World fears US as a war-hungry drunk
The US is like a drunkard who charges to war with anyone who might pose a threat, ex-Senator and former US presidential candidate Mike Gravel says.
By Paul Short on 25/11/2011Leave a Comment »
Freedom of Choice and other Fallacies
Wikipedia says:
“A fallacy is incorrect argumentation in logic and rhetoric reasoning resulting in a misconception or presumption.”
The next time you see an internet poll, notice the choices; there will likely be at least 3: One for, one against and one so idiotic that it’s just taking up space. Look at the list of candidates on your next presidential ballot; same thing.
Which poll item or presidential candidate will you choose?
You’ll probably choose the item or candidate that’s most popular. And you’ll feel good about it because you believe in freedom and democracy.
Problem is: You didn’t actually choose anything. Whoever constructed the poll or campaigned the hardest already made the choices for you. Your part in the process means nothing.
Think about it – when the poll was constructed, there were three choices but only two were valid and only one of those made the most sense. And that choice is the one most beneficial to the company or person who constructed the poll. The presidential ballot is no different. There’ll be at least two candidates who stand head and shoulders above the rest with one standing taller than the other, at least one fringe candidate or underdog and one or more who don’t stand a chance.
When you go to an appliance store to purchase a new refrigerator, there’ll be a dozen or more models on display. As you walk in the door, front and center will be their most popular model, followed by the clearance models and then everything else. Which one are you most likely to choose? Probably the most popular model. So who really made the choice?
The fact is, the majority of important choices we make in our lives are fed to us by someone else and end up benefitting whoever provides us with the choices more than us.
The poll was constructed to steer the voter towards one particular choice over the others. But even if YOU didn’t pick the most popular one, the most popular one still wins.
Even if you voted for the underdog in the presidential election, the frontrunner will still win because they’re the frontrunner. They campaigned the hardest.
Whether you buy the most popular model of refrigerator or the more obscure one in the back corner of the store, the store still wins because they profit no matter what model you buy.
Be aware of the choices others provide for you. Look for balance and always know that in compromise, the scales are usually tilted in their favor. The game is rigged.
By Paul Short on 25/11/2011Leave a Comment »
Example of Media Fearmongering
In a recent article published on a Seattle, WA. news site, it has been reported that an explosive device was found near where a woman was struck by a train. The headline for the article states:
“Explosive Device Found In Seattle Park Where Woman Killed By Train“
So anyone reading the article will naturally assume that there was some sort of bomb on or near the tracks, since it’s empherically stated in the headline.
Reading further through the article, however, the headline is contradicted by the following statement:
“While searching the scene, a crew found what appeared to be some sort of explosive device in the area similar to a pipe bomb.”
“…what appeared to be” “similar to a pipe bomb.” is a LOT different than the impression the headline gives. The fact is – they “think” it’s some sort of explosive device. Or rather, they don’t know what the hell it is.
It’s media garbage like this that makes my blood boil. In this time of information overload, scanning news headlines and a TL;DR (too long; didn’t read) mentality, readers see the headline and assume the next time they take a train they may be blown up. The public then gets concerned and cries “someone in power needs to protect us!” and soon there’s airport-style passenger screening at train stations. The fact that the “device” may or may not have been a bomb, or the fact that a passenger sitting inside a train would have a hard time putting a device on the tracks outside the station means nothing to them. Because their minds are gripped by the fear of being blown up.
The FACT is – the headline of the news article in question here is a lie. Be careful when consuming any sort of media these days. Whether it’s a newspaper article, an article on a site, a news show on TV or a Youtube video, read (or watch) it very carefully while in a logical and analytical frame of mind. Look for the facts and if the subject matter of the report is important to you, do your own investigating and gather your own facts.
There are only two facts in that article: 1) a woman was killed by a train in Seattle, WA. 2) something crews “think” was an explosive device was found near the scene. Other than that, the article is completely devoid of relevant information. It is nothing more than a fearmongering piece.
By Paul Short on 25/11/2011Leave a Comment »
We’re losing the war and we don’t even know it
The elite have been at war with us for over 50 years and we’re blissfully unaware.
By Paul Short on 25/11/2011Leave a Comment »
