Ron Paul Blimp Questions??? I have answers.

[Mckarnin]

I posted this a bit earlier, will repost:

Can a PAC buy advertising from you? And, if so, how about a PAC which takes foreign money and contributes to the blimp. Legal?

It seems like this could be a way to get foreign donations, if foreigners are allowed to donate to a PAC but not to make indepedent expenditures. It would limit such donations to $5000 of course.

Will check. Thanks for bringing it up again.

 

[rancher89]

Have you asked Elliott Schrage @ GOOGLE

for a contribution? The tie in is obvious and he had that great interview with RP earlier this year. I emailed a question to the blimp crew from the address given on the blimp page, no answer, I'll use the addy below and try again. Feel free to pm me.

My name is Katharine and you can see me under Media on the Ron Paul blimp site. Please ask questions in this thread or email them to: [email protected]

 

[garyk]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Elijah
Thank you for the heads up and sorry for the delay.

Our media coordinator emailed him the press release that is going out to over 17,500 reporters.

It was already set to go and he just emailed him a copy because of time.

Sorry to post this question in two places...

Is the press release being approved by the official RP campaign? If not, is it possible for the forum or a non "company" person to review? From working in PR I know that more than 95% of the time journalists regurgitate the press release as an article. Not trying to second guess but it is always good to have an objective reader.

Keep up the good work!

 

[GorGor]

Hi Katharine,

Can you let us know the status of the Paypal or ronpaulblimp.com setting up their own credit card processing?

I won't use Google Checkout. As has been mentioned before, a lot of other people won't either and I sincerely feel if you go with Paypal, there will be many more people who buy time.

I want to buy time Katharine.

 

[slantedview]

Hi Katharine,

Can you let us know the status of the Paypal or ronpaulblimp.com setting up their own credit card processing?

I won't use Google Checkout. As has been mentioned before, a lot of other people won't either and I sincerely feel if you go with Paypal, there will be many more people who buy time.

I want to buy time Katharine.

The reason they can't use paypal is because paypal freezes accounts that receive large sums of money in a short period of time. In other words, your payment couldn't even be accessed, so there's no point.

What's your concern with google? IMO, they are a lot more trustworthy than paypal, who has alienated tens of thousands of users over the years. The google checkout process is just 1 step, even for new users.

 

[freest8r]

It'd be nice to have a flight plan that included the actual route the blimp will be taking. For example, will it fly from Elizabeth City up toward the Tidewater area on its way to DC? If so, our Tidewater Meetup could plan to follow it up here and try to get some media coverage, etc.

 

[GorGor]

The reason they can't use paypal is because paypal freezes accounts that receive large sums of money in a short period of time. In other words, your payment couldn't even be accessed, so there's no point.

What's your concern with google? IMO, they are a lot more trustworthy than paypal, who has alienated tens of thousands of users over the years. The google checkout process is just 1 step, even for new users.

I am no fan of Paypal either, but in the two instances I've had with Paypal in over 5 years with my account, they rectified them both. Of ocurse I had to jump through so many hoops... a ridiculous amount of hoops, they did make it right.

I also had an issue with Google Checkout. It was on their end, they never made it right.

Beyond that, Google is a SERIOUS data miner. They have a ton of info on the people who use their iGoogle or simply use their search engine... including me.

They don't need to know my credit card #.

So what it comes down to is ronpaulblimp.com going to get their own credit card processing?

 

[noztnac]

The Superbowl?

Will the blimp be scheduled to hover over the Superbowl?

 

[Cyclone]

I am very confused and so far in 37 pages have not seen any answers.

You say on your site that you are selling advertising space. How? Will there be a thing running along the bottom like they have at Times Square? What kind of advertising will you be doing?

Or is this just a way to pretend to be buying something, advertising space, when you are actually just donating money so that a Blimp can be in the air promoting Ron Paul only?

If it is the latter, then couldn't everyone who donates get into big trouble with the FEC?

