Now this is a great billboard campaign by Grassroots Dems

[Robbien]

Per Kos, the Rapid City South Dakota Grassroots Dems are putting up these billboards

[MsTryska]

1. brilliant -

how do these billboards go up? I would gladly gve to my local to make that happen. (as soon as i recover form the latest round of vet bills anyways)

[Robbien]

6. This is the website

http://www.grassrootdems.org/

and reading through the site, these guys seem to have their sh*t together and doing some really good stuff.

[blondeatlast]

21. I'd like to see more of this--local Dems acting on their own,

keeping the local Dems engaged. There shouldn't be any need to wait for the "call" from above.

Stellar site, and they seem to really have it together, as you say. I highly recommend that anyone who checks out this thread take a look at the site.

I sent them an e-mail in appreciation.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

22. Depending on where you live

I mean the market, not necessarily the bulletin board location...

Something like this runs $600-1,000 per month. Probably closer to $600 in South Dakota, I would suspect. And much more than $1,000 for you folks in New York and San Francisco.

But what a great idea! May I humbly suggest that in cities where we have DU meetups, we pass the hat to buy one of these beauties. Get 20-30 people together at fifty bucks a piece, and you can really piss off the right wingers in your neighborhood.

[blondeatlast]

27. Phoenix--billboards are prohibitively expensive, and booked way

in advance. I'm just talking about grassroots action, period. This SD outfit seems to have it all together.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

39. An alternative...

We call them "honk and waves" locally. Get 30-40 supporters out at one of the busiest intersection in town. Print up at 4' x 6' sign -- in addition to a few dozen smaller ones -- and have your crew take up position during the evening rush hour.

Sure, many of those righteous christian republicans will give you the finger and shout obscenities at you because jesus wants them to behave that way. But you'll be surprised at the amount of honking and thumbs up that you'll get.

Large Sign -- $200
Small Signs -- $10 each
Pissing off Republican Commuters -- Priceless

[FinallyStartingToWin]

2. What a Great Message!

Short, Sweet, Effective.

Kudos to them!

[Kerrytravelers]

3. I second the notion of brilliant. We need more of this.

[kansasblue]

4. THAT IS SOOOOOOOOOOO COOL !

I'm checking that group out. That just what we need!

[GreenPartyVoter]

5. Very nice!

[Tux]

7. Christians that care about people

Rare species now. Someone alert Greenpeace!

[ktowntennesseedem]

19. Not rare at all. Just too many fake ones making us appear rare.

IMO, Christians, true Christians anyway, care about people and express that concern by more than empty words and hypocritical rhetoric. Just gotta look past all the fakes and phonies out there.

[Jo March]

25. Exactly - the Fristians are making us look very bad

It's easy to spot them, though, because they are so blatantly two-faced.

[paparush]

28. Greenpeace

I incorrectly read that as "Alert Greenspan!" ;-)

[IronLionZion]

53. nope, the bad ones are louder and more visible

while the good ones quietly help people and don't make a show of it.

[JNelson6563]

8. Cool! Here's ours

We've got a local effort going too. We're doing a little gloating by reminding the R's we actually won the city. heh

http://www.tc-commonsense.com/

[Robbien]

10. Another great one. The GOP keeps trying to rewrite history

by saying "everyone agrees" about this or that GOP nonsense. Well, everyone does not agree. Your billboard even points out that MOST in your area do NOT agree.

:thumbsup:

[JNelson6563]

11. The person who organized

our local effort sent me a pic of the billboard in your area via e-mail today. Got via Kos.

:toast:

Julie

[meganmonkey]

13. Excellent! We gotta keep Michigan BLUE!

It's getting too close for comfort!

[blondeatlast]

14. HA! I love that! Thanks for sharing it. nt

[babylonsister]

9. Perfect- Nominated! nt

[bunny planet]

12. Awesome. That and Byrd quoting scripture to Cat Killer Frist on the

Senate floor made my day today.

[blondeatlast]

15. I bet the nasties'll think twice about defacing that one.

Oh, wait--never mind.

That verb "think" negates the entire statement.

Love the billboard and what a GREAT site!

I lived in Montana in a tiny community for a while, but our Dems were VERY active. You gotta hand it to our red state Dems; they have SPUNK!

[dhuss]

20. yeah, let alone, think twice...

That verb "think" negates the entire statemnet.

D.H.

[ktowntennesseedem]

16. Feels like I've been to church. Thanks!

I needed that! Most inspiring thing I've seen or heard in quite a while, spiritually, politically or otherwise!

:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

[no_to_war_economy]

17. i want one of those in my yard

i wonder if the neighbors would mind

[Mad_Dem_X]

18. That's awesome! Says it all...

:headbang:

[pf99]

23. These billboards need to go up all over the country

[Ganja Ninja]

24. Tell it like it is!

:kick:

[Name removed]

26. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[fishwax]

31. it's stretching it to call that religious mania

[Name removed]

32. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[fishwax]

40. so any mention of jesus is religious mania?

that doesn't make much sense, particularly since the billboard in question doesn't really even endorse jesus, just offers a point of agreement b/w him and the dem platform.

[Name removed]

42. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[geckosfeet]

36. playing by republican rules

As I stated in another reply, this billboard works within the Republican frame of religious values. If the Dem's are to get anywhere they must restate the issues from an inclusive and genuine perspective.

Having said that I like the sentiment and truth of the billboard.

[Name removed]

37. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Demrock6]

38. I kind of agree, but........

We need to get our message across in a frame work that people understand.

I think this is a great sign. Lefties are not as bad as the right wing made us look. Now we just got to prove it.

[Rainscents]

29. I just love the sign...Thank you for posting it!

[Ian_rd]

30. No, People!

No people! It's all wrong! Don't you know that Jesus is pro-war, pro-torture, bowed to the rich, and spit on the poor?

This billboard is blasphemy, and our War God will strike down the peace-loving heathens!

[progressoid]

44. Hey - - those kind of comments...

Are welcome here at DU.

As are you!

[emanymton]

45. Jalapeno Brother, Jalapeno

As our beloved brother Bob Boudelang is goona say (when we sober him up) GOD, spelled almost like GOP, only has time for people with money.

[IronLionZion]

52. You're god damn right he is!

Damn those non-violent bleeding-heart heathens! Damn them all to hell for slandering our lord so. How dare they say he is for the poor?

:P

[Kixel]

56. This is great...

One of my favorite bumper stickers as of lately:

When Jesus said, “Love your enemies” I don’t think he meant shoot them.

It puts things in prospective, something a lot of fundamentalists forget. This billboard is great, and I’d love to see the reaction of the neighborhood fundamentalists when seeing it. Jesus is only useful when they can manipulate his message to spread hate. I am sure that makes the Big Guy upstairs happy.

[Nightwing]

33. Excellent!!

We need to flood EVERY single state, especially the bible belt, with signs such as these. Print fliers and place them on cars outside of Sunday services etc. We must get this message across in a BIG way!!

:toast: :kick:

[kliljedahl]

34. Similar thread from last night

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3648006



Keith’s Barbeque Central

[geckosfeet]

35. Good but could be better

The billboard expresses a wonderful sentiment as well as pointing to fundamental weaknesses in the Republican political philosophy. Specifically, there are endless contradictions in BushCo's expression of religious ethics/values and their policies. However,,,,,, people often ignore facts when voting and my sense is that this type of political statement speaks within the Republican political frame. I borrow heavily from George Lakoff and his wonderful little book "don't think of an elephant" here.

Lets say you were an undecided, unaffiliated voter. Lets also suppose you are Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, Pagan, agnostic, atheist or of some other theological persuasion. What would you think when you saw this billboard? One thing that you are forced to do is instantly associate Jesus Christ with the Democratic party. You might say hey, this plays well in South Dakota. But promoting local interests is playing by Republican values and rules. It divides us and weakens us.

The underlying truth of this billboard is a statement about Democratic and American values. We care for the disadvantaged and do not further take advantage of them. In that sense America is a caring responsible country with people who not only care about each other but want to provide opportunity for each other. This makes our country stronger.

Religious expression is of course an important aspect of the American community. So is being sensitive to, and indeed promoting diversity. Finding a common voice for groups to speak with will be key to helping America heal after 8 year years of division.

[realFedUp]

41. Friday kick

this is good thinking.

[9119495]

43. But..but...but that is class warfare!

Wait for it because that's how the right will spin it. Do they not know class warfare is necesary?

[spooked911]

46. Simply beautiful

[UCLA Dem]

47. Totally awesome! I love it!!

:applause: :applause:

[Chovexani]

48. Wow

This is the awesomest thing ever.

This Pagan loves it. Tell those Fristians what's what!

[dogday]

49. Check out the ones in Houston and Galveston

http://www.democracyforamerica.com/

[mpendragon]

50. simple, populous appeal, religious appeal,

and perfect.

