What's Really Important Propaganda Versus Truth
What’s really important to me is to expose the phony “perception of democrats� created by the Right Wing propaganda machine, backed by lies, disinformation and distortion. How strange it is that every time a Democrat emotes, gets passionate or animated it is perceived on the right as melting down, going ballistic, losing it, or going bonkers. Republicans seem to believe Democrats must remain lifeless and listless while putting up with the constant harassment, bashing and despicable lies thrown at them. The only time I recall these people cheering such behavior from a Democrat was when Zell Miller DID go absolutely ballistic at the Republican National Convention and attacked his own party. It appears that as long as the anger is directed AT the Democratic party instead of FROM it, everything is fine in their myopic little world.
For over eight years the right wing attacked Al Gore for being bland. When in 2004 he finally did get animated and had some rather telling things to say about the Republicans in power, he was immediately attacked from the right. Not, as you would suppose, for what he said, but how he said it. Calling for the resignations of several members of the Bush administration, including Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, Tenet and Rice, was not nearly as noteworthy as raising his voice. Funny that Gore was first ridiculed for being dispassionate, and then ridiculed for being too passionate.
Remember Howard Dean’s concession speech in Iowa for which he was thoroughly lambasted for being too excited when outlining his plans to win the primaries in other states? He was drawn and quartered nationally for being too loud and too boisterous, and not given any credence for attempting to give hope to his supporters after a disappointing defeat.
The game is to trick the Democrats into remaining passive-aggressive while the Republicans create various diversions, as loud and dirty as they choose. Thus we see the Swift Boat liars and the hypocritical outcry and convening of Congress over the Terri Schiavo debacle. Remember Bill Frist’s outrage as he made his erroneous and outrageous diagnosis of Terri Schiavo on national TV, and the nonsensical ranting of Tom DeLay? It’s okay when Republicans are loud and obnoxious, just not acceptable when anyone else is.
And now we have Bill Clinton being raked over those same right wing coals for daring to fight back against a concerted effort to make him responsible for 9/11, the “war on terror,� and the Iraq debacle, instead of the guy and party in office. The new strategy is to paint Clinton as the evil precursor to the rise of terrorism and portray Bush as an innocent bystander.
I watched the Clinton-Wallace interview and saw no signs of Clinton acting inappropriately. I also believe Wallace had the right to ask the question. No one believes Clinton was unaware of agreeing to sit in the Fox “hot seat� and knowing he would be asked some tough questions.
What’s noteworthy is that he was hit with the conspicuous propaganda BS right out of the gate, and gave better than he took. That is apparently unacceptable. Why are so many indignant because Clinton, in inhospitable territory, and being immediately hit with the “big question,� fought back, and did it with passion and conviction? Oh right, I forgot, Democrats aren’t supposed to raise their voices and be passionate, especially when being attacked; and let there be no doubt, Wallace’s question WAS an attack. Anyone disallowing that needs to get an intellectual honesty check!
Since when has righteous indignation become inappropriate? What is wrong with anger directed at lies and innuendo? Ever since the Bush “doctrine� has become bogged down in the Middle East, with Iraq having sunk further into a quagmire of death and civil war, the Bush administration has become increasingly desperate to find a scapegoat. We already know that they don’t make any mistakes because they have told us so. Cheney still doggedly adheres to the correctness of the path as it is, and admittedly would make the same disastrous decisions again. So, if anything is wrong, it cannot be anything Bush has done; it must be the fault of the Clinton Administration. It’s rather frightening how easy it is to sell that package to ardent Bush supporters.
It doesn’t seem to matter to these people that Bush was president during 9/11, that Rice was National Security Advisor, or that Richard Clarke was rebuffed when he tried to brief the new administration on the Al Qaeda threat back in January of 2001. It’s not important that no meeting of high ranking government officials was formed to even discuss terrorism until the first week of September in 2001, or that the now famous PDB “Bin Laden determined to strike in US� was presented to Bush one month before 9/11 and was, for all intents and purposes ignored. It doesn’t matter that Bin Laden was allowed to escape Tora Bora as a result of the incompetence of Rumsfeld and Bush (not enough troops on the ground, and a decision to let Afghanistan mercenaries do the job instead of the US Special Forces). Of course the icing on the cake was the decision to pull out of Afghanistan and trump up a phony war against Iraq, making false allegations about a reconstituted Iraqi nuclear program and a totally discredited Iraq/Al Qaeda/9/11 connection. Incidently, as a sidebar, Afghanistan has fallen right back into the Taliban driven quaqmire which was supposedly the precursor for the pre-9/11 Al Qaeda training.
