I think ROSES DRIVES are dumb

[alcibiades_mystery]

Seriously, I do. I'll bet others do as well. It seems like this bizarre, over-sentimentalized gesture - really smacks of weirdo-ism. What's next, decorating a locker with balloons for favored figures birthdays? Maybe little teddy bears? Should we all start knitting friendship bracelets for our favorite media figures? The whole photo spread in the Hill made me cringe. It was like "Oh wow, we made it into the paper!" Well, yeah, in the creepiest way imaginable. Probably the Hill staff was snarkily guffawing over all the earnestness. God knows I was.

I dunno, I guess I'm a born cynic. I thought this type of shit was stupid in high school and I think it's stupid now

Oh yeah, one more thing:

:popcorn:

[silverweb]

1. Bored?

:)

[alcibiades_mystery]

2. The sad thing is, I'm dead serious

I've been wanting to say this since the whole ridiculous saga began. ;-)

[LittleClarkie]

17. If you're dead serious, lose the popcorn

or else it looks like you just threw out some flamebait for your own amusement.

[alcibiades_mystery]

37. I can be serious and still laugh at the flames, no?

I never lose popcorn, ever.

[LittleClarkie]

44. Ah, so it was flamebait

Thought so.

[alcibiades_mystery]

48. Er, no

It was an expression of a position, which was likely to lead to flames. But it wasn't flamebait, since I really do hold that position.

:cheers:

[DiverDave]

3. Then ignore them

pretty simple.

[Cleita]

4. Did you send roses?

If not, then don't criticize others who do.

[JuniperLea]

18. Hear hear!

The people who gave roses loved it, clearly Helen loved it, it sent a message and even got some media coverage.

It did what it was intended to do and it made a lot of people happy.


To the OP... why must you piss in the Wheaties of others? Did this campaign hurt you in any way?

[alcibiades_mystery]

51. Why not?

Am I not allowed to think it's silly because I didn't do it? Hell, it would be worse if I did do it and thought it was silly.

[Warpy]

5. Helen Thomas looked thrilled

and she looked like she was on top of the world when those roses arrived.

Repeating it may be dumb, though. Once was a beautiful gesture. One a week gets a little obnoxious.

[malaise]

I agree with you

I thought it was a truly beautiful gesture and Helen Thomas was clearly delighted. I don't think repeating it regularly is a good idea. I think the DUers who contributed to that special moment for HT are wonderful people.

Edit -sp.

[goclark]

171. It thrilled Helen and gave powerful

Media Attention to what she said to Bush and why she said it.

Do a google of Helen with Flowers and you will see how many articles were written about it.

I saw one powerful editiorial link here at DU that was worth every bit of effort on our part.


That was a thrill for Helen and for us!

[SmokingJacket]

60. I have to agree.

I didn't like the idea, but then she looked so happy in the pictures... but yeah, that's enough for a while.

[Carni]

150. I agree about Helen T

She looked like she was genuinely pleased and flattered and I thought it was a wonderful gesture towards HER...I have to say however that I think sending Roses to John Kerry as I saw posted yesterday would be goofy, bizarre and undignified to the extreme.

I disagree with the OP that the roses for Helen was silly, I thought it was clever and she seemed thrilled...

I do however agree with the OP to the extent that doing this constantly with several figures would be pretty weird.

[Fridays Child]

6. You are right. And in recognition of your courage in speaking out...

...I think DUers should...yep...SEND YOU ROSES! :P

[acmejack]

7. It makes more sense to give the money to a worthy charity

In the person's name. A hell of a lot more bang for the buck, IMHO...

[Cleita]

13. Rose growers and florists need to feed their families too.

If I could afford to I would send everyone who did a good deed flowers. People need to be appreciated and to know they are appreciated.

[Just Me]

22. Me, too. Those tokens of appreciation are so precious.

They ARE!!!! :+

[acmejack]

26. That's true too

I know everyone does like to get something like that. I like to send flowers to people because I feel like it, it can cheer me up, knowing it cheers them up.

On the other hand so many people are starving and could be helped. The need is overpowering, the moral question staggering. For the cost of a single rose...

[Carla in Ca]

42. That's right

and all the roses were sent to Walter Reed hospital for the soldiers to enjoy. Sounds perfect to me.
It is my birthday on Sunday but I guess I'll not be getting any roses or balloons from the OP, huh? Oh well.

Edit to add: Oh my... <http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2555690&mesg_id=2555690>

[alcibiades_mystery]

50. PM me your address

Maybe I'll send you a sno-globe of Miami. ;-)

[Beaverhausen]

62. The company we got the roses from donates money to charity

we made sure it was an ethical company.

http://www.organicbouquet.com/i_1/about_organic_bouquet.html

And Helen sent the roses to the wounded soldiers at Walter Reed.

[KittyWampus]

148. Did you also give $ to Helen To PAY for sending the roses to Walter Reed?

That was my only, heretofore, unspoken thought about the Random Act of Kindness.

Yes, it's a beautiful gift... but one that probably ended up costing Helen a good chunk of change.

