Scurrilous Attacks

a Color Warning System

by: Steve Davis

We have movie ratings, video game ratings, spicy food ratings, and our famous color code terror ratings. I think it is time we adopt a new rating system for emails, web sites, print ads, and television commercials. I think we should base it on the color warning system developed by the Homeland Security Department.

We might even devise a cute little logo or mascot that changed every time we moved up the scurrilous attack ladder. A Pinocchio with a growing nose or a little imp with a color coded pitchfork. Many web sites have a cute logo in the url address bar now, FM stations display their call letters, television stations have so much on screen displays it takes four eyes to keep up with them. I am sure we could find a place for our scurrilous attack mascot or SAM. All things modern have an acronym, so I think SAM is appropriate. SAM would just be a quick reminder of how much the non partisan observer need pay attention to "the following message" as they say in the real cheesy commercials for weight loss, hair loss, or sex loss.

The partisans can swallow the whole load being dumped in the following message; resulting in their coming into work the next day all bristled up like an angry squirrel, while the rest of us can click the remote, mouse, or radio button. Actually, clicking things is the only exercise I get. I am rarely bristled up often harried, maybe even haggard but not bristled up.

Another type of equally problematic Internet information is the out-right con. I've always believed that there must be a special place in Hell reserved for con men or women who prey upon the innocent, especially the elderly. Elderly people are sometimes victims of schemes they got into because of their own greed. Unfortunately, many schemes work only because the victim is so honest, trusting, and a little senile. The Internet and email has opened up a whole new universe of schemes, deceptions, frauds, hoaxes, misinformation, and blatant slander. Even the less elderly, less senile can get caught up in them.

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The old line never believe anything you read and only half of what you see is more true today than ever. Modern photo editing, web design, email spoofing are all used to help those who would seek to deceive look more convincing. All Internet and email users need to be cautious and skeptical of anyone seeking information. Ebay and Paypal email requests to update your account information are common scams. Always go the web site do not click the link in the email. At the web site you can log in and check your account to see any messages.

The most powerful lie is the urban legend type. A story spread with all sincerity by an intermediary. One time the old urban legend about the Proctor and Gamble logo was told to our minister by someone in the church with complete belief. The minister relayed this story in all sincerity on Sunday morning. He was so embarrassed when he learned there was no truth in the story. The intermediary had completely believed it making the lie all the more powerful. Proctor and Gamble, two brother-in -laws, started a company in the 19th century. The P&G logo started an urban legend that would not die; they stopped using the logo. Old urban legends often get new life on the Internet.

Read about the P & G Logo

I was forwarded an email the other day. It is part of a whisper attack on John Kerry's wife. I once got an email claiming House Republicans were about to eliminate public radio. The first thing I do is determine if these type of things are true. In each case there was no truth, it was all false. The Internet can create problems it can also help solve them. Here are two good sites to seek out if you, like me, place a high value on being truthful and accurate.

www.factcheck.org

Another good sight for all types of rumors is snopes.com.

www.snopes.com

People sometimes find an Internet article written as satire and begin sending it to others as a real story. The Onion a satirical on-line newspaper has often had its fake news events float through the Internet as true. Sometimes the motivation is far more sinister (same root word as sin) the rumor is intentionally made up to hurt an adversary then sent around in a way to gain unsuspecting intermediaries to be believing bearers of the message. This was the case with the email I received and has prompted me to write this editorial.

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I guess spreading gossip is too irresistible for some to worry about accuracy. I remember the "Hee Haw", line "we're not ones for repeating gossip so you better listen up good the first time." Hey most of you remember "Hee Haw" I know it dates me.

So we have the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, who have now been proven to be spreading lies couched in enough ambiguity to obscure any truth. These are veterans still fighting an old war; they have allowed their anger to besmirch their honor.

So here's the real deal if you are interested in the truth. Kerry served one tour in Vietnam on large ships, then volunteered for swift boats the often sited four month tour. John Kerry earned the Silver Star and Bronze Star none of the attacks leveled by the swift boat group have held up to objective investigation. Kerry was not in Cambodia on Christmas, but probably was in Cambodia on a swift boat mission. John O'Neill, Kerry's chief accuser has publicly stated he and his swift boat were never in Cambodia, but a video recording in the oval office shows him telling President Nixon about his swift boat mission in Cambodia.

The point is the Kerry attacks are not really about Kerry in Vietnam; he was a brave and good commander, many others were as well. He came back and spoke out against the war. This is an embittered fight about the aftermath of the Vietnam War. The American Civil War had a similar history, in fact it is still easy to have a good fight with many Americans over slavery or states rights. A heated argument over Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson either religious fanatic or heroic general, U.S. Grant either butcher or strategic leader.

Political operatives and partisans should read Exodus 20:16, but I suppose that won't slow them down. It is not unpatriotic to speak out against a war, unless you don't believe we ask our troops to fight for freedom and democracy. Kerry spoke out during a time when the majority of Americans were looking for a way out of Vietnam. Peace with honor, I believe was the phrase of the Nixon administration. Kerry stated he wished he had used less strident language, but I will remind you it was an intensely strident time.

This presidential race will continue to be extremely close, with neither campaign able to avoid winning or losing based on world events they have no control over. No matter which side brings forth another round of negative ads do your country a favor check out the facts before spreading a vicious false rumor. Real patriotism requires us to accept and expect those bristled up squirrels during an election season. A desire for good government requires us as citizens to look a little deeper before we commit a SIN - ister act.

Questions or comments please email "The Steve"

I may write controversial things, but I'm not petty.

I never intend to be controversial; so I am always amazed when I write something that raises people's ire.

In these columns I will try to stay thoughtful and seek to evaluate life as it unfolds not through any lens.

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So if I arouse your ire or just your thoughts, you can interact with me just --- email me.