I've been thinking about my simmering frustration and lingering anger over "The Path to 9/11." I'm planning to boycott, but I want to maximize the impact I as an individual can have. Let's face it, one family not purchasing from Disney is a small drop in the bucket, and it's hard to make my family's protest register in Disney's account books. Especially since our lack of purchasing is sort of a negative act.
So I've been groping for something affirmative, something that not only supports the boycott but reminds Robert Iger of just what an idiot decision he made allowing this travesty to air. Now, courtesy of Miss Manners, I think I've hit on the way to do just that.
What could possibly be the connection between Miss Manners and a boycott? The improbable answer is thank you notes.
I've decided that each time I decide not to purchase a Disney item, each time I or my kids don't watch an ABC or Disney TV show, each time I don't take my kids to a Disney theme park or a Disney or a Pixar movie, I'm going to write Bob Iger a thank you note and tell him exactly why I'm not doing any of those things and thank him for saving me time, money, or the ignominy of purchasing a Disney product.
Here's how I'm going to do it as efficiently as possible (in case any of you want to favor Mr. Iger with thank yous as well):
1) I've printed out a copy of Terre's boycott list and stuck it up on our refrigerator for easy reference.
2) I've ordered 50 prepaid postcards so that I make sending these babies out as easy as possible. Why not e-mail? E-mail would work, but I don't think e-mail messages make as much impact. Besides, Miss Manners always prefers hand-written notes, doesn't she?<g>
3) I'm going to pre-address the cards with either Bob Iger's or Senator Mitchell's contact info:
Robert A. Iger
President and CEO
The Walt Disney Company
500 S. Buena Vista St.
Burbank, CA 91521-0931
Senator George J. Mitchell
Chairman of DLA Piper
1251 Avenue of the Americas, 29th Floor
New York, NY 10020-1104
For those who prefer to e-mail:
Robert Iger's e-mail
Mitchell's e-mail
4) Each time I participate in the Disney/ABC boycott in a meaningful way, I'm going to whip out one of these cards and mail a thank you to Bob Iger and Senator Mitchell.
If this idea catches on, and lots of you do this, just imagine how sick Bob Iger and Senator Mitchell will be of receiving our "thanks"!