Not everyone in crowd at Scranton came to cheer Kerry, Edwards(Pro life & Dolphin Costumes)

Citizen's Voice ^ | 7/31/04 | David Singleton

[counterpunch]

I'm well aware that humor can be effective. But I'm also aware that every angle has a limited lifespan. I don't think "flip-flops" have any more mileage. Certainly not if specifics aren't being provided. Without ratcheting up the rhetoric, the the effectiveness is starting to fade. Most people here I would say are primarily concerned with Kerry's anti-American activities after returning from his short 4 month stint in Vietnam. Most people here are probably most concerned with the fact that he is not only getting away with whitewashing his war record, but he's actually running on it! And nobody is challenging him. Kerry made one thing clear. He is running on Vietnam. His whole purpose for running now seems premised on what he did 35 years ago. If you expose the truth about his record then you discredit him as a candidate.

People know he's a "flip-flopper" already. They'd have to already know it to even get the dolphin suit reference. People already know his position on abortion, too. The abortion issue is pretty well already factored into the electorate. Try something more creative that might get a little more mileage. I'm just saying, think about the message you want to get out about Kerry that people don't already know, like his record that the media has so far covered up and distorted.

If you want to get the media's attention, you have to think and act the way they do. This would be effective for sure: everyone at the event should have white poster-board placards with an understated plain font such as Arial, lowercase and bold, with a simple yet stark message, such as "John Kerry accused my father of war crimes." with variations of course depending on who in your family served. Organize these event, call them "impact gatherings" or "awareness events" or something. Make them look like those artsy anti-smoking commercials. If you're highly organized and have a campaign slogan and some aesthetic appeal, you will get the media's attention attention.

This is what I plan on doing, and yes, John Kerry did accuse my father of war crimes. I'd like to see others help build it into a nationwide campaign. think it beats a dolphin suit.

[Osage Orange]

You know...I agree with just about all that you've said...except the "zero impact" statement.

I think that humor is a great way to "reach" people. It can be a way to accent, and bring focus to Kerry's record.

Yes, many might not "get" the significance of the dolphin suit. But, I won't sit here at my keyboard and call them stupid, idiotic, morons. And that was my point.

FRegards,

[counterpunch]

Well, perhaps I was too harsh. At the time I had just watched a special on Kerry's Vietnam activities on MSNBC and then I see this softball activism incorporating SeaWorld costumes. I admit, I was irked. I've been irked for some time about it. The GOP won't challenge Kerry's pompous pronouncements of being a "war hero" after only 4 months in Vietnam. They're afraid to, they're afraid that Kerry may intone the words "how dare you question my patriotism" again if they do. And they've allowed Kerry to get away with belittling the President's service at the same time. They're allowing the Democrats to set the parameters of the debate. Kerry can talk about what he did in Vietnam, but the GOP can't. Kerry can question the President's patriotism and service, but his own is off limits. And the GOP has gone right along with it.

This is where we need to come in. We need to be the hitmen. Do what the GOP is too afraid to do. Raise the issues they are afaid to raise. Bring attention to the facts that they are afraid to cite. I have great admiration for the Left's ability to organize a sophisticated, savvy media campaign, and when I see the best we can do is a handful of marginalized abortion protesters with hand drawn signs and a dolphin suit, I admit, I do get a bit frustrated.

[don-o]

Today is August 1. It is over three months until the election.

You do not expend all your ammo in the first battle of a war. Best thing going now, is to let these dopey demos continue to babble the nonsense. (props to Rush)

[counterpunch]

BTW, I also believe in using humor to reach people, make no mistake about it. Check out my own work in this vein - The CouNTeRPuNcH Collection. I just don't think the dolphin suit shtick is effective at this point. We're way beyond that now. The Democrats are out there calling the President a moron and a war-monger and a racist and everytrhing else, and our response is to say the worst thing about Kerry is that he tends to change his mind???

[counterpunch]

You do not expend all your ammo in the first battle of a war. Best thing going now, is to let these dopey demos continue to babble the nonsense.

I totally agree with that. But on the issue of Kerry's so-called "war hero" status, this is something we cannot allow to become cemented, because he is using it as the very foundation for his campaign. The anti-American war-protester has redefined himself as war hero and this is how he is presenting himself to Americans on the most basic level. It may already be too late. The GOP seems to have conceded that to him a long time ago. And as Kerry uses Vietnam as a blunt object to bash Bush with, it will be very hard for the GOP to defend against. The GOP has helped make criticism of Kerry's Vietnam related activities taboo.

I understand why they've done it. They don't want to disparage anyone's military service. However, in this case, Kerry is taking undue credit for himself and if he wasn't a diplomat's son and a Kennedy elite, he would have never gotten the decorations he did. The common folk don't get that sort of fanfare, and to let this blueblood get away with it is an insult to everyone else making real sacrifices in military service.

[lawgirl]

I personally think the dolphin idea is genius. Are you going to stop by a random group of protesters? No, but I'd want to know what the dolphin was about- I'd actually stop by that person. And she had a pamphlet which is good too.

[Osage Orange]

Totally understand....I also get extremely frustrated with events and non-action by our "leaders". My "irk" level also modulates.....between pegged and middle-of-the-road.

It just seems like we are always swimming upstream...trying to overcome the dominant media.

Oh I've not given up...but I fear for my country. I fear that those who slumber, will not be awakened soon enough. Despite our efforts....

I appreciate your replies..........

FRegards,

[angcat]

LOL

You should see Hazleton.

I am working on getting my tickets for President Bush's visit to Lackawanna County Stadium on Friday. I am taking my daughter out of school for this.

[bert]

Who is the one that ends up looking stupid in this scenario?......

Reflect if you will on the totality of the event.

Who got their name and protest message in the paper?

The Flipper message is visual, on target and can be understood by a semiliterate.