Virginia Tech Anniversary coming up

[bogie]

Are any pro-self-defense organizations doing anything? Because we -know- the Brady folks are going to be going for some airtime.

Now's the time to get your stuff together.

1) CONTACT THE MEDIA.

2) Develop a strategy/plan. Standing around in the center of campus handing out fliers is boring, and won't get air time.

3) CONTACT THE MEDIA.

4) Get your gear together.

5) CONTACT THE MEDIA.

6) Make sure all your people are on the same page. This can be very hard with "gun" people.

7) CONTACT THE MEDIA.

8) Write up concise press releases. Get a friend who is studying JOURNALISM, not English Lit, to go over them. Do not argue when he/she has a red pen bleed all over them.

9) CONTACT THE MEDIA.

10) Make sure folks show up.

 

[Crunker1337]

You know, I don't really think it's appropriate to use the tradgedy as propaganda. If anything, all we should do is rebuke those that do.

 

[Tribal]

Please be careful about using the deaths of my fellow Hokies for political gain.

I'm going to wear my Virginia Tech sweatshirt, class ring, and an empty holster to my grad school classes.

 

[JohnBT]

It's not tragedy as propaganda if it's done with respect. They deserve to be remembered, and not just by the media companies trying to sell advertising. They were unarmed and they were slaughtered. I'm still angry about it.

John
Va Tech, Class of '72

 

[bogie]

If the only message that people get on that day is from the Brady folks, which message will they remember?

 

[Tribal]

If the only message that people get on that day is from the Brady folks, which message will they remember?

They'll remember the one they got from you acting and arguing reasonably. The media were vultures at Tech and our student assembly asked them to leave, and their parasitism only enhanced the sympathy people felt for the victims and the community. Please don't march, pass out flyers, or anything else like that. Take a friend shooting, post an article on your AIM or Facebook or company's lunch hall bulletin board, or wear something maroon and be prepared to discuss matters calmly if they come up. Those are good things you can do.

Tribal
Virginia Tech, Class of '04 (and resident of Blacksburg in April of 2007)

 

[RNB65]

If the only message that people get on that day is from the Brady folks, which message will they remember?

On April 16 no one is going to give a damn about what Brady has to say other than the choir.
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[Mr. Designer]

Please be careful about using the deaths of my fellow Hokies for political gain.

Too late for that. The only question now will be which side will gain.

 

[GEM]

Making a big deal of the tragedy will only prime others so intended to commit more acts. Experts in the area have said this over and over again.

Memorials, weeping, vigils, etc. are all vicarious reinforcement for the next shooter.

VT, other schools and the media would be wise to just downplay it.

I would argue against a pro-gun demonstration as not being that effective. Letters to editor, etc. might be more useful.

Anything that puts it on the tube, sets off the next one.

 

[bogie]

What about counter-demonstrations?

Another thread mentions how Brady is planning a "lie-in."

 

[Ratzinger_p38]

Another thread mentions how Brady is planning a "lie-in."

And I will bet that those are done with paid labor.

 

[CountGlockula]

I chose to make a moment of silence on that anniversary and spend some time with the higher power for wisdom.

 

[GEM]

One might point out to the media before a Brady demonstration that experts think such shows will reward the next shooter and that the Bradys may cause one by their pandering.

That's a good idea - tell the local media about those factors.

 

[RNB65]

What about counter-demonstrations?

No.

The best way to deal with Brady is to ignore them. Everyone is going to recognize them for what they are -- a classless bunch of losers trying to use a tragedy to further a political agenda.
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[Tribal]

Too late for that. The only question now will be which side will gain.

May you never suffer the malicious loss of those you care about. May the loss of those you care about never be co-opted by others for their own ends.

Please consider something other than meeting force with force. There's a time to fight enemy ships in close combat and there's a time to let them wreck on the shoals they'll hit if not diverted by your attacks.

Counter-demonstrations and a media blitz will just paint us as shameless profiteers. Let others bring up the topic, and be firm but considerate in talking to them. That's the way to do this.

 

[Mr. Designer]

Too late for that. The only question now will be which side will gain.

May you never suffer the malicious loss of those you care about. May the loss of those you care about never be co-opted by others for their own ends.

Please consider something other than meeting force with force. There's a time to fight enemy ships in close combat and there's a time to let them wreck on the shoals they'll hit if not diverted by your attacks.

