SKINNER!!! I Have a GREAT Idea How DU Can REALLY Make a Difference!!!

Alrigh DU, today we saw the clip of Congresswoman Miller go on the floor and tell a blatant lie about Obama calling Palin a pig.

She demanded that he apologize, but she neglected to mention the FACT that McCain made the same comment about Hillary Clinton's healthcare plan back in May.

The difference: Obama NEVER mentioned Palin, where as McCain did say Hillary.

Anyway, I posted a thread to have us call up Miller's office. Well, we flooded her lines. (Thank You my fellow DUers)

So, it got me thinking, maybe you guys could take this one step further.

How about on the front page of DU we have a "Lie of the day" segment where we have the video or statement of someone who blatanly lied and give us the number to call, along with proof of their lie and any other info we might need.

There are what... 120,000+ registered users on here? While it would be brash to expect all of them to do it, we could at least expect to get 1000 plus calls in a day.

Best case scenario, they learn that we are paying attention to their lies and know the truth. Worst case, we just REALLY REALLY piss them off!

I just think there is so much more we could be doing to help win our country back, and DU is the perfect platform to do it with.

The reason I want this on the front page is so it stays up. Personally, I would come here, check to see who to call and do my part, then continue on as usual.

We have a lot of bright people here, and I think we can do a lot of good.


If you think this is a good idea, Kick and/or Rec. We need to keep this kicked to the top so we can get as many people involved as possible.

Also, if you have an idea on how to make it better, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE tell us!

Hopefully our wonderful admins and mods will agree and help us out!

interesting point. The Repubs rally together and organize like this all the time. Look at all the trolls we've seen!

So I'm hoping they will at least do that for this. If we get enough recs it could happen.

All they would have to do is put a small section on the front and devote one thread to it.

Wouldn't take up much space.

Just like today with Miller :D

If it proves popular, it will float to the top and people will call.

The reason I want it on the front, is those get the most attention, and I think this is a cause worthy of the attention.

I think you could get them. It's a great idea. Even if the mods aren't into it, you should do it on your own. I'll K&R you.

Definitely. We're going to do this one way or another. The only problem is picking which lie to post! LOL!

like MSNBC, CNN, etc.. especially when they perpetuate a lie on the evening news or cable news.

But I say, GIVE IT A GO!

and go with the truly "actionable" lies. That way we keep interest in the LOTD, as well as kicking some lying Repug ass.

And what a great idea - way to go, demdog!!

I am always willing to make some time.

Let's go for it. I am kickind and recommending.

K&R

:patriot:

Like Obama says... Yes We Can!

what state she represents.

As for your idea, I love it, but it would be more productive to call newspapers, local news and MMM.

Funny:)

We could post those numbers too!

Start your thread... we'll rec it to front page!

I've been wanting to see a list of lies! Good call!

Please keep a list updated too... we will probably want to refer to it often!

K&R!!!

Perhaps we could have votes in for what the biggest lie is by Noon EST. And a suggested call-in feature if available to address that problem. We have 120,000 members but probably double that our lurker friends. :)

I think people would notice. And perhaps drive more traffic to this site to find out what the new lie is for the day.

:thumbsup:

K & R on this one definitely.

They do need to hear from us and every time they start to tell a lie, they'll think: "How many phone calls will I get this time?"

...they'll be less productive too.......go for it!!

a denial of service?

A conspiracy to flood a phone number and tie it up is denial of service and a criminal conspiracy.

This is what Republican operatives did it against Democratic phone lines in New Hampshire, in 2004 I'm pretty sure it was. A couple of them got indicted and I think convicted. In any case it is a serious offense.

And it is stated so on the blog

Tobin got ten months in prison and a $10,000 fine.
McGee got seven months.
Raymond got five months.
Hansen was indicted and due to stand trial in 2006.

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/phonejamming.php

And it is stated as such at the top of the blog. So, you can put your worries to rest.

....I did not say I wanted to tie-up the lines.

It certainly would slow the process of their agenda, but all we want is to express our feelings and that is our motive.

It is sort of like when the Republicans get into Barrack's head with all the negative dis-info their throwing at us....well...it slows his process down. Isn't that the same type situation?

I mean, when I come here I always look over the front page. That's where the most important stuff usually is.

:applause::yourock::applause:

:kick:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=7005103&mesg_id=7005103

I posted this yesterday. :)

Great minds think alike!

:kick:

Like an ACTION area where we can hit back quickly and hard. I would also be good for slamming the media.

We heard Anderson Cooper say they are getting tons of e-mails to lay off being mean to poor little Sarah Palin.

We should reward with praise when they behave journalistically and slap them hard when they don't.

