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I hope everything is going well in other cities. As to Atlanta, we have just finished phase one of the Walk! We have a route (straight through downtown from Peidmont Park to the State Capitol) and that route has been cleared with the city authorities, so we are ready to start phase two.

If you were wondering, phase two is mass advertising. We will be puting up flyers and handing out cards along the route to garner support for the walk, and going to the universities around and in Atlanta to gain the support of the students, faculty, and staff there. Further, we will be getting in touch with local radio and tv persuing a Public Service Announcement and news coverage, and notifying the Chambers of Commerce in the metro area.

So, now the real work begins, and my group is very excited at the results so far!

P.S. I will be starting a listserv to distribute information regarding the Atlanta Walk, so if you would like to be on the list, please email me off this list. [mailto:jimra@mediaone.net]

Things are getting exciting, and our hard work is starting to pay off! I'll be interviewing on John Carlson's show on KVI, date TBA. For you outlanders, Carlson is an influential conservative talk radio host here in Washington State. He was a candidate for governor, and some claim also that he single-handedly managed to get Initiative 200 passed, which ended affirmative action hiring for state jobs.

Tonight I had a 30-40 minute phone interview with John Zebrowski, a business reporter for the Seattle Times. It was fairly detailed, wide-ranging, and in-depth, and I managed to convey the _how_ and the _why_ of our movement, as well as the merely _what_. He wants to follow up by meeting with several of us here in Seattle next week.

We're also setting up a debate with the leftists who sponsored the anti-capitalist rally a couple of weeks ago. Altho we'd been `contatcing people on that to begin with, one group from the coalition independently approached us with the idea. We've also seen interest from the International Socialist Organization at the University of Washington. I approached the local Green Party but have not heard back yet from them.

In the meantime support for the Seattle rally continues to pour in. The local College Republicans president indicated support, and our event is being touted on various Republican and Libertarian websites.

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer expressed interest in my op-ed, "Lack of Capitalism 'Root Cause' of Terrorism", but warned that they couldn't run it if I'd also submitted it to the Seattle Times, which I unfortunately had :( Let that be a lesson to other cities, if you don't know it already! Approach them first, then submit an exclusive op-ed if they're interested. As it stands I'll probably have to write another op-ed for them, if anything is to get published.

Tom Boes also has an op-ed in the works, titled "The Motive Power of Freedom". Stay tuned.

I've been sending out press releases and invites like mad, some of them at the national or international level. I made a point of emailing a press release to every one of the editorial columnists at Creators Syndicate:

Promising local politicians and luminaries have not been neglected. I've sent out requests for support to local tax-cutter Tim Eyman, Rep. Jennifer Dunn, and others.

I've also sent out weekly recruitment/morale-building notices on our sizable general mail list, trying to induce people to "come on down" for D2.

Tom Boes has been continually improving the local website, including the press releases, op-eds, and downloadable W4C literature. Current info includes a detailed map of downtown, with starting point of the Walk at Benaroya Hall, route of the Walk, and destination Westlake Park, where the rally will be held. Included with the map is a table with major buslines into downtown, plus parking info. We hope to get a carpool message board going at some point, plus other stuff. We will also have up-to-date info on the W4CSEA Hotline.

Perth is almost there. Things are running smoothly and bugs that are in the process are being ironed out and rectified.

The recipient for our cities individual award is going to Mark Creasy. He was an independant gold prospector for 20 odd years before, literally, striking gold. Having recently been inducted into the states mining hall of fame (West Australia is a resource state predominantly), he also is famed for pioneering modern prospecting methods. Living in the spirit of Capitalism, and has been judged a worth recipient. Non-individuals being honoured are our Supreme Court (a representative of the proper form and function of govt), ASX (Australian Stock eXchange), Nike and McDonalds.

Recently we walked the route we intended to take, armed with business cards (thanks for the idea) and the trifolds from Rosemary Gately. We informed each of the businesses on the route of what was going on, when it was going on, and why it was going on. Apart from 5 (we counted) negative or apathetic reactions, the response was overwhelmingly positive. Our basic approach is as follows (incase other wish to try it): "Hello, I am (my name is) <insert name><hand person the business card (after shaking hands)>, and I am making a courtesy call to inform businesses in the area that on Dec 2, there will be a large group of people walking past this store(resteraunt, etc...) in the spirit of Capitalism. It will take place at approximately <inster planned time>, and we are celebrating <insert cities motto>. <Hand person position statement>. This outlines what we stand for <answer any question as they arise/adlib> Thankyou for your time"<leave>

Permit has finally been confirmed and the walk is now official. We have ongoing promotion of the event with canvassing, etc... The wheels are turning and all looks ready to shape up for December 2.

