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>From http://www.bushwatch.net/partridge.htm
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Don't Just Get Mad, Get Smart
Ernest Partridge
"The Online Gadfly"
www.igc.org/gadfly
If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred
battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also
suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every
battle.
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the
world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead
If Ari Fleischer Karl Rove, Karen Hughes or some other such Bushista operative,
were to read a sample of the progressive websites, would they be particularly
concerned about what they saw? They just might not. Instead, they might reflect,
"this is a small cabal of discontents spouting off to each other, but not really going
anywhere."
There was a time, not too long ago, when such a brush off might have been justified.
But the progressive internet is alive, robust, and apparently growing. (Some
progressive sites, I am told, gather several million "hits" a month). So it is the
task of
this and like-minded websites to give the Bushista media-wonks something to worry
about.
To do so, we must assuredly work diligently to spread the word and attract many
more visitors to the dissenting internet. And the message must be aimed beyond the
"choir" of like-minded individuals.
So it is past time that the web writers, editors and publishers ask themselves: "do we
wish merely to "rage, rage, against the dying of the light," or do we wish instead to
re-
ignite the torch of liberty and take back our democracy?"
If the latter, then we must understand that these two objectives are often at cross
purposes, and that if we are prevent our rage from getting in the way of our
objectives, we will often have to apply some self-discipline and employ some tactical
intelligence.
For example, in the progressive websites you will find demands by some
correspondents and occasionally some writers that such wing-nuts as Ann Coulter,
Pat Robertson, and the like be "taken off the air." Bad move! On the contrary, the
more the public is exposed to these crazies, the greater the benefit for the
progressive cause. True, in the past, Robertson, Falwell and the religious right have
done great harm to our body politic. But now they are proving to be their own
undoing. No amount of left-wing criticism of Robertson and Falwell could possibly
damage them as much as they besmirched themselves with the inane post 9/11
comments ("its all the fault of the gays, the feminists and the ACLU"). And every time
Ann Coulter opens her pretty fascist mouth, she drives away droves of fair-minded
citizens from the Republicans ranks. So please, just hand them the mike and let
them rant. By and large the editors of the progressive internet are well aware of the
capacity of right-wing crazies to self-destruct, and thus are wisely more than willing
to
give them ample space to do so.
Another cross purpose: rage leads to incivility and abusive language, while "a soft
answer turneth away wrath." Remember that CNN's Aaron Brown cited the "incivility"
of his critics as his excuse for ignoring the substance of their complaints. As I read
some of the e-mails that he received, I must concede that he has a point. In contrast,
Tom Daschle's soft, sweet and unruffled demeanor is driving the GOP bonkers. Lott,
DeLay and the others would like nothing more than for "Cool Tom" to pop his cork.
So long as he refuses, he stands out as the one who "keeps his head while all about
are losing theirs." (Kipling) Of course, the Democrats in Congress and beyond are in
urgent need of a backbone implant. But their message should be strong, passionate,
eloquent and focused, without being shrill and vituperative. The public has had quite
enough of "the politics of personal destruction."
Here, for your consideration, are a few "tactical guidelines for progressives:"
Don't alienate Republicans � recruit them. To win back our government, we must
assemble a sizeable majority � sufficient to overwhelm Florida-style election "fixes."
This means we must win the votes of most independents and more than a few
Republicans. Many Republicans are sorely offended by the takeover of their party by
right-wing crazies. So don't insult these moderate Republicans by calling them
"Repugs," or by attributing the outrages of a few right-wing nut cases to all
Republicans. Instead, flatter our Republican fellow citizens with calm and reasoned
arguments. Remember that Nixon remained safe in his office until he lost the support
of Republicans such as Howard Baker and John Dean. Then he was finished. Even
now, there are some noteworthy defections from Bush's Republican party; among
them Arianna Huffington, David Brock, Kevin Phillips, John Dean (again), Jonathan
Turley, and even (Gawd help us!), Larry Klayman and Dan Burton. There is good
reason to believe that a great many will follow. Accordingly,
Cool the abusive rhetoric � Don't imitate the Freepers. I'll admit that I gain a cheap
thrill when I read such clever monikers as "AssKKKroft" and "Rhenquisling."
