670AM KIRN RADIO IRAN LA!(Persian)

Dr. Farhang Holakouee and I will be discussing the psychological impact of fear and hope in presidential elections and how they affect voters.

  "  Political Fear Tactic"

"I find the use of fear tactics by both political parties to be cruel, opportunistic, and immoral. Fear is a feeling of anxiety and agitation caused by the presence or imminence of danger. Fear is a powerful emotion. We should be aware of imminent danger; however, the power of fear is often used to unjustly influencethe population. And, it takes unfair advantage of the innocent who may be ignorant of the relevant facts. In the case of politics, fear mongers will exaggerate possible dangers to influence opinion on who can better protect the people.

..........Causing anxiety and fear in the population for political gain is despicable. I see fear mongering used to defend unpopular positions and to justify the use of force. We all know that we live in a dangerous world, so fear mongering is a powerful tactic.
    
When we understand the difference between real threats and exaggerations, fear mongering can become less effective for those seeking political gain by raising fear levels. I believe President Bush's constant patterns of fear mongering will fail to influence and incite his desired reaction.....
    
.....The justification for the war in Iraq was based on building up fear and embellishing the capabilities of Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction. Again, fear was used to justify going to war.

.... We have talking heads and well paid political surrogates using words like appeaser without understanding what the word means. We have politicians running for office trying to say that talking to an adversary is the same as appeasing an adversary.

To pacify or attempt to pacify (an enemy) by granting concessions often at the expense of principle is the definition of appease

Fear tactics were used to sell Mr. Bush as the man to keep America safe. I believe that the American people have seen through the lies and the use of fear to control the majority of the population. 

I believe that the majority of the American people are paying attention every to side of the pressing issues that affect their lives. I believe that the time when the use of fear to influence and silence a population is nearing an end.

Without honest debate, we will fail as a society. Without diplomacy, we have no option except war in some cases. Isn't war always an option without saber rattling? It is time for a new direction in American foreign policy. It is time for new leadership in America.

(written by Fred Flanagan)

Program aires: Sunday July 20th, 8-9AM

For comments contact me, Reza Goharzad, at rgoharzad@gmail.com