Election Day Freebie Watch: Part 1 Posted on November 4, 2008, 9:54am | Katherine Mangu-Ward In an effort to take the pulse of the American electorate, yours truly will be blogging live all day from the places where democracy really matters: Stores where an "I Voted" sticker entitles customers to free stuff. Since I never vote (http://www.reason.com/news/show/129640.html), reason readers can rest assured that my objectivity will remain untainted by conflicts of interest. I probably won't make it up to NYC today, so before I hit the mean streets of Washington, D.C., I'm going to kick things off with a news report. Toys in Babeland, a "woman-positive sex shop," is giving away freebies (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27455136/) to those who present their ballot stubs, registration cards, or "word of honor" that they voted. The prize?:
In related news, freebies may also be available from disconsolate young ladies sporting McCain buttons in D.C. bars tonight. Stay tuned for more from Starbucks, Krispy Kreme, Ben and Jerry's, and more. |
Election Day Freebie Watch: Part 2 Katherine Mangu-Ward | November 4, 2008, 11:31am Poor Starbucks can't seem to do anything right lately. After hyping free coffee for those who "care enough to vote," the chain has been forced to revise its promotion by federal election law. Now they're giving a free cup of coffee to any one who cares enough to ask for a free cup of coffee (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aIBd9wa0Xh7U&refer=us). That's civic participation.
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As to whether Babeland expects voters who take them up on the offer to lean one way or the other politically, Doan said, "Sex crosses party lines. … We've tried to make this into a nonpartisan reward because we welcome everyone. That's our philosophy and our mission. We didn't want to reward only Obama supporters. We have a lot of Republicans who shop at Babeland too." |
What percentage of transgendered, gay, lesbian and bisexual voters are actually libertarian?
Coward!
Election Day Freebie Watch: Part 4 Katherine Mangu-Ward | November 4, 2008, 3:26pm An informal canvass of three D.C. Starbucks suggests that people are taking their free coffee black and sweet—appropriately enough in this season of impending Obama victory. • Down at the Farragut Park Starbucks, where people wear frumpy suits and look tired, the cashier simply converted every order for a tall coffee into a freebie, regardless of whether the customers knew about the promotion. Asked how many cups she had given away, she sighed and said "hundreds." • Up in Dupont Circle, people with cool jeans and Obama buttons inquired politely after their free coffee. Many people took their coffee from the counter and looked around as if they were waiting for security to pounce. Unsurprising really, that people who are used to paying $4 a pop feel like a free cup is too good to be true. One older woman asked for two cups, and she got them. The barista, obviously not confident of a speedy Obama victory, said: "Ma'am, it might be a long night, so sure." Former reason intern Jonathan Blanks partook, and had this to say: "I just spat on the party of my youth, and all I got was this lousy coffee. Thanks, Starbucks." |