Rosa Brooks' op-ed in Friday's L.A. Times did a good job of concluding that the idea of opposing our involvement in Iraq is no longer a ka-ka koo-koo fringe thing. However, I think she stopped short of something that could be a stroke of brilliance.
If you'll follow...
Those of us who've opposed the idea of invading Iraq as far back as when it was just an idea have been a part of the fringe for a long time -- that vocal but minority 25 percent or so who look like naysayers when as much as 80-90 percent of the country thought we were making the right moves.
But now that the other side is firmly in the fringe, as Brooks points out, isn't it time we started calling it like it really is?
Isn't it their turn to be the kookie-kookie fringe folks? The tinfoil hat is on the other head now, my friends, so let's name it and claim it.
Every chance you get -- when you write a post, when you call an AM hate jockey, when you have a political discussion with friends, when you're talking to your conservative uncle -- use this term.
"Well, some of those people out on the fringe say we should stay the course, but..."
"The crazy fringe-types say leaving the country is 'cutting and running,' but I think..."
"I've seen fewer and fewer of these rubber-room fringe-dwellers with 'I support the president' bumper stickers..."
Be creative! Say it loud and say it often.
Oh, sure, the meme will cause a few double-takes at first, but it's fun to throw a monkey wrench into people's daily perceptions. If they challenge you, just roll with it:
"The fringe? What fringe?"
"Oh, you know those loons who think the war in Iraq is a good use of our resources."
"Fringe -- wha-a-a?"
"Yeah, the fruitbats who believe the lives we've lost in this war have been worth it."
"What do you mean 'fringe'?"
"Ah, you know, those goofy unrepentant Bush voters. The dead-enders who think we can somehow 'win' Iraq."
It's easy and it's fun. It's a way of life. And you want to know something else? It feels good.
PS: Apologies to the original "Framer" Mr. Jeffrey Feldman.