Molly Ivins: Cease Fire

[Dudley_DUright]

There is something faintly risible about the American habit of thinking we can fix problems through better public relations. We seem to think a positive mental attitude and high approval ratings can solve anything from shingles to famine. Global warming? Spin that puppy right out of existence. Economy bad? Send the treasury secretary out to predict the creation of 200,000 new jobs a month -- that'll make everybody feel better.

We have public relations firms that specialize in business disasters -- does one of your products turn out to kill people? Have you been putting asbestos in people's homes for years? Are you a notorious polluter? What you need is a good PR firm -- yes, my friends, a multimillion dollar campaign to convince people that despite your current problems your firm is warm and cuddly, cares about the environment and supports the Boy Scouts.

I am told that in Hollywood, there are PR people who specialize in repairing the damage to the reputations of movie stars who get nasty divorces and otherwise misbehave.

Despite what I am sure are the invaluable services of the many PR people of our nation, sometimes it is actually smarter to attack the problem itself than the public relations surrounding it. I suspect that's where we are with the situation in Iraq.

more...

http://www.workingforchange.com/article.cfm?itemid=15888

[mcar]

1. Molly's right on

I'm a former PR person, now a freelance writer. I was just saying to my spouse last night that I am ashamed of my profession. PR has always had a bad rep, but there have been lots of us out there doing good -- for non-profits and corporations.

Now, we are treated to this spectacle -- things bad, let's spin 'em the other way. That's not PR, that's bull#$%@.

[realFedUp]

2. amen.

Thanks Ms. Molly

[Rowdyboy]

3. The voice of reason speaks once again....

Every single word should be read and acted upon.

[spooky3]

4. Molly for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

[grannylib]

5. Hear Hear!

Molly is one of the voices of reason out there today - it still amazes me that someone has the sense and decency to publish her stuff...(oh that's RIGHT, the LIBERALS control the media, and her columns are just proof of that, sorry i forgot!)