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03/31/05 :: By S.M. Dixon Paging the Corporate MediaCategories :: Iraq :: Media
Today the cable news networks have set all coverage of important events aside to fixate on passing of one woman, after ignoring the deaths of so many others.
03/31/05 :: By Tom Ball Why Democrats Lose and Republicans WinCategories :: Progressive Strategy
We're trying to build a progressive political infrastructure. It'll happen but it'll take time and money. Even so, we've come a long way since Bush first took the White House. Now we have Air America Radio, Center for American Progress, RockRidge Institute, George Soros and other sugar daddies, Howard Dean, the Progressive Political Web, and most importantly, the understanding that the long-term infrastructure is something that must be built, and maintained. And yesterday, Bill Bradley gave it to us straight in the NY Times.
03/30/05 :: By S.M. Dixon Know Thine EnemyCategories :: Progressive Strategy
Bill Bradley explains that the GOP's 1964 revival strategy can be used by the Democratic Party of 2005.
03/30/05 :: By Tom Ball STOP Using THEIR Frame: "Culture of Life"Categories :: Framing - Republicans
Do NOT use their frame or their language. Do not use the phrase "Culture of Life" even when attempting to counter their frame or disprove its legitimacy. Instead, REFRAME the issue to reflect positively on our position or truthfully on their position -- an action that also favors our position. Our frame for them in this case should be: "Culture of Opportunism" -- a realistic assessment of their actions that puts us on the offense and reveals their culture of exploitive self-preservation
03/30/05 :: By S.M. Dixon The New Social Security DivideCategories :: Social Security
Bush's scheme to privatize Social Security has lost more support; maybe that's why he (once again) kicked out three potential non-supporters from his Denver rally.
03/30/05 :: By Drew Johnston My Evening With the She-DevilCategories :: Blowhards :: Conservatives :: Pundits
The crowd of wingnuts was dense around the auditorium, in preparation for the arrival of the harpy queen of the conservative movement.
03/29/05 :: By S.M. Dixon The WSJ: Tom DeLay's IcebergCategories :: Tom DeLay
The uberconservative Wall Street Journal has shredded Tom DeLay in an editorial, sounding the death knell for DeLay's crumbling political career.
03/29/05 :: By S.M. Dixon Bush Blows It With Bolton NominationCategories :: Foreign Policy
Someone needs to send the Bush Administration a copy of Dale Carnegie's "How to Win Friends and Influence People."
03/29/05 :: By Tom Ball Tactic: "Allow" People to Come to the "Correct" ConclusionCategories :: Tactics
Ask questions that "allow" listeners to come to the "correct" conclusion all by themselves. The "correct" conclusion being the one that you deem to be "correct". In writing, speeches and general statements of opinion, this tactic is very effective. When directing such questions to a particular person, the effective execution becomes a bit trickier.
03/28/05 :: By S.M. Dixon The GOP: A Corporate SubsidiaryCategories :: Corporate Welfare
The American Taliban segment of the GOP has gotten a lot of attention recently for its power over the party, but Big Business is co-owner of the Party of Lincoln.
03/28/05 :: By Bob Kendall Does President Bush Rank High as a Flim Flam Man?Categories :: Bush Administration
The question millions of individuals have been forced to confront no matter what side of the party line their embedded in stone political loyalties lie is “Does President Bush rank high as a flim flam man?” Remember when Richard Nixon displayed what a hollow man he was? The Republican right still defends him in their misguided loyalty, which really amounts to a vulgar ego saving device. Bush’s supreme political consultant Karl Rove still considers Richard Nixon his political hero.
03/27/05 :: By S.M. Dixon DeLay's Hypocrisy is Utterly Beyond the PaleCategories :: Hypocrisy
What was good enough for Tom DeLay's own father wasn't good enough for Terry Schiavo. Can DeLay possibly sink any lower?
03/27/05 :: By S.M. Dixon The TSA Lied and Privacy DiedCategories :: Privacy
The TSA admits lying through its teeth... but claims it didn't lie on purpose.
