Suggestion: Truthers need to gently integrate with liberal/progressive groups
All of us who are convinced that 9/11 was an inside job have come about this realization from a variety of backgrounds. For some of us, it was a major shift in perspective if we had previously been a supporter of the Bush administration. For others, it may just be a logical extension of the notion that the current administration is made up of thugs. It's that latter group - myself included - that I'm addressing here.
I've been very politically active as a "progressive" since the 2004 election season; I've been involved in a number of groups at the local (in-person) and regional/national ("netroots") level. When I discovered the whole 9/11 truth movement, I was disappointed to notice that the topic of 9/11 is just not discussed among these people -- even though we are all united in hating Bush/Cheney, knowing that we have been lied to in order to get into Iraq, and fighting against this administrations violations of privacy, policies of torture, and so forth.
So how have I - and how can you - integrate 9/11 Truth into these communities?
I have made it my point to try and gently try to put 9/11 on the table when working with these organizations. For me personally, there are a lot of issues I'm concerned about - not just 9/11 truth, so that makes sense for me. Because the members of these groups may or may not be on board with the concept -- I know several well-respected progressives who refuse to consider any of the evidence, even if they have been exposed to it -- I tread gently.
One approach I've used is to always mention 9/11 in a neutral fashion (needing to investigate it), and always mixed in with other more accepted topics (impeachment, ending the occupation, etc.). By doing so, I've been able to get 9/11 truth out there more into the "lefty" mainstream just a little bit more. For example, see the final "aftermath" section in this post at California Progress Report, a widely-read California political blog. So far, I've managed to maintain my credibility in these communities, because I personally am not focused on just the one issue.
I'm writing this post to suggest to readers here to continue doing whatever you are doing, but also consider getting involved in progressive groups in your area (or online) and gently integrate 9/11 into the discourse. If you come into a new group "both barrels blazing" then you will be shut out and dismissed as a loon. But if you frame the issues in terms that the others are comfortable with, and make a need for a new 9/11 investigation as part of an agenda which others are already on-board with, then you may be met with open ears.
It's time for 9/11 truth to go mainstream among the progressive/liberal communities out there (Daily Kos notwithstanding!)
These are good points, but
These are good points, but one problem is I have almost completely lost patience with that type.
There is zero excuse for not even looking at the evidence. And now, more than 5 1/2 years later, how much excuse is there for not even knowing there is evidence?
You are right that we have to reach these people, but sometimes when I look into their blank faces I wonder why democracy should be saved at all for such lazy, incurious types.
well.....
Well – some people will pull back if they meet someone who claims to have all the answers. For example – if you approach someone and claim “911 was an inside job” they may just shut-down intellectually and withdraw. To many people the PREMISE is simply TOO outside the realm of possibilities to even consider. It may be too much for them to EMOTIONALLY consider.
The vast majority of people who reject 9/11 Truth as an IDEA are SUMMARILY rejecting it without looking at the evidence. Telling these people “911 was an inside job” is as futile as telling them UFOs exist.
It is for THIS reason that I have always personally preferred defining 911 truth as a call to accountability. Showing the lies. Showing how the Bush administration stonewalled the commission. Talking about how no one has ever explained HOW such a horrible thing could happen – HOW could our air defenses in Washington DC fail?? HOW could no one have ever been held accountable for this failure? HOW can we ignore all the whistleblowers?
I have learned that people will listen very closely to this sort of reasoning. It respects THEIR intelligence enough by asking THEM what their opinion is.
On the other hand – simply saying “911 was an inside job” can sound condescending to some people. It is simply too easy to shrug off because the statement itself is meaningless without a well-reasoned and a persuasive reason to consider the evidence itself. Using this statement (with some people) is a shortcut to the final result – 911 was an inside job. You need to build a BRIDGE to that result – in increments – with people who might have a psychological block. You can’ t just cut to the chase with some people. You need to nurture their curiosity and get them hung up on one or two facts – like planting seeds – and revisit the issue in a respectful and non-arrogant way – asking their opinions – shepherding them along to the conclusion that they are avoiding in their hearts.