Counter-demonstrations and a media blitz will just paint us as shameless profiteers. Let others bring up the topic, and be firm but considerate in talking to them. That's the way to do this.

You'll notice that I did not advocate any action. I just pointed out that someone's cause will benefit from the VT shooting. Most likely the anti's.

 

[bogie]

Because the anti-gun folks will organize. They're probably having meetings right now. They're going to sit down, with a buncha folks, and work up a strategy.

A strategy that is guaranteed to pander to the "nice" concepts, while at the same time get a LOT of airtime.

The "lie-ins" are going to be very effective. They'll have a nice PREPARED person (and it probably isn't going to be the head person or the leader - it'll be someone articulate and used to speaking in front of people) speaking to the press.

Gun people would have your basic geeky guy who stutters (but who is president of the organization) go into a rant about how the Brady people didn't actually have a valid permit, because they neglected to designate exactly how many square feet of space they'd need... Sigh... Something which just won't matter.

IMHO, the best way to counter one of the "lie-in" situations would be to demonstrate that the victims were not killed because of guns - they were killed because they were in a gun-free zone. Turn that "designated free speech area" into "why we need campus carry" instead.

Anyone want some big gun-free zone/easy victims signs at my production cost?

 

[Tribal]

If you do some cheap publicity-seeking stunt, be it "clever" signs or dramatic acting, to cash in on what happened at Virginia Tech then you're no better than the antis in my book.

There are ways to educate others without lowering your standards.

 

[bogie]

Okay. Some campuses are going to have over 30 anti-gun protesters at their events. They've likely already called the media, distributed their prepared press releases and talking points, and they're going to be explaining about how guns killed those 32 people.

What's your plan?

Because you're going to see -something- on the news. Would you rather it be the anti-gun folks, -successfully- explaining to millions of fence sitters that the only way it could have been prevented is by disarming all law abiding folks, or would you rather see someone explaining to the cameras asking why students in many states are still prohibited from possessing the means with which to defend themselves?

 

[RNB65]

IMHO, the best way to counter one of the "lie-in" situations would be to demonstrate that the victims were not killed because of guns - they were killed because they were in a gun-free zone. Turn that "designated free speech area" into "why we need campus carry" instead.

Sorry, my friend, but I could not disagree with you more.
-

 

[bogie]

Why? The anti-gun folks are then going to get their pure, unadulterated by reason and logic, message across to Joe and Mary Six-Pack while they watch the news. Joe and Mary aren't going to think "tacky." They're going to think "Oh. Those poor kids. They shouldn't let people have guns on campuses." Because that WILL be the message that they're going to push.

You disagree. How would YOU counter what is going to be a bunch of media events? A few letters to the media outlets will NOT do it...

 

[RNB65]

I have no intention of countering anything. Let them have their media circus. I don't care.

Adding to the circus with a counter demonstration would do nothing but insult the memory of 32 good people. And 17 more who were injured that everyone seems to have forgotten about.
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[Tribal]

This is something that has to be won a person at a time. People are sick of the media (look at polls saying how much they trust the media) and know that it's spin. People who know you are willing to listen. I've talked to people before and even if I didn't change their mind, I at least got "Well, I trust you with guns. It's the crazies I'm worried about." You're not going to win people over in one day.

What will be going on April 16th is that the news will note the anniversary and people will be talking about it. It may come up in conversation, or they may even ask you about it. Be prepared with reasons you can discuss calmly. A lot of what they're saying is out of ignorance: they don't understand why the cops don't shoot guns out of people's hands or why someone law-abiding would need a gun. Offer to take as many people as are interested shooting (in ones or twos, of course).

People are increasingly savvy. With all the storm the media and antis will be conjuring up, you being calm and reasonable may be what actually gets through to people.

 

[bogie]

Is Washington doing anything around now? Because if I was Dianne Feinstein, I'd be introducing/pushing gun control legislation on that day.

And working those emotions, she could get 51 votes...

 

[.cheese.]

You know, I don't really think it's appropriate to use the tradgedy as propaganda. If anything, all we should do is rebuke those that do.

I agree 100%, but what is really sad is that the antis are going to have a field day with it and will be all over the airwaves spewing their baloney.

Meanwhile, we will stay quiet and take the high road.

I think we win by doing that. Maybe not politically, but at least in the eyes of G-d.