE on the same day? Or are we talking progressive Freeps? Sounds to me like you'll need to set the dates in either case.

On behalf of the Sacto Area folks, I would urge each FreepFest to include a Voter Reg table as part of the state-wide challenge put forward by Saundra Duffy. Because of Voter Reg deadlines, the second or third Saturdays (12th or 19th) would work.

Considering the Sawgrass Rebellion rally is September 30th, a Monday, the October dates might be better for us up here. I have to agree, Saturday is a day we can get people out and we have all week to promote it on talk radio.

Bottom line, I think you need to be the one setting the date(s) and who might come to support the efforts?

[RonDog]

I am still pondering the particulars myself. :o)

What I would LIKE to see is two-fold:

1 - FReepers from all across the state gather together for one massive "DumpDAVIS" FReep in Sacramento, ideally on a Saturday, some time in October.
(We are at the "request tor comment" stage now....)

2 - FReepers form all across the state hold their OWN local mini-FREeps, perhaps with someone dressed as the "eGray Hooker."
(This could be in conjunction with voter registration efforts, but it is primarily directed at getting media attention anytime Gray Davis appears anywhere...)

My immediate goal is Tuesday (9/17) at the Beverly Hilton.

Next up is Bill Simon's speech at noon on Monday (9/30) at the Nixon Library.

Also important will be a FReep of the proposed L.A.Times-sponsored debate between Davis and Simon - perhaps the ONLY such debate - tentatively set for Monday afternoon (10/7).

After THAT, I am open to a Sacto FReep.

It would be nice to set the date as soon as possible, though. Working........

[RonDog]

From the Sacramento Bee, http://www.sacbee.com/content/politics/story/4329318p-5351592c.html:

The buzz: Parody Web site may be going, going, gone

By Kevin Yamamura -- Bee Capitol Bureau
Published 2:15 a.m. PDT Monday, September 9, 2002

Politicians love to parody.

Gov. Gray Davis, for instance, is known for his video productions shown at the annual legislative roast that include parodies of the television shows "Behind the Music" and "The Sopranos."

And now GOP gubernatorial candidate Bill Simon has a parody of his own, a Web site called eGray that parodies the online auction site eBay. The site, www.e-gray.org, links several of the Democratic governor's policy decisions to past campaign contributions.

But this parody may come to an end.

Officials at eBay Inc. are reviewing the site for possible trademark infringement. "We're concerned with any attempt to play off of eBay's reputation or eBay's look and feel," said company spokesman Kevin Pursglove.

He said there have been numerous parodies of eBay's site before, but most have lasted for only a few days.

The site does contain a small disclaimer at the bottom, explaining that it "is in no way connected with eBay Inc." Still, Pursglove said, "we're reviewing what all our options are, including our legal options."

[RonDog]

From KXTV (News10) in Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto http://www.kxtv10.com/storyfull.asp?id=2486:

Simon Campaign Website Draws Ire of Online Auction House

Bill Simon's campaign could be in trouble over a web site that takes potshots at Governor Gray Davis. It's called eGray, and the online auction site eBay isn't too happy about it.

The site, which closely mirrors the graphic look of eBay, claims Governor Gray Davis is selling his influence to the highest bidder. The site offers mock auctions of political favors by Davis.

A spokesman for eBay said the Simon website infringes the company's copyright, and noted that the Simon campaign never asked for permission to duplicate the look and feel of eBay.

The online auction house is currently looking into whether or not it can take legal action against the Simon campaign.

Story last updated Friday, September 06, 2002 - 1:34 AM

[RonDog]

OUCH!

The Washington ComPOST weigh in with THEIR spin, in the excerpt from the FULL TEXT at Bill Simon's Online Bid For Governor Backfires:

A dark cloud seems to be dogging Bill Simon, the California GOP nominee for governor. Already beset with questions about his business dealings and campaign acumen, Simon now is threatened with a possible lawsuit by -- of all groups -- the Internet company eBay.

