Infomercials, FUD... time?

Despite all our word-of-mouth and -of-net efforts, the general public knows
little or nothing about the Clipper issue.  Perhaps it's time to let them
know what's going on... not in an article buried on the third page (?) of the
New York Times, not in an article on page 30 of Time Magazine, but in some
way which lets them know the real facts.

I suggest that we air an infomercial, or series thereof, urging the citizens
of the US to protest.  Phone calls to religious groups, special-interest
newsletters, and even mainstream newscasters would also be a help.

Most of us cypherpunks have little income.  A few, such as Winston Timothy
C. May, have enough for an infomercial or two.  But there is supposedly an
industry coalition headed by Novell to oppose Clipper.  Is there anyone here
who can successfully solicit these companies for money?

I don't know enough details to do this.  I don't know the cost of a half-hour
infomercial on a national network at 11:00 at night.  But I know it can be
bought.

I don't know which companies are involved in the coalition.  Nor do I know
how committed they are.  But I suspect we could raise enough money... and we
do have a number of experienced public speakers and broadcasters among us.

If the public knows the facts, just the known, confirmed facts, many of them
will be outraged.  The response that a single half-hour infomercial could
produce in a nation of 260 million would make the puny tens of thousands of 
votes on the CPSR petition look insignificant... as indeed they are.

C'mon folks... what's stopping us?

Kragen

On Thu, 24 Feb 1994, Kragen J. Sittler wrote:

> I suggest that we air an infomercial, or series thereof, urging the citizens
> of the US to protest.  Phone calls to religious groups, special-interest
> newsletters, and even mainstream newscasters would also be a help.

calling the 700 club would be a good start for religious groups they 
already dislike the Clipper chip

> Most of us cypherpunks have little income.  A few, such as Winston Timothy
> C. May, have enough for an infomercial or two.  But there is supposedly an
> industry coalition headed by Novell to oppose Clipper.  Is there anyone here
> who can successfully solicit these companies for money?

what about pooling our resources, im sure we have enough subscribers that 
might like to DONATE money for info-mercials. Hell, im not rich but i can 
spare some dollars for this

> I don't know enough details to do this.  I don't know the cost of a half-hour
> infomercial on a national network at 11:00 at night.  But I know it can be
> bought.

howabout some time on CNN and FCN??
> 
> I don't know which companies are involved in the coalition.  Nor do I know
> how committed they are.  But I suspect we could raise enough money... and we
> do have a number of experienced public speakers and broadcasters among us.
> 
> If the public knows the facts, just the known, confirmed facts, many of them
> will be outraged.  The response that a single half-hour infomercial could
> produce in a nation of 260 million would make the puny tens of thousands of 
> votes on the CPSR petition look insignificant... as indeed they are.
> 
> C'mon folks... what's stopping us?

The government could try :-)
> Kragen
> 



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