Not Always a Bad Thing

“The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country. …We are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of. This is a logical result of the way in which our democratic society is organized. Vast numbers of human beings must cooperate in this manner if they are to live together as a smoothly functioning society. In almost every act of our daily lives, whether in the sphere of politics or business, in our social conduct or our ethical thinking, we are dominated by the relatively small number of persons…who understand the mental processes and social patterns of the masses. It is they who pull the wires which control the public mind.” – Edward Bernays – Propaganda – 1928

Does the sword of propaganda have two edges?  Can it both enslave and empower?  I think I could make the argument that Moses was a successful propagandist.

And the Band Played On

"The leaders of Greece’s two largest political parties last night decided to form a government of national unity to start implementing a €130bn (£112bn) bail-out plan, then take the country to elections."

Well, uh-huh... that's nice dear..... uh-huh....

My Greek isn’t so good.  Can someone please advise me on how to say “Rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic” in the tongue of Homer?

Never Can Find a Bandana In the Sock Drawer When You Need One

Snark Park

"I don't do the passive-aggressive thing. I am direct and outspoken. So I made sure anyone who parked there knew they would get a ticket. That was only fair. And the way most of my students struggle financially I can't imagine it would be worth it to them to pay $50 for parking there for the evening."

Do you think the struggle might have something to do with the $20,000 per year tuition bill, Professor?

I've been there and yes, parking is a major league bitch.

The More Credible, Edible Euro

September 22, 2009 - Earlier, the Islamic Republic of Iran had announced that the euro would replace the greenback in the country’s oil transactions. Iran has called on other OPEC members to ditch the sinking dollar in favor of the more credible euro.

August 10, 2010 - "We are going to remove dollar and euro from our foreign currency basket and replace them with (Iranian) rial and all other currencies of the countries which accept to cooperate with us," leading economic daily Doniye e-Ektesad quoted First Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi as saying.
"These currencies are filthy and we will no longer sell our oil in dollar and euro," Rahimi told a meeting of education officials.

What's next???? Trading in ancient Yap Rai's???

Corporal Klinger Comes Home

"Wall Street corporations have played a big role in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan," said Bordeleau, 24, who served several years in Iraq over two tours ending in 2009 and now attends college in New York.
He said private contractors have reaped big profits in those countries "in pursuit of corporate interests that have had a devastating effect on our economy and our country, benefiting only a small number of people."

Veteran unemployment is projected to worsen after 10,000 servicemen and servicewomen return from Afghanistan and 46,000 come home from Iraq by year's end - many wounded or suffering from mental trauma.

People don't mind being useful but they sure do dislike feeling used.

We can’t say we didn’t get a warning from a man with some knowledge on the subject.

The Old Man of the Army (Pershing) mentored Fox Conner (a Mississippi boy!) who then mentored Ike.  These are people who knew a thing or two about military life and how it intersected with life in these United States of America.  We failed to listen to them and are paying a price for that failure.

Miss You

I miss you Bing and so does The Inglorious Bastard.