President Obama has given his Labor Day speech to the AFL-CIO, and stated his continued support for the public option.
Between President Obama's speech today and the release of the "Baucus Plan", it is once again apparent that the hardest fight will be in the Senate Finance Committee. We're going to have to apply pressure to moderate and conservative Democrats, and perhaps Olympia Snowe in order to beat a filibuster or move the public option through reconciliation.
As the President has said, the public option is not the entirety of health reform. But it is a critical component. Here are the principles to uphold:
- Reduce Cost
- Increase Access to Care
- Prevent denial of coverage for pre-existing conditions
- Make insurance portable - if you like your coverage & doctor, you can keep them
The insurance exchange idea is the mechanism to achieve these goals, but the public option is a critical component of the exchange to ensure competition and affordable access to care while making insurance companies honest.
More below the fold, including links and action...
I'll review the idea behind continuing the social media campaign on Twitter & Facebook in a moment. As Congress returns to session, it's going to be important to apply pressure, especially in the Senate, through traditional methods including phone calls, letters, emails, faxes, and office visits.
Did you miss the 1st 2 Diaries about the Campaign?
A Tweet Campaign for the Public Option Thursday, Sept. 3rd
The Public Option Campaign on Twitter & Facebook Sunday, Sept. 6th
Here's some information about what's been happening lately.
****The President's Speech to the AFL-CIO****
Obama Talks Public Option In AFL-CIO Labor Day Speech from Oliver Willis
Obama's Labor Day Speech: 'We're So Close To Real Health Reform' by Versha Sharma via TPM Livewire (Full Speech)
****Baucus Plan****
Baucus To Fauc-Us With His Craptastic Senate Plan! by slinkerwink
The Baucus-Care plan is out by David Waldman
Max Baucus Wastes Months, Fails, and the NYT Misses It by Scarecrow
Baucus Unveils Health Care Plan Without Public Option by Brian Beutler on TPMDC
HCAN Demanded Public Option in Friday Letter To Baucus...And Was Ignored by Brian Beutler on TPMDC
Baucus Has a Plan by Steve Benen in The Washington Monthly Political Animal Blog
****Triggers****
Nelson Comes Out for Public Option with "Triggers" by Brian Beutler on TPMDC
Nelson OK with Trigger, Republicans Aren't by Steve Benen in The Washington Monthly Political Animal Blog
The Great Snowe-Job On "Trigger" For The Public Option by slinkerwink
****Cloture & 51 Votes****
Up-or-Down Votes by Steve Benen in The Washington Monthly Political Animal Blog
****Additional Info****
The Public Option: A Promise Kept or a Promise Broken (updated) by msblucow
Detailed Analysis of Public Option Below, Please Rec by War on Error
Cheers and Jeers: Monday by Bill in Portland Maine BarackWOW! health insurance reform, but only if you demand it. from August 24th
Daily Kos Search because I'm sure I've missed some great resources. You're free to change the search parameters once you follow any of these links.
Daily Kos Search: Public Option, Action by Impact
Daily Kos Search: Public Option, Action by Time
Daily Kos Search: Public Option by Recommend
Daily Kos Search: Public Option by Impact
The Social Media Campaign
A lot of the strength of candidate Obama's campaign came from social media efforts on Facebook & Twitter, in addition to his general web campaign. The White House continues to try to maintain that social media outreach. Some senators and representatives are also trying to get in on the social media aspect of the internet. Some, like Senator Claire McCaskill (@clairecmc) actively do their own tweeting. Others, like Senator Mark Warner (@MarkWarner) have staff contribute to their tweet-stream in part or in full.
Secure 51 votes to pass Health Reform, 60 to commit to break any filibuster
The point of this diary is to help with a little daily action at least up through the President's speech in an effort to ensure he continues to advocate for a strong public option, and applies pressure to moderate and conservative Democrats in order to pass it. We know the hardest part of the battle is in the Senate. He doesn't need 60 votes to pass reform, even with a strong public option. He needs 60 votes to break a filibuster. And if things go to reconciliation, he doesn't even need that. 51 for the public option. 60 to commit to no filibuster.
During the campaign, President Obama knew that the fight would be hard. Ted Kennedy spent his life on this fight up to the end. This is the best opportunity we're likely to see to pass quality health reform. Mr. President, it's time to fully engage in the fight!
