Just write a check or give them cash....

[spindrifter]

· Pentagon to plant pro-US stories in global media

Jamie Wilson and Julian Borger Washington
Thursday December 15, 2005
The Guardian

snip...

It was revealed yesterday, on the eve of elections in Iraq, that the Pentagon had set up a $300m (£170m) psychological warfare operation that involves placing pro-American messages in foreign media outlets across the world, including those of its allies, without disclosing the US government as the source.

One of the military officials in charge of the programme told USA Today the campaign was designed to counter terrorist ideology and sway foreign audiences to support American policies. It will target newspapers, websites, radio and television.

snip...

Military officials involved with the latest Pentagon campaign said they did not plan to place false stories in foreign news outlets clandestinely. But Mike Furlong, the deputy director of the joint psychological operations support element, told the newspaper that the military would not always reveal its role in distributing pro-American messages. "While the product may not carry the label 'Made in the USA', we will respond truthfully if asked ," he said.

snip...

The White House and Pentagon refused to comment on the Pentagon's plans to place pro-American stories in foreign media outlets. It is legal for the government to plant propaganda in other countries but not in the US. According to USA Today, special operations command awarded three five-year contracts in June for contractors to develop slogans, advertisements, newspaper articles, radio spots and television programmes overseas to build support for US policies.
snip....

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1667583,00.html

==========================

Truly a bubble world--we blow it the way we want to see it, eh, Chimpy. Who is the "master mind" behind this kind of dissembling? Why should any ally ever believe us again?

[shraby]

1. Wouldn't that go a long way toward repairing NO??

[spindrifter]

2. Absolutely! And we need the credibility

at home, too! Obviously, our credibility is not the main reason this money should have been spent to help rebuild our southern gulf states--giving assistance to our people and trying to get things figured out so we can mitigate or forestall damage from future storms is number one in my mind.
This whole bit about paying big bucks for some idiots to come up for slogans to go on water bottles just sends me over the edge.

[madeline_con]

3. So, the Repugs have a 5 year plan...

The troops in Iraq might as well make themselves comfortable. They're not going anywhere soon...