I'm bummed re- turn-out in my city for the protests yesterday.

[snot]

I should have done more than I did to get my own friends and acquaintances to go; but I've hit on them for a lot of causes during the last ten years, and there are other things I'd like to be known for besides political activism; so this time I just posted a couple of facebook notices, theoretically visible to 350+ "friends."

Not one single other person I know turned up. The weather was fine, and the vast majority of my "friends" are liberal; but not one found a couple of hours for this.

So, next time, I'll solicit them more directly.

But how can it be that I'm the only person I personally know who's motivated enough to be aware of the protests and show up, not because there's anything directly at stake in this for me personally, but just because it's necessary in order to help build a better world? Like, what else does everyone have to do that's so much more worthwhile?

Thanks for letting me vent; pardon the rant.

[Liberty Belle]

1. It happens sometimes; not your fault.

Maybe most of them were busy, or didn't check Facebook in time.

The trouble with FAcebook is people have to go there to see stuff. I must prefer emailing people directly or on occasion, calling. Twitter can work, too.

Next time round up a few leaders of other groups and get each of them to make calls, too. There is strength in numbers.

I actually felt bad because I didn't even know there was a rally planned in San Diego, where I live, until after it was over and I heard about it on the news (which amazingly actually reported it.)

[snot]

2. Thanks for the consolation.

In the past, I've e-mailed people directly -- sometimes hundreds -- and managed to rustle up, say, 20. I do think e-mailing or even more direct solicitation is best. But it's hard to keep doing it at the risk of feeling like the village badger.

[AnneD]

3. Badger....

Isn't that the state animal of Wisconsin.....you go girl:gingersnap:

[AnneD]

4. Dbl post

Hang in there, you can come to our party in Austin Tx....3/14.

[Liberty Belle]

8. only thing that works better is offering 'em free pizza.

Hang in there, San Diego was like that for a long time - there'd be rallies with 20 people. I helped organize some of the first anti-war ones in our city quite a few years back, so I know. Toward the end we got 2,000.

Yesterday around a thousand turned out for the Wisconsin solidarity rally, I'm told!

[pengillian101]

5. "So, next time, I'll solicit them more directly."

Yes, a phone call is best to connect.

[JDPriestly]

6. This is just the beginning. The momentum on these issues is

just starting to build.

[cui bono]

7. I hear ya! It's a drag when you feel you're "bothering" someone when you're trying

to get them to help themselves and their kids have a better life.

I wish the people I hung out with were more in tune with what's happening and were activists. :(

And it's not like I'm so deeply informed about everything, but I try to keep up enough to know what's going on generally and do my part to help change things.

[lpbk2713]

9. The MSM is not getting the word out.

And that is no accident. People aren't aware of the gravity of the situation.
If more people knew what was going on more people would get involved IMO.