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Ruzihm posted:I was half asleep last night thinking about how the media is owned by 6 corporations & how neat it would be if there were some channels that were certified non-corporate. Like, a WSDE/coop media company could opt in to have their finances investigated for connections to big/corporate money & if they pass, they can advertise that they are a "people's broadcasting company" or something & it's like those "certified fair trade" stickers you see on things. I've often wondered where our Edward R. Murrows is, but things are different in the 24/7 news cycle, along with fake news and news commenting, etc. Like it seems that there are very few (if any?) solid voices in the media that seek truth instead of ratings.
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Nov 29, 2016 01:23
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Dr. Arbitrary posted:One thing I noticed, in my state, where we had candidates running for almost every position, it wasn't easy to figure out who to vote for in non-partisan races. This is a huge problem, and it's exploited by local party machinery. In Philly the local wards tell people what the "correct" way to vote is, and it works because Philly is 100% Democratic machine.
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Nov 29, 2016 01:36
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Esme posted:Anyone familiar with SURJ? I found them while looking for protests in my area. Apparently it's a group for the purpose of training white people to resist white supremacy and be an ally in black led movements. It seems like it could be either really good, or a really misguided way for white people to feel good about themselves while never ever stepping out of their comfort zones - I'm not sure which. Way old post to which to reply, but: the quality of SURJ depends on your local group. When it's strong & active & doing practical stuff it's good, but when it's a back-patting group of safety-pin wearers and tumblr rebloggers it's insufferable. Go to a meeting and find out.
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Nov 29, 2016 06:59
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Prester Jane posted:You are hitting on a very key point actually, and that is how to direct the strengths of sub-groups (who are part of the larger whole) into particular projects. (A great deal of the design behind the "killer app" is actually premised on supporting just this idea.) Both Chanology and Goonwaffe solved this issue in pretty much the same way: by creating what I call "Project Oriented Social Infrastructure" and advertising projects internally. An example from Chanology would be "Operation Over The Wall" in which anons wrote friendly messages on postcards selected for their peaceful imagery and then mailed these postcards to Gold Base. Every piece of mail received by Gold Base would be read thoroughly by a Scientologist before being admitted into the facility. This project was meant to target specifically the scientologists who were tasked with filtering the mail at Gold Base. this project was advertised on Enturbulation.org in a dedicated thread wherein all the grunt work had already been done, all you needed to do was actually write a friendly message on a postcard and mail it. This project turned out to be quite popular with Boomer anons, as it required a much lower technical capability along with a form of creative expression (handwritten notes) that the Boomer generation treasures. Spontaneous demonstrations in the wake of the election suggest an appetite for meaningful engagement and response. Suppose we were putting together a project plan to get from conception (including the the analysis you've described) to action in 2017. What would the near term, mid term and longer term steps be?
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Nov 29, 2016 07:32
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It's been nice to see so many people showing up asking to help us at the local Dem headquarters. Just as a favor to me, can we all agree that we need to get the left to stop using the term Social Justice as it pure loving poison? I had to fight to get them to switch the terminology in our newsletters describing Keith Ellison as a SJW as a positive.
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Nov 29, 2016 08:58
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Plan Z posted:It's been nice to see so many people showing up asking to help us at the local Dem headquarters. Just as a favor to me, can we all agree that we need to get the left to stop using the term Social Justice as it pure loving poison? I had to fight to get them to switch the terminology in our newsletters describing Keith Ellison as a skeleton as a positive. Out of curiosity, what state is this?
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Nov 29, 2016 09:19
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HorseRenoir posted:Out of curiosity, what state is this? Pennsylvania
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Nov 29, 2016 09:31
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Desmond posted:I've often wondered where our Edward R. Murrows is, but things are different in the 24/7 news cycle, along with fake news and news commenting, etc. Like it seems that there are very few (if any?) solid voices in the media that seek truth instead of ratings. Unfortunately I think a lot of people consider our Murrows to be Jonathan Pie
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Nov 29, 2016 11:14
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Plan Z posted:It's been nice to see so many people showing up asking to help us at the local Dem headquarters. Just as a favor to me, can we all agree that we need to get the left to stop using the term Social Justice as it pure loving poison? I had to fight to get them to switch the terminology in our newsletters describing Keith Ellison as a SJW as a positive. Would "Social and Economic Justice" even things out?
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Nov 29, 2016 11:29
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Morroque posted:Would "Social and Economic Justice" even things out? I wouldn't mind if we could just word filter it to Robocop in our daily lives.
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Nov 29, 2016 12:41
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Morroque posted:Would "Social and Economic Justice" even things out? I wouldn't think so. I think you'd have to be more evocative with language like "Cares about all Americans - the working and those who want to work." The implication is that the other side doesn't care about all Americans, which they don't.
