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PropagandaandSpin Overview Inthislesson,studentsexplorepropagandatechniquesaswellastheconceptof“spin”anddiscusshow politiciansusethesetechniquestoswaypublicopinion.Studentswillidentifypropagandausedinpastand currentadsandcreatetheirownadvertisementusinganassignedpropagandatechnique.Studentswillalso examinehowpoliticiansspincurrenteventstosuittheirownagendasandwillassumetheroleofaprominent politicalfigure’scommunicationrepresentativewhoisresponsibleforspinningnewsevents. Grade 10 NCEssentialStandardsforAmericanHistory:TheFoundingPrinciples,Civics&Economics • FP.C&G.2.8-AnalyzeAmerica’stwo-partysystemintermsofthepoliticalandeconomicviewsthatledtoits emergenceandtherolethatpoliticalpartiesplayinAmericanpolitics(e.g.,Democrat,Republican,promotion ofcivicresponsibility,Federalists,Anti-Federalists,Influenceofthirdparties,precincts,“thepolitical spectrum”,straightticket,canvass,planks,platform,etc.) • FP.C&G.4.3-AnalyzetherolesofcitizensofNorthCarolinaandtheUnitedStatesintermsofresponsibilities, participation,civiclifeandcriteriaformembershiporadmission(e.g.,voting,juryduty,lobbying,interacting successfullywithgovernmentagencies,organizingandworkingincivicgroups,volunteering,petitioning, picketing,runningforpoliticaloffice,residency,etc.) • FP.C&G.5.1-Analyzetheelectionprocessatthenational,stateandlocallevelsintermsofthechecksand balancesprovidedbyqualificationsandproceduresforvoting(e.g.,civicparticipation,publichearings, forums,atlargevoting,petition,localinitiatives,localreferendums,votingamendments,typesofelections, etc.) EssentialQuestions • Whatispropagandaandhowisitusedinpolitics? • Whatarethevariouspropagandatechniquesandhowdotheyaffectthedisseminationofinformation? • Whatisspinandinwhatwaystopoliticiansemploythistechnique? • Howdoesacandidate’spartyaffiliationandagendainformtheirpubliccomments? • Howdopropagandaandspinaffecttheelectionprocess? • Howdocitizensdecipherpropagandaandspininordertomakeaneducateddecisionwhenvoting? Materials: • ImagesofPropaganda,attached • JudgingPropaganda,worksheetattached • Politicalads(examplescanbefoundathttp://www.livingroomcandidate.org/) • AmericanPoliticalSpinCycleisOutofControl,articleattached • PutaPoliticalSpinonThings,assignmentsheet • Informationonpoliticalfigures;thiscanbeaccessedviainternetsitessuchashttp://ontheissues.org.If internetisnotavailableforstudents,teacherscanpreselectpoliticalfiguresandprintoffinformationabout themtoprovidetostudents. • Internetaccessforadditionalresearchonpoliticalfigures(optional) • SpinReflectionSheet,attached • Homeworkassignmentonspin,attached Duration Two60minuteperiods Procedure DayOne IdentifyingPropaganda 1. Asawarm-up,writethewordpropagandaontheboardandaskstudentstobrainstormwhatthisword means,eitherinsmallgroupsorasaclass.Encouragestudentstothinkaboutthedefinition,examples, situationsinwhichitisused,etc. 2. Afterthediscussion,studentsshouldunderstandthatpropagandareferstoatypeofmessageaimedat influencingopinionsand/orthebehaviorofpeople.Propagandamayprovideonlypartialinformationorbe deliberatelymisleading.Propagandatechniquesareoftenfoundontelevisionandradio,aswellasmagazines andnewspapers.Projecttheattachedexamplesofpropagandaanddiscusswithstudents: • Whatdoyouthinkthepurposeofthisimageis? • Isthispropaganda?Whyorwhynot?Ifyes,whichpiecesofinformationregardingthesubjectofthe imagearenotaddressed? • Whatmightwelearnaboutsocietybasedonthispieceofpropaganda? 