Campaign News

New Save Crusade Petition, MARCH 27, 2000, 7:47 ET

Fans and friends of Crusade, the Crusade for Crusade has put together a new petition to keep the show in the minds of studio executives until TNT's rights to Babylon 5 expire in February of next year.

Show your support, sign the petition at http://www.astro.umd.edu/~fleming/PetitionCampaign.html.


Announcing Crusade for a Cure: A Call to Arms against AIDS, FEBRUARY 12, 2000, 9:10 ET

The best news I've had in a while! Actually, I've known for months, since I'm the President of The Ulysses Foundation, but now it's time to let you all in on my latest project:

Last year, when TNT canceled J. Michael Straczynski's Babylon 5 spinoff Crusade, a group of fans joined together in an effort to save the show. As we fought together, we discovered that we shared not only a love of Babylon 5 and Crusade, but also a passionate commitment to the progressive values advocated in these shows and other quality science fiction. To put this energy to use, a group of us have formed a new nonprofit corporation, The Ulysses Foundation*, which will raise money for research that melds scientific progress and social justice. The proceeds of our fundraising campaigns will be donated to reputable research institutions engaged in projects that reflect our interests.

In the spirit of the Excalibur's mission and in honor of Crusade, The Ulysses Foundation is proud to announce our first campaign:

Crusade for a Cure:
A Call to Arms against AIDS

". . . to strive, to seek, to find and not to yield."

Crusade for a Cure is a year-long fundraising drive culminating in a convention and gala dinner, the purpose of which is to raise money for research toward affordable AIDS vaccines and treatments.

The convention and dinner will be held at the Doubletree Hotel, in Costa Mesa, California on September 15-17, 2000. David Allen Brooks and Maggie Egan are *confirmed* as guests, and Peter Woodward, Carrie Dobro, and Marjean Holden have expressed their willingness to participate. Invitations are also being sent to Daniel Dae Kim, Gary Cole, Tracy Scoggins, Richard Biggs, Bruce Boxleitner, Jeff Conaway, Tim Choates, Steven Furst, Fiona Avery, Evan Chen, John Vulich, and others. (Note: Guests reserve the right to cancel their appearances due to emergencies or other professional commitments.) All profits from the convention, dinner, and sales of related merchandise will be donated to a premier AIDS research foundation.

Convention Rates:

Weekend Membership	$55
Saturday gala dinner plus Weekend Membership	$110
Saturday gala dinner for non-members	$70
Friday luau and Weekend Membership	$75
Dinner, luau, and Weekend Membership	$130

These rates are good until May 1, after which there will be a rate increase.

From today through February 20 we are offering a special, introductory rate: subtract $5 from the above prices.

Hotel contact infomation:

Doubletree Hotel Orange County
3050 Bristol Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 540-7000 - Fax:(714)540-9176

Room rates:

Single Occupancy: $ 89.00
Double Occupancy: $ 99.00
Triple Occupancy: $109.00
Quadruple Occupancy: $109.00

Be sure to mention that you are with "Crusade for a Cure" to get these special rates.

Also note: rates are only guaranteed through August 31st, so reserve your spot early!

For further information and to order tickets for the convention and dinner come to the Ulysses Foundation website, www.UlyssesFoundation.org. In the near future, Crusade for a Cure merchandise including t-shirts, postcards, and more will also be available on the site. You can send questions about the convention to ulyssescon@ulyssesfoundation.org. Send all other inquiries to ulysses@ulyssesfoundation.org or president@ulyssesfoundation.org.

*Note: The Ulysses Foundation is a registered corporation in the State of California. Until such time as state and federal tax exempt status is granted, contributions to Crusade for a Cure: A Call to Arms against AIDS are not guaranteed tax-deductible. For questions about legal issues, tax status, or contributions, contact Alisa Schreibman at president@ulyssesfoundation.org.


Join the Crusade: Crusaders Formulating New Strategies, JANUARY 13, 2000, 12:46 ET

Wow! Feels weird to type 2000 there. It means the campaign will soon be moving into it's second year with no surcease in site. The Crusade for Crusade continues, albeit more sedately. It took quite a while to get Star Trek back on the air all those years ago, and Crusade fans seem determined to see this through. Current initiatives include: monthly chats at Sci Fi Ranger's site, http://webcs.com/ranger; Boothby's new science fiction fans united Space Battle's Alliance, http://www.sballiance.com, may be hosting a Crusade forum and inspiring new efforts; and a new strategy is being plotted on the Save Crusade mailing list, SaveCrusade2x@onelist.com.