[Skarbrowe]

51. I agree. But I think it best to put these billboards in areas with high

percentage Christian voters. I'm not religious at all, but the Democrats have to get their message out to American Christians that the Republican party is not the only way to get to heaven. :eyes:

Even though I'm convinced there was at least some voter fraud, I will admit that Rove did an amazing job of concentrating on Christian churches in this country and somehow the Democrats have to start "courting" this vote. This billboard is simple, to the point and not judgmental or offensive (to other religions) in any way. It wouldn't make sense to put one up in neighborhoods that have large amounts of non-Christian people, but we need to get our message across to those people also.

I can't think of one "higher power" that is for the rich and the rich only.

[Name removed]

54. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[PaulaFarrell]

55. can't say I agree

I'm not exactly anti-religious but any sort of blatant appeal like this just gets my hackles up. I'm not sure trying to appeal to the religious element is the way to go - I'm really not comfortable with the democrats trying to align themselves with the god element. It's almost like saying the religious nuts have won

[holboz]

57. I see your point...

but I think the objective of this billboard is to highlight the hypocrasy of the religious right who voted in droves for Republican politcos.

The Republican party has been very effective at portraying themselves as the ONLY party that holds Christian values. They've painted the Democrats as the party of out-of-touch bigwig celebrities and tree-hugging hippies who want nothing more than to persecute people of faith. Democrats need to get active with reaching out to the church-going red staters and I think it can be done without shunning those of other faiths or those of non-faith.

After all, we're the party of inclusion. You don't have to sign an oath of allegiance to attend a Democratic function.

I love this billboard - I think it's the startling wake-up call that will grab people's attention. And that's the key...if people take notice then they'll start talking. That will lead to dialoge for the Democratic party to educate the public about the REAL Democratic party. and not the lies told by the Repugs and Faux news.

[Skarbrowe]

58. Hmm, blatant appeal? I'm sure there are Christian Democrats that would

like to have their voices heard in the churches. The Republicans have blatantly used their political power to go into congregations all over the country. Christian Democrats should be able to counter some of this totally distorted view given by the Republicans without it appearing to be pandering or aligning themselves with the god element.

I do understand what your saying, PaulaFarrell, and I agree with you more than you know. I'm only being realistic about the fact that this is a very religious country. I've learned that it's best to point out the good qualities of Democrats in the religious realm than to try and distance ourselves completely in this religiously political climate.

Personally, I could do without religion period.

[jwirr]

59. While I see your point, you are telling the

Christians in the Democrat Party that they are offensive to the rest of you if we speak our views. That effectively ties our hands. We are forced by our own party "values" to stay silent and cede the field to the right wingers. Is it any wonder that the rw is seen as the spokes persons for Christianity? They are the only ones allowed to voice their opinions without being called out for it. I would suggest that we need a range of good statements from a range of peoples on these billboards. I want you to put yours up to.

[DollyM]

60. I love it!

I am so tired of the Republican party being considered the "christian" party. I don't see this in any way, shape or form. There are Republicans who aren't Christian and Democrats who are. The Party has nothing to do with a faith background. I don't know how it came to be the way it is! I home school our son and most of the other homeschoolers in the area do so for religious reasons and many are fundamental. I got so sick of getting e-mail forwards bashing Democrats, before the election. I finally emailed one Mother and told her why I voted Democrat and why the Democrat viewpoint best supported what I felt was true religion--taking care of the widows and the orphans. (A direct quote from Jesus!) I never heard back from her, which didn't suprise me. But I saw her in a store a few weeks back, a looked straight at her and smiled and started to say Hello but she stuck her nose in the air and walked right past me. My husband's comment was "what a good Christian she is!"
I think we need more than billboards with this message, we need bumper stickers and t-shirts and large ads in newspapers and so on. We need to take back what has been stolen from us and raped by the Republican party! I will say it again, TRUE religion is that which takes care of the widows and orphans. (Hmmmmm, seems like cutting medicare and medicaid to the bone, Head Start to the bone and so on, is not taking care of widows and orphans very well . . . )

[wildeyed]

61. Can I get a bumper sticker?

I will put it next to my "Blessed are the Peacemakers" sticker.

[tom_paine]

62. Re: Your sigline...did Rummy ACTUALLY say that?

I mean, I KNOW it's the truth but would he have ever dared to speak it so plainly?

Got a credible link?

ON EDIT: Ok, found it.

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0412/24/lad.02.html

In context, he is trying to draw a comparison to the 'decency' of the Imperial Enslaved Press, but th reality is that the Busheviks DO ALL OF THOSE THINGS, and thus it sounds more like a Freudian slip. I wish I could actually hear him say it, because I have a funny feeling the tone would tell the tale of the Freudian slip.

[BrklynLiberal]

63. Local heroes...what we need more of.