Learn to Question

... On a positive note, I recently found a very interesting website LearnToQuestion.com. This site is one example how the silent majority can learn how to ask questions. It's Propaganda Lessons section is good complementary reading to OhioDem1's How to Sell a War.

I am glad I found this site while Googling "question." It is encouraging to find fellow Americans who are taking positive actions to help wake up America.

Defend America
ask questions
QuestionItNow

posted by REB 84 at 6/30/2006 12:35:00 AM

16 Comments:

These techniques work for any propaganda effort, the process is just tweaked a bit to match the goals of the campaign. A case in point is the war on Social Security which has been a Republican agenda since 1935.
By OhioDem1, at 12:59 AM, July 01, 2006

Hi Reb!

We have definitely fallen into the trap you described. I am not one, but many people were blind sided by Bush and his perverted religion and so called democracy. His new societal and world order will end in total disorder.

As for us Americans, I agree that we have stupidly relied on others(politicians) to take care of things for us and they stabbed us. I have been trying to wake people up since 9/11. I will check out that web site and thanks for the comment! Jim
By Jim, at 10:13 AM, July 01, 2006

Jim,

Thanks for sending your comment to Comments@QuestionItNow.com I look forward to hearing more of your thoughts.

I found your "Bring It On!" site via a Google search of "We the People"

Have a great 4th of July!
By REB 84, at 10:15 AM, July 01, 2006

the lasting terrible effects of Bush's misadminisration. The problems here and around the world are just beginning. Watch! http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/7/2/102447/7650orld are just starting. watch!
By an average patriot, at 5:02 PM, July 05, 2006

We, all the world will pay for American complacancy at the polls and for trusting our Politicians to do our work for us. We have found out the hard way "we the people" are not a concern, and we and the world are in worse shape than most realize and it will get a lot worse. http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/6/9/16523/09175

Hey Reb that's pretty good you googled we the people and found me, funny, I guess I say that a lot. Just a note: we are no longer a government of the people, for the people, by the people, facilitated by society. We have in fact become a government of the politicians, for the weal;thy, by the legal system, facilitated by the media. We must get our America back and put "we the people" back in the equation!
By an average patriot, at 5:22 PM, July 05, 2006

"We the People" is what it is all about. Our hope is in restoring some sense of accountability, transparency, and oversight back into the American political system.

As I said earlier, it is also time to begin enforcing some anti-trust laws and break up some of the monoliths who are corrupting the American democratic system. We need greater independence from corporate control in this country.
By REB 84, at 6:23 PM, July 05, 2006

"I thought you were going to ask about the pig."

... Bush's third response takes the cake. In answering a pointed question about his take on the Isreali, Palestinian, Lebanon sitation our Supreme Leader stated, "I thought you were going to ask about the pig." With a stand-up routine like that, it appears our leader is auditioning for a comedy career. But, his jokes seem to be lost on the europeans. Not to worry. The hometown press usually laughs along with his "jokes." As Mel Brooks said, "Its good to be the king!" - [more]

3 Comments

Have Skunk said...

Hey! You got peanut buter in my chocolate...
The quote was too good to pass up for a headline. We'll hammer him from both ends.

Great minds think alike, I guess. ;-)
1:55 AM, July 15, 2006

Have Skunk
Have Skunk said...

And, checking out the title of your blog...Expect nothing from this administration. Condomleeza is a Soviet specialist and she's completely out of her depth dealing with this fast-moving middle east stuff.

The Israelis are just dancing around her in circles, like the mini-me to the Bush Junta, doing what they want, when they want, because they can.

The only leadership we can expect is in the direction of the next pig roast. This crew has nothing to gain politically from stability or peace anywhere on the planet. The chaos will keep people feeling anxious and easier to manipulate.
2:00 AM, July 15, 2006


REB 84 said...

Have Skunk,

Thank you for your comments.

If America is to lead, we need to change right now.

'08 is too late!

2:25 PM, July 20, 2006

Confusing Voters and Manipulating Emotions

If the press is so liberal, why was DeLay allowed to stay on as long as he did, with very few news outlets calling out the Republican leadership? Where are investigative reporters today? Why is there only one Helen Thomas? Where are the truth seekers of today?

Written by: OhioDem1 & REB 84

QuestionItNow

posted by REB 84 | 6/21/2006 10:47:00 PM
3 Comments:
-----------------------

Steve said...

I'm back.

In the 40 years of Democratic control of Congress, the Democrats never did this ever because they are so upstanding and pure. Uh-huh.

"If the press is so liberal, why was DeLay allowed to stay on as long as he did, with very few news outlets calling out the Republican leadership."

I don't know which news outlets you're referring to, but most news outlets (New York Times, Washington Post, MSNBC, CNN, the dinosaur alphabet networks) were vilifying DeLay on a regular basis. And as far as him staying in the House as long as he did because of the press, the press is not a political entity with the power to fire an elected official.

"By rights, DeLay should have been expelled from the House in disgrace,..."