If not, then, what kind of advertisements will be on this blimp? Will you accept money for ads for anything, abortion clinics, used car lots, two for one specials on drinks at a strip club?

I just don't understand what we are supposed to be "buying" here. And again, if this is just an end run around PAC laws then what makes you think the FEC won't come after everyone who donates? Just because you say so? Forgive me, I do not mean to be disrespectful, but is this FEC fraud?

I noticed today in my teaparty07.com email that continues to do more advertising for the blimp than the tea party, that now you are saying that companies want to put their names on the outside of the blimp. XM radio and others. Is this thing going to end up looking like a race car?

And as far as the questions about VC, they are all legit: it seems you are attempting a going concern here and you are asking all of us to fund it for you, you are giving nothing in return and you expect to have a business that runs for years off of our start-up money. I suppose since you are being upfront about that it is not fraud, but it sure smells funny.

Again, since this is supposed to be a for profit company that is not running afoul of any FEC laws then why can't foreigners donate to it. I can buy stock in Sony. Someone in Japan can by stock in GM. So, why, if this isn't just a shell game you are trying to play with the FEC can't foreigners buy advertising time.

And if you don't mind, I would like this question addressed only by the starter of this thread who purports to be from the company and will take any comments as long as the commenter did not join in Oct, Nov. or Dec. unless they are in agreement.

I am seeing a very disturbing trend here. With the exception of Man of La Mancha, I don't think I have seen a single person here support this idea who has been here longer than October. That is not to say that plenty of folks who joined in the later months haven't had plenty to say against the blimp as well, in fact some of the best comments have come from the new folks, but nearly to a man, every person who has attacked, or harassed folks for asking rational, real honest to goodness questions, have been attacked by this whole new Oct-Dec. block of joiners.

Poor Mark, the one person to withstand the most pressure has stood up to them admirably.

But go back through the 37 pages if you don't believe me. At least 80% if not more of the anti-logic, keep your mouth shut, don't you dare ask questions, how much are you donating to this project crowd joined from Oct.- Dec. It may be much more.

 

[Cyclone]

It's really weird to me to see all this suspicion and negativity toward a uniquely capitalistic venture.

Freedom is the business of volunteers. Can you imagine if all the patriots at Valley Forge asked for huge salaries and hardship bonuses? The revolution would have gone no were. That's why it is said of our funding fathers that they pledged their lives, fortunes and sacred honor. The key work here is HONOR! I see nothing honorable about trying to make a buck off revolution 2.0.

QFT

 

[rancher89]

I just want to know if Jerry Collettes' video is true, that the blimp is taking off on Tues, not Monday.

Simple question, simple answer--can't get an answer from anyone.

I will have to pitch my plans of driving from Charlotte to EC for the launch if this is true and if I can't get an answer before tomorrow (Sun AM) I won't go. I really want to go see the blimp launch, so someone step up and answer---from the blimp organization please.

BTW, the tidewater meetup is also planning on being there Mon last I checked, (I sent them the video,) plus the hundreds of people in the launch area that we have worked so hard to recruit to the Ron Paul R3volution.

Thank you.

 

[tremendoustie]

Can we change the description of the rEVOLution banner to something other than "Love Revolution" as it's described on the blimp site? It's already been quoted that way on at least one MSM broadcast, and that's not really what the message is. It's a revolution, with love and not violence. We're not hippies looking for "free love", we're looking to change the way government works. I really think this could lead to a damaging misrepresentation of the message, so I hope we can change this ASAP.

 

[freest8r]

Dec 10th Launch, Advertising Question

The front page of the website says December 10th. That video is the only one I've seen that says anything different, including some recent news stories with Trevor. Looks like the 10th to me.
http://www.ronpaulblimp.com/

As to the question about buying advertising, again, according to the website, "Liberty Political Advertising is selling political advertisements that you can sponsor. Right now we are selling advertising time for Ron Paul, primarily on the Ron Paul Blimp."

