Many Kossacks despair everytime the Right pulls the wool over Americas eyes. They cringe everytime Chenney declares "Reverse Day" on FauxNews; days were Wrongs become Rights and the logic train leaves the station with noone on board
Many of you wonder when and where will it all stop. Well, it won't stop by itself. The Republicans have declared all out war against their enemies, both foreign and domestic. They have the initiative and will not give it up.
So what can moral, logical, and sane people like you and me do?
Fight!
Ok boy genius how do we do that?
After all the Repuplicans control
1.Congress and the White House
- Are attacking the justice system (at both State and Federal level) with a vengeance.
- Control a vast media machine that drives it messages home with a vengeance while deflecting/obscuring all criticism shot their way?
Well, I propose three areas the battlefields that progresives must control in order to win this war.
The Media
As the Gannon affair has shown, the internet community can be very effective in exposing phony journalist and hacks to the light of day. Kossacks have also shown that when the bright light of public scrutiny is direct their way, people like Gannon scurry of like coackroaches into the shadows.
The work done to expose Gannon must continue. We must disarticulate the Right's propaganda machine by going after the individuals who run it. Men like Gannon are shielded in organizational anonymity. They hide behind phony websites and obscure think tanks. By been relentless in their exposure we show that a) theirs a price to be payed for their lies/bad conduct, b) and that the MSM is not doing their job properly.
Once exposed, we then have to be able to hit the MSM hard and fast with ready made statements that highlight our points and leave the other side responding to us for a change. A word of caution, these attacks can not be mere slander or innuendo. If they are they will fail. They must be solid pieces of reporting that are hard to refute and will survive close scrutiny. Only then can we begin to win the battle of the media (both new and old).
The Courts
Sue, litigate, take legal action. Many laws, both at federal and state level, give members of the public the ability to attack those who would rob us of our health, freedoms and future. If private citizens can not do it, then zero in on those public officials (mainly state attorneys) that are willing to fight the good fight. Spitzer has shown that states can do a lot, especially when the federal goverment either ignores the problems or shields the actors from their legal responsibilities.
This must be coordinated with a media effort, so that we win in the courts of law and public opinion. Loosing in one will lead to defeat in the other.
Protest
The internet is a great tool to organise mass demostrations. Put people on the streets, the more the better. As right wing activist have shown, it is not so much about numbers, but about speed. Swift action puts the targets of protest on the defensive. I stress the need for both speed and non-violence, since clashes with the police never look good on TV and winning the battle for public opinion is the key in winning the war.
Protest also brings people together. You might be surprise who you meet on the streets. One effective demostration will lead to many others. You get to know who and were people in your community stand on the issues. Remember onced mobilised an army can not be so easily recalled.
Fundraising
Lets face it, money talks and bullshit walks. All of the above require a modicum of dollars. Here is where grassroots organizations, in conjunction with national groups can really make a difference. Kos is living proof that giving a few dollars here or there can make a difference.
Well, that all I got to say for now. I leave it to you to flesh out the ideas above or tear them apart as you see fit.
But remember....
The clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy's will to be imposed on him.
- Sun Tzu