FUD You!

Fear , uncertainty and doubt are powerful tools when used by the unscrupulous. Fear can motivate one to hand over civil rights in a vain attempt to feel safe again. Uncertainty can be used to maintain a status quo that may be partially non-functional but preferable to what might come with change. And doubt is very powerful because it undermines the credibility of the target which makes it harder for them even defend themselves against the accusations.

There are people who live by the wanton use of FUD. There are media outlets that live, die and cry by FUD.

Unclear on the Concept

I don't think this company understands the competing concepts here. Absolutely free means without any expense incurred. Just pay $4.95 is not absolutely free. I'm sure they believe they are being consistent but, at the end of the day, they are not providing something for free, they are charging people $5 for it.

Absolutely free would mean they are giving it away AND paying the cost to ship it to you.

They could offer a $5 discount on the first order to make it closer to free but it still wouldn't be Absolutely Free. I hate it when marketers lie.

A Symptom of the Problem

Poll: Internet, Fox News Are Most Trusted News Sources

Fox News trounced CNN, 39% to 16% in a recent poll by the Independent Film Channel as being the most trusted news channel in America.

What is worse is that Rush Limbaugh is the most trusted news personality followed by Bill O'Reilly.

Let me be very clear, Fox News is about as Fair and Balanced as Hanoi Hannah during the Vietnam War. And Rush Limbaugh is demonstrably wrong nearly every single moment of every single day. And when he isn't wrong, he's being hateful and divisive (see his comments about Michael J. Fox, Donovan McNabb, Abu Ghraib, etc., etc., ad infinitum). Not to mention his support of the tobacco industry peddling poison. The guy isn't a news man, he's a demagogue. It pains me to think of so many Americans listening in to his daily show and nodding along with the occasional "You're so right, Rush". This is why my friend, Jack of What Would Jack Do, calls them sheeple. Don't let a demagogue with an agenda do your thinking for you.

And don't just accept whatever they spew. Apply a little critical thinking to their statements and heck, apply a little self-examination to the rest of your life too.

One of Them is Lying

Palin, McCain contradict each other on spending about the Bridge to Nowhere earmarks that Palin requested until she saw the writing on the wall and flip-flopped to oppose them.

John McCain stated on that bastion of political discussion, The View, that Sarah Palin never took earmarks as governor when the public record clearly shows she requested 31 earmarks worth nearly $200 million.

McCain/Palin - Integrity ain't nothing but a word.