"Not One Damn Dime" Day - Supporting Soldiers

[JaNell]

Make A Statement About How Our Government Fails To Support Its Troops:
"Not One Damn Dime" Day

via Alternet
Not one damn dime
Here is a protest idea for the upcoming inaugaration being circulated via email:

Not One Damn Dime Day - Jan 20, 2005: Since our religious leaders will not speak out against the war in Iraq, since our political leaders don’t have the moral courage to oppose it, since Bush is wasting 40 MILLION dollars on his inauguration party…while the soldiers have inadequate armor and too few of them to create or maintain peace in Iraq… Inauguration Day, Thursday, January 20th, 2005 is “Not One Damn Dime Dayâ€

[Russo]

Lame.

This movement is a waste. Boycotting all goods and services for one day only makes no sense. For one, most people are going to do EXTRA shopping the day before "Not One Damn Dime Day" so that day of extra shopping will make up for the loss occured on the boycott date. Yes, I understand this isn't about screwing the economy, but IMHO most politicians won't give a damn if you boycott goods for one day as long as you spend your money some way or another. It's all about the moolah.

[ophelia]

since Bush is wasting 40 MILLION dollars on his inauguration party

Wow, I wonder if any of my missing Pell Grant money will be going towards the super soft linen he'll be wiping his ass with at the inaugural spectacular?

[karmakaze]

since Bush is wasting 40 MILLION dollars on his inauguration party

Wow, I wonder if any of my missing Pell Grant money will be going towards the super soft linen he'll be wiping his ass with at the inaugural spectacular?

you know.. even if i wanted too, and had the money, i don't think i could throw a party that cost 40 million.

[JaNell]

Lame.

This movement is a waste. Boycotting all goods and services for one day only makes no sense. For one, most people are going to do EXTRA shopping the day before "Not One Damn Dime Day" so that day of extra shopping will make up for the loss occured on the boycott date. Yes, I understand this isn't about screwing the economy, but IMHO most politicians won't give a damn if you boycott goods for one day as long as you spend your money some way or another. It's all about the moolah.

I think you missed the whole point.

While it will not effect the economy in any major way, which IS NOT the point, it makes a statement on Bush's Inaugural Day. No matter how little a ripple it makes money wise, the fact that people did it will make news. Even ONE DAY of pointing out how Bush and co. fail to adequately arm and care for the people they sent to Iraq will have an impact.

The contrast of a multi-million dollar inaugural ceremony against those soldiers who have to pick garbage is tremendously powerful.

[Onibubba]

I don't know JaNell. I wish you the best of luck in your continued fight against the powers that be, but I am done. The time to make our voices heard has passed. The best we could do was neither enough to halt / postpone the war, nor to unseat George Bush.

But it is more than the war and the administration that I have a problem with:

It is this capitalist society that puts a price on everything from healthcare to information, creating media monopolies that can no longer distinguish news from entertainment, fact from innuendo.

People that howl with indignation when something "vulgar" interrupts their IV of drug and beer commecials and competative violence.

I sincerely believe that we are entering a time of self-fulfilling propehecy wherein the religious zealots will be taking the rest of the USA on a ride that will make us wax nostalgiac for the good old days of McCarthyism .

I've grown so angry and cynical over the last couple of years that the best thing I can do for me personally in terms of stress and heightened blood pressure is just to tune out for a while.

[Russo]

Lame.

This movement is a waste. Boycotting all goods and services for one day only makes no sense. For one, most people are going to do EXTRA shopping the day before "Not One Damn Dime Day" so that day of extra shopping will make up for the loss occured on the boycott date. Yes, I understand this isn't about screwing the economy, but IMHO most politicians won't give a damn if you boycott goods for one day as long as you spend your money some way or another. It's all about the moolah.

I think you missed the whole point.

While it will not effect the economy in any major way, which IS NOT the point, it makes a statement on Bush's Inaugural Day. No matter how little a ripple it makes money wise, the fact that people did it will make news. Even ONE DAY of pointing out how Bush and co. fail to adequately arm and care for the people they sent to Iraq will have an impact.

The contrast of a multi-million dollar inaugural ceremony against those soldiers who have to pick garbage is tremendously powerful.