Facebook
There are two strategies to use on Facebook. As was done Thursday, you can post updates in your own feed to share the message with your friends. Set your status to a pro-public option message or share links to advocacy efforts for the public option (like this one). The other thing to do is go to the Barack Obama group on Facebook and the White House Fan Page. Contribute to discussions in either or both places, and post comments to the to the White House Wall. If you want to base your comments on tweets such as those suggested below, feel free. Since you have more room to make your comments, try to use compete sentences. Still, it is important to be brief and to the point.
Sample posts for your Facebook news feed:
- No one should die because they can't afford healthcare. No one should go broke because they get sick. (If you agree, post this as your status for the next 24 hours)
- I'm joining the Facebook & Twitter campaign to support health reform with a strong public option. See details here: \http://su.pr/1o1sRY. Please join the effort.
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- Join the fight! Petition President Obama to fight for the public option. Sign here: \http://bit.ly/2oR85B
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- On Wednesday, President Obama will address a joint session of Congress on health reform. I'm joining the Facebook & Twitter campaign to make sure President Obama includes strong support for a robust Public option in his speech. Honor Ted Kennedy's legacy & ensure that quality affordable, health care is a right, not a privilege in the U.S. See details on how to join the campaign here: \http://su.pr/1o1sRY
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- We cannot afford health reform that is a giveaway to the insurance companies in the same way the bailout was a handout to banks and Wall Street. Join the campaign to make sure a strong public option is part of reform. Honor Ted Kennedy's legacy and make insurance companies honest. \http://su.pr/1o1sRY
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Post comments on the White House Facebook wall.
Some discussions on the White House Fan Page.
Discussion boards on Barack Obama (One Million Strong for Barack) on Facebook.
I've collected a lot of tweets that I like below, putting them into different themes. Sometimes, I've offered comments on the themes and asked for input to expand the tweet-stream as well as inform our efforts using traditional advocacy methods. Some of the tweets below are without attribution. Those are tweets I have written myself, and offer to you to use freely without credit. I just ask that if you do post one of my suggestions, that you offer a second post that refers back to this diary. For example:
I'm joining the FB & Twitter campaign to support health reform w/ a strong #publicoption. Details here: \http://su.pr/1o1sRY. Please Rec & RT
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Because of Scoop's auto-format, I have used the "\" escape character so that you may see the full link in tweets to just copy & paste. As you'll see, I've posted a reminder after the affected messages to remove the "\" before posting.
Advocacy Tweets
Insert name before the message, including "@"
i.e. @BarackObama U better give us #publicoption, or we'll make U have BeerSummit w/SarahPalin, GlennBeck, & MichelleBachman. O & JoeThePlumber
<tbody>Send advocacy tweets to:
...
@WhiteHouse
@BarackObama
@SenatorReid
@SenBenNelson
@SenBillNelson
@MarkWarner
@kayhagan
@MarkBegich
@SenArlenSpecter | |
</tbody>
****
#Healthcare costs must be brought under control or they will overrun the federal budget via \http://su.pr/1d8aVS #publicoption
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The #publicoption is a critical tool for keeping #healthcare costs down via \http://su.pr/1d8aVS
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The #publicoption will work because it a) inserts more competition into system... via \http://su.pr/1d8aVS
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The #publicoption will work because it b) delivers #healthcare for cost of care. via \http://su.pr/1d8aVS
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*
insurance across state lines encourages larger monopolies, fewer consumer protections & less choice not more #tcotfail #publicoption #p2
We cannot afford health reform that is a giveaway to the insurance companies in the same way the bailout was a... \http://bit.ly/2M4MvX
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emotional truth - authenticity \http://su.pr/1WNDFU vs bad faith from GOP & veal pen from @whitehouse \http://su.pr/2DXBo0 #publicoption #p2
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****Good Government****
One of the reasons Rebuplicans want to stop reform is because they don't believe in government. Reagan gave them a powerful meme when he said that sometimes government is not the solution, it is the problem. Clinton did a great job with good governance while he was in office, but it was quiet, and he certainly had his flaws. After eight years of Bush-Cheney incompetence and malfeasance, one of President Obama's greatest strengths to my mind his his ability to advocate for and demonstrate by his actions what good government can be.
Republicans have been dominating the discussion on the government is bad side through the Tea Baggers as well as their elected and media leaders. Democrats and progressives have not been effective in supporting President Obama's argument that competent government can be good. Please add your comments below to how we can do this better. Tweet ideas are great, but this is an area that I think we need to flesh out in more detail.
RT @ThePlumLineGS: What happened in last 6 months? GOP reframed debate as about bad gov't, rather than good gov't \http://tinyurl.com/lglrw6
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****Kennedy****
I believe, like many others, that passing quality health reform with a strong public option is one of the best things we can do to honor Ted Kennedy's legacy and the political cause of his life. Here are a few samples of tweets, but I feel like there can be more, and even more eloquent. Simple and powerful. Please, please, please add your ideas in comments below!
