Arab Festival 2009

[nmap]

Stopping it, I think, means modifying the environment - here I hearken back to the statement that warm water lets the fish multiply, but cold water kills the fish.

I am under the strong impression that any cultural group other than the historically dominant group(s) are protected, encouraged, and supported by elements in academia, the media, and government. So long as they are encouraged while the mainstream culture is suppressed, they will grow stronger - and other groups will weaken.

So perhaps the question becomes, how can members of the primary culture be motivated to use the political tools and methods that can modify the environment - and produce ice-cold water for the more problematic fish.

[sg1987]

Originally Posted by nmap

So perhaps the question becomes, how can members of the primary culture be motivated to use the political tools and methods that can modify the environment - and produce ice-cold water for the more problematic fish.

nmap,
I respect your wisdom sir. Any thoughts or insight into what this may entail?

Maybe we need to go to Dearborn and play a little Cowboys and Arabs!!!

TG

[nmap]

Originally Posted by sg1987

nmap,
I respect your wisdom sir. Any thoughts or insight into what this may entail?

Thank you for the kind words....

This is a subject I've been looking at for some time, beginning in June 2006 when I was admitted to the Educational Policy and Leadership program. The word "policy" is the key item here, and, if I may, I'm going to digress on it a bit. Please keep in mind, I'm in the very early stages of grasping some concepts.

As nearly as I can tell, most of us don't get exposed to much (or really anything) about policy and how it's made. We see some law come up in the congress, we may make a call or send a letter, and then we watch as the various politicians act out their parts. But - where did that law come from? And why did it come up? Did some clerk in a congressman's office put it together in her spare time?

It turns out that creating policy is an entire field of study. The lobbyists, the political insiders, and all the rest are serious players. They may work diligently for years or even decades to make some new law or regulation happen. The rest of us are blissfully unaware of what's happening.

A second little event caught my attention some years later - early 2008, as I recall. There was a presentation of an academic paper that discussed some of the early efforts by Hispanics to change rules and policies in schools at the K-12 level back in the late 1950's (as I recall). Anyway, the paper discussed some of the various tactics used by the activists and how effective they were. I noticed that nothing has changed - the activists are using exactly the same methods and tactics. And why shouldn't they? Those tactics have worked!

So I think we face a two-part problem. Part is engagement in making policy. And part is activism. Perhaps you recall the opening scene in the film Patton, where General Patton defeats Rommel. Patton comments that he read Rommel's book. As in the film, we can read the other side's book.

So...

The first book I recommend was suggested to me by one of the smartest people I have ever met. He spent a lifetime studying and understanding such things. The title is:

Policy Studies for Educational Leaders: An Introduction (2nd Edition) (Hardcover) by Frances C. Fowler

It's pricey - about $100. So it might be best to get it through a library, perhaps through interlibrary loan. It's an easy read, and it gives step-by-step instructions to policy. Granted, it focuses on education - but it can be used in other areas too. Also, keep in mind that the local school board is the beginning rung of the elected power structure. So efforts at that level might be seen as a confidence building exercise.

The other side of the coin is activism. I have some issues with classic activism; it tends to involve behavior that ranges from rudeness to petty crime. But I think one must consider effectiveness, too. The advance of the left through use of these approaches is, in my opinion, something to reflect upon. Until we can come up with something better, we might do well to study their tactics.

I have not read the following books, but I think they would make a good start in understanding the problem. They are meant as guidebooks for activists, although the authors intend a strongly leftist orientation.

Rules for Radicals: A Pragmatic Primer for Realistic Radicals, by Saul Alinsky

Anything by William Ayers would be worth studying.

The MoveOn.org site is filled with material. Take a look at the political action section, with training materials:

http://www.moveon.org/team/training/index.html

(Complete with how to organize).

Of less value, but perhaps worth investigating is

http://www.democraticunderground.com

At this juncture, I may well have written some things that are offensive to some good people. Please understand that I am not advocating the positions of the referenced authors. I am simply stating where the material that describes their methods and procedures can be found, with the intention of helping to oppose those tactics in a lawful manner.

At any rate, sg1987, I believe that's the starting point. It will take lots of dedicated people at least years - and probably decades - to make a difference.

MOO, YMMV...

[Surf n Turf]

nmap,
Here are the summary of Alinsky’s Rules for radicals. They are a good primer if used AGAINST the radicals. I am currently reading his book.
SnT

Rules for Radicals
Rule 1: Power is not only what you have, but what an opponent thinks you have.
If your organization is small, hide your numbers in the dark and raise a din that will make everyone think you have many more people than you do.

Rule 2: Never go outside the experience of your people.
The result is confusion, fear, and retreat.

Rule 3: Whenever possible, go outside the experience of an opponent. Here you want to cause confusion, fear, and retreat.

Rule 4: Make opponents live up to their own book of rules.
“You can kill them with this, for they can no more obey their own rules than the Christian church can live up to Christianity.”

Rule 5: Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon.
It’s hard to counterattack ridicule, and it infuriates the opposition, which then reacts to your advantage.

Rule 6: A good tactic is one your people enjoy.
“If your people aren’t having a ball doing it, there is something very wrong with the tactic.”

Rule 7: A tactic that drags on for too long becomes a drag.
Commitment may become ritualistic as people turn to other issues.

