Bud Kennedy; Propagandist

In this article, I use an assumption.  The assumption is that Bud Kennedy is a Leftist propagandist.  The reason I believe this to be correct is; he is a journalist for a mainstream newspaper, he has survived and prevailed for many years working for said newspaper, which I think would not have happened unless he was a committed Leftist. Conservatives don't stay, and lukewarm Leftists don't get promoted in the mainstream newsroom. Also in his writings, that I have intermittently scanned over the last few years, I've never detected a wisp of conservatism. From what I have observed he is a full bore, proud Leftist. This is not to say that Kennedy is stupid, he is very intelligent and also very competent in his craft.  But his Leftist worldview long ago overwhelmed his common sense, if he ever possessed any.

 I believe he is a propagandist because he throws seemingly unrelated facts into an article.  Unrelated until one realizes those facts serve a broader purpose and message such as the one examined below.

On May 29, Bud Kennedy wrote an article entitled "Tea Party's vision comes to fruition in Tarrant elections".  In one paragraph he referenced Jonathan Stickland. This is a screen shot of it.

I received an e-mail from Jonathan today rebutting the inferences made in that paragraph and I would like to use this incident to show how this particular journalist works as propagandist.  Attempting to plant ideas and opinions in the minds of readers without the them knowing it. 

I have deconstructed the paragraph in question and broken it down into the two parts which I think are the real messages.  These messages are; Jonathan Stickland is the spiritual brother of disgraced politician Tom Delay.  And Jonathan Stickland is an anti-Semite who equates Jewishness with evil. This is not saying the reader comes away with the exact verbal messages written above but that the readers gets this seed of doubt in the subconscious. That's the goal of propaganda.

 Jonathan Stickland is the spiritual brother of disgraced politician Tom Delay.  In his rebuttal e-mail, Jonathan Stickland wonders why Kennedy referenced a job he once had as a pest control technician instead of his present employment.  It does seem odd. To answer this question, one must look at the situation from the viewpoint of a propagandist and consider the propagandist's  goal.  Facts of a situation; a politician (Stickland) who at one time supported his family as a pest control technician.  Goal; use these facts to make the most damaging link possible.  Question; which disgraced, conservative politician has been linked, again and again, to his business in pest control?  Answer; Tom Delay.  We can wait for another time to debate whether or not Tom Delay was railroaded, but the fact is, in the popular culture, Tom Delay is known as the former bug killer turned crooked politician who's been tried and convicted of being crooked. The fact that Stickland once did this too foreshadows future misbehavior. This is my explanation for Kennedy's odd reference.

Jonathan Stickland is an anti-Semite who also believes Jewishness equates with evil.   A close reading of the paragraph shows Kennedy does not say that Stickland said, or even knows, that Straus is Jewish.  He, Kennedy, simply throws in the fact of Straus' Hebrew extraction. The reason he used that fact and the reason he constructed that sentence the way he did was so that the word "Jewish" would be juxtaposed near the word "Christian", which was spoken by Stickland.  This is in order to link, in the reader's mind, the word "Jewish" and the word "Christian" with Stickland's words about evil, the implication being that Stickland, the subject of the paragraph, is an anti-Semite.  Then, the cherry on top of the propaganda sundae , the word "evil" twice repeated by Stickland no less, plants in the idea that, Stickland not only is an anti-Semite, but he also believes Jewishness equates with evil.   The fact that so many people became concerned about Stickland's "anti-Semitism", see rebuttal e-mail,  proves how effective this ploy was.  And Kennedy plays along with this mis-perception when he doesn't even mention, in his June 2 update, the fact that he, not Stickland, brought up Straus's ethnicity.  This type of character assassination of Conservatives by Leftists, has been going on since the end of World War II.  And it has been wildly successful until the last few years.

Intelligent and competent propagandists never tip their hand, and they never use untrue statements.  The propagandist arranges true facts and cultural stereotypes in such a manner that a false and, in the case of Conservatives, damaging subconscious impression is left in the mind of the reader.  And if the propagandist is clever enough, the reader is completely unaware of it.  We are barraged by thousands of these messages every day and they build up.  The only way to combat them is to arm one's self with knowledge, consider the political leanings of the author and/or news entity, and never ever rely for one's information, or opinions, on a single source.


