Saul Aliinsky

[Hemodoc]

Here is excellent satire from Bill Maher about the sudden conversion of Saul Alinsky into a household name. I don't know if those outside the US can even view it, or how well it will translate if they can. Glenn Beck is mentioned - he's a conservative talk show host who is best known for his messy chalkboard scribblings that resemble confusing flow charts and somehow find conspiracy theories in most world events. I'm pretty sure everyone else is at least known to some extent outside the US as they have run for the presidency. This clip answered the question 'why is this man suddenly being resurrected?' concisely and humourously.

If you take offense at strong language or do not like political satire directed at conservatives, then I urge you to refrain from clicking below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtLEPPgbNyM

Dear Cariad, is this supposed to mean that Alinsky has not influenced Obama and his presidency despite the fact that Obama taught the tactics of Alinsky for several years?  In any case, trying to keep to the admonition of Willis, is this the way that you believe we should conduct political discourse in America by ridiclue?

Alinsky rule 5. "Ridicule is man's most potent weapon. It is almost impossible to counteract ridicule. Also it infuriates the opposition, which then reacts to your advantage."

[galvo]

Cariad, what a refreshing 5 minutes that was, listening to Bill Maher. Isn't it marvellous how he so easily pricked the pompous bubble of righteous platitudes that certain politicians spout.

You will recall Thomas Jefferson saying “Ridicule is the only weapon which can be used against unintelligible propositions. Ideas must be distinct before reason can act upon them; and no man ever had a distinct idea of the trinity. It is the mere Abracadabra of the mountebanks calling themselves the priests of Jesus.” Had a way with words, old Tom did.

Aussie politics!! No, Cariad, you do not want to know about Aussie politics. It makes me weep, as it would you.

Job 13:15  "Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face."

[cariad]

Cariad, what a refreshing 5 minutes that was, listening to Bill Maher. Isn't it marvellous how he so easily pricked the pompous bubble of righteous platitudes that certain politicians spout.

Absolutely. I have watched it 4 times and still laugh at how true it is.

You will recall Thomas Jefferson saying “Ridicule is the only weapon which can be used against unintelligible propositions. Ideas must be distinct before reason can act upon them; and no man ever had a distinct idea of the trinity. It is the mere Abracadabra of the mountebanks calling themselves the priests of Jesus.” Had a way with words, old Tom did.

Aussie politics!! No, Cariad, you do not want to know about Aussie politics. It makes me weep, as it would you.

Thomas Jefferson cannot make me laugh as easily as you do, galvo.

Brilliant quote, most appropriate. He's a founding father, old Tom is, so I guess ridicule was part of his vision for America. Makes one think....

[willowtreewren]

Just took a five minute break to watch the Bill Maher piece. 

Thank you for the link, Cariad. 

[cariad]

Just took a five minute break to watch the Bill Maher piece. 

Thank you for the link, Cariad. 

Glad you enjoyed....

[Gerald Lively]

Alinsky!  Amazing!  Just a name and the forum begins to suffer from acute over-emotionalism.  I am to blame for starting this thread and I am thrilled to see how many people who have never read Alinsky have such powerful opinions about the man.  Or his book(s).

So, I had to look him up and read a digest.  BFD.

All that Alinsky did in his final book (I know nothing of his previous work) was condense what is already known by behavioral scientists who study organizations and individual behavior in groups.  I was more than surprised to read what I was schooled in at Chico State.  Welcome to the real World.

I must admit that I tossed gasoline on the fire when I read that the Tea Party distributes this book to its senior members.  And you know they aren't reading it for the cartoons.  When it comes down to the bottom line, who gives a damn?

No one has persuaded anyone else to change their opinion, and beyond a few tidbits of information at the beginning, there wasn't much to learn.  So, there is no reason to coninue this thread.

Or, go ahead and rip one another apart.  I'll watch.

gerald

[Hemodoc]

Alinsky!  Amazing!  Just a name and the forum begins to suffer from acute over-emotionalism.  I am to blame for starting this thread and I am thrilled to see how many people who have never read Alinsky have such powerful opinions about the man.  Or his book(s).

So, I had to look him up and read a digest.  BFD.

All that Alinsky did in his final book (I know nothing of his previous work) was condense what is already known by behavioral scientists who study organizations and individual behavior in groups.  I was more than surprised to read what I was schooled in at Chico State.  Welcome to the real World.

I must admit that I tossed gasoline on the fire when I read that the Tea Party distributes this book to its senior members.  And you know they aren't reading it for the cartoons.  When it comes down to the bottom line, who gives a damn?

No one has persuaded anyone else to change their opinion, and beyond a few tidbits of information at the beginning, there wasn't much to learn.  So, there is no reason to coninue this thread.

Or, go ahead and rip one another apart.  I'll watch.

gerald

Dear Gerald, yes, I agree, time to let the whole thing rest since we won't change anyone's views. I would wish you are more specific about who is passing out the Alinsky book and using its tactics. That is specifically Dick Armey and his organization Feedomworks. I have not seen any other organization doing the same. In addition, it was Dick Armey's Freedomworks that "occupied" Democratic congressional town hall meetings.

Since there is no central Tea Party organization or leadership as the GOP and DEMs have and several other 3rd party organizations such as the Green Party, the Libertarian party etc. In the case of the Tea Party, there are no formal associations between the hundreds of organizations that claim an affiliation. Each local, state and national "Tea Party" organizations have their own agendas and platforms. You can register with the DEMS, GOP, Green Party, Libertarian party, but you cannot register as a Tea Party person. Most register as Independent or GOP, but there are many others from the established parties. Most people that would call themselves Tea Party have never joined any of these organizations such as Willis and me.

I personally disagree with Freedomworks approach and believe that they are bringing harm. In fact, I could easily speculate that he is indeed an agent provocateur since we already know that the established GOP insiders have no love at all for the so called Tea Party activists, his insider Washington history makes that speculation more plausible.  In any case, I cannot go beyond speculation, but Dick Armey is doing damage to the ordinary person with strong convictions of a deep and abiding love for this nation and strong religious affiliations. Dick Armey does not speak for me and of the millions of people who do call themselves Tea Party people, Dick Armey has a substantial following of 700,000 but that is only a small percentage of the total. I suspect most people of conservative choice and religious affiliation I believe would most likely repudiate his actions once they understood the implications.

Conservative politics in America does not just have to contend with attacks from the DEMS but also severe infighting amongst all those labeled conservative. Nevertheless, the sizable number of people who are not active in these splintered organizations will have their vote anyway.

[Gerald Lively]

HemoDoc:

You and Rev. Wright.  Why don't you drop all of this Bible thum,ping and get back to the third demension.

gl

[Hemodoc]

HemoDoc:

You and Rev. Wright.  Why don't you drop all of this Bible thum,ping and get back to the third demension.

gl

Shucks, I didn't mention the Bible or quote it once, and I actually believed you were open to a discussion of the issues for understanding each other after your conciliatory post. Sorry, my error.

[galvo]

And it's 'Goodnight, folks'.

[Sluff]

Thank you Galvo.

Sluff

[galvo]

You're welcome, Sluff. Definitely time to move on.