Hiding Truth to Advance a Political Agenda
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F rom three seemingly disconnected occurrences, a pattern begins to emerge - albeit a subtle one, a pattern which nonetheless begs our attention. Truth is often said to be elusive. That's more than true when it's purposefully hidden.
Take liberal cartoonist Eric Carlson's latest from Friday's Pilot Opinion page. An angry-faced white male says in the first frame, "I'm SICK of the government taking so much in taxes. That's my money and they're wasting it. I should be able to use it as I see fit and to invest it wisely." That's a common and truthful conservative complaint.
In the second frame, though, the once-angry white conservative male now giddily stands at a store checkout counter and says to the sales clerk, "Gimme $300 in Mega Millions tickets!!"
Any honest observer will recognize the fallacy in this cartoon.
We've all stood in check-out lines while lottery tickets are bought, and we wait patiently to pay for our quart of milk and newspaper, or the $4 a gallon for gasoline. And the folks buying the tickets aren't usually angry conservative males, who complain about government confiscating their money one minute, and turn around to buy lottery tickets from government in the next.
No. They're usually people who look unemployed. The ones who live on government subsidy in one form or another. A more truthful and likely cartoon might have shown a person receiving his welfare check, and then using it to buy $300 worth of tickets, instead of food for the kids.
The second issue has to do with the Trayvon Martin case. Liberals would have the general public believe it's about racism, pure and unadulterated. Never mind that no one yet knows the particulars or facts in the case. Led by the Rev. Al Sharpton, the Rev. Jesse Jackson and the liberal media, a new movement against racism, highlighted by all manner of public vigils, has been called into action.
Against this backdrop, two black males beg Americans to slow down and look for truth. Shelby Steele, senior fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution, and Juan Williams, political commentator, have each written recent articles in The Wall Street Journal, which discuss the true and more likely origins of youthful black death in America. They ask of readers to please look for that truth - and the extent to which racism still exists or not.
And finally, to the award-winner in obfuscation. President Obama asserts that the Supreme Court won't overturn his signature health-care legislation, because it's a law "passed by a strong majority of a democratically elected Congress." Now, that's a whopper!
The House of Representatives vote went 219-212. Of that vote, no Republican voted in favor, and all types of arm-twisting and late-night political intrigues were employed to secure Democratic votes. The Senate almost filibustered the measure, and immediately after its passage, a repeal movement was begun. The law's popularity among voters is less than 50 percent, and the issue will be a hot one in the upcoming campaign no matter what the Supreme Court decides.
These are three examples of liberals trying to hide or obscure truth. The remaining question is: Why?
Shelby Steele, in his aforementioned article, "The Exploitation of Trayvon Martin," talks about the use of "poetic truth" instead of what is really true. Like a writer's use of poetic license, he says, "poetic truth lies just a little bit in order to highlight what it believes is a larger and more important truth."
In this case, the larger truth liberals would have us believe is that America is still a racist nation. This despite the fact that there is ample statistical data that nine times more blacks are killed by blacks than they are by whites. Steele goes as far as to say, "Black teenagers today are afraid of other black teenagers, not whites."
This writer thinks there's something else at work as well. When truth isn't on one's side, pretend it is. Confuse the opponent. Put him off balance. Change the subject. Muddy the waters.
Make him second-guess himself, so while he tries to make sense out of lies, you move to the next item on your political agenda and quest for power.
Meanwhile, and it perpetuity, truth struggles, and may never to catch up.
Geoff Cutler is owner of Cutler Tree LLC in Southern Pines and is a regular contributor to The Pilot and PineStraw magazine. Contact him at geoffcutler@embarqmail.com.
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Comments
nothingspecial 1 year, 1 month ago
So well said Mr. Cutler and your article in the Pinestraw this week is such a heartwarming story about the times we have with our kids.
One worrisome lie with the coming election is the corruption of Acorn, the growing numbers of uncovered voter frauds perpetrated by them, and how the administration continues to sneak money their way. Three hyperlinked articles below describe this incredible corruption, including the following:
"Despite a ban on funding that Obama signed into law, his administration continues to fund the corrupt and allegedly defunct “community” organization ACORN. In July 2011 Judicial Watch uncovered a $79,819 grant to AHCOA (Affordable Housing Centers of America), the renamed ACORN Housing which has a long history of corrupt activity. In absolute violation of the funding ban, Judicial Watch has since confirmed that the Obama administration has funneled $730,000 to the ACORN network, a group that has a long personal history with President Obama.In 2011, JW released a special report entitled “The Rebranding of ACORN,” which details how the ACORN network is alive and well and well-placed to undermine the integrity of the 2012 elections – evidently with the assistance of the Obama administration."