Bush’s “war on terrorism,� questionably perpetrated to convince us that he is “keeping America safe, is something we have only his word for. Any criticism concerning possible mistakes and incompetence by this administration is now directed at former President Bill Clinton. No doubt this is the handiwork of the arch propagandist and Madison Avenue public relations firm of Rove, Limbaugh, Coulter et al, in that order. How dare Clinton have the audacity to speak out ardently in his defense against a party and leadership that not only haunted and persecuted him during his eight long years in office, but continues to do so in order to scapegoat the incompetence of their own six years in office!
What’s really important to me is that a whole lot of people in this nation wake up, and realize propaganda is no longer an acceptable ploy in politics. It is killing our nation. My online dictionary defines propaganda as “chiefly derogatory information, esp. of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view.� People who use propaganda are not in the business of disseminating the truth; they are more concerned with being right. Being right is not the same as being truthful.
Our nation is presently facing one of the gravest tests in its short history. We are divided internally, by a war of ideology, religious conflict, political strife, class/economic warfare and false rhetoric and outright lies. Externally, it is at war in the Middle East, physically and ideologically we have lost the aura of “moral rightness� that has long made us a favored nation in the world. And in spite of all this, and instead of doing what is necessary to heal the wounds of the nation, there remain those in power (as well as those supporting them) more concerned with justifying their position, staying the course, and finding reasons to blame others rather than take responsibility for their own mistakes. “God Bless America� is becoming more of a desperate prayer than a reflection of national pride!
Comments
Stephen, I'm with you here. I am personally sick and tired of all the Republican whining every time a Democrat raises his or her voice, especially to criticize or question the Bush Disaster of the Day. Not too long ago I was talking to a Republican who said that Hillary "screeches." When I asked for an example, none was forthcoming. Absolutely none. It's OK for Karl Rove to slime war veterans and grieving mothers, and not ok for Democrats to call 'foul.'
What I think is that these Republicans are simplly AFRAID of strong Democrats because they have no real substance to offer. Substance scares them, so they immediately go into distraction mode by criticizing delivery, hoping to get people to ignore the substance.
It's time for Democrats to show some REAL anger and stop pussy-footing around. I applaud Bill Clinton's backbone. Frankly, I wish he'd had more of it years ago, when he should have said, "None of your business" and walked away. That's a lot of water under the bridge now, but you'd never know it by those whiny Republicans who blame Clinton for every ill in the universe because they can't take responsibility for their own messes.
I for one am proud to be a liberal Democrat and applaud any Democrat who speaks up and lashes back. It's about time!
Posted by: Renee | October 7, 2006 10:23 AM
Steve you just opened a seeping wound that I have carried, seeing how corrupt our world of politics is. You know we both have been fighting this fight since day 1. Trying to resolve at first bias, and checking to see if that is what we had. Nope! We know what we feel, we just cannot be like others because it is innate to us to want to find the spiritual in things.
Today, as I was playing what's on TV, there was bush dedicating this supposedly one of a kind ship with his father's name on it. I suddenly felt a little angry watching bush praise his party like gods. Then I turned my mind to the fact that his father did (unlike him) serve his country. I cannot make peace with a bush name on one of our newest ships. I did not watch beyond that...
Steve if the democrats don't win, we will have no freedoms left. This week I got a letter from our government, local chapter. All the elderly, or disabled that have been getting help to pay medical, or personal help to keep them in their homes was taken away. Social Security and the few entitlements, for those who need them, have been thrown to the winds by this President and this Congress, while men and women are dying overseas for a false cause...
Foley is now dealing with the issue he has........dang it ... how come the republicans knew years ago that this was going on and did nothing? It was reported over and over!
I do not understand the anger and the cruelty, and defiance of what is right for a country that REPUBLICANS SHOW. We indeed have seen them in chat, glowing from their own seat of inadequacy, spitting against all democrats even wishing them dead....I learned a lesson though, I will never vote republican. Bush followers seem insane as if the power was theirs. Yet this man, bush, has played God and thousands are dead. The President and all these coming to the front they are blaming on Clinton.... Clinton has caused all of this. Sure! I am angry in my silent way, for if anything that ship today with that name stands for THE WORLD ORDER they have put in place.
That is the republican party, and governing minds showing you, BE SCARED! We will have the last voice! This is the government we now have, and I am mad.........all I have seen from this batch of republicans is fraud, thousands dying, stripping the poor, feeding the wealthy...Where is the justice of government since we are now living in a brain washed society flowing freely with Bushes will to kill and control. Republicans should jump the ship. However, this president saves all his people when we ask for a resignation.
