questionW POLL: ?W - TOAST or NOT TOAST ???

[nostamj]

but seriously, ?W is driving me a bit mad.

I despair when thread after thread sinks to a chorus of

<crickets>

and then I get an email or PM and someone tells me about their ?W strategies....

or another brilliant image arrives in the gallery:

heil

(this is from sweejak

and I feel that I just CAN'T let it go.

so.

I just can't do it alone.

We have:

an extraordinary website thanks to bpilgrim and angka. and the tech support to maintain it. we have genius contributors to the ?W gallery.

we need:

PR support. there can be no question that, without Bev Harris' immediate and enthusiastic support, the 'concept' of ?W would have died on the first thread. as most DUers know, Bev is fiercely focused on BBV issues right now. so, ?W needs someone who can coordinate and respond and BLAST.

something like 'mods' i'd like to switch the email addy to something specific to the site (now it's an AOL personality in my account) so that a # of people could monitor mail. these people would also keep an eye on the forum should it get active.



I would like to 'bump' things up with more organized actions.

Town Hall Meetings months back, there was an 'empty chair' event in, I believe, NM. the 'empty chair' idea didn't catch on but, it should have. invite bush* to attend a 'town hall meeting' and copy the local press. if bush* can't attend, have the meeting anyway and address your questions to an empty chair. (or, a chair with a big ? on it)

?s on Camera plan political theatre events designed to put ?s on live television. in NYC during morning shows, anywhere that you can find a live feed...

[Prodemsouth]

1. As you can see not if many people here at this site had their way.

n/t

[nostamj]

2. i have NO idea what that means

NO idea...

?W deleted ONE freeper post. ONE.

what???

[Prodemsouth]

4. What I am saying is that I don't think this is a freeped poll. This is a

bunch of angry little defeatist elitist expressing their fustration. Look at all the candidate bashing and you don't think what I said is true? Means many would rather have Bush for four more years if their guy is not nominated, that is why not toast is doing so well right now.

[nostamj]

3. see what I mean...

12 votes, on incoherent response.

and NOT A SINGLE back-up to NOT TOAST votes...


<sigh>

[Pastiche423]

12. I nominate today...

SURREAL DAY! lol

Not sure about the other posts, but I unnerstan ya.

As you know, I can no longer login into ?W, but I'm still chugging away w/the campaign.

I've made ?W bookmarks that I slip into all of the bestsellers at my local library, as well as put them in video jackets. The lobbies/waiting rooms of local businesses get fresh ?W stickers once a month. Oh and, my sidewalk chalked ?W is still there.

Only new idea I have is make up lots of ?W signs for October 25, 2003.

[angka]

13. grr

you can't? we've got to fix that. i'm sorry we haven't already. expect a pm...

every day is a good day to questionW

[Pastiche423]

14. Appreciate it, angka!

[uptohere]

5. compare warchests first

then who besides Edwards has a plan for the average Joe to see a better life ? And everyone tells me Edwards has no chance so...

not toast

[nostamj]

6. help me here !!! please

what does Edwards have to do with ?W in general or this thread in particular???

who mentioned Edwards (or ANY candidate???)

is there a full moon???

[Ivory_Tower]

8. Sounds like people might be confused

This sure has been a surreal thread so far...

Personally, I really want to see ?W continue, but I guess I sort of have a vested interest. Man, I wish I could help, but I barely have time for the projects I'm on now (four different s/w projects at work, plus a non-political non-profit that I manage, along with its website) -- if I tried to take on anymore responsibility with ?W it would die a certain death. :(

Looks like ?W needs more exposure -- maybe instead of pushing the main site, we should push the ?W store a bit more and include more affordable, high-visibility items (like include bumper stickers). I dunno, just a thought. I've been doing the low-tech exposure approaches (a post-it note here, a "???" on a dollar bill there), but it needs to get a little more prominent (I still like the idea of a balloon release).

Sorry, all I can offer right now is words of encouragement -- even my Photoshops have dwindled with the increased workload (although I have a couple more brewing in the background). Oh, and I picked up Adobe LiveMotion -- if I ever get around to actually learning the friggin' program, maybe I'll send you a flash I've been thinking about for a while.

