Thread by @thrasherxy

1. So for ppl not deep in the weeds who want to know why Neera Tanden was my final straw, a bit of explanation & clarification. I haven't voted for Dems for some time, but I didn't begin process of formally leaving the party & joining the DSA until yesterday.

2. I don't just loathe Tanden for her odious politics of war mongering, fiscal austerity, creating conditions of systemic racism/ageism/disableism, and union busting, which she has helped brand as "progressive."

I loathe how she's undermined things I hold dear & fused them w BS.

3. Through the Center for American Progress, she has fused the idea of real research (community research, university research) with propaganda—confusing people who look at and depend upon reports to not know if it's well crafted research of big $ backed DNC/CAP propaganda.

4. Through the Center for American Progress, she has fused journalism (professional journalism, community journalism) with propaganda—confusing people who look to and depend upon journalism to not know if they're seeing well crafted research or big $ backed DNC/CAP propaganda.

5. Through the Center for American Progress, she has fused the idea community (real ppl engaged in mutual aid & culture) with propaganda—confusing people who are looking for community to not now if it's real or big $ backed DNC/CAP astroturfing.

6. Through the Center for American Progress, she has fused the idea government with lobbying and messaging. She, CAP and their backers in the military industrial complex & in the mainstream media don't want research, journalism, community or government—they want obedience.

7. I hold research, journalism, community & government dear. I don't believe they ought to be fused w lobbying, strategy, marketing or propaganda—& I don't think someone who has fused these sectors of society that SHOULD be independent should oversee the budget of the US.

8. Bc of ppl like Tanden and institutions like CAP, what comes out of MSNBC & the DNC isn't rigorous or intellectuallly curious or ethical or even popular. What comes out is manufactured consent—a "think" tank that doesn't think, using journalism to make govt do its bidding.

9. It's not that I don't think researchers or journalists or government officials shouldn't have strong opinions (hello👋🏾!!!) But there is craft and rigor to journalism, research, creating community & governance—and they need space for thought & distance from "strategy" & PR.

10. The Tandens of the world were bad enuf as the nominal "opposition" party. But w the keys to the White House & the budget of the US & the "think" tank publishers and MSNBC & mainstream media? They'll be unbearable and dangerous.

I want as much distance as I can from them.

11. I just thought of a more succinct way of putting it.

In Chomsky/Herman's Propaganda Model, there are five filters of mass media.

Tanden would bring together ALL FIVE, @skyedali @BenHCarrington. That's what "strategists" do.

12. At CAP, Tanden would

1. Take $ from the owners of society

2. Take $ from/work w advertisers

3. Be a source HERSELF on MSNBC (& quoted endlessly in papers)

4. THEN, she would also be the flak sent out to beat up ppl who got out of line..

.

13. When it comes to the 5th filter (communism, or fear), Tanden has been very successful at creating fear of a common enemy (Russia) but also of trying to scare everyone into the idea that there's no $$ for social programs, "entitlements" (I hate that phrase) must be cut, etc.

14 .I don't think a person who has mastered the Propaganda Model should be running the US budget

As a gay NYC reporter, I watched how orgs like @glaad trained ppl like Glendda Testone, who learn how to manipulate media then go into govt, squash dissent & enact neolib austerity.

15. And I don't want ANY associations w journalists & media makers who will sidle into this equation for access.

Too many journalists are too close to the Dems anyway.

So, I'm leaving the Dems.

16. Yes, @carrielogo I know this about DSA. I am OK with being unaffiliated w a formal party. I considered leaving electoral politics all together. May vote Green or not at all sometimes. But w @DemSocialists, glad to think w other abt if/how to vote

https://twitter.com/carrielogo/status/1333420326122889216

17. As a journo & researcher, it's important to have space to think critically. The Tandems of the world don't like that.

Some researchers/journos at CAP & Think Progress did good work @mclemoremr—but Tanden & the model conflate their work w "messaging"

https://twitter.com/mclemoremr/status/1333426667436425219

18/18 So I'll be over doing my thing, continuing to research and think and organize around the things that don't change much between admins. The MSDNC/CAP/Office of Budget can have it. I'll be over her with my pen observing, thinking—& expanding my imagination w others.