Support Our Troops

I posted an idea yesterday as a comment in a diary relating to how the country and particularly the republicans are hypocrits when it comes to supporting our troops. I think it was the yellow elephant diary.

I want to make a flyer that asks in big bold letters "What have you actually done to support our troops?". Below the title, would be a little blurb on the trouble our troops are having. About how little support they're really getting from the government. At the bottom would be a list of news sources for reference and organizations that people can donate to which actually support our troops.

These flyers would then be placed underneath all those nice "Support our troops" magnets on cars.

While I think the yellow elephant is funny, I don't think it'll accomplish much. Instead of sitting around bitching about it, how about we do something?

My comment received exactly zero replies. So, I started thinking my idea was stupid. Well, I went out with some friends last night and the conversation got around to politics. We're all democrats.

So I told them my idea and they loved it. I'm reposting my idea again to try to create some discussion and support. I'd like to get some volunteers with graphics design talent to help make the flyer. Also, a list of the best news references about how the government is screwing our troops and discuss the best organizations to put on the flyer.

Once I have the flyer, I'm going to go to parking lots and start putting them on cars. I think it would be great if a bunch of us did this.

It has a two-fold purpose. It'll get people thinking about really supporting our troops. It might actually get some people to donate. It might actually get some people to realize how our government is screwing them over.

•  great idea

  As above lets do it

  Possible points for supporting the troops

  1. buy armor for them instead of dumbass stickers

  2. get leadership in this country that has a real plan to get out of Iraq

  by johnfire on Tue Jun 21, 2005 at 09:01:44 AM PDT

•  Support the Ribbon!

  

  by agitprop on Tue Jun 21, 2005 at 09:05:05 AM PDT

  •  That's Fantastic [n/t]

    "L'enfer, c'est le GOP!" - JJB, from an idea by oratorio

    by JJB on Tue Jun 21, 2005 at 09:15:28 AM PDT

•  Silence is not disinterest.

  I know it can be a little discouraging, but I don't think you should take a lack of replies as necessarily a lack of interest.  There are a lot of people who lurk here (my husband being one) who may not say anything but love the idea nonetheless.

  I think it's a great idea.

  by tryptamine on Tue Jun 21, 2005 at 09:15:49 AM PDT

•  Speaking of supporting the troops,

  does anyone know if anything came of the "dKos Cares" idea that was floated a few weeks ago? A lot of people seemed interested, and it looked like it was going to take off, but then.. nothing.

  by Expat Briton on Tue Jun 21, 2005 at 09:20:46 AM PDT

•  I saw a ...

  "Send your kid" reply on one of these posts, it would be cool if someone could create a magnet that would fit inside the original yellow "support our troops" that said just that "send you kid".
  

  by thor on Tue Jun 21, 2005 at 09:28:15 AM PDT

•  if you distribute flyers

  don't forget to suggest people buy phone cards and send them to Walter Reed Hospital where many wounded soldiers do not have the money to phone home.

  Also, double check to see if outpatients (wounded/lame who return to the hospital every day for therapy)still have to pay for their lunch at the hospital.

  Don't forget body armor, which soldiers & their familes have to buy privately.  Don't forget armored cars, trucks, etc.

  Don't ignore the fact that many of the families of soldiers in Iraq who are living on army bases have to require food stamps & other forms of welfare to feed their familes.

  IOW, tell the truth.  Compile stats and addresses for contributions.  Call attention to all the ways Rumsfeld's Pentagon is fucking the troops.

  Then, ask them to send their children.

  by Tulip on Tue Jun 21, 2005 at 09:55:05 AM PDT

•  Good idea but needs more organization

  Cyphrus, I really like the idea of bringing the war home, making at least the American casualties an issue.
  Hooking up with Vietnam Vets, or Iraqui Vets, some of whom are Kossacks might give the idea more credibility.
  Putting ribbons on cars is defacing them, and so opens you up to criminal charges. Leafleting people or windshields will not get one in as much trouble (I think).
  During the Vietnam War, as a teenager I attended three peace vigils every Saturday, one in front of the Army recruiting station in Times Square, NYC. That might be a good place for a yellow elephant demonstratrtion at least once a month.
  If this diary doesn't catch on, print your flyer and tell us how it went. This kind of initiative is vital.  

  by peggy on Tue Jun 21, 2005 at 10:36:50 AM PDT