Dear All,
Just when I felt that nothing was happening with 10 days to go and it was a wasted excercise PRODOS rang me up and got me up and running again. Hoping to slow down to a walk by D2 :)
Thanks a ton !!
Best Regards,

You have been very helpful, indeed. We have already translated most of materials, and have prepared the double-blue ribbons. The problem is that people think that there are more urgent problems to deal with, problems they face everyday like electricity cut,lack of water and high prices. So there is not much interest.

So we are preparing to walk from one significant point A to B, and to celebrate D2 by organizing a party. Another problem is that few people have accepted to tie the ribbons in their places. So we still remain with having the walk and the ribbons in the two significant places we have chosen, i.e. near the center of the city. I am also sending Tirana Press Release within today.

[This is what we are going to do in Brussels: we tie'em up (the DBRs), take a picture, and if the owner of the shop doesn't want us to leave it there we immediately take them off... and use it again on the next shop. This is especially true for "public" property (i.e. Supreme Court, etc) where the police specifically told us we couldn't leave the DBR. Hope this was helpful.]

Individuals from more than 100 cities around the world, on December 2, 2001, will host the WalkFor Capitalism, the first-ever global rally for capitalism.

This day celebrates individual rights, free trade, private property, creativity and technology. Global coordinator of this campaign is Prodos, Melbourne, Australia's internet radio presenter and street performer.

D2 will include walks to significant places, presentation of Capitalism Award to deserving recipients, and parties in each city around the world.

So, join us! Walk with us! It's time to show that everyone owns his life, that Tirana owns the right to enjoy the possibilities of Capitalism.

Let's celebrate this day -the Capitalism Day- the international freedom & prosperity day.

Let's walk with all the great thinkers and activists for freedom and prosperity.

Prodos: "On D2 we will uphold and celebrate the moral and practical glory of capitalism; we will reach out across the globe to the productive and creative, to those benevolent souls who love life and respect human values and unuversal individual rights".

Bernstein, author of campaign: "Capitalism is the only system based on the recognition that each individual owns his life. Capitalism is the only system in which individuals are free to pursue their rational self-interest, to own property and to profit from their actions".

I would like just to announce that we in Bratislava, Slovakia have succesfully chosen the person who merits to be awarded in Slovakia.

[The name of the winner was privately forwarded to Prodos so as not to spoil the surprise :-) ]

Apart from this, everything is going well in Bratislava, several economists, bankers and businessmen have already promised to come to the walk and others are being contacted.

I'm in the UK and have contacts who could columns confirmed in advance for the newspapers. The problem is, I'm not sure how the coordinators' structure works. I'm based in London and Manchester, but haven't heard whether the walks there are ready to go ahead...

Can you wait until Monday? If you've already sent it out I don't want to know about it ;-)

I think it's probably OK but I want to be able to use it here too. I have to see if the Seattle Times or Seattle Post-Intelligencer insist on exclusive publication here. Thing is I may have ruined my chances already of that by sending it out to PLANET, or other papers. I should have just asked each paper if they wanted an op-ed before submitting it. It was a mistake for me to not do that. But the P-I is going to let me know how much the op-ed would need to be changed, and whether it would be worth my while to rewrite. (Of COURSE it's worth my while to rewrite).

Similarly, we can determine how much needs to be rewritten to publish in other cities. After all, they can't copyright the idea of the op-ed, just the writing itself. Here's an idea: maybe I should authorise other cities to rewrite themselves at their own discretion. Any language they retain from me is fine, so long as it's not enough to prevent them from getting published in their own cities. I would only ask in that case that they send me a copy first, and we can work it out.

I should probably let PLANET know, and ask everyone to hold back on it until I know more on Monday. Wish it had occurred to me sooner. Thanks,

Let me inform you still once, I have been in Police station Stari Grad-Belgrade, tomorrow I am bringing them request to get Permit, we will have Permit on Sunday during 2 hours. since 12 -14 hours in the Parc Kalimegdan, centre of Belgrade.We choosed the person for Award, he is Miroslav Kostic, (1940) journalist of Radio Belgrade and writter. During next week we will have Press conference. We invited some organizations and persons. We wil have some advertising and promotion materials and items.Camera will be used.

For any other city coordinators who have occasional second thoughts, thinking things like: what a lot of work this is, or is it really worth it, or what have I gotten involved for, or will it all come together, etc. ... the following words from one of Prodos emails are uplifting, encouraging, & challenging at the same time.

PS: little by little, things are all coming together here. By D2 we'll be ready to WALK!!

