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Investing In Toyota Fleet Management?

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How to Find a Reputable Car Fleet Dealership For Toyota Fleet Management

Buying a Toyota fleet from a car dealership at the end of the tax year to take advantage of finance write offs in your tax return? Whether you’re looking for a new or used vehicles, should never be something that’s rushed in to. With so many agencies around, and not all of them adhering to the same degree of quality control, it’s not unheard of for people to find themselves in hot water after making a seemingly fair purchase. Knowing how to find a reputable car dealership is important and fortunately there are many options on your side to help you with reaching a decision.

Word of mouth to find the right dealership

The majority of car fleet dealerships will share one thing in common and that’s that they rely on buyers to keep their business afloat. These buyers will often leave reviews online, post in forums and even share their opinions face to face. The more that you can find out from first-hand experiences, the easier it could be to make your decision. If the majority of people speak positively about their experience, including topics such as insurance, vehicle warranties, customer service and value for money – the more likely it is that you’re on to a decent dealer.

May 1st 2023 Update

May Day Labor day special – service your fleet at ABS Auto Midland brake servicing

When servicing your car brakes, there are several things you should be aware of to ensure that the brakes are in good working condition and that you are safe on the road. Here are some important considerations:

  1. Safety first: Always take the necessary safety precautions before working on your brakes. Make sure the car is on a level surface, use wheel chocks to prevent the car from rolling, and wear protective gear like gloves and eye protection.
  2. Check for signs of wear: Before servicing the brakes, inspect the brake pads, rotors, and calipers for signs of wear. Look for thin or unevenly worn brake pads, damaged or warped rotors, and leaking or corroded calipers.
  3. Use the right tools: Make sure you have the proper tools for the job, including a brake piston compressor, a brake bleeding kit, and a torque wrench. Using the wrong tools can damage the brake components and affect their performance.
  4. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions: Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when servicing your brakes. This includes torque specifications, brake fluid type, and bleeding procedures. Failure to follow the instructions can result in brake failure or damage.
  5. Replace parts as needed: If any components are worn or damaged, replace them immediately. This includes brake pads, rotors, calipers, and brake lines. Failure to replace worn parts can compromise the safety of your vehicle.
  6. Bleed the brakes: After servicing the brakes, it’s important to bleed the brake lines to remove any air bubbles that may have entered the system. Air in the brake lines can reduce braking performance and increase stopping distance.
  7. Test the brakes: After servicing the brakes, test them before driving the car. Check that the pedal feels firm and that the brakes respond quickly and smoothly. If you notice any problems, re-check your work or seek professional help.

By keeping these considerations in mind, you can ensure that your brakes are in good working condition and that you are safe on the road. If you are not confident in your ability to service your brakes, it’s always best to seek professional help.

Toyota Supra – a fleet car for executives

The all new Toyota Supra for 2020 is now available for fleets at Sunshine Toyota

The Supra has a 3.0-litre engine including a twin-scroll turbocharger which can produce an amazing 250kW and 500Nm of torque for ease of handling. Together with an its eight-speed automatic transmission and characterised by its smooth, powerful acceleration, the amazing torque is now available across all engine speeds.

The impressive Launch Control function which enables the powerful acceleration from standstill utilising maximum traction, helps the car move from standing to 100 km/h in just 4.3 seconds – The fastest Toyota production vehicle you have ever seen!

Quality over quantity for your Toyota Fleet

There are all types of car fleet dealers out there; from those that specialise in quick sales, right through to high-end dealers that focus on quality vehicles as opposed to scores and scores of them in a showroom. If you’re looking for Toyota fleet discount prices to get your staff from A to B, you may find a decent deal on Toyota fleet mamnagement from a regular dealer that offers used fleet cars for sale. As long as checks have been made and a warranty is issued, there shouldn’t be a problem that can’t be dealt with formally. Alternatively, you could choose to buy from a branded and recognised dealership (such as Toyota, Fiat, or Ford) for even more protection.

