Democrat Urging Anti-Bush Boycott on Inauguration Day

[WritersBlock]

Jan 11, 2005

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBCFV0UT3E.html

David Livingstone says the idea behind the economic boycott he's organizing is simple: If people don't show up at work or buy things, companies lose money. As he sees it, that's money the Bush administration can't tax, and can't use to run the war in Iraq, protect polluters or chip away at the Constitution.

So the Detroit Democrat and a handful of other anti-Bush groups across the country are urging others of like mind to withhold their cash and labor on Inauguration Day - from all businesses. They don't think they'll inflict a huge economic pain, but they do want to make a point.

<snip>

And he's vowing not to buy gas, food or use his credit card that day: He wants the GOP, big oil, big banking, big box stores and any other "bigs" to know they can't push him around or ignore him - at least not on Jan. 20.

The White House is taking all the boycott talk in stride. Bush "is proud that we live in a society where people are free to peacefully express their opinions," spokesman Jim Morrell says.

Links were included to
Black Thursday: http://www.black-thursday.com
Not One Damn Dime!: http://www.notonedamncime.com/boycott/
Jazz Funeral for Democracy: http://www.jazzfuneralfordemocracy.com/

It's interesting that the article dedicates four paragraphs to playing down the effectiveness of boycotts. If they're not effective, why'd this make the AP Newswire?

(Edited to include date of publication & to add a minor rant)

[renaissanceguy]

1. This can be very very effective

if only the word gets out and people start caring. (And pigs fly.)

http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues.16200506

[WritersBlock]

3. I think they're afraid it could be very effective.

The article quotes an historian as saying (about boycotts), "their record of failure never seems to stop Americans from launching them."

If that's the case, why put a story about an "ineffective" boycott on the AP Breaking News?

"First they laugh at you."

[cornermouse]

2. They seem to work well for the conservatives...

[evolvenow]

4. Howzabout a GLOBAL GASOUT! That might make a statement around the world.

In protest of the illegal war, the Second Steal-ection, and the devastation of our planet....
A Global Gas Out...starting on the Evil Self-Appointed War Criminal King Parade and Circus.

Not a drop of gas purchased around the WORLD, on that Day. And a promise to Repeat until the War is Ended and the B*sh Regime does the Perp Walk into the Hague.

What do you think?

:+

[EFerrari]

5. I think that's a great idea. Let's globalize.

Seriously, how many of us post to international boards? How hard would it be to ask our friends to do what they already want to do, send a message to the klepto in the White House?

[RabidNation]

6. hey y'all, thanks for noticing.

remember, you read about it here first on DU. :)

I'm happy as hell - site's getting hit EVERY 16 SECONDS right now. My bandwidth charges are gonna be crazy, but it's for a good cause (I hope).

stop by the site, download a flyer, & spread the word if you like the idea. <http://www.black-thursday.com>

[hippywife]

9. Already taking the day off

to attend peace rally in response to the coronation day. If you all can't attend in DC, organize outside federal and state buildings in the cities where you live.

[Just Me]

10. GREAT FLYER!!! I'm in! Black Thursday!!!

:bounce:

Great alternative for those of us who can't get to D.C. protest.

[RabidNation]

11. thank you...

glad you liked the flyer.& glad you're into un-participating.

[WritersBlock]

13. Just knew this would be a DUer! :-)

I see they've got it on the "National News" page, as well - great pic, by the way.

I think they're trying to pre-emptively spin/belittle the effect with their "expert" analyses - and I love the idea that somebody's concerned enough to do so.

[llmart]

16. Great poster!

I'm printing out a copy of it for people at work.

Yes, they're afraid it WILL be effective, that's why they're downplaying it's effectiveness. Remember, half of America didn't vote for this jerk so that represents a huge number of people.

[RabidNation]

7. GLOBAL GASOUT

I'm gonna have to do something with black-thursday.com after inauguration day...so if any of you all want to do the gasout thing, write to me: david (at) rabidnation.com. If somebody wants to put the site together, I'll donate the domain/space on my server.

[lanlady]

8. Anti-war demo in DC on Jan 20

Here's the info:

JANUARY 20, 2005 COUNTER INAUGURAL EVENT

THE COST OF WAR - THE PRICE WE’RE ALL PAYING

JOIN US AS WE STATE THE FACTS

AND OFFER ALTERNATIVES

WHERE: The Foundry United Methodist Church

1500 16th Street, NW and P Street (near DuPont Circle), Washington, D.C.

WHEN: 10:00 AM – 11:30 PM

PROGRAM: 10:00 -11:30 a.m. Speakers and Discussion

Jana Meyer, Minister, FUMC

Elias Vlanton, Co-author of www.costofwar.org

Erik Leaver, Associate at Foreign Policy in Focus www.fpif.org)

Other speakers, including representatives from Military Families Speak Out and Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)

REFRESHMENTS

11:30 Join DC Anti War Network members as we walk down 16th Street to the Inaugural Parade.

DONATIONS WELCOME ON SITE

BRING: Signs showing the cost of war for YOUR STATE, COUNTY or CITY and what those dollars could buy (go to www.costofwar.org ). Supporters. Fact sheets for distribution. Organizational materials (tables available).

