Today it was announced that the Republican party hired the advertising firm that Developed the "Swift boating" ads for the Bush campaign during the 'o4 election to fight the confirmation of Sonia Sotomayor for Supreme Court.. For those not aware of it, the ads showed veterans who supposedly served with John Kerry who stated that he did not serve his country honorable in the Vietnam War and did not deserve his medals. including the Bronze Star and I believe a couple of Purple Hearts.It was very soon widely disproved and discovered that this ad campaign totally distorted the record and character of a great patriot and warrior. I dont think he was a good candidate but that's beside the point. Many believe these lies directly contributed to the widely disputed loss to Bush.
Of course the Bush campaign claimed no responsibility.
Political commentators coined the phrase"Swift boating" after this to describe when a candidate heinously and in an over the top fashion, distorts the record and character of an opponent to gain advantage.
This was tried during the 08 campaign against Obama, IE. Secret Muslim, Not born in America, pals w/ terrorists etc. It did not work and many believe it will not work in this case. I hope not.
Having said that I would like to say this.For far too long in this country, government, Big business, pretty much anyone seeking an advantage on others is willing to lie to any degree to achieve their aims. Not just lie but perpetrate such dishonesty as to boggle the mind.
Examples"
We did not trade arms for hostages.
I did not have sexual relations with that woman.
I am not gay, I just have a wide stance.
I did not inhale.
I did not use steroids.
G.M. "Mark Of Excellence"
Vioxx is safe when used as directed.
We do not torture.
Your in good hands with Allstate.3
Enhanced interrogation techniques work.
Gays and lesbians want to recruit our children.
Saddam is seeking yellow cake uranium from Africa.
Merrill Lynch is Bullish on America.
On and on and on.
It is difficult for me to wrap my brain around this fact.In the day of videotape, cell phone cameras, the Internet and 24 hour news cycle poeple will tell the biggest bullshit lies with no fear of repercussion knowing full well they will be debunked and exposed. As long as it acquires the support they need to exploit the target of their greed or ambitions, reality and the truth are out the window. The end justifies the means. It is totally without Honor.
What we need to do as a society is start paying attention. Retain what is said and done. Explore the past and look for connections in the future that allow us to recognize the lies that lead to our peril. These entities need to be accountable. When they are found to be untruthful we need to set aside our guilt by complicity, self serving denial or apathy and stop these fuckers.
When someone lies to you they totally discount you as a human being. you become an inanimate object, unworthy of basic decency. It gives them license to do as they will.
By the way I have these magic beans for sale.
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Two quotes from Thomas Jefferson:
ReplyDelete"A democracy is nothing more than mob rule, where fifty-one percent of the people may take away the rights of the other forty-nine."
"Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government."
Danny, people are NOT well-informed and can't be trusted.
MOST of the voters that elected Obama didn't hear the part about US picking ourselves up and helping OURSELVES and EACH OTHER. They missed the part about personal responsibility. (The kind we were talking about the other night.) Instead, they're standing around with their hands out, like baby birds with their mouths wide open.
After a few days in offce, Obama said of government programs, that he would enhance what's working and if it's not working "it has to go". I'm waiting for the cutbacks. I've seen the spending plan. But nobody can tell me where the money is going to come from...I know, I just want them to tell me...It's the same place it always comes from...Ass National Bank (My hip pocket.)
We need better representation, from both sides of the aisle.