On December 25, New York Times reporter David Barstow filed this update on the scandal that he broke back in 2008:
A Pentagon public relations program that sought to transform high-profile military analysts into “surrogates” and “message force multipliers” for the Bush administration complied with Defense Department regulations and directives, the Pentagon’s inspector general has concluded after a two-year investigation.
Those who don’t recall Barstow’s original story can catch up by reading this FAIR action alert (4/22/08):
According to the Times, the Pentagon recruited over 75 retired generals to act as “message force multipliers” in support of the Iraq War, receiving special Pentagon briefings and talking points that the analysts would often parrot on national television “even when they suspected the information was false or inflated.” The Times even noted that at one 2003 briefing the military pundits were told that “We don’t have any hard evidence” about Iraq’s illicit weapons–a shocking admission the analysts decided not to share with the public.
The idea that the Pentagon has exonerated itself (again) isn’t all that notable.
Among the many serious problems with the Pentagon’s PR efforts was the idea that corporate media outlets would be so enthusiastic to put “experts” on the air who were basically acting in concert with the military. To that end, one anecdote in Barstow’s new report is worth singling out:
Wesley K. Clark, a retired four-star Army general who worked as a military analyst for CNN, told investigators he took it as a sign that the Pentagon “was displeased” with his commentary when CNN officials told him he would no longer be invited to special briefings for military analysts. General Clark told investigators that CNN officials made him feel as if he was less valued as a commentator because “he wasn’t trusted by the Pentagon.” At one point, he said, a CNN official told him that the White House had asked CNN to “release you from your contract as a commentator.”
So CNN didn’t want an on-air analyst of the Iraq War who was too critical of the Pentagon? That would be astonishing–or, at least, it ought to be. As the FAIR alert noted, one former CNN executive spoke openly about vetting their war pundits with the Pentagon:
The Times likened the program to “other administration tactics that subverted traditional journalism,” but that would seem to discount the fact that the media have for decades demonstrated a preference for featuring retired military officials in their war coverage, with little if any serious efforts to offer balancing perspectives. The run-up to the Iraq invasion was no different. As former CNN chief news executive Eason Jordan explained (4/20/03): “I went to the Pentagon myself several times before the war started and met with important people there and said, for instance, at CNN, ‘Here are the generals we’re thinking of retaining to advise us on the air and off about the war,’ and we got a big thumbs-up on all of them. That was important.”
If Clark is telling the truth, it would seem that it was also “important” for CNN to drop an analyst if the Pentagon gave him a thumbs-down.
A brass band plays in the echo chamber
Drowning out the death rattles
The Pentagon behavior was shameful. I am, of course, not surprised that President Bush would go to such extend to justify and glorify his illegal and desastrous war.
The Minister fo Propaganda has won again and again and again..
Anne-Marie K
The Pentagon’s behavior was shameful?
Does President Obama’s subsequent institutionalization of endless war surprise you?
Occupy the Pentagon!
Im seeing the Pentagon asking people in on their briefings(not just generals)so that they can have the benefit of how the Pentagon sees things.For the most part these people were not sent out to be commentators….they already were!Im also seeing them throwing their weight around to kick down viewpoints they don’t agree with.Um ……..when is this NOT the daily ring a round the rosie ,that goes on in the halls of power every minute of the day.You in “FAIR” act like innocents, that are stunned by what you see as especially nefarious methods.Im trying to put myself in Bushes place here.On the one hand he could say-go out there and educate people as to what we know and believe.I want ex military big wigs…politicians… news people the works!Lets get the word out there.Or he could say……In the interest of” proper journalism” -lets put out our message ,but push just as hard for everyone who disagrees with us.Lets throw up a giant cluster f#@k of competing stories.Yeah thats the ticket!Nothing new here to see people.Move along,move along
The drumbeats of war with Iran have already begun. While China puts its money (and ours) into its thriving economy (China & Afghanistan recently signed their first explorative oil/gas contract in Afghanistan), the U.S. appears ready to multiply our terrorist enemies and return to the hellish mess that is the Middle East with a new war in Iran. We fight. China benefits.
The corporate media is right on top of this one, reporting that “a recent assessment by the International Atomic Energy Agency that Iran’s nuclear program has a military objective.”
The IAEA report does not say Iran has a bomb, nor does it say it is building one. According to what I read, James Clapper (U.S. director of national intelligence) told the Senate Armed Services Committee in March that “We continue to assess that Iran is keeping open the option to develop nuclear weapons in part by developing various nuclear capabilities that better position it to produce such weapons, should it choose to do so. We do not know, however, if Iran will eventually decide to build nuclear weapons.”
