Your post, that we need to communicate better, is right on, but comparatively few comments deal with communication. As for face to face communication, don’t think that’s realistic. We not only need communication, we need a way to decide on an action and take it, the action being non-violent and legal although we can’t take violence off the table, sad to say.

The writer’s strike was a missed opportunity. If millions of sympathizers didn’t go to the movies it not only would send a message to the producers, it would send a message to us about how powerful we the people can be. The tool to send emails to the newspapers was interesting and may be useful, but I doubt anyone here wants to receive thousands of emails. Eliminating repetion is a large part of the problem.

Some time ago there was a world wide memorial for John Lennon with groups of people meeting in places where organizers made it happen. We need something like that and we need lots of people to get out from under hierarchical thinking. Trouble is people like hierarchy. They think it relieves them from responsibility. Doubt if God buys the excuse “I was following orders”, but who knows. Maybe he or she does.

Welcome to firedoglake! Hope to hear from you often.

I work for a wonderful couple who believe in “R” party. Husband listens to rush or bill kinds all day long at the office & he sometimes yells “liar” if there are any comments on “D”. sigh… When I first started there, I made a crucial mistake. I took on one of his so-called “justified explanation” on Iraq. He said we went to Iraq to scare Iran. Rightfully so, he said. I couldn’t believe & literally in shock for a moment. How could this gentle loving person who treats their pets with great care & honors veterans buy into this bs? Ever since then, I’ve been avoiding anything that is related to our politic & policies, well accepted advice from my hubby.

I’m living a American Dream. I came to this great country about 20 years ago from Korea. I still remember THE day when I became a US Citizen back in 1993. Everybody there cried, hugged each other & was so proud to be a part of this great nation. I’ve been working hard, married to a man of my dream who happens to be a handsome Irish:),moved away from CA to State of Washington about 4 yrs ago & bought a townhome we can afford . We don’t have much money so we try to get involved in local charities with our time & office skills that we have.

My hubby once told me that don’t get involved in politic because it’s lose lose situation. I’m very proud & excited to report that, that exact person is now a delegate! He’s writing to local news medias & informs people about what went wrong & more importantly what we can do together to make it better. God I love this man. I firmly told him that he’s married to me for next 5 billion years:)

Sorry for a long post but I got really excited:) I promise I’ll make it short from now on.

I think the best way to walk the walk is to demonstrate what it is that defines the progressives (to me, at least): a genuine desire to save the world, and a genuine willingness to do the work necessary to save the world.

I’m a fairly young Independent voter from a Republican background. What drove me into the progressive movement? The fact that, when the chips were down and there were clear, moral choices to be made, progressives were the ones making them. Progressives are the ones that, in these dark times, are standing up for democracy, the Constitution, the rule of law. Progressives are the ones concerned with the health of our planet, the well-being of American citizens, and the well-being of all the citizens of the world. Progressives are the ones who lobby for truth, transparency, and fairness in government.

And conservatives are not. I was taught that the difference between Dems and Repubs was a political philosophy about the role of government in everyday life (big vs. small). However, these last few years have shown me that, when faced with a choice to do right, or wrong, only progressives have chosen right. I know that there are good Republicans out there. My parents are two of them. But the force of change that must happen for this country, and for the world, to move forward has come only from progressives.

Given that, I have a simple proposal. Continue to lead by example, and get public recognition for it by branding the generous actions of progressives as the logical conclusion of joining the progressive movement. I propose creating a movement-branded volunteer program, such as a grassroots “Progressive Peace Corps.” As a grassroots program, each person can make it their own. Some ideas:

Giving supplies to the troops in Afghanistan
Registering people to vote, regardless of party affiliation
volunteer teaching
driving people to the polls at all elections, including local
food banking
raising money for schools

These are all activities that progessives are already doing. What I suggest is to brand these disparate initiatives as progressive initiatives that are the logical conclusion of progressive ideals.

For this to work, it will need publicity from the blogs, maybe in the form of a regular diary in prominent lefty blogs reporting on the latest efforts in the “Progressive Peace Corps Campaign.” (Note: I am not advocating that name, it’s just an example.) It will also require explicitly stating why these activities that help the community are natural outcomes of progressive ideals. As in, “we provide this service that is vital to your community, because that is what it means to be a progressive.” That is key, because that is what makes the progressive movement so compelling.

“VOTE” often leads to a discussion of issues. If I’m talking with an angry uninformed Republican type that shouts slogans at me and repeats FOX drivel, I listen a lot and eventually “suggest” another side. If I can come across as not personally hostile to their point of view, I can usually make inroads with some targeted factual info. and shake them up a little.

It’s a little bit, but I just gotta do something to change things around here.

* Start by asking questions. Find out what is important to *them.* If you can’t get interested in what is important to them, go home and work in your garden.
* Offer your own opinions sparingly, always using “I” language (I think… I feel…)
* Avoid using the words “should”, “must” etc., unless speaking in the first person singular.
* Avoid using the second person singular (”you”, etc.) unless you are asking a question.

That’s a start!

Bob in HI

Elliot. @120

Fresh organic lamb is wonderful, very quick to cook (do NOT overcook). Mint jelly is easier to buy than make I have found.. hey I am lazy what can I say. We serve stuffed leg of lamb when we have 6 or more to dinner. Tonight we are having lamb riblets with some brussell sprouts from last year’s crop. Now I am getting hungry.