[hwmnbn]

147. If I'm not mistaken .....

the flowers were then donated to Walter Reed hospital. That's where the Iraq wounded are being treated.

So not only did it make Helent Thomas happy, but maybe it brightened the day of a soldier or his family or a nurse on staff.

It seems to me the only one it "displeased" is the OP. That mofo is always so snide.

[alcibiades_mystery]

179. ooooooo...not just THIS time

Long history of snideness.

That's almost a compliment!

[Hutzpa]

8. .

we'all can eat pop-corn then!!


:popcorn:

[carolinalady]

9. Girls love roses--n/t

[alcibiades_mystery]

40. lol

Ooooo...kay?

[cynatnite]

10. Doing it once or twice is fine...

I don't think it's something DU should do on a regular basis.

[helderheid]

11. edited to add

Blessed are the peacemakers. The bounty of beautiful roses from such
wonderful people has lifted my heart and will remain in my memory for the
rest of my life. Thank you for caring that others may live.
Helen Thomas
Columnist, Hearst Newspapers
March 31, 2006

[Cleita]

14. You did a good thing. n/t

[etherealtruth]

28. It was a beautiful gesture ...

I had been away from DU for a while ... I had a little more time and was able to visit DU at the tail end ... it was really lovely.

[HeeBGBz]

72. I thought it was wonderful

A lovely thing to do for a real journalist to let her know how appreciated she is.

[donheld]

83. You did real good -- don't let'em tell you otherwise

[Marie26]

85. Helen was thrilled

And that's all that matters, no?

[goclark]

182. Heiderheid there will always be muchkins

around and we won't worry a bit about them.

YOU did something truly magnificent.

Originally it was done simply to let Helen Thomas know how much we respected her TRUTH to Power stance all these years.

By surprise, it was a way to BE THE MEDIA and not let them push Helen out of the way.

Her Roses story can not be told unless they say WHY she was honored with them.

And, the telling of that story is a tribute to her career and her tribute to us as PEACEMAKERS and TRUTH SEEKERS!

[Just Me]

12. Take it to the "feelings" department. I believe it's called "lounge"

:shrug: What do I know?

[porphyrian]

15. It's not the roses, so much as what they mean to who gets them.

Most women like to get flowers. It's a true generalization, just like you don't want to mess with another guy's dirty laundry. As cheesy/wierd/stupid as it may seem, if it means something big to the person receiving them, more power.

Me, I think a Vienna Sausage drive would be bizarre.

[MadisonProgressive]

16. Yes, you are a cynic. But an honest one...

[Flubadubya]

19. Just for you a_m, a REAL ROSE...

[rodeodance]

20. I saw the teary eyes, the smiles--I saw the hard work they do. Lovely.

[undeterred]

21. We will never have a rose drive for you.

Happy now?

[LittleClarkie]

23. And neither will we have a dinner

Sorry. Red Buttons moment.

[MissWaverly]

24. I thought it was a great idea, a political statement

you think that Team Bush and a lot of snarky critters in Congress weren't lying awake
that night saying that Helen Thomas got a roomful of roses for saying what's the real
reason we went to war with Iraq, this was mainstream idea - roses, these people are centrists not lunatics, like my constituents who wash cars to raise money for the school.
D***n, next they'll be selling candy bars in schools to support the Democratic Party.
How are we going to spin a bunch of roses as a dirty commie pinko idea, if we do a
smear, the florist's PAC will be on our backs.

[Divernan]

25. I'd favor ONE dozen roses and a check to the recipient's favorite charity.

I do love flowers and I put a lot of gardening effort into growing roses, but this effort went way over the top. What's done is done, and I wouldn't say anything at all, except that I'm concerned someone else will try the same thing. I recall contributing to flowers for Senator Byrd's staff, and I'm sure they appreciated the gesture, but let's keep some perspective. In my family, especially at Christmas, our gifts to each other are basically little stocking stuffers, accompanied by cards identifying charities to which we've donated in the "giftee's" names. And we let each other know our charities of choice. In today's economy and under the Bush administration, a lot of good organizations are hurting for donations. Flowers last a few days; cash contributions can have a much longer impact.

You'll probably get really famed, alcibiades, but I think your point needed to be made.

[Catrina]

38. A message was delivered and it was spoken with flowers. Words would

not have had the same impact. Helen Thomas was relegated to the back of the room when Bush took office. That was an ominous message of things to come under this regime. The message was heard loud and clear by the WH press corps as we all know.

Without a free press, from then on, this administration used the compliant media, and the WH press Corps to disseminate their lies for over five years now.

The US made it down to #44 on the annual list that rates the press' ability to speak the truth around the world. The decline was steady since the beginning of this administration.

We have yelled and screamed, some of us in protest have cancelled cable subscriptions, we've threatened to boycott advertisers and emailed complaints day after day, demanding that the press tell us the truth. All to no avail. As a result we got two wars, The Patriot Act, torture, cuts in vital programs for the most needy in our Society and more. All the while the press asked no questions.