I physically go to their meetings....
....and hand out DVD packets (PFT, 911 Mysteries, America: From Freedom to Fascism, any DRG film) with a descriptive insert we've developed, by the door as the members leave at the end (it's quite a large group). When they ask what the DVDs are about, I say "Ending the 9/11 Wars and taking back our country".
At first, most didn't know about this information, but in the succeeding months almost everyone has become familiar and very grateful and receptive (a few exceptions remain). I've had some great interactions and it's been an energizing activity.
I knew beforehand that the "leaders" of this group were not 9/11 Truth-friendly, so I didn't ask permission to do this or try to talk about 9/11 before this group. I felt it was important people get exposed to this information through the best DVDs for this crowd first, and then hope something grows organically within the group as people discussed it.
As the Democrats elected last fall prove themselves to be part of the problem and not the answer...more and more disillusioned progressives will be receptive to 9/11 Truth as the means for change.
thanks for sharing the tactic
it's become very difficult to deal with run of the mill anti-war people who resist looking into 9/11. if you can stomach doing it, it's a good thing of course as altruist seems to provide proof of, but take altruist's advice and do not run it by any "leaders" that may be present. i think we can do well by having those of us who are fed up be the bad cops targetting the left gatekeepers and those who have the patience of saints be the good cops welcoming in the newcomers.... i also like the term "the 9/11 wars" . I think it sends the point home loud and clear. with some practiced repitition we could make it catch on!
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Real Truther a.k.a. Verdadero Verdadero
WTCdemolition.com - Harvard Task Force
Thanks, RT...
....I've long believed in selective use of "Ask Forgiveness, Not Permission".... :)
With organizations like these, it's the only way to go....
I didn't notice you beat me to it.
I'll repeat it again for good measure. Gotta catapult the propaganda.
END THE 9/11 Wars!!
END THE 9/11 Wars!!
THE 9/11 Wars!!
THE 9/11 Wars!!
9/11 Wars!!
9/11 Wars!!
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"Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without." - Buddha
"What you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it." - Gandhi
"The Sun never shined on a cause of greater worth." - Thomas Paine
The problem with saying "9/11 wars"
is that it seems to reinforce the Bush/Cheney manipulation that there is a relationship between Bin Laden and Iraq (when, of course, you don't mean it that way). Just saying "the 9/11 wars" would, for most people, reinforce that these are wars being fought as revenge for 9/11 (not that 9/11 was the false pretext for these wars).
We need a progressive champion, not more Hollywood types with zero credibility. We need a leader from the progressive movement to champion our cause.
That, or we need another 9/11-type attack. Then you would see more people take us seriously. Unfortunately, then you would also see the committed Republican fringe become even more committed, and a few Democrats would join them.
If neither of those things happen in the next year or so, and no one like Henry Waxman steps up to the plate to investigate some aspect of 9/11 or to let Sibel Edmonds speak, then we're screwed. Already, I think some people see 9/11 as too far into the past to be concerned about it.
"9/11 Wars" subtly reminds progressives that....
....the wars they justifiably hate are dependent on 9/11 being what Bush, Inc. say it is......give them information/DVDs that prove the OCT lie of 9/11 and suddenly many will make that powerful realization those of us here have already made....and....BOOM, more 9/11 Truth/Anti-Imperialism activists are created.
I agree with you completely that time is of the essence.....but future wars (Iran, Syria, ?) will be justified by 9/11....so it is still imperative that we expose it.
right, this is targeted at antiwar folk
who need to be reminded that 9/11 was the only thing that made these wars possible.
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Real Truther a.k.a. Verdadero Verdadero
WTCdemolition.com - Harvard Task Force
,
.
Marketing proposal...
Start referring to Iraq and Afghanistan ONLY as the "9/11 Wars". If we can get all Truthers and many "liberals" doing this, it will change the psychological landscape DRASTICALLY.
