LONG BEACH (coup2k.com) April 5, 2001 -- After wandering in the desert of despair, that icky wasteland where the reality of the current appointistration's agenda is inescapable, and the media is unreliable, The Prodigal Diva has returned, with a list of absolutely essential actions every single Resistance Fighter should take.

1.  COME OUT.  DECLARE YOURSELF AT FRINGEFOLK.

Rose is one of us, and she has created the only online directory of American Patriots willing to publicly pledge their allegiance to the democratic principles for which we stand.  If you haven't already joined, now is the time.  I came out, and you should, too: 

fringefolk \'frinjfolk\ n people who rise up to protest when the constitution is unraveled

When a piece of fabric - or a government - begins to unravel, you get fringe. When it unravels completely, you're left with nothing but fringe.

We the People are "the Fringe". We're NOT going to go away, and we're NOT going to shut up.

Get used to us.

2.  ATTEND THE VOTER MARCH.

The Voter Rights March represents the largest and most organized opportunity to agitate for democratic and voting reforms, to protest the coup, and to meet other like-minded activists and BBBR Resistance Fighters.

EAST COAST: The Voter Rights March will be held on Saturday, May 19, 2001, Noon to 6:00 p.m. at the West Capital steps in Washington, DC.
WEST COAST: The Voter Rights March will be held on Saturday, May 19, 2001, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., starting at Justin Hermann Plaza at the foot of Market Street in San Francisco (Embarcadero BART stop) and then converge on the Civic Center Plaza in front of SF City Hall.

3.  NO JUSTICE, NO COMMERCE!  MAKE ONE CHANGE IN SPENDING.

Pick one recurring expense, an expense where your dollars are going to support a company or corporation whose political activities run counter to your principles or interests.

For instance, I switched my long distance carrier to Working Assets Long Distance, when my previous carrier's founder ran against Ann Richards in Texas.  I also stopped buying Pizza Hut pizza cold turkey, when they hired Rush Limbaugh to do a commercial for them.  I wrote them a letter, quoting some of the things he'd spewed over the years, and told them I would never buy their products again.  And guess what?  I haven't.  And I like Papa John's even better.  If they screw up, I'll ditch them, too.  Same goes for Wal-Mart.  They lost me when they caved in to pressure from the religious right, and publicly refused to carry Previn, the emergency contraceptive, in their pharmacies.  Adios, Wal-Mart.  Hola, Target.  My "brand loyalty" only goes as far as the political water's edge.  I'm not asking you to research every single brand you use, just find one offender, and act.  Write them a letter, ditch them, and find a better company to serve you and your values.

4.  WRITE ONE POLITICAL SNAIL MAIL LETTER A WEEK.

Use The BBBR Activism HQ to help simplify the process.  There are comprehensive media and political contact resources, as well as recent actions to help inspire your righteous action.  Choose either media, political, or commercial contacts you have something to say to -- one a week -- and write your letter(s).  Longhand is better than typed, I am told.  The letter need not be long.  It need only express your principled reaction to current events.  If you can afford stamps to mail copies to others, that's wonderful.  If not, writing one letter a week is a more than most people ever do.

5.  DONATE YOUR TIME TO A POLITICAL CAUSE YOU BELIEVE IN.

Make a commitment to donate at least 8 hours per year to work as an actual on-site volunteer for a political party, cause, or candidate that speaks to your interests.  Contributing money is wonderful, but giving your time is even better.  It allows you not only to control how your largesse is used, but also to network among like-minded people, and become part of the community of activism.  You may have the opportunity to meet and become familiar with leaders, making access to them easier in the future.  Eight ours a year is a drop in the time bucket.  Give it wisely, but GIVE IT.
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