So, if you give them money you are buying advertising time for Ron Paul. From what I've read, there is some possibility that they/we may have to file with the FEC, but I'm leaving that in the more than capable hands of the Former Director of the Federal Election Commission, Brad Smith, who they've hired as a legal consultant.

My question still hasn't been answered about a flight path. Will it be flying over Tidewater VA?

 

[Cyclone]

I am very confused and so far in 37 pages have not seen any answers.

You say on your site that you are selling advertising space. How? Will there be a thing running along the bottom like they have at Times Square? What kind of advertising will you be doing?

Or is this just a way to pretend to be buying something, advertising space, when you are actually just donating money so that a Blimp can be in the air promoting Ron Paul only?

If it is the latter, then couldn't everyone who donates get into big trouble with the FEC?

If not, then, what kind of advertisements will be on this blimp? Will you accept money for ads for anything, abortion clinics, used car lots, two for one specials on drinks at a strip club?

I just don't understand what we are supposed to be "buying" here. And again, if this is just an end run around PAC laws then what makes you think the FEC won't come after everyone who donates? Just because you say so? Forgive me, I do not mean to be disrespectful, but is this FEC fraud?

I noticed today in my teaparty07.com email that continues to do more advertising for the blimp than the tea party, that now you are saying that companies want to put their names on the outside of the blimp. XM radio and others. Is this thing going to end up looking like a race car?

And as far as the questions about VC, they are all legit: it seems you are attempting a going concern here and you are asking all of us to fund it for you, you are giving nothing in return and you expect to have a business that runs for years off of our start-up money. I suppose since you are being upfront about that it is not fraud, but it sure smells funny.

Again, since this is supposed to be a for profit company that is not running afoul of any FEC laws then why can't foreigners donate to it. I can buy stock in Sony. Someone in Japan can by stock in GM. So, why, if this isn't just a shell game you are trying to play with the FEC can't foreigners buy advertising time.

And if you don't mind, I would like this question addressed only by the starter of this thread who purports to be from the company and will take any comments as long as the commenter did not join in Oct, Nov. or Dec. unless they are in agreement.

I am seeing a very disturbing trend here. With the exception of Man of La Mancha, I don't think I have seen a single person here support this idea who has been here longer than October. That is not to say that plenty of folks who joined in the later months haven't had plenty to say against the blimp as well, in fact some of the best comments have come from the new folks, but nearly to a man, every person who has attacked, or harassed folks for asking rational, real honest to goodness questions, have been attacked by this whole new Oct-Dec. block of joiners.

Poor Mark, the one person to withstand the most pressure has stood up to them admirably.

But go back through the 37 pages if you don't believe me. At least 80% if not more of the anti-logic, keep your mouth shut, don't you dare ask questions, how much are you donating to this project crowd joined from Oct.- Dec. It may be much more.

Can we get an answer to these questions? I know you have an FEC lawyer protecting you, but some of us could use some answers before we jump into this.

Again, simple question, are there going to be actual advertisements on the blimp, and if so how and where? You are selling ad time. That usually means someone writes an ad, sends in copy and you advertise it. You talk about not being able to guarantee the time the ad will be seen, so that implies that you are going to have actual ads all over the blimp.

How? Where? Can you explain the logistics of the ads?

Do you keep all the profits from flying a blimp around that advertises stuff? If so, then why aren't all the folks who are giving you startup money getting a return on their investment?

Explain to me why this is not simply a way to take advantage of people who like Ron Paul? Because it looks that way to a lot of us here. What are we missing?

 

[freest8r]

Questions

Again, simple question, are there going to be actual advertisements on the blimp, and if so how and where? You are selling ad time. That usually means someone writes an ad, sends in copy and you advertise it. You talk about not being able to guarantee the time the ad will be seen, so that implies that you are going to have actual ads all over the blimp.

