October 31, 2003

The spin on stem cells

In his latest broadside against the current administration's cruelly stupid stem-cell research policy, Mike Kinsley perfectly describes the cynical depths to which contemporary DC spinmeisters have sunk:

The distinguishing feature of modern Washington dishonesty is that it is almost transparent, barely intended to deceive. It uses true-ish factoids to construct an implied assertion about reality that is not just false but preposterous. Modern Washington dishonesty is more like an elaborate, stylized ritual than a realistic Western-style performance. The goal is not to persuade but merely to create an impression that there are two sides to the question without actually having to supply one of them.

A great graph in a great piece. Read the rest here.

Next hour: The Blogathon continues.

Posted by Jack O'Toole on October 31, 2003 05:02 AM

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