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Lip Synch
for release 08-23-07
Washington DC
by Lightning Rod
On August 22 The Poet's Eye watched George Bush deliver his pre-programmed pean to Freedom and War. He was speaking in front of a friendly audience of veterans in Kansas City. As he went through his litany of modern wars, comparing them all to Iraq, one theme emerged. It was the classic Bush core method and message--Freedom and Democracy lead to Peace.
Well, that's a noble idea. The problem is: it has nothing to do with reality.
As I listened to the speech, which was impeccably written and researched, two things came to my mind. One was Milli Vanilli and the other was B.F. Skinner.
Do you remember Milli Vanilli? That was the 80's recording act that lip synched their music onstage and it was in question if they even recorded it in the studio. Music fans were outraged by this deception when they learned of it.
When I hear George Bush speak (or should I say read?) I often think of Milli Vanilli. I feel like someone is lip synching or that some strange Wizard of Oz ventriloquism is occurring. Not for a minute do I believe that this moron actually wrote the words that are fumbling from his mouth. Can you imagine George Bush staying up late at night doing research on the internet to compose such a speech filled with quotes and crafty arguments? I don't think so.
I must say though, that Bush has come a long way as a public speaker since he was elected president. I wonder if he has a personal trainer? Practice makes perfect you know. Which brings us to B.F. Skinner. You know, the guy who ran rats through mazes?
B.F. Skinner was the father of the only school of psychology which has any basis in experimental science. Behaviorism maintains that animals, including humans, are conditioned by their environment to behave in certain ways. To change human behavior, it is necessary to change the human environment.
Skinner wrote a controversial book in the 1970's called Beyond Freedom and Dignity. In this book he argues that our traditional concepts of freedom and dignity are an impediment to the development of a sound and prosperous society. This is the antithesis of Bush's notion that freedom breeds social tranquility.
The Poet's Eye has often observed that real freedom can never be obtained at gunpoint. Freedom cannot be enforced. Freedom needs the right environment in which to flourish. The environment provided by our military presence in Iraq is hardly a garden for the flowers of peace and freedom.
Ow, it's your thing.
Do what you wanna do.
Oh, baby I can't tell you,
who to sock it to.
It's your thing,
do what you wanna do.
--Milli Vanilli