As far as what we're trying to accomplish & why ... aside from, for me personally, trying to do something, in addition to letter writing, to help fight the present war (& the more long-range war for our ideals) I liked this summary written in a recent email by Prodos:

"The actual "Walk" is a symbolic and public act. Among other things it symbolises the willingness to go from ideas to action. It is a display of that willingness. It is also a physical display of courage. It is a willingness to be held up to public scrutiny. When you conduct a public Walk, you are no longer anonymous. In the battle of ideas, it is those with the greatest resolve who ultimately win. Even if their ideas are awful, if they put them forward forcefully/assertively often enough, those ideas will win.

At its most extreme, a rally symbolises the willingness and readiness to *physically* fight for one's ideas. In this way it is not unlike War Games. It's a rehearsal and a display of might, resolve, and courage.

It puts the enemy on notice and it lends courage to your allies. They will have confidence in you because of what they see you do. It will trigger their courage.

A Walk or rally also tests the liberty that is available in a city or country. And it signals to the public and to the authorities that the rhetoric of liberty is now being put to the test.

A Walk says "I will act on my beliefs. I hold myself up to public scrutiny. I am ready to be challenged. I am ready to stand up for what I believe."

... We see many "think tanks" and others who are supposedly meant to be defending free trade and libery. But when put to the test they do not rise to the occasion. They are like a perpetual window shopper who never parts with his money. How can such a person ever be taken seriously?

A Walk or rally also provides the public with a living example - an embodiment - of the kind of person who supports an idea.

For instance the anti capitalists SAY they are going to stage a "peaceful" protest, but lo behold! There they are picketing buildings, stabbing police horses, shouting people down, and displaying to the world what they're REALLY about: Legitimising violence and coercion.

The Walk FOR Capitalism provides the public with an opportunity to see the faces and bodies of pro capitalism supporters. Here is what we look like! Here is how we behave! Now we are tying these ribbons near the McDonalds shop or this Art Gallery, saying a word of appreciation and gratitude, applauding the creators and producers. Watch us. See our actions. See our character. We are real. We exist. We are present. We are in your city. We earn your respect and attention. Take us seriously.

So there's a sample of how I think things through. Thank you for your attention.]

I just uploaded our Boston area web site - with information on our walk route, times, invitations and press release. If anyone needs this information, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BosCapWalk

Following a great press release from my fellow co-ordinator, Barry Cole, there was some postive coverage on page 4 of the Christchurch Press today, the largest paper in New Zealand's South Island. Great work Barry! The item read:

WALK FOR CAPITALISM Christchurch people have been urged to do their bit for capitalism by joining a Walk For Capitalism rally on December 2. The organisers of the Christchurch leg of the world rally, Barry Cole and Mark Tammett, said it gave people an opportunity to speak out in support of capitalism, "given the irrational and growing anti-globalisation movement, the climate change Kyoto con, and especially since the vile attacks of September 11". Capitalism needed reasoned, rational, and motivated defenders, "willing to stand tall and win the battle of ideas -- that of individualism over collectivism", they said.

------------------------------------ Despite the last minute preparations for the walk (with me only moving to Christchurch 3 weeks ago), with the help of Barry, Lloyd and Karla, things are going well. We have 7 locations planned for the Double Blue Ribbons in the busiest part of Christchurch, which include:

The Arts Centre - consists of a variety of quality shops and stalls, where artists and craftsman gather to offer the products of their creative endeavours for sale. It's a microcosm of a capitalist economy.

Bridge of Remembrance - honours those who died defending this country and the rest of the West from tyranny.

Kathmandu Outdoor Store - One of the most successful businesses in Christchurch. Offers a wide variety of high-tech quality products, that enables man to venture into the wilderness with comfort and safety.

Starbucks Coffee - a multinational chain whose coffee is so good, they've set up stores all over the world!

DFS Galleria (Duty Free Store) - offers an excellent variety of goods at low prices we'd be paying EVERYWHERE if it weren't for government import duty.

Law Courts - Whilst making some terrible decisions in recent years, they're still a foundation of a capitalism, and provide the only vehicle for settling disputes without resorting to force.

For the most part, we'll be attaching the Blue Ribbons to public fixtures (such as lamposts outside businesses we want to honour). Hopefully then the ribbons will stay up for some time. We'll also be attaching a laminated note to each ribbon that has the WalkForCapitalism.org website written on it, and a brief note explaining why each location is being honoured.

I guess you are all wondering about the Adelaide Walk for Capitalism. Well, let me tell you all about what we have planned.

We will be walking through the city of Adelaide, past the very busy Rundle Mall shopping area. Given that the walk is on a Sunday, there will be plenty of people doing the Christmas shopping. We have handouts made; tri-fold brochures courtesy of Saratoga Springs coordinator Rosemary, money speeches, and our version of the popular business cards, which is a photocopy of an Australian $5 note on one side (yes I know the law about photocopying money), and some information about capitalism on the reverse.

