The New York Times yesterday had a useful, although too-short front-page article on Presidential candidates who are taking lying to a new level. This problem is truly frightening as the Times made clear.
It seems candidates are not only not telling the truth they are repeating lies even when confronted by media. At the same time they are going into attack mode, claiming it is not they who are prevaricating but rather the media. Trump, Carson, and Fiorina are mentioned as particular offenders.
Oddly, Hillary Clinton is also mentioned though the example given for her hardly rises to the same level as those of the others. (The article has the details).
It hardly needs to be said that what Trump and Carson are employing is a technique of propaganda called the Oft-Repeated Lie. This was one of the key techniques of Nazi propaganda in Hitler's Germany, although he certainly wasn't the first to use it. However, to see this happening in the United States is most disheartening -- and scary.
I am glad the media are harping on the lies. They are absolutely right to do so. But the vehemence of the push-back raises serious questions about the fitness of these individuals to be President.
The Internet has a role to play in disseminating the truth since those on the far right also have the Internet at their disposal. I believe that with the traditional media plus the Internet the truth can win out in this case. But at the moment it's a close call.
It seems candidates are not only not telling the truth they are repeating lies even when confronted by media. At the same time they are going into attack mode, claiming it is not they who are prevaricating but rather the media. Trump, Carson, and Fiorina are mentioned as particular offenders.
Oddly, Hillary Clinton is also mentioned though the example given for her hardly rises to the same level as those of the others. (The article has the details).
It hardly needs to be said that what Trump and Carson are employing is a technique of propaganda called the Oft-Repeated Lie. This was one of the key techniques of Nazi propaganda in Hitler's Germany, although he certainly wasn't the first to use it. However, to see this happening in the United States is most disheartening -- and scary.
I am glad the media are harping on the lies. They are absolutely right to do so. But the vehemence of the push-back raises serious questions about the fitness of these individuals to be President.
The Internet has a role to play in disseminating the truth since those on the far right also have the Internet at their disposal. I believe that with the traditional media plus the Internet the truth can win out in this case. But at the moment it's a close call.
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