Is it time to organize a Boycott of sponsors? [Archive]

Taco John

10-09-2007, 05:08 PM

We have the numbers to make a statement. Maybe we need to start a letter writing campaign to the advertisers.

This is ridiculous. It is disgraceful that in the Untied States of America, a candidate with the grass roots support of Ron Paul, who has the economic knowledge of Ron Paul, cannot get equal time to the media-picked darlings.

Thank God for the Internet. How did the people get a grass roots candidate any attention before it?

hard@work

10-09-2007, 05:09 PM

I think a boycott would be a good start. I'm 100% behind it.

foofighter20x

10-09-2007, 05:09 PM

How did the people get a grass roots candidate any attention before it?

By being selectively reported on by the media.

Michael Ingram

10-09-2007, 05:10 PM

I don't think it could be of any harm, why not.

enjerth

10-09-2007, 05:11 PM

I was just thinking earlier that our only option might just be that, boycott sponsors.

Just have to ask, did Taco Bell sponsor the event? :D

We have the numbers to make a statement. Maybe we need to start a letter writing campaign to the advertisers.

This is ridiculous. It is disgraceful that in the Untied States of America, a candidate with the grass roots support of Ron Paul, who has the economic knowledge of Ron Paul, cannot get equal time to the media-picked darlings.

Thank God for the Internet. How did the people get a grass roots candidate any attention before it?

foofighter20x

10-09-2007, 05:13 PM

Also, take all that money you save by not purchasing those boycotted products and donate it to the campaign! ;)

Ron Paul Fan

10-09-2007, 05:14 PM

Guys, everyone cheered when Fred Thompson joined the race because it would split the neo-con vote and because he's extremely boring. But the double edged sword, or the catch-22 is that he takes up a lot of time in debates. He's a slow speaker and the media likes him. So 4 people will continue to dominate the debates with Huckabee being a close 5th. We're just going to have to live with it until the field thins to 6 or 7. Donate and win!!!!!!

paulitics

10-09-2007, 05:15 PM

I already do boycott. I don't watch TV or pay for cable. Buy organic from local health food store, stopped drinking coke, etc. I have to buy gas, but other than Im not materialistic...never buy from Walmart. I'm happier for it.

If 5 % of us did this sort of suff and wrote to sponsors, it would effect their bottom line in a big way.

Realize the merchants broke away from feudalism,and supported each other, unil they became more powerful than their kings, which they overthrew.

Ironically they helped us fight agains the British. It is now their turn to go because when they pull crap like this it affects my future, and kids future.

Taco John

10-09-2007, 05:15 PM

Alright... I don't know how to do this, so I'll start by asking everybody to watch the debates AND ESPECIALLY HARDBALL again tonight and submit any of the sponsors you see... Let's keep a running list. We'll then divvy out the list and then find contacts. We will then email the sponsors and let them know that we are enacting a one month boycott on their products in protest for the unfair way that the network they are sponsoring is handling the distribution of questions.

hard@work

10-09-2007, 05:17 PM

We definitely need to do something. It is a bit frustrating that we're grassroots and have trouble coordinating. I know there's been resistance to this before. But really ... we need to get through and get through loudly now.

Ninja Homer

10-09-2007, 05:18 PM

I think it's time to boycott. I posted this earlier in another thread:

It's been a long time since I've seen a boycott work, but when done right it is very effective. Gandhi anyone?

The way to boycott MSM isn't to stop watching them. We would need to boycott their advertisers. Set up a list online that people can sign up on to join the boycott. Have a list that is updated daily of all the products that are advertised on specific shows that we want to boycott because they are giving unfair time, lying, whatever the reason. Make sure the companies that are advertising are aware they are being boycotted.

Companies advertise because their sales go up a little. If they see that advertising on a specific show is getting them on a boycott list, they will move their advertisements to a different show. If this happens enough, the show's price per spot will go down, and they'll eventually change things.

MSM can say whatever they want as long as they are still getting advertisers. Boycotting their advertisers is how the people can effect what they say.

Taco John

10-09-2007, 05:20 PM

What's Maria Bartiromo's show? We need those sponsors too.

Spirit of '76

10-09-2007, 05:23 PM

I support the idea of a boycott.

paulitics

10-09-2007, 05:25 PM

RobotJaxxon

10-09-2007, 05:28 PM

Anyone have a list of advertisers during the debate?

Anyone want to watch the 9PM broadcast on MSNBC and make note of the advertisers there?

I don't have cable.

Johnnybags

10-09-2007, 05:41 PM

Perhaps APPLE or Comcast cable shutoff for three months or more. Obviously our democracy is at risk. Screw the luxuries.

ScotTX

10-09-2007, 05:46 PM

conoco phillips
hummer/general motors
trane
campbell's soup
levitra

Santana28

10-09-2007, 05:49 PM

About a letter writing campaign DIRECT TO THE HEART OF THE BEAST - Rupert Murdoch.

