Hidden behind that appearance of objectivity, though, is a Pentagon information apparatus that has used those analysts in a campaign to generate favorable news coverage of the administration’s wartime performance, an examination by The New York Times has found.
The effort, which began with the buildup to the Iraq war and continues to this day, has sought to exploit ideological and military allegiances, and also a powerful financial dynamic: Most of the analysts have ties to military contractors vested in the very war policies they are asked to assess on air.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/20/washington/20generals.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin
I know that this is common knowledge among many of us bloggers who follow the actual news from Iraq, but it's nice to see it in mainstream print. Part of my "blogger frustration" stems from hearing their bullshit repeated throughout the American media, and knowing that most of the public isn't aware that they are being manipulated. Maybe this article will open some eyes.
The occupation of Iraq is unwinnable and untenable in it's very conception, and no amount of spin will change this fact. "Surges" and "awakenings" are purely propaganda. Calling Moqtada al-Sadr "radical" and any resistance groups "insurgents" ignores the simple fact that we will never be able to impose our will upon the people of Iraq. The people of Iraq have a proud, albeit tragic, history, but they know that Iraq didn't attack America and they have no desire to become an American colony. They will resist foreign occupation as they have for millenia, and no amount of military effort will change that basic fact. The only real question is how much blood will be spilled before our occupation ends and we leave.
The "analysts" can take all this bullshit and pack it in flowery wrapping with positive bows, but they still are selling a package of bullshit. Sooner or later the public will stop buying it.
1 comment:
Ya, since Vietnam at least the Pentagon regards US public opinion as enemy territory and conducts psychological warfare. Remember before the war how the corporate media had ONLY pro-war analysts and ignored and fired those who questioned Bush? It is things like this that I calim we have turned into the USSR...nothing like good thick cultural management. Good Post.
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