by
Gadfly
As a concept, “politics” is
neither good nor bad. Its application,
however, is either good or bad. My
favorite political philosopher, David Eastman, had a simple definition for
politics: “the authoritative allocation of values.”
Values are not the same as
virtues. Values are preferences based on
desire, which can be virtuous or vicious.
Virtues are principles that promote goodness and provide guideposts for
virtuous behavior. Vices represent evil
passions and effects.
Power is a value, and a
vicious behavior if it is sought as an end and not a means. On the other hand, power can represent a
virtue if it manifests the authority of moral behavior to achieve goodness. Both forms can manifest in the character of
the body politic of a nation.
These distinctions were
recognized and understood centuries ago in the wisdom shared by St. Paul to the
Galatians in Chapter 5 of the Judeo-Christian Bible. In this short chapter, Paul reminds his
followers of the difference between the liberty of the fruits of the Holy
Spirit in contrast with earthly bondage.
It is amazing how clearly this liberty versus bondage choice is
recognizable in the current true life drama playing out in America.
A political dark side
dominates the American body politic, and it is patently observable in the form
of propaganda, censorship, and calumny.
In his book, Mein Kampf, Adolph
Hitler provided his observations about the importance of propaganda in this
passage (I included this material in another previously published article “Evidence Is Overwhelming but
There Is an Elephant in the Room”):
The art of propaganda
consists precisely in being able to awaken the imagination of the public
through an appeal to their feelings, in finding the appropriate psychological
form that will arrest the attention and appeal to the hearts of the national
masses [this is why Democrats aggressively define the opponent; see
also here]. The broad masses of the people
are not made up of diplomats or professors of public jurisprudence nor simply
of persons who are able to form reasoned judgment in given cases, but a
vacillating crowd of human children who are constantly wavering between one
idea and another. (...) The great majority of a nation is so feminine in its
character and outlook that its thought and conduct are ruled by sentiment
rather than by sober reasoning. This sentiment, however, is not
complex, but simple and consistent. It is not highly differentiated, but has
only the negative and positive notions of love and hatred, right and wrong,
truth and falsehood [and Democrats/Leftists employ calumny with no
limits].
Propaganda must not
investigate the truth objectively and, in so far as it is favourable to the
other side, present it according to the theoretical rules of justice [i.e.,
the emphasis on social justice, fair share, equity, diversity & inclusion,
dignity & respect, etc.]; yet it must present only that aspect of
the truth which is favourable to its own side [similar to
progressive George Lakoff’s axiom that it is the frame that matters, and facts
are only relevant if they fit the frame]. (...) The receptive powers of
the masses are very restricted, and their understanding is feeble. On the other
hand, they quickly forget. Such being the case, all effective propaganda must
be confined to a few bare essentials and those must be expressed as far as
possible in stereotyped formulas [e.g., racist, bigot, white
privilege, misogynist, homophobe, Islamaphobe, etc. In her presidential
campaign, Hillary Clinton argued that Trump followers fit into one or more of
the standard progressive stereotypes.]. These slogans should be
persistently repeated until the very last individual has come to grasp the idea
that has been put forward. (...) Every change that is made in the subject of a
propagandist message must always emphasize the same conclusion [does it
not shock, let alone surprise, that Democrats/Leftists persist in their calumny
against Donald Trump?]. The leading slogan must of course be
illustrated in many ways and from several angles [Trump dossier,
impeachments, a raid on Trump’s home, etc.], but in the end one must
always return to the assertion of the same formula.[1] (Text in bold,
italics is my editorial insertion)
With such bold actions in the
form of propaganda, why not also censor?
Just today, Jonathan Turley reported that the AP press is in full denial
of widely known facts. See here.
More disturbing because of its
subtle yet sinister behavior is the combination of propaganda, censorship, and
calumny by Big Tech. Dr. Robert Epstein,
a registered Democrat, provides compelling evidence here. This can be fixed by Congress and the Courts
as threats to our First Amendment Rights.
“We the people” should insist that this happens.
Friends, mainstream media platforms
are an additional instrument in advancing propaganda, censorship, and calumny. Yet, there is a growing number of alternative
news sources that still pride themselves on honest journalism.
What more can be done? First, recognize this is a spiritual contest that
cannot be avoided by denying the presence of evil intentions and
behaviors. Second, be on good terms with
the source of our moral authority and pray for wisdom and courage. Third, do what we can to rebuke evil and
affirm good behavior. Not only does the
soul of our nation depend upon these actions, but our very own souls are at
stake as well.
My articles have recently been
sparse because I am attempting to do what can be done through a nonprofit
called Stand Together Against Racism and Radicalism in the Services, Inc. (www.starrs.us).
I invite you to check us out, join the cause, and spread the word.
[1] Mein Kampf citations are from the Project
Gutenberg-hosted 1939 English translation by James Murphy.