However, I submit that these smart-ass verbalisms are costly. The Freepers
convince no one but themselves with their antics, while most others who are aware
of them are quite put off by their childish behavior. Nothing is to be gained by acting
like left-wing mirror-image Freepers. Far better to stand out and apart with mature
behavior and thoughtful language. The Republicans loose on the issues, which is
why they divert public attention away from issues to personalities (e.g., Clinton's
zipper, Gore's body language, Bush's "likeability," etc.). So get back to the issues,
in
a way that directly touches upon your audience.
Wean yourself from the corporate media, and let them know you have. It's on the
record: the corporate media lied to us about Gore and Bush during the 2000
campaign, they lied to us during the post-election fight in Florida and again in the
November "Consortium Study" of the Florida election. And they continue to lie,
distort, and distract (remember the false reports of the"White House trashing,"
Bush's "magical Air Force One mystery tour" on 9/11, and the rumor of Ken Lay's
sleepovers in Clinton's White House)? "Fool me once, shame on you � fool me
again, shame on me." The media has thus squandered its credibility, and there
remains no good reason to believe what they are telling us � including those
damnable "approval rating" polls. (See "Following the Light"
[www.igc.org/gadfly/politics/koppel.htm] and "About Those Polls"
[www.igc.org/gadfly/politics/polls.htm]). So tell them that you know that they lie (and
specify the lies), and that you are "mad as hell, and not going to take it anymore." In
addition, tell them that you will henceforth look abroad, to the BBC, CBC, The
Guardian, The London Times, The Toronto Star, etc., to find out what is happening in
your own country and what others think of us. ("The Smirking
Chimp"[www.smirkingchimp.com] is an excellent source of foreign news and
opinion).
Recognize and exploit the distinction between the profession of "journalism"
(reporters and columnists) and the business of "the media" (management and
owners). Then address the journalists "more in sorrow than in anger." Ask them,
"what kind of a country and a world do you want yourselves and your children to live
in? Is it the kind of a country and a world that you are helping to bring about?"
Journalists are generally more aware than most others of national and world
conditions; after all it's their business to know these things. Thus they know that our
civil liberties are being severely curtailed, that national policy is dictated by
private
corporate interests, that the national wealth is flowing "upward" at an accelerating
pace, and that the United States and its President are held in contempt abroad.
Closer to their professional concerns, they are also aware of the increasing
conglomeration of the mass media and of the Bush administration's closing of
access to public information. And they are quite aware that the foreign press is
regarding our captive and jingoistic media with increasing contempt. As professionals
and as citizens, at least a few journalists must be alarmed at these developments.
Granted, most journalists are mere time-servers, content to follow the directives of
their corporate bosses. However, it is just possible that a few authentic journalists
are ripe for rebellion, and if, at last, a Murrow, Cronkite, or Woodward/Bernstein (c.
1972, not 2002) steps out , then who knows, some may find the spine to march to a
different drum. And once a parade becomes conspicuous, others will fall in. It has
happened before � with Viet Nam and Watergate. It can happen again.
Appeal to Self-Interest. We need to point out the distinction between greed and
enlightened self interest. Few journalists want to live under an oligopoly or to see
the
dismantling of the First Amendment, nor do they want to lose the trust of the public.
Few businessmen and corporate leaders want to demolish the economy or foment
revolution as they strive for even greater wealth. Both have to be convinced that this
is the direction that the nation is taking. Right now, they don't quite see the
connection. But be patient, a few of them will � and then more and more.
