PR Meets Psy-Ops in War on Terror (should Bush worry about credibility?)

[papau]

strategic communications programs at the Defense Department are being coordinated by the office of the undersecretary of Defense for policy, Douglas J. Feith - who apparently believes telling lies will not annoy the US Media.


http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-warinfo1dec01.story
THE NATION
PR Meets Psy-Ops in War on Terror
The use of misleading information as a military tool sparks debate in the Pentagon. Critics say the practice puts credibility at stake.
By Mark Mazzetti
Times Staff Writer

December 1, 2004

WASHINGTON — On the evening of Oct. 14, a young Marine spokesman near Fallouja appeared on CNN and made a dramatic announcement.

"Troops crossed the line of departure," 1st Lt. Lyle Gilbert declared, using a common military expression signaling the start of a major campaign. "It's going to be a long night." CNN, which had been alerted to expect a major news development, reported that the long-awaited offensive to retake the Iraqi city of Fallouja had begun.

In fact, the Fallouja offensive would not kick off for another three weeks. Gilbert's carefully worded announcement was an elaborate psychological operation — or "psy-op" — intended to dupe insurgents in Fallouja and allow U.S. commanders to see how guerrillas would react if they believed U.S. troops were entering the city, according to several Pentagon officials.

In the hours after the initial report, CNN's Pentagon reporters were able to determine that the Fallouja operation had not, in fact, begun.

"As the story developed, we quickly made it clear to our viewers exactly what was going on in and around Fallouja," CNN spokesman Matthew Furman said.<snip>

The Pentagon in 2002 was forced to shutter its controversial Office of Strategic Influence (OSI), which was opened shortly after the Sept. 11 attacks, after reports that the office intended to plant false news stories in the international media. But officials say that much of OSI's mission — using information as a tool of war — has been assumed by other offices throughout the U.S. government.<snip>

[damntexdem]

1. lie lie lie -- lie lie lie lie lie lie lie

This Administration sure knows how to sing to the media.

[reprehensor]

2. Good article.

Here's more. Welcome to Orwellville.

Truth From These Podia

Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Sam Gardiner has published an analysis which suggests that the White House and Pentagon made up or distorted more than 50 news stories related to the war in Iraq.

A summary of his conclusions:

The United States (and UK) conducted a strategic influence campaign that:

* …distorted perceptions of the situation both before and during the conflict.
* …caused misdirection of portions of the military operation.
* …was irresponsible in parts.
* …might have been illegal in some ways.
* …cost big bucks.
* …will be even more serious in the future.

PDF at link.

[EVDebs]

3. CNN and Psy Ops

Looks like this year 2000 election embedding hasn't really ended has it ? "CNN and Psy Ops" by Alexander Cockburn March 26, 2000

http://www.counterpunch.org/cnnpsyops.html

[EVDebs]

4. Office of Strategic BS Chalabi and Office of Special Plans

Mother Jones magazine awhile back did a great piece on the Office of Special Plans. These gullible neocons got taken for a ride by Iranian spy Ahmed Chalabi. Now the US taxpayers get the bill.

Someone has to con the American public into going along with this. Years ago USMC Gen. Smedley D. Butler wrote an article "War is a Racket" that spelled things out clearly. Maybe some of our returning soldiers will come back and write the same things.

The Mother Jones piece was titled "THE LIE FACTORY". How appropriate.