To join the Crusade, visit http://www.onelist.com/community/SavCrusade2x.


Hammer Promotion Signals Another Chance for Crusade Fans, DECEMBER 19, 1999, 10:44 EDT

Tim and Heather Fleming, the deans of the Save Crusade campaign, are encouraging fans to write to Bonnie Hammer before the end of December. The thought is that Bonnie Hammer's promotion may signal another chance for Crusade, as she's been hearing it from the fans since the campaign began. Here's what the Flemings have to say:

Some important Sci-Fi Channel news: Bonnie Hammer, who was the vice president of programming at the Sci-Fi Channel, has been promoted to the newly created position of executive vice president and general manager of the Sci-Fi Channel. In this new position, she will be responsible for not only Sci-Fi's programming but also marketing, advertising, sales and licensing.

In an article about Ms. Hammer's promotion on the Sci-Fi channel news page (www.scifi.com/scifiwire/sfc.html), she is quoted describing her goals for the future of the Sci-Fi channel: "We are aggressively developing original programming which will further define and sharpen our brand identity. Our goal is to make SCI FI the definitive home for both classic and cutting-edge science fiction."

This statement demands a response from the fans of Crusade and Babylon 5. Bonnie Hammer's promotion makes it clear that she is one of the people we MUST convince if Crusade is to be picked up by the Sci-Fi Channel. We need to tell her that the Sci-Fi channel CANNOT be the "definitive home" for science fiction without the addition to its programming of both Babylon 5, the best science fiction television show of our time, and Crusade, its worthy sucessor. These shows are the cutting-edge of science fiction and the definitive examples of what science fiction on television should strive to be.

Thus, we ask you all to please send a letter to Bonnie Hammer before the end of this month. (The address can be found [below]). We believe that the Sci-Fi Channel's budget for next year will be finalized in January, so now is the time to take action. Please refer to Ms. Hammer's statement quoted above in your letter. Let her know that you believe the Sci-Fi Channel cannot claim to be the true home of science fiction unless they pick up Crusade. (Taken from "Latest News and Musings", www.astro.umd.edu/~fleming/latest_news.html

Here's that address again with Ms. Hammer's new title:

Bonnie Hammer
Executive Vice President and General Manager
Sci-Fi Channel
1230 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020-1513

Fans Still Writing Letters, Push Planned for December 3, NOVEMBER 17, 1999 11:27 EDT

Fans are still writing letters to the various powers that be in the Crusade crisis.

While TNT holds the rights to Crusade until February 2000 and it seems unlikely that immediate action will be taken by the Sci Fi Channel or any other party interested in Crusade, fans are determined to make the most of a recent rumor that Skiffy (Sci Fi) execs may be negotiating for rights to the 13 episodes of Crusade. According to the rumor, Skiffy would like to run a Crusade marathon. Such marathons are traditionally very good ratings tests. So, if this rumor is true, Skiffy may be looking to test how Crusade would do on their station if they picked it up.

In an effort to encourage Skiffy to negotiate for broadcasting rights and to pick up Crusade, some passionate Renegade Rangers are spearheading a letter-writing push for December 3, the two month anniversary of the last such push. If you're feeling like things have gotten too quiet in Save Crusadeland recently, here's your chance to do liven things up. Write to Warners to tell them you have not given up on Crusade and you still want to see more; write to TNT to ask them to release the rights to Sci Fi or anyone negotiating for them; and write to Sci Fi to encourage them to negotiate for rights to Crusade and to pick the series up. Relevant addresses and letter writing tips can be found at the Fleming's Crusade for Crusade site on the Letters page. T-Shirts Have Been Shipped!, NOVEMBER 17, 1999 10:52 EDT

The Save Crusade T-shirts that Will Piniarski designed and collected money for have arrived. The shirts have been shipped to their respective designations, and some Renegade Rangers have been sighted wearing these great looking shirts. If you ordered a shirt from Will, please send him a picture of you wearing it for him to put up on his website. If you're too shy, a picture of your kid, dog, wall, whatever, wearing the shirt will serve just as well.

