Posted on 09/07/2002 1:21:52 PM PDT by dubyagee
Propaganda comes in many forms. A particularly deceptive form is offered to us daily by news organizations. Politicians offer catchy words and phrases to a pliant media machine that packages them in neatly written editorials and feeds them to a voracious public. These words and phrases then become repeated mantras that are used daily to the point of wear, in the hope that the naïve masses will pick up on them and continue the spin. A few of the more memorable from the recent past:
Disenfranchise – This sprang up during the election fiasco. Politicians claimed that, for numerous reasons, thousands of voters were prevented from casting their ballots. Somehow legitimate voters were left out of the loop, while many felons and even dead people were successful at casting votes.
For the Children - This phrase has shown remarkable ability to be recycled, though the most common usage occurs when a raise in ‘revenue’ (another buzz word) is deemed necessary. It has also proven resourceful in attempts to convince parents to give up parental rights.
Time for a change - Utilized primarily around election time, this phrase is dusted off when there are no issues on which to run. It’s most common usage is by candidates that are running against incumbents that have been performing their jobs rather well.
The oblivious public is barraged on a daily basis with propaganda that is often packaged as news.
It was back in May when we first began hearing, ‘What did Bush know, and when did he know it?’ Fingers were flying as editorials were pumped out with the speed of lightening advertising the newest in ‘buzz.’ ‘Why was the administration silent about the warnings?’ ‘Why hadn’t the Bush administration acted on the knowledge they received a full month before the attacks?’ Tin-foil hatters donned full regalia as they marched into battle with their conspiracy theories. ‘Surely,’ they claimed, ‘Bush had allowed the attacks to occur by his inaction.’ ‘What did Bush know and when did he know it?’
But something went wrong. The events of September 2001 had deprogrammed many Americans and they weren’t repeating the question. The fickle public was not interested in ‘what he knew and when he knew it’ and Bush’s approval rating remained high, despite the intense efforts to place blame squarely on the shoulders of his administration.
Months later, as we approach the anniversary of the terror attacks, the media is in a frenzy rivaling that of the ‘Summer of the Shark.’ ‘Will he or won’t he?’ ‘Why should he?’ ‘There is no direct evidence of Hussein’s involvement in 9/11.’ ‘Diplomacy, not war, is the answer.’ ‘Bush’s obsession with Iraq,’ the headlines scream, while well-meaning Americans worry about the economy and a prescription drug plan. Things are back to normal.
Just for a moment, let us step back in time. Let us go back to the days just before we lost our innocence. Climb aboard the time machine and come with me to August 2001, as news anchors break in to our ‘regularly scheduled programming’ to inform us that the Bush administration has just ordered a massive air strike on Afghanistan. Imagine our shock and anger as we try to comprehend what could have driven our President to take such measures. We watch video clips of our planes raining bombs down on mountains and caves, while our Officials mouth words like Bin Laden, suicide bombers, planes and terror. ‘Not here,’ we say, ‘they could never do that here.’ The ACLU is in an uproar as hundreds of Muslims are deprived of their rights and taken into FBI custody. The media speculates. ‘Apparently the administration was privy to information that massive terrorist attacks were imminent in the United States,’ they say. ‘We are currently looking into reports that this information came from Israeli intelligent sources. Israel will no doubt benefit from the U. S. aggression. It is rumored that Bin Laden supports efforts to end the Israeli occupation of Palestine.’ Soon, protestors are in the streets. ‘Stop the terror attacks on Afghanistan,’ they cry. ‘Bush tactics will lead to nuclear war. Stop U.S. aggression, now! End U.S. bombing of innocents!’
Meanwhile, for the majority, life goes on. We work, we eat, we shop and many complain about the U.S. aggression towards the Taliban. We are oblivious to any dangers that lurk within our borders. September 11, 2001 comes and goes, a day just like any other in the United States.
Humor me now, as we zip into the future. It is December 2004. The hustle and bustle of the busy holiday season is at hand. The streets of New York are donned in green and red, as a constant stream of shoppers push and shove one another in and out of department stores. Shouts of ‘Happy Holidays’ and Merry Christmas’ are heard above the roar of traffic. Salvation Army bells ring non-stop, as passers-by drop coins in pails for the less fortunate. Young and old alike brace themselves against the cold, as miserly gray clouds sprinkle flurries here and there. The flakes dance in their fall from the sky, and disappear as they gently land upon fur collars and red ears. In the distance music can be heard, ‘Sleigh bells ring, are you listening…’
An indescribable sound suddenly drowns out the noise of the City. There is no time for panic. No time for wonder. No time to realize it did happen here, after all. Black and red replace the gray as the mushroom expands, but the only eyes left to witness it are those that stare in horror from afar. This cloud is not stingy and the ash rains down for miles. There is silence as it covers the earth with its blanket. America is in mourning for New York City. Only this time, New York City cannot mourn with her.
Too dramatic? Maybe, but do we sit idle while the possibility manifests itself in Iraq? September 11th was not just like any other day. Our lives have been changed while many of the old mantras remain. ‘Diplomacy,’ they cry. ‘There is no proof Hussein is building weapons of mass destruction. Do not drag us into a war with Iraq when there is no clear and present danger.’ Truly there is “nothing new under the sun.”
Diplomacy didn’t work with Hitler. Diplomacy has been used with Chairman Arafat time and again, to no avail. There are those among us to whom words mean naught. The passengers on those planes and the people in those towers and the Pentagon never had a chance to use diplomacy. Hussein is cut from the same cloth as the men who flew those planes into the towers. He despises America and all that she stands for; not one of her citizens does he consider innocent.
America does not desire that her children die on a battlefield half a world away. America does not thirst for innocent blood. But neither can she afford a repeat of September or an offense even greater. We must deprive a bloodthirsty tyrant of his chance to drink from the cup of humanity. America does not attack to conquer. America attacks in order not to be conquered. If Hussein acquires a weapon of mass destruction, he will use it in an attempt to conquer that which he despises…freedom.
‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.’ Let us pray the job is done swiftly with few casualties, but let us pray the job be done lest the ‘buzz’ question make its way back into our lives. ‘What did Bush know [about Iraq], and when did he know it?’
"Who are you? Do you have some expertise in foreign policy?"
I wasn't aware that newspapers who solicit opinions, only desire expert opinions. What is Molly Ivans an expert at anyway?
Anyhow, thank God for Free Republic, where I can voice my opinion even if I am only a soccer mom with an attitude. 8 * )
They have enough trouble writing coherant articles. 8 * )
Ping!
Bump!
Huh?? well that needs to be fixed
BUMP and congrats on getting published
Amen to that. And thanks. 8 * )
an amused spectator signed up 1997-12-16.
I'm honored. Thanks. 8 * )
They really said that?
'Pretty cheeky', as Mrs. CD is fond of saying.
Here's a BUMP now, comments later.
FRegards,
CD
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