Propaganda Section A

Business owner: "I refuse to discuss the issue of equal pay for equal work with Mary. She is not the workers' representative and has no authority to negotiate with us."

0 No Technique

Let's wait a few more days before writing that report. We still have a couple of weeks to finish it. Let's make it the best we can.

0 No Technique

Mrs. Pratt knows she was rationalizing. Before we criticize Mrs. Pratt, we should ask ourselves if maybe we rationalize sometimes too.

0 No Technique

My friend, Jimmy, says that he likes only two kinds of girls: those with blonde hair and those who don't have blond hair.

0 No Technique

When we realize that millions of dollars are spent on commercial art and for illustrations in printed material, we can see how powerful art is as a propaganda device.

0 No Technique

Let's not play with Johnny. He's crippled. Handicapped people are no fun anyway.

1 Prejudice

Mom to her daughter: "No, honey, you cannot go out with Musalah tonight. He's some sort of Muslim. I don't want you associating with him."

1 Prejudice

Students should not be allowed to help make course decisions. Why, they don't even have degrees.

1 Prejudice

You know how Charley will act. Why, he's one of those longhaired guys - you can't count on them.

1 Prejudice

Buying a house in Beau Chene is easy. All you need is a lawyer, a real estate agent, and a winning lottery ticket.

10 Inconceivability

Don't make me laugh! Women are being exploited? That will be the day. Now if you'd said that women were exploiting men, that I could believe.

10 Inconceivability

I can't imagine Reagan NOT changing our laws and running for another term in office. Don't ask me to believe he won't.

10 Inconceivability

It is simply unimaginable that a man like Bill Clinton would decline to run for another term of office. Don't ask me to believe that he won't.

10 Inconceivability

It's too bad Johnny got hurt. Without him, it will be just too much to expect our team to win.

10 Inconceivability

There is no way Smith can win the Presidential election. How can he possibly win enough states to be elected?

10 Inconceivability

When the presence of unidentified aircraft in the vicinity of the Hawaiian Islands was indicated by radar on the morning of December 7, 1941, the officer in charge disregarded the evidence on the grounds that hostile planes could not be anywhere near.

10 Inconceivability

You say that Mary Hitchcock has left her husband and gone home to her mother? Such a nice girl, so devoted to her husband and children. No! Don't expect me to believe that!

10 Inconceivability

"Don't bother me, boy," said the Sheriff. "If the Hatfields and the McCoys are shooting it out again, there's nothing for us to do but to keep out of the way."

2 Academic Detachment

I am so sick of politics in our state, with the reformers on one side and the crooks on the other, that it is really not worth the effort to go to the polls.

2 Academic Detachment

I don't know whether that statement is "prejudice" or "tabloid thinking," so I'll pass on this one.

2 Academic Detachment

I have a math test and an English test tomorrow. I don't know which one to study harder for, so I'll just wait to see how I do. Next time I'll study harder for whichever subject had the more difficult test.

2 Academic Detachment

A question asked of Florida citizens about Cubans moving into the state: "Are we going to keep the Cubans out or is our community going to go straight downhill?"

3 Drawing the Line

A questionnaire distributed to college students contained the question, "Would you rather work with Establishment or protest groups?"

3 Drawing the Line

Advertisement: "There are two kinds of mufflers: Borcan mufflers and any old muffler. Don't be disappointed."

3 Drawing the Line

Boy to girlfriend: "Look, either you go to the movies with me or you will be staying home by yourself."

3 Drawing the Line

College students are either not knowledgeable enough to teach, or so filled with high-sounding facts that they can't explain their ideas to high school students.

3 Drawing the Line

Do you feel Medicare for the aged is right, or are you going to condemn them to an early death?

3 Drawing the Line

Either these secretaries of ours will have to get on the ball, or we'll have to close the office.

3 Drawing the Line

Life insurance salesman to client: "Do you want to invest in this $100,000 whole life policy now to insure your present and provide for your future, or are you going to have to work forever, even after retirement?"

3 Drawing the Line

Mary fell into the pool. "Sink or swim!" yelled her roommate.

3 Drawing the Line

Representative Richard Gephardt asked fellow candidate Senator Albert Gore the following: "If I get to 52% in the polls in New Hampshire, will you start attacking me like you attacked Governor Dukakis?"

3 Drawing the Line

School board member: "We can't let them have the raise they're asking for. If we do, every other teachers group in the state will campaign for higher pay and ours will simply campaign again in two years for better benefits. We've got to hold back some."

3 Drawing the Line

Son, you're either going to school to make something of yourself or you're going to be a beggar all your life.

