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Tag(s): Iraq; Media; Pentagon Propaganda
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May 6, 2008 at 14:53:36

Headlined on 5/6/08:
Investigate the Pentagon Pundit Program

by John Kerry Page 1 of 2 page(s)

www.opednews.com

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{cross-posted at Daily Kos and huffingtonpost}

Like me, I know you'll be following the election returns today - but it's imperative that we not lose focus on some of the issues in play that may be obscured by the election - and I can tell you that if you're watching the returns on television news, there's one story you're almost guaranteed not to see tonight.

It's now been two weeks since the New York Times published their story on the Pentagon Pundits.

I wanted to call out the cavalry here because we still don't know exactly what was going on and exactly what steps were taken to try to shape the news. You can help make sure we find out.

Just to recap, if you didn't catch the original story, the Times described a program to "cultivate" the military analysts you see on so many news programs.

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. [...]

Records and interviews show how the Bush administration has used its control over access and information in an effort to transform the analysts into a kind of media Trojan horse -- an instrument intended to shape terrorism coverage from inside the major TV and radio networks.

You know, the first thing I thought of when I heard this story was General Batiste getting put on ice last year when he had the guts to speak up about the need to change course and start bringing our troops home from Iraq. I spoke out then to defend General Batiste's right to say that, but he lost his job as a military analyst.

And now we know the existence of this covert program in the Pentagon designed to spread pro-Administration messages into our newscasts. But there's been - outside of PBS - virtually no coverage of this at all on television news. Media Matters - which has been really dogged in covering these kinds of issues online, they're a great organization - reported on Friday:

Continuing their silence, the major broadcast networks and cable news networks all reportedly declined to discuss the April 20 New York Times front-page article on the hidden ties between media military analysts and the Pentagon on the record with NPR media correspondent David Folkenflik. Further, according to a search* of transcripts available in the Nexis database, the broadcast networks -- ABC, CBS, and NBC -- still had not reported on the revelations in the Times story on any of their news programs through May 1

In fact, this has been another great example of how important online media has become in keeping the spotlight on stories like this. The first and I think still only time Dana Perino was asked about this was when a reporter from rawstory.com asked her about it. The great folks at freepress.net have been working hard to keep the issue front and center for their activists. And I've seen Think Progress and the folks here at Huffington Post keep up the heat, as well as posts at Daily Kos.

And this is really important because we can't let this story slide. We need to push hard to get a full accounting of this program.

The Pentagon now says that it has suspended this program, but we still don't know what really happened. What was the extent of the program? Did the Pentagon leverage the financial interests of the analysts? And, especially, now that the Pentagon has announced this program has been suspended, what steps are being taken to make sure it never happens again?

We know the life-or-death consequences of policy decisions in Iraq and Afghanistan - and we know that these policies should de debated and defended without secret programs designed to tailor the news for the administration's goals. This is too important to brush aside.

So I sent a letter to the Government Accountability Office asking for that independent office to conduct a full investigation of this program and report its findings. But what we need to do is show that the people are watching this. I sent out an email yesterday to the johnkerry.com community asking everyone who agrees with me to sign on as co-signers to the letter I sent to the GAO.

I ask all of you here to join me as well.

Click here, read the letter I sent to the GAO, and add your voice to those of us who are demanding answers.

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Senator from MA, former presidential candidate

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11 comments

It is never the masses that make the difference, it is always the individual which makes the difference. Thank you for letting me be myself today.
Jeanette DoneyIt is never the masses that make the difference, it is always the individual which makes the difference. Thank you for letting me be myself today.

Don't Taz me bro

You won the election in 2004 Kerry, and then you conceeded to Bush less than 24 hours after polls closed, not counting ONE electronic voting machine. Now you're offering an online poll which means NOTHING.

Why not go hunt for those medals you tossed.

by Jeanette Doney (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 6 diaries, 304 comments) on Tuesday, May 6, 2008 at 6:53:59 PM

Wolfie

CAN'T BUY ME LOVE, MONEY CAN'T BUY ME LOVE.

But good proper-ganders for the unsuspecting lambs who not only pay for

this faecal matter, but this now becomes the heliospace for our

comprehension of our souler system!

Now our purloined minds are even scalded from the untruths scripted

by these prevaricators.

