How do we fight Bush's lying?

[gulliver]

I'm reading David Corn's The Lies of George W. Bush. It is a really good book, but I recommend taking it in small doses if you don't have a good handle on personal anger management.

After reading about how many times Bush has lied, how brazenly he does it, and how effective it obviously is I'm starting to wonder if there is anything we can do about it.

Do we call him a liar straight to his face? Do we lie too? How can you win when you have a guy like Bush, a guy for whom no amount of dishonesty is too low?

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. We scream the lies from the rooftops

often and repeatadly, this is when writing letters to the editor and calling them on it in the media HAS TO BE DONE

Also let frineds and relatives read the book

Oh and realize some will never see the lies either

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[kentuck]

6. Why the ????

:) Did you sign on thinking that we trust George W Bush? He is a liar and is bad for America and the world.

[maggrwaggr]

23. just show his lies. It's very easy.

all we need to do is edit his lies together, one after another.

They have critical mass very quickly.

[Jack Rabbit]

3. The best way to counter the lies is to tell the truth

There were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

There were no ties between Osama and Saddam.

The intelligence was perfectly good; the administration deliberately culled only that information that supported their case to present to the public.

Halliburton and Bechtel are war profiteering.

Bush's tax cuts mostly benefit the very wealthy and will be a long term detriment to the fiscal health of America.

[Cleita]

4. We are playing by the rules they expect us to, so they

have us somewhat derailed. The former ways of getting a rogue politician's attention, like letters to the editor, votes, and exposing corruption don't seem to be working anymore because the handlers have cynically pre-empted all our democratic processes.

We need to do something they don't expect but that exposes them for what they are. I just don't know what that is.

[Beam Me Up]

5. You're right

We need to do something they don't expect but that exposes them for what they are. I just don't know what that is.

I've been thinking the same thing. I don't know what it is, either. It's like looking at one of those 3D pictures you have to sort of cross your eyes to see. It hasn't come into focus yet. But there must be some way to turn the lies on themselves.

[Melodybe]

8. National Freeway Blogger Day is Jan. 2nd

It is fun, if you pick a good spot, lots of people will see your sign, and it pumps you full of adrenaline. I am planning on making one that says something like "The revolution will not be televised," "Have you read 1984, vote for Bush and you won't have to," or "Why were 22 members of the Bin Laden family escorted out of the country on 9/12? I have a few questions for them." I can't really decide, I'm still kinda looking for one that has a lot of bang. There are so many cool things to say, all you need is a sheet, a wide sharpie marker, and an overpass. Be as creative and fun as you want, it is your blog.

This may be a more radical approach, but if people start putting them up everywhere it will definately wake people up.

[Beam Me Up]

13. Good Idea, Thanks!

I live in a building with windows facing right out onto a major metro line. I'm going to put up a sign in big block letters that says: BUSH = LIES. It has to be big, bold, simple--something to get the meme going in the mind even if there are no particular details.

Another thing we here at DU could do is design posters and make them available for download and print out. Even at 72DPI, these things print out pretty well on a good ink jet printer. We can make copies of them and post them all over the cities we live in. Here's one I made. I don't know the photographer who took the original image or would have given him credit. Hopefully he or she will feel it is an appropriate use! Please feel free to use it!



BMU

EDIT: HTML code

[caledesi]

7. If Dean is the nominee, he will fight back (unlike McCain and Gore)

It's going to be a bumpy ride!

[Melodybe]

9. That is why I am supporting him. Watch out Bushco Dean has your #!

[Hippo_Tron]

10. Tell the truth...

And the truth can be painful.

[The Undertaker]

11. Man...I forgot to buy that book today.

The local B. Dalton was having a 40% off everything sale (because they're leaving town. :cry:) and I should have thought about buying this. I did, however, buy all the Bushisms books that are out thus far, each for $4. :D

[bpilgrim]

12. BROADCASTING IT GLOBALY doesn't seem to be working

but it is :evilgrin:

thank GORE he 'invented' the internet :bounce:



psst... pass the word ;->

peace

[Beam Me Up]

14. Great sense of humor there, Billy P

You're right. One question I have is what other forums besides DU can we discuss and 'pass the word' more? Any ideas or suggestions?



BMU

[kentuck]

19. Great photo, bpilgrim but....

:) It does add a minute or two to the download of some of us still on dial-up...

[Dr Fate]

15. Simple: DEM candidates need to use the words "liar" "lied" & "lying"

It's that simple. It's so simple a child could do it- but too many DEMS are afraid to tell the truth about Bush.