Sorry to be so wordy. Sometimes Steve just pushes my buttons on his subject matter. I am right with you steve...
Benita
Posted by: BENITA | October 7, 2006 03:11 PM
I say "Bravo!" and "It's about time!" to the Democratic Party! The yellow-bellied saps (and suckers) have finally figured out the game. I have been so distressed with the lack of direction with this party that I would change if there was a party whose politics I could tolerate, but alas, I am stuck being a democrat. Being civil and rational does not work with the likes of conservative factions. They are not rational, and those that support them are not rational. When we look at any real historical reforms in this country, it has not been without its radicals and boistrous behavior. How else do you get noticed amongst the muck of rhetoric? I say "Bravo!" to Clinton for setting the record straight in the interview. This was not politics as usual trying to smooth over the truth with a smile, this was an individual who would not stand for being backed into a corner and threw it right back. Hopefully, he has set a new standard for democrats as to how to be tough and strong, but then I have always been impressed with Clinton, even though he has had severe brain farts on a personal level...not entirely unlike any other politician on the Hill.
On the news this morning, there were some civilians being interviewed about the Foley scandal and one person was so disappointed because the Republican party has "always been the virtuous and moral party." Does anyone still really believe this?? Really?? I about gagged on my breakfast. As far as I am concerned, the good and hard-working people who are Republicans are being duped by the fat-cats who hide behind the so-called virtue and morals of a party whose anti-Robin Hoodish policies are designed to keep the rich and powerful, rich and powerful. I have worked all my life with "bottom-line" people and that is truly all they are concerned with...the bottom line, at any cost and by any means. The rest of us are so busy just trying to survive that we don't have time to consider anything else, but we do it because it is moral and virtuous just like the fat-cats said. Any good Christian would know that. And if we don't agree, I guess we are not good Christians, just like people who aren't with Bush, are agin America. He said so.
Anyhow, back to the Democrats, they are finally choosing to fight furiously, at long last, rather than being reasonable and fair. Hmmm, is this an improvement?
Posted by: Al | October 7, 2006 04:42 PM
Al's last comment is well taken. It feels so right to urge people to wake up, but can it be done by screaming louder, belittling better or thinking up even more heineous things to say about others? If we are to pull ourselves out of this nightmare, we must start with a few basic common tenants. Like, we are all equally human, connected one to another in our humanity, for starters. If we cannot have a conversation from that starting point, will improvement ever come, or will a few good Olbermann speeches and well written blogs be only 'sound and fury, signifying nothing'?
A favorite quote from the Dhammapada:
In this world
Hate never yet dispelled hate.
Only love dispels hate.
This is the law,
Ancient and inexhaustible.
You too shall pass away.
Knowing this, how can you quarrel?
Spend energy wisely. Do your own life as the change you want to see. I don't see the benefit of getting in the sewer with angry crap slinging hate mongers. Both Dems. and Repubs. are feeding from the same trough.
Posted by: beanie | October 9, 2006 04:37 PM
Stephen I applaud your efforts on getting the truth out there, and letting people see what is in front of them.
I think this propaganda goes even deeper. By "brainwashing" the american public to believe that the Democrats are soft on terrorism,. soft on homeland security,. don't support our troops., etc, etc., they remove any validation to a Democrat's complaints.
I just read a blog, where the person suggest that this is quickly becoming a one-party system. The voting machines can be hacked but also., they are being built by a company that supports the republican party!! Bush and his administration has removed more rights than any other president. It is now legal to torture but it's also legal to claim "ANYONE" is an enemy combatant and subject to the Bush Regime's Justice!!
Has anyone given thought to with all this new power given to the presidency, and no longer the checks and balance to keep things constitutionally right.., what if Bush/Cheney/Rove machine figures out a way to give Bush another term., and another., etc.?
By making dems seem incompetent, mental, soft, morons., and slowly setting up his fascist rule., He may have figured out a way to quietly in full view of the american public take over our country.
The reps can't possibly hand over this country and access to their crimes to a dem candidate when election time comes. More and More people don't even believe our voting is gonna count.. It truly scares me to think of the new power this administration has.. and how they can and will use it.
People better wake up., they better start marching and don't stop til youre at the steps... because your country is slowing becoming Bush's country!!
kate
Posted by: Katerina | October 11, 2006 08:38 PM
What gets my juices flowing is that for every story that runs counter to the "uplifted" image of Republicans, there is a counter attack against the Dems. Usually, it comes in this order: 1) It's Clinton's fault, 2) then it's lambasting the liberal media's coverage, 3) then spin and, finally, 4) deflection to a totally different topic.
