Most big events are a result of many factors. It’s rarely one thing. Is Bill O’Reilly out because advertisers knew their customers would find his actions reprehensible? Do the Murdoch boys want a workplace where people are treated with respect and dignity? What was the impact of grassroots groups?
Color of Change, a racial justice advocacy organization, encouraged its 1.2 million followers to pressure Fox News advertisers. They looked for other women who’d been subject to Bill’s sneering, leering and bullying by placing ads on monster.com and setting up hotlines to report sexual harassment.
This is how organizing and activism moves the needle. Whether or not Fox News fixes its ‘culture problem.’ Even if most advertisers merely placed ads on other Fox News shows. As one commentator said, (10:45 into the clip) “We’re seeing the power of men and women, as consumers, to influence workplaces that are not their own.”
Still, we’re left with a Fox News that is what it is because of its fans. Enter Bill Cunningham, aka Bill #2. The Cincinnati radio host was on George Stephanopoulos’ show yesterday. He underscored Fox News’ strength by assuring George that his callers, “real people who live in America,” are like millions of DJT supporters. They think the President is doing fine.
“What do they care about?” asked George. Jobs, the economy and immigration.
Two out of three, jobs and the economy, are the very issues DNC chair Tom Perez and Bernie Sanders seem to agree on in their Unity-Not-Unity tour.
Does this make your head spin?
Cunningham didn’t mention healthcare as an animating issue, but we know DJT supporters care about it. The R MoCs who faced constituents during the break sure heard about it. Will they offer any bills to help real people who live in America with healthcare or jobs when Congress returns to D.C. this week?
Unlikely. They’ll be scrambling to keep the lights on.
We are still trying to figure out the best ways to make good use of your time. We feel the need to focus, and continue to reach out to other organizers for suggestions, local and not, that will make a difference as we all learn how to be engaged citizens without burning out. To be removed from this post, shoot an email to bethebetterangels@gmail.com
In the meantime:
CALL or WRITE- Brad Wenstrup: 513-474-7777, 7954 Beechmont Ave, Suite 200, 45255
- Steve Chabot: 513-684-2723, Carew Tower, 441 Vine St., Suite 3003, 45202
- Rob Portman: 513-684-3265, other offices, 312 Walnut Street, Suite 3075, 45202
- Sherrod Brown: 513-684-1021, 425 Walnut Street, Suite 2310, 45202
The Freedom Caucus supposedly has another healthcare plan. Remind R MoCs why they can’t support it, and urge all MoCs to work together.
GO- Saturday, 4/29 11:30a-2:30p, People’s Climate Rally on Fountain Square, 520 Vine St. 45202
- Saturday, April 29, 8:30a (depart from Cincinnati) Knock Every Door travels to IN-09 to talk with and register voters
- Tuesday, 5/2 6:30a-7p, Cincinnati Mayoral Election – Live debate today, April 24 @7:00p on Channel 12
- Wednesday, April 26, 7:30-8:30p. Resisting and Organizing for Winning Elections sponsored by Warren County Dem Party. 406 Justice Dr. Lebanon, OH 45036
- Saturday, 4/29, 1:30-3p, Cincinnati Redistricting Speaker’s Bureau, League of Women Voters, 103 Wm. Howard Taft, #4, 45219
This week’s pic, Kayaking for Science in Bluffton, S.C. is from Janet. I was at Fountain Square with great signs and costumes, cool science experiments and a strong vibe that lots of people have never done anything like this before.