An area on the home page could help with quick impact.

Keep up the good fight, patriots!!!

Gobama!

Thanks for the support.

Yes WE Can!

I think that's a great idea, personally

Lots of people still get their "news" from mainstream sources...the so-called "journalists" who enable the liars in the first place. In addition to rewarding them when they do their jobs and slapping them hard when they don't, I think people also need to communicate with the people supporting the people who enable the lies....i.e. advertisers.

Write to companies and tell them "I won't buy such and such a product if you keep advertising on ________ channel or in ________ magazine or newspaper, and here's why..."

Then let the channel or printed media know...


Honestly, I think most of the bullshit being flung around (that's being believed by naive/intellectually lazy people) is being done by ignorant/greedy/evil MSM hacks calling themselves "journalists".

the perpetrator(s) of the lie we should have links to various blogs, MSM, etc., to report it to them as well.

Happy to contribute to your great idea! :)

With firefox and Skype, I can call right from the screen.

I'd have called too. I, for one, would appreciate an easy-to-find simple action I could take like that each day.

202-225-2106

And you know what... I have seen three different shows on MSNBC calling the McCain camp out on this.

AWESOME!

At the very least we need to do it on our own. It would be nice though to have DU itself do this itself. They have all the numbers on hand, although I suppose once you get them, can always just cut and paste.

section?

I think its a great idea that will really have an effect- :yourock:

We need a Lie of the day thread tied to the top of a forum

K & R

...for all of their BIG lies.

The problem is there are a lot of little threads that say "call this representative," "DU this poll," or "email this reporter" but the effort is very scattered.

It would be so powerful if we had a focused purpose we could all contribute to. Maybe instead of lie of the day it could be a more general "DU action of the day." Or it would probably be better if they could stay up for a few days until something new comes up.

There could be some kind of rolling sticky thread with a poll that allows people to vote on various possible actions and then when one gets a certain amount of votes it gets bumped up to "DU action of the day."

:kick: count me in

It would give people something specific to focus their energy on. If it encourages people to act, then it could lead to positive results.

I think we should also flood their email inboxes--even if they don't read it, if they have to weed through tons of angry emails to get to "legitimate" constituent emails, they may also think twice about lying.

First of all, they can't stop telling lies. Because, as we all know, the Truth has a well-known lIberal Bias (thank you Colbert, I even know Libertarians who have quoted that line!)

Secondly, the M$M is notorious for not "reporting lies" unless it is "news" (and they have their own prerequisite for what is 'news' and what is not based on some mysterious criteria that makes no sense to any truly sentient being).

If, every time a Republicon tells a lie their phone lines go down, HOPEFULLY the M$M might consider this worthy of "news". How could you not? (Although, it wouldn't be the first time their "priorities" make no logical sense).

Finally, if they are forced to report on the fact that Republicon phone lines keep crashing, they will then be forced on the reasons WHY. Which means they will have to focus on the lies, themselves.

I like it! There's no guarantee it will work out this way, but there's a pretty good chance. I'm all for finding a way to get the M$M to actually report facts instead of spin.

K&R

he does the Top 10, he might be willing to do it :shrug:

I know for one i and others would make it easier for us to spot the latest lies and know the steps to take to counter them all in a convenient location! I strongly recommend Skinner et al implement this..It would make the site that much more valuable and draw new users into the mix!

Sometimes used as he told a real "corker" meaning a high-water pants story. You could call your segment "The corker ... um, porker of the day" to memorialize the incident which prompted this feature.

In any event, I love your idea and I think it would bring in traffic.

Sam

for them and your friends will not vote for them and your co-workers will not vote for them and your mail person will not vote for them and the cashier at your local Walgreens will not vote for them in the NEXT ELECTION because you are going to dedicate yourself to spreading the truth about them.

number but also email and snail mail if possible as many of us might prefer that method. This is very similar to the way that the rw alert their members to take action on issues that they care about - it has worked for them for 8 years. Now it is our turn.

Segment. I enjoy reading the top 10 every week. I new spin off wouldn't hurt. Though I am sure you can count on Congresswoman Miller making the Top 10 Conservative Idiots next Monday.

:kick:

But how about calling CNN and MSNBC, etc., if they air the lie and treat it as though it's the truth?

Demdog, this is a fantastic idea; I am willing to make calls every day.

that's because i'm hanging out mostly in gd.

K&R

K&R

I even logged in to let you know...

"So much talk about it, endless words without... NOTHING'S DONE" - Dave Matthews Band

Let's stop talking and start doing. We all can contribute and help out. It's very CRUCIAL.

and I would definitely be willing to make calls.