http://www.judicialwatch.org/corrupt-politicians-lists/washingtons-ten-most-wanted-corrupt-politicians-for-2011/
http://michellemalkin.com/2012/04/04/the-democrats-election-forgery-racket/
https://www.judicialwatch.org/files/documents/2011/acornspecialreport08222011.pdf
geoffcutler 1 year, 1 month ago
Thanks, NS. We thought they were coming for Easter, but alas, it was not to be because of school work and preparing for exams. A noticeable absence on this holiday weekend.
bufordsplay 1 year, 1 month ago
Great column as usual Geoff and right on the money!
Thatcher 1 year, 1 month ago
Very well-written Geoff. Happy Easter to you and your family.
geoffcutler 1 year, 1 month ago
To you too, T, thanks!
Easygoing 1 year, 1 month ago
Same old stuff from Geoff. "People can maintain an unshakable faith in any proposition, however absurd, when they are sustained by a community of like-minded believers."
JER 1 year, 1 month ago
"When truth is not on one's side, pretend it is." Geoff, at least you are a man of your word. Your "truth" would have us believe that most people who purchase a lottery ticket are on welfare and you are asking us to "pretend" that is a fact. Then your "truth" would have us believe that liberals are behind the "racist" nature of the Florida killing and want us to "pretend" that is also accurate. Finally, your "truth" is that this is not a racist nation and it's just liberals wanting to make it seem that it is. That one may be the hardest one to "pretend" is true. Oh, and let's not forget the "Change the subject" and "Muddy the waters". A perfect example being the post of your loyal follower, nothingspecial, who is good at such stuff.
Would you agree that people from all walks of life buy lottery tickets? Would you agree that conservatives contribute to the racism prevalent in the Florida case? And would you agree that racism exists in people who vote Republican?
Bentpan 1 year, 1 month ago
Mr Cutler another fine article based on common sense and fact, a shame those who should glean some wisdom from it will simply ignore the truth or spin it to fit their own preconceptions.
OldSpook 1 year, 1 month ago
Nicely presented Mr. Cutler, once again you have presented an obvious truth that certain groups prefer to ignore. Hope you had a great Easter./Dave
BigE 1 year, 1 month ago
I am a white male and have a household income in the top 1% of this country. Oops, I buy lottery tickets. (If it makes you feel better, I do not complain about my taxes.)
geoffcutler 1 year, 1 month ago
People from all walks of life buy lottery tickets, especially when the pot is $600 million or more.
BigE 1 year, 1 month ago
"They're usually people who look unemployed. The ones who live on government subsidy in one form or another. A more truthful and likely cartoon might have shown a person receiving his welfare check, and then using it to buy $300 worth of tickets, instead of food for the kids."
DoubleHeroides 1 year, 1 month ago
@geoffcutler: I’m going to have to side with BigE on this one regarding the lottery. I am not on welfare, I am not unemployed, I do not like being taxed heavily by the government and I do on occasion purchase lottery tickets. You then just now contend that “people of all walks of life buy lottery tickets…”. The question now is which of your stances rings most true with geoffcutler personally? I don’t ask in order to rile you up or cause a ruckus but rather to get to the bottom of who you are as a columnist because such a difference in opinion from the article (seen by many) to your post here (seen by less than the hardcopy readership I imagine) is confusing and unclear. You are deploring the premise that there are people that use stereotypes to hurt others by stereotyping people within the first of your three points in the article.
(and I am assuming that the online name geoffcutler is also the Geoff Cutler that wrote the piece)
Courseaire 1 year, 1 month ago
Based on personal experience (owning a convenience store) and observations in other lottery sales facilities - on a day to day basis, those purchasing lottery tickets (thus paying a voluntary tax) are those that can ill afford it. However, when the prize gets large enough, others (those that can afford the voluntary tax) that do not normally buy lottery tickets, purchase them.
geoffcutler 1 year, 1 month ago
And that's the point I should have tried to make, Coursaire. I can see why some think my point insensitive. It wasn't my intention, but I understand any upset. My point was that Carlson's cartoon was an utter fallacy, and I should have figured out a better way to make the point.