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Nov 29, 2016 12:55
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Question. I haven't followed the topic the last couple pages but it's mostly been about domestic stuff. That's fine, I was just wondering if the BDS Movement counts for this? I have no idea if it counts as Left or effective which is why I'm asking. For those who don't know: quote:The Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement works to end international support for Israel's oppression of Palestinians and pressure Israel to comply with international law.
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Nov 29, 2016 13:25
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that's a ... troubled acronym.
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Nov 29, 2016 14:35
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double nine posted:that's a ... troubled acronym. I'm into BDSM wait no come back free Palestine!!!
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Nov 29, 2016 15:10
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I'll just quote my reply to Prester Jane hereStinky_Pete posted:I think what this app idea lacks w.r.t. the content-agnostic process you describe, is building a sense of belonging and community in the user. I think it's better to focus on existing platforms where communities gather, and explore mobilization strategies from there Also, it's alos important to remember that a new app doesn't just catch on. I think our role is to work with existing apps that people are already on and have already established some sense of belonging and regular engagement I'm interested in [url=https://brigade.news/]Brigade[/url} and Twitter
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Nov 29, 2016 16:16
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In other news, I live in the East Bay, so there doesn't seem to be a lot of room for effective local footwork. I'm donating to ACLU and Standing Rock atm but I'd like to hear Ideas on what else I can do from inside my enclave
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Nov 29, 2016 16:18
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Stinky_Pete posted:I think what this app idea lacks w.r.t. the content-agnostic process you describe, is building a sense of belonging and community in the user. I think it's better to focus on existing platforms where communities gather, and explore mobilization strategies from there Have you read the conversation? The model I have been describing here is specifically a toolkit designed to support the creation and growth of communities as well as linking already existing ones together. It is based on the lessons learned from two examples that were specifically tailored to create and maintain a sense of community. In regards to existing platforms, I would argue that none of them are up to the task. I would further argue that what exists at present demonstrably has not met our needs, and we should therefor seek to create new tools that do meet our needs. The main lesson I have taken away from the Hillary debacle is that you don;t solve problems by endlessly tweaking a system that is structurally inadequate, instead you maintain it as long as minimally necessary while you build a replacement.
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Nov 29, 2016 16:25
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I guess I'll post about my limited experience. Last year I got involved with the Marriage Equality campaign here in Ireland. I was pretty late to the party, I hadn't planned on getting involved but with about a month to go I just got so annoyed/stressed by the "debates" and the campaign being run by the No side (which was largely working the "Children deserve a mother and a father" bullshit) that I felt like I would go insane if I didn't. I attended a brief training/introductory session, and joined one of the local canvassing groups, which were largely organised by newbies to the political canvassing world. I was somewhat fortunate in that we were canvassing around Dublin suburbs, although even with that some people were pretty nasty. It was still a very nerve-wracking experience at first - basically going up to a stranger's door and coming out to them (having said that, we did have quite a few straight people canvassing with us). Typically the advice for us was to just ask if they knew how they were going to vote in the Referendum, if they wanted a leaflet (which had various tv/radio personalities, sports people, etc on them), not to get into debates/arguments on the doorsteps because it would accomplish nothing. Obviously if someone had questions then you should answer them - the common one, particularly with the Asher's Bakers case up in Northern Ireland, I got was "What happens if you want to get married in a church?" Since the whole thing pertained to civil marriage and not religious marriage, it was a moot point. The whole thing was exhausting - canvassing a few evenings a week after work, plus some stuff on Saturdays - but it was such a relief when the whole thing was over and seeing that the (again, largely grassroots) campaign resulted in a landslide victory. Since then, the focus here has shifted towards abortion. We have an amendment in our constitution which protects the right to life of the unborn, which was added in 1983. In 1993, it was changed slightly to add an exception where the mother's life was at risk. There was an attempt made to remove that part, but it was defeated at the polls. Currently, we have several thousand women travelling to the UK every year for terminations for different reasons. A lot of these women are scared and alone, without any support. Recently, some have documented their journey on social media to raise awareness. So far, we thankfully are not seeing much of a rise of far-right ideology here. There are some people, sure, particularly with the Refugee crisis and increasing immigrant population. They are being met with resistance by anti-racism groups (counter demonstrations etc...although one in particular sadly turned somewhat violent). The Government haven't done a great job of integrating new communities, but there are other organisations who do work with them (I have been involved with some groups who seek to use sports to promote diversity and inclusion).
