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pat_k

(13,601 posts)

35. Yep. And just like "don't think of an elephant," it always backfires.

Mon Apr 27, 2026, 02:53 AM

Monday

The felon did a great job of reinforcing the rapist-pedophile frame.

The paradox is also why Democratic messaging often fails so utterly. When we directly refute one of their horrible notions, we just reinforce the power of that notion. The trick is to define and strengthen our own frames without perversely strengthening opposition frames. For effective messaging for our time The Freedom Over Fascism Toolkit is must read for every Democratic information warrior, candidate, and elected (and check back for updates).

Why the Democrats Need to Stop Thinking About Elephants
https://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/15/opinion/why-the-democrats-need-to-stop-thinking-about-elephants.html?unlocked_article_code=1.eFA.z7Ga.I6grcjNrzPOq&smid=url-share

The title "Don't Think of an Elephant!" comes from a classic experiment Dr. Lakoff conducts in Cognitive Science 101. He tells his students not to think of an elephant, and he has yet to find one who has managed it. Thinking about elephants is the frame, and negating it simply reinforces it. This was the problem, he says, with President Richard Nixon's famous declaration, "I am not a crook."

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A Badger Hugin Coldwater dave99 Bayard

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Highlight:

Trump erupts in '60 Minutes' interview: 'I'm not a pedophile' [View all] BumRushDaShow Sunday OP

He doesn't think he's a criminal, either Blue Owl Sunday #1

He keeps mentioning he's been exonerated, but refuses to release the full, un-redacted files. Attilatheblond Sunday #3

Unless they're in a position to negotiate a reduced consequence, most criminals Justice matters. Sunday #18

Exonerated by WHOM no one asks Historic NY Monday #53

Himself, his lyin press sec, and the AG he fired. Attilatheblond Monday #63

Yes, this!!!! blue-wave Monday #66

"I'm not a pedophile" graycampervan Sunday #5

Nixon said he wasn't a crook. live love laugh Monday #62

He is an Evil, violent man. Evil as in Anti Christ evil. Murderer, Rapist, Pedohile and worst. Trueblue1968 Sunday #10

Psychopaths never do see themselves as the criminal. nt MrsCheaplaugh Monday #42

They should retort with... purr-rat beauty Sunday #2

What will he destroy tomorrow to satisfy his revenge/bloodlust for this attempt on his life Blues Heron Sunday #4

He didn't deny being a traitor, though, did he? Ocelot II Sunday #6

Sounds a lot like, "I am not a crook." Bayard Sunday #7

NIxon was amateur night compared to this fuck-wad. 3Hotdogs Sunday #13

Yup Farmer-Rick Sunday #20

Yep. And just like "don't think of an elephant," it always backfires. pat_k Monday #35

It's ok Donny, we believe you!!! *Backing slowly away from the ranting idiot* cstanleytech Sunday #8

He was exonerated? choie Sunday #9

Roy Cohn: Never admit to anything. Justice matters. Sunday #21

Bwahahaha! LIAR LymphocyteLover Sunday #11

Oh, really? Martin68 Sunday #12

I didn't watch because CBS is now dead to me, but AZ8theist Sunday #14

" I was totally exonerated. " AverageOldGuy Sunday #15

The answer would be "you're HORRIBLE" horrible people. Justice matters. Sunday #22

When you give an asshole a media platform... djacq Sunday #16

He sure is sounding pretty guilty to me oldmanlynn Sunday #17

Yeah, the "owner" who inspected his miss teen shows backstage... Justice matters. Sunday #23

I'm glad someone remembered that! Omnipresent Monday #55

"I was totally exonerated." Hmmm. . .you lawsuit the civil suit and your name is all over the Epstein files AZLD4Candidate Sunday #19

"I'm not an ordinary pedophile, I'm exceptional" RainCaster Sunday #24

This message was self-deleted by its author Roy Rolling Monday #25

"your friends on the other side of .....the plate" Skittles Monday #26

Methinks he doth protest too much... buzzycrumbhunger Monday #27

Judge clarifies: Yes, Trump was found to have raped E. Jean Carroll LetMyPeopleVote Monday #28

thank you! sheshe2 Monday #30

This made me smile LetMyPeopleVote Monday #56

I would rec this a thousand times Six117 Monday #31

Projecting again, for he is the real disgrace Clouds Passing Monday #54

As Glinda once said sheshe2 Monday #29

This made me smile LetMyPeopleVote Monday #32

Or even *"why" do you assume he was referring to you?* cstanleytech Monday #34

Love the poster--an O"Donnell response!! riversedge Monday #40

It was a perfect setup question radical noodle Monday #51

Yet she didn't go that extra bit and challenge him to order his minions to travelingthrulife Monday #52

He sounds totally innocent. Orrex Monday #33

I just have a hard time seeing the word "innocent" applied to this S.O.B. calimary Monday #65

Good on Norah for asking the question. lamp_shade Monday #36

While "pedophile" is the term most commonly used to describe Trump... QueerDuck Monday #37

Not to put too fine a point on it, BumRushDaShow Monday #38

I'm all in favor of very fine and sharp points. They penetrate much more easily. QueerDuck Monday #39

In This Case Common Parlance Trumps Pedantry. ColoringFool Monday #46

Ha! Fair point! I'll take the "pedant" label in stride... QueerDuck Monday #49

Well, that touched a nerve! Aussie105 Monday #41

Betty Bowers nails it LetMyPeopleVote Monday #43

Put it on yer hat dillidon. They all say that. twodogsbarking Monday #44

I always liked Nora O'Donnell. Emile Monday #45

Ah progress..Watergate to Pedo-or-not-Gate.nt jfz9580m Monday #47

He is, in fact, a self-confessed pedophile and adjudicated sex offender (rapist). CapnSteve Monday #48

Who and how was he 'exonerated'? sinkingfeeling Monday #50

Norah's a brave woman! wolfie001 Monday #57

Surreal. orangecrush Monday #58

Gobsmacked. orangecrush Monday #59

Not a pedophile? Jean Genie Monday #60

77,000,000+ "citizens" -voted- for this pedophile for president. Its tiny dick can't handle females of age. dave99 Monday #61

Once again, the answer is the following. Janbdwl72 Monday #64

Well Katcat Monday #67

Keep saying it Donny!!! TexasBushwhacker Monday #68

Touched a nerve Evolve Dammit Monday #69

Anyone believe him? Anyone? twodogsbarking Monday #70

Technically, per the dictionary, he is correct. Dyedinthewoolliberal Monday #71

Trump, I am not a pedophile. I'm not a rapist. Botany 19 hrs ago #72

Methinks he doth protest too much Klondike Kat 16 hrs ago #73