A propaganda campaign against the Republican Party ?

[kentuck]

Would you volunteer? Not covert, but openly? The idea arises from a comment from another poster. I have seen it reported several times that longtime Repubs are not going to vote for Bush this time around because they feel the "neocons" have taken over their Party. Indeed, the "neocons" have taken over their Party. These are not conservatives. They are radicals.

It is my opinion that it would be an effective campaign if we were to inform as many Republicans as possible about how their Party has been taken over by the "neocons". We should ask all "honorable" Republicans to study carefully whether or not they actually agree with the "neocons" that have taken over their Party? But the basic point to make is that this is not their father's Oldsmobile and this is not their father's Republican Party. If we can plant this seed of doubt in the minds of already questioning Republicans, I think it can be an effective propaganda campaign effort against the opposition. it is the old strategy of divide and conquer. However, if it is a question of ethics or morals, I think it is an ethical strategy, under the circumstances we are now confronting - with an opposition that has so much money and has virtual control over the media, etc. Any thoughts?

[PROGRESSIVE1]

1. That's what I have been doing all along and I would....

strongly advise my fellow DUers to do the same.

:kick:

[kentuck]

2. Thanks PROGRESSIVE1 !

We should try to make this part of our everyday conversation, in my opinion. Because I think it will be a very effective strategy against the Repubs.

[Unperson 309]

7. In fact...

It is not so much a strategy against Republicans as it is a strategy to enable the TRUE Repubs to regain control of their party.

I liken it a lot to slapping a person who is in hysterics. The Rep party, as an entity, is in screaming hysterics and we need to appeal to the more rational element: "HEY! *whack!* Get a GRIP!"

The questions to ask your conservative friends would include:

"Do you support smaller government? Do you feel that the current occupants of power in your party do as well? Has the Republican accession to power RESULTED in smaller, less intrusive government?"

"Do you feel that the Patriot Acts I and II, REALLY REFLECT your own desires for our country?"

"Being conservative, have you not always stood for personal accountability, fiscal responsibility and the rule of law in government? Do you truly feel that this administration has followed the guidelines of the Party?"

"Do you think that this current Administration adheres to the Constitution? If not, why not? Do these proposed changes (the Defense of Marriage Act, the flag burning proposal, etc) not weaken individual freedom?"

"Do you TRULY feel that THIS is the Republican Party of Eisenhower? Of Taft? Of Abraham Lincoln? Would *Ronald Reagan* have kept on someone under whose watch the current abuses and tortures of prisoners in Iraq had occurred? Would Reagan APPROVE of these things?"

and finally:

"When we were young, the conservative view was that people were adults, that our private business was ours alone, we had the "right to be left alone", that government should confine itself to its Constitutionally mandated duties and that we ought not to interfere with other countries' affairs. The conservative view stood for honesty, honor, integrity and morality. Has the current Republican Party adhered to or departed from these values?"

"DON'T YOU WANT YOUR PARTY BACK?!!"

309

[kentuck]

9. Excellent!

Even better than excellent. :)

[mkultra]

3. Im in

partly because i like it and again because its true

[Cleita]

4. We shouldn't mince words but call them what they are, facists.

We need to compare their actions to those of facist dictators of the past. Damn they need to be hammered with this.

[kentuck]

6. The purpose is to divide the opposition...

not to antagonize them to the point that they would ignore us...There is a fine line that must be adhered to for propaganda to be effective.

[Cleita]

11. Oh, so this is propaganda and not the truth.

Well, good luck. I still think Republicans can be brought around if we help them drop the scales from their eyes so they can truly see the nature of the beast they are feeding.

[kentuck]

13. It is both.

Disseminating propaganda in the form of the truth. :) Like dropping leaflets over enemy territory to tell them their leader is committing atrocities..... True, but still propaganda.

[sandnsea]

22. That's how you do it

The first step is to somehow allow them to save enough face to look at these people honestly. If saying they aren't real Republicans does that, then we're half way there. Then you just keep dropping little pebbles of truth on them. Truth they can handle, not the whole PNAC agenda in one sitting.