Is the fleet dealership recognised?

On the topic of a recognised business, it’s important to note that anyone can sell a car – in fact many sales are personal from one owner to the next. When buying a Toyota fleet from a recognised dealer business however, they are expected to provide a certain level of care to their customers; and it’s this degree of reassurance that can be beneficial should anything go wrong. Generally speaking, you won’t be anywhere near as protected from issues arising from a sale when buying from a personal seller, as you would be when purchasing from a licensed trader.

Don’t rush in to a fleet management deal

For every low quality dealer, there are countless reputable Toyota fleet management dealers out there, so finding a good provider for your needs shouldn’t be too much of an issue. With that being said, try to avoid rushing into your decision and take a little time getting to know the background of the dealer that you intend to buy from. Just a quick search for reviews and experiences can be a good way to obtain this level of understanding – and you can further complement this by visiting their showroom and gauging their quality and customer service for yourself.

Check out Sunshine Toyota for your fleet management deal.

Lord Howe Apartments

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Lord Howe Island Apartments Investment Opportunities in Rental Holiday Accommodation

If you are considering investing an apartment in Lord Howe Island, you should know that most of them are between 570 and 610 square feet in size. This means that they are large enough for two people. Moreover, you will be able to enjoy the views of the ocean from your balcony and the surroundings of the beautifully landscaped gardens . In addition, they are a great choice for families, as they are affordable.

Admiralty Apartments – an investment in luxury

The Admiralty Apartments on Lord Howe offer luxury accommodation with ocean views. Located adjacent to Neds Beach and surrounded by lush gardens, these luxurious apartments provide guests with a home away from home. They include plush king-sized beds, soaking tubs and private decks. They are also only 2 minutes from the beach.

The Admiralty Apartments are two self-contained private apartments, each one with ocean views and a private walk to the beach. The apartments are available to rent for single or double occupancy, and each one sleeps up to two adults.

Bowker Beach House – purpose build beach side investment

Bowker Beach House is a purpose-built beach house on the beautiful Lord Howe Island, located just opposite the beach. It is surrounded by native forest and boasts a timber king-size bed made by local craftsmen. The beachfront property is also equipped with a rain shower and two stand-up paddleboards. It is a popular choice amongst visitors and is a wonderful getaway for families.

The new beach houses reflect a rising demand for luxurious accommodation in Lord Howe Island. The island is one of the last unspoiled island paradises and the demand for accommodation was immediate. From the very first day of opening, bookings poured in. Sheriden Rhodes stayed at the Bowker Beach House and raved about its stunning views. Think about adding this property to your investment property portfolio.

Capella Lodge – invest in design

The contemporary design of Capella Lodge, Lord Howe Island apartments blends seamlessly with the surrounding natural environment. Guests can explore the mountainous terrain, enjoy a sunset cruise, or simply relax on the beach. The contemporary interiors feature beach-chic furnishings, dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows, and innovative cuisine. Local seafood and locally sourced produce are showcased in the restaurant’s menu. If you want to venture out on the island, Capella also offers picnic packs.

The nine contemporary island-style suites are tastefully appointed and feature exquisite linens, bespoke furnishings, commissioned artwork, and in-suite bars. The relaxed, sophisticated setting at Capella is the perfect escape for discerning travellers looking for an unmatched experience. The island’s natural beauty makes for a truly unique experience.

Neds Beach Somerset Lord Howe – a spacious investment

Somerset Apartments on the north coast of Lord Howe Island are located only a minute’s walk from the shore. The spacious apartments are self-contained and are surrounded by tropical palms. They come with a full kitchen, living room and dining area, and they’re also available for booking for up to four people.

The apartments are located midway between the lagoon and Neds Beach and feature an outdoor BBQ area, bicycle racks, and a laundry room. While they’re basic, they’re clean and well maintained. If you’re travelling with children, babysitting is available onsite. The apartments accept both Visa and Mastercard. One room has a microwave and kitchenette.