We have our banners made. Our slogans are "Walk FOR Freedom. Walk FOR Individual Rights. Walk FOR Capitalism.", "Support Your Local Capitalists: Deli, Video Store, Chemist.", "Adelaide and the World Celebrate Capitalism.", "Freedom + Proprty Rights = Capitalism", and "Ask Us About Capitalism.". We used cardboard for the banners, painted with white undercoat and letters painted with black and coloured acrylic paint. On the back of the banners we have attached lengths of 10x30 wood to add strength in the case of a strong wind.

We have made up six double blue ribbon awards for prominant South Australians who have contributed to business or freedom in the past. Our awards are small circles of cardboard with two blue ribbons attached to the bottom. We will be presenting the awards against plaques that commemorate the winners along the route of our walk.

We have ordered our t-shirts. "Walk for Capitalism" on the front and an alphabetical list of the cities on the back. At $22 dollars each, they aren't exactly cheap, but will only take 3 days to be ready. I recommend contacting photocopying stores if you are interested in small numbers of t-shirts. They use a photocopying technique to make them.

All permits are secured and we have organised a lone policeman to escort us in case of trouble. At the conclusion of our walk we will be having a BBQ in a prominant park in the city, reading some speeches and enjoying ourselves. All up, our walk will go for 1 hour, and our BBQ for 2 hours.

So, we are ready to walk. We are small in number (probably 10 on the day) but large in courage and commitment.

Let's walk the talk and stand up for the potential and possibilities of capitalism!

From the Adelaide Walk for Capitalism team (Jerome, Renee, Tony, Joel, Justin, David, Michael, Ian, and John)

We managed to get the former finance minister of Ontario, Ernie Eves, to pose for a picture of me handing him our press release and the double-blue ribbon. I asked him to wear it in the House of Commons... we'll see.

(By the way, Prodos, you'll be surprised by the similarity of our appearance. Hair-wise, that is...:) )

As a side note, things go well here in Kingston. I've heard that the International Socialists are planning a counter-demonstration, more a ridicule-demonstration, dubbed the 'walk for cheese.' Which is kind of clever, and serves to get us more attention I suspect. It sure beats getting some kind of angry, volatile response from the community... :)

Oh yes, we've picked our individual capitalist award winner. She kicks ass. She really does. :) Dr. Margot Northey, current Dean of the Queen's University School of Business (who privatized the executive MBA program--making it the best in Canada for three years running, and is now internationally acclaimed, until this year when they dropped us to second because of less women participation... whatever. She also fought for deregulating the undergraduate commerce program, making it one of the best in this country!)

We planned our route from city hall to Place de Bretagne. Flyers and posters are planned.

> What is your estimate of the hazard associated > with participating in this walk?

The hazard of *not* participating is much greater than the hazard of participating.

A day after Prodos published W4C my curiosity got the better of me and I clicked on the Activist Network.

Before I had done anything I was coordinator (You know what Prodos is like!) and I have felt overwhelmed, fear and sometimes inadequate ever since.

I have been contemplating (quietly) handing over the coordinator ship more than once.

Sometimes one does not seem to get anywhere at all. In those times it tried to stay calm and wait, and somebody would chip in something, either one of my fellows here or the good friends on Planet and the ball got rolling again.

I have found a method to deal with it: I remind myself what the founding fathers must have gone through; they risked fortune, family and their life!

I have got no idea how many will take part in the walk. We had some inquiries, some stayed a while, then dropped off. So, we might be only half a dozen here in Perth. And I don't give a damn about it.

Monday we shall hand out business cards and pamphlets in the city center, and I am -almost- looking forward to it.

I already 'smell' the sense of pride I will be feeling after the walk (and I shall be glad that it is finally bloody over); and I promise, I am going to get soaked afterwards.

Do yourself a great favour and get back in. It does not matter on what level and -walk.

To speak with the wonderful Rosemary Gately: Don't pass up this opportunity to learn some great life lessons.

Thank you, Georg, for your post. Knowing that others are going forward inspite of their apprehensions has inspired me to hang in there in the face of my own fears--that and support from Prodos, of course :-).

I don't feel as overwhelmed now that we have our double blue ribbons for selected stops, "Happy Capitalism Day!" cards for up to 12 establishments along the route, selected a Capitalism Award recipient who is thrilled and honored to accept it, chosen our (1) slogan "Capitalism isn't about money. It's about freedom!," .... I hadn't identified it as such, but I think fear of embarrassment was probably a big part of it for me as well. With each accomplishment, I am less apprehensive.

I have never even participated in a rally, much less coordinated one. I have been literally shaking in my boots at times. But, like Georg, I look forward to the pride I shall feel on D2. It doesn't matter how many people are there, or if everything goes like clockwork. The pride will be for strengths I've discovered and for overcoming my fears and standing up publicly for what I believe.

