Losing the PSYOP war

[marct]

Hi JW,

I agree, but in that regard I think we have an inherent, severe disadvantage. The "cultural imperialism" the Islamists object to isn't typified by a Kentucky Fried Chicken in Mecca. It's abortion "rights," feminism, gay rights, the exclusion of God from civil life, etc. I think that once those are tied, by Islamist propaganda, to democracy, free markets, capitalism, etc., we face a tough uphill struggle to craft an effective message.

I agree. In many ways, the tying of TNC global "culture", i.e. McDonald's everywhere, into the basic political philosophy that is the basis of the modern, Western democratic state has been a major mistake. The ideological message that we should be selling is TNC neutral - individual rights and responsibilities, a "social contract" within a democratic framework, individual freedoms, including freedom of religion, speech, the press, and a , broadly construed, "capitalist" system (there hasn't been a real capitalist system, a la Adam Smith, since the 1850's or so).

Do we face a tough, uphill struggle? Sure, so what? First, if it was easy, then every culture would have done it. Second, and more immediate, maybe the people who are getting paid outrageous amounts of money to do it should think about actually dong their job.

Especially when it would have to be done under the intense scrutiny and outright opposition of the left. (I find it ironic that the people most opposed to the current war seem to be those most committed to the aspects of the West that seem a strong part of what motivates Islamists.)

Absolutely bang on! And please, don't get me started on your left wing ! Honestly, when I was much younger, I used to hang around up at Parliament Hill. I had the privilege of spending a number of lunches and afternoons talking with people like Stanley Knowles and other "old time" CCF members from the old Social Justice stream. Now there were Left Wingers who took their policies and beliefs seriously!

Most of today's left wing, especially the American crowd of neo-Marxists I've run into, are, to quote my grandmother, a bunch of "Parlour Pinks"! They have the guts to complain, while sipping their drinks in posh hotels, but they won't get their butts out on the streets to actually help people who need it, let alone put their lives on the line for those beliefs! (Sorry, major soapbox!)

Marc