Hanging Trevor Out to Dry
Posted December 6th, 2007 by freemarketeer
output
I just have to get this off my chest. I am appalled by the lack of support for the blimp project by the people who pledged to donate.
Trevor Lyman has done remarkable things for this campaign--more than the official campaign has in my opinion.
On good faith, based on the amount of pledges, he has gone to an unbelievable amount of work to get the blimp project pulled together...and has come up with an intelligent, creative solution. Yet he has been abandoned by many of the people who pledged.
This could be such a huge media opportunity, and it is getting wasted. Moreover, the traditional press will milk the blimp's failure to fly. Mark my words.
Grumble.
Bookmark/Search this post with:
Somebody do a new youtube for the blimp.
I don't know how, but here's your song:
http://www.youtube.com/wa...
I donated my pledge amount
I donated my pledge amount yesterday.
Tapped out
I'd love to donate more but the government takes too much of my money. It's all I can do to give to the Tea Party. Sorry.
Form into PEACE SYMBOL below blimp
At the rallies, I hope to see the people form into messages while the media rides in the blimp.
What if we formed into a PEACE SYMBOL below the blimp with several hundred people.
If you are going to help organize this, please bring some inexpensive candles for the people to mourn with and be more visible. Who wants to make it happen?
Finally got my donation to go through
I gave it one last attempt to get my donation in and it worked.
Ok guys the blimp only has about $45,000 left to go i hope my generous donation was appreciated.
Now can we stop attacking others please?
Dr. Steve Parent
We all appreciate you Doc!
I gave a good bit too, because I could and I can also give a lot on the 16th. I think we are all trying our best and some have gotten carried away over the blimp. Bravo for those of us who have the means to do the 16th and the Blimp and Five for Five and 30 days to Iowa, and do. And Bravo for those who go door to door and spread the word too! We all Rock!!!
"These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman." -Thomas Paine
Google probably will not buy
Google probably will not buy time on the blimp for that could be considered an endorsement by google for Ron Paul.
The campaign could buy time on it for it is a for profit company that would be making the public aware of Ron Paul just like TV and Direct mail and newspaper.
If Ron Paul really wants the blimp to fly if they fall short he will make it happen.
I hope the blimp does fly and to be honest i tried to donate for 3 days to no avail as i am sure many others have too. I have lost my patience with trying to donate any more.
Dr. Steve Parent
Steve, I've been thinking about this. It may be legal.
At first glance, this might appear to be true, but consider this:
Google advertising on the blimp is not really supporting RP, but is supporting Google.
For example, the blimp could say: "Web search Ron Paul", or "Yahoo Ron Paul" (OK, that one could be misinterpreted :-) or "MSN Search Ron Paul".
This might be a key way to get the blimp funded after the first month.
Now it's too late to do anything, and they have no leverage (since they have to make the banner and get the thing into the air in 4 days). But as I understand it, they changed from decals to banners, so they can change the message if they want to do a month #2.
They can then go to the search engines and say - look guys, we have a blimp here, and it's saying GOOGLE Ron Paul. Mr. Gates, would you give us 500 K to say MSN Search Live Ron Paul?
In this event, the corporations are not donating to support the political advertising message -they are supporting their own companies, and I think this may well be legal.
In any case, this will be a lot easier to do after the first month - by then the blimp will have been up and will be a big hit. And it MIGHT take the pressure off of individual donations to keep it flying.
This is a GREAT IDEA in fact ! (Do I get my free blimp ride now?)
The official Ron Paul Campaign cannot sponsor the blimp
For legal reasons the official campaign cannot sponsor the blimp or we become a PAC and jeopardize the entire project.
Katharine, please talk with your lawyers.
I think you might be making a premature decision in this regard. (See above post).
Bimp Great Idea
aldell1 This idea will reach more people than any other form of advertising at a fraction of the cost. Radio & TV stations will comment on it over & over. Rush hour traffic will veiw it as well. We must support this great opportunity.
