# Propaganda Chief Takes Helm at NPR **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 10, 2019, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propaganda-chief-takes-helm-at-npr/840009 "2019-09-10T21:13:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2019, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propaganda-chief-takes-helm-at-npr/840009/101 "2019-09-14T02:19:21Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > Yes never heard that one. Guess what I drive on the roads too Einstein. Yep, you’re a hypocrite. > [@WillFarnaby](#): > > Taking part is voluntary. Being taxed, jailed or killed by the government is not. Wow. You really are new to the idea of logic and making sense. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2019, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propaganda-chief-takes-helm-at-npr/840009/102 "2019-09-14T02:44:29Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > Yeah it’s this thing called economics. > > Yes you have the option of voluntarily putting up money to pay for all of those things. You don’t and neither does anyone else who supports them. They can only be sold to the public if you promise to eat the rich in order to provide them. > > Yes never heard that one. Guess what I drive on the roads too Einstein. > > Taking part is voluntary. Being taxed, jailed or killed by the government is not. I’m listening. I’m sure you’d be much more convincing if you could provide a concrete example or two of the sheer abject misery the payment of taxes has made your life. If there’s more to it than that, just how many times have you been jailed or killed by the government anyway? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2019, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propaganda-chief-takes-helm-at-npr/840009/103 "2019-09-14T03:03:18Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > I’m listening. I’m sure you’d be much more convincing if you could provide a concrete example or two of the sheer abject misery the payment of taxes has made your life. If there’s more to it than that, just how many times have you been jailed or killed by the government anyway? All the riff-raff driving on _his_ roads. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2019, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propaganda-chief-takes-helm-at-npr/840009/104 "2019-09-14T11:23:24Z")
@ **Will** - Speaking only for myself, the problem isn’t so much that I disagree with your ideas, as that _ **I cannot discern any intelligible ideas in your writings** _. Trump can’t complete a paragraph without reminding us what a genius he thinks he is; you can’t complete a paragraph without blaming all on the tax-collector and his gun. Is there more to your “philosophy” than “I don’t like to pay teh taxes”? > [@WillFarnaby](#): > > You claimed to value your money less than a list of things you haven’t traded your money for. This demonstrates that you are full of shit. I’ll repeat my offer to read your manifesto, if you have the gumption and mental clarity to write one up. (No, I don’t want a link to Rothbard’s babblings, many of which even you have disavowed.) As is, it’s hard for most of us to believe you have the _slightest_ clue about human nature, history, human society or economics. If you can’t do that, can you at least answer simple multiple-choice questions? Let’s start with these: 1. Was the eradication of smallpox … (a) Good. … (b) Bad. 2. Some countries are devastated when a a flood plain gets inundated. Of the following, which is the best solution? … (a) Let farmers, and others dependent on favorable weather, hedge their possible losses by trading weather derivatives on Chicago’s Board of Trade.(\*) … (b) Let each individual farmer who borders on the mighty river protect his own property with a levee.(\*\*) … (c) Hope that Martin Shkreli, or some other philanthropic Job Creator, donates money to build a major system of dams and reservoirs. … (d) Other. (\*) Yes, this solution was actually proposed by a HypnoLibertarian in a previous thread! (\*\*) Yes, this solution was also actually proposed by a HypnoLibertarian in a previous thread! This is your big chance, **WillFarnaby**! Can you even answer two simple questions? Or are you nothing but sarcastic quips you find “cutesy”? ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2019, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propaganda-chief-takes-helm-at-npr/840009/105 "2019-09-14T12:36:49Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > @ **Will** This is your big chance, **WillFarnaby**! Can you even answer two simple questions? Or are you nothing but sarcastic quips you find “cutesy”? Since he has so far declined a simple invitation of an example or two of NPR “propaganda”, I am not optimistic. I think he finds clarification of his viewpoint emasculating, or something. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2019, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propaganda-chief-takes-helm-at-npr/840009/106 "2019-09-14T15:14:36Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > The current chief at NPR was formerly heading up propaganda operations for the US govt. If you are relying on NPR for information, it is highly suspect now if it wasn’t before. > > I would think individuals in a free society would not want to be influenced by propaganda, but perhaps I’m wrong. Don’t you have a cat to torture or something? ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2019, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propaganda-chief-takes-helm-at-npr/840009/107 "2019-09-16T14:08:15Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > Since he has so far declined a simple invitation of an example or two of NPR “propaganda”, I am not optimistic. I think he finds clarification of his viewpoint emasculating, or something. The questions seemed reasonable. For a man so adamant about his beliefs he sure doesn’t want to spend time defending them, or even giving us a clue what he’s talking about. > [@Chefguy](#): > > Don’t you have a cat to torture or something? Maybe **Chefguy** ’s got the explanation for **Farnaby** ’s absence. He needs to build up his confidence on lesser mammals before he gets up the courage to try torturing humans again? Please, someone, PM me if **Farnaby** _ever_ writes \*anything \*that seems _remotely_ intelligent. Otherwise I’d miss it since I’m afraid I may put **Mr. F** into the I\_\_\_ Bucket. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2019, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propaganda-chief-takes-helm-at-npr/840009/108 "2019-09-16T14:15:54Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > …Please, someone, PM me if **Farnaby** _ever_ writes \*anything \*that seems _remotely_ intelligent. Otherwise I’d miss it since I’m afraid I may put **Mr. F** into the I\_\_\_ Bucket. He has a core message: democrats/liberals are warmongers. If you hear that once, then you’re good on the Farnaby front. It’s a one page book containing a single sentence. The book requires no covers, nor pages. A folded post-it note will do. ---
