when you write to politicians, copy the press

[grasswire]

The impact of your letter to a politician can be amplified simply by sending a copy to a member of the press, so that our "fourth estate" will understand the urgency and sincerity of our citizen pleas.

Send a copy to an individual at WaPo and CNN and MSNBC. Keep sending and keep copying.

[napi21]

1. That's an interesting idea. Just might help wake them up!

Thanks!

[countmyvote4real]

2. Good point. Thanks.

We should know how many deaf ears are out there.

[calimary]

3. THAT is a great idea, grasswire!

I remember reading a story about a anti-war activist who got pissed off at the NYTimes for chiseling on the number of people attending a peace rally during the run-up to the war. She wrote a letter of complaint to the Times saying she was at that rally and they seriously underestimated the crowd size. She demanded a retraction. She also CC'ed the Times' mortal enemy - the Washington Post, and another group that keeps tabs on and reports on news coverage - I THINK it might have been Editor & Publisher or some such entity.

The point here being that - while the NYTimes was getting this feedback, taking them to the woodshed for slip-shod reporting, its biggest competitor was also seeing this same complaint, as was the third party, who was also being allowed to see the NYTimes publicly chastised. The paper quickly printed a correction.

VERY good idea to copy other people in on any letters that are sent.

BTW - if you're gonna send a snailmail, to better ensure that it gets there without being stuck in some anthrax quarantine for weeks and weeks, send the letter as a letter - that is, fold the letter in thirds as if to put it in an envelope, but skip the envelope. Just address the back of the page and put the postage on, and tape it shut - LEAVING BOTH SIDES OPEN. That way, it's VERY easy to see that this is simply an innocent, straightforward letter with nothing sinister hidden in there. Postcards are also good. Or, if it's to Nancy Pelosi, how about a paper plate? If it has the proper postage and return address, it'll get delivered, especially if it's clearly and obviously not threatening.