WAS: The Changing Face of Poverty NOW: looking for more Progressive stuff to

[Guest guest]

, " califpacific "

<califpacific> wrote:

>

> Hi Kathy,

 

Here is something that you might be interested in:

 

http://www.buzzflash.com/premiums/04/12/pre04091.html

 

Book: " The Politics of Deceit : Saving Freedom and Democracy from

Extinction "

by Glenn W. Smith, with a forward by Molly Ivins

 

BuzzFlash Recommendation

 

If you like the work of George Lakoff, you will love this largely

overlooked book that was released this summer. It is so BuzzFlashian,

we couldn't put it down.

 

Perhaps a quote from Machiavelli, as included in " Deceit " gets to the

crux of the matter: " a prince must take great care that nothing goes

out his mouth which is not full of the above-named five qualities,

and, to see and hear him, he should seem to be all mercy, faith,

integrity, humility and religion. " Smith, the author of " Deceit, "

adds, " Pretending to these qualities makes it all the more easier [for

Bush] to rule with their antitheses. "

 

Can one explain any better the basic paradox of the Bush Cartel

cynical reign of horror?

 

Of course, Bush accomplishes this Orwellian sleight of hand through

the use of visual image (stage crafted with Hollywood film set

precision) and rhetorical tricks. Of the latter Rovian/Hughes

technique, Smith comments: " When Bush uses the word freedom dozens of

times in a speech he has gone beyond persuasion. He attacks his

listeners' abilities to resist. This is the unspoken goal, then, of

existing political practices: to break down voters' abilities to

resist the message. "

 

For all too long, the progressives, patriots, supporters of our

Constitution, and Democrats have misunderstood recent Republican

electoral dominance in Congress (and at least approximate parity in

the Presidential vote). The Bush administration triumphs through

technique and strategy (based heavily on deception), not through

substance.

 

CONTINUED >>>

 

Recommendation, Cont'd | " The Politics of Deceit " | back to top

 

The Democrats keep thinking that Americans are voting for substantive

policies. If that were the case, the Democrats would win in a

landslide. Most Americans are voting based on image, deception,

misinformation and fear. And the medium IS the message.

 

Journalism, nowadays, in addition to being largely a mouthpiece for

the short-term elite corporate interests of the top 1% income bracket

Americans, covers style, techniques and process more than substance.

Issues are secondary to the mainstream media. It's hard to distinguish

between the rhetoric of the coverage of a football game and almost any

of the omnipresent television political " analyst " shows.

 

This eloquent, riveting book will provide answers to the conundrum of

the modern electorate that so easily sops up and accepts

misinformation. It explores the convergence of politics and

entertainment, with the visual power of television all the time

lurking in the background; the boob tube that has turned many

Americans into lotus eating couch potatoes who vote against their own

interests.

 

Smith, however, is not without hope. He believes that the Internet can

continue to grow into an even more powerful force for democracy.

 

" The Politics of Deceit " concludes with these thoughts: " All of this

made possible by practical political practices which favor the

privileged over the underprivileged, liars over seekers of truth,

authoritarian hustlers over those who struggle to help others, the

unprincipled over the principled, and the mean-spirited over the

kind-hearted. This is the legacy of the politics of deceit. It is a

time of deep crisis for democracy and freedom . . . Vaclav Havel, Jan

Patocka, and other Eastern European insurgents brought down their

Soviet masters with far fewer resources than we have at our disposal. "

 

Freedom loving people of courage and conscience were able to force the

Soviet Union to disband and restore basic human rights. We can ask no

less of ourselves in working to restore our Constitution and the

Spirit of '76 to America.

 

This book helps us understand what we are up against and how deception

and lies can become perceived as truth.

 

Reviews | " The Politics of Deceit " | back to top

 

" From straight out of the frontline trenches of political warfare,

some genuinely original thinking, a few laughs and a glimpse of a

better world. Can't ask for more than that. "

–Molly Ivins, columnist and author, most recently, of Bushwhacked

 

" Glenn Smith goes beyond the hype, with deep, eye-opening insights

into the history-making possibilities of online activism. Having run

political campaigns the old way, Smith is no starry eyed idealist, yet

projects a thoughtful and optimistic vision for democracy in America.

