[hedgetrimmer]

There is a technique devised by the "red diaper babies" in the 1960's to try to squelch legitimate political discussion and put forward a radical communist ideology. The technique is to choose a target, and try to isolate him through ridicule and name calling. This has an effect on other people participating in the discussion, as they often become reluctant to speak their opinions for fear of becoming the new target. Its called the "Alinski Method", developed by Saul Alinski and revealed to the public in his book "Rules for Radicals".

Here the method is described in a post from 2000:

“The first rule of power tactics is: power is not only what you have but what the enemy thinks you have.”

“Wherever possible go outside the experience of the enemy. Here you want to cause confusion, fear, and retreat.”

“Make the enemy live up to their own book of rules. You can kill them with this. They can no more obey their own rules than the Christian church can live up to Christianity.”

Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon. It is almost impossible to counterattack ridicule. Also, it infuriates the opposition, who then react to your advantage.”

“The threat is generally more terrifying than the thing itself.”

“In a fight almost anything goes. It almost reaches the point where you stop to apologize if a chance blow lands above the belt.”

“Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it.”

One of the criteria for picking the target is the target’s vulnerability ... the other important point in the choosing of a target is that it must be a personification, not something general and abstract.”

“The enemy properly goaded and guided in his reaction will be your major strength.”

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/886451/posts

You may recognize this technique in some of the posts responding to the story about the Trilateral Commission. One could presume the more heavily they ridicule people questioning the intent of the Trilateral Commission and their influence in our government, the closer the people are to the truth.

[_Jim]

You may recognize this technique in some of the posts responding to the story about the Trilateral Commission. One could presume the more heavily they ridicule people questioning the intent of the Trilateral Commission and their influence in our government, the closer the people are to the truth.

Or, the more delusional the 'conspiracy theory' poster is.

Try examining some of the track records of these 'misfits' regarding their prognostication of 'gloom and doom' preceding Y2K, in particular, their steadfast adherence to theories about impending martial law that never materialized ...

[Central Scrutiniser]

There is a technique devised by the "red diaper babies" in the 1960's to try to squelch legitimate political discussion and put forward a radical communist ideology.

It is soooooo easy for you nuts, all you have to do is accuse any rationally minded person of being part of the conspiracy, then you can move on. No conspiracy is too nutty, in fact, in your world, the conspiracy is that folks who disagree are part of a conspiracy!!! You have no logic, no proof, just BS. The problem with the conspiracy folk is that they make an outrageous claim, then ask others to prove them wrong. Sorry, you make a stupid ass claim, and its your responsibility to prove it, not mine to disprove it. I'm pointing and laughing, I've dealt with the nuttiest of the nuts, you are a rookie.

[Black Tooth]

This has an effect on other people participating in the discussion, as they often become reluctant to speak their opinions for fear of becoming the new target.

Thanks.

Oh and that technique never worked on me.