is there still propaganda in the U.S.?

Question

If you think there is, do you have any examples? Are they as obvious as those WWII posters and commercials? Or are they more subliminal?

And not only war-like propaganda but more in general like health and stuff that kind of makes people want to be a better citizen. Kind of like the propaganda that encouraged all the Chinese citizens during the Mao reign to kill little birds that made annoying sounds only to find out too late that those birds were beneficial to them in that they would eat the mosquitos.

Answer 1

An example of military propaganda is the story that was initially given to the public about the death of Pat Tillman. Perhaps a better military example would be the whole Jessica Lynch debacle, in which she was turned into a "War Hero" by the Bush administration in order to create support for the war.

Social examples include the "Just Say No to Drugs" campaign of the 1980s; the "Abstinence" programs of the 1990s (and current day); the "Don't be a Litterbug" campaign of the 1960s; and the "Recycle" messages of today. Throw in a few attempts at battling smoking, and you have all sorts of government sponsored propaganda.

Hope this helps...or at least gives you a few ideas for further research.

Answer 2

Fox News. Need I say more? LOL!

Propaganda is all over the place. It's what is and isn't said. Why do you think that President Bush talks about 9/11 and terrorism whenever his poll numbers are dropping more. Drop the T-word and all of a sudden, everyone forgets about Hurricane Katrina victims, social security problems, the fact that 30 million or so Americans have no health insurance, etc... It isn't meant to make people better citizens. It's about hiding the problems at home.

I was watching the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) this last week, watching two long documentaries about how babies die in Iraq because reconstruction money was squandered by war profitiers, and how US soldiers kill innocent Iraqis because of psychological conditioning to not treat Iraqis as human. This could sound like propaganda. On the other hand, spinning the truth in either direction could be propaganda. Take for example Alberto Gonzoles. He's busy lying to everyone who asks him questions and he has shown a pretty blunt disregard for the US constitution. That's pretty scary, considering that he's the Attorney General of the US... Propaganda in his situation is about how he allegedly supports US law.

Propaganda really is about how you look at things. If you were Canadian and you wouldn't vote for someone who had a history of hard drug use, then you hate President Bush. That's one of the things that the US Ambassador to Canada complained about a few years ago. Did you know that President Bush has a history of cocaine and alcohol abuse? One could argue that it's propaganda that it wasn't revealed to the US public. Omitting information is just as bad as distorting it, in my opinion.

The worst propaganda I've seen in modern times is about health insurance. In central PA, there are columns in a local newspaper about how Universal Health Care doesn't work. It happens to be written by a guy who works for a health insurance company. Conflict of interest? Perhaps. I know that Universal Health Care works because I have experience with it, and with the US system too. I'm glad to be Canadian. I can actually get affordable health care.

When you look at the arguments for and against Global Warming, there is a propaganda campaign on both sides. Those against it are spewing garbage, in my opinion. They are being paid by big business, who don't want to pay for environmental controls. The other side is all about protecting the environment. Because a lot of things about Global Warming are theoretical, either side of the argument can bias simulations in their favor.

Answer 3

There is propaganda in the US, but not government propaganda. For example Fox News is a propaganda outlet of the Republican party.




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Answer 4

How about President Bush on the aircraft carrier with the big "Mission Accomplished" sign in back of him?

Answer 5

so much to mention, cnn, other networks that tell us what to think, rush linbaugh and every other know notheing with a tv show who tells people what their opinions are. commercials, adds on the internet, pop-ups, every loser on the street corner holding a sign. advertising is its own propoganda, pepsi is better thatn coke, coke it better than pepsi... both trear up your linings of your stomach and cause ulcers, dehydrate your body and are sweetened by things that cause cancer, "my bologna has a first name" maks our kids fat with saturated fats and bits of un-named animals (pig snouts, salamander tails, and racoon feet), and ronald mcdonald with his big red hair beconing our children to be obease and saying "no no no, we offer milk with out happly meals now so its okay", bull@#$%! we live to destroy ourselves, with each new power supply we discover we create another weapon that will spell our downfall, "war on terror" to capitalize on oil, yahoo answers to let our kids cheat on their math questions (i know we all seen those questions)... this whole world is propoganda, from commercials for instant coffe to military recruiting videos its all the same. and those are just the stuff we can see, imagine whats put between the lines of you babies music cds or saturday morning cartoons. imagins what is soaked up by our subconcious that we cant even tell till its too late.

i hope that answers your question... yes

Answer 6

"Weapons of Mass Destruction" was the biggest load of propaganda ever committed on this nation.

And PETA is infamous for spreading propaganda, much of which is half-true or greatly exaggerated.

Answer 7

Don't you watch TV or read a newspaper? its full of it. There is more Propaganda afloat that BS these days.

Answer 8

just listen to a politician, you'll get all the propaganda you can handle....

Answer 9

Yes. Only now, they call it "spin"!