In the spirit of the burning a candle for solidarity hoax, I recently received the following in my email. Thought I'd share it with everyone; though I have no idea how it would attract the government's attention.
turn your back on the economy!!! Please share this email with as many people as possible...we can protest with our spirit!!!
NOT ONE DAMN DIME DAY
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, Inauguration Day, Thursday, January 20th, 2005 is "Not One Damn Dime Day" in America.
On "Not One Damn Dime Day" those who oppose what is happening in our name in Iraq can speak up with a 24-hour national boycott of all forms of consumer spending.
During "Not One Damn Dime Day" please don't spend money. Not one damn dime for gasoline. Not one damn dime for necessities or for impulse purchases.
Not one damn dime for anything for 24 hours.
On "Not One Damn Dime Day," please boycott Walmart, KMart and Target. Please don't go to the mall or the local convenience store. Please don't buy any fast food (or any groceries at all for that matter).
For 24 hours, please do what you can to shut the retail economy down.
The object is simple. Remind the people in power that the war in Iraq is immoral and illegal; that they are responsible for starting it and that it is their responsibility to stop it.
"Not One Damn Dime Day" is to remind them, too, that they work for the people of the United States of America, not for the international corporations and K Street lobbyists who represent the corporations and funnel cash into American politics.
"Not One Damn Dime Day" is about supporting the troops. The politicians put the troops in harm's way. Now 1,200 brave young Americans and (some estimate) 100,000 Iraqis have died. The politicians owe our troops a plan -- a way to come home.
There's no rally to attend. No marching to do. No left or right wing agenda to rant about. On "Not One Damn Dime Day" you take action by doing nothing. You open your mouth by keeping your wallet closed.
For 24 hours, nothing gets spent, not one damn dime, to remind our religious leaders and our politicians of their moral responsibility to end the war in Iraq and give America back to the people.
I agree as 'Joe' noted above [& others of similar opinion]:"I don't think it will change the world, but is a symbolic fart in church while they crown the king‰Û and with those who, as 'Code' noted: "It would be wonderful if something as easy and anonymous as not spending anything for a day would have a similar effect. Do you really think it would? Who is going to let our leaders know that this is actually a protest if all involved do nothing, as we are being asked to do?" We can do both!
I voted not knowing if my chosen presidential candidate would win, & yes, not even certain that in this U.S. if my vote would actually be counted. This past week, I donated monies to Tsunami relief. A small amount but helped as I could. I then realized I didn't do enough. I then contacted friends and associates, then, as so many have, contacted the President and Congress and Local Representatives decrying the Bush promised $35 M, particularly in light of the fact that the U.S. [yep ‰ÛÒ that ‰Û÷us‰Ûª] is set to spend $40 to $50 M for the Inauguration - effectively a 'party'. Now it is $350 M and I will keep writing in for more. This is a drop in the bucket that we must work towards increasing.
Yes! 'Not One Damn Dime Day'. Let everyone know. Let everyone you can know. Imagine if any of us let people in other nations know to not buy from American companies or American products and to let their governments know why. Let your Representatives, Congress and the President know why you aren't spending money that day. Sorry, but, especially now, we want them to listen... even just for one day...'Its the economy stupid'. All of the American people do not agree with what we are doing to/in Iraq and we do have voices, votes - and wallets. Maybe they'll hear us by noting what is not going into their pockets, even just for that one day, of how ever many will, one less $ on one day.
As Robert F. Kennedy said: "It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance."
Tony McGrath
in tucson, az
Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2005 | 12:41 PM
Nothing is ever going to change the basic motives that drive humans (I think). Power, sex and greed mostly. Of course everyone should do more to take back our country from an ever more repressive and tyranical government, but it isn't happening.
If this boycott were to have a significant impact on normal spending patterns for a day, whether the total net spending remained unchanged or not, it would bring hope to all sane folks who oppose the current nazis in power. Economic boycotts will lead to government change faster than anything else. Ultimately, global decisions are determined by how a majority of rich people feel. Nothing scares a money addict greedy pig like the potential for having his money stream slow down. We better do something before the pigs take total controll and it's too late to stop them.
Lee
in San Diego
Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2005 | 02:10 PM
What seems to have escaped notice here is: 51% of Americans actually support Bush. I noticed also that the first retailer mentioned for boycott is Walmart, already hated by most liberals, so who would ever notice if the liberals refused to shop there for a day?
I heard about this and sent the email to everyone I know who would even remotely be likely to do it. Sure, it's just one day, and everyone will buy their gas, groceries, etc the day before or after. That's not the point. It is not going to get our legislators and certainly not our (despicable, pitiful) President to see the errors of their ways. It's that proverbial church fart. It's a way to say, we are here and we are not happy. It's a warning shot. It's the first blast (pun intended). We have been far too complacent. I, for one would like to see us out in the streets, but that is no longer our culture, at least not at the moment. I'm gonna do the Jan 20 thing and I'm gonna tell my friends and neighbors about it. In the words of my people, "what could it hurt?"
Jan 20, don't spend a dime day -- do it. I bet it'll even be kinda fun. Let's see how big of a collective fart we can actually make. (apologies to all earnest church-goers -- not meant as disrespect -- but I just loved the image! -- oh -- and I include synagogue farts in the idiom. )
Rex D.
in Milwaukee, WI Member
Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2005 | 04:09 PM
It's a waste of time. Anything 'the people' do will not make them say or even think that they are doing something wrong and will change anything. They are just going to get annoyed at our disobedience and will take action to 'send us to our rooms to think about what we have done' so that we don't come close to 'rising up' or going against the government in any way. DO NOT piss them off. We will all have to suffer. It's bad enough they got they're Patriot Act and are trying to get the draft of the Patriot Act Two passed. We don't need to give them any more reason to try and take control over us and our country. You think you may get something done, well what happens when you fart in church, everybody looks at you like you are a disgrace to the church and it's congregation. Your children are the only ones laughing. So, fart in church, just don't be sitting next to me.
