So the Guardian has a self-satisfied column on 'Operation Clark County'.
What other lessons can we draw from Operation Clark County? I guess we will have to wait till November 3 to find out for sure, but here's a provisional stab: there are a huge number of people around the world who are profoundly dismayed by the prospect of another four years of a Bush White House and who are desperate for a way to do something about it; Guardian readers are a reassuringly engaged, resourceful and largely charming bunch; parts of America have become so isolationist that even the idea of individuals receiving letters from foreigners is enough to give politicians the collywobbles and, perhaps, in the digital age little acorns can turn into big trees very, very quickly.In my comment below, I thought it failed the 'smell test'.
But now I have a better idea.
There are a lot more of us in the U.S. than there are of them in the U.K.
Let's see what happens when their election comes around...
Any UK readers who can check and see what it takes to get voter rolls from over there?
Doing what the Guardian did would prove only that participants are capable of equal levels of idiocy. It would also be just as counterproductive.
If you want a letter writing campaign for the British election, do this:
Send letters to the voters you round up that (a) thank them for Britain's true friendship and sacrifices when America needed them; (b) Express the hope that whomever they choose, Britain and America will continue to work together in order to promote the values that Britain helped to give to America, and the world.
Then stop.
It's simple, gracious, and sends a message of friendship and the hope of future friendship, not political pressure.
If you want to really win friends and influence people, and use the time of your volunteers well... that's the way to do it.
Joe, Joe - I get to be snarky once in a while! It's a historic day...
A.L.
I agree with armed liberal, to a point. I also believe we should go beyond that, to write to British newspapers at every level and thank them for their support in Iraq, and thank them for the courage to stand up to the EU crowd. Don't mention any politician by name. Don't mention anything but that we're very happy to be such good friends, and for the physical expression of that friendship. To every newspaper. By as many Americans as possible. Some of them are BOUND to print the letters, even if those like the Guardian are a bit too snooty. Let the British people we appreciate that support. THEY know where it comes from. That will be enough for them.
LOOK! If one person in Clark County gets IDENTITY THEFT from this campaign there are good grounds for a class action suit against all of the Guardians assets in the US. Same, but maybe less likely to win, in the UK.
We have also seen that parts of the British elite are so clueless about the US that they think that comparing the US invasion of Iraq to a homeowner who shoots a burglar is likely to convince Americans to against Bush.
Because we all know how strongly Ohioans oppose shooting burglars.
I think most commentary on the Guardian's campaign misses their real intent:
to drive a wedge between the British public and the US.
They succeeded, to some degree, in part due to the crude F*%k off letters they got in response.
Just saw an interesting post over at marcland re: the extent to which this has backfired in Ohio.
As predicted, the Bush campaign is calling it a huge gift - even Kerry supporters are annoyed, and it's getting local press attention. So the wedge is going both ways.
Working to reverse the Guardian's intended effect seems like the best response. On which topic, Old Patriot's suggestion is a very good one, which would let the "Operation Leeds & Liverpool" campaign go forward even without voting lists.
Too bad Alan Clark is dead, I'd love to campaign for him.
I don't share much of his politics, but what style!
Robin, Interesting and valid point, but how do you know that was their intent?
Because they have kept up a drumbeat of anti-Americanism for many years, accelerated with the entry of troops into Afghanistan and Iraq.
They quite often run articles with slants that suggest, and often say outright, that it is truly incredible that Brits would align themselves with crude, trigger-happy, ingnorant Yanks.
And, they would love to see Blair replaced by a more left-wing Labor leader.
Add those up and they definitely win in their own eyes whether or not the county in Ohio goes for Kerry. Look at the predominant tone of the US letters they published -- polite ones for Kerry, crude nasty ones for Bush. THAT was the point of this exercise.
send me my best friend fron liverpool John Holden PLEASE! He is the best friend I have veer had! I lovee everyone in the U.S. and the U.K.. I have a hard time believing that tea is all that seperates US!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
send me my best friend fron liverpool John Holden PLEASE! He is the best friend I have veer had! I lovee everyone in the U.S. and the U.K.. I have a hard time believing that tea is all that seperates US!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please excuse mispelllllllled words~! I an, really fuccked up!
send me my best friend fron liverpool John Holden PLEASE! He is the best friend I have veer had! I lovee everyone in the U.S. and the U.K.. I have a hard time believing that tea is all that seperates US!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please excuse mispelllllllled words~! I an, really fuccked up!
send me my best friend fron liverpool John Holden PLEASE! He is the best friend I have veer had! I lovee everyone in the U.S. and the U.K.. I have a hard time believing that tea is all that seperates US!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please excuse mispelllllllled words~! I an, really fuccked up!