Is John Kerry a serial axe murder? Or the new post modern politics

[HamdenRice]

Karl Rove is a genius -- an evil genius, but a genius nevertheless. What does this have to do with John Kerry being, possibly a serial killer? It is that Rove has absolutely mastered the post modern media so that he can manipulate the fact that any claim about Kerry (or any other person) seems as plausible as any other claim.

In the post modern media, all claims are as plausible as all other claims. Is there global warming? There are scientists who say there is global warming. There are scientists who say there isn't global warming. (Of course, those who say there isn't global warming are mostly paid by the oil industry, but the media doesn't go there.)

How does this create post-modern politics? For example, let's say someone from Massachusetts "comes forward" to say that John Kerry is a serial axe murder. Rather than evaluate whether this is hogwash, the media get "both sides" of this non-story. There will be people who say, of course, Kerry is not a serial killer. But to get "both sides" of the issue, the press will talk to the guy who says Kerry is a serials killer. Even if the Mass. state police say there is no evidence or ongoing investigation that Kerry is a serial killer, now the question is "out there" in media space as a debatable issue. The public simply hears an equal number of "experts" and talking heads -- and the public become evenly divided on the issue, even if there is not one scintilla of evidence that Kerry is a serials killer.

Political media manipulators have known this for a long time, but whereas many of these people are pros at media manipulation, Rove is on an entirely different level. Because when it comes to Bush's AWOL from military service, Rove had the audacity and brilliance to make the issue, not whether Bush was or wasn't AWOL; he somehow made the two "sides" of the debate (1) Bush was AWOL and (2) how dare you use smear tactics to allege that Bush was AWOL.

It is Rove's ability to manipulate the post modern media condition that is unparalleled. In a fact-based media, Kerry's record would be unquestionable; but Rove has made it questionable. The issue with Kerry is, (1) did he do those heroic things or (2) did he lie to get his medals. As discredited as his accusers are, the media pretends to remain "neutral."

But with Bush's military record, the issue is AWOL vs. smear tactics, not AWOL vs he didn't go AWOL.

So Kerry's record which should be unquestionable, becomes questionable.

Bush's having gone AWOL, which should be unquestionable becomes something that cannot be questioned.

[NewJeffCT]

1. well, Rush previously had implied

Well, Rush has previously implied that John Kerry had the late Senator Heinz killed so he could marry Teresa.

Could be the next item after the Swift Boat liars go down?

[Vickers]

2. I really, REALLY hope the AWOL issue comes back to the top

This gets to the crux of his character...when the going got tough, he bailed. His whole life has been like that, and on 9/11 this trait was illustrated beautifully by his total inaction in the face of true adversity.

[Viking12]

3. I think he's a cereal killer...

with an especially dark obsession for Cocoa Puffs. I think I read about it in a book piblished by Regnery :)

[Connie_Corleone]

5. Cereal Eaters For Truth

n/t

[rkc3]

4. The idea of Kerry lying about his medals and purple hearts implies...

That he planned to run for president while in Vietnam and coerced his crew mates, physicians, and ranking officials to lie about his service, his injuries, and his bravery under fire.

LIHOP/MIHOP theorists are labeled as wackos for even considering 9/11 was pre-planned by the Bush admin - yet the idea that Kerry had a plan is conceivable for republicans.

Go figure.

[Redneck Socialist]

6. let's make the sumbitch DENY it!

Excellent analysis HR, but I think your giving Rove a little too much credit. His tactics are nothing new. (though admittedly he uses them to good effect.)

Legend has it that Lyndon Johnson, while engaged in a particularly hard fought political battle early in his career, directed an aide to put out the word that his opponent fucked pigs. Aghast, the aide replied, "But...but...you know that's not true!"

Lyndon continued, "You know it. I know it. But, let's make the sumbitch DENY it!"

Rove is merely continuing what has become a long tradition in Texas politics.