Rule 8: Keep the pressure on.
Use different tactics and actions and use all events of the period for your purpose. “The major premise for tactics is the development of operations that will maintain a constant pressure upon the opposition. It is this that will cause the opposition to react to your advantage.”

Rule 9: The threat is more terrifying than the thing itself.
When Alinsky leaked word that large numbers of poor people were going to tie up the washrooms of O’Hare Airport, Chicago city authorities quickly agreed to act on a longstanding commitment to a ghetto organization. They imagined the mayhem as thousands of passengers poured off airplanes to discover every washroom occupied. Then they imagined the international embarrassment and the damage to the city’s reputation.

Rule 10: The price of a successful attack is a constructive alternative. Avoid being trapped by an opponent or an interviewer who says, “Okay, what would you do?”

Rule 11: Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, polarize it.
Don’t try to attack abstract corporations or bureaucracies. Identify a responsible individual. Ignore attempts to shift or spread the blame.

“The enemy properly goaded and guided in his reaction will be your major strength.” , sort of Aikido of the mind-game

[Warrior-Mentor]

Apparently, we need to elect an Australian:

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd - Australia:

"Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia , as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks..

"Separately, Rudd angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques.

Quote:
'IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali , we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians. '

"'This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom'

"'We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society . Learn the language!'

"'Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.'

"'We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why.. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.'

"'This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom, 'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'.'

'If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted..' "

[Counsel]

I just hope our friendly FBI neighbors were keeping an eye out during that event.

[SF_BHT]

Originally Posted by Warrior-Mentor

Apparently, we need to elect an Australian:

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd - Australia:

"Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia , as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks..

"Separately, Rudd angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques.

Quote:
'IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali , we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians. '

"'This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom'

"'We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society . Learn the language!'

"'Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.'

"'We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why.. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.'

"'This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom, 'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'.'

'If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted..' "

I want to move Down Under.....

[sg1987]

Thank you for the reply nmap.

Rommel, you magnificent bastard! I read your book!

I remember it well!

You are correct. I, like many I guess, don’t care for the liberal’s agendas…. Not enough however to have taken the time to study them as you suggest. This is a wise suggestion to say the least.

I am under the strong impression that any cultural group other than the historically dominant group(s) are protected, encouraged, and supported by elements in academia, the media, and government. So long as they are encouraged while the mainstream culture is suppressed, they will grow stronger - and other groups will weaken.

There was a presentation of an academic paper that discussed some of the early efforts by Hispanics to change rules and policies in schools at the K-12 level back in the late 1950's...

This, to me, is where we are losing to the left; the proper education of our kids or the lack thereof. This answer to a question put to Stephen Pressfield struck me…

GR: Randy, a Goodreads member and Marine comments, "Pressfield uses the battle of Thermopylae...as a backdrop for studying the psychological makeup of what a soldier should be. This is a great book for anyone who is thinking of, or soon will be joining, military service. Those who are confused as to why a friend or loved one wants to join the military can very likely gain their answers from this book." Gates of Fire is required reading at several military schools around the country. Why do you think this is the case? What is it about your book that appeals to the military-inclined mind? Who else could learn from your books?

SP: Gates of Fire has a theme, and the theme is courage. It's also very much about the camaraderie of fighting men and of the warrior ethos. Believe me, this is still alive and well, despite all P.C. efforts to exile it into the past. Today's Marines and soldiers, however, like the rest of us, are woefully undereducated. No one has studied the past, so we all feel as if we're the first people on the planet to be confronting the issues we're confronting. That's where a book like Gates fills a gap. Marines and Army guys read it and realize that the same stuff they're going through has been gone through by a lot of other warriors before them, and that those warriors and the societies they lived in had highly evolved codes of honor and conduct. It gives our young soldiers and Marines a longer historical perspective and inspires them that they're not alone and they're not the first; in fact, they're part of a long and honorable tradition of the profession of arms. It helps!

Our children are no longer taught what we older folks were taught. I was taught that America has a long and honorable tradition. That all beliefs are NOT equally valid. That God- the Christian God, (yes I said it) has given us our liberty. That our system of Government IS better than others. I don’t mean to rant but I’m sickened by some of the crap I see taking place today in our public schools. Many of the conservative folks I know are either homeschooling or using private schools.

When I attended elementary school in Troup county Georgia we began each day with the principal reading a passage from the Bible, saying the pledge of Allegiance and a prayer. Neither I nor my family was Christian then but I was taught within the school that there was a basis for right and wrong …. that it is a great thing to be an American…. that we are the recipients of a long honorable tradition. This multi-cultural P.C. junk is producing a nation of people that no longer have a “highly evolved code of honor and conduct.” Many in our land don’t know what it means to be an American; don’t know that God is the author of our lives and our liberty. Many don’t know that it is man that will rob another man of his freedom. A continual, hard, non P.C. look at the fruits of Islam, communism, atheism, and totalitarianism would be most beneficial for all American youth.
I know that there are many of the “dominant culture” remaining, but we are shrinking with time. Maybe some form of activism is in order- rather than abandoning the public education ship. I don’t know. I do see that as more of us “religious right” (Christians) folks withdraw from the system there is less of the influence needed within the system.-my .02