Don't give up. And look on the bright side -- Shrub's numbers are down, and people are more willing are willing to ask questions. ?W might not be the leading the force behind it, but it was a pioneer, and is still a contributor.

[nostamj]

11. thanks

your work has been consistently brillliant (and one of the reasons I don't want to shut the site down)

and I agree, ?W is not a leader, it's background noise and support. bzzzzzz

[Ivory_Tower]

Here's a quick p-shop (for encouragement)

and it's already uploaded. Sorry, it was a rush job, so the style could have been improved, but I wanted to get the idea out there...



on edit: while ?W might not be a leader in the usual sense, the "background noise" could also be interpreted as "seed-planting". Maybe it's a nurturer. :)

[nostamj]

24. it may be a 'quick' one BUT

it perfectly captures the IDEA and the WIT.

THANK YOU again

[Raenelle]

7. Never underestimate your enemy.

That's why he's not toast. He may not be clever, but his handlers are. I've been reading about Rove in Franken's book, and he has a very long history of engaging in very dirty political tricks. These people started a war for poltical advantage--they've killed thousands, busted the budget. They do not care about the consequences of their actions. They are psychopaths, and the only way you can be sure you are safe from a psychopaths is when they are in jail . . . sort of like Hannibal Lector.

[nostamj]

10. uh, I'm not talking about *

I'm talking about the ?W project and website (www.questionw.com)

bush is toast, whether ?W lingers on or not.

[SpiralHawk]

9. just lightly browned at the moment

the toaster will go into afterburners in October and November.


"I think the American people--I hope the American--I don't think, let me--I hope the American people trust me."
- George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., Dec. 18, 2002

[angka]

15. not not not

persistence pays off. i am undeterred by any protraction in getting this off the ground—as the tide turns (and it is), it's only going to get more timely and appropriate to questionW.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
-Dylan Thomas

[BeFree]

16. It is a nice site

But it needs to be updated and, if I may, it needs a better placement for the explanation of why the site exists....

I remember well the germination of questionW.com and think ya'll did a wonderful thing putting it up. It's there. It is successful. It will evolve, just give it some time.

Not toast.

[angka]

17. i've been giving some thought

to a little restyling. <gears turning>

[Ivory_Tower]

20. I was thinking about some things, too

Of course, it's easy for me, since I don't have to do the work.

I have some chores to do right now, but when I get a chance (and hopefully I'll remember), I'll try to post them at the site (or maybe PM you?)

[BeFree]

21. Maybe

Something like:

"What would you like to ask the resident?" Here's some of the questions our readers like W to answer....

Also...
Is the forum busted, is it just me?

Thanks for all ya'lls efforts. 'Tis only like day old bread. Not toast.

[nostamj]

25. w/o Bev

we need someone who can effectively promote any new ?W updates.

that's a key. imho.

[Ivory_Tower]

32. I haven't checked recently, but

has the site been cross-linking with other like-minded sites?

i.e., could you post links (and be linked from) DU, Guy James, bartcop, buzzflash, etc.? I don't know the logistics of cross-linking with other folks' sites (is it paid advertising only, or will they link to you if you to them?), but it could generate some additional traffic, or at least get more people aware of the ?W concept.

(Actually, I just checked and didn't see any links. Maybe I missed them? If so, maybe they should be more visible?)

[nostamj]

38. the LINKS page is "Who's Asking" on the right

side of the page.

maybe angka should add "(links)" ???

[Ivory_Tower]

40. D'oh (I shoulda known that!)

I've been to that page. (slaps forehead)

Are those sites reciprocating? Any chance of adding banner-ad type graphics for some of the links (or provide a ?W banner for others)? Of course, I probably missed that, too...

[nostamj]

41. we have *some* banner exchange (blah3, etc.)

and yes, some of the linked sites have the questionW link as well... but not as many as we could/should. for example, I contacted Malloy, Meria Heller, etc. and posted their links but have not gotten a posting from them... needs more follow-up. need someone who can research, send out, follow-up...

