How do we fight the pro-war administration's PR attacks on Cindy?

[Nikki Stone 1]

It looks like the right has come out with lots of PR to attack Cindy. Junior's visit yesterday which highlighted Mrs. Pruett; the "Cindy doesn't speak for me" tour; the attacks from all sides?

How does one mother fight all this?

[shraby]

1. The government has no business attacking

a private citizen, or even a public citizen. They should be called on it by all the Democratic party.
In fact, it may even be against the law.

[librechik]

2. she's not alone anymore--as long as she keeps telling the truth

people will be drawn to her.She will shine. We can tell the difference between truth and bullshit! (except for a small unfortunate minority of koolaid drinkers) Trust the people, WE are better than any of us individuals know!

[Nikki Stone 1]

3. I spent last week in a red state, and many there support the war

They will grab on to any group that tells them the war is great, especially if the group is backed by military moms.

I am worried we are heading for a showdown, and not necessarily a positive one for us.

[Scout1071]

6. At this point, it's pure stubborn.

There are a certain amount of people that just flat out will never admit they were wrong because they have to admit their own failed lack of judgement and they feel foolish for the angry nature of their self-righteous attacks. In other words, they are exposed for being what they are - fools.

[Nikki Stone 1]

14. Maybe. But one of these guys used to be a Springsteen fan until last year

when Bruce went on the road for Kerry.

[LittleClarkie]

4. My question is, how much do you think people are seeing through it

Do you think they're becoming aware of the man behind the curtain finally? Or are folks still eating it up, propaganda-wise?

[Scout1071]

5. Stay on point - with the truth. They can't counter the truth.

For each smear they try to sling, they only make themselves look worse.

For each smear they sling at Cindy, ask why they question so thoroughly a grieving mother of a slain soldier and ignore the lies of a President that lead to war?

[Nikki Stone 1]

7. But they can cover it up with so many lies that people won't be able to

distinguish the truth from the lie. That is what worries me. People easily believe lies.

[Scout1071]

8. Cindy's message is about truth. That is why is has been so powerful.

It's pure.

[Nikki Stone 1]

10. Just heard that statement on NBC news from the anti-Cindy camp....

"She says America isn't worth dying for"

Some older woman in the anti-Cindy camp repeated this and shook her head.

That was the main soundbite from that side.

[librechik]

11. and of course the correspondent didn't correct that

somebody respond here/pm me good online sources where Cindy explains this egregious misquote please. I know somebody at MSNBC. I'll bring it to their attention.

;)

[Nikki Stone 1]

13. Thanks. I'd like the explanation too (and no, they didn't correct it)

nt

[librechik]

16. in essence, she said Iraq wasn't worth fighting for

but the word "America" was in the same paragraph, so the spinners have taken full advantage.

Did you notice the woman who said that in the MSBS piece had no teeth?
Great visual of the freeper fringe.

I'll find it.

[Nikki Stone 1]

17. Really need the original quote. But that doesn't sound too bad

Wonder how it got twisted.

[librechik]

21. here's an excellent link from our friends at Newshounds

http://www.newshounds.us/2005/08/21/fox_news_completely_distorts_cindy_sheehans_comments_take_action.php
snip

"Molly Henneberg reported from Crawford, TX that Sheehan "says America is not worth dying for." Rather than provide a specific source or a clip, Henneberg merely told the audience Sheehan said that "back in April at a rally in San Francisco for a lawyer convicted of providing support to terrorists." Perhaps the reason no clip or source was provided was because Henneberg completely distorted what Sheehan said.

In fact, Iraq was the country Sheehan said was not worth dying for, as this complete quote from a transcript at wikipedia shows:

I'm going all over the country telling moms: "This country is not worth dying for. If we're attacked, we would all go out. We'd all take whatever we had. I'd take my rolling pin and I'd beat the attackers over the head with it. But we were not attacked by Iraq." {applause}

Funny, but Henneberg did show a clip of something else Sheehan said at the same rally: "If he thinks that it's so important for Iraq to have a U.S.-imposed sense of freedom and democracy, then he needs to sign up his two little party-animal girls. They need to go this war. They need to fight."

Why provide the clip on the second but not the first quote, which was the one highlighted by the story? Could it be because it was bogus and FOX News knew it?..."

[doc03]

18. I heard that one from a radio wingnut today

While surfing the AM band this morning I heard one of them say "She said this country isn't worth dying for". He said (this country) not (America) I figure she probably said this country meaning (Iraq) was not worth dying for and the wingnuts have taken it out of context.

[w13rd0]

9. For one thing...

...point out that they call themselves "pro-war". That speaks directly to their ignorance, and the fact that they are sadly out of the mainstream. Secondly, point out that all of this desperate flailing is nothing more than attempts at distraction and misinformation.
If you happen to encounter one of these people, look at them like they are batshit insane and declare that you are tired of repeatedly having to correct liars who obviously have no moral sense that lying is wrong, and you simply don't intend to waste your time trying to deprogram the hopelessly brainwashed.
Their tactics can be summed up in bullet points:
Misinform
Lie
Distract
Play the victim ("Why are you so cruel?" "Why so angry?")

To each of these there is a response:
when they misinform - you inform and clarify
when they lie - call them on it, get angry, in their face, be outraged
distract - kick them in the balls and walk on by
play the victim - kill them with sarcasm, make fun of them, don't let them just "play" victim, make them FEEL like a victim, for real

that's my gameplan anyway...

[librechik]

12. I bet the vicious media started the custom of calling them that!

Cuz they don't give a shit, and their gameplan involves lots and lots of conflict and competition to keep track of. They want to set up and opposition between us, whether there is one or not. Patriots vs Dissidents. Well, they're getting what they want.

There are many former Bush voters among Cindy's group. These are the same folks as are on the other side. I hate these phony divisions the media and BushCo want to foist off on us anstead of letting us unite as Americans.

Bah!

[orpupilofnature57]

15. factual stats, that show what a financial failure it is and Shrubs obvious

inexperience in dispensing democracy.

[kentuck]

19. I think the more they attack her, the worse it looks...

Look how Bush's polls keep dropping....this may be the reason?

[Tom Kitten]

20. my answer would be

She's not fighting anything.