BigE 1 year, 1 month ago
GC- You did not "upset" me. Your logic was flawed and you spoke out of both sides of your mouth so I called you on it. You are now doing what you typically do. Instead of admitting your mistake you find a sympathetic ear and ignore the person who proved you wrong. You have not made your point to prove the "cartoon was an utter fallacy..." Considering that the mean income in this country is less than $50K it is a safe bet that there are lots of families who are not "unemployed" or on a "government subsidy" who buy lottery tickets. (BTW, since homeowners get a deduction for mortgage interest are they considered "in one form or another"?) Are conservatives now making decisions for everyone on what they can and cannot afford? You guys talk about freedoms and liberties but never miss an opportunity to tell others how to conduct their lives.
fugitiveguy 1 year, 1 month ago
My observation: many if not most people buying lottery tickets look like they can ill afford to waste the money. Please note:"many" and "most" are not the same as "all" or "100%". This has been my observation. Yours may indeed be different.
fugitiveguy 1 year, 1 month ago
"Any honest observer will recognize the fallacy in this cartoon."
Also one tuned into reality that doesn't feel the need to run their thoughts through the filter of political correctness prior to expressing them.
fugitiveguy 1 year, 1 month ago
"Considering that the mean income in this country is less than $50K it is a safe bet that there are lots of families who are not "unemployed" or on a "government subsidy" who buy lottery tickets."
This scenario would seem to support my earlier point that many who buy lottery tickets can ill afford to waste the money.
geoffcutler 1 year, 1 month ago
Actually BigE, I wasn't thinking of you or what you said. But how is my logic flawed? Do you think the average or majority of lottery ticket buyers are those depicted by Carlson?
BigE 1 year, 1 month ago
fg- Not sure what you are seeing as "political correctness" so I'll just assume you cut and pasted that catch(all) phrase from the conservative talking points playbook and applied it incorrectly. I am going to sleep quite well tonight knowing that you get to decide for Americans what they "can ill afford..." Liberty is ... marvelous!
fugitiveguy 1 year, 1 month ago
"so I'll just assume"
Well, we know what happens when you do that
Courseaire 1 year, 1 month ago
Ill afford: Purchase lottery tickets daily (which could amount to several hundred $$ a month), buy booze & cigarettes rather than pay for health insurance, pay rent, school supplies & lunches as well as essential needs for the family, etc.
geoffcutler 1 year, 1 month ago
One of the things about the truth when you are trying to hide it for political advantage, is that when it comes out, it tends to hurt a little.
BigE 1 year, 1 month ago
I read them multiple times and was trying find find something in the above three comments that was mature or intelligent or following the logic flow of the ongoing discussion. Alas, I cannot. :/
geoffcutler 1 year, 1 month ago
The logical flow to which you refer would have had you answer the questios I asked you.
fugitiveguy 1 year, 1 month ago
"Not sure what you are seeing as "political correctness" so I'll just assume you cut and pasted that catch(all) phrase from the conservative talking points playbook and applied it incorrectly. I am going to sleep quite well tonight knowing that you get to decide for Americans what they "can ill afford..." Liberty is ... marvelous!"
If only we could all be this cerebral.
JER 1 year, 1 month ago
Thanks to BigE and DoubleHeroides for their well presented views on this thread.
geoffcutler: At the end of my post above, I asked you to respond to three points. You answered item #1 by agreeing that people from all walks of life purchase lottery tickets, a statement opposite from the one made in your column. Thank you for agreeing with me on that item. Look forward to seeing your correction in a future column. Now if you would please address the question about the conservatives involvement in the racism prevalent in the current Florida case and if you think there are racists that vote Republican.
AFCHIEF 1 year, 1 month ago
JER so is Bill Cosby a racist because he disagrees with your though patterns
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/billcosbypoundcakespeech.htm
geoffcutler 1 year, 1 month ago
JER,you are so historically bent on playing "Gotcha" with me, you just aren't a very good reader of what I have written. There is nothing in the article to suggest I don't think conservatives buy lottery tickets. It isn't a point of the article.
And if there is something you know that no-one else does about conservative racism to do with the Martin case, let's hear it.
MikeNC 1 year, 1 month ago
Nice article as usual Geoff and excellent follow up to detractors. BTW...It was good meeting you the other week. Thanks for all the work you and machine did around the property. That saved me some back breaking work. Diane an me are now discussing which 'weeds' to pull....Mike
geoffcutler 1 year, 1 month ago
A good rule of thumb for this particular type of noxious weed is to pull them all and leave the longleaf if you have any. Otherwise, 15-25 feet between each weed. Thanks for your comments.
