But you see, what Kerry brought up didn't WORK- people just aren't as scared of the things he tried to use. What I quoted to you out of Mein Kampf is true (I think) - propaganda has to be emotional, and it has to be simple. Kerry was just too damned intellectual- and his sentences were way too long, and his attempts at making the population really fearful were pathetic.
Now the republicans, having their convention in NY was classic- and brilliant. An exceptionally well thought out move -propaganda wise. Part of what I want in a politician is a reticence, or an inability (either practically, or morally) to utilize the more effective, emotional, and dangerous (imo) forms of propaganda.
So the less effective manipulator will always appeal to me- because truly effective manipulators can do just about anything with a willing population- and the less educated, and the more credulous the population is, the better.
I don't want democrats on a mission from God anymore than I want republicans on one. I don't want to see the US engaging in foolish wars buttressed by misleading propaganda on a democratic watch, any more than I want to see it on a republican watch. I want the US to use force when necessary, in those very rare instances where force might work, and make the world more stable- unfortunately it was quite clear from the outset that Iraq was not one of those places (neither is North Korea, or Iran). The limits of force are only understood by the rational mind- which is, imo, the problem with propaganda- it makes people immune to all sense of rational limits.
That's JMO.
Have a great evening- I've got to move along now. |
