Techniques of Propaganda

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

Wikipedia lists numerous examples.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propaganda_techniques

Ad hominem:
A Latin phrase that has come to mean attacking one's opponent, as opposed to attacking their arguments.

This seems to be a favorite of the pro-control side. Completely ignore any reason, logic or, dare I say, common sense contained therein and proceed to directly attack the writer/speaker based on his beliefs or affiliations.

Appeal to authority:
Appeals to authority cite prominent figures to support a position, idea, argument, or course of action.

I use this one, myself. Not that George Washington is for sure smarter and wiser than a guy at the corner bar but, as a founder, he's got a rep for not being a dope.

Appeal to prejudice:
Using loaded or emotive terms to attach value or moral goodness to believing the proposition.

Popular with both sides, IMO. Examples include rape victim shoots attacker and rape victim shot with own gun.



The one I really want to point at is...

Third party technique:
Works on the principle that people are more willing to accept an argument from a seemingly independent source of information than from someone with a stake in the outcome. It is a marketing strategy commonly employed by Public Relations (PR) firms, that involves placing a premeditated message in the "mouth of the media." The third party technique can take many forms, ranging from the hiring of journalists to report the organization in a favorable light, to using scientists within the organization to present their perhaps prejudicial findings to the public. Frequently, astroturf groups or front groups are used to deliver the message.

If what you think is based on something other than repeated propaganda, emotion and blind allegiance, I thank you for anything you have to say in this group.