Manipulation of the Media

[CrossLOPER]

LOL, but I definitely see a trend towards something very sinister here. I wonder how long/how many more terrorist attacks it will take before Americans who openly critise their government find themselves in some form of internment camp?

What? No rolling eyes?

[Crazed Rabbit]

I gotta say, I luuuuuuuuuuuuuuvvv all these threads where foreigners worry about domestic US laws for us people who just happen to live in the US.

Especially when they blow it way out of proportion; like this.
The military want's to get its version of the facts out? It's propaganda just like 1984!
A law allowing easier use of the Nat'l guard by the fed after the fed was criticized for states not using their nat'l guards- military occupation of the US!

I'm not even going to bother responding point by point to all the crap posted in this thread.

CR

[CrossLOPER]

I gotta say, I luuuuuuuuuuuuuuvvv all these threads where foreigners worry about domestic US laws for us people who just happen to live in the US.

I live in the US at this time, so I think I have some sort of say.

Especially when they blow it way out of proportion; like this.
The military want's to get its version of the facts out? It's propaganda just like 1984!

Well, saying everything is nice and shiny and covering up anything remotely damaging is kinda... um... not good.

A law allowing easier use of the Nat'l guard by the fed after the fed was criticized for states not using their nat'l guards- military occupation of the US!

You want to have trigger-happy soldiers hopping about your home whenever someone high up wills it?

I'm not even going to bother responding point by point to all the crap posted in this thread.


CR

OK, but I called you cupcake. You just keep that in mind.

[Crazed Rabbit]

I live in the US at this time, so I think I have some sort of say.

Well, I suppose...just this once.

Well, saying everything is nice and shiny and covering up anything remotely damaging is kinda... um... not good.

They are not covering up anything, merely getting their version across- free speech, you know.

You want to have trigger-happy soldiers hopping about your home whenever someone high up wills it?

No law allows that.

OK, but I called you cupcake. You just keep that in mind.

Okaaaaaaaaay.

You see one thing "leftists" do have that those who make up the right-wing echo-chamber lack, is empathy. blah blah blah I AM concerned for the well being of US citizens and it distresses me greatly to see their democracy being torn to shreads in what is supposedly an effort to "protect" it.

I am also concerned for the rest of the world. The last thing the world needs is a WMD armed rouge superpower headed by a dictatorial band of corporatists going around blowing up more people.

I believe I am right to worry and I will express my concerns. You don't like it, that's fine, don't read it then.

That's hilarious. I suppose your empathy is selective, if you opposed the invasion of Iraq.
It's also hilarious someone from Japan is criticizing US democracy and then goes on to call us a dictatorial band of corporatists.

We don't need other people exagerrating beyond reality the lastest thing 'bushitlerburton' has done to 'destroy the US';

That new law makes it possible for one man to call the military onto the streets to police the civilian population whenever he sees it nesecary. That's a pretty big jump towards despotism.

The military has more than ample opportunity to get their side of the story out - Pentagon press conferences, interviews, embedded reporters, spokemen. It shouldn't be allowed to manufacture news any more than it already does.

Guess what- the MSM decides what to print, not the Pentagon. They aren't manufacturing news, merely trying to get the MSM to report on some good things once and a while.

EDIT - Speaking of 1984 and doublespeak I just came across this; a wonderful example of 1984 style doublespeak.

Are you aware of the history of Camp Gitmo? It appears not.

Rabbit: an honest question for you, because I am truly puzzled that you of all people (meaning, non-extremist views, does research on posts, very much coherent and logical) are stating that all is pink in the land of the free. Please tell me, and I am not being sarcastic in this, do you truly believe that the American people have as many rights, and as much freedom as they had, say, 10 or 15 years ago ?

I don't think the situation is pink, and have grave concerns about some abuses of government power (ironically almost never brought up here); asset seizure and the 'war on drugs', especially the militarization of police.
But I don't think these laws are going to lead to President for Life Bush or any other nonsense.
As for rights- more than 10 years ago, less than 15. I'm basing this mainly on the dates of the assualt weapons ban. Though McCain-Feingold campagin finance reform (we must regulate the money in politics! And speech is worth money! Regulate speech! as it has come to pass in Washington state) tips the scale in favor of less rights. I dispise every idiot who signed that, including Pres Bush, and the constitution shredding Supreme Court that upheld a law banning people from running ads mentioning a candidate's name 30 days before the election.
All is not rosy, but neither is it the apocalypse.

CR

[Blodrast]

Thanks, Rabbit.
And btw, I do remember discussions on asset seizure; I guess that's why you said "almost" :).

[macsen rufus]

Thank you for your concern, but we can handle this without outside help. Thank you, have a nice day.

Now say that again with an Iraqi accent....

[drone]

I started the thread about the possible elimination of Posse Comitatus, and I'm an US citizen, born and raised. I also consider myself fairly conservative (something that cannot be said for the current administration). Non-US citizens should worry about what goes on here though, it does affect them and at least somebody gives a damn. They may be able to tell you a train is coming, it's your choice to listen or to stick your fingers in your ears while shouting "Nah nah nah nah nah".

However, on this issue, meh. As long as the Pentagon doesn't waste too many resources generating propaganda instead of properly equipping the troops, I suppose they can do what they want. Gung-ho propaganda is nothing new. It would be nice to hear about some of the good things happening in Iraq/Afghanistan, but like all news it should not be taken as straight fact.

Rummy's statement about not losing sleep over anything but bad press... Sounds about right, coming from him.

[IRONxMortlock]

I gotta say, I luuuuuuuuuuuuuuvvv all these threads where foreigners worry about domestic US laws for us people who just happen to live in the US.

