A new initiative we DU'ers could do...

[Random_Australian]

If Bush wants war/taxbreaks/faithcrud he will have to sell it all to the American people... I've heard many a DU'er talk about their frustration vs. the dittoheads that are the ones who cement the support for that shite.

I've an idea: A DU database of exceptionally fine talking points and excellent hypotheticals to confound the dittoheads, but way more importatntly, get the onlookers to side with us.

It would be pretty simple to do, I think, and we can take all the time we need to compile them, and I for one would LOVE to have the entire of DU's anti-idiocy skills at my disposal. With a few good issue-wide rebuttals, we could wield a great deal more influence.
So, Whatcha think? Good Idea?

It wouldn't take too much effort, I think, and we post this stuff all the time in the forums, but it gets lost!

[NanceGreggs]

1. I'm lovin' it!

[Random_Australian]

2. Yes! With so few responses

I thought I said something wrong...

[NanceGreggs]

3. No, you didn't!

I've seen, in random threads throughout DU, absolutely BRILLIANT replies to current Repub emails that are being circulated, GOP talking points being bandied about, et cetera. There are also GREAT researchers here who can come up with facts and stats that refute the (made-up) facts de jour that Repubs are so fond of tossing out there.

Having those things easily accessible is a great idea!

And by the way, welcome to DU! You're a GREAT addition to the family!

:hi:

[Random_Australian]

4. *Whew* thanks....

At least one person thinks it's a good idea then...

Can you imagine the look on the repubs faces'? It appears that a basic tenet of their faith is that the LW are a buch off illogical, misinformed bleeding hearts.... Attack their entire belief system in one go! Hold competitions to see who can come up with the shortest yet most eloquent rebuttal!

There is so much we could do

BTW "NancyGreggs" a :hug: for your welcome

An edit: people are posting thick & fast, this may dissappear before people see it? Does recommending a thread keep it near the top?

[NanceGreggs]

7. Well, here's a K & R for luck!

If the MODS are watching (and we know you are!), I think this is truly a great idea - and one that DU can handle with ease.

There are so many truly visionary posters here at DU, many with a unique talent for gathering information, for putting complex ideas into easily understandable language.

It comes up time and time again on the threads: "I just got THIS from a Repub acquaintance. What can I say in reply?" And more often than not, it's the SAME email many DUers have received in the same week.

Imagine how convenient it would be to tap into the collective DU mind, and cut & paste a response that can be sent out immediately, complete with facts and statistics that someone has already taken the time to research?

Count me IN!

[Random_Australian]

8. Woohooo! You n'me,

starting the ball rolling
:woohoo: :yourock:

[PVK]

5. I think you should ask the Mods/Skinner to set up a special forum.

JUST for this.

[Random_Australian]

6. Do you mean

Set up a forum for discussing this or implementing?

Cos I was thinking it be forum-like till the answers were got down pat, then we have an easy-find Database of great arguments, divided by issue.

[iconoclastNYC]

16. It would be like Demopedia (where'd that go?)

But only talking points.

Collaborative editing.

[NanceGreggs]

10. Another DU-bie (new DUer)!

Welcome aboard, PVK!

:hi:

[sandnsea]

9. Check out the Research Forum

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=358

And see if what you're talking about could be added in there somehow, maybe.

[Skinner]

30. What she said.

Research forum.

[Random_Australian]

33. The research forum is NOTHING AT ALL

like what I was suggesting. Am I missing something?

[OhioBlue]

11. you have a good idea.

in the mean time, bookmark threads that you know will come in useful in the future.

[Random_Australian]

12. OhioBlue: thanks and will try

PVK: A warm, warm welcome

Everyone else: Just 2 more Votes! Can I recommend myself? Oh well, giving it a try...
On edit: No... Damn.

[Random_Australian]

13. *sigh*

It was good but I think this post has seen it's last gumtree.
So goodbye.

[Random_Australian]

14. Aha! Another recommendation for greatest! We're not gone yet!

But please post to keep it on the forum... thankyou!

[iconoclastNYC]

15. Yes

Yes! Example..... why regean was a bad president, why the war on terror is a joke, why we can cut defense spending without weaking our national security, why abortion should remain legal, why cutting taxes does not raise government revenue.

And we need COUNTERTALKING points. Rebuttals to common come backs from wingers when they hear the truth.

We need this. Bullet points. With links to articles and books or documentaries that reinforce the talking point.

[sheelz]

17. We have a Frame the Debate Group

perhaps the database could be kept there?

[PVK]

18. Kickin for a great idea.

We really need this. We can frame a consistent response this way.

We can make our own talking points, and coin our own phrases, like "National INsecurity"...

Every time someone writes a fact-filled rebuttal to a key point or about a key issue, they should immediately place it in the appropriate venue.

It would have to be organized into categories, such as "Social Security", etc.

[sheelz]

19. DU has this group here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=252

[PVK]

20. Wow, that's great. Thanks for telling me that. n/t

[Random_Australian]

21. Hmmmm good but not really what I had in mind!

1) It's all discussions
2) Too hard to find/too easy to lose stuff
3) Not sytematically organised!

For the discussion portion, I was thinking that it would be based purely on coming up with the best argument... which be step 1 in any case. Then, decide which is good and file it away.

Freepers are so predictable! This could be a real DU bastion, I hope!

[KitchenWitch]

22. I like the idea!

Perhaps a "Refute the Talking Points" DU Group!

[Random_Australian]

23. Yeh but instead of just a forum, it would

have a database of frothball-popping wisdom... like a permanent one. And put it in easy reach of any DU'er.

[KitchenWitch]

24. And links to the facts!

[memory]

25. YES! I love it!! Great idea!!

[Random_Australian]

26. All right!

I'll begin writing the message to skinner... get me 25 votes for greatest or 100 posts (With the posts bieng of suppert) and I'll send it, and we can get the ball rolling!

(I put that there to check for widespread support... I'm a little nervous about talking to the omnipotent admin!)

[Random_Australian]

27. 13 votes! were on our way! n/t

[Random_Australian]

28. Oh wow cool

this guy gave me a great idea in the lounge: DU Olympics!

Annual competition to see who can come up with the best, simplest, frothball-popping argument!

[Random_Australian]

29. 14! n/t

[druidity33]

31. good idea...

Maybe also short PDF/printable versions... ie., pamphlets! Each one could debunk succinctly all Rethug "issues"...

K&R

[BigBearJohn]

32. I LOVE THIS IDEA!!!