From my perspective, this is not about a nuclear armed Iran per se but about a balance of power and who will dominate the region. If Iran is to be transparent over an alleged nuclear weapons program, then all nations with hundreds, or thousands or nuclear weapons should be transparent as well.
Few are in favor of the potential of another nuclear armed country but the U.S. cannot be steamrolled into another conflict. As we know, one can never be sure when starting a war exactly where it will lead but we can probably count on a severe blow to our already fragile economy as well as the world’s economy.
We should continue to be stunned Michael-e or we fall into the trap of blaise treatment of crimes as “it’s being done all the time” to end in letting it go without even reporting it anymore. Is that what you want? Get serious. Unless you like our corrupt gov’t. If the Iranians are producing a nuclear warhead with a viable rocket there is a chance, a slim chance that the USA and Israel will stop threatening them with attack. Maybe.
Elaine and night-gaunt.The liberal reaction trail is always the same.First you say”no you are wrong they have no intention of doing such a thing”.Next you say “okay they have that intention but really is it so bad?Are they any different just because their daily threats and pronouncements show insanity”Third you say “okay they have the weapon ,they are nuts,they may use it…….and you deserved it all along”SHUT UP….. and for the love of God defend your selves against those who mean you harm..
And NG my blaise treatment as you refer to it(no crimes by the way) is just mocking your feigned innocence at such things.Pay attention to Obama by- passing the constitution this week( a clear breaking of the law) in nominating the head of consumer….Instead you reach back and list something as criminal that has never been tried and found guilty as such.Remember that old axiom…..Innocent until PROVEN guilty.You are taking a press pool reality and stamping war criminal on it.Ridiculous!
I quoted exactly what the director of national intelligence said. If this confuses you, take it up with him, not me. I also mentioned the IAEA report and the thrust of its message. Confusing? Write to them to express your disapproval.
Please don’t include me in your lies and muddled thinking.
Michael-e you need to take “your liberals see things like this” blinders. I’m no Liberal. I didn’t vote for Obama and he is acting so much like what use to pass for Republicans 30 years ago. I cut him no slack. Which is why your analysis misses all of what I said before about him. But I don’t waste my time with accusations that aren’t true. There are too many real ones to nail him on. If we have a chance to which is looking like it is shrinking to non-existence. But then the same crypto-fascists that have fully taken over the Republican party have enough in the upper echelon of the Democratic party to nullify anyone like Dennis Kucinich from running. Locked out.
It doesn’t matter how many times they do crimes we should treat it as if it was for the first time and slam them down on it hard. Too bad our gov’t has been so compromised over the years there is a lessening of a chance of every prosecuting them.
Take your blinders off.
Sorry for limping you in with the liberal gang NG.
Elaine Iran today admitted to ANOTHER nuclear development sight.You don’t believe they will weaponize?I will hold you to it.
What did I say that Iran might not weaponize? Do you actually read what people write?
When did I say that Iran might not weaponize? Do you actually read what people write?
Elaine you said”the drumbeats of war”….correct?As if those drumbeats don’t begin and end ,with Iran threatening death and destruction upon Israel and the great Satan.Your putting the blame on anybody but them ,leads to only one rational deduction.You believe them when they say they won’t weaponize.Or you believe those who say they are not capable.Beyond that are you actually saying they have every bit as much right to weaponize as we do?As if there is no distinction between ourselves and a country awaiting their part in the glorification of the coming of the 12 Imam.The destruction of the Jewish state(and the world) in fire along with the great satan?I would say a gun in the hand of anyone is a sadness.A gun in the hand of a madman is madness.You need to read Iran’s leadership councils daily pronouncements(translated from farsi).Your hair will turn grey.Then listen to Obama.If you can’t see the difference ……….
“The drumbeats of war with Iran have already begun.” That’s absolutely true. There are newspaper reporters reporting that Iran already has nuclear weapons. This is not correct. This is what I meant when I said the “drumbeats of war with Iran have already begun.” Iran has not yet committed to building a nuclear weapon, only to creating an industrial and scientific capacity to allow one if it so chooses. Further, an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities would at best delay it–not stop it. (This according to Panetta). If you choose to make it something else, that’s your problem, not mine. Next, you tell me I believe Iran. Do you read minds, too?
