Monday, September 1, 2008

Con Man / Politician Similarities: Many--Watch for Them

--With Political Season in Full Swing, Observe the Parallels between the Con Man and Politician

It's said that diapers and politicians should both be changed frequently--for the same reason

Extreme thought? Yes. A "fit?" Read on. You be the judge.

Politicall talk--like the rantings of the con man-- is so often filled with purposefully confusing, seemingly idiotic questiolns like: Why do we park in the driveway, and drive on the parkway?

Hence, with the political season upon us, it seems appropriate to study some of these stunning likenesses between the tactics and maneuvering of the con man--and, the politician.

Take ad hominem attacks, for instance...

> Attack the person, rather than the argument. "Senator Twaddle's book about the Fall of the Roman Empire has no credence, because, in his youth he served 3 days in jail for drunken driving." (May be true, but has nothing to do with the Fall of the Roman Empire.) Or, the similalrity of"Senator Twaddle's views and those of Adolph Hitler. "Hitler, too, believed drapes should go all the way to the floor." (So, does this make Senator Twaddle also a monster?)

> A varient of this is Deflected Thinking. This too is valuable. "How can Senator Twaddle argue for his spendthrift Dermatology Funding Bill when his mother-in-law has multiple tattoos?" If asked to explain, and the accuser appeals for time to prepare his impromtu remarks, you'll know he's stalling.

> Attack by innuendo (no, we're not talking about an Italian interpretation of a doctor's proctoscopic examination). "Why doesn't Senator Twaddle tell us what he really knows of the coup in Lower Slobovia? Is he afraid we'll panic?" Instilling fear is a major tool. (Panic now, avoid the rush.)

> Pretense that a personal attack is not occurring. "In order to maintain civil discourse, I will not discuss Senator Twaddle's drug problem." (If all else fails the attacker merely lowers his standards further.) Frequently, when listening to such nonsensical slander, you might feel you are becoming a jibbering basket case thinking: if life is a waste of time and time is a waste of life, why don't we all get wasted together and have the time of our lives?

> Attack on intelligence. Opponent could find Senator Twaddle guilty of many shortcomings. He's ill-informed. Behind the times. Lacks comprehension. Not up-to-date Behind the curve. Or, the Senator is just plain stupid. (This, however, does not always work well. Fortunately, when going to this extreme, it's comforting to remember that a show-off, is often shown-up in a show-down.)

Look. Listen. Learn. The political season--every 2 years--is a great teacher, alerting you to most all of the shenanigans going on all around you. You can only be better off in defending yourself--particularly your psyche and sanity--by knowing the tricks.

If the con artist / politician is a woman. Remember, witches are crafty too.

35 comments:

Anonymous said...

I didn't know Hitler thought drapes should reach all the way to the floor...how fiendish.

Anonymous said...

Looks like your readers are out picknicking on this holiday, Jack.
This is about the slowest start I have seen here yet. Oh well, I am still loyal, like Terry. Your latest post is funny as usual, and real as usual. I have my Senator Twaddle to vote for and will dutifully do so again, as the lessor of two evils.

Anonymous said...

Attacking the person rather than the argument, this seems to be the most common ploy - you hear it all the time. Makes me so sick I want to throw up.

Unknown said...

well I like your last comment If the Politician is a witch witches can be crafety too.. something of the other but I know your not speaking of Hillary, right? lol
hb

Anonymous said...

Attacking intelligence seems to be popular too. Name calling is repugnant to me, but goes on all the time during political seasons. There is a lot of it going on right now. Democrats always are better at this than Republicans. I don't know why.

Jack Payne said...

Lots of picnicking today, Gene. Me? I'm guilty, too.

Warmer, that's exactly correct. Attack the person in lieu of the argument.
Common practice in politics.

Jack Payne said...

I had nobody in mind, particularly, Christina, when it came to referring to female politicians as "witches." Just a general organic term. And, no, I do not advocate a return to the ancient ritual of the stoning of witches.

I have to agree with you, Dolcett, about name calling in politics. Common practice these days. Sickening.

