Sunday, June 27, 2004
I really want to do the right thing. I've been trying to take the ' proper political' route seriously since about October. I've been trying to make things work. Urging my MLA's and MP's to vote positively on issues of varying importance like gay marriage and oil rates/rebates. I've been trying to believe that the adage, 'if you don't vote, you can't complain' actually holds water. I've been reading the paper, watching the news and the election specials, listening to interviews with the various party leaders, checking out their party platforms, and attending debates. I've been trying to make my vote count. Or at least make it feel like it does.
Before the debate on Tuesday I was approached by a woman about a full page ad that was going to run in the Chronicle Herald on Saturday June 26th. I read the body of the ad and felt as though I agreed with the gist of it. Basically it was urging Nova Scotians to consider what the Conservatives may do if they come into power before they cast their vote. I was asked if I wanted to sign my name to the ad and I told the woman that I would take the information and contact the group, Concerned Citizens of Nova Scotia, later on in the week. I was told there would be no problem with this.
Thursday at noon I emailed the group and told them that I was definitely interested in having my name attached to the ad. I felt like I was doing the right thing. I felt good. I wrote the group and told them that I would drop off my 10 dollar donation for the alleged 5,000 dollar ad at the designated donation collecter.
On Friday after getting paid and finishing work, I rushed downtown to drop off my donation. I was excited about taking a stand on something. I didn't have any delusions that I was going to change the minds of every Conservative voter in Nova Scotia, but I thought that maybe the ad would convince some people to think twice about voting Conservative. I felt like I was putting my 10 dollar towards a worthy cause.
On Saturday I woke up rather excited to see my name in the paper. I guess that's pretty juvenile, but it is sort of exciting to see your name in print. I ran across the street to the Indian Grocery and found out that they had sold out of the Saturday Herald. I moved on down the street to the Irving. I was all smiles as I handed over my pocketful of change and received my copy of the Herald. I went through the first 3 sections of the paper before finding the ad on one of the last pages of the Spotlight (Entertainment) section. The ad was not a full pager (it was less than 1/4 of the page) and my name was not included on the list of signees.
I felt let down, but realize that was just my stupid pride. At least the ad was in the paper and people would see the message.
When I got home I decided to email the group responsible for the ad. Several emails I had sent to various people that week had gone unanswered, so I thought that maybe my email asking to be included in the ad hadn't sent properly.
I sent this email :
Subject: Chronicle Herald
Hi,
I was just wondering if you had received my email in regards to the ad
in today's Chronicle Herald. I was writing in an attempt to add my name to
the ad and I was quite sure the email sent correctly, but alas my name was
not attached to the ad. Too bad, so sad.
I did end up donating to the fund at Venus Envy yesterday at 5pm.
Great ad, great idea, glad it ran.
Thanks
And got this message back
Yes Marc (sic) we did receive the first email but unfortunately it was a few
hours late to get your name on the add(sic).
Sorry about that!
Your donation is still needed as we have not yet received enough $ to
pay for the ad.
Thank you for your continued support
Bob
Maybe I'm being really silly. Maybe I'm only looking out for personal recognition, but I kind of got a little disheartened when I read an email that not only spelled my name wrong, but seemingly hit me up for more money.
I also wish they had taken the time to email me on Thursday or Friday telling me I wouldn't be included in the ad. I'd be disappointed, but I would have still donated to the cause. I guess I just feel sort of cheated.
And I suppose that's stupid.
Before the debate on Tuesday I was approached by a woman about a full page ad that was going to run in the Chronicle Herald on Saturday June 26th. I read the body of the ad and felt as though I agreed with the gist of it. Basically it was urging Nova Scotians to consider what the Conservatives may do if they come into power before they cast their vote. I was asked if I wanted to sign my name to the ad and I told the woman that I would take the information and contact the group, Concerned Citizens of Nova Scotia, later on in the week. I was told there would be no problem with this.
Thursday at noon I emailed the group and told them that I was definitely interested in having my name attached to the ad. I felt like I was doing the right thing. I felt good. I wrote the group and told them that I would drop off my 10 dollar donation for the alleged 5,000 dollar ad at the designated donation collecter.
On Friday after getting paid and finishing work, I rushed downtown to drop off my donation. I was excited about taking a stand on something. I didn't have any delusions that I was going to change the minds of every Conservative voter in Nova Scotia, but I thought that maybe the ad would convince some people to think twice about voting Conservative. I felt like I was putting my 10 dollar towards a worthy cause.
On Saturday I woke up rather excited to see my name in the paper. I guess that's pretty juvenile, but it is sort of exciting to see your name in print. I ran across the street to the Indian Grocery and found out that they had sold out of the Saturday Herald. I moved on down the street to the Irving. I was all smiles as I handed over my pocketful of change and received my copy of the Herald. I went through the first 3 sections of the paper before finding the ad on one of the last pages of the Spotlight (Entertainment) section. The ad was not a full pager (it was less than 1/4 of the page) and my name was not included on the list of signees.
I felt let down, but realize that was just my stupid pride. At least the ad was in the paper and people would see the message.
When I got home I decided to email the group responsible for the ad. Several emails I had sent to various people that week had gone unanswered, so I thought that maybe my email asking to be included in the ad hadn't sent properly.
I sent this email :
Subject: Chronicle Herald
Hi,
I was just wondering if you had received my email in regards to the ad
in today's Chronicle Herald. I was writing in an attempt to add my name to
the ad and I was quite sure the email sent correctly, but alas my name was
not attached to the ad. Too bad, so sad.
I did end up donating to the fund at Venus Envy yesterday at 5pm.
Great ad, great idea, glad it ran.
Thanks
And got this message back
Yes Marc (sic) we did receive the first email but unfortunately it was a few
hours late to get your name on the add(sic).
Sorry about that!
Your donation is still needed as we have not yet received enough $ to
pay for the ad.
Thank you for your continued support
Bob
Maybe I'm being really silly. Maybe I'm only looking out for personal recognition, but I kind of got a little disheartened when I read an email that not only spelled my name wrong, but seemingly hit me up for more money.
I also wish they had taken the time to email me on Thursday or Friday telling me I wouldn't be included in the ad. I'd be disappointed, but I would have still donated to the cause. I guess I just feel sort of cheated.
And I suppose that's stupid.
