--- In [email protected], "shempmcgurk" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > --- In [email protected], "authfriend" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > wrote: <snip> > > As I already pointed out, this is standard > > language. Scientists "receive awards" of money > > to continue their research all the time, > > ...by putting their fat butts onto a larger-than-life scale and > weighing it in gold?
No, Shemp, that's the publicity-stunt part. But that's a non sequitur anyway, because what you were objecting to was the specific language that was used, which was entirely appropriate and not misleading. <snip> > > They all knew it was a publicity stunt, Shemp. > > But it was a splashy, fun story, > > Well, I apologise for being such a party-pooper for feeling that > the organisation responsible for propagating the spiritual > technique that I've been doing "religiously" for the past 32 years > is making complete asses of themselves. As I've already pointed out, that's a different issue entirely. <snip> > > Reporters, and most people with any sense, > > understand about publicity stunts. They > > enjoy the stunt and hopefully absorb a little > > of the substance. > > Could you please show me one mainstream reporter who covered the > event that didn't come away with a negative reaction? No. This was in 1998. Most newspapers didn't have Web sites back then. But the stories I remember reading were as positive as they've been about any of TM's publicity stunts. They just reported it straightforwardly. If I'd been a reporter, not associated with TM, I think I'd have considered it a pretty good stunt. A casino in Vegas recently offered to pay a woman's college tuition if she'd shave her head and have the casino's name tatooed onto her scalp. Brought the casino huge publicity, got her a college education. The Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City holds an annual Blessing of the Animals. People bring their pets to be blessed, animal handlers bring all kinds of colorful animals. Every TV station and newspaper in the city, and many from outside the city, shows up and does stories on it. Dennis Kuchinich held a very public bride search when he was running for the Democratic nomination. He didn't end up with a wife, but he did get lots of publicity. The purpose of publicity stunts is to get publicity. The more unusual the event, the more publicity it gets. They're not always entirely dignified, but nobody *cares* because that isn't the point. There was nothing offensive about this one. It was a clever way to give Nader some research money and get a lot of media attention. It's utterly absurd for you to obsess about it like this. ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Get fast access to your favorite Yahoo! Groups. Make Yahoo! your home page http://us.click.yahoo.com/dpRU5A/wUILAA/yQLSAA/JjtolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> To subscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Or go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ and click 'Join This Group!' Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