I don't get it
The Ron Paul blimp is not a PAC, it SHOULD be able to be sponsered by a corporation. Google would be a shoe in considering the message on the side of the blimp says "Google Ron Paul".
And I'm sure the tracking could be integrated with Google Maps.
Why am I the only one thinking of this?
Sport stadiums and special events get sponsored all the time, why not this blimp?
Considering it's an advertising company, it should be able to help advertise a company AS WELL AS Ron Paul.
The Ron Paul Blimp, brought to you by Google
My thoughts exactly
This is a repost of my earlier commentary on "Let see that Blimp fly".
Google has and will receive mountains of free publicity from the Ron Paul Campaign. The Ron Paul Blimp is a commercial enterprise (not that there's anything wrong with that) and should thus seek commercial sponsors starting "Big Time" with Google. Has this approach even been initiated? How about YouTube, Samuel Adams Brewery, ...
"No War, No Income Tax, No Big Brother, No Kidding."
Well, I thought so too, and I had suggested this to them.
But their response was, that legally, corporations can't donate to this type of political advertising.
They seem to have gotten some high-powered legal talent on board.
I was also disappointed that non-US individuals could not donate.
So this seems to be the case, unless they go back and somehow restructure, and it's probably too late to do this.
Myself, I think the PAC idea would have been better. They say they did it so that there would not be the 5K total limitation from individuals. So now they can get an "angel" supporter like Mr. Lepard or Peter Schiff to donate 100 K (just using them as potential examples).
Their call, but this is the way they set it up. What's done is done. This is just info I got from reading many of the threads on this on RPForums.com.
On the other hand, for Google, maybe this does not apply, since Google would be paying not for the political advertising part, but to advertise its own name. Otherwise, they could say "MSN search Ron Paul" or "Ask Jeeves" about Ron Paul. So you may have a good point, there.
I hope...
the blimp succeeds so it will just go away and we don't have to discuss it anymore.
Reaching the blimp donation site directly - bypassing the outage
Well, I looked up their IP address on traceroute, and it's:
http://72.47.210.155/
After a VERY LONG delay, their site came up.
Hope they fix it soon. For those who want to donate directly, the Google checkout links still seem to work:
There's a different link for each donation amount. These are the URLs for donations ranging from 10-250 dollars.
https://checkout.google.c... $10.00
https://checkout.google.c... $25.00
https://checkout.google.c... $50.00
https://checkout.google.c... $100.00
https://checkout.google.c... $250.00
These direct links may not work, either.
This may not work.
Google cache may be a better idea.
http://64.233.167.104/sea...
In any case, the website seems to be back up.
This message is for ATVDude
This message is for ATVDude and RPCAllblitz,
I just donated $500.00 to the blimp. You got me that agrevated.
I hate the blimp
Could you donate some money in my name also? j/k
Actually...you purchased air-time.
"Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism."
-George Washington
Keep up the good work, Trevor!
For bringing grassroots ideas from chaos to organization...Trevor and co. you have my thanks! I really don't care who came up with what idea first you guys filled a necessary need for these ideas to be the success that they were/are going to be.
I'm tired of this
I have been an active and donating member of the Ron Paul Army...
I have thourghly enjoyed dailypaul it is THE BEST place for up to date info on what Dr. Paul and his supporters are up to..
This Blimp Pimping has so thoroughly disgusted me that I wonder how many other RON PAUL SUPPORTERS feel the identical same way...
I have noticed it is the same handful of folks that CONTINUE to demonstrate the BLIMP has priority over Dr. Paul winning the Presidency...
Its being sold as... HE WON'T WIN WITHOUT THIS BLIMP.. and that is astounding that anyone would think that... and I am sure they don't..
You Blimp Pimps have no concern that the OFFICIAL campaign is not generating enuff money.. oh wait... you say he has PLENTY OF MONEY thats right I forgot...
And your here supporting Paul???
