CBS Falsifies Iraq War History-By Robert Parry

[kpete]

CBS Falsifies Iraq War History

By Robert Parry
January 28, 2008


There’s a cynical old saying that the victors write the history. CBS’s “60 Minutes” demonstrated how that process works on Jan. 27 in airing Scott Pelley’s interview with the FBI agent who de-briefed former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.

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Journalistic Group Think

Prominent Washington journalists have even repeated Bush’s lie as their own. For instance, in a July 2004 interview, ABC’s veteran newsman Ted Koppel used it to explain why he – Koppel – thought the invasion of Iraq was justified.

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In Pelley’s historical formulation, the question is not why did Bush invade Iraq in violation of international law, causing the deaths of nearly 4,000 American soldiers and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis, but rather “How could (Hussein) have wanted his country to be invaded?”

This strategy of repeating a “big lie” often enough to make it sound true was famously described in the writings of Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels during World War II. However, given the relatively free U.S. press, many Americans feel they are protected from “big lie” techniques, counting on journalists to call lying politicians to account.

But that clearly is no longer the case – and hasn’t been for some time. Facing career pressure from well-organized right-wing attack groups, American journalists act more like triangulating politicians, fearful of accusations of “liberal bias” or unpatriotic behavior or softness on terrorism.

To have challenged George W. Bush in July 2003 – when he was near the height of his popularity – or even now with his approval ratings at historic lows would carry career dangers that few American reporters want to risk.

So, discretion – or in this case the acceptance of a lie as truth – is the better part of valor.

more at:
http://www.consortiumnews.com/2008/012808.html

[Echo In Light]

1. Oh, that pesky ol "liberal" media!

[Dhalgren]

2. I caught that, too.

He said something to the effect of, "Why did Saddam not act to stop the invasion? What was he looking to gain by causing the US to invade his country?" I was shocked. Even after everything, I was shocked...

[Neecy]

3. Scott Pelley is a willing tool of the right....

He did an interview a couple of months ago in which he derisively asked something about the "Democrat party". Dead giveaway.

[KharmaTrain]

4. They've Been Rewriting History As They've Gone

These days, ask any repugnican the reason for Iraq and you'll get a dozen different reasons...from WMD to Saddam wanted to kill junior's daddy...and each finds a way to justify all the carnage and misery as some "necessary"...yet they can't explain it, nor how what ensued has rectified the situation. We hear the word "victory"...but try to have one define what that means. The crickets chirp loudly.

The corporate media bought into this war for their own profit and they'll be damned to admit the war was both illegal and unnecessary. Instead, those who were right all along are given the back of the hand (as though how dare us for knowing the truth) and they're gonna attempt to wash their hands by some Monday morning quarterbacking that will never implicate their complicity in these crimes nor their guilt.

The question that these goons will never ask are the most fundamental ones.

[Bonhomme Richard]

5. Saddam miscalculated.

He didn't realize that he was dealing with a lunatic.
And Pelley, He is one of the worse interviewers I have witnessed. I was wondering after the show last night what kind of juice he has to be getting these high level interviews. My conclusion is that he is the journalist least likely to be bothered by journalistic standards.

[CGowen]

6. He probably missed this story "UAE says Saddam accepted exile offer before invasion"

UAE says Saddam accepted exile offer before invasion

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Saddam Hussein accepted an 11th-hour offer to flee into exile weeks ahead of the U.S.-led 2003 invasion, but Arab League officials scuttled the proposal, officials in this Gulf state claimed.

The exile initiative was spearheaded by the late president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheik Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, at an emergency Arab summit held in Egypt in February 2003, Sheik Zayed's son said in an interview aired by Al-Arabiya TV during a documentary. The U.S.-led coalition invaded on March 19 that year.

A top government official confirmed the offer on Saturday, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.

Saddam allegedly accepted the offer to try halt the invasion and bring elections to Iraq within six months, claimed the official and Sheik Zayed's son.

...

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2005-10-29-saddamexile_x.htm

[elizfeelinggreat]

7. Yes

I remember posting that and other articles including Scott Ritter's findings, common sense stuff, on discussion boards and being derided for it. The extreme hatred I got in response was astounding. Fingers in their ears chanting kind of stuff. :( It's still amazing to me that journalists used similar techniques to respond to the experts who were countering Bush's lies and apparently they still do.