The GOP is winning the email propaganda campaign

[FutureDemocrat]

I am constantly bombarded with republican propaganda email forwards from a few "moderate conservative" co-workers and family. These are the most racist, hateful, awful emails, mostly concerning Obama and the anti-immigrant effort. I'm sure you've all seen them.

The thing is, I have many many more friends and family that are democrats. Yet, I've never gotten one single forward pushing progressive issues/candidates (I've even specifically asked them to forward me anything they get). At first, I thought that this is because democrats don't play that game. I thought that this may actually help us because people don't like that kind of hateful crap anymore. However, I just had to explain to my less-informed sister that Obama is NOT a muslim, despite what her emails have said. These sorts of things tend to stick in the minds of uneducated middle-class people. So now I'm thinking we should be starting our own email propaganda campaigns.

So, I'm putting out a call to all Democrats to start your own email forwards in order to, at the very least, remain competitive in the email forward wars. BTW, cartoons makes great forwards-and let's try to stay away from the low blows.

[gristy]

1. You can send emails from any particular sender to your junk mail folder

You'll never see them.

[FutureDemocrat]

6. They come from family and friends

So, I don't want to block them. I'm not the type of person to cut out family and friends simply because they are republican.

[tbyg52]

14. And besides, it's out there whether you see it or not

I got that "no hand over the heart" photo from someone I'd assumed was a Democrat, and he was all exercised over it. I wrote back explaining it, and pointing out that a lot of this crap was going around, and he was all fine again. (I know, he shouldn't have fallen for it in the first place, but he did.)

Edited to add:

Hi, FutureDemocrat! Welcome to DU! :hi:

[FutureDemocrat]

15. I should clairfy to everyone the nature of the emails I am speaking of

These are "jokes" like cartoons, etc., that my republican friends and family use to "needle" me (but may brainwash anyone less-informed.) Here's an exapmle of one: the subject line was "FW:heehee" and the email said "chelsey clinton was talking to a soldier and she asked him what he feared most, and the soldier replied 'Osama, Obama, and yo mama'"
Thanks, tbyg52!

[glowing]

2. yes, it is needed very much.. but we need to do it back.. McCain = the same as Bush

Bush term III. More bad economy. The GI Bill thing would piss a lot of people off. AND how about the flip flop on torture.. There are enough creative minds to put together some good e-mail type memos to spread.. AND those e-mails are the reason most people believe Obama is a muslim terrorist.

[BlueManDude]

3. Can they pay their bills with GOP propaganda?

[INdemo]

4. How did you get on their email list and

these emails are easily blocked.If you want progressive emails just go to their web sites and sign up.. The DCCC or the DSCC. or the DNC. They would gladly send you newsletters and pleas for contributions.

[Kelvin Mace]

5. The answer is not to play the same game they are

You can't create your own Army of Zombies to fight theirs.

As inconvenient as it can be, I take the time to rebut these lies one by one, providing links and sourcing, while tearing holes in the logic. I also use the emails to broach the GOP's stand on the issue, and tear it apart. I NEVER allow a lie to go unchallenged.

I then hit REPLY ALL and back it goes to every single clown it went to in the first place. I get emails back, with some people offended, but also with some people ENGAGED in the discussion, which then continues. If the email goes out to 20 people, and I get two to start a RATIONAL discussion of the facts, then these people will ultimately become more skeptical of the GOP's zombie lies. Then, I just depleted the GOP ranks by 10% with those two converts.

Yes, it takes time (you can save some time by archiving your responses, then cut and pasting when you get a new version of the same lie, or the same lie from a different group.

The truth is your friend. REPLY ALL is your close friend.

[yurbud]

9. REPLY ALL--I just posted something like that below. Sourcing is crucial for any

emails we initiating as well as rebutting GOP crap.

[yurbud]

7. I have a list I try to send selective stuff to.

[yurbud]

8. have fun with those righty emails: fact-check, then send BACK to everyone in chain

Usually, it just takes a quick visit to snopes.com.


I've done this to a couple of people and to my dad repeatedly.

[msongs]

10. sorry, havent seen these emails. don't know anybody who sends that kind of stuff. told a few people

that used to to stop doing that...and they actually stopped!

Msongs

[L. Coyote]

12. I don't get them.

[LiberalFighter]

11. Put together your own rebuttal of the "facts" regarding Obama

and compile one for McCain with the true facts about his life and issues.

Then all you have to do is just attach or pop it in your email.

[Dumak]

13. Post their emails here

I'm sure some people here will be happy to help you put together a rebuttal.

[DeepModem Mom]

16. Welcome to DU, and K&R! Great idea -- and don't forget Snopes.com.

When they read that the email they just forwarded to you was debunked -- three or four years ago -- on Snopes, they realize they are fools for believing anonymous crap someone forwarded to them. What the heck is it with conservos/Republicans and their constant forwarding of vile emails???

[Ilsa]

17. Democrats have such a different way of thinking compared to

Republicans. GOPers are used to authoritarian demands on how they are to think, behave, and what to talk about. Democrats tend to expect people to be more open-minded and intelligently analytical about the political choices. I think we over-estimate those 40% on the other side. They are too stupid to see through their fascist leaders' bullshit.

Furthermore, they need alot of reinforcement through these emails for whatever cognitive dissonance they experience, or buyers remorse. They also have to be preached down to about how "God is on our side" to reinforce their attitudes. It's a real psychological mindgame that Rove and the others have created.