Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The Other Michael · 08-15-2003, 09:01 PM

I was pointed at this article today, and I found it an interesting analysis of Bush's use of language, and how it is structured to serve his political ends.

cheers,
Michael

slept2long · 08-16-2003, 02:45 AM

I knew Bush wasn't an idiot. He sounds like a dope on purpose.

And now we know why.

lisarea · 08-16-2003, 01:37 PM

FWIW, I still don't think he's all that bright, really. I think he's just plain nasty and arrogant, and it comes naturally.

I did love what the article said about learned helplessness. I've always had a pet theory that the laboratory conditions for creating learned helplessness in rats are effectively reproduced on a grand scale in US society. And Shrub really embodies pretty much everything I think is cruel, evil, and sick about this society.

John Hancock · 08-16-2003, 01:59 PM

As I've posted before the cunning of a sociopath. Selfseeking, sadistic and manipulative. A conservative

.

John Hancock
__________________
"Fascism,should more properly be called corporatism, since it is the merger of state and corporate power." Mussolini

emphryio · 08-16-2003, 09:47 PM

I think the key to Bush "pulling it off" is just how he sounds and looks as he utters his absurd simplistic buffonery that would actually be more appropiate coming from a "special needs" individual than the leader of the free world.

He always sounds very confident and commanding mixed in with appropiately caring and emphathetic at the right moments.

He understands very well the appropiate emotion necessary to pretend to be feeling in order to win the approval of the people.

As far as the article goes, of course he wants to put fear into the people for his "perpetual war" to distract them the same as quite a few other politicians, (especially republicans). He's just laying it on a little thicker than most. And of course he uses empty language, that's pretty standard at least for recent US politicians.

Bush's opponents must combat his dark imagery with hope and restore American vigor and optimism in the coming years. They should heed the example of Reagan, who used optimism against Carter and the "national malaise"; Franklin Roosevelt, who used it against Hoover and the pessimism induced by the Depression ("the only thing we have to fear is fear itself"); and Clinton (the "Man from Hope"), who used positive language against the senior Bush's lack of vision. This is the linguistic prescription for those who wish to retire Bush in 2004.

Yes, lie out of your ass. Be an actor. Sound confident. Win the stupid people vote.

lisarea · 08-16-2003, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by emphryio
Yes, lie out of your ass. Be an actor. Sound confident. Win the stupid people vote.

As odious as this sounds--and I agree with you completely that the whole concept IS odious--I don't care anymore. I mean, I do, but I'm not holding out for someone I want to be president. I'm not holding out for someone who is honest and has the integrity and intelligence to hold the office anymore.

I am holding out for anyone but Bush. A dog. Britney Spears. A hologram. A corpse. A pocket calculator. The world's largest ball of twine.

And I endorse virtually any means to that end. Once that sick fuck's been run out of town on a rail, I'll commence with the regularly scheduled bitching, but at this point, I'm all for just about anyone and anything that will get that repulsive little shit out of office.

dcwolf · 08-17-2003, 02:53 PM

As long as we're analyzing Bush II's language technique, here's an msn article that explains his SLI, and contrasts him with Bush I.

Quote:

Both Bushes have a tendency to become hilariously inarticulate, though in different ways. Dad dispenses with pronouns, tempers expressions of feeling with words like "stuff" and "thing" (as in "the vision thing"), and has a tendency to go into what my colleague Tim Noah famously described as "call-waiting mode," as in his great campaign trail riff:

Remember Lincoln, going to his knees in times of trial and the Civil War and all that stuff. You can't be. And we are blessed. So don't feel sorry for--don't cry for me Argentina. We've got problems out there and I am blessed by good health, strong health. Jeez, you get the flu, and they make it into a federal case. Anyway, that goes with the territory.

Son, by contrast, suffers from a speech problem that may be a genetic disorder known as Specific Language Impairment, which causes him to use singular verbs with plural nouns and vice versa.

