General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsRepublicans Accuse Protesters of Organizing for Political Change
February 22, 2017 11:52 a.m.
Republicans Accuse Protesters of Organizing for Political Change
By Eric Levitz
So-called angry crowd. Photo: Nicki Kohl/Telegraph Herald via AP
Last night, congressional Republicans came home to rooms full of angry people. At town halls across the country, conservative lawmakers were protested, heckled, and shouted at. A few unfortunate souls were even asked to explain in detail the GOP plan for replacing the Affordable Care Act.
But Republicans arent worried. Theyre onto liberals cute little game. Theyve realized that these so-called protests are, in truth, tactical demonstrations planned, in advance by people who want to bring about political change.
At first blush, this tweet may seem like another eccentric outburst from our tweeter-in-chief. Why would anyone think that protests are illegitimate simply because theyre planned?
The so-called March on Washington was actually, in numerous cases, planned out by civil-rights activists.
And yet, this seems to be a genuine Republican talking point. Two days before Trumps tweet, Texas senator John Cornyn shared a New York Post article that also tries to discredit the protests by claiming that they are strategically organized.
To be fair, the protests are planned is a considerably more honest line of attack than the paid protesters claim that preceded it. (Presumably, someone realized that if George Soros really were paying every anti-Trump protester, the liberal billionaire would be responsible for more job creation than the president).
And if you squint real hard at Paul Sperrys Post column, you can see the makings of a point:
The manual, published with OFA partner Indivisible, advises protesters to go into halls quietly so as not to raise alarms, and grab seats at the front of the room but do not all sit together. Rather, spread out in pairs to make it seem like the whole room opposes the Republican hosts positions. This will help reinforce the impression of broad consensus. It also urges them to ask hostile questions Even the safest [Republican] will be deeply alarmed by signs of organized opposition, the document states, because these actions create the impression that theyre not connected to their district and not listening to their constituents.
So, liberal activists are conscious of optics and, when possible, try to engineer an impression of widespread opposition via such nefarious tactics as not all sitting together.
more...
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/02/gop-accuses-protesters-of-organizing-for-political-change.html?mid=fb-share-di
underpants
(182,800 posts)Good article too
Foo Fighter
(743 posts)Organizing for political change! What nerve.
I never knew the repubs had such a great sense of humor.
Thinkingabout
(30,058 posts)vote, run for offices, and don't back down because the republicans are whining.
Rex
(65,616 posts)chillfactor
(7,575 posts)of course Voters ARE ORGANIZING for political change....we are onto the defuses who are running this country into the ground. Recons really, REALLY are stupid.
Beartracks
(12,810 posts)They've tried their damndest over the last 30-40 years to make people scramble economically to keep them distracted, make them less critical thinkers so they don't figure things out, and make them mistrust eachother so they don't get to talking and comparing notes.
======================
babylonsister
(171,065 posts)Skittles
(153,160 posts)fucking cowards
notdarkyet
(2,226 posts)Is an overeducated, underemployed class of people.
Takket
(21,565 posts)well, DUH!
I thought everybody showed up hoping for some free doughnuts?
ismnotwasm
(41,978 posts)A lot. And for free
notdarkyet
(2,226 posts)Beartracks
(12,810 posts)Like they've been at for years with "liberal" and "educated"?
It only makes sense, since the so-called President's regime is utter chaos -- they'll want to normalize inept choas and demonize organized action.
====================
babylonsister
(171,065 posts)They're not being listened to anyway because most of the people who represent them are afraid to show up, which shows more of their character and makes people even angrier and more inclined to take a stand.
Win/win!
BlancheSplanchnik
(20,219 posts)Repukes make me want to bring back tarring and feathering.
bravenak
(34,648 posts)WePurrsevere
(24,259 posts)Apparently way too many of these idiots slept through History classes in school.
Mr. Ected
(9,670 posts)Would be a flash mob.
yortsed snacilbuper
(7,939 posts)Pittsburgh public town hall
The week of February 1826 is the first congressional recess of the 115th Congress and, for many of us, the first opportunity as constituents to speak directly with our members of Congress. This is the perfect time to ask the questions that we, as constituents, deserve answers to and to demonstrate, in no uncertain terms, that tolerance of Trump's hateful agenda is unacceptable and politically toxic.
That's why we're declaring this congressional recess "Resistance Recess: Save Our Healthcare, Our Communities, and Our Democracy."
We will show up at our elected officials' events, town halls, and other public appearances to make it clear to those who represent us in Congress, as well as to the media, that tolerance of the Trump Administrations hurtful policies is intolerable, that indifference or idleness is not acceptable, that complacency is politically toxic.
Will you join fellow constituents and attend a Resistance Recess action?
Pittsburgh Public Town Hall! Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/770479809765908/7...
see more
When:Friday, February 24 at 6 p.m. (local time) Where:
Hilton DoubleTree hotel
Mars, PA 16046
Host:Elizabeth D.
angrychair
(8,699 posts)Yes we are. Duh!
Cryptoad
(8,254 posts)Local Democratic Party!
keithbvadu2
(36,796 posts)Orrex
(63,209 posts)the message has been exactly the same: this isn't a real, organic protest; it's a well-funded astroturf campaign to undermine the president.
Gee... Where do you suppose they're getting their marching orders?
bdamomma
(63,849 posts)Repigs are cowards running away from their constituents what is that about???? We are using the Indivisible guide which seems to be working.
https://www.indivisibleguide.com/
Crash2Parties
(6,017 posts)Chipper Chat
(9,678 posts)What's wrong with our present dictatorship?
struggle4progress
(118,282 posts)People might act as if they had freedom of speech or freedom of assembly
People might lobby elected officials on policy matters
People might vote or even run for office
That would be un-American!