Yesterday our press release on the Walk For Capitalism yielded a positive item in Christchurch's main newspaper. Today it led to someone from Canterbury TV, the local TV station, ask me for a 10-15 minute interview on the Walk.

Wow!!! I'm blown away! It'll be conducted on Friday at one of our targets for the Double Blue Ribbons: the Bridge of Remembrance, which honours New Zealand soldiers who died fighting tyranny on the other side of the world. It'll be a good opportunity to publicise the event immediately prior to the Walk.

Coincidentially (or perhaps not???), the TV station was founded by local entrepreneur George Balani, who we nominated for the Capitalism Award!

The walk was mentioned in a big financial magazine - a 2 half-page interview :-)

We also got about 7 minutes of air time on the National Flemish TV... which resulted in a couple of hate mails. Woohoo!!! And they'll probably send a TV crew.

And this morning another major TV channel called me about the walk. They'll most surely send a TV crew too.

We are getting a lot of help from youth associations and other classical liberal/libertarian organizations. We should get anywhere between 50 and 100 walkers!! :D

Apart from that, I'm nervous like hell, I'm scared s[*]itless and completely overwhelmed with work. But you know what? It's great! Because it's worth it! This walk *is* a personal matter of pride and self-esteem. This is a walk for YOURSELF. And you won't be alone during this walk. Even if only 5 people show up at your walk... hundreds, thousands of other individuals will be walking with you all around the world!

Thousands of capitalists worldwide will be walking, partying, laughing with YOU! What a great feeling! So do yourself a favor... and walk the talk on D2! :-)

Interesting, Georg Lazukic, how similar are our experiences. I will go you one better... I am 52! :-) My own inspiration has been from two areas. First I visited Concord/Lexington, Massachusetts a couple of years back and stood on the square where the famous Minutemen fired "the shot heard round the world." Just imagine THEIR fear as they faced British Redcoats, possibly distant relatives, but stood their ground. My other source of inspiration is actually the work of many of the other coordinators from parts of the world where experience with constitutional democracy, liberty and tolerance are not as ubiquitous as here in Canada. We take a lot for granted.

Anyway, I know that I will have fellow walkers (if only my darling wife) but I WOULD WALK ALONE...A IS A...LET'S WALK!

>>I have never even participated in a rally, much less coordinated one. I have been literally shaking in my boots at times. But, like Georg, I look forward to the pride I shall feel on D2. It doesn't matter how many people are there, or if everything goes like clockwork. The pride will be for strengths I've discovered and for overcoming my fears and standing up publicly for what I believe.<<

I *have* organised rallys before. And I'm only marginally involved in this one, but I want to tell you all one thing, as the day approaches: Hang in there, because there is nothing like the thrill of standing at the starting point and seeing people trickle in. You won't forget it in your LIFE!

[From: Barun Mitra, Delhi Coordinator]

Hello all,

Please check out our web site for our plans on D2.
We are putting up 200 banners at colleges and universities, and prominent
markets and other public places announcing the Walk.
We have the tri fold flier ready for distribution during the walk.
We will also have W4C caps for those who walk with us.
We are making placards with slogans.
We have identified prominent businesses along the route who will be offered
a special blue ribbons. Since Macdonald has been a target of attack of
attack by the anti-globalisation and anti-market protestors, we intend to
express our particular appreciation of Macdonald's successful expansion in
the Indian market.
The Capitalism Award will be announced at the end of the walk.
We have placed a map of our intended route on the web.
Our press release is ready for distribution.

We have translated the Bernstein Declaration in five Indian languages. The
Hindi and Urdu translations are already on our web site. One could view it
after downloading the respective fonts for free.

And if every things works out as proposed we will also have some music.

Thanks Prodos for setting the ball rolling. Thanks to friends in Delhi and
some of the other coordinators - Hubert Jorgen, Rosemary in Saratoga
Springs, Kendra in Washington DC, for their suggestions and help.

We in Delhi are ready to walk the talk.

Just to give you some idea of our hopefully enjoyable walk in Berlin and the press coverage it¹s indeed very encouraging. I always perceived Germany as a truly socialist country where advocates of freedom would have no voice. But our global WalkForCapitalism seems to stimulate an increasing interest I hope this encourages those who might feel a little down from time to time. It¹s worth it, it¹s fun, and our celebration in honour of capitalism, humankind¹s achievements and freedom will take place in 114 cities around the globe. I am especially delighted about our free neighbour Poland, welcome 10 great Polish cities and hope the remaining borders of trade and free movement will vanish soon. Welcome!!

