November 20, 2020

Reframe: instead of "widespread", use "significant"...

Every time a talking head/pundit says “widespread “ in context of “no widespread fraud has blah, blah, blah..” it validate idea that substantial fraud MIGHT have occurred. It suggests, in fact, that some fraud has occurred. (Which we have to acknowledge is likely given what we know about Republicans and recent elections).

Reframing as “ no SIGNIFICANT fraud has occurred (or whatever) acknowledges that fraud is always a possibility, (which is logically the case) but in THIS case, it hasn’t t hasn’t affected the outcome


This frame acknowledges fears about the veracity of election results but suggests that in THIS case, evidence exists that makes those fears unfounded

I think it a small but potent point that can help our messaging

November 6, 2020

Pundits getting it wrong again: Trump is working the next step

The pundits are saying trumps delay in conceding and his bs about fraud is because he’s having a hard time accepting reality, that he’s never lost before and doesn’t know how to handle it etc. That’s flat out wrong. It doesn’t give him credit for his mendacity, his lust for power, his evil.

Trump is setting the stage for continuing bad action down the line. He’s keeping his base fired up with the notion that Biden is illegitimate, that trump has been wronged, that they, personally have been screwed by the Dems, the deep state, the system, brown people, black people, feminazis. He’s signaling to the militias and the types that are fascinated by them that their time will come because all of this imagined wrong doing has to be avenged, will be avenged, and then everything will finally be great again.

Trumps current behavior is really, really dangerous.

There seems to be almost no way to deal with this shit. I try to think of what the average German could have done to forestall Naziism. I’ve read a little on the topic. Many Germans said they did everything they could, but it didn’t matter. And at one point, they just had to shut up and lay low.

There must be something. Talk me down, please.

November 2, 2020

For your Covid denier friends: a POLST form

If you know a Covid denier, send them this via the most appropriate social media, or even print it out and hand it to them:

Hi Covid denier!

If you're serious about not worrying about catching Covid, then you should fill out a POLST form. A POLST form is like a will that tells medical providers what level of care you want applied to you should you get sick with Covid 19 or the flu, or whatever.

Here are the level-of-care options on the form. I'm sure you'll want to stand firm in your beliefs by checking item number 2 or even number 3:

1: Full Treatments(required if choose CPRin Section A). Goal: Attempt to sustain life by all medically effective means.Provide appropriate medical and surgical treatments as indicated to attempt to prolong life, includingintensive care.

2: Selective Treatments. Goal: Attempt to restore function while avoiding intensive care and resuscitation efforts (ventilator, defibrillation and cardioversion). May use non-invasive positive airway pressure, antibiotics and IV fluids as indicated. Avoid intensive care. Transfer to hospital if treatment needs cannot be met in current location.

3: Comfort-focused Treatments. Goal: Maximize comfort through symptom management; allow natural death. Use oxygen, suction and manual treatment of airway obstruction as needed for comfort. Avoid treatments listed in full or select treatments unless consistent with comfort goal. Transfer to hospital only if comfort cannot be achieved in current setting.

If you don't believe in Covid 19, if you don't believe in wearing masks, or if you think we should open everything up right away, then pick option 3 so that if you get sick, we can quickly free up your hospital bed for people who don't share your views.

POLST stands for Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment. There is a form like the one shown available in California from the Emergency Medical Services Authority. There is a very similar national model form that other states have or are in the process of adopting. I'm guessing most states have something like it. There are lots of on-line resources, including at polst.org