I'm glad to see this thread has come back to life with some more viewpoints to counter the allegations Peter made against Shaun. While we don't encourage political banter here, the fact that the ad industry is being used as a tool in the government propaganda machine is something we all need to be aware of.

For the poignant, "War, because oil taste better with blood." Or for those feeling a little 80s, "Who you going to kill ... bomb busters!" For the optimistically honest, "Operation Impose Freedom." For the pessimistic, “Just like Vietnam, only with more sunshine.”

Advertising does not equal politics. :) That being said, there is always a need to spin your product in a more positive light. War really isn't any different. As much as I am morally opposed to this war, it doesn't mean that others wouldn't buy into a slogan to help "increase morale". I think it's an interesting assignment that makes us step outside of our comfort zone. Afterall, it's when we step outside of that zone that some of the best ideas come about.
How about this: War, it's not just for the US anymore.

Peter, my man, way to serious. Serious and angry. Let's examine a few of your more colorful observations: 1. American "liberals"- first of all, and this just a matter of style, you do not need to enclose liberals in quotes. You've already distinguished them from other liberals by using "American" as a qualifier. Second, because of our different cultures-- your smaller, more homogenous society compared with our much larger more mixed society-- means that our political leanings are going to be inherently different. You really can't compare Dutch liberals and American liberals. 2. The whole lockstep with fascism thing-- this is so bombastic and strident, it's not worth dignifying. For someone who claims to have such comprehensive knowledge of foreign cultures, you have a relatively pedestrian understanding of the American culture. Stick to explaining things you know, it makes you look less ignorant. Considering the high percentage of Jews that classify themselves as liberals makes your anti-semitism point even more silly. 3. "Singularity of vision": this doesn't mean fascism. This means, get your collective house in order. You can't have a union of autonomous member-states. It's an oxymoron. Constitutions are continually voted down. The UK refuses to join the monetary union. Italy wants to leave the monetary union. There doesn't seem to be a real desire to cede autonomy. And without Germany, France, and the UK ceding significant autonomy the EU will continue to be a weak political and economic block. Member states need to agree on why they want to be a Union and the steps that will make that union efficant. That is what Arora means as singularity of vision. It has nothing to do with fascism or anti-semitism. Nor does a singular vision for the future erode democracy. 4. No common ground: this is not an antagonistic debate, we should all be learning from each other. Talking is the only way that we can truly appreciate our different viewpoints. But your divisive a

Hey Adholes, anyone want to disagree with me or expand on Peter's point? We need another POV since Peter is unwilling to further his. And Peter, thanks for your constructive criticism, and for using my full name! Sounds like something my mom would say; now she's one hell of a good fascist.

Shaun Arora, your thinking is entirely fascist. We have no common ground, so getting into a serious argument with you is pointless. The sad thing is you probably mean well, you just don't know any better. Try David Duke (http://www.davidduke.com/). You'll find you have lots in common with him and his kind.

Peter, you mentioned that the elite tried to "seize the opportunity to establish Europe as an alternative superpower and push through the European unification and constitution," calling it a failure. Are there some best practices that we can take from those efforts?

The US has been trying all these words like "freedom" and "war on terror," but they aren't sinking more than 50% of Americans with that fluff, and I don’t think the EU should do any fluff like that either. I think if any powerful group went ahead and decided they were going to be the best in science, or the best in communication, or the most environmentally sound, and put their collective efforts around that, the group would have a great impact on leading the world into the future. And the EU is in a better place than the US, it seems. Sorry about being cryptic earlier. Do you agree or disagree now with what I’m saying about getting behind one vision?

I didn't mean to put you on the defensive. I hope that the EU balances out the US more in the future. When I'm talking about singularity, I mean bureaucracy and disagreement slow down progress. Some of the most advance times in the UK, Germany, and the US have been when the people have united around a purpose. India is known as one of the purest democracies and also one of the slowest because people waste all their time fighting little issues. The EU sometimes feels united and sometimes feels at war. You know better than I, but that is my impression from what I've heard in the media over the past few years. I am totally missing what you are talking about with anti-Semitism and facism. Can you expand on that? And by Jewish propaganda (propaganda is a bad word choice, sorry), I mean the people and the rabbis going around trying to improve their image by talking to non-Jewish friends and regional officials. I don’t remember hearing of any organized pr effort but have heard of isolated incidents; let me know if you have heard of anything organized.

So you think Europe has potential "if it gets some singularity of vision", Shaun Arora? What is that supposed to mean? Fight fascism and anti-semitism! Support freedom and democracy!

What "Jewish propaganda" are you talking about Shaun Arora? I don't think you understood my post. Not that I really expected you to. Talk about ignorance...

Interesting about Europe's attempt to take the reins. The EU does seem to have some potential in the long run of doing so if it gets some singularity of vision. But back to BDA, the 1930s situation was a similar but different propaganda battle, as we are not talking about nations but about borderless groups crossing international lines, and the impact of the Jewish propaganda did soften a few. Not all Muslims hate. A lot of media worldwide is spinning it that way, though. What Keith is doing is going after the low hanging fruit with programs that counter the ignorance in place. You're right that most would rather listen to the priest than the business man, but the impact of a new perspective next to the extremist POV can stifle those on the fence. And by the way, BDA has nothing to do with liberalism.

European elites hate Americans because their social system has been crumbling ever since the first world war. Europe's response after 9-11 was to try to seize the opportunity to establish Europe as an alternative superpower and push through the European unification and constitution. It has been a collosal failure. I am European, so I know what I'm talking about. Keith Reinhard is a moron. BDA is like Jews in the 1930s begging Germans to love them. Muslims hate Americans because they're infidels. They also hate Jews, Hindus, African animists and just about everyone else. Al Queda and other islamic groups and states have loudly declared war on the west for decades. It's pretty sickening how American so-called "liberals" walk in lockstep with European neo-nazis ("Kein Blut fur Ol"), anti-semites and islamofascists.

Agreed. On the other end of the spectrum is Keith Reinhart's little pet project. BusinessForDiplomaticAction.org. They are trying to do real things to improve America's reputation instead of spin and brand building. They petitioned Congress and businesses to make it easier to get US visas, hopefully showing foreigners that not all Americans are evil. They put out packets to foreign exchange students on how to travel with cultural responsibility. Softsells work.

This is pretty sickening. This goes beyond it being a bad tagline, it evokes fascist ideals and exterminating a group of people who don't meet our ideals. Anyway, he also talked about branding America to those who hate us. "America: Love us! (or else)." seems to be the current strategy. Maybe we can stop the top arms-producing countries, coincidentall, all members of the UN security council, from exporting arms to poor countries who prey on the young and poor to do terrible things.