We got fake male escort reporters in the WH press corps, and paid pundits. But we never got the truth. We also got Judith Miller, Bob Woodward, CNN went completely over to the right ~

Helen Thomas did not cooperate with the propaganda arm of this regime, but she was not given a voice. Then, last week for some unknown reason, Bush allowed her to ask a question. Rather than emulate her colleagues and use the opportunity to suck up and regain access, she took the opportunity to ask one pertinent question that up to now, had been forbidden. Of course the president didn't answer really, but she persisted and showed him up as he tried to change the subject and fall back on the now familiar propaganda.

When she did that, Americans were thrilled. One question!! The excitement that it produced underscores how bad things have become and had Helen not taken this one opportunity, there would have been no hope of improvement. But she did.

We could have written reams and reams of accolades about her gesture, but we'd have been preaching to the choir, because the MSM would have ignored us, once again.

We sent her emails of appreciation, knowing she was being attacked fiercely for daring to ask this president one real question. We did not want her to think she was alone. She answered them personally ~ but still, that didn't reach those who needed to be reached.

And then Clarity thought of sending her roses, dozens of them. The beauty of the gesture, the colors, the pictures spoke volumes to other reporters who were too cowardly to back her up that day by taking her lead and asking follow-up questions. Helen's flowers hopefully gave them some idea of how we feel about them, how we despise them for not doing their jobs.

The message the roses sent was worth millions and millions of words we might have said or written ~ and hopefully jolted a few of the media psychophants and made them realize who they are supposed to be working for.

Members of Congress also, no doubt got the message when they opened the Hill and saw the message in the pictures of Helen, surrounded by roses which said to all of them 'shame on you all' and to Helen 'thank you for your courage and dedication to telling the truth and holding politicians accountable'.

Charitable donations are a great idea, but in this case, this message hopefully will contribute to the taking back of this country, and with that, begin to restore all that has been stolen, such as Medical care for all Americans, protection of their environment, etc.

So imo, a few hundred dollars sent to a charity would be gone in no time. Helen's message in Roses was in a way, worth much, much more in the long run. A sort of down-payment on the future that will affect way more than just a few. At least that's how I saw it. I thought it was a beautiful and very effective way to be heard at last. :-)

[Mojorabbit]

78. I disagree

I've told my husband that one day before I die I want a room just full of flowers and I want to sit in the middle of them. To each his own I guess. :)

[baby_mouse]

27. Do you have any real opinions at ALL? NT.

[alcibiades_mystery]

39. I dunno, do I? n/t

[NMDemDist2]

29. it's a girl thing

and it was a beautiful gesture, I was proud to be a part of it,

but that's the last one for me. too many candidate and good cause PACs to support this year

[LibDemAlways]

30. I'm not going to flame you, but no one

forced anyone to contribute. All donations were voluntary and the roses apparently made Helen's day. Plus, they brought some beauty into the lives of the patients at Walter Reed. So they served a couple of good purposes.

Helen receives vile e-mails from extremely hateful slimeballs. I hope the roses helped put in perspective for her that there are people out there who recognize her courage and tenacity, and just wanted to find a way to say a big, well-deserved "thank you."

[Caoimhe]

31. She sent the roses to Walter Reed Hospital

for wounded vets. Now, you better believe that those wounded boys and girls got word of how and where those roses came from! Think of it as a gift that gives more than once!

[leftstreet]

32. The flowers probably should have gone to Bush

In appreciation for FINALLY calling on a journalist he recognizes as a critic. If he hadn't done it, she couldn't have asked her questions and none of this would have happened.

[anitar1]

115. Just order stems for *, clip off the flowers. Stems with lots of thorns.

[mondo joe]

33. It reminds me of throwing a work bash for someone. The first time is

really cool. So you say hey, let's do it again. Then by the 4th time it starts to become a chore. And then it gets worse.

[sandnsea]

34. Every petal is a person,

I disagree. I think sometimes we need a visual impact, that we're real and out here. On occasion, it's a good thing.

I didn't send roses, but I did participate when the Kerry forum bought a brick at the Intrepid rehabilitation center. So not everybody just sends flowers. I'm sure others have done similar fund raisers in honor of those they respect too.

[renate]

35. I thought it was lovely, in two ways:

It made Helen's day, and she deserved that wonderful surprise and expression of affection and respect.

And it was a nice group act of kindness, the kind of thing that makes a community feel a little more like a real community and not just a group of random people.

I didn't know she gave the roses to Walter Reed--that makes it lovely in three ways.

I didn't actually contribute so I can't take any credit for the good feelings this project created either here or in Helen's office, but I was proud to be associated with people who were kind and selfless enough to make donations, put in the work of arranging the flowers, and just generally taking the time to make the day of a woman who has been fighting an uphill battle for truth.

[Catherine Vincent]

36. Well that's your opinion.

But I thought it was a great idea. And it's even better if it happens without organization....Janet Reno comes to mind. Now that was the bomb!

[alcibiades_mystery]

45. Why yes, it is

:shrug:

[sepia_steel]

41. WONDERFUL show of support, but,

I hope DU doesn't do it too often, and I agree with others that supporting charities is a better idea (even if I do ADORE the idea of making someone's day with flowers when they've earned it). Let's put our dollars to lasting use. I certianly don't hold it against anyone who participated; I loved it when we gave roses to Senator Boxer, too. I appreciate alcibade's honesty and he or she (sorry) DOES have a point.