No, I didn't miss the point. I clearly stated that affecting the economy was NOT the crux of this plan. What I was saying was that the government isn't going to care whether or not a couple thousand people don't shop on one day. Their primary focus is money. They couldn't care less if you boycotted goods as long as you spend your money the day before.

And if it does make a news, it will purely be based on internet buzz. In fact, it probably already has been on CNN and the ilk. Unless a vast majority of the population adheres to the rules of "Not One Damn Dime Day," the message probably won't go through to Bush. Really, does Bush care if a few "crazy liberals" protest? I think he's already shown that he does not.

This type of resistance doesn't DO anything! If you really want to kick Bush where it hurts, I suggest boycotting all Bush-supporting companies for good. Not just for one day. Come on people. You have to be a little more extreme than sitting at home for one day if you want to get the President's attention.

[Bone]

Lame.

This movement is a waste. Boycotting all goods and services for one day only makes no sense. For one, most people are going to do EXTRA shopping the day before "Not One Damn Dime Day" so that day of extra shopping will make up for the loss occured on the boycott date. Yes, I understand this isn't about screwing the economy, but IMHO most politicians won't give a damn if you boycott goods for one day as long as you spend your money some way or another. It's all about the moolah.

I think you missed the whole point.

While it will not effect the economy in any major way, which IS NOT the point, it makes a statement on Bush's Inaugural Day. No matter how little a ripple it makes money wise, the fact that people did it will make news. Even ONE DAY of pointing out how Bush and co. fail to adequately arm and care for the people they sent to Iraq will have an impact.

The contrast of a multi-million dollar inaugural ceremony against those soldiers who have to pick garbage is tremendously powerful.

I have to disagree with this. What this could do is endanger many small family owned businesses. While it many not effect the big corpirations. Many of the small Ma & Pa shops need every dollar they make to keep their doors open. The total or significant loss of a days income could mean the differance between being open next month or not.

I don't see this as a viable way to make a point. I only see this as a way to hurt/endnager the little guys without doing anything real to help the real situation. If the issue means that much, then get involved with real politics and do things to change the situation. Help create a solution rather than endanger the income of those who have nothing to do with the current situation. Do you REALLY want to risk America's small bussiness's to put a pie in bush's face?
As much as I HATE G.W.B. it's not worth the risk.... Sorry

[B_Ko]

75% of that 40 million probably went towards booze and fireworks.

[B_Ko]

Oh, yeah, forgot to mention... there's an anti-Bush protest next Thursday, the 20th, at the Friendship bell in Oak Ridge, i think it starts around 3ish. I'll post more later.

Show up if you can.

[4X541N7]

Oh, yeah, forgot to mention... there's an anti-Bush protest next Thursday, the 20th, at the Friendship bell in Oak Ridge, i think it starts around 3ish. I'll post more later.

Show up if you can.

Can you PM me the infop on this...When you get it?

[Mercurygriffin]

If someone would like to give me a ride to the protest that would be great .

[JaNell]

If you really want to kick Bush where it hurts, I suggest boycotting all Bush-supporting companies for good. Not just for one day.

Please see a previous thread I started about buying "Blue".

You have to be a little more extreme than sitting at home for one day if you want to get the President's attention.

Who said anything about sitting home?

I've grown so angry and cynical over the last couple of years that the best thing I can do for me personally in terms of stress and heightened blood pressure is just to tune out for a while.

I understand that!

I have to disagree with this. What this could do is endanger many small family owned businesses. While it many not effect the big corpirations. Many of the small Ma & Pa shops need every dollar they make to keep their doors open. The total or significant loss of a days income could mean the differance between being open next month or not.

Well, as it's been pointed out, people will buy the same stuff on a differant day, so no cumulative loss.

THE POINT ---> You know, the foreign media will jump all over this and embarass the shit out of Bush about his treatment of the military personnel on his big day - regardless of how much economic impact it has. <---THE POINT

Battles like this have to be fought on many levels, inside and out of the system.

[JaNell]

Oh, yeah, forgot to mention... there's an anti-Bush protest next Thursday, the 20th, at the Friendship bell in Oak Ridge, i think it starts around 3ish. I'll post more later.