The Politics of Deceit is a must-read. "

–Wes Boyd, cofounder, MoveOn.org

 

" Glenn Smith has documented how a radical conservative minority has

achieved political domination in America largely through

deceit–carefully crafted, well-funded, systematic deceit. In doing so,

they have fragmented American's sense of unity, and weakened our

position in the world, our military, our economy, our environment, our

health, and our educational system. Worst of all, they threaten our

very freedoms. The Politics of Deceit is a call to action, grass-roots

political action. It is time to be citizens again. "

–George Lakoff, Senior Fellow, The Rockridge Institute, author, Moral

Politics: How Liberals and Conservatives Think, professor, University

of California at Berkeley

 

Description | " The Politics of Deceit " | back to top

Today, Americans face a tyranny built upon contemporary political

practices that devalue personal and communal responsibility as well as

overall participation in the political process. Life-and-death

political discussions and decisions are now limited to a virtual world

of illusion and coercion. No politician has so cynically wielded these

manipulative political practices as has George W. Bush.

 

In The Politics of Deceit, political insider Glenn Smith reveals why

our political customs threaten democracy and freedom with extinction,

and illustrates how we can ultimately fix these problems. Among the

most hopeful developments is the cultivation of new interactive media,

including the successful efforts of MoveOn.org and other online

groups. Smith skillfully argues that our shrugging acceptance of the

politics of manipulation doesn't mean our political practices are

right or just. Their very structure lends advantage to politicians

like George W. Bush, who would mislead rather than lead, and who

believe their own power is more important than the health of democracy.

 

This thought-provoking book digs deep to raise questions that others

are afraid to ask, and shatters the two-way mirror that separates " we

the people " from the democratic institutions and mechanisms of power

that are supposed to serve our interests, not the interests of those

in power. You'll become familiar with important issues that can and

will affect your life, including:

 

* How the reliance on manipulative advertising leads to deceit

* How public dialogue has become a monologue of monied interests

* The failure to address citizens in their full humanity

* How President Bush gets away with his manipulation of the

" embedded " press

* How vital new citizen action can promote and protect a more

democratic society and the possibility of freedom for all Americans

 

Through anecdotes from history and contemporary politics, The Politics

of Deceit offers realistic recommendations for a democratic renewal.

You'll receive an insider's view of what must be done to protect the

future of liberty, including the reversal of numerous political

practices such as the power of money over argument in the public

sphere, and the disproportionate amount of spending on advertising

over grass-roots recruitment and public discourse.

 

Democracy and freedom cannot survive if we continue to accept our

current political situation. Nothing short of a revolution in the way

we practice politics in America will keep freedom and democracy from

disappearing behind the two-way mirror of our self-absorbed, vain, and

impoverished political habits. The Politics of Deceit will open

citizens' eyes to the ways they are being manipulated, and point to

ways every American can participate and make a difference in a renewed

democracy.

 

Authors | " The Politics of Deceit " | back to top

 

GLENN W. SMITH has been a behind-the-scenes advisor to U.S. senators

and governors, as well as a partner with key presidential advisors to

President Clinton and President Bush. He has advised major U.S.

businesses and institutions on communications strategies and worked

for politicians and organizations from Washington, D.C., to

California. Smith, who managed the recent Defend Democracy Campaign

for MoveOn.org, has established DriveDemocracy.org to open new avenues

for political participation at the state and local levels. He has also

served as a consultant to the Rockridge Institute, a progressive think

tank based in California. Previously, he was managing director of

Public Strategies, Inc., an international public affairs firm. Before

entering politics, Smith was a journalist for many years. He lives in

Austin, Texas.

 

Book Details | " The Politics of Deceit " | back to top

 

Hardcover: 256 pages

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons (July 9, 2004)

ISBN: 0471667633

Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.0 x 0.9 inches

 

 

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>

>

>

>

>

> , Kathy Dery

> <kstars@e...> wrote:

> >

> >

> > On Dec 31, 2004, at 3:17 AM, califpacific wrote:

> >

> > > We taxpayers get to

> > > pay for our own demise while the big money interests suck the public

> > > money out of the government treasuries as if they had vacuum

cleaners.

> >

> > Frank, thanks for your long post. I want to ask you a couple of

> > important questions:

> >

> > What can we do about this stuff besides not voting for the Republican

> > party?

> > Where can I learn more besides here?

> >

> > I have been reading, " Confessions of an Economic Hit Man " , and am

> > looking for more Progressive stuff to read.

> >

> > Thanks

> > Kathy