The unity felt when this stuff happens is AWESOME... :toast:

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

43. What's Dumb To One, Can Be One Of The Most Touching Experiences To Another

As is the case here. You may think it was dumb, and that's ok. But to another, it was one of the most touching and endearing experiences of her career and meant the world to her. We brought tears of joy, inspiration and touched the heart of a lifelong patriot.

Nothing dumb about that.

[Beelzebud]

46. I'm going to stick my neck out, and agree with you.

I stated as much during the Helen drive.

Should these people get "treats" for simply doing their jobs?

[Carni]

151. In her case though she has been doing her job all along

Helen because of her age and years of service (not to mention the fact that she was the first woman in the press corps) is special IMO.

In her case she earned every petal and then some--I cannot think of any other journalist that I would say that about...even the few good ones haven't been doing this for 60 years, or whatever she has.

[geniph]

47. Whassamatta, nobody sent you any this VD?

Who peed in your cornflakes?

[alcibiades_mystery]

49. The fact that you call Valentine's Day "VD" is curious enough

Can't a guy just think and say that rose drives are fucking stupid without being accused of slurping urine with his cereal?

[file83]

106. Of course a guy can say that - but what's your point?

You just come across as a whiner, but a guy can do that!

I mean, who gets jealous of an old lady getting roses from her fans? LOL!

Helen Thomas is a 85 year old woman and she's pulling some bad ass kung-fu moves against Bush, which we ALL appreciate and enjoy watching, so what's wrong with sending the senior citizen some roses?

You can say anything you want, but YOU KNOW and WE KNOW that the popcorn meant you were hoping to start a controversy.

It looks like you can declare:

[alcibiades_mystery]

107. Oh well

:popcorn:

[Alamom]

52. I thought it was a wonderful gesture due to who she is,

her age, (anyone still working at that age in her occupation is amazing) and the reason we did it. Finding out (later) she gets a lot nasty hate mail and knowing the flowers would go to the hospital, made it more special.

I don't think it should be a regular thing, but for a special person doing something we all have wanted done....YES.

I was proud to be part of it and will again if someone "Stands Up" and does something that no one else has had the courage to do.

[Jigarotta]

53. whose Rose, a bad golfer? nt

[helderheid]

54. Now watch this drive!

[alcibiades_mystery]

59. Rose Mulligan: In in nine

;-)

[Generic Other]

55. The roses symbolized each one of us

Proof that we exist. We are not invisible.

In evil times, there is no shame in action, only in smugness and complacency. Which have you exhibited? Please share with us those brave acts of defiance you have engaged in since Bush came into power.

[alcibiades_mystery]

57. Buying roses is a brave act of defiance?

I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours?

[Generic Other]

64. I find a way every day to say "FUCK YOU" to Bush

[alcibiades_mystery]

65. You're really stickin' it to the Man

[Generic Other]

66. I find a way to say "FUCK YOU" to Bush every day (sometimes twice)

What do you do?

[Generic Other]

67. Still waiting to hear about your brave deeds, Mr. A

You can start listing your accomplishments anytime.

[Generic Other]

74. Waiting...

Must be a long list of accomplishments. I'm sure you've written letters, rung doorbells, marched in protests, called your legislators, hung signs, given speeches, interviews, written LTTE, debated candidates. I have. Thanks to the encouragement of other DUers, I have actually developed a confident and strong political voice in the past five years.

I'm not afraid to say I try every day in any way to say "FUCK YOU" to Bush.

Forgive me. I digress. You were listing your own personal accomplishments in the struggle some of us are waging.

Carry on.

[alcibiades_mystery]

90. LOL

I'm still waiting to hear yours! Calling your legislators is now a brave act of defiance? :rofl: Our standards for bravery have truly dropped.

Besides, your implied claim - that because I think the roses are silly, I undertake no political activism - is presumptuous at best, downright illogical at worst. It simply doesn't follow. For the record, I've probably done everything in your list there. Well, not the interviews, with the exception of one on-the-street interview for NPR's marketplace, but that was totally random. Just not the roses, which I don't take to be a "brave act of defiance" in any case.

[Generic Other]

160. I try and say "FUCK YOU" to Bush in some way every day

So far I haven't seen any evidence of what you've done other than what I see you doing to help liberal causes on DU which is very little other than denigrating the efforts of others.

Let's see some specific evidence that you have done anything but "criticize" the rest of us because you don't think our actions rise to the level of true activism.

You cause more damage to liberal causes with your attitude than a dozen Bill O'Reilly's.

[Beaverhausen]

56. You know she sent the roses to the wounded soldiers at Walter Reed, right?

I feel sorry for anyone who is romantically involved with you.

[alcibiades_mystery]

58. Ah, the old "I feel sorry for your wife/husband/lover" gambit

First developed as internet insult in the pre-internet days, circa 1982. A bit stale, but if it's the best you can do.

