Always watch out for the hidden agenda of Conservatives.

[trumad]

Wedge Issues.

That’s right, wedge issues. The Rovian right has been very successful the last several years in framing the debate and using wedge issues. The biggest wedge issue today is support for the military and the war in Iraq. Over and over since 9/11 you have heard Conservative talking heads and writers claim that any criticism of the military or the war means that you are some kind of traitor to your own country.

It’s been pounded by the right, right into the heads of Moron America. Walk down the street and ask a fellow citizen where the Great Wall of China is and they won’t have a clue. Ask them who’s tougher in defending the US of A and they’ll immediately say the Republicans. WHY! Because the Republicans have been very successful with that false talking point. Hence they’ve created the perfect wedge issue which has won them elections.

Strategies to successfully creating a wedge issue.

INFILTRATION.

Take a position, (say the support of the military), find a venue that allows you to create a persona that will let you to take the lead with that issue. Create a following by posting genuine heart felt posts about that important issue. Bide your time, be patient and blend into the mindset of the community.

BOMBS AWAY!
The fostering of the wedge issue.

It’s simple. Once you’ve created your identity that gives you some credibility and name recognition, post a huge grandstand statement that you are leaving the community because that community is insensitive to you and the issue that you have created.

The Wedge Issue grows bigger.

Meanwhile behind the scenes, for the last several months, you post in conservative forums and let them get acquainted with you and your cause. In a way you’re roping them in as much as the other guys.

Well guess what. It works. Go check the conservative forums today and the topic at hand is how we bad DUers have banned the people who support the troops. Again, the Wedge Issue. In the past we would have sat back and let that type of spin/talking point work its way into the mainstream. AND of course with a compliant MSM, it soon becomes the perfect fodder for guys like Hannity/O’Reilly, etc.

Look at how they did it with a nobody like Ward Churchill. All of a sudden the guy’s the spokesman for the left. How did that happen? By planting a small seed in a small venue. Then that seed was watered a bit and Walla, the guy is everywhere. (I just had a Chancy Gardner moment.)

The last couple of days we’ve had an event here at DU that mirrors the example that I mentioned above. Was that member part of a grand scheme to help foster a false image of folks on the left not supporting the troops or the military? I don’t know. But is the example up above accurate in how things like this work? You Bet. For the last couple of years, we on the left with the help of the blogs, DU, etc. have finally started to fight back and understand that if we are to take back our country, we cannot, we must not, allow the right to frame the debate on issues important to this country. If we are told that the left does not support the troops or military, it is our duty to find out who the hell’s accusing us of that. Dig a little deep and you’ll be surprised at the amount of worms that you will find.

MHOP

[bling bling]

1. My prediction:

Up next, civil rights. They will find a way to hijack the vocabulary referring to an individual's civil rights, using the word "pro" "support" or whatever, and suddenly we'll find ourselves being labeled "anti" civil rights by default.

Sounds ridiculous maybe, but I'd almost we willing to bet the house on it, based on the snow job they've done on Americans on every other issue.

[Merlot]

3. Well, since we didn't support condi or gonzales

I guess that proves we don't want minorities to have important positions.

Job performance be damned!

[bling bling]

6. Good point. So how will they turn minorities away from the Dems?

I wonder if they'll tie in the immigration thing here to create the wedge issue.

Most repubs I know are in opposition to the administrations stance on illegal immigrants.

One way they'll get their sheep (as well as others, perhaps) on board is to reframe the argument.

I can hear it now during the next campaign: "vote Republican - because we're PRO-minority rights." They'll cast out examples of the minorities they have in high-office (that the liberals opposed) and pull the old sound bite / photo opp trick to twist the argument around so much that the immigration issue gets buried under the labels. Suddenly the libs find themselves voting however the Republicans want them to on immigration or whatever other issues they tie-in to the argument so that we don't appear anti-minority. The Republican sheep will be so delighted to hear themselves being the party of civil-rights that they too will go along with whatever Bush/Rove et. al. wants to do on immigration.

The more I think this through, the more it doesn't seem at all far-fetched that this or something like this could happen.

[Catherine Vincent]

2. They get away with that because they run the airwaves.

Liberal media my ass.

[coreystone]

4. In your last paragraph you mention the word "worms".

Would you please elaborate and expand upon what specifically you are referring, and where we should seek to dig in order to find them.

:-)

[trumad]

5. metaphor

meaning a simple google will turn up loads of info.

[applegrove]

7. We have to be discerning and act on our compassion & not hatred.

We need to study ourselves and markets. We need to teach ourselves about the geopolitics and economic realities. We need to be very informed. And just because they act out of baser instincts and use lies - we need to not react mindlessly - we need to act with self-knowledge & empathy & the truth.

[Moderator]

8. Locking.....

These threads have gotten out of control. This is now a private matter between the admins and the banned member. If anyone has questions or comments, they can post in the Ask the Admins forum.

Thanks for your concern.


DU Moderator