Oct 13, 2005

I want outrage, people.

I've long noticed the correlation between not-so-helpful-to-Bush news stories and changes in terror levels, but I've never thought to document it.

Keith Olberman does exactly this in his blog today. Remember how in "Fahrenheit 911" Michael Moore draws a connection between government and its need to keep us in fear? Olberman gives a few examples as to how the Bush administration does this.
Are these coincidences signs that the government’s approach has worked because none of the announced threats ever materialized? Are they signs that the government has not yet mastered how and when to inform the public?

Is there, in addition to the "fog of war" a simple, benign, "fog of intelligence”? But, if merely a reasonable case can be made that any of these juxtapositions of events are more than just coincidences, it underscores the need for questions to be asked in this country - questions about what is prudence, and what is fear-mongering; questions about which is the threat of death by terror, and which is the terror of threat.
Either way, Olberman's post again underscores the point that this administration does not know how to govern except by use of fear, deception, and bullying. I always used to bemoan the general public's blind faith in this president and their support of the things he and his administration does, but based on today's approval rating - 39% - criticism of the president is growing.

I am hoping the rating goes down to 25% by year end.

(Props to Paco for the Olbermann link.)

3 comments:

OldHorsetailSnake said...

Zero would be better, and more justified.

Gunga Dan said...

These "methods" have been so clear to many of us all along, haven't they? I think the media suddenly feels empowered to point them out, whereas before Gwibby's so-called popularity had a chilling effect.

I'm loving Olberman these days, though. He's got the fire in his belly!

Tom Harper said...

Now that the public has gotten a tolerance to all these terror alerts, Bush may have to activate Plan B. If his ratings fall too low, he may just have to declare martial law. I wouldn't put it past him.