Is the Dubya propaganda machine unstoppable?

It became apparent to me several years ago that the days of propaganda are back in US politics, and they're back to stay. My last post regarding the Lamont/Lieberman campaign shows that.

For a couple years now, we have been hearing the same talking points from Bush and his camp: Mission accomplished(my ass!!), Marriage is between a man and a woman, and my personal favorite, STAY THE COURSE. Bush manages to throw into even the most innocuous interview or speech that in order to be victorious in Iraq and the war on terror, we have to stay the course. Personally, if I was Bush Sr., I'd be pissed that my son was stealing my sayings. C'mon, people, don't you remember the "stay the course, 1000 points of light" that Dana Carvey got so much mileage out of back when SNL was still a good show?

How is that propaganda, you may ask? Well, by itself, it's completely harmless (unless, of course, youve been deployed to Iraq). It doesnt become propaganda until you add the opposite message: that those who oppose the war and staying the course are all about CUT AND RUN. This is the solution? When you face stiff competition and rabid disapproval, you just call anyone who opposes you a coward? This is how the uneducated masses end up electing a president even they dont support.

Before I get blow back, let me assure you that I dont believe that all Republicans are uneducated. What Im saying is that if only given two choices, most people would like to believe that they are brave rather than cowards. This is how Bush got himself reelectedHe preyed on the fears of those less informed than he by telling them that Kerry would make the US look like weaklings if he were elected. Unfortunately, the election became all about the military records of the candidates, and not about the issues facing us today with the wars that are CURRENTLY being fought.

Wednesday, while speaking at a fundraiser for former Pittsburgh Steeler Lynn Swann, Bush said, "Leaving before we complete our mission would create a terrorist state in the heart of the Middle East, a country with huge oil reserves that the terrorist network would be willing to use to extract economic pain from those of us who believe in freedom." He continued to say, "There are some good people in our country who believe we should cut and run. They're not bad people when they say that. They're decent people. I just happen to believe they're wrong. If we leave before the mission is complete, if we withdraw, the enemy will follow us home." You can view the entire article here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060817/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_37 Correct me if Im wrong, but didnt the British just foil a plot that would have brought the terrorists with more plane bombs back in our direction? The Bush administration has been able to make Iraq and terrorism inseparable in the minds of the fearful in this country. Let me separate them for you folks.

For the last time, Iraq was not involved in 9/11, and while, yes, there are Al Qaeda in Iraq, the majority of the insurgency is based on US presence in their country. When England fought all those years ago to try to preserve a certain colony under their control, the people living there rose up and caused a revolution, fighting to the death to preserve their independence. Were those colonists insurgents? No, but only because the English didnt wield enough power to topple the government before trying to subjugate the people with a government they didnt support. I do think that the Iraqi government could use some democratic ideals, but to foist it on them with no choice in the matter is absurd.

I think that a key part of this political dialogue is missing or being ignored, and that part is the middle ground between stay the course and cut and run. Those who oppose the war do not all necessarily think we should immediately withdraw all troops from the Middle East. Instead, there are those of us who simply want to see a timetable created for the withdrawal of troops and the return to normalcy of life to the Iraqi people. There are also those of us who think that our troops could be better used tracking down the terrorists responsible for the threats to our own shores, and guess what, those terrorists are allies of Bin Laden and US intelligence tells us theyre not in Iraq (but then again, neither were the WMDs).

There has to be some other voice that can loudly proclaim that there are more options than bravery and cowardice. Shout it to the masses, so they can see through this smoke screen.

Currently listening: Wolfmother By Wolfmother Release date: 02 May, 2006