Folks, as much as the thought of a boycott is appealing (and believe me, it
does appeal to me), in realistic terms -- it will do very little good.
Why?, you are gasping in anger, I am sure.  Simple -- many of you have
already purchased the automobiles and goods manufactured in MI.  Unless you
plan to return that car to one of the car manufacturers en masse this week
in a highly publicized media event, the car manufacturers have your money
and MI has the tax revenue it generated (btw, even if you do consider
returning your Detroit automobile -- bear this in mind, you WILL still have
to pay the car off, so once again the auto manufacturers and MI will have
still gotten you money AND will be able to resell the same car and make even
more money.  Also, while the number of ferret owners nationally seems
impressive, remember many (even many of those who swear never to buy a
Detroit auto again) will turn right around and buy one next year or within
the next five years.  The governor's office knows this (remember,
politicians hire statisticians who have nothing better to do than compute
the estimated numbers and Gov.  Engler's office probably has a much better
idea of how much or little damage a boycott could do).
 
The idea of boycotting MI's vacation spots and business convention spots is
more likely to cost the state more in real dollars.  After all, there are
many other places (even in neighboring states) that can offer everything MI
has.  What would possibly attract MI's attention is a letter from EVERY
ferret enthusaist.  Last week, someone mentioned the mail bag scene in
"Miracle on 34th Street." E-mail can easily be deleted and forgotten.
However, the appearance of thousands of stamped envelopes on the steps of
the state house in MI would attract attention (especially, if someone
delivered them to the state house AFTER first alerting the sympathetic
media).  I would dearly love to see a mass rally on the statehouse steps by
ferret lovers from across the nation -- however, that would really only
serve to bring tens of thousands of dollars into MI (after all everyone
attending would need rooms, have to eat, and either rent transportation in
state or use public transportation -- all of which adds revenue to
MIchigan's coffers).  Express mail, to a point of contact in MI, to be
delivered on a certain day -- say Wednesday and with the media alerted and
in front of cameras -- could serve the same purpose, without putting one
cent into MIs tax coffers.  Something along the lines of "Dear Gov.  Engler,
I refuse to spend any money within the boundaries of MI, and have written to
tell you why." Imagine the quaking of knees at the Department of Tourism,
various Chambers of Commerce, and among the vacation business community when
the 5 o'clock news shows thousands of letters being delivered to the state
house, and not one single cent spent in MI to make the intention felt.  Such
a quaking of knees could possibly create gale force winds.  Were such an
event to be staged at say, 11:30 a.m.  Central time, it would make the news
at noon and the evening news and have the potential to make network news.
Add to that the financial plight of Bob Jacobs, and you have a great story
that could make headlines.  All that is needed is 1 letter from EVERY ferret
enthuasist sent US Postal Service Overnight Express, an address in MI, a
group of people willing to deliver such a mass, and someone to contact the
appropriate media.
 
Just a thought for positive action.
 
Scott and the Mustilid Mob.
[Posted in FML issue 1954]