Today it is Anita Dunn. Yesterday's witch hunt is forgotten, and tomorrow, while some of us are still trying to defend the right to express ideas unapologetically, there will be an new smear campaign, new clips of quotes out of context, the Daily Bogyman.

The problem is, of course, is that it is far more efficient to manufacture lies, innuendo, and hyped up outrage than to defeat it. It's a tactic used by lawyers, to keep slinging fast and furious; keep up the offence, and at some point the defense will fold under the sheer weight of it's own bulk.

Now misinformation has become the primary tool in American right wing politics. Like the myth of bad Chinese food, misinformation tirelessly plops out of the tube with a resounding splat, each story as ludicrous as the previous, but faithfully echoed down the line, references running in circles, and the fools are dazzled and amazed each and every time.

Lies, repeated often and loudly, are powerful tools of manipulation.

I live in Memphis, and it would be hard to describe what that is like. Every time some list about 'best places' comes out, we are last; every time it's about 'worst places' we're first; and now we've made a high score on someone's list for having a lot of really stupid people. All of these accolades are deserved.

And, now, for the first time in seventeen years, we are having a mayoral election.

A random stumble into, a moment of what-the-fuck, and here I am.

I haven't read any of Chuck Palahnuik's work -- yet. Of course saw Fight Club. But a quote:

“Here in the bathroom with me are razor blades. Here is iodine to drink. Here are sleeping pills to swallow. You have a choice. Live or die. Every breath is a choice. Every minute is a choice. To be or not to be. Every time you don’t throw yourself down the stairs, that’s a choice. Every time you don’t crash your car, you reenlist.”

I quoted this at a local site and an online friend, who is a published author, told me a little about Palahnuik. I wanted to know more, did the Wiki read, and here I am. Considering paying my money and taking the ride, but will start with a post.