3. Focusonexamplesofpropagandabyaskingstudentswhattypesofpropagandatechniquestheycanname. Revieworintroducethefollowing: • Emotionalappeal(i.e.fear):Appealingtotheemotionsofyouraudience.Forexample,whena propagandistwarnsmembersofheraudiencethatdisasterwillresultiftheydonotfollowaparticular courseofaction,sheisusingfearappeal. • Glitteringgeneralities:Aglitteringgeneralitydeviceseekstomakeusapproveandacceptwithout examiningtheevidence;Glitteringgeneralitiesincludephrasessuchas“Webelievein”,“fightfor”,and “livebyvirtue”.Theyalsoincludewordsaboutwhichwehavedeep-setideas,suchascivilization, Christianity,good,proper,right,democracy,patriotism,motherhood,fatherhood,science,medicine, health,andlove. • Testimonials:Famouspeopleorfigureswhowillappeartrustworthyspeaktotheaudience • Bandwagon:Thebasicthemeofthebandwagonappealisthat"everyoneelseisdoingit,andsoshould you." • Plain-folks:Byusingtheplain-folkstechnique,speakersattempttoconvincetheiraudiencethatthey, andtheirideas,are"ofthepeople.” • Scientificapproach:Usingscientificjargon(i.e.numbers,statistics,data,etc.)toconvinceyouraudience • Snobappeal:Givingtheimpressionthatpeopleofwealthandprestigeareonboard • Cardstacking:Onlypresentingonesideoftheissue/situation • Transfer:Transferisadevicebywhichthepropagandistcarriesovertheauthority,sanction,andprestige ofsomethingwerespectandreveretosomethinghewouldhaveusaccept. • Name-calling:Thename-callingtechniquelinksaperson,oridea,toanegativesymbol.Thepropagandist whousesthistechniquehopesthattheaudiencewillrejectthepersonortheideaonthebasisofthe negativesymbol,insteadoflookingattheavailableevidence. • Euphemisms:Thepropagandistattemptstopacifytheaudienceinordertomakeanunpleasantreality morepalatable.Thisisaccomplishedbyusingwordsthatareblandandeuphemistic.Anexampleis duringwartime,sincewarisparticularlyunpleasant,militarydiscourseisfullofeuphemisms.Inthe 1940's,AmericachangedthenameoftheWarDepartmenttotheDepartmentofDefense. 4. PlacestudentsintosmallgroupsandhandouttheattachedKidsVotingworksheet,JudgingPropaganda. Havestudentscompletethesheetintheirgroupsthengoovertheanswersasaclass: 1.B 6.H 2.E 7.C 3.A 4.D 5.J 8.F 9.G 10.I 5. Discuss: • Whyshouldweexamineadvertisements,campaigns,andvariousmediaformsingeneralforpropaganda? Ispropagandaanegativetacticinyouropinion?Explain. o Discusshowpersuasivetechniquesareregularlyappliedbypoliticians,advertisers,editorialists, radiopersonalities,andotherswhoareinterestedininfluencinghumanbehavior.While propagandisticmessagescanbeusedtoaccomplishpositivesocialends,asincampaignstoreduce drunkdriving,theyarealsousedtowinelectionsandtosellproducts.Astechnologyincreases, peoplearereceivinghundredsofmessagesdailyviaInternet,TV,radio,news,etc.Thus,itis importantwetakethetimetoanalyzewhatwearehearing/seeingtoensurewearefindingthe kerneloftruth. • Outofthetypesofpropagandafromtheworksheet,whichdoyouthinkismosteffectiveandwhy? Whichdoyouthinkmaybeusedtodisguisetruththeeasiest? 6. Ifpossible,playexamplesofpoliticaladsforstudentstoexamine.