Note: This is my take on this subject.  If anyone would like to point out mistakes in logic, reason, or facts, please do so. I believe that the beginning of wisdom starts with the acknowledgement of one's own ignorance. Joel Downs

A Political Masterstroke at the RPT Convention

Someone came up with an extremely clever way to save Joe Straus from embarrassment today. A silent walkout had been planned for his speech and many people were on board for it. There had been much loud talk about it. A Tea Party group was giving away "Oust Straus" stickers in the exhibition hall. A yellow flyer was even handed out to the convention attendees in anticipation of his speech.

However, immediately before he spoke, it was announced that all the Republican candidates, incumbents and newly nominated, were being  "introduced" and then they walked out on the stage. As soon as they all had assembled,  Joe Straus strode briskly out in front and said a few words without the usual build up.
UPDATE: Subsequent conversations with people who know show  the candidates thought they would be off the stage before Straus made his speech.

The genius in this move was the fact that most of the convention attendees had voted for those very candidates, and to walk out would imply disapproval of him or her. So every one, that I could see, stayed put.  There were a few catcalls but Straus's speech was so short, it didn't have time to grow into an organized howl.  If most people were like me, they were dumfounded and a little bit amused at the way they had been outfoxed. It was one of those "How simple! Why didn't I think of that?" moments.

This won't change anyone's mind about Straus but at least he didn't lose as much face as he could have.

Well played, Joe.

UPDATE; I have become aware of a video made by a convention attendee. It shows the camera holder exiting the arena and about 10-15 people chanting in the hallway. A good shot of the candidates coming out on stage can be seen at minute 0-1:27, and the number of protesters can be seen beginning at minute 5:19.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gC4T_3O0UM

To Anonymous commenter "Cindy"

This is for the anonymous commenter who calls herself Cindy.  I have removed your comment on Voter ID...
 because it is off-topic. It doesn't have anything to do with the subject of the post you appended it to.  However, I am reproducing parts of it here as screenshots so I can ask questions.  The rest of your allegations are anecdotal and cannot be verified one way or another.  If you would clear up these questions, I would appreciate it.

First question:

You allege that Jason McCaffity ran a dirty campaign for the HEB City Council and lost.  HEB?  I was not aware that the city of HEB existed, much less an HEB City Council.  Could you give the year that he is supposed to have run this race and where you found this information?

Second question:

You allege that McCaffity is an unpaid reserve officer in the Godley Police Department.  Do you have any documentation, online links, or any other way that this can be verified?

Third question:

You allege that the police departments of Hurst, Bedford, Southlake, Keller and Euless are conducting a joint investigation into the theft of campaign signs. I did a Google search and came up with nothing.  Is there a way this allegation can be verified?

Cindy, you are welcome to repost your comment in full along with the answers to my questions.  These are serious allegations you have made.  As for the rest of your comment, at this point, to me it appears to be run of the mill campaign slander, of the type practiced far too often in this election season.

Congratulations to the permanent Party Chair

Congratulations to Jennifer Hall on becoming the Tarrant County Republican Party chair. Thank you Jennifer Hall and Bob McGrath for conducting a positive campaign.

Voter ID, What I'd like to see on a bumper sticker.

The letter of recommendation handed out to Precinct 3213 voters

See below the letter of introduction and recommendation I left on doors and handed out to voters as I bicycled my precinct.

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Hello, I am Joel Downs, the Precinct Chairman for Precinct 3213. If you are reading this letter you live in Precinct 3213.  As Precinct Chairman I am trying to get acquainted with the Republicans in the precinct who vote in the primaries.  I've looked at the voting records and identified you as one of these people.  Hope you don't mind.

The events of the past three years have caused me great concern.  Concern about the future of our country.  For the first time in my life, I am beginning to doubt that the USA will remain a free country.  The American culture seems to be changing to one of unrealistic  entitlement, and complete self absorption.  A significant proportion of college graduates actually expect to be given a job at the highest rate, no matter their real qualifications, just because they have a college degree.  I could go on and on but I think you get the idea.