Panetta has further stated that an attack on Iran would actually increase international support for Iran (if that means anything to you), and increase the likelihood of retaliation against U.S. forces and bases in the Middle East. Euope is also backing away from strong economic sanctions now because it is concerned about the disruption of oil to its already fragile economy. If Europe’s economy suffers, so does ours. It’s one big global economy now. Who will join your latest crusade? Russia? China? Dream on.
By the way, how many wars has Iran fought in the last 75 years of so? How many has the U.S. fought?
Well we do agree on one thing Elaine.I cannot strategically foresee how an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities will fix this dilemma.Actually I can’t even see how it is possible.Iran has moved it’s nuclear work underground in population centers.My guess is we are still hoping for a change in leadership there less insane.Till then ,the end result will be a viable threat against Iran that any attack on israel or the US will result in Iran being reduced to one large pile of glass.Attacks on our vital interests could lead to war with nuclear weapons being off the table as chemical/gas was in WW2.Beyond that every scenario is ugly and will afford the Iranians less security instead of more.If they were interested in joining the world community it would be easy to do so.The drumbeats of war are beating underground in tehran Elaine.We HAVE fought wars to keep the world free.Free from those who would enslave people under a theocracy for instance.Iran has funded terrorism daily since the 70s toward this end.They openly admit to being at war with the great satan since the takeover of The omar’s.Where have you been?And to say iran has not yet committed is idiocy ….and shows by your own words you believe them.
I must say you sound a little “understanding” toward Irans threatening brinksmanship upon the civilized world.
I “sound a little understanding toward Iran’s threatening brinksmanship upon the civilized world.”
Yes, I can understand. Iran, in my opinion, feels very insecure. It looks upon the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan as a prelude to regime change in their own country and especially so when George W. Bush declares them to be part of the axis of evil, (threatens them as he did in his State of the Union address in 2002) and we have U.S. naval fleets flanking their borders. How would you feel if another country was doing the same thing to us? What did Iran have to do with 9/11? Therefore, Iran’s goal might be to reach a virtual nuclear weapons stage in which it possesses the capability to assemble the weapons if it needs to. I see it as a kind of deterrence against the U.S.
We’ve fought wars to help other countries as in WWII. We’ve also been lied into wars and have fought wars for corporate interests.
Elaine Elaine.Im sure Iran’s ruling council would laugh their asses off at how naive you are.You have declared understanding for one of the true axis of evil in this world and I guess that ends this discussion.A deterrence against the US?Im speechless.Your lumping us in with these rogue nations is startling…..LIBERAL.Long may the flag of BLAME AMERICA FIRST wave.Again i say to you…This derangement syndrome will not be missed come November, when the moving trucks pull up to the white house.
Michael, Michael…..are you unaware of our past history with Iran? Are you unaware that after nationalizing the oil industry, Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh was overthrown in a coup orchestrated by the CIA and British intelligence? (This occurred back in 1953). The democratically elected government of Iran was overthrown and in its place came decades of dictatorship for the Iranian people under the brutal and repressive Shah of Iran. Are you unaware of how we helped Saddam in his war against Iran when we and he were best buddies in the eighties?
Your typical reflexive response, without even having all the facts, is to drag this country in another war (especialy since the last two have gone so well for us). You who are so very concerned about the debt of the U.S. (and it is astounding) do not appear to be at all concerned about the debt of war and the disastrous effects it could have on our economy and the world’s.
Be sure to be among the first to sign up, suit up, and go fight another war….and pay for it.
Of course I am aware of past trangressions.In fact going back to WW2 and beyond.Even to Persia dealing with the fledgling US government in the 1790s.Cutting both ways.That aside…….the Iranian people have a general “reflex” of friendship toward the US.Reporters who go to Iranian Universities are met with kindness.I have colleagues who are Iranian.Wonderful people. The hatred as it were ,is generated by their leadership -who are by all accounts completely nuts.The shah was a disaster all those years ago, and this bunch is a nightmare.The Iranian people deserve so much more.Lets hope their path to threaten the world ends soon, or as you would say “their deterrence against US” tones down ,as others see it very differently.
I was in Canada the other day.It strikes me…..Not one gun pointing either way on one of the longest common boarders in the world(Iran is a threat to many of her neighbors).Mexico….Even with all the problems there ,no armies on the boarder.Im having trouble seeing us as this all conquering juggernaut that you perceive us to be.