The company says the Simon campaign's new Web site -- E-Gray.com -- may violate trademarks it holds on its online auction site, and it's contemplating legal action. The site, launched last week, is modeled after eBay but it parodies Democratic Gov. Gray Davis's prodigious fundraising and alleged tendency to favor big donors...

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Their SPIN CYCLE is on "maximum," but playing this as a negative for SIMON (!) will not fly. :o)

[RonDog]

From http://www.polizeros.com/categories/greenParty/:

Saturday, September 07, 2002

Politics makes strange bedfellows Can Greens and Freeps do a quicky coalition? Freeps are a cheerfully manic bunch of loony right wingers who hang out at FreeRepublic.org.  Lo and behold, when checking the logs for this blog, I see they've linked to me.  Huh?  So, I investigate. Turns out the California Freeps despise Gray Davis, Democratic Gov. of California, and will happily do whatever it takes to defeat him in November.  So, they posted info from here about Green plans to protest Gray Davis' refusal to debate Green Party candidate Peter Camejo, thinking, heck, maybe we should join those wacky Greens in protesting Gray Davis. Works for me.  We no doubt think the other side is wacko, however we agree that Gray Davis is for sale to whoever the highest bidder is that day. Hey Freeps! "Q. How do you get Gray Davis to change his position on an issue? A. Tell him the check bounced." Peter Camejo, Green party candidate for Calif Governor, as quoted by Steve Lopez in the LA Times. link go to msg 93

LOL!

Actually, it appears that the FReepers will be doing this anti-Davis protest WITHOUT the Greens!

As reported here previously, under pressure from the folks at the "New" California media (just like the "OLD" California Media) not to make their boy Gray look bad in public, the CA Greens have WIMPED OUT of their protest of Gray Davis at this Simon/Camejo debate.

Thank you, "bob - at - polizeros dot com" for posting the original information about this event, though.
The NCM folks were apparently going to run this as a "stealth" debate - for the oddball indy-media members only.

No press release, no fanfare.
They do not even announce the debate on THEIR OWN website!

Side note: I had to convince the Events staff at the Beverly Hilton that it really WAS going to be held at their facility.
It is. In the Whittier Room. Capacity 160. From 2 pm to 3 pm.

What kind of "media" group ARE these guys???

Not to worry, though. Gray Davis WILL be protested on 9/17.

BTW, bob - the url here is www.FreeRepublic.COM - not .org, but thanks for the plug!

[nutmeg]

DUMP DAVIS BUMP!

[RonDog]

This just in, from http://www.ncmonline.com/expo/schedule.html:

COVERAGE AT THE EVENT
New California Media EXPO EXTRA!	An online student reporting team directed by veteran journalism professors Erna Smith and Austin Long-Scott will bring same-day coverage of the Awards and workshops to the NCM website. Students selected from Cal State Northridge, Annenberg School of Communications and San Francisco State University. Sponsor: Los Angeles Times

What'd ya say, Professors?

Why not teach these young skulls full of mush some REAL "diversity" - and let them interview some "Dump DAVIS" FReepers?

Talk about your LIFE-CHANGING experiences! LOL!!!

[Syncro]

Lemme know when you get a date for the Sacto thingie, it is only a couple of hours from here.

Tomorrow I am going to try to get to Alameda to take pictures of the World's Largest American Flag at noon put on by KSFO.

Hay Triple See, I will try to swing by the pleasant town by 4 if I can find it...

[RonDog]

More eGray media coverage, from:

Egad, It's eGray! [Bill Simon's eBay parody website of "Pay for Play" CA Governor Gray Davis]
www.TechCentralStation.com ^ | September 12, 2002 | By Sonia Arrison
Posted on 09/12/2002 4:26 PM Pacific by RonDog

Egad, It's eGray!

By Sonia Arrison

09/12/2002

TCS

Last week, California gubernatorial candidate Bill Simon stirred things up when his campaign posted a satire of Governor Gray Davis auctioning public policies at web site eGray.org. While not as outrageous as the vote swapping sites from the 2000 election, it's a reminder that the Internet still affects political discourse.

