***Post your ideas here*** to combat the TURFERS (astroturfers)

[ColbertWatcher]

I have a few.

Make sure the fire marshal and police are called

Many of these videos show over-packed rooms, which, once the turfers are escorted out for disrupting, will probably meet local occupancy standards.

If you are not allowed entry due to the limit, simply wait outside for all the turfers to be removed. Do not enter unless given permission by the fire marshal.

Help them expose themselves.

This will take two people: one with copies of the "disruptor memo" and another with a camera.

Outside the venue, volunteer to hand out copies of the memo, explaining to people how helpful it will be.

Take a picture of anyone who says they've already read it.

Once they get violent with you, you've found a turfer!

Respond to their screaming by lowering your voice.

This is a psychological trick I've seen work hundreds of times and when done correctly, can calm even the most belligerent moran.

When one of them starts screaming, respond by being just a wee-bit quieter than they are then, lower your voice with each subsequent response (until you are speaking at a normal tone). Eventually, they won't be screaming anymore. Be sure to make eye contact when talking with them and do not fold your arms!

Respond to their screaming with a short phrase.

Such as:

"We've heard you speak, now it's someone else's turn!"

Respond to their screaming by handing them a cheap prop.

A baby bottle, for instance.

Or a dunce cap.

Respond to their screaming by starting a chant.

Like "USA! USA!"

Chanting this in response to their jeering will confuse them.

Whenever one of them gets up to scream, take their picture.

In this instance, a video camera won't work. Taking their picture makes them think "I.D." They will stop rising if they believe they're photos are being "collected." If anyone of real authority asks, tell them you're making a documentary that will air on Al Gore's Current TV. Be sure the photographer wears an official-looking badge.

Mock them.

Stoop to their level, but have fun while doing it.

Whatever they say, repeat it back to them in a whiny voice and make sure all your friends laugh and laugh afterwards! Just like you used to do to piss off an older sibling.

And, just as they're about to blow their tops, tell them, "I know you are, but what am I?"

It will bring down the house, especially if you can do a good Pee-Wee Herman imitation.

(EDITED TO ADD)

Respond to their screaming by playing music.

I suggest either the theme from Benny Hill or the chicken dance song!

If you play the chicken dance make sure everyone dances and claps their hands, too!.

Okay, those are mine. Anyone else got any?

[chat_noir]

1. Ask the retired folks to burn their Medicare cards in protest

After all, aren't they protesting "socialized medicine"???

[ColbertWatcher]

5. LOL! Good one!

Offer to take their government-run health care off their hands.

LOL!

Have someone stand at the door collecting them!

Oh, and have a few ringers to make it look legit!

[lib_wit_it]

96. I love this idea!

[KansDem]

11. I like your idea!

I might hold up a plastic wastebasket with a sign taped to it that read, "Deposit Your (Socialist) Medicare Cards Here," while chanting "All right, folks! Put'em here! Throw your medicare cards in this wastebasket! Who needs socialized medicine!"

(Of course you'd have to plan to bring a plastic wastebasket to the town hall. Might raise some eyebrows...)

[notadmblnd]

38. dont forget to ask them to give up their social security too

We wouldn't want to force them to take part in any socialistic program now would we?

[ColbertWatcher]

42. I always wondered why the word "Social" was in there! Now it all makes sense! n/t

[lib_wit_it]

98. Four Creative Ways to Deal with Right-Wing Rent-a-Mobs

Full test: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bill-mann/four-creative-w...

1. Get Up In Their Grills: Don't just sit quietly and let these congenital know-nothings take over meetings and try to rattle our Congressional reps. Fortunately, as the Huffington Post's Sam Stein reports, many unions are gearing up to do just that -- to directly engage these wingnut Tea Party alums at town-hall meetings. Good on them.

2.Boo Who? Air America's thoughtful Thom Hartmann has this suggestion:

"Start the meetings by introducing someone who's terminally ill and who has been rejected for health insurance or who has had treatment denied."

Let's see the Astroturf crowd boo someone in a wheelchair with a breathing tube. (Come to think of it, these morons just might just do that. But it, um, looks bad on TV).


OK, two more ideas that are even more telegenic and media-driven:

3. Sign Language Print up big signs for each meeting reading "I'M WITH STUPID." Also draw a big arrow on each, and every time one of these loudmouths (they're often wearing ball caps or carrying Bibles) stands up and starts ranting, just stand next to him/her and hold up the sign. Makes a good photo and great "B-roll" for TV!

Finally, arguably the most effective and creative idea. Since we're getting involvement from the working class (union members), how about the theatrical/creative community helping out with this tactic:

4. Men in White: Have two guys dress in white, loony-bin attendant coats. Then, provide them with a large butterfly net (easily built by a local theatre's prop department.)