03/25/05 :: By S.M. Dixon The Culture of Life F-16sCategories :: Foreign Policy :: Hypocrisy
In a major policy shift, the Bush Administration is selling Pakistan F-16 fighter jets -- but claiming that the sale (which was blocked by Congressional sanctions passed in the early 1990s) won't destabilize the incredibly tense relationship between Pakistan and...
03/25/05 :: By Bob Kendall It Takes a Lot of Guts for Bush to Chase Around the U.S.A. Claiming he can Solve the So-Called Social Security CrisisCategories :: Bush Administration
Bush was quoted on the Notebook page of Time on March 14, 2005 at a White House ceremony honoring the Boston Red Sox for winning the 2004 world championship as saying “It took a lot of guts” for the team to rebound from a three games to none deficit against the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series to triumph in seven games and then go on to win the World Series with four straight victories over the St. Louis Cardinals.
03/25/05 :: By Tom Ball Dino DNA, Evolution, Cloning, and Right-Wing DiscombooberyCategories :: Science
Despite overwhelming evidence and commonsense, they deny anything that wasn't jotted down by someone in the bible -- they deny global warming, scoff at evolution, dismiss the benefits of stem cell research and generally yearn for the glory days of the twelfth century. Now there's something new for them to tie their panties in a knot: Cloned Dinosaurs
03/25/05 :: By Tom Ball Bobby Fischer, Chess Master, Wanted 'Dead or Alive'Categories :: Terrorism
The "War on Terror" has apparently been so successful that our terror-targeting super powers are now free to train themselves on a new, more hideous evil than ever before -- good chess players...no, no...REALLY good chess players. In fact, maybe the best ever. This is no joke people. my sources suggest that the the color-coded terror alert was heightened on at least 3 occassions due to the possibility of... IMMINENT CHESS.
03/25/05 :: By Tom Ball Pollsters Simply Cannot Protect Bush EnoughCategories :: Polling
By making a few reasonable assumptions, we are able to get a rough idea of where Bush’s REAL approval rating is -- simply derive the approval rating for the independents, (something that was not given but can be derived from the available information) and change the weightings to a more realistic level of 33% for each political affiliation Dem/Rep/Ind. With that, we see that Bush’s approval rating of only 34.8%!
03/24/05 :: By William Hare Is George Bush America's Number One Hypocrite?Categories :: Bush Administration
Oh George, this time you really reached deep within yourself and made the case for morality and sustaining life. It is better to err on the side of life, you strongly insisted in the case of Terri Schiavo.
03/24/05 :: By Tom Ball Tactic: Use Language That Implies Your Opponent has Done Things Far Worse than What has Been ProvenCategories :: Tactics
Tactic: In essence, you must use language that implies that your opponent is guilty of improprieties we have yet to imagine. This encourages listeners to not only indict your opponent in their own mind, but also to convict them of yet-to-be-proven, perhaps even imaginary crimes. This ensures that the opponent remains sour in the listeners' minds for untold periods of time making it much more difficult for your opponent to recover and regain credibility sufficient to attack you or your agenda in the future.
03/24/05 :: By S.M. Dixon Justice for Terry That Much CloserCategories :: Activism :: Breaking News
The Supreme Court refused, for a fifth time, to prolong Terry Schiavo's agony; make sure Governor Jeb Bush doesn't improperly intervene.
03/24/05 :: By Drew Johnston Audrey and Terri - A Study in FraudCategories :: Outrages :: Propaganda/Spin :: Religion
In 1981, Audrey Santo became a living relic after an accident left her permanently brain damaged. Today, we compare Audrey to our own living relic of political convenience.
03/24/05 :: By Bob Kendall Is This Intelligent Concern for their Daughter's Condition?Categories :: Bush Administration
This painful question must finally be asked after fifteen years of observing their daughter Terri slowly dying in a vegetable state: Are Terry Schiavo’s parents being arrogant, defying 20 doctors who have declared without reservation that Terri is tragically brain dead?
03/23/05 :: By S.M. Dixon An Eruption of CensorshipCategories :: Censorship :: Religion
The American Taliban has another notch on its belt.
03/23/05 :: By Bonnie Yarbrough How long, oh . . . ,LordCategories :: Framing - Foundation
I’ve resisted with every fiber of my independent spirit not to weigh in on this issue, hoping that a woman’s right to privacy, decency, and, yes, non-governmental interference in her right to die would trump any political grandstanding by Tom DeLay, Bill Frist, or Rick Santorum. But, enough is enough.
