Is putting books by people's front house door illegal? [Archive]

Blackbird123

4th August 2012, 16:38

I wouldn't be as worried about the legality, as much as the wastefulness and ineffective nature of it.

What would be more effective in your honest opinion sir?

Blackbird123

4th August 2012, 16:44

If so lets lock up all the Jehovah's Witnesses cause fuck there annoying; but sorry I have no idea. I have to say though, who cares?

I guess I was actually wonder what the most effective way a person could spread radical thought by just one person.

Terminator X

4th August 2012, 16:49

You cannot place anything in a mailbox, but I don't see anything wrong with putting a pamphlet on someone's door...as has been said, Jehovahs Witnesses do it all the time. I think it would be extremely ineffective, though, and you run the risk of someone not appreciating you setting foot on their property.

Art Vandelay

4th August 2012, 16:51

I guess I was actually wonder what the most effective way a person could spread radical thought by just one person.

Does your town/city have any of those newspaper bin things (not sure exactly what there called) which give out free community news or whatever? Take out all of the bulletin news things and replace them with literature of your own creation. I would suggest something simple, maybe a single page double sided.

Blackbird123

4th August 2012, 17:26

Does your town/city have any of those newspaper bin things (not sure exactly what there called) which give out free community news or whatever? Take out all of the bulletin news things and replace them with literature of your own creation. I would suggest something simple, maybe a single page double sided.

Thanks for giving me that idea.....do u mean put the piece of paper in with the newspaper (like put in the middle of the newspaper) or take out all of the newspapers and replace it with my paper

MrCool

4th August 2012, 18:48

Thanks for giving me that idea.....do u mean put the piece of paper in with the newspaper (like put in the middle of the newspaper) or take out all of the newspapers and replace it with my paper

Put your paper in, and leave other papers there.

Blackbird123

5th August 2012, 01:28

Put your paper in, and leave other papers there.
thanks............any more ideas what a one man propaganda machine can do?

Pawn Power

5th August 2012, 17:38

thanks............any more ideas what a one man propaganda machine can do?

Community organizing.

Blackbird123

5th August 2012, 19:29

Community organizing.
Any suggestions on how to do that?

Blackbird123

5th August 2012, 19:38

If I can get one person to join the cause I will be happy....

RedHammer

5th August 2012, 19:38

Any suggestions on how to do that?

First, check to see if there are any branches of any major radical socialist organizations in your city or municipality. If there are, you can work with them.

If not, you can try to stay updated on news in the city and organize protests, protest lock-outs and layoffs, and the like.

Also you can print pamphlets or make your own and gather some people and protest on Main Street, and hand them out. Have a sign that says "Ask me a question about socialism" and let people approach you.

Pawn Power

5th August 2012, 19:40

Usually the best route for a new activist/organizer is to join an existing group. This could be a community organization, advocacy group, collective, whatever. Don't be dogmatic about it. Nobody out there completely agrees with your politics anyway, and moreover, you can expect your view to change and develop as you get more involved in local struggles.

If you can't find a group you can always assemble friends around a local issue or idea. Here is a guide: http://www.beyondthechoir.org/diary/3/orienting-new-members-volunteers-to-a-local-group

Pawn Power

5th August 2012, 19:43

Another tip. Don't organize around the symbol of socialism. You will get a far better political education working in a rich environment of political ideas. Perhaps one day you could form or find a group like-minded fellow travellers and call yourself a socialist group or whatever. But the main political action will be outside of that support group.

Blackbird123

5th August 2012, 19:46

Where is a good place/website to find existing groups?

RedHammer

5th August 2012, 19:52

Where is a good place/website to find existing groups?

Just google socialist organizations and then look to see if they have chapters in your area.

Also, if there are colleges or universities in your area, you can look to see if they have any groups; usually you don't have to be a member of the college to attend their meetings if its a chapter of a larger organization.

Also, I actually like the idea of making a stand at a rally or protest or event with a sign that says "ASK ME ABOUT SOCIALISM", then you can speak and hand out flyers, and answer peoples' questions

Blackbird123

5th August 2012, 19:52

Another tip. Don't organize around the symbol of socialism. You will get a far better political education working in a rich environment of political ideas. Perhaps one day you could form or find a group like-minded fellow travellers are call yourself a socialist group or whatever. But the main political action will be outside of that support group.
So......what kind of groups should I be looking for?

Pawn Power

5th August 2012, 20:03

So......what kind of groups should I be looking for?

Anything really. Well, any group that has a vaguely progressive goal. Environment justice groups, police accountability organizations, prison reform groups, etc. Unless you live in a pretty remote part of the globe you should have access to some place where people are meeting face-to-face to talk about issues that are affecting your community.

