The Cure for ‘Rules for Radicals’
Commentary
In a July 11, 1996, Los Angeles Times profile of former Orange County Republican Party Chairman Tom Fuentes (1948–2012), he observed that he sees the GOP as an embattled minority, as a party under siege by a biased press and encroaching Democrats. “The vision is key to Fuentes … ‘We are the minority party in this state.’”
It now appears that the premonition motivating the late Tom Fuentes was accurate, as a liberal swing has certainly occurred in Orange County, California, over the past three decades.
Many ascribe much of this evolution of an Orange County Republican majority in voter registration numbers into a now combined dominance of Democrats and Independents to one individual, Saul D. Alinsky, and the influence of his book, “Rules for Radicals: A Pragmatic Primer for Realistic Radicals.” His 1971 work focuses on how to run a movement for change.
Mr. Adamo spends the first six of ten chapters providing arguments and examples of the liberal strategies of shaping the masses. He then throws in a chapter on RINOs (Republicans in Name Only), which might be a tad more strident than most Republicans may want to digest, and closes with the actual proposed rules in chapters eight and nine, followed by the concluding Chapter 10.
This is a book written to conservatives, and it is motivated by the following observation provided in the book’s introduction:
“Little concerted effort was ever actually made to adequately counter the Alinsky strategy, once it became the core of Democrat Party politicking. And as a result, the concept of sincerely and legitimately debating any issue, regardless of its merits or liabilities, and despite the likelihood of negative repercussions to the nation, has been thoroughly supplanted by a preemptive barrage of fierce attacks against anyone daring to oppose the liberal position. Though conservatives should be accustomed to this sordid game plan by now, they are instead repeatedly blindsided by it. Rather than being able to weigh the pros and cons of a particular agenda item in the public arena (which would shift the debate unquestionably in their direction), conservatives find themselves the targets of vile and baseless slander, to which they invariably react defensively and are thus rendered politically impotent.”
As Mr. Adamo builds his case, he reminds the reader throughout that “the Alinsky strategy is only effective against those who allow it.”
The third chapter, titled “Hypocrisy as a Strategy,” resonated with my perception of the mainstream media’s approach to current events:
“When Timothy McVeigh bombed the Murrah Building in Oklahoma City … leftists from then President Bill Clinton down to every nightly news anchor across the nation reacted with Pavlovian predictability, targeting their favorite conservative nemesis as a de facto accomplice, without a shred of evidence that McVeigh influenced any of them. Yet when Ted Kyzinski, the notorious ‘Unabomber’ was finally identified and apprehended, the mountain of evidence of leftist ideology as his motivation was actually excused and dismissed on the basis that Kyzinski had a valid reason for his feelings, if not entirely for his actions.”
We’re seeing this same strategy playing out as we watch the Hamas attack on Israel and the reactions by leftists in their protests on college campuses. Which makes his fourth chapter, “Branding Heroes and Villains: The Power of Labels,” even more relevant:
“Perhaps more than any other single aspect of the Alinsky strategy, the ability of the left to create this pretense of moral ‘superiority’ has enabled it to infiltrate every area of our society with seeming credibility that never should have been allowed. Thus it remains politically viable while engaging in unspeakable behavior, spewing the vilest of epithets and fraudulent accusations, and when all else fails, overwhelming its political opposition with violence, all while still parading its phony mantle of ‘virtue.’”
Let me share one more observation that may further entice you to obtain a copy of “Defeating” for a candid conversation of this nation’s moral downward spiral:
“Leftists have continued to encroach on their real target: traditional (Judeo-Christian) morality which, somewhat ironically, they attack with the most vile and unfettered exhibitions of real hate. … they deem themselves fully justified in shutting down free speech, and suppressing religious freedom, in total contradiction to the First Amendment. With characteristic sanctimony, they assert that it is their moral obligation to oppose, by any available means, ‘haters’ on the right.”
Mr. Adamo calls it straight and provides a remedy that you should be implementing. You’ll appreciate his rules to respond to the ongoing onslaught, such as, “A single, well articulated presentation of truth can thoroughly devastate even the most elaborate construct of leftist lies.”
Mr. Adamo is fully aware that a disengaged public, that is largely unaware of the real encroaching threats facing it, needs to be educated. His book does a good job of doing so. And it may be an aid in swinging back the leftist agenda that has been infiltrating local legislators, cities, and school districts.
How does Adamo suggest conservatives can effectively counter liberal attacks?
Wavers, regardless of how baseless or outlandish their claims might be. This is why conservatives have consistently failed to effectively push back against liberal attacks and have been left politically impotent.”
Throughout the book, Mr. Adamo emphasizes the importance of understanding the tactics used by the left and developing effective counterstrategies. He provides examples and real-life scenarios to illustrate how these tactics have been used successfully by liberals and how they can be countered using conservative principles and strategies.
Some of the proposed rules for defeating radicals include grassroots organizing, developing strong conservative leaders, effectively communicating conservative values, and utilizing social media and other digital platforms to counter liberal narratives.
One of the key takeaways from this book is the need for conservatives to be proactive and assertive in their approach. Adamo emphasizes the importance of not allowing the Alinsky strategy to dictate the terms of the debate and instead taking the initiative to set the narrative and agenda.
In conclusion, “Rules for Defeating Radicals” by Christopher G. Adamo is a timely and insightful book that provides a comprehensive analysis of the Alinsky strategy and offers practical solutions for conservatives to effectively counter liberal tactics. While it may be written for conservatives, it is a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of political discourse and the strategies employed by both sides. By arming conservatives with the knowledge and tools needed to effectively counter radical ideologies, this book has the potential to reshape the political landscape and empower conservatives to reclaim their voice and influence.
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