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The Pentagon's Sleight of Hand in Crafting War Propaganda
As an Internet Organizer for Progressive Future, I've been busily spreading the otherwise buried reports of the atrocities and abuses committed by military contractors in Iraq. As outraged as they made me, I had to wonder why these stories failed to reach the mainstream American public. Now I know why.
In an extensive article on the front page of Sunday's New York Times, David Bartow exposes how the Pentagon recruited, groomed, prepped and, one may go so far as to say, bribed a team of "military analysts." This team consisted of retired military men, defense lobbyists and private contractor representatives, who were then unleashed upon the mainstream media to deliver manipulated testimony on the war. Highlights of the detailed investigation of the Pentagon's highly strategized manipulation of war reporting are as follows:
-Well before the September 11th attacks, the Pentagon was already preparing a system for achieving what inside officials called "information dominance" to sell the case for an Iraq invasion.
-Participating analysts in the program were courted by Pentagon insiders through briefing sessions during which lavish treatment was extended upon the team; analysts were paid $500 to $1000 per television appearance on one condition: they were not to quote their briefers directly or disclose the extent of their contact with the Pentagon.
-Multiple "Iraq tours" were set up for the analysts to "see what the situation was really like." These trips were planned detail by detail, down to the minute, to ensure none of the war's negatives were exposed. Private contractor representatives took advantage of these tours to set up lucrative contracts for their companies' services in Iraq.
-Analysts who were quoted as giving testimony that could be construed as negative toward the administration were promptly fired.
-Further tactics used to sway public opinion included paying columnists to write favorably about the administration, distributing false news segments to local TV stations, and covertly paying Iraqi newspapers to publish coalition propaganda.
The Pentagon is doing more than just keeping taxpaying Americans and our troops in the dark about what's really going on in Iraq. They are deliberately distorting the information that reaches us to cover up the abysmal failures of the war.
Ironically, while the administration uses the claim of defending American security abroad as justification for the war, they have stripped the American people of our personal security. They are attacking our freedoms at home first by tapping our phones, and now by interfering with the free press that is foundational to a free society. Join Progressive Future's campaign to repair these breaches to our freedom of information by signing our Petition for an Open Press, targeting the news networks and calling for the removal of any "military analyst" whose conflicts of interest prevent him or her from unbiased reporting.
Ånd then there's this:
Russia and Central Asian Allies Conduct War Games in Response to US Threatsby Michel Chossudovsky
Global Research, August 24, 2006 
Email this article to a friend 
Print this article Barely acknowledged by the Western media, military exercises organized by Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan under the Collective Security Treaty Organisation, (CSTO) were launched on the 24th of August. These war games, officially tagged as part of a counter terrorism program, are in direct response to US military threats in the region including the planned attacks against Iran.
The Rubezh-2006 exercise, is scheduled to take place from August 24-29 near the Kazak port city of Aktau:
"It will be the first joint military exercise undertaken by CSTO countries, and will involve 2,500 members drawn from various armed services of member states, with Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan the principal participants. Uzbekistan, which has recently rejoined the CSTO, will send observers, while the two other pact members, Belarus and Armenia, will not be taking part .( IPWR News Briefing Central Asia)
Press reports from the region describe these war games as a response to US military presence and ambitions in Central Asia:
"The growing militarisation is connected with mutual mistrust among countries in the region, say analysts. Iranian media have speculated that the United States is using Azerbaijan to create a military counterweight to Iran on the Caspian. It is possible that the exercise conducted by the CSTO – in which Russia is dominant – represents a response to concerns about United States involvement in developing Kazakstan’s navy. Observers say Russia is leaning more and more towards the Iranian view that countries from outside should be banned from having armed forces in the Caspian Sea."
Experts say the US is trying to step up the pressure on Iran, as well as to defend its own investments in Azerbaijan and Kazakstan. It is also trying to guarantee the security of the strategically vital Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline.
A military presence on the Caspian would give the United States an opportunity to at least partially offset its weakening influence in Central Asia, as seen in the closure of its airbase in Uzbekistan, the increased rent it is having to pay for the Manas base in Kyrgyzstan, and the diplomatic scandal that resulted in the expulsion of two Americans from Kyrgyzstan.
