I think Sidney is on to something, some of the propaganda tactics used by the present Administration to maintain their power go back centuries as the article he posted explains. Human nature doesn't change much over the years, which is why the same tactics that worked in Roman times, still can work today. How about some of the terminology that the government is using these days, like "homeland" security, sounds like something straight out of NAZI Germany, the "motherland" = the "homeland". How about Bush's blatent propaganda event on the aircraft carrier where he declared an end to the war? I read an account that compared that to the propaganda techniques used by the NAZIs before WW2 to make their leaders and military seem strong.
The whole concept of war is abused by the "powers that be" to maintain and consolidate their power and keep the taxpayer's money flowing into the coffers of well conected wealthy interests. The last war that was fought to really defend the U.S. from an outside threat was WW2. We're at the point now that we're in a constant state of war, which is great if you're in power and want to keep the people scared and passive (George Orwell's 1984?).
BTW, I agree that talk of a coup by Bush and company is over the top. There is no need for a coup, they have the people's minds controlled with their policies that have put us at a constant state of war (is there really any reason that we have to live our lives this way?). They know how to use propaganda to get Bush reelected, no need for a coup. If Bush is in trouble this time next year, we'll be attacking some poor defensless country with some sort of concocted rationale like going after a drug dealer (Panama) or WMD (Iraq).
I have no idea why people vote for policies that spend $60 Billion to destroy and rebuild a country half way around the world, when they can look out their windows and see so many problems that need addressing right here at home. There's a flood project in my area that has been stalled for years for a lack of money. Flooding periodically causes $100 millions in property damage, yet we spend $60 Billion on Iraq, go figure? How about the 2nd Ave subway in NYC, that would cost around $10 Billion, and serve millions of New Yorkers every day, yet we spend $60 Billon on Iraq (1/6 would pay for a new subway in our largest city). Something is very wrong in this country. |
