On Monday a call went out from Paul Hackett and his campaign to e-mail everyone we knew, asking them to e-mail everyone they knew - in hopes that this viral marketing approach would find its way into enough Ohio voters in-boxes to GOTV. The comments went long and loud. Is this spam? Are we doing more harm than good? Is this really Paul, or is it a troll trying to get us to do something stupid? Now, on the "rec" list there is a diary about it
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/8/3/192454/7949
That diary focuses on the issue of the "annoyance" potential of e-mails vs door knocking vs phone calling, etc. My diary is a parable focused on a slightly different angle - some of the viewpoints represented in the debate and the "back and forth" that followed. A bit "meta", but parables can help expand understanding so come with me to expand your understanding:
One morning I came to work and found, on my desk
A small bottle of red enamel paint
A paint brush
A printed memo instructing me to use the provided material to paint "F*** the Cowboys" on the back window of Paul's (my boss') car.
I was ready to "hop to it", since Paul is not only the boss - he's a great guy that I'd do almost anything for. And he's a big-time Redskins fan. But a small voice said "wait, wonder, question". This paint is pretty permanent. Is this really what Paul wants me to do? Then I pulled out some tin-foil and asked myself - could this be a set-up from the ass-hat two cubicles down? This could be a two-fer for him. I do permanent damage to Paul's car. Paul looks stupid until he pays really big bucks to correct it, and it's all my fault so I'm toast. Let's not be hasty here.
I find Paul at the coffee pot with others on our team. And I ask him - is this your note? Is this what you want me to do? And Paul, being his usual straightforward self, says "Damn right! Do it!" Well, I don't want to be insubordinate - Paul's the boss, and a great guy I'd do almost anything for. Still, I'm a little concerned. I ask him if he means me to use this particular paint. I said to him "Paul, this paint is pretty permanent. If I put it on your car window it's going to be mighty hard to get off later. Are you absolutely sure you want me to do this?"
At this point, others around the coffee pot chime in:
"No sweat - he can get it off later with paint thinner or acetone"
"Well, I don't know about that. I used to work in a paint and body shop. The chemicals needed to get that off later will probably drip down and permanently damage the paint on his trunk"
"Jaysus!! STFU - the game is tonight and Paul wants to support the team. We can debate paint chemistry tomorrow fer Gawds sake"
"Hold up here - Paul may not want to ruin his car permanently this way. His T-shirt and cap may be enough fan endorsement"
"Don't be a wuss - Paul really believes in the `skins. He's behind them all the way --- whatever it takes"
And I did what? What would you do?