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The
Language of Propaganda
George
Baumler (8-20-01)
The terms used by those who wish to conceal their intentions are
carefully chosen in order to sway otherwise reasonable people into
believing their intentions are honest. A few such terms in frequent usage today are:
“Smart-Growth”, “Mass-Transit”,
“ Inclusionary-Housing”, “Pedestrian-Friendly” and “Sprawl”.
These are emotional terms by design and are used to portray those who
disagree with the central planners as backward thinking Neanderthals.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to uncover the real meanings
and intentions behind the misleading language used by the central
planners. As citizens, we
have a duty, like shoppers, to see beyond the slick advertising and
understand the true meaning of the terms abused by the central planners.
“Smart-Growth”
is a term created to conjure up images of Utopia, while at the same time
painting those who understand its real meaning as advocates of stupidity
and anarchy. Smart Growth is
nothing more than absolute control of private property by the State.
As fascists discovered long ago, it doesn’t matter who owns the
land --what matters is who controls it.
The old Soviet style central planners have found a niche in the
central planning scheme renamed “Smart-Growth”.
Most of the following terms are offshoots of central planners’
“Smart-Growth” (Total Control) agenda:
“Mass transit”
to most reasonable people means a mode of transportation that carries
large numbers of people; guess again. “Mass-Transit” actually means taxpayer subsidized public
transportation that less than 1% of the population use; though its cost
per passenger per mile is many times ordinary cab fare.
“Rapid
Transit”, a
sister term, means basically the same thing except the rapid part
indicates a speed of less than 20 mph to reach your destination.
“Light-Rail”
is also a member of this family. Its
true meaning is 19th century trolley transportation disguised
as something modern or cutting edge.
Model railroad buffs are some of its loudest proponents.
“Inclusionary
Housing”
is so absurd it defies any logical defense.
At its core, it means that any new residential development must
also include a slum. This is meant to discourage people from moving away from the
old slums and to discourage developers from starting new projects away
from the existing inner city slums.
“Pedestrian Friendly”
is a term planners use to lull folks into seeing a park-like setting with
the sun shining and green grass everywhere.
The real meaning and intention is open hostility to automobiles and
those who choose to drive them. Making
roads narrower and less safe, and putting up obstacles to motor traffic
are hallmarks of “Pedestrian-Friendly”
design. Ultra dense
developments and Soviet style apartment blocks are the real intention of
“Pedestrian-Friendly” planners.
“Sprawl”
is a term used to denigrate suburban housing.
Ironically people living in suburbs buy into this as well as folks
interested in selling urban real estate.
The American dream of owning a small farm and house in the country
or living in a suburban development is the object of the central
planners’ disdain. Private
property is referred to as “our
farmland” or “our countryside”,
by those squealing about “Sprawl”.
Most of the anti-sprawlers never owned or worked a farm in their
lives, but merely enjoy looking at them, while sneering at the “country
hicks” who actually do work in agriculture.
There are many other euphemisms used by the central planners’
propaganda departments and their dupes.
It is every citizen’s duty to be aware of the true meanings of
these deceptions. Being
awakened to the truth will help when confronting these folks at public
meetings, which politicians hold to test the waters of public opinion
before having an opinion of their own.
See also an interesting
article on the UN’s promotion of so-called “Smart Growth”
http://www.sovereignty.net/p/land/unp
roprts.htm
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