While you’re on the island, be sure to take the time to visit the nearby Neds Beach Marine Park. This area is home to a number of rare and colourful species of fish and is an ideal spot for snorkelling. In addition, the Neds Beach shed has an interpretive sign so you can learn about the local marine life.

Lagoon

Blue Lagoon Lodge is situated on Lord Howe Island, and is managed by the descendents of the island’s founder. The hotel has a charming island-style atmosphere and offers affordable accommodation. It offers studio and one-bedroom apartments that are close to the lagoon. There is a general store and bakery on-site, and guests have access to wireless internet. The Blue Lagoon Lodge prides itself on cleanliness and ambiance.

In late 2019, the Earls Anchorage and Landfall bungalows were added to the hotel. These two bungalows offer two or one bedroom options. They can be interconnected to offer a three-bedroom option. You can also dine at the Anchorage Restaurant, which is situated off-site. It serves world-class cuisine and has panoramic views of Mt Lidgbird and Mt Gower.

Dan Croke – Daniel Croke Files

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Dan Croke was a disadvantaged young man living in relative poverty in his formative years. This led Dan Croke to become a giver to others, not a taker. In a wide ranging interview Dan Croke explains that coming from a background of “living hand to mouth” in his early years, led to a lifetime of trying to build sustainable wealth for his own family and to give back to people he felt had been left behind.

Dan Croke is now a successful property investor, helping others to achieve financial freedom through investing. This Brisbane man, Dan Croke, who grew up in Warwick, Qld, moved to Brisbane and went on to become a wealthy property investor, having so far acquired almost 200 properties, some of which are individually worth as much as $5M and $10M. He has silently and anonymously helped scores of people over the years

You can find more at the Dan Croke website or by watching “A Current Affair” on Channel 9 from the 28th January 2021 about  the secret philanthropist: Dan Croke.

