Talking Points

The GOP is infamous for it's use of "talking points". They all speak in unity, and spout the same lines over and over on their vast network of television and talk radio outlets. For many Americans, who have no other news sources, this is all the information that they get. People are busy. Busy with their jobs, their family activities, favorite tv shows or the distraction of the day (often one of those talking points).

Thanks to well-meant but mis-guided telecommunications laws enacted in the last decade, we can't do much about Clear Channel's control of the airwaves. They have the money, they have the power, and they have ownership. Air America is THE sole countering voice to these people, and I hope that you are in a market where they can afford to be on the air. If not, I hope you can contribute to their efforts to reach out to America with the other side of the story, the "spin-free" zone if you will. I live in a blood red state that hasn't a single Air America affilliate station that I am aware of. I hopped on the XM bandwagon back in 2004 just to hear these guys, but there's alot more on XM. Something for absolutely everyone. And, in case you thought it to be expensive, I paid $50 for my last receiver at Sears and my monthly charge for service is around $10. It's WELL worth your time to look into. I sort of got off into a side-rant there, but I want everyone to know just how affordable XM is, and how satisfying it is to hear talk radio that represents our views.

The original point that I was going to make is this; we can't control the media when it comes to television and radio, unless, of course, we create a reportable event. But we CAN use our own "talking points". . .in letters to the editor, in our blogs, in our daily conversations with our neighbors and co-workers and others whom we interact with during the day. The difference between us and the GOP Kool-Aid drinkers is that most of US can elaborate on OUR talking points, rather than just shouting the same phrases over and over and trying to drown out those who disagree.

I have a co-worker friend who is was a registered Republican. I didn't set out to convert him, just talked to him during our daily morning routine. He decided that he was actually a Democrat after our discussions. These are the sort of interactions that many of us miss out upon. People don't want to be clubbed over the head, would you? But a few minutes discussing the issues informally can really make a difference. This approach sort of follows the teaching of Christ. Yeah, I know . . .I'm not a real religious sort of guy, but the paralell is there nonetheless.

In politics or Christianity in it's true form, one shares their views with others by relating their common thoughts, ideas, and experiences without forcefullness or condemnation of differing views. In a recent post about state-sanctioned license plates bearing the logo "In God we trust", I was "consigned to hell" by a supposedly Christian reader. A "true Christian" friend of mine, Coff, defended me against this attack here and on her own blog. As she stated, "We disagree on this issue, as I knew we would. But our friendship remains." Wow. . .I got sucked into yet another side-rant there, in the same post, no less! Anyways, here are some PROGRESSIVE TALKING POINTS that you should be utilizing in your letters to the editor of your local papers and calls to the local wingnut talk-radio staions:

Five years after 9/11, the Bush administration has failed to keep us safe.

The war in Iraq has diverted attention from protecting America from terrorism. This past week 9/11 commissioners said Iraq is distracting from security at home.

The war in Iraq has inflamed the whole Middle East and is helping Al Qaeda attract new recruits.

Osama Bin Laden is still on the loose.

Katrina showed all of us that the Republicans aren't able to protect America at home.

The Republican Congress hasn't followed through on the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission.

Republican political attacks during last week's terror threat are outrageous.

Unlike the wingnut drones, I beleive that YOU can present the facts behind these statements. . .