Reply #8: I agree with you... [View All]

[Deep N RedLand]

...depending on your definition of "fighting back".
While like most progressives I would prefer to change things with honest, logical debates. However, the situation has become such, that I don't think we will ever win back what we lost by continuing to take the high road or play the "sensible liberal".

In many ways, assuming people would respond to that over the RW use of emotionalism and showmanship to win people over has been one of the reasons for our failures to get the message out.

While I don't think we should ever result to the vicious, partisan level the right has taken, we shouldn't worry about pulling punches and challenging someone on a personal level especially if they are liars or hypocrites.

The most important issue is framing. One of the best books I have read on this "Don't think of an elephant", which tells how we can borrow from the RW success of appealing to beliefs, but without resorting to their level and even improving it by backing it up with facts, something the RW usually lacks.

Then again if this really is a "culture 'war'" as the repugs like to frame it, maybe I should follow to advice of a co-worker of mine who half-jokingly keeps telling me to "Arm myself while there's time."
:nuke: