NEA: Obama’s Ministry of Propaganda
by James HudnallObama supporters are outraged that the president is called a socialist or a fascist by many of his detractors. But the reason for this just doesn’t just flow from his policies, which often follow the template of a statist dictator’s power grabs.
What’s disconcerting about these NEA revelations is they clearly show the administration trying to use NEA artists for propaganda means. Not
artistic propaganda. Propaganda isn’t art. It’s an advertisement for an agenda.
PROPAGANDA (according to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary)
1. the spreading of ideas, information, or rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause, or a person
2 ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately to further one’s cause or to damage an opposing cause; also : a public action having such an effect
Now look at the NEA’s description of themselves from their own website.
The National Endowment for the Arts is a public agency dedicated to supporting excellence in the arts, both new and established; bringing the arts to all Americans; and providing leadership in arts education. Established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government, the Endowment is the nation’s largest annual funder of the arts, bringing great art to all 50 states, including rural areas, inner cities, and military bases.
Nothing about propaganda. It’s supposed to be independent of the government. But obviously, the administration doesn’t care about that. It’s trying to use the agency to create it’s own “Joe Camel” type ads to push its products. Only these are more toxic than cigarettes.
These are the kind of tactics employed by communists and other statist dictators. One thinks of all those billboards with Saddam’s face on them, or Kim Jong Il, or Castro in Cuba. Or all those communist posters of the past extolling the virtues of the state and the party. One wonders how soon it’ll be before we start seeing billboards in every city telling us about our “great leader Obama” and his five year plans.
As many artists tend to be left wing, it’s a soft sell to get them to do work promoting the Obama agenda. And while it’s true that the US employed propaganda in previous times, it was progressive statists like Wilson and FDR who used them to promote their agenda and to prosecute a war.
Obama’s attempts are similar. Except this war is on the American tax payer and our economy. Many of Obama’s plans are already bankrupting us, and he keeps piling them on like some spoiled teenager with their daddy’s credit card.
Our tax dollars and our agencies are not there for the President and his collective of incompetents to ram his failure bound statist policies down our throats.
The public needs to ramp up their outcry. Add this one to the bonfire of Obama’s vanities.
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53 Comments
Bow to the iconic image of Obama or any other statist for that matter? Never!!!!
Crucial to this debate isn't how Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines PROPAGANDA; you need to find out how OBAMA defines it.
Unrepentant terrorist – William Ayers
Unrepentant communist – Anthony Van Jones
“‘God Bless America.’ No, no, no, God damn America” –Reverend Jeremiah Wright, Jr. (Barack’s “uncle”)
“We are content and happy if Obama can stay forever as the president of the United States.” –Moammar Kadafi (on “his son”)
Ummmmnn okaaaaaayy…what's likely to be the subliminal theme of Obama Art then?
I'm confused about all this NEA stuff. With the MSM, doesn't Obama already have his Dept. of Propaganda, at no cost to the American taxpayer? I mean why piss away our money on an obviously redundant program?
There are so many holes in your piece.
First, looking up a word in a dictionary is grossly inappropriate. It just shows how you are trying to stretch things. If you need to know what a word means, then the President will tell you. We have no need for dictionaries.
Second, "Our tax dollars and our agencies are not there for the President and his collective of incompetents to ram his failure bound statist policies down our throats." What else would they be for? Certainly not those outdated ideas of paying for the necessary functions of government (military, courts, etc.) Certainly our tax dollars are there for the President to "redistribute" and thereby enlarge the dependency class. Then when those selfish "rich" people talk about reining in spending, you have an automatic backlash against it.
How can it NOT be facism, what with everyone that obama has surrounded himself with. For some reason the morons around him have been able to convince him that facism actually works.
Get a load of this propaganda being taught to school kids.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zrsl8o4ZPo
Don't forget who funds all of those organizations that back obama. George Soros, the man LOVES communism and wants to see America become like Russia was.
Live Chat back in Session please join our discussion
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I like your style. Somebody will come along in about three minutes who doesn't get sarcasm, so I'm trying to cut them off at the pass…
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Debra of Sardar and Kimberly Cox. Kimberly Cox said: RT @bighollywood NEA: Obama’s Ministry of Propaganda http://bit.ly/45GtYy // SCARY #pashit [...]
Burn all the dictionaries!
Jim, Obama's definition of propaganda has NOTHING to do with whether or not the NEA is putting out propaganda.