Wolfie wants to assail the perpertrators by a mordacious effrontery

to their posteriors!

by Wolfie (8 articles, 0 quicklinks, 32 diaries, 1189 comments) on Tuesday, May 6, 2008 at 10:44:57 PM

I am a concerned citizen(and musician) of Canada,watching the madness unfold to my south. I am hoping to connect some of the dots between the Bush/Cheney regime, the neo-conservatives, the C.I.A, the military, and of course oil and the banking institutions. It is becomming quite obvious to most people who still retain their critical thinking skills the corruptness that pervades the current administration.
nakedtruthI am a concerned citizen(and musician) of Canada,watching the madness unfold to my south. I am hoping to connect some of the dots between the Bush/Cheney regime, the neo-conservatives, the C.I.A, the military, and of course oil and the banking institutions. It is becomming quite obvious to most people who still retain their critical thinking skills the corruptness that pervades the current administration.

Thats What They Say...

..and who in their right mind would believe them( that they suspended the 'program')? . You can bet your money they have dozens of these important media campaigns in the planning. From the Hollywood designed press room to the spammers on the net.

As I see it a total boycott of lamestream media would do the trick.

by nakedtruth (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 29 comments) on Tuesday, May 6, 2008 at 10:54:54 PM

Currently I'm a cartoonist and contributing writer for The New Orleans Levee. For those wishing to view my work you can see my latest at: nolvee.com
Mr MCurrently I'm a cartoonist and contributing writer for The New Orleans Levee. For those wishing to view my work you can see my latest at: nolvee.com

p-s-st ... John ...

John, this is chicken-shit compared to crimes already committed that there are mountains of evidence on, that we should have already tried and convicted these cretins for. So before we start yet another investigation that goes no where, why don't you focus your married-into-elitist-Skull & Bones ass on one of those? Or even go as far as to mention election fraud that cheated you and still exists today instead of dangling another set of shiny keys.

Is this an important issue?

Yes.

Does it deserve investigation?

Not any more than 9/11. Why don't you try wrapping your well published intellect around that one, or why don't you champion Sibel Edmonds before you lead us on another wild-goose-chase? Huh, John?

So, pardon me John if I'm not all that excited about "Steroids-in-Baseball" Waxman, "Off-the-Table" Pelosi, or "I'm- Sending-Another-Mean-Letter" Conyers starting another investigation when they have been MIA on everything else. In do many words John, "piss-off", because as far as I'm concerned you're part of the problem.

by Mr M (4 articles, 0 quicklinks, 12 diaries, 1436 comments) on Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at 8:15:54 AM

I do not feel it necessary for me to give you a bio..this is not High School
Susan NelsenI do not feel it necessary for me to give you a bio..this is not High School

I'll sign your petition

As for the people who think that everything is John Kerry's fault because he "lost" the election (we think he actually won)..did it ever occur to you that more than likely the Supreme Court (even the politized DOJ ) would have again interferred and given the election to Bush, any way?..Just like they did in 2000...I am sure that John Kerry knew that...why can't you figure that out

Its to bad that Congress pays no attention to the "peoples petitions" isn't there something about the right to petition Congress and appeal for redress...some where in the Constitution..or does Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and Steny Hoyer use the Constitution as toilet paper too...? ?

by Susan Nelsen (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 268 comments) on Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at 9:32:06 AM

Richard Mynick is a US citizen who, despite the best efforts of the corporate media, noticed something disturbing about how the 2000 election was decided, & felt it augured poorly for democracy.
Richard MynickRichard Mynick is a US citizen who, despite the best efforts of the corporate media, noticed something disturbing about how the 2000 election was decided, & felt it augured poorly for democracy.

Oh, you noticed that, did you?! How terribly perceptive.

For years, now, there's been enough evidence of high crimes & abuse of high office to put these guys in prison for the rest of their lives. In fact, most of your Democratic colleagues (including you yourself) have collaborated with these crimes, & have helped the White House keep them off the public's radar screen.

If you're truly so horrified about serious crimes committed in Washington, why didn't you attack Bush about the "little boo-boo" of the non-existent WMD, when you had the public's attention in 2004? Why didn't you attack him about the torture in Abu Ghraib? (You did notice, didn't you, that Bush openly admitted to ABC News last month that he knew all about the torture cabal meetings in the White House?)

You're right about what you write in this appeal today. However, this kind of stuff has been going on ever since Bush stole the 2000 election. Neither you nor your colleagues have lifted a finger against any of it. And I confidently expect that even if you get a whole raft of signatures on this petition, that absolutely nothing will come of it, any more than Democrats have held Bush/Cheney accountable for any of the monstrous things they've done, since they began defiling the Constitution in 2001.

by Richard Mynick (2 articles, 3 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 1168 comments) on Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at 9:35:36 AM

Igniter of brush-fires in the minds of men.
Michael FuryIgniter of brush-fires in the minds of men.

