Archive for August, 2009
#Righton Interview: Ed Morrissey of Hotair Interviewed Me At Right Online
Monday, August 17th, 2009Here’s the link. Ed Morrissey and I have a great time together. I look forward to when he comes on my show.
Rules For Online Activism: A Right Online Wrap-Up
Monday, August 17th, 2009Well, it was a productive weekend. Met lots of wonderful people and just had a great time in Pittsburgh. Another underrated American city–gorgeous skyline, the rivers, the foothills, the spectacular vista and of course, the Steelers. The weather was balmy, so that helped my impression. Trudging through snow might not be so much fun.
For the activists there–especially the ones new to New Media–I thought I’d put together some basic rules of the Internet.
- There is no “private”. The internet is meant to share information, not hide information. Someone will find that picture. Count on it.
- These are real people. If you wouldn’t say it in person, don’t say it.
- The internet is forever. It’s called Google cache. Look it up.
- Be generous. Give links, credit and help freely. Someone will help you, too.
- Don’t worry about who gets credit. There is a lot of “sharing” on the net. Unless it’s overt stealing, don’t sweat it.
- Learn who else is working in your field of expertise. There are experts–legal, military, education, etc.–in every field. Have a love? Hook in with these experts and become a part of something greater than yourself.
- Meet people where they are–on Facebook, on Twitter, on LinkedIn, on your blog, through, audio, visual, whatever. If you’re an organization, you need to go to the people not make them come to you.
The government changes when the power of individuals comes together working for a common goal. One person alone can start a ripple but it takes many to create a wave. We need more people. We need you.
John Hawkins has a great opinion piece and wrap-up of Right Online with lots of pictures.
Word Games By Democrats…Latest Pajama’s Media Column
Monday, August 17th, 2009The Dems are doing it again. First, it was talking “reform” instead of overhaul, which would be a more accurate representation of their legislative aims. Now, they’re taking the “public option” out [the word has become synonymous with single payer which is synonymous with Government Run Health Care] and using Co-ops, instead.
It’s all the same. The progressives want to wrest control of health care choices out of the hands of the individual and put the power into the collective, i.e. the government, i.e. them.
Democrats use language to try to achieve their ends. Orwellian double-talk and inverted definitions make for confusing the public discourse. People wonder what the heck the Democrats really mean. All this confusion is back-firing. People simply distrust the President and Congress on everything related to health care now. And no wonder! The Democrats have been playing word games and trying to obscure their true intent from the beginning.
Please go take a look at my article over in Pajama’s Media about the word games. The word games matter because they end up defining the narrative. Republicans need to stop playing along and being more mindful of the words they use, lest they give credence to the ideas of the opposition. Here’s just a bit of what I say:
What is described in the bill here is not simply a reform. The tax code, legal system, hospitals, insurance companies, doctors, and the patient experience are radically changed. Radical change does not suggest reform. It suggests transformation.
Republicans and conservatives need to be smarter that the Democrats on this. Insist upon using proper descriptive words–not the language the reinforces the opposition.
New York Times Takes A Leftist Activist Stance: Surprise!
Friday, August 14th, 2009The New York Times once again talks bout Death Panels. A.J. Strata writes an excellent rebuttal.
It’s simple, really. Right now, families and doctors make the decisions. Under Government Run Health care, a panel of “experts” will decide what ailments will receive coverage….or not. People will not get coverage because the coverage will not be cost-effective.
Special interests groups will lobby this panel. It will become a political decision, not a personal decision. Health care will be politicized.
The only reason the Left loves this notion right now, is because “their” people are in charge in the government. Their tune will change when the opposition is in charge.
Day One At Right Online
Friday, August 14th, 2009The difference between Right Online last year and this year? Energy.
Another difference? Concrete information that both new and higher level activists can use to grow their influence.
This year, the activists are extraordinarily interested and attentive. So much has changed in a year. One way to thank Barack Obama: had he actually presided from the center, moved slowly, and been reasoned policy-wise, the Right might still be listless. Not now. Conservatives are energized.
More than that, the people working today are intensely interested in working together. I do believe the lone gun conservative approach is changing. While the Right will not be like the Leftist collective, there will be group dynamics, individuals working together to each contribute a part to the whole. That is happening here and at other conservative events.
If you haven’t attended a meeting like this, I encourage you to do so. While connecting online is wonderful, the human connection reinforces the technological connection.
Topics today:
Forced Unionization
Blogging 101
Integrating Internet with your Organization
Protecting Patient’s Rights
Social Networking 101
Protecting Your Organizations Online Identity
Internet Regulation by Government
YouTubing Activism
Online Marketing & Fundraising
While I didn’t attend every meeting, I retweeted those who shared information from those sessions. Follow the Right Online Tweet Lounge for constant information.
