2nd New Format for Political Talk Shows - "Honesty Contract" & Contest

Another way to make political talk shows better would be to have an "Honesty Contract". Guests & Hosts would be required to sign the contract with the following conditions. 1. I promise to tell the truth and not to lie (intentionally deceive through falsehood). If it can be proven that I lied then I promise to apologize on-camera ASAP (within 48 hours) and correct the misapprehension. If that is not possible then I promise to give my apology via voicemail ASAP (within 48 hours) to be used until I make my on-camera apology. 2. I promise to provide a reasonable context so as not to "weasel" (selectively tell the truth so as to mislead). If it can be proven that I lied then I promise to apologize on-camera ASAP (within 48 hours) and correct the misapprehension. If that is not possible then I promise to give my apology via voicemail ASAP (within 48 hours) to be used until I make my on-camera apology. With "weasels", I understand that I will be allowed to make my properly contextualized new argument. 3. If it can be proven that I made an substantial error of fact (not opinion), I promise to apologize on-camera ASAP (within 48 hours) and correct the misapprehension. If that is not possible then I promise to give my apology via voicemail ASAP (within 48 hours) to be used until I make my on-camera apology. 4. If I break any of the above 3 points without taking the proper steps to correct them then I will pay the ACLU (insert charity/non-profit here) the amount of $10,000.00 within 60 days. If I do not pay that amount within 60 days then I will have to pay additional fees of $1,000.00 per day until I have paid it off. 5. If I don't break any of the above rules then I will be eligible for the show's "Honesty Contest" where the person who tells the most truths without lying while also correcting all "weasels" and errors will win the grand prize (of $100,000.00). Signed X____________________________

New Format for Political Talk Shows - "Vetting Graphics"

There should be a new format for viewing vetted political talk shows. These "vetted talk shows" would always be tape-delayed to allow for research/corroboration. Whenever someone says something that is provably true it is highlighted with a green icon graphic and the website for corroboration. Whenever someone says something that is provably ambiguous (valid points in both directions) it is highlighted with a yellow icon graphic and the websites for corroboration. And whenever someone says something that is demonstrably false it is highlighted with a red icon graphic and the website for corroboration. In this way viewers would better be able to process the information.

Thoughts for Democrats #3 - Better Define the word "Lie"

The old definition of a "Lie" is a falsehood with the intent to mislead. But there's no objective way to know intent. More importantly, if you're trying to convince a voter that someone he has voted for in the past has "lied" then you're implicitly saying that the voter is a bad judge of character. The voter has implicitly emotionally endorsed the liar and to expose that arouses cognitive dissonance. There's an "emotional inertia" dynamic working against the accuser. THE NEW (PROPOSED) DEFINITION OF A "LIE": A stated falsehood that benefits the speaker without subsequently correcting it. Full Definition: A statement that is substantially false where the resulting misapprehension benefits the speaker/writer without a subsequent, commensurate follow-up to correct the misapprehension and prevent its repetition. This new definition has three objective criteria. 1) Falsehood (if it's true then it can't be a lie by definition) 2) Benefiting the speaker (otherwise it's simply an error) 3) Lack of subsequent correction (this is the requisite reckless disregard for the truth. But if there is a bona fide correction and prevention of its repetition then you can grant the benefit of the doubt and not call it a lie). All three criteria can be independently determined without "reading someone's mind". With this new definition calling something a lie is objectively provable. Consequently, no one can be rightly offended if the objective criteria are proven. Therefore, we can call some Republicans liars without offending their base.

Thoughts for Democrats #2 - Deputize Everyone

"Deputize Everyone" - It's not just "every vote counts" or even "vote or die". But rather make everyone a Democratic Deputy. Anyone who has worked at a volunteer organization knows that those with the least responsibility flake the most. Those given more responsibility will often flake but you'll still get much more done. So let's give everyone more responsibility. Hand out dollar-bill sized slips of paper (that people can save in their wallets & purses) with the following words: --------------------------------------------------------------- Side A Thank you for working as a "Democratic Deputy". To make sure we win, it's your responsibility to make sure that every single Democrat you know votes. Here's why: (list provocative reasons & facts with websites for corroboration) --------------------------------------------------------------- Side B List the Democrats you know and check off what gets done. My Democrats: ---------------Conversation? / Registered? / Voted? 1) ____________________ -------------- / ------------ /------- 2) ____________________ -------------- / ------------ /------- 3) ____________________ -------------- / ------------ /------- 4) ____________________ -------------- / ------------ /------- 5) ____________________ -------------- / ------------ /------- 6) ____________________ -------------- / ------------ /------- 7) ____________________ -------------- / ------------ /------- 8) ____________________ -------------- / ------------ /------- 9) ____________________ -------------- / ------------ /------- 10) ___________________ -------------- / ------------ /-------

Thoughts for Democrats #1 - Iraqi Casino

Frame the debate about the war as the "Iraqi Casino". Sure it would be great to come out a winner. But when you're losing more each day (with the same strategy) it's time to leave before you lose even more. Because maybe it's a rigged/crooked game that can't be beat.