[LINK] Librarians against Bush

[Bernard Robertson-Dunn]

And then there is:

Sex for democracy
By Patrick Gray
July 24, 2004
Icon
SMH
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/07/23/1090464851800.html

Some argue fighting for peace is like fornicating for virginity but it took
US online activists the Carbon Defence League to twist that around. In a
unique anti-Republican campaign, the group has committed itself to beating
President George W. Bush by, well, let's just say an unique online
approach.

If you thought being a conservative was unlikely to draw the amorous
attentions of small "l" liberals, think again. CDL is offering its "models"
up to Republican voters to help "swing" the electorate, and, yes, the pun
is intended. In CDL's latest online culture-jamming piece-de-resistance,
conservative voters will be offered sexual favours in exchange for signing
a pledge to vote for anyone but Dubya at the country's November
presidential poll.

CDL, if you don't remember, is behind re-code.com, an online database of
bar codes for everyday supermarket items. Visitors can download them, print
them on to stickers and place them on top of existing bar codes, hence
replacing the more expensive, real prices (The cost of satire, Icon, May
8).

It was intended as a humorous backlash against the "name-your-own-price"
marketing slogan of Priceline.com, but wound up landing CDL members in a
pile of, well, "cease-and-desist". It seems the likes of Kellogs and
supermarket chain Wal-Mart didn't find it funny.

Outraging corporate America isn't enough for these characters. They're done
with corporations and conservatives are next, if a quick tour of their new
website is any indication. Provoking a fierce response from the hard right
isn't likely to bother CDL ringleader Nathan Martin. He told Icon it's all
a part of the plan.

"I am expecting a moral backlash from the Christian right. In fact, we are
inviting it," he says, adding his group has sent press releases to several
prominent right-wing broadcasters, including Jerry Falwell.

You may remember this guy; he was the one who went on telly on September
14, 2001, in the wake of 9.11, and said: "I really believe that the pagans,
and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians ...
all of them who have tried to secularise America. I point the finger in
their face and say, 'You helped this happen'." Smooth. We will have to wait
and see if Falwell will smile and warm-heartedly chuckle at CDL's gentle
ribbing of his moral absolutism but it seems unlikely.

Martin insists the project is aimed at showing what little value Americans
place on their votes. These days, he says, many voters will simply go for
the better-looking candidate. "CDL contends that with such frivolous
reasons for voting, why not give voters a more legitimate reward for
voting?" Martin asks. "Since giving money is illegal, why not the next best
thing that all politicians know and love themselves: sex?"

It's hard to tell when these guys are serious. Martin insists the CDL will
be preparing for the Republican national convention, which starts on August
30, in its specially modified bus.

"We are planning our bus modification now which will include a
rear-deploying rollout bed and mattress for our models to pose on," he
says. CDL, Martin says, will also be patenting a special mesh condom, "for
sex with liberals to promote liberal offspring".

So far, the website boasts eight models prepared to drop their pants in the
name of anti-Republicanism. www.fthevote.com, which, believe us, is
suitable for adults only, and open-minded ones at that, was launched on
July 4.

Having already contacted adult "talent" agencies, the next step is to sign
up as many models as possible. "We put out a call for models to about 20
people and 10 adult entertainment talent agents," Martin explains. "I have
heard back from a few porn actors and actresses; we have yet to finalise
any deals."

Then comes the merchandise. "We have [talked] with several potential
sponsors. That might result in merchandise that we will be giving away
through a series of contests on the site." So will Martin bring the concept
to Australia? "We might be able to [swing] Australia but we'll need some
high-profile models. Maybe the cast of Neighbours."

--
President Bush announced tonight that he believes in democracy and that
democracy can exist in Iraq. They can have a strong economy, they can have
a good health care plan, and they can have a free and fair voting. Iraq? We
can't even get this in Florida. 
-- Jay Leno

Regards
brd

Bernard Robertson-Dunn
Canberra Australia
brd at austarmetro.com.au