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Activate Yourself!
various FR | 9-20-02 | The Heavy Equipment Guy

Posted on 09/20/2002 5:08:56 AM PDT by 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....


TOPICS: Activism/Chapters
KEYWORDS: activism; missouri
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1 posted on 09/20/2002 5:08:56 AM PDT by backhoe
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To: backhoe
Vote, then pick an issue you have passion for, study it, get the facts, then hit the road running. You'd be surprised what one person can do.
2 posted on 09/20/2002 5:13:44 AM PDT by D. Miles
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To: D. Miles
You'd be surprised what one person can do

Amen, neighbor- thanks for looking!

3 posted on 09/20/2002 5:15:32 AM PDT by backhoe
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To: backhoe
Yea... I vote, but I live in MA. Everyone works for the state.

Big election in Nov. Sen. Kerry has to run again or he won't look so hot in 2004.

A libertarian is running against him.

Heinz/Kerry is absolutely the dullest knife in the drawer.

All that money and dumb as a stump.

4 posted on 09/20/2002 5:17:45 AM PDT by johnny7
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To: backhoe
I saw the best minds of my generation
Destroyed by madness, starving, hysterical
I should be allowed to glue my poster
I should be allowed to think

I should be allowed to glue my poster
I should be allowed to think
I should be allowed to think
I should be allowed to think
And I should be allowed to blurt the merest idea
If by random whim, one occurs to me
If necessary, leave paper stains on the grey utility pole

I saw the worst bands of my generation
applied by magic marker to dry wall
I should be allowed to shoot my mouth off
I should have a call in show

I should be allowed to glue my poster
I should be allowed to think
I should be allowed to think
I should be allowed to think
And I should be allowed to blurt the merest idea
If by random whim, one occurs to me
If necessary, leave paper stains on the grey utility pole

I am not allowed
To ever come up with a single original thought
I am not allowed
To meet the criminal government agent who oppresses me

I was the worst hope of my generation
Destroyed by madness, starving, hysterical
I should be allowed to share my feelings
I should be allowed to feel

I should be allowed to glue my poster
I should be allowed to think
I should be allowed to think
I should be allowed to think
And I should be allowed to blurt the merest idea
If by random whim one occurs to me
But sadly, this can never be

I am not allowed to think
I am not allowed to think
I am not allowed to think (I am not allowed to think)
I am not allowed to think (I am not allowed to think)
I am not allowed to think (I am not allowed to think)
I am not allowed to think (I am not allowed to think)

-- They Might Be Giants, "I Should Be Allowed To Think"
5 posted on 09/20/2002 5:43:55 AM PDT by Illbay
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To: backhoe
I thoroughly agree with the points in this article. I agree so much that I wrote a book about them, Actually it's a pamphlet, 48 pages of fire-breathing analysis and suggstions for action.

This author is exactly right. There ARE things which every citizen can do, starting tomorrow. Each action by itself may not seem like much, but if a million Americans can get rolling in the same direction, doing the same things, then in the words of "Alice's Restaurant," "We've got us a movement!"

Use the second link below to get full information about "to Restore Trust in America."

Congressman Billybob

Click for major article on turnover in the House of Representatives: "Til Death Do Us Part."

Click for latest book: "to Restore Trust in America"

Latest column, "The Politics of Flight 93," is posted on FreeRepublic.

6 posted on 09/20/2002 6:27:26 AM PDT by Congressman Billybob
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To: Congressman Billybob
Your comments, and links, are appreciated.
7 posted on 09/20/2002 7:58:50 AM PDT by backhoe
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To: backhoe
bump
8 posted on 09/20/2002 8:19:23 AM PDT by LiteKeeper
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To: LiteKeeper
Thanks for the bttt^!
9 posted on 09/20/2002 9:19:40 AM PDT by backhoe
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To: PhiKapMom
I meant to flag you, since I used some of your stuff!
10 posted on 09/20/2002 9:24:53 AM PDT by backhoe
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To: backhoe; ffrancone; Brandonmark; Alex P. Keaton; MeeknMing; Dog Gone; Dog; Ole Okie; OKSooner; ...
I was just directed to this thread. This is good stuff on activism and it needs to be bttt.

