Names

“That which we call a rose by any other word would smell as sweet.”

This suggests that a name doesn’t matter, but to anyone in advertising, public relations, think tanks, law, politics, military, news, or sales words are critical, in order to convey the “right” message. The “right” message, of course, is getting you to think that you can trust and believe them (see Psychology).  Everything we know is categorized in our brains (see How We Learn). Once someone is in the “trust” category, they can get us to do things we wouldn’t normally do. Everyone in those careers should be included in the “propaganda” category, in order to limit their influence (see Propaganda). 

Here are examples of names meant to elicit trust (and what they actually do):

The Patriot Act (increases policing actions and reduces civil liberties)

The Homeland Security Act (increases policing powers while decreasing rights)

The Father Land (similar to homeland used by the Nazis to elicit patriotism)

No Child Left Behind (claim improvements while reducing funding)

Operation Enduring Freedom (invade and colonize weak nations)

Operation Iraqi Freedom (colonize Iraq to control the second largest oil reserve)

Defend America (attack and invade foreign countries)

Manifest Destiny (invade, kill, and steal territories because we want it)

War on Terrorism (increase fear to gain support for invading other countries)

Free Trade Agreement (allow corporations to exploit cheap labor in other countries)

World Trade Organization (promote capitalism, undermine socialism)

So, be especially suspicious of any policy names that sound harmonious. More than likely, they are just trying to manipulate you by removing any suspicion. If you see through the name, then you will be more likely to see the actual intent, and you will be able to make more intelligent decisions. Don’t allow neo-cons to “manufacture consent,” using public relations tactics and propaganda (see Neo-cons, Public Relations, Propaganda).

That which we call a rose, may in fact be a rotten deal that stinks.