American politics

**Creatures** · February 24th, 2003, 03:15 PM

after Implexant told me that i know nothing about the americans politic (which was a bit true

) i started to get some infos about that and found out that your president has got every week a speech for the americans,
first: is that true?

and then i tried to understand some of these speeches (pretty interesting) but i think (from my point of view) isn't that a bit brain washing? every week a speech from you president? that's like DDR or USSR they had such things too also in times from the NAZI's( i dont want to say that your system or your politics are the same as the NAZI's! not at all your system is much better and you dont have those rassism things!!)
so dont think i try to connect those systems!

what do you think??
i tried to be objective so if you dont like it, sorry.

Creatures

shahani · February 24th, 2003, 03:20 PM

Creature, just yesterday I was watching a news program where some BBC journalist said similiar thing. She said there is so much war-hype that people are brain washed. In Europe, people see the Iraq situation differently because there is not too much talk everyday.

I don't know about your question but The President does give a short speech every week on radio, I think Sunday morning.

But people here are too sharp and saavy to get brain washed. They have access to so much information that they take a considered view and don't believe everything on TV. Also the newspapers here are sober not like the tabloids in England.

**Creatures** · February 24th, 2003, 03:25 PM

Originally posted by shahani
Creature, just yesterday I was watching a news program where some BBC journalist said similiar thing. She said there is so much war-hype that people are brain washed. In Europe, people see the Iraq situation differently because there is not too much talk everyday.

well sure not in TV but every day we talk in school about the near war (a lot of our teachers dont think it would start!) pretty interesting to talk about that BTW we've got not that much infos!

Creatures

**Knothead** · February 24th, 2003, 04:04 PM

Originally posted by Creatures

BTW we've got not that much infos!

Sure you do, Creatures!

That's what the Internet is for! Do you need some news links? This crowd can happily have you up to your eyebrows in good sources!

**Creatures** · February 24th, 2003, 04:22 PM

well why not, get my some links

also not americans ones

Creatures

**Epidemic** · February 24th, 2003, 04:47 PM

The only links you should follow are the eastern european links.

Links to countries with nothing to gain nothing to lose and no chip on their shoulder about the US.

England, france, germany, switzerland... all have too much at stake or too much distance from reality or blind hatred for USA.

You must find a country not polluted by liberal or conservative media.

Heck I think I have eliminated the world

**cyphen** · February 24th, 2003, 06:39 PM

That's an interesting view, Creatures. I hadn't considered the perception of that.

There is a vast difference. The president (as i understand it) is mostly giving progress reports. I've never listened to one, so i can't say exactly. However, that's another point. These are far from mandatory, only there to dissemenate information, and i don't believe he has an audience when giving these progress reports.

Also, we do have a vast amount of information. If anything, I'd argue that our media has more of a brainwashing effect than anything. Shah - i hate to disagree with you but I don't think your statement about being too savvy to be brainwashed applies to a good percentage of the country.

Just take the anti-war rallies as an example. A vast, vast majority of the participants were uninformed on the real issues, yet taking a strong stand. In essence, they weren't voicing their opinions, but rather the opinions of someone else. If that's not brainwashing, I don't know what is. Further, I'd wager that none or next to none of them knew that the anti-war rallies in New York and San Francisco were sponsored by the World Workers party - a socialist organization.

Our media has a tendency to not report news, but rather push opinion. News with a twist. Many view this as gospel truth without delving further because they can't be bothered. Personally i think it's very politically motivated, and i know many others who share this opinion. The world changed in 1959 when television won President Kennedy the Presidential Election. Don't get me wrong, I like Kennedy - one of my favorite presidents. But presidential races ever since have more and more relied on the "warm and fuzzy" factor tv can deliver. Offering charisma over content. The media realized it's power.

Fortunately they are somewhat in check as they risk their credibility if they go too far. But IMO it's not enough. I wish someone would come out with a no-spin newspaper. Here are the facts, and if you offer one viewpoint, you offer an opposing viewpoint with the same credibility it deserves.

//end rant
(or more old school)
/*end rant*/

**cowboybooter** · February 24th, 2003, 07:48 PM

Shahani,

Thanx for that!

As for the rest of the thread,

I get the New York Times ( belatedly ) as well as The Times,

I also, sometimes, get the 'Beano', coz it's opinions make just as much sense!!!

Sure, we're brainwashed by the media machine here in the UK. But sure, this also happens in the USA and guess what ? People on both sides believe it!!!

I mean, hell, I even think I know what a computer does, and I don't work for Microsoft !!

{Rant off }

CBB