Article: Newsweek Does Government Psy-Op, Helps Obama Keep Guantanamo Open

Now almost a month old and thousands of miles away, we keep turning back to the case, as if hoping that some magical force of justice emerges from the darkness within: either a new witness; a previously-overlooked detail; a credible clue; a source more-conclusively confirmed. In other words, we find ourselves on the outside of a torture prison looking for answers.

If one is genuinely searching for truth against such odds, perhaps these are the only truths worth finding.

Media and Empire

Taking political realism into consideration for a moment, we see clearly that the Presidency of Barack Obama has been, more than anything else, a public relations campaign to solve a global problem. The "problem" can broadly be defined as, how to sell essentially the same imperial policy to the world – with essentially the same objectives - yet with far smoother results. This is populism. This is politics. This is empire.

From week to week, our officials in Washington provide excuses that leave justice-seekers feeling high-and-dry. One week we read that administrative resolve has collapsed due to pressure from the neo-cons, pressure from the right, pressure from hawkish members of the media. And yet in another week we find that budgetary considerations are the culprit, the purse-strings cannot be loosened, and that Congress has overwhelmingly removed its support. Can we believe them? Is it not journalism that must uphold the public interest in this regard?

And what of our journalism? Yesterday I found myself ridiculously combing through some powder-puff national news magazine and looking for answers. Do any of the details above matter?

Allow me to conclude that, in a free society, journalism absolutely must provide readers more than the company line, more opinions than those sponsored by the state. It is our only safeguard from a power that we’ve legally given to others. Let us reflect upon that. And let us also recognize that their deceptive magic is worthless without our uncritical belief. It’s the details I’m referring to. As you are the audience here, what do you think you regarding the details of this story? Do you believe?

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