The Smear Quotes

“We're living amid an artificial reality, persuaded to believe it's real by astroturf engineered to look like grassroots.”
― Sharyl Attkisson, The Smear: How the Secret Art of Character Assassination Controls What You Think, What You Read, and How You Vote

“All of this evokes the dicta of successful historic propagandists described earlier. From Alinsky's Rules for Radicals:
>"Ridicule is man's most potent weapon."
>"Keep the pressure on. Never let up."
> "development of operations that will keep a constant pressure on the opposition."
>"Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it."
>"Not every item of news should be published. Rather must those who control news policies endeavor to make every item of news serve a certain purpose."
>"Propaganda must facilitate the displacement of aggression by specifying the targets for hatred.”
― Sharyl Attkisson, The Smear: How the Secret Art of Character Assassination Controls What You Think, What You Read, and How You Vote

“The smear artist reveals himself by his disparate treatment of people and situations. He drapes himself in a superhero cape, claiming to defend the aggrieved. He pretends to right societal wrongs. In fact, though, he's motivated primarily by paid interests and his own selfish agendas. By definition, the job requires that morality and conscience be cast aside”
― Sharyl Attkisson, The Smear: How the Secret Art of Character Assassination Controls What You Think, What You Read, and How You Vote

“We plaster our news reports with political pundits not offering independent opinions but serving their masters.”
― Sharyl Attkisson, The Smear: How Shady Political Operatives and Fake News Control What You See, What You Think, and How You Vote

“The smear artist reveals himself by his disparate treatment of people and situations. He drapes himself in a superhero cape, claiming to defend the aggrieved. He pretends to right societal wrongs. In fact, though, he’s motivated primarily by paid interests and his own selfish agendas. By definition, the job requires that morality and conscience be cast aside.”
― Sharyl Attkisson, The Smear: How Shady Political Operatives and Fake News Control What You See, What You Think, and How You Vote

“For example, those who prefer that their names not be publicly linked to radical causes can contribute to Tides, which then directs the funds to intended recipients like Media Matters. Critics liken it to a legal form of money laundering. Tides describes its mission as “building a world of shared prosperity and social justice, founded on equality and human rights, a sustainable environment, healthy individuals and communities, and quality education.”
― Sharyl Attkisson, The Smear: How Shady Political Operatives and Fake News Control What You See, What You Think, and How You Vote

“Tides Foundation and the Stephen M. Silberstein Foundation. Stephen Silberstein is a member of Patriotic Millionaires, an exclusive group of more than two hundred millionaires who “believe that the country’s current level of economic inequality is both dangerous and immoral.” Silberstein also belongs to Democracy Alliance, another network of liberal funders.”
― Sharyl Attkisson, The Smear: How Shady Political Operatives and Fake News Control What You See, What You Think, and How You Vote

“Building on the Clinton playbook from the 1990s, Brock’s second volume in the 2000s centers on the rising popularity of cable news, the Internet, and eventually social media as new weapons in an established war.”
― Sharyl Attkisson, The Smear: How Shady Political Operatives and Fake News Control What You See, What You Think, and How You Vote

“The CIA’s legacy can further be found in a maxim often used by today’s spooks. When confronted: • Admit nothing • Deny everything • Demand proof • Make counterallegations • Discredit the opposition”
― Sharyl Attkisson, The Smear: How Shady Political Operatives and Fake News Control What You See, What You Think, and How You Vote

“Propaganda works best when those who are being manipulated are confident they are acting on their own free will,” he noted.”
― Sharyl Attkisson, The Smear: How Shady Political Operatives and Fake News Control What You See, What You Think, and How You Vote