Its also time to whole-heartidly and full-force support his competitors.

Johnnybags

10-10-2007, 08:45 AM

maybe not a boycott as generally though of but a pledge to not buy a targeted companys items or brand. Seems like the young crowd could tell us what to target. The display with taking down the poll and stifling debate for a coronation demands action.

dsentell

10-10-2007, 08:50 AM

I am 100% behind the boycott.

I think we should also contact the companies subject to the boycott to let them know we are boycotting and why.

We might add that we are now supporting and purchasing from their competitors!

ronpaulfan

10-10-2007, 08:55 AM

If you all are serious about this. Collect specific information about who the biggest advertisers were during the worst news incidents and target them. I personally feel there are too many different sponsors for this tactic to make an impact, but thats just me.

dsentell

10-10-2007, 08:56 AM

What's Maria Bartiromo's show? We need those sponsors too.

Maria Bartiromo anchors CNBC's "Closing Bell with Maria Bartiromo" (3PM-5PM ET), and is also the host and managing editor of the nationally syndicated "Wall Street Journal Report with Maria Bartiromo."

wbbgjr

10-10-2007, 09:02 AM

I understand the response here, but I don't know about a boycott. Wouldn't that cause more animosity? if I were the employee of a boycotted company my first impression of Ron Paul would be bad.

isufferfromronpaulfever

10-10-2007, 09:20 AM

A formal boycott not of the networks, but of the sponsors themselves... and a bunch of "spam" E-mails letting them know so. "Hey, how's business been lately?"

enjerth

10-10-2007, 09:24 AM

Johnnybags

10-10-2007, 09:30 AM

Would people be willing to boycott NBC? I know the new season of Heroes just started. Fortunately for me, Eureka just completed it's season (Sci-Fi is owned by NBC, as well as USA Network).

I don't watch these much anyways, so it'd be no big deal for me to boycott them. Anyone up to sending them THAT message?

a major advertisers product like APPLE Iphones,pods and tunes this year for the Holidays. Seems to me the college kids would have a major impact. Nothing formal just a word of mouth pledge. Or have 10,000 people on a particular day cancel their cable companies subscription. From what I understand even if one person call now they give you a break to keep it for a few months.

c0unterph0bia

10-10-2007, 09:39 AM

This is a good idea, someone needs to make up a very formal and complete list and maybe it will get stickied. I think we should pick one event and the biggest sponsor to start, and then go from there. The more people we get to regularly send in letters, the better. The point of a boycott isn't to punish sponsors, but to pressure them to communicate with the News channels, and force them to change certain policies (Like CNBC hardly letting RP speak in the debate).

For instance, if 1,000 people e-mailed CNBC about pulling their poll, they would probably just shrug and laugh it off. If 1,000 people e-mailed one of the sponsors who paid for air time during the debate and said they were never purchasing any of their products again, you could bet on it that the sponsors would be pretty angry with CNBC. Especially because the censoring, avoiding, and manipulation they do is so obvious even to someone who doesn't support Ron Paul.

Ninja Homer

10-10-2007, 09:46 AM

For this to really work it would have to be big; like hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people participating.

It can't be just Ron Paul supporters, and it can't just focus on getting Ron Paul more free air time. It needs to be aimed at fair and balanced media for everybody; Democrats, Republicans, Independents, etc.

There needs to be a specific method to selecting what to boycott. I don't think the companies that advertise should be boycotted, but the actual products or services that were advertised.

Alternative products to the ones being boycotted could also be recommended. Then, not only are we not going to buy their product, we are going to turn around and advertise their competitor.

It may be slow to start, but build it and they will come! Independent news could do a lot to bring people there, as well as campaigns from "2nd tier" candidates of Democrats and Republicans, and any third-party candidates.

johngr

10-10-2007, 09:58 AM

Cut out the middleman: boycott the federal reserve.

Johnnybags

10-10-2007, 10:00 AM

and we identify the most biased show or two on that network. We find the biggest advertiser on that show and and do a petition, that as of a certain date unless the advertiser does not stop sponsoring that show we will not but their product. The petition would be worded after we identify the above. That way we are targeting one or two offenders, one or two advertisers and we would demand a response from the advertiser themselves. I am going to kick my tv screen in soon if something is not done.

Mortikhi

10-10-2007, 11:32 AM

Would people be willing to boycott NBC? I know the new season of Heroes just started. Fortunately for me, Eureka just completed it's season (Sci-Fi is owned by NBC, as well as USA Network).

I don't watch these much anyways, so it'd be no big deal for me to boycott them. Anyone up to sending them THAT message?
Here's how you watch all your favorite TV shows without paying for cable:

1. Get Azureus
2. Get PeerGuardian
3. Go to btjunkie.org and type in the name of the show you want to download.
4. Enjoy the show (with no commercials)!