One way the Net changes things is that word of mouth can travel much faster. "The first week, without publicity, we got 20,000 unique visitors to eGray," said Chris Tyrrell, Simon's Director of Technology. "E-mail is like the high-tech version of the water cooler." And a lot of people were laughing into their glasses at eGray auction items like the "get out of jail free" card.

The number of visitors skyrocketed when USA Today mentioned eGray.org and then when an eBay spokesperson said the company might file a legal complaint because of the similarity of the parody to the real eBay site. The day of the eBay comments, eGray.org received an estimated 30,000 unique visits. Not a bad way to get a political message across...

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[RonDog]

(for release on TUESDAY, September 17, 2002)

"eGray Hooker" at the Beverly Hilton

.......... The Beverly Hilton hotel will be the scene today for the first gubernatorial debate (at 2 pm) between the Republican Party challenger Bill Simon and Green Party candidate Peter Camejo.

.......... Since California governor Gray Davis has announced that he will NOT participate in any debate which also includes the feisty Latino activist, members of the conservative news forum www.FreeRepublic.com will be conducting "street theater" outside the hotel to protest Gray Davis by bringing the governor’s "evil twin" – a character they call the "eGray Hooker."

.......... Dressed in a Halloween costume of the transvestite star of the Rocky Horror Picture Show, Frank N. Furter, and wearing a mask of the cartoon character "Beavis" (of "Beavis and Butthead"), this "eGray Hooker" will carry a sign, "Will Work for… BRIBE$!"

.......... Controversy surrounding Davis’s alleged "Pay for Play" policy of allowing campaign contributions to directly influence his major decisions has intensified with the recent launch of a parody of the well-known auction site eBay.com, called www.eGray.org.

.......... Despite complaints from eBay, the Simon camp refuses to take down their wildly popular spoof, citing the court decision which allowed former presidential candidate Ralph Nader to promote a similar parody using MasterCard’s "Priceless" ads.

.......... Information about today’s debate can be found at the website of the California Green Party, www.cagreens.org

[RonDog]

(side ONE of our handouts)

COMING SOON to a brothel near YOU!

If you liked THIS CARTOON...

Mike Ramirez (Los Angeles Times, 8/20/02)
.

...you are going to LOVE meeting the un-Governor’s "evil twin" –

"The

Hooker!"

MEET the "eGray Hooker" LIVE (in person) at:

The Beverly Hilton – TUESDAY (9/17/02) – noon to 2 pm
before the Bill Simon/Peter Camejo/(Where’s Waldo?) DEBATE

.

.

(side TWO of our handouts)


"The

Hooker!"

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Who ARE you guys?
A. Just a group of concerned citizens who are SICK and TIRED of seeing our state run by a crooked politician who is "for sale to the highest bidder."

Q. Are you employed by Bill Simon, or his campaign staff?
A. No. We are independent volunteers who act without his consent.

Q. Why does the "eGray Hooker" wear a "Beavis" mask?
A. We couldn’t find a "Gray Davis" mask, and "Butthead" is a brunette.

Q. Why doesn’t the REAL eBay force you to stop copying their logo?
A. Because they CANNOT. What we do is protected political speech, as in the case of MasterCard vs Ralph Nader, where he WON the use for parody.

Q. Where can I learn more?
A. The BEST place to start is on the website, www.eGray.org

Q. Did Free Republic INVENT the "eGray" website?
A. No. Members of the conservative news forum www.FreeRepublic.com just FOUND it, and helped to POPULARIZE this concept - which crystallizes
what many voters feel in their hearts and minds is wrong with Gray Davis.