03/23/05 :: By S.M. Dixon The Truth About TerryCategories :: Breaking News
An online conversation with Dr. Jay Wolfson, who served as Terry Schiavo's guardian ad litem for nearly thirty days, debunks the right-wing's myths about the case.
03/23/05 :: By Tom Ball FRAMING: "Take Back America" - 4-Part Series - IntroductionCategories :: Framing - Foundation
This series will present arguments and actions to reestablish progressives' rightful place in America. Each section will add to a logical progression of ideas that result in the natural implementation of progressive values by establishing American government as a 'progressive' government held accountable to the standards of a 'Progressive Nation'.
03/23/05 :: By S.M. Dixon Privatization Propaganda FailingCategories :: Propaganda/Spin :: Social Security
Bush's daily attacks on Social Security are still failing to win converts.
03/22/05 :: By S.M. Dixon Bush Lied, Endangered U.S. — AgainCategories :: Foreign Policy :: George W. Bush
Bush has lied about WMDs again, and endangered the entire world in the process. Isn't the GOP supposed to be the party of National Security?
03/22/05 :: By S.M. Dixon Social Security for Sale at E-BayCategories :: Activism :: Humor :: Social Security
Billionaires for Bush injects some humor into the GOP's assault on Social Security.
03/22/05 :: By S.M. Dixon It's OUR Culture of LifeCategories :: Hypocrisy :: Republicans
Republicans claim to value a "Culture of Life," but their policies and practices have been inimical to every facet of life.
03/21/05 :: By Bob Kendall The Cheney-Bush Junta: Global and Domestic DestroyersCategories :: Bush Administration
The key to destroying any nation begins with the destruction of its currency. Strong nations have strong currencies. The descent of the U.S. dollar happened in the Republican-controlled Administration led by divisive White House resident George Bush. I say “resident” as millions do not believe Bush was legitimately elected either in 2000 or 2004. This Administration has been a continuing nightmare as it lurches from one disaster to another, fantasizing that God is behind their steady pattern of lies and deception.
03/20/05 :: By S.M. Dixon Tom DeLay Attacks Terry SchiavoCategories :: Activism :: Civil Rights
Tom DeLay hit a new high on the "hypocrisy meter" during his attack on Terry Schiavo this weekend...
03/19/05 :: By S.M. Dixon Words of Mass DeceptionCategories :: Anti-War
Revisiting three of the lies told by the Bush Administration to sell Americans on the illegal invasion of Iraq, which marks it's second anniversary today.
03/19/05 :: By S.M. Dixon Terry Schiavo Is DeadCategories :: Civil Rights
Right-wingers are agitating for a ban on dignified death and using Terry Schiavo as a tool to achieve that end, but their "monopoly" on the "sanctity of life" is a mirage.
03/19/05 :: By S.M. Dixon Babs Sells a Social Security... Down the RiverCategories :: Social Security
Barbara Bush supports the devastation of a program that she'll never need; THAT should turn the public around on privatizing Social Security!
03/18/05 :: By Tom Ball Luntz Defends the Republican PlaybookCategories :: Framing 101
When the Frank Luntz Republican Playbook made its way to the blogosphere, there was not even a peep out of the mainstream media. Now that might change, and all thanks to none other than Frank Luntz himself.
03/18/05 :: By William Hare A Vigorous Response to Economic PredatorsCategories :: Economy
Jacques Kinau is an economic specialist operating from the Institute for Research in Washington. His specialty is tax policy and his latest work, “Start Your Own Tax-Exempt Think Tank” is both an instructive guide as to how the powerful became much more so at the distinct expense of the middle class as well as how to correct these appalling disadvantages through self-help.
03/17/05 :: By Tom Ball Tactic: Appeal to the Listeners' Deepest FearsCategories :: Tactics
Instill fear. Connect that fear to your opponent's position; remind them that, with him, there is no hope. Provide specific, simple and clear instructions regarding the actions that should be taken to find relief. Fear distracts and motivates the frightened to seek relief from that fear.