We shall assemble for a champagne reception (this is what the narrow-minded anti-capitalists perceive and want to see we won¹t disappoint them!) at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin in front of Berlin¹s Grand Hotel (it¹s bloody freezing here, inside would be more comfy....), distribute blue ribbons and walk along Berlin¹s grand avenue, protected by a lonely policeman... We will play some relaxing jazz, smoke Cuban cigars and have a chilly winter picnic (it should be jolly nice and warm in Australia...) on the avenue exclusively consuming international products to emphasise the importance of FREE trade with every individual and nation (incl. Cuba, thus Cuban cigars which might annoy our left wing friends from the anti-globalisationists¹ campaing at www.attac.org). We shall pass the famous Humboldt-University it¹s founder was a liberal reformer of education, but today our education system is in shambles and the headquarters of the National Trade Union, where we will have a glass of champagne to honour the board of the protectionist trade unions. We will end up at the Marx-Engels Forum next to the former parliament of Socialist East Germany, where we shall have a final delightful McDonald¹s picnic, praising the entrepreneurial potential of such firms under the eyes of Marx and Engels¹ statues, offering them a Big Mac!

Bon appetite and celebrate the First International Day of Freedom and Capitalism. As we expect some anti-capitalism protesters, we will invite them to a glass of champagne with a hearty welcome to freedom day and celebrations!

The first people who contacted us were from the national left-wing newspaper, the ³taz². They will publish an interview, article and photo of us inside the trade union building, smoking cigars and having some champagne in celebration. The liberal conservative Sunday newspaper ³Frankfurter Allgemeine² published our press release, while the weekly magazine ³Focus² published an interview with Prodos this week (p. 222), including two fun pictures. The sort-of-liberal national ³Sueddeutsche Zeitung² did another interview with us, the weekly magazine ³Max², ³Zeit² and the Berlin ³Frankfurter Allgemeine² edition announced their attendance. Also, TV will be present a regional station and a satirical show so, it should be great fun, indeed especially, if they pull our legs...

I promise you'll all be PROUD to do this walk and PROUD to be a Capitalist. After all, think of all the non-capitalist countries... they are the poorest, hungriest, most undeveloped, disease ridden and usually dictatorial.

You are correct Rosemary, Capitalism = Freedom. We should be Proud, very proud for Capitalism is the soul of a better lifestyle, longer life, less disease, productivity, civilized life style (well, hopefully :-)), and HOPE for the future.

Today I got a first positive response from the countless Press Releases I've sent out:

John Curtis, a capitalism-sympathetic newsman from talk station KTRS (AM 5.50) in St. Louis called, saying he was interested because this was the first walk or rally he'd seen that wasn't socialist inspired. I assured him this was the opposite of that!

We talked for a few minutes & he asked a couple of questions to use the answers as sound-bytes. Also said they'd come to the Walk Sunday "to see how you guys do."

He followed through & put it on the air, along with information about the Walk & mentioning Joe Edwards, our Capitalism award winner, on the afternoon 3:00, 4:00, & 5:00pm news reports! Hooray!!

(I didn't think there was any way it would be on that soon ... he called me about 2:15pm, went on the air at 3pm! So I didn't hear it ... this was reported to me by a friend, & one of our designated DBR winners, Wayne Barnes. He said I actually sounded pretty good on the air!)

--- Sullivan <sullivan@tseinc.com> wrote: > [From: Dan Sullivan, St. Louis, USA] > > And from now on, I'll proudly hold my head just a > tad higher than usual! > > Standing up FOR Capitalism is something we should > all be very proud of. > Remember: some movements that are active in this > world pride themselves on > how much they can destroy, & how many people they > can kill or maim. We stand > for the diametrical opposite. Do we deserve to be > proud?

Hell yes! My Walk is in El Paso, a city which sent only Democrats (read Social Democrat, or Labor, to you non-North Americans) to Congress since the early 1960s. We have the highest sales tax in all of Texas and our city fathers wonder why the city isn't more prosperous--and the new mayor waited until AFTER I bought a house, and then raised property taxes too! Damn right I'm proud to be Walking!

[Moderator: Rodolphe Lebrun. Poster name added. Additional comment: yeehaa!!! :-]

I got today permit for Walk. I am waiting to get Capitalism Award certificate as I informed you for Miroslav Kostic.We hope about 100 persons.I have sent today a communique to the medias, am waiting their reactions tomorrow.

I'm glad to hear of a businessman who's willing to stand by his personal philosophy (and who has one!). I've always been surprised by the number of ignorant businessmen I've met.

I'm a computer programming student in Barrie, Ontario, Canada, and I'll be participating in the Toronto Walk.

