Seduction of the Innocent

[Lance-Corporal Jones]

Seduction of the Innocent

How the European Union uses propaganda to indoctrinate the young


"...European identity must be 'ingrained in people's minds' as a 'good product' using marketing techniques and that certain social categories, particularly 'women and youth', should become 'priority target groups'. More controversially, it suggested that newscasters and reporters must themselves be targeted, they must themselves be persuaded about European Union...so that they subsequently become enthusiastic supporters of the cause."

-- The Bruges Group on the 1993 De Clerq Report

I would like to offer you today an insight into a phenomenon which has been taking place in the European Union for the last few years and about which only few have been vocal.

As you may know, the European Commission, executive arm of the EU, has a an enormous budget ranging along 100 million euros dedicated exclusively to information. This gargantuan sum is gleefully spent by the EU on many "informative" endeavours, but none of them is, in my opinion, quite as scandalous as the creation of glossy comic-books destined to young children which give a dithyrambic vision of the European Union. These comic books are nothing short of pure propaganda -- as the Jesuits said, "give me a child until he is 7 and I will give you the man", and it would seem the European Commission is no exception.

Apart from the objectionable character of exposing young children to propaganda, what is more worrying is the way in which the EU distributes these comic books wholesale to member-state governments to be given out in schools, as though schools were meant to indoctrinate children, rather than educate them! This is a dictatorial prospect to which few would look forward.

This enters in conflict with the EU's own Education Act of 1996, but apparently the hypocritical Eurocrats can't be bothered with their own laws:

"The local education authority, governing body and head teacher shall forbid the promotion of partisan political views in the teaching of any subject in the school". Section 406 of the Education Act 1996

Let's have a look, presently, at a few of the said comic books.


The Raspberry Ice-Cream War, 1998

This comic-book seems destined to younger children and is basically a pile of self-serving claptrap in which a three euroenthusiastic children -- one wears an EU baseball cap, the other chats with friends "all over Europe" and the third wants to become some travelling euro-David Niven -- are teleported back to the Middle Ages, which is some the stuff that MEP's have nightmares about -- namely, borders and taxes (oh dear!). Factual and historical inaccuracies notwithstanding, the children manage to convert the medieval fellows to the marvels of Europe with a few lines of ill-translated dialogue, and return to their beloved EU.

The book is, in my opinion, borderline insulting. Not only does it insult the intelligence of children by taking advantage of their innocence -- after all, they don't have criteria in order to judge the message at hand -- but it is also insulting towards thousands of years of our history, which are treated as garbage, as well as towards more protectionist ideas, which are qualified as oppressive and outdated. Our three juvenile paladins of free trade were present in 75,000 copies sent over to Britain from the Commission, though -- most understandably -- only a few were ever handed out. I do not have any figures as to other countries, but I may imagine that they were distributed and handed out, as the above cover is in Dutch.

The title is available for download at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Digital Collection: http://contentdm.unl.edu/cdm4/item_v...ISOBOX=1&REC=8


Captain Euro 1998-Present

Captain Euro is probably one of the more successful Euro-cartoons, featuring several characters in spandex, Captain Euro, Europa (his female sidekick) and Lupo, the dog, against the evil Dr. D. Vider (a stupid pun on "divider") and his evil corporation, DIVIDEX (cough cough). Captain Euro has a webpage, currently, where he keeps on chanting the glories of the Common Market whilst kicking Dr. D. Vider's arse: http://www.captaineuro.com/

The comic book has such pearls such as "won't it be easier for enemies to move in Europe?" to which Captain Euro replies "in Europe, there will be no enemies." Captain Euro is a Greek paleontologist and polyglot (cough) who answers to the name Adam Andros and leads the "Twelve Stars Organization", which seeks to "defend the security of Europe and uphold the values of the Union".

The evil Dr. D. Vider, on the other hand, wishes to "divide the European Union so that he can more easily conquer it"... Paranoia, anyone? As in Troubled Waters, the EU creates imaginary enemies against which the EU is in some supposed form of "peril".


Troubled Waters, 2007

This publication seems addressed to teenagers and reeks of paranoia. In it, a good-looking female MEP foils an evil, dastardly, bastardly shennanigan to "poison Europe's waters" (conspiranoia, anyone?) with such cult phrases as "I seem to spend my whole life on the train between Brussels and Strasburg, but I'd hate to have to choose between mussels and chips in Brussels and Strasburg onion pie."

Apart from the ridiculous snobbery of the above statement (as well as travelling between Brussels and Strasburg, perhaps the two places where most public funds go to die, the Bermuda Triangle of money ) the conspiranoia is great: Europe is threatened -- fear is used as a unifying element. The comic book cost no less than 1.5 million euros to produce.



