By their subjugation of the press, the political powers in America have conferred on themselves the greatest of political blessings -- Gyges' ring of invisibility. And they have left the American people more deeply baffled by their own country's politics than any people on earth. Our public realm lies steeped in twilight, and we call that twilight news.'
Interpretation
The quote highlights how political powers manipulate the press for their own benefit, leading to public confusion about politics.
Walter Karp's quote emphasizes the idea that political authorities in America use their control over the media to obscure the truth and keep the public in a state of confusion, akin to the mythical Gyges' ring that rendered its wearer invisible. He suggests that this manipulation is a significant advantage for those in power, as it allows them to operate with less scrutiny while the citizenry remains bewildered about the realities of their governance.
In practice
During a political rally, this quote can be used to illustrate the importance of a free press.
Congress is, after all, not a body of laymen unfamiliar with the commonplaces of our law. This legislation was the formulation of the two Judiciary Committees, all of whom are lawyers, and the Congress is predominately a lawyers' body.
For a very long time, and among a large number of peoples, political power has belonged to the owners of the land.
There might be a lot of difference between Republicans and Democrats on key social issues like women's rights and health care. But when it comes to taking corporate cash, they're pretty much the same beast.
There is no week, nor day, nor hour, when tyranny may not enter upon this country, if the people lose their supreme confidence in themselves, and lose their roughness and spirit of defiance. Tyranny may always enter—there is no charm or bar against it.
A little rebellion now and then... is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government.
No man who ever held the office of president would congratulate a friend on obtaining it.
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