Want Answers? Take Action - Effective Action

[Guest guest]

From: " schaferatsprynet " <schafer@...>

Kirby does an excellent job of compiling and presenting

questions that the government and the CDC must answers with regards to

the autism crises. So what is the most effective way to help get

answers?

WHAT IS EFFECTIVE

In this case, the best thing any one can do from home is to contact

your political representatives. Most people can't readily make a

personal trip to their congress people, but you can call, fax or

sometimes email them.

A-CHAMP has issued an action alert to this end. When you go to their

website you will get specific instructions on what to do that is

effective. In this case, who to call:

http://tinyurl.com/258uld

WHAT NOT TO DO (In general)

Avoid these mostly empty gestures of political self-gratification.

Opinion Polls.

Online/Media-call in polls are waste of time. They are junk science --

useless feel-good efforts that accomplish little. Take the time

instead to call a politician. You'll be glad you did.

Online Petitions.

These are also a waste of time, and often misleading. Another

political act that pacifies, drains political energy, but does nothing

much constructive. People in positions of power do not pay attention

to online petitions. Take the time instead to call a politician. (Not

to be confused with real, registered voters petition gathering efforts).

Posting to Blogs.

Most blogs are not worth the effort for purposes of politics, by

posting to them. Why? Only a few have the reading audience size for

the effort to be effective. Why waste your major opus on a few dozen,

or even a few hundred readers?

If you do take the time to create a post to a blog, be sure to include

an action alert from an organization you support that directs people's

energy to effective use, in this case: http://tinyurl.com/258uld or

make up your own action alert that direct the readers to contact their

congress people. This part doesn't take much, just point to a website,

like I do here.

Lenny

--------------------------------------------------------

Sheri Nakken, former R.N., MA, Hahnemannian Homeopath

Vaccination Information & Choice Network, Nevada City CA & Wales UK

Vaccines - http://www.wellwithin1.com/vaccine.htm Vaccine Dangers &

Childhood Disease & Homeopathy Email classes start in March

[Guest guest]

Thank you, Lenny. Concrete, pointed directions on steps we can all

take now. A-CHAMP's action alert is, as always, very helpful with

talking points.

>

>

> Kirby does an excellent job of compiling and presenting

> questions that the government and the CDC must answers with regards to

> the autism crises. So what is the most effective way to help get

> answers?

>

> WHAT IS EFFECTIVE

>

> In this case, the best thing any one can do from home is to contact

> your political representatives. Most people can't readily make a

> personal trip to their congress people, but you can call, fax or

> sometimes email them.

>

> A-CHAMP has issued an action alert to this end. When you go to their

> website you will get specific instructions on what to do that is

> effective. In this case, who to call:

>

> http://tinyurl.com/258uld

>

>

> WHAT NOT TO DO (In general)

> Avoid these mostly empty gestures of political self-gratification.

>

> Opinion Polls.

> Online/Media-call in polls are waste of time. They are junk science --

> useless feel-good efforts that accomplish little. Take the time

> instead to call a politician. You'll be glad you did.

>

> Online Petitions.

> These are also a waste of time, and often misleading. Another

> political act that pacifies, drains political energy, but does nothing

> much constructive. People in positions of power do not pay attention

> to online petitions. Take the time instead to call a politician. (Not

> to be confused with real, registered voters petition gathering efforts).

>

> Posting to Blogs.

> Most blogs are not worth the effort for purposes of politics, by

> posting to them. Why? Only a few have the reading audience size for

> the effort to be effective. Why waste your major opus on a few dozen,

> or even a few hundred readers?

>

> If you do take the time to create a post to a blog, be sure to include

> an action alert from an organization you support that directs people's

> energy to effective use, in this case: http://tinyurl.com/258uld or

> make up your own action alert that direct the readers to contact their

> congress people. This part doesn't take much, just point to a website,

> like I do here.

>

> Lenny

>

[Guest guest]

yeah, but when DK asks us to go blog, we gonna go blog!

>

>

> Kirby does an excellent job of compiling and presenting

> questions that the government and the CDC must answers with regards to

> the autism crises. So what is the most effective way to help get

> answers?

>

> WHAT IS EFFECTIVE

>

> In this case, the best thing any one can do from home is to contact

> your political representatives. Most people can't readily make a

> personal trip to their congress people, but you can call, fax or

> sometimes email them.

>

> A-CHAMP has issued an action alert to this end. When you go to their

> website you will get specific instructions on what to do that is

> effective. In this case, who to call:

>

> http://tinyurl.com/258uld

>

>

> WHAT NOT TO DO (In general)

> Avoid these mostly empty gestures of political self-gratification.