DEM candidates need to call Bush a "liar". They need to use the word "liar." Then they need to bring up 3 or 4 examples of these lies everytime they use the word.

When the media attacks them for telling the truth, then they say:

"Look, I gave you actual examples of Bush's lies. I dont see why it's so controversial to tell the truth about Bush. Bush is the one who needs to apologize about his dishonesty, not me."

Hey DNC- I work for free!!!! E-mail me for "innovative" advice like this anytime!!! I promise you telling the truth works better than covering for Bush!!!!

[Beam Me Up]

17. Exactly.

How can I or any voter of good conscience support a candidate that is COVERING for *'s lies? You want votes? You want media attention? TELL THE TRUTH ABOUT BUSH. Oh, yeah, it'll be controversial alright--but that is what will get the attention. Oh, sure, the media will try to screw you to the wall--that's proof that your tactics are working. When the BFEE try to assassinate you outright you'll know you're FINALLY beginning to have a real IMPACT.

BMU

[snippy]

29. I agree. But not just candidates.

All the democratic talking heads on television need to immediately point out the lies of their repulican counterparts. No debate. Just say "that is a lie." Then challenge the host to verify that it was a lie.

[kentuck]

16. The Democrats need to allot more time to call Bush on his lies....

ANd they do not need to mince words. If he lied, he is a "liar". We will not use the term lightly unless it is deserved.

[Dr Fate]

18. For some reason, DEMS are TERRIFIED of using that simple word...

the word "LIAR" its the truth. Bush IS a liar. He has LIED. He is lying now.

DEMS need to call Bush a "liar", use the actual word "liar" (none of this "mis-statement" garbage) and give 3 or 4 examples of lies everytime they use the word.

When the media attacks - they say" "Look, I gave youo 10 examples of bush lying- how many times does someone have to LIE before we are allowed to call them liars? Once? Twice? 3 times?" Voters would appreciate this kind of straight shooting...

[bluedeminredstate]

20. You're right.

Al Gore was called a lying liar and every variation of that theme by every GOP hack booked on the talking head shows and they were given ample opportunity and forum to make it stick.
NBC even set up a "Truth Squad" after the debates so Lisa Meyers could comb through every statement made by Gore for the slightest inconsistency.

Unfortunately, in this climate where one gets "Dixie Chicked" for speaking the truth, I think it's going to be more difficult to get the word Liar out there without causing a major brouhaha. I don't know the answer, but I agree with you, how many times do these people get to lie to our faces before someone has the gonads to hold them accountable? Yours would be a perfect response to the SHOCK! and DISMAY! of the Russerts of this world when the "L" word is finally spoken.

I'd rather it be the General who does the accounting. I'd like to see them call a four-star general who's life is about duty and honor a liar. It won't work. They can't do to Clark what they did to Gore, but they'll do it to Dean. They may substitute "Angry" for "Liar" but they're ready. It'll be all about Dean's shocking "hate speech" and not the context of what he's saying.

[Dr Fate]

21. "causing a major brouhaha" Is what we WANT

Your line about concerns of "causing a major brouhaha" illustrates the PROBLEM that DEMS have with the media. We need not be scared of shaking things up anymore...

A "major brouhaha" is exactly what DEMS need to get noticed.

When the media attacks come, the DEM candidate calmly itemizes the lies, giving each a number. When he gets to say, "Lie #8", he then asks the media whore- "Well, I just gave you 8 Bush lies- shall I continue, or is 8 untruthful statements enough to qualify someone as a liar? Why dont you reporters go after Bush for lying instead of comming after me for telling the truth?"

voters would NOTICE this, and it would resonate- people LOVE fighters and people LOVE seeing politicians being exposed. Too bad most DEMS are too scared to tell the truth about bush, though...

[bluedeminredstate]

22. I agree with you

Unfortunately, WE don't control the media - they do. But your response to the questions that would arise from the sanctimoneous prigs might be just the ticket.

[opihimoimoi]

24. Wait a friggen minute here, I thought this guy is paly waly with GOD??

THOU SHALL NOT LIE

THOU SHALL NOT COVET

etc etc

So how the hell can he reconcile that?? He supposed to be a man of God. GRRRRRRR how this turd gets away with that shit is beyond me.

[Dr Fate]

26. It's so simple I could cry- he gets away with it because DEMS refuse...

...to make a simple, truthful, provable statement: "Bush is a Liar." "Bush has lied about Iraq & WMDs." "Bush has lied about his accomplishments." etc, etc...

most DEMS are too scared to face what the media will do to them if they tell the truth- and it's a crying shame to me...