Operation Red Dragon (2007)

In the spirit of Troubled Waters, Operation Red Dragon, yet another EU propaganda rag, makes us follow Elisa Correr, a hot MEP who becomes, I quote, "embroiled in a risky and fascinating adventure while in pursuit of her parliamentary activities" for ***'s sake, the most exciting thing due to happen in Parliament is falling asleep!

Not for Elisa Correr. She dodges assassins, hunts down a general who broke an arms embargo, and yet still has the time to debate copyright law in Brussels.

"Eurpean Parlamentarians do not generally lead such dangerous lives," admits the text "nevertheless you can learn about the work of an MEP and other European institutions from the story."

So what do you learn? That the EU is run by Lara Croft?

Operation Red Dragon is available for download here: http://www.alde.eu/index.php?id=reddragon&type=98


Let's Draw Europe Together (1995)

Right, so this is a colouring-in book published by the EU's Information Directorate; it is self-described as "a call to schoolchildren as well as to all of us to commit ourselves to achieving a European unity" -- so to all the doubters out there, stop denying it! These are partisan, political publications!

The book is full of colouring games -- full of text concerning topics such as "Toys and the Single Market" Of course, as children we all talked about our toys and the Single Market!

It's also full of BS -- for instance, it says that from 2002 "your savings will have to be in euros," which is manifestly false in Britain's case, as for Sweden and Denmark. The book nevertheless asserts that "in five years time, if you are working, you'll be paid in euros." These one-sided comments not only present the euro as good and inevitable, but it completely dodges the controversy in Britain and the need for a referendum.

But perhaps the most manifest indoctrination of all is the first "game" in the book: colouring the sentence "Europe, my country."


Other sources of European propaganda in schools worth looking into: Euroquest - A trail of questions and answers about the European Union, The European Union: A Guide for Students and Teachers, Let's Draw Europe Togetherand Exploring Europe.

Other sources worth looking into are publications such as "What? Me? A Racist?" or "Let Me Tell you a Secret about the Environment"; these are not directly euro-propaganda, but rather, use the same proselitist, preachy propaganda tone as the above publications.

Furthermore, on the ec.europa.eu webpage in the sources below, you will find many other propaganda works I haven't looked into yet.

What may we conclude? That, loyal to its antidemocratic tradition, the European Commission has started to employ the methods of a dictatorship in order to brainwash young children rather than attempt to expose its ideas to an adult public. This, added to its reluctance to use direct democracy, may leave us to formulate the hypothesis that the EC would only be ready to use direct democracy with a sufficiently brainwashed public: that is, when this young generation comes of age.

I will here include figures for the EU's propaganda budget:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