03/17/05 :: By Stu Finkel Who REALLY Supports The Troops?Categories :: Veterans
The Senate defeats an amendment which would have added $2.8 billion to Veterans Medical Care for 2006 on an almost strictly party line vote.
So who really supports the troops?
03/16/05 :: By Stu Finkel Breaking News: Drilling in Arctic Wildlife RefugeCategories :: Congress :: Environment :: Outrages
Bush's band of environmental destructos in the Senate votes to allow drilling in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge
03/16/05 :: By S.M. Dixon The Military Comes CleanCategories :: Outrages
The U.S. military has released evidence that shows Abu Ghraib was just the tip of the "torture iceberg."
03/16/05 :: By S.M. Dixon Dems Stand Firm on Social SecurityCategories :: Congress :: Democrats :: Social Security
Senate Democrats won a small Social Security victory yesterday with big (and bad) implications down the road for Republicans.
03/15/05 :: By S.M. Dixon Bush's-Titanically Bad Plan Going DownCategories :: Social Security
Yet another poll showing that the Bush Administration's push to privatize Social Security is as popular as herpes in a house of ill repute.
03/14/05 :: By Stu Finkel Action Alert: Busting DeLayCategories :: Activism :: Congress :: Criminal Acts :: Republicans
Pressure is mounting on the icon of Republican corruption Tom DeLay. Now efforts are being made to influence wavering GOP'ers uneasy about ethics changes meant to protect DeLay.
03/14/05 :: By S.M. Dixon REAL Family Values Upheld by California CourtCategories :: Breaking News :: Civil Rights
California's highest court rules in favor of same-sex marriages; the Bush Base will soon gather pitchforks and torches in protest.
03/14/05 :: By Tom Ball Bob Fertik and BlogCall.org Revolutionizing American Media StructureCategories :: Media
The calls serve as both an organizing power for progressive blog investigations/exposes and a tool for relationship-building with members of the mainstream media. Particularly impressive is the blistering speed at which Bob has transformed his idea into a functioning, effective, powerful tool to promote a populist media, not through unending whining and complaints, but rather through action and sheer force of mind and will. And now the MSM has taken notice. On the cover of today’s New York Times Business Section is a feature article on the creation and functioning of BlogCall.org. Congratulations Bob!
03/14/05 :: By S.M. Dixon Pay No Attention to the President Behind the CurtainCategories :: Bush Administration :: Media :: Propaganda/Spin
The Bush Administration's deceptive Public Relations offensive, funded by tax-payer dollars, is more widespread than once thought.
03/14/05 :: By S.M. Dixon Your Right to [Redacted by Government Order]Categories :: Activism :: Democracy :: Government
We'd have a summary of this article, but the government won't allow it.
03/13/05 :: By S.M. Dixon Out of the Mouths of BabesCategories :: Corporate Welfare
The GOP wants to protect subsidies for corporate agriculture by denying low-income children food. Where's the compassion?
03/11/05 :: By S.M. Dixon Maybe She's Born with It. Maybe It's Phthalates.Categories :: Corporate Corruption
The cosmetics industry is fighting an effort to ban toxic chemicals from its products; no matter what kind of face the industry puts on it, its bad news for consumers.
03/11/05 :: By Bonnie Yarbrough Good News FridayCategories :: Social Security
Looks like the Democrats may actually stand their ground this time.
03/10/05 :: By S.M. Dixon Bush Blows Airline SafetyCategories :: Terrorism
You might want to think twice before "flying the friendly skies."
03/10/05 :: By S.M. Dixon Move On, GeorgeCategories :: Bush Administration
George W. Bush and his administration have become mindlessly repetitive.
03/10/05 :: By William Hare Get Dan Rather! Media Hypocrisy at its ZenithCategories :: Media Snake Oil
Well, the vultures got their wish. Dan Rather ended his CBS anchor career last night with his final broadcast. He did so on a highly compassionate note, expressing concern for American citizens in need. We know how his cynical critics will spin that one: “This guy is a bleeding heart liberal right down to the end!” That is the generic term used to apply to those registering concern for the powerless and dispossessed.
