Dear Editor:
”
Demagogue: a leader who makes use of popular prejudices and
false claims and promises in order to gain power.
”
Webster’s Dictionary.
Dear Editor:
“Demagogue: a leader who makes use of popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power.” Webster’s Dictionary.
George Bush proudly jokes about how little he reads, but it is obvious he has gotten through at least the introductory section of the Demagogue’s Handbook: Wrap yourself in your country’s flag, commandeer its most emotionally-charged words, and blur to the greatest extent possible the differences between your own conduct and your country’s basic principles, so that any attack on you is seen as an attack on the country.
He’s done a good job. For example, he’s made letter-writer Steve Mitchell (no relation) believe it, as evidenced by his recent submission to The Dispatch. In objecting to my most recent column he totally confuses my disgust at Bush’s shameless and incessant use of the word “freedom” as the all-purpose incantation with which to direct public attention away from the reality of his policies with “twisting the love of freedom into an attack on the leaders of our wonderful country.”
The love of freedom and the wonderfulness of our country has nothing to do with it, Steve, and if you can’t tell the difference between the personal choices of George Bush and the concept of freedom, well, more’s the pity. You’re right about one thing though: the name we share has been borne by a long line of patriots, including my daddy and his brothers, WWII veterans all.
Of course, they fought in a proper, unavoidable war, not a reckless misadventure falsely premised on a manufactured threat in order to further an agenda which the administration knew full well the public wouldn’t support if the truth were disclosed. Ideals as important as freedom deserve better stewardship.
Robert B. Mitchell, Gilroy
Submitted Thursday, May 6 to ed****@****ic.com
