[LINK] NetAlert Campaign 'truth' finally coming out

[Ivan Trundle]

On 15/12/2007, at 12:33 PM, Stilgherrian wrote:

>> I'm sure that you're just about to cite your reference for where the
>> ex-government said anything that looked even remotely like that? Or  
>> are you
>> just putting words in their mouth?
>
> My point is that the government doesn't *have* to say it explicitly  
> like
> that. The chains of word-association already in our minds make the  
> link for
> us. That's how "good" (as in "well-crafted") propaganda works.

I can heartily recommend reading the recent tome, 'Word Watching:  
field notes from an amateur philologist', by Julian Burnside (QC and  
refugee advocate), for a view of how the government uses language in  
its propaganda wars with the public. One small example of related  
comment: <http://www.users.bigpond.com/burnside/HRights.htm>

Skip over the pedantic parts of the book if you tire of this (I  
don't), but concentrate when you get to the chapter on detention  
centres and compulsory detention - it might cause you to rethink your  
views on refugees and their status in Australian society.

I believe that the previous government was a master of the art of  
propaganda, and it reminds us all that Big Brother is here now.

iT