(Teacherscanrecordadsoffoftelevision, orsearch“politicalads”onwww.youtube.comfornumerousexamples.Manyschooldistrictsblocktheuseof YouTube;teachersmightthuswanttosearchforadsathomeanddownloadthemforshowinglater.Another sitetoconsultistheCenterforMediaandDemocracy’s“SpinoftheDayathttp://www.prwatch.org/.) Chooseseveraladstoplayforstudents,askingthemtonotewhichofthepropagandatechniquestheysee illustratedineach. UtilizeaPropagandaTechniquetoCreateanAdvertisement 7. Next,assigneachgrouponeofthepropagandatechniquesfromthehandout.Then,tellthegroupsto completethefollowingassignment: • Youhavebeenassignedaparticularpropagandatechnique.Asagroup,createanadtopresenttoclass usingthispropagandatechnique.YoumaycreateanadforTV,anadfortheradio,oravisualad(i.e. poster). • ThepurposeoftheadistorecruitvotesforJerimiahJacobs,whoisrunningfortheNorthCarolinaState Senate. • YoumaybecreativeinthecontentyouprovideaboutJerimiah,butitmustbepresentedinawaythat utilizesyourpropagandatechnique. • Bepreparedtopresentyouradtotheremainderofclassin15minutes! Ø Teachernote:Ifusingthisactivityduringanelectiontime,youmaywanttoassignstudentsarealpolitical figuretocreateanadfor.Studentswouldthenneedtoresearchfactsaboutthatfigureandhis/herpolitical valuesandagendasothattheiradisrealistictothecandidatewhilestillutilizingtheassignedpropaganda technique. 8. Oncestudentsarefinished,havethempresenttheiradtothereminderofclasswithoutsharingthe propagandatechniquetheywereassigned.Aftereachpresentation,instructtherestofclasstoidentify whichtechniquethegrouputilized.Discuss: • HowdidtheadsforJerimiahdiffer? • Ofalltheadsyouheard/sawtodayfromclassmates,whichadwouldmakeyoumostwanttovotefor Jerimiahandwhy? • Whenpoliticiansarecampaigningduringelections,inwhatwaysdotheyutilizethetechniquesthatyou justusedinyourownads?Howdothesepropagandatechniquesaffecttheelectionprocess? 9. Forhomework,instructstudentstobringinanexampleofpropaganda.Studentsshouldexaminemagazines, theInternet,orwatchTVandscanforexamplesthensummarizetheadexampleonnotebookpaper,classify thetypeofpropagandausedinthead,andevaluateitseffectiveness.(Askstudentstobringincopiesofthe adsifpossible.) Day2 Exploring“Spin” 10. Asawarm-up,writethefollowingontheboardforstudentstoreadastheyenterclass: • Asofnextmonth,allsnackmachinesarebeingremovedfromschoolpremises. 11. Dividestudentsintosmallgroupsandtellthemtowriteashortblurbannouncingthisnewsintheschool newspaperfromtheperspectiveofoneofthefollowinggroups(groupassignmentscanberepeatedifyou havealargerclass): • Group1:Schooladministratorswhoaretiredofthesnackmachinesgettingknockedoverandvandalized • Group2:Studenthealthadvocacygroupcalled“MakingBetterChoices” • Group3:Studentathletes,whoraidthesnackmachinesdailywhenstarvingafterpractice • Group4:12thgraderswhocan’tleavecampusforlunchanddespisethecafeteriafood • Group5:Cheerleaderswhohavebeenadvocatingforlowcalorieandfat-freesnackstobeputinthe vendingmachines • Group6:TheBoosterClub,whohasreliedontheproceedsfromthevendingmachinetofundathletics (i.e.newuniforms,improvedfootballfield,etc.) 12. Givestudents5-10minutestocompiletheirnewsblurbthenhaveeachgroupsharetheirblurbwithclass. Discuss: • Inwhatwaysdidourblurbsdiffer? • Eventhoughwewereallrespondingtothesametopic,whydidourblurbsdiffer?(Theyweretoldfrom peoplewithdifferingperspectivesandagendas) • Inwhatwaysdoesthishappeninthemediatoday? 