John Hancock · 08-17-2003, 03:27 PM

The Anointed one simply can't admitting error "Fool me once shame on you, Fool me twice .....ya can't do that again!" :banghead:

John Hancock
__________________
"Fascism,should more properly be called corporatism, since it is the merger of state and corporate power." Mussolini

Malachi151 · 08-17-2003, 04:12 PM

My version of this:

http://www.rationalrevolution.net/bush_terror.htm

John Hancock · 08-17-2003, 04:47 PM

Malachi151

Great link :notworthy :notworthy sure and we all know this:

"Of course the people don't want war. But after all, it's the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it's always a simple matter to drag the people along whether it's a democracy, a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism, and exposing the country to greater danger."
-- Herman Goering at the Nuremberg trials

John Hancock
__________________
"Fascism,should more properly be called corporatism, since it is the merger of state and corporate power." Mussolini

08-15-2003, 09:01 PM	#1
The Other Michael Honorary Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: In the fog of San Francisco Posts: 12,631	The language of power, fear and emptiness I was pointed at this article today, and I found it an interesting analysis of Bush's use of language, and how it is structured to serve his political ends. cheers, Michael

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08-16-2003, 02:45 AM	#2
slept2long Veteran Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: West Palm Beach, FL Posts: 1,066	I knew Bush wasn't an idiot. He sounds like a dope on purpose. And now we know why.

08-16-2003, 01:37 PM	#3
lisarea Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Broomfield, Colorado, USA Posts: 5,550	FWIW, I still don't think he's all that bright, really. I think he's just plain nasty and arrogant, and it comes naturally. I did love what the article said about learned helplessness. I've always had a pet theory that the laboratory conditions for creating learned helplessness in rats are effectively reproduced on a grand scale in US society. And Shrub really embodies pretty much everything I think is cruel, evil, and sick about this society.

08-16-2003, 01:59 PM	#4
John Hancock Banned Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mars Posts: 2,231	As I've posted before the cunning of a sociopath. Selfseeking, sadistic and manipulative. A conservative . John Hancock __________________ "Fascism,should more properly be called corporatism, since it is the merger of state and corporate power." Mussolini

08-16-2003, 09:47 PM	#5
emphryio Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: WV Posts: 4,369	I think the key to Bush "pulling it off" is just how he sounds and looks as he utters his absurd simplistic buffonery that would actually be more appropiate coming from a "special needs" individual than the leader of the free world. He always sounds very confident and commanding mixed in with appropiately caring and emphathetic at the right moments. He understands very well the appropiate emotion necessary to pretend to be feeling in order to win the approval of the people. As far as the article goes, of course he wants to put fear into the people for his "perpetual war" to distract them the same as quite a few other politicians, (especially republicans). He's just laying it on a little thicker than most. And of course he uses empty language, that's pretty standard at least for recent US politicians. Bush's opponents must combat his dark imagery with hope and restore American vigor and optimism in the coming years. They should heed the example of Reagan, who used optimism against Carter and the "national malaise"; Franklin Roosevelt, who used it against Hoover and the pessimism induced by the Depression ("the only thing we have to fear is fear itself"); and Clinton (the "Man from Hope"), who used positive language against the senior Bush's lack of vision. This is the linguistic prescription for those who wish to retire Bush in 2004. Yes, lie out of your ass. Be an actor. Sound confident. Win the stupid people vote.

08-17-2003, 03:27 PM	#8
John Hancock Banned Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mars Posts: 2,231	The Anointed one simply can't admitting error "Fool me once shame on you, Fool me twice .....ya can't do that again!" :banghead: John Hancock __________________ "Fascism,should more properly be called corporatism, since it is the merger of state and corporate power." Mussolini

08-17-2003, 04:12 PM	#9
Malachi151 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Colorado Posts: 8,674	My version of this: http://www.rationalrevolution.net/bush_terror.htm

08-17-2003, 04:47 PM	#10
John Hancock Banned Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mars Posts: 2,231	Malachi151 Great link :notworthy :notworthy sure and we all know this: "Of course the people don't want war. But after all, it's the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it's always a simple matter to drag the people along whether it's a democracy, a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism, and exposing the country to greater danger." -- Herman Goering at the Nuremberg trials John Hancock __________________ "Fascism,should more properly be called corporatism, since it is the merger of state and corporate power." Mussolini

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