RT @blogswarm: Name a bill after Kennedy & we'll get a bad bill with great name. Honor him with the Kennedy #PublicOption for good bill #p2
RT @plutoniumpage: RT @ZerlinaM: "Of all forms of inequality, injustice in #healthcare is the most shocking & inhumane." MLK #p2 #hcr09
RT @pastordan: "...That all Americans may have healthcare as a right, not a privilege." Teddy roars still! #TedKennedy
****Bill Moyers****
Bill Moyers is a respected voice with a lot of journalistic integrity who has recently been making the case for reform in interviews and on his own show.
RT @avivagabriel: On health debate, Moyers urges Obama: 'No more Mr. Nice Guy' | \http://bit.ly/gA3oZ #hcr09 #publicoption #p2 #healthreform
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RT @Gregoreuo: Bill Moyers: "We Should Be Treating Health As A Condition, Not A Commodity" \http://bit.ly/x0qoe #HCR #PublicOption #p2
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RT @janehamsher: Health Care Reporting: Bill Moyers Shows How It’s Done \http://bit.ly/1PQnF #publicoption
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****Wendell Potter****
Wendell Potter is a former CIGNA exec who became a whistle-blower about insurance industry tactics when he saw long lines of people lined up to get free health care in Virginia out of livestock stalls. He has been a very eloquent voice for insurance reform.
WTF? How often ppl line up 4 free #healthcare in US? Wendell Potter cited Va, NYT article cites LA \http://su.pr/2cPZlZ #hcr #publicoption
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RT @TracyGeo RT @nytimeskristof A former insurance exec explains how industry manipulating #healthreform debate: \http://tinyurl.com/m9toad.
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RT @MikeW789 Cigna whistleblower Wendell Potter, details insurance industry corruption: \http://tinyurl.com/mtm86u #singlepayer #publicoption
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RT @fastflashh Join me & thank House #hcr Heroes.Demand they stand strong @ \http://bit.ly/11633t RT & follow @DFAaction #p2 #publicoption
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****Authenticity of CHANGE****
RT @janehamsher: Frmr Obama organizer writes The #PublicOption: A Promise Kept or a Promise Broken \http://tinyurl.com/l54ala #p2 #hcr09
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RT @Moody_Loner: RT @jesterdave: @whitehouse Don't compromise on the values & voters that brought you into office. #p2 #hc09 #hcr
RT @doycet: @whitehouse Please, fight for #PublicOption. The people WANT this. This change is why a 38 year old cynic volunteered for you.
RT @JeffreyFeldman: Man divorces wife he loves so she can quality for Medicaid coverage of MS treatment \http://bit.ly/zjaoI
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59,000 folks put their name in a #publicoption TV ad! Will u? \http://bit.ly/LAgRj #hcr #p2 via @BoldProgressive & @DFAaction
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****Reform w/out Public Option=Bailout****
I think this theme would be good to direct to the more conservative Democrats, whether we're tweeting it and posting to Facebook, or if we're using traditional means to talk to our representatives. Of course part of the problem is the money that comes in from insurance and pharmacy interests. We'll just have to convince reps addicted to this cash flow that it will hurt more politically to have a repeat of the financial industry bailout then to create good reform that includes a strong public option.
RT @gregggonsalves: @whitehouse indiv. mandate w/o #publicoption is giveaway to insurance industry & will hurt avg. Americans. #hcr #p2
RT @FDLnewswire: Individual Mandate - #PublicOption = Insurance Industry Bailout: B4 we let others redefine.. \http://bit.ly/5AjYH #p2 #hcr09
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RT @bobfertik: #publicoption is essential 2 keep private insurers HONEST - regulations are too easily gutted by GOP @jonathanalter @WeGotEd
RT @bobfertik: w/out #publicoption we are just slaves to greedy for-profit insurers who get rich by denying us care @jonathanalter @WeGotEd
RT @Malacandra: Very clear line: killing the #publicoption hurts everyone but insurers //& GOP//. Obama, Congress - Who do you work for?