A-3020 (429)* Our Europe Association
* Bracketed figure corresponds to the page number of the Community's budget.
The 'Our Europe' Association is a study and research group which sponsors and organises seminars on European issues.
Funding €600,000
A-3021 (430) Grants to think tanks and organisations advancing the idea of Europe
This covers grants to non-profit-making European organisations involved in advancing and raising awareness of the European ideal, particularly those seeking to establish transnational networks in order to increase their impact at the European level.
Funding €1,830,000
A-3023 (430) European Union Youth Forum
The Forum is a non-profit international association that acts as a political platform for European national youth organisations in order to facilitate and stimulate their participation in the European decision-making process. It lobbies the EU on issues affecting young people by organising conferences and other activities.
Funding €2,000,000
A-3024 (431) Associations and federations of European interest
This is intended to support activities connected with reflection at the European level on the ethnical and spiritual foundations of European integration.
Funding €1,260,000
A-3025 (431) Journalists in Europe
This organisation runs an annual training programme for young journalists from around the world, focussing on the EU and on political, economic and social developments in Europe.
Funding €250,000
A-3029 (432) Support for international non-governmental youth organisation
This budget line consists of subsidies to more than 100 international youth non-governmental organisations.
Funding €1,500,000
A-3037 (434) European Women's Lobby
An organisation which lobbies the EU on issues of concern to women in Europe and is considered an essential adjunct to EU measures in support of women.
Funding €650,000
A-3410 (439) General publications
Money for the printing of EU pamphlets.
Funding €2,000,000
A-3411 (440) Priority publications program
Distinct from the money for general publications, this is used to produce pamphlets on major topical interests for opinion-formers.
Funding €2,500,000
B3-1000 (789) Preparatory measures for reinforcing co-operation in the field of education.
Financing of specific measures advancing European co-operation on education matters. This historically includes funding for parliaments representing the Youth of Europe, as well as studies and conferences.
Funding €17,000,000
B3-1001 (791) Socrates
Of concern through its support for educational projects from nursery school to higher education that promote the development of European citizenship. Includes funding for the Youth European Parliament and Model European Parliament Foundation, together with the measure Parliaments Representing the Youth of Europe.
Funding €248,150,000
B3-1007 (797) Promotion and safeguard of regional and minority languages and cultures
This covers pilot teaching projects, cultural events, conferences, and media products. Also requires that EU funding be acknowledged.
Funding €1,000,000
B3-1010 (798) and B3-1010A (799) Formerly: Youth for Europe, Now: Youth
The Youth programme is concerned with developing a sense of European citizenship and the subsidy of projects featuring a European dimension. It has been reported that once Youth even sent a troubled British juvenile to a Balkan Bear Sanctuary.
Funding €69,120,000 + €2,880,000
B3-2000 (780) Raphael
Covers funding for Europe Day, held on the 9th May each year. Projects supported must involve two member states and are selected by the Commission after consultations with a panel of internationally renowned experts.
Funding €9,400,000
B3-2001 (781) Kaleidoscope
Covers the support of artistic and cultural activities having a European dimension.
Funding €8,900,000
B3-300 (823) and B3-300A (825) General information and communication work concerning the EU
These cover a range of activities including opinion polling, impact assessments, sponsored visits, publications, television productions and internet sites, which are intended to foster a better understanding of the objectives and reality of European integration and the methods used to achieve it, in a context of dialogue between the institutions, firms and citizens.
Funding €18,020,000 + €144,000
B3-301 (826) and B3-301A (827) Information Outlets
This provides funding for information centres throughout the EU. It also covers the International Federation of European Houses, which encourage debate about the issue of integration, and the European Movement.
Funding €11,120,000 + €300,000
B3-302 (828) and B3-302A (829) Information programmes for non-member countries
Promotes the work of the EU, in particular as a provider of aid and as a trading partner, to target audiences in non-member countries. Specifically targets journalists as visitor groups to sell EU external policy as "consistent and dynamic."
Funding €5,455,000 + €45,000
B3-303 (830) and B3-303A (832) Communication Work
Joint European Parliament and Commission information work, including contacts with the press, and national information bodies.
Funding €12,430,000 + €1,170,000
B3-304 (833) and B3-304A (834) European Integration in Universities
Money for the Jean Monnet programme of higher education academic chairs.
Funding €3,604,000 + €405,000
B3-306 (837) and B3-306A (838) The PRINCE Priority Information Program for European Citizens
Money for communication and dialogue on specific policies between EU citizens and EU institutions. Mainly used to promote the Euro outside of the UK. Priority is presently being given to creating a "constructive" political debate among young people across Europe.
Funding €44,700,000 + €1,020,000
B3-4002 (843) Information and training measures for worker organisations
Training measures and information for worker organisations in connection with the implementation of EU action on the social dimension of the internal market. It also funds the European Trade Union Academy and the European Workers' Centre.
Funding €8,860,000
B5-3001 (956) and B5-3001A (959) Strategic Programme on the Internal Market
Includes grants in support of projects of EU interest undertaken by outside bodies, publications on these projects, and raising awareness of EU legislation.
Funding €10,599,000 + €1,791,000

Sources:

http://ec.europa.eu/publications/young/index_en.htm

http://www.captaineuro.com/

http://europa.eu/youth/news/index_512_en.html

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...5/ai_99933007/

http://www.theyesmen.org/articles/ca...ewashpost.html

http://www.brugesgroup.com/eurorebut...ve?article=172

[The Devil's Sergeant]

though schools were meant to indoctrinate children, rather than educate them

State indoctrination is the primary reason for public schooling. The stae has a vested interest in shaping the minds of its citizens.

[Lance-Corporal Jones]

State indoctrination is the primary reason for public schooling. The stae has a vested interest in shaping the minds of its citizens.

Agreed, though public schools will hardly tell you which party to vote for.

[The Devil's Sergeant]

Agreed, though public schools will hardly tell you which party to vote for.

Not in so many words, but they do none the less, by labeling some ideas as "extreme" while calling the status quo "moderate." Its easy to manipulate people by using catchphrases.

[Lance-Corporal Jones]

Not in so many words, but they do none the less, by labeling some ideas as "extreme" while calling the status quo "moderate." Its easy to manipulate people by using catchphrases.

You do make a good point. I still think this is far more blatant, nevertheless.

[Chlodwig I.]

Not in so many words, but they do none the less, by labeling some ideas as "extreme" while calling the status quo "moderate." Its easy to manipulate people by using catchphrases.

Sorry thats a big piece of cr.

State schooling is used to enable every person to be educated.
There is no Indoctrinating in school at least not in my country.
I guess that you can find much more indoctrinating in home schooling.

But back to public school, take a look at the teachers, everyone has diffrent political believes, social backgrounds etc. like everyone in society, so how should there be indoctrinating?
You got in English class a teacher who believes in socalist ideology and in the French class a Teacher with conservative ideas, in Math one with liberal ideology etc.



