P.T Barnum of Barnum and Bailey Circus fame
( “The Greatest Show on Earth) called himself the “Prince of Humbug”.
He lied easily and often, making his way as a con man. One of his early
businesses involved showing a phony mermaid
for a price. She was created by sewing together an orangutan, a baboon,
and a salmon. By hook and by crook he convinced newspapers to provide
widespread coverage. Barnum believed there was no such thing as bad
publicity since getting recognition was all important.
He staged false controversies to catch the public's eye. He believed
the public was willing, even eager, to be conned, so long as it was
entertaining. He considered running for president and would have chose
someone from Indiana as his running mate. We have
a current “Prince of Humbug”, more dangerous because he occupies a more
powerful stage with larger fish to catch than false mermaids.
Hal Chorny
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