3 Drawing the Line

We must fight Russia now or give up all our cherished liberties.

3 Drawing the Line

, there is no logical reason why they shouldn't be in at all hours. Let them come and go as they please, I say.

4 Not Drawing the Line

Gus, after smoking his first marijuana joint, reasoned that, since he had not been bothered by smoking two packs of cigarettes a day, he would not be affected by smoking marijuana.

4 Not Drawing the Line

I know I've already had eight beers, but one more won't make any difference in the way I drive.

4 Not Drawing the Line

I was going to start my diet today, but since there is an all-you-can-eat special in the cafeteria today only, I can wait one more day to begin the torture.

4 Not Drawing the Line

It's purely arbitrary to say that a full-time student is one who carries at least 12 hours per quarter. The student who carries 11 hours may do more work. I think all distinctions between part-time and full-time students should be abolished.

4 Not Drawing the Line

Steve shot and kept one duck more than the limit. He told the Game Warden, "Well, who's going to miss this one duck? You have so many in this area, you don't know what to do with them all."

4 Not Drawing the Line

We have already sent 500,000 troops to Vietnam. We have committed ourselves. If things worsen, we will have to send more.

4 Not Drawing the Line

Everything's old fashioned about Old Taylor whiskey. If you have a heart for the past, ask for Old Taylor; you'll never leave it.

5 Conservatism

I see no reason to use plastic bags in our grocery. Schwegmann's has been using paper grocery bags since 1892.

5 Conservatism

I'd rather stick with Gordon's advertising plan. His plans earned us $20,000 per year for the last five years. I know that Frank projects earnings of $80,000 next year with his plan, but let's try Gordon for another year.

5 Conservatism

We'd better stick with that old style barbed wire fence. It's been on the market for years. I just don't trust this new-fangled electric fence.

5 Conservatism

What do you mean, "Extend the city limits and we'll have a bigger tax base?" Why, Point City has never included outskirts before and we won't now.

5 Conservatism

If elected, I will represent the great majority of Middle America - the people of wisdom and common sense who know how to keep within due bounds.

5 Moderatism

The budget freeze is neither a conservative nor liberal proposal but is supported by both Republicans and Democrats.

5 Moderatism

I know Martin has run the club well for five years. But new people have new ideas. A change in leadership just has to be good.

5 Radicalism

Introducing the Brockwell all-electric car! For those who want tomorrow today! For people on the move! For those who are content with nothing less than the latest and best!

5 Radicalism

A worker, after being turned down for a promotion in her department, said, "I never had a chance. Clara had the inside track with the boss all along. She knew him from many years ago."

6 Rationalization

A writer who has had nothing accepted for publication: "In a world that's a mess like ours, no one can and no one should function successfully."

6 Rationalization

Apprehended shoplifter: "Oh, so what, it's not really expensive. And they'll never miss it anyway. It serves them right for charging twice what it's worth."

6 Rationalization

Dad, I couldn't remember exactly what time you said to be in. But all my friends had to be in by 12, so I figured that's what you said to me.

6 Rationalization

Even though I have two weeks to read this book, I'll wait until the day before I go back to school. That way it will be fresh in my mind and I will remember more.

6 Rationalization

I can't feel too bad about not sending aid to the Pakistan victims. They probably wouldn't have received it in time anyway.

6 Rationalization

I know I had a bad trip and lost my job from taking cocaine. But it's important to me to try all that exists in this world.

6 Rationalization

Nova High School supporter commenting on the football team's worst season: "Our coach used an outdated system and did not discipline the players enough."

6 Rationalization

So what if I didn't pay taxes on my second job? My employer didn't declare me as an employee of his firm.

6 Rationalization

Student: "I know the school dress code forbids tank tops, but my Mama was at work. I didn't know how to operate the washer, and the tank top is the only clean garment I had."

6 Rationalization

A native, pointing to the lion's tooth which the chief always wore around his neck, said, "That tooth will prevent the chief from getting malaria."

7 Wishful Thinking

Don't worry. We'll win the Propaganda tournament. Judy is back, and with her on our side, we can't lose.

7 Wishful Thinking

I have been to the National Tournament four times and never won. I deserve to win this year.

7 Wishful Thinking

I just know there will be peace in Vietnam by July. Deep down inside, the North Vietnamese, the South Vietnamese, the Viet Cong and the Americans surely must be people of good will. There's got to be an end to it, and there will be.

7 Wishful Thinking

I know I must be gifted. After all, don't most doctors have an awful handwriting?