TakeBackCongress.org

A resource for conservatives who want a Republican majority in the Senate

11 posted on 10/05/2002 1:59:40 PM PDT by ffrancone
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To: ffrancone
Your comments, flags, and link are appreciated, Thank you.

The rubber really is about to meet the road- we can sit back, and the nonsense you see in New Jersey- which is really an extension of the rip-off in Florida, 2000- will trickle down to every election across the country.

Or we can all get energized, get activated, get involved, and work to inform people and motivate them to go vote. The vote is the final arbiter.

12 posted on 10/05/2002 2:16:05 PM PDT by backhoe
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To: ffrancone
Interesting link!

I voted today in a school bond election. They made it as hard as possible, by changing voting locations and not publicizing the election at all. That ensures its passage, since every school district employee will know exactly where and when to vote, but I wanted to cast my ballot anyway.

I think I'll bookmark this entire thread.

13 posted on 10/05/2002 2:16:47 PM PDT by Dog Gone
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To: backhoe; EdReform; Mo1; lodwick; glock rocks; EBUCK; Archie Bunker on steroids; WaterDragon; ...
Here is a prime example of Activating Ourselves.

This sign just north of Medford, Oregon on I5 North is a prime example of Freepers activating themselves.

I started a series of Oregon is Burning or Oregon is Still Burning threads this summer during the massive fires due to the agendas of the Enviral Whackos.

A group in Oregon and those out of Oregon who knew what was happening had more good news and data about those fires than any other place. They shared that news, data and strong feelings with the rest of us on Free Republic on those threads re Oregon is Burning.

One day, Ebuck came up with the concept of putting a bill board up to let the public know who was responsible. Immediately, a Freeper who wants to be unknown and lives a long way from Oregon, pledged a month's cost of that sign to get it going. Ebuck and others worked out the details of the signs. A small group of us pledged enough to put that bill board up for a couple of months. The money came from all over Free Republic.

This sign has to be fitting like a huge fishbone in the throats of the Watermelon Jihadists Greens in Oregon. We have them in a vulnerable spot.

This could only happen on Free Republic. This is why every Freeper should pledge at least 17 cents per day to keep Free Republic strong and alive. Just throw your daily change in a container each night. 17 cents per night is easily obtained. That is equal to a massive $5/month pledge.

This is what happens on Free Republic:


14 posted on 10/05/2002 2:23:51 PM PDT by Grampa Dave
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To: Dog Gone
Call your local election commission, ask why the bond issue was not advertised. It is their duty to advertise all elections. Find out which dem was sleeping at the wheel!
15 posted on 10/05/2002 2:25:21 PM PDT by D. Miles
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To: backhoe

Just a reminder that Monday Oct. 7, 2002, in many states, will be the last day to register to vote in the Nov. 5th General election, I believe. So if you need to register or know someone that needs to then make your plans and be sure and let them know.

16 posted on 10/05/2002 2:28:15 PM PDT by deport
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To: Grampa Dave; backhoe
Bump
17 posted on 10/05/2002 2:28:55 PM PDT by EdReform
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To: Grampa Dave
Oregon Bump
18 posted on 10/05/2002 2:35:18 PM PDT by SAMWolf
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To: SAMWolf
Thanks Sam.

Folks here is example of the value that SamWolf brings to Free Republic. Last winter Sam posted a thread that is big time news this week about terrorists in Portland, Oregon and the obstruction of justice by the wicked Witch Mayor. (Portland's Mayor rolls out welcome mat and obstructs justice for Islamakazis)

This important thread that Sam posted last year was a heads up of something very rotten in Portland. Now this weekend with the news of the 6 arrested in Portland, and one who was the Mayor's intern for two years is breaking the PC/Diversity news blackout. Thanks to Sam and Free Republic, we knew about this situation last year.

Is news of this importance worth 17 cents per day or a $5/month donation?

Hell yes! Just cancel your subscription to your daily fishwrap and send half the money saved each month to Free Republic for a double win.


19 posted on 10/05/2002 2:52:42 PM PDT by Grampa Dave
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To: Grampa Dave
Thanks Grampa Dave. It was just a story that PO'd me when I read it. Figured others should know about it.d
20 posted on 10/05/2002 3:10:35 PM PDT by SAMWolf
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