By Kelly O'Connell ——Bio and Archives--March 12, 2012
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Destruction or attempted destruction of the reputation, status, character or standing in the community of a person or group of persons by unfair, wrongful, or malicious speech or publication.Wilcox explains the essence of Ritual Defamation:
The central element is defamation in retaliation for real or imagined attitudes, opinions or beliefs of the victim, with the intention of silencing or neutralizing their influence, and/or making an example of them so as to discourage similar independence and "insensitivity" or non-observance of taboos. It is different in nature and degree from simple criticism or disagreement in that it is aggressive, organized and skillfully applied, often by an organization or representative of a special interest group, and in that it consists of several characteristic elements. Ritual Defamation is not ritualistic because it follows any prescribed religious or mystical doctrine, nor is it embraced in any particular document or scripture. Rather, it is ritualistic because it follows a predictable, stereotyped pattern which embraces a number of elements, as in a ritual.
Expressing or identifying with a forbidden attitude, opinion or belief. It is not necessary that he "do" anything about it or undertake any particular course of action, only that he engage in some form of communication or expression.2. Method of Attack: Character Assassination Ritual Defamation is waged by attacking the target's character. Defending against the target's criticism of the protected topic is not highly relevant. 3. Avoidance of Debate Ritual Defamation must avoid any debate over the truth or reasonableness of the target's position. Only condemnation is allowed. Debate opens the floor to examining the issue on its merits; opposite what the ritual defamer is trying to do. Wilcox states: "The primary goal of a ritual defamation is censorship and repression." 4. Victim Profile: A Public Person It's helpful if the target is a person in the public eye, vulnerable to public opinion. Says Wilcox, "Visibility enhances vulnerability to Ritual Defamation." 5. Group Assault: Drafting Others to Wage War It's important others be encouraged to join in the defamation. For example, in the case of a writer, other authors will be encouraged to publicly condemn the offender. 6. Victim Dehumanization For Ritual Defamation to be effective, the target must be seen as inhuman. Writes Wilcox,
The victim must be dehumanized to the extent that he becomes identical with the offending attitude, opinion or belief, and in a manner which distorts it to the point where it appears at its most extreme. For example, a victim defamed as a "racist" or "anti-Semitic" will be identified with the worst images of racism/ anti-Semitism, such as lynchings or gas chambers.7. Goal of Public Pressure & Humiliation According to Wilcox, successful Ritual Defamation delivers "pressure and humiliation on the victim from every quarter, including family and friends." Targets may be fired from a job, etc. 8. Explanations are Irrelevant Wilcox claims that mitigating circumstances are considered superfluous or absurd given the monstrous nature of the target's sins. He writes,
Any explanation the victim may offer, including the claim of being misunderstood, is considered irrelevant. To claim truth as a defense for a Politically Incorrect value, opinion or belief is interpreted as defiance and only compounds the problem. Ritual defamation is often not necessarily an issue of being wrong or incorrect but rather of "insensitivity" and failing to observe social taboos.9. Purpose: Intimidation, Terror & Destruction The logic behind Ritual Defamation is described by Wilcox:
The power of Ritual Defamation lies entirely in its capacity to intimidate and terrorize. It embraces elements of primitive superstitious belief, as in a "curse" or "hex." It plays into the subconscious fear most have of abandonment or rejected by the tribe or by society and being cut off from social and psychological support systems.10. Propaganda Meant Not to Persuade, But Punish Ritual Defamation is propaganda, a disinformation campaign employing manipulation of words and symbols, meant not to persuade, but punish. Its primary thrust is emotional. Wilcox writes,
Ritual Defamation is used to hurt, to intimidate, to destroy, and persecute, and to avoid the dialogue, debate and discussion upon which a free society depends. Therefore, it must be opposed regardless whom justifies its use.
Lou Dobbs, one of CNN's founding anchors, quit the cable news channel Wednesday evening after months of tensions with executives, saying he would seek new ways to advocate his often inflammatory views.The NY Post reported, "CNN was so sick of Lou Dobbs, it gave him an $8 million severance package to leave. They wanted him out." Dobbs described his own theory to GQ:
GQ: Have you heard from the Obama administration? Lou Dobbs: Of course I have. Sure. Without question. They are coordinating with a number of groups, including the Center for American Progress. The usual suspects. To carry out constant and absolutely insidious and sordid attacks on me. And the reason they're doing so, I'm the leading independent voice, and I am critical on their policies and intent, on unconditional amnesty, and leaving the borders and ports unsecure. They cannot, they're. . . GQ: They're afraid of that point of view? They don't think their point of view will carry against... Lou Dobbs: Apparently not. Otherwise why would you do such a thing? But I will not be intimidated, and I understand that. Therefore they're trying to intimidate my network and my owners.
When I heard that Patrick Buchanan had been fired as a commentator from MSNBC, my first reaction was "It's about time!" It's a little baffling because Buchanan basically says nothing in his new book that he hasn't said before, on television and in writing. He wrote in his blog that "in the 10 years I have been at MSNBC, the network has taken heat for what I have written, and faithfully honored our contract." So why ditch him now?According to the WashPost, Buchanan himself believes an outside campaign was organized to hasten his departure:
I know these blacklisters. They operate behind closed doors, with phone calls, mailed threats, and off-the-record meetings. They work in the dark because, as Al Smith said, nothing un-American can live in the sunlight.Pat believes Obama's favorite Marxist, former Green Jobs czar Van Jones, was behind the firing, as his group Color of Change is mentioned with the decision, according to the Daily Caller:
Liberal activist group Color of Change announced it received confirmation the left-leaning cable news network MSNBC indefinitely suspended conservative commentator Pat Buchanan. An October campaign was launched to remove Buchanan from MSNBC programming. "Amazing news!" a Color of Change email alert announced: "Pat Buchanan and his white supremacist ideology will no longer be on TV."
Fluke is managed by public relations firm SKDKnickerbocker, owned by Anita Dunn, former adviser to President Barack Obama. Dunn served as White House Communications Director in 2009. Right now, Fluke's in California with her boyfriend, son of Democratic stalwart William Mutterperl, who made at least 56 donations to Democratic candidates or organizations.Is it possible Limbaugh, one of the savviest observers of American culture, was okey-doked by Fluke in another Obama directed smear campaign? All early indications lead to this conclusion. IBD asks, Was Sandra Fluke a Honey Trap? Obama chose to comment on the ruckus, and phoned Fluke while comparing her to his daughters. But the question of the day is whether Fluke was recruited and directed by Obama?
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Kelly O’Connell is an author and attorney. He was born on the West Coast, raised in Las Vegas, and matriculated from the University of Oregon. After laboring for the Reformed Church in Galway, Ireland, he returned to America and attended law school in Virginia, where he earned a JD and a Master’s degree in Government. He spent a stint working as a researcher and writer of academic articles at a Miami law school, focusing on ancient law and society. He has also been employed as a university Speech & Debate professor. He then returned West and worked as an assistant district attorney. Kelly is now is a private practitioner with a small law practice in New Mexico.