Played?

Schmart person Tamara questions if we are being played by China/Russian propaganda.  She has a point.

I thought I'd comment here, in my own playground.

'Played' is, I think, the wrong word.  It's too narrow, and mildly specific to our needs.   How about we use the word 'Manipulated' instead.

Now, I agree without reservation that both world powers mentioned are attempting to 'play' us.  So it is, so it has always been on the world stage.  America used to be a master at it, although I question our proficiency these days.  Our PTB are not honest enough to be good at international prevarication anymore.

Let us consider, instead, *our* being manipulated.  That seems to open up the idea into a much broader spectrum.   

I would say "Yes", or even "Oh HELL Yes!".  We as a people are being manipulated every waking hour of our lives.  In graduated tiers of effectiveness, purpose, and animosity the tint of manipulation comes at us from every direction.

People we know, people we meet, those we may work with, those who sell to us, and most importantly those who claim to 'serve' us.  Each and all, they partake in manipulation.

My point, which seems to have waddled off, is that we as individuals should be prepared and vigilant of manipulation.  Yes, on the grand national scale, but more to home and more importantly on the very personal level.  

Frankly, every interaction with our fellow humans should be measured against that scale.