Besides, my wife and I were laughing at the roses thing together when I showed her the pictures. Hell, she's more cynical than I am, and an ultra-feminist to boot. The whole "girls like flowers" thing would make her gag, I suspect. ;-)

[Beaverhausen]

61. so if you don't like it don't get involved-why are you being so negative?

what is your f-ing problem?

[alcibiades_mystery]

63. Oh relax

Really, yo.

[helderheid]

68. Do you have to patronize? I mean really - you did start this whole thing &

you insulted beaverhausen - what did you expect?

Blessed are the peacemakers. The bounty of beautiful roses from such
wonderful people has lifted my heart and will remain in my memory for the
rest of my life. Thank you for caring that others may live.
Helen Thomas
Columnist, Hearst Newspapers
March 31, 2006

[Libby2]

75. I suspect that's not all that makes her gag.

:P

[alcibiades_mystery]

92. aaaa, a clever variation of the "I-feel-sorry-for-your-X" gambit

Well played! :thumbsup:

[Der Blaue Engel]

98. Well this ultra-feminist likes flowers

I was just thinking about this on the way home as I walked past a beautiful display of roses. It always makes me feel just a little bit sad whenever I see roses because I've never had a partner who understood what an important gesture it is to me to receive them and so I never get them.

I can't tell you why it means so much, but it does, and I know that it does to a lot of women. Being a feminist or not has nothing to do with it.

[Left Is Write]

69. You know what? I didn't participate in the roses for Helen, but...

I don't see anything wrong with it, or anything stupid for that matter. What's wrong with letting this woman know that her efforts to get the truth do not go unnoticed and that those efforts are appreciated? God knows the media in this country today needs more gutsy questioners like Helen.

[quinnox]

70. Now there are rose appreciation drives on Du everywhere

I don't mind the rose drive as a one time thing, or done rarely, but now Duers are saying we should give roses to every Dem or celebrity that says something they like in the recent news. This is getting silly!

[crispini]

71. I thought it was beautiful.

I think it is very trying to be a public figure sometimes, and brickbats are probably flung at her daily. A warm note and a dozen or so roses would be remembered for a week and forgotten. But she will remember her thousand roses for the rest of her lifetime, as an appreciation from her public for a job well done, for an honest and outspoken career. And every time she thinks of her thousand roses it will warm her heart to think of all of these sincere strangers who appreciated her life and work enough to sent her a roomful of flowers.

[frustrated_lefty]

73. Stupid or not,

a gesture of support to Helen Thomas is hard to find fault with.

Hemorrhaging flowers at whatever shiny new personality catches your attention for the moment.... borders on Kafka-esque.

*shrug*

[Beausoir]

76. Former florist's take....roses are so ridiculously overpriced.

I loved that Helen Thomas was thrilled with her roses.

But it does bother me that the money spent on those overpriced roses could have been used to feed a family for a month. I'm betting she would have liked that even better.

Roses are NEVER a good value for the money.

[helderheid]

77. can't we do both? We've proven how a small group can raise money

fast - why not do a project a month? 1 month for Katrina, another for AIDS research - you get my drift. It doesn't have to be all or nothing. I'm dropping some money in Feingold's PAC later.

[Beausoir]

79. We certainly can! I choose to donate locally.

I can't really explain why except to say that every dollar I contribute here, in my little teeny hamlet in northern Minnesota will be used by my wonderful neighbors who are not as lucky as I am.

I also donate whenever and whatever I can to a wonderful adoption agency down in Houston called Alternatives In Motion. They are good people who help feed, house and educate pregnant women and their children. Mostly Latina and African American women who are in serious need of a helping hand.
For this agency...it's not really about adoption. It's about helping women and children who are in a really rough situation. Alternatives even runs their own food shelf....right out of their office.

[JI7]

80. what has being a cynic and high school got ot do with this ?

nobody is forced to participate or even begged to. people voluntarily do it because they want to. those who don't participate aren't being attacked or anything.

it's just a way of people to express themselves. i just don't see what the problem is.

again, i don't know what high school or being a cynic has to do with this.

[alcibiades_mystery]

93. I don't get it either

Is being forced to do something the minimum condition for stating that something is silly?

[druidity33]

145. you said "stupid" not silly...

and i think that's a very important distinction here. You're being harshly critical of GOOD people here who were trying to do something POSITIVE for a GOOD person... then you start a NEGATIVE thread calling people BAD names, and you say your not trying to create fire. I suspect you have a personal issue with sentimentality.

What's that old saying about idle hands?...


Would you do this (see below) or is that too sappy for you?

[Marie26]

81. Roses for A_M!

Who's in? Just think how annoyed he would be.

[Steve A Play]

87. Crabgrass might be more appropriate!

:)

[hfojvt]

117. I was thinking

raspberries :P

[alcibiades_mystery]

94. I'd treasure them forever

I'd plant them in the local landfill, and watch them flourish with the diapers and spent cans of Febreeze. Think of the poetic juxtaposition. :-)

[donheld]

82. Did someone make you participate?

Nobody forced me to give money for roses. If you don't like them ignore them.

