Comments on: Why it’s not okay to email everyone on your list about health care reform

By: Chris Bolmeier

Chris Bolmeier — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:15:02 +0000

Alyson,
I made the mistake of doing this once and to make matters worse I thought everyones address was in blind cc and it was not. I took my beating like an adult. And I will never ever ever do this again.

By: Mira

Mira — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 17:40:58 +0000

Great post, Alyson.

I’d also like to add the thought that the best way to gain information on any cause, including health care reform, is to do your own research. Read the proposed legislation and contact your representatives. Emails circulating the internet are often inflammatory and incorrect. Many of these emails are actually propaganda.

By the way, your passion for helping artists is evident!!

Thanks for all you do,
Mira

By: Susan

Susan — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:36:30 +0000

and of course… perhaps not everyone on your email list is American! Even when there’s an issue that directly affects you or other artists, which I am genuinely concerned about, I CAN’T contact my senator, I CAN’T sign your (local) petition, and I CAN’T lobby my congressperson. If you must send out something like that, please put “attention: American readers” in the subject line so I can delete it.

By: K. Henderson

K. Henderson — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:44:35 +0000

I too feel morally obligated to be po active politically. BUT I keep that seperate from my art business. Our country is usually divided 50/50 on most politics so I know that I will alienate 50% of the folks out there with my personal views. I avoid politics on Twitter, FB, blog, email, newsletter etc. It’s the smart business thing to do

By: liza myers

liza myers — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 17:06:40 +0000

Also I keep forgetting to congratulate you on this great new blog format! Quite elegant!

By: liza myers

liza myers — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 17:05:36 +0000

This is so appropriate, Alyson.
I am always walking a line between my art, environmental issues, and now health care. I don’t intentionally cross that line with my art mailing list or on my blog, but with on-line networking systems such as Twitter & FB I do. I recently had a person “unfollow” me on twitter, calling me a “leftist and socialist.” but even he wished me well with my art.
I feel morally obliged as a citizen to be politically active, so that we can better the situation for people like Alex, and millions of others, but not in an unsolicited email barrage.
In the gallery it’s just plain smart business not to post political banners.
It’s incredibly sad that health care is a political issue, instead of human.
Best to you, as always, and thanks so much for your postings.

By: Jo-Ann

Jo-Ann — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 13:11:07 +0000

Thanks for this post. Let’s hope the right people read it and understand!

By: Jackie Jacobson

Jackie Jacobson — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 12:50:10 +0000

Thank you so much for this post. I’m in absolute agreement with you. On August 4th I posted about Email Barrage on my blog. I really feel it is time to set the boundaries on what type of email relationship we’re in with everyone who emails us. What I hear is that most people long for the end of their friends barrage of opinions, but don’t have the courage to set the boundaries. Congrats to your courage.

By: Judith HeartSong

Judith HeartSong — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 10:26:50 +0000

I could not agree more Alyson… My email list is sacred and it will always be protected. A couple of years ago I met a well-known artist, and loving his work I signed up for his mailing list on his website. I now get all sorts of political dissertations and ramblings, and even though we both have similar political leanings, I find that receiving these emails in my inbox is offensive. I was interested in his art on his artist site… not his personal political views.

By: Anthony Jones

Anthony Jones — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 05:20:51 +0000

Your point isn’t about healthcare but more about blanket emails and I agree totally with you.