Publicists for Terror

[Mephisto]

I remember the comment someone made regarding the "sniper-shooting" video that CNN aired last week; after I'd posted the video they insinuated that I was spreading propaganda for terrorist . . .

What would you call this?

Special Comment: Advertising terrorism

The key to terrorism is not the act — but the fear of the act

SPECIAL COMMENT
By Keith Olbermann
Anchor, 'Countdown'
Countdown
Updated: 7:40 p.m. MT Oct 23, 2006
Tonight, a special comment on the advertising of terrorism – the commercial you have already seen.


It is a distillation of everything this administration and the party in power have tried to do these last five years and six weeks.

It is from the Republican National Committee; t shows images of Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri;

It offers quotes from them—all as a clock ticks ominously in the background.

It concludes with what Zawahiri may or may not have said to a Pakistani journalist as long ago as 2001: His dubious claim that he had purchased “suitcase bombs.”

The quotation is followed (by sheer coincidence no doubt) by an image of a massive explosion.

“These are the stakes,” appears on the screen, quoting exactly from Lyndon Johnson’s infamous nuclear scare commercial from 1964.

“Vote—November 7th.”

There is a cheap “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” quality to the whole thing, and it also serves to immediately call to mind the occasions when President Bush dismissed Osama bin Laden as somebody he didn’t think about—except, obviously, when elections were near.

Frankly, a lot of people seeing that commercial for the first time, have laughed out loud.

But—not everyone.

And therein lies the true threat to this country.

The dictionary definition of the word “terrorize” is simple and not open to misinterpretation:

“To fill or overpower with terror; terrify. To coerce by intimidation or fear.”

Note please, that the words “violence” and “death” are missing from that definition.

The key to terror, the key to terrorism, is not the act—but the fear of the act.

That is why bin Laden and his deputies and his imitators are forever putting together videotaped statements and releasing virtual infomercials with dire threats and heart-stopping warnings.

But why is the Republican Party imitating them?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15392701/

 

[Charlie Monoxide]

Keith Olbermann says it the way it is. I couldn't agree with him more ....

Charlie (I wish I was as eloquent) Monoxide

 

[Tony]

Someone needs to shut that america hater up.

 

[TragicMonkey]

I would think such an ad would backfire: draw attention to the threat of terrorism which still exists despite all the measures taken by this administration and its Republican allies. So we spent billions, invaded two countries, lost thousands of lives, and we're still in danger? Yeah, let's give power back to those guys. They're doing so well!

 

[Mephisto]

I would think such an ad would backfire: draw attention to the threat of terrorism which still exists despite all the measures taken by this administration and its Republican allies. So we spent billions, invaded two countries, lost thousands of lives, and we're still in danger? Yeah, let's give power back to those guys. They're doing so well!

It's my understanding that they have realized this and are now concentrating on how "well" the economy is doing. I'm sure it will be much easier to convince the average American that they only have to wait for the "trickle-down."

 

[Darth Rotor]

I remember the comment someone made regarding the "sniper-shooting" video that CNN aired last week; after I'd posted the video they insinuated that I was spreading propaganda for terrorist . . .

What would you call this?

Special Comment: Advertising terrorism

The key to terrorism is not the act — but the fear of the act

SPECIAL COMMENT
By Keith Olbermann
Anchor, 'Countdown'
Countdown
Updated: 7:40 p.m. MT Oct 23, 2006
Tonight, a special comment on the advertising of terrorism – the commercial you have already seen.


It is a distillation of everything this administration and the party in power have tried to do these last five years and six weeks.

It is from the Republican National Committee; t shows images of Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri;

It offers quotes from them—all as a clock ticks ominously in the background.

It concludes with what Zawahiri may or may not have said to a Pakistani journalist as long ago as 2001: His dubious claim that he had purchased “suitcase bombs.”

The quotation is followed (by sheer coincidence no doubt) by an image of a massive explosion.

“These are the stakes,” appears on the screen, quoting exactly from Lyndon Johnson’s infamous nuclear scare commercial from 1964.

“Vote—November 7th.”

There is a cheap “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” quality to the whole thing, and it also serves to immediately call to mind the occasions when President Bush dismissed Osama bin Laden as somebody he didn’t think about—except, obviously, when elections were near.

Frankly, a lot of people seeing that commercial for the first time, have laughed out loud.

But—not everyone.

And therein lies the true threat to this country.

The dictionary definition of the word “terrorize” is simple and not open to misinterpretation:

“To fill or overpower with terror; terrify. To coerce by intimidation or fear.”

Note please, that the words “violence” and “death” are missing from that definition.

The key to terror, the key to terrorism, is not the act—but the fear of the act.

That is why bin Laden and his deputies and his imitators are forever putting together videotaped statements and releasing virtual infomercials with dire threats and heart-stopping warnings.

But why is the Republican Party imitating them?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15392701/

It is important to note that ensuring examples of the harm done to persons are made very public adds credibility to any threat implied by the definition:
“To fill or overpower with terror; terrify. To coerce by intimidation or fear.” Note please, that the words “violence” and “death” are missing from that definition. The key to terror, the key to terrorism, is not the act—but the fear of the act.

Terror is not credible as a coercive tool if it isn't, or isn't expected to be, backed up with the act.

DR

 

[Mephisto]

Terror is not credible as a coercive tool if it isn't, or isn't expected to be, backed up with the act.

DR

I agree with your assertion, but I also believe that using Bin Laden or Al Qaeda as the tool who could and would provide the "act" allows some degree of leverage when the alarmists raise the fear factor. Either way, this adminstration has obviously become aware of the fact that average Americans won't buy the color-coded terror alerts rising to red just around election time.