END THE 9/11 WARS!!!!!!
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"Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without." - Buddha
"What you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it." - Gandhi
"The Sun never shined on a cause of greater worth." - Thomas Paine
End the 9/11 wars
I love it!!! Every Talk show I call up thats what I am going to refer to Iraq or any stupid terror war A 9/11 war.
North Texans for 9/11 Truth
North Texans for 9/11 Truth has saturated the Dallas Peace Groups with DVDs.
As a result they accept and welcome us.
www.northtexansfor911truth.com
Confrtonting the controlled "alternative" press
Been there, done that. These people are heavily influenced by:
The Nation (and its large spidery web of authors/ like minded propagandists)
DemocracyNow
Noam Chomsky
These are the big three in controlling the alternative message that: "conspiracy theories" should be dismissed out of hand, and when you point out conspiracy FACTS, they try and spin it as "inocompetence."
This makes it imperative to challenge these outfits and create more credible media that can KO the foundation funded fuckweasels of the fake left.
Until we can compete with them on an even keel, the "progressive" community will remain with its head up its ass. They prefer it that way, some sort of comfort with familiar surroundings.
70 Disturbing Facts About 9/11
John Doraemi publishes Crimes of the State Blog
http://crimesofthestate.blogspot.com/
johndoraemi --at-- yahoo.com.
Progressive Independent is a site
that welcomes all members of the 9/11 movement.
I went over there after I got banned from DU at the beginning of the year. At the time, they didn't even have a 9/11 Forum. Within a few weeks the PI opened their own 9/11 Forum and invited me to moderate it, (so I do have to admit to having some bias here)
We're still a small forum at this point, but we've got some very good posters there. Please check us out. There is definitely growing support in the progessive movement for 9/11 truth seekers.
http://www.progressiveindependent.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topics&foru...
Yes, exactly!
The seed needs to be planted in a subtle and gentle way. Gradually, incrementally, not full force. When the tiny plant begins to sprout, it'll develop a life of its own, and continue on from there.
Above all, we need to exude optimism and hope, not fear and urgency...even though we grapple with our own fears and understand how urgent these times are.
But this ONLY applies to on the ground activists. When it comes to alternative gatekeepers, we need to storm their barricades full fuckin force...loudspeakers and all.
Great idea in theory...
but that will never work here in Columbus. Ever since Columbus 9/11 Truth came into existance, we've been vehemently attacked by progressives and conservatives alike. There is this website called Progress Ohio, made so that political groups of the progressive nature can get together, network etc. We have a group on there and people are just going nuts that they would even allow us to have a group on there. They attacked us saying that we are not progressive, we're a joke, and progress ohio is a joke for "pandering that trash".
Not in our Name (columbus chapter) has continually sent us emails attacking us, name calling, just generally nastiness.
I never understood why we couldn't get along with these types of groups. We fight for so many of the same things. I believe they view 9/11 Truth to be a distraction from the "real issues"... Goes to show you how much they understand of the big picture. Great idea though!
What particular claims pissed people off?
This is a very crucial area. You can't claim things that can't be backed up by careful research and evidence.
I've been complaining over the "fast and loose with the facts" approach of most of this movement for years.
There is a lot to be said for tailoring the message to the audience and never claiming something you can't back up 100%.
See my blog today on Al Gore for some ideas on how to respond to them.
70 Disturbing Facts About 9/11
John Doraemi publishes Crimes of the State Blog
http://crimesofthestate.blogspot.com/
johndoraemi --at-- yahoo.com.
don't worry about not in our name
they are associated with the revolutionary communist party which has been very deliberately avoiding the issue of 9/11 truth, which should make you question their true motives. NION is simply controlled opposition and it's natural that they would attack you. just turn it around on them and ask them about the RCP!
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Real Truther a.k.a. Verdadero Verdadero
WTCdemolition.com - Harvard Task Force