The strategy of dead cat («dead catting») es una political distraction tactic which consists of deliberately introducing a shocking, scandalous or controversial topic to divert public and media attention from a serious problem, a crisis or a defeat. He aim is to change the narrative of urgency towards a Superficial discussion.
He dead cat This week starts when Lemoinethrough his social networks and in television interventions, suggested that the Ian’s mother lo “acts autistic” to obtain political and economic benefits. Lemoine used extremely aggressive terms, going so far as to describe the child’s mother as “witch” y “coward”and even suggested that he might suffer from Munchausen syndrome by proxy (a disorder in which a caregiver simulates or causes illness in another person).
“Ian Moche’s mother continues to use her little son to appear, earn money and on top of that she uses him as a shield… Come and talk to me! Leave your children alone”expressed this legislative character in one of his most recent posts.
Thus, while the media focus shifts towards the doubts planted by Lemoine about him Ian’s diagnosis or his mother’s mental health, we stop talking about a critical reality and adjustment. If we think about the disability area:
Late payments: Disability providers report delays of more than 60 days in payments by the State and social works.
Tariff update: With high accumulated inflation, the amounts set for therapies and transfers are insufficient to sustain services.
Judicial brakes: Recently, the Federal Justice, thanks to the fight of the disability group has had to notify the National Government to comply with the Disability Emergency Lawin the event of non-compliance with basic benefits.
The sector’s response: “The adjustment is not covered with shouts”
For the group of people with disabilities, the attack on their youngest representative is seen as an attempt to delegitimize activism. Ian Moche He is not just a child with autism; It is a voice that has made visible the lack of inclusion in schools and the cuts in treatments.
“Every time the deputy attacks Ian, what she does is attack the voice of thousands of families who today cannot pay for their children’s treatment because the State does not allocate the funds,” they point out from the provider networks.
The Modus Operandi of Lemoine’s distraction
The “dead cat” of the Flat Earth: Distraction in the midst of a legislative crisis
One of the most remembered cases was his foray into conspiracy theories about the shape of the Earth. It was not a naive statement; It occurred at a time of strong internal tension in the ruling bloc and criticism for the lack of progress on key projects. By stirring up the hornet’s nest with such a ridiculous topic, Lemoine managed to get the media to focus on his “ignorance” o “eccentricity”making the legislative paralysis move to a third media level.
The “Renunciation of Paternity”: A scandal to shield the campaign
During the presidential campaign, when questions about the government’s economic plan began to generate doubts in the electorate, Lemoine launched his controversial proposal of “renunciation of paternity”. The impact was immediate: every news channel debated the ethics of his proposal for days. The result of their communication strategy: the focus was no longer on the details of the economic adjustment and moved into a discussion of family values that polarized the audience.
In short, Lemoine’s tactic It is a form of censorship due to saturation. By saturating the air with insults and conspiracy theories, the possibility of discussion is suffocated: why there are children who today do not have their school transportation or why health professionals are abandoning the system. The next time the representative utters a scandalous phrase, The question should not be what he meant, but what he is trying to hide.
Source: www.laizquierdadiario.com