13. Explaintostudentsthatwhennewsworthyeventsoccur,politiciansoftenutilize“spin”,whichisaheavily biasedportrayalinone'sownfavorofaneventorsituation.Politicianswillprovidetheirpointofviewor interpretationoftheeventinawaythatiscompatiblewiththeirownagendainanefforttoswaypublic opinion.Whiletraditionalpublicrelationsmayalsorelyoncreativepresentationofthefacts,"spin"often, thoughnotalways,impliesdisingenuous,deceptiveand/orhighlymanipulativetactics.Politiciansareoften accusedofspinbycommentatorsandpoliticalopponents,whentheyproduceacounterargumentor position. 14. Givestudentsanotherscenariotoreporton,suchas: • Thisyear,promwillnotbeheldontheschoolpremises.RatherthanaDJ,abandhasbeenhiredtoplay. Ticketpriceswillcost$50extra. 15. Again,intheirsmallgroups,studentswillwriteashortblurbfortheirtown’spaperregardingpromfromtheir perspective: • Group1:ParentPromPlanningCommittee,wholikesthechangessincetheywanttomaketheproma veryexclusive,high-classeventinhopesofattractingwealthierfamiliestotheschoolsystem. • Group2:“StudentsforStudents”,astudentleadgroupwhoisconcernedlesswealthystudentswillnot beabletoattendpromduetothechanges. • Group3:Schooladministrators,whohopecutbackonpromcostwhilechargingmore;thiswillcreate extrarevenueforupdatingthelibrarycollection. • Group4:“RockTill’YouDrop”,thebandthathasbeenhiredtoplaytheprom.Thisisyourfirstgigand youhopeitwillbethestartofabiglocalcareer. • Group5:“DJJazzyJakeandCompany”,theDJwhowasnotrehiredtoplaythisyear’sprom. 16. Afterafewminutes,againhavestudentssharetheirblurbsanddiscuss: • Howdidnewsofthesameeventchangewhengivenbypeoplewithdifferentagendas? • Canyouthinkofanyevents,eithercurrentorhistorical,thathavebeen‘spun’bypoliticians? • Isitethicaltospinasituationinone’sfavor,ortowardsone’sownagenda? • Whendealingwithpolitics,doyouthinkitispossibletosaysomethingneutralaboutapoliticalsituation? 17. HandouttheattachedopinionarticleAmericanPoliticalSpinCycleisOutofControl.(Whilethearticleisfrom 2001,itssubjectmaintainsrelevance.)Afterstudentshaveread,discussasaclass: • LauraWeissstates,“Whatpoliticianswriteandsaydizziesthepublic’smindonagrandscale”andthat spinhasgotten“outofcontrol.”Doyouagreeordisagreeandwhy? • Howcanpoliticalspinbedeceiving? • WhydoyouthinkWeisscallstheWhiteHouse(regardlessofthepartyinpower)“America’slargestspin producinginstitution”? • Whoisresponsibleforuncoveringthevalidityorunderlyingtruth(ifany)beneathspin? • WeisssaysthattheWhiteHouseattemptstokeep“scandalousnews”frombreakingontheTV.Isthisa violationoffreedomofthepressinyouropinion?Shouldtherebelimitationstowhatthepresscan reporton?Explain. • Whatcanthepublicdoregardingcampaignspin? PracticingPoliticalSpin 18. Havestudentsbrainstormrecenteventsthathavebeeninthelocal,nationaland/orinternationalnewsthat theythinkareverysusceptibletospin.Then,dividetheclassintosmallgroups,assigningeachgroupa currentpoliticalfigure.Examplesmightincludeprominentmembersofgovernment,presidentialcandidates (ifduringanelectionyear),politicalpundits,etc.Givethegrouptheattachedassignmentexplanation,Puta PoliticalSpinonThings.Goovertheassignmentsheettogether,whichexplainstostudentsthattheyareto imaginetheyaretheirassignedpolitician’scommunicationsteam.Theymustfirstresearchtheviewsofthe politicalfigureassignedtothem.StudentswillneedcomputerswithInternetaccess;sitessuchas http://ontheissues.orgwillhelpstudentsunderstandtheviewsandvotingrecordsofpoliticians.Otherwise, teacherscanprintinformationoffandprovidetostudentsinhandoutform.Oncestudentshavefamiliarized themselveswiththepoliticalfigure,theyareresponsibleforspinningarecentnewsevent.