Dejected Overseas (European contributions to MoveOn rejected)

[kskiska]

The vast left-wing conspiracy has gone international.

A Swedish Web operation thought it would be a good idea to solicit contributions from Europeans to the liberal American group MoveOn.org. "One dollar per EU-citizen would suffice to raise more money than the entire Bush campaign budget for the elections in 2000," reasoned the Web site, hem.passagen.se/democracyaid/. "Compare this price to the cost of having Bush in the White House."

But there was a problem. MoveOn didn't want the money. In some cases, such contributions would be illegal; in other cases, they would be legal but would give the unhelpful impression that MoveOn is orchestrating a European takeover of the United States. "To avoid even the appearance of impropriety, we are not going to take contributions from overseas," Wes Boyd, one of the founders of MoveOn.org, told The Post's Tom Edsall.

This was disappointing news to the anti-Bush Swedes. The site posted a message of dejection: "Last night Move On contacted us and asked us to change our campaign message. As of now they no longer accept contributions from non US citizens/permanent resident aliens. Therefore our website is temporarily down. You can still leave messages in our guest book."

By e-mail, one of the Swedish organizers lamented: "It might interest you that we had a chance of being voted web site of the year."

more (second item – scroll down)…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A62447-2003Dec13.html

[sleipnir]

1. Damn this sucks

I'm sorry, but it IS AN INTERNATIONAL effort to get Bush out of office. I'd take money from anyone. His tenure for four more years affects the lives of the whole world and I feel they should have some say, albeit a small monitary contribution to a non-affiliated website.

[mobuto]

7. Um, no

If voters should get the impression that the Democrats are the tool of overseas interests they will not be amused.

This was a smart move by moveon.org. This election is for us to win or lose by ourselves.

[Eloriel]

8. They had no choice whatsoever

It's illegal for non-citizens to contribute to political orgs.

But it's heartening that they wanted to!

[westman]

20. But how many more

want to keep Bush? That's the scary part.

[reknewcomer]

2. Biggest "Duh" of the year

With brainiacs like these in positions of power it's no wonder the lights are dim.

[salin]

3. brainiacs like who? The donations were rejected

the attempted donors were European. Europeans are not in positions of power here... not sure what you are getting at?

[reknewcomer]

5. You're not sure what I'm getting at?

Anyone that thinks they can influence the US politic with money from outside the US is not exactly playing with a full deck. Is it really that hard to see?

[bemildred]

9. I guess the Chinese are not playing with a full deck:

http://www.dailyrepublican.com/nsamonitor.html

[reknewcomer]

10. I'm fully aware of the political financial corruption in 1996

It has not happened since nor should it ever again.

[bemildred]

11. Definitely not.

[aquart]

14. Okay, that's funny.

So how deep are the Bushes in to Reverend Moon?

And you also believe Neil Bush is being paid to "advise" the Chinese?

Have you ever heard the phrase "international cartels"? Stateless corporate entities which leech onto nations, bleed them dry, and then move on? All the while preaching about the free market and restricting fair trade in their favor?

No corruption in BushCoAmerica! Of course we can't say for sure, because we aren't allowed to see the records.

[salin]

19. Unless of course you forget the Taiwanese slush fund story

oh - but that was US money going to bribe/influence Taiwanese... that direction (by those close to our government) doesn't bother you? What about using US officials to try to armtwist a country to spend more money on a very bad deal/contract with Enron (India... use of Colin Powell... or was it Condi?)

[Democat]

12. Are you joking?

Money from outside the U.S. influences U.S. politicians and policies all the time.

Was that sarcasm?

[salin]

18. You refered to "With brainiacs like these in positions of power"

and the lights being dim. Which brianics in power were trying to do this - it read like individuals (like you and I) - not people in a position of power. And how does this relate to the lights being dim?

Still wondering to whom "in power" you are refering to who are dim.

The phrase - in the context of the story - still makes little sense.

[lostnfound]

16. which "positions of power" are you talking about?

And welcome to DU, MR. Newcomer.

[Alex146]

4. Too bad for us, but good for Democracy

Let's face it, we have enough trouble keeping tabs on soft money from this country alone.

[Eric J in MN]

6. I hope that starting on Monday, we don't see any more

(Regarding the top story on the web page you linked) I hope that starting on Monday, we don't see any more poor, loyal Lieberman stories.

Firstly, if Lieberman had entered the race with Gore running again, he wouldn't have had a chance against Gore.

Secondly, during the 2000 Florida recount, Lieberman advocated counting
the ballots from overseas soldiers postmarked AFTER the election, from soldiers not registered to vote in Florida.

As George McGovern recently said, it's Lieberman who owes Gore for making him nationally famous. Gore owes Liebernman nothing.

[teryang]

15. The snide tone of that piece

...made me sick. I guess someone is supposed to give a shit about this gossipy anecdotal tripe. Cry me a river for Lieberman.

[PartyPooper]

13. So much for the "global economy"

I was afraid 'the devil was in the details' to this sort of approach to our domestic / international political crisis.

:sigh:

[xxqqqzme]

17. thank U 2 our concerned

Swedish friends. We KNOW the entire world is holding it's breath, keeping it's fingers crossed, hoping 'n praying WE remove squatter from power. We really do nedd all the help we can muster....but we really, really have 2 do this ourselves.

U R invited 2 the celebration though!

[moondust]

21. The world should have a say in how things go.

As long as the U.S. insists on "leading the world" and will not allow alternatives, the rest of the world should have a voice in deciding who in the U.S. shall decide what the course shall be.

[loudnclear]

22. They can start their own "move-on"

We need all the help we can get.

[Just Me]

23. Moveon's decision was wise,...

,...you gotta appreciate those Swedish organizers though,...wanting to give a helping hand (although, of course, there are those who would never view their actions in that kind of light - and who would definitely leap all over demonizing both them and Moveon).