WOTD: Propaganda

Word of the Day: Propaganda
From Merriam - Webster:
1: a congregation of the Roman curia having jurisdiction over missionary territories and related institutions
2 : the spreading of ideas, information, or rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause, or a person
3 : ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately to further one's cause or to damage an opposing cause; also : a public action having such an effect

I would like to focus on definitions 2 and 3 for a moment. The spread of ideas, information or rumors and or ideas, facts or allegations that are spread to help or hinder a cause. E and I were talking on the phone this morning about vaccines and about how propaganda is used to further the cause of such. A noticed that many of the people with whom he had previously spoken about flu vaccines were now sick, despite getting vaccinated and speaking vehemently in favor of them and that he himself, not having been vaccinated and using natural options, has not been sick all season. It bothers me that so many people who ARE NOT MEDICAL PROVIDERS (!) have been giving my partner, their friends and family, and potentially the world medical advice - i.e., get vaccinated - when they are both uneducated and unqualified to offer it.

Basically, it's a great example of propaganda. The companies that manufacture vaccines and the machine that is our news media have provided a one sided account in favor of vaccination that the public has adopted and repeats. It's ridiculous - people, if you want medical advise, ask your doctor!