(Theexample providedinvolvesaconflictwithAlQaeda,butteacherscansubstitutetheexampleforstudentstospinas theyseefit.) 19. Allowstudentstoaskquestionstheninstructthemtoworkontheirstatement.Aftergroupsarefinished, bringeveryonebacktogetherandgiveeachstudenttheattachedSpinReflectionSheet.Haveeachgroup presenttheirwork,firstgivingasummaryofwhotheyworkfor(thepoliticalfigureassignedtothem),their figure’spoliticalparty,andthefigure’sviews/politicalagenda.Then,groupsshouldsharetheirstatements thathavebeenpreparedwithspin.Allstudentsshouldtakenotesontheirreflectionsheetastheylistento eachgroup’spresentation.Afterallstudenthavepresented,discuss: • Whatwerethemajordifferencesbetweenthetalkingpointsofpoliticalfigures?Didtheirpartyaffiliation makeadifference?Explain. • Whatmakesasuccessful“spin”? • Foranygivenevent,isthereasingletruthaboutwhathappenedordoesitalwaysdependonwhois tellingthestoryandhowtheytellit?Explain. • Isspindeceitfulinyouropinion?Isitpossibletoeradicatespin?Explain. • Howdoesacandidate’spoliticalagendaasconnectedtotheirparty,andthewayhe/shecommunicates, shapeourpoliticalsystem? • Doyouusespinwhendiscussingeventsinyourownlife?Ifso,inwhatwaysandwhy? • Ifyouwereapolitician,isthereanythingthatyouwouldconsidertobeoff-limitstospin?Whyorwhy not? • Asresponsiblecitizens,howdowemakeaneducateddecisiononwhichcandidatetovoteforwhenthere issomuchspinandpropagandaatplay?Whatquestionsdoweneedtoaskourselveswhenviewing, hearing,andreadingcampaignadsorcandidateresponseblurbs? 20. AssigntheattachedhomeworkassignmentinwhichstudentsrespondtoLeonE.Panetta’sopinionofspinand howitisaffectingAmerica. WorldWarIIPropagandaPosters ModernAdvertisement PoliticalSpinCycleIsOutofControl byLauraB.Weiss,TheDailyUtahChronicle,September10,2001 It’shere.It’sleachedintothewrittenandspokenwordsofourculture.Ithasinvadedourtelevisionsetsinthe formofasitcom.IthaseventakenoveranentireroomatCNN. It’sspin—thepracticeofmanipulatingthefactstoprofitthepoliticianandallaypublicconcern. Politicalspinningcomesnaturallytohumans.Thefirstcaveman,insteadofgoingfishingfordinner,wentintothe forestanddownedafewsweetnectarswithhiscomrades.However,whenhecamebackfromthe"river,"the firstcavewomandidnotbanishhimtothepre-historicdoghouse.Why?Hesaidhegavetonight’scatch(thatwas THISbig)toIgorinthenextcaveover.Igor,heexplained,wastoodecrepittofish. Nowweallsigh—thefirstcavemanwasalsothefirstphilanthropist—orthefirstspindoctor.Butwhocanblame him?Spinreservedhimawarmplaceinthecavethatnightandmaintained,ifnotimproved,hisimageintheeyes ofthefirstcavewoman. Themanipulationtakingplaceontoday’spoliticalstageemulatesthisprehistoricnarration.Whatpoliticianswrite andsaydizziesthepublic’smindonagrandscale.Spin,apracticethatpublic-relationconsultantsusetocontrol publicperception,has,itself,gottenoutofcontrol. Caseinpoint:theWhiteHouse,America’slargestspin-producinginstitution.Theveneratedestablishmentplays generoushosttoateamofperception-savvyspindoctors.Thispublicopinionposseperformsdamagecontrolon subjectsrangingfromtheadministration’sfund-raisingengagementsandpersonalhealthtojudicialappointments andloveaffairs. InhisAug.9addresstothenation,PresidentGeorgeW.Bushtriedouthisownhandatspinning,assuringthe