IMPEACH: The Guerrilla Marketing Movement
Mon Dec 19, 2005 at 02:37:04 PM PDT
So, now that all impeachment bets are off, what can we do to take this topic off the TV talk shows and the blogosphere, and put it where the rest of America can see and feel it?
Anything you want to.
But I have a few suggestions, and they include everything from simple act that anyone can afford, to elaborate collective action schemes that no one can miss.
The key thing to keep in mind: The message is simple, universal, and non-specific. But if it's the same everywhere, there will be no mistaking what it is, and how widely it's supported.
So, let's talk.
This idea isn't new, by any means. It's just being put to a new use -- taking impeachment out of the realm of broadcast wonkery, and making it real.
This isn't about achieving the result of impeachment directly. I think we all know where we stand on that score. This is about building resonance, and making impeachment "real," because it's being brought to the attention of real people.
What I'm proposing is this: Go into your word processors right now, and type out the word "IMPEACH." Go ahead, use caps. Center it. Bold it. Make it 72 point. Turn the page to landscape if you like, and make it bigger.
You've got a sign. Print it out. Xerox it. Put it up on a lamp post. On a supermarket bulletin board. Inside a newspaper vending machine. Anywhere.
You've joined the movement.
How does it feel? Want more? Would you be willing to spend a little money on it?
Pick up a pack of Avery labels down at the office supply store. Print out a page worth of stickers that say the same thing. IMPEACH.
Not impeach Bush. Not impeach Cheney. Not Chimpeach. Just IMPEACH.
Everyone will know what you're talking about. Everyone will know who you're talking about, even if you're talking about Cheney and not Bush. They'll still get it. Stick those stickers anywhere you like, and that you won't get in trouble for. Go ahead. Anywhere.
Got more money than that, and want to spend it?
Go the "freeway blogger" route. Print it out banner-sized. IMPEACH -- greeting every commuter on their way to work.
Grander still? Got the money for a vinyl banner? Do we know printers who'll give us a bulk rate? What if we got together to cut a deal on 500 such banners? The cheapest possible printing -- black on white. Just a big IMPEACH. Nothing else. Yard signs? Billboards? Moving billboards?
Skywriting?
What about actually putting the message right the hell up in the sky, above a presidential event somewhere? You could do it effectively from miles away from the visit. The president won't have to see it. Let it be done while he's inside and all the press pool photographers are waiting outside and have nothing to do.
What about doing it over a football stadium? Or two? Or ten?
Why do all this? What would be the point? It's probably the least practical thing I've ever proposed, but if you had the same feeling I did this weekend -- that is, driving home after reading about all the impeachable offenses being discussed on the blogs, or even on TV talk shows that nobody watches, and finding out that life goes on pretty much as before, with no obvious signs that the presidency is collapsing and the nation has had enough, then maybe you'll feel as I do about this crazy idea.
You'll want to see signs out there. You'll want encouragement that you're not the only one who wants to say this. The first time you see one of these signs that you didn't put up by yourself, you'll know what I'm talking about.
And the first time someone else sees one of your signs, they'll know something's up. Something's different. Oh, the networks will be airing their regular lineup. And the news won't be talking about what we're talking about. And there will still be 30 flavors of donuts available in the morning, and there will still be lines at Starbucks. But we can make business as usual feel a little different. Put a little electricity in the air. A little bit of that weird feeling you might sense if you're rushing around trying to prepare for a coming snowstorm -- people are still out there, doing their things, but you know that in a couple hours, life is going to be drastically different.
Imagine if you could do that. Imagine if you could create that feeling about the future of your country. And imagine if it only cost you a few bucks and a few minutes of your time.
The mass protest thing hasn't succeeded. Let's face it, life still goes on for us. We have to be at work. We have to get the kids to school. We have to get some of those 30 flavors of donuts. Whatever it is, I understand.
But what if you could do it on your time, and leave your words literally hanging in mid-air for others to see on their time?
Would it change the atmosphere? Would it change the news? Would it change your willingness to participate in a mass movement?
What do you think? What else can we do? What would you do? What could we get done if we all did it together?
UPDATE: The beat goes on!
UPDATE: And on!
