Jim Mason: a message about John KerryA sincere thanks to all of you who responded to my original proposal for how we might help those working on behalf of better in the coming election. Your consideration and generosity is, was and will be greatly appreciated by those out doing the work on-the-ground in the swing states. In response to the first mailing, the $1000 challenge money from the Shipyard/Mobilization Destroy shows was raised by $500 to $1500 total, and the matching donations so far stand at $925. So right now we are at about $2000 total contributed and $500 challenge in wait- very impressive for a first volley sent right in the midst of the run up to that thing in the desert. . . I put $500 of the challenge money into the Democratic National Committee while they were having a 2x matching drive so that got amplified again, as well as any donations you all did to them. And another $500 has gone to America Coming Together (the voter reg and voter turnout org). I assume everyone who said they were going to donate on their side has done what they said they would do. (The money is not going through me. I'm only informed and told to do the match) And now I hope you will consider helping us match this last $500 challenge, bringing us to a total of $3000. Actually, there is really no reason we can't get this to around $5,000. There are over 1000 people on this list. $10 here and there from many adds up to a lot. Don't be shy. And remember, it is your future at stake. . . really. So maybe forgo the Odeon for one night and donate the money to something that matters instead? I just watched the debate tonight and now feel guilty calling the Kerry side merely the "forces of better". I was really and actually deeply moved by him tonight. He finally emerged as a real human being and coherent, full personality. The suit was not empty and what it was filled with turned out to be quite compelling. He consistently came across as thoughtful, principled, competent, clear-minded, and with vision. In short, he showed himself to be a Statesmen- and one with great potential as president. He inspired more confidence in me than Clinton did the first time I saw him many years ago standing in the same situation. So I no longer see Kerry reluctantly as just the better, but not really very exciting option. I actually found much to like in his character and brain while put on the spot under the lights and what must be a surreal amount of pressure. Can you imagine standing on that stage, two of you, debating live for the seat to lead the free world? I can't imagine any human not melting from the pressure. I know I would. Anyways, back to the point. I was reinvigorated. The Democratic base was likely reinvigorated also, which is good, as registered Democrats are well over 50% of potential voters. Getting them excited and out to vote will likely translate into a win. So I hope a large part of the country watched tonight. It should put Kerry back in this race- not that he was out of it before, but it has not been looking great and his message has not been clear. It was tonight. Kerry finally showed he is ready to fight for this and can win. When all eyes are on him and the issues, without intermediaries and agents of spin, he produces and shows the substance of which he is made. So I thank all of you who helped previously and encourage those who thought about it but haven't yet to consider joining our little effort to get money to the media-battle-in-swing-states/register-the-voters/get-out-the-vote organizations. The list of likely recipients for donations is below. But I'd like to also point out one of our own that is very impressively out on-the-road registering voters around the nation. That is Cory Mervis and the Voter Drive bus that is spelling out the word VOTE across the nation, while stopping at every WalMart and truck stop they can tolerate, offering voter registration services and compiling a log of what the people have to say. Cory is from NYC. She just kinda decided this was necessary, bought a bus, painted it like an eagle, organized the people, and made it happen. They've spelled "vote" from NYC to California, making likely the largest "land art" installation ever, and now they are underlining it back through the southern states. I think they are in Arkansas about now. Tons of money has been spent on this, debt is piling up, and more money is needed to continue. So the last $500 of challenge money I'm giving to them. For more info, see: http://www.voterdrive.com I hope all of you pause for a moment and consider a match for Voter Drive or another of the fine entities below working to defeat the forces of medievalism and fear currently in residence in the big house in Washington. This is not a Test of The Emergency Broadcast System. It is an actual announcement. We have an Emergency. I hope you will run in the appropriate direction and do something. It *does* really matter. Democratic National Committee: http://www.democrats.org/index2.html
Thanks again for considering, Jim |