>

> Opinion Polls.

> Online/Media-call in polls are waste of time. They are junk science --

> useless feel-good efforts that accomplish little. Take the time

> instead to call a politician. You'll be glad you did.

>

> Online Petitions.

> These are also a waste of time, and often misleading. Another

> political act that pacifies, drains political energy, but does nothing

> much constructive. People in positions of power do not pay attention

> to online petitions. Take the time instead to call a politician. (Not

> to be confused with real, registered voters petition gathering efforts).

>

> Posting to Blogs.

> Most blogs are not worth the effort for purposes of politics, by

> posting to them. Why? Only a few have the reading audience size for

> the effort to be effective. Why waste your major opus on a few dozen,

> or even a few hundred readers?

>

> If you do take the time to create a post to a blog, be sure to include

> an action alert from an organization you support that directs people's

> energy to effective use, in this case: http://tinyurl.com/258uld or

> make up your own action alert that direct the readers to contact their

> congress people. This part doesn't take much, just point to a website,

> like I do here.

>

> Lenny

>

[Guest guest]

Yeah, and that really worked for the 38 people who were able to post.

G. can only cave to such pressure tactics. ;-)

> >

> >

> > Kirby does an excellent job of compiling and presenting

> > questions that the government and the CDC must answers with regards to

> > the autism crises. So what is the most effective way to help get

[Guest guest]

-NO FAIR! That HuffPO troll THE PROBE posted three times!!!!

-- In EOHarm , " schaferatsprynet " <schafer@...> wrote:

>

>

> Yeah, and that really worked for the 38 people who were able to post.

> G. can only cave to such pressure tactics. ;-)

[Guest guest]

I disagree. I sat in a federal Congressman's office last December. He

could care less. I write letters, make calls, etc. Not just to him but

lots of others. Now writing on a blog may not be any more effective,

but it comes closer of planting that seed of potentially making a

handful of others think, where political leaders are only gonna go as

far as the next lobbyist " encourages " them to go.

When these action alerts are given, I'm venturing to guess perhaps 3-4

people out of the 2000 or so people with autism in my county actually

contact anyone. Some are even aware it's action alerts, and most of

them don't even effect my region. I'm glad you all make progress in

New York and land, we get nothing in Tennessee in the way of help.

So perhaps posting a blog response here & there with our local paper

does have a greater impact on public opinion than realized, it's the

best a handful of us can do considering what we're up against.

Debi

[Guest guest]

Debi, I don't think that Lenny was saying that blogs are ineffective, they have

a great

purpose and are a valuable outlet and means of discussion, but he stated that

they were

ineffective as political tools.

I know how you feel. Out of a large autism community here in Sacramento, only a

small

number of people actually meet with/call legislators. That would be myself, Rick

Rollens,

and Lenny (for vaccine-related legislation). I have been rejected and looked at

as a crazy

women time and again, but you know something? It has paid off. I am gaining

ground that

I never imagined could be possible. It's so hard and in some cases takes a lot

of defeat

before we start to make headway, but I guarantee you that persistence and

information is

key. I was able to get attention from house and senate staff for the past 18

months on our

issues, but always got the " look " like I was a paranoid, conspiracy theorist.

Well, two

months before the Poling decision, I fortunately was able to get some good

contacts with

my Congresswomen's staff (with a little help from friends and some cold calls).

They

started to listen then, and they are really starting to listening now.

Now is the time to jump at the opportunity to educate your reps! I know that

there are

some reps that just aren't going to come around and are not worth the time, but

there are

always staff members that will be interested. This is where it begins. That

staff member

that has a niece or nephew with autism, or the one who is an expectant mother.

Ask about

their situation/ experiences with autism and then get a feel for the angle to

come at them

with. I just know that we can't give up, or our kids will suffer. Maybe you just

haven't

found the right representative who will listen.

Thanks for listening to my rant, but we need people like you, Debi!

Take Care,

>

> I disagree. I sat in a federal Congressman's office last December. He

> could care less. I write letters, make calls, etc. Not just to him but

> lots of others. Now writing on a blog may not be any more effective,

> but it comes closer of planting that seed of potentially making a

> handful of others think, where political leaders are only gonna go as

> far as the next lobbyist " encourages " them to go.

>

> When these action alerts are given, I'm venturing to guess perhaps 3-4

> people out of the 2000 or so people with autism in my county actually

> contact anyone. Some are even aware it's action alerts, and most of

> them don't even effect my region. I'm glad you all make progress in

> New York and land, we get nothing in Tennessee in the way of help.

