American public not stupid, just brainwashed

[jps]

This is an excellent article which addresses what I believe is a major problem for the left today. There is a definite level of elitism, which isolates us. Often times I've found people feel that its a waste of time talking to anyone outside of the left. The focus tends to be on converting people within the left from one branch to another(ie. trotskyism to maoism to anarchism to green party, etc.) when the real focus should be on educating people in general. Distributing information to right wingers or democrats may not be beneficial for ones immediate group or cause in the short term, but can plant a seed of doubt which may make a person more inclined to look charitably on the left in the future and ultimately becom a part of it.

http://www.infoshop.org/inews/storie.../05/28/8637944

An intelligent US public? That’s not the goal of the media, with its dumbed down soup of fear, sensationalism, and unquestioning patriotism. Radical grassroots activists, overwhelmed with the flood of insane patriotic imagery, make a false assumption: that people who buy into the stupid american dream are themselves…. Stupid. True, it’s a lot easier to write folks off as stupid, than to actually engage with them. But when we focus on insane displays of patriotism, rather than the person behind them, we actually let the media and the government win. We perpetuate the fear of disagreement, debate, and critical thinking that allows this government to build an empire on lies.

In many parts of the US, there’s little access to the world news and analysis that the left thrives upon. American media does not encourage critical thinking. Issues are draped in patriotism, not framed in ways that foster consideration and discussion. Debate forums that do exist, like talk radio and political debate shows, are overwhelmed by dogmatic right-biased spectacle. So-called ‘alternative’ free weeklies have become cookie-cutter clones spewed out by a few companies.

Serious questioning and disagreement are tantamount to treason. Bush and Co’s conquering mentality – that there’s one answer, it’s American, and if you disagree, you are less than human – applies at home as well as abroad, and is essentially the end of debate.

The military industrial complex has powerful tools to smash dissent. The real threats of surveillance, infiltration, prison time, etc make anything beyond very mundane disagreement with the government very scary. In this climate of fear, support for the government, whether active or passive, is much easier than fully articulating and acting upon dissenting views.

But imagine a world where disagreement was okay. Where you could support people you disagreed with, where tolerance for difference was the norm. Where critical thinking and raising questions meant respect and discussion instead of being a nerd, a pinko asshole, or a domestic terrorist. This is the antithesis of the american imperialist view of the world, and it is the real meaning of freedom.

[WasiGermany]

every "good" usa-citizen should read that !

[jps]

agh. forgot to post the link:
http://www.infoshop.org/inews/storie.../05/28/8637944

[jps]

Originally posted by WasiGermany
every "good" usa-citizen should read that !

Sadly, articles like that one are not always available to people. Not everyone can afford a computer and internet access, which only makes the point of the article more important. Those on the left who have access to real information about the world need to spread it around.

[Jerrek]

In many parts of the US, there’s little access to the world news and analysis that the left thrives upon.

In many parts of the US, there’s little access to the BBC and other liberal media and the propaganda that the left thrives upon.

Issues are draped in patriotism

Patriotism is the number one enemy of the left. No wonder they get annoyed when the right shows the stars and stripes (or maple leaf).

are overwhelmed by dogmatic right-biased spectacle

I'm going to have to go ahead and disagree with you there.

The military industrial complex has powerful tools to smash dissent.

What a revealing statement.

Where you could support people you disagreed with, where tolerance for difference was the norm.

Then do what you preach and support the right.

[shrubby pegasus]

come on jerrek cant you ever come up with another argument besides those antiamerican liberals.

[Voodoo Child]

I agree with what this person is saying although the rhetoric is alittle over the top.

Don't you be dissing the BBC, they make CNN look like Jayson Blair. Anyone who has watched BBCworld and then CNN during Gulf War Reloaded has noticed that the BBC coverage was much better balanced and covered many stories of note didn't make their way across the atlantic. Compared to virtually any other country american coverage was less critical and less analytical. In america no one wants to be seen to undermine the war effort.

Patriotism is the number one enemy of the left. No wonder they get annoyed when the right shows the stars and stripes (or maple leaf).

Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel. What the left object to however, is the cynical manipulation of one's love of their country to discourage critical analysis and demonise dissenters. eg. anyone who doesn't support invading a foreign country obviously hates america.