Do you remember when Bush H. Bush talked to school children? The Democrats called it political advertising and opened House hearings on it. I doubt that the Republicans thought it was propaganda; but the Democrats sure called it that until Obama wanted to do it. When Obama did it anyone who was against it was labeled a racist, a moron, or anti-education. Personal definitions mean absolutely nothing, if I punch someone I don't like in the middle of a crowded street it's assault whether or not I define it as such. You can't change definitions just because they don't suit you.
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/b...
thank you Andrew Breitbart…
Because of the aforementioned gentleman the great unwashed now knows ALL about the NEA and the machinations of the Communist mind. We have now bypassed socialism- that's just the agreed on economic engine- and we are now in the beginning phase of Full Tilt Boogie Communism- the political construct. The humanistic iconography is already in place, i.e. the Big Brother worship (Orwell would be both proud- and horrified), the zero tolerance of dissent, the creeping censorship (watch for efforts to restrict ALL forms of free thought) and the consolidation of power through nefarious means (ACORN, SEIU, Apollo Alliance, Tides foundation) and the growing network of fellow totalitarians (Chavez, Morales, Kirchner, Zapatero, etc).
The NEA scandal is just the tip- the top 2 feet maybe- of a 250 ft submerged iceberg the SS United States is heading for, But it is enlightening because you CAN wrap your hands around this concept.
Thank you Mr Breitbart- and Big Hollywood/Big Government. A rock has been turned over and you all are now seeing what ugliness lies beneath…
I didn't say anything about how Obama defines propaganda. I merely stated what they are doing is propaganda, point blank. It doesn't matter if they say it isn't or not. It's clear what they are doing.
dcase makes his case (no pun intended) that we've segued into full-scale Marxism, or are on the way to doing so. But it is not the Marxism of the Soviets; it is the Marxism that evolved in Cuba, South America and Africa.
In this iteration of Marxism, the "workers" are rarely mentiond; it is the "oppressed" who are the sufferers and who must be elevated to power over the "oppressors". Capitalism is okay so long as the "oppressed" and formerly oppressed are the ones with the financial power. Reverend Wright's multimillion dollar line of credit comes immediately to mind.
While the Soviets lived like kings in comparison to the "workers" in their stark world, African and South American despots live lavishly and with a great preening show — like maybe a date to NYC? Or a week in the Hamptons? Or a trip to Hawaii? Or $500 sneakers to dish out soup in a soup kitchen.
"Propaganda isn’t art"..
Well sometimes it can be, but the Art-"ness" is always for the viewer to define or decide upon and that is why Art is a gift. I applaud you for making the distinction though and agree in large-part that Art is independent of political, cultural, propagandist and indeed even societal drudgery. Much if not most of what society views in museums and galleries and thinks of as Art is not really Art at all and this is coming from an artist, not an actor.
dcase makes his case (no pun intended) that we've segued into full-scale Marxism, or are on the way to doing so. But it is not the Marxism of the Soviets; it is the Marxism that evolved in Cuba, South America and Africa.
In this iteration of Marxism, the "workers" are rarely mentiond; it is the "oppressed" who are the sufferers and who must be elevated to power over the "oppressors". Capitalism is okay so long as the "oppressed" and formerly oppressed are the ones with the financial power. Reverend Wright's multimillion dollar line of credit comes immediately to mind.
While the Soviets lived like kings in comparison to the "workers" in a relatively stark world, they rarely made a show of it. On the other hand, African and South American despots live lavishly and with a great preening show — like maybe a date to NYC? Or a week in the Hamptons? Or a trip to Hawaii? Or $500 sneakers to dish out soup in a soup kitchen.
The good news, Barry’s Bozos are over exposing the dear leader and subsequently undercutting his effectiveness. They are getting close to the “vomit factor,” with Barry’s image.
indeed, you have made a correct analysis…
This is far more of a Latin American model than a soviet style. More Trotskyite than Stalinist. Say what you will about the NK's but Kim Jong Il isn't shy about their plans. Stalinist conquest of the Korean penninsula- and the requisite militarism. No, this bunch likes the Fidel/Che model much better, with a patina of US liberalism (useful idiots!!) as a smokescreen.
Bad stuff, all…
Not only does obama use propaganda in the same fashion as the communists, fascists and Islamic theocrats but he also shares another characteristic with these despots: he’s a raging Jew hating degenerate. Yesterday’s pitiful escapade at the UN by obama was a national disgrace but not surprising considering obama attended a party for an unabashed anti-Semite, Khalid al-Mansour, prior to the election. And the LASlimes refused to release video of the event due to the disgusting anti-Semitic rhetoric which would have damaged obama’s campaign. After all, that’s what the LASlimes and NYSlimes are there for, to carry Hussein’s water.