According to analysts, genuine security in the region can be achieved only if the military interests of all five Caspian countries are coordinated. At an international conference in Astrakhan in July 2005, Russia proposed the formation of a Caspian naval coordination group, but to date the initiative has not had much of a response.(Ibid)
Well, here's the full post.
What they are ready to do!
Answer: They are all in Iran. The first week of Desert Storm , Stormin
Norman, called them "Chicken" and that they tucked tail and ran, To Iran.
Remember that Russia has a full military treaty with Iran. If anyone attacks
Iran, Russia attacks back. The Iraqi fighter jets were left alone to fight
another day. All of the world looks at the unlawful and illegal invasion by
the United States into Iraqi sovereign territory as deplorable. It is now
the United States Vietnam III.
If those 500 plus Iraqi fighter jets in unison attack the United States
Aircraft Carriers in the Persian Gulf, the world looks on, well Iraq is at
war with the United States for illegally invading its sovereign land. Loaded
with sea skimmer missles, these figher jets could very well take out the
United States fleet in the narrow Persian Gulf.
You will find Joe Vialls , investigative reporters detailed report below:
You may find it and the excellent one on Russian putting 100 of their
Sunburn nuclear missles in Iran and Syria over a year ago, as a deterent to
discourage, the United States from further invading Iran and Syria for its
real estate to take the land locked oil and Natural gas from the Capsian Sea
( in the Trillions of $ of value) at http://www.vialls.com
If you don't think the United States is hiding these facts from you, then
ask yourself why has google and other search engines, have a total black out
on it. Just try it. Type in google, Sadam Husseins fighter jets, location,
first week of Desert Storm". They have blacked it out, as they don't want
you to know what is brewing. The real solution in supporting our Troops, is
to BRING THEM HOME NOW.
William Wyttenbach, M.D.
Honorably discharged, Major, USAF
Denise, were you able to get the other links to work? I posted a lot of the megilla.
BTW, I didn't like it when HC said it either, but now I can't remember what they said and you asked us to remember. LOL
They are both sounding warlike and I hope neither really believes their own stump speeches when it comes to the ME.
Yes the one on this page works but it seems APFN is no longer updated with recent stuff.
What kind of site is (was) that? The article is from 2005. Any updates?
It was about reaching across the aisle to the Republicans, seashell.
More pomegranate juice! Works for me :)
I love pomegranate juice. It's kind of expensive but I do a small glass each morning so I make it last. Has alot of fructose, too, so gotta watch it.
PomWonderful is the only brand that tastes good. Mixes nicely with club soda and lime, too.
There is my recipe for the night.
Hi puddle
(04-21) 18:04 PDT Jonesville, S.C. (AP) --
A South Carolina pastor says he wasn't trying to be political when he posted a sign in front of his church linking Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden.
Pastor Roger Byrd said he just wanted to make people think when he put up a sign reading "Obama, Osama — humm, are they brothers" in front of the Jonesville Church of God on Thursday.
Obama, a Christian, attends Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. Fifteen percent of respondents to a recent Associated Press-Yahoo News poll said they thought the Illinois senator was a Muslim.
WYFF-TV reported Monday on its Web site that Byrd said he won't take the sign down. He said his congregation voted unanimously Sunday to keep it up.
Jonesville is a town of about 1,000 people in northwestern South Carolina.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cg...
Well I see CSPAN is being their usual bias to Clinton selfs. Barack is running late, so what do they do? Cut away to Clinton's rally which is an hour away instead of staying at Obama rally.
rae hart - Stewart and Colbert are reruns during the following day and at 8 pm. Then at 11 pm is their 'new' show but it is not really 'live' - it is taped.
Fred in Oregon - Thanks so much for the info about the Pope and his love for cats. I think the world can be divided into dog people and cat people and I'm one of the former. But I'm glad to hear the Pope believes in the animals and is against factory farming. I knew a really smart, really devout Catholic once who was 100 percent convinced that animals do not have souls. I personally find Catholicism in particular and 'organized' religion in general absolutely perplexing. But I'd rather have a cat lover in charge than one who believes only humans have souls, whatever a soul is.
From the previous thread.
14.
Huron John
Mon, 04/21/08
Why can Diebold build ATM's that work 99.99999% of the time (with redundancy and paper trail), but they can't build an honest voting machine?
