Just say 'NO' to "Safer but not Safe"

[UnityDem]

I think that some Dems are being drawn into this right wing/media talking point.
When the Repubs and fawning media use this framing, it is a win for them.
Implicit in saying that America is "safer but not safe" is that the status quo is the right course and those in charge (the Repub party) are doing a good job and that they just need more time to keep staying the course.
When Dems are asked that question, we often answer with this: "Well, in some ways we are. Or, "it depends on how you look at it" etc. and then comes the vague and/or equivocating answer.
These are the WRONG answers.
The correct answer is this:
"NO!!!" We are not safer and I'll tell you why....(then go into the wrong decision on Iraq, the incompetent management of that decision, creating ill world around the world, more terrorists, not spending our money wisely on American soil instead of in Iraq to SECURE OUR BORDERS - moderates and indys love that one - etc.)

We must always remember the short attention span of Americans and what they TAKE AWAY from any interview is usually the first thing they hear and not much else.

So, lather, rinse, repeat.
This REpublican adminstration and REpublican Congress has NOT MADE US SAFER!
This REpublican adminstration and REpublican Congress has NOT MADE US SAFER!
This REpublican adminstration and REpublican Congress has NOT MADE US SAFER!

(The RE-publican is used because they always RE-peat their SAME MISTAKES RE-peatedly!).

[Dogmudgeon]

1. We're RICHER but not RICH

Actually, I'm not even richer. I'm dead broke -- and I was making good money when Clinton was in office.

--p!

[Lasher]

2. What, we're not safe?

I thought we were fighting them over there so we don't have to fight them over here. If we're not safe doesn't that mean we have to fight them over there and over here? So why are we over there if we have to fight them over here anyway?

[liberal N proud]

3. Stewart had a segment about Safer but Not Safe last night

If you can, you need to catch the re-run tonight.
I tried to find a video but that segment is not posted.

[blondeatlast]

4. Our people should just point out to the media that that is a TALKING POINT

Don't just put the RW on the defensive, challenge the media when they play into their hands.

If John Stewart and Keith Olbermann can do this--and they have repeatedly (sorry), so can the Democratic spokespeople.

I share your anger--it's a damn good thing there are no brick walls anywhere near my tv.

[UnityDem]

5. Who HIRES the Dem spokespeople?

I would be interested to know if those people that go on the cable shows to "represent" the Dems are paid by the individual networks or by the party or a think tank.
I assume that some networks have people that appear on a regular basis on a retainer. Would love to see the Dem party have a "pool of trained spokespeople" that they make available to the networks. The party would then be better at getting out "our talking points" much as the REpubs have been so successful at doing. Of course, the networks may not play along preferring to stick with hiring the same ole same ole people who won't actively challenge them.

[blondeatlast]

6. I don't know about the Dems, but according to David Brock in

"The Republican Noise Machine," the Republicans (pardon the emphasis) HAVE THEIR OWN BOOKING AGENCY.

I know for a fact that the Heritage Foundation has a bookibng agency, it's right there on the website.

They even used to have a blurb somewhere that their gang was available at a moment's notice (their emphasis, too!) on any issue for the press.

http://www.heritage.org/press/
http://www.heritage.org/about/staff/experts.cfm

Check out the HF "Press Room"--it speaks volumes about our alzy-assed media nowadays.

[chat_noir]

7. and you can say it in this poll

http://www.herald-mail.com/

Do you agree with President Bush that terrorists today would have a tougher time carrying out attacks in the U.S. like the one that occurred on Sept. 11, 2001?


Yes 337 votes (64.2%)
No 188 votes (35.8%)


Some of the comments:

Bush's foreign policies or lack there of has only caused the extremist to hate Americans more.

It is sad how delusional fans of President Bush have become, this administration is the most inept in modern history. I'm a life long Republican, and I voted for him, but I believe his ineptitude, and his exploitation of well meaning, but poorly educated holy rollers is beneath contempt, it's indecent. The US was once held in high esteem overseas, we are now seen as the villains, because of our cowboy foreign policy. I / we know we are not the bad guys, but to much of the world we are now the villains. I'm not a pacifist, I believe there are good wars, but war is a symptom of failed foreign policy.

[bluedog]

8. Bush opposed creating the Homeland Security

Bush opposed creating the Homeland Security department before he supported it.

now FOX news has a banner saying Bush created the Homeland security dept...............

[Fabio]

9. Here's my opinion

I agree that the administration and congress have not made us safer -- and that the Iraq war has made America particularly less safe.

But Democrats should be wary of saying that we are not better protected in small ways and thus safer. Why? because millions of people in this country are cops, fireman, soldiers and first responders and i think those folks here the message and take it as an attack. My feeling is that we are made safer "tactically" by these efforts, but that the policies of this administration have made us strategically far less safe.

needless to say, there is also much more to be done to protect us at home -- ports, borders, upgraded communications, etc -- but that's for another time.