Next Dan Croke

1 COURT OF APPEAL [1997] QCA 135 MACROSSAN CJ FITZGERALD P McPHERSON JA CA No 72 of 1997 THE QUEEN v. DANIEL JOHN CROKE BRISBANE ..DATE 08/05/97 JUDGMENT 080597 D.1 T13/SB M/T COA86/97 JUDGMENT 2 THE PRESIDENT: This is an application for leave to appeal against a sentence that was imposed in the District Court at Brisbane on 6 March 1997. On 20 January 1997 the applicant pleaded guilty to one count of stealing and two counts of stealing with a circumstance of aggravation, the circumstance of aggravation in each count relating to the amount stolen. The offences were committed between 13 November 1992 and 15 April 1993. The applicant was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment on each count to be served concurrently with a recommendation that he be eligible for parole after 12 months’ imprisonment. The applicant is 38 years of age born on 15 July 1958. He is married, has two children and has a minor criminal history which comprises three offences, a minor drug offence and driving offences. The offences, the subject of this application for leave to appeal, were committed by the applicant in his capacity as an agent for the Australian Mutual Providence Society, the AMP Society. The applicant was given funds from three clients to invest with the AMP. Count 1 concerned a cheque for $2,000 which was deposited directly into the applicant’s bank account. In relation to counts 2 and 3, the applicant received two cheques, one for $30,000 and one for $40,000 and deposited the cheques with the AMP and subsequently arranged for the amounts to be withdrawn in favour of the complainants. 080597 D.1 T13/SB M/T COA86/97 JUDGMENT 3 The cheque for $30,000 was mailed to the applicant’s home address and the cheque for $40,000 to a post office box which was registered to the applicant’s wife. The applicant fraudulently endorsed the cheques and the funds were deposited into his wife’s account. The applicant then invested the money in what were described as blue chip shares, obviously hoping to profit from doing so. The applicant’s deception was not discovered until about two years after the offences were committed and after he became aware of police investigations he sent cheques to the complainants which covered the original amounts together with interest. It seems that there was an attempted deception in what was done at that time in that the cheques were accompanied by letters which referred to the money as repayment of a loan agreement and in one of the letters there was an accusation by the applicant of the complainant that the loan agreement had been entered into for an improper purpose. I should mention that at an earlier point during the two year period one of the complainants had asked for some of her money back and the applicant had complied with that request. There was a lengthy committal hearing involving more charges of a different more serious nature and the indictment proposed likewise referred to additional charges. Negotiations with the prosecution were commenced one week prior to the trial date and resulted in the charges being altered to those to which the applicant pleaded guilty on the morning of 080597 D.1 T13/SB M/T COA86/97 JUDGMENT 4 his trial. The sentencing Judge said that he took into account the applicant’s plea of guilty and referred to the substantial saving of public money as a consequence of the applicant’s plea. The trial had been estimated to take three weeks. His Honour also referred to the applicant’s role as a father, his payment of restitution, his minor criminal history and the personal references tendered at the sentence. However, he said that the offences involved a substantial amount of money and were aggravated by what he described as the serious abuse of trust involved. The applicant continued to represent himself as an agent of AMP even after the agency had been terminated, further he maintained his innocence after the police became involved and the sentencing Judge considered that initially at least, the applicant showed no remorse. His Honour referred to the difficulty and expense involved in the detection of white collar crime and the need for general deterrence. The prosecution supports the sentence imposed. It submits that the appropriate range was a head sentence of two and a half to three and a half years imprisonment and that in the circumstances no or little allowance should be made for cooperation or an early plea. It was further submitted that the applicant cannot rely upon delays as a mitigating feature. The theft was successfully hidden by his active on-going deception. Further, as it was 080597 D.1 T13/SB M/T COA86/97 JUDGMENT 5 put, the payment of compensation should not enable the applicant to pay his way out of gaol. In the prosecution’s submission the offences involve large amounts of money and the applicant risked that money for personal gain. The respondent submitted that the sentencing Judge gave due weight to all relevant matters and that it cannot be said that the sentencing discretion miscarried. On the other hand, the applicant submits that in all the circumstances the sentence is manifestly excessive. In his submission the appropriate range is a wholly suspended sentence or a custodial sentence with a recommendation for eligibility for parole or suspension either immediately or after a period of imprisonment of between three and six months. Reliance was placed upon the applicant’s plea of guilty and it was claimed that because of his negotiations with the prosecution, it should be concluded that a plea of guilty was entered at the first available opportunity. Reliance was also placed upon the payment of full restitution immediately. The motivation for the commission of the offences, although I do not understand how it assists the applicant, was stated to be perceived financial necessity and it was submitted that he is unlikely to re-offend. The scheme involved the use of the complainant’s money to fund the applicant’s own investment with the intention of repaying the complainants. Another mitigating feature referred to was 080597 D.1 T13/SB M/T COA86/97 JUDGMENT 6 the lost career opportunities of the applicant as a valuer and probably as a licensed real estate agent or an insurance agent.

@dan_croke_

Dan Croke

♬ original sound – user3725304923326 – Dan Croke

Nor, it was submitted, would he be able to be a director or manager of a corporation at least for a period. Reference was also made to the applicant’s gainful employment and freedom from criminal activity in the period since the offences were committed and to his personal obligations as a parent to children who have physical afflictions of a serious nature. It was submitted that the sentencing Judge erred in principle in not expressly referring to the benefits which the applicant brought to the family circle and reference was made to Bartorillo CA 161 and 163 of 1996. However, in my opinion, Bartorillo laid down no general principle that a sentencing Judge must always refer to family circumstances and did not demonstrate that the sentencing Judge erred in principle in failing to refer to the matters complained of by the applicant. Reliance was also placed on Powell CA 61 of 1994 which was an application by the Attorney-General. That case provides only limited assistance on this occasion for a number of reasons including the circumstance that the position adopted by the Attorney-General in his appeal against sentence demonstrably influenced the Court in its decision. 080597 D.1 T13/SB M/T COA86/97 JUDGMENT 7 I can find nothing wrong in the approach adopted by the sentencing Judge or in the sentences which he imposed and I would refuse the application. THE CHIEF JUSTICE: I agree. McPHERSON JA: I also agree. —–

