Political Shock & Awe (Vanity)

Vanity | 03/21/03 | ArGee

[ArGee]

I am mindful of the similarities between the US left and Saddam Hussein's regime. They are both rather small as a percentage but with control beyond their size. They both use fear and terror to maintain their control. They both represent a failed approach to government. They both need to be removed for the good of their country.

On the other hand, Free Republic is accorded a lot of power by the liberal left to accomplish rather surprising goals. When the Dixie Chicks start losing airtime, it's Free Republic's fault. When the Democrats lose control of the Senate, it's Free Republic's fault. When Bill Clinton is impeached, it's Free Republic's fault.

Now, I don't want to get a big head here, but let's consider something. A relative handful of protestors create a pretty big noise when they are organized properly. If ANSWER is a political bomb, then Free Republic is probably a political MOAB.

The question becomes, how can we organize so as to become the political equivalent of Shock & Awe and drive the liberals out of power for a long time? Will the bickering between the conservatives and the libertarians make it impossible? Will the religious and the athiest wings of Free Republic dilute the power of the whole? Is it even possible for conservatives to make the sacrifices necessary to deliver if action is called for?

Just look at the list for which we could fight to "liberate" America, the issues where most Americans have one opinion but the left forces another direction:

• School choice.
• Timely votes on judicial nominees.
• Smaller federal government.
• Limits on abortion.
• Sexual preferences a private matter.
• Not ceeding sovereignty to the UN.

I'm sure there's more.

With all due respect to President Bush (and a lot of respect is due!), his Presidency and the current Republican majority is not much better than the 1991 Iraqi cease fire. The left deceives and delays and confuses the right's "inspectors" while continuing to develop their political weapons of mass destruction.

There is some awesome political brainpower here on Free Republic. Can we liberate America? Can we mount a campaign of overwhelming force? Can we deliver shock & awe to drive the left out of the political landscape for good?

I don't know, but I bet someone here does.

[angkor]

We made Tipper Gore play whale music out the windows. We made them take a stroll into Georgetown for "family coffee."

If there comes a time when Freepers can make a difference, we will be there (with deference to the DC Freepers, who are always there).

[Interesting Times]

The question becomes, how can we organize so as to become the political equivalent of Shock & Awe and drive the liberals out of power for a long time?

Click here.

[ArGee]

You are some who are interested in the political process. What are your thoughts?

Shalom.

[Blood of Tyrants]

FreeRepublic is the "MOAB" - Mother Of All Blogs.

[ArGee]

Looks like the page might be very valuable, but I can't see all of the home page on my 800x600 screen. I will browse it this weekend.

That may be the assembling of the army. What is the "Shock & Awe?"

Shalom.

[ArGee]

I have to admit my ignorance. I see the term a lot, but what is a Blog?

Shalom.

[ArGee]

There is no question we have an army.

Can we deliver "Shock & Awe?"

Shalom.

[Interesting Times]

That may be the assembling of the army. What is the "Shock & Awe?"

Well, right now we're helping to organize more than 110 pro-American events starting this weekend.

What's next? You're welcome to sign up and help us decide...

[Blood of Tyrants]

What is a blog?

Short for weblog, a blog is an online journal that is organized by chronological order. It is a web page that can be updated instantly by the user, and followers can respond with their comments just as quickly.

[Quix]

Astute observations IMHO.

Thanks.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Web log

[Wavyhill]

There are only two parties in the world that regularly use rape and child murder for political aims: the Baathist party and the Demoncratic Party.

[steplock]

I have been using (yes using) FreeRepublic for my selfish needs.

I noticed that every time I posted one of these left-wing radical extremist Arkansa legislator's attempts at stealing away our right and our money, they were hit by something they never knew before - ACCOUNTABILITY.

Simply by adding THEIR name, address (official), and especially EMAIL, they hear from FREAPERS from around the world.
Not knowing what to do, like roaches caught in the kitchen lights, they drop what they were doing and scurry off into the sewer.

FREEP ON MacDuff!!!

[applemac_g4]

I don't know ArGee. Even with a Republican president and congress, we've basically been fighting a holding action. We need to go on the offensive and roll back some of these dumb leftist ideas. The only thing is, I don't know if the Republicans who are in power are quite as sympathetic to such views as we are.

Case in point: with the recent dysfunction of the UN, we have the perfect opportunity to cut off their funds and kick them out of New York. I suspect that nobody in Washington is going to open their mouth to say such a thing, however.

[Sender]

I think that we definitely can make a difference against the left. We can't really silence the left's screeching, bitter voices, and we shouldn't if we are to have freedom of speech. But I am all for preparing with facts, confronting liberal voices at every opportunity, and making sure that OUR SIDE gets on the news and in print! I am guilty of not making time to attend any of these recent protests and rallies. I will make it a personal goal to get more active in the future in debunking publically the hateful drivel these protesters are spouting. Truth and preparation are the left's worst enemies.

