Propaganda Techniques, Part 1

Okay, this is such a huge topic that I've shrunk back from getting started on it, until now. It's just absolutely too important not to blather out into cyberspace where no one can hear me scream.

Rule #1: Accuse your opponent of whatever are guilty of. For example, now John McCain is saying that "Barack Obama will say anything to get elected." Oh boy! (See Yahoo News). This has, of course, been true of McCain for the past year.

Rule #2: Telling a BIG LIE is more effective than telling a small one. Hitler proved this. Big lies so violate the rules of civility that people will almost always give the liar the benefit of the doubt and try to reconcile the lie with the things they know to be true. That gives the liar a huge advantage.

Rule #3: Repeat your lie many, many times, even after it's been disproven. Eventually, the lie will take on the value of accepted fact by at least a percentage of the population.

Rule #4: Get the jump on the listener's memory. As soon as possible after an event (such as a debate), misrepresent what your opponent has just said. For example, if Obama said repeatedly, "Under my tax plan, 95% of Americans will pay lower taxes," tell the interviewer, "It's outrageous that Obama wants to raise taxes on the vast majority of Americans!" There is research that shows you can actually make people clearly "remember" the opposite of what they actually heard or saw.

Whew, okay, that's all I've got the energy to write for now!

Casandra Calling, from 1952

All my friends know that I'm a flirt. I flirt with everyone. I even flirt with Libertarians. Some of them call themselves "paleo-conservatives" to distinguish themselves from "neo-conservatives." As far as I can tell, they are usually for hard currency (that is, backed by gold), completely unfettered markets (yikes!), the smallest government possible--especially federal. On this last point, they are nearly always strict non-interventionists, and this is where I find myself in sympathy with them, as I believe many Liberals are.

I just came across a book called The People's Pottage by an old-fashioned conservative named Garet Garrett. It includes an article, dated 1952, called Rise of Empire. It is stunning in its vision and wonderfully written. It shows that what we have seen in the Bush/Cheney Administration is the logical working out of a process that has been underway for well over 50 years.

Garrett's description of how a Republic becomes an Empire is fascinating and truly reflects our nation's current status. Below is his summary of the characteristics of Empire:

As we have set them down so far, the things that signify Empire are these, namely:

(1) Rise of the executive principle of government to a position of dominant power,

(2) Accommodation of domestic policy to foreign policy,

(3) Ascendancy of the military mind,

(4) A system of satellite nations for a purpose called collective security, and,

(5) An emotional complex of vaunting and fear.

There is yet another sign that defines itself gradually. When it is clearly defined it may be already too late to do anything about it. That is to say, a time comes when Empire finds itself— A prisoner of history.

The history of a Republic is its own history. Its past does not contain its future, like a seed. A Republic may change its course, or reverse it, and that will be its own business. But the history of Empire is world history and belongs to many people.

A Republic is not obliged to act upon the world, either to change or instruct it. Empire, on the other hand, must put forth its power.

What is it that now obliges the American people to act upon the world? As you ask that question the fear theme plays itself down and the one that takes its place is magnifical. It is not only our security we are thinking of—our security in a frame of collective security. Beyond that lies a greater thought.

It is our turn. Our turn to do what? Our turn to assume the responsibilities or moral leadership in the world. Our turn to maintain a balance of power against the forces of evil everywhere…

You may purchase a copy of The People's Pottage from Amazon.com. You can also find PDF versions of it on the Web.

Just the Job for Sarah!

Well, at last night's debate, Sarah Palin surpassed the very low expectations set for her: She did not disintegrate into a steaming pile of shit. In fact, we saw that with sufficient preparation she can stand up in front of a crowd of people and coherently recite talking points about specific issues.

This proves to me that she is qualified to work in the White House -- but not as VP -- more likely as a presidential spokesperson, like Dana Perino.

But they say that her performance will "re-engerize" the Republican base which was slowly, one commentator at a time, starting to realize that she's been an embarrassment. Now they are back to the very odd equation that being able to see Russia from your backyard makes you capable of conducting foreign policy. (I'm excited that I can see the moon from my backyard, so I must be qualified to be an astrophysicist.)

I'm sorry: Being able to repeat rehearsed talking points does not mean you can carefully analyze multiple complex issues and problems, generate strategies to solve those problems, and carefully lead a massive government in implementing those solutions. Not even close.

Sarah needs to go back to Alaska and take back the governor's office which has been commandeered by McCain campaign operatives. It'll be better for the people of Alaska, the U.S., and the world.