My only concern is who's going to post the Lie of the Day? And do the necessary phone/e-mail/snail-mail addresses? And produce the evidence for the TRUTH? It shouldn't all be dumped on you, should it? But this idea is so appealing - God knows the elected Democratic heavy hitters could be doing much more to speak out. So, with all due respect to Gov. Dean, it's up to us to take our country back.

K&R

It is up to us. It is up to all of us.

I feel so inspired right now.

162 Recs!!!

Wow... Glad you all agree!

and ready! :mad:

Might as well use that feature for something more than just asking for funds :P

Perfect Idea!!!!!!!!!!

... and you'll have a surefire method for everyone to get involved rapidly and efficiently.

I think this is a great idea, and I usually don't chime in on threads like this.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Defenders of wildlife
http://www.defenders.org/index.php

Saving Wildlife
http://www.defenders.org/index.php

depts of whatever,
http://capwiz.com/ram/dbq/officials/

You and the few before yours, but I think that would require an entire website to post it all.

I would need some help to put that together... Great with visuals, poor with coding.

got all of ten responses. I guess it's in the delivery. :shrug:

I have had some posts that I thought were going to go off huge and got nowhere...

But, I'll happily share my recs with you!

Maybe a top ten list of the lies of the day. kinda like lettermans top ten list??? i don't know. just know we have less than 60 days and yes the truth needs to be documented.

That way if DU won't do it, can do it myself.

Just a thought ... I'm getting into the microblogging "Twitter". What if there were an action thread and DUers all active on Twitter and being Tweeted to sound out and off on the lies? Some, not alot yet, but some members of Congress are on Twitter.

One other thought: The Daily Pants on Fire award?

Really great idea IMO

I would call.

in my sig line below.

It's a GREAT idea. Generate an old-fashioned DOGPILE!!! But this would, I suppose, be an electronic dogpile? A viral dogpile? What would be the term?

But, seriously, the very idea of them spewing some lie - and then all of a sudden there's this HUGE pile-on in reaction = perhaps one that grows bigger every time - MIGHT just have an impact. At the very least, it'll piss 'em off, that this adverse reaction is avalanching in on them, and that this is a representation of ALL THE PEOPLE who are paying attention and are NOT fooled. A SUPERB Destabilize-the-Enemy tactic! Also would serve to shake the ground under their feet - that they thought was so solid and stable. At least a few of them would start feeling uneasy, because this would bring home to them in no uncertain terms how there are walls closing in around them.

Destabilize the enemy. Of the UTMOST importance! Make them feel as though they're standing on shaky ground. It'll distract and bedevil them and disquiet them and make 'em start tossing and turning at night, with a succession of these outta-the-blue, WTF-moments.

MORE please!

:hi:

see them, since I tend to post a lot.

Glad to be of help. If it means you can do this for free, I'm hoping it motivates more people to do it, period.

It's called "McCain in the Membrane," reporting the biggest lie/whopper from the McCain campaign daily.

...he might make a segment about us.

:kick:

:applause:

K & R!

I heard Jane Fonda say in the last year that just e-mails and calls aren't enough. She suggested actually writing cards and letters.

When there's a lie, we could also, in addition to phone calls, use one of those systems that lets you write letters to the editor, and flood the local papers for the liar's geographical area.

I've wondered, too, if we could flood churches with "Is this really Christian?" letters, and make them sincere and "non-snarky," with an eye to trying to engage religious people who are sincere people, but deluded by a lot of propaganda from the right. The real message of Jesus Christ was right in line with Democratic values! :)

:kick: & Recommened

Also, who is going to take responsibility for fact-checking the lie? Who selects? Lots of wrinkles.

post the web-address of their page with contact info on it...it has their phone number on it. It has their email too. Because they put that information there themselves for the purpose to be contacted about concerns...there can be no dDOS or harassment complaint from them because it's being used explicitly as intended.

The worst that might happen is a cease-and-desist letter and even that isn't likely. Courts have held that elected officials have no defense of harassment from the first amendment rights of the citizenry. Literally, as long as you don't make threats or break any laws, you can be the most annoying gadfly on Earth and they have no recourse.

There is power in #'s and it is a good idea. No childish violence, but showing what matters. It is an insult to our inteligence to keep putting this garbage in our faces day in and day out. We should let them know that too. Do you think they perpetuate this childish fighting to keep us busy so we won't see what is really going on in the world ?

Count me in.

I like it!

Nominated!

Lie of the day: "I am a Republican and I am here to support a coup ...errr I mean you ..."