Americanpeoplethat"60stem-celllines"exist.Theselines,heextolled,"havegreatpromise."Purseyourlips andfurlyoureyebrows,Mr.President,becausescienceisn’taseasytospinasyouthink—especiallywiththe nationwatching. OnAug.17,solidobjectionsemergedfromtheworld’slargest(over138,000members)allianceofscientists.The AmericanAssociationfortheAdvancementofSciencecalledforBushtoimmediatelyidentifythe60lineshe claimedwereavailableforfederallyfundedresearch.Untilthisinformationisverified,thestatementsaid,itis impossibleto"assessthepotentialvaluesofthecellsforresearchandpotentialmedicaladvances." Othersaren’tswallowingBush’sspineither.Severalnationalfigures,includingRep.DianaDeGette(D-Colo.)and Sen.EdwardKennedy(D-Mass.)havewrittenletterstoHealthandHumanServicesSecretaryTommyThomson andleadersattheNationalInstituteofHealth(NIH),respectively.DeGetteoutlined10questionsonthespecific conditionandownershipofthestem-celllines.KennedydemandedaresponsefromNIHregardingsimilar concerns. DuringClinton’spresidency,spin-doctorsmadeOlympianadvancesinevadingthestraighttruth,"bychidingthe press,browbeatingreporters,referringinquiriestolawyerswhowillnotcommentorjustplainchangingthe subject,"saidWashingtonPostmediacriticHowardKurtz.Bushcannoteschewthestemcell60lineconundrum withsuchanachronistictechniques. EvenwithanentireWhiteHouseoffice—theDepartmentofCommunication—dedicatedtoproducingand managingspin,Bushcannotevadethevalidityofscientists’concerns.Untiltheexistenceofall60stem-celllinesis confirmed,itlooksasifBushhasspunhimselfanexcruciatinglytangledweb. Spinningevenitsownmoniker,theWhiteHouse’sDepartmentofCommunicationhasbeenworkingdoubletime overthepastdecadetodevelopnewspinstrategies.Inthisageofever-proliferatingpeeping-Tomcoverage, reportersclimbover,drillholesthroughandgenerallydestroytraditionalreportingroadblocks. However,theSpinOffice,Imean,CommunicationOffice,hasdevelopedfail-safetacticsthateffectivelykeepthe corkonnewstheWhiteHousedoesn’twantreporterstouse. Forinstance,WhiteHousespinnersdon’tallowscandalousstoriestobreakonthetelevision.Bynotconfirming thevalidityofastoryuntilthereporter’sdeadlinepasses,pressaidshavealmostcompletereignover information.Ifreporterschoosetoairthestoryanyway,theyrisktheirentireprofessionalcareer. What’sunfortunateisthat,fordecades,theWhiteHousehaslassoedtypicallytrustedfiguresintotheirspinsavvy corral.TheWhiteHousehascourtedphysiciansinordertoconvincethepublicofthephysicalwellbeingofour nation’shighestrankingrepresentatives. Foroveradecade,FranklinDelanoRoosevelt,withtheaidofdoctorsandthesecretservice,spunhisparalysis. ThespinteammaskedtheseverityofFDR’sdisabilityfrommillionsofpotentialvoterswithdeceptivestatements abouthishealth,inadditiontotallpodiumswithcamouflagedrailingstocreateamirageofFDR’smobility.He relied,literally,onfamilyandfriendsforsupportwhileapproachingvenuesandposingforphotographs. Unfortunately,spin-doctorshavenotdoneaswellinconcealingtheseverityofVicePresidentDickCheney’s healthproblems.Earlyinthepresidentialrace,theBushcampaignprovidedthepresswithawell-editedreportof Cheney’smedicalhistory.However,somethings—likethreeheartattacksbeforetheageoffifty—justcan’t successfullybespun.Norcancheckingintoahospitalfor,whatBushdescribedas"mildchestpains,"but"nota