72: My stopIranWar Challenge to You
Submitted by Reg NYC on May 17, 2007 - 4:59pm.
Stop Iran War | stopiranwar | Call to Action | Iran
When Gen. Clark and Jon Soltz started the stopIranWar Challenge, http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/11686 , they set the goal at 100,000 signatures on the petition. They purposely made it a high number to inspire us. It wasn't meant to be realistic.
But think about it.
As of right now, we've got 41,101 signatures.
817 grassroots individuals have recruited new petitioners.
100,000 - 41,101 = 58,899
58,899 / 817 = 72.091799
72
There are 10 days left in the Challenge. That's 7 or 8 a day.
If we each get 7 or 8 a day, we can get 100,000.
You can stand on the street or sit on your front lawn and ask people who walk by. You can go to the park on your lunch break. You can ask people at work or at church or at school.
You can get 7 or 8 a day.
We can get 100,000.
I'm in awe that you've gotten so many signatures! Thank you for breaking it down and you and Susan making it so easy!
I have no idea why the people I sent the email to when we first started this have not responded. It's very discouraging that my closest friends couldn't/wouldn't even take the few minutes to do it, ya know? A very few did the first couple days, then nothing else since.
Thank you to you and Susan for keeping us going and giving us new and better ideas!
Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right.
I didn't have much luck with my friends. Other than about 8 close friends, I've gotten all the rest on the street or in the park. The great thing about that is that I can go out for as little or as much time as I want. If I only have a half an hour to spare, that's fine.
It's nice to see the SIW number go up regularly and I know you are largely responsible. Thanks!
all your efforts Reg;
There's nothing more American or patriotic than speaking out, questioning authority, holding your leaders accountable. - Wes Clark
I got an e-mail today from Air America Radio about their relaunch.
Young Turks will have a show.
Could we ask them to host Jon Soltz and give him the opportunity to ask for signatures?
What about one of the other shows on AAR?
http://www.airamerica.com/
Is there any other media that might help?
Would Amy Goodman host Jon Soltz?
Thanks, Reg, for all you're doing and for inspiring us.
Printing out paper petitions and taking them to the streets. The larger army we have covering ground, the more signatures we get. It's about spreading the word to the majority of the people who don't live online--they need to know too! Not everybody will be able to do this, but for some who haven't considered it, it's easier than you might think. Most people are pretty eager to sign when you ask them. And they usually have some choice things to say about Bush and Cheney, too! :)
it to a DFA meeting where Cindy Sheehan spoke and we handed out buttons and got signatures. I wear my button and hand them out at Whole Foods, for example where I find interested people.
I handed out buttons and asked people to go on line and sign the petition at a Harris County TX Democratic Party meeting.
Pilgrim will be doing more of this at a University of Houston Texas Democratic Party meeting and I may be able to join her there.
So I am trying to reach individuals.
I just thought that thousands of people listen to Air America Radio and some might go to the web site and sign up.
They've probably gotten all the free media they're going to get at this point, so we are trying to encourage some "low tech" efforts. :)
I think it's great the way we've all figured out how to help in our own ways. We've all figured out how to fit volunteering into our own lives with our own skills and interests and our own resources.
Are you thinking about posting Clark's "Legitimacy: The First Task for America's Security" over at dkos? I'd post the whole thing. There have been a couple of really long JE diaries recently, so I don't think it could be pointed at as too long. Also, FrenchCat's post at DU has a great title, one that catch's the eye: Wes Clark . . . This Time We've Gone Too Far.
the General's speech, which is up on the front page of WedPAC - we should probably ask them. Reg is online, so she hopefully will see this.
commentary or analysis. They absolutely go bonkers when someone just does a cut and paste of an article, speech or whatever.
That is why I haven't done it. We have some incredible writer/thinkers here who could make a recommended diary of this, no doubt. I don't feel confident enough to do it justice.
Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right.
But if you have some ideas for it, go right ahead.
It's a fantastic speech and should be spread far and wide.
Someone should, and you are a very fine writer, eve, if you want to take a crack at it. Maybe work this article in too.
One - with speech itself
Second - with the article a few days later quoting snips from the speech.
Use of KR's photos in both would be good too.
I had been thinking about this ever since I listened to the speech and would like to do one, perhaps after KR does one . In the meantime I'll work on it.
And you've done an amazing job.
So how about we all follow her lead and see if we can meet Reg's challenge?!
"Our public servants work for us - we don't work for them. We have an obligation, as citizens of this country, to always remember that - and to never let them forget it." - DeadMessengers
Some of you are going great guns! That's wonderful!
Been catching up with my golf "cronies" now.....giving them a button, asking them to sign the petition and telling them to be sure and view the new VoteVets ads. Most of them are veterans...which helps. :)
I didn't sign up for the competition...but continue to capture the opportunities where I find them.
Oh...and when I do mailings, I send buttons and the Washington Monthly article Wes wrote, "Averting the Next Gulf War". It gives such a good understanding for those who have no idea about any of this.
Here's the link:
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2007/0704.clark.html
Still slowly grinding away at it....
It's really not about the competition (though perhaps that has been an incentive for some volunteers), it's about spreading the word far and wide. It sounds like you're doing what needs to be done!
Nice job and to other Clarkies.
I sent only about 300 emails but it wasn't as effective as I have thought.
I don't have the guts to go up to strangers and time issue has been a problem. But what you have suggested is a great idea such as at least 30 min being at the park, lawn, or in front of a library; and if the weather and time permits then maybe this Sunday I can get some signatures with a help of a friend. She is actually a very good salesperson and maybe she can show me some tricks.
Bringing a friend is good. I bring my husband out with me. When you're just standing on the street, I find that passersby respond better to two people. It looks more legit or something.
I was actually planning on asking you to come out with us sometime, but it's impossible to plan ahead with this weather. I'm glad you've got someone to go with you.
The park is good because people are sitting down. They don't have to stop what they're doing or be later to where they're going. They also have to answer you. On the street they can just walk by and ignore you.
is another thing to think about.
Well let me know when you guys are going, I am freelancing from 11-7:30PM M-F. Unless you want to do it this Sunday? Anyway, email me if the planning is convenient.
P.S. Now all you have to do is choose the right event/dinner with Gen Clark. And congrads :-).
I'm still working on ending the war in Iraq. Iran will meet with the US the end of the month to discuss Iraq only. I hope these people (on all sides) don't blow it.
If anyone hasn't seen the challenge "Leaders" on StopIranWar.com--Reg had gotten 1,310 signatures as of May 13!
Thanks, Reg, for going so far above and beyond. Your work is much appreciated by Wes and Jon and all of us involved with this effort!
For anyone interested in more ideas for gathering signatures, you can look for antiwar events in your state on this site:
http://www.unitedforpeace.org/calendar.php?sortby=&caltype=51
You might check your county Democratic party's website, or community calendar.
If you're feeling bold, grab a clipboard and stand outside the public library. Or set up a table sign while you read or converse at your favorite coffee shop.
Above all, have fun while doing good!