Forget the Petitions - Show Me the Money

I despise whining, particularly from grassroots political organizations, so I have been deleting quite a bit from my inbox since Fox News began smearing the Obamas. Nevertheless, I did open one email since it looked at least a little promising, claiming that it was making a suggestion for action against Fox News. Unfortunately, it only offered more whining and a link to an online petition. As if Fox News is going to care about a bunch of unverifiable electronic signatures from people who don't watch their network on a regular basis anyway. We knew that there would be low blows against Obama, I find it depressing how the supposed "movers and shakers" in grassroots politics are responding.

Obviously, there are people at MoveOn.org who are watching Fox News; they even mentioned the concept of the network having advertisers. Why not list these advertisers? Why not they suggest something useful, like boycotting said advertisers?

I have worked more than my fair share of campaigns over the years, and either honored or initiated several boycotts based on merchants' behavior: professional or otherwise. This is not a new concept by any stretch of the imagination; evidently, it is lost on Obama supporters who are trying too hard to think outside the box.

It is good to try new tactics, but there is nothing wrong with mixing the new with the tried and true. Although it galls me to the bitter end to say it, I think it would be appropriate for Obama supporters to watch some Fox News, (if only to see the advertisements so that they can avoid those products and services). I also find it necessary to suggest that subscribers to The New Yorker who were unhappy about the Obama cover should cancel their subscriptions. I hate suggesting a boycott of any literary outlet, but if they are going to choose to jump into the fray, they should expect consequences.

For now, I am just going to start by writing to MoveOn.org, suggesting that instead of petitions they should hit Fox where it hurts -- the pocketbook. Honestly, after everything that I have seen over the years from Fox News, I do not need much convincing to avoid products advertised there and have no problem writing to those companies to let them know that they are losing my business because of their choice to advertise on such an irresponsible network.

I hope that the folks who want to see Fox News suffer repercussions for what they have said about the Obamas do not assume that boycotting is too dull a response, and re-think their petitions.

Comments

[DavidJames]

Turn off your cable. It is as simple as that. You will save some money every month and Fox News will not get another dime from you.

Besides the new digital broadcast TV is great. You can receive the new digital broadcasts on the UHF portion of your old TV antenna. The major networks are even broadcasting in high def.

[ElizabethRoss]

If turning off the cable didn't also make it difficult (impossible) to watch other channels. For one thing, I don't want to give up the ability to watch "Generation Kill" on HBO, and my kids would kill me if they lost their Cartoon Network and On-Demand.

Seriously, if I had a problem with several channels, then cutting cable would be an option. Just avoiding cable or any other product or service over Fox is meaningless unless I say why. And if I cut cable without knowing who the advertisers are on Fox, I still might be putting money in their pockets. The point is to make decisions as a consumer based on political or other beliefs vocally.

[allonfla]

Very true! Money talks......much louder than a petition.