[donheld]

84. A rose just for you

[Bluebear]

86. I think a lot of things people do are 'dumb' but hold my tongue about it

When someone works so hard to do something that they feel is worthwhile and you categorize it days later as "shit", well let's say you're not tres sensitive. JMHO

[alcibiades_mystery]

97. Guilty

[Bluebear]

108. A++

for the graphics :)

:toast:

[asthmaticeog]

88. Me likey you.

:thumbsup:

[Thtwudbeme]

124. You very well might have found your DU cyber soul mate

here. I hope you two are very happy together.

[asthmaticeog]

158. I'll drink to that. Care to join me?

Hope it's not too early for you. :toast:

[RandomKoolzip]

89. I TOTALLY agree with you.

I can see how sending roses to Helen Thomas was a touching gesture, but once is enough. What, are we gonna send enormous bouquets of flowers to every media figure who ever says anything we agree with? Whose bank account is deep enough to continue this practice? Are we gonna raise money through DU to achieve this dead end? After a while, will the constant rose drives become just another empty gesture? If websites on the right start sending rose bouquets to media figures THEY admire, are we gonna shit all over their "genuine" affection? Is it gonna become a competition, seeing which political faction can "out-shmoopie" each other? I already spend more than I ought to on the politicians I like, the groups I admire, and the websites I support. Fucking flowers?! Nuh-uh.

Helen Thomas is a great woman. I admire her courage and her tenacity. Honoring her with a room full of flowers was a beautiful way of showing our support. I smiled when I read about it, and got emotional seeing her picture, surrounded by all those roses.

We shouldn't cheapen that moment by pushing for a sequel.

[Bluebear]

91. 'We shouldn't cheapen that moment by pushing for a sequel.'

That I tend to agree with. It's not the flower of the month club, after all. But I think this thread is insensitive to those who championed the Helen project.

[RandomKoolzip]

95. I think "The Helen Project" was superb.

It was a delightful symbolic act, and it worked.

But it can only be done once, like Daffy Duck's vaudeville act.

[CanuckAmok]

109. HAHAHA

Oh my god.... I was thinking about the exact same analogy, and *BOOM* (to turn a phrase), there it was: "Daffy Duck's vaudeville act".

You're the king, and so am I!

[Carni]

152. I agree with you eom

[leftstreet]

105. The gesture was fine. It was the publicity that bothered me.

I didn't understand why people wanted to do it, but I respected their right to do so. What concerned me was the way a few off-DU sources picked up the story. The DU certainly doesn't need to have its collective activism summed up by its ability to send flowers.

Before you know it, you're drowning in the sloshed lattes of Cheap Lettuce Liberals.

Sigh. If only DUers could make the news by placing 2,000+ dead US soldier crosses in their local malls.

[helderheid]

157. The publicity was to highlight that she is doing her job - something that

most in journalism do not do anymore. It shines another big bright light on the question she asked too, not to mention PNAC.

[alcibiades_mystery]

96. "Out-schmoopie"!!!

:rofl:

Perfect. Wish I'd said it. :thumbsup:

[RandomKoolzip]

99. Thanks, and I just recommended this thread.

Your 250 bouquets of roses are in the mail, sir. :loveya:

[incapsulated]

100. Um, the roses for Helen *was* the sequel

It was first done for Boxer, remember?

Other than that, I agree with you. Boxer then Helen was fine. Good job, nice thing to do for two very deserving heroines. But really, let's spend our collective money where it will make a difference in the future. There are plenty of candidates who desperately need support right now, if you like a particular politician, they have PACs that support them, too.

[RandomKoolzip]

101. Oops. Me forget.

Early-onset Alheimer's. :blush:

Anyway, roses die after a few days, while a new liberal think tank could last for decades.

[incapsulated]

102. Amen.

I liked them for Helen because she's spent decades earning it. Boxer made a courageous stand. But now it's getting silly with people wanting to do it for their personal favorites, especially knowing what that money really could do, with the elections this year.

[JI7]

112. actually, the first time was for Robert Byrd

i think people decide to do this not just based on one random instance of agreement, but a history of it.

even others being proposed like Feingold aren't just about censure. it's about more.

compared to the entire DU community i'm sure those who actually parcticipate with sending money for it is very small. but those who do it most likely do it because of their appreciation for what that person has done for a long period.

[Carni]

154. But really what the hell will Russ Feingold do with a room fulla roses?

I am sorry I think that's silly -- why not organize a drive to put money in his election coffers in one lump sum from his DU supporters, or something?

I highly doubt Russ F would be all that thrilled with the PR associated with receiving a room full of roses.

[indie_voter]

172. ITA. n/t

[file83]

103. I can't believe you said that WITHOUT wearing this...

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING :popcorn:

[incapsulated]

104. VERY well done, indeed!

Two thumbs up!!

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

:rofl:

[Cats Against Frist]

159. LOL!!!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[CanuckAmok]

110. Hey, we've been tolerating your pro-not giving roses agenda for years.

I think it's time to get to the root of the problem, bud. Unless you'd rather just leaf this alone.

Hey, just pollen your leg. Now go petal your papers.

[incapsulated]

111. This whole thread smells...

No, you're schmoopie!