Hairy Houdini Member
Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2005 | 05:31 PM
There is only one fact here to consider. George W. Bush East Rats. That is the plain truth, no sense going off onto any other tangents. We need to express our outrage at the fact that George w. Bush Eats Rats, and what better way than to declare Jan. 20th: "GEORGE W. BUSH EATS RATS DAY". We could stay home, not spending a dime, or lining the parade route wearing our "George W. Bush Eats Rats" tee shirts. What? You don't have a "George W. Bush Eats Rats" tee shirt? just go to http://www.gwbeatsratstees.cmon and get some. Free Saddam Chia Pet with every purchase over $69
Hairy Houdini Member
Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2005 | 05:33 PM
not "east" rats... EATS rats... my bad
Rex D.
in Milwaukee, WI Member
Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2005 | 06:03 PM
can't get one. Page won't come up. Says I need to adjust my browser settings. No clue how to do that. Bummer.
aB
in TX
Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 | 07:44 AM
Here's a note on the subject from another author:
Please support this action if you can. I don't know who originated it, but that is what makes grass roots activism tasty, no one blowing their own horn. How can we support this to gain momentum in the next two weeks? Any ideas? Can you personally make a commitment to make a list of ten people that might otherwise not receive notice and encourage them to participate. If you can, at exactly midnight at the end of January 19th, grab a good flashlight, then shut off the electricity breaker in your house, put on your long undies, turn off your cell phone, and then go to sleep. When you awake on Thursday, dress in black. Can you get to work without spending money? Use this thread for any additional ideas that anyone has.
This event is a meme, defined as a social virus that replicates because it strikes a nerve. I have been tracking it for a few days and it seems to be spreading like wildfire on the internet.
Emergence theory states that innovation emerges from 1. a critical mass of interactions producing a wide distribution of data and 2. massive feedback producing pattern recognition. Part of the desired pattern recognition is that democracy is within our grasp. OUR POWER IS OUR MONEY!
The requirement of feedback producing pattern recognition means that the value of this action will be enhanced by discussion, by talking to people about the questions that arise before the day, finding ways to be with people on the day without spending money and discussing how it went for you on the weekend after.
Jason
in Dead Lake
Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 | 08:44 AM
In light of the fact that we just had an election two months ago where over 100,000,000 votes were cast for two candidates that both support continued occupation of Iraq, I doubt that there will be a noticeable decline in consumer sales. If voters don‰Ûªt embrace the anti-war stance, why will consumers?
Hairy Houdini Member
Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 | 09:45 AM
I'd like to publically apologize for stating that "George W. Bush Eats Rats".I misspoke, and i'd like to clarify that. Ahem- "George W. Bush Eats DEAD Rats". If any live rats were offended by my remarks, well, mistakes were made. I truly think that it is for the good of the nation that the Director of Central Rat Intelligence fall on his sword for giving me such lame info. DEAD rats, okay? DEAD rats. Say it with me: George W. Bush Eats DEAD Rats". Better
Maegan
in Tampa, FL - USA Member
Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 | 12:12 PM
...coincidentally, I get my paycheck direct deposit on the 20th. It will probably be the day I go grocery shopping, fill up the cars with gas...and if I'm lucky, get my eyebrows waxed. (notice the nice eyebrows on this guy!)
Hairy, were those rats killed as humanely as possible? I don't see our "nature-loving" pres being interested in organically deceased rats (natural causes). I'd hate to think of all those poor rats being kicked around the abattoir in an inhumane manner.
And I certainly hope he uses the skins for new shoes or belts or something instead of just wasting them.
Rex D.
in Milwaukee, WI Member
Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 | 02:35 PM
Hey Hairy, why can't it be: "George W. Bush eats dead rats that were infected with the AIDS virus"? Or something similar.
Organically deceased. This is exactly why I keep coming here. Everybody here is too damn funny.
The second-to-last Thursday of the month is when my bank account is automatically debited for my cell phone bill, so complying with this boycott would be such a hassle.
TheCroz
in sf
Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 | 04:18 PM
Wouldn't we all be better served by just spamming our elected officials directly? Send enough letters to them, and the government will take notice. Big business wants us to think of ourselves only as "consumers." But consumers don't wield the clout that "citizens" do. Big business won't even notice a dip in their profits, but bugging elected officials in enough numbers might make our government think people actually care. Maybe.
Rex D.
in Milwaukee, WI Member
Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 | 06:20 PM
Yes, but they can delete and throw out all of the mail without a care. What good will that do?
Rex D.
in Milwaukee, WI Member
Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 | 06:22 PM
I'm telling you, all we're going to do with any of this is piss them off, or at least annoy them a little bit, but thats not going to make them change anything. They are in a position of power and money. They want to keep it that way. You would to if you were one of them.
The wizened old know it half-assed
in tucson, az
Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 | 08:19 PM
The ONLY things that powerfull people care about are money and not losing their power. They desperately don't want this "NODDD" deal to cause a noticeable blip on the economic radar screen because it might mean that it would light a spark of hope in the hearts of the elctorate that they might be able to use their economic power to start restoring some semblance of sanity to America.
)
(notice the nice eyebrows on this guy!)