Show up if you can.

Thanks and please post more info!

[Russo]

If you really want to kick Bush where it hurts, I suggest boycotting all Bush-supporting companies for good. Not just for one day.

Please see a previous thread I started about buying "Blue".

Yes, but are you really going to do it?

You have to be a little more extreme than sitting at home for one day if you want to get the President's attention.

Who said anything about sitting home?

Well I don't see what else you could do. Taking your car out on Inaguration Day = spending money. What if you need gas? You get a flat tire? Your engine breaks down and you gotta call a tow truck? Are you going to sit there on the side of the road and refuse to call for help because you refuse to spend money?

THE POINT ---> You know, the foreign media will jump all over this and embarass the shit out of Bush about his treatment of the military personnel on his big day - regardless of how much economic impact it has. <---THE POINT

They're going to do that regardless of this sorry excuse for a protest.

I understand where you're coming from, but to me, this is a lame idea.

[JaNell]

Yes, but are you really going to do it?

Well, dur, to the best of my knowledge/ability. Why the freakin' quiz?!

Are you going to sit there on the side of the road and refuse to call for help because you refuse to spend money?

I once threw the rods in my old Cutlass in that county in GA where there's a town that always has the big KKK rallies and I wouldn't let anyone fix my car until I was sure that I wasn't in the town that sponsers the rally. I was willing to get a tow from Atlanta...

THE POINT ---> You know, the foreign media will jump all over this and embarass the shit out of Bush about his treatment of the military personnel on his big day - regardless of how much economic impact it has. <---THE POINT

They're going to do that regardless of this sorry excuse for a protest.

I understand where you're coming from, but to me, this is a lame idea.

You've reiterated that opinion at length.

Any BETTER protests that YOU'RE involved in that you can tell us about?

[gwenhwyfar]

hate to stick my nose in, but i think i agree with russo.
and bone made a really good point about smaller businesses.

i dunno, to me it just doesn't seem worth it.
i could let my dog take a sloppy dump on the doorstep of his little party and it prolly make just as much of a statement. maybe not the same statement, but a statement. or better yet, a nice big shiny turd right on top of the cake.
no really......... its chocolate........promise!

besides, i dunno if i could go 24 hrs without spending money. does the soda machine at work count?

BLAST! :shakes fist in the air:

[Russo]

Yes, but are you really going to do it?

Well, dur, to the best of my knowledge/ability. Why the freakin' quiz?!

Just askin. If you're only going to support "Blue" businesses, then that's all you gotta do. Wouldn't it make more sense to spend money at Democrat-run business on this day (and every day) than not support anyone at all?

THE POINT ---> You know, the foreign media will jump all over this and embarass the shit out of Bush about his treatment of the military personnel on his big day - regardless of how much economic impact it has. <---THE POINT

They're going to do that regardless of this sorry excuse for a protest.

I understand where you're coming from, but to me, this is a lame idea.

You've reiterated that opinion at length.

Any BETTER protests that YOU'RE involved in that you can tell us about?
[/quote]

And you have reiterated that you support this protest. Go for it. I'm not going to stop you. But I do have the right to express my feelings about it.

As for the "better protests," I prefer to "protest" by being an active member in the Libertarian Party. Sticking your tongue out at Bush (hee hee, dirty) isn't as effective as actively recruiting people to vote Libertarian in the next election. If Bush is going to take the troops out of Iraq, it's not going to be because of the will of the American people. It's going to be to save his sorry ass from further embarassment. So, I see your form of protesting as a lost cause. I'd rather spend my time planning for the next election than not buying some M&Ms from the grocery store.

[judas gnb]

I might go protest the anti bush protest cause ya know theres always two sides to every story.But this whole not spending money day is pointless and we all know it and the overseas media wont pick it up.To put it quiet frank Bush won let it go i did......then again i voted for Bush so PARTY ON!

[Onibubba]

Amazed to say I find myself on the side of Pretty Evil here in the squared circle. Many of those "red" companies give money to other parties, charities, relief efforts, and help to keep the economy rolling. They also hire people. Some even hire domocrats and liberals.