A Contest That Matters: Anti-War Slogan Contest For The September Marches On Washington
Last week we all had a lot of fun here posting entries to a contest the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee was running for a bumpersticker slogan for Democrats to run on next year.
Because of the wildly enthusiastic response, I am running another slogan contest this week. But this week, we have a much more important contest to run. Don't worry, though -- it should be just as much fun to enter!
In a few weeks, there will be two large "Marches On Washington" by major and well-organized anti-war groups. The first is sponsored by Sept15.org, and will (naturally) take place on September 15th. This was going to be the date General Petraeus' report was to be delivered to Congress. The White House has since announced that (1) the report will be written by the White House, not Petraeus himself; and (2) Petraeus will testify before Congress in open session, but before the September 15th date. September 11th was floated as a possible date, but the historical significance of the date may cause it to be rescheduled.
In any case, the march itself will not be rescheduled, and will take place as planned on September 15th, as well as some other activities in Washington, D.C. which will happen afterwards.
The second large March On Washington will happen September 22nd through the 29th, and will be sponsored by troopsoutnow.org. The "Encampment on Washington" begins September 22, and will be followed by a March On Washington on September 29.
I heartily salute both organizations in their efforts. I have been saying since the beginning of this year that the anti-war forces need to keep the pressure on the politicians in Washington with a show of numbers in order to convince weak-willed congressmen from both sides of the aisle that the anti-war stance is actually wildly popular among their constituents. Even in red states.
I, personally, will not be able to make it to Washington to participate in either of these marches. I suspect there are many of you out there in similar circumstances. But that doesn't mean you can't support the cause with your ideas! So I present a forum for you to offer your suggestions to these fine organizations as to what would be the best slogan to use on signs and chants during the marches.
The entry period is from now until Monday evening -- the whole Labor Day weekend, in other words. I will judge the entries then, and post the winners very late Monday night, or early Tuesday. Below are the award categories I will be using.
Entries will be judged in the following categories:
Overall Best Slogan
Best Chant
Best Anti-Bush Slogan
Best Slogan To Influence Middle America
Best Slogan To Influence Members Of Congress
Funniest Slogan
Most Subtle Slogan
Best Obscure Reference
Most Profane / Tasteless
For the "Best Chant" category, you can either stick to the tried-and-true format of "One-two-three-four / Something something rhymes with 'four' / Five-six-seven-eight / Something something rhymes with 'eight' " -- or you can try something more original (imagine some guy yelling it into a megaphone at the rally, to help visualize it in use).
After this column is posted, I will be alerting the pressrooms of both the sponsors of these marches. They may read your slogan. They may completely ignore me and this column. But who knows -- your slogan entry may wind up on hundreds of signs in a massive anti-war protest next month!
In any case, good luck! If last week was any indication, we should see some brilliant suggestions here....
Cross-posted at The Huffington Post
-- Chris Weigant
What will be your policy as to HuffPo vs CW.com suggestions???
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-weigant/a-contest-that-matters-a_b_62694.html
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Sorry, but you have been banned from commenting.
Guess HUFFPO is afraid of Free Speech, despite claims to the contrary...
Regardless of that minor unpleasantness, are the judges still open to bribes??? :D
Michale.....
Rebuild America, Not Iraq
Should Gays Pay Less Taxes for Getting Fewer Rights?
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The biggest threat to our country is not Osama Bin Laden, it is the Republican Leadership.
All entries count!
Enter here or enter there, they'll be in the running...
Bribes cheerfully accepted!
-CW
One, two, three
what are we fighting for?
Don't ask me, I don't give a damn.
Next stop is Iran.
And its five, six, seven
they're building a caliphate
let's listen to Bush orate
Ain't no time
to wonder why
Its just time
for more Iraqis to die!
Edit to Last Post
It should read:
One, two, three
what are we fighting for?
Don't ask me, I don't give a damn.
Next stop is Iran.
And its five, six, seven
they're building a caliphate
let's listen to Bush orate
Ain't no time
to wonder why
More Iraqis just need to die!
mutex -
I was wondering if anyone was going to try to write a decent chant. Having attended rallies such as these in the past, I have to say a good chant can really fire people up.
Country Joe would be proud. Everyone, all together now --
"Gimme an 'F'"...
Heh heh.
-CW
OK, I doubt you want to hear any ANTI Anti-Troop messages, but here goes anyways.... :D
"IF YOU ARE SO CONCERNED FOR THE TROOPS, VOLUNTEER TO TAKE THEIR PLACE."
As an aside to CW.... That fiveski you found on your front porch was from me... :D
Michale.....
Actually, I don't think that was anti-troop at all. I thought it was pretty good, in fact. I can see a banner with that on it marching in an anti-war rally.
And I specifically created a "Most Profane / Tasteless" category, but everyone seems to be largely ignoring it.
[I think the cat ate the fiver-ino, please deposit another one.]
-CW
>And I specifically created a
>"Most Profane / Tasteless"
>category, but everyone seems
>to be largely ignoring it.
Just what are you implying.. :D
Frankly, the term "anti-war" is misleading and shame on the Left for using such an obvious PR slogan..
NO ONE is "pro war".... I am as ANTI WAR as the next American..
But........
"Sometimes you got to fight when yer a (country)..."
-Kenny Rogers, THE COWARD OF THE COUNTY
>[I think the cat ate the fiver-ino,
>please deposit another one.]
Sorry, that was my last one.. You'll have to wait until the cat is.....er... "finished" with it... :D
Michale.....