**Blimp launch information** (and new banner photo)

[Menthol Patch]

I am not a troll. I've supported this project from the start. I was on the original thread where it was first talked about.

The blunt truth is that.....

1) The blimp project will NEVER have a chance to get one tenth of the media attention it can get for being at the Tea Party where we raise ten million dollars in one day!

2) Part of the reason for the blimp project is to help support the Tea Party. The Tea Party and the blimp are SYNERGISTIC. If the blimp is not there the Tea Party will miss out on even ADDITIONAL publicity!

3) Every project most be worth the cost. Right now the project is worth the cost because it will get a HUGE free boost of publicity by being at the Tea Party! If it does not make it to the Tea Party it will miss out on that publicity and it will NEVER get another chance to get that much publicity!

If the blimp cannot make it to Boston for the Tea Party I think the money could be better spent on other projects.

Please realize that for the blimp to stay in the air the 230,000 dollars raised so far is NOT the final cost! To keep it in the air it will cost HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of additional dollars!

If it can make it to the Tea Party then the blimp project will be WORTH IT because it will bring in probably AT LEAST THAT MUCH to the Tea Party and it will have a GREAT START with TONS OF PUBLICITY!!!

If it cannot make it to the Tea Party then it is not worth the money!

This thread needs a couple cases of chill-pills and a liberal application of Troll-B-Gone. It doesn't matter if you actually are a troll or not, the end result of your negative posts are the same. I can guarantee the Hucksters are cheering each and every negative post in this thread and hoping that the Blimp people get pissed off.

I got news for 'yall:

1. The people running the show want the Blimp in the air just as badly as you do.
2. Bitching won't change jack.
3. These delays will not hurt us one bit, and may even turn out for the better. The blimp now will make its first appearance on or after the Tea Party which will be perfect to ride and continue the publicity wave. Instead of the news talking about his 4 mill day when the Blimp stories run, they will now be mentioning his 8 mill day when they talk about the blimp for the first time.


To the Blimp people: Thanks for the excellent update. Please disregard the buzzkill Huck operatives and their attempts to deflate the blimp. We appreciate your efforts and anxiously await launch!

 

[amistybleu]

Well, it seems to me you're being fairly crazy. (EDIT: Menthol, not you other fine people)

The blimp people wanted to blimp there for the tea party. They tried. They may or may not succeed. But the key is, there is only so much THEY can do. The rest is up to mother nature, the blimp company, UPS, and any other random factor you can think of.

Yes, they're a business, but they're also only a month or so old, with non business people running it (we all know it's just a way to get around the donation limit, lets be serious).
It'll be a nice treat to see the blimp in Boston on the 16th, but really, be realistic please.
We don't want to be branded as wackos more than we already are! (Well, thats the reaction a lot of people here give me, until I work them over).

jonhowe is a conspiritor sent here from the Huckabee campaign and intends to derail freedom. (Just Kidding) good post jonhowe, lets kill'em with common sense.

 

[eric_cartman]

ok... the weather isn't there fault... but the blimp company people had a responsiblity to get the blimp banner ready in time. why are they blaming the weather when even if the weather was perfect, they still wouldn't have made their launch?

they told everyone the blimp would be ready to launch by the 10th... but they didn't have the artwork ready to go for then? how long have they known that the artwork wouldn't make it there in time? this is some serious incompetence. things should have been all lined up before we gave them a quarter million dollars. they should have had this all sorted out and confirmed before they asked for a quarter million dollars. UPS will tell you exactly how long it takes them to send something somewhere, so there's no excuse for not having the artwork ready in time.

 

[jonhowe]

I dont wanna kill anyone (I know what you mean, though), I just want to see some calm here.

Trust me, I REALLY want to see the blimp in Boston on the 16th. But if wishes were horses, we'd have way too many horses than we could possibly feed ;-)

We just have to wait and see. Let the blimp people sort it out, they have the details and we don't If you pray, keep them in your prayers, if you dont, cross your fingers. And if you do or not, save your pennies to give on the 16th!

My dad asked me last night via email what I want for Christmas, I told him a donation to ron paul on the 16th (He's a Romney fan, since he lives in MA and loves National Review). he replied to me just an hour or so ago saying he'd give $100.

Every little bit of money helps, people. But every little bit of conspiring, complaining, and infighting does not.

 

[Tarzan]

Trust me, I REALLY want to see the blimp in Boston on the 16th. But if wishes were horses, we'd have way too many horses than we could possibly feed ;-)

My dad asked me last night via email what I want for Christmas, I told him a donation to ron paul on the 16th (He's a Romney fan, since he lives in MA and loves National Review). he replied to me just an hour or so ago saying he'd give $100.

We are doing everything we can to get the Blimp to the TeaParty07!!!

Try this for your Christmas Wish: Ron Paul Christmas Wish
.

 

[JohnnyWrath]

I am a big saltwater aquarium fan, and I have ordered many live creatures from Florida retailers...UPS has never let me down. They have overnighted live creatures in the dead of winter here in Ohio time after time with perfect results across the country. Have faith, UPS has never let me down...