Cat In Seattle

by each of us in reply to a specific issue, sounds good to me.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :kick:

Each individual message must be original, in my way of thinkin', but basic elements should be the same. I sure like the suggestion that we hit 'em with the "withdrawn support" claim. Somethin' like, "You've sure made up my mind. As an independent-minded voter, your lie has guaranteed that I'll vote for Obama in November. And, I'll try to persuade anyone who will listen to me to do the same. You can't expect my support any longer." Hot damn! Ain't this fun?!!

ANSWER: if the entire world were at stake... and i had the power to choose our leader... there is a chance i would choose A BULLDOG

I like it, and I hope the admins agree and do something like this!

K&R

I think it's a great idea.

:patriot:

we have to call out their lies.

It would really help those of us that have so little spare time to spend on the internet to make more of a difference.

do you realize what this will look like to some historian fifty years down the road? I mean, about the Republicans who basically brought this country down to its knees, taking a week of discourse before the election to get all prima donnaish over an insult we all know is no big deal.

There are always at least 4-5 blatant lies or smears that the media plays upon daily so we may need to expand our reach to "Lies of the Day" rather than "Lie of the Day".

Great idea nevertheless.

Rp

At least in terms of how to deal with this.

Also right after the video of them lying you should play that lying sack of crap song that Stephanie Miller plays.

Channel 2 (KTVU - Oakland California, a FOX affiliate) yesterday
published the 'listick on a pig' story in newscast, but so obviously and deliberately
mangled the story using edited excerpts that it ommitted or completely distorted what
happened and what was said. As a result most people who watch that station do not know
that McCain'c campaign has just effectively called Palin a pig, then blamed Obama for it.

The audience was not told what happened, only that Obama should apologize for it.

For the last ten years one of the most powerful men in the world, (the hundredth+-
richest) has systematically constructed a propaganda machine and aligned himself
with political interests at the far right, shaping the American republican party.
His interests in media are world-wide, and include key media in China. This propaganda
playbook is straight from the third Reich. The consequences are of worldwide significance.

I am a spirited defender of the US constitution, but while "Freedom of the press" IS
essential for democracy IT IS NOT a suicide pack, folks. Media must be subject to reasonable
regulation against consolidation and monopoly and such protections ARE ALSO essential to the
existence of free press, and therefore democracy. These protections have been completely
undermined while America has been lulled into focusing on tripe.

Now I'd like to to remind folks here of what you already know but but what you must also
stay focused on:

1) NOT ALL DEMOCRATS WEAR WHITE HATS, OR AT ALL TIMES. WE ARE A DIVERSE SOCIETY WHO'S
DIVERSITY SHOULD BE OUR STRENGTH BUT WHICH HAS BEEN EXPLOITED BY DISINFORMATION AND HATE SPEECH.
FOR PRESENT, DEMOCRATS MUST WIN IN NOVEMBER. IF YOU CAN FOCUS ON AT LEAST ONE THING, FOCUS ON THAT.
54 DAYS - GET ON IT!

2) MORE GENERALLY, TO OPPOSE A THREAT YOU FIRST REVEAL IT, THEN UNDERSTAND IT, DISCOVER ITS
WEAKNESS, ITS HEART, ITS STOMACH, ITS BRAIN, THEN PLUNGE YOUR STEELIEST KNIFE SYSTEMATICALLY
INTO EACH OF THOSE PARTS. TO REVEAL THE THREAT YOU NEED TO FOLLOW THE WAKE OF PASSING POWER.
FOLLOW THE MONEY.

OK let's do it. This IS what Obama talks about when he says this is not about him but it is about US. And that he can't do it. WE HAVE TO DO IT. This is the most optimistic thing I have seen in a while and I am passing the DU on to all my friends who do not come here. I have been "lurking" for awhile and this is my first post. I have been losing faith daily that we could still win this thing and take our country back but this idea is exactly what we need to do. Tell the MSM and the country that we are not all a bunch of saps who believe everything we are told. LET'S GO GET EM! WHO DO WE CONTACT TODAY??

click the link below...

K and R.

i am working but i can take 5 min and make a call or two.

We must fight back hard.

It will be our own
'Fight the Smears' campaign.

An enthusiastic K & R. from me.

:) :hi:

Good idea!

Kick

Well, last night. The link is below. I have 3 new ones for today

call them OUT.

nothing illegal - legal action would certainly discredit us and go counter to our purpose

and let's get others to get involved;

one new voter in a swing state will make a difference,
especially multiplied by the numbers of those who know, who are with us,

but a new activist will create many new voters, which will make a much bigger difference...

At the very top of the page, below the banner and above where the entries start.

Who can make this happen?! (Mods?!)

Sign on all!