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September 3, 2007

The Guidebook to Public-Abuse

Justin Katz

I'd also like to thank Mr. Crowley — especially on Labor Day — for highlighting the tactical philosophy of one of his union heroes:

  1. Power is not only what you have, but what your enemy thinks you have
  2. Never go outside of the experience of your own people
  3. Whenever possible, go outside the experience of your opponent
  4. Make your opponents live by their own rule book
  5. Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon
  6. A good tactic is one that people enjoy
  7. A tactic that drags on to long becomes a drag
  8. Keep the pressure on
  9. The threat is usually more terrifying that the thing itself
  10. Maintain a constant pressure on the opposition
  11. If you push a negative hard enough and deep enough it will break through to its counter side.
  12. The price of a successful attack is a constructive alternative
  13. Pick the target opponent, freeze the issue, personalize the issue, polarize the issue.

Still wondering why the rift is growing between teachers and the communities of which they ought to (often want to) be a part?

Comments

"The price of a successful attack is a constructive alternative"

... people always seem to miss this one, Jus.

Posted by: Pat Crowley at September 3, 2007 12:11 PM

Cross-district choice.
Vouchers.
Increased charter alternatives.

Posted by: Andrew at September 3, 2007 12:25 PM

Crowley's hero wrote books titled "Rules for Radicals" and "Reveille for Radicals."

Hillary wrote about him (if memory serves, her master's thesis).

The 1960's are still with us, albeit in a duck costume.

Posted by: Tom W at September 4, 2007 2:11 PM