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Joe The Nerd Ferraro

Joe The Nerd Ferraro

Posted: September 24, 2010 07:51 PM

I Fear Sanity (and Combs)

What's Your Reaction:

The Stewart / Colbert March is the one I have waited for over the past year. I will be there.

I will snark, but reasonably.


I will yell, but quietly.

On their Facebook pages (Sanity Link / Fear Link) over 200,000 have committed to at least one of these rallies. Many like me, who sanely fear, signed up for both. Given the intense build-up this will get over the next month it is not unreasonable to think that double this number may attend.

The timing of this twin rally is a gamble. The Fear and Sanity in DC Rally lands on the last, most intense, weekend of the campaign season. The number of people who would otherwise be home, in district, making phone calls, building A-Frames, canvassing - is staggering.

If I were a campaign manager for a congressional seat, I would be pulling more of my hair out because my best people are going to be in DC at crunch time.

Hmmm, why not the weekend of the 23rd?

As Jon Stewart announced this rally he spoke about the scheduling. He's calling the shot on this and that's great. Being a parent, I get why you need to be home for Halloween. It is just too important. He also mentioned the shows would be in DC the week before.

Wow, what a great way to build up this event. A long parade of at-risk pols and those Democrats ready to romp will be what the Democrats need to take on the Party of Tea. As an orchestrated slow release of feel good before the caffeine jolt of a rally; it can work.

The rally will come 3 days before the election. This will wash out ANY last minute surprises that the GOP may have in store. It will also prevent the Democrats who know how to eat their own feet, from foot-in-mouth disease. They can't screw this up.

Will the Comedy Central Crew be able to create enough of a political adrenaline rush that can last until Tuesday evening when the polls close?

If they can pull it off and turn the angry Tea Party Express into the expressionless and numb, the credit will go to this group of individuals. The Democratic Party has been on the ropes as is gives up political yardage by the mile.

This is the goal line stand. I am happy to have:
The Clowns to the left of me and
The Jokers to the right.

BTW, If you cannot be there:


Get a cardboard cutout of yourself


A wooden stake

Send it with someone who is going to the rally.

We need your spiritual image for the head count.

If they can bring it back, set it up at the polls as a reminder that "you" were there.


 
 
 
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
maxwelldog
even if i don't go anywhere, I'll still be late.
08:15 PM on 10/06/2010
The cardboard I can get.
As an average artist, maybe I can get up a picture.
But finding someone who is actually going...
THAT'S the trick.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
MirageRF
10:14 PM on 09/28/2010
Kids, bring your parents! There is an alternative to Fox madness if only they'd "wake up!"

Make it a party. Love beads. Mardi Gras trinkets. Tinfoil hats. Confusion to the Tea Party. Is C-Span going to be there? Get a rock band. Can't have a party without music!
09:45 AM on 09/26/2010
I'm very excited to go with my whole family. I told my kids that this is a PRE-HALLOWEEN PARTY, and I hope other parents do the same (otherwise my kids will be the only ones in costume!). PLEASE BRING CANDY!!! For MY sanity's sake!!!
04:09 PM on 09/25/2010
The cutout is a great idea! We're putting together a charter bus from Stillwater, OK--the heart of the Confederacy--to be there for sure. It's time to show up! If you hear of anyone in OK still needing a ride, let us know! (ronhonn@yahoo.com)
02:20 PM on 09/25/2010
I cant make the rally but will be working a phone bank for harry reid that weekend. my cardboard cutout is afraid of fear and more sane then i am.
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Joe The Nerd Ferraro
Group IQ is inversely proportional to group size.
02:48 PM on 09/25/2010
send the cutout !
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RockyMissouri
'You must be carefully taught to hate'...
12:33 PM on 09/25/2010
Hell yes.....! If I could I would....but I am already there in spirit...!
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
AlphaDragon
Rawr
12:10 PM on 09/25/2010
Man, I would totally love to make that Rally! It's not in the cards at this time, sadly enough.
11:04 AM on 09/25/2010
Nice article. I have started a Facebook group called "Get Tina Fey to Join the Stephen Colbert March to Keep Fear Alive". We are trying to get Tina to the march. Who better than Sarah Palin to spew non-fact based fear and who better than Tina Fey to portray her. This is the ammunition Colbert needs to shut down Jon Stewart's unreasonable reasonableness.
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HUFFPOST BLOGGER
Joe The Nerd Ferraro
Group IQ is inversely proportional to group size.
02:34 PM on 09/25/2010
already signed up for your group - great idea.
Tina Fey needs to bring the unloaded weapon and start killing with her winks.
10:49 AM on 09/25/2010
Joe, great article. You are right about the risks of having it so close to election day, but you are also right that there needs to be an emphasis put on those who cannot actually make it to DC to step up and assist with the ground work locally. Things are really intesifying, can you believe the "pledge" releaseed by republicans. The rally is a great idea, and so far we are planning to attend there needs to be some sanity around here.

