On Mon, 28 Jun 2004 13:15:10 +0900, Ernest Schaal
<eschaal@max.hi-ho.ne.jp> wrote:

>> Facts are truth.

>This statement says a lot about your naivety. Facts are either accurate or
>inaccurate, they are not true or false. In fact, one of the more famous
>textbooks on statistics is Darrell Huff's "How to Lie with Statistics,"
>which describes how to be careful in looking at statistics to make sure they
>don't lie. 

As much as I would like to I am not going to cut and paste from
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary for you. I advise you to look up the word
fact though.

In fact = in truth

>> Propaganda is only the dissemination of these facts
>> for a cause. If the only negative thing you can say about Moore's film
>> is that it is "propaganda" I'd say Moore should feel pretty good about
>> himself.

>I realize that English is not your primary language, but your definition of
>propaganda does not seem to jive with normal usage. Propaganda is defined as
>"the systematic propagation of a doctrine or cause or of information
>reflecting the views and interests of those people advocating such a
>doctrine or cause." Moore had readily admitted his cause is the defeat of
>Bush in the next election.

OK, this time I WILL cut and paste since you've goaded me into it with
your latest personal attack: 

Main Entry: pro pa gan da
Pronunciation: "pra"-p&-'gan-d&, "prO-
Function: noun
Etymology: New Latin, from Congregatio de propaganda fide Congregation
for propagating the faith, organization established by Pope Gregory XV
died 1623
1 capitalized : a congregation of the Roman curia having jurisdiction
over missionary territories and related institutions
2 : the spreading of ideas, information, or rumor for the purpose of
helping or injuring an institution, a cause, or a person
3 : ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately to further one's
cause or to damage an opposing cause; also : a public action having
such an effect
- pro pa gan dist /-dist/ noun or adjective
- pro pa gan dis tic /-"gan-'dis-tik/ adjective
- pro pa gan dis ti cal ly /-ti-k(&-)lE/ adverb
 
What's your first language by the way? I'm from New Jersey and we
speak English there.

That's not MY definition. It's Merriam-Webster's.

>> Nice to see you admit that you're making these "it's nothing but
>> entertainment" comments about a film you've only seen clips of. I
>> don't think George W. Bush finds the film very entertaining.

>None of the commentators so far (liberal or conservative) have ever said
>that it is anything more than propaganda. Many of them imply that it is
>entertaining.

Nothing wrong with propaganda like I've said. Keep beating that drum.

>> Thank you for showing your true colors with the "twisted mind"
>> epithet. For my part I'll continue to try debating logically with you
>> as futile as that may be.

>The twisted mind remark was pointing out that the "filled with lies"
>originated with you. Since you seem to believe that your mischaracterization
>was accurate, the twisted mind comment seems to be accurate.

We're still 5 personal attacks to none and you're winning (or losing).
In your defense its hard not to resort to them when logical debate
fails you. 

>How is it a personal attack to state my skepticism of those, like you
>believe everything said by a political spokesman, from the Left or the
>Right?

You can state your skepticism quite clearly without the "Usenet nuts",
"twisted mind" and "English isn't your first language" comments. They
are irrelevant and only stated to disparage me in your anger. The
skepticism I have no problems with.

Raj