I agree >>> Orlando Schwartz <[log in to unmask]> 10/21/2010 7:27 PM >>> Having tried for years to teach evolution to an audience with many disbelievers, I wondered how you change the minds of those so beyond logic and reason. I have yet to find an answer. I read George Lakoff's book, Don't think of an elephant. He said that people have mental "frames" that get imprinted on our brain from our upbringing and from constant repetition. When a frame in implanted, mountains of facts and logic will not sway people. Worse, they will accept anything that fits the frame, even if it is wrong or illogical. The religious beliefs of many are nearly immutable frames. You might have heard the country song, "You gotta stand for something or you'll fall for anything." Really, its the other way around. If you stand for a frame you will fall for anything. I think the Republican propaganda machine is very good at implanting and reinforcing frames. The whole party gets emails with talking points and everyone says nearly the exact same words. E. g. Tax and spend liberal. Wasteful spending... The only thing that might change a person's frame is constant repetition of a contrary thought to build a frame. I wish that Democrats would all say the same thing. Say it loud and say it often. E. g. Regan and Bush doubled the deficit. Tax cuts do not pay for themselves. Instead, for the last 2 years the propaganda floor has belonged nearly 100% to the conservatives. We have a tepid president that won't answer them and seemingly other tepid Dems that also remain silent. Dems have to propagandize the truth. Lanny Schwartz - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask] Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask] Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp Sign up to receive Sierra Club Insider, the flagship e-newsletter. Sent out twice a month, it features the Club's latest news and activities. Subscribe and view recent editions at http://www.sierraclub.org/insider/