Anyway, I hope to become acquainted with you, and if you want to become politically active, I will help you in any way I can.  Because the only way, I believe, this country can be saved, is by vigorous, conservative action from the Grassroots.  It begins here with people like you and me, we must begin this task.                                    

In this sack you will find a flyer listing all of the early voting locations in the county.  I am doing this to encourage you to vote early because it is so much easier than voting on election day.  It is also more convenient.  Some of these locations are probably on your way home from work.  The only downside is that you have to vote electronically.  If you prefer paper ballots, you will have to wait till election day.

The candidates in positions listed below are the ones that I will be voting for in the Republican primary.  I have listed only a small part of the reasons I'm voting for them.  I'm not telling you who to vote for, just letting you know who I'm for and hope you agree.

If you want to put a Republican candidate's sign in your yard, I can get it for you. Thanks, Joel Downs, 817-308-9878

Kenny Marchant, Congressional Representative District 24. Marchant is a respected member of the House of Representatives with a good rapport and influence.  I think he should remain in place.

Ted Cruz, Congressional Senator or from Texas. I have seen Cruz speak, and I know his record.  Ted Cruz is a principled conservative, and well spoken.  He will be a positive conservative influence in the Senate.  Cruz also has the best chance of any of the candidates of knocking off David Dewhurst.  The troubling thing about Dewhurst is that he called for a constitutional convention and doesn't appear to realize the mistake he was making.  The last time a constitutional convention was called, the entire Constitution was rewritten.  Granted, Dewhurst called for the convention in order to add a balanced budget amendment, but you don't go to these extreme measures, risk the disruption of the Constitution just to balance the budget.  If the Constitution is to be changed, let's do it by amendment.  I am amazed that Dewhurst is this ignorant of history.  He should not be serving in the United States Senate.

Kelly Hancock, State Senate District 9.   Hancock is the more conservative of the candidates running for this office.  He is not as well spoken as Todd Smith, but remember Todd makes his living by speaking, he is a lawyer. As Senator, Kelly Hancock will author, sponsor, and to pass more conservative legislation.  He will make decisions that are more founded in conservatism.

Jonathan Stickland, State Representative District 92.  Stickland is a movement conservative, not interested in allowing a slow slide into socialism.  He will continue the trend towards more conservative legislation coming out the Texas Legislature.

Gary Fickes, Tarrant County Commissioner Precinct 3.  Fickes has been a Commissioner for several terms, he has performed well, and knows a lot about the job, especially the roads.  The commissioners court is a big influence on how many, where, and how large the state roads built in Tarrant County will be.  Fickes has a huge amount of institutional knowledge about this subject, and he makes good decisions.  The commissioners court appoints the board members of the Tarrant County health system.  Gary Fickes, in concert with other commissioners has always made sure that the board members enact policies that are sound, and do not give away the store to illegal aliens, unlike other large Texas counties.  For this reason, the Tarrant County health system budget has always been balanced, and some years has had a surplus. Gary Fickes should be reelected.

Jennifer Hall, County Chair, Tarrant County Republican Party.  Hall was elected temporary County chair when Stephanie Klick resigned to run for higher office.  She hit the ground running and has performed very well in that position, raising thousands of dollars in donations, and presiding over the court induced chaos that has been the 2012 primary season.  Jennifer Hall has had no previous experience as a County chair, but she has performed remarkably well and will be a huge asset in the years to come.

Jason McCaffity, Constable Precinct 3.  McCaffity has been a Texas peace officer for 14 years, he has a Masters degree in Business Administration, a Bachelors degree in Law Enforcement Administration, a Masters Peace Officer Certification, and is a graduate of the Police Management College.  As Constable, he will continue to improve the Precinct 3 Constable department.

Kevin Carey, Judge 153rd District Court, .  A County District Judge is on the first level of the people we select to make and/or enforce the rules for us.  Kevin Carey is a lifelong Republican and conservative with 22 years experience as a litigator.  He will make wise, fair and conservative decisions in his court.  He understands the danger of frivolous lawsuits and will make decisions accordingly.

The Candidates I recommended to Precinct 3213

The following are pics of the recommendations I left on doors and handed out to voters in precinct 3213.