Bush Borrows Hitler Propaganda Techniques

[maha]

http://www.ospolitics.org/usa/archives/2003/12/08/show_me_a_.php

From the beginning, and particularly after September 11, the Bush Administration has made masterful use of symbols and images to portray George W. Bush as a strong military leader. Those not susceptible to the GOP Mind Meld can only watch in horror while such a pitiful excuse for a leader is worshipped as a Great Man by so many.

...

Now that there’s a war, Bush faces a PR problem similar to one faced by Hitler in the 1940s. That is, how does one project the image of a strong military leader while remaining at a safe distance from the war? By use of imagery, of course.

Keegan writes that Hitler’s propaganda machine had relentlessly “burdened the German public consciousness” with images of Hitler as Germany’s mentor and protector. At the outset of World War II, a new image was added: “the picture of a Hitler unwillingly re-outfitted in the battle gear of a frontfighter, marching to victory as if — not wholly present in body but totally in spirit — at the head of troops.”

The infamous “flight suit” episode and more recent visit to Baghdad, when the president wore a “U.S. Army” jacket while brandishing a plastic turkey, are only the more flamboyant uses of soldiers as props. He also makes frequent appearances at military posts around the country, such as his recent visit to Fort Carson, Colorado, where he can be photographed surrounded by cheering soldiers.

[liberalmuse]

1. I went a the moveon.org house party last night...

and we had a 2-hour discussion afterwards (it was great!), where someone mentioned that not even Eisenhower (sp?) appeared in public in military uniform after he became President. I do remember seeing him in pictures with his uniform on, but wasn't born yet, so I wouldn't know. Anyone know if this is this true?

The guy also went on to say that a U.S. president appearing in uniform in public should really disturb us, because this is what facist leaders and dictators have done for centuries--most notably in the 20th century.

[maha]

2. That's right

As President, Eisenhower never put on a military uniform. He wore a suit and tie. Same thing with Ulysses S. Grant, btw.

[tom_paine]

5. Yup, Bunnpyants broke a 225-year tradition

From Washington onward until the Death of the Old American Republic on 12-12-2000, US Presidents NEVER appeared in military garb. Because the Great Old Republic of America (deceased or dying now) the civilian government commanded the military, it was a way of emphasizing it.

Neitehr Grant nor Eisenhower, Washington nor Garfield nor ANY military man EVER appeared while President in military garb.

But Emperor Bunnypants* is NOT pResident, he is Emperor and what would the 225 years of the Old American Republic have to do with the 3 year old Bushevik-Occupied Amerikan Empire anyway?

[ixion]

3. a facist leader....

well, the Monkey King is a facist dictator wanna be, so his donning of military garb fits right in. I find it deplorable and pathetic, which is par for the course with the Bush cabal. :-(

[liberalmuse]

4. Thanks, people!

They showed the shrub on the aircraft carrier in the documentary last night--I nixed cable and only my daughter has an antenna, so I missed that spectacle several months ago. Oh my god, was that ridiculous! Also, the moveon.org documentary really made Bush look stupid--not that it's difficult to do, but having to sit there and watch clips of his speeches, it is odd to me that anyone would believe this shifty-eyed, smirking, lying fool. Also, in the documentary, they clipped together sections of Bush's, Condie's and Rumsfeld's speeches where they spewed the exact same propoganda, 'We don't want the smoking gun to be a mushroom cloud'. All I could say was, 'These people are shameless!'

[Skittles]

6. There are some of us who are NOT so "easily fooled"

I saw through this piece of shit fraud when he was my governor.