Some things bear repeating . . . .

"One of the most salient features of our culture is that there is so much bullshit," Harry G. Frankfurt writes, in what must surely be the most eyebrow-raising opener in modern philosophical prose. "Everyone knows this. Each of us contributes his share. But we tend to take the situation for granted." This compact little book, as pungent as the phenomenon it explores, attempts to articulate a theory of this contemporary scourge--what it is, what it does, and why there's so much of it. The result is entertaining and enlightening in almost equal measure. It can't be denied; part of the book's charm is the puerile pleasure of reading classic academic discourse punctuated at regular intervals by the word "bullshit." More pertinent is Frankfurt's focus on intentions--the practice of bullshit, rather than its end result. Bullshitting, as he notes, is not exactly lying, and bullshit remains bullshit whether it's true or false. The difference lies in the bullshitter's complete disregard for whether what he's saying corresponds to facts in the physical world: he "does not reject the authority of the truth, as the liar does, and oppose himself to it. He pays no attention to it at all. By virtue of this, bullshit is a greater enemy of the truth than lies are."

http://www.amazon.com/Bullshit-Harry-G-Frankfurt/dp/0691122946


Well maybe I did not ever post that exact blurb before, but Frankfurt's message is even more important now then ever (methinks.) And, I call even more attention to the part I bolded.

Why is that on my mind these days?

Things like how the word "SURGE" is being used by the media instead of ridiculed by it. I mean what is more of a bullshit play than to say you are gonna try a different strategy and just throw a handful more troops into the war zone? Total bullshit that.

And another thing? Now it seems that everyone who is shooting at our troops (or anyone else there in Iraq) are now as if by magic, Al Qaeda.

I am thinking that not too far in the future we will be treated to at least some Fox (not really) News anchor saying essentially the following:

"Today in Bagdad US forces captured the Alleged Third in Command of Al Qaeda in Iraq. The capture was made after Coalition Authority recieved a tip, from another Allegedly Third in Command of Al Qaeda. Yet another Alleged Third in Command of Al Qaeda posted a message on the Internet denouncing the arrest of the first Alleged Third in Command of Al Qaeda in Iraq, promising swift reprisals for the arrest. Lastly, another Alleged Third in Command of Al Qaeda in Iraq, interviewed by Al Jazeera claimed that he was the True, the Correct, and the One and Only Alleged Third in Command of Al Qaeda in Iraq, and has declared Jihad on all other Alleged Third in Command of Al Qaeda in Iraq."

"And in other news from Iraq, members of the 3rd ID discovered a grisley site in Anbar. Apparently alleged Al Qaeda members ambushed alleged Al Qaeda members, near a small village in the southwest quadrant. It has been reported that Al Qaeda has claimed responsibility for this attack by Al Qaeda on Al Qaeda. "


I hope I made my point. Too much bullshit. We are drowning in it.