The BFEE Modus Operandi

[trotsky]

OK, over the past four years we've all seen how they operate - let's list out the standard tricks so we all know what to watch for. Here are the first three that come to my mind:

* The "Bush Dodge": If you are accused of something, deny a completely different or creatively-exaggerated accusation. See 9/11 excuse-making, answering every accusation with a "we never would have let this happen had we known they were going to hijack planes and fly them into buildings."

* The "Trial Balloon": Send out a cabinet member or Republican member of Congress to say something ridiculous and see how the media salutes it. "Official" administration response then either endorses or rejects the statement, based on public reaction. Example: Normie Coleman calling for the resignation of Annan, now the administration backs Annan.

* The "Shiny Object": When cornered on something, get the press to focus on a related yet irrelevant item. Two recent examples: Bushie Nat. Guard documents (media has conniptions on origin of documents rather than their veracity), soldier questions Rummy about armor (reporter planted the question!!).

[notadmblnd]

1. Don't forget the old "Smear the Messenger" trick and the old

when something important is about to break, bring on the terra warning trick.

[trotsky]

3. Oooh yes!

How could I forget "TERRA TERRA TERRA"?

And the smearing of O'Neill, Clarke, etc. Great additions.

[Demit]

2. I especially like your "Shiny Object" point. And apparently the press

never gets tired of it either :(

[notadmblnd]

4. and let's us not leave out the

turn attention to a famous celebrity scandal trick. Watch for the Robert Blake trial to take center stage in the next few months.

on edit: and my personal favorite,,,,
get the dirt on everyone you come into contact with. That way, you either blackmail them into silence or discredit them when they talk.

[StClone]

5. Or invent dirt

Seems they can take the most meager item and pervert and inflate it to hide their activities.

[trotsky]

6. Yes... invent dirt.

Make your opponent or accuser waste time denying false rumors. Sandy Berger and the "stuffing documents in his pants" lie comes to mind.

[donkeyotay]

7. Use anger (indignation) instead of arguing the merits (rationality)

Perfect examples coming from Ohio. It's "how dare people question the integrity of the election!" Instead of discussing issues such as letting Bush/Cheney's re-election Vice Chair(?) run the state's election in a sickening re-run of the Katherine Harris gambit.