Attention: Any Polish cities who are not yet online and are waiting to be processed, please write to me directly and I will fast-track your registration:

Your name Name of city and state Some brief information about yourself If you know or are known by any current Polish coordinator it would be helpful if you would mention that.

Sounds like Kendra Okonski has things well in hand for a successful D2 Walk in our nation's capitol ... Good going & good luck, Kendra!

One suggested correction to your wording (& thinking?) about the time-consuming preparations for the Walk:

I agree it has taken LOTS! of time ... too many all-nighters for me ... I'm really glad D2 is almost here! BUT I'd suggest that it is not a SACRIFICE of time, but an INVESTMENT of time, & a GOOD ONE! ... as Kendra said: "definitely worth it." Anything one does at any time involves choices, among the vast array of things one might be doing. Most or all of us involved in the WalkForCapitalism are also heavily involved in many other important things: work, running our own businesses, school, studying, family, hobbies, working out, etc. -- many things that are important to us & which we value highly -- and for which there never seem to be (if you're like me) quite enough hours in the day or days in the week.

Those of us who have invested time, efforts, energies, & money in D2 have already gained returns on these investments, & we'll gain huge rewards on Sunday, plus ongoing returns in the future. It's definitely worth it!

Keep up the good work, everybody ... and remember: D2 is first & foremost a CELEBRATION! When all is said & done, when D2 arrives, RELAX & ENJOY the CELEBRATION!! Great things deserve to be celebrated, & Capitalism is a great thing: it's the ideal social system ... the only political/economic system consonant with the nature of man. (Man, as a rational, thinking being, requires freedom to survive & thrive.) Remember Rosemary Gately's motto (inspired by Prodos): Capitalism isn't about money. It's about FREEDOM!

Capitalism is not only the MORAL social system; it's also the only PRACTICAL economic system. Socialists, liberals & various other nimrods take great pains to blame Capitalism for every failure of their own irrational economic policies, BUT down through history, in every nation & every society, to the extent that CAPITALISM has been implemented, PROSPERITY has resulted.

When men are free to follow their dreams: free to implement their own ideas, start a business & run it as they see fit, hire who they want (or, as employees, work for who they want; or as comsumers, shop where they want; or as any free man, deal with whomever they want, by mutual consent, for mutual benefit) ... PROSPERITY always results.

Also, as Prodos has pointed out, not everyone chooses to use his freedom to make money: some choose to live as a pauper while following their dreams of becoming a successful artist, poet, novelist, etc. (And some people just have few ambitions, which is their right & their choice.)

In any case: when FREEDOM reigns, everyone has the most opportunities to choose between, & the right to make his own choices ... and PROSPERITY & HAPPINESS follow.

On D2, Celebrate Capitalism, Freedom, Prosperity ... & Human Happiness! LET'S ENJOY THE DAY! CELEBRATE ... BE HAPPY ... WE'VE EARNED IT !!

I recently took Denver off-line since the coordinator stepped down and I haven't been able to find a replacement.

If you are in Denver and would like to talk with me about putting together a basic Walk (in record time!) please send me your phone number immediately.

Consider that I am about to put at least one more Polish city online today - even at this late stage. And I am still twisting arms in two other non-USA cities to join up. If they can do it, you can do it.

If you focus on trying to do something "impressive" nothing will ever get done. Do you know what's *really* impressive? Having a SMALL Walk! That takes guts!

When someone writes to me and says: "Prodos, I don't know how many people I can muster, but, if I have to, I'll Walk on my own!" ... that's when I'm impressed (eg. Craig Ceely, El Paso, Texas)

WalkForCapitalism - Basic Version requires just 3 people. There's nothing arbitrary about the Basic Version. It's designed to define the sort of event which will create a foothold for Capitalism in each city.

Any 3 people in any one city will be Walking with tens of thousands of people in over 100 cities around the world.

Who can put Denver back on the map for this historic event? Don't leave Denver in the dark.

Just a brief update from here in Washington. I think that everything is set for our walk. It looks like we're going to have a good response. I admire the work of everyone who has been involved with this - it has been somewhat of a sacrifice of time, but definitely worth it. You all have great, inspiring stories, and I believe we'll all have more opportunities to work together in the future.

Our parade route is planned, and when everyone congregates on Sunday we will have a little rally to get everyone going, and to explain do's and don'ts (ie. don't walk on the street; obey crosswalks; mind the passerby; etc.) and we will have signs available for everyone. We have passed out fliers in the area along the walk to notify business owners and nearby residents. At Iota, the place where we're ending the walk, we'll give our award and then have two bands play - the Cato band, Spontaneous Order, and Sugar Jones.