[NewJeffCT]

27. I agree

We need to have all our senators & congressmen and our few allies in the media to repeat it over & over. The Reich Wing is already painting Dean as an angry, far left Yankee liberal - and they repeat it over & over until it gets into the more mainstream (meaning anything left of the far right)part of the corporate media...

[Dr Fate]

25. We are going to have to throw down the gauntlet sooner or later...

...I say it should be sooner- like last year!!!

DEMS need to stop gauging their talking points based on whether it will make the media be "mean to them"...DEMS should know by now that the media will be "mean to them" no matter what- so we might as well start telling the truth about Bush instead of lying or omitting facts for him.

Is it not AMAZING that we are discussing the "fallout" of telling the TRUTH??? Is it not bizzare that we must WORRY what will happen when we simply speak a simple, provable, truthful statement: "Bush is a liar"???

I think the American people will appreciate the truth and I think DEMS need to start telling them the truth- ASAP...

[lfairban]

28. I started a new link collection.

There is a section called Lies about a third of the way down.

My Bush Links

More Lies

[thebigidea]

30. to continuously chant the LIAR mantra would be a great antidote to "anger"

we're angry? Fine. But at least we're not LIARS.

Get all Gingrich on them with idiotic "unpleasant" words chanted robotlike from an army of... oh wait, we've got Lieberman et al. Nevermind.

[Cat Atomic]

31. We don't care.

As a country, I mean.

Whenever I hear someone talk about the American peoples' intolerance for being lied to, I just laugh. The fact is that most Americans don't seem to care. Most seem to expect it. The average American wants a Big Mac and a John Woo film, and then maybe a little Kobe Bryant/Michael Jackson tabloid distraction.

Fraudulent wars, the trampling on civil rights... none of that matters to the majority of our proud nation.

I've watched Bush and his crew tell bald-faced lies on national television for years now. Our servicemen and women die every day for obvious, demonstrable lies. See that guy with the "Support the Troops" bumpersticker? He doesn't really give a shit about lies.

I really hate to admit it, but it seems to be the case.

[snippy]

33. That is a sad truth.

I think you nailed it when you said "Americans don't seem to care. Most seem to expect it." However, I think that applies to each individual lie. If Bush's constant lying became an object of public ridicule I think many people would re-examine their support for him.

The RNC tried to ridicule Gore for lying more than establish any particular lie. I think that hurt Gore with lots of swing voters who do not follow politics at all. Those voters will never spend the time to know much about the issues or the candidates and their lack of truthfulness. But if those voters are laughing and joking about Bush's lying they will vote for the democrat.

[LeahMira]

32. Tell the truth... over and over and over and over...

Do we call him a liar straight to his face? Do we lie too? How can you win when you have a guy like Bush, a guy for whom no amount of dishonesty is too low?

We tell the truth, and we back it up with facts that a third grader can understand and appreciate.

We take personal responsibility to get the word out by writing letters to the editor, calling up talk shows, talking with friends and co-workers, and using every possible creative idea we have. We change hearts and minds one at a time. But with all of us working at it, that's not such a huge job.
:-)

Things we don't do include:

We don't let the Republicans frame the issues or the agenda.

We don't let it be about Bush. Already, this is shaping up to be about Bush. I say, no it's not! It's about the frame of mind that allows someone like Bush to lie with impunity and for the nation to accept it. And it's about the frame of mind that lets the PNAC crowd behind him even exist in the U.S. PNAC values aren't American values. At least I hope they aren't. Americans can do better and be better than the PNAC crew, and someone has to show them what America is becoming under PNAC leadership and challenge them to aim way, way higher.

We don't depend on any particular candidate to tell the truth for us. Any candidate, no matter how much you love him, can't do it alone.

We don't depend on the internet to get the word out. Most people don't come to DU for information. They at least claim that they go on the internet for a variety of views on the news, but according to research (www.pewinternet.com) they go to the websites of newspapers and TV networks for additional views... and they believe those sources are less biased and more trustworthy than alternative news sources. MoveOn has the absolute right idea about buying TV time for ads. TV is really king.... head and shoulders above the internet, at least at this point in time.


It will take some effort. Ad execs tell us that the public has to hear a message nine times before they remember what they heard. I'm hoping that by the time the debates begin the public has already heard the truth spoken so often that it's familiar and resonates as absolute, obvious, goes-without-question kind of truth.