Please don't vote for this AD!
Now before I elaborate, I must confess to being somewhat conspiratorial (or at least highly sceptical) in the way I view the Mainstream Media. Sadly past experience has taught me that this is prudent, just as it is prudent to be sceptical of the sceptics. (There is allways misinformation on both sides of any argument)
However in this case, all the alarm-bells are ringing. I think it would be wise to take a moment to reflect on this ad, and examine its message and the possible consequences of it airing on national TV.
First i would like to look at the actual message being delivered. What story is being told to the viewer. Lets take the statements one at a time as they appear:
1. "Most of us gained freedom through the sacrifices of others."
2. "In return we were to guard these freedoms by staying informed and alert."
3. "While we fight over which party gains power in washington."
4. "Ignoring the constitution and the rule of law which clearly states that only we the people hold any power."
5. "Our government no longer represents us, our rights are no longer guarenteed"
6. "Through apathy and ignorance...."
7. "We have lost our way."
8. "If you're ready to take it back."
9. "Let's clear the air."
10. "The revolution starts now - Ron Paul 2008"
Im quite sure most of you can read that and pretty much agree with each individual statement. I know i can!
I have been aware of the all scams and misinformation for a long time. I have been angry, disillusioned, depressed and continuously outraged by the way truth, honour and justice have been trampled on in the past years. And i have come to understand and love the philosophy of liberty. I have spent countless hours going through this process, and I am still taking this journey. I have become engaged in politics, I have informed myself on countless issues. I have studied the past, the present, and the direction in which we are headed in the future. So naturally, the message of this AD appeals to me, and everyone else who has gone through a similar process.
However, try now as best you can to put yourself in the shoes of someone who hasn't... Someone who hasn't even heard of Ron Paul. Who hasn't studied the constitution or read the bill of rights.
They may have a gut feeling that things are bad, or they may not. In any case, they have not gone through the process of sorting through all the misinformation out there.
What is this video telling those viewers? Stripping away the underlying knowledge required to fully appriciate each statement, and simply looking at the narrative of what is being said, i submit that we would be left with something this:
1-2: Others have sacrificed for your freedom, and you owe it to them to be informed and alert, so you can defend it. It would be selfish and immoral of you not to, as it is a contract "In return we were to guard..."
3-4-5: While you- the people/viewer mindlessly fight over wether to vote Democrat or Republican, you ignore the constitution and the rule of law. As a direct result the government no longer represents you, and you have lost your rights.
6-7: You are responsible, as you are both ignorant and indifferent (apathic?), you have lost your way.
8-9-10: If you are ready to "take it back", we must "clear the air". "The revolution starts now!"
Now, we have some loaded phraces here. A person might wonder: What exactly does "Clear the air" mean? and what is this talk of revolution, and of TAKING the country back? Is this guy some crazy radical?
So what impression is the viewer left with? I think we can agree that it is not the usual positive message of liberty that is winning support for Ron Paul nationwide.
The green Matrix-like look of the text, the creepy music and frantic voices in the background all add to the wierd and uncomfortable "feel" of the video.
And the video doesn't give any answers. You will not really learn anything about Ron Paul from seeing this AD. All you get is someone poking you with a stick, hoping to burst your bubble.
As some of you have pointed out, the video might work better for young people, but i am seriously concerned that even more people will have a negative reaction to it. And i am concerned that the video was designed specifically for this purpose.
I mean would we really put it past the MSM? We have all witnessed the constant and obvious attacks on Ron on TV (With some execptions). We all see the systematical spin to make him appear as a fringe candidate. Ron Paul literally has a 1-2% poll slapped in his face at the start of every interview. When he talks about pulling out of Iraq, the images of US soldiers rebuilding an Iraqi school are shown on a split-screen. and so on, and so on....
This just seems like a video, carefully crafted to appeal to his hardcore supporters, and pretty much noone else, knowing all too well that it is sure to win the vote.
Of course, it could have been made by a supporter as well, and cherry-picked by the editors. But in both cases, i think no good will come of it.