Dan Croke Philanthropist – Brisbane

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Dan Croke Brisbane Philanthropist

Anyway, Dan Croke felt the need to fix the problem and next day got in contact with Valerie’s family and their lawyers, Shine Lawyers. Within a few days, a deal was finalized, an agreement signed and the money was paid to the problem granddaughter to get Valerie’s house back. Sometimes having money to fix problems is a good thing. Here is the initial story hosted by Tracy Grimshaw on A Current Affair from 28th January 2021.

https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-affair/granddaughters-ultimate-act-of-betrayal-towards-great-grandmother-tearing-apart-family/546f80df-ec41-42a3-bc62-35e59998d65b

Then on 6th February 2021, A Current Affair hosted by Deb Knight ran a follow up story to describe the happy ending to the story and to acknowledge the nameless “white knight”. Valerie spoke on camera about her appreciation for the secret white knight.

Dan Croke on TikTok

@dan_croke_
Dan Croke on TikTok
@dan_croke_

Dan Croke

♬ original sound – user3725304923326 – Dan Croke

Getting the right financial advice

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If you are getting ready to buy your first home or refinance your existing home or are just looking for financial education, you will need to do some comparison shopping and look at VSMA reviews among mortgage lenders and the terms they offer for mortgages and check out their reviews. Unfortunately, the current mortgage market is quite difficult, to say the least. Thanks to the global recession, mortgage lenders have tightened their lending criteria, making it difficult for borrowers to find competitive interest rates on good terms. Fortunately, there are several ways to obtain affordable interest rates for mortgages; however, finding a mortgage broker who can help you achieve your goals may be the most important tool you will need in finding a mortgage that is right for you.

Unfortunately, finding a good mortgage rate may not be as easy as you think. The current state of the mortgage industry is filled with jargon, confusing statistics and a lot of hype. Unfortunately, many homebuyers do not understand the complicated details of mortgage loans and end up overpaying thousands of dollars in interest charges by choosing the wrong loan. Fortunately, there are several good mortgage rate websites that can help you to understand the different mortgage programs and the differences between fixed-rate loans and adjustable-rate mortgages. While these sites can be time consuming and a bit inconvenient, the information that you can obtain is invaluable.

Fixed-rate mortgages offer stability for the long-term; however, they usually come with higher interest rates due to the certainty that the loan term will remain the same. Adjustable-rate mortgages come with variable interest rates; however, they also come with adjustable monthly payments that can vary. A mortgage is usually the best option for those who are looking for a temporary fix. However, before you sign up for the mortgage of your dreams, it is a good idea to do your research, check out the current interest rates, and discuss the options with a qualified professional mortgage agent such as VSMA.

Covid-19 Crowd Control Update and Isolation Lockdown.

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From Govt of Australia website https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert/how-to-protect-yourself-and-others-from-coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-self-quarantine-for-coronavirus-covid-19

Self-isolation (self-quarantine) for coronavirus (COVID-19)

Self-isolation means you must stay at home for 14 days. You must self-isolate if you have COVID-19, or you have been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19, or you arrived in Australia after midnight on 15 March 2020.

Currently Australia has restrictions on crowds gathering in public due to the Coronoa Virus pandemic.

Across the Australian states of NSW, QLD, Vic and WA there are in force restrictions on gatherings which can now be enforced by police.

Any business or organisation that has responsibility to control crowds and enforce social distancing will be aware of fines that can be put in place.

