Awesome!

Obviously, this is surely the one thing that will finally bring the ChimpHitler to his knees…

If even 1/100 of the recipients of this book actually ever read it– we can easily accomplish… well, something!

Speaking Truthiness to Powerlessness since 2002…

And again, although I didn’t participate in this particular effort, I’m doing this one-by-one where I live and I think that people will look back at CtG (and NR early projects) as sea changes.

Open Source = transparency engagement. Thanks!

You have done so much and can effect so much more, don’t let the trolls trip you up.

So anywho…what’s next, jay? how can we get your back?

I’m directing this at you because your voice has been the loudest and clearest on the ineffectiveness of this action. I think you’re taking too narrow a view of what we were trying to accomplish.

Trying to get elected officials to read the book as our only goal, nor, really, our main goal.

What we were trying to do, and, in my view succeeded at was to:

1) Put a human face on the netroots, showing that it is quite a bit different from the MSM cariciture of yammering yahoos in their underpants.

2) Demonstrate that the netroots could put on an effective action.

3) Engage the netroots community in a deeper way. We thought about this part pretty carefully. For example, we could have gotten the books for free. But we didn’t want that for more than just the following reason, but this is one of the reasons:

We wanted individual citizens to make a concrete distinct gesture of constituent concern. Just as it was more powerful delivering the books in person than it would have been to mail them, it was more effective in engaging people who couldn’t appear in person to make the purchase. Note that this decision made the project less likely to succeed. But it made the project better.

4)Get the word out to Kossacks and other people who may not read content here that the Roots Project both exists and is effective. The on-the-ground leader of the action has now joined the Roots Project as a direct result of her participation, for example.

5) Develop and deepen relationships with staffers.

Now you may not view these as important goals, but please recognize that this was not an isolated event. It’s part of a developing program of open source lobbying which we are going to continue to work on. I’m on a conference call tonight to discuss lessons learned and best practices for future event planners.

We are just getting started.

“audio version”

I’ve already forwarded that comment (it was made by someone else earlier) to the publisher, and she said they are looking into that.

I’m meeting with the publisher on Tuesday. I’ll be sure to point out that this is a good way to get the content in the heads of elected officials.

I’ll certainly second that. In fact it’s my estimation that every social and political movement has a significant percentage of poseurs amongst its ranks.

“I’ve been summarily defenestrated from several anarchist sites.”

Try GNN. (www.gnn.tv)
it isn’t specifically an anarchist site but has a huge diversity of opinions including a number of anarchist posters of different flavors and the site operators try to be as hands off as possible about moderation. While that certainly has some problems it also means you can very frankly state your opinions without fear of banning.

“One of it’s best modern points is the emphasis on ‘Diversity-of-tactic’s’ doctrine. That DoT meme posits that tactics that even appear to be opposed can have odd synergies and synchronicities. So argue all you like for yr preferred tactic but please respect overall DoT.”

However this in conflict with basic economic theory regarding scarcity of resources and maximizing their usage. We have a finite amount of money/time. Spending it in fruitless displays creates no synergies. In fact it creates a net drag because it sends a message that we are weak and foolish.

The congresspeople who got books can sleep a little safer tonight because they have direct evidence that even if they screw up royally we’ll be too busy buying them cryptic “medium is the message” presents instead of actually boot them from office.

Nothing like a direct demonstration that you won’t be held accountable, huh?

“I do want to remain the pet token anarchist here after all.”

I know you meant it ironically, but seriously there are so many things wrong with that statement…

Second, a follow up which is fully intended to move this concept forward. i’ve so far given two copies of CtG to state-level electeds where I live. One responded that, because it was coming from me, he’ll read it — but wasn’t it available on CD so that he can listen to it while he commutes?

I am not able to find the title on CD yet, so hope the the publisher will consider this option.

I’m also putting some time into another state-level race where I live, and the candidate is someone who was originally energized online. I have highly recommended CtG to her, and she said the **easiest** way for her to get the info would be a podcast that she could listen to while she’s out doorbelling.

I personally think that CtG is one of the best books on politics that I’ve read in years — but now in my effort to get more people to grasp the message and content, I’m discovering that there need to be more formats available.

I also mention this to point out that anyone who frets that the Congresscritters ‘won’t read’ this book needs to get their brains around the notion that we need to MAKE IT AVAILABLE in MORE FORMATS! That way, someone can listen to it on a treadmill, or commuting or doorbelling.

The content and message in this book are impressive, and they’re refreshing, and they’re energizing. The more people who get this message, the better!

As for disparaging who will (or won’t) r-e-a-d the book, that’s no longer the relevant question. After the impressive work produced by the CtG FDLers, the next question is, “Given the fact that more Congresscritters are now aware of CtG, how many are listening on the [plane, subway, treadmill, drive]?”

I’d love to be able to chart something like that over the next 6 months. And I’d **definitely** love to be able to tell the person running for state government where she can download the chapters to her iPod!

“Even if you think this particular instance will be completely ineffectual, it’s a great example of how this kind of effort can succeed.”

No doubt it is an impressive accomplishment in terms of net organization. I’ll certainly give them that. I’d just like to see that organizational ability put to effective use.

“Tlaloc, when you have some actual action to offer your critiques will have more weight. And I don’t mean linking to a pertinent comic strip.”

Uh, have you read my posts? I’ve suggested several times that the money used in this display could have gone to fund Lamont’s campaign or some other worthy liberal. Several times.

“Until then, all the available evidence is that you’re attempting to undermine others actions.”

I’m sure it does when you get to pick and choose which evidence you can ignore.

“Money, meet mouth.”

Reading, meet comprehension.

P.S. while my previous comments have not been meant to disparage this one was, just a little. I do get tired of people who can’t read coming off with serious attitude. Pet peeve.