The politics of fear
Politicians are trying to scare. One example is the assault weapons ban. And they (and their cronies) are lying about it:
FactCheck.org also cited examples of distortions used by Kerry supporters, including an ad suggesting that Bush opened America’s streets to gun-toting terrorists by failing to extend a ban on assault weapons.
The ad, sponsored by MoveOn PAC, displays an AK-47 with machine-gun fire rattling in the background. “This is an assault weapon,” an announcer tells viewers. “It can fire up to 300 rounds a minute. In the hands of terrorists, it could kill hundreds.”
FactCheck.org said the ad “is about as misleading as it can be” and fails to point out that fully automatic machine guns capable of firing 300 rounds a minute have been outlawed since 1934 and remain illegal. The online truth squad also pointed out that Congress — not Bush — allowed the ban to expire.
Of course, these same distortions have been present in the mainstream media too, who are part of the problem. Scaring the Hell out of you sells papers.