Need I remind you that DeLay hasn't been convicted of a crime. But if that's the criteria, what about Allan Mollohan, William Jefferson, Harry Reid, Cynthia McKinney, Patrick Kennedy, or Jim McDermott (who was on the losing end of a lawsuit due to the leaking an illegally recorded phone call, and who has not yet resigned from the House for this disgraceful act)? None has been convicted of a crime (except Kennedy), yet all are under investigation for one thing or another (McDermott's filed another appeal in his case) and have made a mockery of the phrase "Republican culture of corruption". I mean, the assertion that DeLay should have resigned because he was being investigated and indicted is ludicrous, especially since the courts and the government are supposed to work from a presumption of innocence and must prove guilt, not the other way around like Jack Murtha is doing with his own Marines. HE DAMNS HIS OWN MARINES BEFORE CHARGES ARE EVEN FILED!!! And the leftist, liberal press has been using Murtha's words to describe these "incidents", based solely on the word of questionable sources; even Time had to do a retraction of their original article on Haditha. And Murtha's activities could easily be called into question based on information outlined in yesterday's lead editorial in the Washington Times.

Accusing Republicans of "confusing voters and manipulating emotions" is ridiculous when Democrats do worse by convicting others before there is a trial, or even an indictment.
7:04 AM, June 22, 2006
---------------------------

Steve said...

A couple of other points about Murtha. He and John Conyers (in a recent post) tried to "swift-boat" Louie Gohmert (R-TX). Gohmert was an officer in the US Army (a JAG officer, but still a soldier) nearly 30 years ago.

Murtha was also an unindicted co-conspirator (per the FBI) in the Abscam investigation of 1980. Did he resign? I don't know any Democrat who ever resigns. They have succumbed to the seduction of power and the money it brings in.

And DeLay is the bad guy?
7:52 AM, June 22, 2006
----------------------------


REB 84 said...

Welcome back Steve,

Sorry I haven’t responded sooner. Life has a way of interfering with blogging.

Interesting debating style you have. I have noticed that in most of your comments you take just enough of an argument to bring it into your home turf and then turn it towards a recitation of all Dem misdeeds (real and asserted) while ignoring the abuses of power that are currently on display all around us.

We both agree that those in power tend towards corruption. I have never suggested that any politician is "upstanding and pure." Public servants need to be firmly reminded to serve the public at least as much as they serve themselves. This is why OhioDem1 and I have consistently called for greater oversight and a stronger separation of powers. As you know, I am also a supporter of much stronger whistleblower protections, particularly in the area of homeland security and the environment.

In our present post, OhioDem1 and I attempt to expose one of the more common techniques for deflecting accountability used by those in power. Therefore, I find your "40 years of Democratic control" irrelevant . I don't know enough about the other examples you cited to comment at this point. Still, that is not the point of discussion here.

As far as media coverage is concerned, I remember several assaults on the character of the prosecutor, Ronnie Earl shortly after he announced DeLay’s indictment. Most of these attacks began in the red-meat right-wing spin-machine and then got regurgitated by our so called "liberal media."

Now that Delay has resigned and is preparing himself for trial, the media silence is deafening. Following is the only hit I got from a Google News search this evening.
The Big Buy: Tom DeLay's Stolen Congress - Review

As far as "swift-boating" is concerned, nobody does it better than the "right wing scheme machine" (phrase borrowed from Rachel Madow). Do you recall the Clinton impeachment?
2:06 AM, June 25, 2006

George Washington is Turning Over in His Grave

Please, America, don't let George Washington down. Bring competent public servants back into American Government. We need to restore oversight and accountability. We need to re-institute an effective balance of powers. Can we afford to do less? [MORE]

QuestionItNow

misneach said...
REB,

I'm sure you have also noticed recent talk in the "blogosphere" about Arlen Specter proposing a law granting legal immunity to any and all U.S. officials involved in any illegal wiretapping, and his subsequent un-truthful denial of his actions.

I'm sure you're also aware of constant policy initiatives and executive orders increasingly limiting personal freedoms and social welfare.

Out of curiousity, I'm wondering if you can guess the individual who authored the following statement:

"For the Protection of the people and the State"
"Restrictions on personal liberty, on the right of free expression of opinion, including freedom of the press; on the rights of assembly and association; and violations of the privacy of postal, telegraphic and telephonic communications and warrants for house searches, orders for confiscations as well as restrictions on property, are also permissible beyond the legal limits otherwise prescribed."

The answer can be found on my blog.

Regardless of an individual's specific political leanings, I think that nearly any informed individual is aware that the current leaders in Washington (on both sides of the aisle) are not following the will of their people. That is a disturbing trend for the worlds largest democracy.
8:37 AM, June 16, 2006
..................................................................

Steven said...

america is surely going to lead the world for many more years to come and every kid knows this

steven
http://www.educationtrak.com
2:09 AM, June 19, 2006

.................................................................

REB 84 said...

Steven,

I visited your site, but am not sure what value your company delivers? I also don't understand the logic behind your comment. The only reason "every kid knows" ... " america is surely going to lead the world for many more years to come" would be if someone planted those thoughts into their heads.

In order to win in the long-term, America must teach critical thinking and open-minded, collaborative decision making. Otherwise, we risk "group think" and the mess out current "leaders" have gotten us into.

Please explain yourself.
11:27 PM, June 19, 2006