RT @DavidOAtkins: Nat'l Romneycare (mandates w/ no #publicoption) will bankrupt US for insurer profits. Why insurance profits sacred? #hcr
RT @donaldc4 @SongBookz America doesn't have a healthcare system, it has a ponzi scheme #hcr #p2 #hc09 #publicoption
****$$$ & Opposition to Reform****
influence of $ in #healthreform debate: entirely unexpected convergence in who's holding up reform efforts. I'm shocked. \http://su.pr/2vBd2i
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RT @WAOOFA: Why is it so hard to get a public option? Here's why: \http://bit.ly/15oAFo (via @GottaLaff)
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RT @CAPAction: Scott Lilly says "follow the $" to understand who opposes #healthreform. \http://bit.ly/12lRpX #hcr #p2
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****Partisanship, Bipartisanship, Wingnuts****
It's past time to acknowledge that Republicans have been acting in bad faith. Real grass roots Republicans and conservatives will say that Republicans have ideas, but they are being shut out. For those who are not Becktwits and hatriots, these feelings are authentic. Seeing what the are citing as Republican ideas, often it seems they don't realize that the points they bring up are points of agreement that Democrats have included in legislation. The Senate HELP bill included 160 amendments including Republican amendments.
President Obama, congressional leadership, and rank and file representatives need to make the case that Republicans had their chance in the last eight years and that numerous efforts have been made to reach out to Republicans. But every time a hand has been extended, it's been bitten. If there are Republicans willing to work alongside Democrats in good faith, they will welcomed, but efforts to reach out and cater to or appease Republicans are over.
It is time the balance of advocacy moves to thanking and supporting progressives who are defending good legislation with a strong public option or single-payer plan, and nudging moderate and conservative democrats who are holding up reform.
RT @GregMitch: Audio of FDR's 1936 "They are unanimous in their hatred for me - and I welcome their hatred" speech. \http://bit.ly/NXfzq
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RT @GregMitch: Note to @WhiteHouse: FDR said he "welcomed" the hatred from the wackos got stuff done w/out Idiot America. #publicoption #p2
RT @ksquared3: RT @carlabond @WhiteHouse Screeching of anti-health care reform people does NOT make them majority. Just loud. #publicoption
*
RT @libsechumanist @whitehouse RT @KatrinaNation Bipartisan also brought PatriotAct||&DOMA&DADT-not #medicare #socialsecurity #publicoption
RT @KatrinaNation: Bipartisanship also brought us the Patriot Act.
RT @KatrinaNation: You know, bipartisanship ain't so great. Brought us Iraq and NCLB.
RT @KatrinaNation: Takes two to tango. Takes 2 to do bipartisanship. W/GOP out to cripple or kill #healthreform, got to lead. Audacity now!
RT @thehill: The Hill | Sen. Grassley to Dems: Let's keep working together... \http://bit.ly/KthUP | sez Lucy to Charlie Brown (Aug 19)
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RT @alevin: via @janehamsher the Veal Pen - how the Obama admin neutralizes liberal advocacy \http://bit.ly/167c4F #publicoption #p2
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RT @davidsirota: Must read: @janehamsher's piece=awesome. My col this wk tried to make same point - she does better \http://bit.ly/3hgfSu #p2
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RT @blogswarm: @whitehouse whipping votes on the #PublicOption would be nice
RT @blogswarm: If half Blue Dogs lose in 2010, Dems would still have dozen seat majority & probably stronger caucus. #PublicOption
RT @GoodTwitty: Letter From House Progressives To Obama On Public Option \http://is.gd/2Xdmy #hcr #hc09 #publicoption
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****Mythbusters****
RT @whitehouse: Debunking myths from outside an Obama town hall: Reform will expand your choices, not limit them \http://bit.ly/179sIQ
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RT @whitehouse: Followers asked for more facts - new Reality Check: "We Can Afford Reform, We Can’t Afford Status Quo" \http://bit.ly/6yFTJ
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RT @Shoq: REAL CANADIANS SAY: "Stop Lying About Our #HealthCare Just Because Yours Sucks." (31,000 hits & growing). \http://bit.ly/3ESMeK #p2
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RT @HealthReformNow: Fact of the Day: National cost of Medicare Advantage overpayments estimated $12 billion/yr. \http://bit.ly/hinn8 #hcr
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@WhiteHouse RT @jilevin: CBO: #PublicOption will save $400B in costs over similar bill w/o it! \http://bit.ly/162pXG #hcr #health #hc09 #p2
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RT @SongBookz: All those last resort visits 2 ER R paid 4 by ppl w/priv. & emp. provided health ins. #p2 #hcr - #publicoption wld save U $$
Get a healthy dose of reality about #healthcare insurance reform: \http://bit.ly/thBOH #hcr #hir-rc
(via White House Reality Check)
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****A little Song, A little Dance, They're coming to take me away, HA, HA!****
Dear [@YourCelebNameHere] Please help show America what it's like when a nation cares about its healthcare. \http://bit.ly/3ESMeK #p2 #hcr via @Shoq
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RT @Shoq: Dear @TomDelay Please help show America ...oh skip it, Twinkletoes. Dance on ...