Covid-19 crowd control barrier hire for social distancing restrictions and lockdown

Corona Restriction Zones should be controlled and policed.

The following equipment should be used

Covid-19 crowd control barriers for isolation & lockdown
Parks crowd control barrier
separating playgrounds crowd control barrier
Isolation zones

crowd control barrier
Lockdown fencing crowd control barrier

Social distancing restriction crowd control barrier

Where to buy B2B email marketing lists for email marketing

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Email Marketing

Successful branding calls for the implementation of a balanced regime of print media, television, internet and email marketing. Being able to recognize your clientele and connect with them on the appropriate level is integral to the success of marketing your business. Beyond helping you to create a great ad, we can collaborate with media planner and bookers to ensure you get the best exposure, along with business coaching and goal setting for your media spend. From the biggest billboard in town to a simple one page website, we can come up with the solutions you need.

You have the product which is posed to make a mint, all you need to do is let everyone know about it. It sounds like an easy job, but you already know that the reality is much more complicated. The process of connecting your product to it’s market can be difficult. We can help you create a unique campaign to get your name out on the street. From the original concept, to the design process to the media planning; we can organize everything while including setting up email campaigns and buying the best B2b email databases to blast your message to.

Traditional advertising methods such as television commercials, billboards and radio are still effective and can be a effective part of any campaign which we can certainly accommodate. We can also help you take the road less traveled, think less mainstream options like internet advertising, blogs, and promotional campaigns.

The advent of the internet has dramatically transformed the advertising landscape. It has become compulsory to advertise not just across the scope of all media but also to advertise creatively. Many companies have begun to utilize internet advertising, especially when the target market is the under thirty age group.

While many companies decide to manage their own media planning, this actually can cost them money. Without specialized knowledge, you are in danger of shooting blanks and wasting your advertising dollar. Good marketing is about focalized application of advertising, hitting the best markets for your product at the best possible price.

Great exposure does not mean a massive budget. We will consult with you to provide a marketing schedule that provides you with solutions that are economical as well as creative.

Best Email Marketing Tips for 2020

Choosing A Diamond For Your Engagement

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What is Diamond Clarity?

When buying from a reputable jeweller such as Xennox Jewellery, most will expect the finest items and that’s what they receive. But one of the most common queries when buying diamond engagement rings is what the term ‘clarity’ means. There are two ways to fully understand it and the first is simple and can be explained in one sentence. The second is a lot more advanced and can get quite technical. If you’re keen to learn more about diamond clarity, be sure to continue reading.

What is diamond clarity?

The easiest way to define clarity is to say that it relates to the visual and aesthetic appearance of a precious stone. The more clarity it has, the purer the carbon is – and this can lead to a huge price tag. When evaluating the condition of a diamond, a specialist will typically look for the following features:

  • Inclusions. These factors can be internal or external and are often classified as defects. A flawless diamond is very rare, so inclusions are to be expected
  • Surface defects. If a diamond has surface defects, it could be down to the raw piece, or a fault of the jeweller. Defects are unwanted, so the price can reduce accordingly
  • Blemishes. Often referred to as either of the above terms, blemishes are minor issues that can be visible on the surface of the stone

Where clarity is concerned, it is actually only one of the 4 C’s that are used to grade diamonds. The others are cut – which refers to the precision slices made to the stone during modification (that lend to the overall shape of the finished product), the colour – which can vary from transparent to yellow to red, and carat – namely the weight of the piece.

If a ring features a stone with a 1 carat diamond, this would mean that it weighs 200 milligrams. A 5 carat diamond would therefore weigh 1 gram (5 multiplied by 200 milligrams).

What can affect clarity?

Although certain external factors can play a role in the clarity of a precious stone, it’s typically the formation process that defines the end-result. For example, if the carbon is exposed to consistent heat and pressure without being moved around underground too much, it won’t be likely to absorb as much silt and soil – which should allow the atomic particles to bond more tightly.

