A few years ago, I did a big write up on cognitive dissonance and American voters. This paper was the final requirement for the writing program at Liberty University, and in a roundabout way, kickstarted my deeper study into persuasion and propaganda. I feel that cognitive dissonance is often misunderstood, as most people seem to … Read more
It has been several days now since the shooting of Charlie Kirk. This event has had a deep, profound impact — leaving me and others with a sullen, disparaging feeling about what the future holds for our country. I wasn’t necessarily a big fan of Kirk. In fact, through the years I began to see … Read more
In my last article I wrote about Operation Mockingbird, and the idea that Tulsi Gabbard herself may be engaging in the spread of disinformation by bringing attention to the propagandizing nature of the media. The point of that article wasn’t that she was lying, but using the belief held by most conservatives that it is … Read more
Tulsi Gabbard recently made an interesting statement that surely resonates with the conservative audience. She said that Operation Mockingbird was alive and well, and still being used to undermine President Trump, and all of the wonderful things he is accomplishing. Operation Mockingbird is believed to be a propaganda operation involving the CIA’s infiltration of the … Read more
“Propaganda is the deliberate, systematic attempt to shape perceptions, manipulate cognitions, and direct behavior to achieve a response that furthers the desired intent of the propagandist.” (Jowett & O’Donnel, 2012, p. 7) Donald Trump once said that he could shoot someone in the middle of Fifth Avenue, and he would not lose any supporters. I … Read more
I can’t help but wonder if Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill was not only an example of the type of propaganda I discuss here at defenseofournation.com, but also of the quote I mention so often from Tragedy and Hope (p.1035). You remember, the one about the two parties working together to accomplish the same agenda? It … Read more
“Fear and catastrophe fortify the need to identify with a strong leader. They lead to herding together of people, who shy away from wanting to be individual cells any longer; they prefer to be part of a huge mystic social organization that protects against threat and distress, in oneness with the leader. This protection-seeking instinctual … Read more
I have taken a very critical stance against the Trump administration’s claims that they intend to defend the Second Amendment. This criticism is based on the fact that Donald Trump does not have a stellar record of defending gun rights. Not only did he ban bump stocks and push for red flag laws during his … Read more
Political conditioning: Taking possession of the simplest and most complicated nervous patterns of man. (Meerloo, 1961, p. 39) It never ceases to amaze me how conservatives are so accepting of everything Donald Trump does. This morning, there was an article by Blaze Media discussing how Trump continues to endorse so-called swamp dwellers, and people seem … Read more