There is a strange right-wing myth, at large amongst the punditry and in the
Congress, that all national prosperity issues from the investments of the very
wealthy, and thus that the more we give to the very well-off, the more will "trickle
down" to the rest of us. Unfortunately a sizeable portion of the public has been
convinced of this absurdity, and thus expertly persuaded to act against its own
interest. Hence the Bush tax cut. In fact, national prosperity is a communal
accomplishment, the result of the cooperation among workers, investors and
government. The unconstrained greed of a very few can lead to ruin for all, including
the greedy, as we discovered to our sorrow in 1929. Either we prosper together, or
we allow a few greedy and self-serving "utility maximizers" to bring down the
economic house upon us all. (See my "On Civic Friendship"
[www.igc.org/gadfly/liberal/civic.htm] and "The New Alchemy"
[www.igc.org/gadfly/liberal/alchemy.htm])
Appeal to a higher loyalty than party, and to a higher patriotism than "follow the
leader." Presumably, the ultimate loyalty of the discerning American citizen is to the
nation, to the democratic ideal, to the rule of law, and to founding charters of the
Republic � the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. When the
leadership of a political party violates those charters, it has likewise relinquished
its
right to claim the support of the citizens. The Republican party has claimed the
Presidency through a violation of the voting rights of Florida citizens and a
usurpation
of power by the Supreme Court. Furthermore, the Republican Bush administration is
denying the Congress its function of executive oversight, and, through the atrociously
labeled "USA Patriot Act," is curtailing the citizens' rights under the First, Fourth,
Fifth, Sixth and Eighth amendments to the Constitution. Those who hold party above
the Constitution continue to support Bush and the Republican Party. Those who hold
Constitution above party, are defecting and joining the opposition. A third faction of
Republican supporters, the vast majority, simply haven't thought much about it. It is
the task of the progressive opposition to remind these individuals of their proper
loyalties, and the implications thereof.
As for "patriotism," we should encourage our fellow citizens to follow the examples of
the acknowledged "patriots" of history. Their allegiance was not necesssarily to the
political leaders of the time � not in the case of Washington and Jefferson (King
George III), not in the case of Klaus von Stauffenberg (Hitler), not in the case of
Mandela or Gandhi or Sakharov or M. L. King. The loyalty of all these "patriots" was
to universal moral principles and human rights, which in all these cases absolved
them of allegiance to the political leaders of the time. (See "On Patriotism"
[www.igc.org/gadfly/ liberal/patriotism.htm]).
Preach "Christian morality," of the sort endorsed by men and women of good will of
all faiths, and of no faith. I refer here to morality (behavior) and not doctrine
(beliefs).
Theological beliefs (e.g., the virgin birth, the trinity, salvation by faith, Biblical
inerrancy, etc.), are and should be private and thus outside the scope of politics. On
the other hand, on matters of politics and morality, when "the religious right" asks,
"what would Jesus do?," answer them. What would Jesus do about war? "Blessed
are the Peacemakers" About retaliation? "Turn the other cheek" and "love your
enemies, ... do good to them that hate you." About wealth. "Sell all thou hast, and
give to the poor." About punishment? "Blessed are the merciful." About school
prayer? "When thou prayest, enter into thy closet... use not vain repetitions." And
finally, remind "the religious right" that Jesus directed his strongest criticism to
the
hypocrites.
It is truly astonishing that anyone who has read the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew,
Chs. 5-7) could ever believe that "God is a Republican."
Give the GOP its hanging rope. Pride and arrogance goeth before the fall, and the
GOP has an abundance of both. If expertly dealt with, this arrogance can be turned
against the Bush regime. True, the Republicans have effectively utilized the talents of
tactical and propaganda geniuses � the most gifted practitioners of the black art of
advertising and public relations. And they have the opulent financial support of their
corporate sponsors. But beyond that, there is good news. For all their tactical
cleverness, these guys are not very bright. Moreover, they are "terminally arrogant" �
i.e., like Joe McCarthy and Richard Nixon before them, they can bring about their
own destruction with their excesses. When McCarthy took on George C. Marshall, he
swallowed the poison pill that eventually did him in; likewise, when Nixon felt he just
had to find out, by whatever means, what was in the DNC files at the Watergate.
