Great NRA Misquotations

Wayne LaPierre's miquotation of FDR's "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself" that he attributes to Winston Churchill, which makes it only more laughable...

if people were able to see beyond their fear and ignorance that what he is saying is obvious bullshit.



Here is the actual speech made by FDR (his first inaugural address):



This is a good analysis of the use of fear to manipulate people.  LaPierre wants people to be afraid since he knows scared people don't think very well. 

FDR, on the other hand, is making a speech of reassurance and hope.  FDR is trying to do the exact opposite of what LaPierre is doing (which probably would also be the case if Churchill had made such a speech--he would want people to be confident, not afraid).

The reality is that this is such blatantly obvious propaganda and fear mongering that this post should be unnecessary.

Unfortunately, it is necessary.

Propaganda is the use of emotions (in this case fear) to cause people to short circuit their intellect.

You're being played.

You would know that if you would sit back and use critical reasoning skills.

See also:

• Franklin D. Roosevelt: First Inaugural Address. U.S. Inaugural Addresses. 1989
• Surprise: New Study Pinpoints The Root Of Right Wing Ideology

Right wing internet tactics.

This is from the film "(Astro)Turf Wars".  It shows a training session for how to sabotage the dialogue and "control the debate".

But one of the first lessons in anti-propaganda tactics is to learn how people practise it and be able to spot it.  Then, you can say "that is propaganda and not really worth paying attention to".  Additionally, you can use critical thinking skills to spot the flaws in their arguments.

In this case, the trick is called "stacking the deck" or "card staking" where one emphasises on argument while eliminating another.

But, the next time you see a book with polarised reviews, you can be aware that it has probably been hit by this tactic.

The film is worth watching.