Saturday, July 25, 2009

Obama's Tax Pledge

24 comments:

Douglas Porter said...

More propagation of propaganda from the guy who hasn't read beyond his assumptions, ideology, biases.

Josh said...

At least its honest propaganda. Don't make promises you can't keep.

Chris said...

"Honest propaganda"? Lol.

Josh said...

Propaganda, as per Merriam-Webster:

1capitalized : a congregation of the Roman curia having jurisdiction over missionary territories and related institutions

2: the spreading of ideas, information, or rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause, or a person

3: ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately to further one's cause or to damage an opposing cause ; also : a public action having such an effect


I think its safe to say this video is the spreading of ideas and information with the purpose of injuring an institution, cause, and person. Therefore its propaganda.

I think its safe to say Obama made a pledge which he is not holding to as well, which makes the video honest. . .unless you'd like to dispute the facts given in the video.

Therefore it is HONEST PROPAGANDA.

Douglas Porter said...

Nope. It is propaganda pure and simple, because it satisfies definitions 2 and 3. Furthermore, that is has facts intertwined within it is irrelevant, because all propaganda has an element of truth within it. You merely call it "honest propaganda" because it fluffs your biases.

Josh said...

A lot of propaganda has no truth to it, hence the differentiation.

Douglas Porter said...

Nope, for propaganda to make sense it has to have an element of truth. That's why it is effective. That's why biased propaganda is so effective. It allows the viewer of the propaganda to think he or she has the truth or an educated perspective, even thought the truth and an educated perspective REQUIRES thought and knowledge of multiple perspectives and argument.

Josh said...

"Nope, for propaganda to make sense it has to have an element of truth."

"elements of truth" is not make it honest. This propaganda is honest.

Douglas Porter said...

There is no such thing as honest propaganda. There is only propaganda you agree with. You agree with this propaganda, which is why you try and whitewash its false elements by calling it "honest propaganda". The the only "honest propaganda" is argument, knowledge, and following a argument even if you don't like it. Anything else is lying to yourself or propaganda. That's why you don't understand why I gave you Ayn Rand to read. You can't comprehend the ability to analyze to competing arguments, reject neither, but severely critique them and all other theories.

Josh said...

Without argument, there is no honesty?

Douglas Porter said...

Nope. If you are ignorant about that which you should know to argue, argument is silly. That is why your posting of propaganda is silly.

Josh said...

One shouldn't make pledges one cannot keep.

Douglas Porter said...

One should not support a position when one is ignorant.

Josh said...

Maybe not. But every time it comes to light this man has lied, I will post it. He is a blatant liar, and if attacking him for this means I'm spreading propaganda, I'm ok with that. Propaganda is simply one side of an argument anyway; everyone spreads propaganda.

Douglas Porter said...

"Propaganda is simply one side of an argument anyway; everyone spreads propaganda."

True, but one should not spread propaganda if one is ignorant. Period.

Josh said...

"True, but one should not spread propaganda if one is ignorant. Period."

So I'm not allowed to express a perspective until I've completed your reading list?

Douglas Porter said...

Hey, if you want to spout some more sophistry, "your reading list", go ahead, but you still shouldn't spread propaganda when you are only partially competent about one political ideology.

Josh said...

That's like saying noone should be allowed to vote unless they're properly educated on all political perspective and all issues.

Josh said...

The average person's ideas and perspectives do not matter because they have not read enough!

Douglas Porter said...

"That's like saying noone should be allowed to vote unless they're properly educated on all political perspective and all issues."

I said "should", not "allowed". Stop putting words into my mouth, thanks!

"That's like saying noone should be allowed to vote unless they're properly educated on all political perspective and all issues."

Yes, the average person SHOULD know what is being said before they vote. It has nothing to do with education.

Josh said...

"Yes, the average person SHOULD know what is being said before they vote."

I'm not sure I understand why knowing "what is being said" is important

Douglas Porter said...

"I'm not sure I understand why knowing "what is being said" is important"

Nor did Hitler.

Josh said...

My point is that words do not often reflect reality. Its more important for individuals to understand human action than it is to listen to politicians spew waste out of their food holes.

Douglas Porter said...

"My point is that words do not often reflect reality. Its more important for individuals to understand human action than it is to listen to politicians spew waste out of their food holes."

I'm not the one blindly following politician's speeches. YOU ARE.