After all was said and done, there were fourteen extra t-shirts ordered to be distributed amongst the cast and crew of Crusade. Will has sent those extra shirts to me, Allie, and I will keep you posted on to whom and how they are being distributed. Also, I'll try to get photographs of the recipients wearing or receiving them to give to Will.

Chat with David A. Brooks, SEPTEMBER 13, 1999, 12:32 EDT

TNT is holding a chat with David Allen Brooks, Max Eilerson of Crusade, TONIGHT, September 13, at 9:00 PM EST/6:00 PM PST. Please join the members of the Crusade campaign in supporting David and Crusade at this Internet outing. The chat can be accessed from the front page of TNT's Crusade site, but you have to register to get a chat account. So go early and sign up!


Chat with Carrie Dobro, SEPTEMBER 13, 1999, 12:32 EDT

Lycos is holding a chat with Carrie Dobro, Dureena of Crusade, TONIGHT, September 13, at 8:00 PM EST/5:00 PM PST. Please join the members of the Crusade campaign in supporting Carrie and Crusade at this Internet outing. The chat can be accessed from Lycos Special Events Chat, but you have to register to get a chat account. So go early and sign up!


Save Crusade chats, SEPTEMBER 6, 1999, 3:03 EDT

Friends of Crusade, Renegade Ranger Will Piniarski is hosting a series of chats at his site for September and October. Get to know the people you've worked side by side with for weeks and months in a real-time setting.

SEPTEMBER 6th MONDAY - 7:30 to 9:00pm EASTERN (4:30 - 6:00 PACIFIC)
Save Crusade chat.
Discuss the events concerning Crusade, the current rumors and how to help with the series.

SEPTEMBER 27th MONDAY - 7:30 to 9pm EASTERN
Marjean Holden (Dr. Sarah Chambers from Crusade) live, answering your questions about Crusade. Logon early as there will be a limited number of spaces available.

OCTOBER 4th MONDAY - 7:30 to 9pm EASTERN
Save Crusade chat.
Discuss the events concerning Crusade, the current rumors and how to help with the series.

Come on in and chat.


Save Crusade T-Shirts, AUGUST 27, 1999, 6:29 EDT

For all of you Renegade Rangers out there who want to *wear* their support for Crusade, Will Piniarski has come to the rescue! Will stepped up to the plate and got prices on some lovely "Save Crusade" t-shirts complete with a logo designed by yours truly, Allie Sawyer. The shirts are surprisingly affordable, but do not delay--this is a limited time offer. Purchase orders and funds must be received by September 19th, 1999. Will's charging a few cents extra per shirt to cover the cost of shirts for J. Michael Straczynski and the Crusade cast, but he's also looking for donations of a few extra dollars to be sure that he does not end up out money. If Crusade goes the way of the dodo, Renegade Rangers will want something to remind them of what might have been. Visit Will's site to get yours today!

Chat with Marjean Holden, AUGUST 27, 1999, 6:02 EDT

TNT is holding a chat with Marjean Holden, Dr. Sarah Chambers of Crusade, TONIGHT, August 27, at 9:00 PM EST/6:00 PM PST. Please join the members of the Crusade campaign in supporting Marjean and Crusade at this Internet outing. The chat can be accessed from the front page of TNT's Crusade site, but you have to register to get a chat account. So go early and sign up!

Save Crusade Email List Explosion, AUGUST 27, 1999, 5:59 EST

Probably due to incredibly high traffic, the campaign's onelist savCrusade@onelist.com exploded around noon on August 25th. List members are still waiting to see if onelist can restore the old list, but in the meantime active members of the list have been signed up for a second generation list: savCrusade2x@onelist.com. If you were a lurker on the list or if you never signed up but want to participate, please go to www.onelist.com and subscribe to the new list.

Only TNT and Sci Fi Channel Currently Able to Pick Up Crusade

While some Crusade supporters are encouraging people to write to all possible networks and stations, this tactic is generally frowned upon by the original campaigners. Straczynski has informed the campaign that Warner Brothers has only shopped Crusade to TNT and the Sci Fi Channel at this time. This in mind, it is premature to begin writing to other networks to ask them to pick up Crusade, as they would not be able to do so in any event until the show has been pitched to them. If both TNT and the Sci Fi Channel pass on Crusade, and Warner's does not find it a home amongst its other subsidiaries, they may then shop Crusade elsewhere. At that time it will be appropriate to write letters to other stations, but not before.