With time, George Bush and the GOP are likely to provide their opposition with an
abundance of ammunition. In fact, they are doing so even now. For example, there is
the spectacle of Bush's inane rhetoric ("axis of evil"), Trent Lott's and Tom DeLay's
hyperbolic attacks on Tom Daschle, and John Ashcroft's antics (e.g., covering the
offending aluminum boob, calico cats, interference with the "states rights" of Oregon
and California). Furthermore, Bush's lifelong struggle with English syntax is so
troublesome that he dare not speak in public unless he is mouthing someone else's
words in front of a Teleprompter. Ronald Reagan could get away with it, since he
was a professional actor. George Bush is no Reagan.
Don't form a new party, capture an old one. Let's face it, the Democratic Party of
today is somewhat to the right of what used to be called "moderate Republicanism."
We can thank the so-called "New Democrats" for that. But while there is much to
criticize about the Democratic Party, it is plainly the lesser of the evils. Yes, I am
familiar with Ralph Nader's quip that "when you choose the lesser of two evils, you
get an evil." However, as his campaign proved, if you refuse to make that choice, you
will end up with the greater of the evils. So take a lesson from the right wing: if you
don't like a political party as it is, then capture and transform it. To the
progressives,
we say, "take over the lesser of the evils and abolish the evil." Practically speaking,
this is by far a better strategy than that of establishing a third party, which must be
built from the ground up and which must recruit a following from those accustomed
to alliance with the major parties. Far better to take over an existing structure and
cadre of supporters.
Get involved and be heard. Support the progressive media � what's left of it.
Subscribe to The Nation, The Progressive, The American Prospect, Mother Jones,
and such. Even if you don't have time to read them thoroughly, your subscriptions will
support these alternative voices.
Log on to the progressive web sites (see "The Internet, Last Refuge of the Liberal").
Spread the word, and if you can, send a donation. Half of the US households now
have access to the internet. If a sizeable portion of the population abandons the
cable and network news media for the websites, through which one can access the
foreign and progressive press, the "established" media must take notice. The internet
just could become the last hope for the "free press" that Jefferson believed was the
cornerstone of a free and open society.
Post in a conspicuous place the addresses of your senators and congressperson,
and write them at least once a week. (You can find these addresses at
www.senate.gov and www.house.gov). Write at least three letters to major media,
complaining of "the cult of personality" and other outrages. Be specific. Don't just
complain. If they do something right, express your appreciation and support. (A list of
government and media addresses is available at this website). E-Mail will do.
Personal "hard copy, snail mail" is more effective.
And vote! Pester your liberal friend and be sure that they also vote. Volunteer to
drive
voters to the polls, or to serve as a precinct election official. Participate in voter
registration drives. Conventional wisdom tells us that candidates win elections by
getting more supporters to the polls. But some Republican genius came up the the
idea that it is just as important to encourage one's opponents to stay home. And that
has been the secret of their success: get the right-wing stalwarts to the polls and
convince everyone else that elections don't matter. However, as the GOP is fully
aware, the more people vote, the worse the news for the (so-called) "conservatives,"
since the stay-at-homes are disproportionately the poor, minorities, and the
politically
alienated.
Above all, remember, we are the majority! A majority of voters (or those permitted to
vote) cast their ballots against Bush in 2000. While the Republican spin machine has
made the word "liberal" anathema to most citizens, a clear majority of citizens
nonetheless endorse the "liberal" agenda: social security, health care reform,
environmental protection, abortion rights, increased minimum wage, etc. Against this,
the GOP propaganda mill has conned the American voter with meaningless slogans
("compassionate conservatism"), slander ("Gore claims that he invented the
internet"), witch- hunts (the $70 million Ken Starr inquisition), and scare tactics
("they're gonna take away your guns"). The enormous financial resources of the
GOP have built a Potemkin village � an impressive display comprised of cardboard,
paste, and bailing wire, without foundation and vulnerable to collapse once a few
strategic blows are applied.
However, unfocused bluster and rage alone will not take it down. It will take
discipline, reflection, study, and tactical intelligence.
So, don't just get mad, get smart! And then, we will reclaim our Republic.
Copyright 2002 by Ernest Partridge
End<{{{
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