So I read some of these Information Books and I can't find anything evil in it.
They just explain many things in Europe, History how the EU works etc.
so whats the problem?
Enlightment?
That the children get the chance to see both sides of the medal and not only the
negative one which is drawn by the mostly uninformed people?

[cristophe el perno]

State indoctrination is the primary reason for public schooling. The stae has a vested interest in shaping the minds of its citizens.

Ummm, no. Ensuring that the entire populace is educated and has fair access to education, not just those who can afford to pay, primary reason for public schooling.

This is obviously rubbish, but you're overestimating the influence of the EU if you think this will have much impact on children. As you said, most of the cartoon books were not even distributed.

[Lance-Corporal Jones]

This is obviously rubbish, but you're overestimating the influence of the EU if you think this will have much impact on children. As you said, most of the cartoon books were not even distributed.

In Britain my good man, in Britain. The Labour government, even despite being pro-Europe, blocked them. They were indeed distributed in other countries, though I do not know to which extent: up to 100,000 copies may have been sent to a given country.

I do agree that the influence was probably limited, but it's the thought that counts, isn't it?

[The Devil's Sergeant]

Ummm, no. Ensuring that the entire populace is educated and has fair access to education, not just those who can afford to pay, primary reason for public schooling.

Hate you break it to you, but no. The state's first priority is make good little obedient subjects out of you. Sure that does involve making an effort to see that the people are minimally competent laborers. That is more a side effect, not the goal. That you "think" (and I use that term loosely for you) the state has nothing but good intentions for you is a sure sign that it was successful on you.

This is obviously rubbish, but you're overestimating the influence of the EU if you think this will have much impact on children. As you said, most of the cartoon books were not even distributed.

I am an atheist, my wife is a christian who takes my daughter to sunday school 3 times a month for one hour. What and who do you think she beleives? It doesn't take much to make ideas stick to the mind of a child.

[Fibur]

[quote=The Devil's Sergeant;5373269]Hate you break it to you, but no. The state's first priority is make good little obedient subjects out of you. Sure that does involve making an effort to see that the people are minimally competent laborers. That is more a side effect, not the goal. That you "think" (and I use that term loosely for you) the state has nothing but good intentions for you is a sure sign that it was successful on you.


But you, of course, are enlightened enough not to be part of the crowd.

[The Devil's Sergeant]

But you, of course, are enlightened enough not to be part of the crowd.

It takes a long time to realize one has been duped, and even longer to admit it.

[CtrlAltDe1337]

State indoctrination is the primary reason for public schooling. The stae has a vested interest in shaping the minds of its citizens.

And that is precisely why the state needs to keep its hands out of the school as much as possible.

[jankren]

European Union is good.

[Thorn777]

European Union is good.

LOL, so the mystery goes on. They where probably scared off for causing unnecessary hysteria, and send them all to Indonesia considering this post^.

[Lance-Corporal Jones]

LOL, so the mystery goes on. They where probably scared off for causing unnecessary hysteria, and send them all to Indonesia considering this post^.

As IPA says, you can download the comic book. I can guarantee a few laughs (even for a person in favour of the EU ) just because it's so lame. It's lame beyond words, actually, and it's pretty shameful propaganda.

So yes, they must be in Indonesia by now

[Thorn777]

As IPA says, you can download the comic book. I can guarantee a few laughs (even for a person in favour of the EU ) just because it's so lame. It's lame beyond words, actually, and it's pretty shameful propaganda.

So yes, they must be in Indonesia by now

Just dl'd it, but I'm going home now.(I use my valuable work-time for to much TWC) Its always good to read some funny comics in the mourning anyway(especially when you are supposed to do your job).

[Lance-Corporal Jones]

Just dl'd it, but I'm going home now.(I use my valuable work-time for to much TWC) Its always good to read some funny comics in the mourning anyway(especially when you are supposed to do your job).

That's the good thing about TWC -- most offices block Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, but not TWC

[Marie Louise von Preussen]

Mass education is used as indoctrination itself, of course. But the main goal is to mass educate people so they can be indoctrinated by the press and the media.

[The Devil's Sergeant]

Educating the populace is the method of control. Children are taught by the state what to believe is normal behavior and what is expected of them. Your teachers are "normal." They feed to you a ciriculum provided by the state. You are told what to study and how to think. The only choices you have are the ones allowed by the state. Most everything you you think you beleive and know you did not discover on your own. You were conditioned to accept it as true before you were even capable of rational thoughts.

[Chlodwig I.]

Educating the populace is the method of control. Children are taught by the state what to believe is normal behavior and what is expected of them. Your teachers are "normal." They feed to you a ciriculum provided by the state. You are told what to study and how to think. The only choices you have are the ones allowed by the state. Most everything you you think you beleive and know you did not discover on your own. You were conditioned to accept it as true before you were even capable of rational thoughts.