Please help us "Dump DAVIS!"
Vote for Bill SIMON on November 5!

www.eGray.org - www.FreeRepublic.com

[RonDog]

From our friends over at www.la.indymedia.org:

CAMEJO FOR GOVERNOR, GREEN PARTY CANDIDATE WWW.VOTECAMEJO.ORG

Simon is definitely confirmed, Davis will be a no-show.
As always there will be changes, but here's what we know so far.

Hosted by New California Media NCMONLINE.COM

The debate will be moderated by Emil Guillermo, an experienced debate moderator,
who is the former host of NPR's "All Things Considered" and NCM-TV: New California Now
and a syndicated columnist.

As far as supporters attending the debate, NCM is asking that people should register online at www.ncmonline.com and pay the $15 admission fee. With this registration, people will have access to the entire EXPO, which begins immediately after the debate, and day-full of events the next day, the 18th. Group tickets can also be purchased online or by calling 415-503-4170. Ask for Elana Shore.

Once we have worked the exact layout and know the exact size of the space,
we will let you know if there will be any additional seating in rooms with a video feed of the debate.
We are attempting to arrange electronic media coverage, but this is unlikely to be live.
Once we have a professional copy of the video, we will offer it to many media outlets throughout the state,
and have copies for individuals and groups to purchase.

Here is the proposed debate format:

2:00 pm - Welcome/introductions -- 1 minute/trt 1:00

Moderator Emil Guillermo,
Author/Journalist/Communications Professor, St. Mary's College of California

Emil introduces the debate co-sponsor, Greenlining's Senior Program Manager
in charge of the campaign finance reform program.

Paul Turner will give brief opening remarks.
Paul Turner -- 4 minutes/TRT 5:00
Emil explains format -- 2 minutes/TRT 7:00

Opening Statements by each candidate -- 2 minutes each

2:10 PM - ROUND I - PANELIST QUESTIONS

- - - - - - - ROUND II - CANDIDATES QUESTION EACH OTHER

(Repeat cycle once)

3:00 PM - ROUND III - AUDIENCE QUESTIONS

Audience submits questions in writing; moderator selects 6-8 questions

3:25 PM - FINAL STATEMENTS by each candidate: 2 minutes each

3:30 PM - DEBATE ENDS  

[Note: "trt" = "total running time"]

Note: Attending the debate itself is OPTIONAL for those attending this FReep.

Personally, though, I already bought a ticket, and will change into "civilian" attire before I go inside.
I want to ask a question about the power of the Internet in politics today, i.e. eGray.org and FreeRepublic.com

[Howie]

I suppose they will have an empty chair for the COWARD DAVIS?

[Cinnamon Girl]

That coin is a riot!

[RonDog]

See also:

Simon Suspects Democratic Jurors Tainted Fraud Verdict
California Journal ^ | September 13, 2002 | David Lesher
Posted on 09/13/2002 7:28 AM Pacific by snopercod

Bill Simon, the Republican nominee for governor, spoke with CaliforniaJournal recently for a story to be published in the magazine's special election issue this October. In that story the governor and a broad arrayof other state leaders and politicians examine the current race for governorand the state of politics in California today. Here, California Journal offers a timely sample of the coverage that will appear in its October special issue.

SACRAMENTO-Bill Simon said in a recent interview with California Journal that some of the jurors who found hisfamily company guilty of fraud earlier this summer were Democrats who may have been influenced by his Republican campaign for governor.

"It could be possible," he said. "Occassionally, there are outlandish jury verdicts. Was this a politically motivated verdict?I don't know. But it is not founded on the facts."

Simon spoke with the magazine before a Los Angeles judge Thursday overturned the jury's unanimous finding that William E. Simon and Sons defrauded a former business partner, who also turned out to be a convicted drug dealer.

Campaign officials said the candidate's suspicions about the jury were based on interviews with jurors conducted by attorneys for William E. Simon and Sons after the verdict.

Attorney John Morrissey told California Journal that the jurors said their decision was not influenced by politics. Buthe also said they had seen campaign television commercials by the time the trial started in July. And he said they identified one juror who was active in Democratic politics and had strong feelings about the court case...

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