In three weeks we will be at peace since the election will have been held and the airwaves can be cleaned up. There's too much money pouring into these campaigns permitting the candidates to clutter up our minds with excessive "stuff." We've already voted; yesterday we went to the Morton County courthouse, showed our ID's, and got 'er done. Upon looking at the calendar, we realized we will be on the road to Branson, MO on election day, so we voted early. Nothing to it.
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All, and I mean all, politicians become experts at propaganda techniques to put themselves and their ideas forward. When in college several classes taught the techniques: name calling, glittering generalities, transfer, testimonial, plain folks, and bandwagon. Here is a brief description of each. See if you recognize any.
1. Name Calling - a technique to create an unfavorable opinion, even hatred, against an opponent.
2. Glittering Generalities - appeals to such notions as honor, glory, love of country, desire for peace, freedom, and family values.
3. Transfer - use of symbols such as waving the flag to stir our emotions and win our approval.
4. Testimonial - associates a respected person or someone with experience to endorse a candidate.
5. Plain Folks - an approach to convince the audience that the candidate is from humble origins, someone they can trust and who has their interests at heart.
6. Bandwagon - persuade the voters to follow the crowd through the impression of widespread support.
Without any problem, readers of this humble blog will recognize any one of these techniques presently at use.
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A few quotes from notable persons support the above. William Tecumseh Sherman writing in a Civil War letter, "Reason has very little influence in this world: prejudice governs."
"Writing a story without presenting a meaningful opposing force is propaganda." 20 Master Plots.
"It is a poor sort of man who is content to be spoon-fed knowledge that has been filtered through the canon of religious or political belief." Louis L'Amour.
"When did ignorance become a point of view?" Dilbert
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All, and I mean all, politicians become experts at propaganda techniques to put themselves and their ideas forward. When in college several classes taught the techniques: name calling, glittering generalities, transfer, testimonial, plain folks, and bandwagon. Here is a brief description of each. See if you recognize any.
1. Name Calling - a technique to create an unfavorable opinion, even hatred, against an opponent.
2. Glittering Generalities - appeals to such notions as honor, glory, love of country, desire for peace, freedom, and family values.
3. Transfer - use of symbols such as waving the flag to stir our emotions and win our approval.
4. Testimonial - associates a respected person or someone with experience to endorse a candidate.
5. Plain Folks - an approach to convince the audience that the candidate is from humble origins, someone they can trust and who has their interests at heart.
6. Bandwagon - persuade the voters to follow the crowd through the impression of widespread support.
Without any problem, readers of this humble blog will recognize any one of these techniques presently at use.
...
A few quotes from notable persons support the above. William Tecumseh Sherman writing in a Civil War letter, "Reason has very little influence in this world: prejudice governs."
"Writing a story without presenting a meaningful opposing force is propaganda." 20 Master Plots.
"It is a poor sort of man who is content to be spoon-fed knowledge that has been filtered through the canon of religious or political belief." Louis L'Amour.
"When did ignorance become a point of view?" Dilbert
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George McGovern just entered the Hospice Program in Sioux Falls. I remember asking him once in Bismarck how it was as a bomber pilot in World War II with 30 some missions. He replied, "I was scared all the time." We will never know what men of his ilk went through. Doctor Wilson in Bismarck flew in bombers, too. In an Osher Institute session, I remember him saying they had just dropped their bomb load where the explosions destroyed some site. The crew began cheering about their accuracy when the pilot came on the intercom and said they had just bombed Switzerland. Not good.
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The first printing of Paha Sapa Tawoyake: Wade's Stories sold out, and I have placed an order for a second printing which will be available for Christmas giving. They will arrive later this week, so I will have to promote some more. By the way, to dispel any notions, there is no money in this project. Sales from the first printing paid for the book. I can look forward to each price per book being less with the second since some of the one-time front end costs need not be paid again. Speaking of not making any money, one more story can be told. The Western Writers of America has sent me lots of books for which I've done reviews to be published in their magazine "Roundup." In the last issue, I saw where the editor listed me as a staff writer. I wrote telling him I noticed the credit. He wrote back, "I figure the staff writer credit is in lieu of MONEY! HA!... But I'll buy you a beverage at the next convention." I knew there was no pay for reviewing books, I do it because it's fun, and I keep the books, likewise those sent by the Bismarck Tribune. Las Vegas is the site of the next convention.
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The woodcarving emerged from a block of wood about 15 years ago. I just took off all the wood that wasn't a happy drunk.
George McGovern just entered the Hospice Program in Sioux Falls. I remember asking him once in Bismarck how it was as a bomber pilot in World War II with 30 some missions. He replied, "I was scared all the time." We will never know what men of his ilk went through. Doctor Wilson in Bismarck flew in bombers, too. In an Osher Institute session, I remember him saying they had just dropped their bomb load where the explosions destroyed some site. The crew began cheering about their accuracy when the pilot came on the intercom and said they had just bombed Switzerland. Not good.
...
The first printing of Paha Sapa Tawoyake: Wade's Stories sold out, and I have placed an order for a second printing which will be available for Christmas giving. They will arrive later this week, so I will have to promote some more. By the way, to dispel any notions, there is no money in this project. Sales from the first printing paid for the book. I can look forward to each price per book being less with the second since some of the one-time front end costs need not be paid again. Speaking of not making any money, one more story can be told. The Western Writers of America has sent me lots of books for which I've done reviews to be published in their magazine "Roundup." In the last issue, I saw where the editor listed me as a staff writer. I wrote telling him I noticed the credit. He wrote back, "I figure the staff writer credit is in lieu of MONEY! HA!... But I'll buy you a beverage at the next convention." I knew there was no pay for reviewing books, I do it because it's fun, and I keep the books, likewise those sent by the Bismarck Tribune. Las Vegas is the site of the next convention.
...
The woodcarving emerged from a block of wood about 15 years ago. I just took off all the wood that wasn't a happy drunk.