03/10/05 :: By S.M. Dixon The "Mandate Myth" and Social SecurityCategories :: Election 2004 :: Social Security
Dick Cheney is claiming that the administration has a "mandate" for privatizing Social Security, but nothing could be further from the truth.
03/09/05 :: By Drew Johnston Tactic: Watching Your BehaviorCategories :: Tactics
It's simple enough - keep it cool and you'll never lose. Well, you may lose, but it can't hurt.
03/09/05 :: By S.M. Dixon There IS a Social Security CrisisCategories :: Bush Administration :: Framing - Individuals :: Social Security
Democrats need to reframe the Social Security debate: There IS a crisis... but it's being caused by the Bush Administration's irresponsibility.
03/09/05 :: By Tom Ball Was Saddam's Capture a Hollywood Production?Categories :: Iraq :: Lies :: Propaganda/Spin
We've all come across the type who still believe that man's landing on the moon was just a production of good old American cinematography. Ironically, these same people are the ones who would sacrifice their dignity to fawn over recent works of Bush propaganda. You can bet they were gaga over the manner in which Saddam was captured -- how appropriate it was that he had to be dragged from his vermin infested, rat hole... like the cowardly filth that he is. To others however, the 'capture' seemed just a bit too perfect in its symbolism -- as though the entire thing had been a staged event, perhaps even requiring signed 'affidavits of loyalty' to behold.
03/09/05 :: By S.M. Dixon Pop Quiz: Bush and College EducationCategories :: Education
George W. Bush gets on "A" for Public Speaking but an "F" for speaking dishonestly
03/08/05 :: By S.M. Dixon Bush Still Rattling Saber at SyriaCategories :: Foreign Policy
Bush's saber-rattling at Syria today might be rattling several U.S. allies... if he meant what he said.
03/08/05 :: By Stu Finkel Bad News on Bankruptcy BillCategories :: Breaking News :: Corporate Welfare :: Democrats :: Senators and Representatives
Today the repugnant bankruptcy bill cleared several hurdles and Democrats broke ranks in order to vote for cloture, ending debate on the bill.
03/08/05 :: By S.M. Dixon The GOP Doesn't Cotton to the WTOCategories :: Tactics
The GOP has been savaging the Democratic Party's political base; could, and should, the Democratic Party respond in kind?
03/07/05 :: By S.M. Dixon Bush's Lemon: Privatizing Social SecurityCategories :: Framing - Individuals :: George W. Bush :: Social Security
George W. Bush is selling his Social Security privatization scheme as if it were a used car.
03/07/05 :: By S.M. Dixon Bolton at the U.N. is Bad NewsCategories :: Breaking News :: Bush Administration
The Bush Administration has just chosen a notoriously undiplomatic man to be the new U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations: John Bolton.
03/06/05 :: By Stu Finkel An Impressive First Round for Harry ReidCategories :: Democrats
Admit it. You, too, were among the doubters when Harry Reid was named to replace Tom Daschle as Senate minority leader. Here, you thought, was another gray, uncharismatic moderate from a red state who would put up at best token...
03/06/05 :: By Tom Ball Frank Luntz Republican Playbook -- Searchable Text-Version: PART X "APPENDIX: THE 14 WORDS NEVER TO USE"Categories :: Framing 101 :: Reference :: Republicans
In the tenth and final installment of the text version of the Luntz Republican playbook, Frank warns conservatives of the 14 words they should never, ever use -- and then graciously provides 'proper' alternatives.
03/06/05 :: By Tom Ball Frank Luntz Republican Playbook -- Searchable Text-Version: PART IX "AN ENERGY POLICY FOR THE 2lst CENTURY"Categories :: Framing 101 :: Reference :: Republicans
In the ninth installment of the text version of the Luntz Republican playbook, Frank leads the crusade for nuclear energy and drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).
03/04/05 :: By Tom Ball Frank Luntz Republican Playbook -- Searchable Text-Version: PART VIII "LAWSUIT ABUSE REFORM: A COMMONSENSE APPROACH"Categories :: Framing 101 :: Reference :: Republicans
In the eighth installment of the text version of the Luntz Republican playbook, Frank reveals the truth about those filthy 'Public Protection Attorneys' and explains the delicate nature of convincing the public that big business should run wild and free of the restraints imposed by 'ethics' and 'law'.
