Get ready for the gloves to come off...

[katao]

We seriously need to brace ourselves for an onslaught of hit pieces now that the tactic of ignoring Ron Paul is proving unsuccessful. RP represents such a dramatic threat to corporate welfare, the military industrial complex, and the media/party/govt establishment that they won't sit idly as Ron Paul's support grows. Power is never given up easily. It's gonna get ugly folks!

I suggest we begin to prepare serious rebuttals to the attacks that will inevitably come our way. Kind of a FAQ to dispel Ron Paul myths and to alleviate concerns. I see three types of rebuttals needed:

1. Sound-bytes
2. Talking points
2. Long answers that dismantle the arguments completely

Thoughts? How could this be organized well?

[a_european]

My thoughts on this: Ron Paul will be/has been labeled as

-isolationist
-soft on terror
-weak president
-anti-semite
-racist
-heartless (poor people starving on the street)

Maybe a wikipedia-like apporach for the FAQ?

[katao]

Good list. A few more to add to the list:

- conspiracy nut, 9/11 truther (not saying there's anything wrong with this, just that RP isn't one of them)
- drug pusher

[expatriot]

The other thing is we need someone who can take the quiet time to catalog
the incidents of violence and repression that will soon be popping up.

There will be nasty things being done to supporters.
It would be a shame to get through all this without documenting
the travesties that will be performed by goons from the establishment.
The silencing that will happen in various locales,
the initiatives to do things like restrict free speech, movements, and gatherings.
Illegal activities involving either violence, vandalism or theft
committed against supporters either in their homes or work.

We will need to document these and make sure that those responsible
are held accountable after the election.
At the least anyone who performs any such activities needs to be identified
for what they represent and some method of making certain
our civil liberties are restored and protected again will need to be addressed.

These sorts of things happen elsewhere in the world, and the first mistake
people make is not keeping documentation to ensure those guilty
don't get another chance to oppress people.

It's not about punishment or vengeance or anything like that,
but about ensuring that those who come later have a chance to live free.

[wgadget]

There's always the new Ron Paul Freedom Message Cards, which include the phone number that explains Ron's stance on the issues. Made especially for those who do not have the internet.

http://www.libertytalk.com/liberty_card.php

[zebov]

Good list. A few more to add to the list:

- conspiracy nut, 9/11 truther (not saying there's anything wrong with this, just that RP isn't one of them)
- drug pusher

I guess TECHNICALLY, Paul is a drug pusher... I mean he is a doctor and writes prescriptions... ;)

[Ozwest]

" It's gonna get ugly folks"... The uglier the better. There's alot of bewildered people out there who are looking for a plan B. We've broken through the barrier. The media attacks are starting to backfire. History is in the making.

[MsDoodahs]

An excellent idea, getting prepared in advance for the inevitable.

Mods - where on the board would be best for this sort of "preparedness training?"

How to organize it?

I think take each negative label and provide the three different levels of preparedness rebuttal.

Example:

Negative label: isolationist

1. Sound byte rebuttal

2. Talking points

3. Full dismantle

There's a great start on the isolationist charge already underway here:

http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?t=22698

:)

[kylejack]

My thoughts on this: Ron Paul will be/has been labeled as

-isolationist
-soft on terror
-weak president
-anti-semite
-racist
-heartless (poor people starving on the street)

Maybe a wikipedia-like apporach for the FAQ?

Don't do this. Don't compile their oppo-research for them.

Yes, I also think that we're about to get hit. The newsletter thing is going to be used, sooner or later.

[MsDoodahs]

Good point.

We should each take the initiative to do the work for ourselves.

Will make us each smarter and better prepared to "sell" Ron to new people anyway, and that's a great thing.

[Matt Collins]

Yeah, it's gonna be ugly. We need to play fair, but playing nice is an entirely different matter!