Reply #35: "make it a joke" [View All]

[Starlight]

I think you hit the nail on the head there, Solon. I've been thinking that for a long time. Why do politicians & the media respond to totally insane right wing propaganda, ideology & outright lies in a serious manner as though they're legitimate positions worthy of debate? Where are their gonads? I say respond with total shock & disbelief! LAUGH AT THEM! Use words like "insane, crazy, screw loose, screwball, touched, unbalanced, unglued, unhinged, wacko, loony, preposterous" to describe their irrational statements. Make it very clear that crazy extremist ideas, if taken seriously, are UN AMERICAN and UNCONSTITUTIONAL!! Surely they must be joking? Or they're clinically insane? Because NO ONE in their right mind would take these things seriously, right? Otherwise, WHY DO THEY HATE AMERICA?? Make the statement quickly, laugh hysterically, shake your head incredulously, and then MOVE ON. Don't dwell on discussing the merits of crap like the swift boat liars.

I think that was a big part of the Kerry campaign's problem. They allowed the right wingers to choose the talking points. They wasted way too much time defending themselves against lunatic accusations and discussing the merits of extremist ideas. Responding to nonsense in a serious manner just legitimizes it. I say look incredulous, LAUGH and make it clear that you couldn't possibly take these ridiculous points seriously.