Obama, Clinton Respond To Pentagon Analysts Story, McCain And Networks Remain Silent

The Nation:

Hillary Clinton's campaign finally came out against the Bush administration's secret program to promote Iraq policy through television analysts on Monday, saying it raises questions of "credibility and trust at the Pentagon" and calling for an Inspector General investigation, in a statement provided to The Nation. The program, first reported by the New York Times on April 20, drew criticism from media watchdog groups and some Democrats, but none of the presidential candidates had previously addressed it. Barack Obama's campaign also finally weighed in on the controversy, telling The Nation that the Illinois Senator was "deeply disturbed" that the administration "sought to manipulate the public's trust," and saying the program "deserves further investigation to determine if laws or ethical standards were violated." Senator McCain's campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

A Pentagon official announced that it would "suspend" the program for "retired military analysts" pending further review, in an interview with the military's Stars and Stripes newspaper on Thursday. The Pentagon added that the suspension is "temporary" on Monday.

Read the whole story: The Nation

Comments

[georgecrupper]

I know what I would do to correct this mess...I would declare the draft of all males 18 to 60, no deferments, to stand on every street corner 24 hours a day in Iraq, Afganistan or any county we intend to invade and impose a 15% tax on all gross income to pay for our foolisment­...it is sad that we ask so few to sacrifice life and limb while the many stay home and enjoy beer, entertainment and a credit card...

[outnow]

Defaming China's products has led to a billion dollar lawsuit against CNN. Maybe a lawsuit to the MSM for the costs of the war in Iraq would have an effect on future propaganda. The news media is not the tool of the administration but is the fourth estate. Constitutionally speaking. propaganda should not be "protected speech." If the power of juries was unleashed on government contractor fraud and spreading lies to form the basis of causus belli, the war-mongering would stop in a New York second. It is outrageous and criminal to hire ex-military propagandists whether of the rank of general or not to push the war industries agenda forward at the cost to the People. This is treason and should be ferreted out in a civil action where documents and money can be traced into the pockets of these same traitors. Being ex-military is not a license for treason. Colin Powell regrets his comments at the UN. Other generals are out there doing the bidding of the administration regardless of the truth of the matter. Everyone should have a professional opinion but let's not have these opinions vetted and pre-screened and paid for. Shame on them! Punitive damages would stop that forever. Let's send a message to these "for-sale" military analysts who profit from untold misery and death.

[ctbutte]

Yes its so very bad for the pentagon to try and get the news of the success of the surge past MSM fuckwits who still thing Muqtadr the One Eyed wonder won the battle in Basra!

You lemmings are too funny

[U4IA]

We lemmings can spell, offer a point of view without cursing or disparaging, and yes, we are funny. You're not.

[aznurse]

What happend to the story by Dave Sirrota concerning Hillary saying that an Indiana factory was closed because of Bush?
I guess news blackouts are occuring here too.

[kipmartin]

no legs.

this story is too complicated for the average news consumer. this wont make a dent beyong the blogosphere. i doubt it will even appear on the nightly news unless someone convinces the editors it can be reported simply, quickly, and with effect.

we bitch about the MSM, but its really the viewers who determine what they will absorb on the news or in papers. they are not happy with complexity--its like trying to lead a deaf and dumb horse to water.

[utd]

Waging psychological operations on our own people to promote the presidents agenda is not some sort of a new thing. Clinton may want to take pause for a sec to assess how much of this went on during her husbands administration before some of the old crows come out of the woodwork against them on their hypocrisies. It does need to be brought to the light but anyone with the name of Clinton or Bush may not be the best choice to do that.

[outnow]

Get both Clintons and Bushes, too.

[TheApeMan]

I meant BBC (not BBS)

[TheApeMan]

Can we seriously not trust anyone on the news anymore?!

Where can I get JUST the news? (this is an actual question) PBS, BBS?
What about the internet? I have McClatchy (sp?) who else?

Big surprise McCain is silent...

[DennyCrane]

McCain won't comment cause he actually believes these analysts on TV, the ones who say the surge is working and that we're making progress.

[ctbutte]

Yes Denny, keep your head firmly planted in the sand.

[wayoutleft]

"further investigation" ROFLMAO!!! are you already done licking petraeus' boots? congressweenies are dwarfs compared to a buck private- and they're going to "investigate" the brass mouthpieces. congress- we know they own you. you would do well to shut up so it isn't so embarrassingly clear.

[condieshoes]

I hope that the Democratic party and candidates can hammer this home. As John McCain tries to distance himself from his "100 years of war" remark, "Bomb, Bomb Iran" song, his flippant remarks, his distain for diplomacy, this is a prime opportunity for Obama or Clinton to do the right thing and stand on the wishes and concerns of the American people and hammer the Neocon (Project For The New American Century) out of political reach of policy and power. It's time for the American People to reason together and be concerned together about issues that truly effect and affect their lives and their children's lives.