> So perhaps posting a blog response here & there with our local paper

> does have a greater impact on public opinion than realized, it's the

> best a handful of us can do considering what we're up against.

>

> Debi

>

[Guest guest]

Recently, I learned (the hard way) that we have to be ever so careful about what we post, lest it comes back to haunt us in the future. As "ineffective" as blogs or certain websites may be, they can be used by interested parties in an effort to destruct the goings -on there and interfere with the lives of the posters. "Anonymous" King <medfordkings1@...> wrote: Debi, I don't think that Lenny was saying that blogs are ineffective, they have a great purpose and are a

valuable outlet and means of discussion, but he stated that they were ineffective as political tools.I know how you feel. Out of a large autism community here in Sacramento, only a small number of people actually meet with/call legislators. That would be myself, Rick Rollens, and Lenny (for vaccine-related legislation). I have been rejected and looked at as a crazy women time and again, but you know something? It has paid off. I am gaining ground that I never imagined could be possible. It's so hard and in some cases takes a lot of defeat before we start to make headway, but I guarantee you that persistence and information is key. I was able to get attention from house and senate staff for the past 18 months on our issues, but always got the "look" like I was a paranoid, conspiracy theorist. Well, two months before the Poling decision, I fortunately was able to get some good contacts with my Congresswomen's staff

(with a little help from friends and some cold calls). They started to listen then, and they are really starting to listening now.Now is the time to jump at the opportunity to educate your reps! I know that there are some reps that just aren't going to come around and are not worth the time, but there are always staff members that will be interested. This is where it begins. That staff member that has a niece or nephew with autism, or the one who is an expectant mother. Ask about their situation/ experiences with autism and then get a feel for the angle to come at them with. I just know that we can't give up, or our kids will suffer. Maybe you just haven't found the right representative who will listen.Thanks for listening to my rant, but we need people like you, Debi!Take Care,>> I disagree. I sat in a federal Congressman's office last December. He> could care less. I write letters, make calls, etc. Not just to him but> lots of others. Now writing on a blog may not be any more effective,> but it comes closer of planting that seed of potentially making a> handful of others think, where political leaders are only gonna go as> far as the next lobbyist "encourages" them to go. > > When these action alerts are given, I'm venturing to guess perhaps 3-4> people out of the 2000 or so people with autism in my county actually> contact anyone. Some are even aware it's action alerts, and most of> them don't even effect my region. I'm glad you all make progress in> New York and land, we get nothing in Tennessee in the way of help.> So perhaps posting a blog response here & there with our local paper> does have a greater impact on public

opinion than realized, it's the> best a handful of us can do considering what we're up against.> > Debi>

[Guest guest]

I posted a few weeks ago about an official in Frist's Knoxville office

who sat & told us about a little boy at her church that they all know

got autism from his shots. She seemed to fully believe it, yet could

have cared less the issues we were bringing up.

I personally am pretty much done with government leaders. They don't

care. Without having the backing of major national orgs, it's hopeless

here.

Debi

[Guest guest]

OK, anyone who is as miserably cynical about politics as Debi, by all

means DO NOTHING. The less you spread your cynicism the better. The

rest of you, call your pols. now!

Lenny

>

> I disagree. I sat in a federal Congressman's office last December. He

> could care less. I write letters, make calls, etc. Not just to him but

> lots of others. Now writing on a blog may not be any more effective,

> but it comes closer of planting that seed of potentially making a

> handful of others think, where political leaders are only gonna go as

> far as the next lobbyist " encourages " them to go.

>

> When these action alerts are given, I'm venturing to guess perhaps 3-4

> people out of the 2000 or so people with autism in my county actually

> contact anyone. Some are even aware it's action alerts, and most of

> them don't even effect my region. I'm glad you all make progress in

> New York and land, we get nothing in Tennessee in the way of help.

> So perhaps posting a blog response here & there with our local paper

> does have a greater impact on public opinion than realized, it's the

> best a handful of us can do considering what we're up against.

>

> Debi

>

[Guest guest]

>

> Debi, I don't think that Lenny was saying that blogs are

ineffective, they have a great

> purpose and are a valuable outlet and means of discussion, but he

stated that they were

> ineffective as political tools.

That's right , blogs are an important part of the alternate

networking of information that the mainstream press ignores. However

posting to insular small blog is no substitute for taking direct

political action when the times call for it. There aint nothin like

the real thing.

> Thanks for listening to my rant, but we need people like you, Debi!

>

But cynicism is counter-productive.

