Ethics. I think I am talking about Ethics. #2

So You Know Where I  Come From 

 
Born 1943 in an Italian Catholic 'hood.
Most Neighbors came from Calabria for work in the steel mill.
My Nonno came from Emilia-Romagna, so I have blue eyes.

Every Fall just as we did in Italy
We carry a statue of Madonna of Casandrino 

bedecked with flowers
on palanquin
to the Park with Music
and Feasting
and Knights of Columbus
and Girls dressed as Angels
and Boys carrying be tasseled golden banners.

 

Republican Conservatives have made Hunter Biden a symbol of Uncle Joe Catholic's decadence. Our media never chooses to make talktalk about his war hero Son who died. All we get to see is Hunter the Hound. Hunter just wants to feel good and live well and make bad Art. He makes hot new copy. 

Roman Catholic Conservatives have made Uncle Joe's membership in the Democratic Party a symbol of Joe Biden's Sin. Uncle Joe is to be shamed when he attends Communion is the plan. Dirty baby killer some chant. Makes hot new copy.

Jesus said at the Seder "Do this in remembrance of Me." Jesus loved absolutely. Jesus broke bread in Communion with Judas and Peter.  Peter who denied him. And Judas who left Communion with bread crumbs in his beard to get his reward from the Romans.

In my 'hood, a Neighbor who carries the story of that slutty Pagliaro girl or the Arcamone boy's arrest about everywhere, like a gift in a basket, is called Chiacchierone. That means bigmouth or chatterbox. That person is greeted by everyone and trusted by no one. And ghosted relentlessly, except at the tables of those equally despised, where they dine on cakes, wine and malice. "I say to you, they have their reward." That is what Jesus said. I say it is a damn shame that Malignant Scrupulosity is not painful, except to Others.

After the war, US personnel discovered a very large diary dictated by Goebbels. In it are his principles of propaganda. Leonard Doob's 1950 article details them from a translation of the diary by Louis Lochner (1948).

Goebbels' Basic Principles

Avoid abstract ideas - appeal to the emotions.
Constantly repeat just a few ideas. Use stereotyped phrases.
Give only one side of the argument.
Continuously criticize your opponents.
Pick out one special "enemy" for special vilification.

How shall we live in an age of Propagandists and Liars and Doom Merchants? What shall we do about all the pernicious talktalk marketing? 

I am not a powerful person. I am not rich, nor influential in any significant manner. I cannot unilaterally change the way the world around me runs, and I certainly cannot change what people think and say and believe. All I can do is live with integrity, and use that integrity as a platform for living the rest of my life. This living with integrity may not change anything, it may not sway anyone to my way of thinking (or any way of thinking). But it is all I have, and it is what I am committed to do. - Michael Boyle