 

[jonhowe]

Oooh, Tarzan, I think I'll be sending that to all my Aunts and Uncles! They're all Republicans, and they usually send junk anyways

 

[Texan4Life]

You don't need a hangar. You could deflate the blimp, drive it to boston on flatbed truck, tether it to the ground with VERY strong cords, and then inflate it again!

SWEET! I didn't know we had a blimp expert in the house!

Now, I'm not an expert by a longshot, but here is my two cents. To my knowledge blimps are not just a giant balloon. They are a rigid structure that would have to be deflated and partly disassembled and shipped on at least a half dozen trucks. All taking weeks to do.

 

[BeFranklin]

This is what my favorite blimp photo looked like:

It changed a few days ago on the site per below. I noticed it, but didn't
say anything at the time. It looks a lot better the first way above.
If you knew about problems, you should have told us.

 

[Tarzan]

..

 

[Tarzan]

Attaching the banners CAN be done in the open but it is a touchy procedure. Wind is a major concern when attempting this process. Because of the anticipated winds along the route and other delays it was decided to wait and have the completed Ron Paul Blimp take flight when the process was completed. Note that there are only two hangers on the east coast capable of housing the Blimp. The Airship company owns one and the other is in Lakehurst, NJ. We could not get permission to use the facility unless there was an in flight emergency.

Our goal is to get to and support the TeaParty07 events. The trip CAN be made in two days and would put the Blimp in position in MA on December 15th. This comes from the senior captain of the Blimp... one of three scheduled to make the trip. We are watching the weather very closely. The current system approaching NE was discussed at the end of November. We knew it was coming but did not know what final consequences it would have. We are hoping it will do what we anticipated... be drawn slightly north and hit Boston with a snow showers, but not a full blown blizzard others have suggested. Unfortunately, only time will tell for sure.

Our goal has been to get to the TeaParty07 events, Gain the most media exposure possible, then visit key states with early primaries. We have not given up in that quest and have continually adapted the plans to make these goals happen. The media has already taken note of this effort. Here is one upcoming story which is set to air on PBS on Friday, December 14... the day of the launch. The Ron Paul Phenomenon
Look through the forum... there are many other stories the Blimp has sparked and many of the mention TeaParty07.

We are working as fast as we can. I regret that information has not been forthcoming as quickly as you and we would like but the process has been very dynamic. We have given the best information available at the time. We did not want to post information that would change and start yet another firestorm on the forums. Quite often we were too focused on the tasks required to accomplish the launch and did not have time to read and respond to all the posts... which have often turned hateful.

It is my understanding that most of the sponsorship money has gone to the Airship Company... and rightly so. You should know that the efforts by a small and dedicated staff are being done without any payment. I know that NO money has been used from the sponsorships by Trevor, Elijah, Katherine, the meteorologist or myself during this period of time (fyi, I am strictly a volunteer as is the meteorologist). I also know that Trevor and Elijah have paid for their travel to the launch site out of their own pockets... that the plane ticket for the videographer was paid out of pocket... and that all three of them will be making the trip and paying their own expenses. Then there is the additional sacrifice of their personal lives. I am not trying to give you a sob story here... just the truth of the matter. They deserve a lot more credit than they are being given.

It is disheartening to see all the negative posts regarding this venture and I must resist my darker side to not respond to them in kind. There is real dedication to the goal... getting Ron Paul elected. The tasks which need to be accomplished are daunting and those who have never started and run a business do not appear to be aware of all the issues. They tasks require more than an idea.. they require lots of time and hard work. When considering the time it normally takes... and the time which was available... the progress has been remarkable.

We truly appreciate those who are being supportive and understand some of what we are facing. Your support and comments really do help keep us going. Our goal is to get out the Ron Paul message. The Blimp is only one aspect of that process. With the Ron Paul Army and the Ron Paul Air Force working together we can achieve the goal... getting Ron Paul elected President!
.

What??? No hate mail? Cool... I'm gonna get some sleep.
.

 

[OferNave]

I started reading this thread, but gave up when I saw it balloon to 25 pages, and I was only on page 4.

I would like to politely request that everyone not start hammering every official blimp thread with chatter and doubt. The point of these threads is to give the blimp crew a platform to give us the latest information, and for us to ask questions that are both relevant and new. You guys are making the threads ineffective for that purpose.

I will wait for the next official blimp thread, and hope for better.

EDIT: Case in point... it went from 25 to 26 pages in the time it took to write this.

 

[Man from La Mancha]

My observation is just to start a new update thread as needed. And tarzen and all will have to realize that 99.9% of us are behind you but only a small group of the same complainers are bad mouthing you. Just imagine the army behind when you see hateful remarks.

.

 

[Tarzan]

My observation is just to start a new update thread as needed. And tarzen and all will have to realize that 99.9% of us are behind you but only a small group of the same complainers are bad mouthing you. Just imagine the army behind when you see hateful remarks.

.

