McGurn's Rules for Radicals
We're probably going to get more of a taste of protest tomorrow, when demonstrators gather in Madison. I don't buy the idea of Republican overreach here. But I do believe that Gov. Scott Walker's victory has energized the base of demoralized Democrats. If I were fighting back across America on collective bargaining and other issues, and I were leading Democrats and union leaders, here would be my rules:
1) Lots of American flags. I saw a bunch in Lansing, where they even sang "God Bless America." That communicates this is about working people, not the professional protest class.
2) Speakers who are union workers, not union leaders. Put faces on your people: a teacher, a copy, a fireman, a sanit worker. Again, takes off the radical edge and creates sympathy.
3) No 60s nostalgia: witness the peace sign made of human bodies that I posted yesterday.
4) As part of #3, no bearded scruffy students being carted away by police for refusing lawful orders to vacate.
5) No Jesse Jackson, for similar reasons.
6) No Michael Moore, for same reasons.
7) Clear efforts to self-police.
Ironically we have seen the kind of peaceful rallies filled with ordinary people these past few months: They are called tea parties. And the ordinariness is one reason why most of America has some sympathy for them.
I believe that the union movement, and even the public-employee union movement, could create more sympathy for itself -- but only if it eschews the nostalgia for the 60s so evident in their militancy, rhetoric, and leaders. And I believe Saul Alinsky, as a matter of tactics, would be with me here.
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Comments:
Dec '10
Re: McGurn's Rules for Radicals
Bill --
Stop making sense! Furthermore, what's a leftist party without Jesse Jackson and Michael Moore? What's a circus without clowns?
Oct '10
Re: McGurn's Rules for Radicals
Bill McGurn, the second grade teacher to the class: Boys and girls, no squirming in your seats. Boys, no hitting the girls. Girls, no teasing the boys. No pushing in line. No talking or gum chewing in class. The litany goes on.
Your lecture will fall on deaf ears. These are adolescent minded, infantilized American government union types. They know that the 60's radicals got everything they wanted through the very uncivilized behavior that you advise against, and now there very 60's radicals are their leaders.
Edited on March 11, 2011 at 6:04pmMay '10
Re: McGurn's Rules for Radicals
Michael Moore is the Tribune of the People! See, they can create as much ruckus as they want, but a demonstration only works if you have something to demonstrate to people.
Kind of like "messaging" only works if you have a decent product. It's hard to convince someone to do something unless they actually want to.
As Severus Snape said: "it's over." Hard to rile a crowd against a fait accompli.
Oct '10
Re: McGurn's Rules for Radicals
Bill, my first reaction was horror that the left might see your post somehow and follow the advice, but then I remembered what smart, independent-minded rebels they are. They don't need your stinking, knuckle-dragging guidance. They'll handle this their way.
Oct '10
Re: McGurn's Rules for Radicals
I now see Raycon covered my point (#4) in post #2. I've got to remember to read previous comments before posting.
Jun '10
Re: McGurn's Rules for Radicals
Bill: Who's side are you on? But as Johannes says above, you do make sense, so they're unlikely to adopt your suggestions.
In my humble opinion, instead of adopting Bill's appallingly honest approach, we should, in a stealthy manner (maybe James O'Keefe could take this one on), convince them that they need to see more of Jesse (what will the poor old doofus do if he can't go to things like this?), more of Moore, but let's add some Sharpton, Nader, Trumpka, some representatives of NOW and NARAL preferably with high-pitched voices and condescending attitudes (NOW undoubtedly thinks it has a dog in the fight--NARAL not so much, but they seem willing to show up at any dog fight). Getting Biden there would be primo--he's sure to say something stupid.
Edited on March 11, 2011 at 7:15pmMay '10
Re: McGurn's Rules for Radicals
Shh Bill. Someone might hear you.
Re: McGurn's Rules for Radicals
I've known you for years, Bill, but as of this moment I see you in an entirely new, and horrifying, light: William McGurn, the shrewdest man of the Left since Saul Alinsky.
Does Mrs. McGurn know about this?
Re: McGurn's Rules for Radicals
Like to hear other people's suggested rules.
Tabula Rasa: I think that's *exactly* what we are going to get tomorrow. Be curious to compare your post with what unfolds at tomorrow's protests.
Part of my point is that the older agitators were far more clever. Last year I read a reminiscence of Alinksky by a former associate and writer, Nicholas von Hoffman. A lot of it was how Alinsky worked with (manipulated?) the Catholic church.
Re: McGurn's Rules for Radicals
Bill, it seems as though you're advising the protesters to look as indistinguishable as possible from the Tea Party!
Re: McGurn's Rules for Radicals
Also, no drums. This isn't a Borneo tribal council. You're a member of an industrialized, civilized society, and as much as that may pain you, act like it.
Dec '10
Re: McGurn's Rules for Radicals
#4 comes close, but you overlooked the need to practice hygene.
Jul '10
Re: McGurn's Rules for Radicals
Yer suggestions are spot on.
I'd think the media would be telling those people this. They know a thing or two about manipulating.
Re: McGurn's Rules for Radicals
What, no thoughts, pro or con on giant papier-mâché puppets? Have paper protest puppets finally become so passe that their proclivities need not be publicly parsed?
Re: McGurn's Rules for Radicals
Fortunately, Bill, there is no chance at all that these people will take your advice.
Dec '10
Re: McGurn's Rules for Radicals
Oh that's a good one..! They go together with Lileks' drums like salt & pepper..can't break up the set.
Jun '10
Re: McGurn's Rules for Radicals
Remember the old African movies: "[Drums in background, getting increasingly louder]
Hero: The natives are restless.
[Defensive preparations are made and the natives, when they attack, are defeated]"
My point: their use of drums may help normal citizens prepare for the worst.
Bill: One other suggestion: "No more Hitler moustaches." It really doesn't work with the general public. Walker may kick his dog now and then, but he's not Hitler, and everyone knows it.
Edited on March 12, 2011 at 1:06amJan '11
Re: McGurn's Rules for Radicals
Forget what Saul Alinsky would advise these modern-day "activists."
I'm more interested in what David Kahane would say.
And you can actually ask him.
Jul '10
Re: McGurn's Rules for Radicals
And make your own freaking signs. Nothing says "grassroots" like dozens of identical pre-printed protest placards. The hallmark of the rent-a-mob.
Also, no swastikas please. I shouldn't have to say this, but, well, you know.
Mar '11
Re: McGurn's Rules for Radicals
Having seen them up close while attending the pro-Walker rally in Madison several weeks ago, I really think we have nothing to fear. There's no way Jesse Jackson or the union leaders will surrender face time to the rank and file. Besides, the rank and file need to know what it is they're protesting before they can be expected to sway public opinion by stepping up to the microphone.