Jay Kersting's Blog

Do you remember how the nation was united across all ideological lines back after the attacks seven years ago?

I am glad that we have held on to that feeling, aren't you?

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OK, yesterday on the show I addressed, in brief, the lipstick/pig comments.  I said then and I still maintain the belief that it was a STRETCH by some to put the label on Governor Sarah Palin.  

That said, who put that label on Governor Palin?  Several people did but I do not think that was the intent of Senator Obama on Tuesday.  I am not saying that he is above that, but I do not think that he did this at this time.

So, who made the connection?  First, if we can agree that Senator Obama did not IMPLY anything by his statement.  Then, it had to be an INFERENCE.  Inference, for those who do not recall, is when you find meaning in other peoples words or actions. 

The first inference was from the audience that Barack Obama spoke to on Tuesday.  I went back and watched the video that led to the comment and the immediate aftermath.  The crowd went nuts and it appeared that Senator Obama was slightly uncomfortable by the zeal behind the response.  He went on to make a stinking fish analogy in an attempt to defuse the situation.  Barack Obama may be very misguided politically, but he is not stupid.

Next, the audience reaction FED the McCain supporters to express outrage.  I said it yesterday, and I still feel this way, the outrage was a reach and was exaggerated.

What this all comes down to is framing.  And this has nothing to do with building a house.

Framing is a public relations or propaganda term.  (Redundant, I know.)  And framing can be dishonest, but isn't always. 

Framing is when you take an issue or event and manipulate the context that surrounds it.   Just like a picture.  You see a close up of a child with his mouth open.  Is that child yelling, crying, laughing, cheering, or something else?  Pull back from that picture and you see the child is at a ballgame, a party, a car wreck, or some other setting.  Until you pull back, you really do not know the original context.  A good example of framing is when I say that energy is the issue of this campaign AND then I explain why by adding the context of energy impacting issues like the economy, education, foreign affairs and so forth.  Not a harmful use of framing, but a way to explain why the issue is important.

That is NOT what has happened here.  This is another example of deceptive framing.  The McCain campaign took that snap shot and framed it by connecting Palin's speech from the RNC. 

Dirty.  The McCain campaign should be ashamed.

Now Democrats, calm down.  You will now get yours.

This is the SAME type of deceptive framing as the repeated claim by Barack Obama and other Democrats that John McCain wants to stay in Iraq for 100 years.

Dirty.  Barack Obama, his campaign and all Democrats who have made this assertion should be ashamed.  I would argue that this is worse because it became a drum beat of the Obama and other Democrat campaigns this past primary election season.  What is worse, a parent that slaps his child or one who abuses the same child on a regular basis?  Both are bad, but the answer here is obvious, right?

So, while Democrats may have lost respect for John McCain by his campaign going there, Democrats should also lose respect for Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Bill Richardson and any others who used the 100 years comment out of context for political gain.

And Republicans, same for you.

Both of your parties are DIRTY, DIRTY, DIRTY and if you call yourself a Democrat or a Republican, you ought to rethink your association. 

Call, comment, e-mail, etc. to discuss.  I know you partisans will disagree with me and I encourage the opportunity to straighten you out.

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GAME ON AT ADKINS STADIUM!!!!

Jefferson City Public Schools announced yesterday that the home opener of the Jays Football team will be played at Adkins Stadium on Friday.  

The construction on the track, which has been the cause of the delay, is at a point where they can stop for a couple of weeks to get the first two games in at Adkins Stadium.

This is good on many, many levels.  First, by having the game at Lincoln University, the booster club loses much needed revenue that would be used to promote the athletic programs.

Second, it gives folks the much awaited first view of the new, improved and expanded home facility of the most storied high school football program in the state of Missouri.

Those who aren't from, or familiar with, this area......this is big!  Trust me.

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For those who are interesting in the book by Bob Hamer who was on the show this morning, here is where you can get it.  The Last Undercover: The True Story of An FBI Agent's Dangerous Dance With Evil

It will open your eyes, and possibly sicken you.  Worth reading.

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And one last thing.  The media stories point out that he was the singer of "Hungry Eyes" but I think "Make Me Lose Control" would have been a better fit.

No, I do not think he was hanging out with Stan, Kyle, Kenny or even Butters.  That is CARTMAN.

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Have a great Thursday!!