7:16pm
-----
John,
My hubby and I know one of the scientist who helped develop the first ATM for IBM in the late '70s early '80s. We went to high school together. The old gang still keeps in touch. We saw a bunch of them over the Holidays last year. It's funny, when I think about him because what I remember is how good he played the trumpet and how much he loved his Mother. She was very nice lady.
There were a few court cases in the 80's about the problems with ATMs when they first were introduced. They were corporate banking litigation cases. I think B of A was involved with some. I read a lot federal banking regulations when I was in commercial banking.
btw, I don't use ATMs.
Susan I don't use ATMs or bank on the I-net either.
++++++++++++
100% OT I just found this youtube of Rene be still my heart Pape singing the Ella G'amai M'mo (I can't spell Italian -- it's 'she does not love me') from Don Carlo. It is from the other night I believe they opened the new Oslo opera house. It's PERFECTION. Long (but beautiful) orchestral introduction. It's in Italian with Norwegian subtitles lol. He is Filipo of Spain lamenting his young wife's love for his son (lots of incest and cuckoldry in opera). But OMG the singing. Maybe 8 minutes total. Listen and fall in love.
http://pervegalit.wordpress.com/2008/04/...´amo/
10:57 PM EDT
up on deck tomorrow and the following day:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/evansville
Rally with Barack and Michelle Obamawith special guest performance by John Mellencamp
Roberts Municipal Stadium
2600 Division St.
Evansville, IN 47711
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Doors Open: 7:30 p.m. CDT
The event is free and open to the public.
http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/newalbany
Town Hall with Barack ObamaIndiana University Southeast Activities Building
4201 Grant Line Rd.
New Albany, IN 47150
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Doors Open: 10:45 a.m.
Program begins: 12:45 p.m.
The event is free and open to the public.
Rockridge Institute is closing.
----
----- Original Message -----
From: Rockridge Action Alert
To: Susan Rowe
Sent: Monday, April 21, 2008 4:45 PM
Subject: Spread the Word Today
Dear Friends,
Please help us get word of Rockridge closing to our progressive allies online. So far today, there are two diaries on Daily Kos and our farewell is on the front page of OpenLeft. More diaries may appear on other sites.
You know the drill: find, recommend and comment to a larger world. Here are the links.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/4/21/...
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/4/21/...
http://www.openleft.com/showDiary.do?dia...
Thank you for all your help over the past months. We continue to be gratified by your responsiveness and willingness to act.
Sherry Reson
Dir., Public Affairs
The Rockridge Institute
I heard on Blitzer tonight that (paraphrasing from memory) 20% of the gas price increases were due to manipulations of the market by the hedge fund managers who were raising the price to make money for themselves. They cited some source but I am sorry I don't recall who. Apparently (this is from memory) in 2000 (I think) the Congress took the regulatory laws off of the oil futures market and now they are (using my words now) Enronizing the thing. Maybe I'll go look for a link. I looked - not much - going to watch Stewart. Nitie.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, April 21, 2008
Contact: Daniel I. Medress
Democracy for America Endorses Mark Leno for the California State Senate
BURLINGTON, VT – DemocracyForAmerica.com, our nation's largest progressive political action organization, announced Monday that it has endorsed Mark Leno's campaign for the California State Senate.
"Mark Leno is a phenomenal candidate and a true champion of the grassroots. Democracy for America is proud to endorse his campaign," said Jim Dean, Chair of DFA. "Mark Leno has a long record as an effective and dynamic progressive."
Elected to the Assembly in 2002, Mark Leno represents the 13th District, which encompasses the eastern portion of San Francisco. He is one of the first two openly gay men ever elected to the Assembly. He currently chairs the Assembly Appropriations Committee, which oversees all bills with a fiscal impact on the state. He also serves on the Election & Redistricting and Labor Committees. Prior to his election to the Assembly, Leno served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors from April 1998 to November 2002.
While in the Assembly, Leno has fought for better schools and access to higher education, a cleaner and sustainable environment, universal affordable and quality health care, improved transportation, renewable energy, safer streets and equal rights for all Californians.
While on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, Leno authored landmark legislation in the areas of affordable housing, universal health care for children, solar energy, late night entertainment, bond oversight, small business services, City CarShare, medical cannabis, equal access to services, and LGBT civil rights.
"This is going to be a tough race and I am incredibly proud to have the support of Democracy for America," said Mark Leno. "My campaign is powered by the people of my District and DFA understands how important this is and that is why I know with their support we will be victorious."
