The information age brings with it all of the knowledge and pratfalls of having anyone with a computer (and keyboard) to put an idea or statement out there - leaving the reader somewhat unarmed.
The Americans, handily and consistently ahead of our curve on public discourse, created an Institute of Propaganda Analysis way back in the 30's to understand the phenomenon, and enable consumers of news to be empowered to know when they were being sold a hill of beans.
The presidential race is a great example of how being on message in the media is far more important than facts about public policy or having consistency in a message, or applying basic principles to which policy one promotes.
The most dangerous outcome of this is rabid partisanship - where people discard the usual critical thinking to support an ideology or line of thinking - no matter if it's actually good for the nation, or even congruent with fact. That somehow 'spin', isn't propaganda (see 'Institute' above).
The Tories have their unelected bagmen appointed to senatorial posts to get around the nasty reality of actually having people vote for their representative. Or, an opportunistic colour changer that rationalizes statements made days prior to the conversion in the most secular way possible.
"Who me? Well, I'm different now, but the same, you know."
The Liberals? God, where does a guy start? Here.
Which is really the at the bottom of the political class: people whose ambition exceeds their talent.
The worst of it all, is that partisans themselves are simply useful idiots. Parroting the party line, peddling glittering generalities, used when needed, discarded when not.
I honestly feel sorry for David Orchard. He seems to be a guy who actually thought that contributing to the political process could somehow be an entry point to politics, and a way to contribute to his country.
Sadly, it's only proven he's not too bright.
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