From Knight Ridder, on the president's Rolling Thunder Social Security Revue:

Jon Paul Surma, a 24-year-old businessman from Rolling Prairie, Ind., said he was tapped for an appearance with Bush after he raised his concerns about Social Security at a town hall meeting with Rep. Chris Chocola, R-Ind.

Surma, who works in his family's garbage-truck business, said he'd like to eliminate Social Security, but he didn't mention that politically explosive idea to Bush. Instead, Surma focused on his belief that he'll never receive his promised benefits - a concern that dovetails with Bush's contention that younger workers have little reason to fear changes in Social Security.

The night before their appearance with Bush, Surma and the other conversation participants held a dress rehearsal with a White House aide who played the role of the president. While Surma and other participants said they were never told what to say, the practice session and the interviews that preceded it reduced the likelihood of any surprises.

White House Communications Director Nicolle Devenish said screening out opponents helps ensure a "productive discussion."

Emphasis mine. A ringer who wants to kill Social Security is part of a panel discussion on "strengthening" Social Security. An audience bused in from out-of-state helps ensure "productive discussion" - yet the news reports as if the audience is made up of locals.

If you support the President, and you think this kind of orchestrated government propaganda is okay, and you think I'm obsessive for dwelling on it, picture this:

It's 2009. Hillary Clinton is your president, and despite her setback when she was First Lady, she's now ready to make nationalized health care a reality. But a "nationalized" health care program doesn't test well in focus groups, so President Hillary directs government agencies and the media to refer to it only as a "personalized" health care program. The Health Department begins sending out video news releases informing the public about "personalized" health care. Local television news stations are airing the spots as if they're from an objective, legitimate news source. All thanks to your tax dollars. President Hillary hits the road with a stylized talk show/infomercial selling her health care plan. Everyone on stage is a ringer. Their answers are rehearsed the day before. The entire production is run by MoveOn.org. The local news outlets report on the events as if they're open forums with ordinary Americans. All thanks to your tax dollars.

This is the precedent that's being set now.

I'll say it again: it's not the policy, it's the way it's being sold.

Go read the whole thing.

You may also want to try the earlier draft of the article.

Peace,

B.

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