How Right-Wing Lie About MoveOn Ad Became The Story

Weekly Standard Lies About MoveOn Ad, Media Falls For It

Pay attention, America:  this is how the right-wing uses the media to manipulate the truth and silence dissent against the Iraq war. 

Even before MoveOn.org's ran its controversial ad about General Petraeus in the New York Times, The Weekly Standard published an article by Peter Hegseth, Executive Director of the organization Vets for Freedom.  The headline of the article accused the MoveOn.org ad of calling Petreaus a 'traitor' ("MoveOn.org Calls Petraeus a Traitor").  The only problem:  the word 'traitor' appears nowhere in the MoveOn.org ad nor anywhere on the MoveOn.org page about the ad. It is Hegseth's article that introduced the word 'traitor' into the story -- an outright lie intended to silence dissent against the war.  Less than 24 hours after the Hegseth piece ran and the MoveOn.org ad appeared, the mainstream media picked up the Weekly Standard's lie and repeated it until it became the story.

The word 'betray' used by MoveOn in the ad implies many meanings, but does not directly imply 'traitor' -- unless that definition is introduced.

Voila!  Another effort by U.S. citizens to question Bush's policy in Iraq has been silenced by right-wing, coordinated accusations that critics of the war seek to harm the country, this time by slandering the U.S. military. 

And it is not just overt right-wing sources influenced by the Weekly Standard.

During an interview of MoveOn.org's Eli Pariser, last night (Sep 10, 2007), Hardball's Chris Matthew's repeated the false accusation several times, asking if it was acceptable to accuse Patraeus of being a 'traitor,' as if the MoveOn.org ad had done so -- thereby repeating Hegseth's false spin.   

In the 48 hours since it was posted Hegseth's lie about the MoveOn.org ad has been repeated all over the media, from Hugh Hewitt in the Los Angeles Times (Sep 10, 2007) to lesser-known sources such as Wake Up America.

Hewitt also repeated the Hegseth lie in a Townhall.com post, posting a statement to the widely-read conservative blog that is outright false when he stated that the Senate had used "MoveOn.org as their party's attack dog to call David Petraeus a traitor"--despite the fact that the MoveOn.org ad did not call Petraeus a liar (full post here).

The problem, of course, is not just that a false statement in the original Hegseth article was published as if it was news on The Weekly Standard, but the uncritical way other media outlets picked up and repeated the lie.

To date, not one major media outlet has denounced the Hegseth pieces for lying about the text of the MoveOn.org ad.

(cross posted from Frameshop)

Follow Jeffrey Feldman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/JeffreyFeldman

Comments

[proudvetOIF]

Ok, I realize that I am way behind this thread and no-one will probably read this anyway, but I need to voice a few things. The media that some few of you are blasting as bowing to the will of their corprate masters is biased to the left. Always was, always will be. Why do you think the only news you ever hear out of Iraq and Afganistan is bad? You do realize that more Americans were killed in Detroit alone last month than in the whole war torn country of Iraq, don't ya? Change your perspective at all? Probably not. Most of you are too busy whining about being betrayed. And, as long as we are in a question asking mood, who exactly is the General being accused of betraying? The American people? The troops? Who? I do not feel betrayed by the General, but then I know another fighting man when I see one. Here is a short list of his medals: the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, two awards of the Distinguished Service Medal, two awards of the Defense Superior Service Medal, four awards of the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal for valor, the State Department Superior Honor Award, the NATO Meritorious Service Medal. He is a Master Parachutist and is Air Assault and Ranger qualified. He has also earned the Combat Action Badge and French, British, and German Jump Wings. If any of you knew what it takes to get this kind of recognition you would quit this mindless mewling and move on - as you like to put it. I am a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and damn proud of my service and I DO NOT FEEL BETRAYED. Do you understand yet? I have been there. My Brothers and Sisters are STILL there fighting. So, you accuse this man of betrayal? Remember this: you are sheep. Mindless, bawling, whining little sheep. We understand this, and forgive you for it. If my support for the General and My Commander-In-Chief makes me a right - wing GOPer, then so be it.

[ukforensics]

Petraeus is a General: there's a war on. The words in the ad read: General Petraeus or General Betray Us. Ergo, he's a traitor. The word itself may not have been used, and notwithstanding its cognates, the ad wording is pretty clear.

But how do I get to read all this anyway?? I thought the right-wing conspiratorial establishment had closed you all down? Silenced you? Ah! I get it: just as the word "betray" is not meant to connote treachery, so "silence" must therefore mean: loud, outspoken, constantly heard, uncensored. It's the vocabulary, stupid!

[unreceivedogma]

If MoveOn wanted to call attention to itself, then this ad was very effective. If MoveOn wanted to either move the debate or reach a constituency beyond their base, then it is not at all clear if this ad accomplished much, if anything, and in fact it may have backfired, even among some of their constituency. It is personal attack messaging, something that the Right is very good at and has been roundly criticized for as a way to shift the debate away from substance and onto personality. Not good even tactically, never mind strategically. The left must be more creative in their messaging so that substance stays in the forground while still garnering the level of attention that this time went to the organization instead of the points they wanted to make.

[urthsong]

Nobody has mentioned Admiral William J. Fallon, General Petraeus's immediate boss commanding CENTCOM since Feb. 7th. He calls Petraeus a "sycophant" and much worse. Bush should have had Fallon, appointed earlier this year by Secretary of Defense Gates, doing the testimony. But Fallon knows the facts and wants to redeploy quickly. I am absolutely opposed to swift boating. But MoveOn.org didn't do that. They told the facts in their ad. There is nothing wrong with that. If General Betray Us wants to spin the facts, let him bear the name. Ya done good, MoveOn.org.