[Canuckistanian]

113. On balance, I think it was good

I won't bore you with "any publicity is good publicity", but a mention in The Hill and driving the freepers batshit insane was enough to satisfy me.

[BigBearJohn]

114. Spoken like a true Republican. Welcome to my ignore list.

[alcibiades_mystery]

131. Quelle Dommage

:eyes:

[Thtwudbeme]

133. Caput tuum in ano est

:eyes:

[alcibiades_mystery]

135. Aaaaw, that's sweet

Thanks. :rofl:

[Thtwudbeme]

136. well, I thought you would appreciate that more than roses

[alcibiades_mystery]

139. I especially dig the language switch

:eyes:

[Thtwudbeme]

141. You are the only one allowed to switch languages on this thread?

?

How odd; I thought a serious person such as yourself with no time for frivolous good intentional gestures would have had the time to master several languages.

Je regrette

[alcibiades_mystery]

175. Well, non je ne regrette rien

I have plenty of time for frivolity, even Latin.

Then again, res severa verum gaudium, no?

[rman]

116. I think anti rose drives are dumb

not that there are many of those

[mirandapriestly]

121. lol

[Mythsaje]

118. I'm trying to figure out

why you'd wait several days to post something so negative about something positive a bunch of people did to lift the spirits of one little old lady who's shown a lot more nerve than most of our elected officials.

It was a symbolic gesture to counter all the negative shit the woman was likely to get for her brave stand.

I didn't participate, but I sure as hell won't denigrate the effort. I'm just wondering what you get out of doing so.

[Bluebear]

119. Hey you

Welcome back. I'm delighted to see you.

[Mythsaje]

120. Thanks, Bluebear...

I needed a short break to regain some sense of balance. That way I can read a thread like this without my head exploding. :D

[RoyGBiv]

122. Attention ...

Worked too.

[alcibiades_mystery]

137. I posted it cuz I've since seen three or four roses calls

For McKinney, for Kerry, for someone or other else. And it has to be said.

I get to "denigrate" whatever I damn well please. Called free speech, see? Why would I? In this case, because I think a silly gesture to begin with is getting out of hand. My only role is the guy laughing with his buddies in the corner at all the ridiculous earnestness, and I like that role. Don't like it yourself? Too bad. Just as many here have advised me to simply ignore the roses threads, it would seem that you could simply ignore the anti-roses threads. Or, you could comment onb them. I choose the latter, you can make your own choice.

[pecwae]

123. Good grief!

A kind act is weirdo-ism and bizarre? Don't like it, don't participate, but denigrating the effort in public is nothing to be proud of.

[Thtwudbeme]

125. I think posts like this are even dumber

This is just a ridiculous snarky post, and I am curious to know why it hasn't been deleted yet.

[dogday]

128. I am tired of members crapping on

other members efforts here... You do nothing, that's fine, don't insult those who try to make this world a better place

[Thtwudbeme]

130. yep

especially over sending roses. I bet he cringes when he passes the Hallmark card section of the grocery store too....

[alcibiades_mystery]

132. You damn skippy

Actually, it'd be more a shudder...

[Festivito]

126. You know it's not exactly dumb.

At the end of our lives we will never look back and regret our extravagances.
Flowers for Helen were appropriate.
So many?
That could be questioned.

Flowers for everyone, everything?
No, not apropos.

Flowers for no one, ever?
No, not that either.

You know that it's not so dumb.
Say what you really mean.

[progressoid]

127. !!!

:thumbsup: :hi:

[Lochloosa]

129. I think this picture blows your argument out the window!

[alcibiades_mystery]

134. How so?

My argument doesn't depend on whether the person receiving the roses liked them or not. Utterly beside the point.

[GOPFighter]

138. I think you would change your mind if...

If you are really serious about your post, I think you would change your mind if you could have been in the room when Helen Thomas walked in. I was there. She was truly overwhelmed by the gesture. Since you weren't there and I was, take my word for it - this was NOT Dumb!

[Thtwudbeme]

140. I think you missed the gist of this post.

The poster has explained to numerous posters that he doesn't give a damn about how the recipient of nice gestures feel.

This is all about him/her. Basically, it's a callous egocentric "I think" post that is a waste of everyone's time. That said, I am on it because I am avoiding studying Latin, and procrastinating like hell.

Rats...I really need to go.

btw----the roses were gorgeous, Helen was thrilled, and you should put this whole thread on "ignore" and go about your day blissfully ignorant that people like this are running around with a little black cloud over the Hallmark store in their soul.

[alcibiades_mystery]

142. Gaaaaah....that's good

:rofl:

Big waste of time, for all involved...:rofl:

[Thtwudbeme]

143. it is, dear

you sound like a mean spirited little soul...and I am really out of time for this. I really have been just using your thread to procrastinate...but, must sign off.

I don't know where you will go when you leave DU, but good luck to you in whatever you do.

[alcibiades_mystery]

170. Me, leave? Never!

;-)

[GOPFighter]

183. Don't you have anything better to do?

Trim you toenails? Pick the lint off your shirt? Watch grass grow? Snicker at little old ladies cross a busy street?