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Nov 29, 2016 16:46
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N. Senada posted:I wouldn't think so. I think you'd have to be more evocative with language like "Cares about all Americans - the working and those who want to work." The implication is that the other side doesn't care about all Americans, which they don't. I like this a lot, especially your inclusion of "those who want to work". I think a lot of conservative types arrive there because they view the left as supporting a welfare state, when we are actually very interested in everyone doing something productive. I wonder if that kind of language might help break that false association.
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Nov 29, 2016 17:14
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X-Post from the Democrats thread: State politics news! California has a Democratic supermajority in both houses of the State Legislature. That's great! Political "analysts" are already preaching "don't overreach" and "don't expect a wave of progressive policies" and "lower your expectations." gently caress that. If you are reading this and you live or work in California, find out the name and office address of your state representatives and start calling and AGITATING. Find your local California Democrats group and start MAKING CONNECTIONS. Push your AGENDA. Remember we can primary these fuckers and they know it; we've just been too milquetoast and "polite" to do it. We must - we will - push, pull, or drag this state leftward.
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Nov 29, 2016 18:17
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Stinky_Pete posted:In other news, I live in the East Bay, so there doesn't seem to be a lot of room for effective local footwork. I'm donating to ACLU and Standing Rock atm but I'd like to hear Ideas on what else I can do from inside my enclave Friend, you are in a perfect place for local activism! Check out APTP, DSA East Bay, and the upcoming #DisruptJ20 general strike in Oakland. Someone from each of those can direct you to further groups. Check my post above and contact your representatives in both houses of the state legislature. Tell them you expect to see them supporting and advancing progressive/leftist causes like (list causes that are important to you - affordable housing? Infrastructure investment? Single payer health care? Police accountability?) and that they'll be hearing from you. Also check the San Francisco League of Pissed Off Voters guide to "getting involved locally": http://www.theleaguesf.org/blog ChickenOfTomorrow fucked around with this message at 18:28 on Nov 29, 2016 |
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Nov 29, 2016 18:24
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Like the stuff in the OP, I just wish my city (Austin) had an anti-fascism group that wasn't Maoist communists. Can't I hate fascism without being a Communist? I'll be sticking around. After the holidays I know there is much work to be done. Going to be a long 4 years. EDIT: I want to focus on one specific thing: what plans have you guys thought of to take over our local, county, state, etc Democratic parties and push them as a progressive/populist/liberal non-Hillary, non-corporate opposition to the horseshit Trump will be engaging in soon? This to my mind needs to be near the top of the list of priorities, if not the most important thing overall. The man must be stopped where he restricts civil rights, etc etc. And we need to cultivate a strong party from the ashes of this campaign to oppose him. No time for licking wounds. VH4Ever fucked around with this message at 19:05 on Nov 29, 2016 |
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Nov 29, 2016 18:47
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Just found my local county democrats. They've been stunned into submission by Hillary's loss. I've got a lot of work to do.
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Nov 29, 2016 19:27
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Boston Dems seem to be kinda closed off, and I'm more interested in the DSA anyway. So, gently caress 'em.
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Nov 29, 2016 19:30
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Veyrall posted:Just found my local county democrats. They've been stunned into submission by Hillary's loss. Use the opportunity to takeover the branch. Push them further to the left than they already are. Start the revolution, comrade. 
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Nov 29, 2016 19:31
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I've got to find out if there are any members left first.
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Nov 29, 2016 19:32
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Those fucks are taking december off. Well, okay then. Time to find out when the next town hall is meeting.
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Nov 29, 2016 19:45
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I'm in the Boston area. I'm trying to figure out what I can usefully do, still - so far most of what I'm doing is being a good bourgeoisie and dumping more and more of my income in to progressive causes, but that can't be enough. I was aggressively involved in volunteering for the Hillary campaign, and I'm doing some phone banking for Foster Campbell right now, but... I dunno. I'm still looking for stable footing against the arc of history. Veyrall posted:Those fucks are taking december off. Well, okay then. Time to find out when the next town hall is meeting. Those pathetic wretches. Have they no anger left? No hate? No love? Pollyanna posted:Boston Dems seem to be kinda closed off, and I'm more interested in the DSA anyway. So, gently caress 'em. I'm cracking in to the Somerville scene. There's a Dem committee meeting this Wednesday I'm attending. RiotGearEpsilon fucked around with this message at 19:55 on Nov 29, 2016 |
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Nov 29, 2016 19:50
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I'm once again left floundering with no creative outlet for my political anxieties. I've been playing with the idea of a "free" barbecue on the beach with a bunch of shameless Progressive shilling, but I have no idea how I'd organize such a thing.
