Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Opposition adds credibility
In a conversation yesterday, Dean Hubbard, the president of Northwest Missouri Missouri State University, described an article in the New York Times (August 16, 2005) about the university's venture into bio-pharmaceuticals as being "balanced." My first reaction had been that the article was quite negative, describing in great detail the environmental opposition to genetically-modified crops. However, Hubbard said criticism adds credibility. If the otherside is not presented, people become skeptical. The message might be regarded as "too good to be true."
As an example of this principle, the Bush administration has labeled any opposition to the Iraq war as unpatriotic. Recently, the administration has vilified Cindy Sheehan because of her anti-war protests near the Bush ranch in Crawford, Texas. However, as recent polls suggest, castigating the opposition seems to be hurting more than helping President Bush. People are becoming wary of the accuracy of the Bush message, partly because of the administration's attitude toward opposition of any kind.
As an example of this principle, the Bush administration has labeled any opposition to the Iraq war as unpatriotic. Recently, the administration has vilified Cindy Sheehan because of her anti-war protests near the Bush ranch in Crawford, Texas. However, as recent polls suggest, castigating the opposition seems to be hurting more than helping President Bush. People are becoming wary of the accuracy of the Bush message, partly because of the administration's attitude toward opposition of any kind.
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