[nostamj]

27. your work is one of the MAIN reasons I don't want to give it up

it's just been very frustrating and I need new tactics or something...

[Beetwasher]

18. Hey man

Not toast. These things don't happen immediately especially without a lot of money. Don't give up...

[mlawson]

19. We just do not know, yet.

Far too many things can still happen. One thing that I fear is that the DNC/DLC will manipulate some candidate into the nominee's spot who can NOT win!!!!

[not systems]

22. not toast

He has the money.

He has the guns.

He has the media.

He has an ideology that allow him to lie without regret.

He has an ideology that supports greed without limits.

He has an ideology strengthened by hate and fear.

[nostamj]

23. you've missed the point...

this is not about *, it's about a concept and a website... (www.questionw.com)

[not systems]

26. ok

I saw the site.

I thought the poll was is * toast because of it.

I wish o how I wish...

Take the kick and be happy...

[angka]

28. k i c k

:kick:

[nostamj]

29. kick

see...

<crickets>

[opihimoimoi]

31. I smell toast burning.

He may money and backing but the hearts and minds of too many may be too diff to overcome.

Bush has burned a lot of people. Too many. From Greens to Peaceniks to the Military to those unemployed to those who lost their savings, etc etc

BushCo is toast and all of the Kings Men(O-Really, Hannity, and Rash, etc cannot put him together again. Fame is so fleeting.

[deek]

30. NOT toast

?W is still brilliant.

I think the attention given to the CA recall, the democratic candidate discussions, and the BBV (of course) are probably part of the fade, but remember that ebb/flow is natural. I agree you probably need some very visible mainstream PR, but I believe the ?W campaign is happening on more local and intimate levels.

?W needs to continue as a reinforcement of all the old ugly truths that are finally coming out.

[SharonAnn]

33. I really care and did leave a few ? cards around - will start up

again soon.

I've been working on BBV issues with my state and local officials and also a local environmental project against a major polluter.

I think ? will become more and more valuable as we move along towards the presidential election. It could be a major strategy but I don't know exactly when (timing?) we should kick it into high gear.

[KittyWampus]

34. NOt To Be Negative....

or rain on your parade but...

It might be time to pull the plug on the ?W. Unless you're an "insider"- it's meaningless. Maybe the "?W" TITLE needs to change?

Please know that I am not trying to be obnoxious.

From my own experience as someone who started an Organisation for Artists and then pulled the plug on it after 2 years of putting alot of effort into the whole thing...

Sometimes its best to let things either sink or swim on their own. Or to let it transform into something else.

[Ivory_Tower]

35. I understand your point

but I think the site probably still has at least few good months of usefulness left in it. At some point it will have to transform (or else fold), once W is no longer the focus.

But in the meantime I think awareness of the site needs to be raised. I would bet that the October 25th march would be a good a place for some ?'s to get noticed.

Off to batten down the hatches....

[nostamj]

48. one thing this thread proved....

is that a LOT of DUers don't know about it.

that says a lot about how many NEW people we have since the BIG rush on questionW back in the spring.

I'm hoping to compose a "what is ?W"? thread later to try and clear things up...

[LWolf]

36. Not toast, but

I think there will be a lot more energy and focus on questioning W when the primaries are over and we move into campaigning for the general election.

Right now, dems are focused on primary candidates, a governor's recall, and redistricting in texas, among other things.

Tossing out ideas, here...perhaps now should be an archiving and planning time for ???W. Archiving all of the questions/issues, and planning a big blitz of them as soon as the dem nominee is official. The question marks with questions could become great campaign soundbites; billboards, signs, radio announcements, etc.

You're a regular listener/caller/supporter of Guy James and have mentioned the website. How about if you, and available DUers, actually call in one or two questions a week to the show? A caller who just said something like, "I called with a question. I think it's time we publicly questioned George W. Bush." Then ask the question...discuss....

Could work on other appropriate talk radio programs as well. No cost involved but a phone call.

