Deception & Misdirection-3 Tricks-Paltering, Posturing and Projecting

Understanding the basics about these three tactics of paltering, posturing, and projecting can help Americans avoid their harmful and often costly effects. As background, for literally thousands of years, what the Capital Research Center (CRC) calls “Deception and Misdirection” have been troubling features of human interaction. So, it should be no surprise that religious and philosophical groups warned against deception as a tool for victimizing people by devious deceivers. Let’s review some definitions, share some examples of ancient and modern insights, and then spotlight how detecting these phenomena could practically help you or others you care about. In a more religious era, to do something "sinful" like lying, was considered a serious matter. In our arguably more secular era, liars have perhaps become more normalized but are also buttressed by the use of tactics such as paltering, posturing, and projecting. Psychologists and secular researchers at institutions like Harvard University have for some years been explaining the tactics of paltering and why it may be difficult to spot and thus potentially more harmful than an outright lie.

According to left-leaning Wikipedia: “Paltering is the active use of selective truthful statements to mislead.”

The Harvard Business School (HBS) said it is: "a distinct form of deception called paltering: the active use of truthful statements to influence a target’s beliefs by giving a false or distorted impression." HBS said paltering has been used by businesses, public officials, and candidates, among others.

"The ability to deceive someone by telling the truth is not only possible, it has a name — paltering — it’s common in negotiations and those who palter can do serious harm" to individuals and reputations "according to research published by the American Psychological Association."

Wikipedia incorrectly said on this date that “The first known use of palter to describe acting insincerely or deceitfully was in the 1580s.” For those who know some Biblical history there is a case to be made that the devilish serpent in the Garden of Eden in the Book of Genesis engaged in paltering.

The ancient Biblical book of Hosea said: "My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6 NIV).

"Don't be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters," per James 1:16 (NIV). But it isn't just Christians or Jews who are cautioned against deception and lying. Islam does too.

Muhammad said, "Whoever deceives us is not one of us." (Hadith 31). Muhammad also said, "Why did you not put the rain-damaged food on top so that people could see it! Whoever cheats us is not one of us," said Arab News. Gemini explained that: "Islam condemns commercial dishonesty, deceit, and racketeering. Muslims are required to understand the rules of business transactions in Islam."

So, before Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the Ten Commandments which included "Thou [you] shalt not bear false witness" (Exodus 20:16), there were examples before and since that deception is regrettably too common, to be avoided, and should be condemned.

The APA cited Todd Rogers, PhD, of Harvard University, the lead researcher in their report on paltering, who cited the following "famous" example of paltering. Per the APA: "Rogers cited was when President Bill Clinton said “there is not a sexual relationship” between him and former White House intern Monica Lewinski. The Starr Commission later discovered that there had been a sexual relationship but it had ended months before Clinton made that statement — thus, it was technically true but clearly misleading."

Dictionary said of the word "posturing" the following: "speech or action that is artificial, hypocritical, or calculated to mislead..." An example from that source in a sentence is this: "I'm fed up with the reaching-across-the-aisle posturing intended to make politicians seem like they’re working hard for bipartisan reform."

Next up is projecting.

In a Senate hearing, Senator Marco Rubio (FL-R) obtained this response by then Undersecretary of State Victoria Nuland (D): “in fact, it is a classic Russian technique to blame the other guy for what they are planning to do themselves.” That technique is called projection. It isn’t just a Russian method, Americans and others have projected onto others what they are or plan to do themselves. There are several types of projection. The kind being discussed here is defined as follows.

According to Medical News Today: "Projection is when an individual unconsciously [or deliberately] projects their thoughts, feelings, or behaviors onto someone else."

This is not limited to the U.S. As the Biblical, Sun Tzu, and Islamic references above suggest, deception and misdirection in its various forms is a world-wide problem. The featured image on this article is from a French/European source that produced a 200 plus page research document on the topic. Note that citing that source isn't an endorsement of it, but is a modern example that paltering, posturing, projecting, deception and misdirection are widespread. The Capital Research Center (CRC) has on this date over 50 pages of linked articles and reports that deal with specific examples of how "Deception and Misdirection" has been documented by that organization.

Why is this topic being shared now?

There are several reasons. Let's list a few.

1. Because the election is looming. Early voting is warming up in some states.
2. Yesterday, a post on alleged would-be Trump Gunman Ryan Wesley Routh was posted. There is already evidence that paltering, posturing, deception and misdirection are being deployed.

3. Part of the purpose for sharing the topic of Madoff style rippoffs and TANSTAAFL was because politicos, marketers, scam artists, and others often use slipperly language to mislead individuals and the public.

> Lessons of Bernie Madoff-Enron-WorldCom-2008 Housing-Financial Crisis

>“TANSTAAFL”–What Does It Mean and Why Does It Matter to You and Yours?

> What Pastors, Priests, Religious Leaders and People Must Do - or Else

Going forward, these principles of paltering, posturing, projecting, deception, and misdirection will be used.

I mentioned Dr. Steven J. Allen, J.D., Ph.D. in the subheading. Allen has been doing articles on this topic that date back years. I will use just one linked example of his work to illustrate "Deception and Misdirection" in an article entitled: "The “Species Problem”: How bureaucrats use undefined and ill-defined terms to expand their power." I'm not saying this is his most important work, I just made a random selection from his work (and that of others) at CRC.

"The Endangered Species Act, soon to be 40 years old, is an example of legislation twisted by bureaucrats into a form its sponsors and original supporters could not recognize," wrote Allen. "Scientists have a number of definitions of species, but each has its own ambiguities and, as scientists say, fuzziness..." "Because no accepted scientific definition of species exists, bureaucrats can classify any group of animals, plants, or other living things as a species. Should vertebrates—animals with backbones—be given priority over invertebrates? Yes, according to some Congressional directives, and no, according to other Congressional directives. "

Deploying misleading language or claims can have longterm ramifications.

I've been doing specialized trade media for years. On a daily basis, I see examples of "Paltering, Posturing and Projecting" or what CRC calls "Deception and Misdirection." Certainly, as the example of CRC and Allen is meant to illustrate, I'm not the only one trying to bring attention to this issue, because it may be harming the interests of millions to billions, depending on the subject. When the great minds for thousands of years have warned against deception and being deceived, that is a good reason to lean into a subject. Let me respectfully suggest, that someone read this more than once if you aren't already up to speed on these issues. Because once they sink deeply into your mind, you will see things you never noticed before. If we want a better country and world, we better learn to spot and restrain those who mislead others for their own purposes of advancing an often unstated agenda. People attempt to mislead because they don't think that they will get what they want otherwise. Let's close for now with a classic clip from the movie Charade on why people tell lies. ###

https://www.manufacturedhomepronews.com/black-holes-in-journalism-kristina-borjesson-only-released-half-information-govt-agencies-big-media-woes-shadows-of-liberty-acclaimed-full-documentary-with-exclusive-annotate

L. A. "Tony" Kovach, multiple award winner in history, including the coveted Lottinville Award from the University of Oklahoma as a freshman. I'm keen on affordable housing, among other issues. We live in Winter Haven FL.

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