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Time for Conservatives to go on the Offensive in the Framing Wars
Townhall.com ^ | June 29, 2015 | Rachel Alexander

Posted on 06/29/2015 7:14:26 AM PDT by Kaslin

The left has figured out how to successfully push through its agenda by using one simple tactic: demonizing the right. Even if there is no truth to the cruel labels, the left has figured out they work. Repeat the words "bigot,” "hate,” "sexist" and "intolerant" enough and they will start to stick. It’s known as the “framing war,” and Republicans aren’t very good at it, probably because we’re too nice. We’re the party of Judeo-Christian morality, so calling the opposition names isn’t considered polite. Instead, we naively think we can stick to debating the substance of issues and the truth will win out.

We saw how a very small minority within the left, the gay community – less than three percent of the population – was able to implement same-sex marriage. A small group of radicals labeled anyone who disagreed with their approach as bigots full of hate. They launched a clever ad campaign with glamorous, photoshopped pictures of celebrities in white wearing No H8 stickers on their faces and duct tape over their mouths. The approach worked, and the movement picked up steam. Support for same-sex marriage increased from 27 percent in 1996 to 60 percent this year, culminating in last week’s sweeping Supreme Court decision.

The irony was many of the activists were full of hate for anyone who disagreed with their methods - even libertarians who simply wanted government completely out of marriage. There was no room for compromise or alternative solutions. Christians found themselves on the receiving end of a barrage of profanity. But it didn’t matter, the mantra had already been successfully set, that Christians were full of hate. In the biggest show of irony, the activists brazenly tweeted out profanity using the hashtag #LoveWins toward anyone who disagreed with their methods after the Supreme Court announced its decision.

The left also had some success last week demonizing the right as racist over the Confederate flag controversy. But in reality, the Confederate flag is the legacy of Democrats, right up through recent years, and they should have been held accountable for the racism. Where were conservatives? Too busy apologizing to engage in the framing war.

The latest area the left is attempting to get ahead of the right through demonization is global warming. They’ve tried several sneaky phrases, hoping to get one to stick; the latest is “climate denier.” The right needs to respond aggressively and place an unflattering label on the left where it belongs. Perhaps a phrase like “global warming mythmakers” or “manmade global warming liars,” and use it consistently and often.

For years, when I didn’t feel like engaging in an intellectual debate with someone, I merely responded with a personal attack directed at them, and it virtually always shut them down. Someone accuses me of being racist/sexist/homophobic? Instead of trying to defend myself, I respond back and point out how they are racist/sexist/homophobic. It usually catches them off balance and they end up trying to defend the indefensible, “have you stopped beating your wife yet?”

Part of the problem is the left substantially controls education and the media. Children are constantly bombarded by messages that the right is full of hate and bigots. We have a generation of Millennials who have grown up with this indoctrination. This is why it is even more imperative to counter that message with one equally as effective.

This is no longer the nostalgic era of the late William F. Buckley, Jr., where people only had a few political sources to choose from, such as reading National Review or watching Firing Line. Nowadays, there are thousands if not millions of news sources and people are overwhelmed with information. Have you seen how thin the print version of National Review is today? The right can no longer count on winning the debate with reasoned arguments alone. As we’re preaching to the choir at Tea Party meetings, the left has our children captive in school teaching them we’re haters.

The truth is, the far left does hate the right, so calling the left bigots is no longer a stretch. How many times have you been attacked on Twitter or Facebook with profane language or threats over your right-leaning viewpoints? I’m beginning to lose track of all the people I’ve had to block. The hate is increasing exponentially.

Bill Clinton was considered a genius as president for using the method of “triangulation” to get his agenda implemented. I would argue that Obama is even more of a genius. He successfully brought Saul Alinsky’s Rules for Radicals into the White House, allowing him to accomplish his full left-wing agenda without resorting to the compromise of triangulation with Republicans.

While the right should use the Alinskyite tactic of vilifying your opponent back, they should not engage in Alinsky’s crooked methods, such as lying. A Democrat activist friend of mine told me if he ever went public about all the corruption he’s seen within his party, it would make a huge story. It is another reason we are at a disadvantage.

Yes, Jesus said to turn the other cheek. But he also threw the money changers out of the temple. Conservatives need to stop reacting and start branding the left. Repeat after me: I’m not a progressive because I’m not a hateful, racist, sexist bigot. Why are you?


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial
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1 posted on 06/29/2015 7:14:26 AM PDT by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin
I asked a liberal colleague whether his position stemmed from ignorance or apathy.

