A message for the Dems

[Clark2008]

Words to the wise for Democrats

By DON WILLIAMS
January 7, 2005

Dear Democrats,

You're in a tough spot, and since a number of you have asked my thoughts on how to regain momentum, here's my take on three problems you face. Believe me, there are more.

* One. You're up against mass disinformation and indoctrination. Polls show that a majority of those who voted for George W. Bush in 2004 really believed Saddam Hussein had something to do with the horrors of 9/11 and that Iraq had strong ties to al-Qaida. A similar percentage said the United States found stockpiles of chemical or nuclear weapons in Iraq. You and I know these things are not true, but lots of Fox News viewers in particular believed they happened.

Religious indoctrination is about as depressing. Journalist Bill Moyers noted in December that the best selling books in recent history are the "Left Behind" series by Timothy LaHaye - adventure yarns about the rapture and other manifestations of the so-called end of days - based on iffy interpretations of scripture. Millions of Bush supporters believe Jesus is returning within a generation. As James Watt, Ronald Reagan's erstwhile secretary of the Interior once explained in an attempt to placate environmentalists, "After the last tree is felled, Christ will come back."

There's reason to believe that millions of fundamentalists - including many in East Tennessee - embrace similar positions. That's a big problem. If I believed the end was near, if I believed Saddam Hussein had something to do with 9/11, I might've voted for Bush, too.

Solution: If there is one, it's contained in two words: "educate" and "challenge."

Every Democrat who got near a microphone during the last two years should've said, "No weapons of mass destruction. No 9/11 connection. No strong al-Qaida ties. No blood for oil."

You also should've challenged Bush to declare whether he believes the rapture is imminent and whether his Middle East and environmental policies are guided by biblical prophecies. Whichever way Bush answered might've cost him a million votes.

* Two. You're up against a biased media, and it isn't biased for you. Sure, some opinion writers such as I opposed Bush, but an independent survey of major media four years ago showed Bush got about twice as many favorable stories in the press as did Al Gore.

And history shows the media almost always supports going to war.

Look how the press fell in line to support the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution in Vietnam. Look how eagerly it reported every frightful innuendo coming from Bush, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld and Condoleezza Rice during the build up to invading Iraq. Face it, war sells advertising and bumps up circulation. It makes people rich and famous. It's good for business. This favors Republicans.

Solution: Build your own media, as the Republicans have done. Air America, the new talk radio network, is a step in the right direction, as are MoveOn.org, TruthOut, Buzzflash, Democrats.com and other Web sites. Build your own media machines, then borrow another page from Republicans and set up more think tanks. Educate the public about the real consequences of war, global warming and more.

* Three. The electoral process is stacked against you. Studies show that, in 2000, more voters set out to vote for Gore than for Bush. What turned the tide was voter confusion, intimidation, culling of names from the rolls and seriously conflicted officials who ended the contest prematurely in favor of Bush.

Does anyone really believe Dubya could've won the presidency without the support of Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris and five Republican Supreme Court justices?

If you expected the field to miraculously go level in 2004, you were naive. More culling and intimidation occurred, and the trend toward computerized voting worsened, especially given that the nation's leading voter machine manufacturers, Diebold and ES&S, have deep Republican roots. The journalism on this topic has been negligent, condescending and shoddy.

Solution: Raise Cain. Become the party of electoral reform. More later.

Sincerely yours,

Don Williams is the founding editor of New Millennium Writings. You may write to him at PO Box 2463, Knoxville, TN., 37901, e-mail him at [e-mail] or phone him at (not posted on a national website).

Note: I am friends with the author. He has given me permission to post, in full, any of his articles since the Knoxville News-Sentinel is subscription-only. I am only glad that Don is featured in my local paper AND is a friend of mine.

If you want to go to the link and subscribe, it's: http://knoxnews.com/kns/opinion_columnists/article/0,1406,KNS_364_3451618,00.html

[BamaLefty]

1. Finally!

Thank you! Once again...

Every Democrat who got near a microphone during the last two years should've said, "No weapons of mass destruction. No 9/11 connection. No strong al-Qaida ties. No blood for oil."

[Clark2008]

2. Isn't this just fantastic?!

I had asked him to write about election reform - I got better than I asked for!

[bloom]

3. yes - "educate" and "challenge." Yes "educate and challenge"

It amazes me how little the Dems challenge (though when they do - they mostly go unheard, I think) while at the same time these people (Republicans) out of nowhere - politicians and citizens alike - are all convinced that the Dems are stirring up evil plots. It's very bizarre.

[Clarkie1]

4. Voting Reform IS the BEST and MOST IMPORTANT issue we can WIN

And it's something the vast majority of Americans, from red states or blue, will respect us for.

As an added bonus, it will increase our chances for victory in future elections.

It's our best card, and will hurt Republicans if they oppose or stonewall us on it...BUT ONLY IF WE RAISE OUR VOICES LOUD ENOUGH IN A TONE OF PATRIOTISM, NOT PARTISANSHIP.

[Clark2008]

5. In other words, beat the GOPhers at their own game.

Take patriotism away from the greedy, anti-American CITIZEN, pro-corporate CONGLOMORATE sons-of-bitches.

[Clarkie1]

6. Yes! n/t

[Clark2008]

7. But we have to do the second recommendation

before we can do the third.

Media reform and/or build our own media.

Election reform is very important, but if the media is constantly calling us 'bitter-enders,' 'conspiracy nuts,' and the like, we'll never be able to make that case in from of the American public.

Gots to do 'em in the order he's presented, the way I see it.

[hilster]

12. building our own media

I completely agree.

[Leilani]

9. This is such an important point!

Lots of people, not only Dems are worried about the integrity of elections. If they're Conservative, they know they won't be in power forever, & if the system can be gamed, it might happen to them.

Reform is always a winner...how many folks are happy with the status quo? Not many.

"Patriotism, not Partisanship" is an excellent way of expressing it.

[Leilani]

8. Great post & I agree completely

[USA_1]

10. good article

Now it's up to the Democrats to show up Bush during the State of the Union Speech by walking off. They must NOT stand up and applaud like they always do. They must openly condemn his stupid policies. This will be a great incentive for patriotic Americans who want the best for the USA rather than warmongering and impoverishment like the Bushies want.


IMPEACH BUSH!!!

[Clark2008]

11. Please e-mail him your thoughts

He really does read them, consider them and is responsive to them. :)

No, I'm not his press agent (LOL), but he's the best Knoxville's got and I think he should be demanded by other readers of the South's newspapers' readers as a alternative voice (I don't know if he wants this - I want this for him).

He is considering his own blog, btw.