Then, each time an Astroturfer starts ranting, have these two guys throw the butterfly net over the ranter and gently guide them out the door.

[hedgehog]

2. I like the USA! USA!

Maybe start coughing?

[ColbertWatcher]

26. TommyPaine (post #16 below) suggested something similar! n/t

[BluePup]

3. If you want to see how to handle angry voters...

...check out Gene Green's town hall meeting. He handles them, as best could be expected. He was outnumbered. But by using a small, up-close and personal venue, he kept it from getting out of control.

Most of all.... he showed them respect. He didn't smile snidly when they attacked him personally. He didn't lecture them.

Check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRWsQo4XwmI&feature=rela ...

[ColbertWatcher]

15. His comment at about 1:38 is perfect!

(I'm paraphrasing) But, he basically said he would take questions, but people would also have to listen to his responses.

Because, as he said, "that'd be fair."

Good example.

[RagAss]

39. Wish them into the fucking cornfield !!!!!

[NightWatcher]

4. drag them out of the hall to a "free speech zone" in the parking lot behind a dumpster

[ColbertWatcher]

12. We don't need to resort to violence. n/t

[KansDem]

14. "Behind" a dumpster?

How about "in" a dumpster!

[TommyPaine]

6. When one of them gets up to scream, blast an air horn in their general direction. (nt)

[stuball111]

13. i like that one! ctually thought of it, but... too loud, might get thrown out.

[TommyPaine]

16. Then go with the backup--mutter "Asphinctersayswhat?" between their yells. (nt)

[ColbertWatcher]

18. LOL! There ya go!

They want to act like babies, well we can go full Pee-Wee on 'em!

[stuball111]

29. Yeah...

Single them out, you can tell who they are, they'll have scowls on their faces. And then surround them with us,and when they start yapping, everybody go: "WAAAAAAAAAAH!! Treat them like little kids, it'll piss em off and throw them off their game. In otherwords, use their very tactics against them.

[notadmblnd]

47. That was Waynes World but Pee Wee would work too

"I know you are, but what am I?"

[DRoseDARs]

80. A fart machine is better: Won't damage anyone's hearing and will humiliate the target. n/t

[ColbertWatcher]

81. Isn't there an iPod farting app? n/t

[DRoseDARs]

83. I worry such a thing wouldn't be loud enough to hear over the holwer monkeys flinging poo. n/t

[ColbertWatcher]

88. Meh, farts aren't usually that loud anyway.

Just as long as enough people hear it, that should be enough!

[Warpy]

7. Someone in another forum

suggested hitting them in the back of the head with a squirt gun.

You'd have to be awfully fast hiding it if you didn't want to start a real riot and get people hurt.

[stuball111]

8. I like the Pee Wee approach

I went to a minor league baseball game once, and used Nelsons "Ha HA' on the opposing team.. prety soon everyone was doing it, and it threw the opposing team right off their game, and they blew a 6 run lead and lost! You could see the batters look up into the stands with a scowl every time we said it!

[ColbertWatcher]

20. LOL! That's hilarious!

Maybe we can respond to their every comment with a parrot imitation?

"Polly want a cracker?"

Then hand out crackers to whoever parrots a GOP talking point!

[TommyPaine]

31. The Nelson Muntz laugh is a great idea...maybe the Peter Griffin laugh too?

Get a bunch of people who can imitate the Peter Griffin laugh, or play a recorded version of that.

Sure, some of these ideas sound goofy (and are), but they're effective--mocking these fools is perhaps the best way to tarnish their ridiculous notions, as using reason is likely not effective. Make others see them for what they are.

[ColbertWatcher]

32. Plus, it will ruin their videos. n/t

[LunaSea]

9. Suggestion from another thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[ColbertWatcher]

17. That's a good one!

You can even have someone keep track and shout out BINGO! once they hit 'em all!

[LunaSea]

54. That's it! Parrot Bingo!

Somebody got a list of talking points? In as few words as possible to fit the tiny squares.
Need 24 for a bingo card (center square is free space)

[ColbertWatcher]

57. LOL!

Let's see, there's:

birth certificate

Cash for cars

socialism

dead grandmothers

racist

Sekrit Muslin

I know there's more!

[LunaSea]

61. Winner recieves an Astroturf™ Doormat!

[ColbertWatcher]

65. LOL! I can create a page on the Truthiness Encyclopedia that will generate a random BINGO card.

I just need all the GOP talking points (turfer-related or not).

[ColbertWatcher]

82. Sorry it took so long, but here it is ...

http://wikiality.wikia.com/Parrot_Bingo

[LunaSea]

99. Excellent CW!

I'm gonna pass that around!