CR[/QUOTE]

You see one thing "leftists" do have that those who make up the right-wing echo-chamber lack, is empathy. The ability to feel for others. To put yourself into someone else's shoes. To see it from the other side, to get an appreciation for what it might feel like to suffer from injustice - what it's like to have a bunch of foreign soldiers kick in your door at 4AM, kill your son and take your husband away for 6 months of "questioning". What it's like to be locked away without trial for years. What it's like to live in police state where you must watch what you say. I AM concerned for the well being of US citizens and it distresses me greatly to see their democracy being torn to shreads in what is supposedly an effort to "protect" it.

I am also concerned for the rest of the world. The last thing the world needs is a WMD armed rouge superpower headed by a dictatorial band of corporatists going around blowing up more people.

I believe I am right to worry and I will express my concerns. You don't like it, that's fine, don't read it then.

A law allowing easier use of the Nat'l guard by the fed after the fed was criticized for states not using their nat'l guards- military occupation of the US!

That new law makes it possible for one man to call the military onto the streets to police the civilian population whenever he sees it nesecary. That's a pretty big jump towards despotism.

Especially when they blow it way out of proportion; like this.
The military want's to get its version of the facts out? It's propaganda just like 1984!

Back on topic,

The military has more than ample opportunity to get their side of the story out - Pentagon press conferences, interviews, embedded reporters, spokemen. It shouldn't be allowed to manufacture news any more than it already does.

EDIT - Speaking of 1984 and doublespeak I just came across this; a wonderful example of 1984 style doublespeak.

Freedom is Indefinite Detention Without Trial.

[Ice]

I AM concerned for the well being of US citizens and it distresses me greatly to see their democracy being torn to shreads in what is supposedly an effort to "protect" it.

Thank you for your concern, but we can handle this without outside help. Thank you, have a nice day.

[Blodrast]

Thank you for your concern, but we can handle this without outside help. Thank you, have a nice day.

So non-US citizens should keep their mouths shut, and not bother you with these things, because it's none of their business ?

But you see, Ice, when you play cop of the world, the others DO care what's going on in your own backyard. Because you DO get involved - remember the thread that showed in how many countries there are US and UK troops ?
The US one was covering a huge percentage of the globe. Yes, I know, some of those cases involve very few soldiers, but that's not the point, the point is that the US does get involved pretty much everywhere.

You don't have the moral right to get YOUR nose in other people's business, but tell them to stay away when they get interested in what's going on in your own courtyard.
If you want isolationism, that's fine, you're perfectly entitled to it. But that also implies you don't stick your nose into other countries' businesses.


Back on topic.
Rabbit: an honest question for you, because I am truly puzzled that you of all people (meaning, non-extremist views, does research on posts, very much coherent and logical) are stating that all is pink in the land of the free. Please tell me, and I am not being sarcastic in this, do you truly believe that the American people have as many rights, and as much freedom as they had, say, 10 or 15 years ago ?

[Ice]

So non-US citizens should keep their mouths shut, and not bother you with these things, because it's none of their business ?

But you see, Ice, when you play cop of the world, the others DO care what's going on in your own backyard. Because you DO get involved - remember the thread that showed in how many countries there are US and UK troops ?
The US one was covering a huge percentage of the globe. Yes, I know, some of those cases involve very few soldiers, but that's not the point, the point is that the US does get involved pretty much everywhere.

You don't have the moral right to get YOUR nose in other people's business, but tell them to stay away when they get interested in what's going on in your own courtyard.
If you want isolationism, that's fine, you're perfectly entitled to it. But that also implies you don't stick your nose into other countries' businesses.

If what another country is doing doesn't effect me or my interests, I really could care what they do. If they want to live 13th Century style in a cave or use some backwards law code, by all means go right ahead, but as soon this starts to effect ME and the country I live in, that is when it's my business.

I really don't see how this is anyone elses business besides people who reside in this country.

Like I said, thanks, but REALLY no thanks.

[Blodrast]

If what another country is doing doesn't effect me or my interests, I really could care what they do. If they want to live 13th Century style in a cave or use some backwards law code, by all means go right ahead, but as soon this starts to effect ME and the country I live in, that is when it's my business.

I really don't see how this is anyone elses business besides people who reside in this country.

Like I said, thanks, but REALLY no thanks.

Part of it is what drone said. However, what I, and presumably macsen rufus were referring to, was this: it DOES affect people in other countries, because the US GETS INVOLVED in those countries !
Since the US has troops, for whatever reason, in those countries, and the US pulls a lot of strings all around the world, this is DIRECTLY affecting people in those countries. Therefore, they are entitled to worry over the actions of the US leaders and so on, because it's those people's decisions that will affect their lives.
Go ask an Iraqi if they think they should be concerned with who's in charge and with the external politics of the US...

What you just said is the very definition of a double standard (aka hypocrisy): "when others do something that affects me, I'm entitled to poke my nose into their business. However, nobody else should stick their fingers in MY business".

I'll stop here, because I've hijacked the thread enough (sorry, drone), and also because you can lead a horse to the water, but you can't make it drink.

[Xiahou]

I gotta say, I luuuuuuuuuuuuuuvvv all these threads where foreigners worry about domestic US laws for us people who just happen to live in the US.

Particularly when most of their own countries are far closer to a police state than our own.

Good?

I guess some people enjoy having their news replaced by blatant military propaganda.

Yeah, that'll happen.

Yes, good. The terrorists are having little trouble getting their propoganda out- CNN runs their tapes for them, it's about time the US got it's act together on this front. Propaganda has been a huge part of every successful war effort and we've been doing a poor job of it thus far.

[Fragony]

I gotta say, I luuuuuuuuuuuuuuvvv all these threads where foreigners worry about domestic US laws for us people who just happen to live in the US.

It's use usually eludes me as well. There is plenty of madness within our own borders.