More people get their news from ABC News...(shudder)

[alexpgp]

pro·pa·gan·da noun
{New Latin, from Congregatio de propaganda fide Congregation for propagating the faith, organization established by Pope Gregory XV died 1623}
1 capitalized : a congregation of the Roman curia having jurisdiction over missionary territories and related institutions
2 : the spreading of ideas, information, or rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause, or a person
3 : ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately to further one's cause or to damage an opposing cause; also : a public action having such an effect

What the dictionary does not tell you is that the term has a pejorative connotation owing largely to the fact that the folks that talked the most about using it (the Soviets) more often than not spread false ideas and information to further their own cause.

So what are we to make of ABC's Michele Norris, who said "There are concerns that American children are being used in a propaganda campaign," referring to President Bush's request last Thursday night at his press conference for kids to donate a dollar apiece to help other kids in Afghanistan?

If this is propaganda, is it "Soviet style"? Is it a lie? Is someone concerned the money will be used to sow land mines in Afghanistan? Is the driving impetus insincere? Might people get the wrong impression about the U.S.? Are kids secretly being forced to contribute?

If it is not "Soviet-style" propaganda, then would someone explain why it is a cause for "concern" when the U.S. seeks to further its cause by encouraging our kids to help their kids?

Cheers...

Comments

[papoose.livejournal.com]

I don't believe I ever mentioned anything about equal time for terrorists. I have no idea where that response came from.

You can believe me, that as a parent I do present my kids with more than one side, and always have. This is not to say that I think it is being done in our schools or churches, or anywhere else in the country or the world. As a matter of fact, I would not put so much effort in presenting other views to my kids if that were the case. If I left it up to the schools and churches they would be socialist robots with a blind belief in some man-made version of God, thinking that the State owed them food, education, and shelter. (oh that's sounds like a lot of us citizens, doesn't it?)

That in no way changes my response. It is not only ludicrous to use children to promote beliefs which in no way are they capable of understanding, it is downright irresponsible.

[alexpgp.livejournal.com]

I must've misread your original post (and did not finish what I started to say, which is that the only place where kids have a chance of getting both sides is at home). Sorry.

But I still don't understand your last line. My understanding is that the dollar donation is intended to show that our kids harbor no ill will toward Afghan kids, and demonstrate a willingness to help. What are the beliefs being promoted that kids are not capable of understanding.

(Mind you, while I'm not critical of the plan, I think there are other, more important things the President can be using his moral authority to advocate.)

Cheers...

[papoose.livejournal.com]

"totally unrelated to the issue at hand) "

I thought this made it perfectly clear that I was NOT speaking of the presidents call.