[GBGB]

Mr. Feldman,
Pick up just about any dictionary and you will see that "traitor" is defined as one who "betrays" another person, a cause, or a country. MoveOn.org said that Gen. Petraeus has betrayed us. Therefore, it is entirely accurate to state that MoveOn.org has accused Gen. Petraeus of being a traitor.
You say that certain pundits have "lied" because MoveOn.org did not actually use the word "traitor." Did any of those pundits actually state that MoveOn.org used the word "traitor"? If not, then you are the one who is lying.

[BalancedEgg]

By chance, could someone explain to me why a man who is an expert on conflict, strategy and insurgency needs to be defended against a well chosen wordplay? IF indeed he does need this kind of protection, heaven help us. As I recall (and the christian right can verify this, I am sure), you reap what you sow. Petreus has spent his life sowing the seeds of war, self glory and politics and now...welcome home, General. Ready for your close-up?

[milo9]

As to those who criticize Move On's add as lacking finesse and good taste. I say this, we are in a fight and it's going to get ugly. Get used to it.

[laocoon]

You know people are dying in Iraq. Not just US soldiers but Iraqi civilians and children and all hell is being unleashed. Here is the Right once again whining to the heavens about some rough political talk about real mass violence and chaos. Whining so loud you cant hear anything else. I respect General P. enough to think he is not devastated by sticks and stones like this. Many of us grew up with names that in the wrong circumstances led to chiding puns. He is a big tough soldier and it is actually disrespectful of the right to act like he is some fragile teenage girl. He should know he is injecting himself into a political question and if he cant take it he never should have accepted the job. Quit whining you ditto heads.

[madron]

Go MoveOn swiftboat them some more....I like what your doing...keep it up...

[Qbear]

Move On knew going into these hearings Military is given deference and reverence by the media which no politician can rival.
They and I are also MAD AS HELL we got jerked around by Cheney....yet again. Petraeus Report was PROMISED, then a tweaked White House version was PROMISED, then NO REPORT was provided.

[chinohillster]

- 'The Nation's' circulation exceeding that of People Magazine

- Amy Goodman becomes the CBS/NBC/ABC Nightly News Anchor

- Air America and Pacifica radio stations exceeding in number those of Clear Channel

If ANY of the above should occur, what do you think the reaction of the O'Reillys/­Limbaughs/­Coulters/H­annitys of the world would be? Those that didn't require paramedics would be inchoate in their rage that the LEFT actually had an impact in the mainstream arena!

The entire brouhaha over the MoveOn.org ad is a tantrum thrown by the Right over the sheer chutzpah of a progressive organization taking them on in the public sphere. It's fine for the Right to demonize, "Swift Boat", discount, apply perjorative after perjorative on their vast network of media (Clear Channel: 1200+ stations, Pacifica: 5 - hello?????)

[dwillisno1]

Move on would be more credible if they stuck with the content of the ad and skipped the not really very clever headline. The truth is bad enough and the hyperbole is unnecessary and distracting. Of course, for those who only read the headlines??

[nippersdad]

The headline was clever in that it is Petraeus' nickname at the Pentagon! That is the bad truth and there is no hyperbole about it!

[Tubby]

Says who? Names and specifics, please. Oh, please exclude disgruntled underlings.

[Boadicea]

This is exactly why the in-your-face methods of MoveOn fail to change many minds, and why the story moves away from the subject.

The ad is provocative and it's negative, while at the same time tries to be nuanced. It doesn't work - what's picked up by the MSM is the negativity.

MoveOn represents one beligerant (though correct) voice of the left. It's not every voice, and it's certainly not going to appeal to any moderates. If they want to change minds, they have to grow up.

[nippersdad]

Perhaps you need to form a group which will appeal to the grown ups amongst us?

[Qbear]

cue up the Max Cleeland commercial the F*CKIN Republicans in Georgia in 2002 against a vet who gave THREE limbs in the service of his country, linking him with Bin Laden and Saddam...because he DARED slightly disagree with ONE Homeland Security provision.

WHERE'S THE GOD DAMN APOLOGY Gergen, Matthews, O'Reilly????

cue up the dozen of MOTHERF*CKERS wearing purple heart band aids at the Republican Convention.

WHERE'S THE GOD DAMN APOLOGY Gergen, Matthews, O'Reilly????

cue up Jean Schmidt calling a decorated Marine Jack Murtha...a COWARD on the floor of Congress.

WHERE'S THE GOD DAMN APOLOGY Gergen, Matthews, O'Reilly????

[madron]

You nailed the three Bastards..­..100%....

[NABNYC]

And now is when we should hit back again. Everyone should write their local paper, and post on that paper's blog if they have one available.

Include the key facts that Petraeus has presented misleading evidence to support Bush's efforts to continue this war; that he excludes from the death count anyone killed by a car explosion, or anyone shot in the front rather than in the back. Also that more U.S. military people have died each month in 2007 than died in the corresponding month in 2006.

Follow up on Petraeus's lies and the need to end this war. Also mention the fact that our own infrastructure and economy are crumbling while we spend billions of our taxpayer dollars on this pointless war. In other words, we need to back-up Move on, and we need to keep the pressure up and to counter the right wing lies.

[leftcoastindy]

Without knowing what Patraeus knows, there is NO POSSIBILITY of assertaining wether or not his is a traitor...to the American poeple, or his soldiers.