That idea is doubleplusgood, eh?
How many shades of orange can a federal penitentiary jump suit come in? Obama and his subordinates could organize a NEA collective to come up with some new designs. Like a big white "O" on the back with a strike through it.. or a small arugula logo on the chest or something. How about a 50ft high paper mache statue of dear leader in the yard with matching teleprompter which they can bow to on breaks? Heck I'm no artist but I'm sure the artsy fartsy set could come up with something to their eternal president's approval and liking. .. lest they waste a crisis now ..
They will not stop until they reach their final goal. They have been sowing the seeds for a century and now they believe it is time to harvest. They are using any and every machinery to accomplish their ends. They lack any ethical standards. There is good news though the inexperienced farmer has reaped too soon and spoiled the crop. Also, more importantly, because of the our natural born rights which are enumerated in the Bill of Rights we can still speak, assemble and vote – that is their kryptonite. This storm is wreaking havoc and will continue to do so but we will rebuild a better tomorrow.
I agree with you. I'm the side of the law and righteousness!
It was a joke.
Those darn dictionaries are just racist! I mean isn't anyone or anything that disagrees with Dear Leader a racist, bigotted, homphobic, hatemonger?
Obama does not care about definitions as we saw on Sunday when question by George S. (not even going to attempt to spell) on This Week on ABC. George questioned Obama about how taxes would go up on everyone with Healthcare Legislation and Obama rankled at George using a dictonary to define what a tax is.
Propoganda is anytime the government pays for art that specifically promotes its agenda.
1.) tax dollars should not go to that because not all of the public will approve
2.) trying to keep this thing on the down-low so that hopefully everyone thinks the propoganda is actually independently created artwork just proves that they know what they're doing is wrong; if it's all right, you don't try to hide it
3.) get over the speech to the kids already; we objected to the accompanying lesson plan before it was scrubbed, not the idea of the speech itself
And finally, if Obama was actually the most transparent and trustworthy guy in the block, people would trust him. Unfortunately, they attempt to hide things even worse than the Bush admin, and after eight years of being told we should mistrust our executive administration, this approach isn't smoothing that over.
This is just evidence of a full court press to fundamentally change our country into something it is not and something that will ultimately lead to ruin. Lucky for us, they turned up the heat too quickly with their goal in site. They forgot some critical steps: disarming us and silencing us. No amount of pretty pictures will change that.
Just the fact that you brought a dictionary is evidence of the fact that you're stretching here. HA!!!
Obama defines propaganda as anything contrary to his own utterances.
Obama sees every government agency as just one more perk of office that he can use for his self promotion and aggrandizement. The next GOP administration must shut these slush funds down.
Hmmm… Merriam-Webster isn't really what you'd call a dictionary, more a loose terms of definitions in an alphabetical order. I could print this and call it a dictionary entry: 1. the spreading of ideas, information for the purpose of helping an institution.
It comes from a modern Latin root, meaning "propagation of the faith". I'm sure you know this.
So, using dictionary entries – not really credible in this day and age – Wikipedia has a much better entry. Propaganda is a Government (or, Guv'mint if you're that way mentally declined) tool to get messages across to the masses. Either positive, or negative (See what I did there? I wrote half your article in one line. Yay!)
FDR, propagating a war. Shocking Why, yes, he did (eventually). So did Churchill, Stalin et. al. – AGAINST Fascism. FDR also waged a war against poverty. The British have also frequently used propaganda. During the Falklands war of 1982 – "Gotcha!" (look it up). As have France, Italy, Spain… every nation, every government on Earth. It's not all Goebbels and McCarthy.
And what was the Shared Values Initiative? A propaganda campaign to promote America after 9/11. What is Hollywood? Just one of the biggest propaganda machines available. How did Ronald Reagan and Arnold Schwarzenegger get their public image?
NEA is an independent agency of the federal government. That's their non-Statist statement. Would you be less outraged about the NEA if it was "An agency of the Federal Government, with independent control"? And if the Guv'mint is funding you, then you pretty much obey the money. If the Guv'mint needs artists for its advertising and PR, where's the FIRST place, the most economical place to look? Your pocket Arts and PR Center.
If you're that concerned about Guv'mint spending, why not talk about scaling back on Iraqi involvement and focus on Afghanistan to save money, and let the Iraqi people sort it out amongst themselves. There's trillions being rinsed out with the bath-water right there. Or giving billions to banks 'too big to fail'.