RT @Shoq: Dear @ericCantor Please help show America ... oh never mind. \http://bit.ly/3ESMeK #p2 #hcr ||ROFLMAO!
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****Miscellaneous****
RT @avivagabriel: RT @ViralExistence: September 13 March for #SINGLEPAYER & #PUBLICOPTION: \http://tr.im/y3wF #publicoptionmarch #hcr09 #p2
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RT @avivagabriel @witnessemptysky Plan's afoot to get bill w/ #publicoption & trigger out of Sen & subsequently strip trigger from bill #p2
RT @HunterDK: A 2yr trigger b4 doing right thing w/ #healthreform? Wow, that worked out so great w/the credit card companies! #publicoption
RT @FrankPallone: FDU poll shows the more people know about #healthreform the more they support it. Education is key ingredient.
RT @HealthReformNow: The US leads all industrialized countries in share of natl #healthcare $ for insurance admin \http://bit.ly/GvTF2 #hcr
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RT @jstreveln: RT @lemonton GOP & Insurance Cos both had their chance. Result: Bush Recession & 50 million uninsured #PUBLICOPTION #p2 #hcr
RT @KagroX: Madoff was regulated too. Everybody got their money back, right?
RT @KagroX If insurance regs can "uncancer" me after arbitration, appeal, lawsuit, fine. If not, give me nonprofit alternative up front. #p2
RT KagroX Cut my premiums all you like. If you don't cover me when I need it, it's no help.
RT @MomaAudie: RT @2123MelissaP: Matt Taibbi on #healthreform \http://bit.ly/XAWd6 #hcr #publicoption #singlepayer
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****Just Nuts****
RT @Netroots_Nation Join @colorofchange & sign petition to Glenn Beck's advertisers.His racism can no longer be tolerated \http://is.gd/2WAR7
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RT @Shoq: Obama needs someone to watch the Hatriots. An Asshat Czar. #p2 #tcot
RT @Shoq Genius! RT @AlphabetSalad Socialist? Fascist? Oligarchy? "U keep using that word. I do not think it means what U think it means."
****
Follow the Public Option discussion on Twitter (Should function even if you don't use Twitter or aren't signed in.) Can you think of a variation on the theme? Please add it in the comments. Also in the comments below, I will post a list of other senators & representatives on Twitter, as well as a TPM link to media tweeps. If you know of anyone I miss, please add a reply to the comment.
Some Valuable Links & Info
Twitter dictionary & rules for those who haven't used it before.
- Tweets are limited to 140 characters, including spaces
- hashtags # - indicate subjects that may be searched on by others
- #p2 - allows progressives to find each other
- #hcr09 - health care reform 2009, also sometimes as #hcr
- #publicoption, #healthreform, #healthcare are additional popular tags with many followers
- Direct Messages (DM) are private messages that are only seen by the sender and recipient. To send a direct message, the person must be following you. To receive a direct message, you must be following the sender.
- @ Replies or mentions show up in your public timeline. Your followers and anyone who views your profile will be able to read @ replies or mentions you have written. People doing a search on your id will be able to read replies or mentions to or about you.
- RT - retweet. When you repeat what someone else tweeted, usually because you like what they said (though sometimes used for snark value - see @glennbeck if you're feeling adventurous and in the mood for paranoid stupidity. Credits original writer.
Twitter Tutorials
Learning Twitter - and the Golden Rules via Rightbrain Search - This was one of the first guides I used.
10 Twitter Tips for Professionals by Bill Sweetman
10 Twitter Tips for Professionals by Fabien Tiburce
What are Hashtags (#) via http://hashtags.org/...
Hashtags are a community-driven convention for adding additional context and metadata to your tweets. They're like tags on Flickr, only added inline to your post. You create a hashtag simply by prefixing a word with a hash symbol: #hashtag.
Learn more about hashtags at the twitter fan wiki: Twitter Fan Wiki
Brought to you by @superphly, @brianthecoder, & @benburkert
I tweet as @forbodyandmind and @dreaminghope with some overlap. Feel free to follow one or both id's. If you want to connect with me on Facebook, become a fan of one or both of my pages For Body and Mind Therapeutic Massage or San Francisco Integrative Health Networking. If you're interested in finding other progressives on Twitter, Tweet Progress is directory with over 3400 id's and growing.