Again, great piece!!
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Joe The Nerd Ferraro
Group IQ is inversely proportional to group size.
02:33 PM on 09/25/2010
Pollitikat - hope to see you there !
08:34 AM on 09/25/2010
I will be home going quietly sane.
08:33 AM on 09/25/2010
Good article Joe. Those of us who can't go to the rally must pick up the GOTV slack at home. Call your local Dem. party or candidate for House/Senate and volunteer to phone bank, drive voters to polls, canvas, etc. Having a huge and infectious rally in Washington may or may not help - getting out the vote at home definitely will.
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Joe The Nerd Ferraro
Group IQ is inversely proportional to group size.
09:23 AM on 09/25/2010
that is why it is a gamble.
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RockyMissouri
'You must be carefully taught to hate'...
12:38 PM on 09/25/2010
It's no gamble....it will be fabulous...!
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HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
KarenT
The crazies on the right are driving me crazy!
02:56 PM on 09/25/2010
I'm canvassing and phone banking as much as I can but will be going to the One Nation rally next weekend and the Sanity rally on the 30th. You are so right...those that can't go need to work diligently on the 30th to get the vote out. The rally will help to inspire more to go to the polls!
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HUFFPOST BLOGGER
paulita
Progress is an evolutionary process
12:31 AM on 09/25/2010
Great article Joe. I was thinking about this earlier and it does seem a good plan. I was thinking about the motivation factor and that hopefully this will pump the Progressive base up to get out and vote.

Thank you Jon Stewart and company for taking back the rhetoric!

And thanks Joe for your great article.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
SmileAndActNice
Utilitarianism, the -ism that works.
12:30 AM on 09/25/2010
I'll be flying in from Denver.

I am trying to decide what to put on my sign. The current winning slogan is:

"I shouldn't have to be here today"

As a homage to the movie Clerks and a simple statement that I shouldn't have to do this. If Washington were doings its job properly I could ignore it and focus on my own problems.

But I am open to suggestions for a better sign.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
gschear
Max Baucus: What's in your wallet?
11:44 PM on 09/24/2010
Thanks Joe for your post.
I have been so encouraged by the traffic and the attitude on these two FB event sites.
Wife and I are booked and hoteled and are like kids waiting for Christmas. Here is a post I've been posting now and again as the numbers pile up. All of you huffposters, if you can, come to D.C. and lend a hand.

Some things to remember for those on the road to D.C. - repeated from before:
1. Have fun!
2. Vote before you come. Either early voting if available or Absentee.
3. Have fun!
4. Don't let anyone provoke you and if you see one of us being provoked lend a hand.
5. Have fun!
6. Be ready to tell any microphones why you are here and what this is all about.
7. Have fun!
8. Keep the signs funny, smart, and spelled correctly.
9. have fun!
10. We all know where Jon and Stephen are going with this. Let us all be worthy accomplices.
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HUFFPOST BLOGGER
Joe The Nerd Ferraro
Group IQ is inversely proportional to group size.
11:57 PM on 09/24/2010
Let me be very clear with you.

anyone - I mean ANYONE caught violating rules 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9

will be sent to the Taliban for further training.

If you are not going to have fun you may as well learn from the masters.
Christine O'Donnell did.
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Joe The Nerd Ferraro
Group IQ is inversely proportional to group size.
11:58 PM on 09/24/2010
fanned - ty
11:28 PM on 09/24/2010
Here I am, stuck in the middle with you!
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HUFFPOST BLOGGER
Joe The Nerd Ferraro
Group IQ is inversely proportional to group size.
11:57 PM on 09/24/2010
oh yeah
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CynAnne
Laureates in Fact and Reality
01:17 AM on 09/25/2010
And we all still have our ears...all the better to hear the sounds of teapers gnashing their teeth in vexation at us. ;)