Thanks!!! really! And thanks to the "silent majority".

good luck to us all

 

[BeFranklin]

Thanks!!! really! And thanks to the "silent majority".

good luck to us all

The amount of trust required of donors to this project has been extraordinary, and just doesn't usually occur. And if you keep on badmouthing people who trusted you once with their money, you aren't going to get it again.

I'm offended. I haven't been this whole thread, but Tarzan has just ticked me off. The people on this thread have been very calm.

I want to know why donations were being asked for a Monday launch date, and Trevor and Elijah didn't even have tickets until Wednesday because they knew it wasn't launching as mentioned earlier in this thread.

 

[dagnybell]

Let's Keep Our Eyes on the Prize - Shall We

Attaching the banners CAN be done in the open but it is a touchy procedure. Wind is a major concern when attempting this process. Because of the anticipated winds along the route and other delays it was decided to wait and have the completed Ron Paul Blimp take flight when the process was completed. Note that there are only two hangers on the east coast capable of housing the Blimp. The Airship company owns one and the other is in Lakehurst, NJ. We could not get permission to use the facility unless there was an in flight emergency.

Our goal is to get to and support the TeaParty07 events. The trip CAN be made in two days and would put the Blimp in position in MA on December 15th. This comes from the senior captain of the Blimp... one of three scheduled to make the trip. We are watching the weather very closely. The current system approaching NE was discussed at the end of November. We knew it was coming but did not know what final consequences it would have. We are hoping it will do what we anticipated... be drawn slightly north and hit Boston with a snow showers, but not a full blown blizzard others have suggested. Unfortunately, only time will tell for sure.

Our goal has been to get to the TeaParty07 events, Gain the most media exposure possible, then visit key states with early primaries. We have not given up in that quest and have continually adapted the plans to make these goals happen. The media has already taken note of this effort. Here is one upcoming story which is set to air on PBS on Friday, December 14... the day of the launch. The Ron Paul Phenomenon
Look through the forum... there are many other stories the Blimp has sparked and many of the mention TeaParty07.

We are working as fast as we can. I regret that information has not been forthcoming as quickly as you and we would like but the process has been very dynamic. We have given the best information available at the time. We did not want to post information that would change and start yet another firestorm on the forums. Quite often we were too focused on the tasks required to accomplish the launch and did not have time to read and respond to all the posts... which have often turned hateful.

It is my understanding that most of the sponsorship money has gone to the Airship Company... and rightly so. You should know that the efforts by a small and dedicated staff are being done without any payment. I know that NO money has been used from the sponsorships by Trevor, Elijah, Katherine, the meteorologist or myself during this period of time (fyi, I am strictly a volunteer as is the meteorologist). I also know that Trevor and Elijah have paid for their travel to the launch site out of their own pockets... that the plane ticket for the videographer was paid out of pocket... and that all three of them will be making the trip and paying their own expenses. Then there is the additional sacrifice of their personal lives. I am not trying to give you a sob story here... just the truth of the matter. They deserve a lot more credit than they are being given.

It is disheartening to see all the negative posts regarding this venture and I must resist my darker side to not respond to them in kind. There is real dedication to the goal... getting Ron Paul elected. The tasks which need to be accomplished are daunting and those who have never started and run a business do not appear to be aware of all the issues. They tasks require more than an idea.. they require lots of time and hard work. When considering the time it normally takes... and the time which was available... the progress has been remarkable.

We truly appreciate those who are being supportive and understand some of what we are facing. Your support and comments really do help keep us going. Our goal is to get out the Ron Paul message. The Blimp is only one aspect of that process. With the Ron Paul Army and the Ron Paul Air Force working together we can achieve the goal... getting Ron Paul elected President!

Great Post from Tarzan. For everyone complaining, I agree that it would be a bummer if the blimp doesn't make it to Boston for the Tea Party. However, I think that you're over reacting a bit when blaming the team that's been working so hard to accomplish this when much of it has been and will continue to be outside of their control. And, as for the communication (or perceived lack of communication) from the blimp team, I think that everyone should give some serious thought to Tarzan's point about them being so busy trying to get this thing off the ground that they can't focus on the forums right now. Would you rather have minute by minute updates from them or have them focusing all their energy on getting the blimp up and to Boston as soon as possible?

Whatever happens, the Teaparty is going to be a great success, generating tons of publicity and the blimp, whenever it is launched will do the same. Let's keep focused on how great our accomplishments to date have been and keep focused on our goal of getting Ron Paul's name and message out there so that he can become our next president.

Keep up the good work Trevor, Elijah, Katherine and Tarzan!

 

[michaelwise]

Ok, Will it fly?

 

[BeFranklin]

For everyone complaining,
blaming the team that's been working so hard to accomplish

If you keep badmouthing people who have donated once to the project, we won't donate again.

 

[michaelwise]

Will the pictures on the second banner be posted here?

 

[BeFranklin]

Will the pictures on the second banner be posted here?

There are clearly some things that *have* to be done to regain trust, because its been violated badly.