Dictionary of American Propagandist Phrases

PROPAGANDA: The spreading of information or ideas to further or damage a cause

Is it dialect, art, genius
or simple disinformation?

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All of that was hypothetical... but that's the way it works.  Surely, a reporter would then use the entire quotation verbatim, only to have a spokesperson say the quote was a misquote and taken out of context for the sole purpose of furthering the liberal media's hidden agenda.

One might come to conclude, then, that it's best to ignore what the President says, and wait for the press release later, since he can't seem to say what he really means anyway.   That way, we'd be better off, because then we'd only have to contend with what he wanted us to know.  Which brings us back to the original problem.

Propaganda is a misunderstood word, an incredibly effective process, and most often abused.

Propaganda has been used to cause Americans to quit smoking en masse, havong been subjected to information relevant to their health, but more importantly, by altering the social and cultural climate and dispatching peer pressure to cause conformity and abandonment of previously socially acceptable habits and beliefs.

Propaganda is in use when the media reports time and time again for day after day about "What would life be like post Yasser Arafat?"  When we're told about the threat of  biological weapons and weapons of mass destruction from Iraq and Iran? It's the public preparation for what's to come, what may happen. It's no accident or coincidence.

Propaganda is in use when governments speak of their support for a policy in order to garner public support, but actually do just the opposite... an example would be the recent signing of the Campaign Finance Reform Bill by George Bush... full well knowing that recent appointees and political supporters would fight the legal battles against Campaign Finance Reform in the guise of defending Free Speech... at the expense of fairness and justice.  Nonetheless, George Bush gets to say he signed the law, and won't be tarnished by fighting it.

There's more than just propaganda at play in that situation, but propaganda allows it occur without formative objection or opposition.

What I'm writing at this moment is propaganda, because I'd like to convince you to take a closer look and listen, to start noticing events and comparing that to what you're told about events, and to question information that is provided to you so conveniently.

Propaganda often relies on rumors, lies, destruction of image and distortion of perception.  If someone supports abortion, someone else accuses them of supporting murder... when that isn't the truth at all... but it makes an impression... and has America in a political and religious uproar even today, when 75% of Americans believe that abortion should be a choice... because of skillful propaganda and, dare I say it, terrorist acts upon practitioners, patients and property.

Propaganda becomes the key element to it all in a society whose source of news is 10 second sound-bytes here and there, the "full story" told in less than 3 minutes on investigative reports, advertising that offers you what you want to hear without the ability or desire to deliver the product, and it all becomes about image and perception, not fact.  Consider the case of Argenbrite.  The Headline:  The Feds Take Over Airport Security.  The Truth: They simply pay more for the same contracts with the same companies pre 9/11.

That's why we think it's important to expose implementations of propaganda... so that we can all be more aware of where it's being used, how it's being used, and to determine what needs to be done to force our leaders and media to tell us the truth... not their truth... the facts.

George Bush said he trusted the people.  If that's true, then he should have no problem disclosing  his administration's dealings with Enron and other business intersts. Or explaining his policies. Or providing fact that, in an honest administration and open society, would not bring disgrace.

Your observations of propaganda are welcome.  Be a propaganderer. Please send your examples of propaganda to propagander@democraticfundamentalism.org . 200-300 words max per phrase or implementation.  Join is in the fun of exposition!

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