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...
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