A powerful piece of subliminal propaganda in yesterday's "Parade" magazine

Dig out your Sunday paper and check pages 4 and 5 of what may be America's largest circulation periodical - "Parade" magazine, the low-to-middle brow insert that takes an accurate but frightening pulse of our nation's dominant culture. Among the celebrity gossip and ads for cleaning products is a full-color double truck by George Stephanopoulos: "How to be a Better Voter." Even if you don't bother reading this bland offering, look carefully at the most important part of this very expensive layout - the arrangement of the images and how they convey an unmistakable message.

First of all, George himself, by far the largest figure in the montage, points straight at McCain, who is shown with a confident smile. McCain is flanked by campaign buttons for Kennedy and Ike, on a sunny yellow background. Everyone on McCain's side of the layout, including George, is smiling.

On the other side of the page, where we'd expect equal coverage for Obama, we find images of Barack looking hesitant or doubtful, but pointing (with the huge word "Vote") straight toward McCain. Indeed, every line of sight and movement leads the viewer's eye to McCain's smiling face. Obama's campaign buttons are lined up like dutiful soldiers facing McCain's image; no one on Obama's side of the layout is smiling, but looking earnestly, along with Lincoln, at their Saviour.

Even Hillary Clinton, standing closely by McCain, looks up adoringly at him. McCain's image as Superman, on a couple of other campaign buttons, encroaches onto Obama's side of the display.

I suggest there's nothing accidental about this art direction. Take a look at your own copy and post here with your thoughts.

I didn't get yesterday's paper, and anyhow I throw all the parts I don't want (which definitely includes Parade) straight into the recycling.

ok for some strange reason, today is the day my barely ever used scanner decided to quit. Here is a photo from my shitty camera instead:

so I'm not exposed to tripe like "Parade Gagazine".

I know what you mean. Husband is a paper addict - buys one everytime he goes to town or sees a box, but hardly ever reads them. I on the other hand have to read EVERY printed item that enters the house. I hate the piles of newspapers and I hate the time I waste reading them, but there it is - and I happened to have noticed the same imagery as the OP. The article can be read at parade.com, but no pix.

I can't see it that well.

and it seems they made McShame look about 'fitty-sicks' years old. Is that a 'flight jacket' he's wearing? Where's the crash helmet? Where's everybody's FLAG PIN? Obama's name is covered up by something every time it appears, even his own elbow, while McShame's is displayed prominently. Excuse me, I'll need to go puke now. :grr:

:puke:

George Stephanopolous should have his press credentials stripped... for this and pretty much everything else he's ever done as a "journalist". What a douchnozzle.

I cringe at something every time I open it.

Everyone from the personality guy to Marilyn is a devout Repuke.

you-know-whats. I find his commentary absolutely tedious and uninspired. Wasn't he once a shoe salesman?

choices based on how the President will affect the lives of our children since he was a modertor
in the "Stupidest Questions Ever" debate. WTF does a flag pin do for our children ?

I did not pay much attention to the images so didn't notice the hidden message

Quit reading that RW garbage years ago.

sheeeeeesh... they've always been out-front far-right cheerleaders before.

Wonder why they're futzing around with "subliminal" now?

Can it be this is a pathetic attempt to throw a pebble into the path of the onrushing tide, while appearing to stake out new "fair & balanced" (hahahahahahahahahah... eat goat turds, F**) territory?

nastily,
Bright

Notice also that the name "McCain" is clearly pasted all over the thing, whereas Obama's names does not clearly appear in it at all. All references to him are at least partially blocked.

the layout also looks very similar to some women's magazines photo spreads...says "Redbook" all over it.

And likening McCain with Kennedy.... foul play !!!!

Good way to address the functionally illiterate tho.

I'm not missing a thing.

Usually it's just in the selection of more or less flattering photos (note that the Parade people managed to find an elusive shot of McCain smiling without looking pained) but lately the Bush people have upped the ante with the halos, etc.

The placement of McCain toward the center is odd. Normally, in an election story like this, one places each of the major candidates on one side, with photos of roughly equal size, in similar poses and facial expressions, to create a visual effect that suggests fairness. Likewise, the inclusion of Hillary at this point is odd, especially placed in a subordinate position on McCain's side of the layout.

I think they picked someone who looks like a younger version of her on purpose, but that's not her. Too young, wrong haircut, and, though it's hard to see online, she's wearing a little tiny elephant brooch on her blazer. The elephant is pink, so it's worth asking whether she's drunk.

Should have checked for duplicates.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6430917

embedded messaging will play a big part in this year's election. I'd like to see the memos involved as the art department prepared this layout for publication. "Sung Choi" is listed as the art director for this rag, but who knows what dark forces are calling the shots.