Pawn Power

5th August 2012, 20:07

You know, it takes some work. You have to put yourself out there. Go to where people are - where people are pissed. This stuff isn't going to fall into your lap. That is why its called the struggle.

Blackbird123

5th August 2012, 20:07

why not go directly to a socialist group if you already have a good grasp about political science and economic theory?.....just wondering

Blackbird123

5th August 2012, 20:40

Go to where people are - where people are pissed.
lol i live in Wisconsin......Its hard to find pissed off people here.....:laugh:

Delenda Carthago

5th August 2012, 20:46

Its very affective where I come from.

Blackbird123

5th August 2012, 20:47

Its very affective where I come from.
What is?

#FF0000

5th August 2012, 20:52

why not go directly to a socialist group if you already have a good grasp about political science and economic theory?.....just wondering

You could do that, sure.

Aziz

5th August 2012, 20:54

Is putting a book by the door of a person's house illegal?
What about putting a book or pamphlet in a person's mail box?

If they have a bomb underneath...

Blackbird123

5th August 2012, 21:09

If they have a bomb underneath...
hmm never thought it would help to blow up the person ur trying to convert.:laugh:

Comrade #138672

5th August 2012, 21:16

I've been printing and dropping single page articles in trains, because the trains lack decent free literature to read (except some free commercial newspapers, but I wouldn't call them decent). I offer these articles as an alternative. They can do whatever they want with it, even destroy it if they wish to do so.

I've been thinking about using QR-codes and printing them on stickers, placing them everywhere. They might last longer. You can generate QR-codes for free.

Blackbird123

5th August 2012, 21:49

Comrade #138672

5th August 2012, 23:48

Can I see a copy of an article you use?http://www.nu.nl/wetenschap/2811794/multiculturele-bacteriesamenleving-geslaagd.html (It's a Dutch article, but I'm sure you can translate it)
And more light-weight articles like this, raising a little awareness about co-operation --stimulating people to think that (different) people can co-operate as well.

Also an article (to tell you the truth this one was actually multiple pages) written by Einstein: http://monthlyreview.org/2009/05/01/why-socialism

It's hard to find good articles that people are most likely to read and take seriously. Also my friends aren't really supportive of this idea. They think it's arrogant that I decide what people should read, even when I say I'm only providing the opportunity without forcing anything.

Blackbird123

7th August 2012, 01:50

http://www.nu.nl/wetenschap/2811794/multiculturele-bacteriesamenleving-geslaagd.html (It's a Dutch article, but I'm sure you can translate it)
And more light-weight articles like this, raising a little awareness about co-operation --stimulating people to think that (different) people can co-operate as well.

Also an article (to tell you the truth this one was actually multiple pages) written by Einstein: http://monthlyreview.org/2009/05/01/why-socialism

It's hard to find good articles that people are most likely to read and take seriously. Also my friends aren't really supportive of this idea. They think it's arrogant that I decide what people should read, even when I say I'm only providing the opportunity without forcing anything.
So you just print out articles from a newspaper's website and distribute it to trains and waiting rooms and stuff?

Pretty Flaco

7th August 2012, 01:51

most people think that kind of shit is annoying. if somebody put a book or pamphlet on my stoop id probably just kick it into the road.

Blackbird123

7th August 2012, 03:30

most people think that kind of shit is annoying. if somebody put a book or pamphlet on my stoop id probably just kick it into the road.
I can see that happening for/to some....

Blackbird123

7th August 2012, 03:34

You know, it takes some work. You have to put yourself out there. Go to where people are - where people are pissed. This stuff isn't going to fall into your lap. That is why its called the struggle.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/05/us/wisconsin-temple-shooting/index.html I found the struggle...... Damn Nazis.

o well this is ok I guess

7th August 2012, 04:42

Doesn't really matter. How are they going to know it's you? Why would they waste resources finding out?

most people think that kind of shit is annoying. if somebody put a book or pamphlet on my stoop id probably just kick it into the road. Even Atlas Shrugged will net you a couple bucks from a used bookstore. Why not keep it?

The_Red_Spark

16th August 2012, 21:24

You cannot put it in a mailbox as someone stated. That is illegal. You can leave it on the door or on the step so long as there isn't a no trespassing or no soliciting sign. Some areas make it illegal if it is clearly posted. I wouldn't say this is ineffective as a tactic but it is expensive.

As someone said in a post above, you should avoid symbols that carry a stigma like hammer and sickle etc. Try using a more neutral approach and build from there. It is trial and error but if it works to market a product or service it can work for ideas.