August 27, 2009 4:23 PM
Obama Town Hall astroturf - what they're told about you
You might be very interested to see how Democrats are organizing their Astroturf, mischaracterizing fellow citizens as "an angry mob" driven by large organizations to defeat Obama - rather than concerned tax-payers who would rather be doing almost anything than taking time out of their busy lives to express their dismay at government overspending, control and intrusion into our private lives.
You can read it all at Health Care for America- and if you scroll to the bottom, you can read that they are funded by public advocacy groups (your tax dollars being used to campaign for the Obama agenda) and unions. This is definitely not a grassroots movement - just more Wolf in Sheep's Clothing.
And btw, the thanks to the media, our Tea Party protests - named after the famous Boston event - have been smeared. We are referred to as "teabaggers"- which most of us did not know referred to a nasty homosexual practice. As far as I'm concerned, calling conservatives by that name is like using the N word. It has to stop.
A couple excerpts:
Step 2: Train yourself to combat right-wing tactics
Since early February, we've seen increasing numbers of militant right-wing activists attending public meetings across the country targeting Members of Congress and President Obama. Now in the August recess, the "tea-bagger" protesters and right-wing activists are showing up in larger numbers with a mission to be as disruptive as possible in the hopes of rattling Members of Congress and halting health care reform through pure spectacle and obstruction.
Who are these people?
The people who show up are far right-wing ideologues recruited by paid organizers. Much of this recruitment and organizing is funded by industry lobbyists and public relations firms to engage radical right-wing groups. Many of these groups are motivated by far right ideology in general - not by health care as an issue. They are held together by a common vision of the world that centers on defeating Obama and his agenda. We can expect to see anti-abortion groups, pro-gun groups, insurance company employees (mandated by employers to come out), militia groups, and anti-immigration groups.What are their goals in turning out disruptive mobs?
Their goal is to stop Obama, influence the media, and scare Members of Congress into thinking that there is more resistance to health care reform than really exists. The attendees are not reflective of the middle or average Republican Party member. Insurance industry lobbyists and public relations firms recruit mostly right-wing extremists who are willing to employ militant tactics in order to demonize Obama by tapping into fear and anger in the electorate. The fear comes from both aggressive communications tactics and rhetoric: anti-tax, anti-abortion, anti-immigration, and other themes that resonate with the farthest right wing of their party.What is the strategy of the lobbyists and right-wingers who are orchestrating these protests?
The most important thing to remember about this type of mobilization is that it is foremost a media strategy, not an organizing strategy. These angry mobs are not trying to persuade Members of Congress or the folks who are attending the event about their point of view. Their goal is to disrupt the event as much as possible in order to:
- Prevent our message from getting out.
- Scare Members of Congress into silence and submission.
- Paint a picture for the media that conveys widespread disapproval for health care reform in order to influence the narrative.
- Create as much tension as possible at these events so that the average spectator is completely turned off and disengages totally from this issue.
What can we expect them to do?
- They will be loud: They will "Yell, stand up and shout out, and rattle" the Members of Congress. They will be disruptive and not follow the agenda. They won't wait for an opening to speak. They will just interrupt and shout from the minute the event opens until it ends.
- They will paint a picture: They will carry a lot of signs. They will have gimmicks and props to get attention from the MOCs and from the media.
- They will look bigger than they are: They will spread out and distribute their signs widely. They will also get in front of any TV camera or press people in order to make sure the story that is reported is their story.
- They will seek confrontation: The right-wing protesters will foster confrontation at every turn because that's what draws media and distracts the public. They will use any means to do this including abusive language, arrests, props, and physical violence. Be prepared.
How should we prepare to encounter the right wing protesters at MOC events?
- Contact friendly MOCs and let them know you are coming to make sure our side is heard and that the event is positive. Provide constructive support for Members of Congress who are holding public events to promote health care reform by turning out constituents and anticipating problems ahead of time. Ask the Member's staff what would be most helpful and talk through a strategy for making sure the right messages don't get drowned out by chaotic protesters.
- Inoculate your staff and your volunteers by telling them what to expect and what purpose lies behind the right-wing demonstrations. The more that the attendees know what to expect; the less startled they will be by the irrational tone and militancy of the protesters.
- Bring more people than the other side has. Their side will be smaller but noisier. You must bring enough people to drown them out and to cover all our bases so as to marginalize their disruptive tactics. You don't want to get into a screaming match, but it must be obvious to everyone--including press--that you represent the majority.
- Arrive earlier than the other side does. We need to stack our folks in the front to create a wall around the Member, and we need to stake out the best spots for visibility and signs. Reconnaissance on the venue and an understanding of the staging will be important here. Make sure you do your homework so you can position your folks most effectively.
- Be more visible than the other side. Bring more signs and leaflets, and whenever possible, post your signs all over the place so that you visually out-perform the other side. Make sure you have people holding signs in every place where a TV camera is likely to be and that next to every right wing sign, there's one of your signs with your message.
- Have a real plan for the media. Remember, this is a communications strategy that the right wing is using and our goal is to stop them from hijacking and changing the message and tone of these events. Assign 3-5 people to speak with the reporters who attend and make sure the reporters understand the scope and message of the event. If you let the media just report on what they see, they will invariably focus on the mayhem. That is a far juicer story than affordability and the public health insurance option. Don't wait for the reporter to approach you. You must approach the reporters and be assertive in shaping the narrative that they write. Have someone assigned to greeting the media or checking in media as they arrive. That way you will know who they are and be able to work with them both during the event and afterwards. Also, plan to record both the events you attend and the events you organize. TV stations will use amateur footage to round out their stories, and the other side is recording and posting video online. We need to be able to give the press video of successful events too.
Posted in Activism, Obama Nation | Permalink
Comments
I know this may sound simplistic, but sometimes I just shake my head and wonder why the left is so worried about the right . . . after all, they control the Congress and the White House, why are they so worried that they can't get their legislation passed? Hmmm? You would think they would have more confidence, lol!
Posted by: Anonymous | August 27, 2009 8:57 PM
And this is for real? These folks cannot imagine someone would simply oppose their ideas and want to talk about it? Or register their disagreement, or propose a new idea? These folks have made a game out of this. To somehow turn their neighbor into a cartoon character to mock and bully at media events.
Beyond belief, and yet here it is in writing. Wow.
Posted by: Imajackson | August 28, 2009 1:19 AM
After skimming through the rhetoric, I'm very disgusted by the divisive language these people use! Every picture of these rowdy "astroturfers" at town halls has shown grandmas, grandpas, middle class and poor all walks of life with hand written signs. Printed signs... sheesh! It's sickening how the administration is trying to turn neighbors against each other.
And any time a group uses a disgusting and derogatory term to describe another it sickens me and discredits their message. They're like whiny pouty children who are stomping their feet and calling names because mommy said NO.
Remember who the original Divider and Father of Lies is... his work is definitely present in this.
Posted by: Sarah | August 28, 2009 8:22 AM
