Palin preaches non-sense in dodgeing responsibility for inciteful comments

[JohnWxy]

In Palin's statement (obviously well crafted, not written by her but by polished word-smith) the author invokes the words of Reagan:

" "... It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions.” Acts of monstrous criminality stand on their own. They begin and end with the criminals who commit them, not collectively with all the citizens of a state... "

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0111/47478.html#ixzz1ArDlyB00


OF course, recognizing that there are social conditions which contribute to crime is not in any way to excuse the perpetrator from bearing full responsibility for his crime (unless they're a Wall Street Bankster, or a Republican president, of course). It is legitimate and valuable to not ignore the full range of causes which lead to the crime. The efficacy and techniques of persuasion of audiences by mass media has also been recognized and widely studied.


http://www.unc.edu/~tonob/ordinarypeople.pdf

There is strong experimental and public opinion evidence that publics are susceptible to propaganda that induces anxiety and fear with threat messages. Herman Goering at the Nurnberg war crimes trial put it thus: ”The people can always be brought to do the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them that are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to greater danger. It works the same way in any country.”