Choose Sagely
Today, the paramount influence in the forming of public opinion is propaganda.
【Words】
paramount：最高の，至上の、最も重要な，主要な，卓越［傑出］した
It is not a heresy to our democratic beliefs to state that pressure groups play an important part in our lives.
【Words】
heresy：an opinion or doctrine contrary to the orthodox tenets of a religious body or church
Propaganda makes one vulnerable to the influences of others.
The prudent person will choose between cogent and specious propaganda efforts.
【Words】
prudent ：
cogent：説得力のある
specious：うわべはよく見える、見掛け倒しの
While propaganda has the ostensible purpose of informing the public, the most fervid propagandists use methods that must be examined by the thoughtful citizen.
【Words】
ostensible：表向きの、見せかけの、表面上の
fervid：熱烈な、熱情的な
The ability to distinguish the spurious from the true facts requires more than a perfunctory examination of prevalent propaganda efforts.
【Words】
spurious:にせものの、擬似の
perfunctory：いい加減な、おざなりの
prevalent：広く行き渡った
【今日の注目英語記事】
ジャパンタイムズの社説に、「National anthem debate」と題して、この前の東京高等裁判所の判決に対する反対意見が書かれています。
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/print/ed20110208a1.html
さすがに、ジャパンタイムズだと思った（笑い）。
ジャパンタイムズの主張したいことは次のように述べられています。
This ruling is difficult to understand. It does not address the likely possibility that forcing teachers to stand before Hinomaru and sing Kimigayo may make some teachers feel that their freedom of thought and conscience are being violated. It seems that the high court thinks that outward actions and inner freedom have nothing to do with each other. The court also forgets an important aspect about a national flag and a national anthem — that they must be accepted spontaneously by people.
・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・
The Supreme Court failed to pay attention to the simple fact that the principal's order brought spiritual pain to the teacher. The Japanese judiciary should fulfill its duty of protecting the rights of people who hold minority opinions.
ご興味ある方、読んでみてください。