I recently read a piece posted on Dan Rather’s site about chaos-causing events and how disruptive they are to the status quo. Clearly Our Dear Dicktator has been causing quite a lot of chaos. The chaos has not just upset the Democrats and traditionally progressive groups whose opposition can be marginalized. Many groups who have been traditional supporters of Republicans have also been shocked and upset by the recent travel/immigration/refugee ban. No care was taken to make exceptions to keep these other groups pacified. We have the opportunity to solicit their support for overturning it and drive some wedges into “right wing” alliances.
First — the military. We are fighting alongside Iraqi soldiers to combat ISIS in Iraq. They are our freakin’ allies for god’s sake! This major show of disrespect and distrust has got to have an influence on how the Iraqi soldiers feel about the US troops. A total travel and immigration ban on Iraqis is the height of disrespect. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Maybe everyday Iraqis will be more sympathetic to ISIS and less so towards to US. How does that help in the fight against ISIS?
Second — Intelligence. Similar argument to above. How do we convince citizens in these “dangerous” countries to provide us with intelligence and language translators if they feel dissed by our ban on their citizens even stepping foot in our country?
Third — Evangelical Christians. They are some of the most prominent groups working in refugee assistance. Many were waiting for refugee families to arrive. This action is merciless and un-Christian. They are taken by surprise and PISSED off.
Fourth — Big Business and the Workers who Work for Big Business. Boeing is the big dog locally where I live. They just signed a contract for a large order of planes for Iran. How are they going to be able to conduct their business if the principles involved cannot travel here to oversee the process? My partner worked for Boeing and tells me there is a lot of travel back and forth involved in completing planes for delivery. Perhaps Iran, too, will reciprocate with a travel ban of their own. This can’t be good for business. Many Trump supporters work for Boeing. They could be persuaded this is bad news. I am sure there are many other businesses affected.
I suggest we make an effort to make arguments and craft some messages to draw these groups into opposition with us, especially if you live in communities that are more conservative, have a big military presence, or a business and its workers that would be affected. Letters to the Editor, postcards to your reps, talking in church, even signs we bring to demonstrations. Let us learn to identify and try to ally with groups and constituencies that normally are polarized against us. Trumps recklessness has presented us with an opportunity to garner more support from quarters that normally fall in lockstep with the GOP. It will scare the pants off the Repubs when we start coming together against them…..
A few examples: Respect Our Iraqi Allies — Keep Our Troops Safe — Overturn the Ban!
Overseas Intelligence Requires Mutual Respect — Overturn the Ban!
We Want to Build and Sell Planes to Iran! Overturn the Travel Ban!
Any other messages you can think of would be great to read in the comments.