"Don't think of an elephant!" - George Lakoff

[Democrat 4 Ever]

I am not sure if this book as been discussed or not. I went to the Metro Dem meeting in Louisville Wednesday night. This book was offered for sale and they requested that people buy, read and be ready to discuss the information offered by Lakoff at April's meeting.

I am just blown away by this book. Very short, cheap and should be required reading for every Dem - as soon as possible. We have got to get our ducks in order, change the language that the Reps have thrown at us for 40 years, quit bickering among ourselves over the issues and get ready to kick ass. Today.

This is the best discussion I have seen on the differences between repugs and Dems and their ability to frame issues. The very thing that makes us so strong is also the thing that keeps us fighting among ourselves. We are inclusive of all people but are ready to shoot the message the first time someone strays from the individual concept of what is Democratic. Right now we are getting ourselves beat to death using the repukes talking points. The author offers ways to change the discussion but first we need to get all Dems on the same page. We are much more inclusive than the repugs will ever be but we have to acknowledge our differences, make them work for us and take back the country.

Lakoff offers that there are six kinds of progressives (liberals)

Just a snippet from the book -

1. Socioeconomic progressive think that everything is a matter of money and class and that all solutions are ultimately economic and social class solutions.

2. Identify politics progressives say it is time for their oppressed group to get its share now.

3. Environmentalist think in terms of sustainability of the earth, the sacredness of the earth, and the protection of native peoples.

4. Civil liberties progressives want to maintain freedoms against threats to freedom.

5. Spiritual progressives have a nurturant form of religion or spirituality, their spiritual experience has to do with their connection to other people and the world, and their spiritual practice has to do with service to other people and to their community. Spiritual progressives span the full range from Catholics and Protestants, to Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Goddess worshipers, and pagan members of Wicca.

6. Anti-authoritarians say there are all sorts of illegitimate forms of authority out there and we have to fight them, whether they are big corporations or anyone else.

I had never really thought of the different brands of liberals, progressives or Democrats and have found a lot to ponder in this small book. Has anybody else read this book? Would love to hear your view point on the suggestions offered.

[FormerDittoHead]

1. Join us in the DU "Frame the Debate" group here it's often discussed

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=252

[Democrat 4 Ever]

3. Thanks, don't know how I missed that. n/t

[Radical Activist]

2. Pretty good book

I'm not crazy about how all negative traits are defined as masculine. As though being evil is a male trait. That theme pops up fairly often among academics on the left.

I found What's the Matter With Kansas to be more useful and instructive.

[ClassWarrior]

4. I agree D4E... Here's to keeping this thread kicked.

:kick:

NGU.

[ewagner]

5. Read it

and, like you, I was inspired and angered by it. Inspired because of the insight and angered by how the media, the public and Dems have fallen for RW talking points......

I think Lakoff is on the right track and I'm happy to see that "Lakoff Groups" are meeting across the country, but I believe that this work is just the first step and much more needs to be done.

[Just Me]

6. I plan to pick up this book,...

,...and "Confessions of an Economic Hitman" this weekend.

If we fail to unite against the right, we all lose. If we continue to target one another, we are actually empowering the right. If we fail to make a commitment to unseat Republicans, we are inadvertently pushing the pendulum even further towards authoritarianism & corporatism.

I am VERY concerned!!!

I will do my best to encourage everyone to get on the same page and unite to remove our common oppressors.

[knight_of_the_star]

7. How about this?

Let's mail a copy to every single Dem in Congress.

[Just Me]

8. *LOL* That would be a great alternative to a "flower drive"!!!

Wouldn't it!!! :bounce:

[libodem]

9. i can define my self

by a little of each of those definitions at different times...It's good to have a common language and definitions on terms... I will find this book and read it. I'm so thrilled with the educational opportunities offered by the discussions at DU.

[XemaSab]

10. Kick

(and check out Moral Politics, too... very in depth analysis of the topics covered in DTOAE)