heartattack.”Helaterretractedthisstatement,addingthatitwasa"veryslightheartattack." Theproblemwithourspinnationisthis:Intheprocessofourgovernmenttellingtheworldwhitelies,we,asa societyarenotonlyfrequentlyfooledbywhatwereadbutarealso,albeitindirectly,sanctionedbythe governmenttotellourownwhitelies. SpinteachesmethattaxevasionisOK.WhentheInternalRevenueServicecomespoundingatmydoor,allI’ve gottodoisspinmystory.InsteadofadmittingIdidn’tpaytaxes,I’lljustsayImadea"veryslightmiscalculation." IfslipperysemanticsworkforourrepresentativesinWashington,theyworkforme. Whenitcomestoissuesliketheenvironment,theCommunicationsOfficeneeds,insteadofglossingoverthe threateningglobalsituationwith30-secondnewsclipsofthepresidentdressedinnaturaltoneshelpingforest rangersinColorado,togiveittousstraight.Thepresidentwantstobreaktheenvironmentandtakeitforabig businessride,andmostofAmericaknowsthatalready. InaleakedWhiteHousememo,EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyAdministratorChristieWhitmanofferedher advicetoPresidentBushonglobalwarming,asserting,"weneedtoappearengaged."Whatabrillianttactic—spin itlikewecareabouttheenvironment(insteadofaboutpollnumbers)thenleavetheearthtopillagers. Bushhimselfthrowsoutvague,meaninglessphraseswhencontemplatingthesubject.Hisrecentbestis:"Ideeply careabouttheenvironment."Inhisstem-cellresearchaddress,healsousedthisambiguousgem,professingto have"madethedecisionwithgreatcare." Atthisrate,perhapsBushwillbeginto"deeply"and"greatlycare"aboutthe42percent(ascalculatedby“U.S. NewsandWorldReport”)ofhistimeinofficespentenroutetooronvacation.Justtrytospinthatone. Source: http://media.www.dailyutahchronicle.com/media/storage/paper244/news/2001/09/10/Opinion/American.Political.Spin.Cycle.Is.Out.Of.Co ntrol-91040.shtml PutaPoliticalSpinonThings! • • • • • • Yourgrouphasbeenhiredasthecommunicationsteamfortheprominentpoliticalfigureassignedtoyou. Asnewemployees,youmustfirstlearnabouttheviewsandpoliticalagendaofyourpoliticianbyreadingthe informationprovided. Paycloseattentiontothisperson’spoliticalparty,currentandpastpositions,andhis/herfundamental politicalbeliefs,and/oragenda.Together,discussandsummarizethisinformationandbepreparedto presentittoyourclassmates. Onceyouarefamiliarwiththisfigure’spoliticalperspective,yourfirstpublicrelationsassignmentisto commentontheongoingwarinIraqfromyourpolitician’sperspective.Createa5-10sentencestatement that“spins”thefollowingsituationinawaythatencompassesyourfigurespointofviewandsupportshis/her politicalagenda: FiveAmericansoldierswerekilledandninewerewoundedinactionduringabattlewithAlQaedain Baghdadyesterday. Remember,thespinyouputonthestatementsyoumaketothepressonbehalfofyourpoliticianemployer willeffecthis/herstatusinthepubliceyeandcouldpossiblyaffecthis/herelectionorreelection.Thus,this affectsyourfutureemployment! Youwillpresentyourworktoclassinapproximately20minutes.Youmustbepreparedtogiveasummaryof yourassignedpoliticalfigure(akayourcurrentemployer)andthenshareyourspinstatements. