The recent appearance by Ron Paul on MSNBC demonstrated perfectly the tactic, used repeatedly by the MSM, called concision. Concision is essentially when commercial broadcast media uses the time constraints of the medium to their advantage. The host extracts a view or statement held or made by the guest that is unconventional or outside of the realm of the agreed upon limits of any given debate by the corporate media. For example, a popular agreed upon debate question is, ”Are we fighting the war in Afghanistan correctly,” rather than, “Should we be fighting the war in Afghanistan at all?” Once the view or statement is introduced the host forces the guest to defend their statement within the confines of the MSM commercial broadcast setting.
The most infamous recent example of this tactic being used against a Liberty candidate was when Rachel Maddow attacked Rand Paul for stating he would not have supported one of the ten titles of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The title that assumed the Federal Government owns all private property and therefore can impose their will on the property owner. The key to that interview was Maddow’s demand for a yes or no answer to the question, “Should Walworth lunch counters should [sic] have been allowed to stay segregated, just yes or no please.” Because Maddow asked the question in a yes or no format, the average viewer may have been tricked into believing that Rand Paul’s answer was evasive. However he was trying to lay out the context necessary to properly answer the question while remaining loyal to his convictions. However, the time frame allotted for his response was disproportionate to the complexity of the question.
As mentioned previously, the founders of Liberty Maven attended the FFF-sponsored Robert Higgs talk at George Mason University earlier this week. I agree that this was one of the most intriguing and entertaining speeches I’ve been to. Watch it here:
“Control oil and you control nations; control food and you control the people” – Henry Kissinger
Our food freedom is under attack! HR 759 has eclipsed HR 875 as a danger to America’s small farmers. Currently in committee (and more likely to pass), NOW is the time to act to stop this threat to our freedom to buy, grow and eat real foods. A vote is expected by Memorial day.
One of the most watched videos of the Ron Paul campaign was “Stop Dreaming” by Aravoth. He is out with another epic video edited beautifully about our financial future.
The video mixes footage of Peter Schiff, Ron Paul, and several others. Take 10 minutes of your time and watch it. You’ll likely be glad you did.
Here is Ron Paul from the floor of the House speaking out against the Auto Bailout among other things. I have to admit I love hearing Ron Paul get animated like this for what he believes in. His opening remarks are rife with sarcasm. He argues that bailing out the auto industry is unconstitutional and it is morally improper to take money away from one group to give it to another group. Closing these remarks he says:
“…But those two arguments are rather weak arguments…” (tongue firmly implanted in cheek)
He goes on to talk about the economic ramifications. This is classic Ron Paul. You must watch this.
“What does $15 billion dollars mean anymore?”
“We are on the road to nationalization!… without a wimper.”
“.. Car Czar? It is such an embarrassment. It is such an insult to us who believe in freedom, who believe in sound money and limited government. It’s such an insult to the whole idea that made America great!. And this is what it has come to? Bailout after Bailout….”
While watching this video I found myself continually looking for the puppet strings attached to Fred Thompson.
I expected Ron Paul to jump out at the end holding the puppet strings.
He never did. I respect Fred Thompson more today than I did yesterday. His voice still makes me yawn uncontrollably for some reason. But his words had me nodding, not off, but in agreement the entire time.
Watch Fred Thompson discuss our economic crisis with some biting sarcasm below.