The Importance Of Community….Even Online
Friday, August 14th, 2009I’m at the Right Online conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. So I’ll be Tweeting and maybe writing, from here.
As wonderful as being online is, and it is pretty great, nothing beats meeting together and sharing ideas and community in person. So that’s what’s happening.
Follow the details here.
Podcast 30: Michelle Malkin Talks Culture of Corruption
Thursday, August 13th, 2009If you missed the radio show, listen here:
Melissa’s show can also be found on RFC Radio every Monday and Wednesday night at 10:00 pm Eastern.
To subscribe on iTunes, just click here!
When Melissa isn’t on the radio, you can find her at melissaclouthier.com and on Twitter. Her username is MelissaTweets.
– Also, don’t forget to check out our other shows on Take That! –
*** click here to grab the latest Steve Schippert Show ***
*** click here to grab the latest Brass Balls Radio Episode ***
*** click here to grab the latest Raisin’ Hale show ***
Camille Paglia Reveals More Than Flaws In President Obama’s Handling Of Healthcare
Wednesday, August 12th, 2009Is there such thing as a skeptical liberal? It seems not. Or they’re as rare as white tigers which is why the get displayed like exotic zoo animals.
That Camille Paglia is always so noteworthy simply reveals how the Left marches in ideological lock-step. There should be lots of thinking people on the Left pointing out shortcomings here and there, but no. So the always interesting Ms. Paglia says:
You can keep your doctor; you can keep your insurance, if you’re happy with it, Obama keeps assuring us in soothing, lullaby tones. Oh, really? And what if my doctor is not the one appointed by the new government medical boards for ruling on my access to tests and specialists? And what if my insurance company goes belly up because of undercutting by its government-bankrolled competitor? Face it: Virtually all nationalized health systems, neither nourished nor updated by profit-driven private investment, eventually lead to rationing.
I just don’t get it. Why the insane rush to pass a bill, any bill, in three weeks? And why such an abject failure by the Obama administration to present the issues to the public in a rational, detailed, informational way? The U.S. is gigantic; many of our states are bigger than whole European nations. The bureaucracy required to institute and manage a nationalized health system here would be Byzantine beyond belief and would vampirically absorb whatever savings Obama thinks could be made. And the transition period would be a nightmare of red tape and mammoth screw-ups, which we can ill afford with a faltering economy.
Pardon me, but that’s rather obvious criticism and the only place we’re hearing it is on the Right. Why?
Do thinkers on the left have no intellectual integrity? Are they incapable of criticizing their own ideas? Have they no compunction to question?
That’s what is really interesting about Camille Paglia. She seems to be a rare breed of cat. That’s too bad.
Gird Yer Loins, You Have Four Months To Survive!
Wednesday, August 12th, 2009It’s tough taking these people seriously. This speech by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
Incheon sounds like a Pentecostal pastor at an over-heated Tent Revival:
“The downside is equally dramatic.
If we fail to act, climate change will intensify droughts, floods and other natural disasters.
Water shortages will affect hundreds of millions of people. Malnutrition will engulf large parts of the developing world. Tensions will worsen. Social unrest – even violence – could follow.
The damage to national economies will be enormous. The human suffering will be incalculable.
We have the power to change course. But we must do it now.
As we move toward Copenhagen in December, we must “Seal a Deal” on climate change that secures our common future. I’m glad that the Chairman of the forum and many other speakers have used my campaign slogan “Seal the Deal” in Copenhagen. I won’t charge them loyalty. Please use this “Seal the Deal” as widely as possible, as much as you can. We must seal the deal in Copenhagen for the future of humanity.
We have just four months. Four months to secure the future of our planet.”
Why not carry a sandwich board around the public square with the words, “World Ending! Get Right With Gaia!”
Anecdote here.
Michelle Malkin Talks The Culture of Corruption With Me Tonight
Wednesday, August 12th, 2009You are cordially invited to listen:
Who: Michelle Malkin/half and John Hawkins/half
What: Culture of Corruption, Health Care Debate, Who Are The Most Influential Conservatives?
When: Tonight, August 12, 10 PM EST
Where: RFCRadio.com
Why: Because the future of New Media is online, baby. Radio, too.
How: Join the Chatroom and talk with other folks about the topics on the radio show.
Note: If you miss the radio show, download the podcast from iTunes tomorrow. There is also a special segment about Right Online and the most respected conservatives. Best selling author Michelle Malkin makes the list. So does, no surprise Rush Limbaugh and Sarah Palin.
Wendy Sullivan of Take That! Radio (who produces my podcasts) has more.