Democracy for America is the key endorsement in this race, bringing donations from progressives and providing volunteers to participate in door-to-door, grassroots outreach. DFA has helped elect over 550 progressives to office from Governor Deval Patrick in Massachusetts to Rep. Jerry McNerney in California's 11th Congressional District.
"Mark Leno will work for progressive solutions on renewable energy, universal health care, marriage equality, and Clean Money campaign finance reform," said Arshad Hasan, Executive Director of DFA. "Mark Leno's work as a community advocate, a county supervisor, and a state assemblymember shows that he has the experience and vision to deliver for his constituents and the state."
###
For more information or to schedule an interview with DFA Chair Jim Dean or DFA Executive Director Arshad Hasan, please contact Daniel I. Medress at 802-651-3200, ext. 148 or media[at]democracyforamerica[dot]com.
Is pomegranate juice good for memory? I keep forgetting to take my gingko. LOL
Thousands of workers demand no union busters
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, April 21, 2008
CONTACT: Greg Denier
Noreen Nielsen
202-721-0660
WASHINGTON, D.C. – With Pennsylvania workers set to cast their votes in the presidential primary election tomorrow, thousands of workers signed a letter sent to Sen. Hillary Clinton’s campaign today renewing its call for her to sever all ties with her campaign strategist Mark Penn. Penn’s firm has a long and dishonorable record of working as union busters with corporations such as Cintas, a company notorious for suppressing workers rights. Workers are demanding that anti-worker and union busting consultants have no place at the table in any campaign seeking the support of America’s workers.
“Americans are tired of the politics of the past. Gold-plated consultants working both sides of the street poison our democratic process,” said Change to Win executive director Greg Tarpinian. “While the key strategist of Sen. Clinton’s campaign is advising her on winning the votes of working families, his firm is advising union busting corporations on how to deny workers their right to have a union. You are known by the company you keep – and union busters have no place in the Democratic Party. Sen. Clinton must sever all ties with Mark Penn.”
Last June, General President of the Teamsters James P. Hoffa and General President of UNITE HERE Bruce Raynor sent a letter to Sen. Clinton expressing concern about Penn and his firm’s direct support for Cintas’ campaign to undermine the right of workers to organize.
Cintas worker Evangelina Orozco says she was fired for standing up for her rights on the job. More than two years after unjustly firing her, Cintas paid Evangelina nearly $30,000 in back pay. Cintas workers charge that the company still threatens, harasses and intimidates them for trying to form a union. “Cintas has continuously tried to take away our voice and keep us from improving our working conditions,” said Evangelina Orozco.
Change to Win leaders called on Sen. Clinton to remove Mark Penn from her campaign team after it was revealed that he was advising Colombian officials about promoting a job-killing trade deal with that country, an agreement she says she opposes. The open letter campaign was launched after media reports indicated that despite losing his title as “chief campaign strategist,” Penn is still participating in campaign strategy calls, conducting polling and dispensing advice.
** Note: Media representatives interested in scheduling an interview to discuss Change to Win’s position on the Mark Penn’s role in Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign should contact Noreen Nielsen at Noreen.nielsen[at]changetowin[dot]org.**
# # #
Good choice with Mark Leno DFA - way to go.
Hey folks. I remember being upset with Barack for reaching out to the Repubs. I don't like it that Hillary is doing it now...not one bit but I've come to expect such low standards from her.
Denise, likewise--great company, much fun. I'd love to do it again soon:) They really made a lovely Mojito, too.
Go Barack....take Pennsylvania!
A couple of interesting facts I found whilst cruising the Internets:
"...most of the major newspapers, Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Daily News, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Allentown Morning Call, Harrisburg Patriot News, York Daily Record have endorsed Obama. Only the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review endorsed Clinton, the Erie Times-News straddles the fence. Ironically, (as of press-time) the Scranton Times-Tribune, from where Clinton’s parents hail, has declined to endorse the favorite-daughter. All of the critical Philadelphia suburban newspapers making endorsements, went Obama.
"...Clinton didn’t run a full slate of delegates, a cardinal sin in a state like Pennsylvania."
I didn't bother with a link b/c it's just some guy's musings, but I did find the info interesting.
Anybody hear anything about the turnout at the Obama rally tonight at Pitt?
