THE PLAN FOR MER

MER -- MiddleEast.Org -- which we have called MID-EAST REALITIES for many years now has
become uniquely valuable to many people and has been recognized by many as one of a kind.  This is
especially the case I think because we combine serious hard-hitting information and analysis about what
is happening in the region with the same about what is really happening in Washington, behind-the-
headlines and behind-the-scenes.  Those few of you who are receiving this particular memo do not need
to be convinced of  this as we have already had extensive conversations; plus in addition you have read
in the past the many superlative messages and comments  that continually come to MER.

Because of all that MER has been doing for some years now, and  because we already have a worldwide
following, we are in a unique position to try to set up now a truly international organization that can last and
grow over the months and years ahead.  Of course the fact that we have this particularly desireable
domain name -- MiddleEast.Org -- is also a significant asset.

We need to work together now to find a way to make MER sustainable for the long run; especially in view
of what is likely ahead both in the Middle East itself and in Washington dealing with the Middle East.  

After considering the situation for some time, after talking and in some cases meeting with you personally,
and after exchanging views with many more people around the world by phone and email, the following plan
is the best I can come up with, though of course I welcome any further specific suggestions or amendments.  
But most of all what I really need now is a few people able and willing to financially support now this plan
that would make possible not only MER's continuance, but MER becoming a unique international think-tank
and membership organization.  The next step could then be to have MER representatives in cities and countries
throughout the U.S. and throughout the world who would be available to speak with the media and to meet
with others in their locations.  The need for your serious help in implimenting this plan is why I am sending
this memo to just a few of you whom I know personally and who are in a position to do so.
 
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This message to MER from someone we have not heard from before is an example of the
kinds of messages we regularly receive by email and phone -- this one a few days ago.
The John Laws Program that is mentioned is one of the best-known national radio programs
in Australia, an example of what happens when we are able to reach people through the regular
media so that they become aware of MER.  Much more of this is possible if we were to
actively and professionally pursue such programs:

Dear MER editors,
 
We have saved your excellent articles for the past two years, after becoming aware of the site through John Laws radio
interview with Mark Bruzonsky in Sydney, 2003.
 
I fully apppreciate the dedication of those associated with keeping MER alive as a beacon of truth in our corporatised era.
I feel exceedingly guilty that I have not yet contributed for several reasons, but I look forward to embracing the opportunity
to assist MER in any capacity from August, 2005. (Just completing Master of Internatonal Relations at Macquarie University
and have found your articles have equipped me with insights that I could not find from other sources. It would be good if all
Political Science/Middle East/International Relations departments are aware of your site. Your artcles would certainly liven
up some seminars!)
 
I am particularly passionate about MIddle East Affairs and believe that MER is assisting many individuals around the world
to reinvigorate the quest for justice for he Palestinians, Iraqis and other oppressed peoples, and to formulate strategies for
change within a politically, economcally and historically informed context.
 
There is so much to be done and I thank you for alerting globally conscientious individuals about the intolerable situations
articulated in MER.
 
Warm regards,
Janice Whitworth
Sydney, Australia

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Even with all of the difficulties and problems we have had, programming work to give MER special new capabilities
and to make it more valuable and more unique have been underway for some time.   The major new tool and most
significant enhancement we can have is the Windows Program itself called MiddleEast.org which hopefully you
have already installed it and become familiar with it.  If not get it at  http://MiddleEast.org/MER


             The special Download page shows Screenshots of the program and
makes it easy to download and install MiddleEast.org

This special program makes it possible not only to deliver MER articles and information far more efficiently
and quickly.  It makes possible delivering MER articles and information simultaneously direct to computer
screens all around the world bypassing slow and often-times clogged email.  Furthermore it makes possible
fast and easy reference to past articles instantly and at all times for reading, printing, and emailing to others.
                      
                           
The Globe is the MiddleEast.Org program in the Windows Tray.
It is by default loaded when the computer starts.  It awaits
receipt of MER articles, messages, chat requests.

This special Windows program is still under developement with new interactive features being added so that
people using it around the world will also be able to easily meet and talk with each other online.  In addition
to one-on-one communications between people with shared interests we are also working on a classroom
capability so that at set times people will be able to meet in an on-line classroom with key journalists and
academics in the Middle East and around the world.


This shows the MiddleEast.Org Program in use with its own controls and features
in its own separate resizeable Window.  It can be put anywhere on the Desktop
and miniized or maximized like any Windows Program

The MiddleEast.Org program is designed to be freely downloaded and used by anyone anywhere.  We expect
people using it to tell their family and friends because it will be so unique.  It works whenever a person is connected
to the Internet.  With more and more people using always-on cable and DSL connections this of course is becoming
something of greater importance all the time.  For those using it MER articles will automatically be delivered to their
computers within minutes of publication, and the past ten articles and flashbacks will be easily available for reading,
printing, or forwarding to anyone else.  

