BlackPerspective.net
Discussing the Diaspora as seen through an internal Black lens
At Long Last Can Liberty Loving Defeat Fear Mongering
March 3rd, 2008
I’m hopeful but I’m not at all convinced that fear-mongering is on it’s way down for the count. Fear-mongering is a hallmark of republican politics that Democrats have willingly gone along with in recent years; giving little more than lip service to liberty.
In mid February approximately 20 Senate Dems joined with republicans in passing a corperate amnesty and domestic spying bill. The two presidential candidates didn’t bother themsleves to show up for this all important vote, nor have taken a stand on it; which doesn’t give me confidence that either will resist the temptation of executive power grabbing if they were to get into office. Anyway, it’s now up to the House of Representatives to kill this thing.
The following article gives me hope that fear-mongering is back on its heels; but we’re going to need to persistently go on the offensive to put it on the mat.
Anonymous GOP Operatives Surprised that Fearmongering Isn’t Working
February 29th, 2008
by Tim Jones
Deceptive exploitation of Americans’ fears of terrorism has been a central weapon in the GOP’s campaign to prevent phone companies from being held accountable for lawbreaking. Two weeks ago, EFF looked at the evidence and concluded that this strategy would fail to sway voters.
Today, events have borne that prediction out. From the subscription-only Congress Daily newsletter:
House Republican attempts to gain political traction against Democrats on the delayed overhaul of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act aren’t having the impact GOP operatives had hoped for. Despite past political success pushing it as a national security issue, Republican and Democratic lawmakers and senior aides said privately they are surprised by the limited response. “It’s almost got no traction,” said one surprised senior aide to a Democratic lawmaker. The chief of staff to a southern Republican added: “We’re not hearing much of anything on FISA. Clearly it is something folks have concerns about, but I thought it would have been a bit louder.”
The strategy hasn’t just failed — it may even be backfiring. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter of New Hampshire opposes immunity and was a target of the attack ads. According to Congress Daily, ‘Shea-Porter said such attacks have resulted in hundreds of phone calls, but she dismissed them as a problem. “Once we explained to people that FISA is in effect, they got upset that they had been misled,” she said.’
While these ads won’t sway voters, it’s less certain whether they’ll sway Congresspeople. Many of the targeted Representatives have kept quiet so far. But many have responded brilliantly.
Here’s Rep. Nancy Boyda of Kansas:
“The White House is trying to scare Americans to give total control to one branch of government,” Boyda said in an interview from Washington. “The Republicans don’t have the guts to stand up to the president. They’re afraid of some 30-second ad that could be run against them.”
Here’s Rep. Tim Mahoney of Florida:
When I got elected,” Rep. Mahoney said last week, “I took an oath to defend the Constitution. If some of these companies gave information to the government without the government getting a warrant, that was unconstitutional.
“You know what (the companies) said? They said I should vote for the immunity because it’s patriotic. That’s how weak the argument is.”
Rep. Tim Walz of Minnesota and Rep. Mike Arcuri of NY have also made strong and smart statements.
Support House Leaders in finally standing up to Bush and standing up for our constitutional freedoms; by contacting them and letting them know you’re with them on opposing immunity for criminal coperations and on allowing more spying on Americans by the executive branch.
You need to contact as many as you can more than once while we still have a fighting chance. Call, email, fax & letter write.
House Democratic Leadersip:
Nancy Pelosi - House Speaker 202-225-4965
Steny Hoyer - Majority Leader 202-225-3130
James Clyburn - Majority Whip 202-225-3315
John Conyers - Judiciary Chair 202-225-5126
Sylvester Reyes - Intelligence Chair 202-225-4831
General Switch Board for the House of Representatives, where you can get anyones number 202-224-3121
House website: www.house.gov/ (can find anyones website to get emails and other contact info).
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Yobachi Boswell is creator and publisher of BlackPerspecitve.net. I’m a writer, activist and political watcher based in Nashville, Tennessee. I’ve also been know to do some spoken word and MCing in my day.
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