Last night I was a bit depressed. I found myself reading the "Anne Frank to the Courtesy Phone" post and more recent posts titled things like "When Should We Leave?"
People are frightened. People are angry. People are actually moving to other countries before "they come for me." People have lost faith in their government. People are actually discussing picking up arms against their own country. People are demanding that others march in the streets and, in some cases, cause damage or riots in order to get noticed by the media.
I have another idea for how to get noticed.
Send sunflowers to Senator Russ Feingold.
Some people have said this is "stupid," "idiotic," "a waste," and other insulting adjectives. Well yanno, it takes a lot of different people trying different things to make the world go 'round. Some will choose to donate money instead of sending flowers, and that's perfectly fine. In fact, here's the URL for doing that.
But right now, I believe we need a show of support for the one Senator who stood up to the Patriot Act and said "no." The one Senator who has proposed holding censure hearings. The one Senator who actually understands what the American legislature is supposed to do. The one Senator brave enough to give the finger to the criminals running this madhouse and the jellyfish in suits that dare to call themselves "Democrats."
I need hope, goddamn it, or I will go crazy.
Sunflowers represent hope. They turn toward the light, a miniature floral sun in the landscape. A native American flower that is both beautiful and useful. In this case, they represent both a native son and shining a light in the darkness, no matter what may scuttle out from under the dishes in the sink.
Also included with these bright sunflowers are small American flags. I trust that don't need to explain the symbolism of sending these.
When Russ' office fills up with bright sunflowers and flags, it will get noticed. The media will be there, and there's already a buzz about this in Wisconsin, his native state. This will say to everyone, jellyfish included, that the American people stand behind Senator Feingold, his actions and what he represents.
Yes, you can donate cash, and that's always helpful, but it does not get reported in the news. A gift of hundreds or thousands of sunflowers and flags WILL. And for me, I'd rather send flowers and get in the news than riot and set cars on fire to do it.
What if 5,000 people marched on Washington DC? Barely a blip in the media. So what.
Now what if 5,000 people each ordered a bouquet of five sunflowers and a flag, for a total of 25,000 flowers filling his offices to overflowing? Can you imagine the attention this would get? And it's also far cheaper than marching on Washington. A bouqet of five sunflowers and a flag is only $10 delivered and you don't even have to leave your chair.
To be a part of history and help this vision become closer to reality, call 1-800-560-0501 or visit the website for Coast to Coast Flowers. I have spoken to both the DC office of the Progressive Patriots Fund and one of the heads of C2C Flowers and we're working on how and where to deliver them. The scheduled delivery date is April 24, but the deadline may be extended to gather more orders before delivery.
PLEASE tell everyone you know about this, email and call and write the various media outlets, post to other blogs, or whatever else you can think of to spread the word. It's incredibly important that this get out so that we get enough orders.
If you don't want to participate, fine, but please don't post negative comments about how "stupid" this idea is. It's getting old and isn't going to change my mind.
Because right now I need hope. And, I think, so do a lot of other people in America.