tvashtarkatena

You've apparently misunderstood a genuine request for more information for something else. That has more to do with you and your issues than any organization you may or may not be associated with.

A contribution to FreePress or OpenSecrets.org would likely be more appreciated and speak more directly issues likely to further the struggle for real progressive change. Look I can do it too! Except that there's no 'too' here. You're playing a different game...one that we don't play. We don't need to. Our track record speaks for itself.

Effective Activism 101 multiple choice: When someone genuinely want's to learn more about your organization and asks clear, concise questions for which there are presumably clear, concise answers, you should: a) Give them the one minute elevator pitch explaining what the organization does, how it does it, and what its recent successes have been - something any serious activist should always have at the ready. b) Dodge the question c) Post the 'Knuckledragger Crossing' graphic d) Start a 'zero sum' discussion.

Our state agenda currently focuses on drug policy reform (with a focus on marijuana), addressing to the school to prison pipeline, the surveillance society, to name a few highlights. This does not include a long docket of legal actions, many of which have immediate, national impact (Major Witt's case being one). We've had a very good year on both fronts.

If you give to the ACLU of WA, half of your money is used in our efforts here in WA state, and half goes to the national office to be redistributed to the weaker state chapters like TX and MS. WA is a 'donor' state...unlike many other states, we have the fundraising capability to help shore up efforts in other states with weaker chapters. If you give to national, some of the money is used on national efforts, and the rest is redistributed to state chapters as needed.

Can I blame you for fucking up Movie Maker?

I have no idea what the fuck you're on about, here. I'm sure you'll tell us, though.

Our donors are perfectly capable of choosing where to put their money on their own. We don't get involved that that decision. Our donation levels have not been correlated with the economy, BTW.

Effective Activism 101 Lesson 1: Lobbyist: A person that a) helps write the policies and legislation you need to get your agenda enacted and b) has long term relationships with the people with the power to make those changes. Nope...you certainly wouldn't want one of those working for ya.

Yup. No answer...again. Just more progressive 'I'm purer than thou' bullshit. Here's a classic opportunity to sell FreePress to a broader (OK, not that broad) audience and possibly recruit more people to your cherished cause. FAIL.

Schoolin' your ass at the moment. Hardly. So far, not one of you fucks seems to have done anything that has actually made a difference anywhere for any of the causes you supposedly care about. That, or you're all just too cool to talk about it, but, somehow, I think it's probably more likely to be the former. It's hardly a secret why the progressive movement stands in a dark corner of the gymnasium, forever wondering why no one wants to dance.

Like wise dude. I'm sure you've personally assisted in moving the Gibralter of democracy further to the left while deriding the efforts of us who manage to lobby and volunteer while holding down a job and family responsibilities. Do you want a step ladder to assist in the dismount off that horse? Back to work for me. But thanks. I feel inspired now that I know you're there working for us. Nope, I'm just a foot soldier for an organization that produces real, well documented, long term results...the Witt court victory being just one of many thousands. You asked about my personal contribution and you got an answer. Quid pro quo doesn't seem to be your strong suit, however. I'd love to learn more about your efforts, but the tooldom that is apparently required to be a member of the progressive movement seems to make that an impossibility. Well, I'll let you get back to 'talking about it'.

Yup...did'nt expect a real answer to any of my questions. Donation amount = $0.

Oh, and BTW, I've personally raise over $60,000 for the organization for which I'm also a board member, and given over 75 public talks all over the state on topics ranging from torture to drug policy reform for that organization as well. As for the organization's list of successes, I'm sure the Free Internets might yield that pretty quickly.

Let's say I'm a potential donor to FreePress or whatever your deal is. Show me a track record of results so I can decide if its a good place to put my money, rather than into another, more effective organization. Go....

Obviously a hot button issue for you. Your opinion seems to be that with our current state of open media that there's no reason to be concerned of the continued trend of corporate money dominiating all sorts of media. I never accused anyone of jumping in the rightwing cesspoll. Just that I consider this opinion niave at best. And your insinuation that I'm just a whiner and not doing anyting else. Well, I don't need to show you my resume - . You can tell us how wonderfully effective your lobbying efforts have been. And I want charts. Nope, none of the above, but thanks for doing my thinking and issuing statements on my behalf, Mr. Free Press. Certainly no hypocrisy there LOL.

Does FreePress have a lobbying effort? What are the highlights (victories) of its efforts to date?

What's your involvement in these efforts?

Funny how, when I ask progressives specific questions as to the effectiveness of their efforts, I always get one of the following: 1) A snide remark about how I've defected to the Right or some out of context misinterpretation of a previous statement 2) A dodge 3) No answer at all

I do want to go there. How much measurable progress have your efforts produced? I'm just referring to the topic at hand, BTW, which is...the media sucks, there are no good news outlets anymore, non-profits should not be able to make movies with a political message, and Rush Limbaugh is an asshole, as far as I can tell. What are the goals of these efforts? Reverse/prevent media consolidation? Requiring media to be fair and balanced? Prevent 3rd parties uncoordinated with any campaign from issuing a public political message? Gag non-profits who wish to issue a political message? I'm always at a loss as to how the problems with our 'media' will be corrected in manner that is even remotely constitutional.

And, if not, what is the legislative reform you'd like to see happen, who's lobbying for it, and what is your personal contribution in helping to make that happen?

If not, why not?

Do you agree that a non-profit that is not coordinated with any political campaign has the right to make a film with a political message and show it within 90 days of an election?

"It's the media!" = Excuse to do fuck all.

Until then, you guys keep working on your master plan to shut Limbaugh up and make Fox News fair and balanced LOL.