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PutaPoliticalSpinonThings! • • • • • • Yourgrouphasbeenhiredasthecommunicationsteamfortheprominentpoliticalfigureassignedtoyou. Asnewemployees,youmustfirstlearnabouttheviewsandpoliticalagendaofyourpoliticianbyreadingthe informationprovided. Paycloseattentiontothisperson’spoliticalparty,currentandpastpositions,andhis/herfundamental politicalbeliefs,and/oragenda.Together,discussandsummarizethisinformationandbepreparedto presentittoyourclassmates. Onceyouarefamiliarwiththisfigure’spoliticalperspective,yourfirstpublicrelationsassignmentisto commentontheongoingwarinIraqfromyourpolitician’sperspective.Createa5-10sentencestatement that“spins”thefollowingsituationinawaythatencompassesyourfigurespointofviewandsupportshis/her politicalagenda: FiveAmericansoldierswerekilledandninewerewoundedinactionduringabattlewithAlQaedain Baghdadyesterday. Remember,thespinyouputonthestatementsyoumaketothepressonbehalfofyourpoliticianemployer willeffecthis/herstatusinthepubliceyeandcouldpossiblyaffecthis/herelectionorreelection.Thus,this affectsyourfutureemployment! Youwillpresentyourworktoclassinapproximately20minutes.Youmustbepreparedtogiveasummaryof yourassignedpoliticalfigure(akayourcurrentemployer)andthenshareyourspinstatements. SpinReflectionChart PoliticalFigure PartyAffiliation Beliefs/AgendaSummary Name:_________________________________ Homework ReadthefollowingexcerptfromLeonPanetta’sarticleThePriceof‘Spin’Versusthe‘Truth’andanswerthe questionsthatfollow. HueyLong—theinfamousLouisianapoliticianoftheThirties—oncepromisedacertainconstituencyinan electioncampaignthathewoulddeliverapublicworksprojecttothemifelected.Whenhefailedtodeliverthe projectafterhewaselected,hewasaskedwhy.Hisreply:"Ilied!" Long'sadmissionwasbrutallyfrank.ItwasthekindofhonestythatworkedwellforLong.Whyisitsodifficult toworkformanyofthoseinpublicofficetoday? Thetypicalstrategyistotellpeoplewhatconsultantsandpollsterssaythepublicwantstohearandwhenthe factsprovedifferently,tokeeprepeatingthesamewordsinthehopethatrepetitionsomehowwillmakeitright. Butthereisaterriblepricetobepaidforthispolitical"spin"game—thelosttrustofthepeople… Asourparentsdid,wetrytoteachourchildrentobetruthful.Ourverydemocracyisdependentonastrong relationshipoftrustbetweenthepeopleandtheirleaders.Butinrecentyears,whetherbecauseoflostvaluesor theeaseandspeedofmoderncommunications,abadexampleisbeingsetforfuturegenerationsbythosewho tellpeoplethepoliticalmessageratherthanwhatisreallyhappening. Thismayprovidesomeshort-termpoliticalgains,butultimately,thenationpaysaterribleprice.HueyLong decidedtotellthesimpletruthwhenhesaidheliedinhiscampaign.Itmightjustbethattellingthesimpletruth canworktorestorebothourpoliticsandourdemocracy.Lordknows,it'sworthatry. FromThePriceof'Spin'Versusthe"Truth”byLeonE.Panetta,TheMontereyCountyHerald,September9,2001 http://www.panettainstitute.org/Commentaries/090901.htm Respondwithyourthoughtsbelow(usethebackifnecessary): 1.Panettasays,“…honesty…workedwellforLong.Whyisitsodifficulttoworkformanyofthoseinpublicoffice today?” Doyouagreethatmanypeopleinpublicofficearedishonest?Whydoyouthinkpublicofficialsfinditdifficultto behonest? 2.DoyouagreewithPanettawhenhesaysthatduetothe“spingame”,thepeoplehavelosttrustingovernment andpolitics?Why?Whatevidencemakesyouthinkthis? 3.Panettaalsostates,“…abadmessageisbeingsetforfuturegenerationsbythosewhotellpeoplethepolitical messageratherthanwhatisreallyhappening.”Howdoyouinterpretthiscomment?Doyouagreeordisagree? Explain. 4.“This[spin]mayprovidesomeshort-termpoliticalgains,butultimately,thenationpaysaterribleprice.”What pricedoyouthinkPanettaisimplying?