KATHLENE M. writes:

Elite hand-wringing about the dangers of Trump presupposes that average Americans actually care enough to vote on behalf of a corrupt and pornified America 2.0 that has alienated them. What’s clear to many Americans is that America 2.0 hates average middle-class Americans.  America 2.0 has successfully turned truth into lies and lies into truth, so when authoritarian elites warn us about the dangers of authoritarian Trump, why should we believe the propaganda this time?

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Kathlene adds:

In retrospect I think I would replace the word “propaganda” with “hasbara.”   One reason why the internet and media are full of such garbage these days has to do with very effective hasbara.

‪”Hasbara, which comes from Hebrew for “explaining,” has come to mean chiefly propaganda: concerted and tireless efforts to pressure newspapers and governments whenever they say a word in favor of Palestinians or Arabs, efforts to swarm websites that make the same mistake. The activity is concerted, organized, and subsidized; and the organized component is partly concealed.” – James North at Mondoweiss.

‪”Hasbara is a form of propaganda aimed at an international audience, primarily, but not exclusively, in western countries. It is meant to influence the conversation in a way that positively portrays Israeli political moves and policies, including actions undertaken by Israel in the past. Often, Hasbara efforts includes a negative portrayal of the Arabs and especially of Palestinians…

‪”The Israeli government encourages all citizens to actively engage in Hasbara. Recently, it even distributed brochures with talking points to all Israelis traveling abroad (a Hebrew web version of the campaign can be viewed here). Israelis are asked to engage in politically-oriented conversations with their hosts and contacts abroad. Rather than discuss the Palestinian conflict, they are advised to cite Israeli technological achievements, mention environmental policies and take pride in notable cultural works. The West Bank is to be discussed – under its ancient Hebrew name, Judea and Samaria – as a potential tourist marvel.

‪”Until a few years ago, the main government agency carrying out Hasbara work was the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its Media and Hasbara department…”  – Noam Sheizaf at 972

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