I'm not affiliated in any way with Liberty Advertising, but I'll try to answer these questions. Most of them are answered on the website. Yes, there will be actual advertisements on the blimp. The advertisements will read "Who is Ron Paul?" and "Google Ron Paul" on one side of the blimp, and the popular "Ron Paul rEVOLution" on the other side. See this link:
http://www.ronpaulblimp.com/Message.php

How? Where? Can you explain the logistics of the ads?

I believe they've decided on banners which will be secured to the blimp. There are a couple of ways to do it, but I think the banners were the fastest and cheapeast. This isn't really important to me, because the blimp company does this all the time. They know what will work logistically.

Do you keep all the profits from flying a blimp around that advertises stuff? If so, then why aren't all the folks who are giving you startup money getting a return on their investment?

Liberty Advertising has laid out exactly how they are spending they money on their transparency page. There are some small salaries and other overhead expenses, but all other money is going directly to the blimp. Personally, I don't have a problem helping them get this venture "off the ground", even if they do end up making millions. We are customers, not investors. It's no different from buying a CD and making the artist (or record company) rich. Check out their transparency page:
http://www.ronpaulblimp.com/Transparency.php

Explain to me why this is not simply a way to take advantage of people who like Ron Paul? Because it looks that way to a lot of us here. What are we missing?

It may appear this way. I guess it's conceivable that it may be this way. But I don't think so. Instead, it looks like a creative way to get around "Big Brother" FEC regulations. This article on Politico touches on this.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1207/7245.html

If you're skeptical, my recommendation is to wait until the blimp gets in the air and you see the YouTube videos of Giuliani giving a speech with the blimp in the background, or the news story on CNN with the blimp floating over the Tea Party in Boston. Once you see the power of the blimp, I think you'll be more than willing to give to the cause.

 

[erran speaker]

please see:

http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?t=50799

 

[Matt]

Can we change the description of the rEVOLution banner to something other than "Love Revolution" as it's described on the blimp site? It's already been quoted that way on at least one MSM broadcast, and that's not really what the message is. It's a revolution, with love and not violence. We're not hippies looking for "free love", we're looking to change the way government works. I really think this could lead to a damaging misrepresentation of the message, so I hope we can change this ASAP.

Exactly, please change that. It means love of liberty according to the people who designed the logo. I'm looking for the reference but I can't find it at the moment.

 

[ValidusCustodiae]

If you love your country, it's time to turn it around. =)

 

[Charles Wilson]

Please bear with me I am trying to make a point here. If global corporations can donate to campaigns by bundling contributions in order to buy influence -- legally, surely folks from around the world should be allowed to legally participate in our blimp project. IMO, just because we have transparency that should not prevent us from legally accepting donations from our friends overseas.

We need transparency of those donors included in the bundling contributions donated to the various candidates by big business, labor unions, foreign governments, etc. This begs the question: Who are they? Are they all US citizens? Were they coerced into donating? At the time they donated, did they know who the candidate(s) are they were donating to? Are some of the donors deceased, etc. ? Please keep in mind, the blimp is operated by a Limited Corporation, do the other types of corporations have carte-blanche when it comes to collecting campaign contributions and the Limited Corporations do not? Inquiring minds would like to know.

 

[Cyclone]

What happened to the idea of purchasing advertising time on the blimp? The site doesn't say anything about advertising anymore. Now you are sponsoring a blimp tour. What does this do the the FEC protections? Also, now, there is no more Liberty Political Advertising company. Now when you donate you do so to a company in Florida. See the Google checkout page.

These are big changes. Why were they made? How come as this project goes along the rules keep changing? How does this affect the PAC/non-PAC issue? Are the people that are donating now going to be in trouble with the FEC?

Oh, and what is going on with the settlement you mentioned McKarnin, how much are you paying to settle and why were being sued?

Is any of the new money coming in as donations going to be used to pay off that lawsuit? How can we be sure if you won't tell us anything about it?