**Author:** ![EarlGrayHot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e480ec/32.png) [@EarlGrayHot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EarlGrayHot)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2019, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propaganda-chief-takes-helm-at-npr/840009/109 "2019-09-16T14:18:52Z")
NPR is a very trusted source for information/news. I see nothing wrong with this guy working at NPR. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2019, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propaganda-chief-takes-helm-at-npr/840009/110 "2019-09-16T17:33:45Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > He has a core message: democrats/liberals are warmongers. If you hear that once, then you’re good on the Farnaby front. It’s a one page book containing a single sentence. The book requires no covers, nor pages. A folded post-it note will do. So In Farnabyland, Ronnie Raygun, GW Bush and Dick Cheney were Democrats? Mind. Blown. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2019, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propaganda-chief-takes-helm-at-npr/840009/111 "2019-09-16T17:49:46Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > Yeah it’s this thing called economics. You’re declaring that the only kind of value that exists is the economic kind. I will reiterate, that’s narrow and fucked up. You’re like some kind of broken robot. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2019, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propaganda-chief-takes-helm-at-npr/840009/112 "2019-09-16T18:02:37Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > Value is created when an exchange takes place wherein each party trades something he values less for something he values more. Government is involuntary. This exchange doesn’t take place. I voluntarily gave the government money to get a passport. I valued the passport more than I valued the money. Was value created? ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2019, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propaganda-chief-takes-helm-at-npr/840009/113 "2019-09-16T18:17:54Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > I voluntarily gave the government money to get a passport. I valued the passport more than I valued the money. > > Was value created? **WillFarnaby** may have been compelled to go to public school, forced to be subjected to teaching instead of engaging in productive things like threading bobbins. If so, his argument that compelled behavior has no value may indeed have one supporting example, because all that public education was not successful in teaching him jack shit. ---
**Author:** ![WillFarnaby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/willfarnaby/32/514_2.png) [@WillFarnaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillFarnaby)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2019, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propaganda-chief-takes-helm-at-npr/840009/114 "2019-09-16T18:24:16Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > I voluntarily gave the government money to get a passport. I valued the passport more than I valued the money. > > Was value created? The government has created the need for the passport. There was a time when people could travel between countries unmolested. That’s like saying mob protection is a value-added service. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2019, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propaganda-chief-takes-helm-at-npr/840009/115 "2019-09-16T18:39:53Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > The government has created the need for the passport. There was a time when people could travel between countries unmolested. > > That’s like saying mob protection is a value-added service. I see. So in your world, passports would not be necessary, and people could travel freely between countries without being molested? Are driver’s licenses similarly not required in your world? Anyone can just get behind the wheel of a car and start motoring away? ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2019, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propaganda-chief-takes-helm-at-npr/840009/116 "2019-09-16T18:40:05Z")
Fighting fires creates value (or reduces the loss of value). So did the elimination of smallpox. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2019, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propaganda-chief-takes-helm-at-npr/840009/117 "2019-09-16T18:41:48Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > There was a time when people could travel between countries unmolested. Except by Neanderthals and sabre-toothed cats. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2019, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propaganda-chief-takes-helm-at-npr/840009/118 "2019-09-16T18:43:44Z")
There was a time when molesters could travel to Thailand freely, but looks like only one of us is complaining that those days are over. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2019, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propaganda-chief-takes-helm-at-npr/840009/119 "2019-09-16T18:49:43Z")
I just checked - free condoms are available at my county health department. I value condoms more than my time in getting them - value added. Unless you believe the government created the need for condoms. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2019, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propaganda-chief-takes-helm-at-npr/840009/120 "2019-09-16T19:54:47Z")
Can we at least agree that douchebags add little or no value? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propaganda-chief-takes-helm-at-npr/840009.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propaganda-chief-takes-helm-at-npr/840009.md?page=7)