[kentuck]

26. I think you are correct, sandnsea......

These people are so defensive and so partisan-brainwashed, that we cannot just drop the truth or our opinions on them because they will block you out. With a simple declarative statement such as "they are not conservatives - they are radicals" will more comfortable fit into their analysis curve. If you go outside the curve, you fail to get them to even question the idea. You must realize that not all Repubs are like Hannity or Rush and some are looking for their opinions to be validated. It is a fine line.

[maggrwaggr]

5. that wouldn't be propaganda, that would be the truth

The truth is our friend. We just need people to get the goddamn truth out there. The media has let America down.

Yeah, go for it! But don't call it propaganda, because it is not.

[kentuck]

8. Does propaganda necessarily have to be false ?

Of course it can be true and it is true. The purpose is to provide information that they would not otherwise get thru "normal" channels.

[liberalron]

10. It's Harry Truman time

I am paraphrasing, as I have seen this quote in both the present and past tense.
Responding to "Give 'em Hell, Harry", Truman said "I don't have to give 'em Hell. I just tell the truth and they thinks its Hell".

[maggrwaggr]

21. that would be news, not propaganda

Yes, propaganda is lies, or the truth distorted into what is basically a lie

[kentuck]

23. That has become the modern definition although..

traditionally propaganda was not considered necessarily negative or false...

[Generator]

15. I agree it's the truth

There's your Lou Dobbs Republicans, there's your Sean Hannity Republicans.

Some call those that don't agree with them enemies. That is not American, it's not Republican, it's fascist.

This idea is out there. We just need one prominent Rep to step up and break the spell. That's also the only thing that will get Scummy out, when some break ranks.

Damn, does our future really reside with a possible "Real Republican"?

Now I'm depressed.

[ithacan]

12. not just the neocons, but the fundies too

The GOP has been taken over by the religious right, who are closely cooperating across the board with neocons, most probably because of the whole armegeddon scenario.

For details check out: http://www.TheocracyWatch.org/

[ibegurpard]

14. It's not propaganda

It's the truth. I can't see any problem whatsoever with telling people the truth.

[CaptainClark23]

17. Some people aren't ready for the truth

Some people have bought in to the scam so completely that to be presented with "The Truth" results only in aggressive antagonism and outright rejection.

Some people you have to nurse along easily. My father worked Red Cross at the WTC every day for three months. He thought he KNEW what the deal was. If I had told him flat out all the arguments for LIHOP, all the unanswered questions, he'd have had a hard time swallowing it. And would still be holding onto false notions today. Break 'em in, and bring 'em along.

The Truth has a way of making itself know once the mind is ready to accept something other than what its already imprinted.

Sorry for the bullshit psycho-babble, I just see great intentions backfiring all the time due to a surplus of passion and a defecit of consideration.

[AmandaRuth]

16. The combination of 3 types of "new reThugs"

are extremely dangerous to America, and we should spread the word. The neocons as you pointed out, and the Fundy's or the Christian Death Cultists, as I have heard them referred to along with Heritage Foundation ReThugs who want to dismantle public education and social security, as they are seen as socialist programs. (but hey stupid poor people will be happy to fight over $8.00 an hour jobs.)

They have gone way beyond the old republican party that just wanted government off our backs, and more individual freedoms, which now indeed sound Democrat .

[blm]

18. Picket outside GOP headquarters in each county.

Some good signs to use


The Old Times Republicans vs. the End Times Republicans

No King George

No More Neocons - No More Lies

Conservative - Yes, Neocon - Never

[CaptainClark23]

19. Dress appropriately!

Play the part.

[kentuck]

20. Excellent idea....

It would probably make the local news on some slow days... :)

[laylah]

24. Count me in!

I think that an organized list of "talking points" would be very helpful...because the OBVIOUS isn't working...

Jenn

[seabeyond]

25. i am with you in the panhandle of texas

just havent put it together yet. how

maybe when we start figuring, i say in the next month or two. for reasons, summer and closer to election, vacations play............closer to election, i think a ground swell would be good and have its own room on this board

but i have been looking at this area to see what words need to be heard by these people. my intent is to go to the preachers, (bible belt) and shame them to realization

now the shame them is in love, jesus way, i am good at that., grinnin

[kentuck]

27. Just bring it up in conversation, if nothing else.

Another poster had the excellent idea of standing outside of Party HQs with subtle signs..