03/03/05 :: By Tom Ball Frank Luntz Republican Playbook -- Searchable Text-Version: PART VII "SOCIAL SECURITY = RETIREMENT SECURITY" (Part a)Categories :: Framing 101
In the seventh installment of the text version of the Luntz Republican playbook, Frank invests 31 pages of prime space teaching the proper way to reshape the public's perception of Social Security -- taking particular aim at the elderly’s current propensity to separate that nasty, ever-so-hated 'government' from their beloved Social Security. To gain favor for Republican's Social Security dismantlement, says Luntz, the two must become synonymous.
03/02/05 :: By Stu Finkel Guckert/Gannon to Take Questions from BloggersCategories :: Propaganda/Spin
Liberal bloggers over at Daily Kos have pooled their resources in order to investigate the Propagannon scandal. Now they prepare to ask questions of Guckert/Gannon himself.
03/02/05 :: By Bob Kendall Bush Propaganda About Social Security is Really About Saving Wall StreetCategories ::
Watch out! Wasn’t the “weapons of mass destruction” scam job enough to cast suspicion on just about anything this Republican Congress suggests? Having made the munitions manufacturers billions in this scam job operation, Bush and his cohorts have never once admitted making any kind of mistake in launching the war against Iraq. Instead once it was proven that there were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, Bush dramatically launched into a new agenda announcing it had become the U.S. taxpayers’ burden to carry freedom and democracy worldwide. The style of freedom and democracy Bush and Cheney are talking abut is no-bid freedom for their friends at Halliburton and Bechtel to bilk the U.S. taxpayer.
03/02/05 :: By Tom Ball Frank Luntz Republican Playbook -- Searchable Text-Version: PART VI "TAX RELIEF & SIMPLIFICATION"Categories :: Framing 101 :: Reference :: Republicans
In the sixth installment of the text version of the Luntz Republican playbook, Frank explains that Republicans don't want tax 'reform', they want tax 'simplification'. Here's why it matters.
03/01/05 :: By Stu Finkel Novak is a LiarCategories :: Lies
And in other news water is wet. Via both Atrios and a dKos diary, That Traitor Bob Novak severely misquoted a comment Howard Dean made concerning SS solvency, and the lie has now been spread to the RNC website. You...
03/01/05 :: By Bonnie Yarbrough All Aboard the SS Titanic: Reports of IcebergsCategories :: Framing - Individuals
Fair warning: if you decide to make the trip, you may want to alert the Carpathia, just in case.
03/01/05 :: By William Hare Coulter Ready for Psychiatric Commitment as The Media Keeps Looking the Other WayCategories :: Media Snake Oil
While the mainstream media cranes its collective neck to see anything suspicious from the progressive camp to jump on, Ann Coulter continues to engage in outrageous behavior. The only source seemingly willing to take her on is progressive Internet columnists, explaining why Bob Novak long ago warned his right wing faithful to stay away from that source of discontent. Yes Bob, some of these folks straying from Fox might actually learn some facts!
03/01/05 :: By Tom Ball Frank Luntz Republican Playbook -- Searchable Text-Version: PART V "THE BUDGET: ENDING WASTEFUL WASHINGTON SPENDING"Categories :: Framing 101 :: Reference :: Republicans
In the fifth installment of the text version of the Luntz Republican playbook, Frank insists that the budget problems be blamed on 'Wasteful government spending'... no, not the tax cuts to the most wealthy Americans or the quarter billion burned in a war of Bush betrayal. The deficits are all about those ever-so-reviled social programs. This sets the stage for 'Starving the beast'.
03/01/05 :: By Tom Ball Frank Luntz Republican Playbook -- Searchable Text-Version: PART IV "INTERNATIONAL TRADE: PROMOTING AMERICA’S COMPETITIVENESS"Categories :: Framing 101 :: Reference :: Republicans
In the fourth installment of the text version of the Luntz Republican playbook, Frank reveals his thoughts on 'leveling the international playing field' so our apparently hapless businesses can finally compete in the global marketplace. (Last I knew, our 11 trillion dollar economy dwarfed its next closest international competitor. Maybe Luntz knows something we don't?)
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