Comments on: Mad Max will make them pay

By: Anna

Anna — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 20:41:34 +0000

Sant’s mudslinging campaign is nothing less than what Liard Wilcox (http://www.lairdwilcox.com/) in his essay ‘The Practice of Ritual Defamation: How values, opinions and beliefs are controlled in democratic societies’ describes as Ritual Defamation.
Here’s some of what he has to say:
Defamation is the destruction or attempted destruction of the reputation, status, character or standing in the community of a person or group of persons by unfair, wrongful, or malicious speech or publication … with the intention of silencing or neutralizing his or her influence, and/or making an example of them so as to discourage similar independence and “insensitivity” or non-observance of taboos. It is different in nature and degree from simple criticism or disagreement in that it is aggressive, organized and skilfully applied, often by an organization or representative of a special interest group, and in that it consists of several characteristic elements.
…
This weapon rises above the mere slander or smear in both its intent and in its implementation.
…
Ritual Defamation is not ritualistic because it follows any prescribed religious or mystical doctrine, nor is it embraced in any particular document or scripture. Rather, it is ritualistic because it follows a predictable, stereotyped pattern which embraces a number of elements, as in a ritual.
It’s important to recognize and identify the patterns of a ritual defamation. Like all propaganda and disinformation campaigns it is accomplished primarily through the manipulation of words and symbols. It is not used to persuade, but to punish. Although it may have cognitive elements, its thrust is primarily emotional. Ritual Defamation is used to hurt, to intimidate, to destroy, and to persecute, and to avoid the dialogue, debate and discussion upon which a free society depends. On those grounds it must be opposed no matter who tries to justify its use.
You may also find what he has to say in his essay on extremist traits as eye-opening as I did. He starts by quoting Robert F. Kennedy who wrote:
“What is objectionable, what is dangerous about extremists is not that they are extreme, but that they are intolerant. The evil is not what they say about their cause, but what they say about their opponents.”
Wilcox then goes on to list the “specific traits or behaviours that tend to represent the extremist “style”…
Amongst others things he mentions
1. character assassination
2. name-calling and labelling
3. irresponsible sweeping generalizations
4. inadequate proof for assertions
5. advocacy of double standards
6. advocacy of some degree of censorship or repression of their opponents and/or critics
7. tendency toward argument by intimidation
8. use of slogans, buzzwords, and thought-stopping clichés
9. emphasis on emotional responses and, correspondingly, less importance attached to reasoning and logical analysis
10. extremists often feel that the system is no good unless they win
I couldn’t have come up with a better description of labour party tactics if I tried!

By: John Schembri

John Schembri — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 20:39:54 +0000

When Jason nods to whatever Dr Sant says, he looks like those small plastic dogs at the rear window of a 60’s car, they nod for every car movement, on a bumpy road.

By: Anthony Farrugia

Anthony Farrugia — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 19:41:15 +0000

Well done Paul… :)

By: Paul Buhagiar

Paul Buhagiar — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 19:22:21 +0000

Come on Jason Micallef. Don’t be silly. You have ridiculed the whole Nationalist Party and now because something about your reporters which by the way makes sense, you are trying to make them pay. If the Nationalist Party had to repay you and your leader for what you have done, you would not see the day after tomorrow.

[Moderator – added a fullstop to enhance the dramatic effect of your closing sentence.]

By: Marku

Marku — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 18:25:09 +0000

This is the best Maltese general election ever!

By: Charles Portelli

Charles Portelli — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 17:52:07 +0000

ive just seen the youtube clip. now that is groundbreaking.

@ DCG your last sentence is pure dynamite ;-)

will the wig keep up with his “zero tolerance” policy?

By: Paul Spiteri

Paul Spiteri — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 17:47:21 +0000

Can somebody please post a link to the Miriam Dalli/Maria Muscat/Charlon Gouder video on YouTube?

[Moderator – the clip can be found by searching YouTube.com for ‘Charlon Gouder’.]

By: Simon

Simon — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 16:59:53 +0000

Can someone post a video of Jason’s conference / threat? I am dying to see it.

By: John Schembri

John Schembri — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 16:57:48 +0000

I think there is a mole in the MLP. And he/she is doing a lot of harm, to the MLP, naturally.
What a mess ,even the steel soldiers seem to be corrupt.