Political Propaganda has Defined Patriotism

[Donnachaidh]

http://open.salon.com/blog/fay_paxton/2010/11/12/political_propaganda_has_defined_patriotism

"The most brilliant propagandist technique… must confine itself to a few points and repeat them over and over and over. “ Paul Joseph Goebbels, German politician and Reich Minister of Propaganda.

Immediately after the Nazi’s took power, the Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda was established. It was responsible for controlling the press and public opinion. Goebbels exerted control over the media and information in Germany.

He openly acknowledged that he exploited the lowest instincts of people – anger, fear, racism, xenophobia, and class envy. Aided by the effects of the Depression and with sober psychological calculation he led the masses wherever he wanted them to go. He was a master propagandist.

Over the past two years, many of the very techniques Goebbels employed have been used to mobilize a discontent and fearful America.

Lying and deception can be the basis of many propaganda techniques including personal attacks, defamation, half-truths, name-calling or any other technique that is based on dishonesty or deception. Untitled1001If a simple slogan is repeated enough times it is taken as truth… “death panels”.

MORE at the link --

[dipsydoodle]

1. Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel

Samuel Johnson

Taken to mean false patriotism.

[azul]

2. And what is patriotism when it is manipulated by an internatiional tabloid

propaganda machine based in a foreign land, for sale to the highest political or business bidder?

A basic marketing feature of Endless War Inc.? An emotional-high way to baseness and ruin, and profits, to be exploited by special interests as the world burns?

Ain't much time left for this type of mindless competition.

[Historic NY]

3. Hey FOX news and the NAZI RW media machine.

[StandingInLeftField]

4. And why is much of America not understanding this?

Ignorance? At one time I thought so. I have lately come to the conclusion that the only reasonable answer is that a large portion of the population LIKES the right-wing spew. It's not scary, it's FUN!

[DavidDvorkin]

5. Patriotism as we understand it today

is the descendant of nationalism, which was invented by governments during the Thirty Years War as a way to motivate their citizens to keep fighting. So political propaganda hasn't defined patriotism, it created it in the first place.

[Historic NY]

6. Its sad because its creeped into everything....

"God bless the USA" has replaced "My country tis of thee", some morans don't even know the difference between the Star Spangled Banner & American the beautiful. the wear flags and don't know how to fly them. They have become common place decorations. Quiet Patriotism has gone the way of loud displays mostly inappropriate. Who recites the Pledge of Allegiance at a car show? Its become nothing more than a ginned up way to reinforce politics. Most people don't know the difference between the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. I am disgusted, its doing things that makes patriotism count w/o all the proselytizing, look at me crap we see today. I see people decry others when they fly their flags, but come St. Patrick's Day or Columbus Day it okay. Flying the confederate battle flag is patriotic, even if it represents the darkest hour in our history. Idiots who place out of context quotes on signs and parade around are just ignorant. Yes sacrifice got us here, not Democratic or Republican but common sacrifice like in for a common good. There is a place and time for patriotic events and they now are overshadowed by sales and days off or holidays. I really think people forgot just how we got here and why, what real history is, and that is sickening.