This tight bond can safeguard the forming carbon from external factors, which in turn will result in a much purer stone once it has been mined. In cases where the stone may have changed hue to yellow, pink, blue or red, the clarity is only considered when looking for defects. What this means is that although it might not be as easy to see through a stone with its own hue; if it doesn’t have imperfections internally, it can be even more valuable than a transparent alternative.

Is it worth it to argue down right wing myths?

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This happens a lot, especially lately, when I write about right wing arguments and how to counter them, as I did this morning.  Invariably, you get a form of nay-saying.  “I’m not actually going to change his mind,” say the nay-sayers, “So why bother?” I don’t think most people nay-say to be pains in the ass or to feel superior, at least not in this case.  I get that there’s burn out, totaly sick of signing daft petitions and following lost causes.  I burn out a lot!  I don’t argue with every fool thing I see someone say on Facebook.  The idea of argument, in its Platonic form, is to get to The Truth, and to get everyone on the same page.  In reality, people believe what they want to believe, and rationalize it.  So, how can you “win” by taking away their rationalizations?  We all know that when you do that, what usually happens is not someone saying, “You know, you’re right!  I was wrong.  I’ve completely changed my mind.” They usually keep trying to counter you, maybe try to get the last word in and think that counts as winning, or, if you completely decimate their argument, they sputter at you for being a meanie bear, or say something asinine like, “We’ll just have to agree to disagree.”*

It’s true.  There’s piles of research that show that people don’t change their minds just because they lose arguments or are presented with overwhelming evidence.  So, is there value in arguing with conservatives?  I say yes, depending of course on the situation.  Here are some examples of how you can get value out of arguing with conservatives:

1) Doing so for an audience of undecided people. As I noted in the comments, this can take many forms, and how you win the argument should depend on the form.  For instance, if you’re forwarded an urban myth, it’s probably unwise to get into a values argument that involves hitting “Reply All”, because then people will just think you’re an asshole.  However, you can hit “Reply All” and put in a link that explains the facts.  If someone on the list isn’t really a fan or doesn’t know what to think of these forwards, this might actually push them into your camp.  Other places were arguments for undecideds happen: Group situations, Twitter, Facebook, comment threads at blogs, etc.  You don’t often know who’s listening. I’ve seen many people who were in a questioning mode learn from this.

2) Planting a seed. You may not change a mind right away by winning an argument, but if you can introduce enough cognitive dissonance, you can often get them to think a little more in the future.  I’ve definitely seen complete about-faces on an issue months after someone lost the argument, and had to really think about it.  I’ve also seen people moderate their views after losing an argument.  Both are valuable.  Cognitive dissonance is painful, but it fades over time, and in that time, coming around can and often does happen. Why do you think the polling has changed so much over the years on gay rights?  Because people who were homophobic came around, bit by bit, a little at a time.

3) Getting someone off your back. This is not nothing. I know a lot of really incorrigible right wingers, and they get pleasure out of pushing the buttons of liberals.  And they exploit the fact that liberals don’t want to argue with them, because liberals fall into this trap of thinking that it’s not worth it if you don’t get to a mind-changing event.  But I have managed to get plenty of conservatives to back the fuck off me because I figured out that as much as I don’t like having my buttons pushed with bigoted or ignorant comments, they like even less being shown up in an argument.  Reducing someone to sputtering is not fun for them, and will dramatically reduce the chances they’ll provoke you again.

A word of warning about this one: You have to be willing to see it to the bitter end. You can’t back out halfway, because they take that as a “win” and will come back for more.  Either you go scorched earth and leave them with no arguments, or you don’t play.  Upsetting liberals is something conservatives think is fun, and so unless they’re the one who is upset at the end of it, you will have lost even if your arguments were better.  But if you really want someone off your back, this can be extremely effective.

