Rockridge Responds — Rockridge Nation
Rockridge Responds

About "Rockridge Responds"

All of us at the Rockridge Institute gather regularly to review the questions and ideas that members have contributed to Rockridge Nation, and choose a selection that we will respond to as a group. This process is in addition to the individual responses that Rockridge staff provide on an ad hoc basis to other questions and comments from members on the Rockridge Nation site.

To submit your questions, simply fill out the Dear Rockridge form. You will need to be a member of Rockridge Nation member to participate, but it is easy to join and there is no cost.  You can also learn about other ways to participate in the Rockridge Nation community.

While Rockridge Institute staff cannot respond to every question or idea, other Rockridge Nation members may also have useful insights to share in response to your postings.

We also encourage you to review questions that have been submitted by other Rockridge Nation members.

Here are the most recent responses to your Ask Rockridge questions from the staff of the Rockridge Institute.

Ask Rockridge: Illegal Immigration Is a Red Herring by eric_at_rockridge, Monday, April 7, 2008 06:00 AM
"Economic refugee" is a better descriptor than "illegal immigrant." It's more accurate. But we never hear it. And most people are probably uncomfortable using it. Why is that?
4 comments
Ask Rockridge: Can a Progressive Support Homeschooling? by eric_at_rockridge, Monday, March 31, 2008 06:00 AM
We recently received the question, "What is the progressive view on homeschooling?"
8 comments
Ask Rockridge: The Welfare Safety Net by eric_at_rockridge, Monday, March 24, 2008 06:00 AM
We were recently asked how progressives should respond to the framing of welfare as immoral handouts. This important question embodies the values of empathy and responsibility, the basis of progressive thinking.
5 comments
Ask Rockridge: We Need a President, Not Just a Commander-in-Chief by joe_at_rockridge, Monday, March 17, 2008 06:00 AM
We were recently asked if "commander-in-chief" is a right-wing frame and whether progressives should refer to the presidency in this manner.
5 comments
Ask Rockridge: Valuing the Non-Profit Community by bruce_at_rockridge, Monday, March 10, 2008 05:00 AM
The non-profit community has an important role to play in advancing values that are vital to our society.
2 comments
Ask Rockridge: Education Is About Students. Often the Debate Isn't. by eric_at_rockridge, Monday, March 3, 2008 06:00 AM
Like many people, I am regularly frustrated by the way people on what is often understood as progressive media talk about education. They often use conservative frames. Why? I see two reasons: biconceptualism and the pervasiveness of conservative frames. Remembering the former, we can change the latter.
3 comments
Ask Rockridge: Who Is Really Winning the Primaries? by joe_at_rockridge, Monday, February 25, 2008 06:00 AM
When conventional media take the narrow view, the real action is often missed. This is sadly the case now as democracy flourishes and we get bombarded with "sports coverage." The rest of the nomination process will be shaped by the narratives we choose to tell - and those that we don't.
10 comments
Ask Rockridge: Framing "Preemptive" War by dashielle_at_rockridge, Monday, February 18, 2008 06:00 AM
We were recently asked how to respond to conservative arguments that military force should be used to invade foreign countries to prevent such countries from attacking the United States.
3 comments
Ask Rockridge: O Ye of Little Faith by bruce_at_rockridge, Monday, February 11, 2008 06:00 AM
If some of those who share our values and beliefs happen to tie them to their religious faith, should other progressives look askance?
19 comments
Ask Rockridge: Blamed for the Debacle in Iraq? by joe_at_rockridge, Monday, February 4, 2008 06:00 AM
A trap has been set to blame progressives for the travesties of conservative foreign policy. We must act quickly to frame the debate ahead of the swift-boaters.
2 comments
Ask Rockridge: Fixated on Stimulation by bruce_at_rockridge, Sunday, January 27, 2008 11:34 AM
Structural problems in our economy have resulted in the erosion of the middle class, the weakening of the dollar, the frightening escalation of our national debt, and more, none of which will be addressed with a quick fix.
10 comments
Ask Rockridge: Is ExxonMobil the Kind of Person You'd Like to Have a Beer With? by scott_at_rockridge, Saturday, January 19, 2008 06:33 PM
As creations of state law, corporations should have privileges, not rights.
2 comments
Ask Rockridge: Students Are Like Plants, Not Widgets by eric_at_rockridge, Sunday, January 13, 2008 04:14 PM
To re-frame education we begin with our values.
5 comments
Ask Rockridge: Who the Hell Knows Today Who Will Be Electable in November? by bruce_at_rockridge, Sunday, January 6, 2008 04:38 PM
The perception of electability rests on a witch's brew of fact, impression, media-promoted narratives, and stargazing.
7 comments
Ask Rockridge: Energy Crisis Won't "Wait for the Market" by joe_at_rockridge, Sunday, December 23, 2007 04:05 PM
We were recently asked how to respond to the argument that we need to "wait for the market" to solve our energy and climate problems.
3 comments
Ask Rockridge: Answering Claims about the "Surge" by bruce_at_rockridge, Sunday, December 16, 2007 04:00 PM
Recently, we were asked to address assertions that the "surge" is bringing about success in Iraq.
2 comments
Ask Rockridge: Getting Politicians to Listen by glenn_at_rockridge, Sunday, December 9, 2007 04:56 PM
The missteps of progressive politicians are a frequent source of frustration for progressive activists. Getting politicians to open their minds to the importance of framing is imperative if they are to serve as advocates for the values and principles we cherish.
2 comments
Ask Rockridge: When Values Go Beyond Self-Interest by joe_at_rockridge, Sunday, December 2, 2007 07:17 PM
Today's Ask Rockridge feature explains how to talk to people who people support candidates and policies that harm them economically.
2 comments
Ask Rockridge: Ending the Amnesty for Abusive Employers by eric_at_rockridge, Sunday, November 25, 2007 04:00 PM
We were recently asked how progressives can reframe the immigration debate, moving it away from the conservative mantra of "illegal immigrants" to larger, more substantive issues.
13 comments
Ask Rockridge: Privacy, Protection, and the Constitution by will_at_rockridge, Sunday, November 18, 2007 04:00 PM
Today's Ask Rockridge feature will answer two related questions about privacy and the Constitution.
4 comments
 
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While the Rockridge Institute closed in April 2008, the Institute's staff remain committed to fulfilling the progressive vision it advocated and are available for consultations, trainings, and speaking engagements.

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