Thursday, August 19, 2010

Campaign Update: A Three Minute Protest

Note: for those late to the party ... the Smitherman has taken down the offensive post card. See update.

I don't want readers to keep coming back only to read what's going on with the word 'r&tard' coming out of candidate Ford's mouth and ending up in candidate's Smitherman's material. So I will update as I can. I did hear from the Smitherman people who assure me they do not endorse the word they are just educating people about Ford's character. They cannot and do not seem to be able to understand the concern about perpetuating the use of the word ... oh well.

So, I have another idea, go to the Ford on Ford site, click to send one of the post cards, click again on the offensive post card, which is called 'signs' and send it back to Smitherman at info@georgesmitherman.ca with the message: Please remove this from the website. As I see it the website encourages people to send the email, why not send it back to him. Almost done now go back and send one to Rob Ford at rob@robfordformayor.ca and ask him to apologize and .'take the pledge' not to use the word again. This takes less than 3 minutes to do! (You know how I know!) Let's get the message across in a different way as letters have not seemed to work. Just note here in the comment section that you've done it please.

Also, the winner of last year's Best Disability Blogger in Canada, has written a new post on the topic of leadership. Drop by and visit her. Thanks

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Done and Done again. I timed it, I did it under two minutes. Protesting without breaking a sweat. We do live in modern times.

Sher said...

Brilliant! And done and done. Thanks for the suggestion

Manuela said...

It was quick and easy. Even had my husband send so they got a couple from us with different last names and emails!

Andrea S. said...

I've sent post cards to both.

Are we doing any more emails/letters to news media to pressure them to cover Ford's use of the word as a story?

Dave Hingsburger said...

Andrea, the media have not picked up on this at all. They pick up every other thing Ford says about other topics and groups, but disabled people and their concerns - ignored.

AuntMo said...

Done & Done

Liz said...

Done and done. Thanks for making it easy. I'm in the US and wasn't sure either candidate would care what I had to say -- but those postcards don't care where I am, and neither recipient needs to know.

Amy said...

Done & done. Thanks for leading the charge on this, Dave.

Lene Andersen said...

Excellent ideas! Will do.

And thanks for the link. ;)

Unknown said...

Dave, the offensive post card - at least that one, seems to be GONE.

Dave Hingsburger said...

Jan, no it's still there, it's the one called 'signs' ... my heart skipped when I read your comment but a quick check showed that it was there and still 'clickable'. You raise a point though, I'm going to change the text of this post so that people know which one it is to click on ... thanks.

Kasie said...

Done. Thank you!

Anonymous said...

i sent my post cards

Destinee Dale said...

We at We Care a Lot share your disdain for that hurtful word. I sent the post cards as suggested in your blog. I am certain that others here will as well.

Anonymous said...

Hi Dave,
I am a daily reader but never comment. But wanted to let you know that I have sent emails to both candidates and asked what you suggested. Keep up the good work.
PM

CAM said...

I have done this, but since I am outside Toronto, I don't think they will care. Others got replies to their emails that we sent the other day, I did not, I think it was because they are not worried about my vote.

Andrea S. said...

CAM -- I am not in Toronto either, I clearly indicated in my email that I am from the USA. But Rob Ford did still reply to me later in the same day, though the others did not.

In reading through the comments, it seems there is a little hit or miss whether people get replies or not.

Dave Hingsburger said...

the postcard is gone