Amen

You do know that the "War on Terror" is a murderous, Constitution-shredding fraud, don't you, Senator?

Why not demand the results of the FBI's "investigation" into who tried to assassinate Senators Daschle and Leahy with weaponized anthrax from the Ft. Detrick lab and murdered five innocent people in a false-flag WMD attack framing muslim terrorists? You do remember that little incident, don't you, Senator?

Here's a clue to get you started:

http://www.cnn.com/2002/ALLPOLITICS/01/29/inv.terror.probe/

by Michael Fury (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 47 comments) on Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at 11:46:52 AM

Pluralist Repaulican Observer
Intelitary MilligencePluralist Repaulican Observer

Nobody is blaming him for losing, but for throwing the game

He stepped aside even though the bus had his name on it. He did not fight.

As for this story, GMAFB. Where was John when they reported 1.6 billion dollars were used to produce and distribute fake news on the economy and Iraq through a media more porous than the paparazzi press?

by Intelitary Milligence (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 37 comments) on Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at 10:17:34 AM

56 years on this jumpin' green sphere. Musician. Own and operate a music store to help kids find a possible life long friend. I believe in the soul and the search. Happily married w/ 2 boys. Published songwriter. play bass, piano and gut string guitar. there are no solutions..only alternatives. Ask questions. Listen. Be fair and don't expect. Baseball is a mirror. Don't ask....unless you have time and a sense of humor. Peace is never easy, but worth it. Always.
mikel paul56 years on this jumpin' green sphere. Musician. Own and operate a music store to help kids find a possible life long friend. I believe in the soul and the search. Happily married w/ 2 boys. Published songwriter. play bass, piano and gut string guitar. there are no solutions..only alternatives. Ask questions. Listen. Be fair and don't expect. Baseball is a mirror. Don't ask....unless you have time and a sense of humor. Peace is never easy, but worth it. Always.

Do not say.......DO!!

Dear Senator Kerry;

You took the oath. You first seek and then receive the public trust and if memory serves me, accepted it. With the exception of your family, what higher honor is there sir?

If you care at all for this country we share, I request you reread and soulfully remember your oath, get up and uphold that which you accepted. Now.

Like my grandpa and perhaps yours might have said, it's time to _ _ _ _ or get off the pot.

peace

by mikel paul (10 articles, 1 quicklinks, 7 diaries, 396 comments) on Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at 2:17:30 PM

Undergraduate degree in political science and philosophy: summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa; with postgraduate work in political economics. Postgraduate degree is a juris doctorate. I am a voracious reader and, although I make no claim to expertise, have self studied in logic, linguistics, theology, theoretical physics, macroeconomics, technical and fundamental market analysis, world history, and many other subjects, which I believed at the time helped explain the world around me.

...

to see more of bio, click on member name
W.M.L.Undergraduate degree in political science and philosophy: summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa; with postgraduate work in political economics. Postgraduate degree is a juris doctorate. I am a voracious reader and, although I make no claim to expertise, have self studied in logic, linguistics, theology, theoretical physics, macroeconomics, technical and fundamental market analysis, world history, and many other subjects, which I believed at the time helped explain the world around me.

...

to see more of bio, click on member name

LET'S BE CIVIL

As Lao-Tzu wrote, "A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step." Perhaps this is Senator Kerry's first step in beginning to attempt to block the runaway power of the new media/military/industrial war machine that now threatens economic collapse and nuclear holocaust. In the coming collapse of the American economy, and the propaganda war that will be waged upon us, we will need to welcome many new people into the progressive movement that failed to act earlier when they should have done so. If we can find no forgiveness in our hearts for these that should have known better, sooner; but are now willing, then ours will be a small movement indeed.

by W.M.L. (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 329 comments) on Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at 3:28:24 PM

W.M.L....(and Sen. Kerry)

You are correct and I thank you for the Lao-Tzu. I have a old LT book by my bed I obviously need to reread tonite. Putting aside my above get off the pot comment which I apologize for (sorry Sen. Kerry), my opinion of those who seek the public trust is that they are first and foremost accountable to those whom they represent. That we seem to be in this period where many of our representatives are sadly disconnected from this simple truth is a painful thorn in my side.

I thank you for the reminder W.M.L. and for desert tonite I will have a plate of Tao.

peace

by mikel paul (10 articles, 1 quicklinks, 7 diaries, 396 comments) on Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at 10:02:20 PM