The Kings County GOP’s Website: A DISGRACE

Time stands still on the Brooklyn Republican Party’s website. I mean literally.

It does not change.

Ever.

Never.

Go visit it, and you’ll see: http://www.brooklyngop.com/.

On the home page, under the Chairman’s profile, it reads: “The Time is Now to Rebuild and Revitalize the GOP.”

How about rebuilding and revitalizing the GOP’s website, Mr. Chairman?

Now, anyone who reads this blog knows that Frank D’Anconia has railed against the current establishment since the inception of our blog, often presenting extremely valid criticism, I believe. While sometimes I want to ask Francisco why he is so passionate in condemning the party’s leadership in his pieces, the fact is I too find it hard to say anything good myself about the current GOP here in Brooklyn. One thing I cannot stand—that would make any online blogger furious—is any major institution, political or not, lacking a website in the 21^st century. What’s worse: having one that remains inert. It basically says “we’re doing nothing.”

Francisco probably agrees that they aren’t doing anything. I tend to agree, but anyone viewing their website would have no choice BUT to believe that. Heck, they are still advertising for an event last May in their main column…May? Really?

John Galt recently heard and wrote about a “protest” held in front of the 13th CD’s Congressman Michael E. McMahon’s headquarters over the health care issue. Why would something like that not be publicly displayed in a place of prominence on their website? Who’s their Webmaster? The Crypt Keeper?

Forgive me for being impolitic for a moment, but my grandmother could blog if she wanted to. My mother has a Facebook account. The Brooklyn GOP can’t do any better?

My colleague, Hank Rearden, has exposed from public records the mismanagement of funds on the part of the Party (I recommend reading his entire four-part series “How to Squander Money You Didn’t Earn.”) How about some money going toward rebuilding and updating the website?

If you build it, they will come. But if you build it and let it stand, destroy the gates, and let it get dangerously rusty, people will flee.

Now, I know what some of you might say to my criticism of their web maintenance: Well, why don’t you help them out? Build them a website, if you’re so good at it.

That’s not the way it works. They have the means. They have the connections to do it. They just choose not to do it. If Chairman Eaton so wished, I’m sure tomorrow he could coordinate dedicated funds to an overhaul of the party’s website. So far, that has not happened.

That kind of criticism (why don’t you do it) represents the kind of philosophy that has killed our party from the inside in this borough. It’s the mentality that we—the grunts—should do the serf work while the feudal lords reap the benefits. And why, you ask? Some common answers:

Because.

Just because.

Because WE are the party.

Because I’m “Honorable,” and you’re not.

Because this is the way it is—how it’s done—and how dare you question us!

No way! It’s the other way around. The party is here to serve its constituents. Any political party, especially a minority party like the GOP in Brooklyn, has to create a sense of ownership in the organization amongst its constituents. How would anyone feel if, after accomplishing something for the party, they weren’t thanked? How would anyone feel if no one contacted them to tell them what’s going on in the party? Well, that’s currently the status quo in the Brooklyn GOP. So, knowing this, why should I build something for an organization that has failed to invite me into its ranks and not devoted a smidgen of its funds and resources towards building a decent website in the first place?

I mean, it’s a fact that Atlas Shrugs in Brooklyn is now more prolific and more up-to-date than the county party’s website. That’s a fact, plain and simple! I might not mind, but to many GOPers, there’s something wrong with that.

So, I invite you to join me in writing to info@brooklyngop.com and ceaton@brooklyngop.com to urge our party leaders to bring this disgrace of a website they have into the 21^st century.

If they do nothing, I don’t know what to say… Maybe they have a primeval fear of technology? Then again, if they do, the computer in the party’s office has already been bashed with a club.

I wouldn’t be surprised.

P.S. Thanks to those that commented on Atlas about the county party’s website. You were my inspiration!