[legion]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/realclearpolitics/20070523/cm_rcp/al_gores_insolent_assault_on_r

This is by no means a new theme on the left; Noam Chomsky has been peddling this stuff for years. We only think that we are free to write and to speak and to make our minds up for ourselves, the left tells us. But behind the scenes we're being manipulated by the big corporate media, so the votes we cast and the consent we give to those who govern us is artificially "manufactured." We need to be liberated--by having the left take control of the media and manage it in our best interests.

Much like the idea that "the debate on global warming is over" is used to suppress debate, we are told that we are only "open minded" if we agree with one side of a debate. Terms like "open minded" are never used to imply by those who spout them that they should be listening to you, rather that you should simply give in to the implied majority and be a good little sheep. The irony has never been lost on me.