JimHeim 1 year, 1 month ago
Taxes are lower than they've been since the Korean War. Obama has reduced taxes more than any president in modern times. Corporate taxes are lower here than in all but two developed countries. Still the tea baggers whine about being taxed to death. Really? That's what's got you all upset?
BigE 1 year, 1 month ago
Sorry for the delay, haven't been on the site for a while. Okay, first question from GC... Actually, almost everyone I know, from blue collar family members to millionaires at the golf club, occasionally buys lottery tickets. Second question, FG ... Yes, it would be nice if folks conversed here intelligently. Back to Geoff. You described lottery buyers as looking unemployed and living off the government (I paraphrase) and then backtracked to say they came from all walks of life and then jump to the "utter fallacy" line without substantiating your opinion. And finally, this nonsensical line out of nowhere ("One of the things about the truth when you are trying to hide it for political advantage, is that when it comes out, it tends to hurt a little.") that is sassy and cute but essentially not applicable. What hurts and to whom? What truth do you believe has been proven here? In the future, draw a flow chart or a decision tree. Stay on the main trunk and stop skipping out to random branches. The non-sycophants might then begin to follow your thought process; assuming there is one and these aren't just the random rants of a partisan ideologue.
JimHeim 1 year, 1 month ago
Geoff, it's simply amazing how you can tell, just by looking, who is unemployed and living on government handouts. And you can tell who is using their own money and who got the cash from a 'welfare check.'
Did you know that there are only 1.8 million people (out of 7.8 million in poverty) on welfare in this country? That's less than one percent. And you can spot them in a grocery line. That's quite a talent.
The cartoon depicted behavior when the lottery is at stratospheric levels. When the jackpot gets over a couple of hundred million dollars, the middle class buys tickets in droves. Do you really think America's poor had $652 million to spend on lottery tickets? Really?
Courseaire 1 year, 1 month ago
The build up of the $652 million was over several weeks, not just 1 or 2 days. And I would venture to estimate that the bulk of the $652 million was paid for by the lower income individuals over those several weeks. And yes, over several weeks or a month, America's poor in total has the $$ to spend on lottery tickets, as they'll buy tickets over other needed items.
geoffcutler 1 year, 1 month ago
I didn't backtrack at all. It goes without saying that everyone buys lottery tickets. And as Jim points out, when the jackpot gets over $600million, which I have already pointed out,of course more people will want a shot at it. You're not hearing the point because you are just as politically idealogued as you think I am. And the point about truth tending to hurt seems to be playing out quite accurately in this case.
Now, if you will. Do you think the average, daily, or majority of lottery ticket buyers, don't forget the scratch-off ticket buyers, are those Conservatives bitching about government confiscation of their money depicted in Carlson's cartoon?
LSM 1 year, 1 month ago
http://www.ncjustice.org/?q=node/1320
REPORT: Most impoverished North Carolina counties top lottery sales list
New analysis by N.C. Policy Watch finds adults spent an average of $212 on lottery tickets last year
RALEIGH (March 29, 2012) – North Carolina’s adults are spending an average of $212 a year on lottery tickets and scratch-off instant games, an investigative report from N.C. Policy Watch finds, with the state’s biggest lottery consumers residing in the state’s most impoverished counties.
JimHeim 1 year, 1 month ago
LSM, I'm sure you had a point, but what is it? Do you think the nation's poor pungled up $652 million a couple of weeks ago for the lottery?
Yeah, the poor spend way too much on lottery tickets. I expect it's a combination of math illiteracy and desperation. Again, what's your point?
fugitiveguy 1 year, 1 month ago
"Policy Watch finds, with the state’s biggest lottery consumers residing in the state’s most impoverished counties."
I think it is quite clear Jim, the data shows is consistent with what Geoff wrote in his column and what most of us knew all along.
geoffcutler 1 year, 1 month ago
JER, I'll be awaiting with bated breath for your last word before the thread's closed. Don't let me down!
moonchild7 1 year, 1 month ago
Geoff, did you read the one about Chris Singleton, PRO-BASKETBALL player? He bought $10,000 worth of Mega Millions tickets. He LOST. But then there's the two Public School Teachers and the School Administrator who just won part of the Millions from MD. Do you have a sense of humor at all? You need to read the link that Dusty told me about from Cracked Mag on his Editorial. It's possible it'll get you to start thinking a bit more honestly about things. Oh, maybe NOT, there's a few 4-lettered words in it, it might upset your sleep patterns. Nite.