He said, "I don't know and I don't care, but you're racist."

2 posted on 06/29/2015 7:24:26 AM PDT by cincinnati65
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To: cincinnati65

You’re a racist AND a hater! HA


3 posted on 06/29/2015 7:30:28 AM PDT by gattaca (Republicans believe every day is July 4, democrats believe every day is April 15. Ronald Reagan)
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To: Kaslin

If “offensive” means the normal limp-wristed mamby-pamby idiocy coming out of the GOP, screw it.

If it means civil disobedience to the point of making liberals afraid in their homes, then do it, dammit. They did it to us, and we should return the gesture with interest.

This is war, and sooner or later, it will have to be done. Nothing else will stop the slime that is liberalism.


4 posted on 06/29/2015 7:33:19 AM PDT by Da Coyote
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To: Kaslin
Use their OWN rules against them.

How tolerant, diverse, and inclusive are they toward Christians? Call them out on it!

How tolerant, diverse, and inclusive are they about those who believe in self defense for themselves and their families againt those who hate? Call them out on it!

How tolerant are they toward white people? Do they still believe in diversity and inclusiveness? Call them out on it!

Do they speak words of hate against any right wing group? Is that still not hate speech directed toward anyone who's different than them? Is hate still not hate? It certainly isn't love and compassion. Call them out on it!

THEY made these rules. Use them!!

5 posted on 06/29/2015 7:36:26 AM PDT by concerned about politics ("Get thee behind me, Liberal")
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To: Kaslin
The left also had some success last week demonizing the right as racist over the Confederate flag controversy. But in reality, the Confederate flag is the legacy of Democrats, right up through recent years, and they should have been held accountable for the racism. Where were conservatives? Too busy apologizing to engage in the framing war.

Yeppers, just like what I have been stating. This whole notion of getting rid of this flag is totally misplaced - SYMBOLISM OVER SUBSTANCE. If we are going to do something with substance, we should ban the political Party that upheld slavery without apology.

It is the Democrat Party that has this heritage of hate. No Republican EVER held slaves - ONLY DEMOCRATS. The Democrat Party has NEVER apologized for slavery! If we are going to ban anything meaningful because of slavery - BAN THE DEMOCRAT PARTY !!!

6 posted on 06/29/2015 7:41:35 AM PDT by celmak
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To: Kaslin

Identify a victim.

Identify a villain.

Create one when one does not actually exist.

That pattern has worked for decades.


7 posted on 06/29/2015 7:41:50 AM PDT by TomGuy
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To: Kaslin
It's a hate crime to attack a person based on their religion.
I didn't write that law. The left did.
USE IT!!!
8 posted on 06/29/2015 7:42:56 AM PDT by concerned about politics ("Get thee behind me, Liberal")
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To: concerned about politics

Right on


9 posted on 06/29/2015 7:43:57 AM PDT by Kaslin (He needed the ignorant to reelect him, and he got them. Now we all have to pay the consequenses)
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To: celmak

All of this is factual and they cannot deny any of it


10 posted on 06/29/2015 7:45:44 AM PDT by Kaslin (He needed the ignorant to reelect him, and he got them. Now we all have to pay the consequenses)
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To: Kaslin


Unless and until the right uses the same measures/means, they will continue to lose.

Notice how quickly an individual or group pushing a political correct agenda items backs down when confronted and challenged immediately and directly.

Without the immediate challenge, the pc leftists gain in the arena of public opinion.

As for lies, how does one defend one's self from lies? The more one protests that the lie is a lie, the more one appears to be a liar. The left knows that and that is why the lie is so effective. How does one defend one's self when one is accused, for example, of being called a racist?


11 posted on 06/29/2015 7:52:21 AM PDT by TomGuy
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To: Kaslin

” It’s known as the “framing war,” and Republicans aren’t very good at it,”

Boy - that’s an understatement!


12 posted on 06/29/2015 7:54:38 AM PDT by aquila48
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To: celmak
It is the Democrat Party that has this heritage of hate. No Republican EVER held slaves - ONLY DEMOCRATS. The Democrat Party has NEVER apologized for slavery! If we are going to ban anything meaningful because of slavery - BAN THE DEMOCRAT PARTY !!!

Which is why the democrats are using this crises to erase THEIR history (never waste a good crises).

If the blacks knew it was the democrat party that fought for FOR slavery in the south, were the KKK, and fought AGAINST civil rights, the democrats would lose a massive voting block.

