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The New Right-Wing Smear Machine »

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A web-savvy form of conservative propaganda, written anonymously and forwarded via email, is altering the political landscape.

Read Full Story at thenation.com »

Submitted By:

bruhaha

Geologist at an environmental consulting and engineering company here in the Chicago suburbs.

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Comments: 269

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bruhaha
Nov. 1, 2007, 5:49 p.m.
If you've ever wondered where some of the right-wingers get there info, this may be it.
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jovial
Nov. 1, 2007, 6:01 p.m.
Ah haaaa!
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NoWayMan
Nov. 1, 2007, 6:12 p.m.
not amazed that the right would lie and use the web to smear an opponent.
but I am amazed that the right is ready and willing to use a group like the gold star mothers to do it.
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doppich
Nov. 1, 2007, 6:12 p.m.
NewsMax is a frequent source of lies for the wingnuts to spread.
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Klarissa
Nov. 1, 2007, 6:19 p.m.
At last, a repub group that is equal to moveon.org. Everyone seemed to want balanced news. lolol
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obiefrommuskogee
Nov. 1, 2007, 6:23 p.m.
The problem is that if the "propaganda" (cuz that is what it is) is not from an established news source, how do you hold someone accountable in court? Slander? Libel?
These people DO need to be held accountable for slandering or libeling someone's name, reputation, or character. That is what the laws are there for.
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not2needy
Nov. 1, 2007, 7:14 p.m.
Spreading fear and lies! That's the only way they have a prayer of getting a vote.
What boggles my mind is why intelligent republicans can't see this!
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Spadecaller
Nov. 1, 2007, 9:17 p.m.
Bill Reilly should have the editor of NewsMax on his show; they can compare lies.
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bruhaha
Nov. 1, 2007, 9:29 p.m.
It really shows the intelligence of some of the people who forward and send out these anonymous emails when, as the article states, they just change the names in the smears to some other Democratic politician.
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scriblerus1
Nov. 1, 2007, 10:48 p.m.
This is very mild compared to what Rove did to McCain in 2000 in South Carolina. And McCain became a Bush boot-licker after that.
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RickyDawkins
Nov. 2, 2007, 1:45 a.m.
Whenever I get a message that says "do not respond to this email" I alway reply at least 5 times, just to be sure they feel my frustration. Haha the joke is on them!
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eugenegerard
Nov. 2, 2007, 2:46 a.m.
A lot of smear and disinfo comes directly out of the Pentagon and CIA front organizations. Believe it.
wasntmeComment has been removed: Abusive
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engineer
Nov. 2, 2007, 8:02 a.m.
The right has done this continuously. How else can they win!!?
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deathray
Nov. 2, 2007, 8:23 a.m.
Actually, I get the newsmax email "newsletter", just to stay up on the tactics used by the right.
The "health information" articles are a hoot.
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Commodore1
Nov. 2, 2007, 8:43 a.m.
Smear machine huh? U mean like the Daily Kos and MoveOn.org? I find it very refreshing to hear about a right wing smear machine instead of the usual left wing ones run by the leftist loony tunes. Gee I wonder what George Soros will say and do if Hillary wins and she wants to redistribute his wealth? Will he give up his money? Highly unlikely!
anioklyComment has been removed: Spammer
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crghss
Nov. 2, 2007, 11:09 a.m.
"a clearinghouse for innuendo and rumor"
Isn't that what TheNation does?
baddad59Comment has been removed: Retracted by user
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AnteUp
Nov. 2, 2007, 11:30 a.m.
crghss ~
Really?
Why did I know about Blackwater before the recent killings
in the square? Jeremy Scahill's article in......The Nation!
How did I know that Time-Warner put together a postal rate
policy for the administration that would maintain or LOWER
the big publication's postal rate and RAISE the rate for
smaller publication's......The Nation!
How about news of the high percentage of vets coming home
with emotional problems and severe re-adjustment problems
with our Veteran's Affairs Department unable to provide
timely assistance - or none at all......The Nation!
Have you heard cable news discuss the FCC hearing that
took place on Halloween to loosen the cross-ownership
restrictions on major media corporations? That they will
be allowed to control TV,radio, daily and weekly newspapers
AND internet access to websites in an area......this
week's Editorial in......The Nation!
Now, if YOU don't want to know about those FACTS?
Then, no - The Nation is not for you.
baddad59Comment has been removed: Retracted by user
AlphaGnosisComment has been removed: Hard Banned
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Raiderwall
Nov. 2, 2007, 12:01 p.m.
The incident cited at the beginning of the article is atypical of the right wing's political tactics. Smear the opponent by clouding, exagerrating, or outright lying about events and people. It's a scorched earth politics that Americans are sick and tired of.
eyesopenComment has been removed: Abusive
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tiredofwhiners
Nov. 2, 2007, 12:28 p.m.
It's sad the right wing engages in smear. Why can't they be like the left who never has done that sort of thing? If only the Repubs could be perfect like the Dems. Smear is defined as any negative attribution to a left wing idea or event. The truth is defined as any negative attribution to a right wing idea or event.