[ColbertWatcher]

100. : ) n/t

[walldude]

10. Yeah I got one.

Exclude them from any reforms that are past. When a public option becomes available, make it not available to the people who are demanding we don't get one. These people who scream the loudest are the first ones to get in line to suck off the government when they start handing stuff out.

[hedgehog]

19. We need a hand signal to be used to signify that these people

are either paid lobbyists and/or dupes of the insurance companies. "L" for loser is close, but not specific enough.
Something with fluttering hands might be effective. Maybe two hands waving fingers alongside the head to signify wingnut?

[Bolo Boffin]

21. The Birf 'n' Turfers?

The recommendations in the OP sound great, btw.

[ColbertWatcher]

22. LOL! (Thank you) n/t

[berni_mccoy]

79. THAT IS SIMPLY BRILLIANT!

[backscatter712]

23. Congressmen holding town halls should rent a big-ass sound system.

Maybe even go so far as hiring a DJ to provide a little entertainment before the start of the event.

But the point is to make sure the Congressman has several thousand watts worth of amplifiers and speakers for his microphone, so if the teabaggers start howling, he can turn up the volume and

SHOUT THEM DOWN.

[ColbertWatcher]

24. Delete; added to OP. n/t

[orleans]

25. fucking remove them when they are disruptive.

have them submit questions in writing

make sure they are "in district" and not allow out of district assholes in the meeting.

done!

[ColbertWatcher]

27. Aww, you're no fun.

You're correct, of course, but I think playing "Yakety Sax" when they start screaming ruins their videos!

[orleans]

44. omg! yes, i imagine that *would* ruin their videos! lol n/t

[ColbertWatcher]

49. Plus, I defy anyone not to get up and dance when this comes on ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gH8ea0M-r8o

[madamesilverspurs]

59. Or cue the banjo riff from "Deliverance",

or the theme from "Twilight Zone."

[ColbertWatcher]

76. LOL! That would scare the crap out of 'em! n/t

[Bobbie Jo]

28. Signs: Today's Protest Sponsored By: _____________

Astra Zeneca
Blue Cross/Blue Shield
UniCare
etc....

[ColbertWatcher]

30. LOL! Good one! Astroturf brought to you by ____ Love it! n/t

[lib_wit_it]

97. Brilliant! Love it.

[kevinbgoode]

33. If you really want to draw attention to who is paying for them. . .

I suggest we organize a nice, big demonstration in front of their organizations and insurance companies - with signs accusing them of trying to orchestrate the overthrow of the government by intimidation.

heh heh - THAT should manage to make it to the evening news.

[kevinbgoode]

34. And why not demonstrate in front of the RNC?

That could be a fun event. . .

[ColbertWatcher]

35. We can all go to Michael Steele's house!

Bring "fried chicken and potato salad" (Huffington Post) for him!

[yowzayowzayowza]

36. Disarm 'em from the getgo by quoting the statistics...

on the number of Americans who die, divorce and bankrupt due to lack of medical care at the beginning of each Presidential address, townhall and daily Whitehouse press briefing. Then, at the conclusion of the event, quote the numbers again except for the period of the discussion. Gotta make it clear that the status quo is not an option.

[ColbertWatcher]

37. Interesting.

If you use percentages, you can use the people in the room to demonstrate the reality.

[ColbertWatcher]

40. Another one: tell them you're from the private insurance syndicate funding the "protest" and ...

... you're paying everyone who participates, but that you need information about where to send the money.

[Parker CA]

41. Start doing ID checks at the entrances to these events and saying that information is being

recorded for Democratic records. So many of those loons are convinced that Obama has a master list of their information and that he plans on shipping them off to concentration camps, that many would likely be deterred at the simple request for ID when entering.

I think up-close photos would be good too, as would asking for their names when the photo is taken. The photographer should not seem like a reporter, but rather an official Democratic record keeper. The camera doesn't even need to have film to achieve the response it will likely produce. Work off these crazies' fear that they are being tracked and documented. Beck et al have their collective minds so filled with this nonsense, that anything threatening their privacy would scare the crap out of them.

Police and security being at the events is a no-brainer, especially if members of Congress are being physically confronted and harassed.

Lastly, as someone else mentioned, having copies of their manifesto and directives regarding disruptive tactics at these events that can be passed out to everyone in attendance when these fools start their yelling will give all that may not know the details the true story. People will see that these masses of loonies are being sent on a disruptive mission with no other goal than to disrupt and stall true democracy.

That's all I've got...

