I often leave a comment on a post that’s worth making into a post of it’s own. As a matter of fact, this post of mine has a bunch of pretty interesting comments accumulating, as we explore the value of the Net effort to get people to stay away from spending any money in retail stores on Inauguration Day as a way to send a message to the Bush administration that we have not changed our minds about how we feel about his policies and procedures.
It turns out there is are two special websites devoted to this effort, where you can sign a petition and leave a comment. WWW.NOTONEDAMNDIME.COM and WWW.NOTONEREDCENT.COM Please spread the word.
Over on my other post (linked to above), I received a comment from someone named H Boroni, who tried to list the reasons why the Not One DamnDime boycott effort won’t work. This is what I replied:
Well, H Boroni, I guess it all depends on where you’re coming from and what you’ve learned along the way.
1. The NODD Day is a protest statement, meant to call attention to the fact that there are still many, many of us who are enraged by all that the Bush adminstration stands for and has failed to accomplish. Of course not all Americans will join the effort. Not all Americans marched in Washington at various times regarding the Gulf War or the Vietnam war of a woman’s right to choose. But the point was made by those of us who did. You’re missing the point.
2. The protest is as much to remind people like you as it is to remind the Bushies that half of America does not agree with you all. It is as much to remind the press and the rest of the world. We know that Bush knows. You’re missing the point.
3. It’s not meant to hurt or help the economy. It’s meant to be a visible and newsworthy protest. You’re missing the point.
4. Notice that I edited out the statement found in other versions of this call to dissent about “supporting the troops.” My support of the troops begins and ends with “bring them home so they don’t get killed.” That’s a whole other issue and doesn’t belong, I don’t think, in the rationale for this dissenting act. That’s my personal point of view.
5. The troops in Iraq are not fighting to protect America. The Iraqis were not the ones who orchestrated and carried out 9/11. The people there hate us and our troops about as much as they hated Saddam. America is more in danger from the actions of Bush than from any actions of the Iraqis.
From my point of view, supporting the current neocon administration is being part of the problem. Urging major governmental overhaul, through protest, dissent, sending emails, writing letters, being intelligently and vocally opposed to the current administration, is being part of the solution, part of the impetus for change. You’re missing the point.
To summarize, living in a state of denial, remaining uninformed about the reasons why America is in the mess it’s in, is what is stupid. You’re missing all the points.
One of my commenters suggested doing an organized spending boycott once a month, on some kind of irregular basis so that the stores can’t prepare for the slowdown by telling their hourly workers not to come in.
However it all falls out, on the day the Bush gets inaugurated –Thursday, January 20, stay out of the stores.
OPEN YOUR MOUTH BY CLOSING YOUR WALLET.
Kalilily Time
Just an old lady talking to herself
Well stated – one more thought. In the movie “Brubaker,” there was a large and powerful prisoner, poorly educated, who didn’t speak much. But when he did, it was important and he wanted to be heard. So he prefaced his words with the phrase “I’m fixin’ to say somethin’.” That’s what this is all about. Listen up Neocons – half of America is fixin’ to say something.
There’s an excellent article on this topic in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel of Jan 5 2005: See http://www.jsonline.com/news/metro/jan05/290372.asp and excerpts follow:
Want to revolt? Net is a good place to try
by Eugene Kane
Here’s a rule of thumb for the Internet age:
If you receive more than 20 e-mails on the same issue – all from different people – within a short period of time, you’re either dealing with a new movement or a hoax.
“Not One Damn Dime Day” appears to be the real deal. But that doesn’t mean it’s ready to sweep the country.
But who knows?
Maybe you’ve also received the e-mails proclaiming Jan. 20 as “Not One Damn Dime Day” across America….
I’m not ready to sign on for this “Not One Damn Dime” movement because I sense it is poorly conceived and more of an expression of rage against Bush’s re-election than a valid political protest.
But considering Bush’s plans to spend $40 million to give himself a lavish coronation on Jan. 20 – while the situation in Iraq is still deteriorating with little hope in sight – I think some sort of organized response might be appropriate.
All you need is a spark to start a roaring fire, especially on the Internet.
As far as email hoaxes and frauds go, you can always check on http://www.snopes.com and/or http://www.breakthechain.org to find out what’s for real and what’s not.
I don’t know if the Net can make “NODD” happen, but it’s worth trying.
I suspect that unlike the marches you mentioned, a day of ‘not doing’ something won’t make much of an effect. And it’s hard to televise. Think of what you can actually do to make your feelings — about the money spent on Inaugural parties, administration policies, the war’s dead and maimed — known to the general public within the next week. Some groups will light candles and hold vigils. Some will wear black or black armbands on the day of, and before, the Inauguration. Think about doing something very visual and letting those around you who inquire know why you’re doing it. Visuals make the evening news. Think of the effect if a large portion of the citizens go into mourning in the days leading up to the Inauguration.
Of course you’re right that vigils and marches get on the news. But I’m not sure that such local demonstrations ever really make much of a difference. For people like me, who can’t travel to Washington to demonstrate, not doing any shopping on January 20 th is a viable protest option. And if enough people do it too, believe me, the obvious lack of retail activity will get noticed by the media. But is has to be done on a large scale. I don’t think NODD should be discouraged; it should be encouraged as yet one more way, in addition to marches and vigils, to call make our protests noticed.
I will be participating in the Not One Damn Dime day. I’m also going to be wearing a shirt I made myself that says “Not One D*mn Dime” and the red circle/slash over Bush.
The point is, we must show the nation that George W. does NOT have the “mandate of the people” he is claiming. If he did, he’d have won by 95% instead of the 2% he got. For him to claim this “mandate of the people” is for him to be spitting in the faces of almost half of the voting public.
Alas for my country.
As T. Jefferson said, “I fear for my country when I reflect that God is just.”
With the failing economy I’m torn between closing my shop , and leaving it open , we need every penny that we can come up with , we need to get rid of bots and try to make room for spring shoes that will be coming soon. I want to participate but the only way to afford to is if you own an oil company or something that isnt completely going under. Alot of our current sales are impulse buys, and we could lose thousande tomorrow that we need to stay in business.
I dont know what to do , but I doubt we can afford a single day off.
How about if you offer a 20% discount coupon for anyone who stops in on January 20th and DOESN’T BUY ANYTHING.
Make the discount good for a week or a month, or whatever works for you. Put a red, white, and blue sign in the window and say “come in today, January 20, and get a 20% — off discount coupon — good for two weeks — as long as you DON’T buy anything today.”
It means that you’ll have to keep the store open to give out the discount coupons. It also will probably mean that people will come in and ask what it’s all about, and you’ll have to admit to your politics. It might also mean that people will stop in who might not otherwise.
guess that worked real well, genius