The recent news of the Mark Foley scandal is a good example. Immediately, the Clinton/Lewinsky matter was brought back to the forefront, then ABC was at fault for airing the report on emails and chat conversations, then, despite the admission of some Republicans that there was previous knowledge among "higher-ups" that Foley might be a bad egg, there were reports being circulated that the Democrats were sitting on this story, until now, for political gain, and now it's off to other stories. I don't give a rip about Mark Foley, other than he should never have been elected, and I'm well aware that the Republican leadership in the House has had difficulty policing unethical behavior, but I can't tolerate the crap that gets slung around.
I've seen the work of your fellow Blogger on "Views On The Ridge," a right-wing nut case who hasn't got the ethical fortitude to post comments that disagree with his views. He claims he posts "opinions," which I guess somehow, in his mind, absolves him from telling the truth. But here's an example of how information is twisted and distorted and spit back out as blatant lies. He's a bit of fly speck, who I've easily ignored after finding out that he won't engage in any kind of debate, but symbolic of how hateful propaganda can make it's way into the flow of legitimate information.
I hope that with a change of party in at least one of the Congressional houses, we will see the one-track train slowed long enough to let a dialogue begin. Let's all write letters to all the papers we know, expressing outrage over the lies and propagnda, and let's also exact a pledge from all the candidates, and/or sitting represtatives to work with the other party to solve problems, not distort the truth.
~~ dougt
Posted by: dougt | October 12, 2006 01:15 PM
I grew up in the midwest, a little closer to the point of origin of the vocal conservative movement, so maybe I have a little insight here.
Rewind the clock a quarter century. My recollection is that politicians were careful to advertise that religion did NOT guide their policies and actions (JFK, to go back a little further in time, made just such statements when he ran for President). Let's admit here that the "Moral Majority" circa 1981 was in fact a very small minority, and that prior to their organizing, their views and opinions were at best not expressed - and at worst, their views and opinions were ridiculed if acknowledged at all. And the party in power offered them nothing except more of the same.
Their reaction was very similar to the one you're having right now. I can easily imagine Jerry Falwell releasing a statement like this:
"What’s really important to me is to expose the phony “perception of Republicans� created by the Left Wing propaganda machine, backed by lies, disinformation and distortion. How strange it is that every time a Republican emotes, gets passionate or animated it is perceived on the Left as melting down, going ballistic, losing it, or going bonkers. Democrats seem to believe Republicans must remain lifeless and listless while putting up with the constant harassment, bashing and despicable lies thrown at them. The only time I recall these people cheering such behavior from a Republican was when John Anderson DID go absolutely bonkers before the Republican National Convention and ran for President against his own party. It appears that as long as the anger is directed AT the Republican party instead of FROM it, everything is fine in their myopic little world."
They felt ignored, threatened, beaten down, beset at every turn by a system intent on imposing on them a lot of things they didn't believe in.
Their reaction was to organize, educate, speak out, support candidates who supported them, and generally refuse to be invisible any longer. They did this even though they believed that they had almost no support from the press.
And now, you wear their shoes. If they are wrong, you are wrong, for saying the same thing in the same way, for doing the same thing for the same reasons. Otherwise: it doesn't matter if you think the press is controlled and against you; it doesn't matter if you feel like the target of an effort to eradicate what you believe in; it doesn't matter if you don't believe that your elected Representatives and Senators represent you - you can change it. They did.
Posted by: Nadrew | October 13, 2006 10:19 AM
Katerina, we are on the same page when you indicate you fear for our very democracy. This administration and Republican led Congress are shredding the Constitution, erradicating Congressional oversight, somehow subduing the Press (all the while accusing it of being liberal), playing the religious right for fools (which unfortunately doesn't seem all that difficult), replacing diplomacy with threat and intimidation (while talking about diplomacy all the time), and attacking anyone and everyone who voices any opinion contrary to their own.
Even though many Republicans are now FINALLY starting to speak out in anger and frustration at the blatant corruption in the present government leadership, there are still too many blindly supporting this administration because they have bought into the phony demonizing of the Democratic party.
You have to wonder why politics seems to come first with so many, and the welfare of the nation second. It's time for many people to realize it doesn't matter what party presently controls the White House and Congress; they are incompetitent at best, and self-serving liars at worst.
If Bush was a Democrat I'd be just as irrate over his behavior as I am now. Who cares what party anyone belongs to when they are obviously unfit to be in office. Clinton was impeached by a Republican led House over lying about an affair, while Bush continually makes disasterous decisions and breaks the law as a matter of habit, and it's just fine with that same bunch in the House. Go figure!
Posted by: Stephen Rose | October 17, 2006 09:55 PM