Washblog || Reframing Iraq

Reframing Iraq

By eridani
Tue Jul 11, 2006 at 06:09:57 AM PST
Section: Diary Topic: Rants

We are never going to win the public argument if we get bogged down discussing the merits of various timetable.timetables--this approach invites nit-picking. We should be endlessly repeating the demand for cutting funding for the US embassy construction. Remember, a call for no permanent bases had enough support from Republicans to pass both House and Senate, though it was eliminated in the reconciliation process.

Firmly and emphatically state that in 2003 when Bush announced "Mission Accomplished" he was 100% correct. The war was over and won, and the occupation began. (Not that that was justification for stealing 1 million dollars from taxpayers for his cute dressup photo op, however.) It is the occupation that we need to end. The war has been over for three years.

The following is a very good analysis of why we should stop saying "war" and start saying "occupation."

http://www.boomantribune.com/story/2006/6/15/195357/822

The biggest and by far the most important bullshit assumption being made by all sides is that there is a WAR in Iraq.

THERE IS NO WAR IN IRAQ. There is an OCCUPATION. And there is a resistance to said occupation. This resistance takes many forms: criminal thuggery, despicable terrorism, sectarian violence, and guerrilla warfare.

And this is absolutely critical. It's critical because there is a HUGE difference between wars and occupations: upations can end only in WITHDRAWAL or in ANNEXATION; Wars can end only in DEFEAT or VICTORY.

America is NOT ready to annex Iraq--even if such a thing were possible. Cheney and Bush would like to, through the process of permanent bases--but the American public won't stand for it. America IS ready to accept withdrawal from Iraq--But ONLY if it understands that what is happening in Iraq is an OCCUPATION and not a war.

But as long as both Democrats and Republicans continue to insist that there is a "war" in Iraq, the voting public will continue to vote optimistically for "Victory"--whatever that may even mean.

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Reframing Iraq | 8 comments (8 topical)

TOTALLY Agree!

How about this?

When they say: "Cut and Run"

We say "No, we're just done."

Zarqawi made it clear - the ambition of Al-Qaeda is to create a war with infidels and apostates. The main apostasy Sunni muslims have been fighting for hundred of years is Shia Islam. The main infidels are Israel/America.

With America occupying Iraq - the Shiite holy lands - Al-Qaeda has its victory. Shia are now cast as apostates *backed* by the infidels. Al-Qaeda's political narrative is complete, thanks to us.

So now it's time for us to leave, and probably to help partition Iraq. Of course there will then be a state dominated by Iran, one by Jordan/Syria/Saudi and probably Kurdish state at war with Turkey.

Our mission should be to help create a safe, post-partition Iraq, understanding that WE will be THE target of blame - always. Ending the occupation has to be the first step.

by dlaw on Thu Jul 13, 2006 at 05:16:49 PM PST

* 4 5.00 2 *

History by DWE, 07/14/2006 07:44:14 AM PST (none / 0)

While I'm quoting: by DWE, 07/14/2006 09:43:29 AM PST (none / 0)

Reframing

As to original motivation, Greg Palast argues that the neo-con agenda to spread democracy was co-opted by Big Oil's agenda to keep Iraq's oil off the market. In "Armed Madhouse", he argues that keeping Iraqi and Iranian oil off the market has always been the policy of Big Oil. As conspiracy theories go, this one seems to explain stuff a lot better than others I've heard.

You're exactly right on this: So long as we're building permanent bases, the policy is to stay.

As for framing, below are some of my notes from a recent Domke and Thurlow seminar I attended on "Talking American". They have very specific advice on how to talk about the war. People ignore their advice at their own peril.

---

what word best describes view of G W Bush? (Pew Research Center)
May 2003 - honest, good, arrogant, leader, great
Feb 2004 - Honest, Fair, Leader, Liar, Arrogant
Feb 2005 - Honest, Good, Integrity, Arrogant, Incompetent
March 2006 - Incompetent, Good, Idiot, Liar, Arrogant

Bush casts the shadow on the GOP. Honest went from top 5, clear leader
Do you say "liar" or "incompetent"? Answer: incompetent. People are already there. "George has had 3 three years in Iraq to create a plan or a vision. Clearly they're incompetent." No to "angry". Arrogant worth considering. Definitely not "liar", not "idiot".

Back then, could say "Going to war without allies."

Today:
"I've tried to support Bush. But after 6 years, there's no plan on war, gas, etc. He's incompetent."
Sound disappointed.

Step away from ridicule. It's what Democrats do. Someone put that idiot, that liar, into office and now they have to change their mind. Don't impugn the integrity of the institution. Respect the person who has to change their mind.

March 8-12, 2006 (Pew)
What word best describes view of Iraq?
(Preamble: We're split, then and now. If arguing policy, know that they'll disagree with you. Had three years to be persuaded.)

Top 24 words
    bad, mess, chaos, terrible, sad, disaster, horrible, improving, vietnam,
    hopeless, too long, better, confused, difficult, good, unstable, bring home,
    get out, hopeful, not good, poor, stalemate, frustrated, killing

20 of 24 are negative, the rest don't even acknowledge there's aproblem.
To connect, use these emotional words. Argue situation. Don't argue policy.

Top 5 (before "disaster") will connect before you impugn integrity or criticize the government.
Focus on the ice berg. Saying "bad" brings the rest with it.

Similar to "Dear Mister President" []. You can say the detail. But start by making a connection.

[] an advertisement used during the seminar to illustrate effective communication

by zappini on Fri Jul 14, 2006 at 11:05:27 PM PST

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If you can go hear Domke, do so. n/t by gibney, 07/15/2006 12:07:24 AM PST (none / 0)

No Permanent Bases??

"Remember, a call for no permanent bases had enough support from Republicans to pass both House and Senate, though it was eliminated in the reconciliation process."

See here.

"...To this day, the ONLY member of the United States Congress that I have heard complain or even mention the removal of this language has been Rep. Lee during the recent farce billed as a debate on Iraq in the U.S. House..."

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

P.S. By the way, I think we are expected to "simply" drop the whole "Iraq thing" now, what with the assimilation of Wilson and LaMagna and all.

by The Left Shue on Tue Jul 11, 2006 at 08:05:02 AM PST

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Lakoff also says use "occupation"

and stop calling it a war in Occupation: An Inconvenient Truth About Iraq

by Cherisse on Tue Jul 11, 2006 at 11:10:21 AM PST

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Framing = Soundbites (Please)

THE SKY IS BLUE AND SO ARE YOU

a soundbite needs to be as few syllables as possible. it should stand on its own. it should not be wrapped into paragraphs.

GET THE GOVERNMENT OFF YOUR BACK
(OFF THE BACKS OF THE PEOPLE)

as libs we are fixated on The Truth!! that is great. just remember that the explanation has to be easy blurb sentences and fit together. (it is easy for thugs to do cuz almost nothing they say has anything to to with any truth, but ...)

WE SHOULD BE FIGHTING TO BUILD, NOT FIGHTING A WAR
(NOT FIGHTING TO PAY CONNECTED CONTRACTORS)

OUR MILITARY FOUGHT AND WON THE WAR, BUSH AIN'T MAKING ANY PEACE.

I have a math degree, NOT communications, so I don't know the best way to create effective communication. I do know it is short and sweet and umcomplex - like good math can be ;)

rmm.

http://www.liemail.com/BambooGrassroots.html

by rmdSeaBos on Tue Jul 11, 2006 at 11:20:11 AM PST

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Reframing Iraq | 8 comments (8 topical)

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