7 Wishful Thinking

I know I'm going to win the chance to date Prince. I have sent in ten entry blanks, and I have been his devoted fan for years.

7 Wishful Thinking

Immortality must be a fact. Otherwise our deepest longings would go unfulfilled.

7 Wishful Thinking

Jack will get a scholarship to M.I.T. I know, because he has been studying hard for the past three years, and he tries.

7 Wishful Thinking

Mr. Williams can't possibly fail me. I know I haven't passed any of his tests, but I am always on time for class; besides, I bought him a really nice Christmas present.

7 Wishful Thinking

My new invention, the Hula Graph, is going to make me a millionaire. I'm sure everyone will buy one.

7 Wishful Thinking

The Pakistan earthquake victims won't die. Just look at their faces - so pitiful. Someone will surely help.

7 Wishful Thinking

There is nothing to worry about in next month's election. With Ronald's nationwide appeal and the backing of the top party leaders, we cannot possibly lose.

7 Wishful Thinking

This war must end soon: too many people are being killed. Besides, we have been negotiating for two years. I'm sure this war will end soon.

7 Wishful Thinking

Foley is a typical athlete. You know, big, stupid, and not very refined.

8 Tabloid Thinking

If we want to get our College Fund campaign started off right, let's ask the Rosenbergs first. They're Jewish, so they are bound to have a lot of money.

8 Tabloid Thinking

Nat King Cole? Oh, he was the crooner of my parents' time - old "Ramblin' Rose" in person.

8 Tabloid Thinking

Politician: "Why am I against Medicare? Medicare is socialized medicine, that's why."

8 Tabloid Thinking

Sure, I know who Lincoln was. He was the President who ended slavery.

8 Tabloid Thinking

The Arabs and Israelis are both the same kind of people - hot-blooded, stubborn, and violent.

8 Tabloid Thinking

The Democratic Party is the bleeding-heart liberal party.

8 Tabloid Thinking

The Women's Liberation Movement is just a bunch of poor losers in the competition to get a good man.

8 Tabloid Thinking

The only reason people join the SDS is because they like to cause trouble.

8 Tabloid Thinking

You're inviting me to go camping? No thanks - no sand and flies for me!

8 Tabloid Thinking

Elementary school principal addressing a parents' group: "Students have trouble in school because they have poor reading habits."

9 Causal Oversimplification

Graduation speaker: "If you want to be successful, simply fall in love with your job."

9 Causal Oversimplification

I really think the way to solve the handgun problem is not to ban guns. Instead, we should outlaw bullets.

9 Causal Oversimplification

It is sometimes argued that the ultimate reason for war is human aggressiveness and, thus, as long as humans are aggressive, there will be wars. Hence, world peace organizations and disarmament programs are doomed to failure.

9 Causal Oversimplification

John devotes most of his time in college to fraternity activities. He defends his actions by saying, "It's easy to get along in life. All you have to learn is how to meet people."

9 Causal Oversimplification

Our country's budget deficit is tremendous. We are just spending too much money. The way to balance our budget is to just stop spending money.

9 Causal Oversimplification

Since the Catholic Church started saying the Mass in English instead of Latin, attendance at Mass has dropped off considerably.

9 Causal Oversimplification

The Germans lost World War II because they spread their forces over too great an area and thus weakened their strength. That's the sum of it.

9 Causal Oversimplification

The Government can easily stop inflation. All they have to do is raise the money-lending interest rate to banks.

9 Causal Oversimplification

The President gets a lot of advice on how to cure our economic problems. The only advice that will work is to freeze the economy - fix the prices on everything. Then we will all get well financially.

9 Causal Oversimplification

The United States is now faced with its highest unemployment rate in decades. A Senator explained, "Today's unemployment exists because American companies pocketed all their profits and never put a cent back into modernizing existing factories."

9 Causal Oversimplification

The building of America was the greatest success story in history; it was no accident. It was the direct result of our marvelous free enterprise system.

9 Causal Oversimplification

The candidate for governor said, "The problems of our state are the result of a poor educational system. Elect me governor and I'll reform education."

9 Causal Oversimplification

There's nothing wrong with the country today that a good spanking administered to the rears of its young people won't cure.

9 Causal Oversimplification

What can we do about traffic fatalities? I can tell you. It's speed that kills. Eliminate speed violations and you have solved your problem.

9 Causal Oversimplification

Wife to husband: "I knew this World's Fair would fail. They didn't advertise enough for it."

9 Causal Oversimplification

Open and closed hours at a women's dormitory are perfectly arbitrary. Once you allow men in at all

and nobody objects to that