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Nov 29, 2016 19:53
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Veyrall posted:Those fucks are taking december off. Well, okay then. Time to find out when the next town hall is meeting. What if you sent an email to the other members you could find and say "want to have a meeting, anyway?". IDK if you want a leadership position but being more eager to lead than the current leadership might help you with that~
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Nov 29, 2016 19:53
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What kind of crappy organization doesn't do a holiday meeting/potluck. Just have at least a few people stop by Costco to grab cookies and soda.
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Nov 29, 2016 20:02
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Veyrall posted:I've got to find out if there are any members left first. Do you live in a deep red area or something?
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Nov 29, 2016 20:06
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Veyrall posted:Those fucks are taking december off. Well, okay then. Time to find out when the next town hall is meeting. Print out an agenda and be ready to vote on poo poo like what to work on first, who'll be doing what, who's in charge of what, etc. Bring friends. Have copies of contact information of local, state and federal representatives ready to go both paper and electronic (email) forms to organize call ins. Make a list of all positions at all levels in your town/city/county/district/state that have people running unopposed or have noone running at all (DO NOT FORGET TO LOOK FOR SPECIAL ELECTIONS. PEOPLE STEP DOWN MID-TERM ALL THE drat TIME AT LOWER LEVELS. THESE POSITIONS CAN BE WON WITH AS FEW AS A HUNDRED VOTES) Encourage people to run for public office. If people ask what they can do to help, HAVE A LIST OF THINGS READY TO GO. GET CONTACT INFORMATION FROM ALL PARTICIPANTS. Have a site people can go to to sign up for things (Facebook is fine). Free websites exist for organizing things and making mailing lists. SignupGenius.com, groupvine.org, volunteerspot.org there are tons just google them. Learn how to use them, teach other people how to use them. Never rely on just one person who's really good at X to just do X, because I guarantee you that one person will move/die/get transferred to a new job and suddenly be unable to help and you will be stuck. CROSSTRAIN. Sell various positions as ways to get valuable experience that looks good on resumes. Everyone always wants experience. Don't forget to ask WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR VOTERS not just what voters can do for you. Arrange to volunteer at soup kitchens or donate blood as a group. This builds cohesion, makes you feel like you're accomplishing something, and puts your name out in a positive way in the community. Find needs and fill them and make drat SURE people know who's got their backs. Get to know your local reps by name. Encourage them to reach out to their constituents. If they don't, do it.
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Nov 29, 2016 20:07
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I think a lot of groups do reorganization in November, so you aren't necessarily to be the official party. But if the chair is vacant, you can get the county or state to appoint you. Don't be afraid of starting a parallel group.
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Nov 29, 2016 20:25
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Oracle posted:The next town hall is meeting when you call it, motherfucker. Call it for this weekend, offer punch and pie, and broadcast it everywhere you can. CC the demoralized so they can decide whether or not to show up. If they bitch about you coopting their organization, tell them to show up if they want to stop you. This is great advice. Basically, we need a left version of the tea party. Ruzihm fucked around with this message at 20:32 on Nov 29, 2016 |
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Nov 29, 2016 20:30
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Are there any recent anthropology studies or books in the vein of "And Keep your Powder Dry" but recent. In light of what some of you are discussing that would be good information to have.
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Nov 29, 2016 20:32
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Well alright thenOracle posted:Make a list of all positions at all levels in your town/city/county/district/state that have people running unopposed or have noone running at all (DO NOT FORGET TO LOOK FOR SPECIAL ELECTIONS. PEOPLE STEP DOWN MID-TERM ALL THE drat TIME AT LOWER LEVELS. THESE POSITIONS CAN BE WON WITH AS FEW AS A HUNDRED VOTES) Encourage people to run for public office. HorseRenoir posted:Do you live in a deep red area or something? Edit: BUT, there's a surprisingly high floor on democratic voters here because there's so gosh-darn many African Americans and gay kids. Veyrall fucked around with this message at 20:44 on Nov 29, 2016 |
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Nov 29, 2016 20:38
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Veyrall posted:Well alright then
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Nov 29, 2016 20:45
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I promise you, there's a real, significant Democratic heart here in Mississippi. Well, I say Democrat, but I really mean anti-racist, anti-pollution, anti-corporate demographic that can probably be persuaded to call themselves Democrats. There's a lot of work to be done, but I really do have hope, and Oracle's advice seems sound.
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Nov 29, 2016 20:57
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Hey Toph, thanks for recommending Rules for Radicals. I bought it and read it cover to cover, and it's just about the best thing I've read this year. It manages to be remarkably clear-eyed in its assessment of what organizing is and blunt about the challenges organizers face, while remaining at the same time extremely hopeful and inspiring. It reminds me that no matter how bad poo poo is, it can change for the better if we fight for it, and that losing sight of this is ultimately why injustice succeeds. It's just really, really good, and a really important read right now.
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Nov 29, 2016 21:11
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