Forum Post: I have been saying Attack the Lies.

I have been saying Attack the Lies.

Some disagree. Let me see if I may, using an example, demonstrate how and why this is effective. In fact, it has already been done, by us. Perhaps this is not clearly understood.

We know, for example, that lenders have in many instances engaged in fraud in creating the sub-prime lending mess. If we were to have possession of proof, in just one instance, where fraud has been unaddressed by our legal system, and then set up a candle light vigil outside their home, this would do several things at once.

It would terrify the individual who had committed the fraud.

It would terrify all those who had behaved the same, not knowing if they would be next on our list.

It would terrify all those who have depended on and profited handsomely from other kinds of lies.

It would bring into question the credibility of our legal system before the eyes of the public, in such a way that the legal system itself must respond if only to maintain their credibility.

Make no mistake, what I suggest has a certain cruelty to it. Were such a protest to take place, I would recommend targeting individuals who are childless, that the children not be made to know fear through us.

It is cruel, because targeting one individual with a mob, even one standing in silence outside their door holding candles, will inspire fear. Yet I say such a tactic is not unjust. The legal system is designed to protect the guilty, and society as a whole, from vigilantism. Failure to do its job will in time result in nothing else. Our system is designed to provide a measure of fairness even to the guilty, not just the innocent. When it fails, it fails both the innocent and the guilty.

There are many lies. I do not care if this kind of protest is adopted or not. That is not my point - although I do believe that it is both appropriate and has the potential to be highly effective: at producing fast and measurable results, at drawing people to us, at creating openings for those in media who would amplify our message and expanding opportunities for them to do so, which in turn feeds back into the entire process.

Everything is connected. There are feed back loops we can harness to our advantage.

Confronting the lies should be easy - there are so many, all you have to do is pick one. Pick one, and focus public attention on it, in a way that is irrefutable and that demands results.

This is what the Occupy Wall Street protest did, even if we are not yet aware of it. That we are not aware of it is simply because no specific lie was identified and articulated in a clear and consistent manner. It is not a short coming. It demonstrates the power of what we have already done.

Even without articulating with precision what specific lie we wish addressed, those who depend upon lies have already responded. They already know fear.

So I say - pick one. There are many to choose from. Just pick one, and begin.