I was asked to do a post on this link: http://presetyourjet.wordpress.com/2008/11/22/they/ . It's definitely worth a look I don't think I've ever laughed so hard. I tried to upload it on here but I couldn't work out how to. As many of you know technology is not my thing.The article is about the use of the word "them" Most of us are familiar with the concept of the "us and them" mentality. It is an idea frequently perpetuated by governments, bosses and the ruling class elite.
"The war on terror" has been and sadly continues to be an effective "us and them" manipulation tool. This is not a new or unique technique Nazzi Germany and McCarthy America also provide examples of the "us and them" manipulation technique in action.
The youtube clip which accompanies this article did make me laugh, but at the same time it is frightening. While to us it seems ridicules we must keep in mind that there are people who take this seriously. In America we witnessed the powerful and expensive campaigns behind "Prop 8." The right to same sex marriage was lost in 3 of the 5 states that tried to ban it. This happened amidst the election of Barak Obama, the first black president of the US - Are we heading in to a time of greater tolerance, of more left winged politics? Don't count on it!
This add, like the "Be alert not alarmed" adds and the lovely fridge magnates were aimed at creating fear and creating an enemy. Any enemy is better than the government.
Same sex marriage remains illegal in Australia, Howard banned it in 2004 and Rudd refuses to repeal this ban. Idealistic, but blind Labor loyalists point to the ability of same sex couples to pursue civil unions in some state. Is this equality? Sure, it is, it's just that heterosexuals are MORE equal! These inconsistent marriage/partnership laws create a hierarchy of relationships and they most certainly reinforce the us and them mentality. Queers and straights do not have the same rights. Legally we are not equal. This legal inequality separates us in to the "us" and "them" categories.
So laugh at the crackpots in the youtube clip, it is well worthy of a hearty belly laugh, but remember these crackpots are a wealthy and therefore politically powerful minority who have robed us of our rights and will continue to do so!
