I’m always impressed with Republicans and their dependence on quotations to attempt to settle any political or policy argument.
The latest incarnation of this trend is a quote attributed to Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi that’s been making the rounds of Republican circles, used to defend criticism leveled at the Tea Party movement and to seemingly usher in the GOP’s pre-ordained victory in 2010:
“First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win.”
Too bad Gandhi never said it.
It was actually said in a 1914 U.S. trade union address made by Nicholas Klein, as he described the stages of a winning strategy of nonviolent activism and progressive reform:
“And, my friends, in this story you have a history of this entire movement. First they ignore you. Then they ridicule you. And then they attack you and want to burn you. And then they build monuments to you. And that, is what is going to happen to the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America.”
So I have three suggestions for Republicans:
One – Don’t depend on quotations from anyone to win your arguments for you. I don’t want to hear any more Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Payne or Sam Adams quotes taken out of context.
Two – Everything posted on the internet isn’t true. Please check your facts before you cut and paste.
Three – Understand the irony of misapproating a quote that was actually said by the representative of a labor union known for its support for “social unionism” and progressive political causes.