Knowmore.org's Blog
KNOWMORE NEWS: Don't Say "We Told You So."
Here's the html link we'd like folks to tweet and status-update about:
http://knowmore.org/wiki/index.php?title=Fundraiser
And here's the text of the message:
To the Knowmore Community;
It's hard not to say 'We Told You So,' isn't it?
If you're receiving this letter, it means you've been supporting Knowmore.org and our mission of corporate reform for some time now, and have probably found yourself thinking those four words at least a few times in the past year. So, before we get to the purpose of this appeal, let's take a moment to restate who we are by addressing the most popular fiction of the recent global financial meltdown.
"No one could have seen this coming."
Since 2005, Knowmore.org and its supporters have been pointing out the failures and dangers of unchecked corporate power.
* Before companies like Citigroup, Inc., AIG, Bear Stearns, and GM 'became toxic', we were shouting from the rooftop about their fundamental instability, unethical policies, and exploitative and predatory practices.
* Before the bail outs--and before insurance companies and pharmaceuticals began the fight against the current push for health care reform--Knowmore.org was sounding the alarm about corporate control of the political process.
* Before the collapse of the US job market and soaring unemployment, Knowmore.org was maintaining that the reckless 'race to the bottom' of companies like Wal-Mart and Target would decimate America's manufacturing base and local businesses.
Unfortunately, there's no satisfaction in being vindicated by disaster. As millions of people lose their livelihood, health, security, and often their basic human rights, there's no time for "I told you so."
Instead, Knowmore.org has taken the current economic crisis as a powerful reaffirmation of our goals, and an elevation of the threat level; It has never been more important that there be a strong voice against corporate control, and a citizen and consumer driven source of information like Knowmore.org.
We are writing this letter to ask that you support the outlet that saw it coming, and didn't shy away from its responsibility to tell you so.
Knowmore.org's database has reached an incredible size in the past two years, and we're proud to finally announce that we are within inches of our longtime goal: a Knowmore.org entry for each of the Global Fortune 500. The information entered into the database by our interns and volunteers is currently in the process of being verified and formatted by the system administrators. We're now maintaining entries for more than 700 companies, and tens of thousands of consumer brands and subsidiaries.
We're equally excited by the success of our Firefox extension, which is now being used by more than 3,000 users.
The funds now being raised will go toward the development of mobile applications in 2010. Now that the database is substantial, our goal is to get our crucial information into the hands of consumers at the point of sale. Imagine grocery shopping with a Knowmore app by your side, or eventually being able to scan a barcode and get a Knowmore rating.
Also planned for this year are the development of street team packs, curriculum and packages for teachers who want to bring Knowmore into the classroom, and the hiring of a publicity firm to increase visibility. With the Fortune 500 project complete, we feel confident that the site will soon be ready for its most massive publicity push ever.
We realize pockets are tight, and we're feeling the pinch as well. Please consider giving whatever you can. If you're too strapped to donate, or if you want to help further, consider editing some Knowmore entries, or signing up for the street team. Send emails to Bernard@Knowmore.org for inquiries as to how you can help.
We're setting the goal high this year. We'll be requiring hundreds of hours from our developers and administrators, and we'll need some capital to put these ideas into motion.
We've raised or received commitments for $1500 to date. Can you help us raise the rest?
Please pass this on, and consider donating in someone's name as a gift during the holiday season.
Best wishes to all of us in the year ahead
Stay on the battlefield,
B. Dolan & The Knowmore Staff
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Knowmore, Inc. is a registered, tax exempt 501 (c) 3 non profit organization. Any and all donations are tax deductible!!
Donations can be sent via Paypal to: Bernard@Knowmore.org
If you'd like to send a donation in the mail, please send it to the address below:
Knowmore.org
PO BOX 854
Glendale, RI 02826
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