Of course you are right that we can not afford anything right now including any military engagements.Though we also cant afford Iran handing over an atomic weapon to the terrorist forces they have fed ,supplied ,and trained since day one.A bomb that could be brought to NY in a fifty gallon drum and kill millions,making NY city uninhabitable for 150 years.The stakes are high Elaine.I would say Iran should go toward peace.In war one side wins.In peace both do.I pray the people of Iran will someday soon rise up and take back their country.
“A bomb that could be brought to NY in a fifty gallon drum and kill millions, making NY city uninhabitable for 150 years.” I believe that even the ayatollahs understand that such an action would result in the U.S. destroying their country.
On the other hand, if we keep threatening Iran, this could increase their desire to seek a nuclear deterrent, at some point.
I also believe that that coup was a pivotal point in history for decades to come. The Shah depended on U.S. aid and arms to keep his dictatorship intact, and Iranians deeply resented our intervention in their internal affairs. It helped spread Islamic militancy and they continue to resent us.
I think the problem with understanding the theocracy in Iran is that they look forward to the destruction of their country.If that is the price for the coming of the 12th Imam.You must study this, and LISTEN to the pronouncements coming from Iran concerning this. This is why they are very different from enemies in the past.Between them and north Korea it is a toss up who is more insane.You simply can’t judge them by any rational standard.I do not believe beyond being a threat to our national security or fermenting terrorism that there would be any impediments to a better relationship between our two countries.The people may resent what happened January 33 years ago in Iran.At least the older ones.But the university students today simply want an end to the leadership directed from a theocracy ,and a more peaceful world for them and their families.Toward this end their leaders are in complete disagreement.”Ah ma needs a job” is not loved by any means.And the Ayatollahs are not to be seen on the streets.It would be dangerous .People hate them.So remember to separate the Iranian people from their government.This government is a government of imposition.A government kept alive by threat and militancy.Not the result of the free vote.
“…they look forward to the destruction of their country.” I don’t believe they look forward to the destruction of their country but I believe that some are willing to die for Allah and their country. Iranian foreign policy may appear to be ideological at times, but I believe it to be driven by certain factors such as political forces and the threat from the U.S.
I do not believe Iran to be a threat to the U.S. which is armed with thousands of nuclear weapons. The problem is domination and control of the region.
Perhaps the U.S. should stop preaching democracy while propping up dictators who oppress Islamic people. Perhaps we should have never attacked and occupied an Arab nation that had nothing to do with 9/11. Perhaps we shouldn’t have participated in the overthrown of the gov’t. of Iran because, although it happened years ago, it ushered in Islamic militancy.
If the Iranians don’t like their government, it’s up to them to change it.
We’re hated because of what we do. You may think that they are the “evil ones.” To them, we are the evil ones. If we’re going to fight someone (and I hope we never do), we have to know why they hate us and we are kidding ourselves if we think it’s all about our freedoms.
Elaine I think you have a good heart.But your liberal indoctrination in anti American relativism, and moral relativism in general- has left you lacking in core values,and Im afraid judgement.Understand why they hate us?Not a threat to us?In this part of the world Elaine to understand why you are hated is simply a weakness.To ignore a threat is another.”We are hated because of what we do?”Wow……….Your understanding of that theocracy is not good.Your understanding of your own country even less so.Bush called them an axis of evil.Obama came in feeling very differently and extended a period of grace to them.He now after daily briefing that can turn your hair white(his national security chiefs words)feels that Bush was essentially right and the massive danger is real.You may be among those left who still want to blame it all on us.
Remove the word “liberal” and insert the word “ideologue” and a good bit of the same sentence could apply to you.
Ron Paul said something very interesting about foreign policies. He said that he “routinely performs a simply thought experiment. He tried to imagine how the world looks to people other than Americans……”
It appears you are incapable of looking at the world as others might see us and further, when anyone holds a different viewpoint, you resort to verbal abuse. (“You lack core values….and judgment. Your understanding of that theocracy is not good. Your understanding of your own country even less so”).
After observing that Israel and America and China have nukes, he (Paul) asks about Iranians. “Why wouldn’t it be natural that they’d want a weapon? Internationally, they’d be given more respect.”
The article goes on to say: “Wouldn’t it be reasonable for Iranian leaders, having seen what happened to nukeless Saddam Hussein and nukeless Muammar Qaddafi to conclude that having a nuclear weapon would get them more respectful treatment?”
I’m not in favor of the proliferation of nuclear weapons but the questions are thought provoking.
Remember those who were against the war in Iraq? They, too, were denigrated, just as you choose to denigrate those who hold a different opinion. This says more about you as a person than you can ever know.