Our award recipient is now settled: Mr. Ego Brown, a DC entrepreneur who owns a shoeshine stand in a food court in downtown DC, and has several employees. Several years ago, Mr. Brown, with the help of the Landmark Legal Foundation, stood up against the DC government to repeal a 1905 law prohibiting street shoeshine stands. ( http://www.self-gov.org/freeman/8910boli.html )

Tomorrow, there will probably be a Bloomberg story about the DC and global walk (will send link if that happens). We're trying to attract other media and reporters as well for Sunday. If any US organizers need a media contact in your own city, please email me off list and I can probably help you out. Our press release is posted here http://www.capitalismwashington.mybravenet.com/d2dc_pressrelease.htm

I was interviewed live on radio today for about 10 minutes by Canterbury on Air, during their breakfast programme

The interview went very well. In response to certain questions, there were some things I wish I'd said but didn't -- but I think that's natural in the circumstances. But all round I was very pleased with the result, and I think there may even be the opportunity for me to appear on the show regularly

The strategy I tried to employ, and which seemed to work, was to keep the message simple, and be repetitive with the key points -- including: 'capitalism is not just about money, but about individual freedom', 'these freedoms are under attack', the 'Walk is not so much a protest, but a celebration of the capitalist spirit', etc.

After getting over my nerves for the live radio interview, I'm now actually looking forward to the TV interview tomorrow! :-)

As the co-ordinator for the walk in Oslo, I've been in contact with the leaders of our local Young Conservatives, Young Reform Liberals, Libertarians/Libertarian Students, Objectivists and independents, so the turnout will hopefully be good.

We're walking from a big plaza, through Norway's main and most famous shopping street, to the Parliament -- where we'll have various speakers (including myself) and give out our Capitalism Award.

Our receipient is a very famous entrepreneur/opinion maker here in Norway, and we're very excited about the fact that he's expressed pride in receiving the award, and will maybe even break some private appointments on the day in order to be there! Terrific news.

I've also been in contact with almost all important news media here in Norway, so we're expecting a good media turnout as well.

The bad news is that this is partly because we've received several threats of counter-demonstrations. We are, however, cooperating with the local police, and hope that everything should be alright on the big day.

All in all, this is a very exciting project for me to be involved with. It's the first demonstration I'll ever take part in, and I'm actually leading it! I'm filling with pride for every day that goes by.

This walk will be the first time many people around the world see individuals actually supporting capitalism for _ideological_ and _moral_ reasons -- not just practical and pragmatic ones. We're making a difference, and it'll show, come sunday on D2.

[From: John Bosco, Lagos, Nigeria]

   Thanks for your mail. I believe in the capitalist principles and Ideology.We
are already making preparations for Dec 2.We are doing all we can to
make it a successful "Walk For Capitalism".
   I am presently working with the Lagos city co-ordinator but subsequently,
I will like to Co-ordinate Port Harcourt city in Nigeria for other programmes
or project.
   I wish everyone a successful walk.
Best Regardsy

We have been very busy making final preparations. The media have been informed. We have sent out notices to the chambers of commerce and we have placed some small ads as well. We have had coverage in the main English and the main Chinese newspaper here.

Final numbers for the walk are difficult to estimate with anywhere from 20 to 100 people expected. Anyway, we have some literature in both English and Chinese and have some good local Hong Kongers also taking part in the walk and to help deal with the local media.c

Hong Kong is ready to Walk and wish good luck to every coordinator, whether they get 3 or 3000, we are all heroes tomorrow!

Because of time differences, the Melbourne Walk commences in 11 hours time (1 PM Melbourne time). Also I've got a small Capitalism Day concert and party to host (and sing a song a couple of songs at) in the evening, but will come and check for urgent emails or phone calls in between as well as after the festivities.

It's going to be physically impossible for me to get through all the communications and requests that I currently have in my inbox. Also, I won't be able to get through all the return phone calls I'd hoped to. But I will get through as many as I can, so it's still worth trying to make contact.

Email: prodos@prodos.com (It would be helpful if you flag your message as urgent) Phone: + 613 9428 1234

PLANET moderators, Fredrik and Rodolphe, who are also Coordinators (Oslo and Brussels), are tied up with their Capitalism Day events and won't necessarily be available to clear PLANET messages.

My own personal attitude, as the crucial hours approach, is that practically everything that could be done has been done, whatever isn't done by now doesn't matter any more, and as of this moment I am determined to have an abolutely fabulous adventure and a day of celebration and solidarity.

Just had fifteen minute interview with the 'New Zealand Business Herald' about the WalkForCapitalism, which followed a shorter one from the 'National Business Review' earlier in the week. 'Business Herald' reporter wanted to know why we're not driving Porsches for freedom. I told her that it's hard to stop and chat at 150mph, so we decided to walk instead - but she should be assured we'll be cruising the streets with our tops down as soon as we're able to on Sunday afternoon. :-)