Wednesday, March 24, 2010
The truth has fallen, an essay by Paul Craig Roberts
by Larry Geller
I’ve commented occasionally about the devaluation of the truth in the American press, particularly when compared with many European newspapers and wire services. In politics, the Republicans are the masters of the lie, but Democrats aren’t far behind.
And the public buy the lies. Perhaps it’s our dumbed-down educational system. It’s easy to stir up the masses about “death panels” for example even if they are complete fiction. Our commercial media serve as a conduit for these lies. Instead of challenging them, they are complicit.
It seems people actually prefer the lie if it suits them. Sad. Sick. Dangerous.
Paul Craig Roberts has covered the topic well in his article, Truth Has Fallen and Taken Liberty With It. A snip is unfair, but here is one from near the beginning. I urge you to read the entire article, his development goes well beyond these introductory words:
Today Americans are ruled by propaganda. Americans have little regard for truth, little access to it, and little ability to recognize it.
Truth is an unwelcome entity. It is disturbing. It is off limits. Those who speak it run the risk of being branded “anti-American,” “anti-semite” or “conspiracy theorist.”
Truth is an inconvenience for government and for the interest groups whose campaign contributions control government.
Truth is an inconvenience for prosecutors who want convictions, not the discovery of innocence or guilt.
Truth is inconvenient for ideologues.
Today many whose goal once was the discovery of truth are now paid handsomely to hide it….
(Thanks to Viviane Lerner for the pointer to this story.)
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