[AirmensMom]

144. Like I used to tell my girls ...

If a guy doesn't get it about flowers, it's a waste of time to try to explain it. Fortunately, they married guys who get it.

I think it was a lovely gesture.

[movie_girl99]

146. the STFU and don't donate...n/t

[qanda]

149. What I dont understand

Is why be antagonistic? You could have made your point without being juvenile and calling names and perhaps people would have been a little more open to what you are trying to say.

[alcibiades_mystery]

176. But it would have been less fun

You know?

[IsIt1984Yet]

153. Why not take the same funds raised for flowers and donate to a charity

in the person's name?

I like that idea far better.

[Generic Other]

162. Why don't you organize some fund raising activity then?

Quit denigrating others' efforts when you have none to show for yourself.

[IsIt1984Yet]

167. Holy cow. Relax. I hardly was "denigrating others"..

And FYI... I AM the top fundraiser for the local fundraiser for the local ACS event.

I was making a suggestion, not "denigrating".

Bit defensive??

[IsIt1984Yet]

168. Denigrate:

"charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone"

I NEVER questioned the intent nor attacked others. You seem to be by implying that I have and that I am a hypocrite by making the suggestion.

Seriously, what the fuck?

[stubertmcfly]

155. I completely agree...

...and they are a waste of money. I think that we should not spend money on dead flowers but do something more constructive: find out what any given recipient's favorite charity is and donate to them instead of wasting money on flowers.

[Generic Other]

163. I t was our money to waste

How much did it cost you?

[shenmue]

156. I thought it was sweet

And she gave the flowers to Walter Reed patients.

Do you kick babies or something?

[Cats Against Frist]

161. Thanks for taking one for the team, dude

You don't know how many times I've wanted to post this same thing, but didn't feel that I was ready to take the heat. I, being a long-time detractor of sentimental bullshit, also think that the rose drives are pretty silly, and a waste of time and money.

That said, a happy medium is in order, so I'll tentatively agree with the "once is enough" or "one dozen is enough" people, though my better instincts are to go against the whole enterprise. I'm sort of torn, but what I find the silliest is how whenever someone brings out the "Febreeze," as it were, to quash the odor of over-the-top sentimentality, the same sentimentals get all nuclear-devil-nazi-freak-fire in one's face. Your behavior, in the deluge of it, has been nothing but grand. Cynicism is sexy.

[alcibiades_mystery]

178. Cheers, baby

:toast:

(I knew there had to be others out there...;-))

[Neil Lisst]

164. I've always assumed the Florist lobby was behind it.

[Generic Other]

165. Let's pin a medal on the person who started this thread

[alcibiades_mystery]

173. Clever

:eyes:

[Puglover]

166. Cynic? LOL..you're no cynic.

You're simply mean spirited. Your comment about "laughing at the earnestness" pretty much gives that up. You're the "cool guy" above it all. LOL, And I actually agree with your point, enough with the roses. But I don't feel the need to put other folks down who worked hard on making something good happen.

[sweetheart]

169. Have you ever gotten a big generous bouquet of flowers?

Expecially if you weren't expecting it, it is a joyful
gift, one that leaves lots of good smells around,
uptlifting feelings. What a great way to say

*good*happy*smile*hug*excellent*awesome*love*

The person then gets a fresh breath to overcome the
rightwing abuse they're probably taking. And likely
they'll have a bit of a tear in their eye for joys sake.

But i agree about drives... it has to be by suprise,
or inspiration.

[nini]

174. Just shut the door to your mom's basement and go back

to nintendo and other life altering tasks.

Leave the human decency and gratitude to others. Seriously, the fact something like this deserves a snarky thread tells volumes about you.

:eyes:

[alcibiades_mystery]

177. I was waiting for the "Mom's basement" gambit

It usually follows directly on the "I feel sorry for your wife" gambit. This time it took a bit longer, but you're definitely the winner on that flame. Congrats.

[Gregorian]

180. There's a time and a place.

I tend to agree with you. But Helen Thomas is an 85 year old dedicated woman who put her entire life into her work. Bandwagons in general are a bit lame. If we start dumping roses on everyone, it loses it's impact. This was one of those times and places. And it worked beautifully.

Edit- And it was more than that. We could have spent our money on something more productive, but it was a public statement.

[realisticphish]

181. See

I agree that rose drive don't appeal to me. I also understand that some people think it's a great idea. And that's fine.

I ALSO think that what happened in this thread is vastly hippocritcal. Did the OP come into your rose drive threads and say this? Nope (As far as i know). So don't come in here and say, "if you don't like it, don't participate."

If you don't like this thread, or the OP, then don't participate.

[Shakespeare]

184. Well, aren't you just a big old turd in the punchbowl.

:eyes:

1. It made Ms. Thomas very happy; that's always a good thing.

2. The flowers were then sent over to Walter Reed, where presumably they brightened the day of a lot of injured soldiers.

Yeah, that's really something you should be throwing all your energy into to be outraged about.

:eyes:

[Midlodemocrat]

185. I am going to lock this.

I fear the bloom is off the rose.

Thank you.

DU Moderator.

[Midlodemocrat]

186. Locking.

Again.

Thank you.

DU Moderator.