Political Campaigning (Tuesday, March 28, 4th period)

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

"Today we're going to watch some political ads," Josh said, walking over to the television. "This has nothing to do with the notes I was writing on the board rearranging themselves to tell me that I was an expletive-deleted tax-and-spend liberal." He glared at the board behind him. "This school is weird."

He popped in a tape. "Pay particular attention to the Daisy ad, the Willie Horton ad, and the ad about the bear in the woods."

He sat down at his desk. "Then, discuss. Why do you think these work? What are they trying to tell the voters about the candidate? Their opponent? How to they make you feel?"

He waved his hands. "That kind of thing. Go. Talk."

Comments

Re: Discuss the ads

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"Okay, that one with the little girl and the flower and the bomb? Creepy," Rory said with a shudder.

Re: Discuss the ads

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

"I remember when that came out," Angel said. "Mind you, I had other things to worry about at the time."

Re: Discuss the ads

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"Oh, really?" Rory asked, interested. "See, I wouldn't think they'd even be allowed to run that."

Re: Discuss the ads

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

"A lotta things made it to TV back then that wouldn't today," Angel said. "Even with shows. I guess people were still feeling out the medium. Kinda like with movies."

Re: Discuss the ads

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

'It's funny, because they were so much more conservative," Rory mused.

Re: Discuss the ads

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

"They were but they weren't," Angel said. "I mean the idea of a woman wearing pants was pretty racy in my time, but that doesn't mean any of us were bored in the bedroom. It's just a shift in what society believes is verboten."

Re: Discuss the ads

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

Rory raised an eyebrow. "True, but it's not as though your society talked about what went on behind closed doors, either."

Re: Discuss the ads

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

Angel smirked. "Wanna bet?"

Re: Discuss the ads

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

Rory rolled her eyes, blushing. "Okay, the women weren't allowed."

Re: Discuss the ads

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

"Doesn't mean it didn't happen," Angel said. "Don't have to disallow something nobody's interested in doing. Think God would've mentioned that neighbor's wife bit if it hadn't been an issue?"

Re: Discuss the ads

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"Point," Rory conceded. "But still."

Re: Discuss the ads

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

"And take a look at the ad," Angel said. "It's as conservative as anybody could want. Talks about life, love, and God."

Re: Discuss the ads

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"And splodey!"

Re: Discuss the ads

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

"Exactly," Angel said. "Vote for me or you'll die a horrible death. Perfect message."

Re: Discuss the ads

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

Rory shook her head. "It's horrible and manipulative. Like I said, surprised it got past censors."

Re: Discuss the ads

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

"Horrible, manipulative, and totally worked," Angel said. "Which in the end is the only thing that matters in the vote count."

Re: Discuss the ads

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"Which is really, really sad," Rory said.

Re: Discuss the ads

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

"Yeah but who's going to change when there's really no need to?" Angel asked. "It's kinda like that movie - Fear is good. Fear sells. Fear works. I could manipulate far more people far more quickly through fear than I ever could by being a nice guy."

Re: Discuss the ads

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"Yes, I know," Rory said quietly. "Fear works, but what kind of people want to win that way?"

Re: Discuss the ads

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

"Not necessarily bad people," Angel said. "Look at it this way - what if Johnson really believed that there'd be a nuclear war if he didn't win? From that perspective isn't he good if he warns people? Shouldn't he warn people?"

Re: Discuss the ads

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"Yes, but not like that," Rory said. "You don't bring children into something like this."

Re: Discuss the ads

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

Josh was listening and nodding his head.

They were getting it.

Re: Discuss the ads

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

Angel gave a small smile. Nothing like accessing that other part of him to work a lesson.

Re: Discuss the ads

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

Rory didn't smile.

Rory was a bit freaked out.

But that was the point, wasn't it?

Re: Discuss the ads

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker was looking fairly irritable. "Sure. By stupid people. Jesus. Why are the voters allowed to vote if they buy into this crap?"