Republicans and conservatives (but I repeat myself) have tried to own the word “freedom.” But we know what “freedom” means to them: freedom from having a job or the right to organize, freedom from having health insurance, freedom for corporations to run amok in America. Liberals have a different view of “freedom.” On July 4th, here is some of what freedom means to a liberal:
CNN announced yesterday that it is resurrecting its “Crossfire” television program this fall. According to CNN, the new “Crossfire” will feature Newt Gingrich and S.E. Cupp on the right, and Stephanie Cutter (ex-Obama White House) and Van Jones (ex-Obama White House until President Obama cut him loose due to right wing pressure) on the left.
CNN President Jeff Zucker stated that “‘Crossfire’ will be the forum where America holds its great debates.” Yet “Crossfire,” which first aired on CNN in 1982, helped usher in what is referred to today as “argue tv,” that coarse staple of television news networks such as CNN, MSNBC and Fox “News,” as well as other networks, in which hosts and guests bash each other, often with ad hominem attacks and prepared talking points.
In a decision that was all but overshadowed by anticipation over decisions on gay marriage and voter rights, the U.S. Supreme Court yesterday ruled 6-2 in favor of the First Amendment. This case was Agency for International Development v. Alliance for Open Society International. The dispute was over a 2003 law with the rather clunky name “United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003.” The law provides billions of dollars for non-governmental agencies to fund efforts to combat HIV/AIDS worldwide. However, the law required funding recipients to agree explicitly in their awarding documents that they oppose prostitution. That provision was added by Republican Representative Chris Smith, reportedly as a sop to conservative ideology that had no practical effect on the prevention of HIV/AIDS. The law also requires the U.S. President, as part of the overall prevention strategy, to “promote abstinence” and “encourage monogamy and faithfulness.”
Good intentions are not enough. The facts are not enough. To win in politics, you must go on offense. That’s why going on offense is Messaging Maxim #1. And that’s why the Twitter hashtag #GoodbyeGOP, which has been trending in recent days, is so good.
Messaging Matters presents this guest post from Kenny Pick, creator and host of the “Turn Up the Night with Kenny Pick” political talk show:
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Did you know that fluoride was introduced to the American water supply as a Communist mind-control plot? Remember the kid from the Life cereal commercials, Mikey? His stomach exploded from drinking soda and eating pop rocks. What about all the Satanic heavy metal music in the 80’s that was responsible for a rash of teen suicides in America? How about those FEMA Death Camps that await us all? Also, the HPV vaccination that causes mental retardation, and the Obama administration‘s deep ties to the Muslim Brotherhood.
There is one thing each topic has in common: They are false statements easily disproved by a simple internet search. They are myths, urban legends, lies, and most importantly, disinformation.
As extreme right wing Republican U.S. Congresswoman Michele Bachmann of Minnesota announced today that she was quitting the Congress, former mainstream Republican U.S. Senators Robert Dole and Olympia Snowe both told interviewers that the Republican Party has veered dangerously off course. While Bachmann could end up with a broadcasting platform on Fox “News” or elsewhere, Republicans would do well to ignore her and listen to Dole and Snowe instead.
While it’s easy to get caught up in the mainstream media’s focus on the latest small shiny object, Democrats should take a deep breath and ask themselves, “What do we stand for?” In our Messaging Manifesto for Democrats published over two years ago, we provided a possible answer in just two words. Here’s how Democrats can get back to basics and promote fundamental Democratic Party values in the current political and media climate:
Republicans seem to be enjoying this week of small shiny “scandals.” They’d better celebrate while they can, because there are three realities that, if unaddressed, could effectively kill the Republican Party’s national success:
The video above is the latest example demonstrating that U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts is the Democrats’ communications rock star, and the conscience — or what should be the conscience — of the Democratic Party. Here, Warren does everything right when introducing her new bill to give students the same rate on their loans as banks get from the Federal Reserve:
Rush Limbaugh continues to learn a lesson about free speech. When Limbaugh expressed his free speech rights calling Georgetown University law student Sandra Fluke a “slut” on the air in early 2012 for calling for health care coverage for contraception, many Americans said “enough is enough” and demanded that Limbaugh’s radio advertisers exit Limbaugh’s show. Many advertisers have done just that, and today, reports emerged that Limbaugh’s deal with Cumulus Media, whose 40-station network carries Limbaugh’s radio show and has lost as much as $ 5.5 million from the Limbaugh advertiser boycott, may be headed for the rocks.
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