http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article17873.htmDeceptions and Insipid Sentiments
Troop Support
By Brian Cloughley
06/13/07 "ICH" -- -- Who do you believe about the killing of Afghan civilians? Do you believe official US military statements, brought to us by the people who fabricated the story about Jessica Lynch and lied contemptibly at the highest levels about the killing of Pat Tillman? Or do you believe the Afghans who investigated the bombing?
The military gave a precise number for the number of supposed 'Taliban' killed by air strikes, so there are two points to be considered. First, in such circumstances how could they know the number and that all those killed were 'Taliban'? That is impossible. Second, the military tell us smugly that they don't do body counts. Then they feed the media with supposed exact figures of dead "enemy". How can we trust people who produce such garbage? But this atrocity, like so many others, will vanish into the dust of history, speeded into oblivion by the lies of the Pentagon.
snip//
When the American public is urged to "support our troops" there is automatic positive reaction. There is not a US politician who would dare criticize the military, even when presented with irrefutable evidence of hideous atrocities. There is a plenty of "regret" and suchlike insipid sentiment. But you'll never get condemnation. It is unthinkable to even hint that the military can do wrong.
There is little wonder that the military in Iraq and Afghanistan disguise facts, manipulate the truth, and tell downright lies. They have the example of the rancid Bush Administration, none of whose members have ever heard a shot fired in anger, yet have the light of battle in their steely eyes. They simply follow their leader, one of whose most absurd and blatant lies was that "We gave him
a chance to allow the inspectors in, and he wouldn't let them in." This preposterous fabrication has not been challenged by any prominent public figure because of the deep-seated national belief in the myth of presidential probity, no matter what evidence may be presented to the contrary. It's on exactly the same lines as the blind, mindless repetition of "support our troops".
The lie was repeated on June 5 by Republican Mitt Romney, word for word, and was unchallenged by any other candidate for the devalued post of president of Washington-on-Oil. The commentator Larry Beihart recounts that "Wolf Blitzer, moderating the debate didn't correct him. The so-called journalists asking questions didn't seem to notice. The CNN post debate commentators didn't mention it. The New York Times and The Washington Post, in today's stories on the debate, didn't mention it. A web search this morning didn't reveal any comments on Romney's astounding statement."
The Pentagon's lie machine is working well, but Washington doesn't realise how much damage is being done to the credibility of the United States. The liars might hope and imagine they are protecting their president from condemnation, but all they are doing is creating worldwide contempt, ridicule and loathing for their country. By manipulating facts and downright lying they are doing the reverse of supporting the troops. But once the leader lies, it's downhill all the way.
Brian Cloughley is a former army officer who writes on political and military affairs. His website is www.briancloughley.com
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
