Fred, are you willing to consider the "fact" that "Obama is the most polarizing president ever" might at least in part due to the behavior of the right in government and in its avalanche of anti-Obama propaganda?
"Those who manipulate the unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country. We are governed, our minds molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested largely by men we have never heard of. In almost every act of our lives, whether in the sphere of politics or business, in our social conduct or our ethical thinking, we are dominated by the relatively small number of persons who understand the mental processes and social patterns of the masses. It is they who pull the wires that control the public mind."
-Edward Bernays, Pioneer of Corporate PR and Propaganda
As always, you speak with insight and intelligence. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and ideas--both in this forum, and during our time at your house on the garden tour.
"Those who manipulate the unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country. We are governed, our minds molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested largely by men we have never heard of. In almost every act of our lives, whether in the sphere of politics or business, in our social conduct or our ethical thinking, we are dominated by the relatively small number of persons who understand the mental processes and social patterns of the masses. It is they who pull the wires that control the public mind."
-Edward Bernays, Pioneer of Corporate PR and Propaganda
Wow! I see you are all still hammering away at each other (and me). Well, I thought I might add a couple more observations before I vacate this space for good.
Freshair: Since you seem to be loathe to drop the topic of genocide, I would like to respond to your curious view that just because there more American Indians today than were killed by the U.S Government, it does not qualify as genocide. By this same token, I assume you would deny the holocaust of WWII by the Germans because they exterminated only 6 million Jews, yet today there are about 13 million Jews in the world.
And as for your argument that more Native Americans died of diseases than by military guns, I will accept your argument if you will accept that a great many, if not a majority of Native Americans who died of diseases did so while under the control of (and neglect by) the U.S. Military.
Spukomy: I am very happy that your economic conditions have improved over the last 7 1/2 years. You must indeed be a very good swimmer to be making headway against such a strong current.
Okay, I'm outa here. I'm going to hang out with people who have had their rabies shots.
Thank you all for the informative and entertaining responses to my letter. I appreciate that you found my letter important enough to take the time to do so.
Dogd and freshair: I didn't have to look up "plutocracy" in order spell it correctly, although in general I feel it's not a bad idea to do so if one is in doubt. And I take your point about my use of the word "original." How about "indigenous"? Interesting that you chose to refute my letter primarily based on grammar and English, rather than economics. (But as long as we're talking about spelling, my last name is spelled "Potyen.") My implicit point here was that as a society we now believe that slavery and genocide are not appropriate ways to grow our economy. (Maybe at some point we will also include launching long, expensive invasions of third-world countries for the stated purpose of imposing our flavor of democracy on others.)
stmbtprof and justathought: Thank you for your encouragement and support.
JazzSlave: For the most part I agree with you. However I intend to vote based on hope rather than fear.
paul potyen 2 months, 2 weeks ago on Sarah Jones: The big picture
Sarah Jones: The big picture
Yeah! What she said!
good letter!
paul potyen 1 year, 3 months ago on Ken Collins: Missed opportunity
Ken Collins: Missed opportunity
Fred, are you willing to consider the "fact" that "Obama is the most polarizing president ever" might at least in part due to the behavior of the right in government and in its avalanche of anti-Obama propaganda?
"Those who manipulate the unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country. We are governed, our minds molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested largely by men we have never heard of. In almost every act of our lives, whether in the sphere of politics or business, in our social conduct or our ethical thinking, we are dominated by the relatively small number of persons who understand the mental processes and social patterns of the masses. It is they who pull the wires that control the public mind." -Edward Bernays, Pioneer of Corporate PR and Propaganda
paul potyen 1 year, 3 months ago on Ben Beall: The missing piece
Ben Beall: The missing piece
Well done, Ben!
paul potyen 1 year, 5 months ago on Petition asks Routt County commissioners to stay oil, gas permits
Petition asks Routt County commissioners to stay oil, gas permits
Great job, Kyle! I'm with you all the way.
paul potyen 1 year, 6 months ago on Tom Ross: It’s all about the gravy
Tom Ross: It’s all about the gravy
Thanks, Tom! Good info here!
paul potyen 2 years, 4 months ago on Downtown couple asks Steamboat to allow goats in city
Downtown couple asks Steamboat to allow goats in city
John,
You have my wholehearted support. Thanks for all your work on this, and good luck.
Paul
paul potyen 2 years, 7 months ago on Group takes educational tour to visit Steamboat gardens in action
Group takes educational tour to visit Steamboat gardens in action
John,
As always, you speak with insight and intelligence. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and ideas--both in this forum, and during our time at your house on the garden tour.
Paul
paul potyen 3 years, 2 months ago on Chuck McConnell: Represent us, Udall
Chuck McConnell: Represent us, Udall
"Those who manipulate the unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country. We are governed, our minds molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested largely by men we have never heard of. In almost every act of our lives, whether in the sphere of politics or business, in our social conduct or our ethical thinking, we are dominated by the relatively small number of persons who understand the mental processes and social patterns of the masses. It is they who pull the wires that control the public mind."
-Edward Bernays, Pioneer of Corporate PR and Propaganda
paul potyen 4 years, 10 months ago on Paul Potyen: Time for a change
Paul Potyen: Time for a change
Wow! I see you are all still hammering away at each other (and me). Well, I thought I might add a couple more observations before I vacate this space for good.
Freshair: Since you seem to be loathe to drop the topic of genocide, I would like to respond to your curious view that just because there more American Indians today than were killed by the U.S Government, it does not qualify as genocide. By this same token, I assume you would deny the holocaust of WWII by the Germans because they exterminated only 6 million Jews, yet today there are about 13 million Jews in the world.
And as for your argument that more Native Americans died of diseases than by military guns, I will accept your argument if you will accept that a great many, if not a majority of Native Americans who died of diseases did so while under the control of (and neglect by) the U.S. Military.
Spukomy: I am very happy that your economic conditions have improved over the last 7 1/2 years. You must indeed be a very good swimmer to be making headway against such a strong current.
Okay, I'm outa here. I'm going to hang out with people who have had their rabies shots.
paul potyen 4 years, 10 months ago on Paul Potyen: Time for a change
Paul Potyen: Time for a change
Thank you all for the informative and entertaining responses to my letter. I appreciate that you found my letter important enough to take the time to do so.
Dogd and freshair: I didn't have to look up "plutocracy" in order spell it correctly, although in general I feel it's not a bad idea to do so if one is in doubt. And I take your point about my use of the word "original." How about "indigenous"? Interesting that you chose to refute my letter primarily based on grammar and English, rather than economics. (But as long as we're talking about spelling, my last name is spelled "Potyen.") My implicit point here was that as a society we now believe that slavery and genocide are not appropriate ways to grow our economy. (Maybe at some point we will also include launching long, expensive invasions of third-world countries for the stated purpose of imposing our flavor of democracy on others.)
stmbtprof and justathought: Thank you for your encouragement and support.
JazzSlave: For the most part I agree with you. However I intend to vote based on hope rather than fear.