L. Venkata Subramaniam said...

how right - politicians need to be changed like diapers.

But the thing is that soiled diapers are obvious, but politicians come disguised. So it is not so easy to change them.

Every creative person is crafty? So you need something better to say for women politicians.

Anonymous said...

"Panic now, avoid the rush" LOL...I enjoyed this post, and Yes...witches are crafty as well. Nice one, Jack.

Anonymous said...

I like attack by innuendo. Never realized this word could have a medical connotation.

Anonymous said...

I'm giving a speech next week in Vegas. Hope I will get some time to prepare my impromptu remarks.

Jack Payne said...

You guys are too much. You're tossing my own words back at me. Help! I'm drowning.

Jane Turley said...

Oh blimey Jack, you make me feel guilty because I use all those underhand tactics on my blog! But Tom Cruise - he is fair game, isn't he???

Who is this Senator Twaddle? Is he related to the current President Gibberish?

Woman are crafty? Well, that's true - I manufactured a lovely effigy the other day made out of papermache, string and crepe paper.

Now I just need some drawing pins.

Anonymous said...

What's all this nonsense about a Republican convention, Sarah Palin, and that sort of stuff? I'm more interested in knowing what Senator Twaddle knew about the coup in Lower Slobovia. I'm ready to panic, too, to beat the crowd.

Anonymous said...

You are right, Jack. Every 2 years we all get a great refresher course on what the con games you keep preaching to us are all about.
These are some great examples here. I'm Stumbling.

Anonymous said...

Before I even finished reading this I was laughing my head off (and just blown away). I've never seen anyone make the SO OBVIOUS connection between con-men and politicians. I LOVE that!.

Politicians are like nincompoop bratty little kids who don't have sophisticated brains yet so all they can do is throw their toys at each other. Well, actually I don't know any kids like that. So politicians would have to go into a totally separate category, which I don't even yet have words for...well, none that I could use here. LOL SO lumping them with con-men REALLY works for me!! Love ya Jack. You're the best!

Anonymous said...

I was so preoccupied with the Republican convention and Sarah Palin that I am late getting here for this last piece. But, what a ringer - you hit it right on the head, Jack, this comparison of con men to politicians. In this setting you make Senator Twaddle sound like a stand-up guy. Only you could do this.

Jack Payne said...

Jane, you are a Master (Mistress?) of wordsmithery. So eloquently put. And, your outlining your skills at effigy, too, make you sound like the Princess of Voodoo of the U.K. Your input is always welcome here. Blimey, you are "The One."

Jack Payne said...

Sorry, Ted, but Senator Twaddle, as a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, is not at liberty to discuss the tragic conditions which prevail in Lower Slobovia. What's the difference? When it finally hits the fan, it will be all Bush's fault anyway. So, you may as well get on with it: Panic now; get it over with.

Thanks for the Stumble, McAlee. These are always much appreciated.

My turn, Robin. I got a big kick out of your take on this, "kids throwing toys at each other." That was a real laugh-provoker, a real knee slapping guffaw.

Jack Payne said...

Hal, my 2 mythical legisators of esteem (Senator Pothole, as well as Senator Twaddle) are so because of their deeply imbedded incumbancy, hence their incorruptible, corruptible ability to cover their tracks and always fend off their enemies. Highly admirable traits in my peculiar way of looking at how American politics comes out in the wash.

Anonymous said...

After getting all caught up in the excitement over Sarah Palin the last few days it is fun to note the contrast with Senator Twaddle.

Anonymous Thinker said...

Outstanding article. I think you're completely right.

Anonymous said...

It turns me off, all these innuendos about how the Democrats are like Senator Twaddle. And, I don't mean innuendo as an Italian interpretation of a proctoscopic medical procedure either. Bush is the worst president in the history of the country. Anything that even hints at justifying him turns me off.

Jack Payne said...

Glad you noted that Senator Twaddle was not supposed to be the ideal politician, Nan.

Thanks, Dereck.

Jack Payne said...