By removing the democrats history of racism and slavery , the blacks will never find out who they really are.

Today, the blacks can't see who's keeping them locked up in inner city cages. They don't see who's keeping them from being educated. They don't see who's killing their babies. Because of that, if the blacks want their monthly brick of government cheese, they think (or have been taught) they have to appease their masters by voting democrat.

The democrats are STILL keeping the blacks on their democrat plantations - impoverished, uneducated, bred like animals, and strictly controled. (Imagine the fall out if the blacks found out it was Lincoln who started the REPUBLICAN party!)

13 posted on 06/29/2015 7:58:14 AM PDT by concerned about politics ("Get thee behind me, Liberal")
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To: cincinnati65; Kaslin

We should start a thread to keep track of suggestions for what to call various groups. Here are my offerings. I’m sure all the clever FReepers out there can provide a lot of additional, better alternatives. The best ones will capture the essence of the leftwing lie and throw it back in their face.

Lefty climate kooks: Carbon credit scammers. Climate-obsessed kooks.

Pro-abortionists: Baby dismemberment advocates.

“Gays”: Butt sex fans.

Affirmative Action pushers: Racists who claim that blacks (or whatever group) are too incompetent to compete.


14 posted on 06/29/2015 7:58:31 AM PDT by generally (Don't be stupid. We have politicians for that.)
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To: Kaslin

The “opposition” leadership is in bed with the left.

The movement to stop this will not come from them, and will, in fact, be obstructionist.

All the party politics is nothing more than window dressing to cloak the steady march of the one world government.

We are allowed to occasionally rejoice over some favorable “ruling” like the EPA ruling, but the main issues are not in our favor.

There is no watchdog press.

They are going to regulate our rights to assemble, in person or electronically, so that we cannot form an effective opposition.

We are monitored, we are investigated, we are medicated, and controlled in all of the aspects of our life.

Exactly what scenario overrules the power elite of Washington and the world?


15 posted on 06/29/2015 7:59:10 AM PDT by LachlanMinnesota
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To: concerned about politics

Well stated!


16 posted on 06/29/2015 8:02:02 AM PDT by celmak
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To: concerned about politics

Yes


17 posted on 06/29/2015 8:05:08 AM PDT by expat2
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To: TomGuy
As for lies, how does one defend one's self from lies?

Instead of going on the defense and trying to deny their lies, why not ask them to explain why they believe what they believe?

It's a nice, polite way to get them to "prove it." If it's the truth, their explanation will prove it. If it's a lie, their explanation will prove that, too.

For example, WHY did Harry Reid believe Romney didn't pay his taxes? We'd like to know more. What other info does he have other than one single opinion of a ghost person? Please, Harry, we'd love to know more about Romney's taxes. There needs to be more to this story than what you're saying. Keep talking! Tell us how this ghost found out what he knows. What expertiese does he have when it comes to taxes? More, more, more! We have question! Lots of them. If Romney disn't pay his taxs, we need to know much, much, more so we can get all this out in the open. Help us do that, Harry.
Surely, Harry, the opinion of one man certainly isn't enough to convict what could be an very honest man. Could you please gather just a little more information about this so we can understand why you're saying what you're saying? Thanks!



18 posted on 06/29/2015 8:16:43 AM PDT by concerned about politics ("Get thee behind me, Liberal")
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To: Kaslin

Every issue of the left needs to be framed in the context of the fact that everything they impose on the rest of us is with a gun in the face.

It matters not that they are not holding the gun, they are authorizing and condoning the gun in the face of their neighbor.

Libs derive their self righteousness through “caring”, which consists of advocating that the government make other people “care” - at gunpoint.


19 posted on 06/29/2015 8:16:44 AM PDT by MrB (The difference between a Humanist and a Satanist - the latter admits whom he's working for)
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To: generally
We should start a thread to keep track of suggestions for what to call various groups. Here are my offerings.

The shock factor does work, but wears off quickly. You'll catch more bees with honey than you will with vinegar.

Instead of attack - use the left's OWN RULES against them.

If you change the language, you change the debate.

Abortion - saving the lives of children (Who can oppose that?)

Homosexuality - Speak often using the words Mother and father, healthy and disease free, children being able to play outside without fear (Who can oppose these things! who can argue against wanting these things?)

Climate - Natural cycles of the earth, undefeatable nature, diversity of the planet (Who could hate these things? Who would not find comfort in these words?)

20 posted on 06/29/2015 8:31:23 AM PDT by concerned about politics ("Get thee behind me, Liberal")
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