[ColbertWatcher]

43. Good stuff. Thank you for posting. n/t

[Parker CA]

45. There are some good ideas in this thread. Hopefully some are used and work against the freepfreaks.

[ColbertWatcher]

53. Yes, I agree. I hope some of them are used. n/t

[defendandprotect]

46. With disruptions like this -- expecially getting violent/physical -- I think security should be

increased and anyone shouting or unruly should be escorted out --

I also agree with Randi Rhodes . . . only people from the district should be

permitted to enter the meeting.

[alsame]

48. I thought the same thing. People should have to go through metal

detectors...you never know when another armed right wing psycho will show up.

[defendandprotect]

50. Right . . . GOP sent their gun nuts after Clinton . . . their "pro-lifers" out to kill doctors . . .

why not use them to end national health care?

[alsame]

52. And I just saw this

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[ColbertWatcher]

58. Disgraceful. n/t

[ColbertWatcher]

55. True, but we should have a plan for if any of them sneak in. n/t

[defendandprotect]

51. Do think distributing the MEMO far and wide is a great idea . . .

I know it's somewhere on DU . . . we could all copy it and distribute it to our

neighbors and leave some on bulletin boards in grocery stores???


???????????????????????


If you have the MEMO at hand, could you repost it ???

[SalmonChantedEvening]

56. 4 people, one in each corner of the room. Holding airhorns.

Offered only in half-jest.

[ColbertWatcher]

62. You want half-jest?

We can have someone stand-in for the Congressperson and begin the proceedings.

Once the first turfer stands up to interrupt, have someone break into "Never Gonna Give You Up" and rickroll the meeting.

If anything it would make a good video.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

73. The Trojan Astley! Brilliant!!

[ColbertWatcher]

74. LOL! n/t

[Telly Savalas]

60. "Show of hands, people"

"How many of you came here to listen to that guy?"

"OK, now how many of you came here to listen to our representative?"

[ColbertWatcher]

63. Aww, democracy! Excellent! n/t

[Caliman73]

64. That is what my wife and I were saying.

If I were the representative, I would try to work the room. Be calm, if they start disrupting, then appeal to the actual constituents in the room. I would ask, "So how many of you came to this meeting after a hard day of work or school to have an actual conversation about the issues? Let's see a show of hands please. And how many have taken time out out of their busy schedule to have people shouting, disrupting, and blocking your attempts to have that conversation? Let's hears some boos for the people who are only hear to disrupt!!"

Get the crowd involved in shouting down the disruptor.

[ColbertWatcher]

66. Yes, good point. n/t

[malaise]

67. 1. Fill the room long before they arrive

2. Keep them in the back.

3. Make people with questions line up for the mike

4. Use that music

[ColbertWatcher]

70. It is summer, all the kids are out of school! n/t

[Robb]

68. Sneak into their secret compound and flush all their toilets at once

...effectively rendering their operation "higgledy-piggledy."

[fascisthunter]

69. run ads exposing them, and showing who is behind it all

[ColbertWatcher]

71. We're trying to think of things to do AT the meetings.

It would be nice to have the money to do that, though.

[fascisthunter]

94. I understand...

I was thinking of this being a pre-emptive move on our part. The more ads we run, the harder it will be for these goons to get away with this. Although, money is a huge issue.

[xultar]

72. Fireworks. I hear that fireworks will memorize them into silence.

[ColbertWatcher]

75. Yeah, but it will mesmerize everyone else too. n/t

[BlueIdaho]

77. Pass around a sign-up sheet...

"Stop Socialized Medicine"

"Sign this form if you will pledge to now and forever more refuse to use Medicare or VA medical care."

[ColbertWatcher]

78. Heh, heh! Their heads would assplode! n/t

[Expedite Trucker]

84. Great Ideas!

[ColbertWatcher]

87. Why, thank you and welcome to DU! n/t

[ddeclue]

85. Introduce them to the boys from the Teamsters...

[ColbertWatcher]

90. Heh, heh! n/t

[SmileyRose]

86. The non-nutjobs should stand and sing "God Bless America" every time one starts up

Or any of a litany of patriotic songs. America the Beautiful. Not a chance in hell even RW nutjob media will blast a tape of their own screaming down patriotic group singing.

[ColbertWatcher]

89. Good point. n/t

[dysfunctional press]

91. don't be goaded into turning it into an even bigger circus- that's exactly what they want.

"they" being the puppeteers- the actual disruptors are merely puppets.

but- if all else fails, call in the soggy bottom boys, and run 'em out on a rail...literally

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3eTSbC3neA

[ColbertWatcher]

92. True, but we can have a load of fun until they all leave! n/t

[dysfunctional press]

93. and wind up with zero(or less) accomplished when they don't.

exactly as it's been planned, and why it's been publicized.

[ColbertWatcher]

95. If the police or fire marshal are there, they will be made to leave. n/t