-- volney
Sherry Reson, I remember her! Did voter registration with her a few years back. Good peeps.
Hi cChal,
Yeah I'm bummed about Rockridge. Having had the opportunity to hear Lakoff speak a few times it's a voice that still needs to be heard - all of them.
I think he spoke at an East Bay DFA function once, a few years back.
Oh sea just saw your question.
Pomegranate juice is a good antioxidant, good for your heart, may guard against Alzheimers and yes, good for your memory. You know, those fuzzy headed times we all get?
I don't get those too much anymore but not totally gone, of course. I do have my days....
Oh before I forget - Pat, yes it would be very nice to sit down and have a conversation with you sometime. We can meet in Nevada somewhere halfway LOL
Seriously, many of us talk about having a non-political conference somewhere in the middle of the country where we could get to know each other for a few days. Not to say we can't talk politics of course, but there would not be any political activities.
Maybe in 2009 to celebrate our victory in the White House and Congress!
Obama Rally on CSPAN now. SRO as it should be.
Thanks Steve - I appreciate the heads up
Final Zogby: C 51 O 41
http://www.newsmax.com/headlines/zogby_c...
This is heartbreaking and will it come to our shores as well?
30 Years Ago Haiti Grew All the Rice It Needed. What Happened? The U.S. Role in Haiti's Food RiotsBy BILL QUIGLEY
Riots in Haiti over explosive rises in food costs have claimed the lives of six people. There have also been food riots world-wide in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivorie, Egypt, Guinea, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Senegal, Uzbekistan and Yemen.
The Economist, which calls the current crisis the silent tsunami, reports that last year wheat prices rose 77% and rice 16%, but since January rice prices have risen 141%. The reasons include rising fuel costs, weather problems, increased demand in China and India, as well as the push to create biofuels from cereal crops.
Hermite Joseph, a mother working in the markets of Port au Prince, told journalist Nick Whalen that her two kids are “like toothpicks” they’ re not getting enough nourishment. Before, if you had a dollar twenty-five cents, you could buy vegetables, some rice, 10 cents of charcoal and a little cooking oil. Right now, a little can of rice alone costs 65 cents, and is not good rice at all. Oil is 25 cents. Charcoal is 25 cents. With a dollar twenty-five, you can’t even make a plate of rice for one child.”
Love it - he quoted MLK
'THE FIERCE URGENCY OF NOW
Insider Advantage:
C 49 O 39
http://www.southernpoliticalreport.com/s...
I just don't understand these polls, and I know I should ignore all of them that are posted, but how can he draw such huge crowds in PA and still poll less than her?
I know some say "the machine". But this is like nothing we've seen in a long time. Then again, the machine did put in JFK.
But just look at that crowd! It's maxed out, like Steve said. And he still sounds good, not strained, not hoarse. So intelligent, just so good.
Found on MyDD (of all places) - Why Obama will win PA by Terence Samuel of The American Prospect.
http://prospect.org/cs/articles?article=...
I will pop the cork on some champagne tomorrow if Barack wins PA.
Annilow
Mon, 04/21/08
Reply to this
rae
Fred in Oregon - Thanks so much for the info about the Pope and his love for cats.... I personally find Catholicism in particular and 'organized' religion in general absolutely perplexing. But I'd rather have a cat lover in charge than one who believes only humans have souls, whatever a soul is.
=====================
Glad you like it. I am a very religious person but I find little comfort in organized religion and many traditional perceptions. You can say I see it as travesty, but I respect people who see it as something else..I just don't. I was shocked when John Lennon sang "and no religion too" in Imagine but in my old age, I understand what he meant.
As far as animals go. I had a dog once, and I am almost ashamed to say I cried more for him when he died than I did for my own father. I didn't have any issues with my father. He was a nice guy, but the dog and I were closer.
45-50 years ago, on TV there was a "Twilight Zone" episode (black and white) where a hillbilly died and thought he was entering heaven. He was with his dog, but they would not let his dog into heaven, so he did not enter the gates. He was very depressed until he met a young man that told him, the previous gates were not heaven and it was a good thing he did not go in. The dog was welcome where he and the young man were going.
Please join Mark Leno's grassroots/netroots campaign at the DFA-Link and voice your support HERE: http://www.dfalink.com/campaign.php?id=2...
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