Can Truth be used as an effective weapon?

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 13:27:23 -0500

Any good strategist knows to "Go Ugly Early" and to "Take the air out of the other fellow's argument"....to do that, is Truth an effective weapon? What is Truth, anyway? Where do we find it? Seems to be in short supply.

https://medium.com/the-bridge/winning-the-battle-of-legitimacy-85b90acd45bd

Winning the Battle of Legitimacy — The Bridge

This post is a continuation of a series on strategic communications, narrative, and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Le…

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 13 at 2014 2:20 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 14:20:05 -0500

Yes, SGM Private RallyPoint Member, truth can be used as a very effective weapon, and on many different fronts. The author of the linked post discusses using truth to battle ISIL, but the principles apply to most battles. When you're on the moral high ground - and we (USA) almost always are, in my opinion - truth is one of the best weapons. It tells it like it is, sets the record straight, and takes the wind out of the sails of the propagandists who would have the world (or the target population) believe otherwise. Initiative is also important, because even though we might be telling the truth, if the liars convince the target population that their lies are truth, then we're fighting an uphill battle - even though we have the truth on our side.

My vote is that truth can be used as an effective weapon. It also works well in political battles and arguments!

Response by PV2 Abbott Shaull made Nov 13 at 2014 4:14 PM

PV2 Abbott Shaull — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 16:14:16 -0500

LOL...Haha...Most of the time they don't tell us the truth. Let alone tell anyone else the truth.

Response by LCpl Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2022 8:58 PM

LCpl Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 05 Nov 2022 20:58:16 -0400

Don't look for it in politics.

Response by MSG Lonnie Averkamp made Feb 6 at 2023 6:26 PM

MSG Lonnie Averkamp — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 18:26:10 -0500

I wish that it was, but in this world, lies have been used a lot more, and with greater effectiveness. One of the best examples today is that Putin is telling 146 million Russians that they are fighting a DEFENSIVE war against Nazi aggressors in Ukraine (while all the while, launching missiles and dropping bombs on Ukrainian schools, hospitals, and apartment buildings). Now many Russians may not LIKE it, and may even protest it, but overall they have been B.S.'ed into believing that they are on the right side and fighting a justified "Special Military Operation".