Comments | endseptember: :: but only the nazis used propaganda ::

endseptember

:: but only the nazis used propaganda ::

Sep 03, 2004 14:19

"The point of public relations slogans like "Support our troops" is that they don't mean anything... That's the whole point of good propaganda. You want to create a slogan that nobody's going to be against, and everybody's going to be for. Nobody knows what it means, because it doesn't mean anything. Its crucial value is that it diverts your ( Read more... )

Comments 4

i_stand_still September 5 2004, 18:45:09 UTC

endseptember September 5 2004, 23:41:24 UTC

I think you can still support those that are serving in the military, yet disagree with the policy surrounding why they are there or what they are doing. And you are able to support them (keep them in your thoughts, prayers, meditations, whatever) and still question who sent them and why they are there.

I completely agree with that. I support our troops, there is no question about that. There shouldn't be any question at all about that. It goes without saying that we ALL support our troops and we want them safe.

But what Mr. Chomsky is speaking about, and the point I'm trying to make, is the best way to support our troops is to not send them to a war unless we ABSOLUTELY have to.

However, the phrase "support our troops" quickly becomes a tool for silencing dissent. All too often, those who question a war or the leaders who got us into it, are told that they don't support the troops. That, regardless of whether we agree with the war or not, we should support it, because that's how you support the troops.

I don't agree with

rebelact September 5 2004, 23:49:36 UTC

But Jared, not everyone can understand what Mr. Chomsky is speaking about...you have to use rudimentary terms. :-P

i_stand_still September 6 2004, 18:52:56 UTC

I see what you're (and he is) saying, and it is a completely valid point. You should be able to question something and not have your patriotism/support questioned ( ... )