[Plaid Adder]

37. It may be that ?W's work is done?

Because people HAVE started to question W. Too little and too late, but it is happening. Last night I came across a feature article in *Vanity Fair* about how and why a truckload of Bin Laden's family members were given clearance to fly out of the country the week after September 11, at a time when most private flights were grounded--without being interviewed by the FBI. Same article collected a lot of interesting material about the Bush family's connections with the Bin Ladens, and should disgust and sicken any American who reads it. It is, of course, two years after the fact, and paired with what I'm sure is a nasty article by Christopher Hitchens about how wonderful the occupation has really been for Iraq...but the point is, people are finally talking about these things.

?W was born out of the need to get someone, ANYONE, to stand up and say that this administration is crazy and we cannot just accept it because we are scared. Now that's starting to happen. His approval ratings are in the toilet, his press secretary is getting pummeled on a regular basis, the 9/11 widows are on TV demanding accountability, and Bush is no longer safely ensconced inside that metaphorical Bradley fighting vehicle.

So, I guess my point is, I think that ?W was part of the push to get us to this point; and maybe now its moment has passed. I would hate to see the site disappear, as I think a lot of the art is wonderful and I really like the concept; but it may not turn into the national campaign of which we all initially dreamed.

Which is not to say that it's toast. I have been running my own website since 1996 and have yet to become a national craze; and yet I keep doing it, figuring that every little bit helps, and that I will amuse, edify, and inspire the 10 or 12 people who visit it. But you may want to scale back on the amount of time and energy you put into it.

The situation has changed a lot in 2 years and our strategies have to change with it. When we started bombing Afghanistan I started up No More Blood; a year later I was forced to realize that there was no way I could keep the site current, and switched to the War Journal. Now I'm finding that I do less and less updating on that site too. It's partly fatigue, but I think it's also partly that I don't feel the same urgency to get the word out that I did when I was practically the only person I knew who didn't think bombing Afghanistan into the stone age was a good idea.

Whatever you do, nostamj, don't destroy the site! It's a good site and it is doing its bit, slowly but surely.

C ya,

The Plaid Adder

[nostamj]

39. "don't destroy the site"

nothing to worry about there.

it is not "MY" site to destroy... I just ended up with 'responsibility' for it by default... but it needs a larger team.

[nostamj]

42. into the daylight!

then back into the shadows...

remember, this is about www.questionW.com, NOT bush*

[deek]

43. kick n/t

.

[Bucky]

44. "Not Toast"

I detest cocky overconfident behavior. I dislike it when Bush does it, I dislike it when our side does it. Bush isn't toast yet simply because the current polls show him neck and neck with most Democratic nominees and adequately ahead against others... And this is all happening at the lowest ebb in his presidency.

I don't want him reelected, but there's no point denying that he enjoys wide personal popularity and all the advantages of incumbency and still have over a year to "get his act together" and grease past us for another term in office.

At 39 I'm old enough to remember several examples of the Democratic Party totally screwing up beautiful (or, in this case, tragic and costly) opportunities.

[nostamj]

45. you didn't read the post

it had NOTHING to do with Bush*

it had to do with the www.questionW.com website and overall ?W project.

[Lady President]

46. Maybe you should try a new poll

I voted not toast yesterday, but I don't think I understood the question. I can't speak for the other "no" votes, but I read the poll for like; Question: W toast or not toast? I said no because I thought you were asking whether Bush's* chances in 2004 were completely done which I don't thing they are. Honestly, I thought you were a young poster who was typing in the internet, 'How R U 2-day' style. I can't undo my vote, but before you make any decisions about your site, take into account that this poll is probably tainted by confused DUers not freepers.

[nostamj]

47. i don't have time to compose one right now

but tonight I will try to do something about the confusion.

It says something that so many didn't know (have forgotten) about questionW. there was a time when a ?W thread would get LOTS of hits.... <sigh>

[leftofthedial]

49. not toast--many reasons

has raised about a zillion dollars--that will buy lots o' votes

represents a cabal that owns the media

Diebold

corrupt state gummints run by cronies and siblings

war

FUD factor (fear, uncertainty and doubt)

no organized opposition

[nostamj]

50. arrgghh....

you didn't read the post. it was NOT about Bush....