NO...
your here supporting A BLIMP... and Paul is secondary..
and THAT IS DISGUSTING
atvdude - you have been
atvdude - you have been asked by many people - to just shut up - could you not have the decency to do just that?
The blimp is going to fly.
The teaparty will set records.
Everything is going to be ok :) please. enough. ...
Take your negativity...
To a thread that doesn't include the word "blimp". That will satisfy both sides of this argument.
Try posting on something OTHER than the Blimp for a change
Your supposed to be here as a supporter of Dr. Paul right??
Not JUST of the Blimp...
Try some of the OTHER forums.. they are actuall pretty good... WHEN YOU CAN FIND THEM... cause you few are always putting up BLIMP stuff keeping it active...
Keeping 3 or 4 of em active at a time.. what a joke..
Check out my history "dude"
I have decided that you are doing something truly great. YOU alone are keeping all these threads alive because you keep saying stupid things and getting people all worked up. By doing that people are reading more about the blimp and donating to spite you.
you are a genius! Reverse psychology at its finest!
I never talked about the blimp till you came around and crapped all over the fun. My donation yesterday was in your honor. I thank you, and the blimp thanks you too.
Airship Management, Rudy Guliani , John McCain, Hillary...
....Clinton, Fred Thompson, CFR, IRS, and any other force fighting against this movement thanks you for your lack of support to the Official Campaign. Thanks for helping to enslave the world. Nice work.
"Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism."
-George Washington
I am thinking DSM-IV
I am thinking DSM-IV
How many RP supporters feel the same way?
Well, there seem to be at least two of you - you and rpcallblitz. Maybe one or two more, from what I can gather.
An army of about 3 or 4, it seems.
Don't forget the paul-bots!
"Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism."
-George Washington
I am tired of talking...
about the blimp. Do I want the blimp to be a success? Yes. Do I want people to tell me I am not doing my part by doing what the majority is telling me what to do? No. I am tired of hearing about the blimp and I can't wait until they raise the money they need so it will just go away. The blimp is a headache and I hate seeing the thread every day.
The DOZENS of threads everyday
I feel just like you!!
May the BLIMP fly high and get votes... I REALLY FEEL THAT WAY..
Just not at the expense of the official campaign.. and IF Dr. Paul thinks its so great... something I question highly... then get the OFFICIAL campaign to get a blimp they can if they want... I have NO PROBLEMS with WHATEVER the OFFICIAL campaign wants to do..
I TRUST THEM!!!
OK, so that's four of you.
Maybe one or two more out there.
And you one of the Blimp crew
Need I find your post associating yoursefl with the project and the people??
Your one of the ones I am talking about.. over n over n over..
You have a VESTED INTEREST IN THE BLIMP...
when it should be a VESTED INTEREST IN SEEING DR. PAUL PRESIDENT!!
I don't EXPECT objectivity from "the crew" obviously you folks have demonstrated its about the project.. and the money
I think "blow-back" from paul-bots could be responsible...
It seems that a couple months ago I was constantly reading posts where paul-bots were "spamming"(incorrectly used BTW) other sites. So it's a possibility this is "blow-back" from those events. Huckleberries army could have pledged, the romulans could have pledged. Their pledges. The blimp folks have the e-mail of those that pledged. Why not contact them? I remember pledges being around $450,000 before the "switch". I pledged and donated. Seems everything changed when the project changed.
"Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism."
-George Washington
Exactly
Why are they not bomarding the email addresses they got instead of this site...
This site NEVER had this kind of "stuff" ALL THE TIME OVER N OVER like it has
SINCE THE BLIMP WENT "COMMERCIAL"
Kinda harsh...
Dr. Steve,
Regarding your comment, I understand the sentiment, but that was a bit harsh.
Anyone that is taking their liberty so seriously that they are contributing man-hours, money and time that could be spent with family, is a hero in my book.
