Foiled: Rules for Radicals Rule #1 Debunked.

TwitterRULE 1: “Power is not only what you have, but what the enemy thinks you have.” – Saul Alinsky

Organizing for Action (OFA), former Obama re-election PAC turned non-profit activist group, launched a pro-gun control campaign which utilized fraudulent Twitter accounts to Twitter bomb Congress under the hash tag #WeDemandAVote.

OFA attempted to convey that the left had the momentum on the gun control issue (which is in stark contrast to reality) and manufactured public outcry for pro-gun control legislation.  (Polls on gun control measures show that 74% of the American population are against a law that would ban the possession of handguns, except by the police and other authorized persons.)

Twitter watchdog site Twitchy exposed this Alinsky-esque stratagem, which ultimately led to the ploy’s demise.

Contrast the #WeDemandAVote scam with a legitimate Twitter phenomenon – #StandWithRand.

On March 6, 2013 Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) took to the senate floor to filibuster the confirmation of John Brennan as CIA Director.  Paul demanded answers from the White House and Department of Justice regarding the use of drones to kill U.S. citizens on U.S. soil.  Conservatives and progressives alike were glued to C-SPAN tweeting live about the GOP’s rarely seen political leadership garnering unadulterated enthusiasm.

Enthusiasm stemmed from Paul’s vast departure from President Obama’s continuous campaign of class baiting and big government solutions to a clear articulation of civil liberties and conservative ideology.   The state run media could do nothing to stop it.  No spinning could be manufactured by the punditry until after the 12 plus hour filibuster.  The left, and to be fair the bulk of the GOP, sat idly by while Paul exhibited his authority as a member of the legislative branch to hold the executive branch accountable.

Unbeknownst to many in our number and to the dismay of President Obama, “the Senate has the power to restrain the executive branch.”

Rand Paul had the fortitude to do what GOP leadership has failed to do for decades.  He took a stand while the usual suspects compromised yet again under the guise of bipartisanship.  (Cue the shot of the GOP #uppers entering the posh dining establishment hands waving, looking optimistic with lights, security and media, flashing reflectively off the windows.)

A deluge of tweets came pouring in either in support of Paul or from progressives pleading with Democrats to make their voices heard on civil liberties as well:

Sen. Cruz read tweets on the Senate floor a few minutes ago! He hears us, he’s standing up for us and we #standwithrand

12:38 AM – 07 Mar 13

Van Jones on CNN: “Rand Paul last night was a civil liberties hero” and “progressives should be ashamed of themselves”

4:51 PM – 07 Mar 13

Retweeted by John Cusack

Good question“@cenkuygur: Up to 8 Senators now joining the Rand Paul #filibuster. Where are the so-called progressive Democratic senators?”

John Cusack (@johncusack) March 6, 2013

The ruse of making people think you have more supporters aligned to your cause than your opponent through the use of deceptive tactics – fail.

When confronted with real power in numbers the left can only counter with messaging, character assassination and the repetitive drum beat of polarization.

The real deal will always defeat contrived fervor.   Ain’t nothing like the real thing baby, ain’t nothing like the real thing.

 

 

Leslie Deinhammer

Illinois PolitiChick Leslie Anne Deinhammer, writer, chaplain and proud wife of a Marine Corps veteran, writes on topics of politics, human rights and faith. Follow her at @lesliedhammer on Twitter.

Related Articles

Back to top button
Close
Close

Please disable ad blocker.

We work hard to write our articles and provide you with the content you enjoy. The ads on the site allow us to continue our work while feeding our families. If you'd please whitelist our site in your ad blocker or remove your ad blocker altogether, we'd greatly appreciate it. Thank you!