Code of Deception

Magicians make us believers by using several tactics, including diversion. We know magic is entertainment, and part of the fun of believing is that we WANT to believe, because we want to be entertained. Some bloggers (XiaXue is the first that pops in my mind) use Photoshop to enhance and/or edit images. But they tell you so, and it's okay... Companies that take portraits of schoolchildren offer enhancement that will "erase imperfections and blemishes." That's all fine, too. But when an organization or a newspaper deliberately sets out to deceive the public by altering images, that's not acceptable!

il·lu·sion
n.

1. An erroneous perception of reality.
2. An erroneous concept or belief.
3. The condition of being deceived by a false perception or belief.
4. Something, such as a fantastic plan or desire, that causes an erroneous belief or perception.
   

CODEPINK is deceiving women it is trying to recruit via doctoring images. Now, if they are brazen enough to edit images in this fashion, what else might they be doing that's not exactly on the up and up? And what are they all about? From their secondary website: CODEPINK emerged out of a desperate desire by a group of American women to stop the Bush administration from invading Iraq. The name CODEPINK plays on the Bush Administration's color-coded homeland security alerts-yellow, orange, red--that signal terrorist threats. While Bush's color-coded alerts are based on fear and are used to justify violence, the CODEPINK alert is based on compassion and is a feisty call for women and men to "wage peace."CODEPINK can be found at presidential speeches and in the halls of Congress, in the neighborhoods of Baghdad and the streets of Manhattan-vigiling, chanting, protesting, mobilizing and demanding an end to war. (The organization's main site is CODEPINK Women For Peace.)

If you mouse over and click on the photos you'll find larger sized versions, and if you look at the "After" picture you'll notice the Photoshopper (whoever she or he is) didn't really do all that great an editing job especially around the mouth area of the woman in the center. XiaXue could have done a far better job of doctoring the image. Difference is she'd be honest enough to admit that there were a few changes. By the way, a H/T is in order to Michelle Malkin, as it is by way of her blog that this tale of deception came to my attention! Beware of 21st Century hucksters and charlatans! (Michelle also has larger pictures and several links you can follow).

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