Lenny

[Guest guest]

What I didn't post was cynicism. It was a simple fact that without

help my region has little chance of being successful with 2-3 of us.

Why is it cynicism to accept after 7 years of letter writing, meeting

with politicians, calling, faxing, etc, that essentially nothing has

been done, except we do have some insurance coverage after the

LOBBYISTS for speech paths & OTs wanted more payments? I don't need to

write/call/fax, I need money for a lobbyist. Again, not cynicism, fact.

For me, spinning my wheels with politicians hasn't been nearly as

successful as leading free workshops, returning to college with the

goal of being a DAN practitioner, and sending out information on

where/who to get help for their kids. You were talking about what is

most successful, reaching out to individuals is far more successful

for me. Again, not cynicism, truth.

Debi

>

>

> OK, anyone who is as miserably cynical about politics as Debi, by all

> means DO NOTHING. The less you spread your cynicism the better. The

> rest of you, call your pols. now!

>

> Lenny

>

[Guest guest]

Okay, let me try this one more time. I wasn't being cynical or

negative. I was stating what my experience has been on a state level,

just as some of you have posted experiences that did not end up as you

had hoped. I was not aware I was not allowed to do so, I asked for

clarification and have yet to receive a response, so please do not

consider this as being more " negativity " , but simply trying to explain

why my postings were not intended as received by Lenny.

I forget some are not aware, our speaker of the house is married to

the biggest lobbyist in Nashville. The rumor mill from both sides of

the political aisle have been if you don't have his wife as a lobbyist

you can't get anything passed out of the house. A few years ago a few

of us tried to get a thimerosal bill passed. The speaker's wife is a

registered, paid lobbyist for several drug companies, I think her

professional name is Betty , his name is jimmy naifeh.

www.tennesseeanytime.org has a listing of official paid lobbyists. Our

state also, not long after the thimerosal bill, had " Operation TN

Waltz " where several legislators, including US Rep Harold Ford Jr had

a family member who was involved, I cannot remember if she was

convicted or not.

I am most certainly not trying to discourage any of you from

contacting political leaders, nor am I saying I never will, just that

I have realized what I have tried in the past has not been successful.

Just like when some post, " Hey, I tried MB-12 but it didn't work for

my child. " I was reflecting years of efforts and failed efforts, as

well as my lack of having what my particular state requires to create

change. Again, the intent was not negativity, actually was in hopes

others could make suggestions on how to be more effective.

Then, after stating in my posts that my area needs more people to

truly bring about change, as well as funding, I stated what I have

found to work. I was not aware that was counter-productive, I

apologize, I thought I was offering valuable information for anyone

who may be in my position. I was also not aware that the original

posting was strictly pertaining to political action, as blogs and

other things were mentioned as being less effective in a political

sense, I apologize for not following the thread back to the very

beginning.

I apologize if Lenny or anyone else perceives my messages as

" counter-productive. " I was under the impression postings were to

create discussion even in disagreement/alternative opinions for the

sake of discussion, I apologize for missing in this instance I should

not have posted anything in disagreement. I've taken five finals in

the last 36 hours, perhaps my reading comprehension, bad to begin

with, is even worse right now, and I'm trying to type less to say

more; I can see that I have some work to do in that arena.

Debi

>

> But cynicism is counter-productive.

>

> Lenny

>

[Guest guest]

Debi, It looks like I went to bed and all hell broke lose! Is one of your

representatives Bill

Frist?? God, I hope not. I understand that you feel " burnt " on trying to create

change after

years of efforts. You stated something very important, and I think that this is

the case in

many states:

" " It was a simple fact that without

help my region has little chance of being successful with 2-3 of us. " "

This is why it is so important that other parents get involved. I know that we

all have our

plates full, but without a large network of active parents in each state, it is

much, much

harder to get anything done.

You wrote:

> For me, spinning my wheels with politicians hasn't been nearly as

> successful as leading free workshops, returning to college with the

> goal of being a DAN practitioner, and sending out information on

> where/who to get help for their kids. You were talking about what is

> most successful, reaching out to individuals is far more successful

> for me. Again, not cynicism, truth.

Well, It sounds like it's working for you, while helping other parents. What you

are doing is

extremely important too, and most of us are aware that there is more that one

way to

advocate.

This thread was just aimed at getting more parents and family involved

politically, and

how to do that effectively.

> >

> >

> > OK, anyone who is as miserably cynical about politics as Debi, by all

> > means DO NOTHING. The less you spread your cynicism the better. The

> > rest of you, call your pols. now!

> >

> > Lenny

> >

>