Today was our very last day of class in New York. How exciting yet heartbreaking. We each discussed our papers in depth and discussed the present issues and consequences of each topic and how it relates to Presidential powers.
In the latter part of class we watched a movie called Wag the Dog starring Dustin Hoffman and Robert de Niro that was absolutely hilarious. The main gist of it is that “the fixer” was brought in to cover up a Presidential scandal. He made up a war and multitudes of other things to distract the public in order to get the President reelected. I’d definitely recommend it.
It’s our last night here in New York and we can definitely feel it. Tonight there is a blacklight dance in Lerner Hall for all the students in the high school program. Hopefully it’s fun! See you soon California!
Michelle,
ReplyDeleteWag the Dog is an all time favorite. Although it’s preposterously unrealistic, you have to know/think that something on a smaller scale may have happened in the past or could happen in the future.
Often there’s the suggestion of coverups, misdirection and subterfuge to manipulate the media and deceive the public. Look at the invasion of Granada just a few days after the Beirut debacle where our Marine barracks were blown up. Look at the outing of CIA operative Valerie Plame to discredit the reports of her husband who was debunking President Bush’s validation for invading Iraq. Even recent history has shown us countless examples of how the public’s minds have been taken away from a political scandal or issue by something else.