Thanks for the reminder, though. As a 'lefty' artist, I could do with some Federal money to bail out my sorry ass, cos I have debts up to my eyeballs thanks to those banks that should have failed. I'm gonna go apply right now! Thanks!!
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Ok, Tim12s, will this better satisfy you?
It is agitprop. And just to irritate you more, I am pasting the entry from the dictionary…
* Main Entry: ag·it·prop
* Pronunciation: ˈa-jət-ˌpräp
* Function: noun
* Etymology: Russian, ultimately from agitatsiya agitation + propaganda
* Date: 1935
: propaganda; especially : political propaganda promulgated chiefly in literature, drama, music, or art
Now, to the wikimobile! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agitprop
Hey everyone, we all need to go to the Rock The Vote website and overwhelm their healthcare blog sites with information on conservative ways to reform healthcare such as opening up state lines to give us more competition, tort reform, etc. I already have posted twice on their site with some information on choice and competition and how this administration wants anything but that. We need to get information out that Medicare has a 62 trillion funding gap. Ask them how we are supposed to afford a public option. Make them think.
http://www.ncpa.org/pdfs/st266.pdf
Fascist is as fascist does.
What you fail to understand is his policies are bad for lefties as much as people on the right since it will bankrupt the economy and take away your precious "empowerment" through the lack of individual liberties. Those of you who dream of a socialist utopia don't go and live in one because you know that they actually suck. Otherwise every lefty in LA would have moved by now.
Gosh, I forget, they tried it in Califronia already and look where that's got them.
Are you saying the Obama administration is engaged in a war? Or perhaps the "moral equivalent of war"?
Liberal fascism indeed. Doesn´t mean we owe you a living.
"How did Ronald Reagan and Arnold Schwarzenegger get their public image?"
Reagan, by 20 years of public speaking and writing, and by being a successful governor of California, back when California was working.
Schwarzenegger, by using his pre-existing public image to get elected, make a credible claim that he would "clean house" and then turning around and surrendering to the entrenched liberal interest groups that have bankrupted the state. That would be a bad reputation as of today and Hollywood can´t change it.
thanks for the clarification, and btw, nice analogy.
I will rip down any posters that may spawn from this ill concieved idea.
I have been reading up on Soros, I had no idea he was as evil as he is. He is flat out BAD for America. It's sad he has so much money and uses it to help push socialist / commie views in America. He needs to drop dead already.
Very well said.
The MSM isn't producing billbard-sized posters of The One so that we can gaze reverently up at them and fuel our inspiration for community service.
It isn't "redundancy"; it takes two hands to milk a cow.
This is the thing that kind of bothers me about the dis of Swarzenegger here,
What exactly could he do to stop liberalism given who controls the California legislature?
I wish he could stand up to them but if he did would it make any difference? Just a question.
"Add this one to the bonfire of Obama’s vanities."
That is the best one I've heard yet.
quivive said it best, "Burn all the dictionaries" LMAO!!
Very true because this administration feels the need to re-define terms. Like redistribution of wealth, according to Biden is called fairness and a tax, according to Obama is a fine, even though it will be collected by the IRS! What a joke this administration is!
Yes, liberals run the show. But Schwarzenengger didn´t just fail to implement conservative polices – assuming he even knows what they are – he switched sides. He appointed Susan Kennedy as Chief of Staff, an ultraliberal machine politician.
http://www.opinionjournal.com/diary/?id=110007637
The budget deficit is worse. Regulations are worse. People are sacrificed to the delta smelt. And Arnold would rather be liked than do what is right.
[...] Bush all day. No wonder their parents are outraged and contemplating pulling the kids out [...] NEA: Obama’s Ministry of Propaganda – bighollywood.breitbart.com 09/24/2009 Obama supporters are outraged that the president is called [...]
Well I guess I'll still like arnold's movies…..
Do you think it was Hollywood that got to him or is it his wife?
The basterd (Tarantino Spelling) thing is that given the Cali-pol climate I don't think a Conservative that ousts Arnold in a primary fight would have a snowball's chance in Death Valley of taking the Governorship from a Dem challenger. I'm in Florida as you might know so Cali Politics is Alien to me. This saddens me more than anything else.
Hmmm… Merriam-Webster isn't really what you'd call a dictionary,
Help me out here JamesHudnall….. Did Webster's refuse to accept Bill Clinton's definition of the word "is" so Barney Frank and Nancy Pelosi stripped them of their dictionary status.
Guess I missed that…….
[...] I might be exaggerating – slightly. But, fast on the heels of the largely ignored NEA scandal, we now find [...]
[...] NEA: Obamas Ministry of Propaganda [...]
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