Posted on 08/18/2002 5:18:22 PM PDT by Auntie Mame
Dear Freepers:
I just returned from the First Annual Free Republic Network Convention in Las Vegas.
The Free Republic Network Cruise last October was the most fun I've ever had in my whole life. The Free Republic Network Conference I just attended was the most informative and inspiring two days I've ever had in my whole life.
The Free Republic Network is stretching its muscle, not by talk, but by action. The Free Republic forum is liberty's college. The Free Republic Network is liberty's workplace.
If you attended, please use this thread to post your observations, comments and highlights of the conference. I will give mine below. But before I do, I'd like to take this time to thank Bob Johnson and the FRN board for putting on this conference. It's hard for me to find the words to adequately describe how great this experience was--and how much I learned.
You know, it's funny, but I brought my laptop with every intention of posting something about the conference, but I never even turned it on. This is a first for me. The conference was just so intense that when there was a spare moment the last thing I wanted to do was have to use my brain (it isn't used to all the exercise). ; - )
I'm not comfortable with that at all. Did he also advise that white folk not debate black folk on race issues?
If you have no other choice, of course, engage. But if you want the best possible results, then you try to start out on an equal footing.
Here's another example of what we learned at the conference. We've all heard that Clinton was such a great campaigner. I always just blew that comment aside and never gave it much consideration, I have such a visceral dislike of that man. Matt Lewis of the Leadership Institute SHOWED us how that was true. Then he SHOWED us what Clinton did and why it worked for him. Clinton always stayed on message, no matter what question was thrown at him, he stayed on message (some call it "spin"), remember "The worst economy in 50 years?" And our side can do it too. Of course, we don't have to be disgusting human beings in the process.
I guess the question is, do you want our side to win? We can take the moral high ground all we want, but if we want to win, there are techniques to be used, there is a certain discipline that must be developed, and these are things that can be learned and taught.
Freepers in attendance, chime in here if you can add to this conversation.
No, he was talking about the tactics of perception -- a black conservative might well be more effective in such a debate because of the "I've been there" factor.
Now of course the leftists have slathered this stuff with hypocritical pseudomorality to the point that they probably believe whites have no right to talk race issues with blacks. Matt's coming from a different perspective: understand your opponents and be willing to use their best tactics when it doesn't conflict with your core principles.
I ambled up between sessions and asked Matt if he'd read Saul Alinsky's Rules for Radicals -- Alinsky advised, among other things, staying within the experience of your group and working to maneuver your opponents outside their own areas of experience. He had, of course.
The word on the street is that there are regional events planned.
Perhaps we need to begin thinking about a Southeast gathering....
What silly reasoning. Abortion advocates debating the issues in the media aren't all pregnant - they're not even all women.
I don't think any of us expect that men cannot discuss abortion with the best of them. The reason it was mentioned was strictly to use appearances to help someone understand the 'good argument'. Some people in this country have an issue with a man talking about abortion, no matter what their argument. If the same argument is detailed by a woman however, they are all ears. Some may think we don't have to do this to get people to understand our position, but I'm sure the more you think about it, the more you'll come to understand just how it can work for us.
So am I.
A good argument stands on its own without having to use appearances as a prop.
That's especially true here...
What do you call a conservative who has fully mastered the tactics of Saul Alinsky? A liberal.
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