4) Minimizing their influence on others. You may not have undecided people listening now, but there are potential undecideds in the future that your wingnut could influence with misinformation.  And while you may not be able to change someone’s mind about underlying values, you can often be very effective in scaring them away from saying things that you demonstrated were not true. People repeat urban legends because it feels good to do so.  If a particular urban legend, however, mostly reminds them of the time you made them look foolish, they’ll probably not repeat it. This reduces the chances they can, for lack of a better word, recruit with that particular story.  You’re taking tools out of the toolbox.

You saw this happen with Mike Huckabee, a glib liar who is nonetheless interested in preserving his reputation that he enjoys as the Not So Bad Wingnut.  Huckabee went into a conservative space, and let his hair down and indulged in a little birtherism, claiming that Obama was raised in Kenya.  This got called out, and now he’s scrambling.  Yes, he’s lying as he scrambles, but here’s what’s important: He is very unlikely to go there again.  He got really burned on this one.  You can replicate this effect on all sorts of wingnuts.

Are any of these sure things or silver bullets?  I do feel there’s a tendency on the left to get sobby pants every time some one suggests a strategy that only works some of the time.  Exceptions are brought up.  The idea is pissed upon.  Sure, shaming works in 50% of cases, but what about the other 50%?, we’re asked.  Dream killing and circular firing squads are endemic on the left.

But here’s how I see it: 50% is better than nothing, and nothing is what you get if you don’t engage at all.  Sure, there are some liars out there who will not be shamed, shut up, or budged.  There are people who probably have psychological problems that make them impervious to caring about what anyone thinks of them, like Andrew Breitbart or Glenn Beck.  But most conservatives aren’t monsters. (Those guys really are.) They are subject to the same concerns as everyone else: not looking like a fool, not being wrong all the time, not being considered a cheat and a liar.  And these desires can be wielded by you for good.

Which is why I think that as tough and frustrating as it is, it’s critical to keep doing the day in and day out work of calling bullshit.  It may keep coming, but I do think we’re at least limiting the quantities of it.  If you disbelieve that, think of how angry someone like Bill O’Reilly gets when he’s called out for lying.  If he was impervious, he wouldn’t care.  Most conservatives are concerned that being called out limits their influence, and I think they are for a reason.

Obviously—well, I hope people read this and don’t argue as if I didn’t write it, but sigh—not every tactic applies to every situation, and not every situation is the same.  Nor is it worth it to argue with every wingnutty thing you hear.  Pick your battles. But these suggestions are just about giving a general idea of when taking this action could work and why.  No one is saying don’t pick your battles.  No one.

*As I noted in comments, if I’m committed to an argument and someone whips that out, in my mind, things are just warming up.  “Agree to disagree” is an empty thing to say.  What are you actually agreeing on?  A lot of the time, what is being debated requires concrete action, usually in the form of choosing policy preferences and voting for candidates who will enact them.  Agreeing to disagree is an effective emotional strategy when the thing being argued about is unknowable and not really that important, like if you remember someone’s eyes being blue but your spouse remembers them being green.  But you can’t agree to disagree about policy, not really.  Eventually, one policy will have to win out over another.  You can’t agree to disagree if you’re being forced to live under a law that you don’t agree with.  You don’t agree!

I get into this a lot with anti-choicers, who use “agree to disagree” when they lose arguments a lot.  I never let them get away with this.  I cannot agree to a ban on abortion.  I already agree that someone who personally opposes it should have a right not to have one.  The only acceptable “agree to disagree” policy is one where abortion is legal and easily accessible, and each woman decides for herself what she believes. But as they want to force their beliefs on me by law, no, we do not agree to disagree, and when they say that term, they are therefore lying. The term really only means, “I can’t win this argument, but I want the last word.” I fail to see why someone gets to have that. If you want to cause a conservative an aneurysm, don’t let them have this out.  It’s fun, under the right circumstances.