To use the other additional features of the program a person will need to become a Member of MER.  For administrative
ease the plan is to do this on a yearly basis for a set amount now anticipated to be $99.  This first year some special
arrangement to jump-start the process will be needed.  When a person becomes a Member their email address will then
automatically enable the same program they already have installed to be 'activated', automatically making all of the
enhanced and interactive capabilities available.  These 'activated'  capabilities include enhanced search capabiliities, all
past articles and archives, past MERTV programs, and regular ClassRoom specials.  Obviously the goal will be to make
this whole experience using the program so unique and so useful that many people worldwide will want to use
MiddleEast.Org regularly.

There is also aready a demonstration PRESS version available.  This special press version can be downloaded
after we check the information supplied by the personal requesting it, give our approval by email, and then one download
of the program is allowed.  This press version allows for the instant receipt of press releases and specially prepared
Columns and Op Eds, in addition to all the other regular features.
These illustrate the different purpose MER Homepages that have been under
development but which are not being updated at this time and for which the
programming work is not yet complete
 MEReport.com                          MERTV                                        MER Multimedia00
                      
Daily Headlines, Analysis                 Weekly TV Program               Complete Interactive Homwpage


How do I propose we go about this in a way that can make MER sustainable?

I want to establish quickly now a PUBLISHING COMMITTEE OF 100 who will make MER possible.  This group
of persons will commit to MER monthly for at least one year from $25 to $50 to $100 or more.   This will be done
either online by using Paypal Subscription (we already have this set up) or by sending 12 checks dated the 1st of each
month.   Most of course will choose the lower amount, hopefully at least a reasonable number will choose the higher
amounts, we will have to see. When we have at least 100 Members we will resume regular MER publication better
than ever -- with emphasis on regular MER exclusives, commentary, and 'From Washington' articles.  Then once we
are operating again we will attempt to expand this number to 200 persons, essentially asking every one of the initial
100 to find at least one more person willing to become involved as they are.  When we have 200 we will be able to
resume making the weekly TV program but this time we will focus on using a high-speed video broadcast server
making the program available worldwide to Internet users.

Now what do I want and need from the few of you who are receiving this memo?

Very simply, especially in view of all the efforts and difficulties in the past, there has to be seed money to pursue this
effort.   There is no way around that necessity if this is to be done professionally and successfully.   Though far less
is needed and is being asked for than would be the case normally, these minimal amounts are absolutely crucial.

First of all, at this point, in order to pursue these plans at all, MER has to be kept going and my hope is that right
away with your agreement we will resume daily publishing with emphasis on key FlashBacks (our own archives go
back to December 1996) plus in a limited way showing past MERTV programs (we actually have hundreds of
programs going back to 1994 that we could digitize and make available) in this interim  period.   I need you to be
one of a few persons willing to stretch themselves as I am doing and commit themselves starting with this month
through at least the end of this year to a serious monthly contribution to MER.   In total I need commitments of
$5000 monthly for the rest of this year in order to move ahead with all of this.

There are only a handful of you whom I have at this point spoken with extensively, who have shown your serious
interest and support, and whom I feel comfortable turning to.   You have to be the judge of your own financial
means.  While I can handle the intellectual and political and journalistic things involved; and while I can also oversee
the Internet things which others do as volunteers at this point;  I can only do these things if I am freed from the
day-to-day financial anxieties and burdens and have the minimal financial means to do everything.  Of course you
can see from the details of the above Plan that if achieved by the end of the year MER would at least be finally
sustainable for the long run and we would then be positioned to make it grow and become more effective and
do more things literally month after month, year after year.

Whether you can commit yourself monthly to $500 or to $1000 or more, or to some lesser amount, is a determination
only you can make.  But only with your support can MER continue and this plan be pursued.    MER already has
quite a running start but at this point we must have a minimal financial base to operate and expand from.

If I am going to continue to further commit myself to doing this work I have to turn to a few of you whom I have been
in touch with because you contacted me great enthusiasm about and interest in MER.   You have encouraged me
personally and you have already demonstrated your sincerity through financial contributions.   In turn I have done
everything I could to keep MER going, to develope the capabilities I have outlined in this memo, and to come up
with this comprehensive Plan to go forward.   It will evolve further as we go I am sure.

If we can pursue this MER Plan then when we get to the point of having 100 members worldwide we will take one
additional step that some people have rightly raised.  We will then use the services of a Washington law firm that has
already agreed to work with us pro bono and go through the procedures and filing requirements to become a 501c3
organization and hopefully bring that about in the year ahead.   That will then position us for more substantial fund-
raising in the years ahead making possislbe the evolution of  MER more and more into a real modern-day internet-
based think-tank of the kind we can all be proud to say we helped make possible.

Mark Bruzonsky
Mark@Bruzonsky.com
202 362-5266
202 320-6275