[EODGUY]

ArGee,

Even though the Republican Party is the majority party in name only (at least in the senate where we have Specter, Snowe and Chafee, for example, who nearly always vote with the left) we must inundate committee chairs and Dr. Frist with personal letters demanding that dems be held accountable for their actions and that the Republicans develop a backbone.

Case in point......Miguel Estrada. If the obstructionist dems who are so in debt, literally, to naral, now, planned parenthood and other organizations whose mission in life is to maintain the legality of infanticide, want to filibuster his nomination, then they should be made to filibuster the old-fashioned way. Enough of this gentlemen's agreement that states all you have to do is "say" you are going to filibuster and it will then require 60 votes to approve a nominee. Make the rats stand, not sit, but stand at the podium and hold the floor 24 hours a day, if they want a filibuster.

I personally would pay to have a camera trained on fat Ted Kennedy after he had to sit in the senate chamber for about 20 hours without a drop of alcohol.

In the past, when the right has shown some backbone, the left (and I include the media as part of the left) jumps on the issue with both feet. They scream intolerance or partisanship and guess what....the right backs down everytime. Has Moran suffered for his pathetic remarks like Trent Lott did? Although the left still tries to intimate impropriety on the part of VP Cheney and Halburton, does anyone from the right call a press conference and question the conflict of interest involving Daschle's influence on bailing out an airline for whom his wife is a lobbiest?

ArGee, I have had numerous arguments with friends over the past months regarding the participation of neighboring countries in the war to disarm Iraq. I have contended and contend still that the heretofore politically inactive right will act in the same manner Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Kiwait etc. have acted; once clear and firm leadership and trust of that leadership has been established, the masses will be energized and follow. We haven't seen that happen because the Republican majority has not given us any reason to rely on them to be firm, forceful and unflinching in the face of a dem/media onslaught.

I think the first step we must take is to inundate Dr. Frist, Tom Delay, Rick Santorum, all committee chairs and any other Republicans who have a backbone, with letters of support and conservative mandate. Insist that Dr. Frist hold a daily press conference discussing all that has not been accomplished because of the partisan, obstructionist actions of the dems. Express a willingness to contribute to the salary of an aide whose sole responsibility would be to gather sound/video bytes of dems at their partisan worst. These bytes should be incorporated in the press conference.

We have to show men of honor that we will follow and support them if they lay it on the line.

I've wasted cartridges of printer ink drafting letters to my two worthless, dangerous senators, Kohl and Feingold. I have written them more times than I can count and primarily on the issues you have outlined in your post. I get a form letter in return and a stamped signature. Writing them is futile. I believe a better course of action would be to ensure that worthy Republicans know they can count on our financial and vocal support for being steadfast in their convictions.

I am aware this has become a rant, but I do not believe I am alone in feeling impotent when a majority party is made to cower by a bunch of whiny, power-hungry socialists.

I believe the first step we must take is to rally Republican legislators. Let's abandon the futility of attempting to convince dems to act like adults.....it isn't going to happen as long as they continue to prevail when they act like children. How impressive would it be if Dr. Frist had 2 million letters brought into the senate chamber, all of which compel him to keep the senate in session until Miguel Estrada, Priscilla Owen and Judge Pickering are approved? No recesses, no time off, no time to campaign until the task is complete.

We have to go on the offensive.......a strategy foreign to the Republican Party. I'm writing my letter to Dr. Frist in the morning.

Sorry for the rant, my friend, but the dems are destroying this nation and we must act to stop them.

God bless,

EODGUY

[eleni121]

Can we mount a campaign of overwhelming force?

We need to infiltrate US institutions - especially the universities, the bureauracies etc.

We need to force these institutions to reform.
We need to talk to our colleagues and neighbors and explain what we are all about.
We cannot be afraid.
We need to expell our religious leaders who do not abide by our beliefs.
We need to keep up the pressure on the media to either include the voices of progress and reform or fail.
We need to be true to our ideals and not fear loss of friendship or prestige.>br> We need to get out the vote!

[=Intervention=]

I agree. I've done what I can do on a local scale -- I attend whatever rallies I can and bring my digital camera to document. I make signs. I make bumper stickers (still working on that process tho...*L*). I write. I engage the people I can at work. My particular focus is the artistic/music connection. If we can get people to think in terms of liberty in that manner, then we can win their hearts and their minds at once. The stereotype of the leftist artist needs to be demolished once and for all.

[EODGUY]

Excellent efforts on your part and well-stated suggestions.

It seems as to me, even though the anti-Bush crowd gets all the coverage, that more and more conservative entertainers are willing to come forward and express their pride in our nation. Frankly, it is unprecidented to see so many artists/entertainers place their careers on the line.

When you talk about blacklisting, it is the conservative artist that is purposely overlooked by the radical leftist studio and record label owners.

I see our President as the great uniter and if the left isn't allowed to print revisionist history of this period, he will be remembered as a magnificent president and leader. Honor and character in a president has been lacking for far too long. The current leader of our nation possesses both.