Glad you noted that Senator Twaddle was not supposed to be the ideal politician, Nan.

Thanks, Dereck.

Jack Payne said...

Your opinions--no matter what they might be--are always welcome, Elda.

Jack Payne said...

Glad you noted that Senator Twaddle was not supposed to be the ideal politician, Nan.

Thanks, Dereck.

Anonymous said...

Senator Twaddle is a good name for a pompous politician. I don't know why that name tickles me so much, but it does. This does tie in nicely with the current political madness going on. I'm not going to vote for a Republican even though Palin makes the race more interesting. I'm not sure now though...I might change my mind.

Jack Payne said...

Come on, Norma. Make up your mind. Not that big a deal. You are either a free enterpriser or a socialist. Once you determine who you are, choices come easy.

Sorry, folks, but I've been stuttering again--3 idential posts here. My computer must have stuck again. This hasn't happened in several months now. Will try to prevent it from happening again.

Jack Payne said...

Come on, Norma. Make up your mind. Not that big a deal. You are either a free enterpriser or a socialist. Once you determine who you are, choices come easy.

Sorry, folks, but I've been stuttering again--3 idential posts here. My computer must have stuck again. This hasn't happened in several months now. Will try to prevent it from happening again.

Jane Turley said...

Oh Jack, You are such a flatterer; don't stop I love it!

Now, Jack I have some worrying news for you - I have been reading your book! Yes, it did eventually arrive and sat amongst my rather large pile of "waiting to be read" book but now I have a serious question to ask..

You're not a legs man then??

I think you know just what I mean, you old devil!

(Ps.. feel free to delete this comment, I won't be offended!)

Anonymous said...

I'm still way ahead of Jane. I'm on my third reading of your book, Jack. Amazing, but each time I read it I learn more about what's going on in a con man's mind. Are you sure you aren't one yourself? It's hard to figure how anyone can know so much about how these people think without being one himself. Come on now, level. How much time have spent behind bars?

Jack Payne said...

Sure I'm a legs man, Jane, as well as everything else about women. I just love women. Period. Hope you enjoy my book and will give me some feedback. (Don't hold back if it's negative. I have no fear of this at all.)

Terry, my total time behind bars was for a DUI in my long lost youth, going back about 60 years. Had nothing to do with con man activities. I was incarcerated for about 1 hour, until my bail bondsman showed up. (Case was later dismissed,by the way.)

My knowledge of con men comes from my 12 years as editor and publisher of Business Opportunities Digest. For obvious reasons the lucrataive, inviting business opportunities I presented every month drew about every kind of con man known to my subscription rolls. I constantly had the FBI all over my offices, confiscating evidence. And, they had me flying all over the country (at Government expense) to appear as an expert witness for them in court trials against these scum. It was quite an education, and, it made me quite an "expert" in this field. This is why I write with such authority on this field today. I "modestly" admit: I know about as much of con man activities as anyone in the country.

Jack Payne said...

Sure I'm a legs man, Jane, as well as everything else about women. I just love women. Period. Hope you enjoy my book and will give me some feedback. (Don't hold back if it's negative. I have no fear of this at all.)

Terry, my total time behind bars was for a DUI in my long lost youth, going back about 60 years. Had nothing to do with con man activities. I was incarcerated for about 1 hour, until my bail bondsman showed up. (Case was later dismissed,by the way.)

My knowledge of con men comes from my 12 years as editor and publisher of Business Opportunities Digest. For obvious reasons the lucrataive, inviting business opportunities I presented every month drew about every kind of con man known to my subscription rolls. I constantly had the FBI all over my offices, confiscating evidence. And, they had me flying all over the country (at Government expense) to appear as an expert witness for them in court trials against these scum. It was quite an education, and, it made me quite an "expert" in this field. This is why I write with such authority on this field today. I "modestly" admit: I know about as much of con man activities as anyone in the country.

Jack Payne said...

Gosh, this is about the biggest snarl-up imaginable. Dupliate, triplicate entries on this thread--all over the place.

Hope to get this all straightened out by next week, folks. Please bear with me.