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Weekend Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Sat Sep 09, 2006 at 08:16:06 AM EST
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I'm headed to the airport -- I will be on a plane every day between today and Tuesday Sept. 12 -- including the dreaded Sept. 11 anniversary. I'll be posting, and pushing your comments through, just a little less frequently.

So, pull up a chair, what's on your mind?

< Bush Requests Airtime for Speech During Path to 9/11 | Remembering Post-9/11 'Patriotism' >

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    Weekend Open Thread | 4 comments (4 topical)
    Re: Weekend Open Thread (none / 0) (#1)
    by Sumner on Sat Sep 09, 2006 at 09:34:16 AM EST
    How about this juxtaposition from two web pages here and here?

    Re: Weekend Open Thread (none / 0) (#4)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Sep 09, 2006 at 09:11:31 PM EST
    Try this: Bush doesn't have to actually capture Bin Laden to salvage the '06 midterms. He just has to have it announced he's been captured, oh, say 72 hours before polling. Long enough in advance for a positive wave of voter euphoria and celebration to swing some close races. Not so far ahead though tough questions and a "put up or shut up" movement develops. The administration never really makes the official announcement. A willing (bribed) party with sufficient credibility does the deed, stating Binny is in custody and being transported to a Pakistani prison for questioning and charges. The election takes place, Republicans hold both houses in a squeaker, and only later does someone sheepishly apologize they got it all wrong. Mistaken identity, miscommunication. During the election lead up Bush cautions all to wait on more sure info ("wink, wink, yeah we got him!") and post election Tony Snow points out no U.S. government spokesman ever said Binny was caught and "Hey, Bush told you all not to count your chickens, remember?". What the hell is anybody going to say after the non-capture comes to light? Point fingers at the administration and whine they're a bunch of lying, calculating bastards? Well duh! The public knows that already. They would get what they wanted and the news cycle rolls over just like it always does and we move on to some kidnapped white girl or debating whether Michael Moore is really the devil incarnate. Tin foil? With this crew there is no tin foil, the most cynical scenario is entirely possible. Desperate times, desperate measures.....

    Re: Weekend Open Thread (none / 0) (#3)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Sep 09, 2006 at 09:12:43 PM EST
    whoops -- I got the single mom part wrong -- she's married -- let's just say working class & young mom!

    Re: Weekend Open Thread (none / 0) (#2)
    by Roy Eidelson on Sat Sep 09, 2006 at 09:57:07 PM EST
    As we approach the mid-term elections, many "at risk" conservative incumbents and their influential allies (e.g., the Bush administration) are already working overtime to persuade voters that, despite considerable evidence to the contrary, they are deserving of re-election. My own research as a psychologist suggests that certain appeals will be especially prominent in their public statements. And I have put together a list of these, along with illustrative video and audio clips, in a video entitled Dangerous Ideas: How Conservatives Exploit Our Five Core Concerns. The video is available for viewing online at link My general thrust is that the principal concerns of our daily lives revolve around five key issues: vulnerability, injustice, distrust, superiority, and helplessness. Leaders whose public statements engage any of these five concerns are therefore well-positioned to garner support for their policies. Such appeals can be entirely legitimate and quite valuable in the pursuit of progressive ends, but many conservatives instead use them to pursue a narrow agenda that benefits the few while leaving most of us worse off. Presented in the form of arguments, here are the "top ten" appeals we should be ready for, along with the underlying concerns they tap into: 1. Argue that your current or future actions are necessary in order to protect the public from dire threats. (Vulnerability) 2. Argue that the policies promoted by others will create new dangers and thereby make the public less safe. (Vulnerability) 3. Argue that your actions are necessary as a response to others' wrongdoing and in order to prevent even greater injustices from occurring. (Injustice) 4. Argue that criticism of your policies is unjust and that your critics are the ones guilty of wrongdoing. (Injustice) 5. Argue that your actions are required by the opposition's dishonesty and reflect your own integrity. (Distrust) 6. Argue that those opposed to your policies are disloyal, misguided, or lacking in good judgment. (Distrust) 7. Argue that the people you represent are special, and that your policies are based on high moral principles. (Superiority) 8. Argue that those disadvantaged by your actions are contemptible and undeserving of consideration. (Superiority) 9. Argue that you persevere and succeed when faced with obstacles and that your actions empower the people. (Helplessness) 10. Argue that setbacks or failures could not have been avoided, and that you are therefore blameless. (Helplessness) Roy Eidelson

    Weekend Open Thread | 4 comments (4 topical)