Daily Show News: Support the TDS/TCR Writers! Operation Superstantial Truthiness is ON!

Cross-posted at NoFactZone.net.

Ok, we've been sitting patiently, waiting for the moment to strike sexy and hard in the name of the Colbert Nation.

Nation, that time has come.

We are officially launching Operation Superstantial Truthiness TODAY! Negotiations with the WGA and AMPTP start again on Monday, and we want to make sure we have a bold, visible, and amazingly large front to present to the powers that be that WE ARE THE COLBERT NATION! And we love our writers! And dammit, we want our shows back, and we're not going to take this anymore! We've got multiple different phases to this plan to support the writers of "The Colbert Report" and "The Daily Show", and we need everyone's help in supporting us to show the passion, the power, and the persistence that is the Colbert Nation.

Phase I - Pencils2MediaMoguls

Send Pencils to Support the Writers! A Buck a Box!

Okay, what is Pencils2MediaMoguls?
We’re asking people to use our site to buy pencils to send to the six media moguls who run the six corporate conglomerates.

Why pencils?
A lot of different fan sites were suggesting that people send pencils to networks and studios. United Hollywood and Strike Points met with some of the television showrunners, and together we decided to follow the fans’ lead.

Pencils have become the symbol of our cause: We are putting them down until we get a fair deal.

Symbolism, whatever. Let’s face it -- isn’t this kind of a waste of pencils?
We were worried about that too, so we found a vendor who makes environmentally sensitive product: California Republic Stationers. Their pencils are made from sustainably harvested wood, which means they don’t deforest.

We’ll also send the media moguls suggestions about where they can donate the pencils to non-profits that teach kids how to write. After all, the CEOs aren’t writers. It’s not like they can use them.

What happens to the money from the pencils?
Anything we have left over from our costs will go into the Union Solidarity Fund, which was created to help non-WGA members affected by the strike.

More about the Pencils2MediaMoguls program can be found here.

This is a fantastic program to help support the writers, and since it spans multiple fandoms, it has the potential to really make an impact. They've already sold 206,000 pencils! PLEASE NOTE: We do not endorse the sending of sharpened pencils through the mail. This is dangerous for the postal workers and the people who open the mail for the networks. So don't do it. Thanks! If you are going to send pencils, I strongly suggest that you send them through the Pencils2MediaMoguls program. This is an organized attempt to make the greatest impact that we can, while also allowing the pencils to go somewhere other than a trash bin.

Phase II - Fans4Writers and "Food For Thought"

We're trying to get a group together in New York City to represent the Colbert Nation (and "Daily Show" fans) through the "Food For Thought" program, conceived by the Fans4Writers fan site. Basically, what this would entail is meeting as a group, and bringing food and refreshments to the TDS/TCR writers who will be at the protest on Tuesday, November 27th. According to the WGA East Website:

Labor Solidarity with Writers: Rally on Tuesday, November 27 at Washington Square Park Solidarity Rally Tuesday, November 27 Washington Square Park 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. Join your fellow members of the Writers Guild of America, the labor community, and supporters and fans, as the WGA begins week four of its strike against the media conglomerates of the AMPTP. Meet us at Washington Square Park for a Solidarity Rally. We’re expecting a large attendance from the union community -- including SEIU, SAG, UNITE-HERE, AFT, NYS AFL-CIO, national AFL-CIO, and the New York City Central Labor Council among others -- as well as some exciting speakers, music and entertainment.

This is the day we're gunning for, but I suggest being flexible if possible. I've been told that the WGA leaders are working on "theme days" for the protesting, including a "Comedy/Variety" day, and we may end up shifting to Monday or Wednesday if it seems more appropriate. I've been given assurances by both a TDS writer and a TCR writer that if the negotiations fail on Monday (and there is a strong possibility of this happening) that there will be writers at the Tuesday event. And it's time we show them who we are and what we support.

IF YOU WANT TO ATTEND THIS EVENT AS A COLBERT NATION REPRESENTATIVE AND/OR A FAN OF THE DAILY SHOW:

Register with NoFactZone.net - we will be sending mailings on Sunday and Monday telling of the game plan for our representation. We'll also have suggested attire, the meeting place, and what to bring. Because this is short notice, we will most probably be asking those of you participating to bring a small amount of snacks/beverages with you (maybe $10-$20 worth) instead of trying to pool our money together via PayPal. We'll also give you some ideas for creating t-shirts to wear, and the time and place to meet before heading out. I'm going to get in contact with the Fans4Writers people and see if we can get other fandoms involved in supporting the writers during this rally.

Phase III - Coming soon ....

Yes, there is a Phase III. But we're going to wait and see how negotiations go on Monday before unleasing ourselves on Viacom. I heard a very interesting story today - The rumor is, Les Moonves has been so deluged with Criminal Minds callers, he's hired two more assistants and wants this to go away. To which I say, Viacom ain't seen NOTHING yet, baby!