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Repeat Speak, Linkage

Repeat speak

Something that is untrue is perceived as credible if it is continuously repeated. A good example is the movie "A guide for the Married Man" where a husband follows his adviser's advice of "deny, deny, deny." He is caught in bed with his lover by his wife. He continually denies while they both get dressed and the lover leaves. His wife finally doubts what she has seen because of the constant denials.

Linkage. A false impression can be created without lying. "There are a lot of whores on Sunset Boulevard. My opponent"s wife was seen on Sunset Boulevard last week." There is no lie, but by mentioning "whore" and "opponent's wife" in the same breath, a linkage and impression is created. President Bush and his team are masters of this technique. They never said that Iraq was behind 9-11, because they know that isn't true. But they mention both in the same sentence repeatedly, so people form an association in their minds, and the administration can never be accused of lying. And of course, due to the invasion, Al Queda is now in Iraq, so a truthful link can now be drawn.

 

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