Fact is, we are all on the same side. We have the same goal. But, like any "body," it is made up of many parts. One part of this body wants to run a blimp. More power to them! There are those of us focused on the Tea Party. Then there are other parts that are going door to door in the freezing cold in NH and OH.
We espouse the Libertarian ideal of free markets. We need to continue doing that within the campaign. We need to respect the other parts of this campaign who choose to support Dr. Paul in their own way. After all, it is his message that is the heart beat of this campaign.
This in-fighting does no one any good.
Until the Election is Won!
Chaplain Steve
Ron Paul - Lion of the Constitution
Can the Campaign help out?
Since we have raised so much for the blimp can the campaign help out so the money and time is not waisted?
List of people/groups who are legally not allowed to donate:
1) Ron Paul Campaign
2) U.S. Corporations
3) Foreigners (Individuals or Corporations)
Only U.S. individuals can donate. The good news is, that there is no limit on their contributions.
Hmm..
Lets see.. they have buses with names on em... planes with names on em... but they couldn't have a BLIMP??
You mean.. the campaign can't contribute to a FOR PROFIT Blimp right???
BUt they could CERTAINLY take the project over and fund if from the campaign funds.. if they like you see the MSM value in it!!
Right?? right!
It's not the type of advertising
Otherwise, any group of people could start up an advertising project and get if off the ground, and then the campaign could "take it over".
Yes, the campaign could set up a blimp effort on their own, but they would have to set it up from scratch, and there could be no relation to the already existing effort.
Is this really too complex for you to understand?
The official campaign
has brought in 20,252 today..
Thanks for sending it everywhere else... Ron Paul has plenty of money... words of wisdom from the Blimp Pimps...
how about...
You help make up for that and donate some of your own money then? I'm happy knowing I gave to the blimp.
Said like a true BLIMP supporter!!
The more frustrated some of you get the more you show your stripes....
UNBELIEVABLE!!
I'm MAXING on Dec 16th... course you wouldn't know about that.. you and your blimp crew as you like to describe it..
Have ya'll thought about going door to door out there NH you could spread the word... and IN PASSING mention your trying to fly a Blimp..
Might get some bucks... certainly will get a few good chuckles!!
Oh you are going to be in New Hampshire?
Cool, I am trying to book my travel there now. Maybe we can meet up and I can tell you personally what I think about your crappy comments on this site.
I arrive Friday at 7:15 P.M. I'll pass it on to atvdude!
I arrive at 7:15 P.M. Friday. You tell me and I'll pass it on to atvdude! Then I'll tell you what I think of the blimp squad spamming the DailyPaul 24/7. When do you arrive?
"Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism."
-George Washington
ROTFFLMAO!!
I love ya brother!! let me know what you think eh?? be honest!!!
This is for ladderboy or whatever his name is
As for making it there... I wish I could.. But I can't... but I will be a MAXED out donor on the 16th....
I'll take u at your word that you are I guess... but if we knew each other we could just check at open secerts!
look... I do what I can... I help the OFFICIAL campaign as HAD BEEN ASKED...
and I might even support the Blimp.. but the attention it gets over the official campaign is not right... The Tea Party is worth ONE HUNDRED BLIMPS in my opinon
Working on getting there sometime in early January...
Waiting for a response from my meetup group. I'll still go by myself anyway.
If I saw you I would be happy if you told me personally. Then I could give a sufficient "response".
Did it ever occur that atv's responses are just as much to blame for keeping these threads active? If he wasn't such a jerk about it then they would go away. Although he is inspiring a lot of people to give to the cause.
"There ya go again"
Showing your age... calling folks names... Not to mention wanting what fight?? in NH... like u were gonna be there tommorow till the other supporter spoke up??? now its Jan... of next year right?
RON PAUL! RON PAUL!
Get out on your street corner with a sign and a proud voice and yell RON PAUL!
This is exactly what the blimp will do everyday in the air or on the ground this is a winning idea and it is being well executed. I would love to get streaming video of everything "blimp" nothing is too mundane or uninteresting. Show us the blimp!