Anatomy of a Hoax

American Spectator ^ | 9 Feb 07 | Lawrence Henry

[toddlintown]

"ganja-stink and patchouli"

Loosen up buddy. That's what I named my kids.

[okie01]

Such grace. Such charm.

[IronJack]

Why? Finds no answer.

The center does not hold.

[Stone Mountain]

Well, there's a difference between stupid women and women who have an opinion different than that of yours. I agree that dimbulbs are no fun to hang out with after a few nights. But someone who can challenge you intellectually - ah, that's another story...

[Holicheese]

There is also a difference between someone who can disagree about Bobby Orr being the greatest hockey player of all time and Wayne Gretzsky and someone who screams "BUSH IS HITLER!"

[Terabitten]

Hysteria is big business in the media. First they create it, then they report it. The more people that get drawn into the hysteria, the more advertising in the midst of hysteria costs, the more money is made.

Hysteria is personal for the social bubble clicks in the elite echelon ranks of the rich and famous. They strive to attain some sense of self worth. In their own minds, self worth is the measure of what your social bubble colleagues think of you. If you are Alec Baldwin, it is important that Martin Sheen think you are making a difference in the world. This makes Alec feel good.

Hysteria is a tool for politicians. The more hysteria there is, the more justification for legislation, the more important they are, the more their face is on TV, the more spots they will get in the history books. Hysteria gives them an opportunity to react with media sound bytes.

Oddly, all three of these groups work in unison to feed to and off of each other. The rest of America seems to just let the hysteria become everyday life and absorbs it as fact after hearing the same crap enough. A few (like those posting and reading hear) challenge the fodder and educate themselves by exploring alternate information sources.

You, sir, are completely and utterly correct. This is the REAL message of the book "State of Fear," by Michael Crichton. It would do us all well to realize that the media, the elite, and the politicians ALL have a stake in keeping us perpetually afraid, running from one crisis to the next.

[Stone Mountain]

Sure - I don't consider "BUSH IS HITLER!" to be intelligent commentary...

[Holicheese]

Thats the kind that I mean. There are things that you can disagree about, such as Eagles/ Patriots, plain pizza vs. pepperoni.
I would never date a NY Yankee fan no matter how hot she was because it shows a mental problem that will arrise sooner or later.
I think politics and religion or agressive anti-religion would be something that it would be hard to get past.

[DreamsofPolycarp]

Primatene mist is a nasal spray.

[Stone Mountain]

I think politics and religion or agressive anti-religion would be something that it would be hard to get past.

Hasn't been a problem for me. I'm an atheist (I don't consider myself aggressive anti-religion) but I have dated theists. I have dated a Stanford woman and fan despite having gone to Cal. And I've dated liberals and conservatives. It was rare that our differences of opinions made any serious waves. As I mentioned - just made for more interesting conversations...