Elaine I did not mean personal core values.I meant it in the sense of political understanding ,and realities of various forms of government.
As far as Dr paul i am a huge fan of a lot of what he believes.BUT in this instance I must throw in with Obama,and Mitt,and Hilary,and Newt and just about everyone I can think of and say he has “jumped the shark” on his “understanding”of the Iranian problem.
Lets say Elaine that I am in favor of hoping for the best but preparing for the worst when dealing with Iran.
ps.Read Ron ps statements on Iran again.Much of what he says seems to indicate that Iran is seeking the bomb.Yet THEY adamantly say they are not.That would mean Ron believes they are lying their asses off(and is ok with it)When dealing with nukes lets say anybody but a strait shooter is gonna be met with guns drawn.
Ron Paul knows the history of U.S.-Iranian relations so I refuse to dismiss his views or belittle them, just as those who were opposed to the war in Iraq were dismissed and given no real voice.
Iran signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the IAEA has entered Iran many times and have been unable to find that country on a direct road to a nuclear bomb, though they may have suspicions. Israel, on the other hand, is suspected of having a couple of hundred nuclear weapons and has refused to sign the non-proliferation treaty and, therefore, avoids IAEA inspections.
The Defense Minister of Israel, Ehud Barak, was asked “If you were Iran wouldn’t you want a nuclear weapon?” His answer: “Probably, probably. I don’t delude myself that they are doing it just because of Israel. They have their history of 4,000 years. They look around and they see the Indians are nuclear. The Chinese are nuclear, Pakistan is nuclear as well as North Korea, not to mention the Russians.”
Israel military historian–strategist Martin von Creveld–seemed to go a step further, stating that “the Iranians would be crazy not to build nuclear weapons considering the security threats they face.” In 2007, he stated “the world must now learn to live with a nuclear Iran the way we learned to live with a nuclear Soviet Union and a nuclear China…We Israelis have what it takes to deter an Iranian attack. We are in no danger at all of having an Iranian nuclear weapon dropped on us….thanks to the Iranian threat, we are getting weapons from the U.S. and Germany.”
Iran has invaded no one in centuries but it appears the neocons will not be happy until they engage the U.S. in yet another Middle East war on the grounds that we, who have the most lethal weapons in the world and plenty of them, need to be scared again and again. The list of enemies and frights never end.
Let them and others like them go fight Iran and pay for it if they are so terrified. Unfortunately, their history has shown them to be draft dodgers and chicken hawks who prefer to send other people’s kids to war. Nevertheless, the military indu$trial complex thank$ them.
Elaine I don’t find fault with what you say,except for one small difference.Israel threatens no one with nuclear attack or otherwise.Iran threatens almost on a daily basis.If you were to say to me that you could stop the daily threats that spring from the Iranian leadership….Or stop their unchanged rhetoric regarding Israel and the great Satan and their designs for such.Or stop their funding and direct ties with terrorist organizations aimed at us.Again you run into moral relativism.Their IS a huge difference between us and Israel,and North korea and Iran.It is the same difference between a permit holding gun carrier who is kind to his neighbors and threatens no one.And a madman waving a gun and swearing revenge.It may only be semantics but….
But of course you see US as a threat to Iran(those shadowy neo cons) so I think you will never be able to see the difference.
Question .If Iran did hand a nuke to one of their terrorist arms and it was used here,how would you Elaine handle our response?You could say something like ..what if Israel nuked us?Or you could hear Irans threats,believe them ,and prepare to take them just as seriously as you take Ron paul.Lets give IRAN that respect shall we?
We will never come to an agreement on this issue and will go round and round. So I encourage you to sign up for another war–if there is one and I hope there isn’t– and fight the terrible threat that you feel Iran is to the U.S. I am interested in the interests of the U.S. only, by the way, and a war in this area would be catastrophic for us.
Have we still not learned that engaging “michael e” is never worthwhile? It’s Rule #14 of The Internet: “Don’t feed the trolls, it only encourages them.”
Main stream news Media has a vested interest in selling the party line to ensure it still gets treated favorably by the system (government) and also its main objective is to keep the public malleable to sell them ideas and product. Its a symbiotic relationship with government with NO incentive to tell the truth or be critical..THIS would be DIFFERENT as it some times was in the past IF government was not so deeply corrupted as it is now….The very FACT news is only a propaganda arm of government IS because its so deeply core corrupted..IF it was NOT they would be pushing back..it would reflect the honesty of a system and root out corruption.. Funny thing is seems the corporate news Media just reflects what government is…LIARS