It looks like you're using an Ad Blocker.
Please white-list or disable AboveTopSecret.com in your ad-blocking tool.
Thank you.
Some features of ATS will be disabled while you continue to use an ad-blocker.
...
The Role of Propaganda
Sometimes neighbors quarrel. But seldom does it lead to bloodshed. In the first place, the law of the land prohibits assault and murder against fellow citizens. But in time of war, that prohibition does not apply to citizens of an opposing country, even though people in general really do not know their “enemies.” All that they know about the enemy is what they have been led to believe by the spoon-feeding of their politically controlled media.
This is a fact of life in every nation. As Irenäus Eibl-Eibesfeldt wrote: “Public opinion is formed by interest groups (politicians, arms manufacturers, the military) that deceive the electorate by giving them false or one-sided information.” In a similar vein, historian H. E. Barnes wrote: “Since the wars of the French Revolution . . . copious and compelling propaganda [has] been continued and greatly increased to protect warfare against popular dissent, opposition, and factual analysis of issues.”
As a consequence, “practically anybody can be persuaded and manipulated in such a way that he will more or less voluntarily enter a situation wherein he must kill and perhaps die.” (War, by Gwynne Dyer) Thus, by reason of their political and economic power, the “elite” can control the media in order to prepare the masses for the bloodbath.
Who Make the Decisions?
Austrian economist Schumpeter wrote: “The orientation toward war is mainly fostered by the domestic interests of ruling classes but also by the influence of all those who stand to gain individually from a war policy, whether economically or socially.” These ruling classes have been defined as “elites [that] are at all times involved in trying to manipulate other elements of the population, or the public mood itself, so as to perpetuate themselves in power.”—Why War? by Professors Nelson and Olin.
Every nation has its ruling class, even though that group may be divided into different political factions. However, many observe that the power of the military elite in every nation should not be underestimated. Former U.S. Ambassador John K. Galbraith describes the military establishment as “by far the most powerful of the autonomous processes of government.” ...
originally posted by: StoutBroux
originally posted by: charlyv
While I certainly believe in God, God does not intervene on anything physically with the planet. If that were so, Putin would have been taken out before anyone was killed.
Extrapolate that to all the other atrocities that humans have performed on this planet and I would think that would become obviously clear.
We are here due to our own intelligence. God supplied it via the evolvement of life. That is the way it works.
Well I respectfully disagree. That scenario would make God completely worthless and unnecessary after the completion of His creation. He might as well be a rock on the ground and that idea is senseless.
Also, why assume everything happening on our planet is NOT God's intervention? Especially when it comes to man's indiscretions. There are reactions to all actions. Think butterfly effect. Some are simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Now as to why or why not divine intervention seems so hit and miss, in our opinions, don't know.
"We are here due to our own intelligence"....... that comment is so infinitely wrong.
President Volodymyr Zelensky could be protected, or lucky, or who knows. Maybe Russia isn't as competent as they think.
originally posted by: ExiledSpirit777
This is the true definition of going too far down the rabbit hole. Climb on out, buddy.
originally posted by: Grenade
I kid you not, for thousands of years, we've repeatedly sent our young men to die in order to advance the gains of greedy men with grand ambitions. In all that time we've fed on the hate and fear that's been bred into our minds and unless there's a transcendent shift in thinking toward the concept of war, we're doomed. Our leaders are trying to tame the spirit by brining us under control, i don't blame them. As a species, we've failed and are all collectively to blame for the state of society.
I'm vowing to never enter or discuss another thread on any war. There's no good guys, only evil men with lots to gain, manipulating both sides.
If and when there's a complete global disarmament, then i'll be back.