DO: Contact your media.

RSVP: Malachy ([e-mail], Michael ([e-mail], Debby [e-mail] or Moya ([e-mail])

Sponsored by
Foundry United Methodist Peace with Justice Mission – and Hosts
Middle Atlantic Region of the American Friends Service Committee
Northern Virginians for Peace and Justice
Arlingtonians for Peace
DC Anti-War Network (DAWN)
Prince George’s Co. Peace & Justice Coalition

[fleabert]

12. there's also a world-wide fast for peace site...

http://www.petitiononline.com/pray120/petition.html

I am willing to not eat or spend money for one day in protest of BushCo. Hell, I'd fast for longer if I thought it would help. (and I love love love food, TYVM!)

[ClayZ]

14. Not in Our Name

http://www.notinourname.net/index.html

Also some longtime workers for peace and justice.

We will attend their Seattle Rally on Jan 20.

http://www.notinourname-seattle.net



ClayZ

[llmart]

15. Count me in!

I won't be watching any of it, so let's boycott the MSM too.

Ever since the last stolen election I have spent very little of my discretionary income. I have amassed a pretty nice savings account. I took a job 4 miles from home so I wouldn't have to buy much gas. I refuse to help corporate America and I hope more people will re-examine how they spend their money. Remember, in this country money is power and the middle class props up our economy - not the wealthy, so we have the power. We must use it.

You'd be surprised how peaceful life becomes when you get off the consumer merry go round.

[EFerrari]

17. Great job, David! I've been hearing about it from all different

flavors of my progressive buddies.

This is like teaching people a general strike, a step at a time.

And I see you got covered on CSPAN this morning.

[RabidNation]

18. ain't that cool?

couldn't believe that one. cspan...YESS.

I just want Sean Hannity and Bill O'Reilly to mention it.

I sent notice on this to the Air America ppl a week ago...think they were the slightest bit interested? nah-uh...

but I love the AP.

[EFerrari]

19. The Greens here in CA are sending it all around. I also got it

from the MO Greens, and a Dem friend in Sacramento. Very cool!

[EFerrari]

20. kick against the Empire

[Bouncy Ball]

21. I'm fasting and not spending a penny that day.

So is my husband and four of my friends. We are spreading the word to others, too.

(We are fasting in honor of those in other parts of the world who do not have enough to eat. We are donating the money we would have used to eat that day to the Red Cross effort in the tsunami-stricken parts of Asia.)

[Synnical]

22. Snopes is downplaying it, too

http://snopes.com/politics/war/not1dime.asp

. . . our opinion is that the organizers of the Not One Damn Dime! protest have taken the futile concept of slacktivism to a new extreme.

. . . the suggested scheme is one of the least effective forms of symbolic protest one could devise: it literally proposes that people do nothing, and doing nothing generates little, if any, publicity or news coverage.

Whether the desired goal is laudable or not, a protest that has little chance of succeeding at its purpose but a high likelihood of harming innocent parties does no one any good. As we always say about these kinds of things, results are generally proportional to effort: If the most effort one is willing to put into a cause is to do nothing, then one should expect to accomplish nothing in return.

[Name removed]

23. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[dqueue]

25. One thing...

I really dig the flyer, and the concept. One critique on the flyer... reverse it. I understand it's thematically black. That's a lot of toner (to not buy on Thursday)...

I plan to not buy, and to turn my back in DC. Of course, I don't think it will register in the faith-based reality tunnel of *... but I'll do my part.

[tomkertes]

24. The question is how bad do we think 2nd Bush term is for US & World?

If we think that a 2nd Bush term represents a crisis, then we should boycott, wear black, protest in the 100's of thousands.

But if our concern is merely business as usual partisan, just to score points against the president, then are more muted response is called for. That's because protests and boycotts don't make sense in terms of how to conduct usual partisanship. So how bad do you think things are? Is Bush demantling our democracy, or is simply carrying forward a political agenda that you don't agree with? Is he the biggest threat to world peace and stability since Hitler - or is he simply wrongheaded and poor at managing the logistics of war?

[Magmadona]

28. Well.

In terms of his being a megalomaniac willing to kill thousands while his hordes of villagers smile and nod a the prospect of killing a few thousand more... Hum, I'd say the mans up to par with Hitler.

1. Gave the mindfooked masses someone to hate (Gays, Muslims, anything that thinks above the level of what gun to buy.)

2. Portrays himself as Jesus reborn.

3. Goes totally against the teachings of God.

4. Ignores the intelligent within his own party.

5. I could go on.
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A protest in the 100's of thousands would nice but think about an economic protest in terms of other countries. Maybe this is wishful thinking but just what would happen if they were to put a halt on the purchase of American goods (fast food etc) that would scare them more then anything. Yet what would really scare them is if one day out of every week or month this happened.

[Lorien]

26. We have an entire DU forum devoted to actions like this:

Vote with your $$$

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=255

[intheflow]

27. Please edit link to Not One Damn dime website.

You have a typo in your link. It reads notonedamnCime, instead of the correct link: http://www.notonedamndime.com/boycott/

[WritersBlock]

29. I tried, but it's too late to edit the post.

I cut & pasted these directly from the AP story without checking to see if they worked first.. my apologies.