Lexicon for Our Times

Posted on March 31, 2003 in War

A few definitions that will help you understand what is going on. Not alphabetized.

propaganda

False information disseminated for the purpose of arousing public support for a dubious cause, especially a war. A noble exercise calculated to promote the weal of a limited, wealthy class while appealing to the less fortunate by promising them money and status that they will never actually see.

rumor

Propaganda passed by word of mouth

news

Propaganda passed by print and electronic media

opinion

Ideas and facts that contradict propaganda.

morality

An attitude which propaganda seeks to counteract.

traitor

Someone who doesn’t believe our propaganda

patriot

Someone who believes our propaganda

higher education

An impediment to the dissemination of propaganda. Graduates of universities tend to check their facts, though a few manage to get degrees without doing so. These become jingoistic columnists.

ignorance

Fertile field for propaganda because the ignorant have not been trained to check facts.

liberal media

Conservative and supportive of wars, it sometimes goofs and lets in a fact.

Truth

Something that must be suppressed at all costs, especially when it contradicts propaganda.